At Home "Destination Weddings"

If you've always fantasized about a destination wedding but can't imagine flying all of your family and friends around the world to get there... just stay home. No, really!

Bring the world to you with an at home "destination" wedding!

Here are three of our favorite "getaway" ideas...

Paris

Romantic French music, fleur de lis accents, pink and white striped linens, an Eiffel Tower cake,... transforming your wedding into an all out Parisian affair can easily be done, without ever leaving the states! Or set up a gourmet coffee bar with cafe tables and croissants for late night mingling.

Caribbean

Let brightly colored flowers, serene music and friendly faces be the setting of your Caribbean wedding getaway. Compliment your style with tropical food, like jerk pork skewers, black bean cakes and mai tai cocktails. And centerpieces have never been more affordable than hurricanes of sand and shells with votives. Even in the middle of a Michigan winter, your guests can still feel that tropical hospitality!

Russia

One of the most elegant themes, Russian weddings can make the most of a winter style, with traditional touches, (faux) fur wraps, caviar and vodka bars. With so many ideas available, who needs to jetset to have the wedding of their dreams?

Inviting F. Scott Fitzgerald to Your Wedding

As wedding themes seem to come and go, we've found one trend that's been sticking around for the past few years. Literature and era themed weddings transport your guests to a whole new world, into an event like no other wedding they've attended. One of our favorites is the Great Gatsby wedding...

A set back into the prohibition days of the '20s, with scandalous dancing, strong cocktails, elegance and glamour. Whether themed from start to finish, or incorporating just a few touches from the novel or decade, authenticity is key creating this ginchy atmosphere...

Instead of traditional ballroom dancing, take a few classes with your groom-to-be and learn to Charleston!

 

 Whether indoors in a gorgeous ballroom or outside on the lawn, nonstop dancing, drinking and debauchery are the only requirements for a great flapper party.

For decor, keep it simple and borderline gaudy with centerpieces of big black and white feathers, crystal beading, roses or candlelit chandeliers hanging low above each table.

 Take a cue from Daisy and simplify your wedding day attire. Or slip into a vintage cocktail dress after the ceremony and spend the rest of your night doing the Charleston!

Don't forget to invite your guests to dress appropriately as well!

http://www.stylemepretty.com/tag/the-great-gatsby/

For a fun twist on the traditional bar, make it a true "speakeasy" with prohibition-style libations! Try a Gin Fizz (gin, lemon juice, sugar and seltzer) or a Bee's Knees (gin, honey and lemon). Favors for the night could be small boxes of chocolate or mini bottles of homemade infused liquor.

And in the spirit of a true flapper, try our favorite Prohibition Punch recipe from the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central...

• 1 ounce Appelton Estate Rum V/X
• 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
• 2 ounces passion fruit juice
• Splash of cranberry juice
• Splash of fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce Moet et Chandon Champagne

1. Combine the rum, Grand Marnier, and fruit juices with ice in a brandy snifter, and stir gently.
2. Top with Champagne.

More Great Gatsby wedding ideas here and here...

Pink Ribbons Everywhere

Happy October!

Beyond pumpkins, costumes and autumn leaves, this month holds a deeper meaning for many...

The White House, October 2008

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrating it's 26th anniversary, bringing treatment and preventative options to millions of women (and men) around the world.
Susan G. Komen For The Cure has raised over $1.5 billion since it began in 1982.

In celebration of the lives saved and the future health of those we love, check out this amazing sugar cookie recipe! Bake a few dozen ribbons, top them with cute sprinkles and offer them to family and friends
with a gentle reminder to support the cause...

Because, as they say, everyone deserves a lifetime...

Best Ever Sugar Cookies

(courtesy of Sweet Heather Anne bakery)

Ingredients
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
9 1/2 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla paste
1/2 tsp lemon zest

Directions
Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and mix well. Add milk, vanilla and lemon zest. Gradually stir in flour mixture until well blended. Refrigerate dough for one hour or up to 3 days.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out dough on floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut desired shapes and place on parchment lined baking sheets. Chill cut cookies for ten minutes before transferring to the preheated oven. Bake for 8 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely before icing.

Or call Sweet Heather Anne directly to order a few dozen of her signature cookies!

Budget Friendly Options

While Jordan almonds, mini candles and picture frames are perfectly lovely wedding favors, they tend to be written off as an "extra" at the average wedding. When your budget is stretched from the cost of flowers, photos, centerpieces, linens and more,

the favors are usually the first thing to go!

So before you take out a second mortgage just to pay for this wedding, consider making your centerpiece pull double duty.

Like Erin + Ryan did with homemade cakes at each table, an edible centerpiece cuts down on the overall cost of the wedding while providing a memorable touch.

Try bouquets of Cheesecake or Brownie Lollipops. Sweet, whimsical and delicious, they take on the feel of a candy buffet for half the price. 

We made ours more casual with clear vases, ground cookie crumbs and bright sprinkles and ribbons.

Or present a miniature Candy Buffet at each table. Fill glasses, jars and vases with licorice, chocolates, lollipops and colorful candies on a lazy Susan in the middle of each table. Theme the candy by color or style, or place different candy at each table to encourage mingling!

Not a sweets person? That's okay.

How about fresh apples?

In a vase, a tower or just scattered on the table,

carry out the theme with apple place cards (or any fruit you like!)

Not all wedding favors and centerpieces are the same. Just start thinking outside of the candles-and-flowers box and the possibilities are endless...

Erin + Ryan

Erin and Ryan's light, summer wedding was a homemade, family style dream.

Their sweet exchange of vows took place at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the most beautiful spot in Ann Arbor for a warm weather wedding, with an abundance of flowers and sunshine. 

After taking photos all around Ann Arbor, these two enjoyed a fresh, flavorful dinner of Herb Encrusted Pork Loin with caramelized onion and apples

with a Caprese Salad of juicy tomatoes, mozzarella and basil,

creamy Tortellini St. Tropez and a zesty Fire Roasted Vegetable Platter.

In lieu of a traditional tiered wedding cake, they placed homemade cakes, courtesy of the bride's cousin, on each table for guests to serve themselves. Wedding favors doubled as place cards with jars of sweet, homemade jam.

All photos courtesy of Courtney Michalik Photography.

Congratulations you two!

Alison + Nirav

Imagine the most enchanted, elegant wedding,

add cozy seating, warm lanterns and amazing food,

then move the whole event outdoors.

This is just a taste of Alison and Nirav's magical September wedding,

whose big day was made complete by not only the crisp Autumn weather

but the impeccable cuisine they chose.

Filet Mignon... Sea Scallops in Champagne Sauce...

Individual dishes of Eggplant Parmesan...

A tower of handmade cupcakes in Alison's colors...

Colorful Mint Mojitos...

and, after all the dancing and laughter had peaked, they kept the party going

with late night Tomato Soup Shooters and Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

All photos are courtesy of Michael Sackett Photography- www.michaelsackett.net

 

Jen + Francois

05.08.10

Jen and Francois had the kind of at-home wedding we all dream of.
 

Sweet, homegrown flowers, an intimate setting and fresh, delicious food...

From Beef Satays to Mahi Mahi with Margarita Lime Butter,

Mixed Berry Skewers and Grilled Cheese Bites and Tomato Soup Shooters-

their eclectic menu was just the right touch for their close friends and family.

Many thanks to Lauren Youngs for sharing her beautiful photos.

   

    

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Congratulations Jen and Francois on your happily ever after!!