By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding reception will be the biggest party you will ever organize and one of the most expensive, so it is important you approach wedding reception planning properly.  Many of the details and elements you will consider during your wedding planning will be for your reception, including table centerpieces, wedding favors and the catering. 

After deciding on your wedding date, the style of your wedding and your guest list, it is time to consider the format of your wedding reception.  You may want to have a wedding theme, which will help you to design the entire look and feel of the day; you should also choose your wedding colors at this point.  From here you can begin thinking about the smaller details such as catering, your wedding cake and how you will decorate your reception venue.

Of course, all of this is elementary if you do not have a venue in which to hold your wedding reception.  So after choosing your theme and color scheme it is time to start looking at venues.  Take your time and visit as many as you can, however do not delay n your final decision as the best venues will be booked up early and you could end up disappointed.

Be sure to check that any potential venue can accommodate the number of guests you intend to invite, is not too far away from your ceremony venue and most importantly is affordable!  Also question whether the venue will fit with you wedding theme if you are having one and ask to see the room where your reception will be held.

Next you will need to think about the catering.  Your venue may be providing this for you or you may have to source external caterers to meet your needs.  Whichever it is, arrange to meet with them to discuss menus and to have tasting sessions.  You should also enquire about table linens, crockery, cutlery and glassware.  If you don’t like what is on offer then again you will need to source these externally.

Put together a scrapbook or designers mood board to help you coordinate your color scheme and details such as your centerpieces, table settings, wedding cake design and wedding favors.  Doing this can help you to see how colors and designs will fit together and give you a clear plan to work to when setting up the room.  Your next task is to think about your centerpieces which you may have made for you by your florist or you may want to make them yourself.  Finally you will need to coordinate your favors to match your finished scheme.

Aside from all the fancy details you will also need to think about the layout of the room and where your guests will be seated.  Check the furniture that is in the reception room already and enquire whether this is what will be available to you, also ask if they will arrange the room for you.  At the same time you should also be giving some thought to whether or not you want live musicians playing during the wedding breakfast as you will need to accommodate them somewhere within the room.  Put together a seating plan which shows the layout of the room and where each guest will be seated.

Towards the end of your wedding planning you will need to confirm final numbers with your caterers and reception venue.  Now you can work with these vendors to plan your schedule for the day as not having a clear schedule could lead you to be charged staff overtime charges and other expenses for running on longer than expected.

The day before your wedding you will need to set up the room ready for the next day.  Some venues will be happy to allow you access, whilst others will do the setting up for you in part or in whole.  Make sure you arrange with them from the beginning when it will be possible to gain access to set up the reception.  Most brides will want to oversee this at the very least so make sure you can.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

After you have decided on the venue & the style or theme of your wedding it is time to turn your attention to your reception room by bringing together everything you will need to create the ‘look’.

This is an exhaustive list, & by no means a complete one, as creative brides will often think up other little extras to add in.  But I have tried to cover the basics & it is up to you to then add in anything else you feel is necessary.

Furniture – The venue may provide all this for you, including tables, chairs, extra side tables etc.  If you are perhaps hiring an empty hall or erecting a marquee in the garden then you will need to bring in your own.  A marquee company may have furniture packages for you to choose from, although you might want to look elsewhere to get better prices.

You will need to hire in:

•  Tables – top table & smaller tables for your guests to sit at. If you are having a buffet then you will need long tables on which to layout the food.
• Side tables – to display your wedding cake on & one for the wedding gifts & guestbook. You might also want some small tables to display your flower arrangements on.
• Chairs
• Other items to consider are sofas, couches or benches so your guests can sit in comfort & relax in small groups, perhaps during the cocktail hour before moving to the dinner tables.

Table Linens – This includes table cloths, which can be large covers to cover the full table with smaller cloths over the top.  These are often presented in two colors according to the wedding scheme, for instance, a white cloth underneath with a pink one over the top.  Napkins in your chosen main wedding color, perhaps to match the top table cloth & chair covers.  Many brides choose to add these to bring some extra color or to hide ugly chairs.  Usually they are white but you may be able to get them in a range of other colors.  It is more common to use white ones with a colored sash tied around the top.

Don’t forget to hire in extra cloths for any additional tables & make sure you take into account the shape of your tables, round, square, rectangular, long.  Square cloths on round tables doesn’t work very well!  Be aware that is you hire in linens you will likely have to pay a cleaning charge as well.

China & Crockery – Again your venue may provide this but if it doesn’t or you do not like it then you will need to look to hire it in.  There a re many hire companies out there who can give you a range of styles & options to choose from, from classic white to vintage patterns, you can find crockery to match just about any wedding scheme.  Make sure you hire enough pieces & don’t forget that you will need plates for each course, bowls for dessert, side plates, serving plates & a few spares.  You should also think about coffee & tea cups along with milk jugs, coffee/tea pots & sugar bowls & extra plates on which to serve your wedding cake.  Take note of any charges for breakage & collection/delivery costs.

You might also want to look at adding in charger plates, which are large decorative plates which take the place of traditional place mats & sit underneath the main crockery.  They do make a nice decorative addition to your tables & are well worth considering.

Cutlery – From kings pattern to simple contemporary styles your choice of cutlery should also tie in with your wedding style.  A traditional wedding with lots of flowers & opulent touches would be complete with some luxurious gold plated kings style cutlery, whilst an Asian theme would be set off with some contemporary cutlery with bamboo style handles.

You will need to order the following items according to your menu:

• Knives & forks for the first course
• Soup spoons
• Fish knives & servers
• Knives & forks for each additional course
• Steak knives
• Dessert forks
• Dessert spoons
• Tea spoons
• Side knives – for bread & butter
• Servers – knives, spoons, tongs etc.

Don’t worry though as the hire company will be able to guide you, just furnish them with your menu & number of guests & they will do all the calculations for you.

Glassware – From cut crystal to smooth contemporary lines, your glassware can add the perfect finishing touches to your tables.  Some brides don’t like to use those often provided by venues as they can appear scratched or worn from years of being washed in a glass washer.  If you are a having a particular style or theme you may want a particular type of glassware to coordinate.

Glasses you will need to consider ordering include:

• Red wine glasses
• White wine glasses
• Champagne glasses
• Water glasses

These are the main types of glass usually found at a formal place setting.  Other types of glass such as beer or tumblers, will be provided by the venue or if you need to hire them in as well, you can choose a cheaper type as they won’t be part of your table settings.

Other items – You may also want to think about items such as hot food servers, chillers, serving platters, wine coolers or champagne buckets. A wedding cake stand if not provided by your cake maker.  There is also your entertainment to consider, things such as a dance floor, seating for your entertainment & tables.

 By Georgina Clatworthy

Once you have the basics in place for your reception – tables, chairs etc, it is time to turn your attention to the details.  I have already discussed table cloths & linens in the reception shopping list & other items such as charger plates, so this is about all those other little details that will transform your reception room from bland & boring, into fabulous & wow!

Centerpieces – These are the decorative arrangements that will sit in the center of your tables.  Traditionally floral arrangements, these days anything goes & creative brides are coming up with ever more unusual versions for their reception tables.

You will need centerpieces for each of your guests tables, arrangements for the top table, in which you might want to include your bouquet in front of yourself & your groom & arrangements for additional tables such as the wedding cake & guestbook/gift tables, although many brides will use their bridesmaids bouquets for these tables.

Seating Plan - Essentially a map telling your guests where they are seated.  It is usual for the seating plan to be presented on a large board displayed at the entrance to the reception room.  You can make one yourself or have one custom made for you in your wedding colors & to match your wedding stationery.

Lighting - Lighting can be vitally important for your reception as it will help to set the tone & atmosphere.  Your venue may already have a good lighting system in place allowing you to adjust the lighting in certain areas as you want.  Alternatively you may have to introduce additional ceiling lights or change the shades on the existing one (get permission first!) & add in some table or floor lights too. 

Take some time to think carefully about your lighting, if possible visit the venue at different times of the day so you can see how the natural light plays out over the course of the afternoon & into the evening, this will help you come up with a lighting scheme that will keep the atmosphere at a constant.  Adding some candles to your tables or into your centerpieces will also help the ambience, but ask the venue first if you can light them.

Place Cards – Such an important addition to your tables is often overlooked by brides.  Your place cards will provide the final finishing touch to your place settings so take some time to consider how to best present them.  In their simplest form they are handwritten tent cards, but you can also purchase small frames or holders to set them off to perfection.

Wedding Favors - These are the little gifts you give to your guests as a token of appreciation for joining you on your wedding day.  Never overlook wedding favors, many guests will expect them!  Coordinate them with your wedding style or theme, including the packaging.  You can double them up as place card holders or make the place card holders the wedding favor! 

Additional Decorations - These can include floral arrangements, which you may have brought over from the ceremony site, banners, garlands, paper lanterns, ornaments.  Whatever your style or theme make sure you add to the whole scheme with some additional decorations to complete the look.  Check out hire companies which specialize in props or interiors for some interesting items.

Extras - This includes your guestbook, post box for cards, cake stand & servers.

By Georgina Clatworthy

When it comes to putting together your wedding theme, your choice of location for your wedding reception is an integral part.

As your wedding theme will be mostly played out at your reception you will want to use the same ideas as you have expressed in your wedding stationery & your ceremony.  Your reception should be a fun place to be, free from all the formalities of the ceremony, so you should aim to make the reception as comfortable & as welcoming as possible.

To create a unique wedding reception you need to think outside of the box & search for an unusual & creative location.  If you want to wow your guests then the local town hall probably won’t do it, no matter how much effort you go to with the decorations.  Finding a unique location will help unleash your inner creativity & help you to produce a reception that is totally your own design.

However, there are some essential details that you have to consider when it comes to planning your reception, no matter where you host it.

1. Weather / Environment - is the wedding reception inside or out?

2. Setup - If it is a non-traditional location then think about the following:

Power supply?

Parking?

Distance? Will your guests be prepared to drive there?

3. Cleanup, setup - A traditional wedding venue will have a system for cleaning up in place.  Make sure you enquire about this when you book, if they don’t have any system in place, then you will need to make arrangements for it to be done.

4. Theme - Will the location fit with your chosen theme? You don’t have to have a theme of course, but having one does help you to design the whole feel of your wedding.

5. Wow Value - If the wow factor is important, will this location give it? If you are not sure, then take some friends back with you for another visit & gauge their opinion.

Truly Unique Wedding Reception Locations

Cleared corn fields. For a rural, country or rustic theme this would be ideal.  Imagine it set out with a marquee, dance floor & a country & western band.

Sports Venues. If you or your partner have a favorite sport why not hold your reception at a sports ground? Look at golf, football or baseball grounds. 

High Rise Roof. Hold your wedding on the top of a skyscraper for an exhilarating & memorable party.  It maybe pricy & any guests with a fear of heights may be reluctant to attend!

Your choice of venue doesn’t have to be so unusual it will cost you a fortune to hire or worse still you will probably never find it.  There are plenty of more common venues that can have just the right blend of uniqueness & wow that you are looking for.  Try gardens, museums, beaches, lakes & mountains, farms, barns & vineyards.

And Saving Lots of Money in the Process

By Georgina Clatworthy

When it comes to planning the wedding reception, it pays to know exactly what your budget is.  The good news is that no matter what the size of your budget, large or small, there is a perfect reception venue available for everyone.

As a guide, your wedding budget should allocate 30% of the total to your reception.  Where costs can really start to mount is in the smaller details such as decorations, rentals & outside catering.  Here are some hints & tips to help you cut the cost of your reception food & drink, as well how to throw your reception on tight budget.

Renting a Hall

If you choose to rent a hall or large room for your reception, then there are several things that you will need to take in to account beforehand.  For example there is the cost of hiring the room, using their servers (many will have them include in the price & may not be negotiable), then there is the cost of decorations, flowers, food & beverages.

With hiring a hall there are several things that you will have to pay for, such as decorations & beverage. But some hall venues will give you a range of options to pick & choose as you like. 

Your choice of hall type will also have an impact on your budget.  For example a grand banqueting hall will typically cost more than a community hall.  Another consideration is if your budget is small to start with, then renting a hall could leave you with more effort & fewer options than booking a package with a different style of venue.

Here are some tips about renting a hall & keeping your costs down.

1.  Halls should only be considered if you have 50 or more guests on your list.

2.  Choose between an open bar or a cash bar for your reception, when renting a hall.  An good alternative is to provide beer yourselves & have a cash bar for those want a mixed drink.

3.  Choose a hall you can decorate yourselves.

4. If you need servers, then choose a hall that has them included in the price or one that will let you bring your own.

5. Make sure your choice of hall will cater to your needs & budget.

6. Avoid extra costs for catering & hire a hall that will let you supply your own food.

7. Save money on your catering with finger foods, vegetable & fruit trays.  This will also cater to the vegetarians among your guests.  

8. A casual style buffet reception will be cheaper than a formal sit down meal.  

9. Have a cash bar as an alternative to giving a wedding gift. It is a great way to accommodate your guests & will save you money on the hall hire.  

10. Choose a midweek wedding date as weekend dates are always more expensive.

11. Good rates can be had for winter time weddings.  

12. Pay by cash & negotiate a deal on the price for doing so.  Most venues will have to pay a charge to accept payments by credit cards so they are more likely to agree.  

13. You can save on your catering costs by holding the reception in the daytime & offer just canapés or snacks, rather than a formal evening meal.

Having a hall wedding reception needn’t cost you the earth, particularly if you pull some of the tricks I have mentioned.  Also consider holding your reception outdoors.  Some may think that an indoors reception is more elegant than an outdoors one, but this needn’t be the case & an outdoor event can be more fun & cost you less.

By Georgina Clatworthy

You may have started out with what you thought was a reasonable wedding budget, but quickly discovered that it wasn’t enough, leaving you raiding your savings to make up the shortfall.  But you can have a low budget wedding without demolishing your savings or leaving you drowning in debt.

Firstly, planning the wedding yourselves will save you a huge chunk of cash.  Hiring a wedding planner or coordinator can be very expensive, so ask yourselves if they can achieve anything that you yourselves cannot.  Keeping a record of all your wedding planning will also make for a lovely family keepsake in years to come. You can gain huge satisfaction from the fact that you have created your dream wedding, from favors to flowers & cake to catering, all yourselves. 

Producing a super-low budget wedding can take time & energy & a lot of creativity on your part, but you will reap the rewards when you realize the huge amount of money you have saved. This can then be invested in something more permanent in your lives, such as a house deposit or new car.

Having a lower budget doesn’t mean that your costs will break any different to having a pricier ‘do’.  There will still be scope to save money in every element of your wedding, but in order to do this you must do one thing – avoid the grand, formal wedding.

So where do you begin to cut costs?  Firstly you should realize what the most important part of the day is to you both.  This should be the ceremony & the actual ‘getting married’ part.  If it isn’t then I would seriously think about whether or not getting married is right for you both!  One way you could reduce costs quite significantly is to forgo the wedding reception & instead have an intimate dinner party with family & friends after a simple civil ceremony.  Plan to renew your wedding vows in the future & at a time when you could afford a larger, more formal affair.  Renewing your vows is a popular trend at the moment & it would be a very romantic way to mark a milestone or anniversary in your relationship.  I would suggest you seriously consider this, particularly if you are footing the entire wedding bill yourselves & the idea of beginning married life saddled with debt horrifies you.

However, for many their wedding is the biggest day of their lives & they want to splurge on a big day.  So if you’re budget is saying ginger beer rather than fine champagne then you will need to conjure up some magic if you don’t want to break your budget.  If you’re prepared to try every trick in the book then here’s an idea that could save you a fortune.

Focus on the Venue

An extravagant wedding reception will break your budget on its own, if you are not careful & rein your idea in.  One of the most obvious ways to save money would be to edit the guest list down.  You may also discover that your choice of venue will cost you a hefty sum, especially when all the essential ‘extras’ are added to the bill.  Take some time to find & secure a venue that is free or as good as ( after taking into account rental costs for chairs, tables etc).

Examples of a ‘free’ location would be your home or if that isn’t big enough, that of a family member or close friend.  Another option would be hiring a church or community hall.  These are usually very cheap to rent & can provide you with adequate kitchen facilities for preparing & serving food.

Ask around local eateries & see if they will offer a low cost wedding reception package.  These could include food & a limited amount of beverage, or rental of a function room with the option of a reception package.

Your venue will the key to saving a large portion of your budget, so it will pay to thoroughly research all your options.  Ask family & friends for recommendations, check out the internet & local press.  Look at unusual venues such as gardens, museums & vineyards as they may be able to offer you a low cost reception package.

Keep a record of all your findings, including the venue, package options & cost.  This way you will be able to work out which venue will offer you the best package for your money.  Remember, the cheapest option may not be the best.  Paying a little extra could get you twice as much as the cheapest option was offering.

Beating the Biggest Budget-Buster of All

Sadly, in today’s world the mention of one of two words is likely to push costs sky high – they are wedding & baby.  Commercialism is a massive part of the wedding industry today, with the majority of vendors hiking their prices for weddings because they assume you will naturally want to spend a huge amount of cash for such a special occasion.  Often this means that you will actually be paying over the odds for something.  Test my theory out by contacting a large venue & asking about their wedding reception packages, then ring back & ask about packages for a milestone birthday party.  I bet the packages are virtually identical with the exception of the price!

An example of this is the catering for your wedding.  The cost of feeding your guests can be more than the hire of the venue itself, so getting a good deal here & cutting the cost down is really a must.

However, a few ham sandwiches & cocktail sausages will not suffice. Your guests will more likely leave before the speeches & will slate your wedding day for all eternity!  One solution for those with a minute budget is to throw a potluck reception.  In essence you ask your guests to bring along a dish instead of a wedding gift.  It may sound absurd, but a potluck reception was once quite the done thing & is more traditional than the bride & groom forking out for expensive catering & 3 course menus.  They are also the best way to throw a fabulous party & have your guests leave feeling sustained.

If you are somewhat embarrassed about asking your guests to ‘feed themselves’ then dress it up as the ‘Old Time, Traditional Wedding Celebration’.  This naturally suits a potluck reception & no-one would think to question it.

Continue the theme in your decorations, flowers & favors, look to the 1920’s, 30’s or 50’s which are all in vogue at the moment, but fit the traditional theme nicely.

So how do you go about asking your guests to bring a dish with them?  Well, you could slip a note in with the invitation, such as this:

Our reception will be an “Old Time Traditional Celebration” with a potluck dinner.

____  Please check here if you would like to bring a dish for the reception in place of a wedding gift.

We kindly request a call for dish suggestions.

Ask them to call you & let you know what dish they plan to bring.  This way you will still have some say over the menu & can avoid any over duplicating on dishes.  Incidentally, no one is obliged to participate but you could be surprised by how many will.

It is also likely that many of your guests will go to town & will create some fabulous, unusual & extravagant dishes to grace your tables.  You may also find an element of competition arising between guests, as to who produces the best & most talked about dish on the day! Just make sure it doesn’t get out of hand!

From the beach to Fifth Avenue, Why Aqua is a Class Act

By Georgina Clatworthy

A wedding scheme in stunning & vibrant aqua blue can make for a feast for the imagination & the eyes.  This beautiful shade of blue can be adapted for classiest & the brightest of settings.  So how can you incorporate it into your wedding color scheme?

Pulling off Your Own Aqua Blue Wedding

If you have chosen aqua blue as your main wedding color chances are you will have teamed it with accent shades such as white, cream & pearl, whilst your decorations will also include cream roses & lots of crystal.  But modern combinations of aqua with chocolate brown, platinum & pale pink are becoming more popular.  For beach weddings aqua is seen to be combined with orange, fuchsia & yellow & some brave brides even combine it with red.

It is a color that can work within many settings & combine with many others to create the look & feel you require.  Combine it with accents such as pearls, seashells, crystals & ostrich feathers, or choose a combination that is all your own.

Aqua Blue and Crystal

For the crystal bride a gown encrusted with Swarovski beads & a matching tiara is the only way to sparkle.  You will probably choose a crystal bouquet or have crystals added to a fresh flower bouquet.  Your bridesmaids will probably wear aqua blue dresses & the hair will be adorned with crystal slides or pins.

If you have chosen a marquee for your wedding reception, you can decorate it with strings of fairy lights or crystal chandeliers.  Use crystal studded frames to display your guests place cards & top your cake with a crystal tiara topper & cream roses.

Aqua & Platinum

Combine graceful silver vases with white roses & sleek candlesticks enhanced with scattered white rose petals.  Choose a custom made silver monogram to top your cake & simple brushed silver frames for your guests name cards.

Serve your wedding menu on plain white china sitting atop a silver charger plate.  During cocktail hour serve up signature cocktails with Blue Curacao & pineapple juice in glasses encrusted with a blue sugar rim.

Aqua Hits the Beach

Probably the favorite color of beach brides everywhere, aqua blue is evocative of the ocean & sunny blue skies.  Be bold & team it with vibrant colors like fuchsia, coral or aubergine.  Choose beautiful peonies, fuchsia orchids, coral roses or proteas for your flowers.

Aqua Goes to Paris

Go for a flamboyant theme with tall vases arranged with large ostrich feathers & scatter the tables with a combination of rose petals & marabou feathers.  Have chic buttonholes made with white roses, marabou feathers & aqua ribbon, this stunning combination can also be carried off in your bouquet – choose white roses, a collar of feathers & a wrap of aqua blue ribbon around the stems.

More Aqua Tips for Any Bride

Create elegant centerpieces with pave roses arranged tightly in aqua blue wooden boxes or glass vases.  Or for a more simple look make hand tied posies of white & blush roses & stand in square glass vases, trimmed with aqua ribbon.

Candy bars are all the rage at the moment, so create one with white & aqua candies, such as almonds in white & blue, candy coated chocolates & conversation hearts.

A Guide to What Happens During a Wedding Reception

By Georgina Clatworthy

After you have done all the planning & everything is set up, ready to go – it is time to party!  If you are not sure of how the wedding reception timeline plans out, here is a typical scenario for you.

A 5 hour wedding reception with cocktail hour & seated dinner

5 pm: Cocktail Hour Most couples will use this time to take their pictures, whilst the guest enjoy some time to sip cocktails or champagne & chat amongst themselves.  It is also a good time to just enjoy a little time to yourselves.

6 pm: Dinner This is usually announced possibly by the head waiter, venue manager, best man or toastmaster (if you hired one).  Guests will then move into the dining area & be seated.

6:10 pm: Bridal Party Announced

Couple Announced

6:15 pm: Welcome Traditionally the bride’s father would welcome the guests to the wedding & thank them for coming.  It is also the time to say a blessing before the meal commences, if you wish.

 6:20 pm: First Course is served

6:30 pm: Toasts Best Man makes his toast. If the Maid of Honor is making a toast, she follows.

6:45 pm: Main Course is served If other family members or members of the bridal party are making toasts, they do so now.

7:25 pm: First Dance The entertainment provide (DJ, Band Leader etc) will announce the happy couple & invite them to take to the dance floor for the first dance.  They can choose to dance the whole song by themselves or invite the rest of the wedding party to join them half way through.

 7:35 pm Dancing Begins

8:15 pm: Cake Cutting The bride & groom will cut the cake, which will then be taken away, & served with drinks.

8:30 pm: Bride and Groom Thanks It isn’t mandatory, but many couples like to thank their parents & other members of the bridal party for all their help & support.

 8:40 pm: Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Dances

8:50 pm: Dancing Continues It is sometimes usual for older guests to leave after the cake has been served, so make sure you have spent sometime with them before hand.

9:30 pm: Bouquet Toss and/or Garter Toss If you do both, typically the people who caught them dance together

9:45 pm: Last Dance The DJ will usually invite everyone onto the dance floor for the last song & will either play something with a fast tempo or a slow song which couples can dance to together. 

9:55 pm: Farewell All the guests will gather outside the reception or in the foyer to send you off in style.

By Jason Hennessey

Contrary to previous perception, a wedding can be done on any month, any season. Some thought that winter would be too chilling for a wedding while others thought summer would get everyone sweaty and uncomfortable. With good planning, no month or part of the year can be an off-limit to a wedding ceremony. Once aspect that can have a significant impact on how adaptable your guests will be with the weather is the kind of drinks you are going to serve. Whether a summer wedding or a winter reception, you can make your wedding ceremony the hottest festivity ever by just choosing the right drinks for the occasion. In addition, they don’t have to be alcoholic.

For an outdoor summer wedding reception, serving cool and refreshing drinks as the celebration continues will keep everyone focused on the thrill of the festivity. If your wedding is religious driven, you can choose a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks that can suite various weather conditions and keep your guests refreshed and lively throughput the occasion. There are a number of non-alcoholic drinks out there that you can choose from.

The madras
Madras is a well-liked drink around southern parts of United States. It is made up of a combination of cranberry and orange juices to make a light refreshment drink; much like vodka but without alcohol. The madras is best enjoyed if served in an iced champagne flute or a spitted garnish cherry.

Tom Collins
The Tom Collins drink is a very popular and old gin drink since early 20th century. To enjoy this classic swallow you can serve it with lemon soar mix, some carbonated soda water and some simple sugar in a tall sleek glass. Some carbonated soda water is to add some fizz to the drink. A slice of orange or a maraschino cherry spitted in the drink can also give it a better garnish.

The Cosmo
Since its launch on the popular Sex and the City, the cosmopolitan has enjoyed wide consumer acceptability. It has non-alcoholic brands which include a dash of orange syrup, cranberry juice and a dash of lime juice. To enjoy the full refreshment of the Cosmo, serve it over an ice, with a lime garnish in a rocks glass.

The tequila sunrise
Tequila sunrise is yet another good drink that can pep up up your guests throughout the occasion. This drink is made with cherry syrup, orange juice and blended with grenadine. Serve it in tall sleek glasses, preferably over ice with a slice of orange or spitted garnish.

Neon lemonade
Neon lemonade is popular with the kids. So if you have some children in the event you can give them this vivid blue drink to feel thought after in the occasion. Neon lemonade; otherwise lemon sour mix is made of a blue drink pigment like the blue tinted fruit punch. It is best served in a tall glass over ice, with a slice of orange or a spitted cherry.

Long island iced tea
This non-alcoholic drink is made up of soar lemon or lemonade and a brown cola. You can serve it with lemon garnish in tumblers.

Ideas for Throwing Your Fall Wedding

By Georgina Clatworthy

A fall wedding is perfect for those couples looking for a warm & intimate feel to their day.  The season evokes a sense of families coming together & it is also a romantic time for a wedding.  Here are some hints & tips to help you create a fall wedding.

Where to Have a Fall Wedding

Look for places evocative with the season such as barns, halls & inns.  A fall wedding can be elegant & casual in the right setting.  Orchards & vineyards are also great places for fall weddings or look for places where you can enjoy views over the autumn foliage & enjoy its rich colors.

The Décor for Your Fall Wedding

Create an entrance with sheaths of wheat or corn at your reception venue.  Your color scheme should reflect the rich autumnal shades of the season such as red, brown & orange.  For a modern scheme, use rich chocolate brown & accents of light blue.  For decorative accents on your tables use pumpkins, cornucopias, acorns & gourds.  Make jack-o-lanterns by carving your monogram into pumpkins & use them as table centers.

Fall Wedding Flowers

During the autumn season you will find a wide choice of inexpensive flowers & foliage such as mums, roses, daisies, yarrow, fall leaves, berries & grain crops.  Pumpkins are a great choice for fall weddings & hollowed out, they make great vases for flower arrangements.  Choose blue or white pumpkins as an alternative to the usual orange.

Attire for Your Fall Wedding

Instead of traditional white or ivory gowns, choose cream or off-white dresses with accents of gold.  Choose jeweltones for your bridesmaids or autumnal colors & match the groomsmen’s vests with them.  For a luxurious touch look for fabrics such as velvets & brocades.  Fall weather can be unpredictable & it maybe hard to find out in advance what the weather & temperature will be on the day.  Accessorize with shawls, capelets or wraps which can be added or removed easily when required.

Planning the Menu

For a traditional fall dinner choose roast turkey & pumpkin pie, but there are many other options for your wedding breakfast.  Roast quail, rib roast & hearty soups all evoke the season.  Serve side dishes of seasonal vegetables & mashed potatoes, along with whole grain bread rolls.  When your guests arrive serve them a warming welcome drink of cider punch with a cinnamon stick stirrer & as an alternative to wedding cake choose a baked apple dessert.

A Fall Wedding Cake

For a fall wedding choose a spiced cake covered in rich chocolate or forget the cake altogether & serve up apple, pumpkin & pecan pie with pumpkin bread.

Favors

Choose favors in keeping with the season like apples, cider punch or preserves.  Caramel apples wrapped with cellophane are very evocative of fall or boxes of marzipan fruits.  For a more decorative favor give miniature pumpkins or corn dollies tied with ribbon.

A Halloween Wedding

A Halloween wedding gives couples the opportunity to have some fun & put on a themed, fancy dress reception.  Ask your guests to come in full spooky dress & masks.  As the happy couple, you can choose to either wear traditional wedding attire or costumes, or perhaps both & change at the reception.  Set up a pumpkin carving table to keep the children occupied.