Wedding Wreck Wednesday!

Hello Kitty....on steroids.....

Selecting a stone that “speaks to you.”

Certain personality types are drawn to particular diamond shapes, according to Saul Spero, a diamond appraiser and gem consultant. His book, Diamonds, Love and Compatibility, is the result of 25 years of work, interviewing 50,000 women.

If you prefer a:

• ROUND BRILLIANT: Your are empathetic, dependable and your husband, children and family are your first priority.

• MARQUISE: You are sexy, outgoing, impulsive and zestful with a passion for challenges. But the stone’s pointy end indicates a sharp temper.

• PRINCESS OR EMERALD: This square or rectangular, clean cut shape suggest an efficient leader who is disciplined and highly organized (and a little stubborn.)

• OVAL: You are feminine, individualistic and creative, at you best when when employing your artistic talents. Though organized and disciplined, you are not afraid to show your wild side.

• PEAR: You are in good company with Elizabeth Taylor. A tear-drop pear indicates an adventurous, gregarious type. You like to be liked and have a wide circle of friends. Once your community and social obligations have been met, you enjoy unwinding in the comfort of your home.

Wedding Dates that your guests might rather be somewhere else.

Most of the wedding articles you'll read will tell advice on the best wedding dates to have the best weather and the biggest discounts. What they don't tell you is what the WORST wedding dates are. Here are wedding dates you'll surely want to avoid when planning:

• New Year's and Christmas (Anywhere between the 23th of December and the 5th of January) Thanksgiving (In US, the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, the second Monday of the month.


• Valentine’s Day (unless you are willing to spend more) – Although many couples pick this date out for their wedding, it could be something to re-consider especially if you have a limited budget. Not only would flowers cost too much around this season but venues would also have high-time high rates as restaurant reservations and venues are in-demand for functions and romantic dinners.


• Mother’s Day or Father’s Day – Like Valentine’s Day, flowers would not be cheap during this time and reservation rates in restaurants and venues would be at its peak.


• Prom Season – Flowers, venues and transportation hire would be too expensive at this time of the year, so it would be wise to avoid this date when choosing your wedding date.


• Final Four/March Maddness- (April 4 and 6, 2009)


• In the US, the weekend before April 15 - tax day! Okay, probably no one would rather be doing taxes, but they might be a little stressed out!


• Memorial Day weekend (May 25, 2009)


• Daylight savings time If you're having a Sunday wedding on daylight savings weekend, will your guests remember to change their watches and get to the wedding on time? It is more of a problem in the spring (when the US springs forward) than in the fall (falls back) as its better for guests to be an hour early than an hour late.


• Labor Day weekend While some wedding experts say these both Labor Day and Memorial Day are good days to get married (as you'll likely find cheaper rates on venues and vendors, and your guest will have three days to travel), I find that wedding guests often have other plans for these weekends. It's also harder and more expensive to travel on those weekends.


• Religious observance. If you are Jewish, or many of your guests are Jewish, you may wish to avoid Friday evening weddings, and Saturday weddings before sundown. You'll want to consult a Jewish calendar before setting your date. Don't marry on Rosh Hashanah (Begins at sundown: Sept. 18, 2009) or Yom Kippur (10 days after Rosh Hashanah). Most synagogues frown on marriages during the Days of Awe (the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), as that is a very busy time. Depending on your community or denomination, you may be able to get married immediately after Passover, or may have to wait until after either Yom HaShoah or Shavout.


• If you are Christian, or many of your guests are Christian, you'll want to avoid Holy Week (from Palm Sunday Weekend through Easter Sunday - generally late March to early April), and Christmas weddings. Some churches find Sunday weddings after the service a joyful celebration of the Sabbath, others frown on a wedding during the day of rest. Check with your congregation to be sure. Also, be aware that December is a busy month for most Christians, and thus it is better to plan a wedding for a different month if many of your guests are Christian.


• If you are Muslim, or many of your guests are Muslim, be aware that Shawwal is considered a favorable time for a wedding, but the sacred months of Muharram and Ramadan are very bad times for a wedding. Many Muslim weddings occur on Sunday. You'll want to consult your mosque before selecting a date, of course.
  
  Before you pay non-refundable deposits, or send out save-the-dates, avoid disaster by making sure your wedding doesn't fall on one of these dates.

There is Hope!

I saw the cutest necklace adorned by Malia and Sasha Obama on Election Night and I finally found them online at Cake Jewelry. I immediately ordered me one, since since they are a limited edition, only 50 left, and when they are gone, they are gone. Additionally, 20% of all proceeds go to Girls, Inc. which is a plus. Make sure you get yours today.

Wedding Wrecks Wednesday!

How and who allowed them in a church dressed like this?

It's 5 O'Clock somewhere

I love anything Gingerbread.....and it is so pretty!

Gingerbread Apple Crisp-

1 oz Monin gingerbread syrup

2 oz Bacardi Big Apple rum

2 oz apple juice- splash of lemon juice

Place 1/2 cup of simple syrup and 4 tablespoons of graham cracker crumbs on separate plates. Dip outside rim of martini glass into simple syrup, then into graham cracker crumbs several times to ensure coverage. Set aside. In a cocktail shaker, combine rum, gingerbread syrup, apple juice and lemon juice. Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain into rimmed martini glass. Garnish with red apple slice.

Get your Java on!

Specialty coffee drinks are not only the hottest rage in the country, but it is a healthy and socially responsible alternative or addition to serving alcohol. An espresso bar can provide a cosmopolitan touch of elegance as well as a sophisticated flair to the reception.

An espresso bar caterer should be able to provide your event a full menu of espresso beverages made from high quality, fresh coffee and milks, a professional server (referred to as a 'barista') and the equipment and ability to serve your guests quickly and with flair.

Here's our list of what to look for and what to ask for.

What to Look For:

They should have professional commercial espresso machines (not retail, home units)
The barista should be professional having worked or working in an espresso café.
The espresso caterer should provide setup service prior to guest arrival in the area of service.
The menu should offer a variety of espresso drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and flavored drinks.

What to Ask For:
Where do you purchase your coffee from?
Is your coffee source a roaster or a wholesale distributor? How fresh is the coffee?
What kind of espresso machine(s) do you have available?
Is your machine mounted on a cart? What does it look like?
If your machine is not on a cart does it require a special table? Do you provide it?
What are your electrical (voltage and amperage) and water requirements?
Will you offer nonfat or low fat milk? Hot chocolate?
What Italian syrups do you provide for making flavored lattes and mochas?
If we require your servers (baristas) to stay longer can that be arranged?
Do you charge by the hour or by the number of guests?
Do you offer all your drinks in decaf?
Do you offer whip cream?
How are your barites dressed?
What does your espresso station look like and how much space does it take up?
Do you charge for setup and delivery?
What is your minimum service time?

Espresso and specialty coffee is not a fad, it is a lifestyle that says quality not quantity. Nonetheless it is still new to many Americans and therefore not everyone will want a cappuccino or mocha, in fact, in some areas of the country where espresso coffee is still very new only a fraction of the guests will order a drink. However those that do will greatly appreciate the service and probably have more than one drink. If there are children and young teens request that hot chocolate, steamers and Italian sodas be available. (Italian soda is a tall drink of soda water with Italian fruit flavor syrups served over ice.) In fact for hot spring and summer weddings request that the menu include iced espresso drinks; they are delicious and extremely refreshing.