Vendor Spotlight: Fork & Crust

Hey everyone!

We've been working tirelessly these last few months creating magical designs for photo shoots, showcases, and weddings and we can't way to unveil the beautiful images soon.
While you're waiting, I want to introduce you to a new discovery of mine, Fork & Crust Pie Company. They make the most delicious {& beautiful} pies ever! Perfect for the bride & groom looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding cake or perhaps a southern groom's "cake". They even make lovely mini tarts that are the perfect favor or midnight snack for your wedding guests!

apple crumb

chocolate oatmeal

berry delight

I've personally tasted 2 of the three pies pictured here and they are to die for. Contact Lori Rae at Fork & Crust to place an order for your event today. They even deliver! All this pie talk is making me hungry!

Make Your Own Grilled Cheese!

This fab Southern wedding, recently featured on Southern Aisle, includes a fantastic action station that I am in LOVE with. A huge fan of grilled cheese sandwiches, and an even bigger fan of Hammontree's Gourmet Grilled Cheese Restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I'm a sucker for wedding buffets that include grilled cheese in any way. And this one takes the cake!

Guests can add bacon or ham, delicious veggies, pesto, gourmet cheeses, and much more to their custom grilled cheese sandwiches. I must say, I cannot wait to use this wonderful idea for a wedding this year!
To see more from this great southern wedding, head over to Southern Aisle now.

ABC Annual Conference Recap, Day 1: Food and Drinks

I just returned from the Association of Bridal Consultants annual conference in Phoenix last week and have loads of new, exciting tips, trends, and ideas for you! First, I want to show you some of the amazing food and drinks that we had throughout the week at the Arizona Grand Resort. Each dish was so impressive, and could easily be used to add a little pizazz to your wedding menu.

For breakfast on Tuesday, we had a meal centered around chocolate. Who doesn't love that! We were served a plated dish with quiche, bacon, and nutella french toast. Yum! And for the first time in my life, we were served dessert after breakfast! A delicious chocolate treat and fruit skewer. It was beyond delicious....
Notice the beautiful ribbon accented linens that really add to the chocolate themed meal. The perfect finishing touch!

For Monday's lunch we were served a salad appetizer that was absolutely amazing! The mixed greens were topped with sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and fresh parmesean cheese, and everything was wrapped in a slice of cucumber. It was beautiful! And delicious, even without the dressing.
This gorgeous salad was followed by some of the most amazing salmon I've ever had, served on a bed of home made noodles. And dining al fresco completely topped off the incredible meal!

Each day we were served 2 snacks, one between breakfast and lunch, and another between lunch and dinner. Along with the snacks, they offered coffee, red bull, hot tea, watermelon water, etc. with a variety of delicious foods.

top, left: chips and queso; top, right: sopapillas with Arizona honey; middle, right: vegetable display; bottom: yogurt bar with a large variety of toppings **the yogurt bar was my favorite snack from the week! A great, refreshing addition to your wedding menu.

One big thing to note, there were 3 buffets set up at each snack time, which kept us from having to wait in a single line! Offer your guests access to multiple buffet lines so that they don't have to spend much time waiting.

Lunch on Tuesday was an International affair! There were 4 stations: Asian, Latin, Indian, and Middle Eastern foods. Everything was absolutely incredible!

above: Latin Station, consisting of tamales, enchiladas, and much more

above: Asian Station including sushi, Korean Short Ribs, delicious spring rolls and much more.

above: Middle Eastern Station with amazing hummus, tabbuleh, and baklava among other incredible dishes.

The biggest thing I've taken away from the food and drinks at ABC's annual conference is not to be afraid to choose unique dishes. Absolutely everything we were served was delicious and your guests will enjoy trying new things! Think internationally!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing some of the beautiful linens and chairs that were featured at the conference. Check back!

Perfect Southern Cocktail: Porch Swing

Smitten Kitchen just posted a fabulous recipe for a delicious summer cocktail! It's absolutely perfect for any Southern Wedding.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz (3 tablespoons) of gin
1.5 oz (3 tablespoons) of Pimm's liquor
4 oz (1/2 cup) of homemade lemonade
Sprite or other lemon lime soda
10 paper thin half moon slices of cucumber

Recipe:
Pour gin, Pimm's, and lemonade into a tall glass, add a few ice cubes and a splash of sprite. Finish with cucumber slices.

For the formal southern wedding serve in silver mint julep cups, or for a more casual southern wedding, serve in Mason Jars for the perfect finishing touch!

Finishing Touch Loves Rosanna, Inc!

Rosanna, Inc creates some of the most beautiful serving dishes I've ever seen! I have been in love with their Rococco Noir line for quite some time, but haven't yet posted about some of their other incredible designs.

Their beautiful Decor Bon Bon line recently used by Amy Atlas for one of her incredible dessert bars:The stunning Rococco Noir line...
And their simple white table ware...

Make your food a focal point! Use beautiful serving dishes to make the most of the food element for your wedding. Plus Rosanna's pieces are something you'll use again and again in your own home!

Money Saver: Dessert Receptions

With most people pinching pennies these days, having the wedding of your dreams can be difficult. I'm constantly looking for economical suggestions and have found a great one from Little White Book.
They suggest throwing a cocktails and desserts reception in the early afternoon and I absolutely love the idea! The desserts and cocktails are everyone's favorite treat anyway, so why not focus on a fabulous spread of these items? You'll save money and your guests will love it!

This is the perfect opportunity to check out your dessert bar skills a la Amy Atlas! For inspiration, see examples of her work here, here, and here.

Amy Atlas for Martha Stewart Weddings 15th Anniversary Celebration!

As I mentioned a couple of weeks back, I've been waiting on pins and needles for the first glimpse of Amy Atlas's most recent dessert bar. She created a pink and gold masterpiece for Martha Stewart Weddings huge 15th anniversary bash!
Here are a few photos taken from her blog today:

Damask wall paper acted as the back drop for the table.

Miniature cupcakes were displayed on a variety of different dishes from pedestals to square trays.

Beautiful Petit Fours.

I adore this display of candy sticks.

Overall, a beautiful job as always Ms. Atlas! Check out her blog for more photos from the big party!

Comfort Food: Burgers and Fries in Miniature!

I still adore the mini burgers and fries that so many brides and grooms are serving their guests these days.
They're the perfect size, and serving the miniature version makes them perfect for a wedding! Bring them out at the end of the night after your guests have worked up an appetite dancing. Everyone will love it!

Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

I'm in the middle of planning a January wedding which will serve no alcohol. I've been wracking my brain trying to come up with delicious and beautiful drinks for this couple to serve. Thank you Hostess with the Mostess for solving my problem! They are contributing the Simply Stated this month with this feature on non-alcoholic drinks for pregnant women, baby showers, and much more...

top, left: unknown
top, right: Sparkling Citrus
bottom, left: Minty Mango Cooler
bottom, center: Ginger Bellini Punch
bottom, right: Miami Mama Mojito

All of these drinks and MANY more are featured in the book Preggatinis by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen.
Even if you are serving alcohol, a beautiful non-alcoholic cocktail is a great addition. Non-drinkers and children will LOVE it!

Amy Altas: Fall Dessert Bar

The always incredible Amy Atlas has done it again! And this time in a completely different style. The New York City event coordinator is known for her chic dessert bars and for this one she's added a rustic twist! I adore this look for fall...
Check out more photos of this dessert bar at Ritzy Bee Blog and see much more from Amy Atlas on the Amy Atlas blog, Sweet Designs.

Ice Cream Parlor Deliciousness!

I adore this ice cream parlor created by Eat Drink Chic of Melbourne, Australia! It is adorable enough for a child's birthday party and chic enough for a wedding. Who doesn't love ice cream? Your guests will be thrilled!

top, left: Sundae toppings in wooden boxes.
top, right: Pink and yellow ice cream spoons from Spotlight.
bottom, left: Plain paper cup, covered with argyle printed paper. Download template here. Eat Drink Chic has also given us their striped template that coordinates with this one. Click here for the striped template.
bottom, right: The cherry on top is displayed in a chic, modern way.

There's much more information regarding this adorable Sundae stand on Eat Drink Chic's blog - from label templates to links for purchasing the different items and much, much more!

Amy Atlas' delicous desserts!

Amy Atlas is always inspiring! She created this incredible Missoni inspired desert table for InStyle weddings.Gorgeous as always!

Decadent Desserts...

This couple from Tennesse had an incredibly elaborate dessert bar at their wedding that is to die for! The dessert bar by Abner's Attic of Knoxville, Tennessee, consisted of 8 different desserts ranging from casual, comfort food to elaborate desserts.

top, left: Parfaits with fresh fruit
top, right: Cookies and milk
*I have used cookies and milk as the centerpiece for a kid's table. Absolutely adorable!
2nd row, left: Doughnut tower
2nd row, right: Tiramisu
3rd row, left: Creme brulee
3rd row, right: Banana pudding
4th row, left: Rocky road ice cream
4th row, right: White chocolate mousse with pirouettes.

The key to pulling of this look is to make sure everything you serve is displayed in individual servings. Putting out a huge bowl of banana pudding isn't nearly as chic as these tiny shot glasses filled with the same dessert. Presentation is the key!

Stylish French Fries!

I've always loved casual, but chic wedding food and these french fries are absolutely perfect! The little galvanized pail is adorable and they're so fitting for a casual, outdoor wedding.
If the pail is a little too casual for you, set up a french fry bar using the gorgeous cones I've posted about recently. See here and here. Let guests dress up their fries using ketchup, ranch, seasoned salt, and much much more!

Utterly Chic Treat Cones from Utterly Engaged!

This incredible cones are a fabulous way to make popcorn (or any treat of your choice) elegant!
Utterly Engaged has just featured a popcorn bar, complete with these gorgeous cones. The cones were created by simply printing this elegant design on a transparency & forming into a cone. This display was completed with different toppings in crystal bowls (cheese, caramel, etc.) and additional items to mix in with the popcorn (M&Ms, Peanuts, etc.). Guests can take a cone & dress it up however they choose! It's beautiful and unique and your guests are sure to love it!

See our recent post on Treat Cones for other ways of creating this delicious display.

Delicious Inspiration by Amy Atlas!

Amy Atlas is incredible at what she does. Her dessert bars are absolutely stunning! I've blogged about them on MANY occasions before, but had to post this new one today.

This amazing Moroccan themed dessert bar (via Green Wedding Shoes) is a beautiful display of blues, oranges, and whites:
Amy is the best! And is terrific inspiration for your big day!! Are you going to attempt your own Amy Atlas inspired dessert bar?

Fabulous Favors: S'more Bar!

While setting up the candy buffet last weekend, a light bulb went off...

While I was putting out the Hershey's Bars, I started thinking about how adorable a S'more Bar would be for a winter wedding. Food favors are always best when they're homemade, and as fate would have it, I happened upon this delicious homemade marshmallow recipe from My DIY Wedding Day yesterday:

Materials
1/2 cup cold water
Electric mixer
3 envelopes of Knox gelatin, unflavored
9 x9 in. pan
Plastic wrap
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups light corn syrup
Saucepan
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Cornstarch
Confectioner’s sugar
Scissors

Step 1: Put 1/2 cup of cold water in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, slowly pour in all three packs of gelatin. Set the bowl aside.
Step 2: Line a 9 x 9-inch pan with plastic wrap and lightly oil it. Set aside.
Step 3: Combine sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring it to a quick boil, then llet boil for about a minute only. (You don't want to burn the sugar!)
Step 4: Pour the boiling syrup into the soaked gelatin and turn the mixer on high speed. (Add flavoring and colorants at about 12 minutes.) Add the salt and beat for 15 minutes.
Step 5: You’re halfway there! Oil your spatula, then scrape marshmallow into the pan you prepared and spread it evenly.
Step 6: Let the mixture sit for a few hours to set.
Step 7: Sift equal parts cornstarch and confectioners' sugar. Coat the top of the marshmallow loaf with the mixture, then tilt to remove any excess. Remove the marshmallow from the pan, flip it, and then use the mixture on this side too.
Step 8: Use scissors to cut into equal parts then dredge marshmallows in sugar.

detail of Black/Walburn candy bar

In my vision for this awesome favor, it would be set up in apothecary jars and bowls like a candy buffet, with Hershey's Bars, Graham Crackers, and these homemade Marshmallows. Guests take home a bag that they fill with each of the ingredients.

Take it to the next level: If your venue has a fire pit or will allow you to bring one in, set up a bonfire outdoors for your guests to roast the marshmallows and enjoy the treat on site!*If you're not a Do-It-Yourself kind of bride, you can buy homemade marshmallows (they even have a chocolate version!) at Whimsy & Spice.

A Wine Tasting: Good Food, Great Friends, and Good Wine

Last month, my husband and I hosted a wine tasting party for a small group of friends and I have some great info to share for weddings, small dinner parties, or anyone who loves a DIY project!

A wonderful friend of mine had just begun working for PRP Wine International selling amazing wines and champagnes from all over the world. These wines are available by the case and are absolutely perfect for weddings because the labels can be personalized with your wedding logo and date! They also sell adorable miniature champagne bottles that are the perfect wedding, bridal shower, or bachelorette party favors!

Here are some photos from our wine tasting:

Wine Cork Labels - I create my own labels for everything and these were adorable!
Materials: White Cardstock, Wine Corks, Potato Pealer, Steak Knife, Scissors or Paper Cutter, and Sharpie Pen.
I began by shaving down one side of the cork with the potato pealer so that the corks had one flat side. Next, I used a steak knife to cut a slit opposite the flat side - cut about half way through the cork. I cut cardstock into small pieces approx. 1.5 x 2.5 inches. Using a sharpie pen, I wrote the names of the wine and food dishes that we served along with a little flourish. Insert the cardstock into the cork and display on the table.

The beautiful floral arrangements.
Materials: White Spider Mums, Wine Corks, Artichokes, Ribbon, Various Glass Vases.
I am in love with Spider Mums lately! They're a great, inexpensive bloom that comes in a wide variety of colors. I placed these in different glass containers throughout our home. Some of the arrangements contained wine corks, or artichokes, or both. The containers were tied with ribbon and everything looked pulled together and stunning!

I love cheese and it is a must have for a wine tasting! But I don't do cubed cheeses. All you need to do to make it absolutely gorgeous, is to buy large blocks of a variety of cheeses. Cut some into slices, some into cubes, and leave some whole with knives for your guests to cut and serve themselves. Display on rustic wooden pedestals as we did or use trays, mirrors, etc. Add labels for each type of cheese to match the wine or the rest of the food you are serving. The result: a beautiful and delicious cheese display!

Other items we served:
left: fruit display served on white pedestals from Macys.
center, top: Peanut Butter Munchies. I found this delicious recipe on the Hostess with the Mostess blog and they were a huge hit! They were delicious and everyone was completely impressed that I made them from scratch.
center, bottom: Sour Cherry Oatmeal Cookies from Boulevard Bread Co in Little Rock, AAR
right: Romaine salad with sliced roma tomatoes, topped with fresh grated parmesean cheese.
All of the food was served on white dishes. It was gorgeous!
(My husband also cooked some amazing pork loin, NY strip, and bacon wrapped scallops on the grill, but for some reason I don't have photos of these!)

All you need for a gorgeous party is a little creativity and continuity.

Check out PRP Wines for a list of avilable wines and for all of your party needs! Email me if you would like to contact her for your event and I'll be happy to send you the information.

Popcorn Bar

I absolutely love the idea of having a popcorn bar at your wedding! It's the perfect favor for the couple who loves popcorn or for big movie buffs! Add custom tags for each different flavor and you have a beautiful display and a fun favor.Of course on my popcorn bar, I would need M&Ms! You can't beat plain popcorn mixed with M&Ms....Ask anyone in my family.

Cute Cocktails and Delicious Drinks!

I love this drink! For any back yard wedding or casual event, it doesn't get cuter than this! Buy up mason jars in bulk (this will cost much less than renting glasses) and serve iced tea, pink lemonade, or even a specialty cocktail. Oh so Adorable!