...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday

The bar is probably the second most used space outside of the dance floor during the wedding reception.  How amazing are these GORGEOUS vases of delphiniums framing this light-up bar?!?!?!  OMG!  Just stunning in various shades of purples and lavenders.  WOW FACTOR indeed!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(Photo credit - www.eventinedesign.com)

CSW Real Wedding: Niki and Dion

The DE Team is so excited to share the Real Wedding of Nikkol Palmer and Dion Turley featured under the Vendor Spotlight in Chicago Style Weddings.  I was delighted when the lovely Niki hired Dejanae Events to plan her and Dion's September wedding.  But what was most exciting was their color palette of Tiffany blue, apple red and white.  Take look at how it all came together at Flossmoor Country Club:

Below are some addtional photos of thise gorgeous wedding color scheme:

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - Rush Event Photography and Video Productions)

Thanksgiving-Eve Toast

As we approach another Thanksgiving, I'm always excited and delighted because it is simply my most favorite holiday!  I'm soooooo thankful for my supportive family, especially my daughter who just celebrated her 12th birthday.  I'm thankful for my girlfriends who are like sisters-from-another-mother to this only child.  I'm thankful for a successful and thriving wedding & event planning business.  I'm thankful for my health and strength, plus those good days that keep me smiling and those bad days that keep me learning.  And I'm so very thankful for all my social media friends who follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr and who read this blog.  I toast to you and your families via the recipe below:

Ingredients

3 cups canned unsweetened pear nectar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon minced crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup dry Diablo Creek Sauvignon Blanc
Lemon slices (optional)
***serves 5

Instructions

Prep Time: 3 Minutes
Cook Time: 7 Minutes
Ready In: 10 Minutes

1. In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan over medium-high heat, mix pear nectar, sugar, ginger, lemon juice, and wine. Cook, uncovered, until hot, about 7 minutes. (Or heat in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart microwave-safe container in a microwave oven at full (100%) power until hot, about 7 minutes.)
2. Pour cider into mugs or heat-proof glasses, and garnish each with a lemon slice. 

 

Until next time...Happy Thanksgiving and WEDologize!

(Photo credits and recipe via Dominicks)

What About Those Cocktail Napkins?

Cocktail napkins are a fun staple to consider for your wedding reception.  They can be placed at the bar and on the serving trays as the servers pass around hors d'oeuvres.  But they also add a signature statement to your reception.  Rather you use your wedding monogram or add a giddy phrase, cocktail napkins are one of the least expensive ways to add customization to your day.  Check out some of these fun and whimsical cocktail napkins.

You can easily order cocktail napkins from the following locations not only for your wedding, but for any event:
Dejanae Events for Carlson Craft
Oriental Trading
Wedding Paper Divas

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - Dejanae Events; thepaperhat; Favors and Flowers; Paper Source)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

Creating a signature wedding just got real with these Bride and Groom champagne bottles! Now tell me who wouldn't want to showcase these lovelies on their head table!?! Haute!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit - Brides.com)

Dressing Up Signature Drinks

A signature drink has pretty much become a staple at the cocktail and reception bar.  Couple's always put a lot of thought into the drinks ingredients, color and event the unique name it's given.  But also consider the "attire" the drink will wear when presented to your wedding guests.  Take a look at some of these ideas:

Bubble gum (or candy) garnish

And who doesn't love a fun paper straw?!

This doilie stirrer is so romantic!

Add a beautiful floral garnish to the drink

And you can't go wrong with adding a hint of fruit

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - bubble gum martini; paper straws; flower garnish; doilie stirrer; fruit garnish)

Pretty Little Ice Cubes

When I stumbled upon this idea, I smiled from head-to-toe thinking about the guests when you place this refreshing drink idea in front of them showcasing flowers and/or fruit.  Not only could you see ice glistening in a drink glass during the cocktail hour, but they would certainly add a punch of color to the water glasses on the reception tables.  Or better yet, save the ice cubes for your speciality and signature drinks.  Either way, it's always those smaller details that get noticed and discussed by the guests...so now you can add ice cubes to that list!

***side note - when adding flowers to your ice cubes, make sure they are edible flowers and that they have not been treated with chemicals or pesticides.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.culinarytribune.com, www.weheartit.com, www.luxefinds.com)

A Toast to the Happy Couple

At some point during the wedding reception, toasts are going to happen.  The greatest piece of advice I could offer is keep them short, sweet and do not open the floor up for all your guests to start extending their well-wishes.  And this happens to be the perfect opportunity for the happy couple to say a few words of thanks to family and friends for celebrating the day with them.  But before the guests of honor take the mic, the Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor should be the ones to welcome the guests and say a few sentimental words of remembrance, encouragement and love to the newlyweds.

I have witnessed on numerous occasions a Best Man or Maid of Honor unprepared to speak to the crowd and an awkward pause always occurs when they say "I thought I was going to have a little more time" or "I didn't write anything down" or "I'm unsure what to say".  Have a skillfully planned wedding toast, in my opinion, is the only way to go when planning out your reception timeline. So below I've given a few suggestions on how to make this memorable moment happen as stress-free as possible:

• First, before you take the mic, always have your glass of champagne or wine in hand before speaking.  It is a toast, remember.  And end the toast with, "Please raise your glass..."
• The Best Man should lead the toasts with the Maid/Matron of Honor following.
• Have a toast prepared in advance.  You have known for months that you were going to be asked to give a toast when you accepted the position.
• Speak from the heart and know that it's okay if your toast is written on paper or a note card so you don't forget.
• Remember, it's not a speech and please keep it tactful.  Speaking about negative past events and ex's is a total no-no.  
• Last, keep the toast less than 2 minutes.  Toasts are typically going to happen after the bridal party has been announced in or before the entree, so keep it short and sweet so that guests can eat!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Bridal Banter)

...I Found It, You Pin It...Friday!

What's a WOW FACTOR cocktail and dinner wedding reception without tuxedo and white glove services of your delish and creative signature drink?!?!  I'm not only loving the names of the actual drinks on that gorgeous white serving tray, but the tie the server is wearing is the finishing touch for what I'm sure was a FABULOUS reception!  Oh and those drinks look...TASTY!!! :) Enjoy!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - WedLuxe | Photographed by Ikonica)

Escort Cards Plus Drinks

I'm in love with one of the newer trends I am seeing - escort cards + a drink.  It's truly a fun way for wedding guests to enter into the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony.  The guests get a refreshment and their seating assignment all at the same time.  The guest name and table number can stand out in so many different ways from using bottle labels to acrylic attachments.  Check out some of the "cute" ideas below:

Flavored sodas w/ name and table number labels

Acrylic name tags w/ champagne

Custom tumblers w/ the guest name and table number

Drink stirrers showcasing name and table number

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - 100 Layer Cake;  Style Me Pretty; Creative Print Media; VanCityAllie)

Inspired By The Holidays!

As the Christmas holiday approaches, I'd like to wish all of the WEDology by Dejanae Events readers a VERY safe and happy holiday season!  Please enjoy this silver and red inspiration and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends!!! xo

Until next time...Happy Holidays and WEDologize!

(photo credit - cake; wedding gown; bouquet, red shoes, specialty cocktail, mirrors)

...I Found It, You Pin It, Friday!

All I can say is...IMAGINE the signature drink served from this fabulously designed ice bar!  Today's Friday Pin It Pic is certainly a stunner...about as COLD as they come! Enjoy :)

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit: http://www.weddingstylemagazine.com)

We All Like a Good Beverage! (Day#29)

When you think of beverages for a wedding reception or event, I'm almost positive that the bar comes to mind.  Stocked with premium liquor, beer, wine, soda and juice, this is usually the first stop guests make once they arrive to the venue.  But consider for a moment, a twist on the bar and create a beverage station for your guests to enjoy before the marriage ceremony, during cocktails or later into the night. The station could include almost anything from fruit infused water to your favorite specialty/signature drink.  Add some nice linen, classy drinking glasses and watch your guests enjoying themselves as they relieve their thirst :)

The options are limitless when personalizing your event to showcase your style...and taste in beverages!

A lovely display of punch and spritzers

Lemonade has never looked so elegant

Waters infused with fruit alongside some brightly-colored cocktails

Not your standard martini station

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits: www.cateringbysimplepleasures.com; www.theclaytononthepark.com; www.knottinghillinteriors.com; www.marthastewart.com)

Playing...Name That Drink! (Day#23)

I love when my couples select a signature drink for their reception bar.  There are times when they put the concoction together or ask for a little assistance from me or the bartender.  Either way is fine because you can find tons or recipes online (I'll save that for a later blog) to match your wedding colors and theme.  But what are you going to name this fabulous creation you'll be serving guests?  I've listed some quirky, but fun name ideas below:

Blushing Bride - would make a GREAT name for a pink drink

First Kiss - sexy name for a red-colored drink

Honeymoon Awaiting - for a fun loving orange or yellow-colored drink,
especially nice if the couple is going somewhere warm for their honeymoon

Apple of My Eye - would be an awesome name for an apple-flavored martini

Love is in the Air - for a blue-colored drink reminiscent of the sky

Sealed with a Kiss - would be a yummy name for a drink flavored with chocolate-liqueur

Wedding Bells - would work nicely if the drink you create is shaking, not stirred

Hot Romance - would be a flirty name for a drink with a little kick to it

...or blend your first names together and/or last name to create your own signature cocktail name!

And after crafting a cute bar menu noting the drink's name and ingredients, don't forget to accent the glass! Rim the glass with colored sugar or caramel, and add a cutesy stirrer or straw for that finishing touch.

Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credit: www.marthastewart.com)

WEDology 200th Blog!!!

In the mist of 31 Days of December, I'm inserting an additional blog as a celebration of my new milestone...my 200th blog!!!  I have been blogging consistently...minus a few crazy planning months when I couldn't blog twice a week...since November 2009 and today, I'd like you to toast and celebrate with me as I move towards another 200!!!

So grab your purple, or green, martini and let's celebrate!!!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program ;)  Day 20 of 31 Days of Blogging coming right up!

Until next time...WEDologize!!!

(photo credits - www.amartinialwayshelps2.blogspot.com; www.hrib.deviantart.com; www.weddingbee.com; www.candywarehouse.com)

Plastic or Paper? (Day#18)

Now I love a great signature drink.  In fact, I personally believe every couple should have a drink named after them at the reception.  Martinis are my favorite probably because of the glassware used for those sexy drinks!  But I've recently come across a trend that can even make a mason jar look hottttt!  STRAWS!!!  Now I'm not speaking of the plastic variety we can get inside the cup and of a McDonald's Sweet Tea, but the paper straws that come in a wide array of colors and add whimsy to any drink.

 

 Now that's truly adding a statement to your signature drink!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.weddingobsession.com; www.etsy.com; www.stylemepretty.com)

A Nice, Cold Refreshing Drink (Day#16)

 

When I stumbled upon this idea, I smiled from head-to-toe thinking about the guests when you place this refreshing drink idea in front of them.  Not only could you see ice glistening in a drink glass during the cocktail hour, but they would certainly add a punch of color to the water glasses on the reception tables.  Or better yet, save the ice cubes for your speciality and signature drinks.  Either way, it's always those smaller details that get noticed and discussed by the guests...so now you can add ice cubes to that list!

***side note - when adding flowers to your ice cubes, make sure they are edible flowers and that they have not been treated with chemicals or pesticides.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.culinarytribune.com, www.weheartit.com, www.marthastewart.com)

Stir My Drink, Please

I'm all about the signature drink for a wedding reception.  It's almost becoming a staple these days and just another wonderful touch to incorporate your wedding colors.  But how about going a step further and adding just one more element to your flavorful signature drink...hence the...drink stirrer.  Now this could be a simple project if you purchase stirrers or make it a fun DIY project by making your own.  Either way, just another creative touch that will add impact to your wedding day.

And don't just stop with the wedding, add stirrers to your engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and even birthday party drinks.  Heck, have them on hand for all your celebrations!


Until next time...WEDologize!


(photo credits - www.stylemepretty.com; www.theknot.com; www.amyatlas.com; www.marthastewart.com; www.weddingbe.com)

It Was Truly A Cocktail Hour!

Most couples will have a cocktail hour prior to dinner service for their wedding. This is the time when your guests get to mingle and socialize after your wedding ceremony. Appetizers are plentiful and the bar is open. Guests may be enjoying the entertainment provided, a slide show you may have prepared or grabbing their escort card...but don't forget a true cocktail that gives a hint of your personality.

I've sat through tons of tastings and the bar always seems to be the detail that's left unfinished. Either you select the standard, top-shelf or premium and the conversation moves on. But how about setting up a station or creating a signature drink that will "WOW" your guests.

The signature drink.

A fresh fruit juice or lemonade stand. Alcohol or non-alcohol.

A twist on the Jello shot.

Your favorite soda served with a straw. I love some Coke!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.theknot.com; www.marthastewartweddings.com; www.weddingbee.com; www.elizabethannedesigns.com)