The awkward silence...

Just wanted to write up a small post today about something that people tend to forget...the cocktail hour!! I know..I know..it's just 1 hour so why focus on it? But this is where the celebration starts! This is your first chance to give your guests a preview of your wedding style and what kind of environment they have to look forward to(aside from the ceremony..)

Most bride and grooms, as well as family and bridal party, miss the cocktail hour due to pictures at the ceremony area. Therefore, people tend to forget about the details for cocktail hour. Something I constantly see is clients realizing they didn't contract any music for the cocktail hour and then everyone stressing and running around while the cocktail has started trying to find a solution. It's not the end of the world if you dont have any music for cocktail hour...but based off of my experience, it sets the tone for the night and creates a wonderful ambiance for your guests. Make sure when you are booking your music for the evening to separate some entertainment for the cocktail hour. OR you can always opt to book something completely different for that 1 hour such as a steel drum band, spanish guitarist, violinist, etc. I personally love the steel drum band but unfortunately doesnt go with every theme!

Music isn't the only thing that can add to the ambiance of a cocktail hour. Check out these cute ideas..

custom cornhole!

cocktail hour popsicles with alcohol infused. source

Have flights of beer tasting available..the men would love this!

have your guests fill out cute mad lib cards! these can double as your sign in guest book...source















get creative!!

-Ale

Party Favors

I think every client asks me if I have any good ideas for party favors...so I decided i'd dedicate a post to the million dollar question! I've seen all...sorts..of things. Things that dont make sense, some that do, some that are odd, different, and some that are genius, cute, handy or pretty. I think lately the most cliche one that I am seeing are customized wine stoppers. Believe it or not, I still see the candy coated almonds. People...it's time to move on from the 70s! Let's be honest..sending people home with a candle or frame isn't very memorable. Edible is the way to go..they can actually enjoy this favor rather than put it on a shelf somewhere. Check out these adorable ideas for all sorts of events:



Baby shower favor...so cute!
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An old wedding tradition is to send guests home with a slice of the wedding cake. A modern twist on this can be to send them home with mini sugar cookie cake replicas...so cute!
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Perhaps for a children's birthday...send them home with mini gumball machines with a personalized tag. Adorable and fun!
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A fellow Kappa's family company sells these adorable and delicious chocolate covered pretzels. You can place a custom order to match your theme! source

Dont wan't to give food out? Then drink up

folks! What better way to have your guests continue celebrating than by giving out mini bottles of champagne are trending and they are fun and cute! source

Get custom made cigars..1 per couple should suffice..the men will really enjoy this one! source

Of course..you cant go wrong with sending them home with some chocolate truffles! source

I saved my personal favorite for last...rent your favorite food truck for the end of the night and send your guests home with your favorite late night snack!  makes for great pictures too...
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Ale

Eye Candy

Hi all!


Had a whirlwind of a weekend after 1 reheasal dinner, three weddings and a fabulous bridal show! Saw plenty of wonderful ideas at the bridal shower especially regarding SUGAR. The different displays of cake were incredible. Therefore, this post will be all about my personal favorite trend: dessert tables! For those of you who know me well know that creating dessert tables is one of my favorite things to do. I had the pleasure of creating a table for 200 guests for my brother's nuptials. I have to give credit to my sisters for helping me with all the baking! Below are some of my creations...

(left) bowls with spray painted

silver truffles, rock candy, macaroons, white chocolate pretzels

(right) mini meringue

the final result. Towers with chocolate covered marshmallows, hundreds of mini cupcakes, mini alfajores, powdered donut holes and custom made M & Ms

Dessert tables are such a fun touch to any event! It can be challenging and a big task to take on, but if you are up for it you can create your own table. If you are trying to save as much time as you can, I recommend doing half candy and half baked goods. The candy you can get online at any wholesale website or any bulk store such as Costco. The easiest way to go about it is to think of your main colors and narrow it down. For example, if your main color is pink, narrow it down to pink gumballs, pink rock candy, pink lollipops, etc. The best tip i could give you is to try and keep it simple..especially with colors. Use unwrapped candy and keep it organized.

And now, a little inspiration from the queen of all dessert tables, Amy Atlas:

ohhh Amy..why are you so good?

-Ale

Valentine's Day: SINGLE LADIES!

With Valentine's Day being tomorrow, I thought I would dedicate this post to hosting the perfect Valentines Day Party! However... I'm gonna do a little twist on this holiday and give you tips on how to throw a SINGLES PARTY!  Let's face it..not everyone is in love and gets flowers,chocolate, and a romantic dinner. Now, you can either host a singles party in which all single people are invited and it gives people a chance to meet someone new....or...you can host a single LADIES ONLY party where you dont have to feel the pressure of looking good or wondering if you got some pesto stuck in your teeth.  So for you single ladies out there...this ones for you!

On the menu:
Keep it fun with heavy hors d' oeuvres. Nobody wants to sit down for a formal dinner for a party on a Tuesday night! You should estimate 5 to 7 pieces per person plus some food displays. Best part about it? No boys around. So feel free to make those messy recipes. Who cares if you have sauce on your shirt? Single ladies arent judgin'!

Pigs in a Blanket

This is one of the easiest things you could possibly make. All you have to do is buy croissant dough and some mini dogs and you're good to go. Provide a few dipping options such

Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta

Parmesan-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Chinese Dumplings

Bobby Flays Sliders with Chipotle Mayonaise

Petite Lasagna Cups

Dessert

i dont think i need to say that chocolate is a must have. om nom nom...

Brownie Heart Cupcakes

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

a twist on the classic chocolate whoopie pie

Chocolate strawberry waffle stick

twist on the classic chocolate covered strawberry!

Candy Bar

An adorable way to display your desserts is to do a dessert table. You can mix in desserts and some candy jars. Fill those jars up with pink cotton candy, marshamallows, red and pink jelly beans, cinnamon red hots, mini meringue bites, red hershey kisses and m&ms, red lollipops, etc.

  

The Bar

 This party isnt complete without some delicious cocktails! You cant go wrong with some fruit bellinis and champagne...but if you want something stronger, here are some delicious and festive ideas

Love Potion #9

Ingredients

• 2 pineapples , peeled and cubed
• 2 pounds sliced strawberries
• 2 bottles (750 ml each) Absolut mango vodka

• 3 ounces Love Potion #9 infusion
• Lime wheel

Directions

To make infusion: Layer fruit in a glass infusion jar. Add vodka. Save liquor bottles. Let rest for 7 days at room temperature. Using a sieve and funnel, strain liquid back into original bottles. Store in the refrigerator.

To make cocktail: Add infusion into mixing glass. Shake well with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

 

                                                                     X Rated Bellini

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
2 1/2 ounces mango puree
Rose Brut Sparkling Wine

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker add X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, mango puree, and ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a champagne flute rimmed with rimming sugar. Top with sparkling wine.

Follow these tips and you will be sure to have the most memorable and fabulous single ladies Valentines Day party!

Ale

DIY: Emergency Wedding Kit

Hi all!

The best thing a bride and her bridesmaids can do for the wedding day is to be prepared for any obstacle that is to come their way. Whether its a migraine, a tear in the veil, or in desperate need of some breath mints before your first dance, something minor is bound to happen. The easiest way to avoid having a panic attack about a small issue is to have an emergency wedding kit on hand. Some places sell these, especially online, but when you see what you really need you will find that you probably have these around your home...
You can ask your maid of honor or even a family member to prep one for you if you don't have time. Make sure they store it somewhere nearby your dinner/dance space(even if its under a table !).

In my experience, the following items are a must have just in case....

-dental floss
-ASPIRIN!!
-safety pins (sometimes the bustle fails...)
-breath mints or spray
-bobby pins and hairspray
-mini sewing kit
- spot remover such as Tide To Go (check with bridal store if its ok to use on your dress material. if its not safe, get some white chalk to rub over smudges)
- tampons/ sanitary napkins
- tissues and eye drops
-perfume
and last but not least, a handy dandy granola bar and a bottle of water. You're going to be so stressed and busy you may forget to eat something....and yes I have seen a bride faint! make sure to eat and hydrate.

If you have a small bag on hand to place these items in, you should be prepared for anything to come your way!


Ale

Engagement Fun!

The best way to get everyone excited for your upcoming nuptials is to send out engagement pictures. Nowadays, couples are trying all sorts of fun, cute, and creative ways to spread the love!  If you weren’t considering taking engagement pictures, you may want to reconsider….take a look at some sweet pictures…

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and one of my own personal brides....

They can be used for several things throughout the wedding such as your save the date cards, favors, your wedding website, and even projected at your engagement party, rehearsal dinner or even the wedding night! You can even look into personalizing some food with technology nowadays such as printing one as a cupcake topper for a wedding favor or printing it on M&ms!

Another plus is that you will really get to experience the way your photographer works. Not everyone is used to having someone clicking the camera away constantly. Many people get nervous and unsure of how to act in order for the pictures to come out looking natural and not forced. Most importantly...dont be afraid to have fun with them!!

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Ale

The Main Ingredient

I always recommend different ideas to make their wedding truly extraordinary. When im dealing with tight budgets, it gets to the point where you have to pick and choose what you want to focus on. Some couples want their guests to have the culinary experience of a lifetime...some want to have breathtaking floral arrangements and flowers everywhere...some even want it to be all about the dress. In my opinion, there is always one crucial elemant that every couple should make sure to save money for their event if they really want it to set the environment of the room and make it special: lighting. Lighting around the room can instantly change the feel of an event. While shopping around for a DJ, ask if they have lighting specials as they are the ones to provide lighting sometimes. If they dont or if you are hiring a band, hire a lighting company that specializes in events. Something really fun is having one soft color for the dinner portion, and then having them change the light to a more vibrant and fun color for the dance portion to get the party mood going.

                                        Source: Coral Gables Country Club

When I see beautiful centerpieces and detailed linens that arent lit up, I kind of feel like what was the point? Av companies have a technique called pin spotting which works beautifully for this. This picture highlights pin spotting perfectly.

Credit: Source   (Centerpiece provided by Flower Mill, Pin Spotting by Energy Productions, Photo by Studio Blu Photography)


If you're going to spend the time putting together these amazing details, you should be showing them off!

Welcome!

Hi All!

My name is Alejandra and I am currently an aspiring event planner, dreamer, designer..you name it. I currently plan events in Miami, FL at an event venue and every weekend is a new experience in the industry. Every event gives me new ideas and creative ways to make things look more fab. On this blog I’ll share what I find inspiring, gorgeous, smart, creative, fresh and fun. I’ve always believed that being the best in your field means you know how to tackle every detail about it. Therefore, you will find ideas for food, décor, flowers, lighting, colors, fashion, etc. All things fab about events! After all, it’s the way all these details tie together that truly define the event. Thanks for following and I hope I can bring you some inspiration for your special event!

Ale 
*I will be crediting the photographers if possible and I don’t take any credit for these photos. If there is a problem with a post, please contact me and I would be happy to take it down.  I do not own my own company and am not selling my event planning services. This blog is purely for inspirational purposes to give people ideas and show them some amazing details.  *