Reception Ideas – Talking Wed

Reception Ideas, Wedding Decor, Wedding Inspirations

Happy National Brownie Day

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

Image source: Wedding Planner Natalie Stone

It’s National Brownie Day and in honor of the occasion I’ve whipped up a batch of delicious, mouth watering photos of this most decadent of desserts being creatively used in place of the traditional wedding cake. Photo credit provided if known.

Reception Ideas, Wedding Inspirations

5 Ways To Make Bacon Part Of Your Wedding Day

December 30, 2018January 27, 2019by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

December 30th is National Bacon Day. In honor of this special day I present five ways ways to include this tasty meat in your wedding day: from procession to reception.

1. Bacon Bouquet. Want something different from the traditional wedding flowers? How about walking down the aisle clutching a bouquet of bacon roses.

Photo credit: Foodbeast

2. Bacon hor’doevres: offer your quests these petite hor’doevres to snack on while your wedding party is out taking wedding photos.

Image may be subject to copyright

3. Bacon with bourbon chasers: because nothing goes together like bacon and booze.

Iimage may be subject to copyright

4. Bacon Bar: Having a morning affair? How about pairing a bacon bar with an omelet bar and waffle station?

Photo credit: Sweet Rhodes Photography

5. Bacon Wedding Cake And finally, the piece dela resistance! The bacon infused and decoraed wedding cake.

Photo credit Daniel Taylor Photography

Reception Ideas, Wedding Favors

Happy National Sunglasses Day

June 27, 2018June 28, 2018by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

Did you know that sunglasses are so cool that they have their own day? That’s right June 27, 2018 is National Sunglasses Day.

Just because it’s your wedding day is no reason to not practice sun safe behavior and custom printed sunglasses like these will make it easy for you to look “cool” while protecting your eyes at your outdoor reception.

On sites like Etsy you can find shades printed for brides, grooms, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls and ring boys; in other words your whole wedding party can look as cool as you do.

Sunglasses can also be printed with your name and wedding date as a thoughtful wedding favor for guests of your outdoor wedding or reception.

Looking for a wedding officiant who’s cooler than a pair of Wayfarers on a sunny day? Contact Rev. Connie Jones-Steward at www.officiantlady.com

Reception Ideas, Wedding Inspirations

Have You Considered A Wedding Pie?

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

Are you looking for an alternative to the wedding cake? Maybe you’d like to have a dessert table in “addition” to the wedding cake. In honor of Pi Day 2018 here are some ideas to get you inspired. My advice, go with the pie pops.

Female wedding officiant, wedding cake alternative — Wedding getaway pie

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Wedding cheesecake, wedding pie, pi day, female wedding officiant — **Wedding cheesecake**

Wedding pie, pi day, female wedding — **Wedding pie tower**

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Need a great Los Angeles wedding officiant? Visit http://www.officiantlady.com

Reception Ideas, Wedding Inspirations

Cannabis Ceremonies Are A “Budding” Wedding Trend

September 27, 2017June 12, 2018by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

Cannabis ceremonies, aka weed weddings, are becoming quite the thing in states such as Washington, Oregan and Colorado where the sale and usage of recreational pot is legal. Interest in these ceremonies is also growing in California. However, despite the passage of Prop 64 in 2016, the sale and use of recreational pot will not be legal until January 1, 2018. That means that all you California brides and grooms who are looking forward to replacing the unity candle with a hit off a unity bong will have to wait a few more months, that is if you want your ceremony to be above board.

Marijuana no longer carries the social stigma that it once did. Not only is it going mainstream, it’s going upscale and wedding vendors around the country are tailoring their services to accommodate clients who want to view their nuptials through a purple haze. Indeed, there are vendors offering everything from cannabis accented floral arrangements, to bud bars & budtenders, to favor bags filled with edibles and joints.

A word of caution about edibles: Part of California legislation going into effect in January prohibits the sale of edibles that might entice children. Specifically, the law prohibits the sale of edibles that resemble animals, fruits or people or those that look like children’s candy. So hold off on those edibles that look like lollipops and gummy bears.

Due to current California law, weed weddings, marijuana marriages or cannabis ceremonies are currently not a feasible option in this state. Therefore I reached out to Elizabeth Corr Sheils of Bridal Bliss a wedding planning service that offers these ceremonies in Washington state and Oregon where the use of recreational cannabis is legal.

So Elizabeth how many weed weddings has Bridal Bliss coordinated?

We have coordinated three weed weddings over the past couple of years. We have loved each wedding as they are all unique and fun in their own ways.

What special considerations go into plsnning weed weddings??

When planning weed weddings we have to carefully take into consideration Oregon’s tobacco and smoking laws. Because of these laws our past weddings that incorporated weed were all held on private properties. We set up the weed tents away from the general reception area as we wanted to be mindful that not all guests at the wedding would partake in smoking.

Is alcohol allowed at these weddings?

Alcohol is allowed to be served at weddings where weed is also present, but they must be administered by two separate companies. When weed is being distributed we always rely on the services of experienced “budtenders” who are able to make educated suggestions and control distribution.

Aside from weed, do you offer edibles to the guests?

None of our guests have opted to offer edibles to their guests.

How do you handle the presence of children at these weddings?

The presence of children at a weed themed wedding is no different than the presence of children at weddings where alcohol is served. Part of the budtender’s service is to ensure that minors are not being administered weed.

Have you received complaints from guests at any of your weed themed weddings?

We have not received any complaints from guests. When planning a wedding that incorporates weed, we try to be as thoughtful as possible as we know that not everyone will partake. We always recommend our couples to design an area that is a little more inconspicuous and away from the main reception area.

Photo of the bud bar from John and Whitney’s 2015 wedding. Photo credit: Jessica Hill Photography

John and Whitney’s budtender about his craft. Photo credit Jessica Hill Photography.

Liesl and Eric’s weed tent at their June 2017 wedding. Photo credit Brittany Lauren Photography.

Reading material from Liesl and Eric’s wedding. Photo credit Brittany Lauren Photography.

The area of the weed tent is discreetly identified by a sign bearing the green cross. Photo credit Jessica Hill Photography.

Bridal Bliss has a strong reputation as a leader in the Northwest wedding planning industry. The planners of Bridal Bliss are known for planning weddings that are innovative and fun. Bridal Bliss serves the areas of Central Oregan and Seattle, Washington, offering full planning services, day of coordination and elopement packages.

Wedding Favors, Wedding Inspirations

5 Ways To Serve Donuts At Your Wedding

September 14, 2017October 7, 2017by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

September 14th is National Cream Filled Donut Day. Therefore today’s blog post is all about following the trend of including these delectable desserts as part of your wedding day festivities. Here are five ways that are sure to make a sweet impression on your guests.

1. The donut buffet: According to Carrie Lux of Details on Demand, designer of donut and wedding favor bags, donut buffets are super popular right now. Indeed this is a wedding trend that shows no signs of letting up. Many couples offer the donut buffet as a stand-in or alternative to the traditional wedding cake. However there are other ways to offer these tasty treats to your friends and family.

2. As a welcome gifts: Have boxes of warm donuts delivered, in place of fruit baskets or other standard fare, to the hotel rooms of your out of town guests.

3. As a centerpiece: Use towers of donuts frosted with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry icing as a centerpiece for the kids table. Use paper coasters or flattened coffee filters between the layers to prevent the donuts from sticking together. Photo credit Martha Stewart Weddings.

4. As wedding favors: place donuts in donut bags and leave on place settings for your guests. You can also place the bags near the donut buffet for guests to fill with the pastry of their choosing. Bags available from Details on Demand.

5. As appetizers: after the ceremony, offer donut holes or mini donuts to hold your guests over until the meal is served. I

Reception Ideas

5 Signature Cocktails To Celebrate Your Autumn Wedding.

September 4, 2017September 4, 2017by Connie Jones-StewardLeave a Comment

If you’ve chosen an autumn date on which to exchange your vows then you, like me, must be an autumn lover. In my opinion no other season pleases the five senses in the way that autumn does: the eye-catching colors of the falling leaves, the smell of crisp, clean morning air, the tastes of autumn fruits, Halloween treats and Thanksgiving delights, the feel of cozy sweaters long tucked away and the sounds of silence around the house now that the kids are back in school. Yep, autumn is the “It” season.

So my fellow autumn lover, are you going to let just any old cocktail serve as the signature drink at your wedding reception or are you going to express your love of autumn by offeeing a drink or drinks that vibe with the flavors, scents, colors and feelings of cozy warmth that is the stuff autumn dreams are made of?

Here are recipes for five seasonal cocktails that I’ve rounded up from around the web to share with you. If you serve any of these drinks at your wedding, feel free to leave a comment and tell me how much you enjoyed them.

1. Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned

2 tsp maple syrup

1 tsp water

1 piece orange peel

1 dash bitters

2 ounces bourbon

1 maraschino cherry

Mix liquid ingredients well. Add ice cubes and orange peel. Garnish with cherry. Recipe and photo from Delish

2. Pumpkin Spice Martini

Ingredients

For the martini

2ounces pumpkin flavored vodka

1 ounce dark rum

2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

1/2 ounce half and half

1 ounce maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 ice cubes

For the rim

Graham crackers, cinnamon and sugar, pulverized in a food processor.

Directions

Rim martini glass with graham cracker mixture. Place drink ingredients into a martini shaker a shake until chilled. Pour drink into glasses and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Recipe and photo from No Spoon Necessary

3. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Ingredients :

Crushed ice

1 1/3 ounces caramel vodka

3 ounces apple cider

Ginger beer

Directions:

Fill mule mug with ice. Add vodka and cider. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with apple slices. Recipe and photo from Pretty Plain Janes .

4. Persimmon Smash

Ingredients:

1 ounce persimmon puree

1 ounce St. Germane

Champaign

Ice

Directions:

Place puree, St. German and ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake until chilled. Pour into Champaign flute and tip with Champaign. Photo and recipe from Pippin Hill Farms

5. The Juice And Treuse

Ingredients:

3/4 ounce green Chartreuse

1/2 ounce Chareau

1/2 ounce Wild Turkey 101 Rye

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup

1 ounce carrot juice

Ice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a cocktails glass. Garnish with a fennel frond. Recipe from Forbes. Photo credit: Nico Osteria.

Reception Ideas, Wedding Inspirations

5 Ideas For A Beer Lover’s Themed Wedding

August 4, 2017October 3, 2017by Connie Jones-Steward

August 4th, 2017 is International Beer Day, In honor of the occasion I thought it only right to offer a post about how to incorporate beer into your wedding in some way that doesn’t conjure up images of an intoxicated groom wearing his best wife-beater T-shirt as he burps his way through his vows.

Here is a short list of ideas to set the tone of a wedding fit for the classy beer lover.

Upcycle and decorate beer bottles to serve as vases or centerpieces for your reception. Check out my Pinterest board for ideas http://tinyurl.com/y99no86g
Host your bachelor or bachelorette party at a tap bar or microbrewery. Call your favorite watering hole, and ask about the possibilities. Also check with local restaurants and caterer to see if they will offer a guided beer tasting.
Use wheat, barley and/or hops in your floral arrangements. This could include your bridal bouquet, your centerpieces or in the groom’s boutonniere. These options lend themselves especially well to autumn themed weddings.
Give bottles of beer bearing custom printed labels as favors. Imagine the appreciation of your beer loving guests at getting a personalized brewsky instead an imprinted napkin.
Instead of an open bar, have servers to pass glasses of great craft beers during the social hour. It’s a great way to add a touch of class and elegance without stretching the already tight reception budget,

Reception Ideas, Wedding Inspirations

Edible Wedding Favors: A Sweet Tradition

May 11, 2012October 3, 2017by Connie Jones-Steward3 Comments

Today many wedding resource guides and lists will tell you that favors are a waste of money and that they usually get left on the table. That may be true if you go with imprinted napkins or matchbooks but if you stick with the tradition of providing sweet, edible favors you will hardly be presented with “leave behinds”.

The practice of providing sweet wedding favors to wedding guests is a practice with roots in Medieval European Aristocracy. According to Wikipedia, the practice began with the giving of small trinket boxes which were made of precious materials and filled with sugar. During this era sugar was rare and expensive and thus represented the couple’s wishes for the wealth and happiness of the guests. During the 13^th century sugar became less expensive and thus declined in status. At this time it was replaced by almonds which represented fertility and the bittersweet nature of marriage.

There are many options for the couple who want to provide edible favors to their guests. If you have a creative, DIY streak you could make s’mores to give to your guests. Instructions for making these delicious treats can be found here http://tinyurl.com/2dwtpfg

Caramel apples, either plain or decorated with sprinkles or edible glitter, provide a sweet seasonal favor for guests at autumn weddings. Instructions for making caramel apple favors are located here http://tinyurl.com/73t44nw

Simpler, ready-made, edible favors include Jordan almonds, M & M’s printed with your wedding date and candy bars packaged with your names and wedding date.

Photo Credit: Connie Jones-Steward