How Do We Find Names for Signature Drinks?

Your signature drinks don’t have to have creative names so don’t stress out over finding one. You can use the name of the drink (Cosmopolitan, Manhattan, Rum & Coke) if you don’t have time or can’t think of something clever. If your caterer is concocting new drink recipes for your wedding ask him for some naming ideas.

But if you want to have original names look to your wedding’s location or theme for ideas. You can also use the color of the drink for inspiration and you don’t have to have the word “cocktail” in the title.

Think about why you are serving this drink -- is it a favorite? Is it the color? Does it fit your theme? For example, a Mad Men inspired retro wedding may want to serve a martini bar and each drink can be called by its known name. If your wedding is on the beach, make up playful names with beach-y words: tropical, sunburst, wave, etc...

I’m Planning on Having a Cookie Bar for Dessert, Where Can I Find Milk Bottles to Go With It?

I recently came across plastic and inexpensive (how’s $1.50 each!) plastic milk bottles. They look just as good as the glass ones but they’re affordable. Shop Sweet Lulu sells them. They’re 5.5” tall and hold 8oz of milk.

I think it would be fabulous to serve a cookie bar with milk for guests at the end of the night.  You can also find striped and polka dot straws in a rainbow of colors to put in each bottle at Shop Sweet Lulu.

Is a Choreographed First Dance Now a Wedding Must Have?

Of course not. There’s nothing unromantic about a bride and groom holding each other on the dance floor, swaying to their favorite love song and even doing an impromptu dance move, such as a dip.

Couples who plan a choreographed dance should do so because they really want to. It takes a lot of time and some money out of your wedding budget to learn a few dance moves (fox trot, waltz) or to have someone choreograph a whole dance for you.

Choose a first dance song that really speaks to both of you, whether it is a great love song or a party song that gets you moving. If a bride and/or groom feel uncomfortable putting on a show for their guests then don’t do it. You don’t need added stress on your big day.

And while some first dances have become YouTube sensations, fortune doesn’t come with this particular type of fame so your fancy moves won’t help cover the cost of your wedding.

An Easy Way to Save Money on Your Wedding

We went to a wedding a few weeks ago and during the ceremony one of the guests pulled out his very fancy digital camera with a telephoto lens.

I've written before about not spending money on disposable cameras for the reception because your guests will bring their own digital cameras and email you the photos.  Well, this is an example of a guest taking wedding photos to share with the couple and friends.

Part of me wondered if the guest was a secondary shooter.  He wasn't, he just loves photography and I'm sure he got some great shots.

So save money by not buying disposable cameras and put it towards another wedding details.

Keep Wedding Guests Cool On a Hot Wedding Day

It is so hot out. Can you imagine what it would be like if you had an outdoor wedding in this heat?

If you’re getting married outdoors and in a location where it is extremely hot or a heat wave is possible, you may want to double check a few things and add a few cooling wedding details.

1. Make sure the venue - ceremony and reception - have an air conditioning system to keep you and your guests cool.
2. Renting a tent?  Talk to the tent company about bringing in an air conditioner and what your other options are to keep guests cool.
3. If you are thinking of having your guests stand during the ceremony and mingle during the reception, have enough seats available for older guests and children.
4. Have a shaded area for guests to avoid direct sunlight by either renting a tent or reserving an indoor space at your venue.
5. Offer guests cold drinks when they arrive to help them cool off before the ceremony. You can serve water - still or sparkling - or you can create a themed beverage bar - lemonade, iced tea or virgin cocktails on the rocks.
6. In addition to wedding cake serve your guests a chilled dessert such as ice cream, sorbet or gelato. Maybe your wedding cake baker can make you a Baked Alaska wedding cake?  Or what about a large ice cream cake from Carvel?
7. As guests arrive for the ceremony have an usher hand out paper fans. You can double up on details by printing your wedding program on one or both sides of the fan.

Copying Someone Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

But when it comes to planning a wedding brides want their weddings to be unique and stand out from the crowd.

When you're planning your wedding you may want to keep a few details secret if you're concerned that your friend getting married the month before may "steal" the idea.  I know it sounds crazy but it happens and some brides have meltdowns when they see "their" wedding detail at someone else's wedding.

If this does happen it's not the end of the world.  Simply decide if you want to keep the detail in your wedding or if there's a way to tweak it so it's still the same idea but not exactly the same thing (or it's better) or cancel the idea and come up with something else.

No one is really going to remember if you and your friend have similar details at your wedding except you and the recent bride, and possibly her groom.

Picture Perfect Pumpkins

If you're planning a fall wedding then you're probably thinking of including some autumnal themes into your palette and details.

Orange, gold, deep reds and brown make a perfect palette for an October or November wedding. You may even want to include leaves and a pumpkin to further express the time of year.

Masterpiece Pumpkins can carve any design you like on, that's right, a pumpkin. Monogram, wedding date, even your portrait can be carved and lit up so you and your fiance will truly glow on your wedding day.

And to ensure that the pumpkin is a keepsake that you can always have, order an artificial carvable pumpkin from Funkins and you'll cherish it along with your other wedding memories forever.