Category Archives: Wedding

Wedding Toasts

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A Toast to the Bride Tips and sips for the perfect bridal celebration Prosecco Ginger CocktailMelted Gruyere Toasts with Crisp Frizzled ProsciuttoShrimp Fajitas Salad on Crisp Flour Tortilla ChipsBeet Purée with Sesame Flavors (Family Features) Whether it’s an engagement party, bridal shower, the reception or post-wedding brunch, professional event planner Alison Hotchkiss knows a thing or two about creating memorable bridal celebrations. As the founder-owner of Alison Events, and author of “The Destination Wedding Planner: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding From Afar” (Chronicle Books), she’s produced stunning weddings all over the world. Whether you enlist the help of a planner or do it yourself, Alison’s tips on entertaining will help you make your bridal celebration picture perfect. Bubbles add a festive, celebratory note to any bridal celebration. I love Cupcake Prosecco sparkling wine from Italy. It’s crisp and refreshing – an affordable alternative to pricey French champagne yet equally delicious. Food doesn’t have to be complicated to be remarkable. The finger foods here are varied and flavorful – but they’re not hard to make. To satisfy all guest preferences, I always recommend 3 to 5 appetizers including chicken, beef and fish plus two veggie options (ideally one being … Continue reading →

Wedding Planning and Getting Started

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Engaged? Start Planning Now! A to-do list for brides-to-be (Family Features) Preparing for the big day means planning a multitude of details; everything from the flower arrangements to that something blue must be decided upon well in advance of the ceremony. Here are some tips to help ensure your big day goes off without a hitch. The Big Decisions The decision to get married is the first of many big decisions you will be making in the weeks and months to come. Here are some things to consider right away: Pick a date. Talk with your fiancé and family (and your fiancé’s family) about potential wedding dates to ensure the important people in both your lives will be able to take part. Select your guests. The number of guests you invite will directly influence the cost of your wedding. Set a budget. Budgeting for your wedding is crucial, as this will have a great impact on every other aspect of your day, as well as your honeymoon. Plan for a little wiggle room for unexpected expenses. Choose a location. Because most popular bridal spots are just that – popular – you may want to start searching for a location quickly. … Continue reading →

Entertaining Tips

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Set the Stage for Simple Entertaining Movie night bites bring family and friends together Skewered Greek SaladPiadina with Fontina and ProsciuttoApple Zeppole with Cinnamon Whipped CreamSpaghetti with Pinot Grigio and Seafood (Family Features) Long weekends present a perfect opportunity to celebrate good wine, good food and the good company of family and friends. What better way to create a beautiful evening than to host a fun gathering with easy-to-share fare, delicious wine pairings and a great movie? When it comes to movie night entertaining, Emmy award-winning chef and cookbook author Giada De Laurentiis recommends serving sharable nibbles and setting the scene with inspired wine pairings. Planning a get-together soon? Try one of these entertaining-ready recipes, complete with Bella Sera® wine pairings, for further inspiration. For more movie night recipe ideas from Giada, and wine pairing tips, visit www.bellaserawine.com. Skewered Greek Salad Ingredients Skewers 24 grape or small cherry tomatoes 3 ounces firm feta cheese (see Cook’s Note), cut into 12 (1/2-inch) cubes 12 pitted kalamata olives 1/2 small red onion, cut into 12 (1/2-inch) pieces Vinaigrette 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 4 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground black … Continue reading →