Cocktail Hour without Cocktails

If you decide that you are not having cocktails available for this portion of the wedding, please consider the following things:

• You should re-name the event to “Pre-reception hour d'ouvres”.


• Make sure water and non-alcoholic beverages are available from the bar.


• Consider having a signature non-cocktail, such as strawberry lemonade available for guests.


• Allow guests to purchase alcohol on their own. If you decide you only want beer and wine available upon purchase, make sure you have somewhere easily accessible for guests to purchase this on their own.

The cocktail hour traditionally occurs between the ceremony and reception. It is a fun portion of the wedding, and it can and should be completely flexible. Traditionally, for the cocktail hour, beverages and appetizers are served. The drinks can be alcoholic or non. You can opt for a bar setting or include two or three cocktail choices that are passed (champagne, beer, a signature cocktail, etc).

Remember, although it is your wedding day, people have spent money and time to celebrate with you. If your budget doesn’t allow for alcohol to be included, its still important to make sure its easily accessible for your guests.

Don't be afraid to make your cocktail hour unique, drinks or not!

Hair & Makeup Trial

I briefly mentioned this topic in one of my ‘Tuesdays Tip of the Week’ section, however, I thought it deserved a little more attention. Every bride wants to feel beautiful on their wedding day. Chances are you have thought about this day for a long time and have some idea of how you would like to look. Sometimes translating your thoughts and ideas of how you should look is more easily said than done. This is why it is incredibly important to set up consultations and trials with both your hair and makeup people.

Important tips:

• Bring images of hair & makeup looks, including those that you do and do not like.
• If there are specific products that you love and would like for your makeup artist to use, please bring them to your trial. Your makeup artist should be happy to incorporate them. On the other hand, if you know you don’t want your makeup artist to use any certain products (such as foundation) make sure you let them know from the beginning of your session.
• Bring a picture (and if all possibly a swatch) of your dress. This will give your stylist and makeup artist a better understanding of the complete look they will help you to create.
• If you have pre-selected any hair accessories you plan to wear (veil, fresh flowers), bring them to the trial.
• Once your trial is complete, have your stylist or makeup artist take pictures of the finished look(s). You may want to try several different looks. Keeping a record of what you did and did not like will help to make your special day go more smoothly and stress free.

Mallory & Josh's Wedding

This past weekend Evan and I ventured up to Paolo Alto California for our second wedding of the year! We were greeted with the most amazing welcome basket full of snacks, water and even a nice bottle of red wine.

The attention to detail didn’t stop there. The ceremony took place on the patio of a winery on the top of a hill overlooking the entire valley of Paolo Alto. Although a little chilly, the bride and groom shared in a special ceremony performed by the grooms long time pastor.

The reception took place in the barrel room at the winery and the setting was perfect. In a lowly lit room, candles provided most of the light source and the mood was very intimate.

Everything from the heartfelt Father of the Bride speech (which honestly should win an award) to the bond you could see in the eyes of the bride and groom as they entered into this journey together, it all felt so special and sincere.

Fun fact: Mallory and Josh were high school sweethearts just like my husband and I.