If you read a lot of blogs, chances are you have developed a few geeky blog crushes. Joy the Baker is totally mine. If we were in high school, I would vote her homecoming queen. So, when she graciously agreed to guest blog for us, I could barely contain my excitement (wait…is this starting to sound creepy?) and may have let out a giggle. Check out this great post and then scoot on over to her blog so that you can have a crush, too (I will not confirm or deny that I have pre-ordered her cookbook). Enjoy, friends!
No one can say no to brunch. There’s something about the enticing smell of potatoes roasted with onions and butter that absolutely no one can deny. Pair those roasted potatoes with fluffy eggs and homemade Bloody Marys and you’ve got the makings of one fine (and totally inexpensive) engagement brunch…
When I was a kid, we had some close family friends, the Manfredas. Mr. & Mrs. Manfreda had come from Italy and settled in San Francisco, finding a home in the North Beach neighborhood and raising their three children. This was a family that was serious about their food. In fact, they converted the entire lower level of their home (which would have ordinarily functioned as their garage) into one giant kitchen and dining room with a massive table where friends and family would gather together for any reason to celebrate over a big meal.
During many a get together, out of this basement kitchen would roll enormous piping hot platters of homemade pastas: spaghetti with fresh marinara sauce, baked ziti, when we were lucky, pasta alla carbonara , and on, and on. Every dish was always delicious, made with love, and with every bite you knew that life, friends,…
Photo credits:
Bride in orchard setting from All the Beautiful Things.
Floral arrangement from Amy Merrick.
Blackberry wedding cake from Victoria’s Cake Boutique.
Apple green VW Van from VW Bus Listings.
Blackberries with white flower and thistles from Bits & Bobs.
Apple green striped skirt from Anne M Cramer.
Blackberry cocktails from Olivia Leigh Photographie.
Traditionally, wine is a staple at a wedding reception. Just like any other element of wedding planning, there are ways to green your wine choices and have your guests raving about it, too!
In recent years, eco-friendly organic wine production is on the rise. While many conventional grapes used for wine have been treated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals in order to generate a higher yield, organic wines do not contain the same chemicals, making them a delicious green choice for your reception.
According to Organic Vinters, an organic wine importer located in Boulder, Colorado, wine labels that boast “made with organic grapes” mean that no toxic synthetic pesticides or fertilizers have been used. Wines labeled “organic” also have no added sulfites during the wine-making process. Check out Organic Vintners for more information on eco-friendly wines, or look into local organic vintners to start researching your options.
Love DIY projects?…
If the bride-to-be is addicted to the Food Network and has a pile of Gourmet magazines sitting by the door, a kitchen-themed bridal shower might be right up her alley.
Some ideas to get you going:
The invitations:
Use a cooking themed invitation or modify recipe cards with the time, address, and instructions. See below for gift theme suggestions you can include with the invitations.
The gifts:
How about giving your guests a theme for their gifts? Ask groups of guests to bring either a favorite kitchen gadget, cookbook or gourmet ingredients. Or have every guest bring their favorite recipe and create a collection of them for the bride. Just make sure that if you are asking for themed gifts, you make it clear on the invitations.
The food:
In keeping with the theme, I think that providing appetizers and desserts that require a bit of interaction are interesting (and…
With fall now upon us and winter soon to come, it’s hard not to think about all things cozy… like chocolate! Or, in this case, hot chocolate. And, what would make a sweeter favor or a stunning addition to a dessert table at a fall or winter wedding than these hot chocolate sticks from Ticket Kitchen?
Every one of Ticket Kitchen’s hot chocolates is handcrafted with the finest couverture chocolate. (They even provide free printable labels for all you DIY brides out there.) While each hot chocolate comes with its own handy wooden stir stick, they even have an extra special version that replaces the stick with a personalized vintage silverplate spoon. These would certainly make for a uniquely sweet “thank you” gift for your bridesmaids.
In flavors like Salted Caramel, Vanilla Mint, Bittersweet, and, my personal favorite, Three Chili, there’s something for…
Visit Barbie Hull Photography for more gorgeous photos.
We’re proud to say Barbie Hull Photography is a mywedding.com member.
Snack time! Check out this delish inspiration board filled with yummy small bites for your cocktail reception. Especially if you have decided not to serve a full dinner for your afternoon reception, a little appetizer creativity will go a long way with your guests! Bon appetit!
Photo Credits:
Cheeseburger Sliders: AN Catering by Crustacean
Smoked Trout & Wonton Crisps: Vibrant Table Catering
Assorted Appetizers: Gourmondo Catering
Grilled Cheese Dippers & Tomato Soup: Jennifer Lindberg Weddings
Chow Mein in Takeout Boxes: D’lish Catering Hawaii
Gourmet Popcorn Favors from Too Haute Cowgirls
DIY (sort of): Dolling Up Your Cupcakes with Ticings 
Sponsored Post: Great Thanksgiving Ideas and Enter to Win a Williams-Sonoma Gift Card in a Mywedding Giveaway
William Fogler and How to Calculate the Right Amount of Alcohol
Inspiration Board: Kitchen Themed Bridal Shower
Sayaka and Mack’s Hawaiian Hotel Wedding by Perfekt Photo
Color Board: Apple & Blackberry
Green Wedding Ideas for Wine Lovers from the Green Bride Guide
Inspiration Board: Fun Appetizers for the Cocktail Hour
Inspiration Board: Bright (Almost Rainbow!) Colors for Summertime
Sponsored post: Maggiano’s Little Italy
Trend We Love: Carnival Chic
Color Board: Greens
Color Board: That Which We Call a Rose
George and Dina’s Russian Wedding in Tbilisi, Georgia
Hot Chocolate at a Wedding May Be Just the Ticket!
Green Bride Guide with 3 Steps to a Green Wedding Menu
Chris and CC's Totally Glam Woodland Fairy Wedding from Feather Love
A Fantastic At-Home Engagement Brunch from Joy the Baker
Real Wedding Re-Run: Kurt and Kelsey’s Hidden Meadows Wedding in Snohomish, WA
Inspiration Board: Backyard BBQ Bash
