canapes

Creative Wedding Reception Drinks Ideas

There’s plenty about weddings that are steeped in tradition and the idea of the champagne drinks reception on arrival is certainly one of them. But there’s no reason why you have to stick with the rulebook here. While it’s lovely to have drinks to welcome your guests, you don’t have to serve bubbles. Instead think of this as the perfect opportunity to set the tone for your wedding day to come, so why not have some fun and serve something more unique.

Think about having bespoke cocktails, retro lemonade stations, ice cold beer served in old fashioned tins and troughs or for the younger guest’s milk and cookies? The only limit is you imagination.

If you’d like to chat about this or any other aspect of your wedding day décor or planning, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly.

 

Colourful cocktails

Be it a cotton candy champagne cocktail, to the classic cosmo, or something bespoke served in mason style jars, think colour and fun when it comes to these drinks.  Use different glasses, glitter and colour to make things really stand out. And why not offer a special his and hers option with a bespoke cocktail from the bride and a special creation from the groom too!

 

Retro Lemonade

A great idea for summer weddings, why not offer your guests some refreshing lemonade flavours served from large, retro Kilner style containers? Think about traditional lemonade flavours, but also consider different options in keeping with the season, such as fresh berries, elderflower or even fresh cucumber? Offer boozy and non-boozy varieties to keep everyone happy.

 

 

Old Fashioned Refreshments Troughs

From troughs, to canoes, to wheelbarrows, to old tins and even baths, ice cold beers displayed in any of these retro inspired ways is a fantastically fun take on your drinks reception.  Of course you don’t have to just serve beer this way, you can offer a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike.

 

 

Hot Drinks

If you’re tying the knot in the winter months then think about something warming and welcoming like hot chocolate laced with bourbon. What about hot apple cider or fruit punch? Think about Irish coffees, lattes and lots of luscious toppings too and let guests help themselves.

 

 

For the kids

If you’ve got younger guests at your wedding reception, then don’t leave them out. Having something special just for them will really make them feel part of the day. Milk and cookie style drinks and canapes are ideal for children and they’ll just love the idea that they have special drinks just for them. Why not consider flavoured milks too and all sorts of different cookies.

 

 

 

Great Gatsby Themed Wedding

Getting married around the time between Christmas and New Year’s is becoming increasingly popular with couples for a number of reasons. Rates and availability can be much more favourable, as well as the fact that many people are already off during that time or indeed home if they live or work abroad, so they should be able to freely attend the big day.

If you are getting married around this time, especially on New Year’s Eve itself, then consider giving the day a theme, as at this time of year weddings are crying out for a theme like no other time. In particular, a Great Gatsby style theme is hugely popular, thanks to the recent Baz Luhrmann film adaptation of the classic book, that brought the lavish opulence of the story to life in vivid colour. The gold, the glitz, the glamour and the lavishness of the Great Gatsby is a match made in heaven for New Years’ Eve and with a few small steps using the best of art deco décor, you can transform your reception into a party Daisy and Gatsby would be proud of.

If you’d like to get in touch to discuss how I can help plan any aspect of your day, then please get in touch.

 

Invites
Start how you mean to go on and send your guests an elegantly designed invite with a nod to the Gatsby era. Look out for fan details, golds, black, deco fonts and laser cuts to let your guests know what to expect in terms of your theme. Also don’t be afraid to let them know if you want them to dress in the 20s era attire, or even black tie.

 

Attire
If you really want to bring the theme to life, then don’t be shy about bringing it through into your attire. For the brides this means looking for 20s style dresses with their unique fit and shape, as well as Juliet caps or sparkly headbands. Don’t forget the bridesmaids and think about fan style embellishments as well as daring golds or black to contrast your dress. For the grooms, think pocket watches and bow ties or have them go all out in a white tux. Finally, why not leave top hats and flapper style head bands and feathers for your guests to enjoy as favours.

 

Cake & Champagne
It wouldn’t be Gatsby without champagne or some kind of bubbly drinks, so why not serve you guests some bubbles in retro glasses on arrival? Think about dipping the rims in edible glitter and have fizzy drink versions for the kids. When it comes to the cake, think about Rockefeller inspired art décor designs to really channel the theme.

 

Table Décor
This is where you can get really creative. The era and the film were defined by pearls, feathers, glitter and glam, so think about incorporating those elements into your table. Why not go for a feather centrepiece instead of flowers, or use glitter table clothes? The contrast of black and gold works really well too.

 

Photo Props
Finally don’t forget your pictures! There’s no point in going to all that effort to channel the Gatsby theme on the day if it’s not reflected in your photographs, so make sure to have some related props on standby. Have the guests throw glitter and sparkles and have some streamers ready for an action shot and if your budget and venue allows it, fireworks would be the Gatsby style icing on the cake and perfect for the chimes at midnight!

Glitter Wedding Decor

Let’s face it, winter brides and grooms to be can afford to be liberal with the glitter. At this time of year, more than any other, you can really go all out and inject lots of glitzy accents and glitter wedding decor into your day. While summer has its obvious charms, there is just something about this time of year that makes for a uniquely beautiful atmosphere and with the festive season on the horizon, winter weddings just naturally lend themselves to a touch of glitter. And it’s also quite amazing how the right balance of colours and glitter can make a room feel warm and cosy when it’s cold outside! Never forget glitter doesn’t just have to be gold!

As an award-winning wedding planner, I’ve helped dozens of couples to bring their winter weddings to life with a touch of seasonal glam. So if you’re a total glitter-fiend, then this post is for you, as we look at lots of amazing ideas for décor, centrepieces, photo props, table plans and much more to whet your glam-loving appetite. In the meantime, if you’d like to chat about how I can help with your big day plans, then please get in touch.

 

Ceremony
There’s no reason why you can’t add a touch of glitter to your ceremony, be it in a church or another venue. Just check in advance if the venue are happy with the glitter aspect as it may require some clean up. Think about glitter aisle runners, or just glitter sprinkled on the aisle or to the side near the pews for a more affordable option. Glitter frosted pine cones and winter flowers make for ideal pew ends, as do sparkly chair covers or even glitter stars to adorn the aisle.

 

Table plans & Escort Cards
When it comes to table plans and escorts cards and glitter, the sky is the limit for how creative you want to get. Everything from a straightforward glitter dusted table plan, to feathers dipped in glitter for escort cards, glitter pegs with guests names attached and even some fake fruits such as pears, sprayed with glitter make a stunning impact. There’s not much that glitter can’t make better!

 

Centrepieces & Table Décor
You can really go to town with the glitz and glitter when it comes to your table décor. For some budget friendly DIY options, why not vamp up some winter branches with glitter? They’ll look stunning in a large vase. Sprinkle glitter of varying sizes or sparkly shapes on the table itself, dust birdcages, mason jars or candle sticks with glitter for an eye-catching centrepiece, or if you really want to make a splash, why not use a glitter ball for the centrepiece or some glitter tablecloths!

 

Foodie Favors
Nothing brings a smile to someone’s face like an edible treat dusted in glitter. It makes for a really fun effect and once you get your hands on some edible glitter, the world is your oyster. Think doughnuts, cupcakes or cakepops which make perfect foodie favours, or indulge your guests with a mini bottle of bubbles at their seat covered in the glitter of your choice.

 

Photo Props
Finally don’t forget to capture the beautiful glitter effect in your wedding photos! Have cones of glitter for guests to throw when the camera is shooting, prepare a glittery backdrop for a photobooth, or glitz up some fun photobooth props too. Use some glitter dusted LOVE or initial signs and don’t be afraid to get creative and maybe have the bride or groom take off their shoes and walk in the glitter to make some really creative shots. Chat to your photographer in advance and they’ll have lots of ideas on how to maximise the glitter effect.

Wedding Food Stations

Gone are the days of the traditional rules when it comes to wedding food. These days’ couples can choose from a variety of options, with food stations becoming a very popular choice. The trend really started with sweet tables, which morphed into dessert tables and now we’ve got everything from cotton candy stations, to pizza, ice cream, sushi and everything in between.

What’s nice about a wedding food station or table is that you can choose how and when it is served. You can have a table of antipasti for grazing before the ceremony, or a spread of make-your-own nachos for your midnight snack. The choice really is up to you, but generally speaking they are a super fun way to entertain your guests and are a fabulous ice breaker too.

If you’d like to chat about any aspect of your wedding planning, then please get in touch.
Sushi and Asian
Plates of colourful sushi really makes a great visual impact for your guests. Make sure you have veggie options available too, as not everyone likes the idea of raw or even cooked fish inside the sushi rolls. Why not add some Asian noodles too and let guests put them into mini takeaway boxes at the food station?

 

Make it Yourself
The essence of a Make-it-Yourself food station is fun, fun, fun! They are a great way to get your guests mingling and you can really choose from anything your taste buds can imagine. Some popular ideas are; nachos, tacos, cupcake decorating, s’mores, baked potatoes and even snazzy sandwich stations!

 

Fun Junk Food
Yes junk food is naughty, but it’s also a treat and what better time to indulge than on your wedding day. Think pizza, mini burgers or sliders, hot dogs and fish and chips! These sorts of foods tend to go down really well with young and old alike. Why not get creative with the packaging and have takeaway style boxes and containers for you guests to use at the food station.

 

Antipasti
Everyone loves an antipasti platter. Think of having an array of cured meats, cheeses, breads, focaccia, olives, roasted veggies and tapenade. This sort of food station makes a great grazing table for pre or post main meal times.

 

Carnival
This option is ideal for bringing out your inner child! Think of having popcorn, candyfloss, candy apples, retro sweets and chocolate fountains with lots of fab dippers like marshmallows and fruit to complete the carnival feel. Everyone young and old will enjoy this style of food station.