Photo by Treebird Photography

Stuck on a stellar name for your signature drink? Get the ideas flowing with these tips!
Posted to Brides.com on May 7, 2018 by Jillian Kramer

Coming up with signature wedding drink names is a fun way to liven up your cocktail hour. However, if you put too much pressure on yourselves to be clever and cute, it can get stressful, says Amy Nichols, owner of Amy Nichols Special Events and cofounder of the Poppy Group. “Brides and grooms want their guests to know they’ve thought of their enjoyment when selecting a signature cocktail,” she explains. But crafting signature drink names doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With these tips, it’ll be a breeze—and hopefully fun.

1. Consult with the Bartender
Who better to help you name your mixed drink than the bartender who will serve it up to your guests? Ask him or her what the key ingredients are, how it’s prepared, and how it’s served to spark inspiration, suggests Nichols. “All of that information could give you some ideas for a fun name,” she says.

2. Incorporate Wedding Words
When in doubt, toss in a wedding word to give your go-to drink that just-married factor. An Old Fashioned becomes a Something Old Fashioned. Then there’s a Bloody Marry Me, an Apple-y Ever After Martini, and, well, you get the point. Rather than picking any ol’ cocktail, start your search for the right beverage by brainstorming cocktails with ingredients you love, then use those flavors for your name, says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia. “Vodka Rosemary Lemonade could be Vodka Rose-Marry Me Lemonade,” she says, “or Spiked Apple Cider could be renamed Apple of My Eye.”

There’s also a beverage called the Blushing Bride that is already fit for a wedding, Fisher points out, made with champagne, fruit nectar, and grenadine.

3. Take Your Guests on a Trip
You don’t have to throw a destination wedding to take your guests to a new locale. Use your signature drink as a way to celebrate a city you love, or a time period that intrigues you, Nichols suggests. “Use the influences of your dream locale to help you make the selection of your signature cocktail’s name,” she says.

Of course, if you are throwing a destination fête, you can use your wedding spot as inspiration too. This could mean naming the drink after the actual locale (e.g. a Sparkling Charleston Cosmopolitan), drawing inspiration from the surrounding culture (e.g. a Southern Belle-Ini) or putting a twist on the name of an already popular drink in the area. So for a Southern-style wedding, you might want to serve up a Sweet Tease (sweet tea vodka, lemonade, and so on).

4. Be Playful, But Not. Too. Playful
While you want to surprise and delight your guests with your cocktail’s name, you don’t want to make it such a tongue twister that they’ll have no clue what they’re drinking, warns Fisher. “While drink names should be playful, they should also be descriptive so guests know what they’re drinking,” she says. In addition to placing a sign with the drink’s ingredients at the bar, consider including the main ingredient or alcohol in the cocktail’s name for clarity.

5. Incorporate the Season
Just as your wedding’s season informed the details of your wedding—your ‘maids won’t be wearing short dresses in the dead of winter—so, too, can it help you with cocktail names. “For weddings in summer months, stick with something cool and refreshing like a Moscow Mule, named the Marry Me Mule,” says Fisher. “Signature cocktails and their names should be reflective of the season.”

6. Make It Personal
Your wedding is the one day it should be all about you (and, of course, your fiancé too)! Use your own names (and nicknames), or incorporate your new, shared last name! Likewise you can incorporate words associated with your favorite hobbies and sports, the name of your pet, or anything you like to make the signature drink names really reflect who the two of you are.

7. Tie in Your Wedding Theme
Let your wedding theme and/or color scheme dictate the name of your drinks. Colors are particularly easy, plus there are a ton of fun options to choose from. Keep it simple with a Something Blue, Pretty in Pink, Purple Passion, Mellow Yellow, or a Sweet Peach Punch. For a fresh, farm to table signature drink name, try a Greenhouse Tonic or a Cucumber Collins with fresh ingredients to match, naturally. Throwing a garden party-themed wedding? Think floral-inspired cocktails adorned with lavender sprigs.

Creativity is encouraged!

Posted to Brides.com on September 15, 2016 by Jillian Kramer

Wedding toast givers, we get it: There’s a lot of pressure to spin the perfect speech. But as you select your words, remember this: “With a captive audience of the bride and groom’s family and friends, what you leave out of the toast is just as important as what you put in,” says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia. What should be left out? Here are seven things that should never make it into a wedding toast.

1. That time your friend got busted for underage drinking.
According to Fisher, trouble with the law should never be included in a wedding toast, no matter how small (or funny) the infraction. “Even though the best man may think it’s funny to reminisce about the time he and the groom spent the night in jail, it’s inappropriate with in-laws, coworkers, and grandparents in the room,” she says. Instead, offer up a fond memory that speaks highly of the couple’s characters.

2. You’ve heard there’s trouble in paradise.
Whether you overheard an argument over the wedding or know his family doesn’t approve of her, the toast isn’t the place to air out the couple’s dirty laundry. “The toast is not a time to slyly say, ‘I’m sure his family will like you eventually,'” says Amy Nichols, owner of Amy Nichols Special Events and cofounder of The Poppy Group. “Leave all mention of any family or internal drama out of the toast and instead mention how lucky they are to be creating a family of their own.”

3. Your feelings about the couple’s exes.
A wedding is about the couple who just tied the knot, not anyone in their pasts. Not only will talking about the couple’s exes make the couple uncomfortable, but it’s sure to make wedding guests squirm, too, Fisher says. “Sharing the story of how the couple met or the first time you met them together is a much better alternative.”

4. What happened in Vegas.
Remember: “What happens at the bachelor and bachelorette parties stays there,” says Nichols. “Your wedding toast should not be an expose on the wild side of your friend. Concentrate on how you’ve built your friendship over the years and been there for each other through the good and the bad.” At the same time, Fisher says, your toast isn’t the time to bring up any unflattering stories about the couple. “Use it as an opportunity to tell the crowd why you value your friendship,” she says.

5. How impossible the bride was during the planning process.
Your friend looked a lot like Bridezilla as she blew through her big day budget. But your toast isn’t the time to vent your frustrations. “That is now your little secret and it should not be shared with the guests at the wedding.” she says. “Talking about what a fabulous job the couple did planning the wedding is a better approach to talking about the event.”

6. That inside joke you (and only you) think is so funny.
While talking about that hippo figurine might send you and the bride into a fit of giggles, your guests will be left scratching their heads. “About 2 percent of the room will actually understand why it’s funny, and the other 98 percent will feel awkward, uncomfortable, and left out,” describes Fisher. “Instead of inside jokes, share some things about your friend that most people don’t know. Guests will love learning the couple does The New York Times crossword together every Sunday morning, or that they volunteer at the community youth center every week.”

7. That awkward phase your friend finally outgrew.
If you’re making a toast at her wedding, you’ve likely seen the bride during her awkward phase. (You know, the one that included braces and acne.) “You have so many fabulously embarrassing childhood stories you could share,” says Nichols. “But resist the urge to talk about that one time at band camp. Not only will you embarrass your friend, but you might offend a more sensitive wedding guest or out your friend to their parents.”

Floral arrangements in between wrapping presents? Yes, you can!
Posted to Brides.com on November 24, 2017 by Jillian Kramer

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but with holiday parties and family gatherings filling up your calendar, they’re also crazy busy. If you’re planning a wedding as the season approaches, you might have a hard time fitting in those meetings with the florist between shopping for gifts and airport pick-up duty. If you’re not going to put planning on hold for a few weeks, we’ve got six tips that will help you fit wedding planning easily into your holiday schedule.

1. Get appointments on the books before the holidays hit.

Just like you, your wedding vendors will have holiday plans—meaning their schedules will be as tight as yours. They might be working on winter weddings or holiday parties, or may be taking advantage of the slow season to go on vacation with their families. Says Viva Max Kaley, owner of New York-based Viva Max Weddings, “[I]f you want to set up calls or meetings during the month of December, it’s best to lock in a time [beforehand]. Don’t assume people are going to be working standard hours once the holidays arrive!” Plus, she says, by putting your calls and appointments on the books, you’ll hold yourself accountable for getting things done even during the holiday season.

2. Double up on shopping duty.

The holidays just might be synonymous with sales, so while you’re hunting down Black Friday deals and loading up on stocking stuffers, why not check wedding items off your list, too? “From DIY supplies to bridesmaids’ dresses, the holidays are a perfect time to shop and save money,” says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia. Browse jewelry sales in search of the perfect wedding day accessories or bridesmaids’ gifts, check out the home section in search of frames to gift your in-laws, and don’t forget to take a peek at swimwear for your honeymoon! You might even be able to score a deal on flights or hotel rooms during a travel site’s sale.

3. Take advantage of holiday get-togethers.

From your grandparents to that distant cousin you only see once a year, everyone is back together during the holidays. So why not use this captive audience to your advantage and ask for wedding input and advice? “If you’re recently engaged, the conversations will be about the big picture items — think: budgets, venues, and guest lists,” Fisher says. “And if your wedding is a few months away, you’ll be talking about the details like family photos and songs they’d like added to the must-play list.” Make a list of things you want to run by your loved ones to ensure you don’t miss any key details, as well as to set some boundaries. Once everything is checked off, you can change the subject and steer the conversation away from the specifics you’d rather handle yourself.

4. Have a list and check it twice.

No, we’re not talking about a naughty and nice list — we’re talking about your wedding to-do list. As you go into this crazy time of year, it will be hugely beneficial to make sure you’re on top of everything that needs to be done! Keeping good records now means you won’t have any surprises once things get back to normal after New Year’s. “Keep that list of tasks on-hand and delegate if you need to,” suggests Kaley. “You could ask someone to help you finalize the hotel room block, or ask for assistance researching local transportation options.”

5. Wrap up wrapping early.

If you can get your shopping and wrapping done early, you’ll have more time to get those wedding tasks taken care of. Not only is holiday shopping crazy, the crowds and long lines make it take way longer than it would other times of year, eating into any free time you might have. So if you can get those presents tucked into your closet by Thanksgiving, you’ll have plenty of time left for your wedding. “With these things off of your mind, you’ll feel much less stressed and have some free time for wedding planning during the holidays,” says Fisher. “Sipping hot chocolate while pinning pictures of bouquets beats fighting mall traffic looking for a parking spot.”

“With the seasonal stress and your busy schedule, it’s easy to get run down and sick during the holidays,” warns Fisher. “It’s important to set aside time in your schedule for wedding planning, as well as rest and relaxation.” The holidays are a time to be busy, sure — but they’re also a time to slow down and spend time with loved ones, Kaley reminds us. “If you can afford to be more mellow about wedding planning this time of year, try and take advantage of the naturally slower pace of December rather than turning the holidays into a wedding mess,” she says.

“Balance is key.” So get things done ahead of time, then put on your Out of Office reply and focus on your partner, your families, and enjoying the season. Love is why you’re getting married, after all!

Published on Brides.com on July 2, 2016 by Jillian Kramer

If you were the little girl who’s dreamed of her wedding day since she began playing dress up in her mother’s gown, then you might be biting at the bit to begin planning even before you have a ring. And while it sounds a tad crazy — and more than a little wedding obsessed — getting a jump start on planning this particular party is actually pretty smart, our experts say.

“Popular wedding months, including May, June, September, and October, book up fast,” says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia. “So if a bride is set on getting hitched in one of those months and doesn’t want a long engagement, it’s OK to start the preliminary planning before he’s put a ring on it.”

Plus, she adds, “proper planning can relieve stress and save money, so checking off a few wedding to-dos pre-proposal can be beneficial for couples.” And here, according to our experts, are the items you can check off that list before you get engaged.

1. Gather your favorite couple photos.
After he’s popped the question, you may need a striking photo of you two, stat, for an engagement announcement or, if you don’t plan to have a formal engagement session, your wedding website and save the date cards. “Often times couples get engaged and then realize they don’t have any good photos of themselves, or none that are quickly accessible,” says Sarah Glick, wedding planner at Brilliant Event Planning in New York City. “Try to start gathering your favorites together early. It will make website construction and save the dates that much easier.”

2. Make your guest list.
First comes love, then comes the guest list. Says Fisher, “Drafting a preliminary guest list is one of the first things a couple should do when they begin planning their wedding — pre- or post-proposal. So start thinking about whether you’ll be inviting all 15 of your coworkers with dates, or just your work BFF. Guest counts can add up quickly, and the number of guests will ultimately determine the budget and venue.”

3. Collect those guests’ addresses.
Now that you have an idea who you’d like to attend your wedding one day, it’s time to do the tedious work of gathering their addresses. “The biggest barrier to getting your save the dates and invitations in the mail are your addresses,” says Glick. “Start updating your address book now and that will make the process go more smoothly for you later on.”

4. Establish your budget.
You’re having open-and-honest money talks anyway, right? So add talking over what you’d like to spend on a future wedding to the list of money topics you’ll tackle.

Start with: Will you be paying for it on your own? What’s the maximum amount you feel comfortable spending? Will others be contributing? “Having this conversation early will ensure that your planning will be off to a smooth start,” says Fisher.

5. Determine your wedding style.
You’ve kept a secret wedding Pinterest board for years. Now, it’s time to scan it to see what you really love and what could resonate at your very own fete. Or, says Fisher, “close your eyes and think about what your dream wedding looks like. Think about the season, time of day, type of venue, and overall feel. Then try to come up with words to describe your dream day. Exploring this exercise with your soon to be fiancé is a great way to get on the same page about your picture perfect wedding.”

There’s at least one caveat, of course, to pre-planning your wedding before you’ve become officially engaged: “While there are always exceptions, couples should typically avoid signing contracts and making any final decisions until they are actually engaged,” advises Fisher. “They should use the pre-proposal planning time to brainstorm and research.”

Posted to Brides.com on April 15, 2016 by Jillian Kramer

Even our best friends can make bad bridesmaids. Here are five kinds of difficult bridesmaids you may find in your own wedding party, complete with expert advice on how to deal with each one.

The Show-Stealer
This is the bridesmaid who mistakenly thinks your wedding is actually all about her. If the spotlight isn’t on her, diva-style, she’s one very unhappy ‘maid. But while you may be surprised at the lengths your friend is willing to go to in order to bogart your big day, it’s likely you got a glimpse of her show-stealing tendencies long ago. “You knew who she was before you chose her,” says Victoria Canada, owner of Victoria Canada Weddings + Events in Phoenix. “And while you can’t change your friend, you can harness her diva-like abilities to get you better room upgrades or a stellar dinner reservation at the bachelorette party.”

The Newby
This new-to-wedding-parties woman needs her hand held through every wedding-related task because it’s her first time acting as a bridesmaid. But take heart, because this friend likely isn’t foregoing her duties or making your wedding planning more difficult on purpose. “Don’t take her lack of involvement personally,” recommends Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in Philadelphia. “She needs to be taught the ropes. You can buy her a cute bridesmaid how-to book or have one of your more experienced bridesmaids take her under her wing and fill her in on her responsibilities.

The Captain of Complaints
This bridesmaid is never happy. Talk about grating. But rather than engage her in a debate each time she whines about your wedding, tell her how her complaining makes you feel, suggests Canada. By letting her know her nonstop complaining hurts your feelings, she may curb her complaints or find another ear to listen. Fisher adds that your bridesmaid’s complaints could run much deeper than a frustrating personality flaw, and it might be helpful to ask her why she’s so unhappy.

The Critic
This bridesmaid hates the dress you’ve picked out for her. She can’t stand that your wedding is on a Sunday. And she certainly doesn’t want to read the poem you picked for your ceremony. But as mean as she may seem, Fisher says, this bridesmaid may really be offering up her critiques because she sees herself as an expert. “She is probably coming from a good place and just trying to give helpful advice,” Fisher says, “but it’s important to stand firm in your decisions. Let her know that you love what she chose for her wedding, but you’re excited for your special day to be a reflection of you and your partner.”

The One You Didn’t Want
Whether she’s your partner’s mean sibling or another family member you had to welcome into the fold, this is one bridesmaid you didn’t necessarily want with you. “But while she may not be part of your squad, but think about the long road ahead,” says Canada, who encourages you to welcome her into the fold and make a better future for you both. Adds Fisher, “she might be feeling the same uncomfortable feelings you do about it, so if you had to ask your future sister-in-law, use this as an opportunity to get to know her better.

Photo by Greer G Photography

Posted to Brides.com on July 17, 2015 by Jillian Kramer

You want to remember your deceased loved ones on your wedding day — you just don’t want to make your wedding feel like a funeral. And you can with these seven expert ideas on how to incorporate the memory of your loved one without dampening the joy of your big day.

Make a note in your ceremony program.
Inside your program is “a fitting spot to write a sincere message that everyone will read, while still keeping the ceremony itself very joyful,” says Amy Kaneko, owner of Los Angeles-based Amy Kaneko Special Events.

Add an heirloom to your bouquet or dress.
Adorn your bouquet or its ribbons with a locket, photo pin, handkerchief or other small but sentimental trinket that once belonged to your loved one. “I myself pinned my grandmother’s initialed handkerchief to the lining of my gown,” says Erica Taylor, partner at Tinsel & Twine Event Design Studio in New York City.

Share a favorite pastime or memory.
“Seeing some of their favorite things will bring a smile to your face, but also gives your guests the opportunity to learn more about your loved one,” says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Philadelphia-based Two Little Birds Planning. Incorporate loved ones’ favorite candies into your favors, or go the extra mile with an activity that brings them to mind. “Feature a special toasting station with Grandpa’s favorite bourbon and cigars,” she suggests.

Display family photos.
“On our guestbook table, we created an installation of framed photos of all of our grandparents and both sets of parents pictured on their wedding days,” says Taylor. “This is a great, joyous way to honor family members — both living and deceased.”

Incorporate a special flower.
“Add a rosemary sprig to the boutonnieres or place setting because they remind you of summer days spend in Granny’s greenhouse — rosemary also symbolizes remembrance — or include your grandmother’s favorite flower in your bouquet,” suggests Fisher.

Play a song.
Pick a tune that meant something to your loved one, or reminds you of him or her. One former groom honored his late mother by walking the processional to a Beatles song, says Kaneko.

Bake a loved one’s favorite dessert.
Chuck a traditional cake in favor of serving your grandmother’s famous chocolate chip cookies or peach cobbler. “We chose to serve guests my husband’s Nana’s ‘famous’ apple pie,” says Taylor.

No matter what you choose to do, take this advice to heart: “Focus on the happy, special details they loved and would get a kick out of — not the fact that they’re gone,” says Taylor. “Instead, make sure they are actually very present in the day.”

Photo by Olivia Rae James

Posted to Brides.com on May 8, 2015 by Elizabeth Mitchell

There’s no bigger buzz kill at a wedding than an empty dance floor. Ideally, you want your guests to be up and on their feet and grooving to the sound of the music all night long. So how do you get the party started and keep it going then (which is the hard part, of course)? We asked a few wedding insiders to break it down for us.

1. Listen to your DJ

“While asking your guests for song requests and giving your DJ some general guidance is great, please don’t turn him or her into a human iPod by listing out every single jam under the sun you’d like played, says Ashish Patel, owner of Volcanik Entertainment. “An experienced DJ will already have the know how to read the crowd and play the type of music they’re enjoying.”

2. Create a floor plan conducive to dancing
“Couples are often worried that their dance floor will be too small, but it’s equally important to make sure that the dance floor isn’t too big,” warns Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning. Otherwise, it’ll look empty no matter how many people you have out there cutting a rug.

3. Start the night off on a high note
Wedding Photographer Michelle Girard has definitely seen her fair share of dance parties. According to her, getting people onto the floor is half the battle. “Once your friends and family are already out there though, they’ll likely stay for a few songs. At many Jewish weddings you’ll see this happen with the tradition of the Hora and that energy really compounds,” she notes. Another smart move is to have your DJ invite other couples to join you midway through your first dance, then transition into an upbeat song immediately afterward to keep guests grooving.

4. Mix up the music
And don’t forget to blast popular picks from a variety of generations! “Some musicians would rather play songs they prefer, but if you stick to the big hits, you’re guaranteed to get (and keep) your guests on the dance floor,” assures Jerry Wise, co-founder and vocalist of Austin-based national wedding band, the Matchmaker Band.

5. Make sure there’s a bar nearby
Because cocktails always encourage guests to let loose, duh! “The bar should be near or in the same room as the dance floor,” advises Wise. “If it’s in another room, you’re going to be quick to lose dancers.”

6. Engage the audience
To revive a dead dance floor, have your MC get a bit more interactive, suggests Girard. “I’ve seen band members move out into the crowd while singing, even dancing with grandma! DJs can orchestrate some fun competitions or games.”

7. Remember: Timing is everything
For example, you don’t want to clear the dance floor in the middle of a great party to do your cake cutting because it may not fill up again,” cautions Boston-based award winning photographer Kristin Griffin. “Consider cutting your cake in between dinner courses before the dancing officially kicks off.”

8. Provide free flats or flip-flops for female guests
No need to let a little sore feet kill the vibe! If you have room in your budget to spare, Girard recommends providing comfy “dancing shoes” for female guests. “I’ve seen flip-flops, flats and colorful socks offered up at receptions for this purpose. It’s safer than bare feet and shows how much you want everyone to dance.”

9. Make sure you and your groom are busting a move
Last but certainly not least, make sure you’re out there and at the center of it all, says Griffin. No one can resist a smiling bride and groom on the dance floor.

Published on Brides.com on August 19, 2015 by Jillian Kramer

You’ve got the big picture — but when it comes to your wedding budget, did you remember all the details? “While couples are perusing Pinterest, they often forget about the small and less exciting, but equally important, details such as stamps and sales tax,” says Jaclyn Fisher, owner of Two Little Birds Planning in New Jersey. Plus, last-minute line items have a way of weaseling their way into wedding planning unexpected. “In the beginning, the couple is choosing a date, venue, and vendors, so they aren’t thinking about the little details like gratuities and vendor meals.”

If you’re worried you’ve forgotten to sock away savings for certain wedding costs, check this list against your budget.

Wedding gown alterations
A wedding dress isn’t a complete purchase. “Brides often don’t factor in the additional cost of alterations,” Fisher says. Before you buy, “ask what type of alterations the shop recommends, as well as an estimated cost, before saying yes to the dress.”

Postage
“Postage is a perfect example of a small but important detail that is often not thought about ahead of time,” Fisher says. You’ll need to slap stamps onto your save the dates, invitations, reply cards, and thank you notes. Pro tip: “Couples should take their invitations to the post office to be weighed to make sure they buy the right amount of postage,” Jaclyn says.

Vendor gratuities
Just as you would tip a taxi driver or waitress for excellent service, it’s expected you show your financial appreciation to your wedding vendors, too. “Gratuities are expected for hair and makeup services, as well as transportation. And be sure to check your catering contract to see if gratuities are included,” says Fisher. “If not, it’s customary to tip the servers, bartenders, and maitre’d. When it comes to the rest of your vendors, tips are appreciated, especially for the vendors that go above and beyond.”

Sales tax and service charges
“Sales tax and service charges can cause sticker shock because when couples get quotes from vendors they often include only the base price,” explains Jaclyn. This not-so-fun cost almost always shows up for the first time on a final invoice. “Couples should read their contracts carefully, especially the venue and catering contracts, so they understand the bottom line price,” Fisher advises.

Hotel suite
If you plan on getting ready in a hotel room, you must book the night before your big day as well as the day-of, doubling your hotel costs. “Couples often forget to factor in hotel check-in time, which is too late in the day to accommodate the bride and groom getting ready,” Fisher explains.

Vendor meals
“Vendors are working hard and long days, so providing a meal for them is not only the nice thing to do, but it’s often expected. Sometimes it’s even in their contracts that the couple provide a ‘hot meal’ instead of the cold cut trays that some caterers and venues offer as their vendor meal,” Fisher says. While the cost of each meal will vary, costs will add up quickly when you’re feeding “two photographers, two videographers, and 10 band members.”