National Press

AE commenting on GOING GREEN for your wedding!   Featured in over 80 news outlets nationwide.  Thank you, Shiloh Todorov, for including us! 

  http://www.wlwt.com/royal-wedding/27360674/detail.html

Adrianne Elizabeth Featured on Capital Style.com

Thanks to Capital Style for featuring Dana and Ashley's fabulous San Francisco and Napa Valley wedding!   We had the best time planning and worked with the BEST vendors!

Enjoy!

http://capital-style.com/live/content/issue/stories/bride/your-weddings/2011/03/aminian/index.html

Wedding Wednesday: Bridesmaid Dresses They Will Wear Again!

Picking out bridesmaid dresses can be challenging and VERY time-consuming.  There are so many factors to consider: 
Does this dress match the overall look of my wedding?
Will it look good on all of my girls?
Does this material work with the material of my dress?
How much is too much to spend? 
And the million dollar question:  WOULD THEY WEAR IT AGAIN?

The good news is that whenever you have multiple ladies in the same dress, you will have immediate continuity, which is great for pictures and also making them stand out as your chosen ones.  Also good news, your bridesmaids just want you to be happy, ultimately, they will wear a potato sack if you ask them to!  So don't fret too terribly much.  Whatever you choose will be great. 

Ordering traditional bridesmaid dresses (they have come a looooooong way) from the traditional outlets can be relatively headache free, however, if you are looking for that uber chic fashion-forward dress, you may want to consider some "out of the box" options. 

For the savvy bride who truly wants to give her maids a gift, think about considering a dress off the rack at your favorite boutique or department store or finding one online.  Not only will your girls thank you (wow!  A Milly dress!  I love it!), but you may be able to find a GREAT deal out there. 

Here are a few options we recommend:

This powder blue ABS by Allen Schwartz dress can be found at Bloomingdales.com for $330.00.  There are TONS of great party frocks out there right now because it's Spring (wedding season!) and also Prom is right around the corner.   

This light pink LM by Mignon Tiered Pink Tulle dress can also be found at bloomingdales.com for the NICE price of $141.00.

The options are endless on bloomie's.  They have a great return policy and you can usually find  promotional codes to save a bit.   If you can't find all the sizes you need online, don't fret!  The stores will have what online may not.  Simply call customer service and ask them to locate them for you.  It may take a bit of elbow grease, but your gals will sure thank you for it!

Bluefly.com is another favorite option of ours.  You can search by price and by color which makes narrowing down the plethora of choices easier.  One downfall is that what they have available is all there is, so don't get your heart set on a dress before determining that the sizes you need are available.  The prices are so incredibly reasonable that alterations costs shouldn't be an issue for your maids if you can't find exactly their size. 

This vibrant blue Alexia Admor is a super flattering cut and the price is the most flattering of all.   At just $91 (down from $225) your maids pocket-books AND wardrobes will thank you!  Also comes in jade.  Sizes XS-L.  

Absolutely ADORE this Mikael Aghal turquoise taffeta number.  It also comes in a stunning rose color.  Retail value is $330.00 and you can get it for the lovely price of $142.30 on Blue Fly. 

Also considering searching for your bridesmaid dress at your favorite local boutique.  If you love to outfit yourself from there, chances are, you will find something that you would love to outfit your girls in!  Our favorite local boutique, Rowe, has a great selection of fabulous dresses that are fashion-forward and unique.  The best part about purchasing bridesmaid dresses from your favorite boutique is that the store can probably order for you any sizes that they don't have in stock and help you with any alterations.  Not to mention, you will be supporting a local business and that's always chic (and appreciated).  

How fun is this yellow Jay Godfrey frock at Rowe?   Boutique shopping will also allow for easy accessorizing.  Let the experts help you decide what will look best with the dress. Retails for $390 at Rowe.  contact Rowe for sizing. 

And last but not least, we LOVE this adorable Ali Ro dress at Rowe.   It has a great shape and would look amazing on just about any figure.  This fun and flirty dress will look great on your maids on your wedding day and at any affair they attend after.  Retails for $368 at Rowe.  Contact Rowe for sizing. 

Good luck!  It's a big, bright, fashionable world out there.  Need help?  Contact us! 

Happy Hour: Bourbon Cocktail Definitions

Bourbon cocktails are about as classic as a cocktail comes.  But what's in each one and what are the differences?  If you are a vodka drinker like me, it may be daunting to try a bourbon cocktail even the well-known ones.  What's in them?  What's the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned?  Should you already know?  Well!  Now you will.  Read on...

Before the Cosmo, there was the Manhattan (named obviously for the ultimate cosmopolitan city), a Manhattan consists of the following:
Ice cubes
2 parts whiskey (Canadian or bourbon preferred)
1 part dry vermouth
4 dashes Angostura bitters

If you have a sophisticated palate (mmmmm - oak!), you may taste herbal essences that can include spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, marjoram and chamomile.

Next up is the Old Fashioned.   The Old Fashioned is the unofficial drink of Wisconsin and although it's most widely known to be a bourbon-based cocktail, the Wisconites make their Old Fashioned's with brandy.  A "classic" (classic is of course a relative term) Old Fashioned consists of the following:
Ice cubes
2 parts bourbon
Cube of sugar or a 0.25 part sugar syrup
2 dashed Angostura bitters
Soda water

The soda water and sugar can be substituted with ginger ale or 7-Up to achieve the same taste.  Muddled oranges and cherries give a subtle fruity flavor to the drink and provide texture.  The Old Fashioned is a good "starter" bourbon cocktail as the sweet from the fruit and sugar provides a nice balance to the strong bourbon flavor.   

And of course, we can't talk about bourbon drinks without the ever-chic, Mint Julep.  It even gets it's own sassy little glass!  But what exactly is IN a mint julep?  Mint - yes.  Bourbon - yes.  Here is a recipe:
4 fresh mint sprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in the glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. 

 

Mint juleps have been made famous by the Kentucky Derby, however, it is widely thought that mint juleps were first introduced in the early 1800's by Virginians who would drink one in the morning to cleanse their palates.  Who knew??! 

 

 

 

And lastly, a lesser known bourbon cocktail (just something to impress your bourbon savvy friends):  The Blood and Sand (scary name, strangely tasty drink).  This prohibition era cocktail, was named after the movie, Blood and Sand, starring Rudolph Valentino, about a young-boy who becomes a famous bull-fighter. 

3/4 oz. Scotch Whiskey (can substitute bourbon of your choice)

3/4 oz. Cherry Herring

3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth

3/4 oz. Orange juice (preferably fresh-squeezed)

Combine in shaker with a scoop of ice.  Shake and strain into cocktail glass.  Garnish with orange and enjoy!

Recently, BarSmarts deemed the Blood and Sand one of the Top 25 cocktails that every bartender should know how to make well. 

 

And for some "old-fashioned" eye candy:  Rudy Valentino in Blood and Sand.  Swoon!

 

 

Wedding Wednesday: Honoring Elizabeth Taylor

In honor of Elizabeth Taylor's life and considerable contribution to Hollywood, we are dedicating today's Wedding Wednesday to her many (!!!) fabulous weddings. 

Here is lovely Liz with 1st huband Nicky Hilton (yep, those Hilton's), wearing a $1500 gown given to her by her studio, MGM, as a wedding gift

Liz is a beautiful sensible second-wedding suit, with second husband, Michael Wilding, after their civil ceremony at the Registrar's office in London

Liz with 3rd husband, movie producer, Michael Todd.  The drama of her dress sadly mirrors the drama this marriage would sustain.  He died in a plane crash less than a year after marrying.   Some say that he was the love of her life, even over Richard Burton. 

The drama continues when Liz married and Eddie Fisher just 3.5 hours after his divorce finalizes.  It was also rumored that Eddie was Michael Todd's best pal.  Eddie and Liz married in Las Vegas, Nevada at Temple Beth Sholam in 1959.

Here she is!  These are our two favorite wedding looks of Liz's.  Married twice to Richard Burton, she has said, she would have married him a third time if he asked...

Alas, all marriages do seem to come to an end for Liz.  After Richard, she married husband #6 (7th wedding).  Love the contrast between John Warner's class tuxedo (he was a career politician) and her trendy movie star dress and gorgeous big hair. 

Last and possibly least, husband #7 was Larry Fortensky, whom she met in rehab.  She stunned everyone by marrying a "working man."  He was formerly a construction worker.  Michael Jackson walked Liz down the aisle.   We do love his hair.  Almost rivals Liz's! 

The many weddings (and FASHIONS) of Elizabeth Taylor just serve to further solidify her as one of the great American icons both on-screen and off.   We don't recommend 7 husbands, but if you are going to go that route, do it as well as Liz. 

Rest in Peace, Elizabeth Taylor.

Happy Hour! Sicilan Margarita

Forget those big-as-your-head cheap margaritas that instantly come to mind with just seeing the word TEQUILA.  Thanks to the Skinny Girl Margarita and other positive PR, this liquor has been making a huge comeback!  There any many delicious recipes out there for tequila-based cocktails that will not have you dancing on a bar (well, not immediately). 
We know it sounds kind of aggressive to serve a tequila based cocktail at civilized parties, but FEAR NOT!  We want to share of our very favorite margarita recipes with you “The Sicilian Margarita”.  This yummy cocktail makes a great addition to a rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or even a baby shower!  The eye-catching pinky-orange color will add a little splash of fun to any decor and the tasty combination of flavors will be extremely memorable for your guests.  Be careful, though, these drinks go down easy and once your guests have had seconds and thirds, dancing on a bar might look enticing afterall.

Ingredients:
3/4 ounces Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
1 1/2 ounces Milagro Silver tequila
1 ounce pink grapefruit juice (fresh-squeezed, if possible)
1/2 ounce  agave nectar
1/2 ounce fresh lime
1/4 ounce Campari


Directions:
Combine ingredients and shake well. Serve over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a flat lime wheel.

Cheers! 

Irish Wedding Blessing

In Honor of St. Patrick's Day, one of our favorite readings:  The Irish Wedding Blessing...

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon the fields.

May the light of friendship guide your paths together.
May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.
May the joy of living for one another trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye.
And when eternity beckons,
at the end of a life heaped high with love,
May the good Lord embrace you
with the arms that have nurtured you
the whole length of your joy-filled days

Wedding Wednesday: The Importance of a thank you...

During your engagement and throughout the wedding planning process everyone knows that YOU are the star, but don't forget how thankful you are for your supporting cast. 

Letting someone know you are grateful by saying “thank you” can go a long way, but it isn’t nearly as meaningful as a handwritten note.  In this day and age of email, Facebook, Twitter, and texting, we all know how it feels to know someone appreciated you (or something you did) and took the time to write and tell you so!  It can be easy to remember to write a thank you note for tangible items,  like presents from a shower, but don't forget not all gifts come wrapped up in pretty packages.  If your best friend lends you something special for your wedding day or your co-worker hosts an event on your behalf, it’s important to remember that thoughtfulness and actions are gifts too, and should be treated that way. 

Of course, everyone understands and forgives the busy-bee-bride for forgetting a couple of thank you's here and there, but don't make a habit of it!  Not only because you’ll discover your that well of willing people will start to dry up but because you can also (albeit unknowingly) hurt the gifter’s feelings.  People will want to help you and be flattered that you asked, but do be sure to do your part show to show them how much their kindness meant to you. 

There are so many fun, fabulous and personal thank you notes out there, but here are a few of our favorites:

http://onpaper.stores.yahoo.net/fernthankyou.html  Available locally at On Paper in The Short North, Columbus, OH

http://www.carrotandstickpress.com/collection.htm#fn  Love everything at Carrot and Stick Press based in Oakland, CA!  (Also a favorite of Real Simple magazine)

http://www.noondesignshop.com/papergoods.html  Amazing and adorable designs from Noon Design Shop, based in San Diego.  Met these cute ladies at a show in Vegas and love the quality and innovation. 

Tip: If you are planning to change your last name, don’t forget you should not use your new married initial in your monogram.  Feel free to order your monogrammed thank-you cards early (it's exciting!) but hold off on using them until after you are officially Mrs. X! 

Happy Hour! Grape and Elderflower Fizz

We have been singing Elderflower's praises for years now and it is starting to catch on as the hot new liqueur at parties and weddings.  Here is an amazing recipe that adds another of our favorite flavors (also not used nearly enough in recipes):   GRAPES!  Yum!

Grape and Elderflower Fizz

12 ounces gin, preferably Hendrick's

3 ounces St. Germain elderflower liqueur

9 ounces Concord grape juice

12 ounces club soda (or ginger ale if you prefer a sweeter drink)

3 limes, halved

1 bunch grapes, Concord or red globe, halved and seeded

In a 1 1/2-quart pitcher, combine gin, elderflower liqueur, grape juice, and club soda. Squeeze lime halves over pitcher, and stir. To serve, pour over ice in tall glasses, and garnish each with 4 or 5 grape halves.

If you are serving this at a garden party or wedding reception serve it perhaps in a mason jar with an accent colored straw and a bit of raffia tied around the jar. 

If you are hosting a more formal affair, this can easily be served in a champagne flute or martini glass (with a accent colored sugared rim)!  

Tip: Concord grapes (the most delicious of all grapes) are available only in September and October, which makes them perfect for a fall wedding.

Wedding Wednesday: A List and B List

The advice we are about to impart goes for ANY event you host, however, for the sake of Wedding Wednesday, we are relating this to a wedding guest list. 

Listen carefully:  DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE AN A and B LIST. 

This may seem like a great idea.  What if far fewer plan to attend your wedding than you anticipate?  Then you can invite MORE people!  No!  Don't fall into this line of reasoning and do not let anyone tell you this is a good idea. 

Once your wedding invitations go out (or save the dates for that matter), people will start chattering about them.  "Ohhh!  Love your invitation!  Can't wait for the wedding!" will be posted on your facebook page.  If a guest receives their invitation a month later, they are going to either berate their mailman for being an extremely slow deliverer OR know that they were not initially invited.   This will only lead to hard feelings, guilt, and probably some unnecessary gossip.

It is best to very carefully plan your guest from the start of your engagement (or party planning).  A good rule of thumb is to think "would I like this person to see me get married," "would I wish to be invited to their wedding,"  if you answer yes to either (and definitely to both), then put them on the list. 

Remember, it costs very little to send an invitation.  Your guests will decide if they can attend or not.  You will absolutely be surpised with the guests that RSVP yes and the guests that RSVP no.  The numbers will all work out in the end.  Don't worry! 

CHEERS TO SCOTT AND CINDY!

CHEERS TO SCOTT AND CINDY!

Tomorrow one of our FAVORITE couples of all time is leaving for their fabulous honeymoon.  We know it's going to be fabulous becuase we planned it - we were so flattered that they asked!   We were so lucky to be involved in their wedding planning from soup to nuts. 


Scott and Cindy were so fun to work with partially because they weren't afraid to take risks.  We planned their October South Florida wedding weekend in three months!  The back home reception was held at Scioto Reserve Country Club a month later and our fabulous, bold bride actually chopped her wedding dress to a spectactulor cocktail mini which she wore at the party! 

Cindy and Scott Hennigan hosted an October 22 beach wedding in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  The bride and groom married amongst 50+ of their closest friends and family on the terrace of the W Hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  The ceremony was officiated by a close friend.  Guests enjoyed champagne on the terrace prior to the start of the wedding and kept cool in the Florida sunshine with handheld fans placed on each guest seat.  The fun continued at Steak 954 where the guests enjoyed a 3 course meal overlooking the ocean.  The guests continued the party at Ft. Lauderdale’s hot spot, Whiskey Blue and were wowed by the theatrics of sparklers in their drinks!  Scott and Cindy also hosted a causal fish fry at a local Ft. Lauderdale haunt, Café Blue Fish.

Scott and Cindy continued the celebration back home in Columbus with a 200+ Black and White party at Scioto Reserve Country Club in Powell.  Guests were encouraged to wear black and white and our daring bride chopped her formal wedding gown into a cocktail mini for the occasion.  She completed the look with black accessories.  Guests dined on fun comfort foods and a favorite of the evening was the mashed potato martini bar.  Guests departed from the evening with a favor box filled with homemade cookies from the traditional Italian cookie table made by the bride’s mom. 

With a Little Help from our Friends:

Ft. Lauderdale Wedding

October 22, 2010

Dress:  Paloma Blanca, Alan Ray Bridal

Ceremony:  W Ft. Lauderdale Terrace

Reception:  Steak 954

After-Party:  Whiskey Blue

Grooms Attire:  Custom made from Ticnors

Photographer:  Sarah Bray Photo

Wedding Planner:  Adrianne Elizabeth LLC

Rings:  The Diamond Cellar

Welcome gift:  Beach survival tote including designer towels, Maui Babe sunscreen, FIJI water (brides favorite) Custom made Hennigan Beach tee by local t-shirt designer, Badcock Apparel

Shoes:  Jimmy Choo, Saks

Columbus Reception (Black and White Affair)

November 20, 2010

Venue:  Scioto Reserve Country Club

Dress: Alan Ray (shortened to a party mini)

Favor:  Traditional Italian cookie table made by bride’s mom and friends, black and white “to go” boxes

DJ:  Jimmy Sexton

Photo Studio:  Photo Booth Live

Cupcake Cake:  The Cake Studio

Floral Design:  Rose Bredl

Photographer:  Patrick McColgan

Event Planner: Adrianne Elizabeth LLC

Hair and Makeup:  J. Bentley

Here is a little flashback to Scott and Cindy's Wedding weekend in FL and their Columbus reception.   We just love them soooooo much!!!