Wedding Wednesday: Cake Alternatives

Don't have a preference for cake?

AE has a few splendid ideas that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth! 

Dessert Bar. This is a great alternative for the indecisive bride. Pick out all your favorite sweet treats for guests to pick and choose! 

Photo Courtesy of Stylish Soiree

AE Tip: Adding flowers, balloons, or candles to the dessert table will make it a gorgeous focal point.

Macarons. These French cookies are ideal for the gluten-free bride. Made with almond flour, these gorgeous cookies will satisfy dietary needs, and are tasty too! 

Photo Courtesy of Knot Notes

S'mores. Although this gooey delight will have guests coming back for more, not all venues can accommodate, so make sure to double check! 

Photo Courtesy of Confetti Rentals

AE Tip: If you aren't able to toast the mallows, send the fixings home with guests as a farewell gift!

Candy Bar. Pick all your favorite candies: chocolate, fruity, hard, and soft. Guests will enjoy snacking all evening! 

Photo Courtesy of It's a Brides Life

Decided on a cake alternative for your big day?!
Purchasing a small ceremonial cake to cut in front of guests incorporates a traditional touch
& a great photo moment.

AE Tip: Dietary Restrictions & Dinner Parties

Gluten Free? Vegan? Vegetarian? 

Food allergies and diets can make eating out and attending parties seem somewhat challenging. 

AE has a few tips and tricks to make you (and your stomach!) happy.

Photo Courtesy of The Points Guy

Hosting a party for guests with dietary restrictions?
Don't hesitate to ask guests if they require anything special when you extend an invite. Since some needs can be confusing, feel free to ask questions such as where they find their recipes. 

Attending a dinner party? 

Offer to bring a dish to share with guests. This is a fool proof way to make sure your diet is fulfilled without placing extra pressure on the host. 

AE Tip: Eating out? Quietly mention to the waiter your needs so there are no surprises later! 

Wedding Wednesday: The Fine Print

Hidden Wedding Costs--

It's all those pricey extras that really make your bills add up. 

Take it from us -- READ the fine print!

CATERING FEES

Plating

Caterers charge by the plate for sit down dinners.  One guest equaling one plate.  Although family style is not less expensive than a served dinner, buffet style is.  Ask your caterer to walk you through the pricing if you're on the fence between your choices.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs

Cake-Cutting

When anyone other than the in-house pastry chef makes your cake, your caterer will often charge to cut it.  Sometimes it's a flat fee and other times, it's per guest - which can really add up!

Corkage

Check with your caterer on corkage fees.  If you use the booze provided by your reception site, the charge is typically included with the total cost.  However, if you're providing your own alcohol, some venues will charge per bottle to have their staff open it.  

Photo courtesy of Frosted Pink Events

Service Charge

These are for non-food-related costs. They can tack on about 20 percent to your bill. 

DELIVERY FEES

Rentals

Usually, this is printed on your quote clearly, but know what you're looking for!  There will most likely be a delivery fee and shipping/handling fee.  If you don't see it, ask for this upfront.  

Welcome Bags

Hotels will often charge for distributing these, usually per bag.  If you're don't care for welcome bags to be room dropped, see if you're hotel will allow the front desk to distribute them when your guests check in. 

Photo courtesy of Signature 

VENUE FEES

Non-Approved Vendors

Some venues have a preferred vendor list.  Using vendors not on the list will land you with a fee!

Overtime 

If your vendors are booked for a certain amount of time, you'll be charged per hour if you're wedding runs over.  Factor these costs in from the beginning if you think it may be close!

Resort

Having a destination affair?  If your guests are not all staying on the property, there could be a fee for them to enter. 

AE Happy Hour: The Sparkler

Red, White, and Blue! 

With team USA on a successful road in the World Cup and the Fourth of July right around the corner...

celebrate with a beverage that will surely put you in the American Spirit!

The Sparkler 

Photo Courtesy of Yum Sugar

Recipe as follows:

1 1/2 oz campagne

3/4 oz raspberry liqueur 

1/2 oz vodka 

1 oz pomegranate juice

Shake all ingredients but the champagne with ice and strain into your favorite glassware. 

Top with champagne and add a garnish to complete.

AE tip: for that extra touch of spirit, add an American flag stir stick to each drink or drop in a few blueberries to bring in the blue!

As always, enjoy responsibly! 

Xo, AE

Wedding Wednesday: Pretty in Pink

It's all about the pink!!

We have seen a lot of blushes, nudes, and peaches this year, which is understandable because this is such a classic and romantic color palate.  Here are our tips to make this timeless color trend fresh and fun. 

Bridesmaids. Carry this trend over to your bridesmaids dresses for a sweet, sophisticated look.  Let the girls choose their own dresses in any complementary hue.

Photo Courtesy of Bridal Guide

Linens. These sweet colors will add a romantic vibe that will soften any venue. 

Photo Courtesy of Wild Flower Linens

Flowers. Sticking to this trending color scheme for floral arrangements is a great way to add a touch of color without drawing too much attention. Numerous flowers come in a range of these colors.
We love garden roses, ranunculas, and peonies! 

AE Tip: For a rustic garden look, mix in some extra greenery to your arrangements.

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

Flower Girls. Dress them up in adorable (but, age appropriate!) pink gowns.  

What little girls don't love pink?! 

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

Cake. Adding a subtle color to cake can really dress it up.  Play with soft hues or really spruce up the color to make a statement.

AE Tip: Incorporating fresh flowers to a whiter cake adds a hint of color for a more traditional look. 

Photo Courtesy of Weddings Romantique

AE Tip: Hosting

AE's hostess secret: intermix homemade and store bought food. 

Photo Courtesy of Chana's Art Room

Just because you decided to have a party, doesn't mean you have to cook for a party! 

Step away from the grocery store veggie plate and pick up your favorite dip from a local restaurant. 

Make a few great dishes and fill in the gaps with tasty local staples.

AE suggests checking out The North Market to pick up a variety of flavors all under one roof! 

AE Happy Hour: Champagne A-Z

Behind every celebration is a little champagne fizz, but what do you really know about that bottle you're popping open?

The term Champagne refers to only the sparkling wine made in Champagne France. All other bubblies are labeled sparkling wine or noted as being produced by the méthod champenoise. 

Photo Courtesy of Beautiful Life and Style

Let's simplify the label...

Brut: Dry

Extra Dry: Sweet

Blanc de Blancs: Made completely from Chardonnay grapes

Blanc de Noirs: Made from only Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier

Vintage: The bottle is made up of at least 85% of the grapes from the year it was harvested. These bottles are only made during great harvest years which makes them a bit pricier. 

Hosts can count on six flutes per 750 ml bottle. 

AE suggests adding bubbles to any occasion, turning any ordinary day into a celebration! 

Want to keep the fizz but lose the buzz? AE suggests swapping in flavored sparkling water.  We are loving the new flavors by Lacroix.  Coconut?  Yes, please!

So pop those bottles, it's Friday!! 

As always, enjoy responsibly! Xo, AE