In May, we had the pleasure of getting to be a part of Jocelyn & Ted's wedding day! Even the threat of rain throughout the day couldn't dampen the joy and love surrounding this couple. Family and friends gathered at Keller's Country Weddings to witness Ted and Jocelyn exchange their vows. Thank you to Caley Newberry Photography for capturing their beautiful day!
The Clean Plate Club put together this beautiful spread. The food was as delicious as it looked!
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Limmer
These goats were too funny! They could actually make the merry-go-round go 'round'!
Congratulations Ted & Jocelyn!
Special thanks to these vendors who made Jocelyn & Ted's wedding so wonderful!
Whether you are planning your wedding or simply having a gathering of friends, we love signature drinks and Thanksgiving is no exception!
WHY WE LOVE THEM
It sends a message to your guests that they are special.
It shows you put thought and time into hosting family and friends.
It’s fun and festive and can enhance the vibe, theme and even food at your holiday celebration.
BE A CONSIDERATE HOST
A non-alcoholic version of your signature cocktail is a must for Considerate Entertaining. There are a myriad of reasons that your friends and family may choose not to “drink“, ranging from being the designated driver to pregnancy. Don’t relegate these guests to the soda bar, offer them a mocktail version of your signature cocktail.
Also be sure to remember the children – they are your most impressionable guests. When you host them for the holiday you have the unique opportunity to create memories for them that will last a lifetime. A signature drink is a great way to make them feel special too! Link
Here are a couple of Signature Cocktails & a Mocktail we love for Thanksgiving and Holiday entertaining.
1. Place mint leaves in a pitcher. Using a wooden spoon, gently bruise leaves. Add pomegranate juice and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill syrup for 2 to 4 hours. If desired, remove mint leaves with a slotted spoon; discard leaves.
For each serving:
2. For each serving, in a glass pour 1/4 cup of the syrup and 1/2 cup of the carbonated water or ginger ale over ice cubes; stir to combine. If desired, garnish with mint sprigs and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.
Prepare syrup, chill, and remove mint as directed. Syrup may be stored for up to 48 hours after mint has been removed.
We would love to hear what holiday cocktails you're serving this year!
You're engaged and cant wait to start planning! Before you start signing vendor contracts, we suggest setting a realistic budget! Regardless of who's paying for the wedding it is helpful to have a clear idea of how much you have to spend so you know where money can be allocated. Here are some key components to keep in mind when building your budget:
Decide who is paying for specific items. Traditionally, the bride's side pays for: church costs, flowers, invitations, reception/venue, transportation, wedding dress; while the groom's side pays for: honeymoon, liquor, marriage license, officiant fee/gratuity, rehearsal dinner
Reception Costs will probably be somewhere between 40-45% of your overall budget
The Splurge Cushion: Inevitably planning your dream wedding means that costs will be more than you anticipated. Make sure to put a little bit extra into things you think you'll want to splurge on, like extra hours for the band, a specific type of flower, printed menus, etc. Link
Here is a basic breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
Reception
48% - 50%
Ceremony
2% - 3%
Attire
8% - 10%
Flowers
8% - 10%
Entertainment/Music
8% - 10%
Photography/Videography
10% - 12%
Stationery
2% - 3%
Wedding rings
2% - 3%
Parking/Transportation
2% - 3%
Gifts
2% - 3%
Miscellaneous
8%
We suggest starting a spreadsheet to keep track of your budget. It should include your beginning budget, estimated and actual cost for each vendor and payments made to each. Once you have decided on a budget, take a deep breath and have fun planning!
