The Tres Chic Bride: June 2008

Sunday

Ice Ball Anyone?

DRINK ICE

BEYOND THE ICE CUBE

Designer ice will appeal to premium liquor drinkers

Iceculture Inc introduces the first major development in cube ice technology seen in years - the ice ball. Traditional cube ice will water down a fine scotch whiskey or premium liquor very quickly but the new crystal clear ice ball overcomes the problem.

Liquor is poured over the ice ball and settles in the bottom of the glass. As the liquor is sipped, it passes around the ice ball cooling down on the way to your mouth.

The ice ball, available in 2.5in and 2.75in diameters, is extremely hard and melts slowly. And as it does, the ball shrinks and still retains the perfect, round shape.

The ice ball idea originated in Tokyo, Japan where premium drinks at hotels and upscale bars are very expensive. The ice ball addresses the problem of maintaining the integrity of fine liquors enabling customers to savor the taste of their favorite brands.

There is a prestige factor too, as customers drinking from a glass with an ice ball will be recognized as someone who enjoys fine liquor.

So why spoil a $40 scotch with 15 cents of cube ice? Premium brands are right on the ball!

Heirloon Cloth

Another Great idea from Maria McBride!

Heirloom Cloth

Collect and scan old family photos from previous weddings to create a memorable cloth to display your wedding cake. Print the photos onto transfer paper (available at office supply stores), trim, then apply to a smooth fiber cloth using a hot iron.

Ingredients:

Table cloth
Family photos
Transfer paper: Michaels.com
Iron: target.com

Tip: To cover entire cloth, repeat photographs more than once.

Outdoor set ups

Beside the set up posted below, this may be my favorite decor for an outside ceremony.

A green lawn and perennial garden are transformed into a wedding chapel with a pair of salvaged French doors strategically placed to create an entryway. Be sure to allow enough space between the columns to allow the bride, her skirt and her escort to walk through easily.

Ingredients:

Vintage French doors: www.oldhouseparts.com
Pair of garden columns
Pair of garden urns
Garden flowers like peonies, lilac and spirea.
Guest seating

Thanks Maria McBride for the great post!

And now for some ideas for sprucing up your outdoor aisle....Shepard hooks make it easy!

Take these from the aisle to your tables...instant centerpieces!

Baby it's hot outside....

While we all love the idea of an outdoor summer wedding let's face it - it gets hot. Here are some fresh ideas to keep your guests cool and...well...Fresh!

1. Cool towels - have an ice bucket full of cool towels for your guests to use throughout the evening. You can put these in the freezer before the wedding and have them on hand the day of.

2. Hydrate! If your ceremony is outside set up drink stations before the ceremony. This will allow guests to get a glass of water (or something a little stronger...) before you say I do. Think green and skip the personalized water bottles I know they are too cute but...

3. Fan programs - These are simple to make and your guests will truly appreciate the gesture. TC brides - I have templates for you to use. Just ask!

and my personal favorite....

4. St. Claire Ice Cream

OMG....seriously..how did I not know about this before? St. Claire freezes the ice cream (offered in several shapes and sizes) and ships them out to you. Can't you just imagine how fabulous it would be if you were lucky enough to be a guest at a wedding where they were served? I can see it now - dancing up a storm and dying in the heat. And then wow..what's that?! Strawberry shaped ICE CREAM? Oh how the bride and groom must love me....

And THAT'S how you host a wedding that one will not soon forget. Or at least I wouldn't.

Wednesday

Tracy and Max

I cannot believe I forgot to post these photos! This wedding took place May 10 at the Westin downtown. They are wonderful to work with (especially Donna) and made the evening one of the best I've had.

Photos are results of Tine Hoffman's fabulousness. That girl can take a picture! We also had the pleasure of working with Steve from Glass Eye Video . Tracy and Max did the 'same day edit' and it was so sweet.

I *highly* recommend everyone to hire a videographer. I know it is just another line in your already tight budget and it doesn't seem like you'll watch it. BUT trust me - you will. DH and I watch ours all the time. You don't need to drop a ton of cash on it but do something. And no, your great uncle and his sony doesn't count :) Just my two cents......

Sunday

Monica and Phil

This weekend we had the pleasure of working with Monica and Phil. They were such a cute couple - Monica is full of love and Phil just lights up when she's around. The evening went very smoothly (even when Grandma showed up right before the end of the ceremony and we had to squeeze 6 more seats at the reception!) and I loved working with the ladies at the Cincinnati Club.

Vendors:

Cincinnati Club

This is such a beautiful location!!! The building is awe-inspiring and the staff was wonderful to work with. I'm thrilled to be having several more events coming up here!

Courtenay Lambert

I just adore Courtney. Her bouquets are always stunning. The thing I love is that her florals are so versatile. I was able to take the pew decorations from the ceremony and put them in a vase at the reception and we suddenly had centerpieces for the cocktail table! Totally unplanned but looks like it was always a part of the master plan. Plus Courtenay is just so sweet - you just have to have mad love for her!

Marilyn's Cakes

So gorgeous! Sorry I didn't get pictures...the detail was amazing. And the cake tasted scrumptious!

Here are a few pics I snapped when I wasn't running around!

Ok..how great are these table numbers! They were 4-sided with the number, 2 photos and an explanation about the location and why it was important to the couple. The cubes rotated and get this - the base is a plastic champagne glass hot glued upside down on the cubes!