The Cocktail Hour

photography by jose villa

I am a firm believer in 'The Cocktail Hour.'  It doesn't have to be anything elaborate - one drink that is of significance to the bride and groom, garnished with a slice of fruit is not only simple, but stunning and special. 



Welcome

I adore the simplicity of this welcome area.  Programs, fans and a glass of lemonade or iced tea are all that are needed to welcome your guests in style. 

Even if you are using plastic cups, it can still look fabulous - as proof above.

image via southern weddings

Two: Bright Sweets

Happy Wednesday darlings!  I am in an extra bright and cheerful mood today ;-)))  Oh yes, my sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew and mom should be arriving soon, and I couldn't be more OVER THE MOON!  And while I love soft colors, today I thought I would post something nice and bright to match my mood.  Actually two bright things...that just so happen to be sweet! 

How fabulous would these brightly colored rock candy sticks be on a dessert table, or even given as favors...

So cheerful, no?  Another way you could bring these bright colors into your big day is with these...

Your own brightly colored soda pop!  Seriously, how fun are these?  Hmm, I wonder if they would leave your tongue blue, or green or pink?  And if they do, I think I want mine to be pink today...what about you? 

~ Ciao

...images via vintage rose garden & style me pretty

Darling Detail No. 16: Striped Straws

Oh these striped straws are darling in the most fabulous summery shade...

And I have to tell you -  I am adoring the name tags on the mason jars too...

Only one thing though - where's my glass, and the cocktails?

~ Ciao

...photography by souder via ruffled

Perfectly Presented: Mojito Bar

Yowza!  Anyone else besides me ready for a mojito this afternoon?  Yes, oh fabulous!  What flavor would you like...

Hmmm...I think I am going to go with the guava.  Oh yes, a little umbrella in it would be lovely...thank you!

Eeks!  Thought I would have a little fun with this one ;-) 

But kidding aside - I LOVE the Mojito Bar sign!  And the flavors below are so fabulous, no?  Now this is what I call perfectly presented all right.  Speaking of perfectly presented...I am adoring the crate full of limes, the glasses all lined up, the potted herb, and the white umbrellas - such a simple setup but it does make a lovely statement, doesn't it? 

Okay, so now I am going to need to find me a mojito.  Cheers!

~ Ciao

...images via ritzy bee

The Cocktail Hour: Woop, Woop!

Woop, Woop it's Friday my darlings!  And 'The Cocktail Hour' here on LCW.  Now that is definitely reason to celebrate...so can I get a Woop, Woop!...

Aww fabulous my dears - just fabulous!  While I am not sure as to what is in the glasses above, I am thinking vodka tonics - what about you?  It is a crisp, refreshing, yet easy cocktail to serve during The Cocktail Hour.  It is made up of two ingredients - 2 oz of vodka and 3-5 oz of tonic water (see easy), and usually served with a lime.  However when you dress the cocktail up with stripped straws with a Woop, Woop! flag attached - well, I think it makes them pretty fabulous, don't you?

And a fabulous non-alcoholic version would just be sparkling water with a lime...which would still be crisp and refreshing!  So which ever you choose - cheers to you my dears, and a fabulous weekend!

~ Ciao

...photography by meg smith via laurie arons

The Cocktail Hour: Lovely Lavender Lemonade

Happy Friday my dears!  Are you as tickled as I am that it is Friday?  Yippee!  And to top it all off we are having a mini heat wave here in Northern California!  We're talking record breaking or setting temperatures, and I couldn't be more OVER THE MOON about it.  Hello 80 - oh how I have missed you so...please stay awhile.

With that - I have decided to head out early today and play.  I know, and I don't even want to think about all the things that need to get done, but it is one of those days that I need to take care of me!  I rarely ever put me first.  However, today I am making an exception to that ;-)  And while I am at it, I just might enjoy a cocktail or two...in the sunshine of course.  This one below is making my head spin with all of it's lovely...

I honestly don't know if I have ever seen prettier lemonade, have you?  Not only is it pretty, but it looks so delicious.  And I do love the idea of a signature drink...as long as there are other drink options too.

However, I think a splash of vodka is needed on a day like today.  So cheers to the sunshine, warm weather, the weekend and most importantly you, my dears!  I hope your weekend is as fabulous as you.  Because you know what - hands down and without a doubt - I have the MOST FABULOUS FOLLOWERS EVER!!!!

~ Ciao

...photography by samm blake via style me pretty

Who Says

...you can't serve cocktails in a drawer!

Yes, it is one of those details that I just L-O-V-E.

~ Ciao

...photography by abby jui via style me pretty

~ over the moon ~

...with the way these glasses are decorated!

The details are just darling aren't they.  Love the heart with initials in it.

~ Ciao

...image via love and lavender

~ two: sweet red and white details ~

Candy canes end to end to form a heart - LOVE!  And macaroons rolled in crushed ones - SWEET!  Such a simple, common thing around the holidays...but perfect, easy, diy extra little touches for Fall and Winter weddings!

~ Ciao

...images via my tartelette

~ the cocktail hour: berry lemonade ~

We all know how popular lemonade has been at weddings lately, don't we?  And while I love lemonade, I also love a spin on it...like this berry lemonade...

Tell me this doesn't look delicious and refreshing...

And of course I just love this recipe as it is made with simple syrup!  You can see my simple syrup ideas right here.  The great thing about lemonade, no matter what the flavor, just add some vodka and you have a grown up cocktail!  You can find the recipe right here.

~ Ciao

...photography by karen mordechai & images via sunday suppers

~ homemade: cocktail caps ~

Keep unwanted guests from joining the cocktail hour with these simple cocktail caps...

To make simply cut a small X into the center of a baking cup and slip the straw through and voila! 

P.S. - My own homemade post probably won't be up until late tonight, but I thought you might enjoy this simple homemade project in the meantime!

~ Ciao

...image via martha stewart

~ the cocktail hour: pineapple cooler ~

How yummy and refreshing does this look right now...

I think it would quench my thirst...how bout you?  And for those in need of a more grown up verion...a shot of rum would be a nice addition!  You can get the recipe here. 

P.S. - Don't forget the lemon slices, lemon verbena or lavender...it's a great little detail!

~ Cheers

...image via country living

~ the cocktail hour: lavender lemonade ~

Here's a great non-alcoholic option for the cocktail hour...

Refreshing and pretty - I'm all in!  And you know me and details...love the glasses it's served in, the lavender sprigs in each glass, the white tray that it's served on and the single sprig on the tray...all simple little details that are quite stunning!  Add for those of you that like a little more kick in your cocktail you can always add a splash of vodka!  You can get the recipe here.  Cheers!

~ Ciao

...image via sunday suppers

~ tuesday thought: simple syrup ~

How pretty are these bottles...

The bottles of syrup (yes, that's what they are filled with...I don't know what kind or if they are simple syrups though), variety of colors, and simple label are so pretty when grouped together don't you think?

And of course it got me thinking...as usual...syrup and simple...hmmmm!  So here is your Tuesday Thought:   Why not make simple syrup as favors for your guests?  With so many couples choosing one cocktail (or even creating one) for their wedding day...why not choose one that involves simple syrup?  Simple syrup is just sugar and water...here is a recipe from Martha Stewart...but there are tons out there to choose from with some lasting up to a month or more. 

I found a list of 209 cocktails that are made with simple syrup and the recipes for them right here.  There are even some non-alcoholic ones on that list too.  And I am sure there are lots of others that you can find on the www.

Once made simple syrup looks almost clear with just a hint of color...I'm sure you have mixed water and sugar together...well that's the color.  You can also make infused simple syrup with flavors such as lemon, lime, blood orange, strawberry, blueberry, peach, mint, thyme, cinnamon, etc... and some of these would add some color!  Here is a short article with lots of suggestions and how to's...and other ways to use simple syrups like on top of pancakes and waffles or ice cream...yum!

For the favors, however, I would pour the syrups into pretty bottles, add a sprig of mint, lavender or whatever is fitting, and attach a recipe card and a note saying something like...thanks for celebrating in our union/love...here's to you celebrating yours or find the time in the next week to celebrate yours...you get the idea!  Simple right?  Of course you could wrap the bottles in fabric or place into bags...or use a wide ribbon around the middle and adhere the recipe on a card to it...and on and on...just some thoughts for you!

Cheers!

~ Ciao


...photography annika vannerus

~ the cocktail hour: aqua frescas ~

It's Friday my dears...and even though it was a short week...it really seemed long!  So after a long week for me I am in need of a little refreshment.  And I think these aqua frescas (non-alcoholic) are calling my name (I'd like mine spiked with a little vodka please)...

The perfect summer cocktail for everyone at a casual reception don't you think?  And with flavors such as pineapple ginger, cucumber lemongrass and strawberry thyme who could resist!  Get the recipes here. 

Happy refreshing weekend my dears!  See you on Monday.

~ Ciao

...image via matt bites

~ the cocktail hour: just smashing ~

A Blackberry Smash that is...

Sounds just delish doesn't it?  I think it would be a great refeshing drink to serve at a summer wedding!  With some fresh mint and blackberries added - not only is it yummy but pretty too.  And we all like (or in my case...need) a little pretty don't we?  Get the recipe here.  Cheers - it's Friday!

~ Ciao

...image via bless her heart (found via kate's lovely blog wit + delight)

~ the owl's are stirring ~

And they are looking adorable doing so!  An easy diy created by Jesi Haack.  All you need are some skewers, an owl punch (think of all the other shapes you could punch) and a glue gun.  Check out the DIY video right here. 

~ Ciao

...image via  jesi haack

~ weekend dreams ~

Of spending time sipping on this...

And then slipping into this...

Oh, if only!  Happy long, dreamy weekend my dears.  See you Tuesday.

~ Ciao & Cheers

...photography margaret and joy

~ mini moet ~

Cheers to the weekend!

How marvelous is this mini Moet?  Don't you wish you had one too?  I do!  Anyhoo, my dears, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. - Happy Birthday Mom and Greta.

~ Ciao

...image via wedding style guide