Holiday Wedding Decor
Let’s face it, although winters can be hard they are beautiful and they set the stage for magical weddings. However, often when you hear of a wedding around the holidays, images of evergreen, wreaths, and literal holiday elements flood your thoughts. Just because a wedding is over the holidays doesn’t mean it should look like a holiday party! In fact, we go so far as to say it should not look like a holiday party. You can use acorns and bows, but class it up with gorgeous, rich linens and florals mixed in. We are here to challenge the narrative and inspire you in a different direction if you are considering a winter wedding.
We suggest three winter decor directions: Elegant Jewel Tones, Frosty Winter Wonderland and Cozy Cabin. All are without the kitch of the holidays, taking your decor from Happy Holidays to elevated winter wedding. The chilly weather outside sets the stage as your guests enter your stunning reception, filled with subtle nods to the season.
Check out what winter wedding decor inspires us!
Elegant Jewel Tones
Frosty winter wonderland
elegant cozy Cabin wedding
St. Patrick's Day Cocktail
We are always on the search for fun cocktails, and since St. Patty's Day is known for drinking, we thought we'd share a few tasty drink recipes to get you through your day - literally from start to finish! Skal!
BREAKFAST -
Guinness Bloody Mary
INGREDIENTS
2 cups Bloody Mary mix
1 pinch garlic powder
1 pinch black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Juice of half a lime
1 ounce vodka
1 drop liquid smoke
1 bottle Guinness Extra Stout (you’ll use 3 ounces of it)
Celery salt, Dill pickle, Pepper jack cheese and Olive
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare your glass with lime juice on the outside of your rim and roll it in celery salt.
Prepare a cocktail stick with a pickle, olive, and square of pepper jack cheese. Set aside.
In a shaker combine the Bloody Mary mix, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lime juice, vodka, and liquid smoke. Add ice and shake it.
Pour the mixture into your prepared glass, and add ice. Pour 3 ounces of Guinness onto the top of your drink.
Add your garnish.
LUNCH -
Irish Moscow Mule
INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz Irish Whiskey
Ginger Beer
Lime
INSTRUCTIONS
Fill your copper cup with ice.
Add the Irish Whiskey and top with a good quality ginger beer.
Finish the drink with a squeeze of lime.
Garnish with lime or candied ginger.
DINNER -
Jameson Old Fashioned
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 oz Jameson Irish whiskey
1 sugar cube
2 dashes angostura bitters
Splash club soda
Orange slice
Maraschino cherry
INSTRUCTIONS
In a rocks glass, muddle together the sugar cube, angostura bitters and splash of club soda until sugar is dissolved.
Add desired ice and fill with whiskey.
Garnish with orange slice and cherry.
DESSERT -
Affogato
INGREDIENTS {for 2 glasses}
4 scoops mint chocolate chip ice cream
4 Tablespoons (2 ounces) Bailey’s Irish Cream
6 Tablespoons (3 ounces) hot espresso
1 Tablespoon dark chocolate flakes
INSTRUCTIONS
Place two scoops of ice cream in each glass.
Pour over the Irish cream, followed by the espresso.
Sprinkle on the chocolate flakes and serve immediately.
Garnish with a sprig of mint, if you like!
Super Bowl LII
We are officially less than two weeks away from Super Bowl LII and it's a great reason for a party! It's all about the food and drink and making the simple look adorable, so we're sharing with you some fun party snacks and ideas. Whether you're hosting, bringing a dish to share, or wanting it all for yourself, we're sure you'll find a crowd-pleaser below! We've included foods for every type of football fan, from the fan craving juicy meatballs to the fan with a sweet tooth. We even included some healthy Super Bowl recipes!
Even though the Vikes didn't make it to the Super Bowl, these delicious snacks will help get us through the game!
Cheers to the New Year!
It's the season of bubbly cocktails, and we're always looking for a new cocktail to try! New Year's Eve is a night to celebrate the past and look forward to the future surrounded by your closest friends and family, so find that perfect beverage to share with those you care about most! From a Honey Sage Gin to a Champagne Margarita, we've rounded up a collection of fresh and flavorful cocktails to spice up the evening.
Celebrate right and pour yourself one of these light and fun cocktails this New Year's Eve!
Aria // B'Not Mitzvah
We had a blast helping to coordinate this gorgeous B'Not Mitzvah for twins Anna and Leni! This was such a special celebration and we were so excited to see it come together. The ceremony backdrop was a stunning display of greenery and baby's breath {made to look like clouds} whereas the reception was livened up with bright colors. From the place cards that were accented with paper honeycomb balls to the balloon arc that stretched across the room, the evening was filled with vivid rainbow tones! There were endless colorful details, including socks, drinks, sunglasses and treats! We also hung sweet pictures of the girls when they were younger above the stage. It was such a fun night to celebrate this memorable time in their lives and we were so grateful to be a part of it. Congratulations Anna and Leni!
Photography: Jessica Smith Photography | Venue: Aria | Floral: Spruce | Balloons: The Corner Balloon Shoppe | Catering: D’Amico Catering | Linens and Staging: Ultimate Events | DJ and Dancers: A-List Entertainment | Flip-book: Flipbook Fun
Your Needed Thanksgiving Inspiration
Happy Thanksgiving Week!
If you haven't already, it's time to start preparing for this very special holiday we all share in with family and friends. Whether you are catching up with friends over drinks or hosting an intimate dinner, we've gathered our favorite Thanksgiving inspired ideas below.
We love warm and natural color tones during this time of year. Just because the weather is brisk doesn't mean your décor should be! The feel of your celebration should be inviting and cozy. You can achieve this feel with natural wood, textured {knit or wool} linens, gold cutlery, greenery and berries. If you're set on a color scheme with cool hues, warm up the celebration with faux fur and candles. Beyond décor, you can prepare warm cocktails and desserts. Below are just a few of our favorite festive cocktails. If you're dying to try one, click on the image for the recipe. Cakes will always be a gorgeous go-to, but a perfect alternative this time of year is pie! Whether you design a detailed pastry or serve miniature pies, your guests will appreciate a tasty treat.
No matter how you celebrate this week, we hope you take a minute to give thanks and we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Host the Perfect Summer Party
Summer is in full swing and that means the parties are as well! With limited summer days left (it’s already mid-July!}, it’s time to start planning your perfect summer party. Whether this is your first time hosting a summer soiree or you’d consider yourself a seasoned party planner, our tips are sure to make your get-together the talk of the town.
1. Be prepared
Getting organized and preparing for your party ahead of time is the first step to having your party go off without a hitch. {And not to mention being prepared will ease a lot of the stress as the date draws near!} This checklist will help you stay organized and make sure you’re prepared for every last detail.
2. Theme it
Picking a theme will guide the rest of your planning process, so it’s important to do this step early on. Decor, tableware, drinks, food and music should all work cohesively to achieve an overarching theme. We’ve turned to party planning queen and author of Celebrate, Lauren Conrad, for theme inspiration. Here are some of our faves:
Pool Party
Pineapple Garden Party
Boho
BBQ and Campfire
Tropical
3. Menu
Whether you’re planning an intimate get-together or inviting the whole neighborhood, your menu is undeniably one of the things guests will remember most. Choose classic summer foods and in-season produce like peaches, watermelon, tomatoes, and zucchini. For a smaller affair, your menu can get more complex, but we recommend keeping it simple for bigger get-togethers. Burgers, ribs, hot dogs, and kebabs are your go-to for feeding a lot of people. Keep in mind any dietary restrictions invited guests have as well, and be sure to have options for them so they don’t go hungry! Here are some of our favorite summer party dishes:
Roasted Garlic and Feta Chicken Burger
Grilled Corn with Chili and Manchego Cheese
4. Drinks
Nothing beats the summer heat like a refreshing drink {alcoholic or not}, so be sure to keep the beverages flowing at your party. Margaritas and sangria are great for outdoor parties and easy to prepare beforehand. To keep things simple, create a self-serve bar or a bar cart where guests can create their own concoctions. A good host also knows to be responsible with alcohol and offer non-alcoholic drinks as well. Dress up a pitcher of water with cucumber slices, berries, or lemons.
5. Games
Lawn games can be a fun way to entertain your guests if space allows. Bag toss, badminton, volleyball, croquet, and lawn bowling are lawn game classics that your guests are sure to love. Keep your guest list in mind when deciding if games are something you want to provide or not.
6. Lights
Lighting might seem like a minor detail, and most hosts may not even consider it in the planning process. But, lighting can either make or break your ambiance. Go for a warm glow by using lanterns and string lights.
7. Comfort is key
Set up cozy chairs, couches, and benches to give your guests a place to sit and chat. Arrange the seating areas to encourage conversation so that guests mix and mingle. Your guests will most likely stand the majority of the time, but it’s important to offer them the opportunity to sit as well.
You’re now equipped with the expert knowledge necessary to throw the best party of the summer {or year}! Let the planning begin!!
Grab the champagne + your girls: We’re talking about bridal showers!
Bridal showers are all about fun! Fun décor, games, food, and drinks {of course} can leave a bride-to-be excited for her big day. We especially love to plan bridal showers because it’s so fun pulling together special touches to really make the event remarkable + memorable. First and foremost, it's important to create a vision for the event by identifying how you want guests to feel, think and act and then build your event around this vision. Themes and color schemes should be dispersed throughout the event in small areas. Think of it as garnishing the overall look. Over-kill of a color-scheme or specific theme is too much. Think tasteful + trendy, not kitschy!
Finger foods are the way to go; they are easy, creative, and you can have an assortment! This way, guests can mingle and have fun. {Just make sure you have some high top tables and plenty of soft seating available}. Get creative depending on the time of day. Think about the presentation and go the extra mile to make it look gorgeous by tiering items on coordinating serving pieces. Type up the menu and display in a beautiful frame. Little touches like this go a long way.
Drinks are fun to dress up with garnishes and cute straws. Consider a styled self-serve beverage station that also serves as décor. Look up interesting variations on favorites such as Lavender Lemonade or Orange Sorbet + Champagne.
Still need help getting the creative juices flowing? Check out some of our favorite ways to shower your bestie with love!
Tips for a Fabulous Holiday Soiree
Read up on our expert entertaining advice to guarantee your guests will be singing your praises this holiday season!
Stressing over those last-minute details for your upcoming holiday soiree? Have no fear; the SA events team is here! Here, we provide you with expert entertaining advice to guarantee your guests will be singing your praises this holiday season!
{Print Products}
Don’t skimp on the print! Flawless print materials allow you to show off the event’s personal brand and touch {and show your guests that you went the extra mile to make your event sparkle}. A unique and personalized invite will get guests excited as well as give them a glimpse of what to expect at your party. Why not go the extra mile and impress your family and friends and create printed cocktail menus and creative signage for the evening? Be sure to check out our Holiday Pinterest board for inspiration to help you achieve the overall look. You can even send your guests home with a swag bag full of your own holiday favorites {with cute branded tags, of course}!
{Hors d’oeuvres}
Figuring out how much food to prepare is often one of the most stressful planning roadblocks for you hosts/hostesses – so let us clear this up. If the start time begins around the dinner hour, guests will expect heavy hors d’oeuvres. Depending on the food selections, plan on eight to 12 pieces per person. If your event begins later in the evening, plan on 5 pieces per person. Remember to consider any dietary restrictions and include a wide variety of choices including protein, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Also, be sure to represent all the food groups so you don’t end up too carb or protein heavy!
{Cocktails}
We recommend providing a variety of beverages for your guests that pair well with your food selections. Plan on a minimum of one beverage per person per hour. Our team recommends a signature cocktail for the evening and a branded drink menu card to add that personal touch. My holiday favorite this year is the Pumpkin Spice Martini. This flavorful and tasty cocktail, shown above, is sure to be a hit at your soiree!
Pumpkin Spice Martini
1½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Orange Juice
¾ oz. Knutsen Pure Cranberry Juice
½ oz. Cinnamon-Infused Simple Syrup*
1 dash Pumpkin Spice Powder
Shake ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange peel.
* Heat 1 cup hot water with 1 cup raw sugar until dissolved. Add 2 cinnamon sticks and infuse for a few hours.
{Rentals}
Sip champagne out of plastic glassware? No way! If you are hesitant to use your own glassware or you don’t have enough, save yourself the trouble and rent. Be sure to rent one-and-a-half times the number of guests for each type of serving piece. Don’t make your guests juggle their plates and beverages. Consider renting high cocktail tables with floor length linens. Companies like Linen Effects, Apres, and Ultimate Events have exactly what you need at a fraction of the cost of purchasing.
{Music}
The music selection can dictate the overall vibe of the evening. If you choose a playlist on Spotify or Pandora, buy the membership to avoid commercials {it can really put a damper on the party’s energy}! Start out your playlist with mellow songs and progress to music selections with more energy throughout the evening.
{Staff}
Do you and your guests a favor by hiring extra hands to make it all happen. Hiring a bartender, a caterer, or a couple of servers will help alleviate some of the pressure off of your shoulders. After all, it is your party, you should focus your energy on mingling with guests and enjoying the fabulous event – not doing dishes or restocking platters!
Now that you have our favorite holiday party planning tips, you and your guests are sure to have a memorable evening! Still unsure of your soiree vision? Consult our events team for assistance with design + coordination of your next event! Happy Holidays!
Photo: Eliesa Johnson
A Chic Halloween Party
When it comes to Halloween entertaining, our team prefers simple and classic décor {with an irreverent twist}
During Halloween, party-throwers and party-goers are completely permitted {more accurately, expected!} to show off their creative side. However, you can leave it to the kids this year to have their blood ‘n’ guts themed fun. When it comes to Halloween entertaining, our team prefers simple and classic décor {with an irreverent twist}. One of the best parts of Halloween is tuning into your inner child and having a little fun with the spooky side of the holiday! Steer away from frightening Halloween decorations and keep it simple. Take the route of a classic Hitchcock film: spark the imagination of your guests rather than trying to frighten them, like these delicious desserts from Amy Atlas.
Pay attention every detail that creates a perfect holiday mood so it will be memorable to your guests. Creating that Halloween ambiance is as easy as adding two black eyes to white cupcakes or cakepops that create a ghost {without sacrificing taste!}.
We love this spirited spider cake from Zoë François... festive and delicious! Click here for the recipe!
Play with your food, and be a little ironic! Classic Halloween phrases like “Enter at your own risk,” and “Beware” create a fun and spirited mood. Print off some fun phrases like the pictures below here.
Throw a Fabulous Football Party
In order to assist you with your super chic {sorry guys} football party, we’ve pulled together some fun and festive food, drink and décor ideas for the occasion. Ready, set, hike!
Now that the temperatures have dropped and the days are growing shorter, we are spending much more time either in front of the TV or at the stadium rooting for our favorite football teams! While we may not all agree on whether the Vikings or the Packers should win, we can all agree that a football viewing party {or outdoor tailgate} is the perfect way to spend those lazy Sunday afternoons. In order to assist you with your super chic {sorry guys} football party, we’ve pulled together some fun and festive food, drink and décor ideas for the occasion. Ready, set, hike!
{THE FOOD}
We love the idea of adding your own flair to classic football favorites. Substitute pizza and basic tacos for a fun flatbread like the fig and prosciutto flatbread shown above {recipe by Todd English} or dry-rubbed salmon tacos with tomatillo-avocado slaw {recipe by Jeff Smith}. Trust us, they are delicious and your guests will leave raving! Pretzel sticks, candy and popcorn are great additions for those that enjoy on going munching. And who doesn’t love Angie’s Kettle Corn!?
{THE DRINKS}
Keep the drinks simple. Beer is a must at a football party and for those who aren’t of age, we suggest root beer. Our favorites: Fulton Lonely Blond {Minnesota-brewed!}, Stella Artois and Killebrew Root Beer. For a fun dessert-y drink, we suggest Guinness floats. Guinness floats are oh-so-yummy and very simple to make - just pour Guinness over natural vanilla bean ice cream and serve them in a mason jar with a striped straw for added flair.
{THE DÉCOR}
Downloadable decorating printouts by Kayd Roy Design are available here: {Bottle Covers} {Circle labels} {Candy Boxes} {Menu Cards}
Printouts are a fun way to personalize your football party. Use them to wrap bottles, decorate jars or straws, make candy boxes and create menu cards! We recommend using cardstock for the printouts; it’s easier to work with. Keep it color coordinated and match the color of the bottle/bottle top to color of the print out. The symmetry of the color combinations adds to the fun of what you’re drinking. The hint of brown in the kettle corn, the pretzel rods and the color and shape of the malted milk balls are a subtle nod to a football {at least in our world}. Make patterns by arranging and aligning your party elements strategically. We aligned the root beer and beer bottles in a pattern. Be sure to wait to arrange them until right before your party starts… no one likes to drink warm root beer or beer!
A special thank you to Canary Grey Photography for the lovely photos!
Grad Party Recap
June is over which means our special occasions team just wrapped up its graduation party season. One very fun event was a high school graduation party for a set of twins. However, this was not your average grad party. How many of you have been to a uniquely branded graduation party equipped with brightly colored linens, swanky lounge furniture for teens to flop on and a gourmet food truck?
The food truck meant the party needed to be in the front of the house, but the home’s sloping front yard and driveway made it difficult to place furniture. Luckily, our special occasions planners knew the perfect solution to adding in lounge furniture on a sloping yard! Lounge cubes, built from staging sections with variable height legs, allowed for comfortable {and level} seating in on the lawn. To avoid the cost of staging, we utilized the beautifully finished garage. But don’t you worry, we livened it up with draping, florals, and fun, vibrant linens.
We all know a grad party isn’t a grad party without yummy treats, and this was no exception to the rule. This particular celebration featured a gourmet popcorn bar offering delicious and unique flavors such as loaded baked potato {cheddar cheese, bacon and chive} and Fruitopia {which tastes like Fruit Loops!}, a s’mores bar, and gourmet offerings from Fork in the Road food truck.
Guests lounged on the comfy furniture while sipping on specialty cocktails {new grads stuck to the root beer keg} and enjoying pulled chicken tacos with citrus slaw and chipotle mayo, molten meatball sliders stuffed with gouda cheese simmered in truck-made marinara sauce, and pulled pork grilled cheese sandwiches served on texas toast. Is your mouth watering yet? I know ours are!
Guests were also invited to share some of their memories from the party using Eversnap, an application for smart phones that allows people to snap and share photos which are instantly shared via a projected slideshow. We intermixed photos of the twins growing up with live event shots - what a perfect way for the twins to look back and remember their special night with family and friends {and a great way to get family and friends to actually look at those adorable photos of your kids growing up!}
There are no rules for grad parties. You don’t have to use school colors and create endless photo boards and memorabilia tables to make it a success. Get creative in how you share photos. Create an experience for your guests and your kids will move to the top of the class {with their party that is!}
