Are we late to the party?  I think we’re late to the party.

What party?

The Pinterest party.  Pinterest is quickly needing no introduction, but for the uninitiated, it’s the hottest new social networking site around and it lets you “pin” things of interest from around the internet to virtual “pinboards”, which can then be shared and perused by anyone.  It has beautiful design aesthetic, is simple to use and, perhaps most telling, has been getting the vaunted “I’m addicted” declaration from users across the globe (including the LunchDate planner crew).

Further, it’s value as a wedding planning tool is undeniable, since the visual nature of the site makes it perfect for discovering the latest fashion in dresses, cakes, flowers, and pretty much anything else you can think of that a planning couple may need to select or make a decision on.

To use the site you have to get an invite, which you can get from any current user.  And you can bet our LunchDate crew of wedding planners is all over Pinterest, so read what they have to say about it’s value for planning brides, ask them for an invite if you need, and check their boards out!

Do you use Pinterest?  If so, how do we find your pinboard?  Have any tips for brides to use Pinterest?

I use and love Pinterest.  I can be found at pinterest.com/stacie_tamaki/.  For brides my best tip would be to search for theme and color inspiration using key words + the word wedding the same way you would in any search engine.
-Stacie Tamaki, The Flirty Guide (San Jose, CA)

I do use Pinterest.  I mostly use Pinterest to form my ideas for putting a proposal together for a client.  It gives me a way to organize my thoughts so I can begin a proposal.  If a bride is using Pinterest for their wedding it helps me to see all the things that have caught her interest and it helps me see thru the client’s eyes exactly what they are looking at so I can put a proposal together for them.  I don’t really use it for myself besides to collect some pretty things (would love to see private boards but I know they are currently working on this) and inspiration for other clients.
-Alexandra Jusino, Exquisite Designs (Chicago, IL)

I love Pinterest, and have just started using it with clients to keep track of decor and other ideas for their weddings – it’s the perfect medium for doing this, as we can both pin photos to the same board and then access it from anywhere.  You can find me at pinterest.com/lowe_house/
-Elizabeth Clayton, Lowe House Events (Northern CA)

Pinterest is one of the smartest social media sites out there.  We have found it to be an amazing website to connect with not only brides but creative minded people that love to share and create seemingly endless inspiration boards.  From a marketing perspective it’s incredible and provides instant and free publicity.  For instance, we created a board titled, “Fancy NY Vintage Style Wedding Dresses”, for a very niche line of retro inspired dresses we sell.  By having this on Pinterest, it has doubled our sales of this line in a very short time.   The only downside is that it is a time eater, but then again, most guilty pleasures are!  Find us on Pinterest at pinterest.com/LeftBankJewelry/
-Susan Metropoulos, The Left Bank Jewelry & Finery (Chicago, IL)

I think Pinterest is a great way for a bride to show ME her taste and inspiration.  But as a designer I like coming up with new, original ideas.  It’s so easy to get caught up in the work of others… I want to be inspired by the bride and groom I’m working with and what they are passionate about.   Otherwise a bride can just walk in with12 photos of things she’s seen and say “copy this”.  That’s no fun!  Let’s collaborate and come up with something that hasn’t been done yet.
-Kim Oliff, Always RSVP Event Design and Coordination (SF Bay Area and Beyond)

I adore Pinterest. I find it inspiring, entertaining and useful (more than you can say about Facebook sometimes).  Pinterest replaces the ripped out magazine and printed computer pictures that brides carry in their binder by organizing it all in one space.  It also allows you to go back to access the original source of the picture easily-it is the perfect inspiration tool for the bride to be.  You can follow me at pinterest.com/RedLetterEvent.  Also, did you know there is a guy version as well?  gentlemint.com.
-Robyn Bruns, Red Letter Event Planning (Glenview, IL)

Photo Credit: Julia Franzosa

Of course! I have been a casual observer of Pinterest for far too long and now I am spending hours pinning along with everyone else (it is so addictive).  My tip for brides would be to look outside the wedding boards and check out things in the science, geek, or poster categories.  You never know where inspiration can come from.  You can find me at pinterest.com/nyeventschicago
-Carlene, Naturally Yours Events (Chicago, IL)

I use Pinterest.  I admit I may be addicted to it.  Find me at pinterest.com/nicole_zenner.  One tip for brides is to use Pinterest early in their planning process to help with the inspiration of their day.  I would then walk away so as not to distract from the vision of your day.  Pinterest can be a great tool to share with your photographer, florist, and stationery vendors (to name a few) to visualize your wishes.  However, it can become quickly overwhelming and cause indecision.  Indecision usually leads to more stress and overspending, all of which a bride does not need to experience.
-Nicole Zenner, Zen Events Chicago (Chicago, IL)

Pinterest is ADDICTIVE.  More so than Facebook & Twitter combined!  We love watching what our brides are putting together for their weddings.  They may be telling us one thing but then seeing the photo boards, we understand better what they REALLY want.  Go pin it!
-Claudia Antony Zompa, AS YOU WISH EVENTS (Chicago, IL)

Yes, I’m a Pinterest addict!  I’ve been using it for a little over 4 months and have created 50 boards and almost 2700 pins!  Yep…addicted.  I can be found at pinterest.com/DejanaeEvents and I created boards that are not only inspiring to me, but to stimulate those that follow me with some gorgeous wedding day ideas.  I also create boards specific to my planning clients to assist in the designing of their wedding or event.  The main tip I have for a bride using Pinterest…go crazy inside this stress-free community!  Make two boards for your wedding planning.  One for your actual budget and another for your DREAM wedding day with an unlimited budget.
-Desiree Dent, Dejanae Events (Chicago, IL)

I love Pinterest!  Pinterest is a great online pinboard. Instead of printing off pictures, or saving them to your computer, you see you can simply “pin” them onto a board on Pinterest and collect all sorts of ideas.  To find me on Pinterest, go to pinterest.com/misse.  Pinterest makes it very easy to follow other boards that interest you and include ideas or images that you like.  Not only that, but other boards that are full of wedding ideas are labeled under “Wedding and Events” to make browsing much simpler.   As other people are browsing and pinning,  you see each new image.  It’s a constant news feed of ideas!
-Misse Daniel, Honey Bee Weddings (Chicago, IL)

Estera Events adores Pinterest and we use it obsessively for inspiration!  Whether we’re collecting images that will help form a style board for an event or a wedding or pinning ideas for home décor, fashion and recipes – it has quickly become a very valuable resource.  We also urge all of our brides to use Pinterest so that we can get a better idea of their style and aesthetic, which in turns allows us to define a clear direction for their wedding. You can find our carefully curated pin boards by searching for Hilary Schwartz, Andrea Adame and Bianca Favia.
-Hillary Schwartz, Estera Events (Chicago, IL)

What do you think?  Do you use Pinterest and have tips for using it as a wedding planning tool?  Enter it in the comments.

Do you have a question you’d like posed to the LunchDate crew so you can see your question answered on our blog? Submit it HERE.

Are you a wedding planner/consultant and want to be included on Foodie Registry’s weekly LunchDate blog feature in the future? Submit your info HERE.

Sometimes celeb weddings inspire sheer admiration, a la Will & Kate.  Other celeb weddings can inspire sheer disbelief, like the weddings of…well, where do we start?

Discussing laughable or deplorable wedding practices of the stars may be highly entertaining, but that’s not what we’re here for on LunchDate.  We’re here to give useful, concise advice to brides everywhere, so we’re going to focus on the first kind – celeb wedding trends that we’re fans of.

Celebrity wedding trends seem to induce either sheer disgust or sheer admiration, with very little middle ground.  Name one hot celeb wedding trend you can get behind.

I am a sucker for the over the top after hours/lounge parties that celebs seem to have as the grand finale to their big day!  I say if you’ve got the budget – make the party part of your wedding one your guests will never forget!!
-Kirstin Martin, Smitten Boutique (Chicago, IL)

I can’t stop dreaming about Kate Moss’s summer wedding in England.  She was surrounded by darling petite attendants including her daughter, 1/4 of the guest list was children, and every image evokes whimsical, timeless woodlands romance.  It’s in the September Vogue – hello gorgeous!
-Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event (Chicago, IL)

Thank you, Prince William & Catherine (Kate) Middleton, for the return to classic elegance and emphasis on the ceremony! (OK, that’s two, but these are both really important!)  While we love unique and eclectic weddings, there is something to be said for the simplicity, elegance, and timeless look of a classic wedding. As you can see from Kate’s choice of the dress for her MOH, Pippa, classic does not equal boring or old-fashioned. We are excited about the affect the Royal Wedding will have on 2012 weddings and beyond. We have already seen a shift towards this with the weddings we are working on with our 2012 couples and we could not be more thrilled.
-Beth Bernstein, SQN Events (Chicago, IL)

The celebrity trend that I love is when the wedding is about the couple and not about the photo op later.  Many people especially in the celebrity media were unimpressed with Kate Middleton’s bouquet because it was on the smaller, more simple side. However her bouquet, which included the flower Sweet William, had significance to the bride and her husband to be.  Miranda Lambert’s wedding to Blake Shelton was not about  getting the biggest magazine spread of pictures.  Miranda could have had any custom designed wedding dress she wanted from a multitude of designers but instead she wore a restyled version of her Mother’s wedding dress.  These weddings were less about the “show” and more about the personality of the couple.  Advice I would give to all couples whether they are famous or not.
-Robyn Bruns, Red Letter Event Planning (Glenview, IL)

As much as I did not want to get caught up in the Kim Kardashian wedding hype, I must admit I loved everything about her wedding.  Starting with the Vera Wang dresses that she, her mom and sisters wore to the black and white aisle runner that was designed by the Original Runner Co.  Loved the black and white wedding cake by Hansen’s Cakes which was chocolate and vanilla flavored and studded with chocolate chips.  Personally, I don’t like to use the word “trends” because each wedding has their own individual style and theme and this one truly was in a class by itself adorned with all things black and white, including the guests!
-Candace Polk, Glitz Event Design (Chicago, IL)

I have always loved that Heidi Klum and Seal renew their wedding vows every year in the same place they originally got married.  They have a creative new theme each year and all their friends and family look forward to it.  So romantic and fun!!
-Heather Lynne Vickery, Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

Credit: GEOFF WHITE PHOTOGRAPHERS (www.geoffwhite.com)

One of our favorite celebrity wedding moments this year was when Kate and Prince William brought trees into Westminster Abbey for the Royal Wedding.  Using trees indoors can instantly soften a space, and if up-lit correctly, a few can go a long way.  We recently used trees inside a wood frame tent to create an “enchanted garden under the stars” and make the tent feel like a continuation of the beautiful garden just outside the clear tent walls.
-Kim Oliff, Always RSVP Event Design and Coordination (SF Bay Area and Beyond)

My favorite trend in celebrity weddings is getting married on a weekday!  Michael Kors married his partner on Tuesday at the beach.  Joy Behar got hitched to her boyfriend of 30 years on a Thursday in NYC.  Patrick Kennedy married his love on a Friday at Hyannis Port.  America Ferrera wed her handsome guy on Vanessa Williams’ upstate NY estate on a Monday.  Last but not least, Daniel Craig wed Rachel Weisz on a Wednesday in NYC.  If it is good enough for James Bond and his Bond Girl, it is good enough for me!
-Claudia Antony Zompa, AS YOU WISH EVENTS (Chicago, IL)

We love the idea of variety, whether it’s a dress change or as simple as changing up wedding cake and working with different flavors and textures!
-Monica Sehgal Sharma, Allure Event & Meeting Productions (Chicago & Atlanta)

Bein’ Green.  No, not Kermit kind of green, but, like, environmentally friendly, Mother Earth lovin’ green.

Green is hot.  You can’t go to a wedding show or pick up a wedding mag without stumbling across multiple references to green weddings.  How to plan a green wedding, work with a green florist, eat green, dress green, drink green…you get the picture.

But…you know why?  Because being green and caring about the impact we have on our planet is AWESOME, that’s why.  Thinking green is big picture, baby.  And, since you read the Foodie Registry blog, you’re a big picture kind of person.

So we’re adding to the communal knowledge of green wedding practices, but with a spin.  Anyone who’s spent time at Whole Foods can tell you that sustainability can get expensive.  So we asked our widely heralded, heavyweight champion caliber crew of wedding experts and pros this question:

Share your favorite eco-friendly wedding tip that could also save the wedding couple money.

Check out what they had to say and, like, love the Earth, brah!

Rent or re-use! While it may seem eco-savvy to buy bamboo plates for your guests to eat atop, the renewable resource of bamboo isn’t enough of a trade-off – rental plates that can simply be washed and re-used are a better bet! Bride sharing is a great way to access unique previously used items or DIY shares so that you’re not wasting your gorgeous decor.
-Kate Miller, Kate Miller Events (Northern CA)

We love eco-friendly weddings! Follow the 3 R’s … Reduce, reuse and recycle! Only invite people you know and love to keep your guest count down, consider sites like www.recycledbride.com where you can purchase (and sell) gently used dresses, centerpieces etc … Lastly, make sure your catering company recycles as much as possible and doesn’t use any plastic water bottles!!
-Heather Lynne Vickery, Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

Say no to un-compostable floral foam for your centerpieces and arrangements. Instead, tuck flower stems into a clear vase filled with reusable or compostable objects like small fruit (kumquats, lemons, limes, small apples, grapes or cranberries), glass marbles or polished stones. You can also skip the base altogether and either float your flowers on top of or submerge them underwater in a clear vase or reusable bowl.
-Stacie Tamaki, The Flirty Guide (San Jose, CA)

In this modern day of wedding planning, I recommend ditching the favors for something interactive like a photobooth!   Also, ditch the programs…..most of my clients are not doing programs as it is a waste of paper and money!
-Angela, Lulu Events (Napa Valley, CA)

I recently discovered a fantastic website geared for the eco-savvy bride. Recycled Bride is a very cool (and free!) marketplace where members recycle everything from designer wedding gowns to table decorations, bridesmaids dresses, shoes, and even unused wedding gifts! You can save a lot of money on high-ticket items by making a purchase, and give real meaning to the term “re-use.” Plus, Recycled Bride donates a portion of its advertising to Global Green USA. Visit them at www.recycledbride.com
-Beth Bernstein, SQN Events (Chicago, IL)

Brides spend umpteen thousands of dollars on flowers and they will only enjoy them for 4-5 hours during dinner & dancing.  Why not donate them?  Random Acts of Flowers (www.randomactsofflowers.org) will arrange for timely pickup of wedding floral and deliver to healthcare patients in the community. You won’t even believe the happiness & smiles & tears of joy this brings to others less fortunate!
-Claudia Antony Zompa, AS YOU WISH EVENTS (Chicago, IL)

Here are my favorite green ideas: In lieu of favors purchase carbon credits on behalf of your guests’ travel.  Avoid unnecessary paper products, instead of individual menus at each place setting consider displaying one menu per table or have the waitstaff describe each dish as it is being served.  Consider using plants and succulents in your centerpieces that can later be replanted, if they are fresh flowers consider donating them after the wedding to a hospital, nursing home or cemetery.
-Robyn Bruns, Red Letter Event Planning (Glenview, IL)

Barrel wines are the latest trends to hit the event scene!  Companies like Green Barrel in San Francisco offer amazing wines without the waste and space of bottles and worry of corking.  In addition, they look fabulous and can be a focal point of the bar.
-Hazel Bourget, Blu Bungalow (San Francisco, CA)

I love the idea of using succulents and herbs in your flowers for the wedding! It is a great way to be green and you can take them home and plant them and have something to remind you of your special day!
-Kelly, A Savvy Event (Sonoma, CA)

Use a caterer that works with LOCAL farmers instead of organic farmers.  You’ll get amazing food, while supporting small, local farms that often could be considered organic – they just don’t pay the big bucks for the certification (thus making the end product more affordable for our brides & grooms)!!
-Kirstin Martin, Smitten Boutique (Chicago, IL)

Print your invitations using vegetable-based inks on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper that is chlorine-free. To save some “green”, don’t send a bulky multi-layered invite and opt to put the additional details on your wedding website- you can even have guests RSVP online! Or go all out and send your invites on seed paper, bamboo, or even elephant dung (it’s pretty cool, actually).
-Carlene, Naturally Yours Events (Chicago, IL)

Use paper embedded with seeds for menu cards or place cards.  They can be printed on directly and match any theme.   Your guests can take them home and plant them and see a bed of stunning wildflowers every spring!!
-Monica Sehgal Sharma, Allure Event and Meeting Productions (Chicago, IL)

Deciding on a Sunday wedding date can be both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. This gives you the (possible) opportunity to “piggy-back” rentals with whoever is booking the venue on Saturday. By using the same chairs, staging, dance floor, rental, plants, and even lighting and heaters… you can save $ and reduce the amount of deliveries to the venue.
-Kim Oliff, Always RSVP Event Design and Coordination (San Francisco Bay Area, CA)

Start with a beautiful location/venue. The prettier your space, the less decor you need, meaning money in your pocket and less to throw away at the end of the night.
-Elizabeth Clayton, Lowe House Events (Northern CA)

One of the things we recommend is doing dual purpose items, like a menu and place cards combo. Or if your wedding and reception are in the same place you can do an escort card, program, and menu combo. It makes for a great keepsake!
-Peggy Lambert, Erickson Design (Chicago, IL)

Having your wedding during the daytime, or outdoors, can save a lot of electricity. Guests get to enjoy the sunshine, and they won’t be as tired. It’s a great eco-friendly way to host a party!
-Jubilee Lau, Jubilee Lau Events (San Francisco, CA)

I love to cluster potted flowering garden plants as beautiful centerpiece collections in vintage repurposed pots.  These not only are long lasting and affordable, but double as wedding favors for take home gifts.  From leafy herbs like Lavender and Mint, to soft and fluffy Azaleas, these can add beauty to your guests’ homes for years after the wedding day.
-Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event (Chicago, IL)

What do you think?  Have a Go Green/Save Green tip to share?  Enter it in the comments.

Do you have a question you’d like posed to the LunchDate crew so you can see your question answered on our blog?  Submit it HERE.

Are you a wedding planner/consultant and want to be included on Foodie Registry’s weekly LunchDate blog feature in the future?  Submit your info HERE.

We LOOOOOVE restaurants.  Just in case you didn’t know.

In fact, Foodie Registry came from our love of restaurants – we wanted to continue our date nights exploring new restaurants in Chicago after our wedding but knew we’d be broke, so we registered for them!

www.vivalasvegasweddings.com

We even got married in a restaurant – Fulton’s on the River in Chicago.  Not only did the urban decor and skyline backdrop provide exactly what we wanted in a venue, but working with a restaurant made almost everything easier, from menu (theirs!), to furniture (theirs!), to linens (theirs!).  We loved how simple it made planning for a lot of details, and our wedding ended up being everything we hoped.

So, being fans of restaurants in general, and restaurants as wedding venues in particular, we posed the question to the LunchDate crew of wedding planners:

What is your favorite restaurant venue in your town for wedding receptions?

I tend to favor smaller receptions, and there is no better place, in my opinion,  for a small and intimate wedding reception in Chicago than Volo Restaurant and Wine Bar, and their acclaimed cabana patio. With a converted barn space in the back of the gorgeous garden, great food and superb wine selection, this place is a perfect spot for a wedding reception. The polished and knowledgeable  staff does not disappoint either.
-Tatiana Abramova, The Bride Scoop (Chicago, IL)

If you are planning a small wedding in Napa Valley I recommend Brix Restaurant (www.brix.com)  it overlooks the vineyards and mountains and has such a beautiful garden setting. The food and service are also impeccable. Conveniently located near Yountville, the food mecca of Napa and home to the best hotels and restaurants in the valley.  Cheers!
-Angela Nelson, Lulu Events (Napa Valley, CA)

We love the warm, chocolaty interior of Spruce http://www.sprucesf.com  Swanky, elegant, luxe ambiance meets phenomenal food and service in one of San Francisco’s most charming neighborhoods. Perfect for the “city chic” couple looking for a sophisticated soiree.
-Kim Oliff, Always RSVP Event Design and Coordination (San Francisco Bay Area, CA)

Frontera Grill & Topolobampo – Excellent Food, Great bar area for cocktail hour, dinner in Topolobampo and dancing in Frontera Grill.  Hidden gem – Rick Bayless’ wife can create the floral for your reception, regularly designing pieces for the restaurant.
-Marcia Hemphill, An Urban Affair (Chicago, IL)

I have always loved the Foreign Cinema.  The food is delicious, the setting is romantic, and you can’t go wrong with a classic movie projected overhead.
-Hazel Bourget, Blu Bungalow (San Francisco, CA)

I simply adore ZED451!  The restaurant is warm and welcoming but still edgy and contemporary.  The food is to die for and the entire concept is different and exciting.  Whether on the rooftop deck or in the fireside room, your guests are sure to have an unforgettable evening.
-Heather Lynne Vickery, Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

It really depends on the size of the wedding and the budget but three restaurants come easily to mind for Chicago weddings.  Carnivale ~ great space, vibrant colors, funky decor, amazing food, good for bigger weddings.  Mastro’s ~ elegant, gracious, subtle, superb food, good for smaller weddings or second weddings.  Smith & Wollensky ~ awesome views, fabulous food, unique layout, outside space available, good for not so big weddings.
-Claudia Antony Zompa, AS YOU WISH EVENTS (Chicago, IL)

I just adore Ella  and Next Door by Mulvaney’s. Both are a foodie’s dream – and both have fantastic spaces for a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception. Ella would be a chic, modern space with yummy New American food from one of the top Sacramento Chefs. Next Door by Mulvaney’s has a larger indoor space with a beautiful outdoor patio to host your guests – and be served by one of Sacramento’s best catering companies and restaurants.
-Kate Miller, Kate Miller Events (Northern CA)

The Salt House in San Francisco. Beautiful space – exposed brick, high ceiling, modern fixtures – and delicious, fresh food. Best for a smaller wedding though (80 guests or fewer).
-Laurel Anderson, Esla Events | Planning + Design (San Francisco, CA)

Hands down Carnivale! Their Samba Room is perfect for a smaller wedding with 150 guests or you can also buy out the entire Restaurant for 780 guests. When you run the numbers it’s very reasonably priced for the menu and libations offered.
-Alexandra Jusino, Exquisite Designs (Chicago, IL)

I love Estate! I think it is such a pretty venue and the food is delish! They do such a great job with service and everything else! They make the planning process very easy because they know what they are doing!
-Kelly McLeskey-Dolata, A Savvy Event (Sonoma, CA)

Foreign Cinema in the Mission is a gorgeous and totally unique place to hold a San Francisco wedding.  There is an outdoor courtyard which is perfect for ceremonies, and you can project images or films onto the tall concrete wall during dinner.  And of course the food is amazing.
-Lauren Geissler, Downey Street Events (San Francisco, CA)

Some of Allure’s favorites are Zed451 Rooftop which is perfect for receptions as the space is intimate and classy.  The Wit and The Patio at Trump Tower are great outdoor locations with breathtaking views of the city and the lakefront especially on a bright, sunny day!
-Monica Sehgal Sharma, Allure Event and Meeting Productions (Chicago, IL)

Most of the restaurants on the peninsula are not perfectly equipped for a reception and many of our clients opt for weddings in their garden.  However, there are several venues in San Francisco that are interesting and unique for receptions and my personal favorite is Foreign Cinema for the variety of spaces and fabulous backdrop that accompanies a wedding – built in entertainment!
-Isabella Sikaffy, Florabella (Menlo Park, CA)

I once attended a wedding reception at Greens in San Francisco. Located on the waterfront at Fort Mason with plenty of nearby parking, fantastic food (even for non-vegetarians) and a gorgeous view. It was a perfect evening.
-Stacie Tamaki, The Flirty Guide (San Jose, CA)

John Ash & Co in Sonoma County is a wonderful dining experience, but also has amazing outdoor views of vineyards, vegetable gardens open air dining on the patio and is attached to Vintner’s Inn which is a lovely place for guests to stay.  In my opinion it has the best of everything and the most amazing sales person, Cathy Reynolds, who will jump over backwards to accommodate the Bride and Groom.
-Alice Grisez, Grisez & Co. Event Design (San Francisco, CA)

What do you think?  What is your favorite restaurant wedding venue?

As you might expect, lots of Foodie Registry partner restaurants can handle weddings like a champ, so we wanted to provide this handy list as a reference:

Do you have a question you’d like posed to the LunchDate crew so you can see your question answered on our blog?  Submit it HERE.

Are you a wedding planner/consultant and want to be included on Foodie Registry’s weekly LunchDate blog feature in the future?  Submit your info HERE.

Well well well.  Here we are at LunchDate #3, and we’re covering one of our favorite subjects – booze.  Well, signature wedding cocktails, to be specific.

Are you planning on having a signature cocktail at your wedding?  We had one.  Our names are Jennifer and Ben so, in a nod to the ultimately doomed celebrity relationship that had tongues wagging in the early 00′s, we called it the “Bennifer”.  A name which, much to my chagrin, has stuck to this day among many who know us (Jennifer loves it).  However, the drink, which was a simple mix of St. Germain and champagne with a twist, and was lovingly devised by our best man (and mixologist extraordinaire) Adam Geenen of Salud Tequila Lounge in Chicago, was a hit.  We still drink it to this day and toast not only our marriage but also the tabloid king and queen of 2003 at the same time.

We put the question to our esteemed panel of wedding planners, consultants, and all around geniuses:

Signature Cocktails: Yes or No?  Rising Trend or Past It’s Prime?

Yes, yes, yes.  It is always a fun, festive first impression as guests enter the cocktail hour.  Pass on silver trays at the entrance to help welcome guests as they arrive, and prevent lines at the bar as the party begins.  I love to create a signature cocktail that works with the theme or color palette of the event, or plays on personality traits or hobbies of the bride and groom.  For a retro reception, we served miniature Root Beer Floats with Vanilla Vodka; for a wine country wedding Pinot Punch from the Napa vineyard, and a Parisian Engagement Soiree St. Germain Sparklers.
-Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event (Chicago, IL)

Definitely not a rising trend, but here’s a fun twist on the signature drink: put a posterboard or chalkboard on an easel near the bar.  At the top, write the ingredients of your signature drink and ask guests to help you “name this cocktail”.  Leave room (and pens or chalk) for guests to come up with fun personalized drink names based on the ingredients and the personalities of the bride and groom.  Cheers!
-Kim Oliff, Always RSVP Event Design and Coordination (San Francisco Bay Area, CA)

I say a resounding “Yes” to signature cocktails. Not only are they the expression of the newlyweds’ personalities and a reflection of their creativity, they are a very effective way to cut the bar tab costs (which is one of the MAJOR expenses of the wedding, let’s face it). In addition, a signature cocktail can help make the theme of the wedding more cohesive, as an extra benefit.
-Tatiana Abramova, The BrideScoop (Chicago, IL)

Yes – I think they are still hot.  They can serve 2 purposes – the drink can reflect the personalities of the couple (and some couples are right on trend using different/unusual ingredients) and/or, it can help reduce the bar costs by serving beer, wine, soda and one great specialty drink and forgoing the full bar for the cocktail hour!
-Cindy Shanholtz, Effortless Events (Naperville, IL)

Only if you feel strongly about wanting them. The truth is that just serving beer & wine is totally fine – if your guests complain about being served limited types of free drinks, well, really? They’re free, you’re an adult, it’s time to learn to be gracious.
-Elizabeth, Lowe House Events (San Francisco, CA)

I love signature cocktails, I am a huge fan and these days the more creative the better!  There are so many amazing mixologists and drink recipes out there and it shows your guests you put a lot of thought in your special day!
-Angela Nelson, Lulu Events (Napa Valley, CA)

It’s depend on what type of signature drink you serve.  For example; Cosmpolitans, Lemon drops are definitely past their prime.  Whereas  vintage liquers and spirits can really add a level of sophisticaion and fun to an event.  Recently I was turned on to a wonderful, delicate flower liquer by the name of St. Germain Elderflower liquer.  It is absolutely devine mixed with dry champage or club soda & lime.  Creating new or bringing back old elixir’s is a fun way to entertain your guests.
-Alice Grisez, Grisez & Co. Event Design (San Francisco, CA)

Not trendy at all! Many of my clients have a his and hers signature drink. Can keep the bar costs down too–go for it!
-Genevieve, Lily Spruce (San Francisco, CA)

No, I don’t think signature cocktails are past their prime. What might make the next generation of cocktails more interesting would be to source some of the flavor elements locavore style using local, organic, heirloom and/or sustainable ingredients.
-Stacie Tamaki, The Flirty Guide (San Jose, CA)

While many might say it is past it’s prime, I’m a fan of anything that can be passed upon guest arrival to relieve pressure on the bar and get drinks into the guests’ hands quickly.  A signature drink gives me a fun way to offer guests something color coordinated that is not champagne, chardonnay or sparkling water…love when people get creative and have fun with them such as the watermelon “Hopitini” that we just created for the Hopman’s at their wedding – fun pop of coral, great flavor and a play on their married name!
-Isabella Sikaffy, Florabella (Menlo Park, CA)

Absolutely! It’s a trend that has reached its peak and is now standardized at events. It’s a great way of customizing a personal event while budgeting hard liquor into a bar that might have only served beer and wine.
-Hazel Bourget, Blu Bungalow (San Francisco, CA)

The signature cocktail is here to stay.  It is a great way to put individuality into your wedding and let’s be honest very fun!  I recommend that the signature drink should not only be available at the bar but also passed during cocktail hour so that guests can really experience it.  Serving your signature drink in a unique vessel like a jewel toned martini glass also makes it stand out.  I love when couples design the drink themselves, a great resource for researching a signature drink is drinksmixer.com.  One couple I worked with designed a his and hers signature drink-a Tango which was a classic white wine sangria with a hint of champagne, this fit their personalities to a “T” as the groom was a classic kind of guy and she was a more bubbly personality, also for their first dance they did a choreographed Tango!
-Robyn, Red Letter Event Planning (Glenview, IL)

Still hot as can be. But couples are opting for old style cocktails like Manhattans, Hi Balls and Tom Collins.
-Alexandra Jusino, Exquisite Designs (Chicago, IL)

Absolutely still in effect! Signature cocktails allow you to extend a refreshing cocktail to your guests when you may be on a limited budget and cannot serve a full bar. They are also a great way to incorporate personal details into your wedding, by naming each drink uniquely – for instance, after your beloved pets, who couldn’t attend.
-Kate Miller, Kate Miller Events (Northern CA)

Past It’s Prime…still fun if you are “known” for a certain drink, but…Most people have their own drink and they’ll stick to it!  NOW – Signature Hors d’ oeuvres are making their move…jump on!
-Marcia Hemphill, An Urban Affair (Chicago, IL)

I haven’t seen this in a while, but, if done in a classy and appropriate manner, I don’t think there is any harm done. Think about naming it after the couple, or use the decor/theme/time-of-year as a guide to create something interesting. If you need to keep your bar bill down, I would advise to stay away from offering a signature cocktail, as they tend to be expensive.
-Claire Abrams, “Day-Of” Party Coordinator/claire_abrams@hotmail.com (Chicago, IL)

If you are Carrie Bradshaw and everyone knows you ONLY drink Cosmos or you met your future husband-to-be at a whiskey mixology party, I think signature cocktails have a place for a wedding celebration.  If you are doing it just to spend more money, let it be and enjoy the open bar and wine service!
-Claudia Antony Zompa, AS YOU WISH EVENTS (Chicago, IL)

A signature cocktail is still a fun way to offer guests a ‘creative’ drink & to put a personal touch on the bar – but it’s definitely been done before.  More unique options – do stations with wine pairings during cocktail hour or have one bar dedicated to margaritas and another to your favorite draft beers (think Guinness & Harp for the Irish crowd or rare micro brews for the beer lovers)!
-Kirstin Martin, Smitten Boutique (Chicago, IL)

Lets be honest … Cocktails are important!  Almost all of our couples (especially the grooms) put the bar at the top of their list.  With that in mind, I think it is important to greet your guests with passed beverages before the bar gets over crowded.  I like passing a signature cocktail because it is always a great conversation piece.  Come up with a fun name or a meaningful cocktail (got engaged at at Tapas bar?  Serve Sangria.  If your name is Shelly serve a “Bomb-Shell”) and enjoy your evening.
-Heather Lynne Vickery, Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

I think a specialty cocktail list is the way to go.  Offering a few classic cocktail options to your guests through a specialty menu at the bar is here to stay.  Drinks that rhyme with your name and match the colors of the wedding should be long gone.
-Shannon Leahy, Shannon Leahy Events (San Francisco, CA)

Signature cocktails are past their prime, they have been around for awhile and are no longer a rising trend.  However, they are appropriate for themed parties and weddings and really add flair to an event when the drink is an incorporation of the idea rather than just a color accent.  Weddings are getting a bit dated with signature cocktails, I think there needs to be a new spin on just having a martini that is named after the happy couple!!
-Monica Sehgal Sharma, Allure Event and Meeting Productions (Chicago, IL)

What do you think, Foodie Registry brides?

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Good Friday!

Photo: TheSweetestOccasion.com

Time for installation #2 of Foodie Registry’s “LunchDate” blog feature, where we ask a distinguished panel of wedding experts from across the country the same wedding related question and serve up the answers for our readers in one delicious post.

The question this week was:

What’s the most unique (but affordable!) wedding favor given to guests you’ve ever seen?

 

I once attended a wedding where the reception centerpieces were beautifully piled fresh produce and the favors were reusable grocery shopping bags that we could take the centerpieces home in at the end of the night. That was in 2007 and I still use my shopping bag to this day.
-Stacie Tamaki, The Flirty Guide (San Jose, CA)

Let me preface by saying that I’m not a huge fan of favors as I don’t feel they are as appreciated as the effort that goes into creating them.  However, if it is important to a bride and groom, go with something edible that guests can enjoy on the drive home or the next morning…love scones and a copy of the Sunday paper packaged in a unique way for a fun wake-up the day after!
-Isabella Sikaffy, Florabella (Menlo Park, CA)

A handwritten note to each guest with a unique and special message to them from the Bride and the Groom.  Very sweet and personal!
-Alice Grisez, Grisez & Co. Event Design (San Francisco, CA)

LILLYCAKES!  Lillycakes are cake pops and they are adorable and affordable.  There are also many flavors to choose from.  www.lillycakes1.com
-Amanda Burdick, La Di Events, (Chicago, IL)

I absolutely adore it when couple’s choose a non-profit organization to donate to in honor of each guest’s name! In fact, we’ve had couples who have donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of a beloved family member or to an organization that they love like the Humane Society or Wish Upon a Wedding.
-Kate Miller, Kate Miller Events (Northern CA)

I think that making a donation to charity is the best favor you can ever give your guests! Select a charity that is special to you and donate $1-$5 per guest, then place a framed sign on your gift table telling everyone about your charity. If you don’t know which charity to choose, start with www.idofoundation.org.
-Heather Lynne Vickery, Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc. (Chicago, IL)

We like edible favors. At a recent Italian wedding the guests received a package of artisan pasta favored by the bride’s family. Unusual, affordable, and who doesn’t like pasta?
-Tatiana Abramova, The BrideScoop (Chicago, IL)

Guests helped themselves to their own choices of candy (set up like a candy store) in the Hotel Ballroom Lobby. The couple had 8-10 bins filled with popular varieties of treats. They provided candy scoops, plastic baggies and personalized ties that said their names and “sweet dreams.”  Although not a traditional favor, it stuck in my mind as unique and fun!
-Claire Abrams, “Day-Of” Party Coordinator/claire_abrams@hotmail.com (Chicago, IL)

Cookie Bars!  Close family/friends would contribute home baked goods for a cookie bar.  All you have to provide are the jars, bags, and labels
Here’s how you can create your own: http://bit.ly/oN0QTW
-Hazel Bourget, Blu Bungalow (San Francisco, CA)

I don’t believe in favors unless it’s something the guest can use (or eat!). No one wants a picture frame with your initials and wedding date on them, no matter how much they like you. Our favorite “favor” is a “Hangover Kit.” Go to Target or Costco and get some mini packets of Advil, Alka Seltzer, Tums, etc. Throw in some mints, mouthwash and even eye drops. Put everything in a small box or bag and create a note or label telling your guests that you hope they had fun at your wedding, but if they had TOO much fun, here is something to help them in the morning. Super cute, very affordable, and something everyone will use!
-Beth Bernstein, SQN Events (Chicago, IL)

For a recent wedding in Mexico we bought maracas as favors for the guests that were hand painted by local artisans.  The maracas are not only a memorable Mexican momento for the guests that traveled from afar to the wedding but all the guests were shaking them on the dancefloor! What a great fiesta it was!
-Angela Nelson, Lulu Events (Napa Valley, CA)

Well, this question is a bit relative as affordable for one isn’t necessarily affordable for another!!  However, the most touching favor I have seen are donations to a charity of the couple’s choice in lieu of a tangible favor.  Also, I have seen at a wedding between two pharmacists, they gave out the amber colored pill bottles filled with Advil, and personalized from the bride and groom, it was perfect for the guests who enjoyed a 6-hr open bar and represented the bride and groom perfectly!!!
-Monica Sehgal Sharma, Allure Event and Meeting Productions (Chicago, IL)

At a mid-December wedding, we put a small evergreen tree seedling wrapped in burlap and accented with a vintage holiday tag at each place setting.  They were eco-friendly, adorable and worked as a great addition to the centerpieces – all for less than $5 a piece!
-Kirstin Martin, Smitten Boutique (Chicago, IL)

Mini bottles of Limencello with a gorgeous personalized tag. You can even make it yourself, with very little effort, to save money!  Try this recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/limoncello-recipe/index.html
-Hilary Schwartz, Estera Events (Chicago, IL)

Everyone loves a gift.  And your wedding favors are fabulous.  Right?  Probably not.  Sorry… we just had to say it out loud!  But if you absolutely feel like you want OR NEED to do a favor, here are some of our suggestions:
- Make a donation to a charity of your choice that means something to your family or his
- Make it serve a dual purpose – a candle for an escort card
- Give something that symbolizes you or your venue – Bertha Palmer brownies at the Palmer House or Chicago Mix from Garrett Popcorn
- Give something edible – sweet treats are always welcome and many of your guests will consume it immediately upon sitting down at their table!
In theory, your guests love gifts.  In reality, you cannot make a wedding favor “personal” enough for every guest to love it.  Think long and hard about spending that kind of money on something that most likely will be left behind at the end of the evening.  Just sayin’.
-Claudia Antony Zompa, As You Wish (Chicago, IL)

I love when a couple makes a donation to their favorite charity, and then acknowledges it with a small favor card at each place setting.  In today’s economic times a donation to a charity is a great way to recognize the significance of the event while giving back.  I recommend my client’s use the I do foundation for their charitable favors.
-Robyn Bruns – Accredited Bridal Consultant, Red Letter Event Planning (Glenview, IL)

 

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A recent generational study on marriage conducted by the Pew Research Center paints a revealing and fascinating picture of the modern couple and family, and of the differences between modern couples and those of generations past. Some of its major findings on changing marital norms underscore our belief at Foodie Registry that modern newlyweds have different needs than couples of the past.

The study found that marriage overall is on the decline, with about half (52%) of American adults in 2008 being married, compared to 7 in 10 (72%) adults being married in 1960. This decline is largely driven by young adults who are both delaying marriage and entering into less-traditional family arrangements. The changing average age at which people first marry has risen about five years in the past half century and is now at the highest ever recorded – 28 years old for males. In 1960, two-thirds (68%) of all twenty-somethings were married, while in 2008 only 26% were married – a striking generational difference. It goes without saying that some of this decline can be attributed to the fact that marriage is not an option for all couples, particularly same-sex couples who live in states that don’t allow same-sex marriage. The majority of young adults however support marriage equality.

As marriage rates have declined, premarital cohabitation has risen. Rates of cohabitation have nearly doubled since 1990, and 44% of all adults say they have cohabited at some point in their lives. Of those who did, about two-thirds say they thought of it as a step toward marriage.

Another marital norm that has changed significantly is spousal roles. In the last 50 years, women have risen dramatically in the workforce, from just 33% in 1960 to 47% by 2009, and have actually begun to outpace men in educational attainment. About six in ten wives work today, nearly double the amount who worked in 1960. The rise of educated women in the workforce has certainly contributed its share to the trend of marrying later in life (though this trend applies to both men and women), but it has also reduced the need for economic security as a (once primary) reason for marriage. In fact, the study found that for most respondents, love far exceeded money as a reason to get married, where 93% of married adults said that love and then companionship were very important reasons to get married, while only 31% cited financial stability.

We think these trends are positive and point to the changing face of the modern couple: more diverse, independent, and accepting of alternative (though maybe not alternative for long) lifestyles. Even though the institution of marriage is experiencing a decline, the study found it’s still regarded as an important and desirable institution, and public attitudes toward marriage remain optimistic.