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Now, we all know that, in essence, your entire wedding ceremony is, yes, a unity ceremony, but many couples want to add a visual exclamation point to the ceremony.  Some pour sand, some share Tequila  (yes, the Tequila Sharing 
 was one of our most popular ceremonies last year and going forward!

This week, one of my couples used a Black and Tan pouring, with Guiness and Harp ale.  They included it at the end fo the 'welcome to the guests" and after they poured it, they toasted the guests in a nod to the relationship they had with each person invited.   Here is a part of the text we used as they poured; 

BLACK AND TAN SHARING 
Harp is golden ale with a clean, balanced personality. It’s refreshing, crisp and very bubbly!
Guinness is bold, slightly bittersweet and rich. Overall, it’s a bit dry with a distinctive look.
Poured together, they make a perfect beverage to toast your guests; just as this beverage combines unexpected elements into a great relationship, the same could be said about your relationship with each of  your guests!
(Each partner pours)
CHEERS!!! 
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What do you call a fabulous cocktail party, with lots of hors d'oeuvres and interesting international stations, guests mingling and chatting, a casual vibe with a relaxed structure (and snow cones at the end)?   A wedding!   And what a great idea this is, especially for a Thursday or Friday night wedding when some of your guests may be coming right from work. My favorite format is light hors d'oeuvres first (people will be starving), then the ceremony, then more, heavier hors d'oeuvres, dancing and cake!  There are a number of great reasons to pick this format.
-You can offer a lot of variety and fun stations
-People can mingle and talk instead of being at a table talking to the two people next to them
-This format can make interesting spaces appropriate; spaces with several rooms or inside and outside space
-Sometimes the cost can be less
-It's just FUN.  Everyone loves the cocktail hour; just make it longer!
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You've got the perfect location, like The Mansion at Natirar, in Peapack, NJ.  It's stunning; a gorgeous vintage mansion with sweeping vistas, gracious inside spaces and insanely great food.  You've picked an eclectic and creative menu, hird the best vendors (including a fabulous NJ Wedding Officiant...you knew that was coming, right?)  

Your venue has gorgeous outside spaces; gardens, waterfalls, rolling fields, the ocean...and of course you want to use it as your backdrop.  But it might rain.  Or it might never get warm enough.  Or cool enough. Or stay light enough for everyone, including you to be comfortable. 

My lovely couple from last week decided to make their call early. They decided to be inside. The mid-spring weather was chilly, but we also had some serious wind happening (those breezes will make for some amazing photos, but honestly, no one wants to sit outside in it for what would usually end up being 45 minutes from the initial seating until the last guest leave the ceremony space.  

It was a really smart decision; they had the best of all worlds. The view was still gorgeous (most of our venues have inside spaces that are just as pretty, as the outside spaces; in many cases, the view is the same), they had a chance to take their photos all over the grounds, everyone was comfortable and they didn't spend their entire wedding day looking at the weather on their phones. 

It's hard to make the decision early, but it's even harder not to make the decision!

I have to admit that I ate my weight in jelly beans for Easter and slept it all off yesterday, so it's the Tuesday catchup!

Saturday, I had a lovely wedding at Madeline's Petite Paris in Northvale, for a lovely couple with an intimate group of long time friends and family. Although the day started out a little rainy  (good luck, right?)  but nothing could dampen the spirits of the couple and their friends and family.  After their personalized ceremony, they welcomed their guests into the reception with Parisian themed cocktails!  And there are a lot of them; French 75's, Champagne cocktails, The Black Rose  (you can find more interesting suggestions at this website.)   

I loved the way they used their venue's theme as their theme!    Easy Peasy!

My beautiful couple got married at the Madison Hotel, in Morristown. on Sunday, and it was a gorgeous day for a NJ wedding!  The sun was shining, their famous Conservatory was breathtaking and a great time was had by all! The centerpieces spoke of spring, the readings spoke of the couple and every detail was a perfect expression of my couple's journey.  The group was intimate; about 75 guests, (close friends and family) and conversation flowed freely as they caught up!  

Interesting notes; my couple decided to do all the photos ahead of time and to do all the photos inside. Now, the Madison is a great place to do that; even though the outside space is lovely, their beautiful fireplace and the soaring conservatory made for gorgeous backdrops without any extra worry about the weather.  (And honestly, doing away with any stress on the wedding day is a really, really good idea!) Having seen each other, their nerves were calmed and they were ready to face the celebration together!  Their amazing Maitre d', Carolina, orchestrated the morning with her usual grace (and her constant awareness of time!).  As soon as the guests made their way to a sumptuous cocktail  hour (complete with bloody marys!), the conservatory was set up for their reception. (They DO traffic in magic there! )  All of their attention to carrying out my couple's plans made for a Sunday morning wedding that was celebratory, relaxing and exciting, all at once!