#SignatureSaturday :: Don Julio Paloma

1.5 oz Don Julio Blanco
1 oz Fresh Grapefruit
0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.5 oz Agave Nectar
Top With Club Soda
Garnish With Grapefruit



Cocktail from @javiontherocks on Instagram.
Visit his IG page for more great posts and cocktails!

#SignatureSaturday :: Apple Cider Margarita

Here is a delectable Apple Cider Margarita for those that drink tequila year round and need a tasty treat fit for fall!

Ingredients:

1 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz gold tequila
5-6 oz sweet apple cider
Orange Segments & Apple Slices
Cinnamon
Cane sugar
Coarse sugar (for glass rimming)
Cinnamon Sticks (for garnish)


Directions:

Add a few spoonfuls of cane sugar, coarse sugar, and cinnamon to a plate. Run an orange segment around the edge of the glass, then press the glass into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat the rim. Add a few orange slices in the bottom of the glass, fill with ice, then add the Grand Marnier, tequila, and apple cider and stir to mix. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!

Recipe serves 1 and is easily multiplied.

Note: Even if you prefer silver tequila regularly, gold tequila for this recipe really gives a “warmth” that matches the cider and cinnamon perfectly.

See the full post at howsweeteats.com

The Best Guide to the Best Man's Duties

After the groom's brother or best friend says "I do" to being the best man, what exactly are his responsibilities? Sure, he's supposed to plan the bachelor party, but what other best man duties does he need to know about? There are more things for him to take care of then he might have realized!

So, what does a best man do? In short, he's your groom's right-hand man. The best man role revolves all around lightening the groom's load before, during and after the wedding. Read on to for a breakdown of exactly what's expected of him.

Photo by Trejo Photography

Pre-Wedding Best Man Duties

• Help the groom choose and rent (or buy) wedding formalwear, and coordinate the other groomsmen's rentals. The best man may also be asked to help arrange accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen. If it's a more casual wedding, help groomsmen find the outfits online or in store.
• Organize the bachelor party (but recruit the other groomsmen to help). Also, the cost should be split among everyone who attends the festivities.
• Coordinate the groomsmen's gift to the groom.


Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and perhaps make a (low-key) toast.
The best man provides emotional support, patiently listening to the groom's complaints, confessions, and questions without any judgment. He's the reassuring best friend that every groom needs. The best man will pat the groom on the back, and keep him focused and his head in the game.

Best Man Responsibilities Day-of-Wedding

• Keep an eye on the clock the morning of the wedding to ensure the groom and all the groomsmen get to the ceremony venue on time.
• Wrangle the groomsmen throughout the ceremony and make sure they're in the right place at the right time, organized, and presentable. (The best man will also make sure the groomsmen's aren't glued to their cell phones and any flasks are out of sight!)
• At the ceremony, hold on to the wedding rings for safekeeping.
• Help welcome guests to the wedding ceremony.
• Serve as a witness during the marriage-license signing.
• Give the officiant his fee (placed in a sealed envelope) after the ceremony, unless the officiant is a friend, in which a handshake or a hug should suffice.
• Be the emcee in a pinch. Let's say the DJ or the band cancels at the last minute or shows up late—a good best man will step in and crack a few jokes, get the crowd to the dance floor, and introduce the key players so the party can go on as planned.
• Offer the first toast to the newlyweds at the reception (his biggest responsibility!).
• Mingle at the reception to make sure guests are having a good time.
• Dance with the bride, the maid-of-honor, the mother of the bride, and the mother of the groom during the reception.
• Collect any gifts and cards guests may bring to the reception. Ask the bride and groom (before the wedding) where they'd like you to store the presents.
• Decorate the getaway car (again, enlist the groomsmen and bridesmaids to help!).

Photo by Cavanaugh Photography

Post-Ceremony Best Man Responsibilities

• Take care of the groom's clothes after he changes out of his wedding attire.
• Make sure all of the groom's wedding-related expenses are taken care of (really, the vendors should have all been paid in full one month before the big day, but in the event they haven't been, it's the best man who makes sure everything is settled).
• Coordinate car transportation for the bride and groom to leave the reception.
• Make sure any rented tuxes are returned on time (and intact).

See the full article at Brides.com.

DIY :: In Sickness + In Health Drinking Favors

I saw this totally cute DIY post on Something Turquoise and I HAD to share!!


You might be making a vow of “In Sickness and In Health” but your guests sure don’t have to! Give them a laugh while making their drinking experience the best it can be during your wedding or other wedding related events. One bottle is meant for pre-drinking and one bottle is for post-drinking. Perfect for your bachelorette party, your welcome bags or even for handing out to your guests on their way home. These cutie little handmade favors are sure to impress your friends and family, and show them just how much you care!

Did you know that taking 2 Vitamin B pills a few hours before you drink, actually helps prevent a hangover!? It has to do with something about the B replacing a chemical that the alcohol drains from your brain… a nurse told me that one time and it actually works!

SUPPLIES:

• Mini Water Bottles
• 8.5″ x 11″ White Cardstock
• 1.5″ x 2″ Clear Plastic Bag
• 1″ Circle Punch
• Scoring Board
• Vitamin B
• Twine
• Advil
• Tape

Download our free files at the end of the post and print onto 8.5″ x 11″ white cardstock. If you’d like, you can score the hang tags across the line provided using a scoring board. This adds a professional looking fold to your tag, then cut out each one.

Using a 1″ circle punch, punch out the gray hole in the tag and then trim a notch at the top, so you can put it around the bottle of water.

Fill each 1.5″ x 2″ plastic bag with two Vitamin B (any super complex will do) and two Advil.

On the backside of the tag, tape on each little baggie – ugh, aren’t they SO cute!?

Add the tags and finish with a twine bow!

How To Gift These Favors:

• They are ideal for your bachelorette party!
• Perfect to have in the room on the morning of your wedding
• Put them in your hotel welcome bags
• Have them out near the bar at your reception
• Hand out the Advil ones as your guests leave!

Click here to print the bottle tags

Click here to see the entire project at Something Turquoise

What's Involved in Being a Groomsman

Being a groomsman entails a monetary commitment, a time commitment, and a support commitment. It's not just partying all night with your buddies, bridesmaids and single ladies! Use this list as a guide to prepare yourself for what will be expected of you when you accept a groomsman position in your friend's wedding.

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Attend fittings and pay for a tuxedo. More than likely you will be asked to rent a tuxedo for the day (unless you already own one that would be acceptable). In that case, you'll probably have to buy/rent a matching tie, vest, cummerbund, or other accessories. Be prepared financially to pay for your clothing ensemble for the day. Also, be prepared to do it well in advance. Don't wait until the week of the wedding and give the bride added stress. :)

Help the Best Man organize the bachelor party. The Best Man and groomsmen are responsible for paying for and organizing the bachelor party. Offer your help to the Best Man to assist with the planning and clean up of the party.

Prepare a toast/speech (if needed). Sometimes with a large wedding party, only the Best Man and Fathers will give a toast. However, if the groom wants you to say a few words, you should be prepared with something charming to say.

 Photo by Trejo Photography

Participate in all pre-wedding functions. As a groomsmen, there are several pre-wedding functions you'll need to be present at including (but not limited to) the bachelor party, the ceremony rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.

Rent a hotel room. If the wedding is not near your home, you may need to reserve a hotel room for the night of the night before and night of the wedding. If you're friends with any of the groomsmen who live nearby, staying at their place might be an option for you, but be prepared to reserve a hotel room in advance if you need to. You may also be able to share a hotel room with another groomsman to split the cost. Make sure to ask for a room with two double beds. :)

Buy a gift. Start saving your extra dollars to buy a wedding gift for the happy couple. It is acceptable to partner up with another groomsman (or two) and combine your funds to get a more expensive and bigger gift!

Photo by Lambert Photographs

Be on-time! The most important thing is to be on-time. If you have trouble being on time, then pretend everything starts half an hour earlier than it really does. Fittings, parties, dinners, and ESPECIALLY the wedding ceremony.

Escorting during the ceremony. Sometimes groomsmen are asked to act as ushers when none are available. This means escorting the female guests to their seats at the ceremony for both the bride's side and the groom's side. You simply ask them which side they'd prefer (bride or groom), offer your arm, and walk them to the next available row of seats. You will also participate in the ceremony processional by walking a bridesmaid down the aisle.

Dancing! You may be asked to dance with a bridesmaid during the traditional wedding party dance. Sometimes the bride & groom will choose to have everyone dance with their wives or dates instead, but be prepared to dance at some point in time during the evening! You may also want to coax others to dance and help to liven up the dance floor.

Photo by Z Media

Decorate the getaway car. You may need to enlist the help of the rest of the wedding party to decorate the bride & groom's getaway car. Check beforehand to see if this is acceptable because some rentals or limos won't allow you to do anything to their vehicles. If they say it's ok, make sure to have the necessary items ready and sneak out mid-reception to do the damage. :)

Return your tuxedo. If you rented a tux instead of purchasing, make sure to return it on time. The groom could be charged a late fee if he organized the rentals, and that's not the parting gift you want to leave for him!

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If you know in advance that you can't afford it or can't commit to everything being a groomsman includes, don't be afraid to graciously decline. Simply say that you're honored to be asked, but that you're unable to commit to the duties for financial reasons. He may opt to help out in some way to make sure you're included, but you should always be up front with him if you think there will be issues.