#SignatureSaturdays :: Apple & Pumpkin Beer Cocktail

Ingredients

• 8 ounces good-quality bourbon
• 9 ounces apple cider
• 2 1/2 ounces lemon juice
• 12 ounces pumpkin ale
• ice
• cinnamon sticks and cranberries for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, shake together the bourbon, apple cider and lemon juice. Pour into 4 glasses filled with ice.
2. Pour the beer evenly into each glass.
3. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and cranberries. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Cocktail from cookingandbeer.com.

#SignatureSaturdays :: Pumpkin Fizz

2 oz. Kin Brown Bourbon
3/4 oz. Pumpkin Simple
1/4 oz. Orgeat
3/4 oz. Lemon
Heavy Sprinkle Pumpkin Spice
1 Egg White
1 oz. Cream
Top with Soda

Cocktail from Kin Whiskey

Halloween Weddings and Events

Halloween is a favorite holiday for a lot of folks, and I happen to be one of them! I've had the pleasure of working on many Halloween themed weddings and events over the years. Back in my school days, I always had a Halloween party every year. Costumes, great food, games, spooky decorations....

Halloween is really defined by one things in particular - candy!! You can create an amazing Halloween themed candy and dessert station for your event that both children and adults will absolutely love!

I always like to include pumpkins in the décor for fall weddings and events. They're readily available, easy to acquire, and they make some beautiful decorations!

Flower girls can carry pumpkins or trick-or-treat containers rather than the traditional flower girl baskets. So cute and classy!

Since Halloween is spooky, go with it! It doesn't have to be cheezy! You can decorate for a spooky themed wedding or event with themed décor and still keep it classy and elegant!

Work with your photographer to get some creative Halloween themed shots. Haunted houses, graveyards, a pumpkin patch, a hay ride, Freight Fest at Six Flags....any spooky location, Halloween themed event or fall themed event can make for perfect Halloween photos!

#SignatureSaturdays :: Captain Morgan Pumpkin Pie Shots

I worked a HUGE event yesterday at Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma, so I missed out on all of my regular posting! I can't just skip over Signature Saturdays because it's one of my favorite weekly posts! There are so many creative cocktails you can incorporate into weddings and events, like this one from @javiontherocks. He's local to Dallas and I love his posts! Be sure to check out his page and follow for tons of amazing cocktails!

Mix ¾ ounce of Jack-O-Blast with ¾ ounce of  LocoNut and enjoy!

#WeddingWednesday :: Tips for a Fall Wedding

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I chose October and the rich tones of fall for my own wedding! Pumpkins are a fall staple, they're readily available just about anywhere, and they can make for some beautiful decorations! I always suggest sticking with what's available in the fall, including pumpkins and gourds.

Photo by Michell Events

Centerpiece by Michell Events

Photo by Michell Events

Certain blooms are in season during fall months. Using these will keep your floral costs down. The color palette available is amazing, so embrace the rich colors and go with the golds, reds, oranges, browns and yellows that are abundant in the autumn months!

Photo by Michell Events

Bouquet by Michell Events

Photo by Michell Events

Bouquet by Michell Events

Fall could bring chilly weather, so be sure you have something planned to keep your guests warm. Throw blankets for guests is a good idea, sweaters or pashminas for the 'maids and moms, and you could even offer a hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and/or hot cider station. Warm beverages take care of a chill quickly! Mobile espresso bars are available whether your event is indoors or outdoors!

Photo from Jedidiah Coffee

Photo from Jedidiah Coffee

Fall desserts - apple & pumpkin pies, caramel apples, smores by the fire....get creative with desserts for your guests and show them a true taste of fall! There are so many options available to choose from...it's such a hard decision, I'd have to have them all. :)

Photo by Courtney Lynn Photography

Caramel Apples from Dallas Caramel Co.

Photo & Pies from Texas Petite Pies

Planning Tips :: Fall Weddings

Fall is one of my favorite times of year! I love the foliage and the vibrant color changes to yellows, oranges and reds. Fall is definitely a gorgeous time of year for a wedding or special event, and you can tie in the autumn jewel toned color palette beautifully.

Fall is a peak time of year for beauty! Look into selecting a location or venue that showcases the season. Fall is also the perfect time for a tented wedding, which is always another gorgeous option!

Open fires are perfect for this time of year. Smore's pits make for great entertainment and favors for the guests.

If you're planning a fall wedding and using a fall theme, pumpkins are sure to be included. There are so many creative and lovely ways to use them...hollow them out and use for candles or flowers, spray paint them to sparkle, cover them in fabric or lace for a different look...possibilities are endless!

Blankets, wraps and heat lamps are always a wise choice for fall weddings. Since fall is a time where the weather could go either way; warm or cool....be prepared to keep your guests warm in case your wedding falls on a cool day.

Avoid holiday weekends. Most do traveling on holiday weekends and the hotel rates peak during these times. it will be more cost effective for you and your guests if you choose a non-holiday weekend.

Remember to account for daylight savings time. If your wedding date is around the time change, it will affect sunset time and photo times.

DIY :: Pumpkin Donut Hole Seating Cards

These darling little “pumpkin” treats would make terrific escort cards or seating cards. What’s the difference you ask? Escort cards are usually displayed on a large table at the entrance to your reception, and your guests would take their treat and table info, and walk into their table. Seating cards would be at each place setting, telling each guest where their exact seat is.

SUPPLIES:

• Fresh Donut Holes
• Pretzel Sticks
• Mini Cupcake Liners
• Tag Punch
• Cardstock
• Twine

MAKE THE TAGS

Using a cute tag punch, create your seating cards or escort cards. I used Pages to create this text layout, printed it onto 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock and then trimmed the paper down to punch out each tag.

ADD THE PUMPKIN "STEM"

On a baking sheet, layout as many mini cupcake wrappers as you can. Then add a donut hole to each one. For the pumpkin “stem” break a pretzel stick in half and press into each donut!

ADD THE PUMPKIN "LEAF"

Cut some pale green twine and tie a little knot around each pumpkin “stem” for a cute little leaf look. You could also add a little leaf with pale green frosting instead.

Since you’ll want these donut hole treats to be fresh for your guests, you’ll need to assemble them the morning of your event. If you can’t do that, the night before will work but you’ll need to store them in an airtight container.

See the original post at Something Turquoise.

Happy Anniversary :: Tina + Justus

Tina + Justus

October 30

Tina + Justus had a Halloween themed wedding that was amazing from beginning to end! The Buddhist ceremony was held at House of Blues, and a Halloween themed reception followed. There was a Halloween candy station, plenty of fun props in the photo booth, and the pumpkin and candelabra décor topped it off! Such a fun day with a wonderful group of people! Happy Anniversary Tina + Justus, wishing you many more!

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504

  

Photo by Digital504

Photo by Digital504