Wine Cocktails
If you're saving money by serving only beer and wine versus a full open bar, that doesn't mean you have to skip fun, fruity drinks thanks to award-winning mixologist Alex Ott, who created this "wine cocktail" in conjunction with Ecco Domani. "It's very cost-effective since you can make 10 to 12 cocktails from one $11 bottle of wine," says Ott, who has created drinks for Miami's Sushi Samba. A one-liter bottle of vodka yields 16 drinks but costs $20 to $30, so vino definitely gives you more bang for your buck.
Dolce Domani: "The lime makes this drink especially refreshing, while the Merlot has spicy notes, making it great for both the winter and the summer," says Ott.
Muddle half a lime with 2 1/2 tsp. of sugar. Add 3 oz. of Merlot. Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a lowball glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
We Flipped for These!
At beach weddings, palm trees, pineapples and flamingos are recurring motifs. For a more whimsical option, try flip-flops on for size. We love these adorable napkin rings, which can double as favors. They’re so "smart casual" and will give your Lilly Pulitzer-clad guests something to gush about. Plus, they’re made of wood, so they’ll prevent napkins from blowing away in the wind. Napkin rings, $4 each. Available in three patterns. Accents de Ville, 800-663-2384, adv-imports.com.
Renting Digital Cameras
Many couples used to place disposable cameras on reception tables in hopes of getting great candid shots of their guests. Unfortunately, the quality of these photos can be lacking, plus printing the pictures is expensive. You’ll get much better results with digital cameras, so equip a few trusted friends and family members with rented models from YouShoot, 877-7-YOUSHOOT, youshoot.com. The national company rents easy-to-use digital cameras for events, and will upload all the photos from the wedding to a website for your guests to view. Best of all, you’ll get to choose which photos to print and which to delete. Cost: $20 per camera, plus a $29 shipping fee.
Puttin’ on the Glitz
Ballrooms fall into two categories: Either the decor is super-opulent and rich with detail, which means your reception design needs to be compatible with what’s already there; or it's neutral, almost masculine, which allows brides and their event planners to make the space take on any type of look. Marisol Garcia Leira of Beyond Details in Miami, 305-526-1165, beyond-details.com, recently had the challenge of sprucing up a space that fits into the second category. There were no chandeliers, so she created high-drama floral arrangements that made optimal use of light and color. "The design gave the look of an elaborately decorated ballroom with large ceiling chandeliers," says Garcia Leira. Crystals from a real, antique chandelier dangled from an arrangement of Rosita Vendella and Blue Curiosa roses, pink peonies, antique-colored hydrangeas and pink mini calla lilies. "The soft color palette is fairy-tale-like, and allows the crystals to continuously reflect light from the candles beneath the arrangement," says Garcia Leira. Centerpiece, $225.
Personalize Your Aisle
Perhaps a plain, white aisle runner isn’t dramatic enough for your grand entrance. If that’s the case, have one customized with anything from a favorite poem, quote, monogram or family crest to an illustration of any kind of flora or fauna imaginable. Artist Lodia Roderick of Aisle Art in Palm Beach, 561-202-8424, aisleart.com, creates stunning, custom aisle runners (like the one at left) and will even add embellishments like feathers and rhinestones. Many brides intend to pass these runners down to their children, who can then add personal touches for their own wedding ceremonies. Aisle runners start at $600.
New Ring Option
Palladium, a metal in the platinum family, is starting to appear in wedding bands. It's almost indistinguishable from platinum, and has the same durability and strength. Palladium also doesn't yellow over time as white gold can, and at about $300 per ounce, is more affordable than platinum, which costs about $1,250 per ounce. Another bonus: It's lightweight. Available at Bailey Banks & Biddle, 10 area locations, 800-651-4222, baileybanksandbiddle.com.
Glamour Girl
To help you achieve this most requested look, we consulted the makeup artists at RikRak Salon & Boutique in Miami, 305-371-5577, rikrak.com—the spot for celebrities like Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
Eyes: "Wide-open eyes are the epitome of glam, so line them just below the lash line for a larger appearance. Use dark, smoky colors in the corners, and shadows that complement your natural eye color: lavenders for blue, greens for green, and golds for brown. And individual eyelash extensions are a must."
Lips: "Apply a very light lip liner to make lips appear full and luscious; then add several coats of a shimmery, creamy lipstick in a natural, rosy shade."
Cheeks: "On the apple of the cheeks, apply a touch of rosy blush to give the skin a sun-kissed glow. Use soft colors on cheeks so as not to accentuate cheek bones. That takes away from the eyes and lips."
The Kids Are Alright
If you're inviting children to your reception, keep them entertained, so they, and the adults around them, can enjoy the party.
Clowns: Azalea The Clown puts on captivating interactive shows with balloon art, puppets and face painting. Amy Perryman, serving the tri-county area, 561-809-5027, azaleatheclown.com.
Magic: For an amazing (and amazingly funny) magic show, call on All About Entertainment Inc., 954-433-7348, allaboutentertainmentinc.com. Its professional magicians' shows feature kid-friendly humor, juggling, and classic tricks such as levitation and making objects disappear.
Gift Baskets, Florida Style
Give out-of-town guests a taste of the Sunshine State as soon as they arrive with a Florida-theme basket from My Favorite City, 800-285-1880, myfavoritecity.com, waiting in their hotel room.
Bargain: Keepsakes such as a Florida-theme keychain and a Miami Popout Map (highlighting major tourist attractions and transportation options) are packed with a Belgian chocolate bar in a Florida-theme wrapper and mints in a souvenir tin (far left). "Miami Travel Gift," $22 (volume discounts available).
Splurge: This lavish gift has goodies such as orange-infused truffles, gourmet coffee and Florida corn-and-pepper chowder mix, plus souvenirs like a stuffed alligator, a Dolphins or Marlins can cooler, and a packet of Florida wildflower seeds. "Florida Bonanza Gift Basket," $69.95.
Eclectic Registry Option
If you're looking for something truly unique, create a registry at Miami's NiBa Home, 305-573-1939, nibahome.com. This relatively new shop sells rugs, artwork, pillows, furniture, chandeliers and other one-of-a-kind decorative home items, many of which are not available anywhere else in Florida. Popular indie-brand items include John Derian Company's decoupage plates, trays and paperweights; Martha Sturdy’s colorful, cast resin bowls, vases and planters; and handblown Mexican glassware by Nouvel.
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