Antonia Christianson Events

Signature Drink Saturday: Ginger Apple Cider

I am in the process of planning our annual friends holiday party that we call the "Festival of Friends..." and I came across this great warm "holiday-like" signature drink in a Martha Stewart Magazine.
Ginger Apple Cider with Brandy:
2 1/4 cups apple cider
1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 whole allspice

3 ounces brandy

candied ginger chunks, cut into cubes, rolled in superfine sugar (optional)

1. Bring cider, fresh ginger, and allspice to a boil in saucepan. Remove from heat, and cover. Let stand 10 minutes. Skim foam and strain, discarding solids.
2.Ladle 1/2 cup hot cider into each mug, and add 3/4 ounce brandy. Add ginger cube to each mug, if desired (makes 4)

Fashion Friday: Wedding Gown Trends

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Wedding Gowns! Well...all wedding attire actually. I think that one of my favorite bridal meetings with clients is at the Bridal Salon...and this year I can't help but notice how all of the details on modern wedding gowns is in the way that the fabric lays. Not much beading or detail is needed when you have a beautiful fabric, a beautiful silhouette and of course...a Beautiful Bride!

Check out some of my favorite styles from this season:

Priscilla of Boston

Augusta Jones

Alita Graham

Danielle Caprese

Wedding Wednesday: Colleague Etiquette

I received an email from one of my great spring 2009 clients last week and I thought it was the perfect topic for my "Wedding Wednesday" blog series. since I receive a question about inviting guests with dates from almost every one of my clients:

"I have a situation I am a little unsure about. I want to know the appropriate way to handle inviting coworkers and bosses to wedding. I have limited space and honestly I want to invite a few of my coworkers but I do not have much space. Is there a way to invite only my coworkers and not their spouses? Is that completely tacky?"

AC: It is improper to invite guests to your wedding that you know are married without a spouse. It is a different situation if your co-worker (or friend) is merely dating someone. You also do not need to feel an obligation to invite everyone you work with…You should invite the people you are closest to and their spouses. If anyone asks you where their invitation is…or why they were not invited you can simply explain your limited budget and guest capacity.

Monday Meeting: Debra Pence

There are quite a few vendors in town that I love to work with...or that I would love the opportunity to work with and I am pleased to be able to spotlight Fluttering Flowers as my first post on my Monday Meeting (with vendors) blog series.

Debbie Pence, Owner of Fluttering Flowers, is always a pleasure to work with. My clients always comment on her down to earth personality, her better than great pricing and her insane sense of creativity. Check out her interview and some pictures of her fabulous work below.

AC:How did you get into creating and designing special event flowers?
DP:"I planned and decorated my nieces wedding reception in Ohio and enjoyed it so much, I started doing wedding flowers."

AC:What is the biggest trend you are seeing in Wedding Flowers?
DP:"Anything goes! Brides need to pick what describes them best. Whether that is simple Callas, or very bright colors accented with berries and herbs."
AC:What are your hints in getting the best flowers at the best price?
DP:"Work with your designer , there are many options and creations that can make your special day your own, and help you stay within your budget. Have fun with it!"
AC:What is your favorite part of working with a bride and creating her dream day?
DP:"I enjoy every minute of the planning, collecting special effects and creating one of a kind flower designs. Yet the best part, is seeing the brides eyes light up when the flowers pull the whole wedding theme together."

Contact me for more information about Fluttering Flowers.

Signature Drink Saturday

Signature Drinks at weddings are always a simple yet fun way to continue a theme throughout your entire event. They can also be a way to save money and the hassle of having a full bar. Often you will see a signature drink passed during the cocktail hour, as an additional option at the bar...or as your only option at the bar. Many of my clients also offer a non-alcoholic version of their signature drink to their designated drivers.

Savory Spritzer Cocktail:
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons sugar
1 orange, sliced
1 shot of Brandy (We suggest Black Stork or Metaxa Private Reserve)
5 to 6 ounces Rioja wine
Splash lemon-lime club soda

How to:
Add sugar, 2 orange slices and a good shot of brandy to a cocktail shaker. Muddle together until the sugar is dissolved. Add ice cubes to the shaker along with the Rioja wine. Shake and strain into a martini glass and top with a splash of lemon-lime club soda. Garnish with an orange slice.