Don't stress over top-shelf liquor.
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| Trent Bailey Studio |
By Danielle Tullo, Cosmopolitan
Face it: Delicious food and cocktails are a big part of throwing a successful — and ~fun~ — wedding party. Your guests may not recall the color your bridesmaids wore, but there's a chance they will remember the amazing (or awful) signature drink you served.
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1.
Pick your inspiration.
Karvellas says she encourages couples to "think of something they both enjoy, or a drink they had on a first date or at a place they traveled."
For example, if you both enjoyed delicious margaritas on your first date, your signature cocktail can draw inspiration from that. From there, you can play around with the ingredients and name.
2.
Karvellas says she encourages couples to "think of something they both enjoy, or a drink they had on a first date or at a place they traveled."
For example, if you both enjoyed delicious margaritas on your first date, your signature cocktail can draw inspiration from that. From there, you can play around with the ingredients and name.
2.
Don't keep the ingredients a secret.
One of the most common mistakes Karvellas sees couples make is not knowing what's best for their guests. And guests like to know what's in a drink — so if you name your cocktail something fun, don't leave the guests guessing what the ingredients are.
"Have an easel somewhere," she says. "If you're having wait staff pass the drink around, you could put the name on a card that sits on the cocktail tray, and it can be a conversation for the staff with the guests."
One of the most common mistakes Karvellas sees couples make is not knowing what's best for their guests. And guests like to know what's in a drink — so if you name your cocktail something fun, don't leave the guests guessing what the ingredients are.
"Have an easel somewhere," she says. "If you're having wait staff pass the drink around, you could put the name on a card that sits on the cocktail tray, and it can be a conversation for the staff with the guests."
3.
Serve a common drink as your signature cocktail.
If you're sticking to a budget, Karvellas recommends picking a popular cocktail made with ingredients that are staples in any bar — for example, an Aperol spritz. It shouldn't cost the venue additional money to make.
If you're sticking to a budget, Karvellas recommends picking a popular cocktail made with ingredients that are staples in any bar — for example, an Aperol spritz. It shouldn't cost the venue additional money to make.
[post_ads]"It's [made with] three ingredients that should be at the bar, and they can make it fast," Karvellas says. "You're giving guests a fun idea of what to order, but it's not necessarily being pre-batched or served unless somebody asks for it."
You can give the drink a new name that reflects you and your significant other, put it in a frame, and leave it up at the bar as a suggestion. You'll still have a signature cocktail — but without going over budget.
4.
Don't stress over top-shelf liquor.
While it's completely worth devoting part of your budget to delicious food and drink, there's no need to overspend. "You could spend a significant amount of money on something that feels special to you, but maybe the guests at your wedding won't enjoy it, " Karvellas says.
If your signature cocktail involves sparkling wine, for example, you don't need to use expensive Champagne when the drink can be mixed with whatever the house bubbly is. Karvellas recommends reminding the venue of your budget if it's offering something that's more than you'd like to spend.
While it's completely worth devoting part of your budget to delicious food and drink, there's no need to overspend. "You could spend a significant amount of money on something that feels special to you, but maybe the guests at your wedding won't enjoy it, " Karvellas says.
If your signature cocktail involves sparkling wine, for example, you don't need to use expensive Champagne when the drink can be mixed with whatever the house bubbly is. Karvellas recommends reminding the venue of your budget if it's offering something that's more than you'd like to spend.
5.
When in doubt, stick to a city or a season.
Karvellas says she gets a lot of couples who feel overwhelmed and say, “I don’t have a famous drink or a drink that makes anyone think of us.” In those situations, she says to think of the season when you’re getting married or where you're getting married.
“Is your wedding at the beach? Is it at a fancy place in New York City, where you want to make the drink a Manhattan?" she asks. There are different ways to go about it — and none of those reasons are a right or wrong way.
Karvellas says she gets a lot of couples who feel overwhelmed and say, “I don’t have a famous drink or a drink that makes anyone think of us.” In those situations, she says to think of the season when you’re getting married or where you're getting married.
“Is your wedding at the beach? Is it at a fancy place in New York City, where you want to make the drink a Manhattan?" she asks. There are different ways to go about it — and none of those reasons are a right or wrong way.
6.
A simple garnish can make any cocktail look fancy.
Your drink doesn't have to match the color scheme of your wedding. "[That] could sometimes limit you," says Karvellas.
Instead of worrying about the exact hue, think about how to garnish the drink. Karvellas recommends using edible flowers, a fresh orange peel, or soaked cherries. These will make the cocktail pop — even if it isn't the same color as your bridesmaids' gowns.
Your drink doesn't have to match the color scheme of your wedding. "[That] could sometimes limit you," says Karvellas.
Instead of worrying about the exact hue, think about how to garnish the drink. Karvellas recommends using edible flowers, a fresh orange peel, or soaked cherries. These will make the cocktail pop — even if it isn't the same color as your bridesmaids' gowns.
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| Trent Bailey Studio/Wedding Artist Collective |
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