Wedding Blessings...January...Winter Dreams and Champagne...An Affair to Remember!

Your Inspiration......the shimmer of champagne..new beginnings..


January birthstone...Garnet, symbolizing healing, wholeness and unity
January Flower...the snowdrop carnation, symbolizing purity and luck

Every season has it's special moments. In winter....it's revelry. How magical the month of January seems. It marks a new beginning, a rebirth for some...let's begin again on life's journey. Taking inspiration from the outside...there is the magic of the snowfall, the bitter cold winds, the comfort of the roaring fireplace and the warmth of the golden glow of lit candles, along with the heartiness of winter foods.

I found that many people chose the normal colors for the winter season of white, light blues and snowflakes, but I wanted to visualize something different, more elegant and shimmering.....I thought of cardinals in the snow...one of my favorite images of winter. I chose colors from this image...champagne, chocolate and garnet...elegant indeed! I took champagne roses, black magic roses, chocolate cymbuim orchids, flame mini-calla lilies and Alstromeria.






 Putting all of this together in one idea, certainly inspires one to plan a marriage in January. You have the gathering of family and friends..coming together to celebrate the new life journey of their loved ones. Some, will never be in the same room again...so why  not make this "an affair to remember"...Adorn your space with shimmery champagnes, sleek winter whites and warm chocolates accented with glowing candles. The softness of the room, kept small and intimate will create more of a family sharing an elegant dinner in their own formal dining room rather than a banquet type atmosphere. One piano playing classic romantic tunes in the background adds to this celebration.

When selecting your menu, opt for savory winter bites infused with seasonal foods and flavors, such as rosemary, almond, and warm cheeses. Try a menu of mini shortbread tarts, cheddar herb rolls, and white chocolate pretzels. Or go for spinach-cheese phyllo triangles, sausage-stuffed mushrooms, and crackers topped with a walnut-date spread.

For your wedding cake inspiration....

Your Signature Cocktail...Winter Dreams!
1 oz. Grey Goose vodka
 2 1/2 oz Chambord
1 1/2 oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
 Splash of half and half




Combine vodka and Chambord over chipped ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a well-chilled martini glass. Pour Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur and half and half over a shake full of ice and, again, shake vigrously…until contents is very frothy. Stain contents over the underide of a spoon onto the lip of the glass, creating a top layer on the cocktail.
Serve by a roaring fire, sit back, and enjoy!

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories... we've already missed the spring"..An Affair To Remember