Wedding Blessings...November...Twig, Pumpkin and Ivy

Your Inspiration....November and it's beauty...the falling leaves..drift by my window..

Citrine means Happiness, Joy and Optimism


Chrysanthemum symbolizes Optimism and Joy



November is about celebrating the season of thanksgiving...of being grateful and offering up grace for the harvest. The Harvest Moon, the bounty of beautiful food, the gathering of family...what a perfect month for a wedding and the blessing of a couple. Autumn begs for a setting to be hosted outdoors....smelling the air, the woods the fireplaces and we have the opportunity to dress a little less formal for this season.

Fall is a beautiful season that allows a couple to host an elegant affair. During the month of November the days might be getting colder, but there are many ways to create a warm setting to celebrate a marriage. I love the idea of a country wedding with beautiful pastures surrounding your venue. Let's say this can be an" upscale" country wedding and old-fashioned barn dance by tiny white lights and candlelight. Welcome guests with a bottle of cider ale adorned with your signature label.


Autumn is known for its rich colors, so choose flowers in shades of red, burgundy, orange and yellow. Mums or sunflowers are dramatic and seasonal. Berries, yarrow and even small branches of leaves will round out a bouquet while keeping with the theme. Centerpieces might be tall vases filled with shafts of wheat and feathers, bowls of gourds or hollowed-out pumpkins filled with ivy and flowers.

Attire

Depending on whether the wedding is in early or late November, the weather can still be a little warm or downright chilly. If the bride's gown and bridesmaids' dresses are sleeveless or short-sleeved, a capelet or shawl will add warmth, especially if photos will be taken outdoors. But it can be easily removed if it's a warm day. Colors such as browns, creams, burgundies, plums and other earth or jewel tones are good choices for dress colors. They can be accented with gold jewelry for a warm, rich look.

Food

If a full meal will be served at the reception, a turkey dinner will certainly be the most traditional meal to pick for November. Other options include pot roast or pork loin. These will go well with hearty sides like mashed potatoes, turnips and stuffing. A cream soup such as butternut squash makes an excellent starter and salads can include nuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, diced apples and cranberries for a fall touch. If dessert is being served in addition to wedding cake, traditional favorites such as apple crisp tartlets or pumpkin pie tartlets are sure to please.

 When choosing a flavor for the wedding cake, consider flavors such as carrot cake or spice cake to evoke the season.

The Wedding Cake: Carrot cake with Maple Buttercream frosting

Your Signature Cocktail...The Harvest Moon Cocktail

To make 2 drinks: Combine 1/4 cup apricot brandy with 1/2 cup each of sweet-and-sour prepared mix and seltzer water, and 4 teaspoons of pomegranate juice. Dampen the rims of 2 martini glasses with a lemon wedge and dip them into colored cocktail sugar. Place the first three ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker, mix vigorously, and pour into the prepared glasses. Pour 2 teaspoons of pomegranate juice into each glass; do not stir!

Wedding favor suggestion...

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown