For The Bride : Do Not Forget A Dress Hanger

Let me paint a picture...Bride Bella has spent months searching for the perfect wedding gown, trying on wedding gowns, dreaming about wedding gowns, rationalizing how to pay for her dream wedding gown. Then, on that special day, she found it. It's beautiful and expensive but who cares, this is her wedding, her once in a lifetime, special day!

Fast forward nine months to Bride Bella's wedding day. She's gotten her nails done, her make-up done, her hair done. She is the perfect shade of a light, golden bronze without being orange. The photographer is in her hotel suite snapping pictures of all the details while she sips on champagne with her bridesmaids. Everything is amazing. But there is a small detail that was missed. Bride Bella's dress hanging on a plastic hanger. When Bride Bella reviews her wedding photos, she's going to be pissed.

See the difference!
Don't count on the photographer saying, "Hey, Bride Bella, the hanger your dress is on sucks. Do you happen to have a dress hanger any where?"  If your working with a wedding planner, he or she should think of this (I know I would).  But if you're organizing your wedding alone, there might not be anyone to bring this detail to your attention.

I know this may seem like a small detail but it counts. Besides, everything is in the details! Trust me, no bride wants to forever see her beautiful wedding gown hanging on a plastic hanger!! So, if your wedding dress does not come with a wooden or fabric hanger...ask for one from the boutique. Or if you have to, go out and by one.

Happy Planning!

Photo of dress on wooden hanger courtesy of Orange Girl Photographs
Photo of dress on plastic hanger courtesy of David Purslow

Wedding Invitation : 4

Custom design wedding invitation for Sara and Edward's Palm Beach wedding!

Do you love this invitation? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this design, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

Wedding Invitations : 3

Custom design wedding invitation for
Allison and Palmer's destination wedding!

Do you love this invitation? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this design, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

TOTW : Tables

Banquet tables make more efficient use of space versus round tables. If you are using round tables, create visual interest and variety by using a mix of different sized tables.

Photo courtesy of Blooms By Martha Andrews

By the way, check out Martha's blog. It's overflowing with inspiration!

Signature Drink Club : Butternut & Falernum

Living in South Florida, I no longer experience the change of seasons I grew up with in New England. It's funny, I used to wonder why people would actually make a pilgrimage to view the leaves changing color. Now I understand. With this theme in mind, I am going to pay homage to the welcoming of the new season by highlighting a drink I've read a lot about but have yet to taste. The Butternut & Falernum at Tailor, located in my hometown - the one and only NYC, is all the rage. The drink combines rum, brown butter, juiced and reduced butternut squash, and falernum—a cane-sugar-based liqueur and has hints of almond, clove and lime. WOW! But the directions do not end here. Next, the mixture is shaken with ice and sprinkled with nutmeg. This drink would be amazing as a signature cocktail for a fall dinner party. It is different, seasonal and based on all the praise in the press and the patrons of Tailor, it is delicious.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. Matusalem Gran Reserva Rum
• 3/4 oz. John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum Liqueur
• Grated fresh nutmeg to garnish

• 2 oz. Butternut Squash Jus from an 8lb butternut squash
• 5 tablespoons brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons brown butter

Instructions
• Make approximately 16 oz. of butternut squash jus by juicing the squash.
• Simmer juice to reduce by one third, add 5 tablespoons of brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
• Add 5 tablespoons of brown butter to the juice and refrigerate overnight.
• Pass through a sieve to remove the butter solids.
• Into a cocktail mixer pour 2 oz. of butternut squash and add the remaining ingredients except nutmeg.
• Shake and strain into a double rocks glass 3/4 filled with fresh ice cubes.
• Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Receipe courtesy of New York Magazine
Photo courtesy of Jeff Gurwin