Cocktail hour: What are we drinking?

Blood Orange Negroni
Photo Credit: familystylefood.com

A cocktail hour traditionally plays a big part in an Italian wedding, or indeed any wedding in Italy. When everyone arrives at the reception venue, this is their opportunity to chat, congratulate, and mingle with you and your other guests in a more relaxed setting than the sit-down meal which follows. The drinks served are accompanied by plenty of food (traditionally cured meats, cheese, bread and dips, and other delicious finger foods) and the cocktail hour is known as aperitivo.

But what to drink? People tend to go for something other than wine, especially before a wedding lunch or dinner, where wine will be served throughout. Italians love aperitivo, not just at weddings, but every day after work in the city too. For this reason, barmen are totally used to spending hours making cocktails (and mocktails), and as a result they’re really, really good at it! If you have a fruit, flavour, or even colour in mind, the Italian cocktail whizzes will be able to come up with your own signature cocktail that’s perfect for your special day.

If you’d like something more traditional, here are five of our favourite Italian drinks choices that you might like to consider for your cocktail hour:

1. Prosecco is a fairly common choice for cocktail hours in Italy. This sparkling wine is Italy’s answer to champagne, and tends to be a little bit lighter than its French counterpart. As we’ve said before, wine and food in Italy varies a lot based on the region, so you may find Piemontese proseccos a little sweeter and those from the Veneto reason to be a lot more dry, for example. Served in flutes, this is obviously a great choice for making a toast to the newlyweds!
Photo Credit: Jonathan Young Weddings
via stylemepretty.com

2. The Bellini cocktail came about in the 1930s or 40s in Venice. It’s made up of sparkling white wine or prosecco, fresh peach and peach juice. Fun fact: It is said that the name was coined by the head barista of Harry’s Bar (where it was invented) who said that the colour of the drink reminded him of the colour of the clothing of a saint in a painting by Giovanni Bellini. This cocktail is refreshing and fruity for a summer reception, and would be ideal if you had a peach colour theme, too!
Photo Credit: unsophisticook.com

3. A common and equally scrumptious variant on the Bellini is the Rossini – the name is said to come from the composer Gioachino Rossini, but maybe it’s also something to do with the colour of the drink – in Italian ‘rosso’ means ‘red’. Like the Bellini, this is a fruity and refreshing drink with a prosecco or sparkling wine base, only this time the fruit is strawberry. Yum!

Photo Credit: bellalimento.com

4. The Spritz is the ultimate Italian aperitivo drink. Although Campari exists abroad, and Aperol is slowly making its way into foreign shops and bars, outside of Italy these drinks haven’t had the same popularity. Enter the Spritz. Made from Italian bitters – choose between Campari (dark red in colour, quite bitter) or Aperol (bright orange, less alcoholic and a little sweeter) – along with white wine or prosecco, and fizzy water or soda, the Spritz is your introduction to these bitters. Although many foreign people don’t like their first sip of Spritz, they are soon converted, as it’s a very refreshing drink which goes well with the finger food provided at cocktail hours here.
Photo Credit: sabato.co.nz

5. The Negroni came about in the early 1900s in Florence in the honour of the Count Camillo Negroni. Made with gin, Campari, sweet red vermouth and a little slice of orange, it’s a drink not for the faint hearted as it has a bitter taste, but like the Spritz, it can be a perfect accompaniment for food and is warming in the winter yet cooling in the summer.
Photo Credit: nytimes.com via Pinterest

  

Real Weddings: In Flight

We’re very busy at the moment putting the finishing touches to this summer’s weddings for some fantastic couples, and we can’t wait to see the end results!

So, we thought it would be nice to look back on some of our weddings from the past. Today we bring you some of our memories of one very special day, which was truly one of our favourites.

Not only did it take place in the always-beautiful Langhe region (you can read more about the Langhe by clicking here, if you missed our post a few weeks ago!) but the theme and colours inspired us to create a sophisticated, elegant wedding with a little hint of playfulness too.

We worked with the couple along two main guidelines: white hydrangeas were to be the flower du jour – in September, there’s no need for bright colours in flowers or decorations, as the colours all around the Langhe are so spectacular – and there was to be a theme of flight running through the wedding to honour the groom, who is a pilot and proud!

The Ceremony:

The couple opted for a traditional church ceremony, and we decorated the church with the famous white hydrangeas, using cascading compositions to frame the sanctuary where the religious ceremony took place. The couple also wanted to include some cream roses in their ceremony to add a touch of romance.

                  

Little touches:

We created a clean design for the invitations which echoed the theme of flight through a little paper aeroplane, which in fact ended up becoming the symbol of the whole event – there were even two little planes perched on the simple, white wedding cake at the reception.

A selection of the flight-themed wedding stationery

Rice confetti and the information pack the guests received when they left the church, all in-theme, naturally!

When the guests left the church, they found some adorable baskets filled with cones of rice to use as confetti, as well as ribbons for their cars, maps to help them find the reception venue, and a program for the whole day. All of the stationery was, of course, coordinated with the invitations they’d already received.

The guests were blown away by our unusual idea for the seating plan, which brought a touch of fun to the occasion – each friend or family member was given a boarding pass which told them where to go, and at the dining room entrance there was even a check in!

The Reception:

The meal and the true celebrations took place between hillsides and vineyards, in the heart of the Langhe (have we mentioned we love it there?). The venue is located inside a park, and although the meal took place inside, there were plenty of touches of the outdoors. Hydrangeas once more took pride of place decorating the tables, accompanied by gypsophila, candles, and plenty of paper aeroplanes. Green spheres were suspended from the ceiling, bringing together nature and flight.

We hope you can see why we enjoyed this wedding so much – we love creating unique weddings with a personal touch, and we think you’ll agree that the results looked pretty fantastic!

Summer-proof your wedding

Photo Credit: Blue Rose Photography
via rusticweddingchic.com

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s summer, and here in Italy it is hot.

It’s sometimes easier to organise weddings in summer – holidays mean that kids are off school, and your guests will be happy to use up some of their annual leave if it means they not only get to go to your incredible wedding, but can spend a week in beautiful Italy on holiday as well!

That said, there are a couple of negatives which must also be considered.

Firstly, the temperature. July and August, and even early September in Italy are hot - very, very hot – with August temperatures often touching 40 degrees even in the north, while the heat in the south doesn’t bear thinking about! Secondly, August in Italy is considered a holiday month. Although the national holiday, Ferragosto, falls on the 15^th, the majority of businesses close for the entire month and Italians all go to the beach until the end of August. This means that inland towns and cities are almost deserted, beaches are packed full, and prices go up if you’re anywhere near the sea. It also means that many restaurants, shops and bars aren’t open, so if you had a particular restaurant in mind for your reception, it’s a good idea to confirm it doesn’t close!

BUT if, for whatever reason, you do decide on an August wedding in Italy, there are some things you should think about in order to make sure you have an amazing day.

The time: Bear in mind that mornings are much cooler than afternoons (although still hot), and that while the temperature does go down when the sun does, it is still very warm, even at night. If you’re keen on an outdoor element for your wedding, consider moving your reception party outside after dark, or having your dinner later than you normally would. Always bear in mind that the highest temperatures tend to be from 2pm-6pm, and make sure you have suncream on hand for any fair-skinned guests!

Photo Credit: Brian Dorsey Studios via stylemepretty.com 

The venue: While you may have fallen in love with the idea of an outdoor ceremony, trust me when I say that sitting or standing under the blazing sun is not always a pleasant experience. Guests will move around to try to find shade (particularly if they’re not used to the Mediterranean climate), and will fan themselves throughout the ceremony with whatever they can get their hands on, meaning the background of all your photos will either be a load of empty seats and a huddle of relatives under a tree, or a sweaty and disheveled Auntie Alice frantically fanning herself with the order of service. Consider an indoor venue, or perhaps a terraced area where you will always be in the shade. Villas, castles or agriturismi/farmhouses can often offer you options; beautiful rooms indoors – often with enormous windows to the green, sunny outside, or even a covered terrace area where you can breathe in the summer air without being scorched. If you’re determined to be outside, a marquee could provide you with some shade and also provides a structure for all your lovely decorations.

The food and drink: Your wedding planner and caterers will be able to advise you on the best choices for your wedding menu depending on the region you choose. Remember that although you and your guests will be keen to sample Italian food, the heat means that heavier dishes should be avoided, and you should bear this in mind even if you decide on your menu when it’s only winter or spring! Fresh, local fruits and vegetables are an absolute must, and cold desserts are in any case the most delicious here in Italy! Make sure your guests are sufficiently hydrated too – plenty of water should be served alongside the obligatory fantastic Italian wine.

Photo Credit: Landa at I Am Yours Now
via www.bridalmusings.com

The dress: Do think very carefully about what you wear. There’s nothing worse than heatstroke on your big day and by choosing a dress carefully, you don't have to overheat. Think about fabrics – flowing materials like chiffon, silk-organza or tulle are always a safe bet as these are all light and airy and will help you to stay cool. Natural fabrics will be more breathable than synthetic ones, and obviously the thicker the layers, the hotter you’ll be. Think about the cut of the dress too. A backless or low-cut (back or front) dress means less skin is covered by fabric, and there are tons of options which incorporate this concept in a totally tasteful way. An empire line dress means less fabric sticking around your middle, and strapless, halter, or thin-strapped gowns are your friends. Ball gown styles are a no-no – all that fabric will be far too hot. Likewise, if you want to show off your curves, try to find a dress which flatters them without hugging, as structured dresses are bound to be the thickest and therefore the hottest. If you really want to keep cool, and are willing to push the boundaries a little, why not consider a short dress? In recent years, these have become more and more popular, and nowadays there are so many options available, whether you want something frilly, boho, or simple and elegant. Choose a mini dress to show off your legs, a knee-length for an elegant summer wedding, or a below-the-knee style to channel a 50s icon.

Photo Credit: Shipra Panosian via www.projectwedding.com 

Provided you make careful choices, your summer wedding in Italy has the potential to be truly perfect and utterly unforgettable. 

In Style: Ombré Pink

Inject a dash of colour with an eyecatching ombré centrepiece
Photo Credit: Jen + Ashley Photography via greenweddingshoes.com

In case you hadn’t heard, pink is back on trend for weddings this year, only it’s back with more elegance, more class, and fewer Barbie tones! Something else that’s right on point at the moment is ombré – that is, tones of colour that fade into one another from light to dark – which might be just the way to get a splash of pink into your big day with a touch of sophistication.

As with all accent colours and features, you can be the judge of how much is too much. If you want to have a full-on ombré theme, you can incorporate varying shades of pinks (or any other colour you fancy – go wild!) into nearly every aspect of your wedding, from tableau to dress to invitations to centerpieces. The great thing about ombré is that it can be kept very tasteful. If you’d just like a little hint of pink, maybe you’ll choose to keep everything else white or neutral, and focus the colour on the flowers. The choice is yours!

As always, we’ve got some inspiration for you. So read on and enjoy!

Ombré Bridesmaids
Photo Credit: bridalguide.com via Pinterest

The cutest ombré couple on earth
Photo Credit: Julie Mikos via 100layercake.com

What to wear:

We simply adore this cute couple who have incorporated pink into their wedding outfits. She's opted for a very subtle ombré dress - ivory except for a tiny flash of pink at the bottom, and he's joined in with some bright pink socks - always a fun way to nod to a colour theme as when he's standing nobody will know, and only fun shots like this one will make his foot fashion stand out. 

If you're dying for a touch of ombré in your wedding ensemble, you could opt for a tie or socks for him, and a dress for you if you're feeling brave! If you're not convinced by the idea of a dip-dye wedding dress, think about some bright pink or ombré heels, accessories, or even flowers through your hair. You might even like to get ombré bridesmaid dresses, so you can wear classic white or ivory, but there'll be lots of fantastic colour in your wedding photos! There are so many ways to add a dash of pink to your outfit.

Bringing ombré into floral arrangements
Photo Credit: Harwell Photography
via ruffledblog.com

            Your blooms:

Flowers can be used as an easy way to tie your theme together. Even if you choose to only feature ombré in your wedding through the flowers, this can be a really fun and effective element.

Fade from white to deep pinks for a classy ombré effect, or from pink to coral to tangerine for a more summery, playful feel. 

You could even ombré your and your bridesmaids' bouquets by giving each person a different tone of the same colour (you have deep pink and they each have a paler shade until one has white, or vice versa) and do the same with the groom, groomsmen and their buttonholes - this will add a touch of fun, and will also make for some lovely pics when you all line up with your flowers!

We LOVE this surprise ombré wedding cake
Photo Credit: marthastewartweddings.com

The cake:

You can easily incorporate ombré into your wedding cake, and like the flowers, the cake can provide an easy way to inject your favourite shades into the big day itself.

We love the idea of a traditional style wedding cake with lighter shades at the top and darker at the bottom. You could even have a plain white cake with ombré sugar paste decorations, or even flowers.

If you're trying to keep your big day simple, but still want a tiny hint of ombré or pink, we have fallen in love with the idea of an ombré inside to a wedding cake! From the outside, it's a simply beautiful cake with perhaps a cake topper or two, but when you cut into it, you get a fantastic, colourful surprise! This could equally be done with rainbow colours, or to represent the colours of a flag, but we think the ombré option looks really classy... not to mention delicious!

 

Ombré tableau mariage
Photo Credit: Amanda McMahon Photography
via elizabetheannedesigns.com

Other details: 

There are so many ways to bring ombré into your wedding, there's really no excuse not to!

We love this tableau mariage, a classic idea of setting the guests' names out on ribbons with their table numbers, only this also creates a lovely visual display using the ombré shades of pink. You can tie all of your hints of pink together using the rest of your stationery - invitations, place names, menus, and programmes for the day should all be coordinated for a really well-organised feel.

You could also think about dip-dyed table runners for your dinner, or gradient seat covers for your ce
remony, ranging from deep shades at the back to lighter ones and finally white where you two are sitting - something which works well especially when there are a lot of guests.

You might even like to bring your colours into your drinks menu, with some signature ombré cocktails. Find the recipe for these blackberry and thyme beauties below by clicking here. 

         

Blackberry Thyme Sparkling Cocktails
Photo Credit: Melissa Valadares
via theeffortlesschic.com