Vodka Thyme Lemonade

Vodka Thyme Lemonade

Source: Martha Stewart

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

2 cups of sugar

12 sprigs of fresh thyme

4 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice( about 24 lemons)

2 cups of vodka

 

Directions:

Step 1. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of water with sugar and thyme; bring to a boil over high heat. Stir occassionally until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool in room temperature.

 

Step 2. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a large glass measuring cup and discard thyme. You should have 2 cups of syrup. Cover with plastic and chill.

 

Step 3. In a large serving pitcher, stir together lemon juice, vodka, and chilled syrup; garnish with thyme. Divide evenly among eight tumblers filled with ice and serve immediately.

 

Please Don't Stop the Music

Every girl has dreamed of those steps she'll take with her father before she becomes the biggest part of another man's life. The trickiest portion of this dance is song choice. While some would rather have an upbeat song like "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts, others prefer a subdued tune like "Daddy's Little Girl" by The Mills Brothers. Whichever you choose, make it memorable!

Here are a few of our favorites at The Center!

 

 

"The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra

 

 

"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder

 

 

 

"Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle

Tasty Tuesday

The BonBonerie is a remarkable cakery right here in Cincinnati. Being in business for 25 years, they have received top accolades for their tasty and artistic cakes. From the fillings to the syrups, everything they produce is made from scratch in their own kitchen.

 

They incorporate many different flavors to fit any brides palates. Whether you enjoy the spices of carrot cake, or the richness of Chocolate Rhapsody, you are sure to find the perfect combination at BonBonerie for your big day.

 

Is your wedding inspiration surrounded by Fall weather? Check out this Autumn Jazz cake for a creative idea to incorporate in your wedding!

 

The BonBonerie

 

For the spring bride, this cherry blossom cake would fit perfect into your celebration!

 

 

The BonBonerie

 

Are you planning a destination wedding? The Summer Seashells design would be perfect for the beach!

 

The BonBonerie

 

Step into Winter with their Russian Winter cake!

 

The BonBonerie

 

Must Have Monday

Are you a DIY bride without a creative centerpiece? If yes, it's time to drink up and recycle your bottles to incorporate a unique touch to your overall decor. Our "must have" today is the perfect project for a bride on a budget; wine bottle candles.

 

Source: Style Me Pretty

 

Supplies:

 

Clear wine bottles

Smaller clear bottles of a similar shape (this adds depth to your centerpiece)

Hot Glue

Taper Candles

Knife

Large Pot

Water

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Remove all labels from wine bottles. Fill your pot with hot water (does not need to boil). Fill the wine bottles with water (this way, they won't float). Submerge the bottles into the pot. Soak the wine bottles for about an hour. Remove the labels. After all of the labels are peeled off, let the wine bottles completely dry.

 

The Center currently stocks Cupcake wine in Riesling and Petite Sirah. This label may come in handy for a couple using blue and yellow in their wedding colors.

Step 2: Break candles into different sizes while keeping some full length. Use your knife to cut down the wax on the bottom halves of the candles to reveal the wick.

Step 3: Press candles into the neck of the bottles. Some may require shaving the bottoms to fit. Use hot glue at the rim of the bottles to secure the candle.

Step 4: Light the candles and let them melt for the complete look.

 

Flavorful Friday

At the Center, we're curious about cuisines! What should the bride in white serve her hungry guests? We've come up with a list of Do's and Dont's to ensure there will be no messes, or left-overs at your reception.

Source: Dream Wedding Receptions

1. Say NO to Exotic cuisine: You may enjoy bizarre treats, but your guests may not be risky food consumers. When it comes to your cuisine, ordinary trumps extraordinary!

 

2. Say NO to fire! This isn't the 4th of July, therefore baked Alaska, apples flambe, and cherries jubilee should be cut off the list. These dishes may create excitment, but when you are dealing with more people, there is room for more accidents.

 

3. Say NO to raw food. Sorry sushi lovers, you'll have to wait for your California and Dynamite rolls. Sushi is best served when fresh, when you're serving 100+ people, freshness can be debatable.  

 

4. Say NO to Fast Food! McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's can wait for the honeymoon. Weddings are elegant and deserve more than a burger and fries. The cocktail buffett may be a good place to have sliders and wings.

 

5. Say NO to themed food! Leave green eggs and ham for Dr. Seuss's birthday! Even if your wedding is a colorful celebration, that does not mean the food needs to match every detail. If it is a cultural celebration, themed food works. However, if your wedding is Ancient Grecian themed, it's best to leave the hog's head at the door.

 

Source:yourbg

 

Pineapple and Mango Rum Cocktail

Pineapple and Mango Rum Cocktail

source: Martha Stewart

 

 

Ingredients:

 

2  small ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)

 1/2 mango cut into slices with skin, for garnish

4 ounces best quality golden rum

4 cups fresh pineapple juice (from a 4 1/2 pound pineapple)

Fresh tropical fruit, such as: dragonfruit or starfruit, for garnish

 

Directions:

 

Puree mangoes, rum, and 1/2 cup of water in blender

Pour 2 ounces of puree into each of six 12 ounce glasses

Fill glasses with ice and top off with pineapple juice

Garnish with tropical fruit

 

 

 

 

Please Don't Stop the Music

What type of dancer are you?

 

Many of us like to pretend we are John Travolta in Grease, but when we are front and center at our wedding, we forget which foot goes first. To help you out, we've borrowed a page from the high school dance book, with the relaxed "slow dance." To make up for our lack of rhythm, these timeless songs will hide any misstep. So, take your partner's hand and don't be scared to step into whichever era you choose!

 

If you're into the blues, listen to Etta James' "At Last." There won't be a dry eye at the reception.

 

At Last

 

 

For the modern bride, take a stab at Beyonce's "Halo." Guests will be sure to sing along!

 

 Halo

 

Dive into the 1960's with Elive Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love." With so many renditions, your guests are bound to know the words!

 

Can't Help Falling in Love

 

Tasty Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday

 

The Center's serving up the top wedding cakes in the country for your tasty Tuesday treats!

 

Chosen by The Knot and Wedding Wire as a top rated bakery in Cincinnati, DessertWorks Cakery knows how to create a masterpiece cake!

 

Owner of DesertWorks Cakery for 22 years, Sandra Wilkerson, will work with every bride and groom to create a custom designed cake that will fit your unique taste and style.

 

 

DesertWorks Cakery

 

This cupcake cake is a DesertWorks original, serving 150 pieces of cake with 175 cupcakes.

 Now, that's a lot of sugar which will guarantee energy on the dance floor!

 

Watermelon Sangria

Watermelon Sangria

Source: Food and Wine

 

 

Ingredients:

2 pounds of seedless watermelon, peeled and cubed

1/2 pounds of watermelon cut into balls with a melon baller and skewered on picks

1 bottle dry white wine

6 ounces vodka

4 ounces Cointreau or other Triple Sec

4 ounces Citrus Syrup

Ice

 

Directions:

In a blender, puree the watermelon cubes.

Pour through a fine strainer into a pitcher.

Add the white wine, vodka, Cointreau and Citrus Syrup.

Stir and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Stir again, then pour the sangria into ice-filled white wine glasses.

Garnish with the skewered watermelon balls.

 



Please Don't Stop the Music

One of the most important decisions you'll need to make for your wedding is the type of music that will be booming from the loud speakers. From alternative rock to the acousic blues, The Center's staff will help you pick the perfect songs for your wedding playlist.

 

If you want to raise your glass and move like Jagger, Pink and Maroon 5 are the artists for you! While Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" will slow the crowd down into pairs of two.

For every wedding, a must have is the "Cupid Shuffle," it will bring everybody to their feet.        

                                      

In preparation for your guests to dance the night away, we've added directions to the famous "Cupid Shuffle."

 

The Cupid Shuffle

(click here for an informational video)

 

 Source: YouTube

1. Wait for the music

2. Step 4 times to the right

3. Step 4 times to the left

4. Kick your right leg, then your left leg only up to the heel of your foot. Repeat this twice for each leg. ( Kick means put your heel to the floor in front of you).

5. Walk it by yourself. Just walk in place, but turn to the left while doing, so that when you get to the next part, you're facing the next wall. You can also turn and shake your hips to the beat.

6. Repeat dance for each direction you're facing (if you do this four times you make a complete circle).

 

 

Meet Courtney!

Courtney has joined The Center's Event Coordination team as our first summer intern! We are so happy to have a new addition to our group and look forward to having her help out with our unique and exciting events. See the post below to learn more about Courtney!

Q: How did you become part of The Center?
A: As a recent college graduate, internet surfing took up a lot of my time. A month out of school and I stumbled upon The Center's blog which had a posting. I sent my resume and received a call the next day. When I arrived back from South Carolina, I toured The Center with Alana, Shannon, and Sam. I was intrigued by how beautiful the space was and excited for the opportunities to work with various brides and vendors.

Courtney with her boyfriend DJ

Q: Tell us a little about yourself?
A: In the spring of 2013, I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in English Literature and Professional Writing. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, although I did live in Columbus and Michigan for a few years of my childhood. I come from a large family and we are all close to one another. THere is not a day I do not talk to my parents and my sisters. I am a sports fan! You'll most likely see me in Reds, Bearcats, and Ohio State gear. While I enjoy lazy Sundays, I would rather be out and about experiencing new things. Animals are my weakness. Going to the zoo, aquarium, and park to walk my dogs are a few of my favorite activities.

Courtney and DJ at a Red's game

Q: What's your favorite part of the job so far?
A: This job incorporates many different activites. There are exciting new changes which keep everybody on their toes. I enjoy interacting with people, so meeting vendors is at the top of my list. It is rewarding to learn their business and watch them take an empty space and transform it into a creative attraction.

Q: What are your hobbies or non-work related activities?
A: On my off days, I spend most of my time with family and friends. I enjoy having cookouts in the summer and bonfires in the fall. Going to the movies and grabbing dinner with close friends is a priority when we are all in town. Occasionally, I find myself in front of the TV eating black raspberry chip ice cream watching entertainment news.

Courtney and her best friend Meagan

Q: Are there any trends that you would absolutely love or would love to see brides leave behind?
A: I love an artistic bride. I believe the best weddings are those that reflect the personalities of each party. With that said, I enjoy the DIY bride that can create a meaningful invitation and creative centerpiece. Color choice is a huge factor for a successful event; knowing which colors correlate with one another can make or break an event space. Go easy on the eyes :)

Q: Tell us 10 random facts about yourself.

       *I am a collector of old literature
       *Dr. Seuss is my all-time favorite; one day my child's room will consist of art from his books.
       *Lake Winnipesaukee is where I spent my summer vacations as a child.
       *I tend to be an adrenaline junkie. I love roller coasters and jet skis!
       *Netflix is a priority at night.
       *I am obsessed with The Nanny, Buffy, and Friends.
       *Entertainment news is my guilty pleasure.
       *Cherry Coke from Frisch's is a necessity.
       *I don't know what I would do without Skyline, Chipotle, and Starbucks. You'll see me with 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day!
       * Traveling is a priority; one day I will visit Egypt and Greece! I have a fascination for Ancient studies.  

Lemony Spiked Sweet Tea

 

Lemony Spiked Sweet Tea

Source: Martha Stewart

 

 

Ingredients:

7 cups of water

6 orange pekoe tea bags

1 1/2 cups of sugar

1 1/3 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup of Bacardi 151 or other high proof golden rum

Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

 

Directions:

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan and add the tea bags.

Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and allow the tea bags to steep for 5 minutes.

Remove and discard the tea bags.

Add the sugar to the saucepan and let it dissolve.

Add the remaining 3 cups of water and stir to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a pitcher.

Add the lemon juice and rum.

Chill thoroughly before serving.

 

Serve over ice in tall glass.

Garnish with mint sprigs.



Elea and Scott 5-4-13

Elea and Scott were a pleasure to work with as they planned their intimate and elegant event. Both the ceremony and reception were held in The Center, with family and friends playing a major role in the couple's big day, helping with photography, music and the groom's sister even officiated the ceremony! Photography courtesy of Mikki Schaffner.

 

The Bride and Bridesmaids pictured above walking across the skywalk toward The Center

The room set for the ceremony beneath The Center's dome ceiling.

The programs for the ceremony - simple, classic, and beautiful!

 The Ceremony

 

 

Before the Reception

 

 

Getting Ready



One of the first brides to use The Center's new Powder Room. We love these images and the different angles used to capture expressions in the mirrors!

Bride and Groom

The Reception