Harbaugh Bloody Sunday

In preparation for Super Bowl Sunday, we bring you the Harbaugh Bloody Sunday. We will also take this convenient opportunity to remind you that The Center is available for events of all kinds, and briefly switch to the upcoming baseball season to point out that we have an amazing view of the Reds Opening Day Parade: Click Here. (As you well know, advertising is a large part of Super Bowl Sunday, so consider that a warm-up for shameless plugs.)

Back to football, shall we? Brothers Jim and John Harbaugh will face off in an unprecedented match as the coaches of opposing teams. Only one will walk off the field a winner. Cue the dramatic music and make sure you have a good two hours to prepare this signature drink for your party!

Harbaugh Bloody Sunday

Source: About.com Cocktails

 

 

Ingredients:

4 ounces Jalapeno-Infused Camarena Silver Tequila

(Make this by steeping a sliced fresh jalapeno pepper in 1 cup of Camarena Silver Tequila for two hours, and then remove the slices by straining the mixture. The peppers will add flavor to the tequila quickly so feel free to shorten the amount of time the peppers steep according to taste preferences.)

3 ounces fresh-squeezed blood orange juice

1 ounce fresh lime juice

2 ounces Cointreau orange liqueur

Blood orange peel for garnish

 

Directions:

Combine the jalapeno-infused tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, and cointreau in a cocktail shaker.

Fill the shaker with ice, shake, and strain into a glass.

Garnish with the blood orange peel.

Floor Plans

One of the many unique aspects about The Center is that the venue is not a full service facility. This allows us to offer our clients the "blank canvas" they want. We provide the space, and everything else is brought in to create a very personal and customized look and feel. It's a professional event planner's dream, but for the DIY bride, the task of filling such a large empty space may feel a little daunting. Our amazing brides prove time and time again that it is definitely doable, but we are happy to provide more information and the tools that will help along the way.

The Center does have tables (up to 30 six foot rounds, which seat 10-12 people) and chairs (up to 300 champagne chiavari chairs with ivory cushions) available for rent. See below for a look at our tables and chairs! (Linens not included.)

The Center will place this furniture for the client, based on the floor plan provided. So how do you create a floor plan?

First, you'll need to know how many guests you are expecting, to determine the total number of tables and chairs you will need, and to get an idea of how much room it will take. Will your dance floor be in the same area as your reception dinner? Will you have a separate area for your cocktail hour? Do you need a buffet station for your caterer or will you have a plated dinner? Think about extra tables you may need for gifts, cake, escort cards, a photo booth, or your DJ as well. You will also need to think about whether or not you want a head table, sweetheart table, or to sit among your guests. For help on planning your seating chart, check out this post from our Wedding Alphabet series: S is for Seating.

Once you know exactly what needs to go into the room, you can begin your floor plan. We are always happy to provide our clients with a blank plan to help them get started. Often, a handdrawn plan will do the trick, but computer generated floor plans can help you be a little more realistic with measurements and what will actually fit in the space. There are a lot of planning software options out there, but we like using the free planning tools offered by sites like Wedding Wire and Martha Stewart. All you need to do is set up an account, find the seating tool, and enter in the room size and furniture information.  

Green Apple Sparkler - Nonalcoholic Cocktail

Perhaps alcoholic beverages are not your signature style. There are plenty of nonalcoholic cocktail options out there as well! The "Green Apple Sparkler" - as refreshing and delicious as it looks!

 

Green Apple Sparkler

Source: Chow.com

 



 

Ingredients:

(Serves 6)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (You'll need about 7-8 medium sized limes)

1 Granny Smith Apple (medium size)

Ice

4 1/2 cups of chilled club soda

1 medium lime (cut into 6 wedges)

 

Directions:

Note: You will need at least 4 hours of cooling time.

Begin by bringing the sugar and water to a simmer (medium-high heat in a small saucepan) for about 5 minutes, stirring occassionally until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice. Let the drink cool to room temperature and then pour into a 1-quart container.

 

Cut the apple into 1/8 in. thick slices. Place the apple slices in the lime syrup and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate until the apple flavor infuses the syrup (4 hrs - 3 days).

 

Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer over a medium bowl or small pitcher. Save the apple slices for garnish. Fill a 10-ounce glass with ice, add 2 ounces of the apple syrup and top with 4 ounces of club soda. Stir and garnish with a lime wedge/apple slice.



Where to Stay?

One of the questions we're often asked is, "Where can my out of town guests stay?" We've created the map below to show downtown hotels. There are also links to each of the hotel's websites and a brief description below.

 

Westin Hotel Cincinnati

The Westin overlooks Fountain Square and is conveniently connected to The Mercantile Building (home to The Center) by the skywalk over Walnut Street!

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza

The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is also accessible by way of the skywalk, to and from The Center!

Hyatt Regency Cincinnati

The Hyatt is located across from the Duke Energy Convention Center and is currently undergoing renovations.

The Cincinnatian Hotel

Combining luxury and elegance with history, the Cincinnatian has been hosting downtown guests since 1882. Located on 6th and Vine, this hotel is on the opposite corner of Fountain Square from The Center, providing a perfect setting for pictures between the two locations!

21c Museum Hotel

Contemporary art in a newly renovated historic landmark, the 21c Museum Hotel brings people together in Cincinnati's Backstage District to eat, drink, shop and enjoy its art exhibitions 24/7!

Millennium Hotel, Cincinnati

The Tristate's largest hotel, the Millennium Hotel is located on 5th and Elm across from the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Garfield Suites Hotel

The Garfield offers 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and Penthouse Suites for, "condo acommodations at hotel rates!"

Residence Inn Cincinnati Downtown

This extended stay hotel is located in the historic Phelps Building and overlooks Cincinnati's Lytle Park.

Symphony Hotel

Located across the street from Music Hall, the Symphony Hotel (originally a mansion) features rooms named after famous composers and offers bed-and-breakfast accommodations.

The Moscow Mule

 

Part of the fun of a offering a signature cocktail at your reception is incorporating your wedding colors or theme. Last week's selection did this by the color of the drink itself, but this week, we're showing you that how it's served can be unique and interesting too!  



 

The Moscow Mule

Source: Exquisite Wedding Magazine: 7 Retro Cocktails Making a Comeback

 

 

Description:

"Who doesn’t love ginger beer? A Moscow Mule combines vodka, ginger beer and lime and is served up in a copper mug. It’s also said to settle an upset stomach. Bye bye Tums, hello Mule!"

 

Ingredients:

1 oz vodka

1 tsp. sugar syrup

Fresh lime juice

1/2 cup ginger beer

1 sprig fresh mint

1 slice of lemon or lime

 

Directions:

Pour vodka over ice in a copper mug. Add sugar syrup and lime juice and then top with ginger beer and stir. Add a lemon or lime.

 

Extras:

Where to find a copper mug? We found copper mugs available online at Amazon.com and Etsy.  These mugs could make for a unique take-home favor for your guests!

 

Worried about the extra cost? One of the reasons the signature drink has become so popular is that by serving a personalized cocktail in lieu of a full bar, beverage costs are not so high and your guests can enjoy a memorable drink custom-created for your event! 

Your Questions Answered

When I was working on my thesis in college, I was constantly asked to explain it. The first several times, I did not do a great job of articulating the whole concept. Then, I had a professor tell me to practice three different versions of the description - a thirty second pitch, a two minute pitch, and a five minute. I am grateful for this advice because each day at The Center, as we field phone calls and emails, work bridal shows or attend networking events, my fellow Event Coordinators and I need to cover a lot of details quickly.

We hit our key points: location (centrally located), unique features (view of Fountain Square and LED lit dome), and what sets us apart (blank canvas space, hardwood floors, neutral decor, history as the former location of the Contemporary Arts Center and no preferred vendors). If there is interest, we can respond to specific questions or go into detail about the upgrades and improvements to the space. And of course, on the tours, we can cover it all, starting at our travertine staircase, moving through the ballroom, side rooms, kitchen and recently remodeled restrooms.

This blog gives us another opportunity - to answer those questions that you have, but forgot to ask. Because let's face it, touring multiple venues and stopping at booth after booth after booth at a bridal show is a lot to process. You may feel like you're on information overload or working on a thesis project yourself... (See how that came full circle there?!) So let us know what you want to know more about and on Information Tuesdays [working title] we will bring you an in depth look at where to stay downtown, where to have guests park, great places for a rehearsal dinner, and more!

 

Borrowed Bridesmaid Dresses

It is Friday and you are ready for the weekend... and we're sensing that you are also waiting to hear about an idea so good, you wish you had thought of it!

Wedding Chicks brings you the "Little Borrowed Dress!" Check out the links for all of the details, but in a nutshell, the loss of closet space due to 27 bridesmaid dresses is no longer a problem! Bridesmaid dresses can be rented with prices starting at $50 and the dresses are fitted to models of all different shapes and sizes so that costly alterations are not necessary. Long, short, halter, strapless or one-shoulder - they've got you covered! In a word, awesome.

 

 

Tiffany Blue Drink

2013 has arrived! We'd like to try to take The Center's blog in a new direction this year, still bringing you the old favorites - our Vendor Spotlights, connecting you to Downtown Cincinnati, Etiquette posts, and bringing you behind the scenes at our events - but also adding in some more structured, weekly posts. Today, is the first post in our Signature Drink series, which will continue every Thursday throughout 2013!

One of the color trends for this year is mint - so what better way to start the series, than with a cool, trendy cocktail.

 

The Tiffany Blue Drink

Source: Pinterest

 

Serves: 46 People

 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of sugar

Water

5 lemons

Peach Schnapps

Blue Curacao

 

Directions:

Heat the 3/4 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water until the sugar has dissolved completely.

Add the juice from the 5 lemons and 3-4 cups of cold water.

Add 8-10 oz of peach schnapps.

Add drops of blue curacao until you have your desired color.

 

Note: There should be 2 oz of peach schnapps for every 6 oz of lemonade.