Goodbye, Shannon!!

Today, we say goodbye to one of the original Center staff members, Shannon. While we're happy she is following her heart and her dreams to Portland, Oregon, we are sure going to miss her here in Cincinnati! We took a Pedal Wagon ride on Wednesday for one last hoorah with Shannon. On top of pedaling like rock stars and dancing the night away, we managed a seven-person hug in front of a jukebox. Miss you already, Shannon!

Jessica St. Clair: A Bride-soon-to-be!

Tomorrow is the big day for DIY bride, Jessica St. Clair. She and her fiance have been preparing for their wedding at The Center for over a year and tomorrow, we get to watch from the wings as the couple say "I do!" We couldn't be more excited and we caught up with Jessica this week for a last look into what she is thinking and marvelous mayhem of wedding planning.

1)      What are you and Rick doing to stay calm, cool, and collected this week?

Jessica: I'm not going to lie, it's hard to stay cool and collected with a DIY wedding! I did have a nice manicure today so that calmed me down a bit :-) . It also helps to have such a great support system! I don't know what  I do without my bridesmaids and both mine and Rick's families! They've all be awesome helping out with everything.

 

2)      What surprised you about the set-up process for your wedding/reception and what are you really excited about?

Jessica: I think everything surprised me. I really thought I had the whole "planning a wedding" thing down, but around every corner was something else I never even considered! I wish I had done a lot more research about not only the fun parts, but also the parts that aren't a fun to plan!

I'm REALLY excited about our dessert table! My mom, Rick's mom, my sister, friends, and aunts are all contributing to the baking. It has a lot of love going into it and I can't wait to sample everything!


 
 

3)      You’re doing some DIY magic for your reception. Can you tell us a little bit about that and how it’s going?

Jessica: Things are going well! Some DIY projects will be cut out, which I knew would happen. You can only do so much in a day! However, the stuff we have so far is turning out really cool! I incorporated my theme a lot in the DIY projects (doilies!), I think I probably have used over 1,000 on all these projects :-)

 

Holiday Spiced Manhattan

With Fall now upon us, it's time to move our cocktails into to the wonderfully spicy tastes and autumnal colors of the season. Here's a tasty twist on the classic Manhattan that you can enjoy all the way through to the New Year.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sweet vermouth
• 1 tsp allspice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 dash cayenne pepper
• 1 dash sea salt
• 2.5 oz Hennessy cognac
• 3/4 oz vermouth (infused)
• 1 dash angostura bitters
• 1 twist orange
• nutmeg (Sprinkle of fresh)      

        

Directions:

To Infuse the Vermouth: Heat vermouth to just before boiling. Add all dry ingredients. Turn off heat, cover with lid and let steep for several hours. Pour through sifter into empty container.

 

For each Manhattan Cocktail: Pour Hennessy, vermouth and bitters in shaker. Add ice and shake. Pour into martini glass. Add twist of orange and sprinkle or zest nutmeg over the top.

 

 

Recipe and photos from http://www.aspicyperspective.com/

Please Don't Stop The Music - Processional Songs

We've posted several editions of "Please Don't Stop The Music," in the name of toe-tapping reception tunes, but this entry is a little different. One of the most important wedding tunes of all is the one playing your wedding party down the aisle on your big day. Please enjoy this guide to beautiful processional songs.

Classic

Pachelbel's "Canon in D"

Bach's "Air On a G String"

Offenbach's "Barcarolle"

and, of course, Mendelssohn's "Wedding March"

 

Tune in next week for a follow-up on ceremony recessional songs!

Lavender Honey Cream Cocktail

Looking for a soothing, spirited drink for Friday afternoon on the porch with your loved one? Surprise them with this lavender & honey cocktail. This floral drink doesn't scream "club culture." Rather, it's perfect for relaxing after a long week of work. We hope you enjoy it!

 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Square One Botanical Spirit
• 1 oz Organic heavy cream
• 1 oz Organic egg white
• 1 oz Lavender Honey Syrup*

  *Lavender Honey Syrup: Combine .25 cup lavender honey with .25 cup boiling water. Stir gently until the honey is dissolved. Let cool and store in a squeeze bottle

Garnish: Lavender blossoms

 

Glass: Cocktail

 

Instructions:

 

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake gently for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a few lavender blossoms.

 

 

 

Recipe from H. Joseph Ehrmann at http://liquor.com/

Lightening The Load: Making Post-Wedding Responsibilities Easier

It's the day after your wedding at The Center. You and your new spouse could not be happier! You're heading somewhere new together and you've just finished celebrating the upcoming journey with friends and family and...gifts and...drinks...and decor...and your dress...and now you're wondering how you're going to enjoy this blissful time when there is so much left to do!

Fear not! Here are some tips that will minimize your post-wedding tasks and maximize your relax-and-enjoy-each-other time!

1. Gifts - There are two routes you can take here that will save you time later. First, instead of creating a registry, you and your fiance could create a "Help Us With Our Honeymoon" fund via paypal or any other service where your friends and family could contribute to the cost of flights, hotels, meals, etc. No boxes, returns, or replacements here! Second, "hire" on a willing friend/family member as your official Thank You Note & Gift organizer. She/he will be in charge of who gave what and whether they have been shown proper thanks! That way, you're not spending the days after your wedding filling your basement with boxes, or trying to remember whether Aunt Sally or Uncle Bill gave you that toaster.
   
2. Vendors - Hiring vendors for your decor needs ensures that your set-up and tear-down is painless. They visit The Center long before the start of your wedding, set everything up to your liking and leave long after your wedding guests have gone home for the night. Electing to choose vendors instead of DIYing does not mean that you are unable to personalize your wedding; there are thousands of wonderful vendors in Cincinnati who will work with you to get exactly what you want for your wedding day.
   
3. Honeymoon - There are many ways to make your time away with your new spouse worry-free. Plan ahead. If you choose to go abroad, make sure all of your responsibilities at home are taken care of. Let people know that you will be unavailable and designate friends and family as your go-to contacts while you're away. Give your go-to guys and gals specific instructions for situations that might arise. It may seem tedious, but when you're enjoying a peaceful, electronic-free time as a newly married couple, it will be worth all the planning!

Photograph by Darren Wong

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue - Making the Most of This Timeless Tradition

"Something Olde,

Something New,

Something Borrowed,

Something Blue,

A Sixpence in your Shoe."
 

This is the Olde English rhyme that sparked the tradition hundreds of years ago. It has been interpreted thousands of ways over the course of its lifetime and has served as a jumping point for wedding decor and a promise of happiness and good fortune within the bonds of marriage. Here are a few personal ways you can make the most of this ancient blessing.

 

 

 

 

Something Old
For this part of the tradition, read, "Something timeless." The benefit of reading the line this way is that it hones in on the type of "old" item you're really looking for. The purpose of "something old" is to bring a positive token of your past into your new life together. It's a reminder to let the past teach you during your marriage. Take a family heirloom into consideration, especially if it has been in the presence of joy and laughter. For example:

• Does your grandmother have an old serving tray/vase that your family has joined over for years?  Use it as a centerpiece on a side table!
• Do your parents still have their wedding topper? Use it on your cake.
• Cut a swatch of old clothing that is meaningful to you (i.e. - grandmothers dress/shirt you wore on your first date with your fiance) and tuck it/sew it into your wedding dress for good memories and good luck.
• Copy a poem or a letter written by your grandmother or grandfather and print it as the background for your table numbers.
• Take an old car from your ceremony to your reception. You'll arrive in style and take care of the first part of your good luck rhyme!
• Recently, we had a bride offer guests her grandparents' favorite candies as something old. Presenting their favorites is a great way to honor them while bringing happiness to your guests.

 

 

Something New
Take this opportunity to purchase new makeup. You want to look photo-ready on your wedding day, so consider splurging on a new foundation, lipstick, or eye shadow color palette. Afterwards, you'll have new makeup to take with you on your honeymoon!
 

 

 

Something Borrowed
If you are going to borrow something, borrow wisdom. In addition to the words spoken at your ceremony, have a couple in your life whose mutual love and respect you seek to emulate in your own marriage speak a few words to you and your beloved at your ceremony about the reality of sustaining happiness and adoration.
 

 

 

Something Blue
Finding something blue isn't easy, but it's your chance to have some fun! Sure, there are blue things all around you: nail polish, flowers, sashes, jewelry. But if blue isn't in your wedding palette, here are a few ideas that won't clash with your decor:

•  Paint the bottoms of your shoes blue. People will only be able to see it as you walk down the aisle or bust a move on the dance floor.
• Serve a signature cocktail that is blue. This Blue Raspberry Spiked Lemonade is a nice choice!
• Pale blue nail polish looks good with every skin tone and almost every color, which means it will not clash with your gorgeous dress!  

 

A Sixpence In Your Shoe
This part of the tradition is not as widely celebrated as the others, but, it's worth mentioning here! If you want to include it for good fortune, find a coin from the year you and your fiance met each other, and have the groom place it in his shoe before the ceremony.

 

Pedal Power!

Last week, we spoke with one the great minds behind Pedal Wagon, Tom O'brian. He and co-owner, Jack Heekin have been operating pedal-powered tours through Cincinnati for the last two years. They share a birth year with The Center, and we were excited to speak with them about what they've been up to the last couple of years!


1) What is the Pedal Wagon?



Tom: The Pedal Wagon is a 15 person, pedal-powered, rolling party. You can reserve the entire Pedal Wagon, or just part of it. Choose from a variety of routes, on which you will share a memorable experience with friends, while uncovering Cincinnati's rich history, and “best kept secret” local establishments on pub crawls, tours of the city’s historic districts, breweries, and more.

2) What is unique about the bachelorette/bachelor parties you host?

Tom: We host a lot of bachelor/bachelorette parties, but no two parties have been the same. It's always a guaranteed fun time when a future bride/groom is involved! Groups have brought decorations for the Wagon, come in the same outfits, brought unique props, sung songs, and even held dance parties in the middle of the Wagon while cruising down the street.

3) What is your favorite thing about the city of Cincinnati?



Tom: The energy and sense of pride people have for the resurgence of Downtown and OTR. Most of our riders are not from the city, so it is great to see their reactions to everything that is new and improving downtown. You can really feel the positive buzz in the air on a Friday/Saturday nights.

Do you have anything new and exciting in the works?

 



Tom: Yes, we introduced our new "Globetrotter" theme tour this past weekend. This tour makes stops at four different locations, where each has a drink special based around that location's national theme. The tour makes stops at Belgium, America, Russia, and Central America.
 

The guys at Pedal Wagon were nice enough to let the gals of The Center take a stroll around OTR yesterday on the Wagon to experience what a tour is really like. Here's what we thought! 

 

Courtney: "This is a fun idea. What a workout!"

Alana: "I laughed the entire time! Can't wait to take a full tour!"

Haley: "My first job in Cincinnati was on the Pedal Wagon. Never knew it was this much fun to be the pedaler!"

There you have it! A bonafide three thumbs up from the gals at The Center!

 

A special thanks to Stuart for setting up our mini-tour and to Devin for taking us around!

Maker’s Mark Collins

 

Maker's Mark Collins

You've never met a Collins like this before. Swap gin for Maker's Mark bourbon and delight in a fresh new twist on a classic cocktail!

 

  

Ingredients

• 2 oz Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• 1 oz Fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp Sugar
• Club soda

Garnish: Orange wheel and maraschino cherry

Glass: Collins

Instructions

Add the bourbon, lemon juice and sugar to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake well and strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Top with club soda and garnish with an orange wheel and a maraschino cherry.

 

Note from the blogger: "This recipe sounded particularly tasty, so I got the ingredients together and recreated it myself! (1) Collins glass and (1) ability to tell the difference between a tablespoon and a teaspoon short and this cocktail was still a big hit with the friends who volunteered to try it!

  

 

 Recipe and photo contributed by Maker's Mark at www.liquor.com



Please Don't Stop The Music

We believe that music and laughter are integral parts of any relationship. From your first joke and "your song" to your funny toasts and first dance as a married couple (and for many years after), you will listen and laugh together. The folks below were not satisfied with the separation of the two life-giving activities and brought them together to create these magic videos. Watch and be inspired!

Proposal

 

Wedding Ceremony

 

 

Wedding Reception

Sashes for your Seat

Our champagne chiavari chairs are gorgeous, and we think they look delightful with any decor. However, there is always room for improvement, and these Pinterest post makeovers are to die for!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're as excited as we are about this stunning chair decor, impress your guests with sashes, signs, ribbons, and florals. 

 

DIY Decor for Crafty Brides

The Center is a blank canvas space that allows for all the creativity in the world! That means you can decorate this place any way you see fit. Have you ever considered creating your own wedding decor? We know, as if you don't already have enough to think about! Still, if you find DIY projects relaxing and have a few helping hands, you might enjoy some of these do-it-yourself ideas.

1) Have an old window and some glass paint? This DIY project will leave your guests' creative sides and mouths watering!

DIY Menu Window

2) Picture frames + Paper + Sticky Numbers = adorable table numbers that your guests sitting at each table can sign with a paint pen. We have 30 tables at The Center, so get crafting!

DIY Table Numbers

3) With a paper photography backdrop and large markers/paintbrushes, you and your fiance can scribble the lyrics to your favorite song, or your vows. There's a whole room in The Center, out of the way of guests, that you could use to set up this type of backdrop.  It makes for beautifully personal photos!

4) Get together with your fiance and create a short, fill-in-the-blank story for each of your guests. We've even had a bride and groom put together a clever Madlib for their guests! At the end of the night, have a designated groomsmen/bridesmaid gather them and put them into a binder for a booklet of memories you can read through later!

DIY Questionnaire for Guests 

5) With a little string, a little patience, and a pack of colored paper, you could create these gorgeous flower poms for your wedding/reception. They would look gorgeous hanging from the ceiling of The Center! Click here for a step-by-step guide to making these paper decorations. Thanks to The Frugal Girls for this amazing tutorial!

DIY Paper Flower Poms

Are you enamoured with any DIY ideas not featured here? We would love to hear them! Comment below to share your tips and tutorials with fellow brides!

 

Corporate Holiday Parties

The only thing more exciting than the transition from a booming year in business to a promising new term is celebrating that turn of the calendar with the people responsible for all that success.
However, hosting a holiday party can be overwhelming if you're starting from scratch. Here are a few tips and inspirational blips to get your creative wheels turning.

When picking a venue, you need a space you can fully customize (we know one!). That way, if your headcount or theme changes at the last minute, it's an easy transition. You're not stuck at a haunted mansion with 80 sugar plum fairy decorations. This part should be easy peasy....

• The Center is a blank canvas, ready for any theme you can throw at it. Also, we accept floor plans up to the week of the event, and as long as you and your vendors can work out a set-up for your holiday shindig, we can make it happen.

Now that you have your venue, let's talk theme...

You have hundreds of motifs from which to choose. Everything from Winter Wonderland to Nightmare before Christmas is on the table. The first thing to do is read your audience. Are they generally a more comical crowd? Do they appreciate simple decadence? This is easier to do if you have a small office crowd. Still, don't despair if 300+ people RSVP to your company celebration. There are some themes you can successfully use, regardless of the crowd.


1) The Classic

Winter Wonderland





2012 Winter Party at The Center

 

 Sure, it's been done before, but with good reason! The Winter Wonderland theme steers clear of three important DON'Ts in holiday party planning.

• Don't heavily reference any spiritual group unless your organization is affiliated with a specific religion. It is a great idea to highlight what is important to your employees during the holiday season, but an overriding religious theme might make certain people feel unappreciated.  Winter Wonderland leaves room for spirituality without separating folks from their peers.
• Don't choose a pop culture theme that only appeals to a marginal group in your office. For example: "Justin Beiber Loves Christmas" may impress a few folks, but there are bound to be people who pass on the good times because they can't relate to the theme. Winter Wonderland is broad enough that both Justin Beiber and Bing Crosby can make an appearance.
• Don't limit your musical selection. There are hundreds of holiday songs, and chances are, even with Winter Wonderland, you'll end up repeating a few classics over the course of the night. Just be sure that your theme doesn't require a very specific type of music or people will feel compelled to get away from the five-song loop.

2) The Contemporary

Xmas Marks The Spot

If your office party looks like it's going to be very popular, you may need to divide everyone into groups for this one! Split your party into teams and organize a scavenger hunt within your office the week before your holiday party.

Whether you want your teams to hit the Internet or hit the streets in search of their answers, this is a fun way to build new relationships at the end of the year or reinforce old ones.

At the end of the hunt, have the last (very obvious) clue lead everyone to The Center for a well-deserved end of the year party with a treasure hunt motif!

3) The Literary

 

Narnia

 

 

This classic novel, while boasting ties to both religion and popular culture, is an excitingly different look at the holiday season through a magical lens your co-workers will surely enjoy, regardless of their affiliations. Also, because of the descriptive nature of the story, a lot of the guess work is taken away! Serve Turkish Delight, have a sled or wardrobe themed photo booth, opt for snowy white furniture and forest decor, and cover your tables with royal red linens.

 

 

4) The Get-away

 

Ski Vacation

 

 



Picture this: White furniture draped with flannel blankets, flame lights scattered around the space, ski and lodge decor on the tables, and the bartenders serving spiked hot cocoa and apple cider to your happy employees as they enjoy their imaginary trip to Aspen. If your crowd has a funny bone, this is the perfect motif for cute company puns. We'll leave those up to you! As far as music goes, you can play everything from Christmas music to country music with this theme, and without any broken legs from the real slopes, you can all dance the night away.



 



 

Photos from www.deervalley-club.com, www.pinterest.com, www.facebook.com

 

Blackberry Crush

Blackberry Crush

Source :Martha Stewart

 

 

Ingredients:

 

4 blackberries

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon simple syrup

1 1/4 ounces vodka

Seltzer

Ice

Mint sprig

 

Directions:

 

Combine blackberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Lightly crush berries to release their juice.

Add ice and vodka; top with seltzer

Stir to combine

Garnish witha  mint sprig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bachelorette Party to Remember

Excited about your bachelorette party but not the monumental hangover and memory loss that comes with a traditional bar crawl? Here are a few alcohol-free ideas for a fun get-together with your bridesmaids.

 

Spa Day

 

Gathering your gals for an afternoon at the spa is a sure way to bond with your bridesmaids and de-stress before your wedding day. The laughter, massages, skincare, and manicures will all serve you well on your wedding day and make for a memorable afternoon.

 

 

 

Road Trip

 

There is no better way to bond with people than to take a journey with them. Why not spend a day traveling somewhere with your bridesmaids and make memories you will take with you to the wedding and keep forever after? There are so many wonderful places right around Cincinnati to explore, and you might even start an annual tradition!

 

 

Picnic

 

Invite each of your bridesmaids to bring their favorite picnic food/drink and choose outdoor decor that matches your wedding palette. Enjoying the sun and fresh air is a great way to slow down and chat with your friends before the excitement of your big day!

 

 

 

DIY Morning

 

You + your bridesmaids + art supplies + a pot of coffee = the perfect combination for a special wedding-related DIY proejct. Leave one decoration detail open (picture frames, table numbers, etc) and get together to create something wonderful for your wedding day.

 

 

Photos from www.pinterest.com

From Your Heart to Theirs: Personal Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

Your big day wouldn't be the same without your gals by your side. Show them how much you care by putting a personal touch on the gifts you give them. Here are three bridesmaid gifts your ladies will truly love.

 

 

 

Spotlight Mirrors

 

Spotlight Mirrors is a North Carolina-based company specializing in personalized mirrors. There are hundreds of items to choose from with designs to fit every personality and color preference. You can personalize each individul mirror and order them in sets.

 

 

Betwixting

 

The message on the packaging of this simple, classic gift is just as beautiful as the necklace it showcases. These necklaces by Selena L. are all handmade and she will work with clients to customize pieces to fit their needs.

 

 

WrenBirdArts

 

Erin Duncan, owner of WrenBirdArts, hails from Seattle with a sparkling sense of humor. She does custom embroidery on hankerchiefs that bridesmaids can use during your ceremony to dry their happy tears.  She even allows you to customize handkerchiefs with your own handwriting and message to your bridesmaids.