Wedding Blog
Beverages will be a big part of our wedding. Because our ceremony will be outside in the Georgia heat (but hopefully not scorching heat come November), we are setting up a refreshment table with drinks for our guests to enjoy before the ceremony begins. This will also come in handy while they are waiting on the trolley to take them back to the reception.
So I’ve been collecting ideas on how to present the drinks and quickly fell in love with infusion jars.
Aren’t these super cute? I love the way they add so much “punch” (*chuckle*) to any table. So I began keeping an eye out for deals on infusion jars.
Last week, while casually perusing Bed Bath & Beyond on FMIL’s first ever visit to the awesome-est store in the world (I mean really, who hasn’t ever been to BB&B!), I ran into one of those deals.
Source
We want the drinks to be not only southern staples, but also in our wedding colors. So we decided on sweet tea and pink lemonade for the infusion jars. They will be joined with water for anyone who doesn’t want sugary drinks (although I’ll probably make them with Splenda since Mr. Lab and I are very health conscious). We’re also serving up bottled Coca-Cola like Mrs. Cherry Pie did for her wedding:
My oldest brother has an entire guest house/barn decorated in nothing but vintage Coca-Cola items (he’s a bit obsessed with the drink), so he’ll be loaning some signage for the set up.
I found our jars in action with the colors we’re going for:
We’re going to infuse the tea with mint and the pink lemonade with peaches. Yummy-ness! Now I just have to find a way to label the jars with what’s in them. Hmmm, chalkboards, tags, or ribbon labels?
Whatever drinks are left over at the ceremony will be transported to the reception site to be enjoyed there by our non-drinking guests.
And just because this is Weddingbee, I HAD to include this adorable beehive infusion jar:
|
Share this post: Drinks On Us! Part 1: An Infusion of Yummy and Pretty
thanks for sharing this, miss lab! i was wondering where i could find these at an affordable price; right now, with the catering package we are looking at, the open bar includes sodas but not juices or teas. This MIGHT be the way to supplement that =)
Hey Miss Lab,
Just to let you know, I know of several people who have pretty bad side effects from Splenda (terrible indigestion, diarrhea, migraines, and other effects.) Also, I know of many others who simply hate the taste of artificial sweeteners. I, too, am very health conscious, but I am quite wary of artificial sweeteners such as Splenda (sucralose). They may be lower in calories, but the potential long-term effects are still unknown.
Anyway, this isn’t to say “don’t consume Splenda!” I just want to suggest that perhaps you might want to have at least one drink option that uses a natural sweetener such as sugar or honey. Also, if you are labeling the drinks in any way, I would definitely label the artificially-sweetened jars with “Diet” or some other word(s) to signify the contents for people who dislike or have negative reactions to Splenda.
Just a thought. Loooove the jars–so very excited to see them in action!
I love the labels on the first one actually, super cute. And I never thought of BB&B… currently checking if they deliver to Canada… sure hoping they do!
Can your brother & I work out an arrangment for me to borrow his Coca Cola? I have a unhealthy -I mean healthy!- obessesion to Coke!
But yes, we plan to do pre-ceremony beverages as well. They call them hospitality stations around here! =0 People will get parched waiting for the ceremony to start and I’m sure they’ll be guests who choose to drive in the day of. I know I’m always hungry & parched after a road trip so they’ll be beverages and light snacks as well. All NON alcoholic! No getting boozed up before we’re even married! =D
I love the tags! And I totally saw those at BB&B and thought, “if only we were doing infusion jars!”
Peach infused sweet tea sounds amazing!! But, like one of the guests was saying, I am allergic to artificial sweetener. I can’t even drink one diet soda without getting a really bad migraine….so it would probably be a good thing to keep in mind for your guests. It really stinks for me right now because my FI and I are living with his parents right now and his mom is diabetic so EVERYTHING in the house is sugar-free or diet….but I guess it keeps me from pigging out on all the sweets!
These containers are seriously too cute! The more I see your wedding details unfold, the more I wish I was a southern Belle…your wedidng is going to be beautiful 
adorable and such a thoughtful yet sweet idea. i love the sweet tea one
I love those jars and Have found some for my wedding for tea and lemondade. As far as drinks before the ceremony, we’re opening the bar before hand so they’ll have access to both non-alcoholic and acoholic drinks before the wedding.
Please, please do not fill up all of your jars with Splenda. It is hardly “health-conscious,” as it filled with multiple mystery chemicals and has some horrible side affects. If you want to avoid sugar, maybe try working with stevia or agave nectar. I get sick when I eat sucralose, not to mention I am not a fan of the taste. If you want to use it, maybe try using it in only one of the jars, but please don’t subject all of your guests to Splenda.
I don’t want to be judgy or anything, but I would also suggest thinking twice about making your drinks with Splenda. I don’t think it’s uncommon for people to really dislike the flavor of/avoid the chemicals in artificial sweeteners, and I would be totally bummed if I couldn’t share the peach pink lemonade deliciousness! Visually, I think it’s going to look gorgeous!
I’m an avid Splenda drinker, too, but some people HATE artificial sweeteners.. if you’re planning on using them, I’d put a note somewhere that they are not sugar sweetened, so you don’t end up with abandoned cups (I’d even do this if you use stevia, it gives some people a terrible itchy throat).
I love the little hanging paper tags.
I love the infusion jars. My daughter doesn’t need to serve beverages pre-ceremony (the ceremony will be at the reception venue) BUT I may just steal the idea for her bridal shower.
As others have mentioned, artificial sweeteners are a definite no-no for some guests. My suggestion is to make up some bottles of ’simple syrup’ (water and sugar, boiled to a syrup - can be flavored as well), and to offer at least one unsweetened beverage, giving your guests a choice to sweeten to taste with the simple syrup or with a choice of ‘diet’ packets.
LOVE the jars!
Don’t forget to put something under the tap (like a decorative plate or napkin or something) to catch the inevitable drips.
One really cute way to let people add sweetener is to make a simple syrup (1 part water, 1 part sweetener) and put it on the side so people can add it as they see fit (if people like it really sweet or less so). Then you can make a splenda one and a sugar (or agave) one.
I LOVE the infusion jars - and the pink lemonade with sweet tea sounds really yummy!
I vote for the tags!
hmmm… I hadn’t thought about serving pre-ceremony refreshment, but I love your idea!
I want to give some Splenda love! I’m diabetic and would LOVE to have some sugar-free option(s) other than water
I would note which ones are sugar-free though.
We’re going to have iced tea, lemonade and water pre-ceremony.
Miss Lab you just made my day! I am doing the exact same thing down to sweet tea and lemonade. My big question for you is how much can these puppies hold? I am having a bigger wedding than you are and I fear there wouldn’t be enough for everyone. Thanks. They are going to look great. Would love to see your recipes
Miss Lab, one of my FAVORITE bloggers posted about beverage dispensers (http://aprilfosterevents.com/blog/2009/beverage-dispensers-for-your-wedding/) and said to avoid the BB&B one- just be careful to maybe try it out before to be sure it doesn’t leak?
Siii! we want to offer ice tea, strawberry lemonade and water. I’m SOO obsessed over cute jars 
I’ve never been to Bed Bath & Beyond. =) My fiance has, but apparently the one in our city doesn’t have much of worth in it.
I like the chalkboards best, and the little tags second.
The only thing I would suggest would be to provide both sugar-free and sugar-sweetened drinks…personally, I hate the aftertaste of artificial sweeteners (so do most people I know), BUT I do know that some people prefer them or just cannot have sugar. So perhaps you could provide one jar of each? Not that it’s a big thing — I’d be perfectly happy to drink some Splenda or plain water if it meant I’d get to celebrate with a good friend on her wedding day!
OH how I love the infusion drinks and it is something that I wanted! I love the top picture. How are you decided the “flavors” you will have?
Wow, didn’t realize all of this about Splenda! The Mr. and I love it and we’ve never met anyone else who didn’t, so I’ve just been oblivious. I guess I can let one of the drinks be sugary! lol We’ll make sure to note which ones are sweet, unsweetened, or have artificial sweeteners just in case we get some people who don’t like it!
@Soon2BeeMrsLewis: Haha, yes you do!
@Gerbera: You might have to fight him for his stuff.
@Miss Stiletto: Aw, thanks Stiletto!
@IA_Snowflake: Haha, not sure if I’d want people having access to alcohol BEFORE the ceremony. We have a wild bunch and that could be a very bad thing! lol
@canegirl08: Great tips! Thanks!
@Miss French Bulldog: I hear ya! Diabetes runs in our family (I’m actually hypoglycemic but still have to watch my sugar intakes to avoid spikes then drastic drops). I’ll definitely note which ones are sugar-free!
@sarsk624: They seem to hold quite a lot (6 quarts I believe). Since we’ll have 3, I think we’ll be more than covered.
@kjpugs: No leaks for us (other than a couple normal drips after filling a glass)! Maybe that blogger just got a hold of a bad tip or maybe a display model that had been played with too much?
@Jenniphyr: Never been to BB&B? Blasphemy!!! 
I love the jars! Mom Taffy is also allergic to artificial sweetners. They make her hair fall out!
YES! We’re using infusion jars for iced tea and lemonade. We’re also serving Arnold Palmers (iced tea + lemonade + vodka) and possibly white strawberry sangria. The ceremony, cocktail reception, and reception are all outdoors, and it can get pretty hot in central PA in August! Not only will the drinks be refreshing, but they’ll look awfully cute, too!
Definitely try Stevia, it is totally natural and tastes great! I never use Splenda anymore which feels great knowing I have cut one more chemical out of my diet!
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah
Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT
Engagement Date: December 31, 2008
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station
About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics