Weddingbee Blog

There are so many creative people out there who have helped me along the way in my planning, and I’m sure yours, too! I started to think, what could I give back to the wedding community that has given me so much? I’m a crafty person when I’ve got the right inspiration, but I’m not much of an artist myself. And I like to look at hair and makeup tutorials, but I’m no expert. Can’t do anything tricky on the computer, can’t bake, can’t sew, can’t give out tips on exercising ’cause I can’t lose weight(!).

So what can I do? I can drink, yo.

Now I don’t mean to sound like an alcoholic, but I do know my way around a bar. Been drinking for a while with no end in sight. I drink it all, but when it comes down to it, I’ve got specifics in mind for a wedding.

I’ve created a cocktail list that I think is classic. This would be perfect for a budget—it reuses the same mixers and types of alcohol so you don’t have to run out and buy a million bottles if you are providing your own bar. Smart thinking, eh?

Ahhh, the Bellini. Classic in celebrations for it’s use of champagne. Prosecco to be exact. But that’s tricky and expensive to get, so throw some champagne or sparkling white wine in with some peaches and have yourself a good time!

• Peeled white peach, or any peach on hand, pureed or blended, or use peach schnapps
• 4-6 ounces of Prosecco, sparkling white wine, or champagne

Pour peach puree or peach schnapps in a glass. Add sparkling alcohol and stir gently. Garnish with a peach slice.

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Next up is the White Russian. This is a personal favorite of mine, and it’s a cute idea for a bride’s drink. There are many variations, but this is my favorite:

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce Kahlua
• Light cream to taste

Pour vodka and Kahlua over ice in a glass. Add light cream until full and stir.

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You can’t steer your bridesmaids wrong with a Sex On The Beach. If you are worried about what your older guests will think with that printed on the menu, you can call it something cute like “Bridesmaid’s Delight” or “Aloha Wedding.” This is a good drink to go along with the White Russian and Bellini because it all involves the same kind of alcohol. For the people that like it simple, a cranberry and vodka can be thrown together.

• 1 ounce Peach schnapps
• 1 ounce Vodka
• Cranberry juice
• Grapefruit juice

Add equal parts cranberry and grapefruit juice to half-fill the glass. Add the alcohol and some ice and stir.

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I haven’t left out the guys! Something to make them feel suave, especially if they’ve got their eye on a lady at your party, or for the chicks to feel ultra sophisticated—it’s gotta be a vodka martini! I’m not partial to them myself, but I’ve got a friend that’s obsessed with ordering them for me. Plus, again, you can use up the vodka and add the peach schnapps to make it a peach martini!

• 2 ounces vodka
• 3/4 ounce dry vermouth
• Olive for garnish

Add vodka and dry vermouth to a cocktail shaker with ice; shake vigorously and strain into martini glass, making sure no ice falls in. Add olive to glass and serve.

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Lastly, a word about percentages. Any hard liquor will be about 35% alcohol—your vodka, your gin, your Jaeger and Southern Comfort (my favorites!). This is enough to get a non–regular drinker disastrously drunk in two or three drinks. You’ve gotta be careful with the types of alcohol you’re serving because sometimes bartenders don’t cut their customers off. I guess if your friends aren’t drinkers it’s not a problem, but I know my friends get dirrrrrty. Some low-percentage liquors to consider:

• Schnapps of any flavor (too sweet on it’s own, but can be added to any juice)
• Kahlua or Bailey’s over ice
• Cassis (with tonic water or juice)
• Amaretto with sour mix to make an Amaretto Sour
• Malibu rum mixed with pineapple juice to make the ever popular Malibu Pineapple

On our wedding day, we plan on leaving out vodka, schnapps, juices, cream, sodas, a few bottles of wine, and a couple cases of beer and letting our friends have at it. We’ll also reserve a couple of bottles of champagne for a toast.

What drinks are you planning on having at your bar?