A little peek

We've been working for a few months now on some new and exciting changes for Bliss Weddings & Events. The first and biggest is that our name is changing (just a little) to
Bliss Wedding & Event Design. I decided to make this change because I felt it better represented the brand and what we do here at Bliss. Not only are we professional wedding planners but we're also very much wedding and event designers.

So, with the new name comes a new look. We're still keeping our signature blue but we've added a fun punch of yellow!

Stay tuned we've got a surprise in store for the blog that we'll be unveiling very soon!

Wedding Skills Workshop: Cake Rescue

Who doesn’t love cake? For lots of people, it is one of the best parts of the wedding! The baker worked a long time to get the icing smooth and perfect so why is there suddenly is a thumbprint in the icing? Or what if a ring bearer decides to take a little taste before the bride and groom cut it? Or if your hand or sleeve brushes the icing while adding flowers?

Fixing a cake can be a tricky operation but there are things you can do to make quick fixes in the event of an emergency. Amanda from Bakery Gingham will be teaching us all about the finer points of cake and cake repair.

Some of the topics we will be covering include:

*the correct way to cut a wedding cake

*how to pipe icing to fix a thumbprint or sleeve brush

*the difference between and limitations of buttercream and fondant

*how to stablize a leaning or falling cake

Bring your questions and wear something you don’t mind possibly getting icing on - this is a workshop not a lecture and we promise there will be buttercream involved! Everything you need to practice with, a mini emergency kit loaded with cake emergency related essentials sized perfectly for your pocket or bag plus a yummy treat are included in the admission.

Join us on July 15 at 7:00 pm at Bakery Gingham for the Cake Rescue Workshop.

Admission is $25 per person and pre-registration is required as spots are limited.

Click here to register and for complete details

Wedding Skills Workshop: Attire Rescue Recap

Last Wednesday evening was our Attire Rescue Workshop at La Jeune Mariee in Worthington. Since this was a very hands on workshop we divided into groups and worked through our various topics in stations.



Our first station was Menswear - David from Astor and Black was kind enough to teach us how to tie bow ties, fold pocket squares and tie straight ties as well. Turns out tying bow ties on someone else as easy as tying your shoe!



L: David, Sarah, Nichole and Dalyn learning to tie a Windsor Knot
M: Lucretia tying a bowtie on Quenetta
R: Sarah learning to tie a bowtie on Dalyn - don’t you love her expression in that picture?


Our second station was Sewing - Peg, one of La Jeune Mariee’s seamstresses, taught everyone us how to fix a hem in a pinch and how to stitch up a faulty zipper.




L: Kitty learning to fix a zipper
R: I love this picture - I think Shannon surprised Quenetta mid-stitch!

Our third station was Bustles and Corsets - Emilie and Kasey from Wedding Skills Workshop and Lindsay from La Jeune Mariee taught everyone how to bustle a gown, how to fix a torn out bustle and the correct way to lace a corset dress.


L to R: Nina and Sarah learning to fix a bustle from Kasey

After everyone had rotated through the various stations, we regrouped and discussed stain removal. Lindsay also gave us some tips about bustling veils so brides can wear the veil rather than removing it for the reception. We also passed out our emergency kit which was full of sewing, stain removal and attire goodies.


A big thank you, once again, to Linsday for hosting us, David and Peg for being great teachers and to Shannon Sano, our official photographer for this workshop! Another huge thank you to all the people who attended and learned with us - we hope that you got as much out of the workshop as we did!

Creative Centerpieces

Trying to find something fun yet creative for your wedding shower. These are adorable little centerpieces. You can also do this with fruit - cranberries (they float fyi), lemons, limes or oranges for a little added punch of color.

In this centerpiece, coffee beans are being used to ground these flowers and candles. Just simply fill your vase with coffee beans and the flowers you choose, add some green palm accents to get a creative and contemporary centerpiece!

Picture courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Summer Cocktails: Kiwi Mint Julep

photo from www.recipezaar.com

Mint Juleps are fine for the Kentucky Derby, and their tropical cousin the Mojito is fine for the beach, but where does one turn for a nice afternoon drink in the backyard? This Kiwi Mint Julep is exotic and fruity, but fresh enough to quench your lazy afternoon thirst.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 2 cups ice
• 3 kiwi fruits, peeled
• 2 tablespoons frozen limeade concentrate
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 3 ounces bourbon (optional)

Directions

1. Dissolve sugar in hot water in a 1-cup measure; let cool slightly.
2. Combine ice, kiwis, limeade, mint, the sugar mixture and bourbon, if using, in a blender.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Serve immediately.

Bride & Groom Chocolate Covered Strawberries

When considering wedding favors, small deserts are a cute and delicious way to say thank you. One of our favorite picks are bride & groom chocolate covered strawberries. With a simple double dip, you can create these fun deserts, and all you need are strawberries, a bit of shortening, white & milk chocolate. (Add one tablespoon of shortening to the chocolate when melting it)

To make the wedding dress, dip the strawberry into the melted white chocolate. Once it is dry, you can paint on the detail with a paintbrush (used for food purposes only). If you want to add accessories, like the pink necklace shown here, just add a little food coloring to the chocolate to get the desired color.

The tuxedo is made using a double dip. First, dip the strawberry into the white chocolate. Once dry, dip each side of the strawberry into the chocolate to create the tuxedo jacket. To finish the look, simply add on the bow tie and buttons with a paintbrush.

If you are not comfortable using a paintbrush to add the detail, simply fill a plastic baggie with the chocolate, then cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. Simple use this the same as you would a frosting bag.

Happy Anniversary Gena & Mike!

I know I say this in every anniversary post but once again it's true. I can't believe an entire year has gone by since Gena & Mike said I do at the Ohio Historical Society last June. It was a nice warm day for her Ohio garden inspired wedding.

Gena & Mike - Happy 1st Anniversary Gena & Mike! I guess it's time to break out those toasting flutes one more time to celebrate one year of marriage! I wish you many years of love and happiness.

xo
Kasey


Here's a quick look back at a few of my favorite images from their big day.

The church exit with bubbles! I just love Mike's khaki suit and pink tie. It was the prefect look for their wedding.

Gena's bouquet was huge and beautiful! One of my favorites for sure.

Another fabulous cake from Short North Piece of Cake. Around the cake were the wedding pictures of Gena & Mike's parents and grandparents.

The cake topper is an antique. It has been used in all of the family weddings starting with Gena's grandparents. It was so fragile. I was so worried about it all night until we got to put it back in it's box after the cake cutting.