{Cuisine} A Barbeque Wedding Feast with a South of the Border Taste

One of the best things about summer and fall weddings is the amazing variety of food options -- veggies, salads, sweets, fresh fresh fresh! Aside from the usual, formal fare, couples are now choosing low key picnic and barbeque style wedding receptions and for budget conscious celebrations, backyard, homestyle buffets fit the bill perfectly.  Even though it is getting a little nippy in some parts of the country, a gorgeous afternoon in a local park makes for some good eating time!

In honor of one of our favorite wedding cultures, here are some drool worthy Mexican inspired recipes, perfect for infusing your wedding with a little culture. Add these fresh dishes for a truly authentic and yummy good time. So get out the grill and get it! DELISH!!

Grilled Corn with Mexican Cheese and Lime - My favorite, so irresistible!!

hands-on time: 15 minutes

total time: 15 minutes

serves: 8

8 ears of corn shucked

1 tablespoon olive oil

Kosher salt

1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco (fresh Mexican cheese) or feta will do in a pinch

1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 limes, cut into wedges

• Heat grill to medium-high. Brush corn with oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. 
• Grill, turning often until tender and charred.
• Sprinkle the corn with cheese and cayenne pepper.
• Squeeze lime wedges over the ears.

You can also go unshucked, which makes for a visually interesting dish. Here is an easy recipe. 

Grilling Ancho-Rubbed Pork with Smoky Tomato Salsa

hands-on time: 15 minutes

total time: 40 minutes

serves 8

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoon ground ancho chili pepper or regular chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

4 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

3 pork tenderloins (about 3 1/2 pounds total) 

2 pints grape tomatoes

6 cloves garlic sliced

2 to 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and sliced

16 8-inch flour tortillas

• Heat grill to medium-high. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chili pepper, cumin, 2 tablespoons oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Rub the mixture over the pork.
• Divide the tomatoes, garlic, and jalapeno peppers evenly between two large pieces of heavy duty foil. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Fold and seal to form two pouches.
• Divide the tortillas between 2 pieces of heavy-duty foil and wrap.
• Grill the pork, turning occasionally for about 18-22 minutes at 145 degrees F. Let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing. 
• Meanwhile, grill the tomato pouches for 10 minutes, shaking occasionally; transfer contents to a bowl. Grill the foil wrapped tortillas for 3-5 minutes, turning once. 
• Serve the pork with the warm tomato salsa and tortillas.

Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

hands-on time: 15 minutes

total time: 1 hour

serves 8

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 medium red cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds), cored and shredded

2 large carrots (about 1/2 pound), grated

3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• In a large bowl, whisk together the orange and lime juices, oil, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Add the cabbage and carrots and toss to combine. Let sit, tossing occasionally, for at least 45 minutes. Fold in cilantro before serving.

Each of these recipes serves 8, so it should increased based on the number of wedding guests. Recipe and Photo Credits: Real Simple

For the full south of the border experience, serve Margaritas as your signature drink. Better yet, set up a 'Rita bar and let your guests choose their own flavor.  Finish up the night with a delicious and easy dessert of vanilla ice cream and cinnamon crisps - perfect ending for a perfect day.

We are having quite a heat spell where I am in CA -- it had been up to 90 in September! Hope you enjoy these recipes and find a way to incorporate them into your wedding menu. Food is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to celebrate culture and there are so many options! 

Go with the YUMMY!

 

{Planning} 4 Top Name Change Tips for Getting From Miss to Mrs

Photo Credit: Ale Borges 

You've gotten the I Do's and the long awaited newlywed kiss out of the way, now what? Well, marriage brings with it many things, including a new identity, for those women who choose it of course. Changing your name, post wedding, is a very personal decision and there is no right or wrong choice. Some women want to remain who they are in name while others are happy change altogether.
 
If this is your choice, a marriage license and "now I pronounce you Mr. and Mrs.” simply won’t cut it. It's important to remember this decision impacts more than just your John Hancock - or would it be Jane; think finances - taxes, bank accounts, property - your Social Security and paycheck, and even family matters. You've done the hard part - the wedding, now here’s the skinny on making you official.

1. Get Proof - Most important newlywed document? Certified marriage certificate, and it must have raised seal to be authentic. Contact the office where your license was filed for a copy. I'd get a few extras just in case. 
 
2. Social Security -  Contact the Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 for an automated name change process. Or visit a local office. Bring picture ID and your marriage certificate. A key step since almost everything in life references your SSN.
 
3. DMV - Changing your driver's license and registration requires a personal appearance. Bring a number of forms of ID and do not forget your marriage certificate. Do this after you change your SSN#.
 
4. All the Rest - Now, simply fill in the blanks as needed.

• Passport: Change this after the wedding/honeymoon; your passport and ticket names must match if you are going out of the country for your honeymoon. It will take a number of weeks to get a new passport so book your honeymoon airline tickets in your maiden name.
• Employers/payroll - Contact ASAP
• Post office, Mail Box, Email
• Utility companies, Phone companies
• Banks, Credit card companies, Retirement Accounts
• Schools 
• Voter registration 
• Mortgages, leases, loans, wills
• Subscriptions - magazines, newspapers
• Insurance policies - health, car, home owners, renters

If you need any other help, here is a helpful name change check list from our friends over at The Nest. And as nice as it may SEEM to be, a name change kit is not necessary. It may take you a few extra steps and a couple of more hours all together but it is far less expensive. Most people and companies are super helpful about changing your name. There is something about a new bride that usually softens people right up!

Leave a coment below and let me know if I left anything out. For other great wedding planning tips, please take a minute to like our Facebook Fanpage!

Happy Planning,

{Practical Planning} DIY Dessert Buffet Tips - Wedding Budget Booster

Gimme Some Sugar!

Photo by Marry You Me

Happy Day lovelies! Here at dLA, we love practical wedding planning - getting more, paying less, and having the celebration of your dreams. And every little bit helps, right down to the last bite! So move over wedding cake and say hello an always popular trend in reception sweets - the dessert buffet, a chic and cost effective way to offer a variety of confectionery delights sure to please the entire crowd without breaking the wedding budget bank.

Tips to get your DIY Dessert Buffet started:

• Determine your dessert budget and stick to it. Remember your head count and plan for more servings, not less. Plan for 3-4 mini desserts per person with at least twice as many options. Example: if you allot 3 desserts per person, maybe have 5-6 dessert options.

Photo via Wedding Salon  

• Is there a central theme, color or style, childhood favorite, or ethnic dessert you’d like to include? Choose sweets that are fun, easy to eat, and represent your personality as a couple. 

Photo via The Ultimate Bridesmaid Guide

• This shouldn’t be a last minute bake-a-thon but rather a well-coordinated effort in dessert delegation. Enlist stove savvy helpers early on and create a “who’s doing what when” plan; include a day-of coordinator.

Photo via Ruffled Blog

• Do it up DIY for a major reception focus: coordinate a colorful background, use interesting textures and linens, create a visually dynamic look with stands of varying heights, collect vintage service ware to add a touch of old charm, layer platters and plates using glasses and flower vases to create custom cake plates. Here is a super easy tutorial for creating budget tiered dessert stands!

Photo via The Natural Wedding Company

• If you run out of time, simply ask friends and family to bring their favorite dessert to share. Does your Great Aunt have a to die for favorite family cookie? Why not use it as a wedding favor and include the secret recipe? 

Photo via Love and Lavender

I absolutely LOVE this idea - using vintage, shabby chic furniture as a dessert display - easy to find, easy to customize with your colors and patterns, and it will look great in your home afterwards!

On a personal note, the dessert table at my wedding was filled entirely with traditional Brazilian wedding treats made by my mother-in-law. Our guests got a little taste of Brazilian culture and we saved money through her generosity. People are still raving about the pudim and brigadeiros.

Planning a dessert buffet for your wedding - what sweet treats will you be including? We are totally smitten with dessert in a jar; here are some awesome ideas and easy recipes - a big hit, small effort! And remember, we love seeing what YOU create, so send us some pictures of your DIY trials, finished projects and especially delicious desserts you create!

Have a yummy day,

7 Tips for Entertaining Out of Town Wedding Guests

Hosting a mega family wedding weekend and need to keep the gang occupied while you handle last minute hitching preparations? Fear not, there are lots of ways to keep the fam busy by introducing them to some hometown favorites.

Photos via Three Little Words, Green Wedding Shoes

Here are some de Lovely favorites:

1. Hold your rehearsal dinner at our favorite restaurant for ALL out of town family guests.
2. Scout out nearby parks for a family picnic and play time.
3. Locate a walking and jogging route or exercise area for your fitness buffs. Let them blow off a little pre-wedding steam.
4. Folks need a last minute gifts or outfits? Take a quick trip to your favorite boutique, super store or shopping mall.
 5. Check out local free or inexpensive art galleries or museums for a little cultural diversion.
6. Local papers and events websites often have free concerts, performances festivals or fairs listed.
7. Last but not least put them to work with a Family DIY Day! Let them in on the action; takes the pressure off of you and you get to spend time with people who came half way across the country for your big day. A win win in my book!

Photos via Melting Pot,  Wedding Mapper  Sergey Danilov 

We love the idea of creating a whole booklet for your out of town bags, complete with a wedding weekend itinerary, starred maps, mass transit instructions, local shopping and dining options, historical information and other tourist attractions. Remember to add phone numbers in case folks get lost! Ask you local tourist center for copies of visitor guide books, area maps and brochures about local attractions. And if you don't have time to be that ambitious, a nice favorites list and a map will do just fine!

Photo via Oh My Omiyage

What other activities or ideas would you add to this list? Let us know below so we can share with our friends on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

Happy Planning,

DIY Sprayed Bottles for Thrifty, Modern Wedding Centerpieces

{Create This}Very Martha Recycled Bottle Centerpieces

Happy Tueday, Lovelies! A little something different for you than I had originally planned but I am too excited not to share this awesome DIY idea I found at The Colorful Living Project. These spray painted bottles let the thrifty, eco-conscious bride have her reuse and recycle AND modern, chic wedding at the same time! They're cute, clean, and best of all, for a few of dollars, you can have totally handmade, very Martha centerpieces for your wedding reception or bridal shower.

Instructions and Pictures by Anna Naphtali.

These recycled bottles have been re-styled to be used as centerpieces, vases or gifts. Anna used IZZE bottles, but there are many bottles options that will work just as well.

1. Remove labels from bottles. ( You can soak them in hot water and dish soap for extra help)

2. Dry and clean

3. Pick your spray paint choices: Seen above is Satin Ivory. Spray!

4. Spray paint box carrier too!

Some spray painting tips... Cover area with newspaper or drop cloth first. Wear a mask or be careful not to inhale fumes. Don't spray into the wind!!! Wait for your first layer to dry and stick the bottle on your finger to get a good coat around the bottom sides.

(Me) And now to add color and variety! Same process, different paint and bottles. I like the varying heights for centerpieces to help create visual interest and dimension.

(Anna) I usually like matte finish, but the glossy texture on some of these gives them a nice new sheen. And baby jars make the cutest little mini vases or containers! Another idea for a centerpiece would be to take tons of different sized items and paint them one color and or have a line of vases down a table... you get the idea.

I do have to note, these are not "safe" to use for any type of liquid consumption. They just look cool and won't damage flowers or decorative pieces.

(Me) So there you have it, Lovelies! Cute idea right? Especially on a budget! You could do this for wedding centerpieces, parties, showers. Start saving your wine bottles, vases,  peanut butter jars! Check out this post using recycled glass jars for wedding decor. Thanks for Anna Napthali for the idea and photos.

What DIY projects will you be doing for your wedding? Big, small, we want to know! Check out all out DIY Wanna Do List on Pinterest. What else should we add?

 Make the world colorful,

{Global Inspiration} 10 Signature Drinks to Add Culture to Your Wedding

Global Wedding Cocktails - Part 1

These days, signature wedding drinks are an important part of the guest experience - they can help set the tone, show some personality, and also add a little culture. Offering culture infused signature cocktails invites guests to take part in customs of the bride and groom and help honor their heritage. Easy DIY drink recipes won't break the bank, which means you get Practical and Cultural - our fave!

From Latin America to Europe across the pond, here are 10 of our favorite Globally Inspired Signature Drinks plus recipes, in two parts. Bottoms up!

Photo Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1. Caipirinha - The national drink of Brazil, caipirinha is a delicious, refreshing, and easy to prepare, a perfect signature drink for a hot summertime wedding! Made with limes, Cachaca (cane liquor) or rum, superfine sugar and crushed ice, this glass of goodness brings a light, festive feel to any reception. Now add some samba and carnaval dancers and you have a party! Here is a great step by step recipe.

2. Sangria - Sangria is the classic Spanish/Latin American accompaniment to summertime meals and another excellent choice for a hot summertime wedding. My husband actually made Sangria for our wedding - on that warm day, the sweet wine, fresh fruit and cold ice were a refreshing and delicious way to cool off. Sangria style is up to your taste, with lots of options for fruit, wine and special additions.  Just sort of throw it all together, pour over ice and enjoy. Here's a sangria recipe to get you started but creating your own recipe makes this your very own wedding drink.

3. Irish Coffee - Originating in Ireland in the 1940’s, Irish coffee is an excellent choice for late night receptions or wedding taking place in colder months. I love the idea of guests cuddling up to a warm cup of deliciousness - hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred, and topped with thick cream. Get them pepped up for the dance floor with a Coffee Bar where they can sample Irish Coffee, a Hot Toddy and other gourmet java! Here are four yummy Irish Coffee recipes to try!

4. Red Lotus - Your wedding taking on an Asian flavor? How about the lychee flavored Red Lotus as your signature drink? Unique and memorable, the play between its lighter cranberry and heavier lychee flavors is both intensely sweet and delicately refreshing.  A great guest conversation piece, the lychee is native to low elevations of the provinces of Kwangtung and Fukien in southern China. Here is a quick easy Red Lotus recipe and info on Lycee.

5. The Painkiller - If you like exotic drinks with little umbrellas, this delicious British Virgin Island staple is for you. Concocted on the tiny Caribbean island of Jost Van Dyke, this signature drink is pure tropical - fruity tang with a creamy finish, a smooth, satisfying treat for a beach or destination wedding! It is an easy DIY recipe, finished off with a layer of nutmeg, a Painkiller must. And despite its name, there is no medication associated with this libation!

Which signature drink would you choose from our list for your wedding? Can't decide? No worries, we've got five more delicious ideas coming your way today!


Happy Concocting,

{Real Wedding} Kerri & Dennis: Rockin' Wedding Reception

A Modern Love Story - Part 2

A wedding wouldn't be complete without a festive reception and some dance floor grooves! Kerri and Dennis ducked the stress of wedding planning and headed out on a Norwegian cruise liner to say their I Do's. A fab reception was the order of the day for our dynamic duo a month or so after in order to celebrate with family and friends. Kerri, lucky girl, got to wear her ever fashionable short wedding dress and incredible shoes from her official wedding day. Sigh. I like shoes. 

How ADORABLE is this couple? Thank you again to Cook Productions out of Andover, MA, for allowing us to share these Fab-You-Lass official reception photos! 

At the Beverly Depot, Beverly, MA.

She is super FIERCE and he knows it!

At Endicott College where Kerri studied.

Congratulations Kerri and Dennis and thank you for sharing your love story and wedding celebration with us! You two are truly one fun, fabulous couple and we could all learn a lesson from you - at the end of the day, remember that your wedding is all about you! In addition, a wedding cruise/post reception both make smart money sense, which is always a good thing in our book.

Thank you again to Cook Productions allowing us to share these reception photos and to Norwegian Cruise for the wedding photos.

Which reception picture is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below or hop over to Facebook or Twitter and LIKE/Follow de Lovely Affair!

Happy Monday to you,

(Real Wedding) Kerri & Dennis: Sweet Engagement + Wedding Cruise

A Modern Day Love Story - Part 1

Sometimes there are those couples who are so authentic, genuinely sweet with their words and actions, easy to smile and laugh, and are so in love you just want to show the world. Meet Kerri and Dennis; they are THAT couple.  I know them through a friend and when Kerri emailed me her sweet story, I knew I just had to share it!

Ever thought of just canning all the wedding plans and you know, hopping on one of these big beauties to tie the knot? Well, that is exactly what they did!

Kerri and Dennis connected online through a mutual friend's music page one Christmas Eve. They finally met after a few months of virtual friendship, but didn't make it official for almost a year. Kerri says "Truth is,  we were friends, we liked each other but it just never happened. Later, I kicked myself for waiting so long...there he was, my soulmate, right under my nose the whole time." Their  first date was exactly one year to the day they first met.

As Dennis tells it: I usually don't chase a girl. If I ask them out and they dont go, I dont keep asking. But I kept asking Kerri because I knew she was something special. And speaking of asking, did you hear the one about the girlfriend who accidently found a box of bling under the bed while her boyfriend was taking a shower? Yeah that's Kerri - so instead of the fancy, dancy romantic New Year's Eve proposal, he proposed right then and then when she came to confess. And the rest they say is history!

The thing I love about these two is they do it their own way!! Instead of buckling to tradition, they chose a Norwegian cruise to Bermuda as a destination wedding. Having both been married before, they wanted no fuss or major financial commitment, just an experience and celebration all about them! Plus they love cruises, and what better way to celebrate wedding AND honeymoon at the same time!

You know, if you are going to do it up, this is the way to go! Enjoy their wedding photos plus their official wedding reception at home a few months later, in Part 2 later today!

I love the Just Married sign on the back of Dennis's wheelchair. So sweet! 

Kerri and Dennis went on to enjoy the rest of their cruise in wedded bliss, no hassle, no fuss, great food, drink, and a warm tropical environment.....exactly what you want for your wedding day.

And what wedding is complete without a rockin' reception? Tune in today at 3pm EST for the rest of the story! But here is a little hint to tide you over.

Photo by Cook Productions

What do you think is the best part about getting married on a cruise? Would you ever buck tradition and say Ahoy? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below or hop over to Facebook or Twitter and LIKE/Follow de Lovely Affair!

Happy Monday to you,