Wedding Planning 101: Tools

Today was such a big day in the wedding world that I have decided to forgo the venue post until next week (I hope that's ok with you all). Today, I would like to talk about some great tools and tricks to make your life easier while planning the big day. The Royal Wedding is all the news stations can talk about - I secretly, or maybe not so secretly, love it. I mean, what girl doesn't like a good love story? Especially one that ends with a regular girl turning into a princess, oh the fairy tale. We're in the wedding and events business so, of course, many of us have been following this very closely. I have found so many great tips and I just couldn't wait another week to share them.

Being in marketing, one of my favorite websites is Mashable, a site that gives all sorts of news and tools relating to social media and the web. Now, you might be thinking: "Social media and my wedding, what? Are you crazy?" I would answer that with yes, I am, but please think beyond Facebook and Twitter and realize that there are tons of great sites that can help! I've listed some below that I have used and some that I have found, but not used in depth yet. Take a look:

• COLOURlovers: A great resource for one of the first steps, picking your color scheme. Once that step is finished, a whole new world of planning will open up to you.
  
• Etsy: Ok, let me take a deep breath because this is going to be loud... I LOVE ETSY! I always have, even before I was engaged. That being said, they have great wedding resources. If you are slightly offbeat or like things that are a bit different, go to this site and explore. It might take a while, but it's totally worth it. Also, sign up for their wedding newsletter, you won't regret it. Check out their great blog too.
• Google: Specifically, google weddings. Did you know there was such a thing? Neither did I until I happened upon it. You can create websites, edit photos, use googledocs to keep the budget in line, share albums with Picasa and more. I haven't fully explored this yet, but plan to dive in very soon.
• Amazon: What are you looking forward to most when you think of your wedding? Gifts of course, well I mean that and being married to the love of your life. Personally, I am an Amazon, junkie. If I lived closer to the home base I would probably buy all my groceries from them, not that I can't now. Amazon has a great tool called a Universal Wishlist. This great tool lets you add gifts from all sorts of sites to one central location. I'm not to the registry point yet, but once I get there, this will be used, guaranteed.
• Apps: I speak iPhone, so sorry blackberry and Android users, I don't know how helpful I will be to you in this section. Take a look at: the Wedding Wire app for all of your organizational needs, Brides Magazine also has a pretty useful app, as does The Knot - Wedding 101 and The Wedding Dress LookBook.
• Hard core social media lover: Do you find yourself constantly on Twitter or Facebook and feel naked when your phone or laptop or iPad is suddenly nowhere to be found? Then this might be the perfect thing for you. A writer for Mashable had the brilliant idea - he's like you - of incorporating Facebook and Twitter as sort of a mobile guest book. Simply create a hashtag and tweet away. Go a step further and use TwitterFall if your guests are like you. You might just creat some cheap entertainment with this idea.

Tired yet? Don't forget you have to plan the honeymoon!

• YourTour: Again, suggested by Mashable and looks like a very helpful site to plan a multi-destination trip.
• Stay.com: Personal travel guide? Yes, please! Build your own according to what you and your betrothed love to do.
• Kayak: Best site for comparison shopping. Sign up for their eblast to learn about the great deals that surface.
• Apps: There are WAY too many to list here. More to come on this.
  

Now, this is just a small sampling of all the great resources out there for you. I am a blog-a-holic (did I just make up a word?) so I will be dedicating a whole post to my favorites in the weeks to come. If there's anything you want to specifically learn about, let me know and I will dig around. Thanks for stopping by and I promise - Next week: Venues - this one will be great!

Happy planning!
Jessica

The Perfect Menu for your Royal Celebration

Are you in a Royal Wedding FRENZY?! It seems like that’s all I’m hearing about this week. From the morning talk shows to the fashion blogs to right here in our office, its all people can think about. Rosemary, along with her good friend Joanne Boone (president and CEO of Rio Cruises San Antonio), is throwing a royal wedding watch party at – wait for it – 3 A.M. on Friday morning! The party will be British themed – everything from the food to the clothing to the decorations.

Our executive chef, Eric Nelson, a wonderfully talented “bloke”, came up with a menu that was overflowing with British influence and character. There will be plenty to “nosh” on and the setting will be grand! If you’re looking for a menu to serve at your bash, look no further. This is the menu that Chef Nelson suggests will make your guests remark: “Why, this is splendid!”

Poached Egg Wellingtons

Tender poached eggs wrapped in flaky puff pastry with sautéed Madeira mushrooms and fresh baby spinach and drizzled with Bearnaise sauce

Crisp pancetta and potato hash

with caramelized shallots and chopped chives

Chilled tomato minced basil salad

with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and black sea salt

Assorted English muffins, scones and crumpets

served with assorted jams and spreads

I’ve provided the recipes for the Bearnaise sauce and crumpets below. If you make anything on this menu, please let us know how it turns out! For more information on what Rosemary is planning, take a look at the wonderful article on MySA.com that appeared in the TASTE section of San Antonio Express-News last Sunday.

Cheers!

Jessica

Bearnaise sauce

1/3 cup tarragon vinegar 1/3 cup white wine 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed roughly 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots 2 tablespoons chervil, finely chopped 6 sprigs tarragon 3 egg yolks 1 cup butter, melted and at room temperature Cayenne pepper, to taste Salt, to taste

Directions

In a saucepan, combine vinegar, wine, peppercorns, shallots, chervil and tarragon. Cook over high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup or less. Strain through a chinois and set aside. Place the egg yolks in a thick bowl and set over a double boiler. Stir yolks vigorously. When the yolks have thickened to the consistency of very heavy cream, begin to slowly add the melted butter while stirring continuously. When all of the butter has been incorporated, add in the wine/vinegar/herb reduction a few drops at a time and immediately remove from heat. Add cayenne and salt to taste.

Crumpets

1 1/2 cups lukewarm water 1 cup lukewarm milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted 3 1/2 cups flour 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/4 teaspoons salt

Directions

Put water, milk, butter, flour, yeast, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat at high speed for 2 minutes. Mixture will be a thick batter. Remove bowl from mixer and cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let stand for about 1 hour. Batter will rise and become bubbly. Heat a lightly oiled griddle to about 325 degrees. Place well-oiled ring molds on the griddle and scoop about 1/4 cup of batter into each mold. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. The top of the crumpet will have dry edges and lots of open bubbles; it should hold its shape when the mold is removed. Flip crumpets and continue to cook for another 4 minutes or so. Top and bottom will be lightly browned and the inside will be airy.