Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. I adore the crisp mornings and cool evenings, the color changing leaves, and of course, the fabulous fall fashions! Another plus to chilly autumn days? Delicious warm drinks.

Even if you’re not going with the stereotypical burnt oranges and yellows and chocolate browns for your fall wedding, these yummy beverages would be a treat for any guest. Set up a station and serve a signature drink, or serve them all at their own special bar. Check out below for some that sound particularly amazing.

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients:

* 3 quarts apple cider

* 12 whole cloves

* 1 cinnamon stick

* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation:

In a large saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil. Strain and serve hot spiced cider hot in mugs. Makes 12 cups of hot spiced cider. [Source]

Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

* 3 cups milk

* 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate, grated

* 1 tablespoon white sugar

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

* 1 egg

Preparation:

1. Put milk into a microwave-safe container and cook on High in microwave for 2 minutes. Mix in chocolate, sugar, and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk an egg until smooth, then mix it into the chocolate mixture.

2. Return to microwave and cook on High for 3 to 4 minutes or until foamy (be careful not to let it boil.) Whisk until smooth and pour into 3 mugs. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. [Source]

Wassell

* Okay, so technically this is dubbed a “Christmas” drink, but I think it’s delicious year round.

Ingredients:

* 1 1/3 c. sugar

* 1 qt. water

* 2 whole cloves

* 4 sticks cinnamon

* 4 whole allspice

* 3 c. orange juice

* 2 c. lemonade

* 2 qt. apple cider

Preparation:

Boil sugar and water for 10 minutes. Add spices. Let stand for 1 hour. Add other ingredients. Serve warm. [Source]

Irish Vanilla Coffee

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 oz Bailey’s® Irish cream

* 1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka

* 4 oz coffee

* 1/2 – 1 oz whipped cream

Preparation:

Pour into a coffee mug 4 oz. of coffee. Add 1 1/2 oz. each of Bailey’s Irish Cream and Absolut Vanilla Vodka. Stir lightly and top, if desired, whipped cream. [Source]

Hot Tea

Not too many instructions here. Buy a few packs and let guests chose whichever flavor they’d like to steep. Harney & Sons is my fave – adore the Passion Plum!

Image credit:

1-angie silvy photography; 2-d. jones photography; 3-luca trovato; 4- silk studios wedding; 5-victor schrager

I’m not much one for smoking…anything, really. But I do, as much as I may not wish to admit it, like the idea of a cigar bar for a wedding reception.

So what exactly IS a cigar bar? Well, you can kind of fit “it” to your needs. Bring in a cigar roller and have him (or her) work throughout the reception making cigars for your guests (usually the males…). Or, bring in a few cigar humidors stocked with different cigars and set them out, almost like you would a dessert table, and allow guests to brows. If you want to go all out, have an attendant there to assist guests in selecting and preparing the cigars.

Here is an image from NGALA showing a roller in action:

And here is a great example of a very legit cigar bar.  It’s almost like a mini cigar shop!! Image from The Puff Lounge.

In honor of last weeks post on the ever-so-fabulous French wedding cake, I thought I’d post on something a little closer to “home”. I’m mainly Norwegian and Germain… pretty awesome, I know. So imagine my giddy, school-girl excitement when I discovered this FABULOUS traditional Norwegian wedding cake (it’s a little patriotic but hey)!

From hfb

This almond-y treat is made up of 18 rings stacked on top of each other and drizzled with a sweet frosting. Its consistency is more like that of a cookie than a cake. If it tastes anything like krumkake, sign me up!

Any cream puff lovers out there? I’m a fan. In fact, I had some today after lunch. So, I thought I’d share with you something fabulously related. Behold, the croquembouche!

Image from DKImages

This French cake is quite unique if you’ve been looking at those traditional white wedding towers all day long. Profiteroles filled with pastry cream (a la “Cream Puff”) stacked together and held in place by drizzled caramel. What could possibly be more delicious?

Image from Susana

Image from The Flower Pot

Image from Martha Stewart

Years ago I saw a episode of Martha Stewart where her guest was a women that made, yes made, all of her flowers…out of paper! She would make a few here and there when she had some time and saved them up. By the time the wedding day rolled around, she had completed all that she needed!

There is no reason, if you so desire, that you couldn’t do the very same thing! Or perhaps you like the idea but do not wish to deck out your entire day in paper flowers – simply apply where you feel necessary!

Looking into paper flowers? Start with the Paper Source. I simply adore the store, but in the paper flower department, they are a great resource. Check them out!

Sources: Men’s Suits: Jaeger, Merona Bar Stripe Necktie: Target, Wedding Dress: Vera Wang, Cake: Martha Stewart, Green Dresses: kaboodle, Bellas Florida, Net-A-Porter, Liz Claiborne, Navy Shoes: Kate Spade, jildorshoes.com, Candy Says, Dorothy Perkins, Headband:Target Lilly Pulitzer, Stationary: Crane & Co, Tiny Prints, Grosgrain Ribbon: mohop, Vintage Car: Tweed Limousines, Bouquet: Chestnuts in the Tuileries, Candle Arrangement: Crate & Barrel, Chivari Chair: 1 Stackable Chairs, White Flower Arrangement: teleflora, Gold Charger: Crafts Etc!

To give favors or not to give favors, that is the question. Some couples insist that favors are a must and the thought of going without them is just insane! Others feel that all the money they are spending on their guests is already more than enough and favors just aren’t necessary.

So, if you’re one of those people that feels favors are a must, this post is for you. Struggling with what to give? There are tons of ideas out there. But before making your final decision, ask yourself this question: Will my guests be able to use or eat the favor that we are giving? That’s right, use or eat! Don’t waste your money on little do-dads that your guests will just throw away once they leave, or worse, put somewhere in their kitchen that just adds to the clutter.

If you opt to go the favor route, here are two ideas we love to help you get the favor thoughts flowing.

Good Morning Baskets These are perfect for any guest, especially those that party hardy until the end of the evening (or maybe have a little too much to drink). Take baskets (or buckets, bags, or mugs) and fill them with breakfast foods, coffee beans, juices or teas, and some ibuprofen for those that drank a little too much. If you want to go all out with these, some under-eye cream and energy drinks might help your guests recover from the fabulous celebration you shared with them. Check out this picture from CCgiftbaskets.com.

Dessert Buffet A mini candy shop right in your wedding reception! As guests leave, let them pass by a smorgasbord of sweet treats. Display on a table, in large glass containers, candies, cookies, and other little delicacies. Include you favorite candies, the dessert you shared on your first day, or grandma’s famous cookies. Have little baggies or boxes that guests can slip some treats in as they exit. Check out this picture from brides.com.

And remember: It’s all in the presentation. Favors don’t need to be placed at each guest’s seat. We love arranging them on tables that guests pass as they leave. This way they aren’t in anyone’s way during the evening, but they don’t miss out on getting one. And if you’re favor budget is small, that’s perfectly fine! Get some simple favors and think of a creative way to display them or give them to your guests.