INSPIRATION: Cocktails!

LINK BACK TO OUR WEBSITE & FIND A WY VENDOR! www.wyoweddings.com

One reception trend is the cocktail — set up with the bar ahead of time, the drink of choice is provided for the guests.  Now, whether you charge for said drink or give it away, in my opinion, is up to you — a cash bar is always popular, and I for one would venture to guess that a lovely sign with the reception’s cocktail of choice and price would sell quite well.  But, if you’d like to treat your guests, a drink on the house is always popular!

 

Photo by Charles Walton IV; Styling by Buffy Hargett; www.myrecipes.com

As we know, there are as many cocktail recipes out there as there are opinions on how you should be planning your wedding. 🙂 Below are a few awesome websites to check out for some recipe inspiration — and be sure to scroll to the bottom, as we discuss our own summer cocktail recipe and some fabulous Wyoming resources!

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/raspberry-beer-cocktail-10000001975699/

http://robertsandcompanyblog.com/category/signature-cocktail/

http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/1/

http://www.easycocktailrecipes.com/

 

How do you want to display your cocktail?  If you want to have a bit of fun and make the cocktail part of your atmosphere, purchase your own glasses — they can be fabulous take-home gifts to your guests!  (For the budget-conscious, yes this might make you faint of heart — perhaps consider this for a small wedding, an outdoor event, or do some shopping online to find purchases in bulk.  Another great option? Garage sales and flea markets! A eclectic mix of mismatched glasses would be tres chic for a garden-style reception or fun & funky modern vibe!)

Here’s a look I LOVE — I’m imagining outdoor weddings, garden themes, and of course western weddings — but I’m sure any theme could adapt this idea easily…the Mason jar…

www.pininterest.com

 

Of course, we are WYOMING Weddings for a reason — we’re here to promote all that’s fabulous for weddings in Wyoming! How cool would it be to support all sorts of WY businesses with your big event?!  If you want a hometown splash (no pun intended) at your reception, there are some fabulous wine and spirit manufacturers in Wyoming that you can incorporate into your reception’s cocktail:

http://tablemountainvineyards.com/ — Table Mountain Vineyards:  Made in Huntley, WY, owner Patrick Zimmerer is passionate about both Wyoming and wine.  His blog contains fun and unique recipes using his wine.  Look for the recipes, or just ask your bartender to stock TMV for your wedding! (*Check out Patrick’s educational and entertaining columns in every issue of our sister magazine, Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine!)

http://www.irvincellarwinery.com/ — Irvin Cellar Winery:  In Riverton, the Irvin Cellar Winery is a fun place to explore wine!  Check out their website for their options, including some fantastic fruit wines! They also have a wine club!

http://www.koltsfinespirits.com/ — Koltiska Fine Spirits:  This family business operates out of Sheridan, WY, and do they love what they do! The family works together to create their amazing product.  That is just COOL — and 100% Wyoming! (*Check out our Drink of Summer 2011, coming out in our summer issue of Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine soon — containing Koltiska and created by the MAGICAL Cece Tolin of Vintage Fine Wine & Martini Bar in Casper!)

http://www.wyomingwhiskey.com/ — Wyoming Whiskey:  We know what you’re going to say:  they’re not ready yet! That’s okay — we still are excited to promote this up-and-coming Kirby, Wyoming business!  It’ll be a few years still until they’re ready to release product, but keep up with these guys — it’ll be super exciting when they’re ready to release!

LOOKING for BEER?

Carrying Wyoming beer at your wedding is another fabulous idea!  Here are a list of Wyoming’s breweries — talk to your bar and see what it takes to bring Wyoming beer to your wedding!

Altitude Chophouse & Brewery, Laramie:  http://www.altitudechophouse.com/

Bitter Creek Brewing, Rock Springs:  http://www.bittercreekbrewing.com/

Black Tooth Brewing, Sheridan:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Tooth-Brewing-Company

Lander Brewing Co., Lander:  http://www.landerbar.com/brewing.php

Library Restaurant & Brewery, Laramie:  http://www.librarysportsgrilleandbrewery.com/

Snake River Brew Pub, Jackson:  http://www.snakeriverbrewing.com/

Snowy Mountain Brewing, Saratoga:  http://www.saratogaresortandspa.com/snowy-mountain-brewery/

Suds Brothers Brewing, Evanston:  http://sudsbrothersbrewery.com/

Thai Me Up Restaurant & Brewery, Jackson:  http://www.thaijh.com/

Wind River Brewing Company:  http://www.windriverbrew.com/

 

Be on the lookout for our Drink of Summer 2011 recipe in our upcoming summer issue of Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine, featuring Koltiska Fine Spirits from Sheridan!  If you serve our Drink of Summer at your wedding this summer, please send us some pictures — we’ll be posting the pictures of the Drink of Summer as it’s served out there this summer!

 

‘Til Next Time…Have fun and be creative, be YOU!

 

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

Link back to our website and find a Wyoming vendor:  www.wyoweddings.com

Or our sister magazine, Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine:  www.wyolifestyle.com