Christmas Eve Eve is upon us, which means time to get that last-minute bakign in. We've roundup up a few of our favorite holiday recipes that are easy to prepare AND real crowd pleasers! Enjoy.
Read More#shabraun | Our Rehearsal Dinner at Old Lahaina Luau
On the eve of our wedding day, we celebrated with all of our guests by treating them to a quintessential Hawaiian experienceโan authentic Polynesian luau at Old Lahaina Luau!
Read More#shabraun | Our Nashville Strolling Reception Timeline
When deciding what we wanted from our Nashville reception, we knew that we didnโt want a formal sit-down dinner. Not only did the space not allow for seating for all our guests, we wanted everyone to entertained the entire night. When youโre stuck at a table you find yourself only conversations with those around you. We wanted guests to mix and mingle with everyone all night. Of course youโll always find comfort and gravitate to those you know, but a more mobile reception options gives you the opportunity to run into others, meet new people and not be confined to one area.
Having never been to a post-destination wedding reception or party we weren't sure what would be expected of us as hosts, but we knew that a good timeโney a GREAT TIMEโwould definitely fit the bill!
Traditional receptions have guests enjoy cocktail hour, find their seats, watch the first dance, eat dinner, listen to speeches and toasts, then head to the dance floor. Thatโs all well and good, but it seemed to formal for our reception.
After research on research about reception styles we stumbled across ideas like โeast coast,โ โstrolling,โ โcocktail,โ and โprogressiveโ receptions. Now weโre talking! In these styles guests are invited to enjoy the receptions in their own way. Throughout the night different food stations are opened so guests can grab food at their own leisure, hit the bar whenever, and get down on the always-open dance floor.
Obviously since we hosted an intimate wedding not everyone was invited and we didnโt want our reception guestsโpeople we love dearlyโto feel like they werenโt important to us so a big focus of the reception was our guests!
We had our wonderful videographers (Dallas Wilson Wedding Films) put together a short video of our wedding day, mostly beautiful shots of LeBraun and I together, which we looped on monitors around the room. This way guests may feel like they were apart of the ceremony which typically would have been moments before. A little something to get them in the wedding celebration spirit, ya no!
Since a cocktail hour wasnโt necessary as we werenโt taking wedding party portraits or moving locations, we decided to start the evening with a 30 minute cocktail style reception before our entry so guests could grab a drink (or two), enjoy some appetizers, and mingle a bit to loosen up.
Then we did the traditional wedding party introduction followed by our entrance and first dance. We wanted to keep some of the traditional reception elements so guests felt like it really was a true wedding reception. We did father-daughter/mother-son dances, bouquet/garter tosses, and a speech or two!
We honestly had the best time! And since we had a tough time finding timelines for unconventional style receptions we wanted to share our Nashville progressive, strolling reception timeline in the hope that others will find it helpful in planning their big days no matter how traditional or unconventional they may be. Your wedding day is all about yโall so do whatever works for you!
11am: Deliver and set up decor pieces at the venue
2pm: Brideโs Hair and Makeup
S+L Note: At this point we were already behind as some signage got damaged on the way to the venue in the morning so I had to re-calligraph a couple which took more time than we hoped.
4pm: Check in to hotel
S+L Note: LeBraun and I were staying at the hotel where our venue was the night of the event so we brought our overnight bag as well as all the things we needed for the reception in a few hours.
4:15pm: Review venue // Set up looping video on monitors
4:45pm: Photographers photo details (dress, invitations, shoes, etc) and venue before guest arrive
Quick Tip #1: If you want photos of the invitations, remember to bring a copy with you.
4:50pm - 5:15pm: Finish getting dressed in our room // Family and wedding party arrived dressed and ready for photographs
5:20pm - 5:50pm: Couple, family, and wedding party portraits at the venue
5:50pm: Couple and wedding party chill in hotel room during cocktail half-hour while guests arrive at the venue
6pm: Eat food delivered to room, brush teeth and final prepping // Doors open for guest arrival // Passed appetizers are served // Bar opens // Background iPod music is played
6:25pm: Couple and wedding party escorted to venue
6:30pm: Grand Entrance // Band emcees wedding party introductions followed by the new Mrs. & Mrs. entrance
6:35pm: First dance // Father-Daughter dance // Mother-Son dance
6:40pm: Passed appetizers end // Small plates & salad stations open
6:45pm: Welcome speech by brideโs father
6:50-7:15pm: Band plays lively background music
8:10pm: Small plates & salad stations close
Post-Event Note: A timeline of the evening was on entry signage, but we wish we would have asked the band to make announcements throughout the night in regards to food changing over, reminders about the photo booth, guestbook, etc.
7:45pm-9:15pm: Band plays first dance set
Quick Tip #2: Appoint someone to help โmoveโ you to and from conversations. I wanted to stay and chat with everyone, but because of I didnโt have anyone helping me there were some people I never got around to see.
8:20pm: Main stations open
Post-Event Note: We should have asked someone to bring us food throughout the evening because the only food LeBraun or I ended up eating was what had been brought to our room before the reception started. Everything smelled so good, but I was doing my hostess duties. In hindsight, as the bride I should have taken advantage of asking people for help.
9:15pm - 9:30pm: Band break // Requested iPod dance songs played
Post-Event Note: It would have been nice to add a time for taking photos in the photo booth to the timeline so we we didnโt miss it. By the time I made it back inside (which was 10:30pm), the photo booth had already been packed up. LeBraun and I never got a fun photo strip from our own reception. :(
9:30pm: Bouquet & garter tosses // Guestbook switched to favor table
9:35pm - 11:30pm: Band plays second dance set
9:50pm: Main stations close
10pm: Dessert stations open
11:25pm: Last dance is played
11:30pm: Dessert stations close // Guests filter out as reception ends // Band packs up
12pm: Intimate After Party // Late-night snacks are served // LeBraun connect Spotify playlist and put on Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince on the monitors
1:30pm: After party ends // Bar closes // Tear down and clean up begins
#shabraun | Adding Personal Touches To Your Wedding Events
Every couple wants their wedding to be unique. The wedding should be a reflection of you as a couple. It is your big day after all. Weโre hoping sharing some personal touches we added to our ceremony and reception will help others find some creative ways to make their days stand out from the rest.
Read More#shabraun | A Look Inside Our Destination Wedding Welcome Bags
Make your guests feel welcome as soon as they arrive with a welcome bag filled with local goodies and personal touches. Welcome bags are a great way to say โThank you for making the trip, we are so excited you are here, and want you to relax and enjoy yourself!โ Plus they are really fun to put together. :)
Read MoreGluten-Free, Dairy-Free Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches
Hot Summer days call for a chilled, creamy childhood favorite! I love how simple ice cream cookie sandwiches are to make. You do have to have some patience to allow the ice cream to set back once itโs sandwiched in the cookies, but the cookies are simple as you just adjust a simple boxed cake mix. Less time baking and more time munching!
Read MoreTravel Guide: The Strip, Las Vegas
Designed with entertainment in mind, Las Vegas always has somewhere fun to go, somewhere great to eat, something amazing to see, and something for everyone. Let me help you navigate it!
Read MoreGluten-Free Shredded Brussels Sprout & Spinach Salad
I love the simplicity of this salad. It tastes professional but is incredibly easy to prepare, and I love a recipe that requires very little effort.
The dressing is creamy, light and tangy which the perfect juxtaposition to the sweet dried cranberries, salty seeds and crunchy greens. Itโs a wonderful combinations of flavors and textures. If you want something with a little of everything, this Gluten-Free Shredded Brussels Sprout & Spinach Salad is it!
Gluten-Free, Vegan Chickpea Salad
Growing up chicken salad was my go-to sandwich so Iโve captured all my favorite elements with a vegan twistโChickpea Salad!
Chickpea Salad is a great base for a picnic basket as itโs hearty yet light. Creamy, crunchy and full of comforting flavors.
Read MoreGluten-Free, Vegan Bunny Bait (Easter Trail Mix)
So hereโs the easiest Easter snack. Sweet and salty. Crunchy and creamy. A little something for everyone at your Easter gathering. Have a Hoppy (I mean Happy) Easter!
Read MoreTravel Guide | An Insiderโs Guide to Celebrating The Ultimate Bachelorette Weekend In Nashville
If youโre reading this you may be considering or have chosen Nashville for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you wonโt regret it. Nashville has become one of the hottest bachelorette party locations in the U.S. The cityโs bursting with delicious food, amazing music 24/7/365, Southern charm, friendly people and laid-back, fun-loving atmosphere. Plus tons of Instagrammable locations to capture the weekendโs memories. The party doesnโt stop in Music City!
As locals we took our tried-and-true activity, food & drink, and shopping recommendations and created this detailed guide to help you plan the perfect destination Nashville bachelorette party experience for your brideโs last bash in Nash! Boots optional.
Travel Guide | 10 Experiences for an Epic Bachelor Party in Nashville
Luckily youโve chosen to spend that last hurrah weekend in Nashville. The party doesnโt stop in Music City USA. With live music is rockinโ 24/7/365, the cityโs foodie scene in full swing, Southern hospitality, and laid-back vibeโNashvilleโs one of the nationโs hottest party destinations.
Whether youโve previously been to the city or not, weโve pulled together 10 Nashville experiences that will help create an epic bachelor party for the groom!
Read MoreRecipe Roundup | Game Day Snack-Atizers
Crowd-pleasing game day snack-atizers with gluten-free, dairy-free + vegan adjustments optional. Come for the game but stay for the snacks.
Read MoreCrafting A Fabulous Gluten-Free, Vegan Cheeseboard
Discovering the best vegan cheese is really a trial and error, personal preference kind of experience. Whenever I see a new brand or flavor at the grocery, Iโll try it out. But in order to save you time, Iโve rounded up a few of my favorites to share with you today!
Read MoreGluten-Free, Vegan Poppyseed Roll Cookies
Each cookie is soft, but crunchy. Sweet enough to satisfy that sweet tooth and yet light enough to not feel like you blow your New Yearโs Fitness Resolutions, and perfect to be enjoyed with an afternoon cuppa on a chilly day like today!
Read MoreGluten-Free, Dairy-Free Christmas CRACK-ers
For this holiday classic itโs all about the layers. A layer of crunchy crackers coated in a caramel-y sauce, topped with chocolateโฆbut wait thereโs moreโฆthen finished off with a topping of choice, in our versions, peppermint candy canes!
Read MoreGluten-Free, Vegan Peppermint Pretzel Bark
Now peppermint and chocolate have always been a winning combination, but the addition of crunchy, salty pretzels kicks each bite up a notch! A simple, quick sweet treat that everyone will love. Mmm!
Read MoreGluten-Free, Vegan Peanut Butter Popcorn
Anyway, movies arenโt complete without some popcorn and this recipe takes a standard bag of microwave popcorn and turns it into a slightly salted, creamy peanut butter dream. The texture and flavor combination is riiiight on! crunchy, chewy, creamy, salty, sweetโฆeach bite has got us verbally uttering YUM. :)
Read MoreGluten-Free, Dairy-Free Gingerbread Doughnuts
The countdown is officially on. Weโve made it to the final stretch. Christmas is five days away which means we are in full-on Christmas mode hereโsnacking on candy canes, hot chocolate and gingerbread everything!
Read MoreGluten-Free, Dairy-Free Potato Latkes
A great latke should have a crispy, golden outside and soft, savory center. Mmm! This version is classic, simple, and humble. No fancy ingredients here, just wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Read More