I’ve been busy at Chandelier Events collaborating with the culinary geniuses at Celsius, our reception venue at Citi Pond at Bryant Park, on a modern winter menu that takes a cue from the snowy season. 

From frost-themed cocktails to whimsical inspirations, our cool menu will give guests a toasty experience. Following a rink-side cocktail hour featuring libations and passed hors d’oeuvres, guests will be welcomed to their seats with an Iceberg Salad featuring crisp iceberg lettuce topped with pancetta, mixed heirloom tomatoes and creamy agave mascarpone blue cheese. An enticing Winter Steak & Potato entree will include an espresso-rubbed flatiron steak served with potatoes confit and tomato fondue. And we’ll cap it all off with a wedding cake by Ana Parzych Cakes and solstice-inspired sweets like s’mores and hot chocolate! (I’m getting hungry just thinking about it all -- aren’t you?!) 

When considering your menu, curate it with dishes that speak to your shared passions, the location, the time of day, the season -- and, of course, your theme! Hosting a Romantic Russian-inspired gala in a ballroom? Caviar and vodka are must-haves for your menu. Getting married by the sea on a summer weekend? Fresh-caught fish grilled and served family-style would be fitting.

Here are some of the hot trends in wedding food -- will they be on your menu?

Wow, that went FAST. We’re busy finalizing all of the details for The Knot Dream Wedding -- Sierra and Andre’s ceremony, all the amazing choices you’ve voted for, the menu (more on that in next week’s blog!) and, of course -- the toasts! After all, what’s a wedding without a bit of bubbly?

Which brings me to this week’s hot topic: cocktail hour! A vivacious kickoff to a wedding celebration, the first few moments of the reception can truly set the tone for the entire evening. At Chandelier Events, I love to infuse cocktail hours with stylish surprises -- from performance artists to enticing stations and, of course, amazing libations! 

Here are three hot trends for wedding cocktail hours to consider:

Champagnes and sparkling wines are a nuptial staple. Why not go beyond the toast and incorporate bubbly in a bigger way? This effervescent beverage should take center stage at your event -- from tasting bars hosted by a sommelier (a certified wine educator), where guests can sample different vintages, to retro champagne fountains and sparkling cocktails poured at bars made entirely of ice. (We can’t wait to see what our official ice stylist, Okamoto Studio, dreams up for Sierra and Andre’s day!)