I have become a HUGE fan of S’mores since I was lucky to taste Sweet Maralyn’s Chocolates, HOMEMADE marshmallows! She was gracious enough to make an OUTREAGEOS S’more bar for one of my events and trust me, once you have these marshmallows, you will never want to open another bag!

Dessert bars are HOT right now. After your guests have been dancing the night away, it is a great treat to have something sweet (keeps their energy up to keep the party going!!)

A s’more bar may be an option if

1. There is a fire pit
   
2. You can find an inside fire station. Many catering companies can bring them.
   

I found this great blog post from Cookie Creatives that gives a great new spin on s’mores- 4 different flavors of marshmallows, raspberry, lime, vanilla, and chocolate.  There were 2 different kinds of graham crackers, 3 types of chocolate, and 2 toppings.  The toasted coconut and chopped toasted pecans were delicious add-ons and stick to the melted marshmallows perfectly! Look at the display of simple plates and bowls for the display as well an incorporating some tin pails and wicker baskets to keep it elegant but summery and slightly rustic. This can be customized to have any kind of color or platters that match your theme!

Since there were so many possible s’mores give guests some creative ideas by attaching tags with different combinations to the end of the skewers with some paper raffia.

I LOVE these suggestions

• Key Lime Pie – honey graham cracker with lime marshmallow, white chocolate, and dipped in toasted coconut:
  
• Dark Chocolate Raspberry –  chocolate graham cracker with raspberry marshmallow and dark chocolate:
  
• Vanilla Nut – honey graham cracker with vanilla marshmallow and  chopped toasted pecans
  
• Traditional S’mores - honey graham cracker with milk chocolate and vanilla marshmallows.  Yum!
  

Another option to include s’mores in your event without the work of building a whole display or making multiple flavors is to package some marshmallows with enough graham crackers and chocolate to make a few delicious treats per guest.  Leave them out by the grill or fire pit along with some skewers and let guests enjoy them at their leisure!

Or another version with simple Cello bags (from Michael’s!) and a matching ribbon

Magically OBSESSED with Macarons……. Not to be confused with the coconut kind (which I love too!!!!!!!) But these amazing little treats that are all the rage.

There are a few places I have found them to be amazing:

Chocolate Provocateur (Orlando) http://www.chocolateprovocateur.com/ (oh and the amazing variety of other fresh baked yummy items will have you swooning!!!)

Crazy about Macarons (South Florida) http://crazyaboutmacarons.com (they ship too!!!)

But if you are like me, and LOVE to bake, check out the easy recipe below!!!!!! There are so many delicious combinations but this one is to DIE FOR!!!!!!!!

Look how cute they are as favors

Packaging like this is 2×2 so should you decide to make these as DIY favors, you might want to order a sample before baking to ensure the perfect fit.

http://www.gandgwebstore.com/2×2-cylinder-box-clear-pkg-6-en.html

Vanilla Bean Macarons with Dulce de Leche Buttercream
Makes 18-20 Macarons

Ingredients:

Macarons Shells:
115 Grams Almond Meal
180 Grams Confectioners’ Sugar
100 Grams Egg Whites, aged at room temperature for 24 hours
25 Grams Granulated Sugar
Seeds from 1/2 Vanilla Bean Pod

Dulce de Leche Buttercream:
1 to 2 Cups Confectioners Sugar, sifted
½ Cup Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
3 to 4 Tablespoons Dulce de Leche (they sell it in a can so you don’t have to boil the cans anymore!!! Woo Hoo)

In a large bowl sift together almond meal and confectioners’ sugar to remove any lumps. Set aside.

In a mixing stand, whisk egg whites until frothy. Add vanilla beans and slowly add granulated sugar. Continue beating until stiff peaks are formed. Carefully begin incorporating dry mixture into the meringue—gently folding until all items have been integrated. This should take no more than 50 strokes.

Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, pipe small rounds of the mixture onto Silpat lined baking sheets. Rounds should be about 1½ inches in diameter. Once baking sheets are filled, tap the sheet carefully but firmly on the counter to remove any possible air pockets. Let baking sheets sit on the counter for 45 minutes to harden the outer shell before baking.

Bake at 280 degrees for 16-18 minutes. Transfer the pans to cooling rack and cool completely before removing shells from mats.

While shells are cooling, prepare the buttercream. In a large mixer bowl, whip the butter for several minutes until very light and fluffy. Slowly add the confectioner’s sugar until the butter becomes thicker and stiff. Add the Dulce de Leche and whip until combined. If needed, add a few more spoons of confectioner’s sugar until desired consistency is reached.

Transfer buttercream to a piping bag. Fill a macaron shell with the buttercream and sandwich with another shell. Macarons can be stored in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days.

Note: The buttercream is on the sweeter side so I would suggest filling only a minimal amount (yeah right lol)

Weddings are a blast! Every couple never wants the celebration to come to an end, some also want to get the festivities started as soon as possible. In addition to the post-wedding brunch, one of the ways to make even more of your wedding weekend is to kick things off with a cocktail hour before the ceremony. Yes, BEFORE!

There are a variety of reasons why the concept of a pre-wedding cocktail hour has taken off. The main one is that it is just plain fun. Your guests will love the chance to mix and mingle while sipping a cool beverage before the formal service begins. It can be a great way for people from the bride’s side and the groom’s side to get to know one another a bit before the reception later on. In addition, it is just a very hospitable way to welcome your guests to your wedding.

There can be some practical advantages to having a little cocktail hour before your wedding, as well. These days, many couples are choosing to have their formal wedding portraits taken before the ceremony, and the cocktail hour would give you the perfect opportunity to do so while your guests are otherwise engaged. The nice thing is that everyone will look their freshest, with the bride in her un-wrinkled wedding gown and fabulous bridal jewelry, and the bridesmaids still feeling fresh in their crisp dresses and pretty bridal jewelry. This can be particularly smart if the bride and her attendants are wearing fabrics that crease easily.

If you are one of those people who always runs fifteen minutes late, this can be another benefit to a pre-wedding cocktail hour! At least your guests will not mind being kept waiting as much. Guests who are chatting and enjoying a drink or a glass of Champagne are going to be a lot less antsy than those sitting impatiently in their seats wondering if the bride has made a break for it. In fact, this is a great way to get your guests THERE in time for a prompt start!!!

There are a few things to keep in mind if you do decide to have cocktails served before your wedding ceremony. The first is that the bride should definitely plan to save her grand entrance for the ceremony. You will have plenty of time to mix and mingle with your guests after the service, especially if you take care of most of the photos beforehand.

Another thing to remember is that you do not have to make your pre-wedding cocktail hour very elaborate. You can choose just a few drinks to serve, and save the full bar for the start of the reception. A nice idea would be to choose a signature drink, perhaps in one of your wedding colors. You can round things out with glasses of Champagne, and a non-alcoholic “mocktail” as an option. If you saw a recent blog about escort cards, you can actually find a way to incorporate them into the theme of the Pre-Cocktail hour!

The pre-wedding cocktail hour is a trend that is only going to get more popular. This is especially true for brides and grooms who have their ceremony and reception all in one location, as it is very easy to set up. How wonderful to begin your wedding festivities in such a hospitable fashion!

Oh, I just love how these escort cards are so inviting AND functional.

Welcome guests to your reception with refreshing drinks that are tagged with their table numbers. The chilled mint lemonade shown here is delicious for spring and summer occasions. In the cooler months, serve apple cider or hot cocoa in mugs.

The details: Specialty Bottle 12-oz sauce bottle. Modern Lola paper straws. There are so many options! How about mason jars, jelly jars, elegant champagne glasses………. Make it YOU and get your guests talking about your OMG wedding

Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Get Wedding Inspiration – Martha Stewart Weddings

This cloud of happiness is making its way into all aspects of the catering menu at weddings, galas and charity events. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the versatility of Cotton Candy.  The perfect way to show your fun side and entertain your guests. I start with the engagement party. Imagine a fun carnival theme with candy apples milkshakes (either real or faux) and milkshakes! Now that is a conversation starter!

Then move on to the decorations of cupcakes. There is even a “grown up” version of fairy floss! Used by chefs wanting to make a statement atop gourmet desserts with delicate flavors of vanilla, chocolate, saffron and pistachio. Look at this use of fragrant Rose fairy floss sitting above a fluffy cloud of whipped frosting.

Then on to the wedding……..Want something elegant and fun to surprise your guests at your Wedding? Check out this display!!! What a sweet way to start cocktail hour.

Who didn’t see the use of Cotton Candy on My Fair Wedding? So many fun ways to incorporate Cotton Candy. I’m sure they will enjoy Fancy and Fruity Cocktails with a splash of Cotton Candy on the Rim……

Or

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the versatility of Cotton Candy.  Now to end the evening. Coffee Bar? Add some of the fun theme to the end of the evening. How adorable are these ice coffee frappe topped with fluffy white cotton candy?! Find the recipe to add this beverage to your late night bar menu HERE.