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My inspiration for the day! I have been a HUGE fan of Macarons but honestly, they can be a bit pricey! SOOOOOO, second option? Chocolate covered Oreos, yup OREOS!!!!

Then I started searching for other wedding (and party) ideas and thought about the DIY bride! Cost effective and handmade with love for your guests!

DON’T GET SCARED!!!! This is SO doable and how much fun to make with friends and family…….. a real bridal party fun night. If you haven’t worked with chocolate, I suggest a trial run so you know the consistency and how to use the tools. Like I said, not hard but you still might want to try a few before diving in.

To create a cookie couple you’ll need:

• Oreos
• Brown chocolate
• White chocolate
• Colored dyes
• Piping bag
• Containers/bags
  

The less the cookie is handled the better. Psst-Pre-dipped chocolate Oreo’s are available in certain areas. Check your grocer to see if they carry them. If not you can always dip your own.

• To do so melt quality chocolate (if you buy the kind from a craft store, such as Michael’s, read the instructions on melting! Nothing sadder than an overheated bowl of chocolate.)
  
• Spoon over the cookie, allow chocolate to set.
  
• Prepare the Royal Icing as needed, it should be runny enough to flow, but not so much so it runs over the sides of the cookie. Royal icing hardens, so don’t think it is too “flowing” as it will dry wherever you put it.
  
• To create a blushing bride, flood the surface of the cookie with flesh colored icing, allow to set. Next, use the offset spatula to apply the white icing, creating the shape of the letter M, imagine what the top of strapless gown would resemble. Use pastry bag or bamboo skewer to add necklace details.
• STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS BELOW
  

To make 3 cups of Royal Icing, you’ll need:

• With a mixer, beat all ingredients at low speed until icing forms peaks, 7- 10 minutes.
  
• To prepare the individual colors, divide the icing, one cup each into separate bowls and add a few drops of selected color gels, stir to blend, continue to add color until desired effect is achieved.
  

TIPS:

• If you’ve not used cake decorating tools before, take time to practice piping and using Royal Icing. It will make the decorating process much easier.
  
• If you’re adept at using a pastry bag for decorating, do so to flood and pipe icing for the necklace, button and bow tie. If however, cake decorating isn’t your bag, the offset spatula and bamboo skewer is sufficient.
  
• To avoid mixing colors, allow each application of icing to set up before adding the next color.
  

Instructions

1. 
   

   
   

   To do so melt quality chocolate and spoon over the cookie, allow chocolate to set.
   

2. 
   To create the groom, create a V shape with white icing, use the offset spatula to flood the whole surface of the cookie with the icing and allow to set.
   Next, flood the remaining surface of the cookie with black icing, again allow to set. Using a spatula or a piping bag (you can also use a strong Ziploc back and cut of one of the corners.
   
3. 
   Now use a pastry bag to add buttons and a bowtie. Allow to set.
   
4. 
   To create a blushing bride, flood the surface of the cookie with flesh colored icing, allow to set.
   
5. 
   Next, use the offset spatula to apply the white icing, creating the shape of the letter M, imagine what the top of strapless gown would resemble.
   
6. 
   Use pastry bag or bamboo skewer to add the necklace details.
   

• Now that you are done decorating, you have a few options:
  
• Cello bags with matching ribbons and a sweet note attached (tags, stickers, etc)- you can find them online or at your local craft store
  
• Boxes –Here is a good source for online ordering
  
• Lollipops!!!! YUMMMMM (of course you can use any decorating technique but you can also decorate using the above- you just need to insert the stick BEFORE decorating!!!)
  

Not into decorating? How about wrapping them in foil, using matching colors as found here-

So you have two options – Buy them or make them. The sky is the limit on these special cookies…………

Are you brave enough to go this far?!?!?!

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

You take so much time in the grand details that you might just overlook the comfort of your guests. Lets look at a few ways you can make your wedding guests feel extra special
HYDRATE- especially if you are having your ceremony outside. I am personally biased because I am a huge fan of water (addicted actually lol) and ensuring your guests are hydrated and cool will make them happy in the sun! (plus it is a cute way to make it themed or personally YOU!)  Bottle your Brand is an excellent source.

SHADE: There is nothing worse than sitting in the hot sun waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle (trust me, if you haven’t had to wait 30 minutes for a ceremony to start you are lucky!) I just love the way one of our brides was able to inject their personality into their ceremony! (cute little story…. She walked down the aisle with a sweet plain parasol.  When the the ceremony was done, she picked up the DIY custom made one with their favorite ceremony. Here is a photo that I just love!)

Your guest will REALLY appreciate the thought and appreciate being shaded from the sun. Plus it makes for a great photo op! Here is an awesome site to check out.

Keepin’ Cool-
A breeze is always welcome when the heat is on!  How about getting some fans for “your fans”! Put them in a basket or on the chairs.  A few notes to note (i think i am double speaking today lol)

1) Do NOT get the little cheapie ones.  They don’t move any air for that cooling breeze!

2) Don’t feel obligated to get one for every person.  Men traditionally don’t use them (don’t ask me why) So if you have 150 guests, 75 will use them (approx)

Dancing the night away-
Ok, so a pet peeve of mine is a wedding guest who is walking barefoot at the reception.  And aghast that a bride is!!!!!!!!! (bring comfy ballet slippers my dear brides- and bring them to your dress fitting along with your heels) As your planner to put them under the sweetheart table so you don’t have to lug them around!!

Now back to your guests.  They too will want to dance but their feet will be killing them after 3 dances!  So look at these cute ideas that you can make your own!

Another cute little touch is to put the sizes on them…….. That way they are sure to fit! The ladies will be the ones to use them, so that too keeps the amount needed down.

Put the basket near the DJ and that will let them know!!!

So there you go! A few little tips to make your wedding guests comfy and special! Now i hope YOU feel a little bit special

I dont know about you but there are two desserts that just send me in to a tailspin!  Cupcakes has to be at the top of the list.  Little mini cakes with huge flavor.  The second has got to be an amazing smore. Sweet Marilyn chocolates in Orlando turned me on to her amazing fresh homemade marshmallows………. OMG, what a tasty treat (once you have homemade, you will never go back to opening a bag of processed ones)

Now, the combination of the two just makes me too happy! So check out this recipe that just makes your mouth water…… Imagine these on a dessert bar at your wedding or ANY day lol. Easy recipe and full of taste!

S’mores Cupcakes

Adapted from  Martha Stewart

Makes 14 cupcakes

For the graham cracker crust:

• 1 C graham cracker crumbs
• 1/8 C sugar
• 4 T unsalted butter, melted
• Pinch of salt
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

For the chocolate cupcakes:

• 1 C + 1 T sugar
• 14 T unbleached all-purpose flour*
• 7  T unsweetened cocoa powder*
• 3/4 t baking powder
• 3/4 t baking soda
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 C milk (the original recipe called for whole but I used 2%)
• 1/4 C vegetable oil
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1/2 C boiling water

For the frosting:

Adapted from Food & Wine

• 3/4 C sugar
• 1/3 C water
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 t cream of tartar
• 1 t vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350° F.  Line cupcake pan(s) with foil liners and move rack to center of oven.

To make the crust: In a small bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter and salt with a fork. Drop about 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of the mixture into each cupcake liner and press down firmly. Reserve remaining mixture for topping cupcakes. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of chopped chocolate on top of each crust and bake for about 5 minutes (until edges of crust are golden). Remove from oven but leave on at 350° F.

To make the cupcakes: Sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir lightly with a fork to combine. In a mixing bowl, combine egg, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Combine dry and wet ingredients and mix on low speed for a minute, then medium speed for 1-2 more minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl in between if needed. Add boiling water and mix just until combined. (Note: The batter will be very thin at this point.)

Pour 1/4 cup of batter on top of each crust (mine were a little over 3/4 full). Sprinkle each with remaining graham cracker mixture and chopped chocolate.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until tops are firm and toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Let cool completely.

To make the frosting:

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over high heat. Once it starts boiling, place the egg whites in a mixer bowl with a whisk attachment and begin mixing at medium-high speed. Once they become foamy, add the cream of tartar. Continue to beat at medium speed until stiff peaks form.

Once the sugar mixture reaches 242°F, remove from heat and slowly pour into the egg whites with the mixer on low speed. Increase speed to high and beat for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add vanilla extract and mix to combine.

*These are measured in tablespoons because I halved the original recipe and it was the easiest way to reduce the measurements (half of 1 3/4 and 3/4 cup)
Thank you to 52 Kitchen Adventures for the adaption of this amazing recipe!