Find the "lime" to relax & enjoy the summer....

Bud Light Lime's motto right now is "The Summer State of Mind" - and we recommend that you try to do just that - enjoy the moment, enjoy the summer, and enjoy good food with friends.

If you're heading up to the cottage this long weekend, or going camping, or are about to host a bbq, birthday party, or even a bridal shower, I've got some yummy recipes made easy with the help of Bud Light Lime.

Bud Light Lime Braised Shrimp

Makes 36 pieces

½ cup Olive Oil (Light)

10 cloves Garlic (large, diced)

12 oz. Bud Light Lime

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
36 pieces shrimp (raw, peeled, deveined)
6 limes cut in half
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth

In a large skillet, on high heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shrimp, season with cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes and then add the Bud Light Lime and limes. Finish cooking the shrimp, about 5 more minutes or until shrimp are firm and white inside. Add the Vermouth and serve.

Wok Seared Lime & Teriyaki Sea Scallops

Serves; 4

12 large, fresh Sea Scallops
5 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Hot sauce to taste
Teriyaki sauce to taste
Sea salt to taste

1 Red Bell pepper, julienned

½ lb. Sugar snap peas, trimmed and cleaned
½ lb. Bean Sprouts
2 tsp. Lime juice
6 oz. Bud Light Lime

You will need to cook the Scallops in two batches, so the wok does not get crowded.

Heat the wok over high heat; add two tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot add six scallops, a couple dashes of hot sauce and a couple dashes of teriyaki. Sear both sides, about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from wok and repeat cooking process for the next batch of scallops.

Turn heat down to medium, add to the wok one tablespoon of olive oil and red bell peppers, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar snap peas, sprouts, lime juice, Bud light Lime and several generous dashes of teriyaki. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Return all the scallops to the wok, gently toss, season with sea salt to your taste and serve.

When I think of kickin' back in the summer, I can't help but think of "Toes" by the Zac Brown Band.

Cheers to great food, good times and enjoying a "summer state of mind".

* be responsible, don't drink and drive
* recipes courtesy of Edelman PR for Bud Light Lime

My Fair Lady

Came across these beautiful wedding photos on Love & Lavender while perusing the 'Wedding Blog' circuit. How adorable are these shots from a Winnipeg, Canada wedding?

Photos were taken by Simply Rosie Photography.

Enjoy!

Take your wedding to the location of your choice for your photos - somewhere that speaks to both of you, one that you'll have fun at, and a location that you'll remember your entire life.

'What not to Wear' to a Wedding

As a woman, I’m sure you’ve seen the show “What Not to Wear” on TLC. If I were to host an episode, it would be about what not to wear to a wedding. Instantly, I can think of some major “no no’s” and a few fashion faux pas.

If you’re attending a wedding, here’s 4 things you need to know when you’re picking out what to wear.

#1 – Don’t wear white!

It’s majorly frowned upon to wear white to a wedding – that colour should only be worn by the Bride. You should also stay away from colours such as ivory, champagne, pale peach or light silver (these colours can look white in photos). If you want to wear white, it should be in a patterned dress either as the pattern itself or as the foreground colour.

#2 – Keep the length reasonable

Short dresses are very popular these days, but you shouldn’t wear a dress that is more than 1 inch above your knee to a wedding. Cocktail dresses are a better choice than long dresses. The length of your dress should be either 1” above your knee, at your knee, or just below your knees.

#3 – Coordinate with the time of day & season

Black dresses shouldn’t be worn to daytime weddings. Summer dresses shouldn’t be worn in the winter (unless paired with a pretty cardigan that will stay on through the entire wedding) – and choose your shoes properly too. This is common sense stuff.

#4 – Mind your straps

According to an article featured in The Spectator, you should avoid strapless and spaghetti straps. Choosing straps that are 2 fingers in width is best – and obviously more classy. But, times have changed, and I know that strapless dresses are worn often – so if you go with a strapless or spaghetti strap, be sure that the dress fits – don’t be adjusting your top all night, don’t show any signs of a bra (although you MUST wear one, we just don't want to see the straps or the back of it) and make sure the spaghetti straps don’t slide off your shoulders. A good fit goes a long way.

Be conscious of other guests and the theme of the wedding when picking your outfit. Be mindful of cultural traditions, and do research if you're not sure – for example, Chinese traditions frown upon guests wearing red as that colour is typically reserved for the Bride. If you’re still not sure what to wear, and don’t want to cross any boundaries, the best suggestion I can give is for you to consult the Bride as she’s the one that has planned and envisioned her special day for months.



*post generated from personal opinion & articles featured in The Spectator & Project Wedding's Blog
* pictures from Google images

"The Versus Series" Part II

Wedding Coordinator versus Venue Coordinator

You've booked your wedding at a venue that has a "Wedding Coordinator" so you think that you don't need to hire another one, right? On most cases - wrong. A lot of  venues (like banquet halls & golf clubs) come equipped with their very own 'Wedding Coordinator' - but these people, whom might I say are fantastic and helpful, are there for the venue - not for you. They're there to coordinate the logistics of their staff to ensure proper timing of menu courses. Your Wedding Coordinator is there to work for you.  When you have your own Wedding Coordinator (Day of Coordination services), she will work together with the Venue Coordinator for details such as lighting, set up and the menu.

A Wedding Coordinator is there for all aspects of your wedding - from the moment you get ready, to when you walk down the aisle, to your photo shoot and lastly at your reception (the venue).

A Venue Coordinator is only available to you during the last and final aspect of your major event - and even then, if you're getting married in a venue that has more than just your wedding occurring that day, the Venue Coordinator isn't 100% dedicated to your wedding - like your Wedding Coordinator is.

There are many logistics to a wedding, some guests see, others they don't. Having a Wedding Coordinator just for you, your Groom & Wedding Party is a fantastic investment to ensure that all of your hard work, time and planning details are executed and taken care of. Your Wedding Coordinator is selected by you - so you can choose a Coordinator that you feel most comfortable with - unlike a Venue Coordinator who just comes as part of your 'package'.

Having your own Wedding Coordinator (WC) relieves a ton of stress and allows you to enjoy your day. Just ask any Bride who hired one for their wedding and they'll agree - hiring a Coordinator was money well spent.


Imagine your up-coming wedding day.......

While you’re getting ready, who’s making sure the ceremony site is set up fabulous? Your WC.

When guests arrive at the ceremony site who’s making sure your programs are being distributed? Your WC.

Who preps you to walk down the aisle and adjusts your train?
Your WC.

When you're on the photo shoot who provides an Assistant to escort you to keep track of timing? Your WC.

Who works with the Venue Coordinator to ensure proper set up & placement of details? Your WC.

When vendors arrive (cake, DJ,) who greets them & makes sure they're following the set contract? Your WC.

Who has an Emergency Kit full of items that will help with any issue that may arise? Your WC.

(things happen...like a ripped seam, or a broken boutonnière. You don't want or need to worry about those things - that's the Planner's job)

You get the idea. You don't want to have to worry or even slightly think about these finer details and logistics....that's why you need your very own Wedding Coordinator.

Have some questions for us? Call or email, we'd be happy to meet with you to discuss our Wedding Services and how we can help you on the most important day of your life.

* pictures courtesy of Images of You Photography

* post inspired by post by Every Last Detail

"The Versus Series" Part I

Full Wedding Planning versus Day of Coordination.

Both are services provided and executed by a Wedding Planner (sometimes also known as a Wedding Coordinator). Depending on your budget, personality and expectations for your special day will depend on what service you choose.

Full Wedding Planning is a service that’s best suited for couples that know what kind of wedding they want, but have little time (and sometimes patience, energy and desire) to get it all completed in a set timeframe.

Sometimes, we see Brides who are very laid back choose this option, as they’d rather have someone make all the decisions for them. Other Brides that like the Full Wedding Planning service are ones that don’t have any family or friends living in the city they will wed (thus your Planner becomes your new BFF), and sometimes this service is used by Brides whom are getting married away – either in another city (perhaps the Groom’s hometown) or in another country (beach wedding).

Wedding Planners (WP) are hired for this service to help Brides & Grooms with all of the event logistics, details and decisions. From aiding in theme development, to choosing vendors – this service is typically started 12-14 months from the wedding date. Your Wedding Planner can arrange meetings with vendors, review contracts and help you create your budget & timeline.

This service also includes your Wedding Planner being on-site for your wedding day. She’ll be with you as you get ready, and for the ceremony, pictures and reception. She’s there to troubleshoot any logistics that may go array, and they most likely will – a wedding is a major event – stuff happens. Having a Wedding Planner working for you ensures that you can enjoy your day as a Bride and savor each moment with your Groom.

Then, there is Day of Coordination. This service is great for DYI Brides whom have planned their entire wedding themselves but want a Planner make their wedding planning dreams a reality.

This service is typically booked 8-12 months in advance, but the real ‘magic’ doesn’t start until 3-4 months before your big day. Your Wedding Planner will meet with you for a logistical meeting consisting of gathering all components of your event. You will work together to form a timeline for the day, and will go over every detail with a fine tooth comb – from your venue floorplan, to the placement of your favors, guest book and menu cards. She will get all of your vendor information and copies of all contracts, and will get information for ‘key’ players in your wedding like the Limo Driver, Officiant and Best Man. The Wedding Planner (WP) is there to work for you to ensure that all of your hard work, time and money are executed in a way that you’ve always imagined.

If you have any questions about either of these services, please send us and email or give us a call. We’d love to meet with you to decide which service is best suited for you.


* pictures courtesy of Images of You Photography
* post inspired by post by Every Last Detail