Beka Rendell of Innovative Events and Paper in Philadelphia/Wynnewood recalled one memorable wedding she planned at the Westin Hotel, where the reception was in the ballroom.
"Later, everyone went into another room where there was lit-up lounge furniture, a DJ, and ice sculptures with shots," Rendell says.
Specialty cocktail bars are highly popular: "We did an amazing wedding with a champagne bar. People could mix and match juice and syrups," Rendell says. Mojitos, wine and cheese, or beer bars are other options.
Some of the most creative wedding cocktails come from Stephen Starr Events. Often, clients approach the company seeking drinks they've enjoyed at Starr restaurants such as the Continental or El Vez. Others work with staff mixologists to create personalized concoctions.
"Signature cocktails are huge," says Morgan Bedore, Starr events manager. At a recent Starr wedding at the F.U.E.L. Collection, guests sipped lychee cosmos, Caddy Shacks (St. Germain liqueur, prosecco, and club soda) and Romarins (Finlandia grapefruit vodka, rosemary, St. Germain, and grapefruit juice). Organic herbal cocktails are a big seller, with such ingredients as rosemary, lemon thyme, and cilantro, and local spirits such as Bluecoat gin.
Service, too, can be fancied-up, Bedore says. A recent wedding featured mini-martini shakers passed on trays with garnished glasses for a shaken-to-order effect.
Others have added monogrammed glasses or plexiglass trays inlaid with the invitation.
"In general, clients are coming in with more ideas - we have a lot of fun bringing them to life."
Light magic
While up-lit chuppahs and dance-floor monograms have become de rigueur in ballroom weddings, the latest lighting trends go further to create event atmosphere.
