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A Toast to the Bride

A Toast to the Bride

Whether you're planning an engagement party, bridal shower, reception or post-wedding brunch, these tips from professional event planner and author Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events will help you make your celebration perfect!

Bubbles add a festive, celebratory note to any bridal celebration. I love Cupcake Prosecco sparkling wine from Italy. It's crisp and refreshing – an affordable alternative to pricey French champagne yet equally delicious.

Food doesn't have to be complicated to be remarkable. To satisfy all guest preferences, I always recommend 3 to 5 appetizers including chicken, beef and fish plus two veggie options (ideally one being vegan or dairy free).

A signature drink is a fun way to welcome guests and get the party off to a great start. The Prosecco Ginger Cocktail is delicious and memorable. I like to serve it in unconventional glassware and garnish with Persian cucumber “swizzle sticks” for even more impact.

A popular alternative to the traditional sit down meal at engagement parties or showers: food stations with a range of different foods offered at each. Pair a different wine with each station to create maximum variety and enjoyment as guests taste and mingle.

Prosecco Ginger Cocktail

Yield: 12 servings, 2 glasses per serving

  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup (6 ounces) crystallized ginger
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 bottles (750 ml) Cupcake Prosecco, chilled
  • 24 thin diagonal sliced seedless or Persian cucumber

Combine water, ginger and sugar in saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat, uncovered, 15 minutes. Off heat let steep, covered, 30 minutes. Cool.

Purèe in blender until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon ginger purèe to each champagne glass. Add chilled prosecco, and stir well with swizzle stick until blended. Garnish glass with cucumber slice.

For more tips from Alison for creating a bridal event to remember, visit www.cupcakevineyards.com.