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Things We Love |
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Northern California’s wine region is ranked as one of the nation’s top five destination wedding locations. Robbin Montero unites the wedding, wine, and tourism industry of Northern Califorina.
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Any diamond will carry a romantic message to a beloved bride, but only one will set her heart on fire. A diamond that is so perfectly cut that it has all the classic elements of a diamond’s beauty—brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. A diamond that sparkles like a red-hot fire. A Hearts On Fire diamond.
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She left her heart in San Francisco. Melissa A. Panico, with MAP Events, swoons over the elegance and the urban Bay Bridge views.
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With the trend of destination weddings on the rise, brides-to-be are constantly in search of that perfect wedding weekend locale. Palm Springs gives the destination wedding vibe.
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Janice S. Casacca explores the Central Coast’s effortless beauty and the flavor of old California where the sprawling countyside meets the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
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Juicy Couture Set
Pamper her the Juicy Couture way with this limited edition fragrance set. The travel size spray is perfect for Juicy girls on the go. It’s adorned with an exclusive Juicy Lipstick charm and paired with a hydrating body moisturizer. Give the gift of Juicy—it’s fashionably romantic and fun. $95, sephora.com
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YWD Blog |
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YWD issue release party, part 5: Wedding Desserts! |
A good YWD issue release party (and every wedding for that matter) should never end without some yummy yummy desserts!...
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by Karlyn Pratt
photographs by Elizabeth Messina
TEA traditions are as rich in custom as the ceremony is to the wedding. In Chinese Wedding Tea ceremonies, lotus seeds and red dates are used to make the tea because it was believed that they helped produce children and their sweetness assured a sweet relation between newlyweds and their families. In Vietnam, engagement rings are often exchanged at a tea ceremony. In Japan, a tea ceremony is held to symbolize harmony between the newlyweds.
In America, according to some of the top wedding planners and coordinators, tea ceremonies are making a big comeback. The future brides and her bridesmaids are the first to enjoy for a bridal shower, a meeting with the parents, a thank-you for friends, or simply a much-needed break after all that planning. So whether you create your own tea party or gather at an established tea house, we have some great suggestions and places to visit.
One plant produces every tea in the world, the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen native of China which gives rise to more than 3,000 varieties of tea harvested around the world. There are six basic categories of tea: white, green, oolong, black, puer tea, a twice-fermented black tea, and flavored teas in every aroma imaginable—orange peel, peach leaves, berries, cardamom, cinnamon, jasmine, rose, magnolia, onion, pepper, to name just a few. Any other tea is either a blend—like English Breakfast and Earl Grey—or an herbal infusion or tisane.
Tea houses are appearing all over California, offering traditional English-style Afternoon Teas, usually a Ceylon or Darjeeling accompanied by crumbling scones, thick conserves, petit fours, finger sandwiches and other delicacies. If more copious, it is traditionally called High Tea. Some tea houses offer a Japanese tea ceremony: green tea with traditional o-kashi sweets. Others offer Chai service, with fragrant sandwiches and rich cookies to accompany the sweet and spicy brew. Whatever your preference, a delightful tea is just a few short stops away.
We asked Kathleen of Kathleena’s Exquisite Tea Parties for advice. She says it’s the subtle touches that create atmosphere—delicate china, rose petals sprinkled on fresh linen.“I want guests to truly experience their tea.” She pairs finger sandwiches with desserts of different flavors; scones from La Petite Bakery and cakes from Heavenly Cakes and More complete the affair.
Tottenham Court in Ojai features dainty china patterns and silver spoons. Owner Andi says, “Serving tea is very personal. It is made special simply by creating a time and setting where it can be enjoyed. The presentation of the table, the aromas of tea, and pastries create a festive mood.”
You can host a lovely tea party at home by calling a tea expert to create a full tea-tasting experience. They will bring all the details. Or you can host your own. We recommend using loose-leaf teas; they are rich in aroma and flavor: find Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and Serendipitea at Lazy Acres, Lassens, and Whole Foods Market, or at www.gypsytea.com and www.serendipitea.com. And for petit fours, visit your local bakery to acquire handmade pastries.
Decorate tables with roses or exotic orchids! Melissa Lee of Events of Santa Barbara says mismatched cups and saucers packed with a packet of the tea to create the perfect memento. Mary Ann Knox of MAK Events, Inc. suggests serving tea with small morsels. “That way, everyone has a chance to taste the whole spread without feeling guilty.”
To brew the perfect pot, Kathy of Kathlean’s Yellow House in Camarillo says, “First warm the teapot to release the tea’s bouquet, use one teaspoon of tea for each cup, plus one more for the pot. Pour simmering water over the leaves. Infuse for three to five minutes and serve.
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English-style
High Tea
Classic Assam teas, served with sugar and cream. try These: Lady Grey, Vanilla Darjeeling, and the quintessential British Afternoon. Finger Sandwiches: Salted rosemary, cucumber and cream cheese; Smoked salmon and capers; Roasted almond butter and hazelnut spread; Scones with fresh berry conserves and Devonshire cream; Lemon tea shortbread, chocolate truffles and petite fours.
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Asian Twist
Delicate Green teas (can be slightly sweetened, but no milk). try These: DragonWell, Momo (green tea with peach nectar), and jasmine-lavender. Delicacies: Skewers of grilled chicken or vegetables with a sweet peanut sauce; Assorted butter cookies and o-kashi; Dark chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries and whipped cream. |
Moroccan Holiday
Global Tea Blends. try these: Chilled Moroccan mint tea, Vanilla Chai and Pomegranate-oolong. Delicacies: Open faced brioche with Goat cheese, walnuts and honey; Spiced-glazed carrot and chicken bites; Lemon curd tartlets with blackberries. |
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Masala Tea from India is made of black tea with spices such as cardamom, ginger, pepper, and cloves. Its spiciness can be tempered by adding milk and sugar.
Oolong Tea is considered the champagne of teas. They are the finest, and therefore the most expensive, tea in the world. They go through a short period of fermentation which turns the leaves into a rich red-brownish peach color with a slight taste of smoke. It is best enjoyed without milk, lemon, or sweetener.
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If spice is your life, Chai is your path to enlightenment. This tea glows a deep amber in its concentrated form and blossoms into a rich, luxurious beverage with honey and cream. The cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg add depth and character to classic black tea. Just the thing to carry one from a lazy afternoon, to dancing into the night.
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Russian Tea is sometimes served in three teapots which are shaped to nest on top of each other. The larger pot contains hot water, the middle pot holds strong black tea, usually a blend of Chinese and Indian leaves, the smaller one contains herbal or mint tea. Everyone can mix tea and water in the proportions they like. Russians like to drink tea from a podstakanniki—a special tea glass in a silver holder |
Green Tea has become all the rage for its seemingly unending health benefits and mild flavor—when it’s properly brewed. Try an orange blossom blend, or jasmine pearls for their delicate scent.
Irish Breakfast Tea is a robust black tea blend made with an Assam tea base. A very strong brew, it is usually served with sugar and milk.
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Tips |
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#21 LA FLEUR TABLE
Cover your entire table top with a single bold color of petals. Not
just a scattering, but the entire top of the table with a thick layer
of petals! You can purchase them at a farmers market or order them
through your florist. Place your chargers, place settings, glassware
and centerpieces in a contrasting color and lots of candles directly
onto the petals for a stunning, romantic look!
Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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# 1 - LOUNGING ANYWHERE
Wonder what to do to a resort ballroom to make it more interesting and intimate? You can create individual lounge areas by renting tents of sheer flowing fabric and adding sofas and coffee tables with lots of candlelight in them. You’ve suddenly created that romantic lounge atmosphere in a standard ballroom and given it more intimacy. Your guests can move to different “rooms” during the cocktails hour or or they can dance the night away. Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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#11 QUICK FIX
Traveling with an emergency kit is like the American Express campaign, “Don’t leave home without it.” It should have everything from panty hose and nail glue to smelling salts and Tums, but the most commonly used item is SAFETY PINS! Although you should have a needle and thread, I have resorted to using safety pins for fixing hems on tuxedos, bustling the brides gown, pinning broken bra straps and creating a veil or headpiece out of tulle when the bride’s was left at home. Safety pins are great for a “quick fix.”
Toby Kay Applebay & Associates
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