Blogs

Top Hearted Posts

Meet My Bridesmaids + Wedding Drinks from David Venable!

by on ‎08-14-2014 05:40 PM

Without further introduction, meet my best friends, my soul mates, and the girls I can’t live without…


Maid of Honor- Ashley



Ashley and I met in our sorority AOPi at the University of Mississippi.  Basically it was love at first sight.  If you’re ever in a room… it’s easy to spot Ashley.  Basically she is shortest one there and she’s having the most fun.  She is the serious one of the group.  Seriously funny that is.  She is so incredibly funny it could sometimes be hard to believe that she was nothing short of brilliant. .  Ashley is the only person I can talk to for four hours on the phone and then want to talk to her again the very next day.  We are so different yet have so much in common all at the same time.  She is one of the most caring people I know and I would be lost without her.


Ashley is completing her residency in Dermatology at Louisiana State University. Her future hubby is a doctor as well, which basically means if Aaron or I so much as sneeze we call them to make sure we’re ok Smiley Happy   Fun Fact: In true best friend fashion we got engaged a week apart and she’s now getting married February 7th. Wish them well!


Liz



Liz is my rock star friend; Both because she is the strongest person I know and the gal that can stay up the latest.  Liz was one of my first friends in college and we bonded and road tripped over the fact that our boyfriends went to another school two states over.  Liz is a spritely 6’2 and her hubby is 6’7… they are a force to be reckoned with.  She’s one of the most beautiful people, inside and out, I have ever met.  She just had a little lady… Saylor… and we all love her so much already!  As I write this, I am on my way to Vegas for my bachelorette party and we plan on face timing Liz when she’s up for late night feedings… ha! 


Baby Saylor



Sally Claire



The first time I called Sally’s phone in college her voicemail greeted me in the most southern, sweet, angelic voice “Hey this is Sally, I am sooooooooooo sooorrryyy that I missed you call…”  It was the cutest voicemail ever and we still tease her about it till this day. 


            My greatest admiration goes to Sally.  She lives life to the fullest every single day.  She’s the first one up and she’s always game to make sure we’re taking advantage of every experience when we are together.  She’s always the one making sure we are taking pictures and remembering every moment. 



Sally works for the Justice System in Tennessee.  She’s got the sweetest husband and two adorable dogs.  She’ll be my partner in crime when planning Ashley’s bachelorette party in Miami… woohoo!!


Farah



Farah and I met at Ole Miss our freshman year shortly after she won the Most Beautiful pageant.  Seriously… they voted her the best looking person on campus which is pretty awesome considering some people think we red shirt Miss America’s.   Farah’s got one of the best hearts out of anyone I know and never let’s anyone get her down.  It’s nice to have a friend who can lift your spirits no matter what you’re going through and she’s that person for me. 


Farah is my one of my California Girls and has just decided to go back to get her Masters in Social work.  She’s got three of the cutest dogs you’ve ever seen and has a new boyfriend who’s really handsome.  Go Farah!


Laylee



Laylee is one of my oldest and dearest friends.  Laylee and I met on the playground when we were in 3rd grade and have been friends ever since.  Her and I have always greeted each other “Hiya Snotface!” from our Favorite movie Drop Dead Fred.  It still makes us laugh to this very day. 


Laylee is the most free-spirited person I know.  She lives in San Francisco and is into anything and everything outdoors.  She loves any reason to dress up and entertain.  In fact, she’s got an outfit for every single occasion you could possibly think of.   She’s got a wicked laugh and she can always tell a joke.  In fact she could tell you jokes for hours and has since we were very little girls.  She is the sweetest friend I have and my heart would never be the same without her. 


P.S. Here is the jewelry that was inspired by my Bridesmaids… {Jewelry}


 


Bride on a Budget: This week let’s talk about what to do when it comes to the drinks you serve your guests on the BIG day.  People kept telling me alcohol is one of the most expensive costs of the wedding… but until you see a number it’s sometimes hard to believe.  One option for our wedding was that we could have an open bar for an hourly rate.  Just hearing that sentence you know it’s not affordable!  Since Liquor can be very expensive we decided that instead of having the open bar option we would serve beer and wine (more cost effective that liquor surprisingly) and have three signature drinks that spoke to mine and Aaron’s personality.


Here is where you come in… one of my mentors, David Venable was kind enough to take me back into his kitchen and come up with some ideas for signature drinks to be served at our wedding.  Here’s what he came up with… which one floats your fancy?!  Be sure to vote on the Courtney Says I Do Page Smiley Happy


Honey-I-Dew Martini (<- click for recipe)



 


Spiked Peach Tea



 


Kiwi Cilantro Margarita on the Rocks



 


Thank you for all of your comments every week and staying in touch.  I really do love hearing from all of you and love that you can be a part of our special day.  Have a great week!


XO, CC


           


http://www.facebook.com/CourtneyCasonQVC


http://twitter.com/CourtneyQVC


http://instagram.com/courtneycasonqvc


http://gather.qvc.com/member/CourtneyCason/


 


Find More Wedding Inspiration at Southern Living Smiley Happy