Regional Relics Post 3: Black Star Farms

Weather your getting married in a vineyard or just want a Tuscan feel, serving local wines at your reception will add that perfect pinch of authenticity! 

One of my favorite wineries in the Leelanau area (north-west Michigan) happens to be Black Star Farms, where their casual and hand-crafted approach to winemaking won me over. I'm no wine connoisseur, but the classic wines and fruit brandies that they produce really utilize the best flavors of Michigan. Utilize their on site tasting rooms to really experience each flavor, and then handpick a variety of wines or spirits to enjoy later. How special  

To add to your reception, try dressing up each table with a bottle or two of your favorites, or toast the evening with a sip of sparkling wine, rather than standard champagne. Along with your custom cocktail for the evening, create a spritzer with white wine and other fresh ingredients.

Photo sources: wine bottles via Black Star Farms, vineyard image courtesy of Daniel E. Johnson, inn image, wedding photographs courtesy of Angeline Larimer.

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Regional Relics mini-series

Throughout your wedding planning process, you’ve probably spent hours researching where to find that perfect favor, accessory or embellishment, in order to get the best of the best. throughout your wedding scavenger hunt, have you considered choosing items that can be found in your home state?

Don’t miss our new mini-series, Regional Relics, beginning Monday, June 8th! These next 5 posts will be focused on rounding up goodies from around our home state of Michigan, and incorporating them into your wedding plans.

Note: While this post is centered around products found in the state of Michigan, comparable products can be found in your home state. We highly encourage readers to do a little digging to find out what’s unique to their location!

Postcard image: Michigan Historical Museum, logo: RSVP Invitation Studios

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Holiday cocktails

A festive winter cocktail can top off any brisky wedding, because who can honestly drink a seabreeze in the dead of winter? I love those warming liqueurs on a day like today, we're practically snowed in! This cocktail comes straight out of InStyle, you can find more here, and enjoy the recipe below (but maybe, wait until afternoon)!

Ixchel Winter Cocktail

(Makes one serving)

½ oz. Xanath vanilla liquor 

½ oz. Agavero tequila 

½ oz. Damiana liquor 

½ oz. 1921 tequila cream 

2 tsp. cold espresso 

1 tsp. ground coffee 

1 tsp. sugar 

Cinnamon stick 

 

Mix the ground coffee with the sugar and line the rim of a glass with the mix. Pour the Xanath, Agavero and espresso into the glass. In a blender, blend the tequila cream and Damiana with ice and slowly pour this into the glass to maintain separate levels of liquids. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

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Signature cocktails

A bridal party or reception just isn't complete without a signature cocktail! It's a yummy and creative treat for guests (over 21) and can be a more cost effective route to go.

This cocktail happens to be a tequila sunrise cocktail, featured at Brides.com.

Mmm, my mouth is watering and it's only 8:00 am.

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