Guest Blogger :: Shannon

I'm no diamond diva, but I do know about "the 4 C's"...Comforting, Classy, Complimentary, and of course Creamy.  Yes people, I'm speaking cheese!! Considering my affinity for cheese and desire for a simple yet elegant bridal shower, throwing in some wine was all we needed.

My fabulous feast:

If you are a bridesmaid or groomsman searching for that low maintenance, inexpensive-yet-gourmet party for your bride or groom...check out these tips:

1. Set Up -- Looking at a beauitful wine & cheese spread is just as fabulous as tasting it. So be creative. Use a long table or surface and show off your skills by using a variety of platters, wooden cheese boards, or unique glass dishes. Another playful idea is "wine & cheese" stations that showcase cheese by pairing it with a complementary wine. There are numerous websites with rules and guidelines to help you out, but for me and my peeps, we'll drink any wine, with any cheese. 

2. Choosing Your Cheeses -- There are no rules; however, it's nice for guests to relish in cheeses that offer distinct tastes, textures and aromas. I would suggest brie (soft & a little stinky), Parmigiano Reggiano (nutty & salty),  chevre (creamy & tangy), sharp cheddar ("sharp" says it all), & I LOVE a stinky blue. Visit your local speciality cheese store...although I can find everything at my local Trader Joe's or A.J.'s Fine Foods.

3. Accoutrements --  Bread and crackers are a no-brainer, so spice it up with toasted nuts, fruits, preserves, tapenade, or even meats.

4. Wine -- Stick to your favs or ask around; the staff at Trader Joe's and A.J.'s know their stuff. Have a selection of white and red to satisfy everyone, and maybe a sparkling wine or two.

Plan this palate-pleasing menu for your next engagement party, rehearsal dinner, or even your wedding reception. Cheers...and say "CHEESE!"

Guest Blogger, Shannon Williams, and her wife are sharing with us their journey of planning their same-sex wedding and what it's like to be married. Read more about them here.

Guest Blogger :: Shannon

My maid of honor felt ill-equipped when fulfilling her MOH duties. Yes, let’s be real, they are duties, fun or not. As the bridal shower & bachelorette party dates approached, my MOH admitted, "I’ve never been an MOH before; I don’t know where to start." The first thing I thought was "Hello! Ask around, brainstorm with other bridesmaids…something!"

Was I really a bridezilla?? YES!

Two months after the wedding, I finally asked her, "How could I have helped you feel more prepared as my MOH?" It took seconds for us to come up with something so simple…I thought back to a book given to me for wedding planning that was left untouched. After all, I had a wedding planner, so who needed it, right? 

A bridesmaid or MOH survival guide would have been the perfect compliment to an already creative friend; providing organization, timelines, and the support she may have needed to make a special time perfect.

My now veteran MOH and I looked up some potential front-runners. The Quintessential Wedding Maid of Honor or The Everything Bridesmaid Book.

Check these and more on www.amazon.com for as little as $9.95 to support your MOH in supporting YOU!

Guest Blogger, Shannon Williams, and her wife are sharing with us their journey of planning their same-sex wedding and what it's like to be married. Read more about them here.