Your Independence Day Island Oasis Awaits

This Independence Day, City Tap House in Fort Point will break out the sand, leis and umbrella straws for a Lolo Luau day party, also known as a Hawaiian “crazy feast,” which will transform the beer paradise into an island oasis featuring food and drink specials, games, beach-themed swag and live music provided by the popular cover band, The Royal Furs.

Staying true to the brand’s commitment to all things beer, there will be a tap takeover featuring bucket specials from Kona Brewing, Downeast, & Ballast Point. Non-beer drinkers are in for a treat as well, with festive cocktails including the Hawaiian Punch with Privateer rum, Malibu, Lazzaroni, lemongrass syrup, pineapple juice & cranberry juice ($13); the Jungle Bird made with Privateer Silver, Campari, lime juice, pineapple, simple syrup and topped with Privateer Amber ($13) and of course, summertime’s favorite Frosé ($13).

The kitchen will also be dishing out some vibrant tastes of the tropics with luau-inspired bites including a Tropical Fruit Tray ($12); a Poke Bowl with fresh ahi tuna ($23); Coconut Shrimp Tacos ($18); and a Pulled Pork Sandwich with french fries ($17).

Don't miss out on this Independence Day island oasis! Devour the details of a 4th of July tropical retreat at City Tap House Boston!

Wedding Wednesdays: 5 Etsy Luggage Tags Perfect for Your Honeymoon

The wedding was a success, now it's time for your next adventure...the honeymoon! Your trip is booked, your bags are packed, and you're ready to roll. As you walk through the airport and arrive to your hotel, people will be able to tell you're newlyweds by your loving glow. But how else will people know? By your handmade luggage tags of course! Whether you purchase them yourself or receive them as a gift, they will perfectly accompany your suitcases as you head to your honeymoon destination. Check them out!

Wood Luggage Tags

This out-of-the-ordinary tag is made out of wood, but the best part is the adorable world map etched into its side. Finished off with a simple black leather band, it's great for world travelers.

Maria Allen Boutique Map luggage tag, $33

Hawaiian Luggage Tags

Headed somewhere tropical? Pick up this cute luggage tag decorated with giant waves and the word that welcome you to a sunny destination: aloha.

Mindys Beer Geer Kona Big Wave luggage tag, $16

Vintage Luggage Tags

The typerwriter-esque font on this luggage tag gives off a vintage vibe. We love the classic color palette, thin leather string and cool quotes.

Leather Rachiba Leather luggage tags, $20 each

Matching Luggage Tags

Treat yourself and your partner in crime—and travel—to this set of luggage tags. The moustache and lipstick engraving are an adorable touch.

RSVP Handcrafted Mr. and Mrs. custom leather luggage tags, $20 for set

Camera Luggage Tags

The artistic couple can display their hobby proudly thanks to this old-school camera option.

Curious Case Gifts Black Retro Camera metal tags, $17 for set

Travel to your honeymoon in style and devour the details of identifying your bags with these perfect luggage tags!

Pairings That Peaked Our Interest This Week

Though we are super connected to what's going on in the world, thanks to social media and smart phones, we sometimes miss really interesting things that happen. BizBash does a fantastic job of recapping big events that we didn't hear or read about. Today, we're sharing some dynamic duos that teamed up to host a gathering, whether large or small, that totally peaked our interest. Check out these pairings!

Tinder and Cardi B’s Swipe Off Campaign

Tinder partnered with rapper Cardi B for Swipe Off, the dating app’s first competition in which American universities participated in a bracket-style competition of who could achieve the most right swipes. University of Massachusetts at Amherst beat 63 colleges to win, and the prize was a free Cardi B concert at the university’s Mullins Center in April. Cardi B performed at a branded stage in front of nearly 6,500 students. Experiential marketing agency Pen&Public produced the campaign.

Taco Bell #BajaBlessed Hair Salon

Taco Bell celebrated the Canada debut of its signature Baja Blast drink with a pop-up hair dye salon June 14 to 15 in Toronto and June 16 to 17 in Hamilton. The salon, housed in a tricked out Airstream trailer, offered passersby free dye jobs using Baja Blast-colored Manic Panic hair dye. The activation was produced by Edelman.

The Coney Island and Coach Experience

Luxury fashion brand Coach held its first external brand activation for consumers June 12 to 17 at a vacant space in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. The experience, which featured a Coney Island-inspired fairground, incorporated Coach's signature "C" into the decor in subtle ways, including at a blue DJ booth, which also featured an illustration of the brand's familiar handbag clasp. An illuminated sign displayed the year the brand was founded against red curtains, and other props included a carousel horse.

We hope these pairings peaked your interest and inspire you to devour the details of your next event!

Monday Mashups: Keep Your Eye Out for Alexa This Summer

Amazon announced it has developed Alexa for Hospitality, a new edition of its smart speaker for hotels and vacation rental companies. The voice-activated virtual assistant device that many people have adopted in their homes to play music, keep track of their schedules, and give them news headlines and weather reports is making its way into hotel rooms. Amazon says these are among the functions Alexa can offer to hotel guests if they ask:

• Controlling smart room devices, such as lights, curtains, the thermostat, and television set
• Ordering and playing music
• Booking spa appointments
• Calling the concierge for recommendations
• Booking reservations
• Finding out where hotel amenities such as the restaurant and pool, are located, as well as what their hours are
• Learning how to access the Wi-Fi networks
• Setting timers, wake up calls and more
• Calling maintenance and housekeeping for towels, refreshments, etc.

So far, Marriott International has signed on to test the new product this summer at select properties in several of its brands. Among the specific hotels that Alexa is testing the product: the Charlotte Marriott City Center in North Carolina and the Marriott Irvine Spectrum in California. It will also be featuring the product in eight other U.S. properties among brands such as Westin Hotels and Resorts, St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, Aloft Hotels, and its Autograph Collection of independent hotels. Two Roads Hospitality is trying out Alexa for Hospitality at two of its properties, Thompson Seattle and The Liaison Capitol Hill, a Joie de Vivre hotel in Washington, D.C. as well.

The company plans to roll out Alexa for Hospitality at additional North American properties throughout this year and into 2019. It may even expand it internationally. "Natural voice commands will enable efficient check-outs, in-room dining and housekeeping requests, voice-activated valet services and in-room control of lighting, temperature and more," says Andrew Arthurs, senior vice president and chief information officer for Two Roads Hospitality. "Guests may now get quick answers to many of their question—such as the hotel's Wi-Fi password and restaurant hours—without having to pick up the phone, dial and wait for a response. In the meantime, our staff spends less time on the phone and more time with our guests."

The future of hospitality is here and her name is Alexa! Keep your eye out for the voice-activated virtual assistant this summer at select hotels and devour the details of a forward-thinking vacation!

Muscle Up & Save a Pup this Saturday

Fitness enthusiasts, dog lovers, beer drinkers and even fight fans can all have a great time at the “Muscle Up, Save a Pup” charity event that is taking place in Norwell on June 23 to support the Last Hope K9 Rescue.

Top instructors and fighters from MSC Strength, Zen Den, TKO Boxfit and South Shore MMA will put on a 1-hour workout to help people burn some calories for a good cause. After the workout, food from The Fours Norwell, Stars on Hingham and The Sausage Guy will be available as well as delicious beer from local craft brewers. There will also be live music, raffles, and – of course – lots of happy Last Hope K9 dogs to play with.

Full event tickets include the workout, a special edition T-shirt, beer samples and food are available for $30. If you want to skip the workout but still want to enjoy a fun puppy-filled day, tickets are $15. Get your tickets here and devour the details of muscling up to save a pup!

Wedding Wednesdays: You've Got the Dress, Now It's Time to Alter It

Even if you’ve found your wedding dress and signed on the dotted line to officially make it yours, you still aren’t ready to head down the aisle quite yet. Most gowns need some sort of alteration, and the scope of work can vary greatly, depending on where you purchase your gown and how many changes need to be made. Once you've found your gown, take it to a pro who can fit it perfectly to your figure. With the help of a professional seamstress or tailor, you’ll be ready for your wedding day with a gown that suits your figure flawlessly. Here's what to know before you go.

When to Go
It's important to time your alterations right. If you bring your gown in too early, you might not end up with a proper fit. (You may lose or gain weight after your gown is altered, which could affect the dress's overall look and fit.) Bring your gown in too late, and you run the risk of not allowing enough time to let the seamstress work their magic. We recommend allowing two to three months from your first fitting to your last as an ideal timeline to make all the alterations. Also keep in mind that the amount of times you need to go for fittings depends on how much you're getting done to the gown—on average, most brides go for three or four fittings.

Where to Go
If you purchased your gown at a bridal salon, you can most likely get dress alterations done there. It's possible the salon might not offer alterations though, in which case you should head to a seamstress or tailor who specializes in bridal gowns. Ask the salon if they have recommendations—they'll likely be able to point you toward a great pro. And remember this isn’t a job for your local dry cleaner, unless they know the intricacies of formal eveningwear. Wedding gowns have so many complex details—boning, hems, bustles and so on—that it's best to find a professional who's seen and worked on such gown components in the past.

What to Bring
When you head to the tailor or salon, bring more than just your gown (just like you did to go wedding dress shopping)—take your undergarments, shoes and accessories to fittings as well. With all of the pieces in place, it'll be easier to envision your overall wedding day look. Your undergarments and shoes will ensure the proper fit and length of your gown, and your hair accessories or veil will help you maintain the right overall balance. If you don't have the exact shoe you'll be wearing, bring something similar in height.

What to Expect
Whether you found your gown at a couture salon or a bridal sample sale, the options for alterations are nearly endless. Many tailors who have worked on bridal gowns are used to reworking fabrics and opening up hems, and can practically redesign a dress. This is particularly common when a bride wants to modernize her mother's gown—a seamstress can use the same fabric but create an updated style.

You've got the dress and now you're prepared to get it altered! Look stunning on your wedding day and devour the details of your alterations with these helpful tips.

Citrus Sensation: Nothing Beats This Grapefruit Cake

Our sweet tooth could be to blame for this one, but sometimes fruit tastes so much better in dessert form, right? This grapefruit-infused cake is totally light and bursting with flavor. We consider it a citrus sensation! As if the flavor wasn’t enough to reel us in, this cake is served best with slices of fresh grapefruit and sweet flowers resting atop the homemade frosting. If you decide to recreate this grapefruit cake, you’re in for a real treat. Check out the recipe from LaurenConrad.com below!

Ingredients:

For the cake:
1 1/4 cups olive oil
1 cup sugar
2 cups cake flour
1/3 cup almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon grapefruit zest
6 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs

For the glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon fresh grapefruit juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Whisk cake flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Set aside until ready to use.
4. In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs, grapefruit zest, and sugar until the mixture is thick, pale yellow, and doubled in size (about 3 minutes).
5. With the mixer on low, gradually add in olive oil and beat until incorporated. Add in the grapefruit juice and vanilla and mix just until combined.
6. Reduce the mixer speed and add dry ingredients. Mix just until there are no white streaks remaining.
7. Pour your batter into the springform pan and bake until the top of the cake is light brown and the center is firm to the touch (about 45 minutes).
8. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
9. Run a thin knife around the edges of the cake and remove the ring from the springform pan. Slide the cake onto a wire rack and let cool completely.
10. While the cake is cooling, make the glaze.
11. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, grapefruit juice, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. (Start with 2 tablespoons of milk, and if it is too thick, add in a tablespoon more at a time.)
12. Drizzle cake with glaze and top with fresh florals and slice grapefruits. Enjoy!

This citrus cake really packs a punch and is perfect for any summer soiree! Get the ingredients today and devour the details of this sweet treat.

Monday Mashups: 5 Ways to Elevate Your Event to an Experience

You never want an attendee to feel like just another face in a sea of people. The most impactful meetings and events take thoughtful action to involve their guests through performances, activities, and entertainment that feels tailored to them. This is what separates a passive event from an invigorating experience that gets everyone talking. Here are some tips by Omnience to create an interactive event experience for your attendees.

Selfie Souvenirs 
Take personalized swag to a new level by letting guests see their own faces etched onto anything from key rings to cookies. With etching technology so fast and portable now, many companies offer these fun pop-up booths for your events.

Relaxation Spaces
No matter how much fun your attendees are having, they will always appreciate a spot where they can unwind and de-stress in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. Whether you offer an aromatherapy bar, a meditation room, or a pen of cuddly puppies, your attendees with thank you with higher engagement after taking a few minutes to relax.

Community Service Projects
Involving your attendees in a meaningful service project to benefit a local organization can build a lasting impression. Assembling bikes for underprivileged kids, filling care boxes for hospitalized senior citizens, creating “comfort kits” to help parents get through the first hospital stay, or picking up litter in a scenic area will all hold value for attendees long after your event is over. Join forces to do some good!

Engaging Performers 
Don't underestimate the impact of a live show. Hire a mentalist to wow the crowd or bring in live music for a celebratory concert. Modern magic acts aren't the cheesy shows of years ago, and they can help bring some flash to your sessions. Invite some creative local performing artists, like dancers, comedians, or even a competitive jump-roping team, to engage your guests.

Old-School Games With a Twist
Breaking out the old games will bring out the kid in everyone while encouraging networking, creativity, and idea generation. Now, companies have put an unexpected spin on the games your attendees know, such as a giant Lite Brite that takes up a 10-foot-long wall, or a human-sized game of Hungry Hungry Hippos, where you chase after balls with the help of a bungee cord and bounce house.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Interactive Event Experiences:
Consider your attendees' demographics
Plan with your goals and theme in mind, whether you want to facilitate networking, education, or awareness
Take advantage of your local highlights, such as venues, organizations, and attractions
Encourage creativity
Create a learning experience

Giving attendees energizing, engaging experiences does more than simply fill time, they bring value to your event that guests will notice. Devour the details of your next meeting or event with these helpful tips from Omnience.

Get a Taste for Winemaking You Can Do at Home

There's nothing quite like a glass (or two) of good wine. But think of how good it would taste after making it yourself! This Saturday, you can learn how at Beer & Wine Hobby in Woburn. Beer & Wine Hobby's Introductory Winemaking Class is for the beginner wishing to learn the fundamentals of making wine at home from concentrate kits and juices at only a fraction of the cost of commercial wines.

In this introductory class students will learn the following:

• The basic equipment necessary for home winemaking 
• How to properly use sanitize and store equipment 
• The procedures involved in making wine from a concentrate kit 
• The difference between making wine from a concentrate kit vs. fresh fruit 
• Selecting the proper yeast for use with fresh fruit 
• How to properly preserve and stabilize wines 
• Selecting corks and bottles and bottling procedures 
• Question and answer session 

If you purchase Beer & Wine Hobby's Complete Winemaking Kit and ingredients on the day of your class, the full class fee will be credited toward your purchase! Beer & Wine Hobby has been providing practical products and superior supplies to individuals since 1972 and is one of the largest home craft brew and wine and artisan cheesemaking companies in the United States.

At Beer & Wine Hobby, every season offers something new. In the late winter, they offer hop rhizomes and grape vines for early spring planting. During the spring, fresh grapes and juices arrive from Chile. Summer brings preparation for the bountiful harvest of fresh grains, hops and grapes. Their craft winemakers enjoy preparing for the fall, when they offer fresh grapes and juices from California, Italy and Washington. Year round, craft brewers enjoy their famous partial-mash craft brew kits, ready to take home and craft a fine batch of beer.

Whether you are looking for Reference Books, Cordial Extracts, Cheese Making Supplies or Mushroom Growing Terrariums, Beer & Wine Hobby is the place to go. Reserve your spot in their intro to winemaking class today and devour the details of making your very own wine!

Wedding Wednesdays: The Best Blooms for Your Summer Wedding

Choosing in-season blooms will guarantee the best quality and the lowest price tag for your big day. Today, we're sharing which ones work for your summer wedding so you can plan ahead and budget for them. The hottest of all seasons, the summer months mean longer days and lots of sunshine—perfect growing weather for really robust blooms. Here are the four we recommend for your upcoming summer wedding!

1. Astilbe

Densely packed astilbe has a feathery, wildflower look. It’s a hearty stem, great for boutonnieres or for a touch of texture in a rustic or romantic bouquet.

Colors: White, pink, mauve and crimson
Price: $

2. Mock Orange

Despite having “orange” in its name, this fragrant flower blooms white. But its scent is thought to resemble that of orange blossoms.

Color: White
Price: $

3. Clematis

This flower grows like a vine, with carefree twists to its stems. The blossom has delicate petals and an eye-catching center.

Colors: Purple, pink, blue violet and cranberry
Price: $$

4. Garden Rose

The big-headed blooms on these stems are perfect for making a bold statement or adding romance to an arrangement.

Colors: Red, cream, yellow, orange, pink and purple
Price: $$$

Get the best blooms and devour the details of your budget with these perfect summer wedding floral recommendations. You'll be happy you did!

Tasty Tuesdays: Mini Key Lime Pies

The key to your summer soirees are these mini pies! Perfection in every bite, these treats are easy to make and complement any summer menu. Nothing beats a little key lime! Get the ingredients today and enjoy this delicious dessert all summer long.

Mini Key Lime Pies

Ingredients:

For the crust:
3 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of salt
1 ¼ cups butter, melted

For the filling:
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks
½ cup key lime juice

For the whipped cream:
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
piping bags
piping star tips
4-5-inch tart pans

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, heat butter in the microwave until melted. Add the rest of the crust ingredients.
3. Mix with a large spoon or spatula until everything is combined.
4. Generously spray mini tart pans with cooking spray. Firmly press crust mixture into each tart pan. You want enough to fill the bottom and the sides.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes.
6. While the crusts are baking, make your filling.
7. Add the sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and egg yolks to a medium bowl. Whisk until combined.
8. Pour the filling into the baked crusts and fill to the very tops.
9. Place the tarts back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the middle is no longer jiggly. If the tops start to crack, take out immediately. Don’t worry, they aren’t ruined, just a tad overbaked. They’ll still taste delicious!
10. Let the tarts cool to room temperature. Once they are cool enough to handle, place into your fridge or freezer until chilled. The colder the tarts are, the easier they will be to pop out of the tart pans.
11. Pop out all of the mini key lime pies and place onto a serving tray.
12. To make the whipped cream, add all of the ingredients to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whisk on medium-low until stiff peaks form.
13. Add the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star piping tip and pip little star or rosette designs on top of each pie. Serve and enjoy!

These two-bite beauties are perfect for any summer get-together. Get to baking and devour the details of these mini key lime pies!

Monday Mashups: 5 Fun and Functional Name Badges for Your Next Event

Plastic name tags are a thing of the past. Event planners are making it their mission to turn this integral piece into a real treat for attendees. Say goodbye to the boring old badge and hello to these 5 fun and functional ways to display one's name. Each will have your attendees engaging in no time. Check it out!

1. Complement the Decor

If every attendee is going to be wearing a badge, it's a good chance to enhance an event's decor. For the 2016 edition of Engage!, held in Palm Beach, Florida, Vanessa Kreckel of Two Paper Dolls designed these colorful leather name tags, which tied into the event’s tropical theme. A perfect way to add to the event's decor and really engage attendees!

2. Button Up

For smaller events, name tags don’t have to break the budget—or stick to a standard format. Artist marketplace Minted suggests a D.I.Y. option for event hosts using a simple button maker. The colorful round buttons are a simple, unobtrusive way to share guest names plus a small fun fact about them—which encourages conversation.

3. Thrive with Technology

Badges are also an opportunity to give attendees necessary information—without making them carry around a heavy event program. At C2 Montréal last month, attendees wore klik name badges from Montreal-based technology company PixMob. In addition to displaying guest credentials in a large, easy-to-read format, the badges connected them to the klik technology—an audience engagement solution that can be used for ticketing and registration, data and analytics, event communication, and much more. The LED wearable can light up in 16-million different colors in response to remote control commands. In addition to badges, the klik technology can be used in wristbands and in buttons on lanyards; event organizers can rent or buy the wearables.

4. Break the Ice

One of the primary functions of a name badge is to increase conversations and networking. For the ninth iteration of the Engage! luxury-wedding business summit, held in Las Vegas in 2012, name badges served as an icebreaker: The number of crystal charms on the tag identified how many times the badge-wearer had attended an Engage! conference. Veteran attendees had nine balls, while first-timers had one.

5. #GOALS

For the inaugural Teen Vogue Summit, held in Los Angeles in December, badges also aimed to spark conversation: Each one included the attendees’ social handle and a cause they were most passionate about. Guests could also customize the badges—which were adorned with the hashtag #Goals—with fun, on-theme buttons throughout the day.

From on-theme pieces that add to the event decor, to unique opportunities to break the ice, to efficient technology tools, these examples are anything but boring! Upgrade your name badge game and devour the details of the unique first impression your attendees are looking for.

Family Fun Day at Franklin Park

Franklin Park is operated by the Franklin Park Coalition (FPC). The FPC’s mission is to serve as a voice for the Park, a 527-acre historic green space located in the geographic heart of Boston and surrounded by some of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. The Coalition works to engage all park users and community members through advocacy, programs, and restoration.

FPC's work falls into three program areas: 1) Conservation & Stewardship, 2) Events, and 3) Advocacy & Outreach. They also like to think of these three categories as “Work”, “Play”, and “Engage”—the three pillars of the Franklin Park Coalition. This Saturday, June 9, the FPC will host their annual Kite & Bike Festival at the Park for the 8th year in a row. Not only is this event fun for the entire family, it also serves as an awesome opportunity for local photographers to get some great shots!

With a history dating back to 1969, the Franklin Park Coalition has hosted the Kite & Bike Festival every year since 2010. The festival brings out more than 1,000 people to fly kites, ride bikes, picnic, and enjoy the sun. With food trucks, affordable kites for sale, and the beautiful scenery of Franklin Park, this rite of Spring is not to be missed! The festival kicks off at 11AM and runs until 4PM.

Come spend the day the best way - with family, fun, kites and bikes and devour the details of a perfect spring Saturday! For more information, visit the FPC website.

Wedding Wednesdays: How to Speed Up Your Bridal Party Photos Process

You’ll cherish your bridal party photos for years to come but you don't want them to eat up too much of your time celebrating with the rest of your wedding guests. Keep your photos from becoming a lengthy process by following some of these great tips from The Knot. You'll be happy you did!

Don’t drink too much before the photos
Partying too much before the photos (whether it’s too many cocktails in the limo to the reception or copious amounts of bubbly in the getting-ready room) is a big no-no. If you’re inebriated during the photo session, it will (no surprise here) come across in the photos. Not only that, but it’s guaranteed to prolong the photos since everyone will be significantly less responsive. To compromise, suggest one glass of champagne if anyone’s feeling nervous before the photo session.

Help your photographer prioritize
Your photographer will likely try to squeeze in as many photo combinations as possible—but let them know which ones aren’t as important to you so you can focus on the ones that really matter. For example, if you don’t care to get individual shots with each of your bridesmaids, then tell your photographer you’re happy to skip that part.

Communicate with your bridesmaids
Having a first look? You’ll want to do your bridal party photos before the ceremony. Or, if your reception is at another venue, maybe you’ll want to get them done afterward. Either way, clearly communicate with your bridal party where and when the photos are happening so there aren’t any confused bridesmaids or groomsmen lingering at cocktail hour when they should be posing with the group instead.

Don’t overwhelm your photographer with your Pinterest board
Your photographer’s a pro—they know how to do their job (and efficiently, at that). You’re only inhibiting them if you show them a Pinterest board of 30-plus photos you want. Instead, research your photographer in advance so you already know they’re on the same page as you and capable of capturing the vibe you want—and, if need be, send five “inspiration” photos (but no more than 10).

Be responsive
Your photographer can only do their job to the best of their ability if you and your bridal party are receptive to their instructions. After all, you hired them for a reason—they’re qualified for the task at hand. Trust them to do their job right, pay attention and don’t let your bridesmaids get distracted by any goofy groomsmen.

Have fun
Don’t get in your head too much. Your wedding party photos shouldn’t feel like a chore—instead, realize it’s a special moment that’s part of your wedding day experience. Just be yourself, let your personality shine through and have fun—otherwise, your photos will drag along (and won’t turn out as amazing as you want them to).

There's so much to smile about on your special day - don't let the stress of photos take that away! Follow The Knot's advice and devour the details of a fast and fun picture taking process.

Taste the Tropics at Your Next Brunch

Sundays in the summer are perfect for an outdoor brunch with your gal pals. Instead of heading into the city, serve up some light fare and boozy beverages right in your backyard! Take it a step further and make it a tropical themed brunch. From pineapples to coconuts and everything in between, you'll get a taste of the tropics with these delicious recipes!

Tropical Sangria

Tropical White Wine Sangria combines sweet white wine with tropical fruits and fruit juices! Perfect sangria recipe for summer – it’s like a mini vacation in a glass! Get the recipe here.

Tropical Mango Spring Rolls with Avocado-Cilantro Dipping Sauce

These bold, fresh, mango spring rolls make a perfect spring/summer appetizer. They're gluten free and vegan for all to enjoy. Check out the recipe here.

Tropical Strawberry Hibiscus Rum Spitz

Take a sip and immediately get transported to the tropics! This is one drink you won't want to put down. Get the recipe here!

Coconut Acai Bowls

Fresh and fruity! This dish embodies the tropics. Check out the recipe here!

Tropical Rum Party Punch

A real knockout of a drink! This party punch is perfect for brunch. Get the recipe here!

Chocolate Dipped Pineapple Slices with Toasted Coconut

Simple, tangy and sweet! Enjoy this treat with your gal pals every SUNday brunch. Check out the recipe here.

We hope you're as excited as us to host Sunday brunch and devour the details of a tropical takeover with your favorite friends all summer long!

Monday Mashups: Upgrade Your Backyard in Preparation for Summer

Are you a hostess with the mostest during the summer months? Are backyard barbecues and poolside parties are your forte? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you're going to love today's post! Check out these six staple products perfect for your backyard.

1. A cast-iron fire pit that'll make your house the go-to spot for s'mores and barbecues.

2. A set of solar-powered pineapple lights so your backyard paths stay lit in the most adorable way possible.

3. A giant hammock you'll be able to cozy up in and never want to get out of. Say goodbye to your social life now.

4. A macrame hanging chair for your porch that you'll need for some R & R after a long day.

5. A sleek standing cooler with a detachable tub for keeping your refreshments nice and chilled during your weekend cookouts.

6. A soft-top gazebo that'll give your backyard some luxury and provide some much-needed shade on toasty days. You can even add some curtains for more privacy or to keep the 'squitos out!

Devour the details of the perfect backyard and spend your summer entertaining outdoors with the best products under the sun!