We’ve put together a little something sweet for you to use as a chic Valentine’s Day date or romantic first look toast for two! The combination of pink champagne and sugar cookies will have you swooning in your seat! It’s the perfect special treat for any couple in love looking to do a little celebrating!

We used Valentine’s Day cookies from Pillsbury. The ones that you pull out of the package, place on a cookie sheet, bake and eat. Easy to prepare and very addicting, so beware. Plus, they’re adorable, aren’t they?

Pink champagne is so much more fun than regular champagne! Not to mention that it goes fabulously with a sugar high! (Not that I would know or anything…) The pink color is perfect for a sweetheart affair like Valentine’s Day, a first look, or anniversary. It’s even fun for a girl’s night or bachelorette party!

All you need is love but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. No truer words have ever been spoken. It’s why we added a few pieces of Dove chocolate and a smattering of M&Ms. We used the milk chocolate Valentine’s Day edition (which, in my opinion, tastes better than any other kind).

For some added glamour, we sprinkled a bunch of sparkly gems to the display. Even dropped a few into a glass of bubbly where, much to our surprise, they floated. The way they sparkled amongst the bubbles though reminded me of an engagement ring being dropped into a glass of champagne for a sweet proposal.

We then swapped out the champagne glasses for a couple of love mugs! I can imagine these filled with an aromatic Columbian coffee or rich hot chocolate (perhaps of the red velvet variety)! Warm, cozy and delicious!

Not a big sugar cookie fan? Try chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate or cheese fondue, mini cheesecakes, an assortment of mini appetizers galore. The sky is the limit, so don’t limit yourself.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Will you be staying in? Going out? Share with us all the details below!

Happy Friday Sweets!

xoxo

*Photography and Styling by Heart Love Weddings

We’ve styled a total of four (counting today’s) first look toasts that we’ve shared with you so far this year. Today’s however, definitely takes the cake .. I mean .. the cookies! It is is by far my favorite of them all! We had a blast styling a sweet toast .. complete with cookies and cocoa .. for the bride and groom to share during their warm and cozy, wintry first look!

We started off with a black and red plaid scarf, to set the warm and cozy mood. We made hot cocoa and filled two clear mugs to the tippity-top with a mountain of whipped cream to boot. I made coffee house cookies (recipe below) that I couldn’t even eat (peanut allergy) and had to give them to the men in my life. We added pinecones, evergreen and pretty, metallic ornaments to a tall, slender vase for some cheery holiday decor and color. Tied shimmery, golden bells to our mugs with curly red ribbon, and added ornament place cards (that we made for this shoot here).

Coffee House Cookies from The Pampered Chef ::

You will need…

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, divided (We used walnuts. You can also choose to leave these out entirely. Though, depending on the candy you choose, you won’t even taste them.)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks, divided (We used Ghirardelli.)
• 2 bars (1.5-2 ounces each) favorite chocolate candy (We used Snickers.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; mix well. In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir 2/3 cup of the nuts and 2/3 cup of the chocolate chunks into dough. Cut candy bars into small pieces, about the size of chocolate chunks, set aside.

Using large spoon or ice cream scoop, drop 6 level scoops of dough, 3 inches apart onto baking sheet. (Cookies will spread while baking.) Flatten scoops slightly with palm of hand. Lightly press half of the remaining nuts, chocolate and candy into tops of cookies.

Bake 14-16 minutes or until cookies are almost set. (Centers will be soft. DO NOT overbake.) Cool 7 minutes on cookie sheet, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Will make 1 dozen amazing cookies.

I loved these cookies as a little girl (before we discovered I was allergic to peanuts) and knew they would be perfect for this shoot. Not to mention that they’ve always been a huge hit whenever we made them in the past. The cocoa would be the perfect warm-me-up-pick-me-up for the bride and groom the day of their wintry affair. I know I so appreciated warming my frozen fingers around a mug after taking the photos, so I’m sure they would too. And heck, we’re all adults, add a little kahlua for added zip! ;) My favorite part though was the evergreen, pinecone and ornament vase. What a perfect centerpiece it would make! Super easy and seriously adorable!

What do you think of our sweet and warm and cozy treat for couples this month? Is it your favorite too? Will you consider having (or making) cookies and adult hot cocoa for two? (Remember, while these ideas are styled for a first look toast, there’s no reason you can’t use them whenever and wherever you want to. A romantic treat for two sounds mighty fine!)

Happy Holidays!

xoxo

All individual photos will be added as an album to our Facebook page and pinned to Pinterest!

Photos by Alexandra Beauregard

With another Thanksgiving safely tucked away, it’s now time to turn our attention to Christmas! (Wasn’t it just July?) In the midst of caroling, baking, wrapping and decorating you are probably planning either Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day dinner, possibly a holiday party somewhere before then too. Or, if you’re really lucky, a winter or holiday wedding! We thought we’d share a little inspiration that we whipped up for decorating your table this holiday and wedding season.

Much of what we used we actually had on hand like the flatware stockings. We purchased ours a few years back at Crate and Barrel and they do have them again this year. A different color but just as cute and they can double as ornaments too! They’d also make great take-away favors for your guests, wedding or other holiday event.

Crate & Barrel

The little ornaments were purchased at the Dollar Store. You never know what you will find there, always a surprise! Aren’t the sparkly hearts so adorable? I think it gives the table a little European touch. Did I mention they came in packs of 4 for a $1?

We’re also lucky enough to live in New England and can just walk into our woodsy backyard to collect pine boughs, red berries and I even found some leftover lambs ear in the garden. Can you believe it survived 14” of heavy wet snow from a few weeks ago? Speaking of snow, we used some Epson salt mixed with a little sparkly white glitter to make the snowball candles. Spread some Elmer’s glue on round candles and sprinkle the imitation snow. Reminds me of the glittery, sparkly first snow of winter.

The little ornaments we used as name tags on the champagne glasses were also found at the dollar store. Such a bargain for a $1 – there were 30 in the pack!! You could have so much fun planning and decorating a Christmas wedding with the many cute, inexpensive treasures there. I used a gold pen that I found at Michael’s to write on the ornaments. Worked perfectly! Oh, and the wine bottle bag? It’s a sock! I purchased a pair at TJ Maxx for $4.99. Does that make me a Maxxinista? Drop in the bottle, tie with a ribbon – done! And cute! ;)

Don’t you just love easy, fun, simple, inexpensive, looks that are great for decorating the holidays? Remember, you can use many of the same ideas in your winter wedding too! In our house we like to keep a stress-free zone for Christmas. How about you? Have any super simple ideas to share with us today?

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

If you’ve been around Heart Love Weddings awhile, you know that we have a love affair with the First Look. So how about toasting your honey with yummy homemade pumpkin cakes, Ferrero Rocher, and of course, bubbly! Today, we are all about homemade fall-inspired love!

First, let’s tell you about our cute, little bundt cakes. We were browsing Pinterest as we do on occasion (ha!) and came upon a super easy recipe that we were just dying to try. Super easy because it involves two ingredients. Yes, two. Duncan Hines Super Moist cake mix (yellow) and a can of pumpkin puree. While we stuck to the same basic ingredients, we added a few additional items that just made the recipe that much better. What did we add you might ask? We added 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves and wait for it… Salted, roasted pumpkin seeds. The surprise little crunch you’ll get in each bite is sure to make you smile. :)

Next, we included a little chocolate…Ferrero Rocher chocolate that is…and decorative flag…for garnish. It’s the easiest 5-minute DIY ever! No, really, it only took us 5 minutes! Looks pretty fabulous, doesn’t it?

And of course, there is the toast. We poured some Barefoot Bubbly Moscato Spumante into vintage, heirloom glasses from my grandmother. Aren’t they beautiful?

So after you’ve checked out the easy recipe for our little bundt cakes, what other combinations can you come up with? Why not add chocolate chips, craisins, walnuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, pecans…how about a chocolate or spice cake mix? And I know instead of pumpkin, you can use bananas or applesauce. Cheers to so many possibilities!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Slowly but surely fall is creeping into southern New England. The color has been a little later than usual because of all the rain we’ve had, but it’s finally here. Fall truly is my favorite time of year. I love the deepening jewel tone colors of burnt orange, crimson reds and golden yellows. For me, some of the most gorgeous weddings happen in the fall. Whether you are getting married in the crisp morning air or late afternoon warmth, a first look should be on your wedding photo must-do-list. And we have the perfect activity for you to make those first few moments extra special. A First Look Toast with some of your favorite fall treats to celebrate you, your love, and the day where two become one.

We styled this month’s First Look Toast with some of our favorites – apple cider donuts and mulled cider. Oh-so-yummy! (If you’ve never had apple cider donuts you are in for a treat! We can’t wait until our local farm stand starts making them in September. Delicious!) We paired the treats with a few assorted gourds and a pop of color with silk florals. We placed everything on a gold charger, decorated with a simple paper doily. Burlap napkins were folded and tied with twine and adorned with a fragrant cinnamon stick. Very simple, rustic, romantic, a snack for just you two! :)

Just a few photos of fall…

Note: We chose mulled cider to compliment our toast today but you could use chilled sparkling cider, a deep burgundy red wine, or maybe even a pumpkin latte! Sky’s the limit! Hot or cold, alcohol or not, make it yours, and make it yummy! Here’s to you!

What about you? Is it fall where you are yet?

Happy Fall & Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

*Photos by Alexandra Beauregard

We are big fans of the first look here at Heart Love Weddings! And because we love them so much, we’ve come up with some sweet-heart styling to create something new and fresh – A First Look Styled Toast! The debut of this feature marries sweet with salty, a combination that is always a favorite and sure to be a hit. We served up a wonderful, semi-dry, chilled Prosecco, champagne grapes (aren’t they the cutest?), strawberries and raspberries (a little something sweet), mixed olives (for something a little salty), a fresh crusty bread, a mild creamy Brie and a zingy blue cheese. Everything was simple but tasty and made a very pretty picture.

We love the opportunity for a quiet, intimate moment for the bride and groom before all the craziness of the wedding ceremony and reception. A moment just for two, for connecting together as a couple, for calming the nerves, and for igniting the butterflies that brought you to this moment in the first place. Very much like this sweet and tender moment below.

Photo by Shannon Kelley Photography

{See the full wedding here.}

We are excited to bring you some fresh new ideas on how to make the most of your first look, how to make it intimately yours, a part of your love story if you will. Each month we will be bringing a new First Look Styled Toast your way! Here’s to you, first looks, and creative deliciousness!

What do you think of our First Look Styled Toast? Are you as in love with first looks as we are? Why or why not? Will you (did you) do a first look on your wedding day? Sound off in the comments below!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

P.S. Did you know my husband and I were trend setters back in the day (thirty years ago)? Because we were having an evening ceremony, we wanted to make sure that we got our formal and family shots in before it became dark. But oh, the negative feedback that we received. The first look was definitely not viewed then the way it is now. Now, it’s one of the most popular and most touching moments of any wedding day. This makes me happy knowing I did something before it was cool. :)

*Photos by Karin Beauregard