A Perfect Spring Wedding

Winter is nearly over, and wedding season is upon us! In 2021, Spring runs from Saturday, March 20th, through Sunday, June 20th. And did you know that Sunday, March 21st is National Flower Day? As the COVID vaccine becomes more readily available and infection rates decline, local municipalities are beginning to lift or loosen restrictions on social gatherings. Below we’ll cover New York’s new wedding rule, Spring holidays to avoid, and the top 21 Spring wedding inspirations to bring your 2021 wedding from end-of-winter drab to colorful-flowerful-fab!

On January 29th, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that wedding guest lists could be expanded to 150 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity beginning on March 15th. All attending guests are required to receive a negative COVID test result in advance of the wedding. More details about this program are to be announced in the coming days, but this is extremely exciting news for Spring weddings!

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Colors

1. Bright and Bold Colors

With the bright pops of color that Spring flowers bring, it’s hard to dispute that Winter is over. If you want your Spring event to dazzle, consider vibrant colors paired with colorful linens. The fun vibe is party ready!

Photo Credit: marthastewartweddings.com

2. Dreamy Pastels and Watercolors

Tapping into this year’s Pantone Color of the Year, we have Ultimate Gray (PANTONE 17-5104) and Illuminating (PANTONE 13-0647). Basically… gray (silver/pewter) and yellow. This color combination is reminiscent of a bumblebee collecting pollen and is lovely for Spring.

Photo Credit: weddingomania.com

Décor

3. Colorful Glassware and Tablescapes

Some venues include generic and basic dinnerware, flatware, and glassware as part of the package, but not all venues have these items. If you have selected a venue where you need to rent these items anyway, then investigate fun color options. Don’t just select clear glassware because that’s what you’re used to. See if the rental company offers any rentals in your wedding colors. A colored glass can totally transform a table. And if you’re at a venue that provides these tablescape items, ask them if you rent elsewhere if they can reduce the price for you. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Maybe that cost savings will help to rent the products elsewhere and get exactly the look you want. Alternatively, you can price out rentals, and it may be cheaper to buy a full set that you get to keep after.

Photo Credit: Brides.com

4. Garden Chairs

A cross back (or X-back) chair will have a more outdoorsy garden vibe over the ever-popular chiavari chair which exudes a more elegant and formal affair.

Photo Credit: blossomfurnishings.com

Extras

5. Floral Confetti

Many venues don’t allow confetti unless it’s environmentally friendly or a compostable product. I’ve seen Fall and Winter weddings use colorful leaves and heart-shaped hole punchers to create compostable confetti. In the Spring, it’s all about flower petals. Consider using fresh or dried petals. If dried, you can DIY the project far in advance of your wedding day. If fresh, consider requesting your florist deliver them with the rest of the florals fresh on wedding day. Pile them into paper cones. Hand them out before the ceremony begins. And viola! A photo-worthy ceremony exit.

Photo Credit: vipsell.xyz

6. Floral Pet Leash and Collar

As a pet parent myself, I couldn’t imagine our special day without our sweet rescue dog. We purchased some white spray roses, succulents, floral tape and wire, and we DIY’ed a floral collar that matched the bouquets perfectly. Sure, our florist could have made this for us, but we spent five minutes making it and saved a bundle.

Photo Credit: socialandpersonalweddings.ie

7. Have Umbrellas on Hand

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” Though this lush green and floral season is ideal for an outdoor event, it’s also rainy season in most regions of the US. If you’re planning an outdoor affair, then invest in some nice clear umbrellas in case a sun shower rolls through.

Photo Credit: theknot.com

8. Seasonal Favor

I’ve heard recently that couples are ditching wedding favors as they are believed to be an old tradition, and I’m here today to debunk that myth. Wedding favors are absolutely NOT out! That being said, the day of tchotchke trinkets is over. However, guests will always love and appreciate something edible or something alive. For a Spring twist, consider a seasonal local product such as an edible honey or jam. Or “let love grow” with flower seeds or a small potted plant.

Photo Credit: gardeningknowhow.com

Flowers

9. Botanical Braid or Comb

Nothing screams romantic, whimsical, bohemian, and Spring as much as flowers intertwined between locks of hair. This look is beautiful! You could make this a Bride-only look, or the Bride could have a larger more special piece and the Bridesmaids could have just a couple of sprigs laced in.

Photo Credit: brides.com

10. Floral Arch

I’m sure everyone saw the absolutely breathtaking floral arch over the chapel entrance at Princess Beatrice’s wedding this past July. I mean, how truly marvelous and over-the-top was that? That’s not your average wedding floral statement piece. It can be quite expensive to have such a lush and grand display. Though a floral arch is pricey, consider a piece that can be used during the ceremony, then relocated to the reception and placed prominently behind the sweetheart table. Or relocate it to the reception and allow guests to utilize the arch as a photo opportunity. Don’t let the beauty (and money) go to waste.

Photo Credit: dailymail.co.uk

11. Floral Wall

Flower and greenery walls are another great floral statement piece that will wow guests. You could allow the wall to serve a purpose by displaying place cards, then when all guests have removed their name and table assignment, the wall could serve as a photo backdrop for the remainder of the evening.

Photo Credit: brightlyeverafter.com

12. Flower Chandelier Installation

My favorite floral statement piece is a flower chandelier installation which looks like flowers are growing right out of the ceiling! Not every venue has the ability to hang elements from the ceiling, so you will need to speak to your venue if you love this look. If you can’t hang anything off the ceiling, then there are ways to bring in structures and hang florals off of that. I cannot stress enough that this is NOT A DIY PROJECT! These installations require hours of time to build on event day, and most florists are not capable. You’ll likely need to hire a flower designer for this type of job. A flower designer is an artist that uses plant materials and flowers as their canvas to create true one-of-a-kind floral pieces.

Photo Credit: agardenpartyllc.com

13. Fresh Produce in Florals

In-season fruits and vegetables are a clever way to bring design on a dime to flower arrangements. Many exotic flowers come from overseas, making them costly to ship (raising the price per stem), but fresh local produce is crazy cheap! I am in love with citrus floral arrangements, but you could truly use any fruit or vegetable. Consider what your wedding colors are and then what produce would fit in with the palette.

Photo Credit: deavita.net

14. Wildflowers

For a super enchanted rustic boho vibe, wildflowers are where it’s at. I think there is a misconception that wildflowers will be cheap. Especially if you chose a florist that doesn’t usually source wildflowers, they may find it challenging to find you a deal on the non-popular varieties. However, if you happen to have a wildflower garden, you could save a bundle by using your own. Also, grocery stores like The Fresh Market and Trader Joe’s sell beautiful flower bundles that you can add in to supplement what you have.

Photo Credit: greenweddingshoes.com

Food

15. Edible Flowers

Edible flowers are a fun way to bring a little bit of Spring into every aspect of your wedding. Ask your caterer or baker if they know if any edible flowers that could be added to appetizers, signature drinks, deserts, or even the cake.

Photo Credit: weddingchicks.com

16. Elderflower Signature Drink

A few years ago, I attended a wine and food event and tasted elderflower liquor and really enjoyed it. The flavor isn’t a strong floral taste, but it has a light sweet floral taste that compliments many drinks. There are plenty of recipes that can be served as a signature drink at a wedding.

Photo Credit: craftginclub.co.uk

17. Floral Wedding Cake

Fresh flowers on wedding cakes are a cost-effective way to save on the intricate buttercream and fondant work. You can opt for a more basic buttercream, and then on wedding day have your florist add in fresh flowers that match your bouquet.

Photo Credit: weddingwire.com

Pattern Design

18. Floral Pattern Bridesmaid Dresses

Though solid color bridesmaid dresses are the norm, floral pattern dresses are very in right now. And nothing says garden more than a floral dress. Several prominent bridesmaid dress companies have begun offering patterned dresses, and it’s such a great look. Not to mention, a patterned dress is more likely to be reworn by a bridesmaid at a later occasion.

Photo Credit: greenweddingshoes.com

19. Floral Pattern Invitations

The invite sets the stage for what your wedding vibe will be. If you’re having a black-tie affair or a backyard bash, the invite should tell guests that without even using words. Consider options for paper choice, pattern, colors, and font. In just one example of the wide variety of invitation options, Minted.com offers 515 botanical specific wedding invitations. Good luck narrowing it down to just one!

Photo Credit: weddingchicks.com

Space

20. Orangery, Conservatory, Glasshouse

The most perfect Spring garden wedding venue is an orangery, conservatory, or glasshouse. You’ll most likely find a venue like this at a botanic garden, large park, or private estate. The bright glass environment will allow you to feel at one with nature while fully protected from the elements. An added bonus is that some of these structures may serve as active greenhouses so you can likely save on your flower budget as you’ll have built in greenery and florals.

Photo Credit: jjpixxphotobooth.com (The Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden)

21. Tented Outdoor Garden Reception

Though being outside in the garden may be your dream wedding, I would urge you to have a backup plan in place. Yes, it’s an added fee to rent a large tent, but the peace of mind that you’ll have as you coast through wedding week will be worth it. Inclement weather is something you can’t control, but renting a tent is. If the weather is gorgeous that day, leave the sides open and use the tent as a shaded canopy. Guests can float in and out of the tent, and it won’t impede upon the garden view. And if it just so happens to be raining cats and dogs, then attach the sides of the tent to protect your guests from the elements. You can still dance the night away barefoot in the grass if you want! You’ll be dry and thanking your lucky stars you rented that tent!

Photo Credit: todaysbride.com

Bonus Ideas

Spring Holidays

Below I’ve outlined Spring holidays to keep in mind when scheduling your nuptials. These weekends could cause some potential hiccups. For example, on a Memorial Day weekend wedding, you and your guests might encounter upcharges for wedding fees, flights, and accommodations. Also consider the school Spring break schedule in both the area where your wedding will take place and where your guests may be traveling from (if that’s a different city). If your wedding is the same weekend as Spring break, then flights may also be higher in price.

  • Palm Sunday – Typically in March or April (Sunday, March 28, 2021)
  • Easter – Typically in March or April (Sunday, April 4, 2021)
  • Passover – Typically in March or April (Saturday, March 27 – Sunday, April 4, 2021)
  • Ramadan – Varies (Monday, April 12 – Wednesday, May 12, 2021)
  • Mother’s Day – Always the second Sunday in May (Sunday, May 9, 2021)
  • Memorial Day – Always the last Monday in May (Monday, May 31, 2021)
  • Father’s Day – Always the third Sunday in June (Sunday, June 20, 2021)

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Whether your special day is this Spring or next, I hope that the 21 tips above inspired you to plan your perfect Spring wedding!

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Best Places to Eat in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Food is one of the most important aspects of a vacation. It’s a time to not diet or count calories, but rather indulge and fully immerse yourself in a city. We spent four days in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and had some excellent food during our stay. Today’s post will cover the best food in Amsterdam, taking us through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. I hope you had a snack before you look at all the yummy photos below! 😜

In case you missed it, this post is a continuation of our one-year anniversary road trip through Europe. We already wrote about the charming town of Volendam here, the best places to see tulips in the Netherlands here, and Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District here.

Food is very representative of a city’s culture. In order to really get to know a place and the people, you’ve got to eat the food.

Emeril Lagasse

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Breakfast

De Bakkerswinkel (Warmoesstraat 69, 1012 HX Amsterdam) is the most darling sit-down breakfast spot. The café is two floors: The first floor included the open kitchen, to-go counter, and some dine-in tables, while the second floor offered more dining tables overlooking the first floor like a loft. The whole aesthetic was light and bright, including fresh tulips in bud vases on every table. The menu offers everything you’d want out of a brunch or high tea. We ordered quiche, French toast, and a scone. Everything was excellent, but our favorite part was the homemade jam. When you sit, the server supplies you with an assortment of jams. Our table had five flavors, and you can eat as much jam as you like. Needless to say, we tried all five. We loved them so much that when we were paying our bill we asked if they sold jars to-go. They did! We ended up buying jars of jam for all of our family and friends back home. It was the perfect souvenir and very affordable.

Snack/Lunch

Cheese Shops This will be the only free snack included in this list… so consider it my freebie to you! Stop into nearly any cheese shop in the Netherlands, and you can sample any cheese before purchase. We bought a bunch of cheese while in the Netherlands and loved that we could taste all the flavors and variety.

Febo is what I’d consider a grab-and-go vending machine fast-food spot. Food is prepared fresh every morning then delivered to the vending kiosks daily. They sell items such as croquettes, burgers, chicken skewers, ice cream, and more. The unique thing about this company is that they are a family-owned fast food chain and use local Dutch ingredients. They have over 66 locations, making them conveniently located all over Amsterdam.

Mannekenpis Verse Vlaamse Friet (Damrak 41, 1012 LK Amsterdam) is the french fry shop of all french fry shops. The potatoes are from Zeeland, Netherlands, and after being picked they are processed into french fries the same day they arrive to the factory, making them super fresh. What makes these fries special is the 20 flavors of sauce you can choose from as a topping. The fries are served in paper cones with little wooden forks that make them easy on-the-go and keep your fingers clean. The Amsterdam location is just a window where you order, no sit down. We picked up two cones and snacked while walking from one attraction to the next.

Simit Sarayi (Damrak 57, 1012 LL Amsterdam) is a diverse and affordable fast food option with a menu including breakfast, lunch, and some dinner-ish foods. They do have tables for those wanting to sit down, but you could also order and take your food to-go, making this spot convenient for tourists on-the-go. The location we went to was centrally located by many activities we were going to that day. We ordered at the counter then sat down for ten minutes to eat.

Dinner

Café Restaurant Mamouche (Quellijnstraat 104, 1072 XZ Amsterdam) is an upscale Moroccan-French restaurant. We love Moroccan food, and they did not disappoint. The Pastilla, lamb kefta, couscous with kebab, and Moroccan mint tea were all superb. We dined at a lovely table outside. Highly recommend this gem.

Restaurant Bazar was a Mediterranean restaurant located in Amsterdam. Since our visit, they have decided to close permanently. However, they still made my list because they were really tasty; just look at our dishes below! All hope isn’t lost though, because they do have a Rotterdam, Netherlands, location just an hour away. When we visited the Netherlands, we actually visited several cities, and Rotterdam was one of them.

The Burger Room (Paulus Potterstraat 30H, 1701 DA Amsterdam) is a burger restaurant and cocktail bar inspired by the Wizard of Oz. The 1920s art deco style is mixed with lush velvet emerald green and gold accents. The Wizard of Oz theme runs deep, with creative names on the menu, artwork, and a mini museum downstairs, including a replica of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. We had spent the day in the museum district seeing museum after museum, and this burger spot was the perfect place for a break and replenish. We ordered burgers and milkshakes, and they were really tasty. If you like burgers or are just a Wizard of Oz fan, then you need to check this place out.

Vegan Junk Food Bar (Marie Heinekenplein 9-10, Amsterdam) is a vegan eatery that sells everything from meatless burgers to ribs. We didn’t actually eat here but had stumbled upon it while on the way to our Moroccan restaurant. It was definitely the busiest restaurant in that whole area of town. The crowd we saw, plus the 4.5-star reviews on Yelp and Trip Advisor led me to believe that it’s really good. I wish we had one more day in Amsterdam so we could have eaten here. There are four locations in Amsterdam.

Dessert

Banketbakkerij v.d. Linde (Nieuwendijk 183, 1012 MG Amsterdam) is a special ice cream shop in the heart of Amsterdam. I’d heard really good things about this place so figured I’d give it a try. They only sell one flavor, a smooth rich vanilla whipped cream scoop in a waffle cone. Vanilla isn’t my favorite flavor of ice cream, but this is more than just vanilla. It was very affordable, and the quick-moving line out the door of this shop will tell you just how good it was.

Van Wonderen Stroopwafels (Kalverstraat 190, 1012 XH Amsterdam) is a stroopwafel shop that was highly recommended by a friend. Stroopwafel is a dessert-like chewy wafer cookie made from two thin layers of dough, pressed with a thin lining of filling in the middle (most commonly a caramel or honey-like substance). This shop makes them to order, and they were seriously gourmet and so scrumptious. They also sell a bunch of prepackaged stroopwafel items you can purchase as souvenirs, or to save for a midnight snack in your hotel room later. 😊

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And that’s a wrap (pun intended) on our best food in Amsterdam post! I hope I introduced you to some new dishes and restaurants that will influence your next Amsterdam dining experience. Stay tuned for the next Amarvelous Honeymoon blog post, where we’ll be covering the best Amsterdam attractions, and in the coming weeks we’ll be writing about the rest of our unforgettable trip through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Spain!

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10 Ways to Have a Safe Event During COVID

Event safety is the most important thing in this nearly post-COVID *fingers crossed* world. As we progress into 2021 and the COVID vaccine becomes more accessible, it’s important to discuss how event hosts can cover their bases to provide guests with the safest, most enjoyable event possible. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, conference, or wedding, all 10 tips below will ensure that you’re on the right track and thinking about every facet of event safety.

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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1. Follow the CDC/State/Local Restrictions

Firstly, and likely the most important, is that the guidelines from the CDC, your state, and your local municipality are followed. The only way to ensure a safe COVID event is to follow the rules. Sure, restrictions on event capacity can definitely put a damper on plans. But think of it like this: Those restrictions were decided upon by disease experts and doctors who have all the facts.

Following the rules lessens the liability risk, and not just for you, as the host, but also for the venue and the vendors at your event. I spoke to a lawyer recently who explained that only the host of the party signs the event contract. For example, the wedding couple would sign the contract with a venue and wedding planner. When a guest is attending your event, they understand that it’s a risk to attend, but they also assume that you are following all the rules. In the unfortunate scenario where someone does contract COVID and passes away, then close family members may want to sue whomever caused the unsafe conditions. Being that the guest of the wedding did not sign the contract with the venue or wedding planner, those vendors are not covered from being sued by the unhappy party.

Most venues and event vendors are already looking at the available guidance and requesting that events reduce size to fit within the limits. If you’re in the predicament of reducing your guest count, then understand that your guests know that it’s nothing personal. Of course, you wanted them there, as you invited them in the first place. Just explain that the occupancy is no longer in your hands. Perhaps offer them the ability to livestream the ceremony portion so they can still feel a part of your day. We wrote a blog post about just this solution here: How to Livestream Your Wedding Amid Coronavirus Social Distancing

Some states or local municipalities have lesser restrictions than the CDC guidelines. I would suggest that you stick to the strictest of the available guidance. Again, an expert came up with that guidance, and even though it would be nice to have as big an event as possible, I’m sure you don’t want to be the reason for a super-spreader event.

2. Promote the Vaccine

As the vaccine becomes more readily available, encourage eligible family and friends to get vaccinated. Right now, it’s still new, so you can’t successfully enforce that everyone be vaccinated to attend your event. However, as the vaccine opens to the general public, encouraging your guests to receive it can’t hurt. That’s just one more additional layer of safety for your event and loved ones.

Consider assisting the older generation who are not as tech-savvy. Most states are requiring online registration and appointments for the COVID vaccine. Navigating the digital platforms may be impossible for those without computers or internet. Getting the vaccine just might be the deciding factor on Grandma or Grandpa attending your event.

Note that the vaccines, no matter the brand, do not protect you 100% against COVID. It is imperative that even if guests are receiving shots, they still wear a mask and follow the rest of the rules at your event.

3. Offer Testing On-Site

At an additional cost to the event host, you could offer guests a rapid test upon arrival to the event. If you plan to hire a medical company for this service, then there are several factors to consider:

  • Space – On-site testing requires additional socially-distanced non-event space. Consider zones where guests wait to be tested, receive their test, and then wait for results. In addition to that, you’ll need a space where the medical team run swabs through rapid testing machines.
  • Timing – When considering the timeline for your event, you will require additional time added to the schedule if testing is taking place on site. If a ceremony begins at 5:00pm sharp, then you can ask your private medical provider how long it would take for 50 tests to be completed by 4:45pm. They’ll be able to provide you with an idea of the necessary start time. Ensure guests are aware that testing is taking place between X o’clock pm and Y o’clock pm. Also let them know that early arrival is strongly encouraged, as there is no guarantee that they will see the ceremony if they arrive late.
  • Testing Policy – You’ll want to decide on a testing policy and inform your guests of this before they arrive to your event. When a guest is cleared with a negative test, at that point they can enter the event site. However, if a guest tests positive, there are likely a few policies you could go with.
    • Do you turn away the singular guest and supply them with ceremony livestream details?
    • Do you turn away the entire household even if only one person tested positive? This is a very difficult decision. But it is possible that the rest of the household has been exposed, and their results are false negatives because the exposure is too new.
    • Do you allow the positive-tested guest to stay in the testing area for a retest? Sometimes the rapid tests are not 100% accurate, and it could have been a false positive.
  • Budget – Individual rapid tests on-site at your event could cost a pretty penny. I recently heard of an event host paying upwards of $150 per test. If offering testing on-site is important to you but budget is a concern, then consider cuts somewhere else. You could easily cut welcome bags at hotels, party favors, candy bar (which is discouraged during COVID anyway), or professional transportation services. These, among others, are small elements that no one would really miss. Consider the peace of mind that a negative test will provide them as their gift.

4. Test on the Morning of the Event

Alternatively, if testing on-site is just out of the cards due to budget, space, or another reason, then you could require guests to produce their own COVID test results. It would cost nearly nothing for you and in many cases your guests either, as many states are offering tests for free or covered under health insurance. It would take a minimal amount of time from your guests’ day, as most rapid test results are available in 15 minutes.

Guests would be directed to receive a rapid COVID test on the morning of the event. Result paperwork should be dated with the event date to ensure the results are new. Instruct guests to bring their negative test results with them to the party. They will present the paperwork to gain entrance. Just as you would assign an Usher, you could assign someone from your bridal party to manage the check-in process. Guests who received a positive COVID test should be instructed to stay home and watch the ceremony on your livestream feed.

Photo Credit: hackensackmeridianhealth.org

This also prevents the COVID-positive guest from being in further contact with any additional party guests. Keep in mind that the above-mentioned testing policy should still be in place, whether you offer the test or the test is guest-provided. As long as the testing policy is transparent to the guest and on your event website, ticket, or with the invite, then guests should be understanding of your wishes.

5. Verify Temperature Upon Arrival

Contactless forehead thermometers are readily available online and reasonably cheap. For example, the one pictured below is a best-seller on Amazon.com, 4.5 star rated with over 31,000 reviews, and normally sells for $25.99 (though at the time of writing this post, it’s on sale for $21.62).

Purchase one contactless forehead thermometer, and assign someone from your bridal party to manage the temperature check-in process. As guests arrive, the check-in manager will hold up the thermometer to scan them. If a guest is running a low- or high-grade fever, then you would refer to your chosen testing policy. Anything over 100.4°F is an actual fever.

6. Wear a Mask

As a wedding planner, I encourage all of my couples to require that their guests wear a mask. However, no matter how many times you tell people, there will always be guests who said that they didn’t know and show up sans mask. It’s important to have a small amenity table at the entry to your event that includes disposable masks. I think the black option below will look classy paired with formalwear. As the rule goes…. only the Bride wears white 😊

As the happy wedding couple, you too should be setting an example and wearing a mask. However, it doesn’t have to be a boring black disposable mask. Get creative! After all, it is your party! The set below is made from material with “Bride” and “Groom” stitching (though it’s also available in Bride/Bride and Groom/Groom). There are also masks with clear windows so guests can see your beautiful smile on your joyful wedding day and read your lips during your vows.

7. Sanitize

There are several ways to provide hand sanitizer to guests while at your event. You could purchase one travel-size sanitizer per guest and place it on their ceremony chair. You could also have place cards with name and table number attached to each bottle. This would be theirs to keep and use as they like. The Germ-X pack below is sold in bulk on Amazon.com and would look lovely with a ribbon in the wedding/event colors tied around the neck of each bottle. At around $1.10 per bottle, that’s an affordable and functional party favor.

Alternatively, you could set up communal hand sanitizing stations with these large Germ-X hand sanitizer pumps from Amazon.com. Consider strategically locating a bottle at the entrance into the ceremony, entrance into the reception, guest book signing, photo booth, bar, etc. Any high-touch zone or entry into a new space would be ideal.

8. Reduce Table Size to Households

Gone are the days of large 60” round banquet tables that seat 10 people from different households. As eating requires you to remove your mask, the safest way to dine during COVID is to have tables spaced far apart, and for each table to only seat one household. The only time during the event that masks are off should be when dining. Other times of the day during ceremony and dancing, it would be fine if guests are in closer contact.

For example, your aunt, uncle, and two cousins that all live under one roof would have a small table for four. If one of those cousins was away at college, but they have had recent exposure to their immediate family, it would still be acceptable to put all four of them at the same table. If you have two friends that are married, they would be at a small two-top. This rule only becomes challenging when you have singletons attending your event. Most parties delegate a table to those that are single, young, and ready to mingle… however, COVID is not the time for that. I would suggest you ask approval from those guests before you seat them alone or in a compromising dining situation with others. Their safety preference should be the most important thing.

9. Implement a Red, Yellow, & Green Safety System

The red, yellow, and green safety system helps alert guests of the comfort preference of other guests. The system is entirely based on the preference of the wearer, and each guest should decide the level of contact they would like to receive at the event. The premise is that this is something the guest visibly wears throughout the night so others can respect their wishes.

I would propose that this system be introduced to guests before they enter the party and be placed at the small entry table with the disposable masks and hand sanitizer. You could have three picture frames to explain the color system, then three bowls of rubber bracelets or glow stick bracelets or stickers for guests to wear. Be sure to have enough of each colored item, in case everyone at your party picks the same color.

  • Green means happy with hugs and handshakes. Maybe a green person has been vaccinated or has no underlying health conditions.
  • Yellow means OK with talking, but don’t get too close. Perhaps a yellow person has an autoimmune disorder or other underlying health condition.
  • Red means you’re keeping your distance and will wave but remain socially distanced from everyone. A red person would be high risk or perhaps elderly.

10. Rethink Food Service

Now onto the final and tastiest part of this post… the food! It’s important to talk to your caterer and see how they are changing their offerings since COVID started. The most important thing is how it’s served. Most caterers are no longer offering help-yourself appetizer stations and dinner buffets. You can certainly still have a dinner buffet, but by allowing servers to man those stations, that saves every guest from touching the serving spoons. This format knocks out the two-sided buffet options which allows guests to serve from both sides of the table and be back at their tables dining faster. Inform the DJ if you are doing a buffet with servers, because it could take more time between announcing up tables.

The safest form of dining service right now is passed hors d’oeuvres and a plated dinner. This allows guests to be more stationary, alleviating closeness in lines, touch points, and cross flow. Additionally, if a passed appetizer experiences a cough or sneeze in close proximity, they can toss the small portion of contaminated food. If your caterer will allow passed hors d’oeuvres and a plated dinner offering, take it!

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MintyPaperie.com is not a sponsor of this post, but I stumbled upon their website and am simply floored by the variety of “COVID-19 affected event” wedding and event templates. I hope you enjoyed their featured images and punny references in the post above. Check out their website to see more products like these!

And that’s it folks… 10 ways to have a safe event during COVID. Just to recap: follow all the federal/state/city guidelines, recommend the vaccine, offer testing at your event or require guests be tested the day of the event, provide temperature checks, require masks and provide masks for those who don’t bring them, have hand sanitizer everywhere, keep the dining tables household size, allow guests to choose their comfort level with a red/yellow/green color system, and consider alternate food service options. If you can confidently check off all 10 items on our list, then you are on your way to having a safe event! Good luck, happy planning, and stay healthy!

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Amsterdam’s Infamous Red Light District

What comes to your mind when I say, “Amsterdam’s Infamous Red Light District?” Ever wanted to visit? Think it’s all risqué and sexy? Well, there’s more to this neighborhood than its promiscuous reputation. Come along as I explain how we traveled to and from Amsterdam, recommend some super tasty treats we dined on, explain the rules of the Red Light District (yes, there are rules to be followed), and share some must-see museums we experienced.

This post is a continuation of our one-year anniversary road trip through Europe. We already wrote about the charming town of Volendam here and the best places to see tulips in the Netherlands here, and in the coming weeks, we’ll be writing about the rest of our unforgettable trip through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Spain.

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Our Arrival into Amsterdam

While this was a road trip, we should note that we returned the car for the duration of our time in Amsterdam. Between having to pay nightly for parking and the fact that the city of Amsterdam is easily walkable (and a pleasure to do so, since you’ll see so much more beauty and history by walking), we realized that it was the best decision for us. Public transportation, although readily available into and within Amsterdam, wasn’t something that we took much advantage of either. As I said, we love walking around to explore, and there are always great finds along the way that you never would have stumbled upon had you not been on foot. Amsterdam is the perfect city for that.

The hotel we selected was Hotel Piet Hein which sits next to Vondelpark, close to Rijksmuseum, and only a 17-minute drive away from the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. It’s a three-star hotel, and we paid $210 a night in mid-April. The closer you are to the heart of the city, the pricier the hotels become. We stayed in a prime location to still walk everywhere, but we were just outside of the city center, so we saved a little. To me, that $210 a night was still a steep bill. Do keep in mind that mid-April is the peak flower season in the Netherlands, so you will pay more at this time of year than other months.

Photo Credit: Hotel Piet Hein

The hotel was modern-looking. The rooms were on the smaller side, which we expected since we’re in a big city. Everything was super clean and nicely furnished. The lobby common area was cozy with plenty of lounge seating, and there was a fantastic outdoor backyard dining area where we spent time having a meal one day. The hotel does have an elevator inside, but the front entrance has steps and no ramp, so if you are traveling with heavy bags like we were, or if steps are challenging for you, then you may have some initial access difficulties at this particular hotel or need to ask for help from the front desk.

Canals are the most picturesque part of Amsterdam. There are many hotels with canal views, since the waterways run throughout the heart of the city. It would have been lovely to have our hotel room look out over one of the canals, but the rooms that share the water views have rightfully inflated pricing. Our days were so jam-packed that we hardly spend enough time in the room for it to be worth the price difference for us. Plus, we walked around all day along the canal waterways. In the end, we didn’t feel like we missed out, so don’t feel just because you’re in Amsterdam that you need to splurge for that hotel canal view.

After we checked into our hotel and dropped off our bags, we drove back to the airport to return our rental car. The airport is a convenient public transit hub that connects directly to the Dutch rail network. If our trip had only been to the Netherlands and not also Belgium, France, and Spain, then it may have been worth it to take trains all over the country instead of renting a car (food for thought).

Photo Credit: Project Mapping

We found a train that would take us from Schipol Airport into Amsterdam Centraal in just 14 minutes. Amsterdam Centraal is the largest rail station in North Holland and was the perfect spot to begin our day. The atrium where you purchase tickets at the airport had self-service ticket kiosks throughout, with help readily available if you need it. Tickets were only €5.60 ($6.85 USD) each, so it was an affordable way to get back to the fun parts of our trip.

Photo Credit: holland-explorer.com

The train ride was above ground, and I loved watching the scenery of the city as we passed. It was such a wise decision to drop off our bags with the car earlier in the day because now we could just arrive into Amsterdam Centraal Station and freely explore for the remainder of the day. The station building was beautiful. The tube the train arrived into was made of a glass ceiling that you could see the sky through. The older part of the building was made of red bricks and white stone, and it had a grey roof. Very stately. The exterior of the building had loads of bicycles lined up. Something you’ll see all over Amsterdam are bike racks covered in locked-up bicycles. It’s a major form of transportation, as it’s such a small walkable city.

First order of business was a quick bite for lunch. Not too far outside of Amsterdam Centraal, we stumbled upon a busy and very instagrammable french fries shop called Mannekenpis Verse Vlaamse Friet. This shop was just a window where you ordered and picked up your food. They had a line out the front, so it looked promising. The premise is that you order a paper cone filled with french fries and you can select a sauce for them to pour on top. The selection of sauces included a very impressive 23 different flavors. This wasn’t a bad selection for a snack, because it’s grab and go. We were able to snack as we continued to stroll through the city.

The Red Light District

About five minutes later, we found ourselves in the Red Light District, arguably the most infamous part of Amsterdam. It was still daylight when we entered this neighborhood, and you could already see how the name originated. The Oudezijds Archterburgwal canal and roadway was lined with many storefront buildings with lit-up neon window signs. I’m sure it comes to life even more so in the evening. Along the road, we passed brothels, sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs, and cafés that serve cannabis products.

Red Light District Highlighted – Photo Credit: Google Maps

Although Amsterdam is pretty liberal and has acknowledged sex work and the use of light recreational drugs and legal behaviors, there are rules in place to keep the environment orderly and safe to protect both the workers and visitors.

  • Taking pictures of sex workers is prohibited: This is a pay-to-play environment. Even taking pictures of a sex worker in a window is not allowed.
  • Don’t disrespect the sex worker in the windows: This is a hard job, and no one likes being gawked at or laughed at. Be respectful and polite.
  • Don’t block sex worker windows: Online advertising and street advertising is prohibited by the sex worker, so the window is their only way for the sex worker to showcase themselves.
  • Street prostitution and prostitution hotels are illegal: There are plenty of sex shops and approved establishments available, so do not buy off the street as the fine is €115 ($140.74 USD) for each party involved.
  • No drinking alcohol in the streets: Alcohol may only be consumed at approved establishments both inside and outside, and the fine is €95 ($116.27 USD).
  • No purchasing of drugs from street dealers: Light recreational drug use is allowed at cafés, and some menus even offer such products for sale and consumption. You can carry a maximum of five grams of weed on you legally.
  • Obligatory identification: Don’t forget to have a photo ID on yourself (especially if you look young). From age 14+ there are fines if you are asked for ID and cannot show one. Customers may be as young as 16 years old.
  • Respect the neighborhood, and don’t litter the streets or canals: This lively neighborhood isn’t just fun and games. Above many storefronts, there are residencies and hotels. The fine for littering is €140 ($171.34 USD).
  • Use designated public urinals: Urinating in the streets, alleyways, and canals is prohibited, and the fine for doing so is €140 ($171.34 USD).
  • Don’t smoke under open windows: Be conscious where you light up.
  • Walk on the right side of the street: In the past few years, pedestrian congestion has become more severe. When visitors follow the right-side rule, it assists flow and alleviates congestion.
  • Sleeping in your car is prohibited: Fine is €140 ($171.34 USD).

There is much more to the Red Light District than just red windows. There are churches, daycares, homes, groceries, everyday shops, and culture that this neighborhood has to offer both day and night. Be respectful of people, space, sex, drug, and alcohol rules, as there are fines and plenty of enforcement in this neighborhood. As it goes for any city, you can have a lot of fun, but you just have to follow their rules.

We were visiting on our one-year wedding anniversary trip and elected to not take part in the sexier offerings the Red Light District has to offer. If you’re in the same boat as us and not feeling like you want to experience that part of it, then I’d suggest you still do a stroll through this famous neighborhood just to experience it. “When in Amsterdam,” am I right? We stumbled upon a couple museum attractions that caught our eye, and we did experience those.

The first museum we visited was the Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution. Tickets are €12.50 ($15.30 USD) per ticket. This is the world’s first prostitution museum. The museum was a walkthrough experience that took you through a day in the life of one prostitute, Inga, a Russian sex worker who has been working the Amsterdam Red Light District for 15 years. The experience showcased how she was a real person and had a life of family and friends outside of her job, that her chosen career is nothing to be ashamed over, answered questions people always have of sex workers, and was actually really tastefully done and informative. There are 12 free audio stories included in the walkthrough experience. There’s also a photo opportunity where you can take a picture from inside one of the red windows. I was impressed.

The second museum was the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum. Tickets are €9 ($11.01 USD) each. This museum is basically the history of marijuana. They have artifacts and art to educate on all aspects of cannabis and hemp including history, culture, fashion, and modern medicine. The museum itself consists of two sites: the original building and a newer addition a few stores down. When purchasing the ticket, you gain access to both buildings. Our ticket included a free audio guide so we could learn additional facts as we walked through the museum at our own pace. They say the average self-guided tour lasts about an hour. I actually think we spent over an hour here as by the time we were leaving it was now dark out.

I also want to highlight a few attractions that we didn’t experience but that are popular in the Red Light District:

  • Erotic Museum: This is an attraction for those who may want to see what the Red Light District establishments look like, without actually partaking in booking a sex worker. There is an erotica shop, an exhibit on the history of the district, a wax figure of a girl working, photographs, and so much more. Tickets are €5 ($6.12 USD) each.
Photo Credit: Nat Geo Traveller India
Photo Credit: Wowabouts
  • Casa Rosso: Upscale theatre-style sex show with velvet seats and a stage. A combined ticket plus two drinks costs €55 ($67.31 USD) each.
Photo Credit: Amsterdam Travel Guide
  • Banana Bar: A popular club for bachelor parties where waitresses perform party tricks.
Photo Credit: Tripadvisor
Photo Credit: Tom Boltendal
  • The Bulldog: One of the first coffeeshops in the city and the first in the Red Light District.
Photo Credit Abariltur
Photo Credit: Hangover-Information.com
  • Cannabis College: This free experience educates visitors on both cannabis and hemp uses.
Photo Credit: amsterdam-coffeeshop-tour.com
  • Oude Kerk: Oldest church in Amsterdam. Built in the 1300s. I’ve read that the views from the bell towers overlooking the city are breathtaking.
Photo Credit: Amsterdam Red Light District Tours
  • Also check out these top food items:

Finishing our First Day in Amsterdam

We continued our walk back to our hotel and stopped into Van Wonderen Stroopwafel, which had been highly recommended by a friend. Stroopwafel is a dessert like chewy wafer cookies made from two thin layers of dough pressed with a thin lining of filling in the middle (most commonly a caramel or honey-like substance). We’d already had stroopwafel on our Netherlands trip thus far, but these were seriously gourmet and so scrumptious. They were hand-made to order, and then you could select toppings. Very decadent and the perfect dessert snack for our walk home.

The entire day, we were basically on a slow stroll from one side of Amsterdam back to our hotel. Though we could have walked from Amsterdam Centraal station to our hotel in about 30 minutes, all the sights and experiences we took in along the way were well worth it. There were also plenty of souvenir shops for us to pick up a few more trinkets for family and friends back home. We arrived back to our hotel in the dark, and the walk felt very safe. What a successful first day in Amsterdam!

Photo Credit: Google Maps

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All in all, we had a really fantastic first day in Amsterdam. This was partially a travel day, so we didn’t have a full morning-to-evening in the city, but we sure did see a lot for the few hours of daylight we had left. The famous Red Light District did not disappoint. We definitely felt like we had the full Amsterdam experience with today’s itinerary, yet there was still so much more to see! We hope that you enjoyed going on this journey with us through the Red Light District. The next few Amarvelous Honeymoon posts will cover our next jam-packed days in Amsterdam!

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Epic Holiday Charcuterie Boards

Today, I’m bringing you a holiday dining idea that is totally out of the box! Being that we may be having smaller holiday gatherings this year, you might already be rethinking your regular annual menu that could feed an army. Well, look no further!

Start by throwing away everything that you thought you knew about charcuterie (pronounced “shar-coo-tuh-ree”) boards. They are not just appetizers and snacks served with wine at an evening with friends and family anymore—The new charcuterie board can be an appetizer, snack, side dish, main dish, or even dessert! Today, I’m hoping to inspire you with the basics of a charcuterie board, picking alternative food items, and dressing it up and down for any time of day or themed occasion.

In French tradition, charcuterie literally means the art of preparing and presenting cured meats. As an Italian myself, a traditional charcuterie board is one of my absolute favorite meals because it encompasses all my favorite things: delicious breads, meats, and cheeses. Sprinkle in a few fresh and dried fruits, and something pickled, and I could literally eat that kind of meal for the rest of my life and be satisfied (emotionally if not nutritionally haha).

On holidays, my family usually serves antipasto (basically the Italian version of the French charcuterie), and then we’re often nearly too full for the main course holiday dinner. Every year it gets me thinking, “Why are we going crazy cooking the traditional main course? We all enjoy charcuterie the most… why not just expand upon that?”

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Presentation

I feel the most important aspect of charcuterie is the presentation. This is one of the primary reasons you could serve a charcuterie as a holiday meal: the presentation is supposed to be very Instagrammable. It’s taking everyday foods and presenting them in a way that is impressive, photogenic, and holiday-worthy. Just because the phrase is “charcuterie board” doesn’t mean that you have to serve it on a board. You could… but if you didn’t have a large and traditional wooden board, then you could still wow your guests with a large platter, paper, or a whole table or kitchen island.

Once you’ve selected whether you’re using a board, platter, paper, or the whole table, then you need to figure out placement of everything on that base. You’ll likely need some bowls of varying sizes for the wetter food items. I use all white serviceware and everyday dishes in our household, so I have an abundance of crisp white items that match. You could go with all-white, clear, metallics, mix-and-match, or holiday-themed.

Utensils are important when it comes to a charcuterie board. Though it’s finger food, no one wants sticky fingers by the time they are ready to eat. You may need to include some spoons for the dips, a honey dipper, tongs for fruit, knives to cut cheese, etc. But get creative here! I wouldn’t go out and spend a fortune on utensils. Look around to see what you have in the house first, then maybe supplement with a few add-ins if necessary. The food itself should be finger food, so your guests likely won’t need many regular utensils to eat, just to serve themselves. If you do provide one dining utensil, then it could be a regular fork, cocktail fork, or a toothpick.

Placing the food on your board can seem intimidating, but there is no right or wrong way to do it. Just begin placing the largest items, bowls, or staple foods first, and then fill in around that. Layer and build up, until you fill in the gaps.

Credit: Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Finally, to finish off the topic of presentation, I want to introduce you to personalized dining boards with a wine cup holder. If you wanted to go totally extra and over the top, you could purchase each person their own wooden board instead of offering appetizer or dinner plates to eat from. This is perfect for a party atmosphere where everyone is walking around and mingling. Each guest would receive their own board that they can take home at the end of the night. It’s a practical favor. This also works wonderfully for a holiday party, because it’s a built-in gift! And check out the price… Home Depot sells the gorgeous trays shown below. They are made from a sturdy quality acacia wood in a set of four for only $27.11 ($6.75 per person). What a cheap and unique gift!

Sweet or Savory

While we’re thinking outside the box, let’s consider the fact that though traditional French charcuterie is savory meats, that doesn’t mean that a modern take on this type of dining always needs to include meat. If you don’t eat meat or dairy, or if you have other dietary restrictions, you can still enjoy a scrumptious charcuterie without those ingredients.

Your board doesn’t have to be only sweet or only savory, as people often enjoy a mix of the two. Even the traditional meat and cheese board still includes fruits. My suggestion would be to include both sweet and savory, but to also consider textures. It’s important to entice the senses and include soft, hard, mushy, crunchy, smooth, chewy, and lumpy.

Additionally, who decided charcuterie is for evenings only? Why not breakfast charcuterie, lunch charcuterie, and dessert charcuterie? You could also prepare a charcuterie board themed for a game night or family movie night. The possibilities are truly endless.

What to Include

My absolute favorite thing about a charcuterie board is that it’s a bit of a catch-all, and there is something for everyone. Your guests are bound to be wowed by the variety and assortment available. I usually begin by rummaging through my fridge and pantry to see what I have in the house that can work on my board. It helps to know what time of day you’re serving your board, and for what occasion. For example, if I was preparing a breakfast board, I would definitely be looking for different items compared to a Christmas dinner board. Below are some ideas of boards and the types of foods that you could consider including for each one.

Credit: Joshua Weissman

Breakfast – Pastries, muffins, bagels, donuts, croissants, cinnamon rolls, waffles, pancakes, French toast, cheese blintzes, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt cups, syrup, jam, and whipped cream

Lunch – DIY sandwiches, tacos, deli meat, deviled eggs, quiche, cheese, pickles, olives, fresh fruit, spinach artichoke dip, caponata eggplant dip, hummus, pitta bread, and crackers

Dinner – Steak, shrimp, wings, lamb chops, meatballs, warm dips, grilled vegetables, baked potatoes, couscous, tortellini, rice balls, bread, and crackers

Dessert – S’mores, chocolate and strawberries, chocolate fondue, cookies, hot cocoa, and rice krispies treats

Game/Movie Night – Popcorn, soft pretzels, crunchy pretzels, cookies, crackers, chips, dip, cheese, gummy candy, chocolate candy, sour candy, fresh fruit, fried fruit, and nuts

Portion Size

I would suggest serving everything in finger-food-sized portions.

Let’s use breakfast as our first example: If your waffle maker makes humongous waffles, then cut them down to make waffle sticks. Same for French toast. Guests won’t want to fill up on a whole slice of French toast when there is so much variety on the board, so cut them down to stick-size, and then they can try everything.

Now let’s use dinner as an example: You can absolutely serve steak on a charcuterie, but you’ll need to precut it into bite-sized strips. Lamb chops, wings, and shrimp are a great idea because they are already fairly small cuts of meat. Avoid serving food that’s so large that it requires a fork and knife to eat.

The recommended serving size for a meat and cheese platter is 3 ounces per person as an appetizer and 6 ounces per person as a main course. However, I’d suggest you up the ounces by a few per person when it’s a holiday dinner. My reasoning behind that is that sometimes people are busy on holidays mornings/days and don’t have time during the day to eat, or they hold out in anticipation of all the yummy food that’s about to come, so they may be very hungry by the time they arrive for dinner. It’s best to increase to maybe 8-10 ounces per person of protein. Don’t forget that there is much more on the board than meat and cheese, so no one will leave hungry.

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I hope this post today has inspired you to come up with a new offering for the holidays this year. A charcuterie board is extremely fun, a conversation piece, a complete meal full of nutrients and includes loads of variety. It’s time to elevate the appetizers into a proper course of its own.

Happy holidays everyone!

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