Imaginary Wedding

I used to think that having disposable cameras at each table at a wedding reception was such a fabulously brilliant idea.

But now the quality of the disposable film cameras is too shoddy for any possible framers, plus the kind of people who are going to take photos will have already brought their own cameras. To further drive a stake in the heart of this old trend, last year the majority of you voted that you no longer loved it.

That’s not to say you don’t want more photos taken than your pro photog will take - just make it easy on your guests to upload them all to one place! Call it the 2009 version of disposable cameras on tables. Instead of cameras on tables, you just place cards with a URL or email address for your guests, and leave it to them to upload after the event.

To see how to make this wedding idea come together, just read more.

First, decide which photo-sharing website you want to use. It may be easiest to use the site you’re already using for photo sharing - MobileMe, Flickr, and Picasa provide you with an email address or URL to give out (see my instructions on how to do it in Picasa). But also consider newer site iRave - it also gives you both a URL or email address, and it has settings that let you approve photos before they’re up, preventing any pic leaks of champagne-induced embarrassments. Make sure that whichever site you use has plenty of storage space for the photos.

Once you’ve settled on the service, you need the cards so people know where to send photos. This seller from Etsy makes a wedding photo-sharing kit for $25, but this is also a simple DIY.

Design and print out your message onto business card-size paper (or just cut printed sheets to that size), then place in a festive box or display on each table.

If you’re really into the design of your invites, you can inquire with your invitation vendor about printing up these cards with your invite design.

Champagne, pomegranate and pineapple, it’s a fantastic mix and it’s found here in the Pomegranate-Pineapple Fireworks cocktail. This is a perfect drink to add a little excitement to any celebration, especially your New Year’s Eve party. This Champagne cocktail is the brainchild of Van Gogh Vodka’s corporate bartender, Stacy Nicoll, and features two of the brand’s flavored vodkas: Pomegranate and Pineapple. As an added bonus, the drink is extremely easy to mix up, keeping you free to entertain your guests.

• 1/2 oz Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka
• 1/2 oz Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka
• 1/2 oz pineapple juice
• Champagne

1. Pour the vodkas and juice into a Champagne glass.
2. Top with Champagne.