This entry is in answer to a reader's comment from my first post. I had included a picture of my Bellini Bar and she wanted to know more about it. So here it goes!

My fiance and I decided to hold an engagement brunch. Brunch happens to be much more affordable than a dinner, as well as cocktail party and its one my fiance's favorite meals. While I love mimosa's and bloody Mary's, I wanted to do something a little different and at the same time, I wanted it to be interactive. Welcome to the bellini bar. With a set budget and a mound of DIY projects, we were able to set some money aside to rent white table clothes, as well as champagne glasses. Both my finance and I are ultimate foodies, so even though we were holding this party in my soon to be in-laws backyard, we still wanted our menu to be an experience. It is always important to remember that beverages play just as large of a role in the menu as the food.

Attention to detail goes a long way. Whether you're holding a party for seventy-five or ten, including a similar bar to this will leave a lasting impression. What makes these so special? We offered bellini's in several flavors: Strawberry, Peach and Mixed Berry. Guests poured the desired amount of puree into their glasses, then topped it off with either Champagne or Prosecco (it's good to offer your guests both, some may prefer a sweet bellini to a dry bellini).

Pictures, instructions and recipes after the jump.



What you'll need:
Champagne glasses
Antique Milk Bottles
Tags (to designate flavors)
Several yards of raffia
Trays
Your favorite wrapping paper
Plexiglass
Bellini Recipe
Your favorite champagne and/or Prosecco
A patient and dedicated best friend whose mission is to make your dream decor come true

We held our party in the heart of fall, so the decor was easy -- pumpkins, gourds, hay and mums. To match the hay, I decided long in advance that I wanted to spruce up the champagne glasses by tying raffia around the top of the glass. I also didn't just want the glasses to be sitting on the table. I decided to place the glasses on two plain snack trays. To take these up a notch, I took my favorite wrapping paper, cut it to the size of the tray and cut plexiglass to place on top of the paper. I figured as the glasses got taken of the tray, at least there would be a decorative accent to look at. Adding dimension is also important. I found a small box that could withstand the weight of several glasses and placed it under the tablecloth. Finally, in the weeks before the party, I went onto eBay and found several inexpensive antique milk bottles that I knew would hold the fruit purees perfectly.

The day before the party my best friend came over to help me with all the decor, including tying the raffia around the glasses. Luckily, she saw my vision and went to town tying those glasses. I have to admit that I almost gave up, but she found a way to make the process almost painless (almost)! Glasses and trays were done, now it was onto the fruit purees. Luckily, if you follow the recipe I have provided, the purees can be made up to a day in advance, which is perfect if you're holding a party and want to actually enjoy yourself. After the purees were made, I poured them into the milk bottles, wiped them clean, tied some raffia around the mouth of the bottles and secured tags, each designating a flavor. With most of the work done the night before, I was truly able to enjoy myself the morning of the party. I got up, prepared the table and got ready. I can't tell you how many comments we received on the Bellini Bar. Several of our guests didn't believe us when we told them the caterer had nothing to do with it!



Now don't forget about the guys (and girls, I apologize) that prefer to drink beer over champagne or Prosecco. I try to cook with seasonal produce and if I can incorporate it into my beverages, I'm even happier. I consulted with a good friend who I consider a beer God and asked him to come up with a menu for the brunch, considering the food and most importantly, the season. Going above and beyond expectations, he carefully chose several beers with pumpkin tones and a hard cider for our guests. For your next party, leave one of each beer you are serving out. This way, guests can see what they want to drink before opening up the cooler.