How To's

Inspiration can come from something as specific as the drink you and your groom sipped on the night you met, or a vacation you took together as a couple (a jaunt to Cuba practically demands a mojito). Or perhaps your cocktail is more of an aesthetic addition, one that complements your wedding colors or nods to your venue. Is your wedding nature-inspired? Serve an ingredient-driven cocktail with botanical stirrers like our Bonny Branch swizzle sticks. A sophisticated soirée? Choose a classic Aviation served in vintage-inspired Rosy-Cheeked Coupes for a throwback feel that's as elegant at is dramatic. Your choice of glassware, ingredients, and garnishes all come into play when making a drink that's visually alluring, witty and, of course, delicious.

To help get you started, we turned to some of the top practitioners from America's burgeoning craft-cocktail scene for their take on bespoke wedding cocktails, which run the gamut from understated classics to true marvels of modern mixology. Click through for recipes and tasting notes from our favorite bartenders in New York, Chicago, New Orleans and more.

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Determined to prove that, with a little creativity, tip-top looks can be achieved with everyday items, we enlisted Real Simple stylist Jeffrey Miller to help dream up pretty centerpieces made almost entirely from items found around your house—all of which are also quite economical and can be put together in about a half-hour!

HOUSEHOLD CONTAINERS you know the ones…dish soap, detergent, shampoo, and shower gels with interesting silhouettes take on new life when stripped of their labels. To achieve this look, start by cleaning out each container thoroughly; Jeffrey notes that the more organic the product is, the easier the label is to peel off. He chose bottles in four naturally-themed colors with a mix of matte and pearly finishes, and suggests a similar palette works best. Place a few small rocks in the bottom of each bottle to give weight. Fill with soft, like-colored blooms to complete!

DIXIE CUPS striped with tape in a contrasting color create an eye-catching table runner when paired with graphic candelabras. Use different cup sizes, and play with stacking and turning a few cups upside down to create dimension. Jeffrey notes that Gerbera daisies go particularly well with this preppy color palette, but that the idea (and the blooms) can be dressed up or down depending on your event and existing colors.

CHAMPAGNE & WINE BOTTLES make an unbelievably opulent centerpiece when massed out and sprayed entirely with gold and silver paint. Jeffrey recommends keeping the labels on (and even keeping a cork or two in a few bottles) when painting to create a ‘dipped’ appearance.

GARDEN SHED ITEMS once cleaned up and given a little shine feel right at home with industrial-tinged serveware at an outdoor or greenhouse event. Plant pails with freshly clipped greens and moss, and finish by placing a few polished river rocks around the perimeter of your vignette.

BRIDAL GLOW

The whats, whens, and hows of ensuring perfect skin on the big day? We’ve got you covered. Riku gives us the quick rundown on achieving fresh, gorgeous, and glowing skin, otherwise known as step one of just about every makeup look you could dream up.

Even if you don’t usually splurge on your skin, Riku suggests getting a facial at least three times before your big day is worth the investment; and, as always, adhere to a routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin with spf in between spa trips. Depending on your skin type and age, Microdermabrasion treatments can make a noticeable difference in overall skin tone and texture as well.

For coverage, Riku recommends choosing a liquid foundation with a yellow base and a concealer that’s just a touch lighter than the foundation. He emphasizes: your foundation must match your neck! Dabbing foundation on the inside of your wrist is a good place to test shades, as your arm is generally a good representation of your lightest and darkest skin tones—the top of your arm being the darkest, and the inside being the lightest. (Riku suggests applying a primer before your foundation if you happen to be getting married in an especially humid locale.) Concentrate concealer toward the inner corner of each eye, swirl a loose matte powder on the back of your hand with a large brush, and then dust across your entire face and neck to set. Voilà!

AUTUMN TWILIGHT

For a classic look with a touch of edge, chocolaty and metallic browns with plummy lips should do the trick. “This look is warm and seductive—this bride has a bit of attitude, but still wants to exude femininity and feel beautiful. It’s perfect for a fall or winter wedding,” says Riku.

SKIN: See Bridal Glow for Riku’s recommended regimen.

EYELIDS: Begin dusting the upper lid of each eye (starting from the inner corner) with a matte toasty-brown shadow. Keep the shape round as you arc up toward the nose, and pointed as you brush the color out toward the temples. Dust a shimmery nude shadow onto brow bones. Dust the darker brown shadow along the lower lashes and rim with true-black gel eyeliner along both upper and lower lashes, as well as the inner rim of the lower lids.

LASHES: Apply true-black mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

BROWS: Fill in and shape, keeping to the natural arch and width, with an eyebrow pencil the exact color of the natural brow.

LIPS: Tap lip brush onto matte plummy lipstick. Define the outside line of the lips and fill in with the same color.

CHEEKS: With blush brush, apply a rosé-colored powder blush to the apple of each cheek.

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ENGLISH ROSE

Just as cool temps in the British Isles cultivate its colorful gardens, so do the cool tones of this look create its warm, fresh-faced flush. “This look is about turning up the dial on natural beauty,” says Riku, “the goal is a captivating, virginal glow.”

SKIN: See Bridal Glow for Riku’s recommended regimen.

EYELIDS: Begin dusting the upper lid of each eye (starting from the inner corner) with a lilac-hued shadow. Blend across lids, leaving the area directly under the arch of each eyebrow free of color.

LASHES: Apply true-black mascara to the top lashes only.

BROWS: Fill in and shape, keeping to the natural arch and width, with an eyebrow pencil the exact color of the natural brow.

LIPS: Tap lip brush onto matte rosy-hued lipstick. Define the outside line of the lips and fill in with the same color. Finish with a translucent gloss.

CHEEKS: With blush brush, apply a rosy-hued (similar to lips) powder blush to the apple of each cheek.

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RUNWAY READY

A look tailor-made for the trendsetting bride—she’s looking for something a little different than the rest. “Tawny tones with matte texture and strong brows go against tradition, while still keeping things incredibly elegant,” says Riku.

SKIN: See Bridal Glow for Riku’s recommended regimen.

EYELIDS: Begin dusting the upper lid of each eye (starting from the inner corner) with a matte toasty-brown shadow. Blend across lids, leaving the area directly under the arch of each brow free of color. Line the upper lashes with a dark-brown eye pencil; smudge the line with a sponge-tipped wand. To finish, dust the same eye shadow along the lower lashes of each eye for a smoky effect.

LASHES: Apply true-black mascara to the top lashes only.

BROWS: Fill in and shape, keeping a steady width as you go from the inside edge to the outer tip. As you approach the outer tip, draw slightly beyond the natural length, allowing the width to slim just a little. You may wish to use an eyebrow pencil a touch darker than the natural color of the brow.

LIPS: Tap lip brush onto matte nude lipstick and fill in lips.

CHEEKS: With blush brush, apply a terracotta-hued powder blush to the apple of each cheek.

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CLASSIC BEAUTY

“It’s the epitome of ‘ladylike’—the perfect amount of impact in all the right places,” says Riku. A look favored by a certain Grace, Kate (and Cinderella), this modern take on a classic is the perfect choice for meeting your own Prince Charming at the aisle’s end.

SKIN: See Bridal Glow for Riku’s recommended regimen.

EYELIDS: Apply true-black mascara to the top lashes only. Using tweezers and lash glue, apply two small, individual faux lash pieces to root of the natural lashes at the inner corner of each eye. Moving toward the outer corners, apply six additional medium-sized faux lash pieces to each eye (top lashes only).

LASHES: Apply true-black mascara to the top lashes only.

BROWS: Fill in and shape, keeping to the natural arch and width, with an eyebrow pencil the exact color of the natural brow.

LIPS: Apply foundation and loose powder onto lips to create a base for the lipstick. Tap lip brush onto matte crimson-hued lipstick. Define the outside line of the lips and fill in with the same color.

CHEEKS: With blush brush, liberally apply a rosé-colored powder blush to the apple of each cheek.

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MRS. SIXTY

Sweet and sassy, Riku emphasizes the peepers for this look, gel-penciling a thick and swooping cateye. “This one takes its cues from Audrey Hepburn and the clean, chic glamour of the Sixties, but softens it all a bit for a modern, bride-apropos look,” says Riku.

SKIN: See Bridal Glow for Riku’s recommended regimen.

EYELIDS: Begin dusting the upper lid of each eye (starting from the inner corner) with a matte nude shadow. Blend across lids, leaving the area directly under the arch of each brow free of color. Using an eyeliner brush and true-black gel eyeliner, begin drawing a line from the inner corner of each upper lid, thickening the line as you move outward and swooping it up as you reach the end of the natural lashes. Rim the bottom lashes finely with the same liner, taking the line all the way to the inner corner of each eye.

LASHES: Apply true-black mascara to the top and bottom lashes and let dry. Using tweezers and lash glue, apply a full set of faux lashes to each eye at the root of the natural lashes (top lashes only).

BROWS: Fill in and shape, keeping a steady width as you go from the inside edge to the outer tip. As you approach the outer tip, draw slightly beyond the natural length, allowing the width to slim just a little. You may wish to use an eyebrow pencil a touch darker than the natural color of the brows for dramatic effect.

LIPS: Tap lip brush onto matte pale-pink lipstick and fill in lips.

CHEEKS: With blush brush, apply a warm matte bronzer to the apple of each cheek.

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SPLENDID SMOLDER

“Full-out drama on cheeks, eyes, and lips has been considered fashionable only during the 20s, 70s, and 80s—but can still be quite striking and lovely today if you keep your color silhouettes round (nothing too angular) and pair the look with a clean, sophisticated hairstyle, ” says Riku.

SKIN: See Bridal Glow for Riku’s recommended regimen.

EYELIDS: Begin dusting the upper lid of each eye (starting from the inner corner) with a matte toasty-brown shadow. Blend across lids, leaving the area directly under the arch of each brow free of color. Switching to a deep, mossy-brown metallic shadow, darken the center of the lids and creases, arching the color toward the nose. Dust the darker shadow along the lower lashes. Finish by lining lower lashes and the inner rims of the lower lids with true-black gel eyeliner.

LASHES: Apply true-black mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

BROWS: Fill in and shape, keeping to the natural arch and width, with an eyebrow pencil the exact color of the natural brow.

LIPS: Line lips sharply and clearly with a deep, wine-colored lip pencil. Fill in lips, first by applying a translucent gloss and then dabbing with a like-colored, matte lipstick. To finish, reline lips if needed.

CHEEKS: With blush brush, dust a rosy-hued powder blush under cheekbones and into the apples, just slightly.

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	JAZZ AGE Channeling nightclub coifs from the Roaring Twenties, Moiz started by applying gel to wet hair and then drew a side part. Combing hair down across the forehead and then back toward the temple, out toward the cheekbone and then back toward the ear, he formed the finger wave that defines the look. He then secured the wave and balance of the hair into a low side chignon, which he braided to create more texture. After drying the hair with a diffuser, our Titian Comb tucked just above the chignon provided the finishing touch. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
THE PIN-UP With Rita Hayworth top of mind, Moiz kept hair full and loose, pulling it back just enough to let the Peony Hairpin share the spotlight. To start this simple yet head-turning style, he combed mousse through wet hair before drying it, and then set the entire head with a ¾-inch barrel curling iron. After combing it through, he began to sculpt. "The key," said Moiz, "is to 'zhuzh' it plenty—just start sculpting it with your hands to get right amount of volume and shape." DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
	ELFIN Perfect for the bride picturing an outdoor, candlelit ceremony, Moiz offers this spin on the everyday braid. "I was inspired by medieval hairstyles," he said. "This look has an earthy feel to it, especially when you add the feathered hair piece, but it forms this beautiful halo around her head, which adds drama." From a side part he began braiding around the face, starting with the hair closest to the hairline and adding to the braid with hair further back on the head. He continued this until finally coming full circle. After securing the tail of the braid into its beginning with a bobby, he began pulling at the braid gently with his fingers, concentrating at the nape of the neck to anchor the style. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
MADEMOISELLE For the bride who likes her prim and proper with a side of quirk and vintage, Moiz presents this modified banana twist. To start, he drew a shallow side part, and then teased and smoothed the hair before pulling all of it to one side of the neck. He then began to twist this piece up and over the crown, finishing and securing the twist close to the hairline. Gently pulling from the part and shaping with his fingers, he finished with a final swoop across the forehead and the Pirouette Hairpin, tucked side and center. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
	GRACE KELLY For this faux-bobbed 'do inspired by one of, if not the most, elegant American icons, Moiz began by combing mousse into dry hair to ensure a firm set . Then, using large sections of hair, he set the entire head with medium-barreled hot rollers. Once cooled, he combed out the curls, positioned the Leaflet Headband, teased the hair directly behind it and smoothed. After this, he began folding the hair under and pinning equal-sized sections at the nape of the neck. He gave the bob a gentle comb to smooth and finish. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
VINTAGE MAKE Proving that all the Etoile Birdcage Veil needs is a polished down 'do, Moiz evokes the charm and presence of a 40s screen siren. Using a 1-inch barrel curling iron, he began winding the entire head of hair, 1-inch section by 1-inch section. After this, he drew a side part into the hair and combed out the entire head thoroughly to achieve a smooth, uniform texture. For a look that won't go anywhere, indoors or out, "hairspray it to death," said Moiz. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
	THE HEIRESS Bright, playful, and the look most closely resembling a traditional up-do, this one makes a fine counterpart to the Regal Promenade Headband (and ballroom reception). Moiz began by setting the entire head with a 1-inch barrel curling iron. After combing it out, he gathered a high ponytail on top of the head. He then began pinning sections of hair around the base of the pony—"it gets more artistic as you play with it," he said. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
BOHO CHIC Working around the Lilium Halo, Moiz began by spritzing the hair with a potion of sea salt and water; he then promptly bundled it into a topknot. Giving the bun heat with a blow dryer and a half-hour to form some natural wave and texture, he then let the hair down and a combed a center part. Working with the hair still warm, he wove a small braid, tousled the entire head with his fingers, and placed the halo. Indeed, this is a look best suited to the beach or meadow-bound bride. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
	TOO MOD Moiz conjures one part Bardot, two parts Twiggy for this 2011 take on the bouffant-twist. To start, he divided the hair into two sections, parting it across the back of the head. He twisted the bottom portion up, as you would a French twist. He then secured this piece into a knot on the crown, creating the base for his bouffant. To complete the look, he took the top portion of hair (now well-teased and set back with the Smoke Crystal Headwrap) and smoothed it over the knot, folding the ends seamlessly into the twist. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »
UPTOWN GIRL A clever (and that much more formal) manipulation of the Sainted Sister Blusher Veil becomes the signature of this look. "It's super simple," Moiz said, "but packs all the punch of a well-groomed society gal." He started by combing the hair straight back into a low ponytail. Securing this with a hair band, he then began to tease the pony and twist it tightly into a chignon. Here's where the veil comes in: to complete the look, he fastened the comb above the chignon, folded a layer of tulle down and over it, and then pinned the tulle into place. DOWNLOAD the HOW-TO »

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