Jacqueline Ridge Reception

Over the weekend, we had our first wedding of the 2012 season at The Ice House:  a 4 course, seated dinner!

Jacqueline signed with us and The Ice House before the venue was even complete -- dirt floors, zero lighting... girl was brave.  She and her fiance Matt are two of the sweetest people, and it is beyond obvious that they truly love each other.  They belong together, and everyone's speeches were testaments to that.  We were determined to make her dream day come true -- determined.

Jacqueline and Matt wanted their ceremony on the Rooftop, and everyone was holding their breath the morning of while watching the rain pour out our windows.  Early in the afternoon, they made the call to move it inside on the Mezzanine (balcony level), and it STILL looked gorgeous.  Jacqueline thought of every detail!  When her guests arrived she had ice cold Chicago-style Root Beer available for them with little straws that said "Cheers." Her programs were adorable, and the Main Hall was decorated perfectly for her reception.  She chose Gunmetal Shantung silver linens from BB&J for her tables, with a Wisteria Shantung purple from BB&J for her cake table to set it apart. Her centerpieces were from In Bloom Again with varied heights: some were on tall silver vases, and over were in smaller clear vases with floating candles on the side.  She and Matt let their personalities shine in their cake choice: Cheesecake from Sweet Surrender! Their cake topper was as unique and cute as their cake choice.  Alex from Fleur de Leis did a fantastic job matching the purples for the uplighting which made the whole room come together.


And now, for her menu!  Jacqueline held a cocktail hour outside on the Terrace after her ceremony which included these hors d'oeuvres:

Hors D'oeuvres

Wild Mushroom Croquettes with Parsley Truffle Cream

Nona's Meatballs with Smoked Tomato Sauce and Shaved Parmesan

After the cocktail hour, the guests came into the reception with the first course already on their tables.

1st Course: Charcuterie Board

Chef's Selection of Artisan Cured Meats: Manchego Cheese, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, Capicola, Mortadella, and Salamis with Local Breads and Crackers from Breadworks

As soon as most of the guests had taken their seats, we brought out the second course.

2nd Course: Salad

Young Spring Lettuces with Toasted Walnuts, Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Goat Cheese Croutons and Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette

Next, was the main course.  Jacqueline and Matt also gave their guests a vegetarian option.

3rd Course: Entree

12-Hour Braised Short Rib over Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Sauteed Asparagus

with Breadworks bread and Whipped Butter

Vegetarian Option: Cannelloni with Spinach, Tomatoes and Pomador Cream Sauce

By the time the last few guests were finishing up their meals, the bride and groom decided to cut the cake, say toasts, and dance.  While all of this was going on, we were serving the last course.

4th Course: Dessert

Peanut Butter, Turtle, and Plain Cheesecake from Sweet Surrender

Phew! And last but not least, as the night was coming to an end, Jacqueline and Matt had our famous grilled cheese passed as a late night snack... because everyone works up an appetite when they're dancing. :)

Late Night Snack

Grilled Cheese with Red Pepper Jam and Gouda

It truly was an amazing wedding, and we are so grateful that we were able to be a part of their day.  Jacqueline and Matt -- we wish you the best of luck and a lifetime of happiness!!

"eat, drink and be merry"

Photoshoot with Tim Valentino

Lindsay and I have been talking about getting new pictures taken for the website, promotional materials, etc. since my first week with Crushed Ice Events (approximately 5 weeks ago)... and putting an ad together for Sophisticated Living Magazine's Derby Edition was just the push we needed -- aka we found out Monday that we need the ad in by Friday.  Commence creativity with a dash of efficiency and go!

First, Lindsay and I started by going to Old Time Pottery on Tuesday. If you've never been there, you should jump in your car right now (after you finish reading this post) and go.  Talk about a caterer's/decorator's Heaven. Great prices, great products, and friendly service.  We were so under budget that while walking out we considered going back in to buy more... maybe another day! :)

Our next stop was to our wonderful friends at Events, LLC.  We knew we wanted some sort of table that captured the essence of Derby without being stereotypical about it, and we found this AMAZING yellow candlestick holder that we just HAD to use as a centerpiece so naturally we picked a linen that went with that one too, and of course, because of who was designing the tables, we had to put together a country chic table (don't judge -- lace linens.. come on people.. that's gorgeous!).

On Wednesday, we called Tim Valentino and rejoiced as he agreed to take our pictures that afternoon ((NOTE: If you are planning this, that might be the first thing you do rather than the last, we were purely lucky that he was able to do this for us in such short notice!)) Lindsay and I ran to Doran & Engle to pick out some gorgeous flowers, and after several meetings with prospective clients, we were off to our photoshoot!  While Tim, Erica, and Brittany stayed back to take some "Derby-esque" pictures, Lindsay and I were busy putting tables together.

Lindsay making a pomander or rose ball

Our flower loot

Did you know that by trimming the stem of the flower and then placing them in hot water, it opens the bud of the flower up? NIFTY, right?! Also, since we all know that rose petals are fragile, if you hold the bud of the rose and blow into the center, it will help give the flower a fuller look.  Bet ya didn't know that, huh!

Once Tim and Erica arrived, we let the creative juices flow and put together some really great table displays, while the Schnell's dogs Clara and Sophie guarded us :)

The sun couldn't make up its mind whether it wanted to stay out or go behind the clouds, but regardless, everything went really well.  Our first table was "Country Chic." Lace linens, wildflowers, and mason jars.

Flowers: Doran & Engle
Linens: Events LLC
Chairs: The Ice House

Next, we put together our "Derby" table. Red rose linens, baby's breath flowers, and black vases. (You'll see pictures soon...)

Finally, it was our most challenging table.  Erica suggested this beautiful courtyard area... complete with a brick wall and ivy.  We knew we wanted this to be a bit of modern elegance... but how to make it all come together?! We tried several different centerpieces, and worked with whatever we found.

Flowers: Doran & Engle
Linens: Events LLC
Chairs: The Ice House

And that was a wrap... then came the waiting... but look at a few of the pictures Tim provided for us... how beautiful they are!!!

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

Photo: Tim Valentino

More pictures are available to be seen on our Facebook page! Crushed Ice Events Facebook

Also, be sure to check out our ad in Sophisticated Living's Derby Edition!!

"eat, drink & be merry"

Louisville Magazine Launch Party: "Derby" Edition

On Friday, The Ice House and Crushed Ice Events co-hosted a launch party for Louisville Magazine's 'Derby' Edition.  
The Ice House looked great with pinkish-purple uplighting, and the bars were stocked and ready to go. Unfortunately it was a bit chilly, so the garage doors needed to stay down, but the sun shining through the windows made up for it! The food station was decorated and loaded with some of the best smelling (and tasting.. or so I heard..) hors d'oeuvres... all that was missing were the people... and boy did they show!


It was such a great turnout!  George Lindsey from 102.3 The Max partnered with Louisville Magazine and brought Haley Reinhart (from American Idol!!) and Jon McLaughlin as entertainment... and man were they wonderful! If you haven't heard Haley belt it out, you need to get on that: check her out!

Haley Reinhart & Jon McLaughlin

Our food station was demolished -- we couldn't put it out or pass it out fast enough! The pulled-pork sandwiches couldn't stay on the griddle long enough for people to enjoy one, the spring rolls with the Vietnamese dipping sauce were gone in the first thirty minutes, and the fried quail was a huge success!! Needless to say, at the end of the food rush, our serving staff was quite tuckered out.  But, we aren't complaining, because it is just a testament to what we already are privy to: Crushed Ice Events has the best food around!! :)

We were so happy to catch up with some local friends that showed up to the launch party, and happy that it was such a success for our friends at Louisville Magazine!

At the end of the night, I had a few flowers left over and just had to make myself a little happy for the weekend...

Until next time!


"eat, drink, and be merry"

First of Many

Let the ribbon-cutting ceremony begin!  The publication of this post starts the first ever Crushed Ice Events blog! (I know you're pumped)

We are excited to bring updates on what we are doing, who we are, things that inspire us, and so much more! We might even be able to convince Executive Chef, Laurence Agnew, to give our readers a few of his mouth-watering recipes... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Until next time!

"eat, drink, & be merry"