Secrets For Memo rable Receptions (NAPSA)—Celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss is wellknown for creating fabulous weddings and receptions for clients such as ABC’s “The Bachelorette” Trista Rehn, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, Shaquille O’Neal, and Adam Sandler. Whether you're planning a private affair at home or a wedding with 200 guests, Weiss’ trade secrets can help make your event worthy of the A-list. According to Weiss, the wine selection is one of the most important decisions when planning the reception. The wine may be remembered throughout the marriage—enjoyed for years to come during anniversaries and other life celebrations in honor of the special day. “Once guests arrive at a recep- tion, they look for a beverage, which truly becomes the first impression of what’s to follow,” says Weiss. “For many of my clients, I arrange for the servers to line up at the entrance with beautiful flower-adorned trays filled with glasses of wine, water and perhaps a signature cocktail. This idea can work at home by serving beverages on colorful trays with fresh flowers.” Here are a few of Weiss’ other suggestions to enhance your wedding reception and other special events: While menu planning, keep in mind complementing aromas, textures and dominant flavors with the wine—it’s not just as basic as white wine with fish and red wine with meat. The main cue in wine pairing is the type of sauce or spice used on each dish. If the dish is light and creamy, consider white; if it's robust with mushrooms or other earthy flavors, go with red.It’s also smart to balance textures—full with full, light with light. Regardless of whether you are serving just one white and one red or a selection of wines, it’s best to opt for fruit-forward styles, which tend to be more food- Pinot Noir is the most versatile varietal; it pairs well with every- thing from chicken to salmon and even red meats. friendly, such as those from Mirassou Winery. Wine that is served during the party will also make an enjoyable parting gift or wedding favor that helps continue the memories. When choosing wine for gifts, take the packaging into consideration as well as the taste. Choosing one with an attractive label can eliminate the need for gift bags. Just tie a beautiful bow around the neck and attach a personalized card. When brides and grooms are looking for a good cost-cutting technique for the beverage tab, just cut the champagne toast and have the guests toast with the wine that’s been served to them. A glass of wine goes a lot further than a sip of champagne. To help make your wedding dreams a reality, you can enter Mirassou Winery’s “I Do with Mirassou” contest for a chance to win $5,000. No purchase is necessary. The contest starts June 1, 2005 and ends on November 15, 2005. It’s open to legal residents of one of the 50 United States or D.C. who are at least 21 years of age at time of entry. It is void in California, Tennesee, Utah, Puerto Rico, outside the 50 United States, and where otherwise prohibited by law. Log on to www.mirassou.com to view official rules and enter.
