Today’s cocktail is an old favourite. The mysterious and strong Black Russian!

30ml vodka
30ml Kahlua coffee liqueur

MIXOLOGY:
Shake the vodka and Kahlua together over ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Black Russian from Barmano Recipe via Cocktails.com.au

Black Russian – a delicious cocktail made from vodka and a coffee flavoured liqueur such as Kahlua. For a White Russian float some cream on the top – even more decadent!


Dress from Eugenia Couture, Cake from Martha Stewart Weddings, Photo from Preston Bailey,  Matryoskha Dolls from The St Petersburger,  Cocktail from Barmano , Zhostovo Platter from The St Petersburger, flowers by Emily Thompson Flowers from Brides, chandeliers from The Knot, wine glasses from Brides, invitation from Etsy Atelier22 Photo by Laura Kay Photography, candlesticks from Seattle Home Mag

Of course the celebration that springs to mind here, is a colourful exuberant party. Think of a background of black with white, or even dark navy blue. Brightly coloured accents should feature with voluptuous dresses, colourful candles, multi coloured chandeliers, a different coloured napkin at each place setting, silk ribbons hung from light fixtures and vases. Embroidered table linen such as that featured on peasant blouses and shirts, hand painted folk art containers for sweets, favours and dotted along the tables with Matryoshka nesting dolls peeping out with their sweet faces.

Your veil could feature an elaborate headdress featuring sequins, ribbons and beading hanging down along the side of the face, or could be a simple floral wreath embellished with colourful silk ribbons hanging from it. Pick up a colour in a bold hue for your shoes and that of your maids, use multi coloured ribbons hanging from their bouquets.

Gold features in the Russian culture in their folk art and on the spires of the churches.
Food is usually what we would call ‘rich’ and ‘heavy’ – such as homemade meats, dumplings, fritters and the beet soup, borsch – and who could forget vodka! Great for a winter’s wedding in the snow. Here you could make use of fur (fake of course!) capes, muffs or heavily embroidered shawls.

Flowers we feel, in this case would not be centre stage, but more of an accessory to the hand painted or embroidered touches,  even though they could be big and blousy – think peonies, stems of bells shaped flowers and lots of greenery. Look at pictures of the magnificent hand painted trays from Zhostovo for inspiration.

Music – think gypsy inspired music for dancing with violins  – keep it exuberant. You may be lucky and find that one of your guests will slip out of the crowd and attempt a Russian dance! Now that would be celebrating!