A Wedding Detail Inspired by the Pets We Love: Our Cat Marble Cocktail Menu
Have you ever wondered how to include your pets in your wedding, even if they can't be there in person? Whether they're still by your side or live on through cherished memories, there are so many meaningful ways to make them part of your celebration.
One of my favorite details from our courthouse wedding last year ended up becoming something we now use far beyond the wedding itself: our custom cat marble cocktail menu.
Originally, the menu was designed for our wedding cocktail bar. I wanted something that felt elegant and timeless while still reflecting our personalities and our love for our cats. Instead of a traditional paper menu, we chose a marble stone menu featuring watercolor cat illustrations inspired by our pets. The natural marble added a classic feel, while the playful artwork kept it personal and meaningful.
cat cocktail marble menu
One drink, Blacky Wants a Bite (also called Amaretto Cookies & Cream Affogato), was inspired by my childhood cat, Blacky. Growing up, Blacky always seemed interested in whatever food or drink someone had nearby. He was the type of cat who would quietly appear the moment a snack was brought out, hoping for a taste. The drink itself is a combination of cookies and cream ice cream, espresso, and optional amaretto. We intentionally designed it so it could be enjoyed both with and without alcohol. Guests who prefer not to drink alcohol can enjoy it as a rich coffee-and-ice-cream dessert, while those who do drink can add amaretto for extra depth and warmth. Creating a drink that could easily be customized felt fitting for a menu intended to bring people together.
🍪 Amaretto Cookies & Cream Affogato
The second drink, Sjors' Biscoff Bliss (also called Biscoff Amaretto Affogato), honors my husband's family cat, Sjors. Inspired by the comforting flavors of Biscoff cookies, coffee, and amaretto, it takes the form of an indulgent affogato-style dessert drink. Like Blacky's drink, it is playful, comforting, and inspired by memories shared with family.
🍪 Biscoff Amaretto Affogato
What surprised me most was how much we continued to enjoy it after the wedding.
Rather than packing it away as a one-time wedding decoration, the marble menu found a second life during gatherings with friends and family, often featuring new drinks inspired by the season or occasion. It has become a conversation piece every time someone visits, and it always brings back memories of our wedding day.
More importantly, it became a lasting tribute to Blacky and Sjors. The marble menu allows them to remain part of our celebrations, reminding us that some of the most meaningful wedding details are the ones that continue telling a story long after the wedding day has passed.
I think that's what makes custom wedding details so special. While many decorations are only used for a single day, some pieces can continue creating memories for years to come. What began as a wedding detail has become part of our home entertaining tradition, making appearances at cocktail nights, holiday gatherings, and celebrations with friends and family.
Looking back, I'm glad we chose something that felt uniquely us. It wasn't just a menu, it became a keepsake that honors two beloved cats and continues to bring people together, one cocktail at a time.
The aftermath 😂
If you're designing wedding décor, consider creating pieces that can live beyond the wedding day. Sometimes the smallest details become the most meaningful keepsakes. 🍸🐾
Vendor Credit: Luxe + Linen & WhiteLetters
I also wanted to give a special thank you to Kyrsti of Luxe + Linen and Sabina of WhiteLetters for helping bring this piece to life. When I was searching for wedding bar signage, I knew I wanted something that felt timeless and substantial rather than a traditional paper or acrylic sign. Kyrsti's natural marble signs immediately stood out because of her elegant, high-quality marble look and the beautiful veining unique to each piece.
What I appreciated most was how easy Kyrsti was to work with throughout the design process. She was responsive, accommodating, and helped bring my vision to life exactly as I had imagined it. She also introduced me to Sabina of WhiteLetters, who created the custom watercolor cat illustrations featured on the menu.
Sabina was equally wonderful to work with throughout the process. She was incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and did an amazing job capturing Blacky and Sjors in her artwork. The illustrations added so much personality, warmth, and meaning to the final design, transforming the menu from a beautiful piece of décor into something deeply personal and sentimental.
Together, Kyrsti's craftsmanship and Sabina's artwork transformed a simple bar menu into a piece that felt deeply personal and uniquely ours. The final menu arrived beautifully made and exceeded my expectations.
What began as a wedding detail has since become one of our favorite entertaining pieces at home. Years from now, I know we'll still be pulling it out for cocktail nights and family gatherings, which makes it one of the most worthwhile décor investments we made for our wedding.
More Event Inspiration
If you're planning a wedding, hosting a gathering, or simply looking for creative ways to make an event feel more personal, be sure to check out some of my other event-related posts. I share everything from custom cocktail menus and signature drinks to décor ideas, desserts, and the little details that help turn celebrations into lasting memories.
