Very Cool

Ice sculptures certainly add elegance to your wedding reception, but they can also be quite functional. If you’re serving seafood, for instance, have it chilling in a carved ice clamshell. “I’ve also had clients who want a sculpted martini luge,” says Jeff Day, a chef and a World Champion ice carver from Sanbornton who started an ice sculpting business called Ice Designs.

“A coiled hose was placed in the ice so the martinis could be poured through the ice block.” Another popular item — monograms made from ice. And, of course, there are always the kissing birds, doves and hearts. Day, who now owns three restaurants, including Coe House in Center Harbor, started ice carving when he worked as a chef at the Center of N.H. in Manchester.

Ice Designs, www.icedesigns-nh.com, 603-286-9558

Ice sculpture by Ice Designs.