If your event takes place during the week, in the afternoon, or needs to be non-alcoholic, consider featuring a juice bar. A table piled high with assorted fruits vegetables and special add-ons will provide your guests with their own personal Jamba Juice. Most caterers are able to accomodate a juice bar with a few weeks’ notice and you can offer anything from a traditional fresh-squeezed orange juice to a protein and wheatgrass-infused blackberry banana smoothie.
This proposal is for: The Romantic Girl. She loves fairytale endings and Cinderella stories.
Cost: $$$$
Set the stage: A surprise trip to New York City
The place: A tiny hole-in-the wall NYC restaurant, sparsely lit with a few flickering candles and packed with people. You come in from the cold weather and find the perfect table in the far back.
The Proposal: Unbeknownst to your girlfriend, all of your fellow diners are your hired accomplices. As the waiter clears your main course, you give him the signal. Softly, the entire restaurant beings to sing her favorite song. At first – she doesn’t notice – but as the music grows, she turns around. She looks back to find you down on one knee. As she nods “Yes!” the diners complete their serenade and toast to the newly-engaged couple!
One of our favorite ways to make your guests feel ultra-special is to send them breakfast in bed! Instead of the typical day-after brunch, let your guests relax and sleep in by sending them breakfast in bed! Have your hotel arrange to send up a full breakfast along with a lovely card thanking them for coming. It will allow you to nurse your hangover and snuggle with your new spouse while making your guests feel like they’ve gotten the “red carpet” treatment!
Having a destination wedding? Arrange for breakfast in bed on their first day of arrival to welcome them to the destination and start their trip off on a positive note.
Here’s the next installment of the inspiration board for Mike & Katrina’s “fancy family picnic” wedding!
Will kids be invited to your event? Keep them busy with a kid kit!A kid kit can include a coloring book, crayons, books, blowing bubbles, stickers and even a snack! Their parents will thank you and you’ll thank yourself when there aren’t any screaming kids pulling your beloved guests away from the fun.
You may remember Mike and Katrina from a few posts back. When I spoke to Katrina, her vision for their wedding was “a fancy family picnic.” This week I’ll be sharing the inspiration boards that I created for this wonderful couple for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Up first is the rehearsal dinner. In addition to the pictures here, we also have a hay ride by a local farmer and a bonfire with s’mores planned!
he cocktail hour and reception took place on the Reach Resort’s open-air balcony overlooking the Atlantic and the guests were greeted by a fresh raw bar and stylish lounge-style layout. Dinner took place around one giant table and featured a simple yet stylish decor of colored ribbons and 40+ candles. The cake from Croissants de France perfectly mimiced the trim of the bride’s gown and featured alternating layers of chocolate and key lime.
After a spectacular meal, the party moved to the beach where a semi-circle of tiki torches, an open bar and lively music kept the party going until a late-night thunderstorm rained out the festivities. Not even rain could deter these party-goers though, and the celebration continued on the resort’s covered porch through the early morning hours!.
A very special thank you to Luke Vossen and his team at the Reach Resort for their time and effort in making this wedding a success!
I’ve been tagged by my stylish & talented CT colleague, Candice from Jubilee Events to share some bits and pieces about myself! Here goes…four things I did today:
-Created an inspiration board for a”Havana Nights” corporate party
-Reviewed photos for submission to The Knot NYC magazine
-Stressed over buying our first house
-Talked to one of my best friends about her date tonight!
Four random facts about me:
-Cartagena, Colombia is the most romantic place I’ve ever been to
-My most prized possessions are my journals from when I lived abroad
-I recently lost 20 lbs thanks to my great nutritionist Amy Fleishman
-No matter how many weddings I do, I still get teary-eyed at each and every one of them!
My turn for tagging! First is an amazing, superb photographer whose talent is unstoppable and level of care is unmatched: Mariann from Blue Daisy Weddings (and sexy Blue Daisy Boudoir!!), Jessica Ralph because I love her blog and Rachel from One Pretty Thing because I’m always SO impressed at all of the unique things she finds for her posts! Enjoy this picture of Cartagena for your weekend!
The destination wedding weekend began on Friday with a breathtaking sunset cruise from Danger Charters. The guests enjoyed a full wine tasting and feasted on gourmet finger foods from Small Chef at Large.
Saturday found the guests jet skiing, swimming and exploring the quaint streets of Key West. As sunset approached, everyone gathered on the Reach Resort’s spectacular gazebo surrounded by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Involving their loved ones in the celebration was very important to the couple. Maya designed her own raw-silk couture gown and the mother of a childhood friend made it into a magnificent reality. The bride, escorted by her father, walked down the aisle to acoustic version of “Sweet Child of Mine” performed by their friends Joey and Luca.
The officiant, a long-time friend of the couple who was ordained online, closed the ceremony with the hilarious line “By the minimal power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife” and the happy couple made their way down the aisle to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” Photos by the friendly and talented Rachel E. Ligon. Stay tuned for part 3!
Enjoy the first set of photos from this very unique & intimate wedding at the Reach Resort in Key West.
Maya’s lush bouquet, courtesy of Flowers by Gilda, made a stunning contrast against the muted colors of the beach. Delicate, bright orange Vanda orchids were the perfect touch for her soft, beach-inspired hairstyle. The gorgeous invitations from Invitesite are constructed of handmade lokta paper from Nepal. The couple’s wedding logo was designed by the groom (a top animator) and was imprinted on the invitation with a hand-carved stamp for a very personal touch. Note the AC/DC-inspired wording they chose – so reflective of this laid-back couple and the fun personality of their wedding! Thank you to Key West-based Rachel E. Ligon Photography for these great shots.
More pictures of this amazing destination wedding to come!
