Best Wishes for Marcia and Chris!

Saturday, December 6th was a beautiful day at the historic Casa Feliz (www.casafeliz.us) in Winter Park. A perfect day to see Marcia and Chris say "I Do!". The first day I met Marcia and Chris, I knew I was going to enjoy working with them.

Earlier in the wedding week, there was a chance of rain called for Saturday, but when it came time to walk down the aisle, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. That was a blessing, because the ceremony took place outdoors on the front lawn. Even though the ceremony was traditional, the groom threw a touch of his own personality in the mix. Chris, his groomsmen, and even the ring bearer all wore black Chuck Taylors with their tuxes. Little L.G., the ring bearer, looked adorable! Eddie the Shaman (www.eddietheshaman.com), a Real Radio 104.1 favorite, officiated the ceremony and filled the front lawn with peace, love and happiness.

After the ceremony, the guests mingled in the Garden Room, eating passed hors d'oeuvres and drinking red and white wine while the wedding party finished their formal pictures.  All the photos were taken by Yanman Photography (www.yanman.com) and they were amazing!  The harpist and flautist from Harps Unlimited (407-352-5950) that played the ceremony music also provided beautiful background music during the cocktail hour. Guests were then seated at the modern, yet elegant dining tables of sage green satin linens, black napkins folded and slightly hanging over the edge of each place setting, and a centerpiece of 2 small square vases filled with river rocks and a shoot of hydrangea coming out of the center. The look was complete with small votives lit on each table. The floral decor was done by Creative Designs (www.creativedesignsorlando.net)  Instead of a full course dinner, the couple opted for Puff n' Stuff Catering (www.puffnstuff.com) to provide stations of unique heavy hors d'voeuvres, like hand rolled sushi.  The whole night was forever recorded on video by Reminisce Productions (www.reminisce-productions.com).

DJ Phil from White Rose Entertainment (www.orlandodj.com) played a good mix of music throughout the night to keep guests flowing from the courtyard to the dance floor and back outside again to cool off. Later in the night, Marcia and Chris cut the beautiful cake from Belladonna Cakes & Confections (www.orlandoweddingcakes.com). My favorite layer was the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cake with chunks of Reese's baked into the cake. Mmmmmmm!

At the end of the night, all the guests lined the brick courtyard stairs with lit sparklers to say farewell to Marcia and Chris. The happy couple departed in a white Rolls Royce provided by VIP Transportation Group (www.VIPtg.com), but they weren't heading home or to a hotel. This fun couple didn't want the night to end just yet. They were heading back to a friend's house with many of the guests for an after party. (The wedding planner even got invited! If I wasn't so tired, I definitely would have gone!) Their wedding was a joy to be a part of. Congratulations, Marcia and Chris.

Best Wishes to Dave and Christie!!

I have been working with Dave and Christie for about a year now and on October 11th I had the pleasure of watching them marry their soul mates! The ceremony and reception took place at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort (http://www.rosenshinglecreek.com/) and it was stunning! The ceremony was outdoors at the fountain and was simple and un-traditional...just as Christie wanted it! They vowed to "put my socks in the hamper and my shoes in the closet" and to "always let the dogs out in the middle of the night"...perfect for the couple who is always laughing and joking. Guests were then invited to the cockail reception where there were great food and drinks and they could have their photo taken for the newlyweds scrapbook. Everyone loved adding their well wishes! For dinner, guests entered a sea of red and black table settings adorned with lush floral (http://www.flourishproductions.com/). The bride, not wanting anything traditional, chose black and red as her color scheme and it was an amazing look. As guests enjoyed the evening, videographer Edmund Rhodes (http://www.rhodesstudios.com/) and photographer Abby Liga (http://www.ligaphotography.com/) captured every moment! It was a night none will soon forget and we wish Christie and Dave the best of luck in their new life together!!

Best Wishes Katie and Travis!!

What a night! Kristen and I were so honored to be part of Katie Mullahey and Travis Wilson's big day! Katie is an event coordinator so from the moment the plans began, the details were very important. The ceremony took place at Broadway Methodist United Church in Downtown Orlando. It is an old church on a small street and was the perfect setting for this family oriented wedding. After the ceremony, guests were invited to the reception at The Gaylord Palms Resort (http://www.gaylordhotels.com/). The cocktail reception was held in the middle of the glass atrium in the Castillo Fort. The food was amazing and the sangria was to die for! After the cocktail hour, guests were lead to the ballroom where they were greeted by soft jazz, stunning decor (floral: http://www.flourishproductions.com/, linen: http://www.kirbyrental.com/) and the smells of an incredible meal to come. After dinner, DJ Les Kopasz of Soundwave Entertainment had the crowd on their feet and dancing the night away (http://www.djsoundwave.net/). He even played "Go Cubs Go" in honor of the groom's favorite baseball team which was the hit of the evening! I would like to thank Michael Giragosian (http://www.mgimages.net/) for the amazing photographs of the evening...he captured the event perfectly! I wish Katie and Travis the very best in their new life together!!

Congratulations Megan and Patrick!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of coordinating Megan and Patrick's big day. It was simply stunning! The traditional ceremony took place at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on Park Avenue. Despite concerns for hurricane warnings, the weather was perfect and the ceremony was beautiful. Guests then headed to the Embassy Suites Downtown where food and drinks were flowing for the cocktail hour and guests lined up to have their picture taken in the photobooth (http://www.funtasticfoto.com/) which was the hit of the evening. After dinner service, Soundwave Entertainmnet (http://www.djsoundwave.net/) had everyone in the room up on their feet and shakin' their groove thang...the dance floor was packed all night long! We had a little breather when we stopped to cut the cake which Megan said "she was obsessed with". Anna from Anna Cakes (http://www.annacakes.com/) created the exact cake Megan had dreamed of and it was spectacular! A special thanks to Elizabeth and Kristen from Elizabeth Leighton Photography (http://www.elizabethleighton.com/) for the absoulutely incredible pictures. They captured the mood of the day perfectly! It was an honor to work with such amazing professionals and I wish Megan and Patrick all of the happiness in the world!

Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show

Last Sunday, Perfect Wedding Guide hosted a bridal event at the Rosen Plaza Hotel for almost 600 brides and their family and friends.  When the ballroom doors opened at 11:00 AM, Blush, by Brandee Gaar had their booth looking beautiful and we were ready to meet these amazing women!  The room was full of all types of vendors, including photographers, videographers, bakeries, gown shops, DJ's, Florists, and even salons doing hair and make-up for brides right there at the show.  Needless to say, the place was jumping!  

We had such a wonderful time meeting everyone that came through the room and learning about their upcoming weddings.  Some brides came alone ready to get down to business, while others came with their mothers, bridesmaids, and other family and friends.  There were even some very brave grooms in the mix.  We loved hearing everyone's stories and ideas for their big day and we hope to be a part of some of them.  It was truly heartwarming to feel so much love throughout that big room.  

Throughout the afternoon, guests could wander through the main ballroom checking out different vendors, and then at designated times, they held a high-end fashion show next door in another ballroom.  Near the end of the day, they gave away door prizes and grand prize giveaways.  Three lucky brides won big at our booth.  The first door prize we gave away was a $50 American Express gift card.  Another bride and groom, that I had the pleasure of talking to at length about their big day, were the winners of our floral bouquet that was displayed at our booth.  It was a huge bunch of gorgeous pink calla lilies held together by wound pink wire.  As for the grand prize, one lucky bride will be the recipient of a free day-of planning package for her wedding.  I can't wait to meet the lucky bride and get started helping her with her wedding!

Overall, I believe the bridal show was a huge success and I know the members of Blush, by Brandee Gaar had a great time.  We want to give a big thanks to all the staff members at the Rosen Plaza Hotel and especially the staff of Perfect Wedding Guide for making the event run without a hitch.  Also, thank you to every bride, groom, mother, father, bridesmaid, groomsmen, and friend that attended the event.  There wouldn't have been an event to put on if it wasn't for you!  We hope to see you all again on February 8, 2009 at the Orlando World Marriott Center for the largest bridal event yet!     

Diamonds & Denim

Perfect Wedding Guide hosted a party for over 225 wedding professionals on August 28th at Bliss Ultra Lounge.  Bliss is a chic club located on the newly renovated Church Street in Downtown Orlando.  When you first walk through the red velvet ropes to enter the club, there are two huge bars in the middle of the room and long white banquette booths on each of the outside walls.  Installed in the back wall of each booth are small flat screen televisions that have fashion shows playing throughout the night.  As you walk to the back of the room, the space opens up to a dance floor, an elevated catwalk and stage, as well as the DJ booth.  The combination of the rhythmic music and the dancing lights are hypnotic.  I found myself just standing and staring most of the night!  On each side of the dance floor are stairs leading to the second floor.  Up top, there is yet another bar and an open balcony with private seating so you can relax and take in all the dance moves happening below.  The space is really incredible and would be great for a private event or just a night out on the town with friends.  

The vendors that donated their time and services were so appreciated.  Arthur's catering supplied the food on the lower floor of the lounge.  They had two very unique and creative cuisine ideas.  The first was a salad station.  Sounds simple enough.  Except these salads were served out of martini shakers and "poured" into individual martini glasses.  They were delicious and they looked incredibly posh!  The other cool food idea was the dessert station.  They made s'mores in front of you, but with a twist.  They skewered marshmallows, toasted them with a torch light (kind of like the ones you use for the sugar crust on a creme brulee), and then rolled them in crushed up graham crackers and chocolate.  It is kind of hard to explain, so I've also included the picture above so you can see what I mean.  I loved the s'mores idea!   

On the top floor of Bliss, Michael Anthony Cakes had a beautiful miniature cake display.  They made multiple types of little individual cakes.  They looked like works of art.  Seriously, some even had edible gold leaf artfully arranged on the tops of the cakes. 

Throughout the night, two white-gloved servers would walk throughout the lounge holding a huge piece of lighted clear acrylic that was covered in appetizers, such as shrimp cocktail, miniature lamb chops, shot glasses of soups, and other mouth watering munchies.  It was a huge production and a lot of fun to be a part of!

Besides the food, music and dancing, being able to talk to all of our wedding friends outside of work was a blast.  I always say, in the wedding industry we work with some of the most incredible people, and this event hosted by PWG just solidified that statement.  It was definitely a night filled with fun and laughter and I was privileged to be a part of it.    

Perfect Wedding Guide Luncheon

The Perfect Wedding Guide hosted a luncheon this month at the Historic Dubsdread Country Club.  There were over 100 wedding professionals in attendance including Brandee and Kristen from Blush by Brandee Gaar.  We had a great time meeting new people and catching up with old friends.  It's amazing to think that all the people in that room, with their individual talents, work together and are responsible for making beautiful weddings happen every weekend.    

The theme for the August luncheon was Fire and Ice and, wow, did they accomplish that theme! I wish I had my camera with me so I could have gotten some shots of the decor for you to see. The buffet tables held huge rustic urns filled with willowy branches. Dangling from the branches were long strands of shining crystals and pops of deep red flowers. The room was lit by candles in vases as centerpieces and red lanterns hanging from the exposed wooden beams of the ceiling.  There were loose crystals and oversized "diamonds" scattered on all the red tablecloths around the cluster of candles.  The setting definitely made me feel like I had taken a mini-vacation from work for the day.  And the food!  I just have two words to sum up my pleasure of the meal:  Bananas Foster!  Yum!  I wish it was a real wedding so I could have stayed and partied all night long!  

The Tap Room at Dubsdread Country Club would be a beautiful option for a wedding reception. They have two rooms that can hold 220 guests which overlook the newly renovated Dubsdread Golf Course.  Even though the space can hold a large number of guests, the warmth and charm of the large stone fireplaces and overall feel of the rooms, makes every event feel like an intimate affair.  The Perfect Wedding Guide made the luncheon at Dubsdread really enjoyable and I look forward to another one next month!