On Top of the World...Katie and Jeff

Katie and Jeff had origianally planned to get married at their private residence they were building in Orlando but as the months grew closer we decided it would be best to book a different location for the wedding...and boy did they! The Global Gallery (http://www.globalgalleryusa.com/) located on the 16th floor of the Stirling Sotheby's building in Downtown Orlando was the perfect venue for this laid back couple! The ceremony overlooked Lake Eola from high above Orlando as the sun set in the background. Guests then enjoyed fabulous food and cocktails throughout the evening (http://www.johnmichaelevents.com/) and danced under the stars as they celebrated this magical night with Katie and Jeff! The DJ, Les Kopasz of Soundwave Entertainment kept the dance floor hoppin' and also provided the perfect lighting for the space to set the mood just right. (http://www.djsoundwave.net/). It was a spectacular night and we wish Jeff and Katie all the best in their new life together! Thanks to Marshall Campbell for the fantastic pictures of the evening!

When In Rome...

Blush had an amazing time at the Perfect Wedding Guide luncheon at Bella Collina (www.bellacollina.com) in Montverde, FL.  This beautiful Tuscan retreat is tucked away so well you feel secluded as soon as you drive onto the property.  The spacious clubhouse boasts a men's and women's locker room, dining room with fireplaces and ornate furnishings, bar, and a stocked wine cellar.  Bella Collina has the capability of hosting wedding ceremonies and receptions.  The ceremonies are held on the lawn overlooking rolling hills.  I believe that the ceremony spot is the highest point in Central Florida.  What an incredible view!  The lunch itself was very tasty, but the chocolate dome dessert was terrific.  I love anything that is solid chocolate bathed in a chocolate sauce.     Les from Soundwave (www.djsoundwave.net) emceed the event and provided music to add to the ambiance.  Another great job by the staff of Perfect Wedding Guide.  We can't wait to get out to Bella Collina and plan a beautiful wedding!             

Your Wedding TV Bridal Show

What a fun show to be a part of!   From the time we arrived, we were able to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.  The set-up of that show, with the runway for the fashion show in the middle of the room, was great for the vendors.  We were able to talk to brides and still see what's hot on the runway!  We met so many great people and are hoping to work with them on their upcoming weddings.  I encourage any brides out there to try and make it to at least one bridal show during your engagement.  There's nothing to lose.  You meet fabulous vendors, see beautiful dresses, get unique ideas for your own wedding, and a few lucky brides even won some prizes.  I think the highlight of the day was during the fashion show when a gentleman came out on the stage pretending to be giving out a prize, but actually got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend who was working for the show.  Very cute!  I think the room was filled with "Ahhhhhh's".  Overall, it was a great day and we are looking forward to the next one.    

A Modern Affair

I had such a wonderful time working with Dori and Bart leading up to their wedding.  What a sweet bride!  They had their ceremony and reception at the Orlando Museum of Art (www.omart.org).  The ceremony, officiated by Teresa Knox (www.abeautifulceremony.net) was held in the gallery room and afterwards during cocktail hour, guests were able to walk through those galleries and look at the artwork on display.  Guests were seated in the rotunda for a delicious dinner provided by Puff n' Stuff Catering (www.puffnstuff.com).  During dinner, Dori's father surprised everyone with a slideshow of the couple as children and then throughout their relationship.  But most of all, he surprised his daughter by singing "Butterfly Kisses" to her.  He had secretly been taking voice lessons for months leading up to the wedding.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the room.  After dinner, everyone stayed on the dance floor all night, thanks to White Rose Entertainment (www.orlandodj.com), until it was time to say goodbye to the newlyweds.  Dori made petal cones filled with cream rose petals that guests tossed at them as they exited the museum into the limousine.  Thanks to Chapman Photography for the beautiful photos of the night (www.chapmanphotography.com) and Visions Media for the footage on film (www.visionsmediausa.com).  Bart and Dori, congratulations from Blush.  We are so happy for you two!       

Highland Manor

Blush was invited to attend the VIP opening party for Highland Manor (www.highlandmanorapopka.com), formally known as The Captain and The Cowboy.  What a nice event and a fun time to catch up with friends!  The space is beautiful inside and out.  They have room for a ceremony in their rustic and charming chapel and a formal reception in their ballroom.  There is also various rooms with tables and chairs throughout the Manor.  Most of the house is decorated with china and antique furniture, but the ballroom has an elegant and regal feel to it.  Highland Manor also provided all the food and drinks throughout the night.  No matter what you are looking for, they really have space to do it all!  Thanks to Perfect Wedding Guide for hosting the fabulous event and Lukens Photography (www.lukensphotography.com) for the beautiful pictures of the evening.  It is definitely a venue that we can't wait to work at!     

Congratulations Aimee and Steve!

Aimee was a pretty easy bride to work with.  I think her mom and I talked more than we did!  The ceremony took place at Knowles Chapel, Rollins College (http://tars.rollins.edu/knowles/) with the reception following at the Maitland Civic Center (www.maitlandciviccenter.com).  They took an empty room and really brought some life and color to it.  With a unique set-up of the head table elevated onto the stage and the guest tables making a circle around the dance floor, it left a big space for guests to dance and mingle.  With the DJ playing Michael Jackson, guests were barely able to stay in their seats during a wonderful dinner provided by Levan's Catering (www.levans.com).  Steve and Aimee just wanted everyone to have fun and enjoy the evening!  They provided their own centerpieces of beautiful white and pink orchids with candles surrounding the base of the vase.  Teal chair ties were used as table runners to add another pop of color to the tablescape.  Edmund and his team from Rhodes Studios (www.rhodesstudios.com) photographed the whole event.  Blush wishes Aimee and Steve a lifetime of happiness in their marriage!         

Gone With the Wind

The wind was blowing hard, but that wasn't going to stop Tina and Sean from saying "I Do" on a bluff overlooking the ocean.  Tina looked stunning coming down from the top of the stairs at The Hammock Dunes Clubhouse (www.hammockdunes.com).  The day was meant just for them as the rain held off and veered right around the ceremony.  Sean and Tina kissed to make it official and then invited their guests inside for a beautiful reception.  There was dinner and dancing and lots of love from their family and friends.  The wonderful music was provided by Jeff Rankin of Pyramid Music Productions (www.pyramiddjs.com).  The ballroom at Hammock Dunes has a long wall of windows overlooking the beach and a beautifully decorated interior.  Their staff was so helpful and attentive to the guests and everyone raved about the food.  Publix (www.publix.com) provided an intricately decorated three tier wedding cake that Sean and Tina cut into with her grandmother's cake knife and server.  The whole event was filled with emotion and love and I got caught up in the middle of it.  The night flew by and we were all sad for it to end.  A special thanks to Rhodes Studios (www.rhodesstudios.com) for the amazing photography and videography of the event.     

Perfect Wedding Guide Luncheon

On March 18th, Blush attended the Perfect Wedding Guide Luncheon at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Lake Mary (www.ruthschris.com/Steak-House/10744/Lake-Mary).  This is definitely a hidden gem.  Not many people may realize that this Ruth's Chris exists, but it is beautifully decorated and the service was amazing!  As we arrived, there was a flipbook booth in the bar area.  Not having seen this before, we kind of stood to the side and let other guests try it out first.  It wasn't long before they got us in that booth wearing crazy hats and holding goofy signs.  The object is to dance around and make funny faces for about 6 seconds of filming and then they print all those images and bind them into a mini flipbook.  It was so much fun and a great keepsake of the event.  Can you imagine how much fun a flipbook booth would be at your wedding?  You've got to check them out.  

After dining in the main room on salad, filet, crab cakes, and dessert, one of the managers took us on a tour of their group function rooms that are available for larger parties.  It truly is a great space for rehearsal dinners and even intimate ceremonies and receptions.  They have special set menus that you can choose from.  The room is equipped with surround sound speakers and a tv built into the wall for music and dvd slideshows.  They've thought of everything!  We had a great time and will be returning back for dinner very soon!      

The Story of Joanna and Eric

I had a great time with Joanna, a.k.a. the most organized bride in the world!  From day one, we were comparing checklists and timelines.  She knew exactly what she wanted, and she has a great eye for design.  Her wedding was beautiful and flawless!  The ceremony and reception were both held at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes (www.ritzcarlton.com).  Lee James (www.leejamesfloral.com) did an amazing job on the flowers and design of the ceremony and reception rooms, leaving guests wondering if they entered ballrooms or a romantic fantasy land.  Creams and pinks filled every nook and cranny, and even the lights were enhanced by a pink hue.  It definitely took your breath away!  The whole night was documented by Lisa Lotter Photography (www.lisalotter.com) and Cinematique Films (www.cinematiquefilms.com).   

The details were not forgotten.  Guests were able to type on an antique typewriter and leave messages for the bride and groom.  They labeled the "guest book" The Story of Us, and encouraged guests to add chapters to their life story.  At cocktail hour, 4 different martinis were served:  Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue.  But the biggest surprise of the night was near the end of the reception.  Guests were invited outside to the pavilion for champagne and cupcakes.  As they were sampling the sweets, a saxophone player began to play and the next thing you know, fireworks were shooting high into the sky!  The bride's father surprised his beautiful daughter and her new husband with this impressive display.  Joanna and Eric left in an antique Rolls Royce (www.showtimelimo.com) and their guests went back to the ballroom and danced the night away.  It was a pleasure to work with Joanna and Eric and I wish them all the happiness in their marriage.  Look for an article on Joanna's wedding in the upcoming Central Florida Bride Magazine.       

A Latin Evening - Naika and Fernando

Oh how we loved working with Naika and Fernando! From the very beginning, Naika knew what she wanted. Each decision took mere moments...if she liked it, move on. If not, look for another...so simple! The ceremony took place on the pool deck of the Embassy Suites in Downtown Orlando...filled with love! Guests were then invited to dinner in the San Juan Ballroom where the room was beautifully decorated in romantic shades of green, pink and chocolate brown. The centerpieces of curly willow, orchids, and pink roses were stunning (http://www.cherylsdistinctivecreations.com/)! After an amazing 3 course meal topped off by a decadant wedding cake (http://www.orlandocustomcakes.com/), DJ Freddy Sanchez of Soundwave Entertainment (http://www.djsoundwave.net/) rocked the dance floor which was packed the whole night! Naika and Fernando are an amazing couple and we wish them much love and happiness! Thank you to Edmund Rhodes of Rhodes Studios for the fabulous images of the night. (http://www.rhodesstudios.com/).

An Intimate Affair - Shannon and Adam

We only got to work with Shannon and Adam for a short time and they were such a sweet couple! We were honored to be part of their big day!! The ceremony took place in the courtyard at The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne (www.orlandohistoricinn.com). The day had been scattered with thunderstorms so the reception was moved inside to the IW Phillips House but it was the perfect setting! Amazingly, the weather cleared up just before the event started so guests got to mingle in the courtyard as well as inside the beautiful house. DJ Phil Joeckel of Soundwave Entertainment (www.djsoundwave.net) was playing the perfect mix of music as guests enjoyed the serene setting on this fabulous Sunday afternoon. Adam and Shannon were so clearly in love and we wish them all of the happiness in the world!

A Night to Remember - Barbara and Frank

Oh my goodness...truly a fabulous wedding!! We have been working with Barbara and Frank on their wedding for over a year and it was amazing!! Barbara wanted a traditional Jewish ceremony followed by a not so traditional reception and that's exactly what she got. The wedding took place on the first official day of spring so in keeping with Jewish tradition, the ceremony started after sunset on the terrace of Isleworth Country Club. The beautiful chuppah was lit in a soft glow...perfect for the romantic setting! (http://www.greeneryproductions.com/) The bride had her heart set on a group picture including all of the 200 guests in attendance so Kurt and Stephanie with NuVisions (http://www.nuvisionsinphotography.com/) hired an airplane to fly over the ceremony while the bride was walking down the aisle to capture the magical moment! It was incredible!! Guests enjoyed an array of appetizers and cocktails in the lounge and were then invited into the ballroom which had been completely transformed. The bride wanted to incorporate several shades of blue and green into her color palette and it was a feast for the eyes! Every detail was carefully coordinated from the table linens, to the lighting, the menu cards, placecards, centerpieces and cake. After an incredible 4-course dinner, the band, Uptown Music (http://www.uptownmusic.com/) rocked the dance floor all night long! And when their feet needed a little rest, there was fun to be had in the photobooth where guests had their pictures taken throughout the night...what a hit! Guests couldn't stop talking about the amazing time they had and I know that Barbara and Frank will remember it for the rest of their lives. Best Wishes!!

A Romantic Knight - Jessica and Adam

What a fun couple!! Jessica and Adam are absolutely fabulous to work with and we had the pleasure of planning their wedding with them for almost a year. Jessica knew exactly what she wanted from the beginning so it was up to us to make it happen! Both UCF alumni, the colors of the wedding were black and gold with a little red thrown in for romance. The ceremony took place on the water at The Venetian Bay Town Center and was truly stunning! Guests were then invited to the cocktail reception at The Venetian Bay Country Club (http://www.venetianbaygolf.com/) where they dined on fabulous food (http://www.johnmichaelevents.com/) and were entertained by the strings of an acoustic guitar. For dinner, guests moved out to the golf course under a large white tent perfectly lit in rich red lighting. The tables were covered with black shimmer linens and the centerpieces of black bacarat roses and curly willow were fabulous! (http://www.pinkflamingoatpetals.com/). The party started after guests dined on a scrumptious 4-course dinner and Keith with True Sound Productions kept the dance floor packed all night! (http://www.truesoundproductions.com/). We were so thrilled to be part of this amazing night and we know Adam and Jessica are going to make each other so happy for the rest of their lives!! Thank you to Rhodes Studios for the amazing images from the big day (www.rhodesstudios.com)!

A Night Full of Surprises...Edwin McCain Live!

What a fabulous wedding!! We had the pleasure of working with Stephanie and Gregg for about a year to plan their wedding weekend which started on Friday at the stunning Reunion Resort (http://www.reunionresort.com/). Guests were invited to join in activities such as shopping tours, spa treatments, golf, and a tennis showcase starring the groom himself. After the rehearsal on Friday evening, all of the guests were invited to a Welcome Party which took place on the Grande Event Lawn under a large white tent which had been transformed into a magical yellow garden! Parasoles hung from the ceiling, floral bloomed from every angle, and the food was overflowing! It was a great time had by all. On Saturday, after a fun-filled day in the sun, the fashionista bride wearing a designer Monique Lhuillier gown met her groom at the altar for a truly one of a kind ceremony complete with readings, special songs, and tributes. Guests were invited to Eleven...a restaurant on the Eleventh Floor of The Grand Hotel at Reunion Resort which overlooks all of Orlando for dinner and dancing. The groom's special gift to the bride came during their first dance when the DJ announced the song and from a back entrance comes Edwin McCain to sing live "I'll be". Every jaw dropped and the bride was so stunned she almost forgot to dance! Edwin continued to play a song he wrote specifically for the bride and her dad as well as many others througout the night. The guests partied high above Orlando until the wee hours of the night. On Sunday, guests enjoyed an old-fashioned BBQ at one of the Estate Homes located at Reunion Resort. What a fabulous weekend and a truly memorable event! We wish Stephanie and Gregg all of the happiness in the world! Thank you to Heidi Mitchell (http://www.heidimitchellphotography.com/) for these fabulous images of the evening.