Let the Party Begin!

Don't you think Douglas Benedict got some great photos of the ballroom? This chandelier had ribbons and orchids hanging from it - Thanks to Phoebe Flowers.

Mix of tall and short centerpieces - Linens from Select Event Rentals.
Lighting and dance floor monogram by Eventions
Some non professional pics - Look at the band Bigg Romeo rocking the house - we had to extend the party a whole hour!!

Doors of Saucon Valley Country Club

After the cake was cut, slices were placed in the dessert area along with tons of cookies, biscotti, macaroons and chocolate covered strawberries. We offered mini favor boxes so guests could take some home. The cocktail napkins in this area said "Thanks for Sharing our Story"


After dinner a cordial bar opened up and 'my cigar guy' served, cut and lite cigars for the guests - This went over very well - 50+ men and women bombarded the terrace.
We had to extend the reception an additional hour because guests were having so much fun. I went around to check with the Country Club, the band and other wedding professionals to make sure they could stay (and find out overtime fees!).

All in all a very successful wedding - Hope Erika and Matt are enjoying Hawaii!

Cocktail Reception

Guests moved to the south terrace for more surprises.
The ever famous Ice Ball from Ice Caters - Perfect for a martini or high ball glass!Raw bar - I can't believe how people flocked to this - the Country Club staff couldn't even keep it full fast enough.
And a fun lobster sautee station.
Frank Sinatra Tribute Show - Tony Sands sang great Sinatra tunes for cocktail hour and dinner hour. Guests loved this!
Linens for this area were turquoise with pink peonies!
Neat silver wire wrapped vases.

Champagne Greeting

To kick off the celebration they had a Champagne Greeting on the Terrace at Saucon Valley Country Club (the women's US Open is here this weekend).

A floral archway welcomed guests.

Her escort cards were on a lucite table top which rests on top of a ton of crystal gems.
Linens were Hot Pink on high top tables, Flowers were White peonies.


There were 4 different types of Sparkling Wine in addition to Pellegrino. Notice the cute pink straws?

Strawberry soup shooters were passed with white glove service.

Now here is where the cocktail napkin craziness begins. The wedding's theme was 'Share Our Story' - Here the staff had white napkins with 'Share Our Story' on them. The food was offered with pink napkins and a 'Did you Know' quote.

Down the aisle

It was very important that this wedding start on time because there was a wedding immediately following. The Chapel at Lehigh University gives you 2 hours, one to set up and one for the ceremony. I like to start the mothers processional about 2 minutes before hand so the bride walks on time!

Here is a non professional picture of me getting Erika and her dad ready. Advice I tell all my brides - take a deep breath, maybe 2 of them, hold your bouquet low (close to your hip bone) and don't walk until Your music starts and the guests stand. Her veil was about 10 feet long so my assistant and I had her walking through the doors and still poofing!

Professional pic from Douglas Benedict from the other direction:

Getting Ready

The bride dressed at her parents house. Tip - make sure you think about food, order some lunch in. Nibbles are always a good idea if you are a little nervous.
Erika and Matt decided to do a special meeting prior to the ceremony. A first glance without everyone around. I like this option because it takes some of the pressure off the groom. He can then concentrate on marrying you relaxed!
They met at the Alumni Building on campus, close to the chapel, then walked down together.


So the photographer Doug sent me some sneak peak pics - aren't them amazing?
Professional Photos by Douglas Benedict

Details

I am so excited for this weekends wedding - I always get excited the week before a wedding, especially if it is a full service client. I have been working with Erika and Matt for over a year. There are so many details and I am busy this week preparing.

It did get me thinking - most brides have no idea what goes into the last minute planning of their event. They don't know what is required until they have to do it. If they don't have a planner to guide them through this process it can be overwhelming.

For example I just faxed over a room layout to the country club - it shows table layout, what linen goes on what table (we have 4 different colors), what the table # is (we have pictures of the couple in front of the # around NY), how many people are at each table, the color of the lights around the room and what (out of 3) centerpiece goes on what table. It also shows where the string trio will play, where the band is to set up and where the Frank Sinatra impersonator will be.

I have also sent the same layout to the florist-Phoebe's and Eventions-the lighting company.

The good thing is Erika doesn't have to worry about this. I have it covered! Unfortunately some couples don't 'get' this until the week of their wedding.

Congrats to the Sandhu's

Yesterday was a wonderful wedding - I really enjoyed working and planning Becky and Harry's wedding. It was my first Indian Wedding and there was a lot of learning and adapting to do.

In the morning I went to the Gurdwara and witnessed the Indian Ceremony then there was a 6:30 Christian Ceremony at the Hyatt Penns Landing followed by the reception. Lots of food and tons of dancing - The Hyatt was fantastic to work with - I can't believe they got 500 people in that ballroom.

Congratulations!!
Stay tuned for some of the professional pictures from Artistic Imagery.

Beautiful Spring Wedding

Saturday was a beautiful day for a wedding! I helped coordinate Hanyoung and Bretts wedding, starting with a traditional Catholic mass, a Korean Ceremony then dinner and dancing at the Marriott Conshocken. Han changed gowns for all 3 parts. They were so fun to work with and really brought some creativity to the wedding.

The ice balls (from IceCaters) were a HUGE hit! and her centerpieces were a mix of high branch and candles and low flowers and candles (from Fresh Designs)(branches seem to be popular with my spring clients). The band eFusion Love rocked the house and had people jammed on the dance floor till the last song!

Photography was done by Nathan and Thran at Lightyear Studios - check out their blog for the professional pictures.

Beautiful August Wedding

August has just been beautiful this year - the humidity has been low which means great weather for an outdoor ceremony!
I coordinated Jennifer and Danil's wedding this past Sat at Washington Crossing Park in Pennsylvania. After a little mix up with the chair delivery we still were able to decorate and start on time. After they were married the guests threw rose petals from cones hanging on their chairs.

They later moved to the Inn at Lambertville Station for dinner and dancing. Jennifer just glowed the whole night and I was happy to be apart of this celebration. This was my last wedding for 2008.
Enjoy some pictures and I will make sure to pass on the professional ones as soon as I get them.






Thanks to Jim Harris Photography,
Dahlia Floral, PaperZest Stationary, Siena Strings, Brillmans Rental Barn

Another Happy Couple

I was lucky enough to coordinate a beautiful wedding last Saturday night for Stacy and Robert. They were wonderful to work with, so laid back - I am not sure much would bother Stacy. Even when the AC quit working, it was the hottest day of the year and the ballroom was very stuffy, luckily by the time dancing started it had finally cooled off.

She looked beautiful in a Ream Acra dress. The tables were dressed with sage and ivory linens and topped with the largest peonies and hydrangea you have ever seen - thanks to Honeybunches Floral. The guests rocked the dance floor with The Jack Faulkner Orchestra and the night was captured by Philip Gabriel Photography.

Stacy was a DIYer - the programs, escort cards, table numbers, menus and favors were all perfectly coordinated. Favors were chopsticks and a sage holder. It all came together perfectly!


When I get some professional photos I will post for you all to see. Enjoy Kauai newlyweds!

Another Beautiful Wedding

Erin and Cory got married Saturday and danced the night away at their reception at Dumbarton House in Washington, DC. Thanks to Christina at PaperZest.com & Debbie B at Windows Catering for helping to make their wedding awesome.

Enjoy some pictures of some special elements:

Escort cards had a surprise on the back - a Sangria recipe!

drink stirrers from foryourparty.com
Signature drink in special glasses

Beautiful Wedding highlights

Just wanted to share a beautiful wedding video highlight from my Sept 2007 clients.
Just a beautiful wedding and a couple so in love.

http://www.blueskyfilms.com/films/sarahandariel

Congrats Sarah and Ariel!

Blissfully Happy

That is how Sarah and Rob looked Saturday night at their wedding. I had worked with them for about a year, planning every aspect of their event. The theme was formal black and white with touches of red. Ceremony on the front lawn of Bristow Manor then dinner and dancing in the adjoining tent area. The candy buffet and grooms cake were a hit with everyone.

It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect, the bride was glowing and I swear Rob couldn't stop looking at his new wife. They are headed to the Greek Islands for a honeymoon. Enjoy some of the non professional pictures.








Professional pics from Classic Creations Photography will be on my website soon. Thanks to John Farr Lighting, Ensemble Elan Strings, Heaven on Earth Flowers, Classic Celebrations cake, Select Event Rentals and Visual Ventures Videography for helping to create a very romantic wedding.

New Gallery on Website

Gretchen and Jeff were married on May 12, 2007. Regeti's Photography did an amazing job capturing the moments at this wedding.


Check out Elegant Engagements Web page for the entire gallery of pictures.
www.elegantengagements.com 'Simple, Elegant, Outstanding'

Congrats to the couple who is expecting their first child in the spring!

Amy and Todd Happily Married

The Moon was sitting perfectly in the sky next to the Washington Monument Saturday night as guests danced the night away on the portico at DAR. Amy and Todd were married in a beautiful ceremony at St. Johns then guests dined on exquisite food from Occasions Caterers at the O'Byrne Gallery at DAR.

As soon as I get pictures from the photographer Carl Bower I will post them.

Enjoy Maui and Kauai Todd and Amy!!!

Sarah and Ariel

I don't think I have ever seen a couple more in love. Saturday night Sarah and Ariel made everyone want to be in love and to dance! Their wedding reception was at the Westin Gateway in Arlington. Westin's are always ready to do something different, for example they found this industrial shelving unit for me so we could display the cocktail hour food, check out the cool fork display.

The wonderful couple met salsa dancing and got to show off a little for a few dances at the reception. They looked incredible gliding across the floor together.

Sarah used a color pallet of gold and wine with touches of orange. Between the uplighting, the mix of square and round tables, the monogrammed gobo on the dance floor and the matching menus and escort cards to the amazing food and service this was one amazing event. To top off the great evening the guests made take away candy boxes from the candy buffet. Even adults like to remember being a kid once in a while.