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Toast in Unforgettable Style

by Amanda

Source: Wedding Style Magazine

The champagne toast is a special time for family and friends to wish the bride and groom a wonderful new life together.  Make the toast even more memorable with a bottle of Dom Pérignon, especially if it’s a personalized bottle of Dom Pérignon!  Dom Pérignon, the most luxurious name in champagne, has recently unveiled Dom Pérignon Wedding, a 12-bottle collection of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2000 plus a commemorative 13th bottle packaged beautifully in a white lacquered box.  This 13th bottle has a unique silver label that can be personalized with the names of the bride and groom and their wedding date, making it a striking keepsake.

What a magnificent way to honor the newlywed’s special day!   You will be toasting in the style of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles in 1981; who toasted their nuptials with their own personalized Dom Pérignon (the inspiration for Dom Pérignon Wedding).  Dom Perignon Wedding is available for purchase at www.crushwineco.com for $2080.00.

About Our Guest Blogger

Amanda, co-owner of Fresh Events Company, is a talented wedding planner from the Los Angeles area. She delights in wow-ing her clients with her design talents and creating memorable weddings.

by Guest Blogger | posted in Reception | No Comments »

Celebrate Your Culture

February 26th, 2010

presents

Celebrate Your Culture

by Amanda

When planning a wedding, some of our clients come to us with specific cultural tea ceremony requests from Chinese Tea Ceremony to Paebaek Ceremony (Korean ceremony) to many others.

Above is a collage of several Paebaek ceremonies that we helped produce. We love seeing the Paebaek ceremony unveil…. it’s full of color and eventful. From paying respect to the honorees and catching dates and chestnuts (symbolizing girls and boys that the couple will have).

A little background on the Paebaek Ceremony:
Paebaek ceremony is a traditional Korean ceremony usually performed at weddings. It takes place after the wedding ceremony and its an intimate event limited to family members. However, modern couples now do this in front of guests as well. For those who have not seen this tea ceremony before, its truly an eye opening experience.

About Our Guest Blogger

Amanda, co-owner of Fresh Events Company, is a talented wedding planner from the Los Angeles area. She delights in wow-ing her clients with her design talents and creating memorable weddings.

by Guest Blogger | posted in Culture, Reception | No Comments »

This is a continuation from one of my previous posts: Part I & Part II.

We got the digital photos! Just a couple of days ago, GT and I had our third wedding reception. It was held here in Taichung, Taiwan. Although it was just a small intimate lunch reception with just relatives, we still observed a few traditions. I changed into 4 different outfits, 3 of which were lent by Masa LiLi (included in our photo package).  They also included the dress for the flower girl and a little boy, who walked in with us during our grand entrance.

Scene 1

After our first entrance, GT’s eldest uncle made a speech. After the speech, changed into a different outfit, we made our grand entrance for the second time. This time, we danced in along to ‘Poker Face’ with four of GT’s cousins. It was so much fun! We then played a game which consisted of red envelopes, followed with more speeches from uncles and then grandma. We then went around to room to each table to thank the guests.

Scene 2

Scene 2

Before I knew it, I was in outfit number 3 (qi pao) standing behind two Chinese lion dancers making our grand entrance for the third time to Chinese New Year’s music. It is lucky to give the lions red envelopes. So of course, GT and I each gave one of the lions a red envelope. Afterward, GT’s dad gave a speech.

Scene 3

Finally, I was in my last outfit for the feast. The MC made an announcement that the reception is coming to an end. She directed people towards the back of the room. The room had a stage at the back which was beautifully decorated with floral, greens, and branches. (I’ll have to post photos when we get them from the photographer.) One after another, the guests took turns taking photos with GT and I, who stood there like wax museum figures.

Scene 4

After two and half hours, all the guests were gone. I was amazed even though the MC had advised beforehand, it would take no more than 2 1/2 hours for everything we had planned. It went by like a light breeze.

Scene 5

Scene 5

And now, we are finally able to go on our honeymoon! We are off to Bali!!

by Mel | posted in Destination Wedding, Engagement, General Planning, Reception | 2 Comments »

Homemade Centerpieces

February 10th, 2010

To save some money on her wedding budget, my friend is planning on making her own floral arrangements and centerpieces. She was talking about possible ideas the other day and since her wedding is not until the fall, she has plenty of time to start getting things together for them.  HGTV.com has a lot of great ideas on centerpieces for any time of the year and is a great jumping off point for when creating your own arrangements. The website also provides step by step instructions for lots of centerpiece ideas, although not necessarily for weddings, the ideas could easily work with a little bit of creativity. Here are some of the best that I found and are budget friendly too:

Source: hgtv.com

Source: hgtv.com I really like this one, because it could be applied to any color theme just by switching out the food coloring, candles, and berries.

Source: hgtv.com This one doesn’t require any flowers, but still has that dramatic winter wonderland effect. This centerpiece could be used on the dining tables as well as arranged on cocktail tables, serving tables, bars, etc.

Source: hgtv.com This one doesn’t require any flowers, but still has that dramatic winter wonderland effect. This centerpiece could be used on the dining tables as well as arranged on cocktail tables, serving tables, bars, etc.

Source: hgtv.com This one could be created using any type of container that you can find and the mix of floral, fruit, and pumpkins is great for fall.

Source: hgtv.com This one could be created using any type of container that you find and the mix of floral, fruit, and pumpkins is great for fall.

Source: hgtv.com Talk about drama! This arrangement is actually fairly simple when you follow the steps, but the overall effect is definitely memorable. With more votives placed on the tables, this centerpiece would be stunning.

Source: hgtv.com Talk about drama! This arrangement is actually fairly simple when you follow the steps, but the overall effect is definitely memorable. With more votives placed on the tables, this centerpiece would be stunning.

 

Click on the pictures for step-by-step instructions on how to create these centerpieces!

by Caitlin | posted in Reception | No Comments »

Transforming Blank Slates

January 27th, 2010

While searching for ideas, I came across this website called taylorcreativeweddings.com. They have super modern and ultra-hip furniture collections that you can rent for your wedding. They work with the brides, vendors, or wedding planners and transform blank slates into designer rooms. They offer furniture and props for the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, lounges, bride/groom suites, and bar areas and are available 24/7, 365 days a year! Here are some of my favorite looks that they’ve created:

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

Souce: taylorcreativeweddings.com

by Caitlin | posted in General Planning, Reception, Vendors | 1 Comment »

Drink Displays

January 20th, 2010

I love going to weddings and seeing what creative ways the drinks or glasses are displayed.  I came across a few websites that offer short-term rentals of canoes, boats, wagons etc. for weddings and other parties.  To give you an idea, check out http://www.vermontweddingprops.com/wagons/. Drink displays, such as self-serve wagons or canoes, allow guests to help themselves and are great for creating a more comfortable feel at your wedding.  I attended one of my friend’s weddings a few summers ago who had a self-serve canoe filled with bottles of water and beer.  It was so easy to just walk up and grab a drink without having to wait in line for the bar. They also had bottle openers tied along the canoe with twine for easy opening as well as pre-cut limes.  Too cute! 

This is pic of my friend's self-serve canoe full of drinks at her wedding

 

by Caitlin | posted in Reception | No Comments »

Recently the question, “what is a charger?” has been brought up frequently in conversations in regards to table settings. I’ve seen a variety of table setting at weddings, from informal to formal. Depending on your wedding venue or caterer, you may need to supply some, if not all the items needed to host your wedding reception and serve your guests. Every venue/caterer is different, so you be sure to clarify with the representative which items are provided and which you must provide.

image from gearpatrol.com

Formal dinner

The tableware pieces that make up the setting:

  1. Salad Plate
  2. Charger (Service Plate)
  3. Bread Plate
  4. Dinner Plate

Silverware:

  1. Dinner knife
  2. Dinner fork
  3. Teaspoon
  4. Salad fork
  5. Soup spoon
  6. Bread knife
  7. Cake fork
  8. Dessert spoon

Crystal:

  1. Water glass
  2. Red Wine glass
  3. White Wine glass
  4. Cup and Saucer

image from gearpatrol.com

Informal Setting

At an informal setting, fewer utensils are used and serving dishes are placed on the table.

The tableware pieces that make up the setting:

  1. Dinner Plate

Silverware:

  1. Dinner knife
  2. Dinner fork
  3. Teaspoon
  4. Salad fork
  5. Soup spoon

Crystal:

  1. Water glass
  2. Wine glass

So, to answer our question what is a charger? It is essentially a decorative plate for a well-dressed table.  The charger plate is larger than the dinner plate and salad plate that actually hold the food. In my opinion a charger is unnecessary at most dinners but it is nice to for the eyes to have a placeholder when in between course servings.

by Mel | posted in Etiquette, Reception | 1 Comment »

A Pittsburgh Tradition….

December 23rd, 2009

Last week one of my Pittsburgh-native friends sent me an article from the New York Times titled, The Wedding? I’m Here for the Cookies, about the legendary cookie tables at Pittsburgh weddings. My friend didn’t even realize it was a Pittsburgh thing, she just thought it was the norm to have cookie tables at wedding receptions. However, reading further into the article, it’s actually a tradition unique to the area!

Source: New York Times

Source: New York Times

According to the New York Times article and confirmed by my Pittsburgh friends, moms, grandmas, and aunts all begin baking cookies weeks and weeks in advance.  They make a crazy amount of cookies from peanut butter blossoms to Italian wedding cookies to Pizzelles (I personally love these) all for the guests to enjoy. Usually, the cookies are placed on one big table which allows everyone to help themselves during the reception.   The trend lately is to have small containers, like Chinese take-out boxes, available for the guests to bring additional cookies home in, and can be used as favors.

Source: New York Times

Source: New York Times

Even though this is mainly a Pittsburgh tradition and would require a lot of preparation and work (or a great bakery contact), I think it’s a great idea for any wedding. Who wouldn’t want to bring home a few extra sweets?!

Source: New York Times

Source: New York Times

Are you having a cookie table at your wedding?

by Caitlin | posted in Cake, Reception | 4 Comments »

So a couple that I know is planning a wedding in Atlanta for next fall.  They have been venue hunting for quite some time now. They’ve seen a few places they absolutely love and a few places that they don’t.  It’s down to three contestants, which they recently shared with me. All three either have a garden adjacent or is within a garden, which was the main aspect they were looking for in a venue.

1. Piedmont Room:

Pros: Great view of the city, In house catering, Tables chairs & linen provided

Cons: No real outdoor ceremony space, Venue can hold multiple weddings at the same time

piedmont

The Piedmont Room

2. The Atrium:

Pros: Pretty, outdoor ceremony space, In house catering, Tables chairs & linen provided, Great garden view from ballroom

Cons: Not a pretty building exterior

The Atrium

The Atrium

3. Cator Woolford Gardens:

Pros: Beautiful outdoor garden and ceremony area

Cons: Rent own tables chairs & linens, Hire own caterer, Reception hall is minimal and plain (not the couple’s style)

Cator Woolford Garden

Cator Woolford Garden

I came across this picture from the Cator Woolford Garden’s blog and just wanted to share it. I love the color, the sequence, and the energy in this series of photos.

Photo from http://www.cwgardens.blogspot.com/

Photo from http://www.cwgardens.blogspot.com/

Which venue do you like the most? Cast your vote with a comment!

by Mel | posted in Ceremony, Reception, Vendors | 1 Comment »

Back to nature placecards

November 29th, 2009

photo from enrim iconz

photo from enrim iconz

When I was planning our wedding, I’ve been seeing so many images of using fruit as placecard holders. I absolutely loved the idea.  However, we ended up using something that was more suited with our table names. I wanted to share with you all some images that really inspired me. You can do so much with fruit as a design element in a wedding.

photo from country living

photo from country living

It’s very easy to do-it-yourself without spending a lot of money.

photo from kelley photo & design

photo from kelley photo & design

Use seasonal fruits or vegetables to reflect the time of the year.

By saipua

By saipua

However, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle as a bride or groom. Many florists offer the service. This is my favorite amongst the bunch {from Saipua}.

by Mel | posted in Design Ideas, Reception | 1 Comment »

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