Bling on the Beach

So this wedding was held in front of the Loews Hotels in South Beach.  And who would not want to have their wedding on the beach. The elements lends itself to the magical moment.

My bride was a very modern bride, but also very private. She worried that there would be too many people on the beach, but I promised her that her wedding would not start until she was ready.

 She enjoyed style and has a great flair. Her gown was by the goddess of wedding gowns- Vera Wang!

The groom wore a Hugo Boss suit and although he felt the beach heat, he was a pinnacle of style and looked great!

Her guest count was only immediate family for a grand total of 8.

When she first mentioned that she wanted the arbor with black and beige, I wanted to fall back in my seat.

Her fabulous brother and I looked at each other and recommended a tinge of color and suggested yellow.

They were coming down from Ohio and were having the reception in Emeril Lagassi restaurant in the Loews Hotels of Miami Beach.

The design is bamboo folding chairs, with satin sashes knotted sideways to keep with the modern theme. Of course, I had to throw in the bling and added circle rhinestone brooches to the sash.

The program was made on yellow linen paper with black satin ribbon and rhinestones on a rattan fan. Although the beach breeze was amazing and the fans were great for blocking the sun from our eyes.

The arbor is all natural bamboo, with black and beige linen material and the back with 40 strands of chandelier crystals.

We were able to tie in all the elements together and affect the five senses.

Venue- Miami Beach- beach side of the Loews Hotel

Photographer- Tatiana Cohen

Videographer- Jackie Villacencio

Officiant- Monica Wetherington-Lugo

Design- Infinity Weddings & Events, LLC.

Oh the Tasting for a Platinum Bride!

On of the best parts of the pre wedding preparations is the tasting. The tasting of your food, wine and of course the cake!
Natalie and Tiago are my fabulous Infinity couple getting married on May 28, 2011. They flew down from NYC to have the last bit of their wedding details taken care of this week and what a week it has been.

They have accomplished so much, especially with the assistances of Natalie's fabulous and beautiful mother Diliana. They have shopped for the perfect invitation, suit, flower girl's dress and everything in between and now they were excited about the tasting! I mean who wouldn't be.

The tasting was to be held at the very beautiful Coral Gables Country Club. Where they remodeled and made everything brand new. Ladies, let me tell you that the chandeliers alone are, in this wedding planner's opinion, FAB-U-lous.

http://www.coralgablescountryclub.com/contact.htm

The place exudes elegance, romance, formality with a twist of hip and chic infused with the South Florida of old. "As one of Coral Gable's few traditional ballrooms, the Coral Gables Country Club is the perfect location for groups of one hundred to one thousand people. Originally constructed in 1924, this complex gracefully blends the traditional Mediterranean style of the exterior with elegant classical interior finishes. The facility boasts a magnificent grand ballroom and three satellite banquet rooms. With coral stone waterfalls, stunning crystal chandeliers, spectacular black marble foyers, rich Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors, ornate Italian marble columns and cornice molding, you will enjoy the luxurious sense of understated elegance."


So in the morning Natalie and Tiago, ate very light and by the time the tasting was to start they were ready to eat. And eat they did!

The assorted rolls and the presentation were just as lovely as any centerpiece could be, the antipasto and dual pasta tray was enough to say "enough"! But we must go on- the dual entree was coming. What to choose?
There was a choice of Medallion of Veal with mushroom and baked bonelss bresat of chicken with lemon herb crust in the wonderful white wine sauce? Or do they select Grilled NY striplion steak with a bourbon glaze and the Baked bonelss bresat of chicken with lemon herb crust in the wonderful white wine sauce?
BUT wait we still have more- Family style served seafood platter with grilled shrimp, calamari, mussels, halibut with lemon and olive oil emulsion, served with baby greens.

They serve the first two courses in a french style service and there is still yet more to come- the dessert!
The tiramisu served in a chocolate cup with kahlua anglaise and compote berries, just sounds delicious, but wait until you taste it!

And that red wine - Nero D'avolo- de-licous! Whatever the entree, I know that it will be more than satisfying to their guests and something to talk about for some time!

Now my fabulous brides, don't get me wrong, as you know I am experienced in food and fine cuisine. I also understand what true service is about, but the reason I gush about this place is because the staff is wonderful, helpful and most importantly professional. The service was to be expected- I expect excellence for my Infinity couples and the Coral Gables Country Club did not fail!

An intimate wedding at the Spanish Monastery

This is a story of a love that was held back.
Jaime and Lilli were to get married two weeks before the actual wedding happened.
All the guests arrived from all parts of the United States; everyone had their outfit, flowers were done, food was ready and then tragedy struck.
Jaime's mother was in a horrible accident and was in critical condition.
The good news, is that as of today, she is doing very well! Thank God!

Their wedding happened two weeks later and it became a very intimate wedding with just the bride, groom and myself.

The Spanish Monastery was an absolutely beautiful place to have such an intimate wedding. They have these nooks and crannies that cause for excellent pictures...AND when you have a love like these two, well the pictures speak for themselves.

The pictures were taken by your truly with Lilli's camera- a simple canon sure shot.. Not too bad.
Not as great as Tatiana Cohen, Maloman, or Harings, but ok.

Considering their very small budget, I think it turned out well for them. And in the end... is that not what it is all about.

Must have for your wedding day

So I have to keep up to date with the latest style and fashion- especially in the wedding industry. But I also have to keep up with beauty and comfort.
Basically what will keep you feeling beautiful and still keep money for other wedding details needed to make your wedding fabulous.

Here are some suggestions from the stylist guru goddess- Rachel Zoe. From Zoe Report.
You can click on each link and purchase directly from the website.

1. Hollywood Fashion Tape Double-Stick Strips-
2. Miss Oops Rescue Sponges
3. NuBra Adhesive Bra
4. Commando Classic Thong
5. Foot Petals Killer Kushionz
On the hair and make-up front:
6. L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray
7. Goody Spin Pins
8. Dior Spring Look Lip Color
9. Kate Somerville Tanning Towelettes
10. Go Smile Touch Ups

Check out this need - Check my answer to this question on MiNeeds!

Check out this need - Check my answer to this question on MiNeeds!

Culture Weddings- Mendhi and Hennas

Mehndi originated in North Africa and the Middle Eastern countries during ancient times.  One of the earliest documentations of henna use comes from ancient Egypt, where it is known to have been used to stain the fingers and toes of the Pharaohs prior to mummification.  In other nations different Mehndi patterns are used. 

 

 

For over 5,000 years henna has been used as a cosmetic and colouring.  The Pharaohs had their fingers stained Mehndi style before they were mummified.  Henna grows in the soaring heat of countries like India, Pakistan, Egypt, North Africa and other East Asian places. 

 

All of the henna plant that is above ground is harvested and the whole is ground into a fine powder which can be mixed with hot water to a thick paste.   By adding a range of plant products like indigo or clove other colours can be created.

 

African Mehndi art favours geometric forms, but in India, the Mehndi patterns are lace like and generally organic forms like paisley or floral patterns that cover the wholehand.

 

One feature of the bride's wardrobe which has become popular abroad is the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet. It's said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated by her in-laws from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off. Mehndi treatments are increasingly available in salons or you can get mehndi mix at any Indian grocery store for a do-it-yourself job. (But be sure to practice on paper first! Mehndi doesn't wash off.)

 

As more people marry between races, Mehndi evenings sometimes replace over zealous henna parties.  Compared to the use of tattoos, Mehndi is a pain free form of decoration which lasts days rather than forever. 

 

http://www.mehndistyles.com/about-black-heenna/

Many celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Demi Moore and Madonna have all been seen wearing Mehndi.  Modern henna based Mehndi stencil products mean that even those with a Mehndi heritage can enjoy this art.

http://www.indianweddingsite.com/photogallery/162/mehndi

Smart savings, with fabulous designs

Rosa Clara Size 12
Ivory Strapless

So I have to always be in the know of all that is fashionable, trendy and unique in the wedding world. So when the wedding goddesse send a site that carries gowns at 40%, 50% and even 80% off, I have to take a good look and see will it benefits my fabulous brides.

Well, I must proclaim that the sales are legitimate and worth taking a look at; especially for those who consider themselves pratical and budget concsious.

The gowns are either worn once or bought, but never worn. Either way, this is significant savings for those of you who want the gown but not the price. Enjoy!