Questions to ask when selecting your venue

Photography by Maloman Photography- At the W Hotel, Miami Beach- by Infinity Weddings & Events, LLC.

This is a questionnaire and observation list that I offer my clients when shopping for a venue for their wedding reception.
While it encompasses the majority of questions and observations that should help you in selecting the right venue, it does not encompass all. Each venue is different and if you have some suggestions, by all means please add them. But here is the list of ASK and OBSERVE.
ASK- To see the actual room where the reception will be held.
ASK- The time frames of set-up, serving, and take down.
OBSERVE- How to get to the room- stairs, elevator, first floor.
ASK- Their menu selection and pricing.
ASK- Styles of service- Buffet, Stations, White glove service etc.
OBSERVE- Style and positioning of tables, chairs, electrical outlets.
ASK- If the wedding cake is included- if not, is there a cutting fee.
ASK- If the room has to get changed- what are the other options and back up plans?
OBSERVE- The distance from ceremony to reception.
ASK- What do they provide? What is included? Chairs, table (square- round etc.), Linens etc.
ASK- How many servers and bartenders will be available guest.
OBSERVE- How many rooms they have available.
ASK- If their are more rooms- will your reception be the only reception that day?
ASK- Are there any music restrictions?
ASK- Are there any outside vendor restrictions?
OBSERVE- Is there ample parking?
ASK- Are there any decor restrictions? Draping, special lightning allowed, etc.
ASK- About price and payments- taxes and gratuity.
ASK- Are there any other items you need to know about?

Photography by Maloman Photography- Florida-http://www.maloman.com/portfolio.html

Make sure you print this out and that you have a pen handy to write down the response.
Also make sure you go bit by bit- because in this exciting time- you begin to get side track and start to talk about everything else but the venue. It happens, but as a wedding planner I want to make sure we stay on track and have a spectacular wedding- without any unpleasant surprises!

Have a happy and wonderful time planning.

ABOUT US!
Infinity Weddings and Events, LLC, of South Florida 
786-427-5360 
We have been providing our brides and grooms with high end chic weddings since 1995!
Providing a full array of services from Officiating, to full catering service, rentals and vendor referrals. We are poised to make your wedding the elegant one that everyone will be talking about!
CALL TODAY!  786-427-5360

Destination Wedding- Miami Beach

www.gotoflorida.net

If you are visiting Miami Beach in the near future or plan on visiting one day... Here are a few tips that will surely make your stay in Miami much more pleasurable; as well as affordable.
Tip #1: Book Ahead
This tip might be obvious to anyone who is a frequent traveler, but it is a crucial part of saving money and making your trip less stressful. Hotels in Miami Beach are usually booked well in advance and tend to be fully occupied -- especially during peak times of the year.
If you make your reservations at least four weeks in advance (or more) you can save a considerable amount of money on both flights and hotel rates.
Many hotels offer a % discount if you book early.
Why pay more for the same exact vacation when all you have to do is book ahead? Not only is it a crucial tip; it's also one of the easiest to implement.
Remember there so many sites that offer very cost effective hotels, but you can count on us to give you the real deal on the deal.
I recommend sites like Trip Advisor- read the reviews!
Tip #2: Location
When choosing a hotel in Miami Beach and an overall location, you must first determine what the main focus of your trip is going to be. If you are traveling on business, you will obviously want to stay somewhere that is relatively close to where your business meeting/convention is. Or you may want to find a Miami Beach hotel that has the best price; if your company is not paying for your lodging.
However, if you are coming to Miami for pleasure or vacation -- You will more than likely want to stay directly on the beach. There are many places to stay along the beach from North Beach all the way down to South Beach and then some.
Believe it or not from the Miami Airport- South Beach is no more than 15 minutes away and from Fort Lauderdale about 30-40 minutes.
You also want to watch for parking-the city has added several brand new parking lots-if you want to rent a car. If you want to just stay in South Beach then catch a cab, a bus or ride our Deco Bikes around.
Tip #3: Hotel Price
For some people, the price is the most important determining factor as far as which hotel in Miami they end up lodging in. There are many affordable hotel deals in Miami Beach, but personal preference is also a factor in my opinion.
Let's say you're comparing two different hotels that have similar rates; but one of them is directly on the beach, while the other is more in town. The prime choice would be the one on the beach of course, so price wouldn't necessarily be the ONLY factor in this decision.
The point is, you will want to find the place that has the most features and amenities, while also having the best price.
These three tips can help you decide where you want to stay and remind you of what the most important things to look for are when visiting a hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

Infinity Weddings and Events, LLC, of South Florida
                             786-427-5360 
We have been providing our brides and grooms with high end chic weddings since 1995!
Providing a full array of services from Officiating, to full catering service, rentals and vendor referrals, we are poised to make your wedding the elegant one that everyone will be talking about!
CALL TODAY!  
http://themiamibeachweddingplanner.blogspot.com/2012/06/tips-on-finding-hotel-in-miami-beach.html

Officiating Promotion

Congratulations on your engagement. What an exciting time and before you know it your wedding day is here, so it is a perfect time to have us officiate your wedding day.
We have an exciting package that cannot be beat. And it would be our pleasure to assist in getting you to your "Happily Ever".

You will get:

1. 15 years of Non denominational- bi-lingual officiant by me.
2. I am known for my compassionate and comforting tone of voice.
3. Original and elegant wording for your ceremony.
4. Up to one hour of rehearsal.
5. Up to one hour of ceremony service- any location (park, beach, home, etc.)
6. A choice of either Sand ceremony, unity candle or sea shell ceremony.
7. Up to one hour of photography- photo-journalistic style- select up to 25 pictures- unlimited rights.
8. Champagne toast.
9. Bridal bouquet.
10. Groom's boutonniere.

All of this is normally $975.00-BUT- if you sign on now you can get all of this for only $675.00!

Let's meet and discuss. CALL TODAY 786-427-5360 and take advantage of the huge savings today!

* This is a promotional offer- price is subject to change without notice. Full payment required to take advantage of promotional offer. Cannot be combined with any other offer or services.

Simple, intimate wedding

It has become pretty regular for intimate weddings- less than 5 guests- to take place on our beautiful beaches in South Florida. Intimate weddings like these allows for the bride and groom to say their promises/vows to each other without feeling like there is a spotlight. And even more so for the Groom to call and set everything up!

The groom called me and wanted to plan a very intimate wedding and as with most grooms- details is not a factor- only location and the cost. So he chose our "Elopement" beach wedding package for their beach ceremony.

This package is a perfect fit for weddings like these- no fuss, no muss. So I  worked out getting them a private location at Bill Baggs State Park- with emphasis on the section of the beach that shows the beautiful and historical lighthouse. The section choice and time frame does make a difference there, especially when you want to minimize beach goers.

The next task was decide on the bouquet. With the Elopement package, we give a beautiful fresh rose bouquet and we love to add "bling". I always say that you have 364 other days not to have -so have some on this day.

Our next task was customizing their ceremony wording- the trick is that I speak English and the Bride speaks Russian and very little English. Luckily, their Best Men were friends who spoke and wrote in English and Russian. So, the doctor read with me, the very important vows in Russian- and I am pretty sure he ad-libbed some words or literally translated something that sounded way different when spoken in Russian. This was a nice touch, making a very memorable intimate wedding.

Location: Bill Baggs State Park
Officiant: Reverend Monica Wetherington-Lugo
Flowers: Infinity Weddings & Events, LLC.
Photographer: Michael Marko

A red and white wedding at Bill Baggs

A love so strong...Anna and Monish

This wedding was a two in one. One was an Indian wedding and the other a western wedding.

Anna is this beautiful bride, who was very matter of fact of what she wanted and liked. It was not really a matter of cost but more of value. And as you know that is something I truly love. A person who knows what they want and how they want it. Love it!

Monish, a very handsome man who is completely smitten with his beautiful bride. Have you ever been around a couple and their love and respect for each other is so strong it is like a force field? Well this is the best way I can describe the immense vibe I got from them.

Their colors were white and red with touches of gold.  They symbolized their love with a dove release ceremony and standing in a heart shape sand with red petals. Some petals managed to stay in the heart before the sea wind blew them away.

When a wedding is done on the beach, the ocean surf is extremely strong and you get a very strong breeze.  So when we went to put the torches on, it would blow out. But they were designed beautifully.

All the guests had a place for their shoes to be placed, so that they can walk on the cool sand. We provided several different options of water and then a cleaning station with lotion for the ladies' feet.

Her bouquet was made of bourbon roses, in odd number, with crystal studs in the middle; wrapped in organza gold color ribbons.

Once she was there, the saxophonist, played her favorite song and she walked on the cool sand to her love.

Their reception was on a fabulous yacht located in Downtown. The MC and live performance was by an Elvis impersonator! How fun is that!

They party all night on the yacht and had an excellent time. We received many compliments, but most importantly the bride and groom were happily married.

VENDORS

Officiant: Monica Wetherington-Lugo

Flowers: Infinity Weddings & Events, LLC.

Venue: Bill Baggs State Park

Saxophonist: Scott Klarman

Photographer: Rakesh Anand

Entertainment: Johnny Ray

Transportation: Florian Classics

Venue: The Venetian Lady

Dove Release: South Florida White Doves

Cake: Cakes by Edda

Make Up: Nancy Florian

Hair: Emelia & Nancy Florian

Call us today if you are interested in this type of elegant wedding. 786-427-5360

Twilight- Breaking Dawn part 2

Photo from ScreenCrush.com

So Yahoo Movies subliminally tricks the die hard Twilighters into somehow thinking that they were going to show the first 7 minutes of Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2.
I am sad to say that the 7 minutes were only available to those who attended Comic Con 2012. :0(
Fortunately there is a spoiler alert- sort of.

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/comic-con-2012-breaking-dawn-panel-shows-first-214944722.html

SPOILER ALERT: FIRST SEVEN MINUTES DESCRIBED
Fans were delighted with this first look, which begins with Bella waking up as a red-eyed vampire, and boy is she hungry. But before she feasts on blood, Edward feasts his eyes on her new sparkly look.
Of course, Bella is also very curious to see her daughter. But before Edward can let Bella see Renesmee, Bella must feed, so as not to feed on her young.
Edward escorts Bella into the woods to hunt. Bella stretches her new vampire legs at a supersonic rate. As Bella goes after a deer, she's distracted by a mountain climber who scrapes himself. Bella sniffs and instantly goes after him!

But what got me to write this blog is reading the some 483 comments already posted and it is not even day two yet. In the spoiler alert in Yahoo report states that Bella went to attack a human and Edward stopped her. Now this seems to have fans in a bit of a tizzy because in the book she clearly  has the ability not to want to suck on human blood. Like Lillith, who posted, as soon as I read that she went after the hiker, I flipped! I clearly remember Bella running AWAY FROM the humans on her own, not toward them! and then Edward was amazed by witnessing her self control, not just by what he was told by Alice. a VERY important part of the book and they screw it up! but it's not like they've never done that before...

It is kinda of scary knowing that what you read in the book may not be exactly what the director and production put on the big screen. But I say for the those fan like Michelle G., you know we are still going to go and watch the movie- maybe 2x and still fall in love with the fantasy or either Edward or Jacob. Let us swoon- as they will be on the big screen- abs, sexiness, excitement and all! I know I will!

PS- Don't forget we finally get to see Renesmee!
But you can see 1:18 minutes of it at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1673434/