The Finishing Touch, Wedding and Event Planning

Natural Beauty and Beaches in Hilton Head

 

I had the pleasure of spending a fantastic week at Hilton Head Island earlier this month.  I absolutely love it there.   Everything is so perfect.  The town has ordinances that do not allow development that affects the existing foliage.  Because of this, the island has its natural beauty intact and has some of the most amazing tress I have ever seen.  The Spanish Moss trees create a breathtaking canopy over many parts of the island.  They also have these trees (that I do not know the name of) that have horizontal branches which make them perfect for climbing.  The picture below shows a tree with my son, Matthew, standing on one of its branches (little boy in blue shirt).

 

We stayed in a condo in Shipyard which was a great location to stay at.  We were a 10 minute walk to North Forest Beach and a 5 minute walk to Coligny Plaza which had great restaurants and shops.  We would hop on our bikes each morning and ride down to the beach.  You can ride bikes on the beach there since the sand is so compact.  It is also the perfect consistency for making sand castles.  Below is a picture of my husband and Matthew riding the bike on the beach.

For great coffee and just a nice place to hang out, be sure to stop by Java Joe's in Coligny Plaza.  For  upscale, gourmet dining with an amazing view of the ocean check out Aqua Grill and Lounge.  Oceanfront weddings can also be held there on their 2nd floor.  For casual island fun, visit the tiki bar at the Big Bamboo Cafe .

If you are not opposed to eating kind of early, you can get some awesome deals on dining.  Almost every restaurant on the island has an early bird special which is around $18 and usually includes 2 or 3 courses and sometimes also includes a glass of wine or beer.  We had the early bird dinner at The Topside at Quarterdeck located in the Harbour Town Marina next to the lighthouse which was fantastic. 

Free entertainment abounds on Hilton Head.  Almost every restaurant with an al fresco patio area has some sort of musical entertainment.  For the kids, take them to see either Greg Russell perform under the Liberty Oak Tree in Harbour Town or Shannon Tanner who performs in Shelter Cover Marina .  Both children's musicians have been performing their family friendly concerts nightly during the peak seasons in Hilton Head for over 20 years and are local celebrities.   

The week went by way too fast.  I can't wait until our next trip there.

All the best,

Priscilla

The Wedding Salon Luxury Bridal Show

 

Recently Candice and I attended The Wedding Salon’s Luxury Bridal Show complete with an exclusive Vera Wang Fashion Show, complimentary hair & beauty consultations and vendors ranging from HPNOTIQ to the Barbados Tourism Authority.

 

Upon entering, we were greeted by an elaborate floral design coincidentally by a florist we often work with, A Touch of Elegance. While admiring her work and sipping champagne, a newspaper photographer snapped a picture of Candice and I informing us it would be printed in the Courier Newspaper ~ and you know how we love press!  As we did a circle around the room, we saw a lot of familiar faces.  Of course when visiting these events we always like to walk away with one piece of knowledge or one idea to pass on to our clients.  One of these new unique ideas we found was Love Print, maker of personalized fingerprint jewelry.  Check out Camille and her creations at www.loveprintjewelry.com.

 

A highlight of our night was the opportunity to network with others in the industry, including our friend Molly Tully, editor of NJBride Magazine  We chatted about the vendors in attendance and shared thoughts on what is hot now in the market.  We were also excited to get some copies of the latest Magazine which features one of our recent couples, Jaime & Jason.   

Overall it was a productive night, with the perfect ending ~ before leaving we of course had to stop by The Melting Pot’s table for some chocolate-dipped strawberries.  Mmmmmm.

 

All the best,

 

Nicole  

 

P.S.  Below is a picture of me, Candice, and Lisa Plociniak from A Touch of Elegance (floral designers in Wharton, NJ) and Michael from Linen Stock (custom linens).

 

Seaside Romance - Letty & Jeff May 17, 2008

 

 

I was lucky enough to travel to Cape May at the tip of New Jersey to coordinate a beach wedding on May 17, 2008. Our bride and groom, Letty and Jeff had previously visited Cape May and fell in love with the historic and Victorian feel of the quaint town and thought it was the perfect place to host a wedding.

Upon checking into their hotels, guests were presented straw bags full of bottled waters, famous Jersey Shore salt water taffy, chips and a weekend itinerary.

 

The morning of the big day we unfortunately woke up to rain! Although the bride put on a smile, I felt so bad she was not going to get her dream ceremony on the beach. The florist, DJ, and photographer all arrived on time and we began setting up the ceremony inside the Hotel Alcott where the reception was taking place. At around 3:15pm, with the ceremony beginning at 5pm, the rain ceased and the sun broke through the clouds. Wanting to give our bride her beach ceremony, I made the executive decision to move it out onto the beach. Our vendors were more than willing to work hard to make it happen for Letty by 5pm. While our bride and bridal party took photos at the hotel, we set up the ceremony down the street on the beach. With white chairs and coral & green ribbons tied around them and a bamboo runner, the ceremony was set and guests arrived. As the bride made her way down the boardwalk and onto the beach, people passing by  cheered her on exclaiming how beautiful she looked.

 

In the middle of the ceremony, the sky turned dark gray as I nervously waited for the mayor to conclude the ceremony. As soon as Letty and Jeff kissed and were pronounced husband and wife, it began to drizzle as if Mother Nature had planned it. Guests rang their mini bells as the couple recessed down the aisle together. As the couple laughed at the rain and quickly made their way to the hotel, guests began running with the sound of thunder! Just as the bride and groom entered the hotel, the clouds opened up and it poured onto our guests. Needless to say, the first 20 minutes of cocktail hour consisted of the girls laughing at the mess, drying their hair, and retouching their makeup!

 

In lieu of a guest book, guests wrote their best wishes on a photo matte framing one of the couple’s engagement pictures. Dinner reception began promptly with Letty and Jeff’s first dance to ‘Such Great Heights’ followed by the best man champagne toast. The evening consisted of salsa dancing, great food, lots of drinks, and the toss of the bouquet and garter. The bride and groom were extremely pleased and the bride stated she wasn’t even able to drink because she was too busy dancing the night away!

 

But the celebration didn’t stop there; guests then proceeded to a local bar for an after-party into the wee-hours of the night. Saturday’s itinerary consisted of bike riding to a winery where they enjoyed a tour and wine tasting.  On Sunday, guests were treated to a breakfast at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House. All in all, a perfect weekend capped off by Letty and Jeff heading to Hawaii for a two-week honeymoon.

 

For more pictures, check out our Featured Events Photo Gallery and look under Letty & Jeff.  Photos were taken by Aleksey Photography.

 

Until next time,

 

Nicole

 

Girls' Night Out 19 Floors Up

On Monday night, Candice and I went to a Grand Opening "Girls' Night Out" at Mad46, the new rooftop lounge on the 19th floor of New York City's Roosevelt Hotel.  This invitation-only event was designed to bring together female event professionals for a fun night of food and drinks - no boys allowed.  : ) 

We snacked on chicken satay and coconut shrimp and sipped creative cocktails, while taking in the amazing view of the NY skyline and sharing stories about our event experiences.  By the way, I am not a big fan of mojitos normally but the Mad Coconut Mojito they offer there is excellent.  I also recommend the Summertime Splash made with Pineapple Vodka, Coconut Rum, Blue Curacao, and Pineapple Juice - its like a tropical vacation in a glass.   

Mad46 is a fantastic place to go for an after-work drink with co-workers or a relaxing night out with friends.  They offer a light snack menu and an extensive cocktail menu.  They can also host private parties such as corporate events or bridal/baby showers.

For more information, go to www.theroosevelthotel.com/Dining/Mad46/.

All the best,

Priscilla

Skydiving!

Recently I jumped out of a plane over 10,000 feet above land and fell 120 mph. Yes, I went skydiving for my birthday! For some strange reason, I had always wanted to go and I finally found someone who would actually join me! My girlfriend and I drove an hour north at 8am on a Sunday to jump together. Since everyone I told could not believe this was something I would want to do, I had to buy the DVD of my jump just to have the evidence!

 

Our instructors made the experience so much fun and did a great job of keeping us calm. After all our instructions and being strapped into our harnesses, we made our way to the plane. The flight up was probably the longest part of our whole experience (20 minutes). Surprisingly, I was cool and collected, watching the ground get smaller and smaller as we traveled up into the clouds.

 

Once we were at the right altitude the door opened and I felt the strongest gust of wind hit my body. We crept to the edge of the plane while the cameraman hung onto the wing to capture my jump. Not once did I look scared, I was laughing and yelling the entire time! We freefell (no parachute) for about 60 seconds, held hands with the cameraman to make us spin and waved to the camera. It was absolutely exhilarating. Once it came time to pull the parachute, my instructor gave me the signal. I then reached down to my waist and pulled the orange tab & poof, I was floating.

 

 

        

Our parachuting lasted about 5 minutes as my instructor taught me how to steer. Since I felt a little daring, we did some spirals & turns. Eventually we landed so smoothly on our feet, maybe taking one step forward as we touched ground! Upon landing the cameraman asked how it was and I exclaimed I wanted to go again, right now!

 

 

It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and something my friend & I will NEVER forget. It is such a thrill and it makes you feel so invincible. I definitely want to do this for my own bachelorette party.  Something about being that excited and nervous together with a bunch of girlfriends can really bond you. We have plans to go back next month!

 

 

Next adventure: Whitewater rafting!

 

Until next time,

 

Nicole

Bachelorette Jamaican Getaway

Here at The Finishing Touch, we love to travel. We do so whenever given the opportunity.  Recently, I was able to share a trip to Jamaica with one of our Brides, Letty, and her girlfriends to celebrate her approaching Wedding Day.

The girls decided to spend four days enjoying some fun in the sun.  With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Jamaica proved to be the perfect location.  The girls decided to stay in Montego Bay  given its proximity to the airport (just 5 minutes!) as they were there for only 4 days. 

We booked their stay at the Royal Decameron Montego Beach which, although not my top pick for a wedding, is a great place for a getaway.   There is plenty of space for lying in the sun, unlimited drinks and food, and the price was right.   I definitely recommend if you can, booking one of the Ocean View rooms on the first floor which allows you to walk right onto the beach.

Of course, with every girls' weekend there must be  music and dancing.  One of the top clubs in Montego Bay is Pier 1 where the ladies danced into the night with a beautiful panoramic view of the Bay.  (As an aside, Pier 1 also offers a beautiful location for a private party or wedding reception!)

It was important to the girls that they experience some 'true Jamaica' on the trip so we knew to call Marva and Javia at KnowJamaica.com.  Marva and Javia run a great tour company on the island and the girls choose to climb Dunns River Falls, one of the most popular attractions on the island.

 

Along the way Javia stopped at many local spots including the The Yam Man and a traditional fruit stand where we were able to enjoy some fresh coconuts.  The day was closed with a traditional jerk chicken meal enjoyed with some Red Stripe.

The ladies and I left Jamaica happy to have helped Letty celebrate her last hurrah and looking forward to her big day!

Till next time,

Candice

Diva and The City

I love Bachelorette Parties.  I think they are a great way to relieve some tension and have the Bride and Bridesmaids bond before the big day.  So when we were asked to plan the Bachelorette Party for our Bride Rebecca, I jumped at the chance.

Knowing the Bride, she was not a big fan of embarrassing "adult entertainment" nor was she one to go to clubs, so the party needed to be planned so that she would have a good time and not feel uncomfortable. 

The Bridesmaids decided to host a swanky cocktail party to be held at the Maid of Honor's house and then go out to a local comedy club.  Since Rebecca is a big fan of "Sex and The City" and the premier of the movie was coming up, it was decided that the theme of the party would be "Diva and The City." 

The guests were asked to dress in pink and black to match the theme.  Strands of pink crystals and pearls were hung from the ceiling and the room was filled with candles and pink rose petals. 

We designed unique centerpieces for the table that showcased sexy stiletto heels with pink and black faux fur purses, and over-sized "diamond rings."  We also created an over-sized "Cosmopolitan" cocktail centerpiece. 

Everyone nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and sipped cocktails with risque names like "French Kiss" (French Martini made with Chambord, Vodka, and Pineapple Juice) and "Dirty Girl" (Dirty Vodka Martini with a splash of Dry Vermouth and extra olive juice). 

Each guest had to pick a handmade cocktail charm to tie to their martini glass that said fun things like "Smokin' Hot", "Bombshell," and "Little Devil."

For dessert, the guests were treated to pink cupcakes with our custom toothpick toppers that read "Rebecca's Bachelorette Bash" and mini cheesecakes from Cheesecake Aly in Glen Rock, NJ.

During dessert, the guests played "20 Questions for the Bride."  Each guest had to answer 20 questions such as "If you had to marry one of your ex-boyfriends, who would it be?" in the way they thought the Bride would answer them.  Then the guests swapped answer sheets so they could be graded fairly.  Then Rebecca answered the questions out loud.  If the answer matched the answer on the sheet that the guest was holding, the guest had to take a drink. 

Then it was off to Bananas Comedy Club in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.  One thing that I thought was really smart was that a couple of the guests' husbands hung around at the cocktail party to act as designated drivers for the night so no one would have to worry about driving while intoxicated.  It was also nice that the boys helped clean up after the girls throughout the whole night!

Everyone had a fantastic time at the comedy club.  Rebecca was very excited to see Bobby Collins which is one of her favorite comedians. After the show, it was back to the Maid of Honor's house for more food, drinks, and funny stories.  I definitely think this was a night Rebecca and her Bridesmaids will never forget.

All the best,

Priscilla

Paper, Paper Everywhere - Part 2

There was so much going on at the National Stationary Show in NYC last week that I needed another blog entry to tell you more about the latest in invitations and social stationary.

Here are some more trends that were at the show:

Trend #4:

Customized -  Companies are figuring out that every bride and every wedding are different and each bride wants her wedding to be unique.  Even the big invitation companies like Carlson Craft are debuting new catalogs that include invitations and accessories that allow you to customize the colors, fonts, and papers like never before.  We will soon be offering the brand new customizable Carlson Craft Exclusive Collection so be on the lookout for our announcement on this soon.

Trend #5:

Pockets and Jackets- Definitely one of the biggest trends in wedding invitations today are pockets and jackets.  This allows the invitation and all the enclosure cards to stay in a nice, neat package for your guests.  Below is an example of a pocket invitation from Carlson Craft.  We will also be offering this line in the very near future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trend #6:

Green - And this time I don't mean invitations that are made from recycled materials, I actually mean the color GREEN.  It has been popping up in shades like springy yellow-green, soothing sage, and hot bright green.  It is being used alone or many times paired up with blue like in this reception card from Lillywillow Paper & Press.

 

Wishing you all the best,

Priscilla

Paper, Paper Everywhere

Wow, I am exhausted (in a good way)!  I just got back from the 62nd Annual Stationery Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in NYC.  I walked for hours perusing the latest in invitations, social stationery, gifts, decor, and crafts.  There were literally over 1,000 exhibitors there.  It was amazing. 

Here are some of the top trends this year in wedding and special occasion invitations and decor that were prominent at this year's show:

Trend #1: 

Going Green -  You may think that invitations made of recycled paper would not look very elegant.  This is not the case anymore.  Many smaller, custom stationery companies and well as the big, well known invitation companies have come out with beautiful, stylish "green" wedding and special occasion invitations.  There were also many handmade paper companies present at the show that offered gorgeous eco-friendly papers made from sustainable materials that could easily be used to make custom invitations or used for favor packaging.  The picture below is of an invitation in Celebration's new Naturally Ever After line which is made from recycled papers containing at least 30% post-consumer fibers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trend #2: 

Girly Girl Stuff - From shower and bachelorette party invitations with motifs of high heels and lipstick to bridesmaid gifts with cheeky, vintage images; the trend was definitely ultra-girly girl like these adorable flip flops from Bonnie Marcus Collection.

Trend #3:

Nature Motifs -  This trend is probably a result of the "going green" trend.  Images of nature - florals, branches, vines, leaves, and animals are popping up on all kinds of invitations and social stationery.  Birds have been the most popular animals on paper like these wedding invitations from Alice-Louise Press. 

Check back on our blog next week for more of the latest trends in invitations and social stationery.

Until next time,

Priscilla

Ciao Bella! - Milan

Designer shoes & bags…..do you love them as much as I do?  I was in my own personal Heaven recently when I took a trip to Milan, Italy.  When I left for Milan I knew I would find some of the best fashions in the world, and I was right!  Gucci, Prada, Versace, its all there.  This city is  definitely one for trendsetters.  I picked up some gorgeous shoes and bags from Ferragamo and Bruno Mali.

Milan of course, like every cosmopolitan city, has an abundance of culture ~ historical exhibits (The Last Supper), concerts and Opera (La Scala), ancient Churches (Il Dumo) but I found that the most wonderful thing about this city is all of the hidden treasures.  Among the busy streets and crowded quads we found some of the most elegant courtyards hidden just behind the office buildings and designer shops.  Some of these beautiful gardens offer the perfect place for a private outdoor ceremony.

There is certainly no shortage of wonderful places to celebrate with your loved ones in Milan.  If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere for dinner try The Paper Moon.  One block from the famous Four Seasons Hotel and just minutes from Armani and Ferragamo, Paper Moon offers simple choices that are truly representative of the region.

Larger parties and receptions take on an elegant feel at the luxury hotel, Hotel Principe Di Savoia Milano.  WOW!  That is all I can stay about our stay.  The hotel was beautiful and lush, and the rooms were larger than any I have ever seen in Europe.  The hotel’s ballroom offers a golden lined space where the most discerning Bride would be amazed. 

   

For an equally elegant but more contemporary feel, visit the Bulgari Milano.  Better suited for a smaller celebration in their restaurant (where the food is amazing!) Bulgari has some very special spaces, including their very own private Botanical Garden.  It was the perfect place for us to stop in for a cocktail, rest on the comfy lounge furniture and savor the experiences of the last three days.

Ciao,

Candice