I have the "Solution!" A Sample Sale ...

Brides, Moms, Bridesmaids, Besties, LADIES ...

Solutions Bridal is having a sample sale! Many of my brides have started their "happily ever after" by donning a chic and elegant wedding gown that they have found at Solutions Bridal. I have been working with them for years and, in addition to always maintaining impeccable inventory, the experience is always grand.

Our bride here, Genny Hall, made that divine walk down the aisle in her Solutions Bridal gown-

The Orlando salon is having a sample sale through the end of the month. Some of the top designer styles are being marked down up to 75%-

I hope you find your dream dress come true!

*Image Courtesy of James Christianson*

Real Weddings: Kate and Jared Saft

What and exhilarating weekend we had last week--

We were offered the opportunity to experience and style a memorable wedding for the delightful, lovely and charming Kate {then Gissy!} and Jared Saft.

Jared jokingly repeated throughout the weekend that he "just showed up," but Kate and I worked side by side thoughtfully and creatively planning a weekend and a wedding to remember for a lifetime.

Working with Bonnie Garfield, as ever, proved to be a fine endeavor. Her guidance with the family throughout the process was invaluable, and her banquets team is bar none.

The team on hand made all proposed plans effortless and as well as a fine-tuned party!

Kate and Jared's refined style shone through in all elements of decor, food and beverage--

The band kept the dancing going and going {even through dinner!!} and we can't forget Kate's planned surprise for Jared which was having him picked up in a DeLorean!

Thanks to my "Cast of Characters:"

Bonnie Garfield- The Portofino Bay Hotel

Solutions Bridal

Damon Tucci Photography

Tommy Murphy- Greenery Productions

Shannon Caine- Beautiful Music

Bob Schilling- Fifth Avenue Band

Corona Cigars

Plumb Fun Photo Booth

Sarah Hanna Calligraphy

Simply Cinematic

Showorks

American Audio Visual

Simone Rosas-Makeover Station

Kate and Jared, Mr. & Mrs. Gissy and Ms Ellen Saft:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for trusting me with the most important day in your childrens' lives and for so sincerely and sweetly opening your hearts and family to me. This is not the end; simply the beginning!

Luck Comes in Three's: 2nd Announcement!

Remember that face above?!?

That is Brittany Sobering, and not only has she been my personal confidant at Solutions Bridal over the last 3 years, but she was also a bride of ours not too long ago! And we still love and support our great girlfriends at Solutions Bridal today and always!

Brittany's zest for fashion and style, the wedding industry and overall personal integrity have impressed me for some time now. It was just a matter of time before we made matters official..

Waiting for the most opportune moment, (and not even quite certain I achieved even that!) I leaned over to Brittany at some (probably poignant) point during her wedding and said, "You realize we need to talk when you return from your honeymoon; we're ready for you here!"

Mission accomplished!

Not only has Brittany agreed to join forces with my zany group of sassy Ladies, but she is personally assisting me with spearheading my new "baby," Escape...Luxury Destinations.

She has truly jumped in with both feet and ready to go. As I explained to her at our Cinco de Mayo team-meeting (hey, we all celebrate in different ways!) "That's how we roll..."

She's eager, ready, and most importantly, "gets it" with our team vision and values.

Welcome Brittany. You truly need no introduction though I am the one most proud to introduce you-

Brittany and Sam: Beauty and the...Injured???

I am feverishly looking forward to this Saturday's wedding of Brittany and Sam...

Brittany and I have actually known and worked togetehr for several years now as she has been my main go-to gal at (we all know it's my favorite!) Solutions Bridal.

The roles have been reversed for this true beauty and it's her turn to don the (Ramona Keveza) white dress and to be fussed over. (P.S.: I called that she would be wearing a Ramona years ago!!)

I do need to brag a bit about Brittany for a moment, however! She is indeed a true beauty; inside and out. I have never known her to be anything but "sunshine," poised, or to ever turn down a challenge. (Trust me, I feel I alone have put her through enough of those!)

This day is so well-deserved for Brittany and Sam. I know little, but enough of Sam to understand his true love for Brittany and the respect he has for his and her family. Now...for the injured part-- Sam was beginning to enjoy the beginning of his bachelor week in Costa Roca when a random accident int he water caused him to snap his collarbone immediately. Poor Sam! He is braving through this latest roadblock though! Pure joy should carry them through on Saturday-

What about these incredible images from their engagement session fromt he reknown Garrett Nudd?!? I hope to look that cute on my BEST day! :)

Garrett and Joy: What easy subjects! I can't wait to see your magic with their wedding images!

Being a part of Brittany and Sam's wedding planning has been an affecting experience that I have the highest anticipation for the actual big day and even higher expectations for their marriage--

Perfection at The Portofino

Creating an environment worthy of the "party" that Laura and Joe Cavallero wanted was an assignment I took very seriously (and happily!).
Laura and I met in my office months before her wedding and hit it off immediately. She was a "transplant" from Maryland and very unfamiliar to Orlando. You know the "mommy" in me just wanted to take care of her! :)
We hit the ground running, and she was certainly up for the task...
Laura came to me from the fabulous Lindsey Luxa so I knew she was all set with paper. Although she had a dress, I felt she should check out the dresses and have a little fun with my gals over at Solutions. Smart move: Look at that Rivini gown on her!
We had to progress further with a line-up of top professionals all to include Damon Tucci, Flourish, Bonnie Garfield with The Portofino, Wings of Sound, DJ Carl, Bake Me A Cake and Dale Dees.
As if planning with these 2 often included many laughs, jokes, a little wine and some sushi from time to time wasn't enough of a good time; the actual execution of the day was the perfect ending.
Laura started her day in the plush Presidential Suite with her bridesmaids getting pampered and all glam with Dale. The beautiful flowers were delivered, and the rest of the day was a seamless series of events, despite the rain call to move our ceremony inside. (Bonnie really hooked us up with an amazing Plan"B"!) Dreamy, classical prelude and ceremony music was the anticipated top-notch performance from Shannon Caine and her musicians with Beautiful Music. Shannon even had a fabulous saxophone player for the cocktail hour which truly set the tone for the party that waited behind those ballroom doors...
The food and service was top notch and the compliments were flowing--as was the martinis via the martini ice sculpture luge. Nice!
Looking over these images, seeing how gorgeous and handsome they looked from the inside out and remembering the fun we had through this process has made me so nostalgic to meet up again with Laura and Joe, and we did make that promise to stay in touch. Falling out of touch is NOT an option, right Laura??!? "YOU BETTA' DON'T!!" (Inside joke!)

Party + Posh = PERFECTION! That's my favorite kind of math!

Ahhh...The Breakers

Cinco de Mayo was celebrated by us and The Roberts/White family down in West Palm Beach. You don't need to be from Florida to know of this gorgeous, historic and incomparable landmark.
Corey Roberts and Sean White were afforded the most picturesque locale complimented by perfect weather and ambiance. Shameful as it may sound, driving up to the valet and heading into "work" didn't seem like work at all!

Mother of the bride, Christine Roberts enlisted our help throughout the engagement. Folks, I want to hire Christine!!! She has the most exquisite taste, style and poise that Corey trusted most decisions to her. (Smart girl!) Did you see those fabulous bags that she had embroidered for each bridesmaid?!? It didn't stop there, as we all joked that Christine is the "monogram queen!" Terri and I were even gifted gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer (monogrammed, of curse!) makeup bags...

When Corey stepped out of her luxury suite to head out for the ceremony and reception which were both held at The Breaker's West, people just stopped in their tracks to look at her and her lovely ladies. (Even with Sharon Stone staying just down the hall!!!) She truly was a vision in her Rivini gown and the ladies in Vera Wang. (Those had to be my favorite bridesmaid dresses of the year!)

Fearing that pictures could never do the Breakers justice, I stand corrected. Tom Munoz took the most amazing shots on the grounds,and the gorgeous floral decor created by the genuine and talented Debbie Brass with Nature's Bouquet. Working with these two professionals for the first time could not have gone any smoother, and I look forward to seeing them again for my South Florida weddings.

Good times to be had of course, (it was Cinco de Mayo after all!!) I recruited none other than Jeffrey Stoner to be on hand for the video documentary and DJ Carl to kick the party into high gear.

What a great time professionally and personally!
Ahhh...The Breakers!

The Knot's Real Weddings

We couldn't have been more thrilled to learn that a wedding we did at The Winter Park Raquel Club will be published this May in The Knot's Fall/Winter 2006 as a "Real Wedding."
Laurie and Zac Cheek were such a delight to work with, allowing me to translate their love story and style into this fantastic day.
College sweethearts, their story is told from her deep love of purple to Zac's time spent in Japan. Those 2 elements were all I needed to create the palette and backdrop for this smashing wedding.
Some highlights for me were convincing Laurie to dye her shoes lavender just days before the wedding, surprising Zac with a Boston Whaler speedboat processional entrance, (very dramatic, especially since he learned about this moments before we had him get on the boat!) that adorable zen garden ring pillow especially designed for them and that gorgeous Romona Keveza gown that seemed to be made only for her.
Various shades of purple were utilized in the overall design from linens to flowers, yet the overall "Asian-Chic" style prevailed.
And...you gotta love the picture of my high-heeled luggage tag. Every wedding planner should have one!