"Rock The New Year" Bash

The Wedding Party gang before our first annal "Rock The New Year" Bash!

Last night we had the best time!  The Wedding Party through a get-together for wedding professionals to relax and socialize and get ready for a great 2009.  When we originally picked the date back in October, Theresa Fishburne from Simply Delicious! Cakes commented that it was also Elvis' birthday, and that got the ball rolling for our 50's themed event.

As you can see from the photo, we all dressed in 50's attire, until it was time for the Gator game, and then lots of orange and blue came out.  Laura Parrish, of Celebrated Occasions, Theresa, and I spent several hours creating a giant juke box to hang over the dance floor, and we add Elvis photos, records and music notes around the room.

Theresa created three different cakes that were topped with fondant records, and Connie Duglin Specialy Linen provided black and white check table cloths.

If you need help with a themed event, give us a call!

A Lovely Note

Hi Heather,

I just wanted to thank you so much for all your hard work!!! (and your assistant of course!!) Everything was perfect and I could not have asked for a more beautiful wedding!! It really was great having you there and thank you so much for doing such a fantastic job! I really felt like you had everything under control and I didn't even think about any of the details, which was great...and neither did our Moms which is always a good thing!! ;)

Thank you again, and we could not have done it without you! I don't know if you like to have any pictures of the wedding, etc., but I will forward the photo link to you if you like (I think the pics should be up in a few days!).

Thanks and I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year!

-- Liz

Read all about Liz's wedding here!

Now On Newstands!

It's finally here - the debut issue of Southern Weddings!  I picked up my copy this morning at Barnes and Noble on my way in to the office.  While I have only had a chance to flip through the pages, I can tell already that it is on my "faves" list!

What are your favorite features or articles?  Post a comment to let us know!

Cristina & Ryan (01.03.09)

Our first wedding of 2009 was a great success!  Cristina and Ryan couldn't have asked for better weather for their outdoor wedding at The Garden Club of Jacksonville.  The simple but elegant decor in the courtyard was mirrored by the bride and groom's words to each other during the ceremony.  Their moving vows were officiated by Cheryl Raby of A Vow, Two Keep in front of 60 of their closest family and friends.  The bride and groom blended their families with the Sands of Unity ceremony, with Cristina pouring sand from Florida and Ryan using soil from Kansas. Kyle Wehner provided classic violin accompaniment that accented the sophisticated style the bride embraced.

After the ceremony, the guests moved inside The Garden Club for cocktails and hors d'ouevres while the bridal party posed for photos by the St. Johns River.  Dinner was served after the bride and groom danced to "Fly Me To The Moon," and the bride's father gave a wonderful welcome speech.

Catering By Liz provided the scrumptious food, including Pistachio Crusted Chicken and Wild Mushroom Risotto.

Table linens in chocolate brown bengaline were topped with pale pink and green floral arrangements by Riverside Event Design.  Cristina designed elegant programs, table numbers, menu cards, escort cards, and place cards in ivory and chocolate brown, accented with a gold stamped design and pink rinestone.

After dinner, DJ David Hanscom of Y? Entertainment provided a variety of dance music.  The gorgeous wedding cake, provided by Etiquette of Chocolate, was pale green with small sugar flower accents and set atop a beautiful apple green bark table cloth.  In lieu of a groom's cake, donuts were served.

Photographers Kris and Kate from Kris Graham Photography captured every moment with their artist style.  Here is a post with more images!

Congratulations!

More marriage proposals occur during December than any other time of year, and we're here to help!  If you received a shiny new ring this week, be sure to give us a call at 904-739-8003 to begin planning your big day!

Liz & Blake (12.27.08)

Liz and Blake are a very interesting couple, and their friends and family were great to spend the post-holiday weekend with.

The happy newlyweds live just outside Washington, D.C., where Blake is a Foreign Service Officer. (I had to look it up too - these are the people that staff embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions.) Liz is in law school, although I think she will be one of the most beautiful lawyers in the country!

Blake's parents live in Sawgrass Country Club, so the wedding weekend was hosted around Ponte Vedra Beach.  After a short rehearsal on Friday evening, the bride and groom joined their guests for a rehearsal dinner at Cafe on the Green, at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort and Spa.

On the wedding day, the girls were treated to hair and makeup at a Sawgrass condo while Wilson's Ltd. prepared the ceremony and reception venues.

The entrance to the atrium at Sawgrass Golf Club was elegantly draped with chiffon, creating a curtained entrance for the bride.  A beautiful arch and alter arrangements flanked the fireplace to create a romantic alter for the exchange of vows and rings.

After the ceremony, the guests moved to Sawgrass Beach Club for an sophisticated dinner reception.  They enjoyed the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean while the bridal party headed out to the beach for sunset photos with photographer Michael McNett.  Cocktail hour featured a specialty drink called "The Liberty," a red, white, and blue mixture in honor of the groom's patriotism.

The dining room was a combination of white and navy blue, with tables named for landmarks around Washington, D.C.  Each table featured a photo of the bride and groom at each landmark, and the escort cards where American flag themed.

The Faze provided excellent music to keep the party going.  The giant five-tier cake by Etiquette of Chocolate was designed with the same motif as the bride's gown, and each tier was a unique flavor combination.

It was a beautiful day with beautiful people, and a beautiful way to end the year!

(Read Liz's thank you note here)

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all the best this holiday season!

Accordian Envelope Project

I was exploring Paper-Source.com today, looking for some fun new papers to use around the office in 2009.  To my surprise, I came across a project that fills a need I have been dealing with for a long time: organizing paper in my purse.

I am constantly finding a stack of paper in the bottom of my purse - business cards that I get at networking events, business and personal receipts, and ideas I write down while driving.  I have been looking for something to corral all that paper without adding even more weight to my already hefty handbag, and I think this is just the thing!

As a wedding-related use, imagine how cute this would be to send to your out-of-town guests!  Pockets could be labeled accommodations, attractions, restaurants, events, maps - or, if you are planning an entire wedding weekend, each day could have a pocket with that day's itinerary, dress code, etc.

For complete project instructions, visit the Paper-Source.com website.

And Baby Makes Three

One of our fall 2007 couples, Ashley and John, welcomed their first baby boy to their family just after their anniversary in October.  It is always so exciting to keep up with our clients after their weddings are over, and I couldn't be more happy for this adorable threesome.  Jack, you couldn't have chosen nicer parents!

Free Military Weddings

An organization on Florida's First Coast is giving weddings to our most deserving citizens - our Armed Forces, police officers and firefighters. Thank You Weddings was created by David Hanscom of Y? Entertainment, and will be giving away four weddings during 2009.  Applications are being accepted through December 31st for spring weddings.

The current Thank You Weddings package includes Wedding Coordination, Photography, Videography, Entertainment, Rentals, Linens and Decor valued at $12,000.

Check out this recent interview from First Coast News about Thank You Weddings!

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit!

This is a Christmas picture of the First Coast Weddings and Events team. As Heather had posted below, we all had a fantastic night first attending the Sharon Batten Bridal Fashion Show, followed by dinner at Urban Flats in Ponte Vedra. We were all getting into the Christmas spirit!

Trendy Bridesmaid Jewelry Your Maids Will Love

There is such a variety of bridesmaid jewelry out there, that finding a trendy piece that matches your wedding colors and theme is easy to do.  Giving the gift of bridesmaid jewelry to your maids is a gift that continues after the wedding.  Finding trendy pieces that both compliment your bridesmaids gown, but also compliment the color scheme is a task in itself.

With vintage with a modern twist being a fashion forward style, this also translates to many styles of bridesmaids jewelry as well.  There are many beautiful filigreed designed bridesmaid jewelry designs, they provide a vintage flair with modern crystals and pearls that add the final touches.

Finding jewelry pieces for your bridesmaids is one of the nice ways to say thank you for being a part of the special day.  Selecting quality made products that offer a timeless design actually gives your bridesmaids a piece that they can add to their own accessory collection and wear for many occasions to come.  Most style necklaces can be worn with a pair of jeans and a great blouse to up the fashion notch a bit.  Trendy bridesmaid jewelry selections also allow for your bridesmaids to wear their jewelry with great skirts and dresses that they may wear to other weddings, celebrations and memorable events.

When you select your bridesmaid jewelry, try to search for pieces that will first compliment their bridesmaids gowns, your wedding style and color scheme.  Finding a great piece that matches their gowns and fits their style as well is a gift to your bridesmaids that will keep on giving.  They will love and appreciate the thought you placed into their bridesmaid jewelry selections.

by Bonnie of Bonita J http://www.bonitaj.com info@bonitaj.com 888-430-2623

My Kind of Christmas Tree!

I'll admit it, I've never been into Christmas.  My dad's family lives in a town called Christmas, where there is a permanent Christmas tree and until recently had a post office that resembled a gingerbread house.  My holidays as a child were a rushed and hectic time being juggled between my divorced parents and extended families. When I was in college, I worked in retail, which meant Christmas was a time of cranky customers and screaming children.  After college, I worked in the convention services department of a large hotel where Christmas meant working 6-7 days a week at all hours of the day.

All this combines to make me a little Christmas-weary.  Not to mention the fact that they start decorating the mall in OCTOBER.

However, the friendly elves at Serenatea have been hard at work for the past few weeks making an entire forest of Christmas cookie trees.  I know, you are thinking, what is so special about a tree-shaped cookie?  Well, these are three-dimensional trees!

I don't decorate my house for the holidays, but I could definitely get used to having one of these cuties around - at least for an hour until I ate it!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We love the holidays around the office, because nice people are always stopping by with goodies! Today it was the super-sweet Ashley English from Bella Bridesmaid, with the delicious cupcakes from Cami Cakes!  Thanks, Ashley!

Cans for Comments

Several blogs I read daily are participating in a great holiday idea, so I thought I would join in too!  For every comment left on our blog between now and December 22nd, we will donate one can to The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida.

Show us the love, both for First Coast Weddings and for those in need!

Cocktails and Designer Wedding Gowns!

Two of my favorite things in one location! Sharon Batten is having a cocktail party and fashion show at her boutique this Thursday evening, and you won't want to miss it.  Our team will be there, so contact us if you would like to join us.

BRIDAL FASHION SHOW Thursday December 11th

6-8pm

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres

RSVP

Available by appointment Friday and Saturday

Oscar de le Renta

Vera Wang

Monique Lhuillier

Melissa Sweet

Priscilla of Boston

Lela Rose

The Cotton Bride

-- SharonBatten 330 A1A North, suite 212 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Ph. 904.285.4544, Fax 904.285.4244

Here's a description that Nicole emailed to me:

I hope that you will be able to make this event. This a great chance to see  our gorgeous gowns being modeled. We will also have an assortment of extra gowns from the designers that we carry just for that weekend.  If you can think of anyone who might be interested, please forward along. Hope to see you soon.

If you can't make it to the event Thursday, be sure to check out Sharon Batten's Brial Atelier for great designer gowns any time!

Gifts Your Bridal Party Will Love

Today I was strolling around one of my favorite place, Stein Mart, picking up some small gifts for friends, and I started thinking about wedding party gifts.  How many times have you been a bridesmaid and gotten a silly little trinket that you've never used?  Why not be practical with gifts? My favorite gift I have received was at my cousin's beach wedding - she had a beach bag with a towel, flip flops, and assorted other goodies for each bridesmaid, but personalized to each girl's taste.  My bag was pink, with a pink print towel, and pink flip flops that I wore on the wedding day both before and after donning my Tiffany blue gown.  I honestly couldn't even tell you what else was in there, but I'm sure I use most of it on a daily basis!

What is her favorite perfume?  Favorite lotion or bubble bath?  What books does she love? In theory, your bridesmaids should be your closest friends, so you should have no problem putting together a goody bag for them. Do they love purses?  Shoes?  Don't feel like your gifts need to be "wedding" specific!

And just for inspiration (and fun!), here is a peek at the gift bag that Eva Longoria presented to her bridesmaids!

• Assorted Mints from Altoids $10.00
• Baccarat Crystal Heart Bracelet $225.00
• Casio Cameras $300.00
• Chic In Paris: Style Secrets & Best Addresses by Susan Tabak $28.00
• Dearfoam Slippers $25.00
• Deborah Lippman Nail Polish Kit $80.00
• H. Stern Earrings $1,000.00
• Hayden Harnett Makeup Bag $65.00
• Kacey K Pendants $1,050.00
• Poivre Piquant and Piment Brulant Fragrances from L'Artisan $170.00
• Laura Mercier Cosmetics $99.00
• Lierac Skin Care Products $119.00
• Laurel Denise Necklace $108.00
• LG Chocolate Phone $150.00
• Longchamp Bag $120.00
• Luca Luca Gift Certificate $500.00
• Madame Paulette Spot Cleaning Kit $50.00
• Phaidon Paris City Guide $9.00
• Phyto Hair Care Products $92.00
• Sally Nails Manicure Kit $12.00
• Swarovski Crystal-Encrusted iPod Shuffle $150.00
• Totes Umbrella $25.00
• Piper Heidsieck Champagne $5.00
• White & Warren Wraps $200.00
• Flora Nikrooz Nightgown $200.00
• Alain Mikli Sunglasses $500.00
• Michel Cluizel Chocolate $75.00
• Plantronics Headsets $53.00
• Lia Sophia Red Crystal Deco Ring $150.00
• Lia Sophia Clear Crystal Baguette Bracelet $1,500.00
• Lia Sophia White Cabachon Earrings $200.00
• Lia Sophia Crystal Ring $75.00
• Lia Sophia Crystal Panel Bracelet $675.00

That's right, total value is over $8,000!

(source: OK! Magazine)

Tulle is a 4-Letter Word

"You can never have enough tulle!" I was listening to tonight's episode of "My Fair Wedding" on WeTV while sitting on the couch with my laptop, trying to organize my calendar for the short week ahead.  When I heard the phrase, "You can never have enough tulle," I had to look up and hit the rewind button on my DVR.

I thought David Tutera's head was going to explode.  Literally.

Luckily, he held it together with a smirk and a "oh yes you can!"

In case you haven't read Danielle's updated bio, she had a great take on this: "I believe that tulle has its place... and that place is underneath a wedding gown."  Unfortunately, David's bride Amanda had an entire dress made of tulle, and was planning to have more tulle added!

If you are considering using tulle anywhere in your wedding (except UNDER your dress!), call a design professional for other ideas - whether it is your coordinator, your florist, or just a friend who knows fabrics. Organza, chiffon, and silk are much nicer words to use in your vocabulary.

(Strangely enough, David let her keep her tulle dress! I didn't see that one coming.)

Angelique & Matt (11.08.8) - Part 2

Incredible photographer Scarlett Lillian has posted more photos from Angelique and Matt's wedding!  Check out more, plus a slideshow, on Scarlett's blog.

New Team Headshots

It's been on my to-do list for a long time, but it's finally done!  We have a new team photo on our website.

Michelle Dearing of Oeil Photography did a fabulous job.  I had a hard time choosing one picture of each person to use for the collage!  Maybe I'll get creative and do something funky with them in the future.

Michelle just moved here from Pensacola, so be sure to check out her work if you have not booked a photographer already!  You're going to love her style, I just know it.