THE WEDDING PAVILION

There is a little bridal salon in Paoli that I have fallen in love with. The Wedding Pavilion belongs to a long time shop owner that we all know and love- The VanCleve Collection. Deborah has been selling amazing dresses to women for years from sportswear and accessories to proms and mother of the bride. She has impeccable taste and there is something for every woman needing a formal gown or a dress for a business event. Now, Deborah has a shop dedicated to the bride. I have been in many bridal salons and they all have beautiful dresses. But, there is just something very special about this store. Dresses here, I have not seen anywhere else. The Wedding Pavilion also has a nice selection of short and sassy dresses for that modern bride.

Some of the outstanding designers that The Wedding Pavilion features are all shown here in order...
Anjolique,
Watters and Watters,
Pronovias
Lela Rose- exclusively in this area.
These dresses may or may not be in the store, they are only samples of the particular designer. But, rest assured that you will find plenty of dresses in these styles to choose from.
Deborah and Abigail do a wonderful job of making the bride feel like a princess. The shop is charming and cozy, with a very girl atmosphere. Everywhere you look there is yet another dress to look at.

The salon is open by appointment, so be sure to give them a call at 610-647- 5085. The Wedding Pavilion offers custom design work, expert alterations and bridesmaids dresses. The Wedding Pavilion is a class act!







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THE VENUE: PHOENIXVILLE FOUNDRY

Are you looking for a totally unique venue for your wedding with all the elegance of Philadelphia or New York City, but without the cost of an urban setting? Then, I have found it for you! The Phoenixville Foundry is a spectacular venue in beautiful Chester County. Only minutes from the Turnpike and a short distance from Philadelphia, this gem of a venue is a perfect place for an elegant affair.

Built in the 1800's, this building once housed the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company. Known for pouring the steel girders for bridges and buildings, it has a lush history that spans many generations and plenty of well- known landmarks with its steel. Now, after years of sitting idle, it has been transformed into one of the premier venues for special events in the Philadelphia area.


















From the moment you drive up to the the beautifully restored stone building, you will be dazzled by the ambiance and the elegance of this historic site. The lovely grounds and the picturesque sculpture garden and pavilion are perfect for an outdoor ceremony or for cocktails. There is also another arbor- like brick terrace on the side of the building for cocktails or an outdoor bar during you reception.







There are more perfect locations than I can show you here for photos, so I have chosen a few that really stand out. The bridge over French Creek is just so charming and a shot from the main entrance at night makes a stunning cover for your wedding album. A photo of your indoor ceremony in front of one of the original pieces of machinery left from the foundry will be a topic of conversation, both at the wedding and for years after.













And, your first dance on the mahogany dance floor is worth the price of admission. With the 60' high ceilings and the incredible chandeliers, your photos will be quite a memory. The mezzanine is equally as beautiful and the perfect place for the bridal party to descend onto the dance floor. Boys on one side and girls on the other to meet at the bottom and make a grand entrance. From the center of the mezzanine, the staff at the foundry likes to display the wedding cake on a high top table with a spot on the cake and the chance for the couple to cut the cake in a truly unique photo high above the guests, but in everyone's view. The mezzanine looks down onto a panoramic view of the entire ballroom- just gorgeous!
The mezzanine is also a great place for the cocktail hour. The building is equipped with an elevator for those guests that can't climb the wonderful and imposing staircase. Dinner in the entire space of the downstairs ballroom can seat up to 400 people and if you have a smaller number, the west wing can be used as a cozy and elegant lounge area for guests to enjoy after dinner.







The Foundry has a lost of preferred caterers- all of whom work with the best ingredients and with the most polished staffs and impressive chefs. Two of my favorites are Feast Your Eyes and Jimmy Duffy's. All the linens come from the best, Party Rental. There are many options for lighting, seating, floral decor and other design elements that you may want to add. the staff at The Foundry is very knowledgeable and ready to suggest whatever you need. Of course, having a planner to help you coordinate and implement your one of a kind event is always a good idea. This bride was a gymnast and brought this unique and fabulous element to her wedding.












The Foundry has all the amenities you would expect from a Philadelphia or New York venue. The sound system is fabulous, the bridal suite is well appointed and comfortable and the rest rooms are large and really beautiful. The unique details, the beautiful grounds and the history of this building are enough to make any wedding an "affair to remember". Hotels abound and transportation to and from the site can be arranged with most of them. There is also plenty of history for your guests to take in, so plan to make a weekend of it. There is room for everything, including a place for children to be entertained during your wedding and for the groomsmen to gather while the girls are getting ready. Nothing has been left out here. I am so excited to have been there to see it and would love to take you there to see why you should book your wedding here. Dates are filling fast and there are very few left for 2011. So, let's get together and go see The Foundry. Once you see it, you will see why this is the perfect destination for a city wedding in the country.
For more information or to book your wedding, contact Joan Kelly or Caroline Debottis at 610-917-8400. You can find them also on Partyspace and check the date you want.

Thanks to Joan for the wonderful tour and history lesson yesterday. It was beyond my expectations.

PHOTO CREDITS:
Philip Gabriel, Laura Eaton, Jean Valentin, Kevin York, Epic, A. Trice, Sofia Negron


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A VALENTINE FROM COLIN COWIE

Colin Cowie has a special Valentine for brides to be! On February 14, he will reveal the the details of a contest to win a 30 minute phone consultation with him. So, follow Colin on Twitter and enter to win a chance to ask him anything about your wedding planning.



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THE SPRING MILLS AND THE BLAIR MILL TOO

My visit to Spring Mill Country Club and Spring Mill Manor, today, was lovely. After a tasty lunch with Susan Kennedy, we toured the two properties, as well as the Blair Mill Inn. These three properties are all run by the same company, but are all very different in style. The country club is beautifully landscaped with a golf course and gardens. Driving up the long lane to the stately white portico is charming. Sitting on the grounds is the gazebo, perfect for an outdoor ceremony with a brick path to lead the way. There are two well appointed rooms to entertain your guests in style.The large ballroom has one wall of floor to ceiling windows and a large dance floor. Use the smaller ballroom for cocktails, while the grand piano plays in the background. The food is fresh and delicious and the staff is very accommodating. The deluxe wedding package includes one hour of
hors d' ovueres, four hour open bar, champagne toast, your choice of linens, wedding cake, white gloved service and a maitre d'. There is also a bridal suite included for you to gather and have a place to relax and freshen up.
The Manor has a style all it's own. Walk into the gorgeous lobby to marble floors and a grand staircase. Just picture the bouquet toss from the top of those stairs!

Here, the deluxe wedding package offers hors d’ oeuvres for one hour, butler and buffet style, your choice of champagne or Asti Spumante toast with a strawberry, a deluxe open bar including cordials, choice of color coordinated floor length table linens, runners, napkins and chair covers, a luxurious bridal suite, oversized round tables of 12, selection of beautiful cakes, a magnificent dessert display, elegant white glove service, professional maitre d’, complimentary valet service - Saturday evenings only (April thru December).
Both of these venues has a special charm and a personality all it's own. But, the one thing they both share is the expertise of Susan Kennedy and the wonderful staff that assists every bride from beginning to end. Contact Susan with questions, more information or to tour and book your wedding at Spring Mill Country Club or Spring Mill Manor at skennedy@springmillcountryclub.com or 215- 675- 6000.

If you are a more budget conscious bride, then Blair Mill Inn may be the perfect spot for you. With several ballrooms to choose from and a package that fits your budget, the Blair Mill Inn offers the same courteous service and a perfect event. So, get started and see if your date is available and then call Susan to see the Blair Mill Inn.

Thank you, Susan, for giving me your time today and for sharing your three wonderful venues for a memorable



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THE VENUE- MARRIOTT WEST

This week I am going to focus on venues. Of course, there are so many different kinds of properties to hold your wedding. So, I chose three venues that are all very different. Today I paid a visit to The Marriott West in Conshohocken. This lovely hotel, located conveniently close to major highways and historic locations, just went through a huge renovation and it is just beautiful.













Planning a wedding here is easy, convenient and all- encompassing. From the room block for the out of town guests and wedding party, to the rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception, to the amazing room for the newlyweds to spend their first night as husband and wife, The Marriott West has it all. The amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool, exercise room, sauna and Shula's- a great restaurant with fabulous food. The hotel has 285 smoke free rooms and a presidential suite. Room rates for your event start at about $110 a night with complimentary parking. There is a parking garage on site. There is also an airport shuttle. Once your guests are settled in their perfectly appointed rooms, the party can begin. Choose from a buffet style rehearsal dinner with selections of things like salmon marinated in olive oil, garlic and white wine and finished with a tomato vinaigrette or short ribs braised in a Guinness BBQ sauce. Dessert is decadent and they serve Starbucks coffee. You can also choose a sit down dinner with selections like Roasted lime chicken or filet. Either way, your taste buds will be very please with the choices. You can see the menus here. Then, when the big day arrives, you can choose from several wedding packages from an afternoon brunch to a formal sit- down dinner for up to about 280 people. All of the wedding packages include open bar, wedding cake, champagne toast,linens, candle centerpieces plus, parking for your guests and an upgraded room for the bride and groom. Every wedding gets the assistance of an in- house coordinator to make sure that you are comfortable and taken care of at the hotel for your entire event. I have to say here, that this does not replace the assistance of a planner. Marriott's planners are only focused on what happens at the hotel. But, they are very good at that and you will be well cared for. There is ample room for your ceremony and the ballroom is beautiful. Here is a before and after photo of the ballroom. I love the chandeliers.













Enhancements at the Marriott West for weddings include things like valet parking, ice sculptures, stations for cocktail hour and Starbucks stations, Viennese Table for dessert, martini bars, and many others. These are all explained in the wedding packages. Finally, entertain your overnight guests the next day with a lovely breakfast or brunch buffet. These menus are delicious.
In addition to all the wonderful things about the Marriott West and having a wedding there, is the Rewards Program. You can earn up to 50,000 points towards many great rewards just by having your wedding here.

I am so glad I went to see the new look of the a place I have worked in the past and I am happy to be able to share with you all the wonderful things you will find at the Marriott West.






If you have questions, need more information or want to book your wedding at the Marriott West, contact Ellen Rundbaken at 610-260-9411 or email her at ellen.rundbaken@marriott.com Thanks, Ellen, for a lovely and informative visit and a great lunch!




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FAVOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Looking for a favor for your "green" wedding? Here's an idea that will help the rainforest and be a lovely addition to your tables. This pretty letterpress donation card from Smock is a fitting favor for your "green" wedding. This is how it works:
"Congratulations! Your wedding day will be unforgettable, making it the perfect opportunity to share your passion for the environment with your family and friends. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, honor your guests and “green” your wedding by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Amazon Conservation Association on their behalf. As a token of our appreciation, ACA will send you gift donation card letterpress printed on sustainable bamboo paper, which explains how your donation has helped protect the Amazon and create a better livelihood for local communities. Please pass this opportunity along to your engaged family members and friends! For further details, please contact Gena at info@amazonconservation.org."

So, for a departure from the chocolates, the picture frames and all the other ordinary favors, try this donation as a way to thank your guests and save the Earth. You can read all of the details here or contact Gena at info@amazonconservation.org or 202-234-2356.




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FATHER OF THE BRIDE

Tonight, I watched Father of the Bride. I have seen it many times, but this time, it gave me an idea for this little post. When Spencer Tracy played the father of the bride, it was 1950. The wedding was held in a church and the reception at the family home. The caterer's per person charge was $3.75- yes, three dollars and seventy five cents. The orchestra cost $85. The cake less than $400. OK, dads! Imagine, as you write checks for thousands of dollars, if your daughter got married then. Sweet moments in the movie included the chat between father and daughter about walking down the aisle- the bride scared and the father having just had a nightmare, the chaotic rehearsal and the phone call by the bride to say goodbye to her daddy as she was boarding a train for the fishing shack in Nova Scotia. Of course, the remake with Steve Martin included a more take on the father's role,the cost and, who could forget Franck-the flamboyant wedding planner! I love the old movies and watch them all the time. This one just brought to mind a more innocent and sweet time for a young lady to be getting married and her father's feelings about it.





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