YOUR FOREVER BEGINS HERE

I am so excited to share this contest with you today!!  Constellation Culinary Group and Curtis Atrium have announced a most special contest.  The History of Us is a wonderful way for you to share your love story and enter to win a dream wedding.  The Curtis Atrium is an historic landmark and inspiring venue for your Happily Ever After.  And, Constellation Culinary Group is among the finest in the city.  Its a perfect combination for your big day. 

So, lets talk about the contest.  The History of Us, the story of your love and what makes you and your partner unique. That is what Constellation Culinary wants to know.  And, this is how you enter.  Create a Pinterest board with memories, favorite moments, songs, events, all of your adventures.  Then send your board to Constellation.  Share your board with Instagram using the hashtag- #hitchedweddingcontest.  Don't be shy!!  Share as much as you like.  The more interesting and unique your board, the better.  This will be so much fun.  Sharing your love story, remembering all of the things that make you, YOU!  

The contest runs through January 15, 2020.  The winner will be announced on the Curtis Atrium Facebook and Instagram pages.  Winning couple gets a beautiful wedding at the Curtis Atrium with delicious and artistically presented food by Constellation.  This is how to enter- 

1. Show the history of you and your fiancé using Pinterest. Create a new board and title it “The History of Us.” Then upload your favorite memories (places, songs, stories, etc.) Paint a digital picture of the history of your love. Make sure the link is set to public.
2. Email the link to your board to historyofUS@constellationculinary.com
3. Along with your email, be sure to include:
   a. First and last names of both of you
   b. When you got engaged
   c. What city/ town you live in
4. (Optional) Share a post about your board on your Instagram page using the hashtag #hitchedcontest, and tagging @byconstellation and @thecurtisatrium
5. Leave your board up through the end of the contest on January 15th. One lucky couple will win an expense paid wedding at The Curtis Atrium, which includes:
   • Venue Rental
   • Constellation Food and Beverage Package (Maximum value of $50,000/ Minimum 100 guests, Maximum 200 guests)

Here is the link to the rules.

Consider visting Curtis Atrium and meet with Contellation.  Because, even if you don't win, you will want to say your I Do's in this beautiful setting. Have Fun and Good Luck!!!

ROMANTIC AND ELEGANT HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans is one of the most romantic and haunted places to be married.  This is a city I would do weddings in all the time, there are so many amazing venues.  The history, the ghost stories, the voodoo.  So, in honor of Halloween tomorrow, I created a Halloween wedding at Race and Religious- my personal favorite and the most romantic venue in the city.

Steeped in history and original artifacts, this is a huge venue, made up of three buildings.  Its charming enough for an elegant wedding and just spooky enough to make it perfect for this day.  And, it is equipped with every modern amenity, while keeping with the original history, painstakingly renovated by its owner.  If you are planning a spectacular destination wedding, want to marry in a place that congers the spirits or just want your guests to have something to talk about for years to come, lets plan your Race and Religious wedding now!!   I would be so excited to help you plan your wedding here!  And, planners are a MUST here.   

DESTINATION ATLANTA

Beyond these tall modern buildings lies some of the richest history of the south.  We are going to explore some of that history today, while we check out some of the best places to get married.  

An imposing blue door is the center of Swan House.  The gardens are beautiful and surround the 1928 home of the Inman family.  Your ceremony happens in the gardens or at the bottom of the stone steps that lead up to the house.  Then, its a short walk over the bridge to the Grand Ballroom.  This impressive bit of history has many possibilities for your wedding celebration.  

The Foundry at Puritan Mill is a versatile venue.  Once the home of the Puritan Chemical Company, making and storing soap and cleaning products, this space has been transformed into a dramatic place to host your wedding.  With its pine beams, skylights and concrete floors, your vision of a modern, chic wedding in a historical setting can be realized.  

How about a wedding on a farm?!  The 1840's  Smith Family Farm survived the Civil War, and remains the oldest in Atlanta.  Once a Pig farm, this historical farm is now open to host your wedding.  A rustic feel, beautiful trees and gardens all come together at this charming destination.  Your guests can explore the house and gardens.  Dine in the garden, under the trees.  The space holds up to 200 guests and is a perfect spot for a wedding.  

I promised you a plantation and here it is.  Flint Hill is the perfect antebellum mansion for an elegant affair.  Original floors and mantles, lush gardens, a gazebo and the ballroom, encased in glass, overlooking the courtyard.  Perfect for spring or summer weddings.  

While we are on the subject of stately, elegant venues, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about The Biltmore Ballroom.  Built in 1924, the Biltmore Hotel was a hub for business and social occasions.  Today, after a massive renovation, it has been transformed into a premier event space for your big day.  Two ballrooms, The Georgian and the Imperial, have been restored with original handcrafted ceilings, marble floors, Palladian windows and crystal chandeliers.  You will feel like royalty in this opulent setting.


Of course, there are plenty of modern, industrial raw spaces to be had in this city.  The Cotton Gin is one not to be missed.  This early 1900's cotton gin boasts cedar walls, crystal chandeliers, vaulted ceilings and two centuries old water wheels.  There are two ceremony spots, both indoor and outdoor.  The groom and his men will enjoy a great "man cave" experience while getting ready and the bride and her maids will relax in the beautiful bridal suite.  This is really a wonderful choice for the modern couple looking for a bit of old world charm and great amenities.

The Engine Room is another funky and fun industrial place to hold your wedding.  It once held the engines that ran the cotton mills in this 1895 building.  Original wood flooring, weathered paint, pine columns, exposed brick and iron bars on the windows make this vintage beauty one to see.  There is an outdoor patio and plenty of photo ops.  Its a great place for a larger wedding, as it can hold 400 guests for a seated meal.  

Last stop on this tour is a real gem.  The Cloister Garden is like a magical place out of a fairy tale.  From the tiny moss covered chapel with stained glass windows and pine pews, to the garden with its magnificent canopy of grand oaks and the ballroom with its decorative ceiling and ornate chandeliers, you will feel like a fairy tale princess on your wedding day.  Located on Sea Island, on the southeastern shore, its not Atlanta, but its worth the ride.  There is something for every couple in this history drenched city and beyond.  So, happy hunting for your piece of history.

DESTINATION NEW ORLEANS

Feeling a little French today?  I hope so, because we are off to New Orleans.  And, I can't wait to show you all the wonderful places for a wedding you will find here.  This whole thing has become really hard.  There is so much out there in every city and its hard to just choose a few.  Every day is an adventure.  Every venue is a treasure.  Get ready, we are off to the south and our first pick of the day.  Ready?

Race and Religious is THE COOLEST venue!!  I should have saved this for last, but wait until you see it!  Dating back to the 1830's, this riverfront Garden District beauty has a vibe you won't be able to resist.  A Creole cottage, a 3 story row house and a "slave quarter" have been restored for spectacular events.  There are balconies, working fireplaces and gas lamps to add to the ambiance.  I must tell you, this restoration is raw and loaded with original components of the property.  It has been lovingly restored.  Oh, and the name- its on the corner of Race St and Religious St.  with the most luxurious amenities and a rich history, Race and Religious has to be on your short list!


Right in the heart of the French Quarter is the Pharmacy Museum.   The 1st licensed apothecary in the USA, this 1816 building holds the secret to a magical and romantic wedding.  This is an intimate space, with capacity for 70 guests for a seated dinner or 150 for a cocktail reception. And, your guests can enjoy some of the exhibits during your event.  Step back in time and enjoy this little piece of heaven at the Pharmacy Museum.

Marigny Opera House, an 1847 church, is another historic and interesting venue.  This impressive building was destroyed by fire, resurrected, plagued with Yellow Fever- until it was magically "cured" by prayers to St Roch.  After, it was the home of the Benedictine nuns and turned into a parochial school.  Closed and de-consecrated in 1999, it was turned into the opera house in 2011.  Now, you can hold your ceremony on the altar and then dance the night away.

Step out of the box and into the House of Blues.  Located in the French Quarter and totally unexpected as a wedding venue, House of Blues could be the event of the season for you and your guests.  With its funky, music hall interior and the surrounding local color of the French Quarter, who would even imagine that your wedding could be so awesome.  

Latrobe's on Royal, is an 1822 bank, built by the architect who also designed the Porticos or the White House, the US Capital and the waterworks system that helped to rid the south of Yellow Fever.  Much of the original structure and interior adds to the charm and ambiance of this iconic venue.  Some elements, such as the bank vault, the Whisper Dome and the original stone work will make your guests feel like they have stepped back into another time.  You can choose a southern cocktail party, a trendy soiree' or an elegant dinner here.  The attention to detail and the expert service will make it easy to to plan your wedding and enjoy the day.

Coffee lovers- there's a venue for you here too.  Chicory is an 1852 coffee warehouse that has become one of the premier venues in New Orleans.  With its old world charm and its modern amenities, you can have a memorable wedding in this charming location.  Coffee was a staple of life at the time this building was erected and chicory was added to stretch the supply.  The building still has the original beams, as well as gas lanterns, tin ceilings and exposed brick.  With several event spaces available, including a rooftop deck, the venue can accommodate up to 400 guests.  It's charming, it's quaint and it's all New Orleans.  

Today was fun.  So much history.  And, tomorrow on to Atlanta for more historic venues and maybe a plantation.  

WEATHER...OR NOT

One of the hardest things about planning a wedding is WEATHER!   Nobody can predict the weather a year away.  What you can do is have a PLAN B and hope for the best possible outcome.  Today, with a hurricane brewing in the Atlantic, I decided to help you plan for the unexpected cloud burst, the snowstorm or an impending rainy day.  

Outdoor weddings in late summer or early fall are beautiful.  However, it is also hurricane season.  If the venue has a built in plan B that's wonderful.  If they don't, you need to have one.  Rent a tent!  Not only will it keep the raindrops from ruining your day, but it will keep the sun from beating down on your guests if it is hot.  Tents can be beautiful.  There are so many styles to choose from and they even have chandeliers.  And, make sure you get a floor put in.  Nobody wants to be tramping around on damp ground in heels.  This wedding was at a private home.  The patio was perfect for cocktail hour.   But, it had rained quite a bit the week before and there was the threat of rain that day.  Beyond this lovely patio was a tent for dinner.  We didn't need to do it, but we could have put an awning from here to the tent entrance, in the event of rain.  As you can see, the rain held off and the day was overcast, but perfect.  One piece of advice- if it rains, have an umbrella and just dance in it!  You may be surprised to find that one of your favorite photos turns out to be a rainy one.

Now, lets talk about your winter wonderland wedding!  This one is a little trickier.  Snow can create some real stress when planning a wedding in the winter months.  What if it snows the night before?  What if there is a blizzard?  What if its icy?  Here are a few tips to keep you sane while you watch the weather forecast.  

Make sure that you arrange for your flowers.  If there  is bad snow on your wedding day, will the florist deliver your flowers or will you have to pick them up?  Arrange for transportation that can safely get you and your bridal party to your venue.  Or, perhaps plan your wedding at an inn, a hotel or some other venue that has lodging for you and your guests that doesn't require driving.  City weddings in the winter can be a great alternative.  Everything is with in a short walk.  Or, like this beautiful couple of mine, plan for a comfy, country inn that has it all right there.  Make sure the venue has cleared all walking paths and parking areas.  And, most of all, relax!  It will all turn out.  What could be better than a photo like this one to remember the adventure of your snow day vows!

Remember this- its your wedding day!  And, there is a special kind of magic in a wedding with weather.  Rain is good luck.  And, snow brings that fairy like quality to your winter dream.  So, don't worry about the weather.  It will all work out.  And, you will have that perfect day- and maybe some special photos to remember the magic.  Happy Planning!

GREAT PERFORMANCES

One of my first weddings was here, at Wave Hill, on the Hudson in New York. The bride was a producer for 60 Minutes and everything had to be perfect! Enter one of New York's finest caterers- Great Performances!! It was a glorious affair! So, how thrilled was I when asked to reconnect with Liz yesterday!!! Great Performances is the exclusive caterer at Wave Hill and several other premier venues in New York City, 
including The Plaza Hotel. 

Liz Neumark is the creative force and owner of this finely tuned company, and she never misses a beat! Working with Liz and her team is a pleasure and so easy. Her attention to detail and her philosophy about a bride's wedding day are right on the mark.

Great Performances has a new Wedding EPK- to tell the story of what they can and will do and keeping brides abreast of trends on the cutting edge of weddings and food. The list of possibilities is only as limited as your imagination. With stunning venues, a professional team of experts on all facets of weddings and menus that are fresh, seasonal and from local sources. 

Liz began her journey as an artist, with a passion for photography. She formed a company providing waitress help for special events- employing women in the arts who needed steady work. And, "by accident", as Liz likes to refer to it, Great Performances was born. Today, she maintains one of the top catering companies in New York AND owns a farm where many of the ingredients are grown for the company.

Katchkie Farm , a 60 acre farm in NY state, is home to many of the vegetables, herbs and spices used in making the the beautiful and delicious dishes that will be served at your wedding. Liz wanted a sustainable and environmentally respectful approach to her kitchens, with farm inspired dishes and a collaborative effort with other local food sources. She uses flavors in season and creates menus based on what is fresh and growing NOW.

I asked Liz about some of the things her culinary team creates and my mouth was watering as she described soups, ravioli, hors d oeuvres and other delectable goodies that evolve out of the Great Performance kitchens.





In addition to the wonderful culinary delights of Great Performances, you will find no shortage of other creative geniuses at work at Great Performances. Your wedding will be styled from start to finish- with every design detail tailored to your vision. From artistic table top design to unique serving pieces, to your printed materials, everything will be impeccable and a treat for the eyes.



The creative team at Great Performances also stays current on all the latest trends. Farm tables, small plates, creative venues, unique ways of serving food, gluten free menus, all things that are trending. Staying at the top of her game is Liz's priority. Liz has catered to celebrities, top corporations and those that understand the quality and expertise of Great Performances.

I look forward to collaborating with Liz on more weddings and I am thrilled to be able to share Great Performances with all of you! Thanks to Liz and her team for always doing an outstanding job and for the opportunity to share your success with my readers! To contact Great Performances:

Great Performances Inquiry

Happy Planning! 

SHEARER ELEGANCE

 There is a treasure hidden in the countryside of Montgomery County that is perfect for a romantic getaway, a bachelorette weekend, a place to pop the question or a destination for your wedding party's overnight stay or your rehearsal dinner.  A lovely place for a bridal shower or luncheon for the special girls in your wedding.   Shearer Elegance is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion with a cozy and inviting atmosphere.   From the big wrap around porch to the glorious woodwork throughout and the lovely antiques and treasures in every room, you won't find a friendlier place to entertain your wedding guests.   And, starting on February 3, 2013, there will be a series of bridal events- Bridal Blossoms, hosted by Whimsical Welcomes Floral Design.   Come and see the house and find out all about flowers for your wedding, plus speak to wedding experts about your questions in planning your big day.  Tour the house, feel the love and come away feeling more informed.  Can't wait to see you there.  More details to follow in my Tidbits and Events.           

MARY ANN AND OMAR: A BEAUTIFUL DAY

The view from the suite at the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia was spectacular!  As Mary Ann was pampered in preparation for her big day, she could see the turning leaves and Independence Park out the window.    A lovely table of delicious pastries, fresh fruit juice and pitchers of water with strawberries floating in them were laid out by the hotel to keep the bride fed.  It was nice to see how calm Mary Ann was as she was fussed over by her hairdresser and Kelly Quinlan of Face the Occasion.   After all she had been through, the last thing I wanted was for her to feel the least bit nervous or stressed.      

By the time the photographer got there, Mary Ann was ready to go.  I was touched by the way that she fussed over her mother and actually took the time to dress her, while Sarah Miller and Patience shot photos of the dress and the flowers and the blue shoes.  I also thought it was so sweet how Mary Ann had a brooch pinned to her bouquet with a photo of her dad. When it was time, I got the bride into her gown and sent her off to the hotel roof for

some time alone before the ceremony.  

 

 Meanwhile, I went to check on the officiant and the Girard Room, where the reception would be held.   Mary Ann had all her own touches to add to the table.  Being an intimate party for just the family, there was one long table.   Gold charger plates and lots of votives made for a glimmering table, with flowers by Cheryl Ann Floral Design.  All the flowers were white with lots of deep green touches.   It made for a spectacular table.   The cake, from Bredenbeck's was so pretty.  I added the fresh flowers to it in addition to setting up the table and the gift table.  

 The ceremony took place on the roof under a perfectly blue sky.   Cocktail hour was immediately following in the Mist Pavilion.  While the guests gathered to share the day, the couple made their way to Independence Park for photos.   And, then it was off to the Girard Room for a lovely dinner and dancing to the sounds of Sound Sensation and DJ Mike Ellis.   

 DJ Mike even got out on the floor and got the party moving!   It was a great day and a beautiful time had by all. 

 As this wedding almost didn't happen, due to a string of disasters 3 weeks before, I must thank Michael Mitloff of the Hotel Monaco and ALL of the staff of the hotel for their outstanding efforts, cooperation and service in order to assist me in making this couple's wedding more than they ever dreamed.   I could not have done this without Michael, whom I called almost every day.  He was tireless in making every detail possible.   I also want to mention Erik Travers, whose attention to detail with the presentation of the meal and constant concern made for a flawless reception and to the chef, Guillermo Tellez, whose food is outstanding!   And, finally, to Nick Gregory, the general manager, who kept in contact with me and made sure nothing went awry.   This was truly one of my biggest triumphs!   Everything went wrong for this adorable bride and yet, her day turned into a magical experience that she could not have imagined.   

I got this from Mary Ann yesterday.   And, they are planning a party early next year for all the people they did not have at the wedding.  So, I will be working with them again. 

  'Thank you for everything. We really can't say enough about how great you were through this entire journey. You are absolutely wonderful.  This was better than we ever imagined and I now believe that things happen for a reason."