A Wedding To Remember

Featured Professional ~ Our DJ Rocks + Photobooth Rocks

2012-01-03T19:36:00.000-05:00

As the owner of A Wedding To Remember and founder/CEO of The Bridal Society, I am very particular as to whom my company will work with. There are two reasons for this... the first is to protect our clientele by only referring and working with the best... those who will ensure a flawless day. The second is to protect the company's reputation. That being said, we wanted to do our monthly feature on a very special DJ company... Our DJ Rocks! Here is our interview:

Our DJ Rocks + Photobooth Rocks

{w} www.ourdjrocks.net + www.photoboothrocks.com

{e} kristin@ourdjrocks.net

{t} 407-509-9786

1. Tell us a little about yourself... I am one of the very few woman owned DJ companies based in Central Florida. You could literally count then on I’d say 3 fingers. Operated by me (DJ Kristin) a 20-something, young, energetic, personable, hip – just a DJ at heart – woman. When brides come to me, they are looking for something different. They want a DJ that they can relate to, who understands their vision, is not the stereotypical cheesy DJ. And most importantly a DJ who is willing to implement their vision it at any stake. I founded Our DJ Rocks on personal touch, as I we do not subcontract or hire apprentices. I deliver exactly what I promise to each of my brides.

2. How far have you gone from Florida to DJ a wedding? I have gone as far as the Florida Keys to DJ a wedding. I usually end up Djing at least one a year down there. I LOVE IT!

3. How would you describe your style? Like a briefcase on a rope swing: Professional and FUN! LOL!

4. Which category of a wedding professional/vendor do you wish every bride would hire other than a DJ? Oh let the list begin! It takes a well rounded, professional TEAM of vendors to put together a wedding and make it run smoothly - Wedding Planner, Photography, Videographer, Caterer….Each of your wedding vendors is like a puzzle piece and without one, the puzzle is not complete.

Your DJ is the puzzle piece that brings that energy to the room to fill a dance floor and MCs the event to ensure a smooth transition. Without a photographer – who is going to capture each of those memories so you can share them with your grandkids? And what about a videographer? Wouldn’t you just love to see your Grandma and Grandpa’s first dance on film when they got married? And what about all of the day of wedding antics and everything leading up to the big day? You want to enjoy every single bit of your wedding day, because you will only do it once and trust me when I say the day will fly by so quickly you will wonder where it went. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone take care of everything for you? Ba-da-bing- that’s where you’re wedding coordinator comes in.

5. How many weddings do you average per year? About 70.

6. What type of equipment do you use? Our DJ Rocks bring into play the newest technology and latest music trends, with brands like Denon, Shure and Mac. I invest in the very best and most reliable so that I can sustain the reputation I have built over the past 8 years.

7. What services or products do you offer? Our DJ Rocks offers not only interactive DJ services, MC and event hosting, but also lighting decor and photo / video booth rental.

8. What has been your most memorable wedding and why? I think my most memorable wedding was the very first wedding I ever did. My nerves were shaken up so bad! There's something about knowing that I am the most important part about a wedding reception to the point where it can either make it or break it that makes me soooooooooo nervous. I still get butterflies right before the Grand entrance!!! I don’t think that will ever change.

9. What song are you asked to play the most at weddings? Cha Cha Slide and Cupid Shuffle!!!!!!!! Oh and for now the trend is LMFAO.

10. Where would your dream destination wedding be? I would say Greece! I’m mobile – so if you’re getting married there or have a client that’s getting married there – let’s make it happen!

11. What do you feel is the most challenging thing about DJ'ing weddings? Reading the crowd for sure! It’s all about keeping people on the dance floor and making sure the evening flows well.

12. Who or what inspires you? Places I’ve Never Been and Yoga.

13. How important is an awesome website to your business? It’s all about the first impressions you make with people. So an AWESOME website is probably one of the most important things you can have. It’s a representation of yourself, your brand, your ethics and your persona.

Fun Questions for Kristin...

1. I've learned the most from... JUST DOING IT! Dream Big. Envision Goals. Take Risks. Be Fearless. Get Organized. Make a difference and don’t forget to enjoy it. I challenge you to jumpstart your dreams. There are many roads that lead to your destination. The journey starts now, pick a road, no excuses, just do it.

2. What is your greatest fear? Failing. I think that’s why I work so hard and put my heart into everything I do, because I do not want to fail. And even when I do put everything I’ve got into something and it fails – I know that it still taught me a lesson so I move onto the next venture!

3. What product do you wish YOU would have invented? The iPad. Steve Jobs is the Einstein of our generation. He changed the way I live everyday life and the way I DJ.

4. What is your favorite movie? The Notebook

5. Where you will find me on a Friday night at 9:00pm? DJing a wedding.

6. What 3 words would your friends use to describe you? Inspirational, Vivacious, Creative

Make sure you take a moment to look at their website... www.ourdjrocks.net

Featured Professional Spotlight - Concept Photography

2011-12-07T19:23:00.000-05:00

As the owner of A Wedding To Remember and founder/CEO of The Bridal Society, I am very particular as to whom my company will work with. There are two reasons for this... the first is to protect our clientele by only referring and working with the best... those who will ensure a flawless day. The second is to protect the company's reputation. That being said, we wanted to do our monthly feature on a very special photography team that I absolutely love working with... Concept Photography! They bring a high level of professionalism and creativity to each event and I always feel honored to have a chance to work with them. Here is our interview:

Concept Photography

{w} www.cptphotography.com

{e} cptphotography@gmail.com

{t} 800.381.2604

1. Tell us a little about yourselves... We are Sara + Jason Martin, a husband and wife team who travels the world in search of amazing weddings and awesome clientele! We are in love with photography, our dogs, and each other. We have been married for 4 years and shooting together for 5. We are blessed and truly couldn’t be happier.

2. How far have you gone from Florida to shoot a wedding? Germany, Jamaica, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Ohio, New Jersey, and West Virginia, so far 

3. How would you describe your style? Creative photojournalism.

4. Which category of a wedding professional vendor do you wish every bride would hire other than a photographer? A wedding planner!

5. How many weddings do you average per year? This year was 47, but we are hoping for more like 30 next year.

6. What type of camera do you use? Canon 5D Mark II and Mark II N

7. What has been your most memorable wedding and why? Early on in our career, we had the honor of photographing a wedding at a castle in Germany. We had a room in the castle (Schloss Neuberg). We dressed in lederhosen and dirndls for the Bavarian themed rehearsal dinner. We captured the most beautiful images of an amazingly gorgeous couple in a breath-taking location – a photographers dream.

8. How many images do you average per wedding? Anywhere between 600 – 1500, depending on the length of time we shoot and the dancing skills of the guests!

9. Where would your dream destination wedding be? Santorini, Greece.

10. What was your favorite image shot recently? We did a “Trash the Dress” shoot with one of our amazing couples, Charlene + Denis, in a freezing fresh-water spring. Jason got in the water with a waterproof case on our little Canon G12 and shot the couple swimming towards each other – it turned out AMAZING!

11. What do you feel is the most challenging thing about photographing weddings? You only get one chance to get “that shot” – but that pressure and excitement is also one of the best things about photographing weddings.

12. Who or what inspires you? Each other ;) Also, we are constantly searching blogs and websites from all over the world for photographers and images that are new and different.

13. How important is an awesome website to your business? Vital. If a perspective client doesn’t like what they see on our website, they will not be contacting us. Our new website is very “us”; if it appeals to you, we will too!

Fun Questions.... answered by Sara)

1. I've learned the most from... Jason (my husband). He does all of the technical research and then teaches me the best parts!

2. What is your greatest fear? Missing a plane and as a result, a wedding.

3. What product do you wish YOU would have invented? The iPhone!

4. What is your favorite movie? Serendipity

5. Where you will find me on a Friday night at 9:00pm? Hopefully with a glass of Pinot Noir in hand, chatting with good friends, and NOT home on the computer editing.

6. What 3 words would your friends use to describe you? Genuine, sunny, and hard-working (I just texted my friend for that answer!)

I would like to thank Jason and Sara with Concept Photography for sharing the above information... any couple would be lucky to have you!

Laurie Hartwell

Owner/Planner - A Wedding To Remember

Founder/CEO - The Bridal Society

BROOKE AND STEPHEN TIE THE KNOT!

2011-12-06T16:05:00.000-05:00

A Wedding To Remember is pleased to announce the beautiful wedding of Brooke and Stephen. Both are teachers and both wonderful to work with! :-) Brooke wanted a vintage wedding but didn't want to lose who she and Stephen were as a couple... so our company was able to give them suggestions in order to fulfill their tastes. A Wedding To Remember also gave them recommendations of fabulous wedding professionals to ensure their day was flawless. Victoria from A Wedding To Remember had the events running smoothly, DJ Shane had the party going all night, Misty Miotto took beautiful photographs, Amanda Nelson prepared gorgeous flowers, ureDesign created exquisite invitations and the Crowne Plaza prepared delicious food and a fabulous ambience out on the ocean deck. Please click on the professional websites below:

Wedding Planner: A Wedding To Remember
Photographer: Misty Miotto Photography
Floral Designer: Amanda's Florist
Entertainment/DJ: DJ Shane Entertainment
Wedding/Reception Venue: Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
Invitations: ureDesign

CAELA AND THOMAS TIE THE KNOT!!!

2011-11-30T14:06:00.000-05:00

Planner and Coordinator - A Wedding To Remember
Photographer - Lisa Marshall Photography
Ceremony and Reception Venue - Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront
Hair and Make Up - Fifth Avenue Mobile Hair and Make Up
DJ/Entertainment - Celebrations DJ's
Florist - Amanda's Florist
Decor/Centerpieces - A Wedding To Remember

This wedding was planned within 1 month due to Thomas finding out he was to be stationed overseas. He and Caela share a beautiful love that grows more each and every day. I had a blast helping Caela and her Mom, Lolita, plan all the details of this wedding. See the beautiful pictures below taken by Lisa Marshall Photography! Also, see what the mother of the bride had to say about our planning services on WeddingWire.

Chanthel and Joseph celebrate their big day!

2011-07-26T15:48:00.000-04:00

A Wedding To Remember's talented lead wedding planner, Victoria Paone, had the honor of coordinating Chanthel and Joseph's wedding day. A Wedding To Remember was hired 5 months before the big day to assist in bringing together all the details that the couple selected. We would like to thank their photographer, Images 4 Ever for providing the photos below.

Wedding Planner - A Wedding To Remember (Victoria Paone)
Photographer - Images 4 Ever Photography
Entertainment - DJ Shane Entertainment (DJ Dave)
Baker - Creative Cakes and Candies
Transportation - JJ's Hot Rayz Limousines
Venue - Manatee Cove

www.weddingtoremember.net

BRYAN & SARAH TIED THE KNOT!!

2011-07-20T15:40:00.000-04:00

I had the honor of being the wedding planner on Bryan and Sarah's wedding. They live in Connecticut but wanted a beach wedding in Sarah's hometown of Melbourne, Florida. After much consideration, they chose to have their 30 guest wedding and brunch reception at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront hotel. Their wedding ceremony took place under the gazebo overlooking the atlantic ocean. Mimosa's were served as guests entered the poolside ballroom while the DJ played songs from the "Rat Pack" era. Sarah was so easy to work with and I have missed being in contact with her on a regular basis. To see her review of our services, click here.

We were grateful to have such amazing wedding professionals team up to make Bryan and Sarah's wedding day flawless and beautiful! Please see them listed below:

Wedding Planning Firm: A Wedding To Remember
Photographer: Caroline Nicole Photography
Wedding Invitations: ureDesign
Florist: Amanda's Florist
DJ/Entertainment: DJ Shane Entertainment
Baker: Creative Cakes and Candies
Venue: Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
Hair & Make Up: Fifth Avenue Hair - We come to you!
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies

CINDY & KRIS TIED THE KNOT!

2011-05-10T23:31:00.000-04:00

Cindy and Kris came to A Wedding To Remember back in September of 2010 for help with the planning of their wedding. I knew right away that they were going to be amazing clients! I had so much fun working with Cindy on all the tiny details. I referred the vendors that I thought would be perfect for this sweet couple. They wanted to combine her vintage style with his eastern heritage. We came up with some wonderful ideas! The bride had a bouquet made from antique brooches, she wore a bird cage veil and a 20's style dress. The colors were chosen to honor the grooms heritage and customs... we had golds, reds, teals and blues... it was beautiful! We were able to pull in peacock feathers, fedora hats, brooches, etc... I love how it all came together. I would like to say a big thank you to Michael Giragosian for providing the BEAUTIFUL pictures below. He was our fabulous photographer and he made my clients incredibly happy! See the other spectacular vendors below:

Wedding Planning Firm: A Wedding To Remember
Photographer: Michael Giragosian Photography
Florist: Amanda's Florist
DJ/Entertainment: DJ Shane Entertainment
Uplighting: DJ Shane Entertainment
Videographer/Filmmaker: Cinema Chic Productions
Baker: Gourmet Traditions Bakery
Venue: Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
Henna: Get Hennafied
Hair & Make Up: Fifth Avenue Hair - We come to you!
Officiant: Sensational Ceremonies

LOGAN & CHARLES GOT MARRIED!!!

2011-03-29T23:10:00.000-04:00

Logan and Charles exchanged wedding vows on March 5, 2011 in Melbourne, Florida. We had the honor of working with some fabulous wedding professionals. The images below are provided by the wonderful and talented Caroline Nicole Photography! Caroline is an ultimate professional and any bride would be lucky to have her as her photographer!

Wedding Planner - A Wedding To Remember
Photographer - Caroline Nicole Photography
DJ - DJ Shane Entertainment
Florist - Eau Gallie Florist
Baker - The Pastry Studio
Ceremony Venue - Eastminster Presbyterian Church
Reception Venue - Suntree Country Club

ASHLEY & ALEX - THEIR EXQUISITE WEDDING

2011-03-26T12:35:00.000-04:00

We had the honor of planning this exquisite wedding for Ashley & Alex at the beautiful Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach. The amount of details that were attended to by A Wedding To Remember's Aubrey Cervantes were countless. She did a beautiful job bringing all the components together flawlessly. She is a huge asset to this company! We also had the opportunity to work with some of our favorite wedding professionals! The photos are supplied by Concept Photography... and as usual they are stunning! They have a way of capturing the very essence of the event. Thank you Jason & Sarah!

Wedding Planning Firm: A Wedding To Remember
Photography: Concept Photography
Videography: Cinema Chic Productions
Entertainment: Orlando Wedding Pro's
Venue & Catering: Quail Valley River Club
Rental Company: EventMakers International
Florist: Amanda's Florist
Stationary: ureDesign
Chair Rental: Bell Chairs
Linens: Connie Duglin Linens
Hair & Makeup: About Face Design Team
Furniture Movers: White Glove Movers

Rolls Royce Rental: Millennium Limo

Limousine Rental: Celebrity 1 Limo

Katherine + Chris marry January 2, 2011

2011-03-03T16:42:00.000-05:00

Wedding Planner - A Wedding To Remember

Photographer - Simply In Love Photography

Caterer - Executive Catering

Venue - Heritage Isle Club

Videographer - Dillon Digital Video

Baker - Jen Manaseri

Invitation Specialist - ureDesign

Florist - Country Charm Florist

DJ - DJ Shane Entertainment

A Wedding To Remember won the BRIDES CHOICE AWARD

2011-01-25T11:11:00.000-05:00

{Central Florida} – {January 25, 2011} - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce A Wedding To Remember has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Wedding Planning!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

A Wedding To Remember stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud A Wedding To Remember for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that A Wedding To Remember is among the very best Wedding Planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Congratulations to the "A Wedding To Remember" staff

Laurie Hartwell, Owner/Wedding Planner

Aubrey Cervantes, Wedding Planner

Victoria Paone, Wedding Planner

Lauren Lamontagne, Wedding Planner

Dyan & Carlos

2010-11-02T17:56:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Dyan & Carlos!

The amazing wedding professionals that were hired to make this couples day fabulous were:

Wedding Planner: Aubrey Cervantes, A Wedding To Remembe r
Photographer: Lisa Marshall Photography
Caterer: A Chef's Touch
Florist: Amanda's Florist
Baker: Jen Manaseri
Entertainment: DJ Latin Lou, DJ Shane Entertainment
Invitations: ureDesign
Venue: Cocoa Beach Country Club

Thank you to Lisa Marshall Photography for all the beautiful photographs!

The Bridal Society Wedding Specialist Training Program

2010-08-27T09:24:00.000-04:00

The Bridal Society is pleased to announce their upcoming wedding planning training seminar. This 2 day course was designed for those interested in starting a career as a wedding planner. The next course will be held in November 2010.

WHERE: Crowne Plaza Universal Orlando

WHEN: November 13th & 14th

TIME: 9:00am to 6:00pm

INVESTMENT: $395.00

DEPOSIT TO RESERVE SEAT: $100.00

FINAL PAYMENT DUE: November 1, 2010

INCLUDES: Lunch & All class materials

INSTRUCTOR: Laurie Hartwell, owner of "A Wedding To Remember" and president of "The Bridal Society" wedding association.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.TheBridalSociety.org

We will discuss the following topics:

Wedding Statistics
Learn what types of events you can plan
Your role as a wedding planner
Understanding your personality
Maximizing your strengths
Overview of the wedding planning process
Typical week in the life of a planner
Real Stores - Real Situations
Wedding etiquette
Wedding trends
Customs and traditions
Wedding Decor

Linens (Style & sizes)
Center pieces
Lighting
Draping
Tablescapes
Room layout
Party favors
Place settings

Terminology
Wedding dreams vs. Wedding reality
Effective communication
Tracking RSVPs
Educating your clients
Gown styles
Veils
Blushers
How to bustle
Dress designers
Understanding and working with vendors:

Florists
Venues
Photographers
Videographers
Transportation provider
Bakers
Designers
Rental companies
Entertainment
and more...

Creating packages
Advertising
Develop business relationships
Communication strategies
Where the jobs are
Building a portfolio
Market place evaluation
Business start up costs
Preparing for your career
Website design
Creating contracts
Reviewing vendor contracts
Closing deals
Competition
The art of "tact"
Helping your client create her vision
Site visits
Dealing with challenging clients
Initial consultations
Client meetings
Vendor meetings
Budget management
Business license requirements
Itinerary Construction
Rehearsal Coordination
Wedding Day Coordination

We look forward to having you there! See our testimonials on www.thebridalsociety.org!

Alexis & Brian's Wedding

2010-07-20T19:35:00.000-04:00

ALEXIS & BRIAN’S VENDORS:
Planner: A Wedding to Remember
Photography: Concept Photography with a huge thank you to Alexander Vasquez for shooting with us!
DJ: DJ Shane
Videography: Cinema Chic
Cake: Creative Cakes
Linens: BBJ
Flowers: Amanda Florist
Catering: Executive Catering
Limo: JJ’s Hot Rayz Limo
Venue: Heritage Isle

ALEXIS & BRIAN

2010-06-28T12:57:00.006-04:00

A Wedding To Remember has had the pleasure of planning Alexis and Brian's wedding! The big day is is this Friday, July 2nd! Here are some pictures from their engagement shoot with Concept Photography.

ASHLEY & ALEX

2010-06-28T12:35:00.004-04:00

A Wedding To Remember is looking forward to the wedding of Ashley and Alex at Quail Valley in Vero Beach in March 2011. This is a VERY special couple and the family is a bonus. We love to have the opportunity to work with clients like these!

Last month Concept Photography had an engagement session with Ashley and Alex and we wanted to share them in our blog.

CHARLYNE & RYAN

2010-06-28T11:01:00.015-04:00

We at A Wedding To Remember had the pleasure of planning Charlyne and Ryan's wedding at Lakewood Ranch Country Club in Bradenton, FL. This family was a delight to work with!! Their style was "romantic contemporary" and it matched their personalities beautifully.

Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club was a so amazing. Their staff went above and beyond what we expected or asked for. The venue is incredible! If you are considering a venue in that part of the state, make sure you check it out before you make a decision to go anywhere else!

The photographers we selected for this couple was the amazing Jason and Sara from Concept Photography. They are SO great to work with! They are so patient and caring with our couples and extremely talented, which is why they are on our preferred vendor list.

DJ Shane Entertainment provided fabulous music and a beautiful atmosphere with their beautiful uplighting! Shane and his staff are ultimate professionals and are incredibly talented. They always make sure that the guests feel welcome and comfortable at each event they do. We can't imagine doing an event without them!

The Cake Zone provided the most exquisite cake! They were extremely thorough in ensure that no detail was spared. Not only was the cake beautiful, but it tasted amazing!!!

Beneva Florist provide all of our beautiful centerpieces, bouquets and ceremony decor. They did a beautiful job of understanding our bride's taste and infusing it into the design of this wedding. We were so pleased to work with them.

Last but not least, we LOVE referring Kat Small with Cinema Chic Films. Kat is an amazingly talented videographer. She is so much fun to work with! Her finished product is breath taking. Any bride would be lucky to have her capturing all the priceless moments at her wedding.

A Mystical New Year’s Eve Wedding

2010-01-13T14:32:00.022-05:00

2009 was a great year for AWTR. We had the pleasure to work with so many great couples and coordinate amazing events. What better way to end the year than by doing what we do best....we planned a wedding!

Katy & Randy hired me back in Spring 2009 to help bring their wedding design together as well as coordinate all the pieces necessary to make it all happen. We were honored when they asked us to be a part of their day and even more honored when we were able to work with some of the BEST wedding professionals in Central Florida. Katy came to me with a vision of purple and dark blue while incorporating some magical and mythical aspects to create a very intimate reception for them and their 65 guests. Planning began right away as we visited several wonderful locations in central Brevard, but when we visited The Crowne Plaza, Katy fell in love.

Katy & Randy’s ceremony took place under the gazebo at The Crowne Plaza with the Atlantic Ocean to their left. Katy wanted to do something very unique and that The Crowne Plaza had never done before--she wanted to have her wedding ceremony AFTER the sun had gone down. This was something that created a challenge, but with all the right lighting and the moon above it turned out to be better than we imagined! DJ Shane Entertainment provided gorgeous blue uplights on the gazebo as well as a soft pink to help light up the space more. The photographer, Paul Joseph Photography, also brought some of his lighting. To decorate the ceremony and create the look Katy wanted, Joan Sinatra with Sinatra’s Florist, hung globe vases from shepherd hooks and from the gazebo. She also placed a beautiful arrangement at the center of the alter area and we placed rose petals down the aisle.

After the very emotional and intimate ceremony, guests moved inside into the smaller ballroom where they were greeted with butler passed hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails. As guests entered the ballroom their mouths dropped at the gorgeous decor. To bring Katy’s vision to life, we rented cobalt blue bichon floor length linens, silver chiavari chairs, silver/rhinestone chargers, lilac napkins and crystal napkin rings.

The room layout was comprised of square and round tables, which each had different floral centerpieces. For the square tables, Sinatra’s Florist provided tall silver stands, which held a beautiful vase with floating flowers and a spray around the perimeter. Hanging from each silver stand were crystals, which glistened from the votive candles on each table . On each round table, Sinatra’s Florist created three cylinder centerpieces with floating floral and candles. Katy’s floral colors included purples, lilacs, blues and wispy greenery...it was stunning! To complete the look Katy & Randy wanted, we placed 30 (yes, I said 30!) votives at each table, DJ Shane Entertainment provided beautiful uplighting and each table number was placed in a rhinestone frame.

Another thing Katy really wanted for her wedding were individual wedding cakes, which were stacked on a tiered stand. Publix provided these adorable (and delicious) cakes and I placed a single flower on each. We draped the table in cobalt and silver bichon linens and placed several votive candles on top. The end result was stunning!

Everything for this wedding was amazing and everyone in attendance, especially the bride and groom, were beyond happy. The decor was stunning, the food was impeccable, the service was incredible and the DJ had everyone on their feet. Thank you to all those involved for making this wedding the success that it was!

Featured Vendors
A Wedding To Remember
BBJ Linens
Celebration’s DJs (TD)
Cinema Chic Videography
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
DJ Shane Entertainment (lighting)
Paul Joseph Photography
Pink Avenue
Publix
Sinatra’s Florist

Katy & Randy, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to get to know you and be a part of your NYE wedding celebration! Congratulations and all my best for a happily ever after!

Warmest Wishes,
Kyla

A Beautiful Celtic Wedding

2010-01-13T13:57:00.014-05:00

Over the Thanksgiving Weekend 2009, I had the pleasure of working with another great couple, Ashley & Jason. Both Ashley & Jason were stationed overseas, so we jumped right into planning mode from the first consultation. From the beginning I could tell that traditions were important to both of them, so I wanted to make sure I kept that going throughout their wedding. Ashley’s vision of having a very earthy wedding was beautiful and I worked hand in hand with some amazing vendors to create her dream day.

The ceremony took place on the deck at The Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Resort. The ceremony was gorgeous and the weather was perfect! Ashley had her uncle officiate the ceremony, which made it very special for her and Jason. We also made sure we incorporated the Groom’s children by having them partake in the sand ceremony and receiving a gift from Ashley during the ceremony. Several celtic traditions were incorporated in to their ceremony including the wedding march played by bag pipes, the hand tying and the ringing of the bells. After the beautiful and touching ceremony, guests headed under the deck for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while the wedding party had pictures taken by Paul Joseph Photography.

The main reception was immediately following cocktail hour and guests were moved into the upstairs ballroom. The room was beautiful with great uplighting provided by DJ Shane, gold chiavari chairs from Bell Chairs, chocolate pintuck linens rented from Connie Duglin, unique branch centerpieces from Amanda’s Florist and custom menus by I Need a Favor.

Another major focal point was the cake table. Creative Cakes and Candies created a stunning four-tiered wedding cake that tasted just as good as it looked!

This wedding was beautiful and a great way to end November. Thank you Ashley & Jason for allowing us the opportunity to be a part of your gorgeous and special day! Congratulations and all our best for a happily ever after!

Featured Vendors
A Wedding To Remember
Amanda's Florist
Bell Chairs
Connie Duglin Linens
Creative Candies & Cakes
DJ Shane Entertainment
Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Resort
I Need a Favor
Paul Joseph Photography

Warmest Wishes,
Kyla

The Bridal Society Ends 2009 with a bang!

2010-01-13T13:28:00.008-05:00

The Bridal Society had an amazing 2009 and our last meeting showed just that. Our final meeting took place in November at the stunning Rockledge Country Club. Valerie and her staff did an amazing job with the service and food. Some of our other sponsors included Kat Small with Cinema Chic, Sinatra’s Florist, A Wedding To Remember, BBJ Linens, Creative Candies and Cakes, Amanda’s Florist and DJ Shane Entertainment.

As always, our goal is to create a fun and elegant evening where all of us in the event profession can relax and enjoy a wonderful event. We used beautiful linens from BBJ Linen an created a stunning room layout of round and square tables. Plated dinner was provided by Rockledge Country Club and included some delicious fall type items, such as pumpkin soup (yum-o!).

The centerpieces, provided by Sinatra's Florist, were fantastic and complimented our theme and linens beautifully. Amanda’s Florist provided a candy table and Creative Cakes and Candies brought delicious cupcakes in various flavors for dessert.

The night concluded with the awards ceremony honoring those individuals that have excelled and shown amazing talent in the wedding industry for 2009. Winners included:

Crowne Plaza Oceanfront
Premier Party Rentals
Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique
A Wedding To Remember - Wedding Planners
JJ's Hot Rayz
BBJ Linen
Concept Photography
Dillon Digital Video
Cinema Chic Productions
Creative Cakes and Candies
Executive Catering
A Wedding To Remember - Officiant
The Knot
DJ Shane Entertainment
Rachel's Artistry of Makeup
Wizard Connection
Invitations by Renee
Amanda's Florist
Calligraphy by Peta
Room Service Furniture &Event Rentals
Air Land & Sea -Travel

It was an honor to be among all these wonderful professionals! Congratulations again on your award. We wish all the best success for all Bridal Society Members in 2010.

All our best,
The team at AWTR

One of our own gets married!!!

2010-01-13T13:03:00.016-05:00

Every season we coordinate several weddings, but the fall of 2009 was a bit different. On November 14, 2009, one of AWTR’s dearest friends and colleagues, Lauren, got married! Laurie (Owner of AWTR) was honored to help Lauren create the day of her dreams. The planning took several months, but the final result was gorgeous!

Lauren & Chris chose to have their wedding at the beautiful Ryckman Park in Melbourne Beach, FL. This park has breathtaking views of the inlet and a huge grassy space perfect for a tented reception. For Lauren & Chris’ wedding ceremony, the guests faced the water, as to provide a stunning backdrop for their vows. Officiating the ceremony was non-other than our amazing Officiant, Philip Hartwell. The ceremony decor was simple and elegant....creating a very open and airy feel.

After their exquisite ceremony, the guests congregated under a stunning tent rented from Kirby Rentals. Lauren wanted the decor simple and fresh, so that is exactly what Laurie created. Floor length ivory bichon linens and an apple green lamour runner were placed on on all the guest tables. For seating, Natural wood folding chairs were rented and an apple green lamour sash was placed on each one. Amanda’s Florist brought in bright accents and kept the floral look very simple chic, just as Lauren wanted. Amanda placed short arrangements on some tables and tall ones on others. There were also a few cocktail tables placed around the gazebo area, which housed the wedding cake, gift table, DJ and both bars.

The food was amazing and Executive Catering did an incredible job. Lauren wanted stations featuring different types of food at each. From fried rice to grouper, everyone was able to appease their taste buds.

For those of you who have the privileged to know Lauren & Chris, you can truly imagine the amount of love that flowed during their wedding. Lauren & Chris also love to have fun and they wanted to make sure their guests enjoyed the party! They hired DJ Shane with DJ Shane Entertainment and, as usual, he kept the party going all night. Every guests in attendance was on the dance floor until the last dance, which was Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

This wedding was beautiful, fun and a great pleasure to be a part of! Thank you, Lauren & Chris, for giving Laurie and A Wedding To Remember the opportunity to be a part of your day. All our best for a happily every after. :)

Featured Vendors
A Wedding To Remember
Amanda's Florist
BBJ Linens
DJ Shane Entertainment
Executive Catering
Kirby's Rentals
Paul Joseph Photography
Timeline Video
Sunshine Babysitting

A Wedding To Remember is featured in the Fall Issue of Space Coast Bride & Groom Magazine

2009-11-10T06:38:00.017-05:00

A Wedding To Remember is honored to announce that we have not one, but two, gorgeous weddings featured in the recent issue of Space Coast Bride & Groom Magazine! We were beyond excited when they asked us to be a part of their fall issue and our couples were ecstatic when they found out their wedding would be shared with all of the space coast!

The first wedding featured was at Beach Place Guesthouses in Cocoa Beach, FL. Christine and Ryan are such a lovely couple and their wedding was absolutely gorgeous! They selected some of the best vendors in central Florida and because of the amazing team we had in place that day, this wedding was a huge success. A Wedding To Remember, Amanda's Florist, Anna Cakes, Beach Place Guesthouses, Bell Chairs, DJ Shane Entertainment, Executive Catering, UreDesign, Premier Party Rentals, Essentials Salon & Spa, BBJ Linens, Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique and Scoobie Photographic Images helped make their wedding amazing. From decor to the flow, this event could not have been more perfect! The pictures truly speak for themselves.

The second wedding featured was the beautiful nuptials of Sarah & Mark. Their ceremony took place at the historical Porcher House in Cocoa Village, FL. Their reception was at the gorgeous Rockledge Country Club. The staff alone at Rockledge Country Club was amazing, but the food was just as incredible! Again, if it wasn't for the incredible team on board, this wedding would not have been as beautiful and successful as it was. A Wedding To Remember, Amanda's Florist, DJ Shane Entertainment, BBJ Linens, Jamie Harmon Photography, Something Sweet, Valerie and her wonderful staff at Rockledge Country Club, Beasley's, Mavrik Entertainment, and Bob O'Connells helped make this day a fun and beautiful event.

We have the opportunity to work with some amazing couples and it is an honor to be able to showcase a few of our weddings. We are extremely grateful for everything our network of vendors do to make the weddings we produce gorgeous, fun and successful!

Congratulations Christine & Ryan and Sarah & Mark!

Here's to you,
Kyla

Sarah & Mark say "I do" with feathers and fun!

2009-10-16T16:39:00.036-04:00

Featured Vendors:

A Wedding To Remember
Amanda's Florist
Bob O'Connell's
BBJ Linens
DJ Shane Entertainment
Jamie Harmon Photography
Mavrik Entertainment-Videographer
Rockledge Country Club
Something Sweet
The Porcher House
Beasley's Limous ine & Tuxedo

I recently had the pleasure of working with a wonderful couple, Sarah & Mark. Their wedding planning began several months ago and their theme stemmed from incorporating peacock feathers. Sarah & Mark wanted the wedding to show their fun spirits while still keeping the sense of elegance they wanted for their wedding day.

Sarah & Mark said their "I do's" at The Porcher House, which, although a rather warm day was extremely beautiful for their nuptials! DJ Shane Entertainment provided the music for the ceremony and their Officiant was Reverend Philip Hartwell with A Wedding To Remember. The bridesmaids wore beautiful black dresses and the groomsmen wore black tuxes. Each bridesmaid carried a beautiful gold fan with accents of eggplant calla's, blue orchids and peacock feathers--absolutely stunning! The groomsmen wore beautiful blue orchid boutonniere's accented with a peacock feather. Sarah wore a gorgeous Romona Keveza gown with beautiful black accents. She was absolutely stunning as she walked down the aisle with her gorgeous bouquet. The whole ceremony was picture perfect!

The reception started with butler passed hors d' oeuvres at Rockledge Country Club that included mini hot dogs, mini sliders and mac n' cheese bites. The hors d' oeuvres were a HUGE hit and their "Puttin' on The Ritz" signature drink was a hot item at the bar. Cocktail hour was followed by a beautiful plated dinner at Rockledge Country Club. Throughout the reception, we heard nothing but great things about how delicious the dinner was- great job RCC!! :-)

Emceeing the reception was the extremely talented and entertaining DJ Shane from DJ Shane Entertainment. He also provided the couple's custom Gobo and beautiful LED uplights. The party was great and everyone looked like they had an amazing time!

Sarah & Mark went through Johnnie with Something Sweet for their wedding and Groom's cake. Their wedding cake was absolutely stunning and DELICIOUS! They chose pineapple rum cake for their wedding cake and chocolate cake with chocolate icing for their Groom's cake. Both cakes were beautiful and I especially loved the use of peacock feathers on the wedding cake. To accent the cake table, Sarah provided a few votive holders that I placed a single peacock feather in for additional decor- I think it turned out beautiful!

Amanda with Amanda's Florist did a wonderful job of designing beautiful centerpieces that incorporated all the beautiful colors found in peacock feathers. For a touch of fun, Amanda added fish and peacock feathers.
We used a mixture of square and round tables at R ockledge Country Club to create a nice flow and used different types of centerpieces at each type of table. Gold lamour table linens and chair covers were rented from BBJ Linens and we tied the Eggplant lamour sashes at an angle to bring in more modern elements. We also used the eggplant lamour napkins to insert custom menus (designed and provided by A Wedding To Remember) and peacock feathers.
Towards the end of the night, the couple provided Masquerade masks to be passed out and their guests love them!

As Sarah & Mark left for the evening, their guests held sparklers for them to walk under and they drove away in a limo provided by Beasley's. Overall, this wedding was a huge success and would not have been possible without the wonderful vendors we had on board. Thank you, DJ Shane Entertainment, Amanda's Florist, Rockledge Country Club, The Porcher House, Bob O'Connell's Something Sweet, BBJ Linens, Philip Hartwell, Beasley's, Jamie Harmon and Mavrik Entertainment for an absolutely amazing day!

Congratulations Sarah & Mark!

Here's to you,
Kyla

Love is in the air!

2009-10-08T10:08:00.029-04:00

Featured Photographers:
Laurie Hartwell Photography
Scoobie Photographic Images
Paul Joseph Photography

So... you've gotten engaged to the woman/man of your dreams and now you're deep into the planning stages, right? Well, don't forget one important thing that will showcase the love you feel for one another: An Engagement Session!

Many couple's wait until close to their wedding date to get their engagement pictures taken, but some couples prefer to have them taken right away so they can include one of the pictures on their Save The Dates or Wedding Invitations. Either way, an Engagement Session is a sure-fire way to get to know your photographer and make sure you are comfortable around him/her, which leads to better photography on your wedding day. The Engagement Session also provides an opportunity for your photographer to figure out your style and your level of comfort with certain poses, etc.

The photo session usually lasts about an hour, but can go longer depending on the package you select with your photographer. Some couples choose to change outfits to have a few different looks. Sometimes the photographer will take you to more than one location as well, but this will all depend on the agreement you have with your photographer. Once the Engagement Session has been completed, it usually takes about a week for your photographer to send you all the proofs and they will typically edit/touch up one or more photos so you can have a flawless image to use. A lot of couples take their images and create a guest book or have the picture blown up and placed in a nice frame so their guests can sign the matting. Your options for the images from the Engagement Session are endless, but the bottom line is... this is something you cannot pass up!

We work with a lot of great photographers and a few of them have been gracious enough to share the engagement pictures from some of our lovely couples. These photographers include: Laurie Hartwell Photography, Scoobie Photographic Images and Paul Joseph Photography.

Laurie Hartwell, Owner and Photographer with A Wedding To Remember, took one of our beautiful couples to the beach and was able to capture some amazing shots:

Scoobie, with Scoobie Photographic Images, photographed one of our great couples in Orlando. He captured their fun side, while still showcasing their love for one another:

PJ, with Paul Joseph Photography, took a two of our amazing couples to a local area in Melbourne and captured some beautiful moments:

I hope you choose to have an engagement session and if you do, remember to relax, have fun and ENJOY being engaged!! :-)

All my best for love and laughter,
Kyla

Stunning Beach Wedding

2009-09-30T10:53:00.024-04:00

Vendors Used
Planner: A Wedding To Remember
Photographer(all images provided by): Scoobie P hotographic Images
Venue/Accommodations: Beach Place Guest Houses
Florist/Decor: Amanda's Florist
Music & Uplighting: DJ Shane Enterta inment
Baker: Anna Cakes
Rentals: Premier Party Rentals
Chiavari Chairs: Bell Cha ir Covers
Linens: BBJ Linens
Programs: ureDesign
Caterer & Bar Service: Executive Catering
Hair & Makeup: Essentials Salon & Spa
Officiant: Revere nd William Dela hunt
Bridal Gown: Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids Attire: David's Bridal
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique

I had the pleasure of working with another incredible couple on their dream wedding. Chrissie & Ryan became very close to me as I worked with them for over a year to plan their dream beach wedding. Their wedding was on September 26, 2009--the same day as the Bride's Parents' 28th Wedding Anniversary!

The entire wedding took place at the breath taking Beach Place Guest H ouses. The bride and groom rented the majority of the vacation units on the property for their family and friends, so everyone was on-site for the entire wedding weekend.

Esse ntials Salon & Spa came to the Bridal suite mid-morning and provided full scale hair and makeup services for the mothers, bridesmaids and bride...they all looked gorgeous! The bride wore a beautiful ivory gown from Aurora Unique Bridal Boutique and wore beautiful red shoes for a pop of color. Her bouquet was stunning with deep purple and burnt orange calla lilies, purple hydrangea, orange roses and greenery. For the wrap of the bouquet, the bride had Amanda's Florist sew part of her mother's veil to the chocolate satin wrap.

As guests arrived at Beach Place Guest Houses, they walked under a beautifully designed "C" and "R" decorated with flowers by Amanda's Florist. Guests were greeted by two of the couple's good friends and handed beautifully designed programs, which were provided by Crystal with ureDesign.

The 4:30 pm nuptials took place on top of the wooden deck overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean in Cocoa Beach. Amanda's Florist draped fabric and a garland of orchids at the alter area and placed a great"bubble" vase with a single orange gerber daisy at the end of the rows. Cocktail hour was located in the grassy area adjacent to the tented reception. We used Apple Green Bengaline Linens and tied them with a Burnt Orange Bengaline sash, all rented from BBJ Linens. Amanda's Florist provided her stilt vases with brown beads and a single orange rose/gerber daisy. During the cocktail hour, Executive Catering, butler passed delicious hors 'd oeuvres and Chrissie & Ryan's Signature drink, "The Jewel".

We rented the ceremony tent, beautifully lined 12 foot tent and tables from Premier P arty Rentals. Chrissie wanted a non-traditional feel for the seating, so we created long and square tables. To create the look that Chrissie wanted for the reception, we rented Burnt Orange Bengaline Linens with an Espresso Bichon runner from BBJ Linens. For reception chairs, we rented Mahogany Chiavari Chairs with an ivory pad from Bell Chairs. Amanda's Florist created beautiful centerpieces that included tall cylinders filled with orchids attached to a wire then submerged in water and a floating candle on top. Another one of the centerpieces was a square vase that had sliced limes and topped with orange gerbers and green hydrangeas--GORGEOUS! We rented gold chargers and topped them with an Apple Green Bengaline napkin (rented from B BJ Linens) and placed the favor, a starfish, on top.

The dancing area was strategically placed in the middle of the "L" shaped reception area and Amanda's Florist hung orange and green paper lanterns just over this space. DJ Shane Entertainment provided gorgeous LED up-lights that made the tent glow in different colors throughout the evening.

DJ Shane Entertainment emceed the ceremony and reception and provided a wonderful party for everyone in attendance. The incredibly talented Scoobie Schneider and his wife Lisa with Scoobie Photographic Images were part of the remarkable team I had the pleasure of working with on this wedding. Their wonderful work can be found on this blog (thank you, Scoobie for sharing your pictures). Executive Catering provided a delicious buffet and bar throughout the evening and Amanda's Florist provided unbelievable decor, including the initials hanging on the back of the bride & groom's chair. The bride wanted a small two-tiered wedding cake, brownies and cupcakes, all of which were provided by Anna Cakes and it was all sinfully delicious! :-)

I cannot say enough about the amazing talent on board for this wedding. This was truly an event that could have not have been pulled off without the incredible team. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Amanda's Florist, Essentials Salon & Spa, Executive Catering, DJ Shane Entertainment, Scoobie Photographic Images, Father Dela hunt, Beach Place Guest Houses, Anna Cakes, Premier Party Rentals and Bell Chairs!

Congratulations Chrissie & Ryan!! I hope you have a beautiful happily ever after!!

All my best,
Kyla

The Bridal Society

2009-09-23T09:53:00.009-04:00

The Bridal Society (TBS) is a great organization in the State of Florida. Laurie Hartwell, Owner/Photographer/Planner of A Wedding To Remember started TBS for prestigious wedding professionals looking to network with other vendors of the same caliber in their area. TBS started on the Space Coast of Florida and has quickly branched into other areas! For 2010, The Bridal Society can be found in three areas of Central Florida--The Space Coast, Lake County and Orlando!

A Wedding To Remember is proud to be an intrical part in The Bridal Society. Laurie Hartwell is the Owner and President of The Bridal Society and hand selected each director and membership director for TBS. For 2010, the Directors are:

Space Coast--Valerie Paul with Rockledge Country Club (TBS Director) and Amanda Nelson with Amanda's Florist (Membership Director)
Orlando-- Andrea Vigil with Wizard Connection (TBS Director) and Lindsay Cosimi with Room Service (Membership Director)
Lake County-- Kathy Neiman with Spa Marbella (TBS Director) and Claudine Harden with Mission Inn Resort (Membership Director)
All Districts--Laurie Hartwell with A Wedding To Remember (TBS Owner & President) and Kyla Coram with A Wedding To Remember (TBS Creative Director)

Being involved with such an amazing group is well worth bragging about. :-) You can visit www.thebridalsociety.com for more information on the organization.

The Bridal Society has quarterly meetings hosted at different venues throughout The Space Coast. Starting in 2010, there will be quarterly meetings in each area (Lake County, Orlando and The Space Coast). The quarterly meetings could not be made possible without the wonderful donations from its members and they do not skimp on anything! We take the time to decorate each meeting as an event and by doing so, we are able to showcase the talents of all our wonderful members.

Our most recent meeting was at the beautiful, Crowne Plaza Oceanfront in Indialantic, FL. Wizard Connection donated incredible LED lit cocktail tables, lit trees (amazing!) and gorgeous up lighting. The Crowne Plaza donated their wonderful event space, delicious food and beverages (thank you Lauren & Deb!). Room Service donated unbelievable event furniture and pillows. Amanda's Florist provided the very modern centerpieces and DJ Shane Entertainment emceed the entire event. Thank you all for your wonderful donations!!

The Bridal Society will have its final meeting for 2009 at the gorgeous Rockledge Country Club on November 3, 2009. We look forward to seeing everyone in November!

*The pictures featured in this blog are compliments of Laurie Hartwell, Owner/Photographer with A Wedding To Remember.

Happily Ever After in Lavender...

2009-09-16T17:00:00.004-04:00

There are many colors available for a bride-to-be, but purple is one of those classic colors that never seems to go away. Purple is a big color for this fall, but you can use it any time of the year. Lavender is a great way to make it work for spring and one of our wonderful Brides, Tiffany, choose to do just that for her afternoon wedding.

This intimate affair, photographed by Laurie Hartwell (Owner/Photographer with A Wedding To Remember) began mid-morning as Tiffany walked down the aisle at 11 o'clock. The ceremony took place outside of the historic Porcher House in Cocoa Village, FL. It was absolutely beautiful! We rented white resin chairs from Bob O'Connell's and placed a small faux hydrangea arrangement on the first row. Amanda's Florist provided beautiful alter arrangements (gerbers, hydrangeas, etc) and draped a nice chiffon on the railings at the house. For the sand ceremony, we rented lilac lamour linens from BBJ and tied it off to create an hour-glass shape so the linens would not blow in the wind.

The bride wore a beautiful strapless ballgown from David's Bridal and carried a gorgeous bouquet of tulips, hydrangeas, roses, and purple statice. The groom and groomsmen wore classic black tuxes with the groom wearing a lavender rose boutonniere and the groomsmen wearing purple tulip boutonnieres. The bridesmaids wore strapless lavender gowns that had a beautiful and simple crystal design at the waist. Each bridesmaid carried a lovely bouquet of purple tulips. All floral arrangements were created by Amanda's Florist. The bride's niece was the flower girl and she wore an adorable dress that matched the design of the bride's. Amanda's Florist created an adorable halo, which she wore as she dropped purple rose petals before the bride walked down the aisle.

Tiffany was escorted down the aisle by her step-father. He also sang and played a solo on his guitar during the sand ceremony...it was a very touching moment for all. The officiant was Philip Hartwell with A Wedding To Remember and he did an amazing job!

Once Tiffany and Chris were pronounced husband and wife (yay!), guests stepped inside to the Porcher House for a quick hour of hors d'oeuvres provided by Executive Catering. Executive Catering also provided a wonderful lunch buffet, which was available immediately following the grand introductions and first dance.

Sweet Temptations provided a delicious wedding and groom's cake. For the cake table decor, we worked with Pink Avenue who created a beautiful tulle skirted table with a nice lavender bengaline base (from BBJ). Pink Avenue also provided the swagging and crystal draping for the sweetheart table. To complete the look of a lavender reception, we brought in elements of silver by renting silver chargers from Pink Avenue and placing a white napkin with a beautiful crystal napkin ring (also rented from Pink Avenue). On the back of each white folding chair, we tied a lavender chair tie and Pink Avenue attached a few faux hydrangeas and crystals for a beautiful affect!

The reception area was in a "L" shape surrounded by windows, so the feel was very open and airy..perfect for this spring wedding. All the linens were lavender lamour from BBJ Linens and Amanda's Florist provided very simple and elegant centerpieces of varying floral placed in silver julep cups. The overall look was stunning!! From the vendors present that day, we heard that was the most beautiful they had seen the Porcher House look, THANK YOU!! :)

The day would not have been possible without our incredible vendors. The photographer (which is featured on this blog) was Laurie Hartwell, Owner/Photographer of A Wedding To Remember. She did an amazing job capturing the love and intimacy of the day. Music was provided by Greg with Celebration's DJs. Pink Avenue, Amanda's Florist, Executive Catering and Sweet Temptations were among the other vendors that made this gorgeous spring wedding a success!

Chris and Tiffany were an amazing couple to work with and I really grew to become friends with this Bride. I was extremely sad to loose her as a client, but extremely excited to be able to be a part of her special day. Thank you, Tiffany & Chris, for selecting A Wedding To Remember! Congratulations and we hope you have a beautiful happily ever after...

All my best for love and laughter,
Kyla

A beautiful Florida Wedding!

2009-09-10T17:09:00.011-04:00

We had the pleasure of planning, coordinating and designing a great Florida wedding with some incredible vendors. DJ Shane Entertainment (DJ Dave) provided the music, Michael Giragosian Photography was on hand to take wonderful pictures (his pictures are featured in this entry), Kristin La Porte with Executive Catering and her Team provided AMAZING food and bar service, Sweet Temptations provided a delicious red velvet cake (yes, my hubby was jealous!) and Amanda's Florist provided the beautiful centerpieces and floral you see. Like the linens? Those were rented from BBJ Linens (Melon Bengaline). The tent, tables and chairs were rented from Chairs for Affairs.

The couple, Heather & Daus, hired us last minute to help re-design their wedding and coordinate the wedding day festivities. The day started early as we all arrived to set up this beautiful outdoor ceremony and reception. The Groom's brother and sister-in-law provided their home and back yard (on the beautiful river) for this affair and the weather could not have been more perfect!

As the ceremony began dolphins started to come up and stayed nearby throughout the remainder of the vows.

Heather wore a beautiful gown from David's Bridal and the staff at Essentials Salon & Spa did her hair and makeup. Heather carried a beautiful bouquet of orchids and calla lilies. Daus and the groomsmen wore a black tux...very classic! All the men wore mango calla boutonnieres. The bridesmaids wore red tea length dresses in various styles and carried a few single mango calla lilies.

The reception took place under a tent that was decorated with paper lanterns. We rented gold chargers from Pink Avenue and placed their favors on top. This was a very simple and modern reception. The white cubed centerpieces helped the carnation floral stand out. Amanda did a fantastic job incorporating more of the couple's colors by using fresh sliced oranges in the vases and we used red apples to pin escort cards to and place on a separate table.

I enjoyed working with everyone on this wedding and especially enjoyed getting to know Heather & Daus over the few weeks leading up to the wedding. As always, we thank our team of vendors and a wonderful couple that make our job so easy! Congratulations Heather & Daus!!!

All my best for love & happiness,

Kyla

Wedding vs. Event...

2009-01-22T15:12:00.009-05:00

Does the word "wedding" mean the same as "event"? In my opinion, the answer is "no". When I hear that someone is planning a wedding, I think of a really quaint, private affair with no more than 15 to 20 people out on the beach, at a park or in a backyard.

Most couples don't have those intimate affairs however, they have the large parties that include 100-150 of their closest friends and family. Within these large parties there are weddings.... but that isn't the entire story. There are formal invitations made, you hire entertainment for the cocktail hour and reception, a professional photographer is brought in, a caterer is used, a special cake will be prepared, a limousine will be reserved, a georgeous gown will be purchased, tuxedo's will be rented... and add another 4,000 other details to attend to and you have yourself an Event!

There are many little items that are so easily missed. The kicker, however, is orchestrating it all. Let's say the couple makes it through the painstakingly hard process of planning the event without anyone losing a limb or worse... who will coordinate the rehearsal and most of all the wedding day? Who will make sure that every detail is put in place while the bride is getting her hair and make up done? Who will make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed when the bride is getting dressed? Who will make sure all the guests have everything they need and that the event is flowing flawlessly while the bride is getting ready to walk down that aisle? Who will que the music and time the processional? Who did all the set up at the reception site? Who made sure everything was put in it's place, the napkins folded to the brides specifications, the menus and party favors placed at each place setting... etc? I could go on and on.

Hiring an event planner is usually the last thing a couple thinks of doing, yet it is the Number One vendor that newly married couples wished they would have hired and made a higher priority so that the experience of planning their wedding wasn't so rough. Most of the time, planners can save the couple as much as or more than the planners fee, plus all the assistance that is provided... it is a "no brainer".

Why risk the memory of the one and only time you are engaged? It is a tough and emotional process as it is... why not make it easier? The money Wedding Planners can save you is shocking... just from saving you from making costly mistakes alone! Not to mention the savings passed to their clients from the vendors hired by the bride and groom. The reason why many photographers, entertainment providers among others are willing to pass along discounts to brides with a Wedding Planner is because they know it will be an organized and flawless event. They know that their job will be made easier because a professional is on the scene. Isn't that worth the peice of mind?

Wedding Planners know which vendors work really well together and who don't. They are all about team building. Instead of hiring a mish mash of professionals who may or may not have ever worked together before... wouldn't it just enhance your event if you had a well built team who prides themselves on making incredible events?

Weddings are the most important, but smallest part of an Event... it is the biggest and most intricate party you will probably ever throw... don't leave it to chance! Do yourself a favor and consult with a professional Event Planner, you won't regret your decision... we guarantee it!

Who can you trust?

2008-11-27T21:12:00.004-05:00

You are engaged! What an exciting time in your life! Not only did you find the person of your dreams, but you get to plan a wedding! So where do you start? Who do you call? Should you just start calling vendors (DJ's, Photographers, Florist...) without knowing who is reputable or not? Should you trust what they are saying is true? Will they give you the wedding of your dreams?

The truth is... if you aren't in the wedding industry and you are newly engaged, you probably don't know who the reputable professionals in the area are. It may be best to ask a professional wedding planner who has an excellent reputation. They can help you on many levels. You don't have to hire a planner for full service planning to get great information. You can hire a planner to give you referrals of those you can trust to hire for wedding services or to attend the meetings you will have with your vendors. Planners can even help you with the wedding rehearsal and be with you on the day of your wedding to ensure that all goes smoothly so that your friends and family can enjoy your exciting day. Of course, you can have the wedding planner assist you with every detail of your wedding so that no detail is left undone and that everything will be seamless from beginning to end. That is up to you, but you owe it to yourself to talk with someone who knows the ins and outs of the wedding industry. Most wedding planners offer a free initial consultation, so you have nothing to lose.

If you would like to talk to a professional from A Wedding To Remember, give us a call to day or visit our website to learn more... www.weddingtoremember.net.

Laurie Hartwell, Owner
A Wedding To Remember
321.258.1393
www.weddingtoremember.net