Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Daily Blog About Things I Love

Weekend Destination Wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

May 16th, 2013

Experience a stylish, contemporary, accessible Dallas hotel, Ritz-Carlton, Dallas — where glamour, graciousness and the Texas spirit meet. The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is ideally located in the chic, picturesque enclave of uptown, adjacent to downtown Dallas, on the McKinney Avenue Trolley Line. The luxury hotel is within walking distance to gourmet dining, upscale shopping, sightseeing, galleries, professional sports games, live entertainment, outdoor parks and downtown’s largest urban arts district in the United States.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
RCD: World-Class. Experiential. Memorable.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
RCD: The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas recently experienced the fortunate addition of Chef Chris Southwick as Executive of Culinary and Food & Beverage, overseeing all hotel culinary activities, including weddings. Chef Southwick not only holds an impressive background with leadership at some of The Ritz-Carlton’s top hotels, including Sanya, Sarasota, Moscow and Palm Beach, he’s charismatic, energetic and alive with creativity, making him the ideal culinary partner for our brides & grooms. He leads the team to customize each menu, ensuring it suits the vision of the evening.

Another wonderful benefit of hosting a wedding at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is our in-house pastry chef, Corey Thomson. Chef Thomson has created numerous newsworthy wedding cakes and desserts, such as seasonally-flavored macaroons in pear, salted caramel, passion fruit, and rose with rosewater buttercream.

GO: What do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
RCD: First and foremost, couples can feel confident due to the level of personal attention and commitment from the hotel’s senior leadership team throughout the entire wedding process.

For planning details, the Event Design Studio at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is the ultimate resource in the creation of customized events. Couples are welcome to invite their event planner within this private space to select from an array of the finest linens, china and specialty décor available. Private tastings by our culinary team are also possible within this space.

For weddings with a minimum of 150 guests, The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas provides couples with a complimentary deluxe suite guest room with a rose petal turndown on the night of their wedding. The hotel also happily coordinates anniversary stays to ensure lasting memories for years to come. Additionally, the hotel offers weddings with 250 plus attendees access to a private valet entrance and valet service staff, providing a convenient and seamless arrival/departure process.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?
RCD: The hotel orchestrates a variety of unique offerings and packages for wedding festivities including:

Welcoming wine receptions for wedding guests in the hotel’s three connecting Arboretum Rooms or the outdoor Live Oak Bar.
Rehearsal dinners in the Sendero, a glass enclosed pavilion overlooking outdoor gardens and water features, at the hotel’s award-winning Fearing’s Restaurant by celebrity chef Dean Fearing.
Wedding party packages at the 12,000 square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa, including ‘Manicures & Mimosas’ for the bridal party and ‘Groom the Groomsmen’ for the husband-to-be and his main men.
Ceremonies and receptions in The Ritz-Carlton, Ballroom – the largest luxury ballroom in Dallas which can be divided and setup for a variety of celebrations.

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
RCD: Absolutely. Our saline-treated rooftop pool and outdoor terrace is the perfect place to sip cocktails and soak in the Texas sun. The hotel also offers a nightly Guacamologist™ experience at 6 p.m. in the hotel lobby where a chef prepares fresh tableside guacamole and a tasting of our signature margaritas. After the experience, I highly recommend a visit to Fearing’s Restaurant. It’s been recognized as one of the top 10 hotel restaurants in the world and offers phenomenal Elevated American Cuisine by Chef Dean Fearing. The restaurants two bars – The Rattlesnake Bar and Live Oak Bar, are also terrific places to people watch and catch a glimpse of the Dallas social scene.

When it comes to accommodations, The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level is a must try. It’s the only experience of its kind within the city of Dallas, offering a private concierge and continuous complimentary culinary offerings, including light snacks, hors d’ oeuvres, champagne and cocktails. Additionally, Club Level guests are invited to partake in a new Friday Night Flights offering when a rotating presentation of regional tastes and sips, such as cheeses from nearby creameries, handmade Texas salsas, local jams and preserves, and decants of Texas wines and brews are presented in the hotel’s key-required Club Lounge.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in having a destination wedding at your property?
RCD: I invite couple’s to become acquainted with our event space and wedding packages by visiting our website at www.ritzcarlton.com/dallas. To arrange an appointment to visit our hotel and personally view the event space, I welcome guests to reach me by phone at 214.922.0200.

The Ritz-Carlton Dallas
2121 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75201
214.922.0200
RitzCarlton.com/Dallas

Tags: all inclusive, dallas wedding, dallas weddings, elopement, feature weddings, grace ormonde, Luxury, Luxury Weddings, photography, planners, popular, real weddings, Texas Wedding, top, travel, wedding ideas, wedding inspiration, wedding locations, Wedding Photography, wedding style magazine
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Weekend Destination Wedding at The St. Regis New York, New York

April 18th, 2013

The St. Regis New York is home of the famed “million dollar staircase” located on 55^th Street just steps away from the prestigious shopping on Fifth Avenue and minutes from Times Square and Boradway. It is the epitome of beauty and luxury and can provide you with the perfect setting and fulfill the desires of your wedding day.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
TSRNY: Bespoke. Timeless. Uncompromising.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
TSRNY: Our Executive Chef and team of catering professionals collaborate with each bride and groom to create a personalized menu reflecting their individual tastes and character. With the utmost attention given to even the smallest details, they create a flawless meal that is impeccably planned and presented.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
TSRNY: Couples who get married at The St. Regis New York are offered a complimentary bridal suite for the night of their wedding for a truly luxurious and romantic experience. Ideally located at 55th Street and Fifth Avenue, The St. Regis is in the heart of New York City just steps from Central Park, luxury stores and boutiques, the Theater District and fine dining. Our concierge is available to arrange activities for couples and their guests to experience everything New York has to offer. Every guest room and suite at The St. Regis New York has butler service. Our signature butler service is available 24-hours and offers many complimentary services including unpacking at arrival and packing at departure, coffee or tea with morning wakeup call, pressing of up to two items per person, shoe shine upon arrival, and any other request to make your stay more comfortable. This service is greatly appreciated by couples and their guest as the butler is there to allow you to relax and enjoy your stay.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
TSRNY: Just steps from famous Fifth Avenue, couples can take quintessential New York photos just outside the hotel to capture the spirit of the city. Many of our couples also opt to take photos in their suite as all rooms are beautifully furnished with elegant furniture, crown-molding and Waterford crystal chandeliers.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?
TSRNY: An oasis in the heart of Manhattan, The St. Regis New York can accommodate couples and their guests from start to finish. A Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star hotel for 19 years, The St. Regis New York is one of the best hotels in the world. With 229 guest rooms and suites, we have a variety of options to select from. We are able to set up a block with preferred room rates for your guests, and the bride and groom will have access to a complimentary bridal suite on the night of their wedding. Located on property, our spa offers customized treatments for a truly luxurious experience. To relax before the Big Day or unwind after a night of dancing, all treatments are personalized to meet individual needs. Salon Fodera, world-renowned stylist Salvatore Fodera’s eponymous salon, is located on the lower lobby level. From a simply coifed blow out to an intricate up-do, Salvatore and his team are New York’s leading hair stylists. In-room services are available so you can stay within the comforts of your room to get primped. Salon Fodera also offers manicure and pedicure services. There are 16 unique event spaces at The St. Regis New York that can also be utilized for rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons, wedding brunches, or any other event connected to your wedding. Our catering team is available to assist in creating these special occasions.

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
TSRNY: The St. Regis New York’s guest rooms and suites are sumptuous retreats from the buzz of the city. Every room features custom-made furnishings, including the signature St. Regis Bed for a perfect night’s rest. With our signature butler service, guests do not have to worry about a thing from the moment they come through our bronzed doors. Located on Fifth Avenue and just four blocks from Central Park, there is plenty to see and do just steps from the hotel.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in having a destination wedding at your property?
TSRNY: Please contact our catering department directly at 212.339.6776. You may also visit our website at www.stregisnewyork.com/meet-celebrate for photos and more information our event space and bespoke wedding options.

GO: Any other information that you would like to share with our readers that is related to weekend destination weddings?
TSRNY: The St. Regis New York represents New York City’s combination of rich history and modern amenities. New York provides a romantic backdrop for weddings at any time of the year, and at The St. Regis we are here to help create an unforgettable experience for our brides and grooms. With so much to see and do, New York is the ultimate getaway. Allow us to welcome you to our city and take care of all the details to create a night you will always remember.

The St. Regis New York
2 East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue
New York, New York, 10022
T: 212.753.4500
stregisnewyork.com

Tags: destination wedding location, destination weddings, elegant wedding ideas, elopement, feature weddings, fifth avenue, grace ormonde, New York, New York weddings, planners, real weddings, St. Regis, wedding ideas, wedding inspriation, wedding locations, Wedding Photography, weddings in new york
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Weekend Destination Wedding at Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, California

April 11th, 2013

From a rooftop wedding to a distinguished gathering, Mandarin Oriental San Francisco makes sure that every event is unique and unforgettable. You’ll feel like you’re floating in the clouds when you hold your wedding with us Mandarin Oriental San Francisco. They offer one of the most stunning locations in San Francisco, with a host of incredible event spaces, excellent catering and unrivalled service.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
MOSF: Inviting, Sophisticated, and Breathtaking.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
MOSF: Executive Chef Adam Mali has created a fresh perspective of the San Franciscan cuisines here at our hotel. We use the most seasonal, locally farmed and produced ingredients and offer a clean, approachable and flexible style to customize tastes of our guests.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
MOSF: We learn about our guests preferences so that we can personalize their experience with us as much as possible. We want to create as many WOW moments as possible! In order to achieve this, we have to hire and train our colleagues accordingly. They need to remain discreet, unobtrusive and professional at all times. We do our best to anticipate the needs of our bride and groom so that their expectations are exceeded and so that they can enjoy their special day and not have to worry about executing on the details. Another aspect we are set apart is that we offer a true urban wedding experience due to our unique location in the city’s Financial District in San Francisco’s third tallest building. Our spaces are ideal for small intimate weddings from 4 to 120 guests as well as to accommodate same sex marriages.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
MOSF: The most striking location is on our Ceremonial Deck on the 40th floor of the hotel. Our grand staircase, made from mapa burl wood, is unique in its curled design for great photography and so are our elegant signature suites.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?
MOSF: Spa: Recently opened in October 2012, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco is 8,000 sq foot of tranquility. Our luxury spa offers a holistic approach to wellness where Western treatment techniques are used intertwined with our Oriental heritage. We offer a variety of treatments for the individual bride, groom or bridal party including massages, body treatments, facials, Gentleman Essential treatments, and nail care.

Rehearsal: We have a variety of function spaces that can cater to the needs for a rehearsal dinner.

Hair and Make-up: We have a variety of recommendations we can offer for locally based and reasonably costing hair and make-up experts to take care of all your wedding day beauty needs.

Accommodations: Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco’s 158 guestrooms, including seven suites, are beautifully designed with a calming, timeless aesthetic which frames the dramatic views of San Francisco and the Bay from the city’s third tallest building. Each guest room features custom-designed furnishings with a hint of French Deco and a home-away-from-home experience reflected in plush blue couches, large white ash burl wooden desks, and 400-thread count linens promising a peaceful night’s slumber. For the utmost indulgence, the stunning suites are individually designed, each with a furnished, 800-square-foot landscaped terrace from where to admire the spectacular views. The interiors have been thoroughly modernized and decorated in lush textures with a cool blue and silver palette. Spacious bathrooms provide a spa-like ambience with luxury rain head showers and freestanding sculptural bathtubs furnished with Molton Brown bath amenities to allow guests to indulge in comfort and relaxation.

Concierge: Our entire concierge team is Les Clefs d’Or members delivering the highest level of service. Our proximity to key attractions allow for lots of fun to be had by all. Arrangements can be made for the bridal party to enjoy tours of sites, cultural excursions, fun activities for families travelling with kids, wine tasting in Napa or Sonoma, plan a bridal shower of bachelor party.

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
MOSF: Our luxury spa is the ultimate urban oasis, take in the unbeatable views of San Francisco Bay and beyond from our SkyDeck, and escape into our newly refurbished guest rooms where guests feel as if they are floating in the sky!

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting having a destination wedding at your property?
MOSF: Contact Emily Cross at the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco!

GO: Any other information that you would like to share with our readers that is related to weekend destination weddings?
MOSF: Our hotel spaces are unique to any other hotel in San Francisco. Our rooms are charming, full of character, and we offer the most breathtaking views that are simply unbeatable. Coupled with our extensive food and beverage elements and 25 years of legendary service, a wedding at Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco is unlike any other.

Mandarin Oriental San Francisco
222 Sansome Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
415.276.9888
MandarinOriental.com/SanFrancisco

Tags: California, California wedding photographers, California weddings, destination wedding location, destination weddings, feature weddings, grace ormonde, mandarin oriental, reception and ceremony, San Francisco, San Francisco weddings, sites, wedding ideas, wedding inspiration, Wedding Photography, wedding style magazine, weddings
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Weekend Destination Wedding at The Pierre, New York

April 4th, 2013

Even in a city where exclusive luxuries are the norm, The Pierre continues to set the standard for elegance and unrivalled hospitality in a form that is more rare and special than the rest. If you are seeking a wedding featuring a fabled Central Park location in Midtown Manhattan with modern conveniences, The Pierre is the perfect place for you and your special day.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
TP: Classic New York!

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
TP: Our culinary teams focus is very classic, but we customize all of our menus to create a personalized wedding experience and a true reflection of the wedding couples tastes. We can draw from multi-cultural culinary skills to design items that are unique and interesting.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
TP: We want the service experience to begin long before the wedding day. The planning process should be stress free and fun. Every need can be satisfied by our staff, with many years of experience, including seamstresses, valets, Taj Royal Attaches, Chefs, and dedicated wedding planners.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
TP: The hotel is located across from Central Park for perfect NYC images. Additionally, many of our function rooms have hand painted murals that are ideal for wedding photography.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?
TP: The hotel offers Jiva Spa treatments, Sirio Restaurante (operated by the Le Cirque family), 24 hour room service, Taj Royal Attaché service, valet and tailor services, in house laundry and dry cleaning, and five star personalized service.

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
TP: The Pierre completed a meticulous $100 million dollar renovation to create new guestrooms and bath interiors and to accommodate a new restaurant, Sirio, as well as Two E Bar/Lounge. The comfortably elegant residential-style décor complements The Pierre’s classic heritage and retains the hotel’s sophisticated atmosphere.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting having a destination wedding at your property?
TP: Ideally, visit the hotel to experience the flow of the space, and attention to detail that is offered all of our guests. It is very important that they get a true sense of the venues style and feel to ensure that it is in sync with their image of the wedding.

The Pierre Hotel, A Taj Hotel
2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065
T:212.515.5795
tajhotels.com/pierre

Tags: feature weddings in new york, new york wedding, New York weddings, real weddings, Taj Hotels, The Pierre, travel, wedding ideas, wedding inspiration, Wedding Photography
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Spotlight on White Dresses Boutique, Alabama

April 2nd, 2013

In the 1930s, Madie Ella Leonard opened a fine dress store in an Alabama town. Convinced that mixing the fashions of the Big Apple with service drenched in Southern charm would create a shop people would have to revisit, Madie purchased her first lines of inventory. Though many told her Alabama couldn’t handle couture, Madie went on to operate one of the most influential dress shops in the South. With the same love of couture and desire to bring something new to the Alabama bridal market, Madie’s nieces, along with their mom, opened White Dresses. White Dresses blends couture bridal gowns with service dunked in Southern charm to create a bridal shopping experience unlike any other.

GO: How long have you been in business?
WD: We opened our quaint little bridal boutique at the end of January 2013. However, we started planning our shop far earlier! We modeled the boutique after our Great Great Aunt’s couture clothing shop and are so excited to carry on a similar family business.

GO: What designers do you carry?
WD: White Dresses offers a host of fabulous designers that are exclusive to our bridal salon in the Southeast, including Marchesa, Rosa Clará, Sareh Nouri, Jesús Peiró, Anna Maier ~ Ulla-Maija, Stephanie Allin, Palazzo, and Hayley Paige.

GO: Do you offer alterations?
WD: White Dresses does not offer in-house alterations. However, we do suggest an alterations specialist for brides who purchase and will facilitate the first fitting with the alterations specialist at our shop.

GO: Do you sell accessories/veils/shoes?
WD: We do sell accessories and veils!

White Dresses offers a host of designers for veils, including Toni Federici, Nilah & Company, Marisol Aparicio, and Enchanted Atelier. We also offer many different accessories, including belts, headpieces and jewelry from wonderful designers across the United States, including a.b. Ellie, Elisabeth Newton, and Elizabeth Bower.

GO: Do you have options for mothers/bridesmaids/children?
WD: White Dresses is the proud Alabama home of Dolly Pearl, which can translate well to a mothers dress or a bridesmaid dress! While we have many of the samples in store in a variation of ivory or blush, Dolly Pearl offers many great colors and we can order any dress in any color!

GO: Do you have a Trunk Show Schedule?
WD: Yes! We keep our website updated with upcoming trunk shows under the Events page!

GO: What is your salon’s mission?
WD: White Dresses is focused on more than helping a bride find a gorgeous white dress, our goal is to provide a bride an experience that is unparalleled by any bridal boutique. From the moment a bride walks into our store, we make sure she is comfortable and we learn more about her than just her name and wedding date. Our brides are special and we want to make sure they feel that way!

GO: What unique services do you offer brides? What makes your salon stand apart from others?
WD: Our salon offers a Pure White Appointment and a Dressing Service. The experience at our salon makes it different than any other bridal boutique!

GO: In your own words, describe the bridal salon experience that brides will receive when visiting your salon.
WD: White Dresses modeled its business plan after our Great Great Aunt’s couture clothing store and one thing Aunt Madie always preached was making sure you were more than just a salesperson showing off amazing clothing! When a bride comes to our store, they are greeted outside with a personalized sign congratulating them on their appointment. Our consultants know the bride’s name before they ever walk in! We sit down and learn about them by diving into their wedding. We want to be more than someone who helps them slip on a dress, we want to be their friend and confidant. We get to know the bride, their family, and build a true relationship. When a bride selects her dress, her experience doesn’t end there – we continue the relationship by keeping in touch with the bride and sending them a special treat on their big day!

GO: What are your hours?
WD: White Dresses is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., but we are all about service so we will come in as early or late as needed for our brides (whether it is on an off day or not)!

GO: Anything special you want your readers to know?
WD: White Dresses isn’t your everyday bridal boutique – the owners were raised on this stuff! We grew up having Aunt Madie teach us about laces on her front porch in the Southern summer heat! Aunt Madie’s lessons were deeper than fabric lessons, though. She taught us about knowing your clients, being truly open with others, and not being afraid to give – because the rewards you reap from giving are far greater than any gown sales could be. Learning these lessons when we were young makes us far better at our job now.

White Dresses Boutique
500 Providence Main Street
Huntsville, AL 35806
T: 256.270.8895
whitedressesboutique.com

Tags: alabama bridal salon, bridal fashion, Bridal Gowns, bridal jewelry, Bridal Salon, designer jewelry, designer shoes, destination wedding location, destination weddings, grace ormonde, Luxury, luxury bridal salon, Monique Lhuillier, popular, real weddings, vera wang, Wedding Dresses, wedding ideas, wedding inspiration, wedding locations, Wedding Photography, wedding style magazine, weddings in alabama
Posted in Bridal Salons | Comments

Weekend Destination Wedding at The Palms Hotel & Spa Miami Beach

February 28th, 2013

The Palms Hotel & Spa welcomes you with genuine service and laid-back sophistication at their serene oceanfront resort, set in the heart of the beautiful Miami Beach. With soul-reviving AVEDA spa experiences, natural gourmet cuisine and newly renovated rooms inspired by the beautiful nature surrounding sanctuary, this award winning beach resort could be the perfect site for your dream wedding.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
TPHMB: Elegant, Tropical, Enchanting

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
TPHMB: The Palms’ signature restaurant, Essensia, follows a farm-to-table philosophy, offering a seasonal selection of wholesome global cuisine with emphasis on premium local and sustainable ingredients. This philosophy also applies to The Palms’ specialty food and drink menus. Essensia’s culinary team and catering coordinators work with clients to customize menus. Several different menu options are available, but the goal is to design a menu that speaks specifically to each individual.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
TPHMB: Personalized service is key and The Palms has dedicated wedding specialists working with each client throughout the planning process. Many couples choose to hire one of our wedding specialists as their day-of coordinator ensuring that the rehearsal, ceremony and reception are executed flawlessly. The property’s highly trained professionals know how to combine the best in style, function, service, and convenience.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
TPHMB: The oceanfront Palms Hotel & Spa offers an experience that is difficult to find. Couples can choose between an array of exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces, including the Palms picturesque Colonial-style gazebo with an exquisite private lawn set amidst a botanical paradise, a covered Veranda Terrace ideal for post-ceremony cocktail receptions, and several beautifully appointed ballrooms.

Many couples decide to create a destination-wedding experience, extending the festivities into an extraordinary vacation getaway. Our onsite catering and concierge team can specially tailor your stay from a day at our in-house Aveda spa, followed by a poolside Champagne Bubble-Q, to a Bon Voyage Brunch post-wedding. From an extravagant 200+ weekend long wedding celebration to a private beachfront ceremony, weddings at The Palms Hotel & Spa are simply unforgettable.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding? (spa, golf, rehearsal, hair, accommodations etc…)
TPHMB: The Palms Hotel & Spa offer a city-block of grounds, a large heated swimming pool and a pristine stretch of white sandy beach featuring lounges, sun umbrellas, beach towels and food/beverage service all surrounded by the property’s lush gardens providing a laid-back, tropical ambience. Several hammocks and private Tiki Cabanas offer secluded locations for relaxing before and after the big day.

Casual snacks and drinks are available poolside at The Tiki Bar as well as on the beach. The signature restaurant, Essensia, offers natural gourmet cuisine featuring healthful and flavorful dishes made with locally sourced produce, meats and seafood in a vibrant and sophisticated style. Situated next to the restaurant, Essensia Lounge features signature cocktails made with fresh fruit, herbs grown in Essensia’s Organic Chef’s Gardens; pure, artisanal spirits; and a variety of imported, domestic and craft beers. The exclusive wine list is committed to being sustainable, organic or biodynamic. The Essensia Lounge also offers a tasty gourmet bar menu featuring nibbles & sharing plates, soups, salads, sandwiches and flatbreads.

The hotel is also home to a luxury Aveda lifestyle spa featuring holistic treatments and rituals set to deliver a highly personalized experience. Facilities include a series of multi-purpose rooms including a couple’s suite, an indoor/outdoor relaxation area with steam room, poolside treatment cabanas, a full service beauty salon, a fitness room and an Aveda retail area.

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
TPHMB: In between wedding activities, guests can continue the celebration by relaxing poolside, enjoying The Palms’ seascape, visiting the on-site Aveda Spa & Salon and enjoying natural gourmet dining at Essensia. Our expert concierge team can also help guests select and book several off-site excursions and tours. Guests can also venture out on their own to enjoy all South Beach has to offer.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting having a destination wedding at your property?
TPHMB: The first step would be to contact the catering department at 305.534.0505 or catering@thepalmshotel.com to set up a tour of the property and select a wedding date. Saturday’s are the most popular, especially anywhere between November and May, so I would recommend that couples give themselves amply time to plan.

GO: Any other information that you would like to share with our readers that is related to weekend destination weddings?
TPHMB: A bit of history is nice to have when making a venue selection. I especially like the fact that The Palms Hotel & Spa is family owned and operated. Here’s the whole story in a nutshell: Just minutes from the heart of South Beach, with a city-block of grounds and a pristine stretch of white sandy beach, The Palms Hotel & Spa originally opened its doors as the Sea Isle Hotel in 1939. It was purchased by its current owners, the Krause Family, in 1989, renovated and re-opened as The Miami Beach Ocean Resort in the summer of 1992. In the following years, the family continued to modernize and re-position the property, culminating in a 2010 re-launch as The Palms Hotel & Spa. The AAA Four Diamond property is now part of the exclusive collection of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and one of few independently owned and operated full-service hotels on the beach.

Tags: all inclusive, beach, destination wedding location, elopement, florida, ideas, Luxury, miami, planners, popular, sites, thepalmshotel&spa, top, travel, wedding locations
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Weekend Destination Wedding At The Nonantum Resort

February 14th, 2013

The Nonantum Resort in the beautiful, historic town of Kennebunkport, ME offers casual elegance with all of the right modern touches. This family owned resort has the perfect atmosphere for all of life’s great milestones, paired with the breathtaking oceanfront views on one of Maine’s scenic bays. The calm beaches and rocky shores could be the ideal, sentimental setting for your dream wedding.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
TNR: Picturesque, Grand, Breathtaking

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
TNR: We serve unparalleled creative cuisine, while staying true to Southern Maine’s local flavor. Our culinary team, headed by Executive Chef Steven True, creates customized menus and cocktails for each and every wedding we host. We thrive on delivering unique experiences-we have even had an entire menu created from family recipes!

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
TNR: Our independent, family-owned resort is the perfect landscape for a truly unique experience. The sky is the limit! Our on-site wedding coordinators create memorable occasions for couples and all of their guests. What sets The Nonantum Resort apart is that there are no wedding packages! Each and every event we host is purely customized and built from the ground up. Whether you would like to bring your own ideas or have us create your dream wedding for you-we will deliver it!

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
TNR: Our picturesque, tranquil setting provides a backdrop that is truly majestic. Be it on the water’s edge, aboard one of our sailboats, in front of our lighthouse, in our Ballroom, the possibilities are endless! The town of Kennebunkport is one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Maine, and offers many serene areas such as Goose Rocks Beach, Mother’s Beach, Gooch’s Beach, and Colony Beach. President Bush has even been known to stop by The Nonantum Resort for a photo opportunity on our docks if he happens to be out on his boat!

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding? (spa, golf, rehearsal, hair, accommodations etc.)
TNR: Our location in the heart of Kennebunkport provides top-notch amenities both on and off-property. The finest spa services and hair stylists are within 0.5 miles of the resort and are happy to come on-site by appointment. World-class golf awaits you within a 5-minute drive of the resort. And did we mention the vast activities and amenities on-site? Guided kayaking, canoeing, biking, paddle-boarding, deep sea fishing, lobster boats-it’s all right here! Ever dreamed of having your bridal party delivered on an 80-foot sailboat? No problem!

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
TNR: Absolutely! Our two extravagant buildings of guest rooms, the Carriage House Inn and the Portside Lodge, offer the finest in waterside lodging. A fully-restored Inn from 1884 and a modernized waterfront lodge, respectively, both offering superb ocean views give guests a feeling of escape and relaxation.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting having a destination wedding at your property?
TNR: Give us a call! Our Director of Sales, Timothy Ames, is available at (888) 205-1555 ext. 651 or timothy@nonantumresort.com.

GO: Any other information that you would like to share with our readers that is related to weekend destination weddings?
TNR: Nonantum weddings combine award-winning cuisine, creative menus, personally focused service, stunning ceremony and reception options, water views, great music, sunsets, dancing under the stars, and signature cocktails – all right here on the water in Kennebunkport.

The Nonantum Resort
95 Ocean Ave
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
T: 207.967.2050
nonantumresort.com

Tags: best, checklist, coordination, coordinators, day of, destination wedding planning, ideas, Kennebunkport, Luxury, Maine, planners, services, specialist, The-Nonantum-Resort, top
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Weekend Destination Wedding at Palace Resorts

February 7th, 2013

Six beautiful resorts with endless ways to make the wedding of your dreams a reality. Whether you want an intimate wedding at a quiet island retreat or the grand views of a beachfront in Cancun for your special day, it’s all here. At Palace Resorts, you truly get it all.

For a splash of stylish elegance, couples can choose from nine gorgeously appointed Colin Cowie Wedding Collections available exclusively at Palace Resorts, featuring luxurious handcrafted touches and colorful designs by celebrity event planner Colin Cowie. Best of all, these collections are surprisingly accessible.

The day after your wedding, you’ll enjoy breakfast in bed and a candlelit dinner at one of our acclaimed international restaurants. Besides excellent wedding options, each property is like a world of its own, with unique features found nowhere else. Say “I do” to Palace Resorts, and take the first step toward the wedding of your dreams.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
PR: Palace Resorts’ acclaimed chefs are constantly raising the bar by creating culinary treats that are both high in quality and taste. Meeting and surpassing expectations by utilizing the highest standards of ingredients the team behind Palace Resorts is dedicated to excellence. A testament to the brand’s unparalleled offerings, Palace Resorts recently partnered with celebrity event planner Colin Cowie to bring unmatched style and innovation to destination wedding design. Each Colin Cowie Wedding Collection, includes everything needed to create the perfect affair. The wedding cake is no exception. Our expert team works with the bride and groom to ensure a cake and customized menu that compliments the wedding motif while also adding a memorable and delicious flavor to the evening.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
PR: For all of Palace Resorts six luxury properties we offer a highly experienced, personalized, team of expert wedding planners. From floral arrangements to fine cutlery, the Palace team ensures every detail for the big day surpasses expectations. Adding a personal touch to the experience, every couple works with an onsite wedding coordinator dedicated to their wedding. It doesn’t just stop at the ceremony or reception but can also step in for couples to plan group activities throughout the resort pre and post wedding, including a day-after brunch and honeymoon coordination.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
PR: Each of the properties boasts its own unique and signature locale for the perfect wedding photo backdrop. On property highlights include Cozumel’s elegant gazebo; Moon Palace’s on property Catholic chapel; Beach Palace’s Sky Terrace; Sun Palace and Playacar Palace’s exquisite beach.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?
PR: Couples that spend the first few days as a married couple with Palace Resorts can also add on the Complimentary Honeymoon package. The morning after their momentous day, newlyweds are welcomed with breakfast in bed, a bottle of sparkling wine and a honeymoon cake. Couples are also treated to a private romantic dinner for two, special turndown service, access to the exclusive honeymoon concierge desk and 6:00 p.m. late check-out (upon request and subject to availability). The Complimentary Honeymoon package is also available to couples who present marriage licenses within the past year.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting having a destination wedding at your property?
PR: The first thing to do is call or email Palace Resorts in order to begin the planning process. Reserving your date for your special event is also essential in creating a memorable and unparalleled event. To book your wedding at Palace Resorts or for more information, please visit Weddings.PalaceResorts.com or call (800) 635-1836.

GO: Any other information that you would like to share with our readers that is related to weekend destination weddings?
PR: Guests who book a stay of five nights or more can take advantage of Palace Resorts’ most valued promotion – the $1,500 Resort Credit offer. On top of the already unmatched all-inclusive offerings, resort credits can be used towards room upgrades, spa and beauty salon treatments, golf outings, romantic dinners, Colin Cowie Wedding Collections, and off-site excursions and tours.

Tags: all inclusive, beach, Cancun, destination wedding location, elopement, ideas, Luxury, Palace-Resorts, planners, popular, sites, top, travel, wedding locations
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Weekend Destination Wedding at Le Blanc Spa Resort

January 31st, 2013

This serene spa resort is renowned for providing first-class personal attention and the utmost in euphoric relaxation—all of which also makes it perfect for a blissful luxury wedding. With all-inclusive amenities and dedicated wedding planners, every last detail of your ceremony will reflect your desires. Le Blanc Spa Resort sits on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach facing a brilliant turquoise sea, making it the perfect setting for the wedding you’ve always imagined.

A variety of distinctive wedding designs are offered, including a complimentary option, which allow you to add personal touches that make your ceremony chic and unique. Best of all, a $1,500 Resort Credit promotion is available, which can be applied toward your wedding, so there’s even more reason to indulge.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?

LBSR: Le Blanc Spa Resort offers the ultimate luxury experience and brings gourmet dining to the next level. Dining at eight on-site restaurants, bars and lounges, with premium drinks and fine cuisine from around the world, is also included in every Le Blanc getaway. Combining the freshest and highest quality ingredients and the ideal balance of classic and modern, LeBlanc’s culinary team creates an indelible taste for the senses seldom seen at all-inclusive resorts. Each with its own unique ambiance and cuisine, the Resort’s dining outlets offer exquisite a la carte menus, decadent snacks and decadent buffets, and for each day. Fully customizable menus are available for weddings both lavish and intimate. The expert and renowned culinary staff from Le Blanc’s restaurants will create a menu specific to the needs and desires of each couple. Exquisitely crafted to visually awe, food presentation is just as important as the cuisine at Le Blanc.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?

LBSR: Le Blanc offers guests access to a team of highly experienced, personalized, team of expert wedding planners who are committed to the highest level of luxury. From exquisite floral arrangements to elegant cutlery and stemware, the Le Blanc team ensures every imaginable detail for the big day surpasses expectations. Adding a personal touch to the experience, every couple works with an onsite wedding coordinator dedicated to their wedding. It doesn’t just stop at the ceremony or reception but can also step in for couples to plan group activities throughout the resort pre and post wedding, including a day-after brunch and honeymoon coordination.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?

LBSR: Le Blanc Spa Resort boasts its own unique and signature locale for the perfect wedding photo backdrop. On property highlights include Le Blanc’s breathtaking terrace and private beach and lagoon. Offering jaw dropping views of nature and aquamarine life, the Nichupte Lagoon showcases a tropical paradise for wedding photography.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?

LBSR: Le Blanc Spa Resort is the ideal option for important and special gatherings, including weddings. The resort offers unparalleled service and personalized attention for groups of 20 to 300 guests, all at one all-inclusive rate for setting up and holding functions or meetings. For couples seeking the highest level of pampering, Le Blanc Spa offers a unique mix of Asian and European traditions and a luxe journey of the senses. Couples interested in the ultimate private relaxation experience are invited to choose the 800-square-foot Blanc D’Or Golden VIP Suite, with private sauna, steam room, shower, double Jacuzzi and side-by-side treatment tables. Guests staying on property five nights or more have the option using Le Blanc’s most valued promotion – the $1,500 Resort Credit offer – on offerings including spa treatments.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in having a destination wedding at your property?

LBSR: Contact the wedding team at Le Blanc to save the date and begin the process of creating a memorable and unparalleled event. To book your wedding at Le Blanc Spa Resort, please visit weddings.leblancsparesort.com or call (877) 753-2526.

GO: Any other information that you would like to share with our readers that is related to weekend destination weddings?

LBSR: Guests who book a stay of five nights or more can take advantage of Le Blanc Spa Resort’s most valued promotion – the $1,500 Resort Credit offer. On top of the already unmatched all-inclusive offerings, resort credits can be used towards room upgrades, spa and beauty salon treatments, golf outings, romantic dinners and off-site excursions and tours. Le Blanc Spa Resort a premier all-inclusive property by Palace Resorts, received the prestigious 2012 Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award for top resort in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. For the past 25 years, Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards has been travel’s most comprehensive, influential, and trusted opinion poll. Le Blanc Spa Resort provides the ultimate level of luxury, consistency and service. The quality and attention to detail in everything offered, from cuisine and beachside service to in-room amenities, personal butler service and spa offerings are unmatched. Le Blanc is also the proud recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award, continually shining through the rating system with premium service standards, personalized guest experiences and outstanding on-site amenities. A five diamond property is the ultimate of luxury and sophistication, always exceeding the expectations of even the most refined and experienced traveler. Le Blanc Spa Resort is committed to offering current and future guests equal parts style and substance with a mission of surpassing expectations and ensuring lasting experiences.

Le Blanc Spa Resort
Kukulkan KM-10, Zona Hotelera
77500 Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
T:877.753.2526

http://www.leblancsparesort.com/default-en.html

Tags: all inclusive, beach, Cancun, destination wedding location, elopement, ideas, Le-Blanc-Spa-Resort, Luxury, Mexico, planners, popular, sites, top, travel, wedding locations
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Weekend Destination Wedding at SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills

January 25th, 2013

SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills has delivered unimaginable weddings. They offer exceptional hospitality and style paired with luxury amenities for the perfect experience. Just minutes away from the glamorous storefronts of Rodeo Drive and The Grove along with the beautiful beaches of Los Angeles, SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills has all that you need for your wedding extravaganza.

GO: If you had to describe the property in three words, what would they be?
SLSBH: Service, Luxury, Style

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus/culinary team?
SLSBH: We are extremely fortunate to have collaborated with José Andrés on the entire culinary program here on property. Chef Andrés serves as the Culinary Director allowing us to craft unique and incomparable menus for weddings.

GO: Service is huge in the destination wedding business, what do you do for couples and their guests that set you apart from everyone else?
SLSBH: SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills is very focused on personalized service. Our guests represent the modern day global traveler, and for that, many different personas evolve. We strive to best create a setting unique to the individual couple to add to their special day, whether it be making a special cocktail, or having their favorite flowers awaiting them in their suite.

GO: Do you have selected areas where a couple can elect to take images?
SLSBH: Couples getting married here at SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills have free range to photograph throughout the hotel on their wedding day. This includes, but is not limited to The Bazaar by José Andrés & Altitude Pool. In addition, we offer a unique option for couples (getting married on property or not) to take their engagement photos on property for a small location fee.

GO: What are some of the amenities/special activities that you offer for a couple planning to have a weekend wedding?
SLSBH: As a part of the sbe collection, couples and their guests have an incredible opportunity to essentially have the keys to the city when they stay with us. With matchless synergy, SLS guests receive preferential access to The sbe Collection of some of the city’s most sought after restaurants, nightclubs and lounges. Our concierge team will be at the couples service to make arrangements throughout the weekend!

GO: Do you have unique guest spaces, where out of town guests can feel like they’re also on vacation?
SLSBH: SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills is a Philippe Starck designed property creating magical spaces throughout the property. Guests and locals alike can submerge into the luxuries of Ciel Spa where they can indulge on any one of our treatments from our full service Spa. In addition, guests have exclusive access to Altitude Pool on our rooftop deck where they can enjoy sunbathing as well as select from a variety of menu items, all crafted of course by José Andrés.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in having a destination wedding at your property?
SLSBH: We highly recommend couples come to see the property and meet with our wedding consultants. We have an incredible team of wedding specialists to guide our couples through the entire process of planning and will of course be here on the big day. We also like to have our couples come in for a tasting or experience one of our restaurants to see how magical the culinary concept truly is.

SLS Hotel Beverly Hills
465 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
T: 301.247.0400
www.slsbeverlyhills.com/