Reception Sites | Grace Ormonde

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The Inside Scoop on Planning a Wedding at the Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Opening in 1923 in the heart of Phoenix, AZ the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa provides a location of natural beauty and luxurious amenities for your wedding reception. After the hotel graciously hosted our VIP networking event there last month, we had a chance to speak to Rulla Effa, the Director of Catering at the hotel who gave us a sneak peak into planning your perfect wedding at the Arizona Biltmore. Rulla has worked in the industry for over 24 years, moving to and from various 4 and 5 star resorts in the Arizona and Southern California areas. An expert in weddings, Rulla answered some questions for Grace Ormonde about the unique wedding services of the Arizona Biltmore.

GO: What is your unique role when it comes to a couple’s wedding day and how does your property distinguish a couple’s experience as opposed to getting married somewhere else?
RE: I am a hands on type of person so my role is to never let the bride go! Whether she is working with a wedding planner or not; she is still my bride through and through. Our resort is a historic property and unlike any other property. Many stories and history have been made here which makes this a magical location for any bride.

GO: From start to finish, what can a couple expect if they choose to get married at your property?
RE: They can expect to gain a new friend in the end.

GO: If you had to describe your property in 3 words, what would they be?
RE: Historic, charming and unforgettable!

GO: What are the unique locations that a couple can host their ceremony and reception at your venue?
RE: We have 3 historic ballrooms that we hold our weddings at which make for a memorable event. Each ballroom has something unique about it whether it is a copper ceiling or has a circular shape to it.

GO: Do you have areas where a couple can elect to take their wedding pictures at your property?
RE: Photos may be taken anywhere on the property.

GO: Do you have customizable packages?
RE: Absolutely! We have packages or can customize anything for the bride and groom.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your culinary team?
RE: Our culinary teams are one of the best around! We have so many ethnic backgrounds in the kitchen and we truly can create anything their heart desires.

Rulla advised that if you are interested in booking your wedding with the Arizona Biltmore to contact them immediately as they book far in advance and schedule a site visit. They are also currently working on their website, which will be up and running by the end of April, for more information.

The Arizona Biltmore is truly, as its website describes it, a “Jewel of the Desert”. Thank you Rulla Effa and the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa for giving us a sneak peek into your hotel’s services!

Photos: Courtesy Arizona Biltmore

Tags: arizona biltmore resort & spa, destination weddings in phoenix, luxury weddings in phoeniz, phoenix arizona wedding planning, reception sites, rulla effa, wedding planning
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The Inside Scoop on Planning a Wedding at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, CA

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, a jewel of Southern California, has become a prime reception site for luxury weddings since opening its doors in 1907. The hotel is situated on 23 lush acres of gardens and perfectly manicured grounds and offers exceptional settings for indoor and outdoor weddings and photo locations. Whether it is the grand staircase of the Horseshoe Garden or the foyer surrounding the courtyard, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is a beautiful and enchanting place to celebrate your wedding.

I had the privilege to speak with the Director of Catering Sales, Jill Hilts, who has a passion for The Langham Huntington, Pasadena and its legendary traditions. An expert in luxury weddings for over 12 years, Jill delights in showing off the hotel’s enchanting venues and finding the perfect spot to suit each couple’s needs. Taking a break from her work and hobbies — including all things French and spending time in her garden — Jill answered some questions for us on the special wedding experience couples will receive when booking their event at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena.

GO: What is your unique role when it comes to a couple’s wedding day and how does your property distinguish a couple’s experience as opposed to getting married somewhere else?
JH: Following the venue selection and contract signing the couple is partnered with their dedicated Meetings & Special Events Manager. The Langham Meetings & Special Events Manager collaborates with our innovative culinary team to custom design the menu integrating those personal elements that contribute to a bespoke wedding experience. The MSE Manager is also onsite on the day of the wedding working closely with the wedding coordinator to ensure every expressed and unexpressed need is met.

GO: If you had to describe your property in 3 words, what would they be?
JH: Timeless, Elegant and Enchanting.

GO: What are some of the unique locations where a couple can host their
ceremony and reception at your venue?
JH: The Langham Huntington offers many different venues for your wedding accommodating both smaller and larger parties. Our beautifully landscaped Japanese Garden and our elegant Georgian Ballroom and Courtyard can seat up to 150 guests. If you are looking to do a larger reception, our original dining room, the Viennese Ballroom and Terrace can set up to 250 guests. Also, for up to 650 guests, the hotel offers the magnificent Horsheshoe garden with a panoramic view of San Marino Valley and the Huntington Ballroom and Foyer with its timeless grandeur.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding, can you tell GO readers about your menus and culinary team?
JH: We often replicate one or more heritage menus. This may be either a food or beverage item that has a personal significance to the couple or to their culture. When the item is served it causes an unexpected ripple among the guests in particular the family member who is the author of the recipe! Behind this operation is our Executive Chef, Denis Depoitre. Chef Depoitre is responsible for the hotel’s complete culinary operation including two restaurants, banquet facilities, menu and recipe development, as well as management of the hotel’s kitchen staff. The culinary staff includes many notable chefs including Rosalie Aranda, our Banquet Chef, Jesse Flores, our Garde Manger Chef and John Quinn, our executive pastry chef.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting married at your property?
JH: We recommend that a couple who is considering us for their wedding visit our dedicated weddings website at: www.langhamhuntingtonweddings.com Here they will be able to view photos from real weddings, testimonials, current menus, pricing and a comprehensive Frequently Asked (FAQs) section which will answer the majority of their initial questions. They should complete a Request for Information on our weddings website and include as much detail regarding the elements of food and beverage that is important to them. We will answer their post within 24 hours with a tailor-made proposal.

With customizable packages, attentive services, fine cuisine, beautiful grounds and a cutting-edge wedding website,The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is the perfect Southern California reception site. For more information, please visit their website at www.langhamhuntingtonweddings.com. Thank you Jill Hilts for giving us a peak into your magnificent hotel!

Tags: destination weddings in pasadena, luxury weddings in southern california, pasadena, reception sites, southern california wedding planning, the langham huntington
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The Inside Scoop on Planning a Wedding at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, FL

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

The Mandarin Oriental, Miami offers an elegant and stylish location for a luxury wedding. Located by the water with banquet halls influenced by Asian and chic tropical decor, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami is the perfect reception site for intimate or large weddings with many outdoor and indoor venue options. After recently celebrating its 10th anniversary in Miami, we had the opportunity to speak to Victoria Chase the very talented Director of Social Catering at the hotel.

Victoria has been planning and executing weddings and special events for the past 20 years. She handles all aspects of the event planning from menu design and planning, design consultation, logistic management to the execution of events both nationally and abroad. Victoria was able to give us an exclusive peek into planning a wedding at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami and the unique services they offer for brides to be.

GO: What is your unique role when it comes to a couple’s wedding day and how does your property distinguish a couple’s experience as opposed to getting married somewhere else?
VC: The Mandarin Oriental, Miami assures each couple that their experience will be distinctive in venue, cuisine and experience. There is great exclusivity to our hotel, in that we host only one wedding on property at a time. Each wedding is truly distinctive, and our professionals strive to create an event that is the very embodiment of your personality, preferences and dreams. From the initial phase of inquiry, through the completion of the event, the Catering department and I oversee the planning and details. It is our goal at Mandarin Oriental, Miami to keep all aspects of the wedding planning process stress free, allowing you to truly enjoy the months, days and hours leading up to the celebration.

GO: If you had to describe your property in three words, what would they be?
VC: Luxurious, distinctive and memorable!

GO: What are the unique locations where a couple can host their ceremony and reception at your venue?
VC: Our Oasis Private Beach and our Lawn offer unique and memorable settings that reflect and infuse the essence of Miami chic. Also, our Ballroom is the epitome of elegance and features 22 ft high ceilings, luxurious rice paper chandeliers, and built in shoji panels around the perimeter of the room, reflecting a subtle Asian influence. The ballroom has full accessibility to a private terrace, allowing guests to enjoy Miami’s tropical breezes throughout the evening.

GO: Food is such an important element at a wedding; tell me about your menus and culinary team?
VC: Our menu offerings are formatted in the design of a package, however our award winning chefs are passionate about food presentation and innovative cuisine and strive to customize these menus to each of our couple’s specifications. The food and beverage presentation is the most important component of our wedding events, and as such, we ensure that the cuisine, as well as the venue, reflects the bride and groom’s preferences. On some occasions, our chef’s have literally worked side by side in the kitchen with our brides and their families during the months leading up to the wedding to incorporate traditional family recipes.

GO: What is the first thing a couple should do if they are interested in getting married at your property?
VC: They should first know that we will make sure their wedding is everything they have dreamed of, then simply call, or email me.

With a stunning lobby featuring views of the Miami sky-line and Biscayne Bay, luxury suites for the bridal party to “get ready” in and stunning outdoor space, the Mandarin Oriental Miami is a magnificent venue for your wedding celebrations. Thank you Victoria Chase for sharing all the great services the Mandarin Oriental, Miami has to offer!

Be sure to check out the Mandarin Oriental, Miami Wedding Guide blog by Victoria Chase!