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St. Simons Wedding Planner :: Island Destination Weddings | Blog
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Eenie, Meanie, Mini-Moon!

Terrica Talk

If you haven’t taken your mini-moon yet, and you still have some time before your wedding, TAKE YOUR MINI-MOON!

“But Terrica“, you say, “What in the world is a mini-moon?”

Hold on to your engagement rings, because you are going to heart this. Instead of a honeymoon, you take a mini-moon during your planning period. Why? Well just like in all big times in life, you need a break. Planning a wedding, just like the long arduous process or buying a home or the incubating period of a pregnancy, can put quite a strain on a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, these are happy events that we are working towards. But because it’s in our nature to want everything to be perfect, we stress about little details, incorporations, etc.

Now, enter the Mini-Moon.

The mini-moon is a quick getaway for the bride and groom: 48 hours or more to a great place. This great place can be a vacation getaway or even the privacy of your own home. The deal is to not discuss anything wedding related for that 48 hours! That’s right– not one mention of your dress, six thousand bridesmaids, the peonies imported from New Delhi or the 700 buttercream roses which will adorn the cake.

Instead, you focus on what got you engaged in the first place– the two of you. If you take your mini-moon at home be sure to tell people you’re going a way. Nine times out of ten, people will call you, unaware of your wedding planning hiatus, and will want to talk shop. Lock up your wedding magazines, contracts, etc. Really make an effort to put the focus back on the relationship and not the wedding. After all, the wedding is only one day. The two of you are forever.

Your Own TomKat Wedding

St Simons & Jekyll Island Weddings

Ever since TomKat, the artists formerly known separately as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, had their Italian Villa wedding, the new rage is Italian Weddings.  New couples are not going for the typical Caribbean destination wedding.  Instead, they are zooming off to Italy for their blissful nuptials. 

But let’s say you can’t afford the flight, paparazzi, or celebrity guest list.  Look instead for local Italian inspired structures here locally. For example, the Jekyll Island Club’s Italian Renaissance cottage, built for Richard T. Crane and his family in 1917, is beautifully appointed with massive fireplaces, handsome wrought iron details, and beautiful woodwork. Located near the heart of the historic district, Crane Cottage is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Crane Cottage offers alfresco dining in the fountain courtyard, or inside in a tranquil, intimate setting.

This is a wonderful idea if you love the idea of going Tuscan or Sicilian or any other Italian area, definitely look into different areas around you. Look for decor, blooms, foods, etc. 

Victor & Rolf’s New Line at H&M includes $350 Wedding Dress

Wedding Sugar

About.com–  Buying your wedding dress at H&M, the celebrated cheap clothing store, might sound strange. But thousands will be lining up this morning to do just that, when Dutch designer duo Victor & Rolf present their new H&M line, which includes a $350 silk duchesse wedding dress. H&M previously partnered with such designers as Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld – both of their lines sold out within days. Since Victor & Rolf aren’t as well known, you might have more time, but with celebrities like Chloe Sevigny, Carmen Electra, and Kanye West as fans, the buzz about this brand is growing.

The dress isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but I think it could look phenomenal on the right woman. If you’re thinking of checking out this dress today, be sure to factor in the cost of alterations. Getting a wedding dress tailored often means the difference between looking good and looking phenomenal on your wedding day.

See more pictures of the Launch Party.

Monique Lhuillier Branches Out: Lhuillier to Design Shoes, Handbags, and China

Wedding Sugar

Monique Lhuillier has long been a celebrated wedding dress designer, and her work is often compared and contrasted to that of legendary wedding dress designer Vera Wang. So it makes sense that Lhuiller would follow in Wang’s footsteps in expanding her brand to include shoes, handbags, and china. While the china will be available in spring 2007, we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the rest of her homewear line. Monique Lhuillier groupies will finally have something to use when they’re not attending a red carpet event!

Spend the Holiday Season at the Historic Jekyll Island Club

St Simons & Jekyll Island Weddings

From  November 26 – December 27, you can enjoy a warm winter holiday on Georgia’s most romantic Island!

Christmas on Jekyll is a favorite pastime here in the Golden Isles.  We will celebrate with the rest of the island for the Holiday Island Tree Lighting Festival on November 25.  Visit with Santa while singers, vendors, snow, fireworks and horse & carriage rides entertain you. Then, Santa comes in on a boat regatta to light the tree signaling the beginning of the Christmas season. It is the first event in a month-long season of beautiful events on the Island.

If ever you wanted to come down to St. Simons Island or Jekyll Island to do a little wedding venue or vendor scouting, this would be it! Give us a call while you are here!  Our new Make A Wish package will help you take care of everything:  we’ll make your wedding vendor appointments, attend them with you (if desired), and meet with you to discuss how we might help you further.  The package also includes accommodations, dinner and more!  Quite Romantic 🙂

Outlined in thousands of lights against the winter sky, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a picture of Victorian Christmas hospitality throughout December.

$129.00 Single Occupancy
$139.00 Double Occupancy

    Package features include:

  • Traditional Accommodations with king bed or two double beds
  • Full Breakfast in the Grand Dining Room Christmas
  • Stocking filled with goodies
  • Jekyll Island Club commemorative Christmas ornament (one per person in room)

     For full package details please click here

 

What do wedding planners do in their spare time?

Company News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We talk about weddings over great food of course!  As some of you might know, I am one of the founding members of iWED— International network of Wedding and Event Designers.  Last month, a few members decided to get together at the Amelia Island Ritz Carlton for dinner. 

Let it be known, we had a fabulous time! And, FYI, the creme brulee is to die for!  I was ground fighting almost every day to work it off, but it was sooooooo worth it!  At any rate, you have (L to R) Shayna Box from Posh Celebrations,  Mattie Johnson from Look No Further Events, Scarlett Williams from Captivating Studios and yours truly at the end.

It was a fabulous night of great food, greater conversation and the greatest of friends!  They almost had to put us out! Our reservations were at 7:30, and we didn’t leave until 11:30. WOW! Who knew?  We will host another “Soiree” (that’s what we call our get togethers. Being wedding professionals, you know it had to be something uber-fabulous) on St. Simons Island next February.  We’ll do it bigger and better this time– a three day trip of spa treatments, good food, great conversation and company…and more creme brulee.

Bring on the heavy bag and the ground fighting!

Make Your Own Wedding Cake….If You’re Brave!

Wedding Advice

I noticed a lot of people are coming to the blog looking for wedding cake recipes to do their own cake. While it may save you money, I can almost bet that you will incur more stress and frustration. Letting a professional handle your wedding cake assures that you will have an expert design and create your cake, as well as deliver it one piece. Some bakers will even stay on hand to cut the cake or decorate it with the florist.  But let’s say you are having a small intimate wedding at home, or have oodles of time before the wedding.  Wilton has always provided excellent resources for cake baking– their kits are also easy to use with easy-to-follow directions.  They even have pre-made fondant, which will make your life so much easier.  Their cake pans are very easy to use.  Consider also getting a Pampered Chef cake decorator. They have worked wonders and performed small miracles in my house.  DEFINITELY do a practice cake…and make sure you do it months before your wedding. In the event of a mishap, have your local bakery or grocery store bakery on speed dial.  Publix and Sam’s Club have been known for their great, yet inexpensive weddingcakes. 

Here’s a great recipe from Carolyn Rodish that I thought would make a fabulous wedding cake:

Champagne Cake Recipe

1 Duncan Hines white cake mix (works best)
??  Follow box instructions, except substitute 3/4 C. Andre’ Pink Champagne for part of the liquid called for, and the rest milk. 

  The rest of ingredients as called for on the box,
 

Tint cake batter with 1-2 drops of red food coloring to tint the batter a pastel pink color, if desired.  Bake as usual.

You can use jams for your fruit filling in your cakes– just be sure that it complements the flavors of your cake layers and icing.  Carolyn also has a Champagne Buttercream icing, however, the following recipe is among my favorites.  I made Monica’s recipe for my prima donna daughter’s 4 birthday. It covered two tiers of a small cake, and still gave me leftovers for another two tiered small cake and probably six cupcakes. Trust me, I had to resist major temptation not to sit on the couch with the bowl and a spoon watching the Fit Channel 🙂

French Buttercream Icing

 

    8 oz. sugar
     2 oz. water
    4 eggs
     4 egg yolks
  1/2 tsp. salt
     1 lb. butter
     1/2 lb. shortening
    Vanilla to flavor 

  •     Dissolve sugar in water and cook to 240. (candy thermometer)
  •     Place eggs,yolks,and salt in mixer w/ whip attachment until light & fluffy.
  •     While whipping, pour hot sugar onto eggs.Pouring it in a steady stream between the whip and the side of bowl.
  •     Whip (HI) until cool, then whip(LO) in butter & shortening. 

Procedure is similar to a Italian Meringue Buttercream.  French Buttercream will be yellow, due to egg yolks. Italian is white.

 (This tints well and easily with food coloring. So if you want a white icing, use an Italian Buttercream recipe)

 

  

Trust Me– This WILL Be the New Must-Have Wedding Song

Wedding Advice

If you are still looking for the perfect song for your wedding, you will love “You Are My Miracle” by Vittorio Grigolo featuring Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls.  It is a beautiful song– think of Andrea Bocelli meets Mariah Carey.  It’s not over the top, but instead, beautifully composed and orchestrated.  It would make a great first dance song, but it is perfect for the processional as well (it has perfect timing!).  Perfect for the Opera and love song lovers!  Have a listen or buy from iTunes.

Things Engraved Are Things Remembered

Company News, Wedding Advice

Things RememberedYou’ll find gifts to celebrate and recognize all of life’s milestones at Things Remembered. For over 35 years, we’ve been helping customers mark special occasions with our beautiful gift assortment and showing them how to make every gift a cherished keepsake by adding a heartfelt sentiment.

We love Things Remembered because they offer so many great gifts for parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen and even ones for your future husband!  You can take 20% off your next order (personalization included!) of $100 or more! Just use coupon code 1694 when checking out!

Give your wedding party gifts that truly express how you feel–personalized from Things Remembered. 

Three Ways to Cut Cake Costs

Wedding Advice

saint simons wedding cakeThe wedding cake you’ve fantasized about can also be the one your wallet says “yes” to. Here are some great ideas for a more affordable – but still gorgeous – wedding cake.

  • Get a smaller cake. Show off the beautiful wedding cake for everyone to see, then have a sheet cake of the same flavor cut in the back.
  • Make mini cakes. Instead of one large cake, split up the cost and ask your baker to make every guest a cupcake of your favorite flavor instead. Top each with something pretty, and build a ‘wedding cake’ tower of your fabulous cupcakes.
  • Offer a dessert bar. Another great way to offer dessert while having a smaller cake: set up a dessert bar with mini pastries and coffee to offset a piece of wedding cake.