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St. Simons Wedding Planner :: Island Destination Weddings | Terrica Talk
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Be A Glow Getter

BeachBlush™  - Coral BeachI’ve got a serious makeup jones.

 I need help.

 But until I care enough to get some help for my makeup addiction, I’ll keep buying 🙂  Being back in Balitmore afforded me the luxury of actually being able to walk into a Sephora and buy whatever I wanted.  So in addition to Aquolina’s Pink Sugar, I decided to go bronze(r) with Cargo’s BeachBlush in Coral Beach

Ok. Officially in love!

 They say it’s a blush, butI swept it all over my face and was gorgeous 🙂  I heart Sephora.  I recently became a Beauty Advisor and now have access to some really uber sweet deals like this Cargo’s Beauty Insider Palette as well as samples, treats and the such. 

I so heart being a girl.

Back in Charm City

jsitverrhnkxbqqaalxz.jpgCaptain America and I drove up to Baltimore for my high school reunion.  First thing, Thank GOD for the new Yukon.  The baby slept very well through the trip, and my other two heirs were neatly tucked away in the third row seat watching Spiderman 2 for the gazillionth time. 

 Anyway, that’s me…the blonde (told you guys I went Beyonce on all of you!)  and few of my gal pals at the DuClaw in Baltimore.  Wow….my second high school reunion.  Ummm…is it time for the Botox and the rest of the plastic surgery yet?! 

C.A. and I had a great time though and partied like rock stars with our own little VIP section at the Baja Beach Club with some other friends (who aren’t pictured– Sorry Lynae and Tere!).  And even though I’ve had better lemon drops, we certainly had fun trying out other signature drinks and dancing! Best date I’ve had with my husband in 8 years!

Let Your Vendors Help Choose Your Reception Site

  Yep, it’s true!  Your other vendors can be of great assistance in choosing a reception site after you choose some of your other vendors.  I know some of your books and sites say choose the site first, but there is really some logic to choosing your site perhaps second or third.

 Let’s say you contract a photographer that you have been swooning over for a few weeks or months.  Looking through her portfolio, you might see a  venue that really grasps the vision you are trying to shoot for with your wedding.  You can also seek your vendor’s counsel if you are undecided about a venue or would like some ideas as to where to start.  Your photographer can tell you what venue has wonderful photo opps to add to your photo album.   The same goes with your florist– they can tell you what site is easy to design and decorate.  They can also suggest which sites can be complemented well with minimal design or those that can be “re-concepted” from scratch. 

 There is another reason that this is a good idea– you definitely want your wedding event staff to get along on the day of the wedding.  Contrary to popular belief, your vendors are notsecond class citizsens, nor are they serfs slaving away for the glory of your wedding day. Unfortunately, some venues treat wedding vendors this way, causing a lot of disdain and dislike among professionals in the industry.  So much so, that man vendors actually blacklist venues– they will not work at a specific venue and will not take your wedding if it is scheduled there.

 To spearhead any problems between your vendors and your reception site, when interviewing venues remember to ask additional questions such as:  what type of vendor meals they provide, do they “require” vendors to report to anyone in their staff, are they required to use a certain entrance, etc. Find out as much as you can for your vendors as possible.  Another great resource is your DJ.  He arrives after the setup and is like the “fly on the wall” he sees all and has to interact with the reception site.  Remember to get a successful event, everyone has to work together without ego or any air of superiority.  It should be all about you– not your vendors.

Party Like A Rockstar

Hip hop and fashion mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs had his ultimate annual “white party” this past weekend.  Usually held in the beautiful St. Tropez, His Diddiness decided to hold his all white fete at his home in the Hamptons.  Unfortunately, my invitation was lost in the mail, but other noteables like Mariah Carey, Donna Karan and Star Jones made it.  Billie Joel’s wife wore a shade of cream (the horror!), and was subsequently turned away and told to go change … she didn’t come back to the festivities (boo hoo).

All white weddings are really taking off this season as well. We are seeing a lot of couples doing all white flowers, linens, dresses, etc.  This is fun way to get a very classy and elegant look with minimal cost and effort.  So go for it!  Invite your guests on classic white designer invitations and encourage them to wear white and do it P. Diddy style!

Micromanaging Killed the Photography Star

I get the opportunity to work with a lot of fabulous photographers.  What makes it so awesome is that you get to see art created right before your eyes, and see a real artist at work.  A lot of times (subconciously), brides receive “helpful” information from friends, wedding magazines and books and even their wedding planners.

Recently I came across this awesome article, Kill the Shot List,  by a photographer, who has a little secret for brides:  You can’t (nor should you try) to micromanage an artist 😉

 Enjoy!

Wedding Planning– So Easy, A Caveman Can Do It?

Don’t get me wrong– wedding planning is great. That’s why I do it for a living.  However, I’ve had loads of training, push myself to stay on top of trends, network, market, etc.  I can definitely understand how a bride can get overwhelmed very easily with wedding planning. I mean, here we are with the most important day of your life–mix in some strangers, a bunch of money, business, contracts, legal ramifications, family and God knows who else and you’ve got a mess on your hands if it’s not handled correctly. 

 My husband and I have recently been deviously relishing in episodes Bridezillas.  He looks at me and says, “I don’t get it. Why don’t they hire a planner!?”  I’m not sure– but a lot of brides realize that they need help, let’s say, two minutes before they walk down the aisle.  It’s sad, because that’s when all heck breaks loose. 

If you need help– get it. You know the saying–you have not because you have not.  Remember– this is the most important day of your life. Don’t entrust it to someone with little to no experience with working with professionals to pull your wedding together flawlessly.  Don’t wait until the last minute. 

 Here are a few suggestions:

  • Early on in the process, meet with a few planners.  Yes, I know, you can do it all by yourself– but if closer to the date you do decide to use someone, you already know who to go to.

  • Pad your budget for a day of coordinator. They only way you will know how much to save is unless you meet with someone (try to avoid the old “call-and-price-shop” deal.  That gives you no idea as to what you are getting or if you will even like the planner).

  • Ask other vendors about other coordinators.  Ask your venue coordinator, your DJ and/or your photographer which coordinators they like to work with.  If they can’t suggest one, ask them what you should look for in one that will make their jobs easier not harder.

 If wedding planning was easy, everyone would be a planner.  😉 

Before You Start Trippin’….

We all know about Trip advisor for desties.  But when choosing your room blocks and venues, check Trip Advisor first!  It is great to find out what other travelers are saying about your venue or the hotels where you want your guests to stay.  Some of the reviews may be a bit testy– but you have to take it as a grain of salt. The important thing is that you get a concept of what you might be in for. It is absolutely horrible to shell out hundreds and thousands of money and receive bad customer service or substandard lodging.  You may even be able to find some reviews from brides or wedding guests to make the review all the more applicable to your planning.  Trip Advisor also has forums where you can interact with other travelers about your specific area– great to get some unbiased opinions to help seal the deal.

It’s Happy Hour Somewhere…

It may be 9:00 a.m. your time, but it’s happy hour somewhere!  I just LOVE these uber-cute arrangements from 1-800 FLOWERS.  They are the perfect touch for bridal luncheons, bachelorette parties or even an informal wedding. The Strawberry Floral Margarita is a beauty– full of lush stargazers, roses and orchids.  Perfect if you are using a lot of pink in your theme.  There are other Happy Hour Bouquets: the Margarita and Apple Martini just to name a few. 

 If you love ’em use promotional code SMSAVE to get $10 off your order of $100 or more. (Valid until August 5, 2007)

World’s Best Honeymoons Revealed in Modern Bride’s Annual Survey

augsept07cover.jpg 

ITALY BEATS OUT HAWAII’S 10 YEAR WINNING STREAK FOR # 1 HONEYMOON DESTINATION

New York, NY, July 9, 2007 – Modern Bride magazine unveils the results of their eleventh annual World’s Best Honeymoons Survey in the August/September issue.  The survey was conducted through Virtuoso, a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who are among the nation’s top travel bookers. Travel experts ranked their overall favorite honeymoon destination, the hotels and resorts with the most luxurious amenities, as well as the destinations that offer the best in categories such as romance, seclusion, affordability, adventure, nightlife, food, and culture. 

 

This Year’s Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations are:

1.         Italy (3rd in ‘06) – the number one honeymoon destination for the first year ever, with vibrant cities, tantalizing cuisine, and a culture that has embraced true love for centuries 

2.         Hawaii – a top destination for eleven years with its luxurious resorts and sprawling beaches

3.         Tahitifor lovers looking to savor the sights, scents and flavors of a French Polynesian treasure

4.         Costa Rica (26th in ‘04) – exotic rainforests, erupting volcanoes, and wildlife reserves promise an adventure lover’s paradise

5.         Mexico – for a blend of rich culture, endless fiestas, and thousands of miles of white sand beaches

6.         France (9th in ??06) for exquisite works of art and architecture, decadent desserts, and an amazing             countryside

7.         Maldives – over 1,000 secluded isles offer out of this world sailing, diving, and swimming in crystal blue waters

8.         Anguilla (34th in ‘03) where the beauty of the Caribbean meets with posh resorts and eclectic cuisine

9.         Fiji – a South Pacific oasis of limestone caves, Asian inspired cuisine, and pristine coral gardens

10.       Greece – a convergence of sumptuous food, enchanting island hopping, black sand, and emerald seas

Expertly acclaimed hotels and resorts with the most luxurious amenities include:

Ultimate honeymoon suite:               Premier Overwater Villa at the St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Ultimate resort for seclusion:           Le Taha’s Private Island & Spa, French Polynesia

Resort with best service:                   The Peninsula Bangkok, Thailand

Most luxurious bathroom:                Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco, CA

Best resort private plunge pool:       Ladera, St. Lucia

Resort with the best bed:                  Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island, HI

Resort with best beach:                    Caneel Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Resort with best bar:                        The Setai, Miami Beach, FL

Resort with best spa:                         Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best hotel brand:                               Four Seasons

Best all-inclusive brand:                   Sandals

Top three honeymoon destinations organized by category:

Most up-and-coming honeymoon destinations: Dubai, Croatia, Costa Rica

Best cultural experience: Italy, France, Greece

Most romantic: Tahiti, Italy, Hawaii

Sexiest Ambiance: Tahiti, St. Barths, Brazil

Best nightlife: Las Vegas, New York, Brazil

Most affordable destinations: Mexico, Las Vegas, Dominican Republic

Most secluded: Maldives, Seychelles, Tahiti

Best beaches: Turks & Caicos, Hawaii, Tahiti

Best snorkeling/diving: Belize, Cayman Islands, Australia

Best for winter sports: Switzerland, Colorado, Canada

Best food: Italy, France, New York

Best adventure: Costa Rica, South Africa, New Zealand

For more info: www.brides.com/modernbride

Ooohhh Wedding Music!

Having a five year old prima donna in the house means several things, some of which are: 1.) my lipgloss, brushes and shoes are constantly missing. (I thought I wouldn’t have to deal with this until she was at least sixteen!) 2.) This entire house would be Disney Princess if she had her way.  As a former Disney Princess myself (I like stopped being one last week, I think…) I’m totally in love with the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings CD.  If you still love the thought and romance of Disney, but don’t want to go “cutesy” this is defintiely the option.  All songs are instrumental and contemporary– perfect for a first dance or cocktail hour for your themed (or even not-so-themed) wedding. 

These also tie in perfectly with the Kirstie Kelly designer dresses that she created especially for the grown up Disney princess!