Jennifer + Bryan: The Reception

The dining room at The Baltimore Country Club is a wonderful setting for a seated-served wedding dinner. Our group of nearly 150 guests were seated at guest tables with beautiful "Camden" linens and napkins from Gala Cloths . The silver chargers belong to the club as do the chivari chairs. The menu cards were created by Chelle Paperie who had also designed the "save-the-date" cards, wedding invitations, ceremony programs, table numbers and place cards.

Beside the fact that the bride and groom are wonderful human beings and that the bride's mom is one of the most gracious and kind women on the earth, the details stood out at this wedding. Jenn provided flip-flops for dancing feet, amenities baskets for the restrooms, a coffee table book of Italy (honeymoon site)as the guest book, and upgraded decor elements throughout the venue (like a lighted curtain behind the band). It was lovely.

The Baltimore Country Club consistently exceeds our expectations in both food and service and they are so easy to work with on the wedding day. The other star of the evening was the band Onyx who kept the dance floor completely full all evening. Their energy is contagious.

Congratulations Jenn and Bryan. It was such a pleasure to plan this wedding with you.

Other Wonderful Vendors:
Lighted Band Curtain: Accent on Events
Wedding Cake: Mary Elliott
Sound System for the Ceremony: Music Masters
Hotel Guest Rooms: The Inn at the Colonnade
Transportation: American Limousine
All Images are Courtesy of Brian Slanger Photography

Jennifer + Bryan

It was the gorgeous Sunday of Memorial Day weekend when Jenn and Bryan were married. The Baltimore Country Club was the setting for the outside ceremony followed by a cocktail hour (also outdoors) and a lovely seated served dinner inside the club's beautiful dining room. After dinner, the formalities melted away and what followed was a spirited, fun and lively dance party facilitated by one of our favorite bands: Onyx.

The images here are from talented photographer Brian Slanger. Jenn and (her) Bryan decided to have a photo session before the ceremony so their "first look" photo is pictured here. The cloistered garden walkway at BCC is the perfect, private setting for a bride and groom's first moments together on the wedding day.

Jenn's gown was a wonderfully detailed Ramona Keveza dress from Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection and the groom and groomsmen's tuxedos were from Tuxedo House. The bridesmaids chocolate brown (short) dresses were by Thread and purchased at the fabulous Garnish Boutique on Falls Road in Mt. Washington.

The bride's hair and make-up were flawless and the work of Lorraine Ross (hair stylist) and Jamie Leboe (make-up artist). These are two women that I turn to many times to provide a bride and her girls with terrific styling in a friendly manner. The bride looked stunning.

The flowers in these images were designed by the amazing Carole Langrall of Garden of Earthly Delights. She is talented, creative and kind and we loved working with her on this wedding. She incorporated the wildflowers that Jenn loves so much while keeping the florals formal enough to match the venue.

Next post: the (very fun) reception.

Ashley + Evan - The Reception

When almost 300 guests arrive for a wedding reception on a Saturday night, a good time normally follows. This was the case on the beautiful summer evening when the wedding guests drove up to the magnificent, historic Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel and were met by friendly valets.

The guests were invited to enter the Versailles Room at the hotel for a lavish cocktail hour which included many passed hors d'oeuvres and a premium open bar. The director of catering at the hotel, Jay Day, is a wonderful, experienced, smart and hilarious person who has spent many days coordinating Baltimore's best parties. It was such a pleasure to work with someone who was so intent on making the evening wonderful for the bride and groom and everyone there. He is a true asset to the hotel.

After the cocktail hour, the guests were invited to The Calvert Ballroom which in my opinion is the prettiest hotel ballroom in the city. Because the wedding party was so large, we designed a spectacular, long bridal table which seated all the wedding party and their dates. As the doors opened, the fabulous sounds of Tony Berry and New Money Band could be heard. Tony and his fellow band members are so nice and so talented. The excitement could be felt from the very beginning of the party.

Ashley looked amazing as she and Evan floated to the dance floor for their first dance to "Into The Mystic". A welcome speech by her dad, toasts by the honor attendants and a blessing by Baltimore's famous Father Jack all led into a delicious dinner served by the hotel banquet staff.

After dinner the band exploded with music that kept the dance floor packed the entire evening. There was craziness and mayhem and everyone seemed to be having a great time. It was a wonderful party.

During the reception we went to Ashley and Evan's suite to add some romantic touches like rose petals, candles, champagne and custom pillow cases.

Congratulations Ashley + Evan!

Other Outstanding Vendors:
Flowers: Romance of Flowers
Wedding Cake: Sugar Bakers
Table Linens: Table Toppers
Chairs and Table Top: Party Rental Ltd.
Make-Up: Gregory Dean
Hair Stylist: James Bryant
Wedding Gown: Betsy Robinson's Bridal
Collection
Bridesmaids Dresses: Garnish Boutique
Dance Floor and Stage: Event Dynamics
Favors: DeBrand Chocolatier
Limo Bus: ZBest Limousine

Ashley + Evan

Even though the morning started with a little rain, soon the skies cleared and it was a glorious day for Ashley and Evan's June wedding. These beautiful images were taken by photographer Jennifer Domenick from Love Life Images in Savage Mill.

It is so important to start a wedding day with friends and calm and food and drink like Ashley and Evan did. While Ashley and her girls were getting dressed and ready at a lovely (huge) suite at The Radisson Lord Baltimore Hotel, Evan and his groomsmen were chilling at his home in Baltimore. And there were plenty of friends! Ashley had 2 honor attendants, 10 bridesmaids, 1 junior bridesmaid and 2 flower girls while Evan had 1 best man, 9 groomsmen and a ring bearer. A wedding party of 26!

The historic SS Philip and James Church was the site for the Catholic ceremony and the incredible flowers were designed by Victoria Claussen at Romance of Flowers.

The processional music of Canon in 'D, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Trumpet Voluntary was led by Wally Ford, the music director and organist at the church.

Everything was captured on video by our friends at Black Tie Video and the very cool vintage Rolls Royce is from City Lites Limousine.

Stay tuned for more photos of this fabulous Baltimore wedding.

M.I.A.

Miss me? I just completed a fabulous marathon of 19 events in 12 weeks and although it was a great experience, it is one not to be repeated anytime soon. It was a test of endurance with fantastic rewards and an incredible sense of satisfaction. There are still a bunch of 2009 weddings to plan and coordinate, but the pace will slower. So, even though there haven't been any blog posts lately, we have been busy creating memories for many happy couples and will share the details with you in the coming weeks via the blog.

It has been a whirlwind Spring and Summer and I couldn't be happier with the results. Wait until you see the photos! The events took place at every imaginable kind of venue (hotels, clubs, private homes, historic sites) and we worked with nearly 200 vendors during the marathon. It is those wonderful professionals and my team (Lisa, Caroline, Kelly, Cassy, Camilla, Laura, Carly, Pam, Barbara and Kate)that came together to produce these amazing events that I am looking forward to sharing. In future posts I will specifically mention and recommend the vendors with whom we worked that went above and beyond and exceeded our expectations (which are high to start with).

The weather was also a star. 100% of the events took place with the "good weather" plan in action. Nothing was rained out and every bride who wanted to get married outdoors, did so.

Special thanks to the clients who are loyal, fun, and so smart. The best part of this business is the people I get to meet. I am honored that they bring us in to share this very important life event with them.

Giddy-Up

The Kentucky Derby might have the Mint Julep, but Maryland's Preakness race has the delicious Black Eyed Susan. This drink is so good that I make them by the pitcher for quick pouring while entertaining. Be sure to serve in a tall glass with lots of ice and the garnish is really the finishing touch. Don't even think about using any old rum -- it must be Mt. Gay Rum. I'm pretty sure it illegal to make a Black Eyed Susan with any other kind. It is ok however to substitute Triple Sec for the Cointreau though, considering the state of the economy and all.




The Recipe:
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Mount Gay Rum
1/2 oz Cointreau
6 oz Orange Juice
3 oz Pineapple Juice
Combine ingredients, stir, and pour over crushed ice. Garnish with a pineapple, orange slice, and cherry brochette. Enjoy!

More Shoe Love

Can you tolerate one more post about shoes? I bought this pair of Cole Haan shoes recently because they were on sale at Nordstrom for 30% off and they are perfect to wear with summer skirts. What I didn't know until I got home was that they have the very comfortable Nike Air cushioning which make it easy to wear them for long days. So I thought I would just post this for all my vendor friends who are on their feet for 12 hours at a clip when doing events.

The Air Tatum Thong also comes in brown and in orange.