...these can compete with you.
Welcome to the wonderful world of glowstones. These amazing
tiny stones need only 10 minutes of exposure to light and will
illuminate any walkway for up to 12 hours!
Now, we firmly believe that an invitation sets the tone and
is one of the most important items to choose for an event. An invitation
gives guests a free preview of amazing things to come. Why not heighten
their anticipation with a lit-up entrance void of candles and Christmas
lights? Guests will wonder how you made this entrance so beautiful and
will absolutely be asking you how they can duplicate it. It's your
choice if you want to keep it a secret!
These stones are non-toxic and the possibilities are endless.
Whether it's a wedding or any other party, you can use these in various
ways. Outside by water? Why not line the water, a pool, lake or
anything with these stones? Instead of a candlelite walk-way, use these
to line the outside of the aisles. Of course, you can simply sprinkle
them all down the walkway as shown in the picture above. They are
available in a variety of colors, but to keep the cheese factor down,
just use one.
Find a way to incorporate these into your favors, or perhaps
have a signature drink that lights up. If you're stuck on a theme, these
rocks hand you the "starry night" or "bright lights" theme. Who needs
flames when you have rocks?
Have you seen these at a wedding you've been to? Perhaps you
discovered them already and have pictures to share! Make sure to send
them to us at danielle@goldenweddingplanners.com so we can feature you in a future blog and send you a gift!
Glow in the dark...not just for kids anymore!
Here at Golden Wedding Planners, we believe that your dress and your venue should be the first two things you select for your wedding day. Everything else will simply fall into place. But committing to a wedding gown, a dress that will be in 90% of the pictures, seen all day and worn only once, can be a little scary. When you're buying the gown you probably won't be walking down the aisle for another year afterwards...so how do you pick something that you know you'll love later? Pick something amazing. Simple right?
Introducing Essence of Australia. One of our favorite dress shops in New Jersey, I Do! I Do! in Morristown, will be bringing this amazing line to their stores this June. Incidentally, they are our "vendor of the month" so make sure to check that out at www.goldenweddingplanners.com and tell them we sent you!
Essence offers a wide variety of gowns, one more different than the next. In fact, the gown pictured above comes with a detachable lace overlay, which transforms this dress into something completely different. This is perfect for the bride who wants to walk down the aisle in one gown, and into the reception in something different.
Their website is located here: http://www.essensedesigns.com/index.html and when you visit you'll be able to find a store near you that carries their dresses, as well as a list of trunk shows. While Essence isn't new, having been around for the past 14 years, we want to make sure that as many brides know about this line as possible. Consider it a little industry hint to you from us!
Right now there are 7 stores in New Jersey that carry this line, but no matter what state you're in, there's a store locator on their website: http://www.essensedesigns.com/storelocator.php
Buying an Essence gown? Already wear one down the aisle? Let us know and send pictures to danielle@goldenweddingplanners.com for a chance to win a prize and be featured in an upcoming blog!
It's your honeymoon and you can go anywhere in the world! This is probably the only time where you have excused time from work up to two weeks back to back, and can do whatever you want. No one will blame you for not answering your cell and not bringing your tablet along to answer emails. So what are you going to do with this time?
Planning a wedding is an exhausting process. It's a full time job, and if you didn't have a planner, well...I'm sure you're about ready to relax! But where would be most relaxing? Sure many think that they haven't had a vacation unless they come back weary from all the explorations they did, but what if you just want to do nothing. What if you want to sit in paradise, far away from everything and just do...nothing? Why not make it special and do it on an island that won't be here forever?
Where is The Maldives? In the Indian Ocean about 250 miles southwest of India, this island chain sits waiting for your arrival. Of course you'll be pretty much level with the sea, which is why I would insist that you visit this paradise for your honeymoon instead of your 25th anniversary. Due to the low-lying nature of these islands, the sand is the softest sand you will ever feel and the isolation and privacy will be the perfect remedy to the hectic-ness that is wedding planning.
So where to stay when you're there? Allow us to recommend Taj Exotica! Enjoy your own private villa complete with a wooden ladder to bring you down to the water. Each villa is palm thatched, complete with private spa rooms and outdoor showers. Whether your style is the Presidential Suite, a Lagoon Suite, or a Beach Villa, there is something there for every couple.
If you're a foodie, you'll enjoy their amazing cuisine at Taj as you dine under a starry sky with a fine wine and your choice of cigars. No honeymoon is complete without a trip to the spa to fully relax together! Yoga, meditation and other therapeutic experiences await you and your spouse at this luxurious location.
Still in the first stages of planning your wedding? Well, if you were considering a destination wedding, Taj might just be the place for you to say "I do"! The possibilities are endless, and The Maldives will leave your guests in awe and talking about your wedding at every other wedding they attend.
Please visit this website: http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/Exotica-Resort-And-Spa/Taj-Exotica-Resort-And-Spa-Maldives/Overview.html to see everything this hotel has to offer. Let them know that Golden Wedding Planners sent you.
Have you ever been to The Maldives? Have pictures and experiences to share? Please let us know at danielle@goldenweddingplanners.com and you could be featured in our next blog!
Congratulations to Danielle and Jared! This gorgeous couple got married at the beautiful Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, New Jersey and we were so happy to plan their special day! From the flowers, to the dress, everything was picture perfect and we wanted to share with all of you, some images from their day! If you like what you see, we would love to talk to you about planning your next big event! Just contact us at www.goldenweddingplanners.com and don't forget to check out our team members that all made this day as amazing as it was!
Venue: Oyster Point Hotel, www.theoysterpointhotel.com
Flowers: Boxwoods, www.boxwoodsnj.com
DJ: The Pros, www.thepros.com
Minister: Mitch The Minister, www.mitchtheminister.com
Photographer: Jason Rhee, www.jasonrhee.com
Hair and Make-Up: Hair and Company, www.hairandcompanyredbank.com
Cake: Carlo's, www.carlosbakery.com
Uplighting: Eggsotic Events, www.eggsoticevents.com
Linens: Cloth Connection, www.clothconnection.com
Full Coordination Planning: Golden Wedding Planners, www.goldenweddingplanners.com
The day started at 8am when the entire bridal party, plus a few other ladies prepared at the salon, getting their hair and make-up done. They enjoyed some light breakfast and were so excited to get the party started! Golden Wedding Planners was at The Oyster Point Hotel meeting with vendors and putting everything together. The cake arrived, then the flowers, and soon everyone else followed! For even more pictures, don't forget to check out: www.goldenweddingplanners.com.
Golden Wedding Planners is starting a new feature called "Danielle's Pick of the Week"! This will be a hot new trend that we love and want to share with our readers. To kick off this new feature, we introduce the mixing of long and round tables.
We recently had a venue visit with one of our September couples, and during the conversation the idea of adding long tables came up. At first, the idea might seem a little scary, especially to our more traditional couples, but we are officially married to the idea!
Adding long tables to your reception will give the room a different look and add some dimension. It will also create a family-like atmosphere for all of your guests since these long tables can seat between 20-40 people. If space is an issue, and your guest list is a little too high for the room, adding long tables can help the room stay big and not overcrowded.
There's also a major opportunity to mix up whatever it is you're putting on your tables. From flowers to candles, a long table will require something a little different than your round tables. You can even mix up the linens and add a runner on top of the table cloth.
Long tables aren't necessarily just for the casual bride either. They can be just as decked out and dressed up as their round and oval counterparts.
So go ahead and entertain the idea of entertaining your guests the long way! It's something a little different, and they'll be sure to remember it, and maybe even steal the brilliant idea. That's why long tables are Danielle's Pick of the Week!
The Ryland Inn was a landmark in New Jersey both as an amazing restaurant and a beautiful place to hold an event, especially a wedding. From the gorgeous scenary, to the incredible food, getting an invite to a wedding at The Ryland was something to be very excited about.
In 1991 Craig Shelton made news as the head chef at The Ryland, and suddenly, everyone was going there to dine. The restaurant took home the coveted James Beard Mid-Atlantic Region top prize and continued to please the patrons. Tragedy struck when a water main pipe burst in 2007 and shut down The Ryland. Now, almost everyone you talk to in New Jersey is grinning from ear to ear asking "Did you know The Ryland is re-opening?".
Re-opening it indeed is, this summer of 2012 with a complete makeover. Landmark Hospitality, which owns other beautiful properties such as Liberty House in Liberty State Park and Stone House in Warren. Owners Frank and Jeanne Cretella are highly regarded within the industry, and with over 20 years of experience and success, it is easy to see why. The make-over will include transforming the barns into ceremony spaces and conference rooms, and adding luxury spaces for both the bride and her party, as well as the groom and all of his groomsmen. Between the spas, the dressing rooms and the media room complete with billiards, couples can expect to have the time of their lives simply preparing for the wedding!
For the couple that places food as a high priority, The Ryland is a strong contender for a wedding venue. The dining experience also includes an extensive wine list, which is a must for any big celebration being held there. The executive chef who has been hired, is none other than Anthony Bucco who made headlines as the chef at Warren's Uproot and is currently working as a chef at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. Those who were lucky enough to dine at The Ryland before it closed will be happy to hear that the food will be staying the same as Bucco plans to build on the classic French service and style as in the past. The restaurant boasts a farm on the property, which only adds to the freshness of the food that is served there.
Of course, those that remember The Ryland, might also remember the price-tag that came with the experience. There doesn't seem to be any word on what the numbers on the menu will look like, but we're expecting that this venue will be the location for those with a larger budget. However, if you're looking to really make a splash, and marry at a venue that no one has seen in years (because it's been closed) then The Ryland is your best option. If you're looking for something different, and food is one of the top priorities, then consider this venue for your big day.
Also, if location and food are on the top of your list, a good planner will be able to work with the rest of your budget on items such as music, flowers, and photography. If you see the venue and your heart sings, don't let the price tag scare you away. There is always a way to make your dream location become the place you say "I do."
We cannot wait to start planning weddings at The Ryland, and will be there when they open their doors for dinner. Best of luck to The Ryland, Landmark, Bucco and all involved. We hope to see you soon!
Congratulations to Brad and Angie...and unless you live under a rock, you know we're talking about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who are officially engaged. While they've already had the experience of being husband and wife as well as parents, we always love to see when a couple makes it official. With that said, not that we would ever be lucky enough to plan this one, we're going to tell you what ideas we have for the gorgeous pair.
First and foremost is the dress. The dress is the centerpiece of the wedding, and once that and the venue are chosen, everything else will fall into place. Having no idea where they might get married (though their own backyard is suspected for this July 4th), we selected this gorgeous, yet understated Pnina Tornai gown from her 2012 collection. Given how much this couple has already been together and all they have been through, we just can't picture Ms. Jolie in something big and poofy. This gown would be perfect for her gorgeous figure, and we trust she'd have a smile on her face unlike the model in the picture. The back is even better and would accentuate a feature she loves to....feature.
Speaking of her face, we would love to see a soft upswept hairstyle perhaps with some crystal throughout. She's the queen of "I just woke up looking this amazing", and natural make-up, perhaps with a strong defined liquid eyeliner would work well with this gown.
Brad has been on so many red carpets and looks amazing every time. But we can't help but mention that he looks best in basic black. Think Ocean's 11...12...and 13 premieres. While he looks good every way, we're hoping he'll opt for the clean shaven look with a well maintained hair-do to rock out this tuxedo we've selected for him. We're not sure if he'd want to add any color to this, but we love the classic look for him plus a tie, we're thinking long. Between the gown and the tuxedo, old Hollywood glam is the way we would go for these two. Oh, and no sunglasses Brad.
As much as we hate media speculation, if their lavish affair will be taking place at their French estate complete with a chapel on property, that gives us some amazing ideas for the flowers and theme. We'd love to see them keep the rustic feel complete with using branches and maybe as low-key as candles in mason jars. We could even see the bride walking down the aisle with a beautiful bouquet of cascading orchids seen pictured here. Any lady lucky enough to be in her bridal party could carry a simple bouquet in similar colors but bunched the way this next bouquet is.
Of course the theme needs to flow from the venue to the dress to the flowers and beyond. We see nothing but candles, creating that rustic romantic atmosphere these two have already created at their home in France.
While your typical L.A. wedding is full of bling and crystal, we think these two shine on their own. There's no need for huge centerpieces with diamonds, or sweeping chandeliers dripping in sparkles. Though we wouldn't mind if Angelina were to pick a dress with a little sparkle, that she added it to a few touches throughout her reception. Less is more though with this reception space, and we'd love to see the candlelight reflecting off the tiniest bit of sparkle. We'd love to see her wedding party dressed in simple cream or champagne colors, to keep the mellow feel that this couple often exudes. All of this would add to the warmth of the ceremony and reception, making guests feel welcome and in the presence of true love.
Draping the tables in lace is what we would love to see. Along with some amazing chairs sans covers. The centerpieces should incorporate wood and soft colors, and we can't forget to surround them with candles. The possibilities for candles and candleholders are endless, but stringing some pearls around them would really complete the look. It isn't necessary to just have one centerpiece either, not when you can add several different types per table. We love varying the heights to give the room dimension, and no doubt this room will be able to carry it.
Those are just a few of our thoughts about how we would start planning the big day for Brad and Angelina. We don't want to post too much more and give away our ideas for free...plus we're going to go wait by the phone for them to call and hire us.
That's how we see one of our favorite couples. Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. We hope to hear from you soon!
