Wedding Gifts – Giving and Getting

Have you been invited to a wedding this year and are wondering what to bring for a gift? Are you the bride or groom and don't know where to start for your gift registries? Help has arrived! Herewith our thoughts on all things wedding and shower gift related.

There are so many fun things about being a bride or groom. Creating your gift registry should be one of them. Who doesn't want to walk through Bed, Bath, and Beyond with the gun and zap everything in sight??!!  Donut cutter? ZAP! Monogrammed salt and pepper shakers? ZAP! California King comforter set? ZAP! My son had so much with the gun that they forgot to add basic things such as everyday dishes and pots and pans. They did get that rounded shower curtain rod and the $200 kitchen trash can though.

If you don't create a registry you may get china from your future Mother in Law that looks just like hers from the 1970s and that you can't imagine having in your house. So you carefully look through ALL the stores and websites to cultivate your list; set up registries at Target, BB&B, Pottery Barn, Macy's, Williams Sonoma, and West Elm;  give the list to your mom and Maid of Honor to include in all the shower invitations.  Done!

The BLUE ONION pattern. Got this as a wedding gift from my future in laws..... I didn't have a registry..... enough said.....

Now let's think about your guests. We did a very high end wedding where the grooms were registered at Tiffany's and Michael C. Fina.  A few months before the wedding they realized that some of their guests might not be able to afford their original lists so they did a 3rd registry at Bloomingdale's that included gifts  at lower price points. While they didn't get tons of boxed gifts they did get a variety from all three companies.

When your parents asked you to make a list for Santa or for Hannukah it's because they wanted to know what you wanted. Sometimes they thought of something on their own but mostly they stuck to your list. I used my daughter's registry for her Christmas gifts before her wedding. Izod towels? Check!

The object of a gift registry is to make it as simple as possible for those who would like to get you a gift.  So why register at more than one place when you can get everything in one place?

There's a company called ZOLA that simplifies the registry process on one website. The site also offers wedding planning assistance with freebies such as wedding websites (a must have for all your wedding related info - room blocks, directions, timing, gift registries.....), guest list tracking, planning calendar/checklist, and your registry. They'll also price match. If you know that Kitchen-Aid Artisan 5 quart mixer is less expensive at Target tell them and they'll match the price on your registry! Zola  also let's you register for cash so that you can pay for your SANDALS honeymoon or a new house.

The biggest NO NO of all is blatantly asking for cash. Putting "No Boxed Gifts" on your shower or wedding invitations is tacky. Most guests (especially your aunts, uncles, and parents' friends) will put the cash or check in an envelope and bring it to the wedding. Others will bring a professionally wrapped gift. Who doesn't want to see that Tiffany blue paper and big white ribbon (is that the woven trumpet vase??!!) or the white paper with gold pineapples tied with green ribbon from Williams-Sonoma on the gift table.

Photo courtesy of The Studio Photographers

As a guest you should gift what you can afford. The old saying of "pay for your plate" really doesn't apply anymore. Who knows what they paid for all that food and drink??? You're a guest! If you choose to buy a gift rather than give a check or cash then have the gift shipped. Most registries have free shipping and they'll have the address. Are some of your friends or sorority sisters also invited? Make an impact by going in on one big gift. If you do go for a gift and can find a better price elsewhere try to give the registry a chance to match the price first so the couple doesn't end up with five toasters.  ALWAYS include a gift receipt with a boxed gift so the couple can exchange or return duplicates easily.

There are no rules. USUALLY people bring a gift (or a gift card) to a shower and cash/check to the wedding. BTW - we recommend a check. We've seen too many envelopes with cash disappear. If it's a check payment can be stopped and new check issued. Who says you have to do what everyone else does? Gifts should come from the heart. A handwritten note of what the bride or groom being in your life means to you is worth more than what's in the box. My daughter and son in law are the gift giving champions. They look all year for birthday and holiday gifts and hold onto them until the appropriate time. The notes that they include bring tears to my eyes. Share the joy and the celebration. Don't sweat the gift!

 

 


2017 Wedding Trends

If you GOOGLE "2017 Wedding Trends" pages of information will appear. I know this because that's exactly what I did recently while researching a recent presentation to a group of event professionals.  Herewith are my findings listed in alphabetical order with photos below the text. Which trends do you like? Which ones do you not like? Let us know!

Attire:  The traditional wedding attire of girls in white dresses and guys in tuxedos will never go off trend. In 2017 look for more color in wedding gowns; gowns with detachable skirts; guys wearing suits right out of their closet; and bridesmaids choosing their own dress with no input from the bride or the bride indicating length and color.

Lazaro StyleLZ3357 gown with detachable skirt. Always ahead of the curve this Lazaro gown is from his Fall 2013 collection.

Favors & Gifts - we have never been a fan of tchotchkes. You don't want to get them so why give them. We are fans of donations to a charity that's important to the bride and groom and anything edible. Some couples are going so far as to indicate a donation instead of a wedding gift, "We have enough, please contribute to XYZ charity".

Think buffets for candy or baked goods. Set up a bakery with staff behind the table or counter filling small boxes lined with waxed paper. Use twine or a cute custom label to close the box. One couple had bags of cookies made in the shapes of all the states they've been in with coffee to go as guests departed.

Swag lounge - instead of hotel gift bags set up a room with light refreshments and all the swag you would have put in the bags and let your guests come and take what they'd like. Great opportunity for all the hotel guests to meet and greet as well.  Have a pile of custom printed paper or fabric bags to hold all their goodies.

Barbara and James had a buffet of bakery items from Mandolis Bakery (bakers of their wedding cake) for their guests and included slices of wedding cake. Napkins, forks, and custom labels were available to seal the deal. Photo courtesy of Heckman Picture Company

Floral & Event Design - everyone's favorite topic! Vertical installations hanging from the ceiling are my new obsession. Think draped ceilings, hanging orbs, or floral chandeliers. Also loving on unusual flower and plant combinations - protea and succulents with standard flowers such as hydrangea or roses. Garden inspired florals and floral runners or lots of little arrangements going down the center of long tables. Eclectic non-matching tableware and place settings. Think Grandma's china or yard sale finds. Neutral palettes with a pop of a bright color

Rustic and Boho are OUT - Mountain Chic is IN!  Use elements that fit your style and the style of the venue. Not every Rustic - sorry, Mountain Chic - theme needs burlap, mason jars, and tree planks.

Heterogeneous  vs. Homogeneous table decor - same color palette, different arrangements on each table.

Small clusters of like colored flowers instead of one gigundo centerpiece. Different size height and shape containers of the same material such as milk glass with bright colored flowers or clear glass with colored water and white flowers.

Signs - tell everyone what's going on with a beautiful sign. Instead of chalkboard think wood, slate, plexi-glass, or faux marble.

Brian and Mike brought the outside in for their wedding at The Ashford Estate. The decor on each table was different using a core group of  colorful elements. Their head table was to die for! Event design by Craig Kiely & Darryn Murphy Designs. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.

Food & Beverage - you can still have pigs in a blanket. Work with your caterer on a twist such as bratwurst or sausage instead of hot dogs!

Consider a custom built bar (not as expensive as you might think) then hire a mixologist to create a custom drink or create a whiskey or bourbon bar with a bartender who can explain the differences between all of them.

Creative food presentations such as food walls, live oyster shucking, make your own sliders (chef cooks the protein, guests choose the bun and toppings), cupcake station (several flavors of uniced cupcakes with bags of  different frostings and lots of toppings), food trucks

Food Choices - local foods, ethnic foods, family recipes, meal special to the couple (what they ate on their first date). If your caterer isn't up for any of these find another caterer.

One Atlantic Events created an amazing display for a continental breakfast including donut wall, make your own yogurt parfait in a waffle cone and scones with sauces to drizzle. Tasted as fabulous as it looked!

Green - the 2017 Pantone color of the year is Greenery. Show it off using real trees and/or potted plants (rented or to plant afterward).  Green is a color that pairs well with almost everything (metallics, neutrals, etc)

Morgan and Craig's fall themed wedding at The Ashford Estate utilized trees for the ceremony that were then moved to the ballroom to frame their sweetheart table. At the end of the night Craig's parents took the trees home to plant! Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.

Images - your photos and video will last beyond your lifetime. A family history for all to see.  These images are the only lasting impression that you'll have of a day that took a long time to plan and will go by in an instant. Don't scrimp on your photographer or videographer. There are plenty of other places to save money.

Drones and Instagram videos are in! Photobooths too: think 360 degree photobooth or a formal portrait gallery (back drop with a photographer; everyone is dressed up already!), instant cameras for guests to use then paste the results in an album used as a sign in book.

Make sure your photographer "gets" you. Have an engagement session to make sure you're compatible. Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If she/he makes a suggestion for a photo that's outside your comfort zone GO FOR IT. The results might be amazing.... Photo courtesy of Jeff Tisman Photography.

Lighting - a MUST for any event. We are huge fans! Lighting brings life to a windowless ballroom. New for 2017? Image mapping, single color wall wash, carnival lights with orbs or Edison filament bulbs. Use your imagination.

Can't even begin to tell you what the lighting did for Kristen and Evans' wedding. The trees surrounding the tent were lit with variable LED lights that changed color in sync; the tent had specialty pattern lighting including custom gobo; paths were lit so guests could maneuver safely around the field once it got dark. Lighting design and installation by Josh Charles of SCE Event Group. Photo courtesy of Andrew Graham Todes Photography, LLC.

Metallics - mix and match colors and textures. Could be as simple as utensils at each place setting or as elaborate as linens used sparingly. Look for metallic bridesmaids' dresses; foil stamping on stationery; edible glitter added to the wedding cake.

Fuchsia silk underlays from LaTavola Linens covered with silver metallic braided overlays from Cloth Connection with Silver Chavari chairs brought the metallic to The Crystal Point Yacht Club. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.

Venues - who says everyone has to sit at a round table all night long? Encourage mingling and dancing by putting groupings of lounge furniture around the dance floor. If all you can fit is tables then make them different sizes and shapes. Chivari and padded folding chairs come in all different colors. Mix it up a little.

Think outside the ballroom box - big open field, tents, unique spaces with killer views. Pipe and drape along with professional lighting can change an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.

Janel and Pete wedding reception was in Janel's parents backyard. Their wedding ceremony was under a big tree in their front yard. New memories for a lifetime made at her family home. Photo courtesy of Jenifer Rutherford Photography

Surprises -  This is my favorite category. We're always looking for new ways to surprise our clients with an unexpected detail. Confetti cannons after your first kiss at the ceremony; a marching band to lead your guests to the next phase of your event; eat dinner first then party without interruption serving cocktail hour type food at the reception (can't drink without something to eat!). Save the wedding cake and coffee service for the end of the party to get everyone to sober up a bit.

Barb and Frank's guests were led from the ceremony to the reception by a bagpiper. The son of Barb's best friend he brought his kilt and bagpipes to The Stockton Seaview from Chicago. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.

After Party - so many options, so much time! Silent Disco (our new obsession), lounge furniture, games (set up a checkers or corn hole tournament), or unusual entertainment (fire jugglers, strolling magician, ethnic dancers). Choose a theme that's 180 degrees from the reception - carnival, Paris, beach party, skiing - with food and decor to match

Silent Disco is the best new trend ever! Photo courtesy of InStyle Magazine

Trends to avoid in 2017: According to the bridal experts to at Vogue Magazine as published on December 27, 2016. These are the experts - not saying I agree with any of them........Naming Signature Drinks; Family-Style Dinners; Floral Runners; Large Bridal Parties; Giant Bridal Bouquets; All white decor; Converse Sneakers or Cowboy Boots on either the bride or the groom;  Flower Crowns; Food Trucks; Floating orchids.

SOURCES:  Bridal Guide; Brides.com; International Academy of Wedding & Event Professionals; TheKnot.comMartha Stewart Weddings; Vogue: Wedding Wire


Centers of Attention

Is your wedding Pintrest board filled with ideas for centerpieces and event design? Centerpieces don't have to be  floral. Think seasonal and outside the box (or vase) to help keep costs down. Also consider your guests. The last thing you want is for a guest to pick up that giant expensive centerpiece and put it on the floor because they can't see each other across the table. Check out our Pintrest board "Centers of Attention" for more ideas. Here are a few of the centerpieces that came out of the collaboration of our clients and their floral designers. Check back periodically as we add new photos from recent events.

Caroline and James featured high and low centerpieces throughout the room. Photo courtesy of Foschi Photography
Caroline and James featured high centerpieces with the same flowers such as chocolate and peach roses, white hydrangea, and greenery in two different designs throughout the room. Both featured lots of candles. Photo courtesy of Foschi Photography
Elizabeth & Roger's wedding dinner was spread out over 3 rooms at a local restaurant. Roger's daughter was able to supply the flowers to a local florist who created lush arrangements for each table different for each room.
Elizabeth & Roger's wedding dinner was spread out over three rooms at their restaurant venue. Roger's daughter provided the flowers to a local florist who created lush arrangements for each table that reflected the location (indoors or out) and the decor in each room.
Alicia and David's centerpieces featured pastel flowers mixed with greenery in urns
Alicia and David's centerpieces featured pastel flowers mixed with greenery in black urns. Photo courtesy of Nicole Leigh Photography
BethAnn and Billy centerpieces were full on tall candelabras supplied by her florist. Please make sure that the glass for the votives are shatterproof as they'll get hot quick and could explode. Photo courtesy of The Artist Group
BethAnn and Billy's centerpieces were full of white hydrangea and pale blush roses with some greenery on tall candelabras supplied by her florist. NOTE: confirm with your florist that the glass for the votives in your arrangements are shatterproof as they'll get hot quick and could explode. Photo courtesy of The Artist Group
Explosions of tiny white dendrobium orchids fill hand painted vases at Khadijah and Khandar's reception. Photo courtesy of Ann Coen Photography
Explosions of tiny white dendrobium orchids fill hand painted vases at Khadijah and Khandar's "Journey to Love" reception. Photo courtesy of Ann Coen Photography
Caryn and Dan added the bling with strands of crystals hanging down from black candelabras filled with flowers. Photos courtesy of The Artist Group
Caryn and Dan added some bling with strands of crystals hanging down from black candelabras filled with roses, hydrangea, peonies, lilies, dendrobium orchids, and ferns. Photos courtesy of The Artist Group
Tall, lush spring flowers atop a glass vase were the highlight of Andrea and Walter's reception. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography
Andrea and Walter's reception featured tall, lush spring flowers showcasing three different colors of hydrangea, bright pink roses, light pink tea roses, white lilies, white stock, and white dendrobium orchids set atop a clear glass vase with pink crystals inside. The lit candles made the crystals glow at night. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography
Morgan and Craig's fall themed wedding featured jewel colored flowers on thin curved bases making it very easy for guests to see each other around the arrangement. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.
Morgan and Craig's fall themed wedding featured an arrangement of jewel colored roses, hydrangea, and berries on thin curved bases making it very easy for guests to see each other across the table. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.
Different sized silver Pimms cups were filled with pastel flowers for Allison and Bill's reception. Photo courtesy of Therese Marie Wagner
Different sized polished sterling silver Pimms cups were filled with white roses, pink tea roses, and pink and white peonies for Allison and Bill's reception. Photo courtesy of Therese Marie Wagner
Kim and Jon kept it very simple for their beach themed wedding. Small vessels filled with colorful flowers on top of woven napkin holders rimmed with ribbon and seashells. Photo courtesy of Elite Images.
Kim and Jon kept it very simple for their beach themed wedding. Small vessels in various sizes were filled with colorful flowers and arranged on top of an upside down woven napkin holder. Accents included striped ribbon, jute string, and seashells. You could definitely DIY this. Photo courtesy of Elite Digital Images.
The centerpiece displays at Brian and Mike's wedding were unique at each table. Rustic, elegant, and lush with plenty of texture and color. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.
No two centerpiece displays at Brian and Mike's wedding were the same. The common thread featured rustic, elegant, lush displays with tons of color in the flowers. Texture was provided by adding moss and succulents. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.
Dana and Cyril's wedding featured two different centerpieces. Shown here are the lanterns interspersed with lavendar and green flowers. The second arrangement featured thick pillar candles on various height pedestals also interspersed with flowers. Photo courtesy of The Artist Group.
Dana and Cyril's wedding featured two different centerpieces. Shown here are the varying in size lanterns interspersed with lavender and green flowers including lisianthus. The second arrangement featured thick pillar candles on pedestals of different heights that were also interspersed with flowers. Photo courtesy of The Artist Group.
Alison and Austen's New Year's Eve dinner featured the same candelabras that Caryn and Dan used. This time the arrangements were flowy and featured all pastel colors with more flowers at the base. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.
Alison and Austen's New Year's Eve dinner featured the same candelabras that Caryn and Dan used. This time the arrangements were loose and flowing featuring pale pink roses, white tulips, white hydrangea, and white dendrobium orchids with more flowers at the base. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.

Real Wedding – Dana & Joe

Dana and Joe came to All the Best with less than 3 months to plan their New Year's Eve wedding. They had two daughters so the venue had to be a hotel that was family friendly with room for their ceremony on site. View all of our All the Best Weddings & Celebrations REAL WEDDINGS on Pintrest.

Photos courtesy of Tony Yang Photography.

Venue & Catering:  Ocean Place Resort

Floral Design: Wonderland Floral Design (by referral only)

Dana-Joe
Dana's dress was found in record time at a charity re-sale shop in NYC. Custom floral arch framed draping put in place to cover the exit sign behind it.
Flower Girls
Flower girls, including the couple's daughter, played with the aisle bows after the ceremony.
Bridal Bouquet
Bride's bouquet consisted of her favorite long stem white calla lilies and peach roses.
New Year's Eve Wedding.
What better way to bring in the New Year and celebrate your marriage then with fireworks on the beach.

Let ’em Eat (Wedding) Cake!

All the Best says "Planning your event should be a piece of cake!" We think the best way to display that sentiment is to show you photos of some of our clients' wedding cakes and their unique cake toppers. Check out our Pintrest boards Cake! and Cake Toppers to see some more ideas. "To smash or not to smash?" That is the question.....

Brian and Mike chose not to use the cake supplied by their caterer. The 3 tiered yellow cake with chocolate raspberry ganache filling featured a custom made figure of their beloved dog Maisy. Cake by Mandolis Bakery. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.
Brian and Mike's delicious three tiered yellow cake with chocolate ganache and fresh raspberry puree filling featured a handmade figure of their beloved dog Maisy. Swarovski crystals were added to the topper and Maisy's collar. The handmade and hand painted custom log cake stand (and the cake) was done by Mandolis Custom Cake Confectionary. Photo courtesy of Images by Berit.

 

Cheryl & Tom
Cheryl and Tom's cake featured the cutest penguins on top and edible snowflakes and crystals on each tier. The entire cake was dusted with edible glitter to give it the look of newly fallen snow glistening in the sunlight. Cake by A Sweet Memory. Photo courtesy of Trisha Brinkley Photography
LOVE the petaled sugar flower camellias on Jessica and Rich's cake. Photo courtesy of Endless Wave Studios.
LOVE the petaled sugar flower camellias on Jessica and Rich's cake. Photo courtesy of Endless Wave Studios.
The MoB made the cake for Rebecca and Jeff. Her brother laid down in the back of her dad's car to firmly hold the cake stand as they slowly drove to deliver it to their venue. Photo courtesy of Angelica Glass Photography
Rebecca and Jeff's cake was made with L O V E by her mom. Her brother laid down in the back of the car to firmly hold the cake stand as her dad S L O W L Y drove to their venue to make the special delivery. Photo courtesy of Angelica Glass Photography
Elaina and TJ had an "in" at Carlos Bakery for their wedding cake. Photo courtesy of Nicole Leigh Photography
Elaina and TJ had an "in" at the famous Cake Boss's Carlo's Bakery for their wedding cake. Photo courtesy of Nicole Leigh Photography
Johanna surprised Matt with a custom groom's cake. Matt gave up his kayak to buy Johanna her engagement ring. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.
Johanna surprised Matt with a custom groom's cake. Matt gave up buying a kayak to buy Johanna her engagement ring. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.
Kristen and Mike ordered their square tiered cake from Carlos Bakery. Guests enjoyed slices of cake with ice cream from the Penn State Creamery. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography
Kristen and Mike ordered their square tiered cake from Carlo's Bakery. Photo courtesy of John Arcara Photography.
Marissa and Aric decided to forego the big cake and did cupcakes arranged into their initials with a small cake for cutting instead. Photo courtesy of John Decker Photography
Marissa and Aric decided to forego the big cake and did cupcakes arranged into their initials with a small cake for cutting instead. The cake topper was her parents. Photo courtesy of John Decker Photography
Khadijah and Kandar's wedding theme was "journey to Love" Cake shaped and decorated like suitcases formed the beautiful wedding cake. A bride's cake was a purse. Photo courtesy of Ann Coen Photography
Khadijah and Khandar's wedding theme was "Journey to Love" Their custom five tier white and gold cake featured suitcases complete with luggage tags.  A bride's cake was a Louis Vitton bag. Photo courtesy of Ann Coen Photography
Kandar's groom's cake featured everything he loves from football to alcohol in its own custom case. Photo courtesy of Ann Coen Photography
Khandar's groom's cake featured his favorite things in its own edible custom trunk. Photo courtesy of Ann Coen Photography
Alix surprised John with a groom's cake made by a family friend that's a replica of his favorite guitar . Photo courtesy of Jason Meehan Photography
Alix surprised John with a groom's cake made by a family friend that's a replica of his favorite guitar (YES that's a cake!). Photo courtesy of Jason Meehan Photography.
Jen and Paulo wanted their cake from Carlos Bakery to have a woodgrain look with tropical flowers. They had an ice cream truck waiting outside as a surprise for their guests. Photo courtesy of Jeff Tisman Photography
Jen and Paulo wanted their cake from Carlo's Bakery to have a wood-grain look with tropical flowers in honor of their love of the beach and Paulo's love of surfing. Photo courtesy of Jeff Tisman Photography
Katie and Matt's cake featured their saying "All my Heart. All my Life" Photo courtesy of The Artist Group
Katie and Matt's cake featured their saying "All my Heart. All my Life" Photo courtesy of The Artist Group.
Rachel and John
Instead of putting their topper on the cake, Rachel and John chose to put it on the cake table and have the cake decorated with fresh flowers. When John smashed Rachel in the face the blue icing got all over her dress. It took almost 30 minutes to get it all off. Beware if using colored icing on your cake! Photo courtesy of The Studio Photographers