So it's been a few days...

since I last posted. I was totally consumed with the 2 weddings I had over the last 2 weekends and my 'social networking' took a hit.

So my instincts were right on with regard to the rain that was expected for 6/20. With the U.S. Open going on in Bethpage, it made finding a tent a little difficult, but I got it done! Although I had to use a company I wasn't that familiar with (Ace Tent), the end product was absolutely spectacular and the bride & groom loved it. And we needed it! Although it wasn't a monsoon, it was still raining come ceremony time. But we kept the back open so all of the guests could get a great view of the fountain at Carltun on the Park...it all felt very romantic and serene.

After the ceremony everyone was treated to a fabulous cocktail hour and dinner which included too many delicacies to mention...from the caviar to the sushi to the specialty vodka...it was amazing. While I had a very strong hand in managing the flow of the wedding and planned every detail down to a 'tee', I have to give tons of credit to The Carltun for doing such an outstanding job.

I was also worried about the Charter service I had arranged for NYC hotel guests coming to the Carltun because of the weather, the US Open, and nasty traffic one always finds on the Long Island Expy. The folks at Classic Transportation were so totally on point and the coaches arrived 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony...PERFECT!!!

All in all, it was a spectacular event. I had spent so much time with the bride, groom and their families (about a year and a half) planning everything and it's just very strange to not have my daily emails and phone calls with them. I put my heart and soul into their wedding, and I feel something is missing in my life right now. I guess I will have to wait for the pictures...

I still have a whole other wedding to discuss, but all this typing has me drained :-)

When is this rain going to stop?!?!?

One would think that June 20th would be a fabulous day. We're on the verge of summer, the flowers are in bloom and there would still be a cool touch to the evening. Guess again!!! I have been scrambling last minute and found the last company in Long Island to provide a tent to cover the ceremony taking place on the patio at Carltun on the Park. Normally, the plan would have been to do the ceremony in the ballroom, but they really want to go outside. So I got a CLEAR tent!!! I'm actually excited about it even though it's supposed to be dismal on Saturday.

Actually have to go pay the tent guy, so I'll update after the wedding!

E.

Great Vendors!!!

So by the time the NYC Housing Works Event started, the word had spread to over 7,000 websites and the line of brides waiting to find a bridal steal was all the way down 23rd Street! Amazing!!!

I want to give a shout out to some special people who helped me in making this event so special and a tremendous success:

Capriccio Ensembles: Natalie and her fabulous musicians were the icing on the cake! Without them, this would have just been so ORDINARY. They made it feel like the most upscale bridal boutique and I can't thank them enough.

Adorn Brides: Nadine allowed me to borrow a stunning $40,000 Diamond and Sapphire necklace to show off and no one could take their eyes off of it. The company also donated a $150 gift certificate as a raffle prize which was won by a bride who fell so in love with the necklace I was wearing, I let her try it on. I think it's meant to be for her... Adorn was also kind enough to arrange a coupon code whereby 20% of the rental price would go back to Housing Works as a donation. Really...too kind!

LIWeddings.com: A big thanks to Ron for donating the tote bags that went to the first 50 brides who attended the event. We had so many things to give away but we had no bags to put them in. Ron saved the day!!!

The Gumdrop Cookie Shop: Thanks to Thea for donating a discount coupon for her fabulous cookies. She can make anything!

This was the first charity event I had ever been involved in and while I was scrambling at the last minute to add some special touches, I have to say it was great to participate and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Best Wishes to all of the brides & grooms getting married this week!

Wow--the Housing Works Event is getting quite a bit of buzz!

I just received a link from Housing Works to a press release that went out all over the place about the upcoming Bridal Event, including In Style Magazine. This is going to be such a fabulous night and I hope we raise a lot of money for a great cause!

NYC Housing Works Press Release

Praying that Natalie from Capriccio Ensembles can get a few of her outstanding musicians to perform.

Hope to see all the brides there!

It's getting close!

Just getting all of the details for an upcoming wedding. I have spent over a year and half with the bride, groom and their families working on every aspect of the wedding and it's all coming together this month. It's going to be absolutely spectacular from the gown to the music to the tablecloths to the menu.

I just get such a great feeling when everything falls into place. And while I form an attachement to almost all of my clients, when you've spent a year and half with someone, it's almost like a member of your family is getting married.

I apologize for sounding so sentimental...maybe I've been up to late tonight and I'm getting all emotional.

Off to bed!

Who knew a Wednesday could be so busy!

What a day! I started off my taking my new intern, Meredith, with me to a luncheon hosted by the Wedding Salon at Tha Harvard Club. It was all about marketing in this crazy economy. Carly Roney from TheKnot.com was the keynote speaker--it was great to see her again!

Then I had to race across town to meet a bride whose wedding is taking place on Fire Island later on this year. So many details, but it's going to be so perfect!

After crawling on the LIE all the way back to Long Island, I had to dust myself off and head over to the DeSeversky Center where Adornbrides.com (Hi Nadine!) was showcasing their new line of diamond jewelry that is available to rent for your upcoming wedding or special event. Such beautiful things!

Today, I am taking a few moments for myself to finally get my hair cut after 4 months!

I guess blogging pays off!

I've really been making a conscious effort to participate in several social networking forums. Apparently, all of my hard work has paid off as I am a featured vendor on www.bridaltweet.com!

Aside from that, I've been trying to get more participants to donate services to the NYC Housing Works Charity Event taking place on June 10th, along with managing all of my upcoming weddings.

No rest for the weary!

Bridal Event for Charity

I wanted to share some very important information to all LI & NYC brides about an upcoming Bridal event for charity hosted by Housing Works; a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with HIV/AIDS. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a designer wedding gown at a drastically reduced price and help those in need at the same time.

Here are the details in the email I received:

Housing Works doesn't let the recession keep bridal dreams from coming true. Housing Works Thrift Shops present Bride on a Buck-an exclusive shopping event recession-conscious brides can delve into veils first.

Brides will get: First dibs at drastically reduced NEW designer dresses in sizes 4-8 (retail at $3000-$9000, will be sold at 75% off) from bridal couturiers such as:
Vera Wang, Giovanni Ravello Bridal Couture, Monique Lhullier, Marchesa

Vintage wedding dresses and formal dresses also available! Don't need a dress? Brand new shoes from Yoriko Powell (also priced at 75% off retail!) and vintage veils and accessories also will be up for sale.

* Complimentary hors d'oeurves by Housing Works own catering company, The Works http://www.housingworks.org/social-enterprise/the-works-catering/
* Free raffle of floral arrangements donated by Tantawan Bloom http://www.tantawanbloom.com/
* Gift bags filled with goodies (for the first 50 brides)]
* Free makeup application

Can't make it Wednesday evening? The Gramercy shop will continue the bridal sale on Thursday, June 11th, 2009.

Event details:What: Housing Works Gramercy Thrift Shop Bride on a Buck
When: Late night shopping and party, June 10th from 7 to 9 PM; sale continues June 11th from 11 AM to 7 PM (Cost: FREE)
Where: 157 East 23rd St. between 3rd and Lexington Aves.

All profits from Housing Works Thrift Shops go to Housing Works' lifesaving services for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. Those services include housing, medical care, meals, job training and drug treatment programs. Like Housing Works' other locations, the Soho store will provide jobs for participants in Housing Works job training program for people living with HIV and AIDS.

I will also be onsite to share some cost-savings tips!
I hope you can all make it to shop for a cause!
Elaine

Another successful weekend!

There's a reason I give up holiday weekends...for a wedding like I did at The Surf Club in New Rochelle this past Sunday, the 24th.

We were so worried about the weather and we had a very close call as a light rain began to fall about an hour prior to the ceremony. But after selling my soul for the umpteenth time, the clouds broke about 20 minutes prior and we went ahead with the original plan of an outdoor ceremony. Did I wipe down the chairs...yes, did I set up the ballroom...yes, did I light all the candles...yes, do I regret not hanging out with my friends at a Memorial Day weekend BBQ...NO!!! The bride & groom were so happy and so in love, I was even privy to a few exchanges they had while I was bustling her dress and I almost cried myself. It doesn't matter how many weddings I am there for...I still get emotional.

Big wedding today!!

So I'm off to New Rochelle to manage what is surely to be a spectacular wedding. I have some great people working with me such as Steve from http://www.creativecompositions.com/ Creative Compositions, Manhattan Rhythm from Jerry Kravat and Joe from NY Video. Keeping my fingers crossed that the anticipated thunderstorms stay away from Westchester entirely, but if they manage to hold off just for the outdoor ceremony, I'll take that too.

We're incorporating only a few beach elements, so as not to make the wedding to 'theme-y'. We have some loose seashells to scatter in various places and included a sea shell motif on the programs and menus. Just the right amount of 'seashell' since we already have a beautiful beach backdrop for the event.

Off I go...post more later!

Cocktails on the Patio...

So I had a fabulous time at the soft opening of 'Cocktails on the Patio' at Carltun on the Park in Eisenhower Park last night. The weather was perfect and I got to see a lot of people who I know in the industry.

I also took on a new intern today! I'm so excited. There are so many things in the works right now and it's a relief to know that I have an extra pair of hands on deck. Welcome Meredith!

Already started receiving some of the new invitation lines I chose to represent at the Stationery Show last week. Still can't wait to get the new eco-friendly line from the Vert Collection.

What else...well, as always, I am working this Memorial Day weekend. Hoping for fantastic weather, as the plan is to have an outdoor ceremony. Fingers crossed for everyone getting married this weekend and hoping you all have a stellar day!

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Thanks so much for visiting and I look forward to keeping everyone updated with what's going on in the world of Exquisite Events!