Maps Galore

If I could have an adorable map for everything in my life, I would love it! Directional maps became a big hit a few years back and as time goes on, more and more vendors are popping up specializing in wedding day maps. I have two words: Love it!

One of our brides recently created the map above herself. We love a DIY bride! There’s tons of tips and advice on the web, but that can become a little overwhelming, so here are our favorites:

For the DIY Bride, visit Wedding Mapper and have fun creating!

For the part-time DIY Bride, visit Distinctive Directions or Snappy Maps and you’re only a few clicks away from a wedding day map all your own!

For the “I only bring my A-game” Bride, contact Bryn of Paperfinger for your one of a kind, hand-drawn design.

Happy Mapping!

Cutesy Convenience

We love anything that makes life easier! And in a city where groceries are delivered to your door and dry cleaning is done within 24 hours, we are guessing you do too!

Sprout Home has brought a little convenience to the wedding world and they have done it in style! Check out these adorable wooden utensil and napkin sets neatly packed in a brown paper pouch. Trust us, your buffet tablescape is not complete without this!

Nine Cakes

As a wedding planner, I’ve had my taste of cakes! Melina and I very rarely turn down the opportunity to tag along with our couples at a tasting, especially a cake tasting!

However, it is a little known fact that by the time your cake makes it’s grand appearance, many of your guests will either be partying like it’s 1999 or too busy throwing back your signature cocktail to focus on the cake. However, when the cake is good, the word spreads fast! Sure, it’s been sitting there all night looking pretty and it’s a little hard to believe that a cake can taste this good! Well, it can! Meet Nine Cakes…they’ve only been in business for a few years but their cakes make you want to line up for a second piece!

Can’t wait till your big day? No worries, they have cakes for every occasion! Here’s some of their signature cakes made fresh to order:


Orange Blossom Passionfruit
A tender vanilla cake with a splash of orange blossom water, and layered with passionfruit buttercream

Chocolate Earl Grey
Valrhona dark chocolate cake paired with Earl Grey infused ganache

Lemon Lavender
Lilting lemon cake with lavender infused buttercream

Chocolate Raspberry Rosewater
Valrhona dark chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream and a hint of rosewater

Almond Strawberry
Tender butter cake flecked with golden almonds, layers of strawberry buttercream

Chocolate Caramel Fleur de Sel
Valrhona dark chocolate cake with layers of caramel buttercream and a sprinkle of fleur de sel

Chocolate Coffee

With the sun shining outside today, it has been hard to focus on work! So while Dawn was on her third Starbucks run of the day, (picking up a tall, non-fat Dark Cherry Mocha for me – in case you were wondering!) I was inspired to search for creative coffee ideas...

Check out this adorable pic from Martha Stewart. Maybe it is the cherry mocha running through my veins but I think guests would love a sweet touch like this with their coffee! Be nice to your caterer and maybe they will consider dipping spoons in chocolate for you :)

Something Blue

Running out of ideas for your Something Blue?

Check out Lapis of Luxury, the new color from Essie (obvi!) Whether it’s on your fingers, toes, or the bottoms of your shoes, this is a great way to accomplish “something blue” in style!

You can thank us later :)

Bridal Brunch

In a city where excess is king, we think that hosting an intimate affair has become a bit of a lost art. So if a wedding of excess is not your style, why not have a brunch instead!

Brunch, the official meal of NYC, is a great way to gather together and celebrate with close friends and family. The added bonus is that brunch is a less expensive meal than dinner and liquor bills tend to be a bit lower (unless your crowd is the"It's 5'oclock somewhere" type!) Check out these adorable bridal brunch pics from Martha Stewart.

Treat Yourself!

We’re not usually in the market for spoiling ourselves – that’s usually for our brides! But recently, we attended a weekend of R&R for wedding industry vendors in the Hudson Valley. It was hosted by one of our Elan Artists (could we love them anymore?!), and was held at one of our new favorite venues, Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa.

Buttermilk Falls is located in Ulster County – don’t worry, we didn’t know where that was either – it is about 90 minutes outside of the NYC. It was renovated a couple of years ago to combine modern day luxury and country charm. The result is perfection!

How did we get there, you ask… Go Brilliant of course! You never heard of it? Well, listen up… they are officially the most fabulous mode of transportation we know. How many times have you seen a bride try to stuff herself into a limo without creasing her dress or messing up her hair!? None of these issues apply with Go Brilliant since you can actually stand in their vehicles! Once you get in and seat down, you are really in the lap of luxury with satellite TV and radio available at the press of a button!

We were treated to dinner by Cobblestone Catering, who traveled up for the occasion. Cobblestone is located in Brooklyn and while they cater all over the area, they also have a shop, Cobblestone Foods. In fact, as soon as you are done reading this, you should head over there and order a Carrot Cake Doozie – they are seriously awesome!

We were entertained by the truly enchanting, modern day sirens of Elan Artists: La Femme Classique, La Vida Con Fuego and Loukoum. We have all heard too many typical wedding bands and these ladies are a breath of fresh air with a sound that is all their own!

We are hope that you are inspired by photos below. They were taken by Mel Barlow, Carlos Andres Varela, and Allan Zepeda – they are truly amazing photographers with unparalleled talent. We are always telling clients that if there is one place to spend money it is on photography – your photos are the only thing you take with you when the big day is over!

Whether you’re scouting for a small wedding or a quick getaway with your friends, Buttermilk Falls is the Hudson Valley’s best kept secret!

Check out all the vendors who helped to make our weekend special!

Photography
www.elandocumentary.com
www.melbarlow.com
www.cavaweddings.com
www.allanzepeda.com

Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa

Cobblestone Catering

Go Brilliant

Musicians