The Finishing Touch — Weddings, Events, Design, Paperie

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting times in one's life and the proposal will be remembered forever.

Grooms are popping the question in new and exciting ways, making it more and more personalized, which truly adds to that special moment.

Our newly engaged couple Rosemarie and Robert agreed to let us share the details of their unique engagement. To create his perfect proposal, Robert had a fake newspaper printed up  (www.trixiepixgraphics.com) with an article featuring his and Rosemarie's engagement. Recently, many of their friends have become engaged so he used that as a way to present the paper to Rosemarie, saying "Now look who is getting engaged!" and tossed the paper to her. When she read the article and realized what was going on, Robert got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Of course, she said yes!!

The Finishing Touch Congratulates Rosemarie and Robert and wishes them all the best!!

As we are gearing up for the Hispanic Bar Association’s Annual Scholarship Gala on May 1st, we wanted to take a look back at last year’s Installation Ceremony held at the W Hoboken. See below for details:

On October 29th, the 30th Installation Ceremony of the President and 2009/2010 Officers and Trustees of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) took place at the swanky W Hotel in Hoboken.  It was attended by over 250 guests including federal and state court judges, elected officials including Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, business leaders, and legal professionals. The Honorable Julio M. Fuentes, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, administered the oath of office for the new president and board of trustees.

Guests enjoyed the W’s fabulous food and cocktails and listened to smooth Latin Jazz by the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble.  Gorgeous floral décor was provided by Sue Smith of The Romantic Garden.

The Finishing Touch team had the honor of creating beautiful full color commemorative journals as well as striking save the dates, invitations, and signage for the event.  We worked closely with the Association’s new president, Miguel Alexander Pozo, Esq., to project his inspiring theme for the year of “Dare to Dream” throughout the materials for the event.  

Mr. Pozo is a litigation partner at Lowenstein Sandler, P.C., one of New Jersey’s largest and most prestigious law firms.  He was recognized as one of New Jersey's top "40 Under 40" lawyers by the New Jersey Law Journal (2009) and was named to NJBiz magazine's 2009 "Forty Under 40" list honoring individuals who exhibit "excellence in business, commitment to community and professional development.  He was also named to DTM magazine's 2009 Latino Trendsetters list, and has been named a "Rising Star" by New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine (2007) and listed among New Jersey Law Journal’s "50 Leading Women and Minority Attorneys" (2005).  We congratulate Miguel on his installation as the 30th President of this prestigious organization and wish him much success. 

“The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey is a 501 (c) (6) statewide organization which represents the interests of attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in resolving the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the Association is to serve the public interest by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, by advancing the standing of the legal profession, by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers.”  For more information on the HBA and the upcoming Gala, please visit their website at www.njhba.org.

Photography by Francesco Mastalia

Yesterday was the 2nd Annual LBI Wedding Road Show-and it was a great success! Vendors from all across the state came out to greet the brides and grooms-to-be. Candice, Soroya and Stephanie of the Finishing Touch headed 'down the shore' along with fellow ABC members Kathi Evans of All the Best Weddings and Celebrations and Christine Hyder of Christine Hyder Events. The team represented ABC at several fabulous locations along the island such as The Stateroom , LBI Foundation, Surf City Yacht Club and Mallard Island.

With the sun shining brightly, nearly 200 excited couples came out to see what the island has to offer. Along with meeting the happy couples, it was great networking with some familiar and many new faces!  Some ABC members also had the opportunity to take a trolley tour of LBI to check out some of its finest locations. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and we are already looking forward to next year's Road Show!

Deborah & Ryan attended & graduated from Princeton University in the same class, but it wasn’t until years later at a wine tasting alumni event that they met and eventually fell in love. Getting married at the Princeton Chapel was the obvious choice and upon entering this church, you can definitely understand why people could fall in love with the building. Matching the décor and architecture of Princeton University, the chapel was built with a gothic-inspired feel complete with extremely high ceiling, arches, pillars and an aisle about a mile long!

Deborah looked gorgeous as she walked the long aisle alongside her proud father where she met Ryan & Father Tom at the altar. Although a rainy October day, we made the best of it and took pictures at Blair Arch with large black golf umbrellas in tow! The props provided for some fun pictures!

With a nod to their first meeting at a wine tasting, our couple Deborah and Ryan wanted to find unique ways of incorporating a wine theme into their Special Day. Upon entering cocktails, guests were encouraged to sign the Adesso Guestbooks; a unique spin on the typical guestbook where guests take a quick snapshot of themselves using the Polaroid cameras provided, insert the photo into the book & write their best wishes to the couple.

Walking into the reception was certainly another breathtaking moment for the guests as they were welcomed by stone walls, a warm glow and beautiful centerpieces.

With impeccable service, delicious food and a gorgeous wedding cake, the Fiddler's Elbow was a venue we would be sure to recommend to our future couples looking for a golf club with an intimate setting.  

A special thank you to a fabulous vendor team:

Hair & Make-up: Ashimoto

Florist: Bernadette Mitchell, Fiddler’s Elbow

Reception: Fiddler’s Elbow

Ceremony & Lunch: Princeton University – Chapel &
Prospect House

Photography: Michael Leslie Photography

Videography: Blossom Productions

Band: Brandywine Talent – Midnight Hour

All the Best,

Nicole & Leah

Are you searching for a beautiful location to hold the wedding of your dreams? Come down to LBI this Sunday, April 18th and join us at the "LBI I Do" Wedding Road Show! Here you will get to visit some of Long Beach Island's greatest venues along with many fabulous vendors. Some of the stops include Mallard Island, the Boat House, Surf City Yacht Club, Bonnet Island Estate and more. The Finishing Touch team will be there representing the Association of Bridal Consultants- so be sure to stop by and say hello! For more information or to register, click here!

To read more about this event click here to read an article from our friends at NJWedding.com.http://www.njwedding.com/bridalnews/wedding_road_show_lbi_weekend.cfm 

 Join us for the ISES NJ North's First Annual Wedding Showcase, "Say Yes to the Best!"

The event will be held on April 28, 2010 at the Hilton Pearl River in Pearl River, NY from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.  See all the great details below. 

The Finishing Touch's very own Candice Benson, MBC™ will be speaking at the event so be sure to stop by and say hello!  Be sure to also stop by the ABC and Finishing Touch Event Design tables.

Admission for this event is only $40 per person and the first 100 brides who arrive will receive free admission! Click here to register now!

Candice Benson, Master Bridal Consultant and owner of The Finishing Touch, was recently featured on Wedding-Scoops.com. Here she shares some suggestions on flowers, hairstyles, favors and first-dance songs. Click here to read the blog! 

 She also provides us with a few of her favorite Manhattan wedding reception locations. Find out what she chose! 

 Candice also talks about why you should hire a wedding planner and how to figure out your wedding style. To read more on this, click here.

The Finishing Touch Event Design is proud to have stationery featured in the "Something Blue" article in the recent issue of Contemporary Bride magazine.  Prominently seen are the invitations from our couple Rebecca and John's wedding.  Our champagne picture is featured on the right side of the below image, and our favor box is on the left.

Pick up your copy today!   

Not sure what to do for your bridal shower?  Read our fun tips on Chatterberries.com on how to plan your special event with ideas and favors for a wine tasting, cocktail party, cooking class and more.  Get your best pals together, and make your shower one to remember.