The Finishing Touch — Weddings, Events, Design, Paperie

As partners of the Roman Jewelers Wedding Contest, we had the pleasure of working with this year’s winners Marah and Jimmy. With their hard work and dedication, Marah and Jimmy raised more than $20,000 for the Special Olympics – an amazing amount for an amazing charity. In turn, they were selected as the RJW Contest Winners and won a $100,000 wedding.  Their incredible story is currently featured in the Fall 2011 issue of New Jersey Bride. It was an honor to work with this inspiring couple!

Reality star Kim Kardashian will be heading down the aisle in less than a month and the web is abuzz about what she will be wearing! Kim has been spotted with one of our favorite designers, Vera Wang, being fitted for her gowns.

Yes, you heard right, we said gowns!

It is believed that Kim had such a hard time selecting just one gown, she had three separate styles created. Kim wants an Old Hollywood feel, but also wants to incorporate high fashion while maintaining a classic and timeless look. And although she has selected the fabulous Vera Wang as her designer – others in the industry have also shared their designs on how they envision Kim on her big day.

Don O'Neill of THEIA

Rani Totman of St.Pucchi

What do you think she will wear?

Happy 1st Anniversary to our couple, Nicole and Christopher, who were married aboard the A.J. Meerwald in LBI last year.

Take a look back at their beautiful wedding we were so happy to be a part of!

Happy Anniversary!!

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When you first meet Nicole and Chris, you can easily see just how in love they
are. They met through friends and it didn’t take long for them to realize they were meant for one another. Once engaged, Nicole took a trip to Kleinfelds to
find her perfect gown.  It only took a few tries until she said ‘Yes
to the Dress’!

In June, we traveled with Nicole to research some closer beach venues at one of our favorites spots, Long Beach Island. Right away, Nicole thought it would be the perfect place for her and Chris to exchange vows. While on our trip, Nicole mentioned that she had entered the “Tie the Knot on the Tall Ship” contest that was being sponsored by NJWedding.com. We joked that if she had won, it would really be fate. Well fate it was because on June 15th, Nicole and Chris received a phone call from NJWedding.com Co-Publisher Erik Kent announcing that they were to be wed aboard the A.J. Meerwald in LBI on July 24th! With only 6 weeks to plan a wedding we knew it would be a challenge but nothing we couldn’t handle!

We had a great time pulling the details together and loved the excuse to hang out on LBI for a couple weeks.  On the big day, Nicole and her bridesmaids gathered in the Bridal Suite to work with Michele Falco of Bridal by Michele on Hair and Make-up. David Toth of David Toth Photography came bright and early to capture Nicole’s preparations.  The beautiful invitations were created by Stephanie Somodi of DesigningYour Most Inviting Day, and truly set the tone for the beach themed
wedding. Flowers were handled by Camille’s Floral Designs of Manahawkin who created beautiful bouquets featuring blue and white delphiniums, lysanthis and hydrangeas. As an added touch, Nicole placed a pendant with a picture of her late father on her bouquet to celebrate his memory throughout her special day.

While the girls were being pampered, Chris and his groomsmen went off to play two rounds of golf…mini golf that is! Once dressed and ready to depart, Nicole and her bridesmaids were surprised with a stretch limo – an early Wedding present from her Husband-to-be.

Fifty guests were welcomed aboard the A.J. Meerwald to witness the beautiful ceremony that was officiated by former Beach Haven mayor, Deborah C. Whitcraft. Deb shared that even though she only knew the couple for a short while, she could clearly see the love that Nicole and Chris have for one another. As a symbol of their unity, the couple performed a sand ceremony where they each poured a vial of sand into one heart shaped container. After the ceremony, the Bridal party headed to Holgate for beach photos by David Toth and videography by Jon Slackman of J&S Video Services. Though the sun was strong, it provided for some beautiful shots of the Newlyweds.

The reception was held just a few miles away at the Holiday Inn at Manahawkin. During the cocktail hour, guests were treated to passed hors d’oeuvres such as Shrimp Tempura, Crab cakes, Coconut Chicken, Spring Rolls and more. Guests also enjoyed the signature drinks – the Monahan Monsoon and Bowhunter Brew – displayed on beautiful signage designed by the Finishing Touch.  Centerpieces, also designed and created by The Finishing Touch team, featured two different designs accompanied with votive candles, seashells and starfish. After Cocktail Hour, the guests gathered in the Ballroom to await the arrival of the Bride and Groom, who made their grand entrance into their first dance “Livin Our Love Song” by Jason Michael Carroll.

We will be sure to share all the fabulous design shots from the reception soon!!

For the buffet reception, there was a carving station with prime rib and turkey, a pasta station and a mashed potato bar (the crowd favorite!). The guests danced the night away with music provided by DJ Brian of Dynasty Entertainment-who had a great variety for all in attendance. Before the cake was cut, Nicole surprised Chris with a custom made grooms cake! Chris is a champion bowhunter and is rarely found without Under Armour apparel, so Nicole worked with Tammy’s Cake Walk to incorporate those elements into the cake – and it was amazing! At the end of the night, guests were treated to a candy bar featuring chocolate covered pretzels, swedish fish, twizzlers and more

The whole wedding, ship to shore, was an unforgettable one! We wish all the best for Nicole and Chris!!

With Love,

Stephanie & Candice

Special Thanks Again to our fabulous vendor team:

Sponsors:

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce

NJ Division of Travel and Tourism

NJWedding.comReClam the BayMuseum of NJ Maritime History

A.J. Meerwald

Vendors: (* denotes donated services as part of Tall Ship Contest)

Officiant Deborah C. Whitcraft*

Photographer: David Toth Photography*

Video: J&S Video Services*

Floral: Camille’s Floral Designs*

Hair/Makeup: Bridal By Michele*

Invitations: Designing Your Most Inviting Day*

Venue: Holiday Inn at Manahawkin

Transportation: Signature Limo

Music: Dynasty Entertainment

Grooms Cake: Tammy’s Cake Walk

Day-of Assistance for Finishing Touch:  Mariya Molduvanova & Agnieshka Burke, members of Association of Bridal Consultants NJ

We are so excited for tomorrow’s wedding of Sandy and Jim!

Check out their love story and come witness their marriage aboard the A.J. Meerwald in LBI tomorrow!

Sandy and Jim, both of Mount Arlington, NJ, are former Jefferson Township High School classmates who reconnected over 20 years later, will be married tomorrow aboard New Jersey’s official Tall Ship, the A.J. Meerwald in Beach Haven. They were chosen as winners of the third annual “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” contest, sponsored by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Reclam The Bay, Schooner A.J. Meerwald, Museum of NJ Maritime History and NJWedding.com. Various local wedding service providers also have offered their products and services for this special occasion.

“When Sandy and Jim were chosen as finalists in the contest and I began to correspond with Sandy, it was clear that they had a special love story to share” said Erik Kent, Co-Publisher of NJWedding.com. Sandy and Jim grew up and went to high school in Jefferson Township together. After high school, Jim joined the Navy and then moved to North Carolina, subsequently losing touch with Sandy and eventually spending part of his military career in Iraq. Sandy and Jim went on to marry other people and start their own families. About a year ago, after both having become divorced, they reconnected on Facebook, which led to email and phone calls and then meeting up again.

After spending more time with each other and with their families, as well as using Facebook to keep in touch regularly, it became clear to both Sandy and Jim that they wanted to move forward with their relationship. In January 2011, for Sandy’s birthday, Jim came for a visit and proposed marriage with matching puzzle rings, Celtic Knot ones, knowing of Sandy’s Irish heritage. He moved to New Jersey in February and his son moved here in May. Regarding making plans for their wedding, Jim chose his favorite number (7), and his grandfather’s favorite number (23), so a combination of the two led to the wedding date of July 23. With Jim’s Navy history and both their love of the water, they had originally planned for a small ceremony along the Jersey shore. Sandy had spent her childhood at her grandparents shore house in Manahawkin, so LBI was a perfect fit!

Now that Sandy and Jim have been chosen as the winners, their wedding ceremony service will be performed by Deborah C. Whitcraft, a wedding officiant and former mayor of Beach Haven, NJ. Up to 80 guests will be allowed on the ship’s deck, and another 100 guests may congregate on the wharf to witness the marriage ceremony. Photography for the wedding ceremony will be provided by David Toth Photographers, invites/programs will be provided by Stephanie Somodi – Designing Your Most Inviting Day, video coverage of the event will be provided by J & S Video Services, wedding ceremony flowers will be arranged by Camille’s Floral Designs and wedding planning and consulting services will be provided by yours truly… The Finishing Touch!

The public is invited to witness the wedding ceremony aboard the A.J. Meerwald on Saturday, July 23rd at 1:00pm.  New Jersey’s official “Tall Ship” is docked in Beach Haven, NJ (Center Street and the Bay) from July 20th through July 24th, and visitors may take a deck tour, go for a two-hour sail, or participate in a 4-hour eco/heritage event on and around the A.J. Meerwald on July 23rd. For additional information about the history of the A.J. Meerwald and opportunities to visit, check out the web site at http://www.bayshorediscovery.org.

For additional information about the “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” contest, along with photos and video of past contest winners, visit http://www.njwedding.com/lbi.

While the ladies were getting their hair and makeup done by Jeline Bland (the Bride’s talented Aunt) and Felicia Enix from MAC Cosmetics, the Groom, his father and Groomsmen were taking fun photos done by Mark S. Cunningham Photography.

As Platinum Preferred Professionals of Weddings of Distinction NJ, The Finishing Touch decided to venture out and meet some of our WOD family! We had a blast when we stopped in at Aqua Bleu Salon located on Long Beach Boulevard in Ship Bottom, NJ.

Aqua Bleu is a full service salon offering hair, nail and skin treatments. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our stylists, Billie and Michelle, who were super sweet and friendly. The salon’s modern and fun decor had a fresh beach vibe that made you feel relaxed and ready to enjoy the whole experience.

Along with hair/nail/skin packages, they also offer amazing bridal packages for hair and make up for the bride and all of her bridesmaids, so if you are planning on a Long Beach Island wedding, this is the place to go! Whether you’re looking for a fresh coat of polish to sport on the beach, a sexy new hairstyle for a romantic night by the bay or a Swedish massage to take away some tension, Aqua Bleu has it all!

Thanks again to Billie and Michelle -they did a fabulous job and we absolutely loved the vibrant pink color we chose!

As an affiliate of Rent the Runway, we love to share the latest in style and trends found on RTR!

Whether beach, city or country RTR has a look for every wedding you may venture to this summer.

Check out some of these fabulous looks for summer weddings!

Although some say rain on your wedding day is good luck, every bride hopes the sun will be shining on her big day! Well now, believe it or not, you can actually purchase a type of  ‘sunshine insurance’ to ensure the sun is shining on your wedding day and on your marriage itself.

The Short Hills, NJ based company SunTender , allows couples to select a special individual to serve as the SunTender for their marriage. The person chosen to be a SunTender serves as the mentor for a couple’s married life together, and he or she act as the couple’s teacher and role model.

The SunTender gives what is called a “Sunshine Guarantee Certificate” which names the couple, the SunTender, the venue and date and time of the ceremony. The certificate guarantees that the couple will have sunshine on their wedding day, and if the sun does not shine the couple receives a $250 certificate to spend however they choose.

Along with the assurance of sunshine, the acting SunTender also gives the couple three one-hour sessions of his or her time to share personal experiences and information gained from program materials provided by the SunTender program. These sessions are designed to give the newlywed couple skills that will reinforce the loving bond of marriage.

Becoming a SunTender is a unique and creative way to give a couple love, time, advice and a some sunshine all at once!

The Finishing Touch was very useful and helpful in planning my wedding. As someone who knew nothing about the whole event planning thing, they really helped to keep track of the budget and services we would need. Having a wedding is stressful in of itself, and it is a ton of work. Also, I think planning a wedding takes a toll on the relationship between the bride and groom, so I advise you to get all the help you can to take some of the pressure away and keep things in perspective. I highly recommend this wedding planning service to brides, especially to busy women who want a fabulous wedding but don’t have the luxury of devoting their whole life to planning it. It really is a full time job! They also did our stationery so it was nice to have that taken care of in house too.

A huge burden was lifted off my shoulders when Soroya came on board five weeks before our Wedding Day and took over the coordination. She seamlessly picked up and completed all of the remaining tasks that needed to be done in order to make our big day perfect for us. She set up a very detailed timeline for the day and contacted each one of our vendors to ensure that everything was delivered and set up on time. With her experience and expertise in the event planning field, she was also able to provide great suggestions that I would not have considered on my own. Her great idea of adding an arch beautifully set the stage for our ceremony.
Soroya also worked extremely well with the manager of our wedding venue and her schedule for the day really helped him with organizing his team at the site so that everything went smoothly.