The Finishing Touch — Weddings, Events, Design, Paperie

Recently we shared some tips with (201) Bride on how to select a venue for your wedding day! Check out some of the ways you can narrow down your options to find the perfect location to say ‘I Do’.

Create Your Budget. You certainly need to have an idea of the overall budget for your wedding before securing your venue. A good way of generating an estimate of the amount you will spend on the venue is by splitting your budget in half. Having this number will help eliminate the venues that may be out of your price range and will allow you to focus on those that fit your budget accordingly. Working with your planner to find the location of your dreams and stay within budget is always key!

Ask Yourself, Where and When? Have you always dreamed of a wedding on the beach? Exchanging your vows atop of a mountain? Whether inside, outside or somewhere in between, the date and time of your wedding definitely plays a factor. When booking a venue, know that prime wedding season is April through June and September through November. Pricing is generally higher during peak season and these dates tend to book quicker. If you are working with a tighter budget and are flexible with your date, consider asking the venue if they offer any value dates. These may be limited dates they have not booked in the coming months and may be able to offer a discount.

The Travel Factor. If you are planning to have your ceremony other than at your reception venue, be sure to keep in mind that travel will be involved. This may help eliminate venues on your list that are a bit too far for traveling in a large group. If you have a lot of out of town guests, be sure to allow enough time for travel before and after the ceremony.

Do Your Research! Once you finalize your budget and have a general idea of location and time frame, take some time to do your research. Visiting every venue in the state of New Jersey would be overwhelming – and time consuming! Narrow down your options by discussing how you both envision your day and collaborate. Share your vision with your planner and allow them to offer you some recommendations. Working with your planner to find the best location is a plus as they have experience working with many venues and can recommend locations based upon what you want.

Check out more on (201) Bride’s ‘Getting Hitched’ blog on Bergen.com!

We recently had the pleasure of working with our past clients, Gabby & Mike, on the baptism for their beautiful daughter Amelia. We had such a great time working with them for their wedding day we were thrilled to be on board to work with them on this special event. Baby Amelia looked adorable in her gown, shoes and head band! The baptism was held at the beautiful St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Princeton – the same place Gabby & Mike were married.

After the beautiful ceremony, guests headed over to Camillo’s Cafe for the reception. A Manzanita branch arrangement was set up to display the custom escort cards that were hung with pink ribbon on each of the branches. The room was decorated with pink and white floral arrangements at each table along with custom table names and menus that were also created by our design team.

For dessert, TFT designed a pink, white and silver candy bar for guests to take home a sweet treat. Another great addition to the table was mini cupcakes from The Bent Spoon. Guests also received a favor box to take home a memento from this special day that was wrapped and adorned with coordinating favor tags.

Congratulations to Gabby, Mike and baby Amelia! We wish them all the best!!

Special Thanks to Jenn M Photography for these great photos!

Join us at the W Hoboken on April 22 for ‘The Perfect Day’!

Come out for drinks and bites while previewing the location for your big day! With it’s stunning NYC Skyline views, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Get exclusive access to function spaces, guest rooms, as well as enjoy special offers from suppliers.You will have the chance to meet with the fabulous W Hoboken team and have a chance at some great prizes!

We’ll be there along with some of our friends such as Carlo’s Bakery, Jersey Street Furniture, The Knot, ESP Studios, Marie Papp, Videoccasions, Hank Lane Music, Elegant Ensembles and many, many more!

To register, tickets can be purchased here! Hope to see you there!

Selecting the perfect location for your wedding can certainly take some time as there are SO many amazing venues to choose from.

Some lucky couples know right from the start where they want to exchange their vows and share their celebration. Whether it is a location with special meaning or the venue they always dreamed of, these couples are off to a great start. Other times, couples may have to start from scratch! Finding a location that suits you both can be a bit tricky but here are a few tips to consider when narrowing down your perfect venue.

- Budget - You certainly need to have an idea of the overall budget for your wedding before securing your venue. A good way of generating an estimate of the amount you will spend on the venue is by splitting your budget in half. Having this number will help you eliminate the venues that may be out of your price range and will allow you to focus on those that fit your budget accordingly. Working with your planner to find the location of your dreams and stay within budget is always key!

-Date/Time - Have you always dreamed of a wedding on the beach? Exchanging your vows atop of a mountain? Whether inside, outside or somewhere in between, the date and time of your wedding definitely plays a factor. When booking a venue, know that prime wedding season is April-June and September-November. Pricing is generally higher during peak season and these dates tend to book quicker. If you are working with a tighter budget and are flexible with your date, consider asking the venue if they offer any value dates. These may be limited dates they have not booked in the coming months and may be able to offer a discount.

-Location- If you are planning to have your ceremony other than at your reception venue, be sure to keep in mind that travel will be involved. This may help eliminate venues on your list that are a bit too far for traveling in a large group. If you have a lot of out of town guests, be sure to allow enough time for travel before and after the ceremony.

Narrow down your options by discussing how you both envision your day – and collaborate! Share your vision with your planner and allow them to offer you some recommendations. Working with your planner to find the best location is a plus as they have experience working with many venues and can recommend locations based upon what you want.

When it came to selecting our venue, Greg and I were flexible with date and time but wanted something a little out of the ordinary- so we opted for a winter wedding! We knew that we wanted the ceremony in our town at the Catholic church we had both attended in our younger years so that was an easy check off the list.

Next was selecting the venue for our reception which also came pretty easily to us. Being in the industry, I have had experience at many venues and could pretty much narrow down locations based on our style and budget. Though I had my favorite location in mind, it was very important for me that Greg loved it just as much. We set up a meeting with our good friend Christina at Maritime Parc in Jersey City for a walk thru. The minute we arrived, I could tell he was just as excited as I was. Known for their amazing cuisine and unbeatable views of NYC, Maritime Parc is a new, modern space located in Liberty State Park. With panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline, it was an easy decision. Working with our planner, Candice, we were able to secure our top choice and we were beyond thrilled. The thought of a new fallen snow on the morning of our wedding day sounds awesome -hopefully not too much! But no matter the weather, we will both be excited to finally say ‘I Do’ on January 12, 2013 at Maritime Parc!

If we could use one word to describe Yoori and Nick’s wedding it would be FUN! This couple clearly knows how to have a good time and they were such a pleasure to work with. We worked with this fun loving couple over long distance as Yoori was based in New York and Pennsylvania and Nick was stationed way out in Alaska! However, it was evident that love knows no distance as the love this couple has for one another was radiant. Before we knew it the big day was here and it was a beautiful one!

Yoori and her sister arrived at The Manor in West Orange, NJ to begin preparing for festivities. After ensuring they had a little champagne and some snacks, they got dressed and ready. (Fashion note: How fabulous are her Ferragamos?!)

Meanwhile, Nick and his brothers got ready at the hotel across the way. Nick was calm, cool and collected but super excited to see his beautiful bride to be. We arranged for a ‘first look’ to do some fun photos around the property and they were awesome. Rob Yaskovic of Yaskovic Wedding + Portrait was on hand for the day so we knew we would see some amazing shots!

While the Bride and Groom were off taking photos, the sun began to set a little and the cool air moved in. The ceremony had been set for outside however it became just a little to cold for comfort. In what may be the quickest turnaround time ever, we worked along with the staff at The Manor to move and reset everything inside and it was beautiful! Custom designed programs designed by TFT were handed out to each guest as they arrived and were greeted with music from a lovely violinist. The ceremony, officiated by Pastor Paul Yang, was beautiful and truly touching.

As guests enjoyed cocktail hour, we put the finishing touches on the room for the reception. Centerpieces featuring green and white hydrangeas, spider mums, and burgundy dahlias were placed on each table and surrounded with elevated votives. Custom escort cards, menus, table numbers and favor tags were also created by TFT that coordinated with the invitation design.

Soon it was time for the guests to head into the ballroom, but our lovely couple had a surprise ceremony planned! Yoori and Nick had wished to do a traditional Korean ceremony called P’yebaek so with a colorful outfit change and beautiful set up on the dance floor, the couple delighted all of their guests with this addition.

After another super quick change, Yoori and Nick were ready to enter their reception in style. At the last minute request of the groom, DJ Christian from Craig Scott Entertainment announced the newlyweds as they entered to Avicii’s ‘Levels’-which had everyone up on their feet! The couple then shared their first dance and sat down to relax and enjoy their first meal as Mr. and Mrs.

The night was full of fun, laughter and dancing! Nick even took the mic and earned the title of MC as he rapped an old school hit from none other than Vanilla Ice. Before long it was time for dessert and the cake cutting. The beautiful cake was designed in house by The Manor and we added a few green spider mums to add that extra pop. Not only was it eye pleasing but everyone talked about how delicious it was! At the end of the evening guests were treated with a take home favor from Waltzing Matildas. Yoori grew up in Australia and wanted to pay a small homage somehow and what better way than with a cookie from and Australian baker. These were certainly a huge hit!

So as you can see, in one word Yoori and Nick’s wedding was FUN. It was truly a pleasure working with this amazing couple and we wish them all the best in their bright future together.

With Love,

Stephanie and Soroya

Special Thanks to all of the Fabulous Vendors!

Photography: Yaskovic Wedding + Portrait

Venue: The Manor

Officiant: Rev. Paul Yang

Bridal Gown: Cymbeline

Florals: The Finishing Touch

Ceremony Music: Yooshin Kim

Entertainment: Craig Scott Entertainment – DJ’s Christian and Andrew

Stationery: The Finishing Touch

Favors: Waltzing Matilda’s

Chair Covers/Ties: Cloth Connection

DATE: Wednesday March 7, 2012
TIME: 6:00pm-9:00pm
LOCATION: Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club
100 Walnut Street
Livingston, NJ 07039

Calling all Brides and Grooms to Be!

The New Jersey chapter of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) and the New Jersey North chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) are proud to present the third annual “Say Yes to the Best” Bridal Showcase on Wednesday March 7, 2012 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This exclusive event will be held at the Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club in Livingston, NJ.

Enjoy the elegant venue and the magnificent views of the golf course and surrounding hillsides. Have a sip of champagne or your favorite cocktail while meeting some of the most prestigious vendors in the area. All participants in this event are hand selected by an appointed committee within the ISES and ABC organizations, making it truly the best of the best.

Gain some inspiration from our vendors during our designer showcase contest.  We will be presenting a variety of floral and event design showcasing tables, where you, our valued guest, will vote for your favorite designs!  The winning designer will be presented with a prize.

Our guests will have the ability to explore many different resources for their special day. Some of the many different types of exhibitors we will be featuring include: Hair/Makeup, Entertainment, Bridal Gowns, Tuxedos, Car Services, Florals, Style Services, & Event Planning.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY !!

All ticket proceeds will benefit Wish Upon A Wedding, a non-profit organization providing weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.

Click here for more information on Wish Upon a Wedding.

One of the latest trends for Spring and Summer weddings is posing with some picture perfect parasols! These beautiful pieces can create unique and memorable photo ops at any location. Not only do they provide fabulous photos, but can be a great addition to offer to your guests. If you are having an outdoor affair where the sun may be a factor, consider having one available for each  guest to use -these make for a great favor or keepsake!

Looking for an eye catching color to provide some contrast with your bridal party? Talk with your planner about coordinating your parasol selections so they will be sure to complement your color scheme. For 2012, some of the hottest colors are pastels such as lilac and celedon as well as bright and vivid hues like electric pink and of course, Pantone’s color of the year tangerine tango. Check out some of our favorite shades that can be found on Cultural Intrigue.

We love the addition of parasols at weddings and events as they certainly add a very special touch! This great shot was taken by our good friends at The Studio Photographers at Mallard Island Yacht Club – how much fun is that?!

Check out this great feature in the latest issue of The Knot New Jersey Magazine! We had a great time planning this ‘Cocktails and Connections’ networking event at Stone House at Stirling Ridge.

Check out more details on our blog feature of this vintage circus event!

Be sure to pick up a copy of the new issue on newsstands now!

We had an awesome time working with The Knot team in putting together this year’s Market Party which was held at the amazing Stone House at Stirling Ridge!

Going with a vintage big top circus theme, we brought in vibrant reds and teals in the decor throughout the event space. Graphic Grace Designs created the fun signage that went hand in hand with the decor. The Little Flower Shoppe created stunning centerpieces featuring bright red dahlias accented with teal ribbons set in antique stone pots. They also brought in a beautiful crab apple branch arrangement that was placed at the entrance. Lanterns and votives adorned the tables along with red and blue admission tickets to add another punch of color.

As guests arrived, they were treated to some amazing passed hors d’oeuvres such as tomato basil bruschetta, mini sirloin sliders, raspberry and brie stars and much more.  The bright red pomegranate Garden of Eden signature drink was a huge hit and enjoyed by all.

After cocktail hour, it was ‘Showtime’ and everyone headed for the main ballroom. A presentation was given by the team from The Knot where they shared some of their latest happenings and updates. Guests were also introduced to The Bump, which is the inside scoop on pregnancy!

For dinner, stations were set up around the room featuring everything from Mediterranean fare, hand rolled Sushi, Paella and more. The crowd enjoyed music and entertainment that was provided by the great team at In the Mix Entertainment.

Vanessa Joy Photography was on hand to capture all of the details of the event as well as some great snapshots of guests enjoying the evening. A photo booth disguised as a ‘Kissing Booth’ was set up for the attendees to take tons of silly pictures.

With the circus theme there had to be lots and lots of sweets! Dimestore Candy Buffets provided lots of sugary treats such as licorice, rock candy, gumballs and more. Yummy popcorn favors were also provided by Popcorn Creations. The Stone House features an amazing firepit area that our guests were able to enjoy some good old fashioned s’mores! To top it off, our good friends at Confectionary Designs created an amazing tiered cake that featured the blue, red and gold colors, an antique clown and big top tent. (It was delicious too!)

We had a great time organizing and designing the Knot’s Market Party and look forward to next year’s event!

To see more photos from this event, click here!

Special Thanks:

Venue: Stone House at Stirling Ridge

Floral: The Little Flower Shoppe

Photography: Vanessa Joy Photography

Videography: Rob Adams Productions

Stationery: Graphic Grace Designs

Music/Entertainment: In the Mix Entertainment

Candy Buffet: Dimestore Candy Buffets

Popcorn Favor: Gourmet Popcorn Creations

Cake: Confectionary Designs

This Wednesday, TFT had such an amazing time at the Wish Upon A Wedding Blissful Wishes Ball held at the beautiful Crystal Plaza in Livingston, NJ.

The Blissful Wishes Ball was a gala celebration benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding, New Jersey/New York Metro, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide weddings & vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.  By giving the gifts of dream weddings & vow renewals, Wish Upon a Wedding is able to grant some of the most intimate and heartfelt wishes of these people’s lives, and help them share this important day with close family members.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from the Blissful Wishes Ball will benefit Wish Upon a Wedding, New Jersey/New York Metro, and its mission.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with a martini bar made completely out of ice! The WUW logo was also sculpted into ice and really added to the room. Harpist Janet King set the mood with some beautiful music that set the tone.

During the cocktail hour, The Crystal Plaza provided amazing passed hors d’oeuvres and stations throughout – from a sushi bar to an Italian pasta station – they had it all! The Silent Auction was also held in the cocktail room for guests to bid on items to benefit WUW. It was so great to see how many generous bids were being made in order to support the cause.

Then it was off to the ballroom for a seated three course dinner along with a night full of dancing! The room looked absolutely stunning with centerpieces and decor from A Touch of Elegance. Beautiful menu cards, table numbers and  programs were placed at every table that were designed by Cam Turner Designs.

Once everyone was in the ballroom, Jenny Orsini who serves as Vice President of WUW NJ/NY, welcomed everyone with a great speech. Our very own Candice, who serves as the Wish Upon A Wedding NJ/NY Metro President is expecting her second daughter any day now and could not attend the event but sent a great video message to all of the guests, thanking them all for their participation and efforts in supporting this great charity. We missed her!! We were then introduced to Valerie and Larry who will be the first WUW couple to tie the knot next month – it was such an honor to have them in attendance and we can’t wait for their big day.

Then it was time for some dancing! The Rhythm Shop had everyone up on their feet dancing to music from every decade. It was such a blast out on the floor – check out these great dance floor shots – can you guess which one everyone was dancing to the Tina Turner classic “Rollin on the River”?

After dinner, guests were treated to some amazing dessert featuring macarons, brownies, chocolate covered strawberries and more which were displayed beneath a custom ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ banner created by Original Runner Company. Dimestore Candy Buffets provided some delicious candies and treats for guests to enjoy as well! Dani Cakes created WUW inspired cupcakes as take home favors for each guest – which made a great late night snack!

The Wish Upon A Wedding NJ/NY Metro did an AMAZING job organizing, planning and designing this successful event. Congratulations to the team for their hard work and efforts surely paid off! Here some of the board members strike a pose in front of the customized Wish Upon A Wedding step and repeat!

To learn more about Wish Upon A Wedding and how you can contribute to this great cause, click here!

Special thanks to CLB Photography for providing these fabulous shots!