Vendor Spotlight-Baskets Bellisimo

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Josephine of Baskets Bellisimo.
I can tell you Baskets Bellisimo is not your average Basket Company. They can customize baskets for any occasion. So if you are not sure what to give for that birthday, thank you, sympathy, graduation, new baby, holiday gift etc....try a Bellisimo Basket.

For our brides to be Josephine can customize baskets for your out of town guests. She also does silk floral arrangements (bouquets and boutonnieres etc.) One of my favorites was her hand-painted glasses.



She is truly talented and so totally altruistic and one of the most pleasant business person I know.
For more details on how to order Bellisimo Baskets contact Josephine at basketbellismo@aol.com.

Baskets Bellisimo
24 Franklin Avenue
Franklin Square, NY

NJ Networking Event at Solar Do Minho

So last night hundreds of wedding professionals gathered at Solar Do Minho, in Roselle Park, NJ for what might be the first in a series of these networking events.
I am sure the venue's stone walls, wood tones and antique furniture will attract many brides. Its the perfect setting for that once in a lifetime memorable wedding.

I managed to get a few pictures before I knew it...my camera died.

I got a picture of some of the desserts before the camera crashed.






I was honored to be in the same room with some of who I considered to be an inspiration in the wedding industry. Here I am with Kenneth, or should I say "Bosco" of Bosco Bridal Showcases.




And of course the Cake Diva herself.



I met a lot of people that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise and I am glad that the sponsors (NJ Weddings, Contemporary Bride, WeddingZone and many others)we able to put this together.

Here are a few of the the exceptional vendors I met:
Cake Diva
Blush & Brushes
Rodrick Moore Photography
Inku Photography
Places Everyone
Gemini DJs
Andre Walker Photography
Sirius Orchestra
Videoallstar
Woody Works Workin Music
Prestige Chocolates
The Flair Factor
For Your Event Planners
Creative Floral
John O'Boyle Photography

You can check out more pictures HERE. I hope we will see more of these events.

Signature Drinks........

It has become very trendy for couples to create a signature drink for their guests. You won't need to go to bartending school to give your cocktails a flair, it can be as simple as renaming your drinks. Your guests will love a lavishly decorated, fancy named cocktail. Here are two wedding day drink recipes courtesy of our friends from Contemporary Bride:



The White Rose
Mix 2 parts Modmix Organic Lavender Lemon Drop
with 1 part vodka and 1 part champagne.
Shake well and strain into martini glass.
Top off with champagne.
Garnish with white rose petal


Bell Chimes
Mix 2 parts Modmix Organic French Martini
with 1 part tequilla.
Shake over ice.
Serve inmartini glass.
Garnish with raspberry.

One of my couples (Kim & Scott), had a signature drink "Albee Yours Forever". They had the ingredients displayed in a nice frame on the bar. The guests loved the idea. Here is a picture.

Great News-Eternally Linked

Our friends at Eternally Linked are having their Grand Opening today (65 Bleecker Street).
Eternally Linked creates handmade, personalized wedding, anniversary, and special occasion cufflinks and accessories. They provide grooms with commemorative pieces to mark the most important day of their lives. They also provide a nice array of groomsmen gifts so grooms can provide unique and timeless gifts to their wedding party.
If you are in NY, stop by and have them customize something for your groom.

Holiday Shopping!

So even though its been officially declared a recession I know some of you are still doing holiday shopping. If you are in the NYC area you might want to visit the Grand Central Holiday Fair. This is the 10th year for the Holiday Fair. Visit the website for a list of allvendors and hours of operation.

And the winner is........

So the LIW 09ers were out in numbers in October for their 09 shower. If you are not a LIWer you probably have no idea what this is. Each year the LIwers plan a shower where they all come out to eat, have fun and sometimes exchange gifts (like a real bridal shower). There were many vendor giveaways and as an LIW vendor I decided to give one lucky bride a personalized unity candle set. The recipient of this candle set was Martha. Even though Martha isn't getting married until September 2009, she said receiving her set now would make everything seem so much more real. Martha's theme is brown and pink (lovely colors). Congrats Martha and I hope you like your prize.

You may view more pictures of the LIW 09 shower from this TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER

Picture Time!

So you have spent months or years planning the perfect wedding, from finding the perfect venue, the gown, the shoes etc. and now its time for your pictures. The venue for your pictures should be located close to your reception venue but it should also reflect your personality. Whether you want pictures to be on the boardwalk of your local beach, a botanical garden or city lights as your backdrop, where you take your pictures is very important. After all you will have these pictures for a lifetime.

If you do choose to take pictures in a garden, you should check to see what is in bloom around the time of your wedding.

Here are a few popular spots to take pictures in NY:

Argyle Memorial Park
Avalon Park
Frank Melville Memorial Park
Planting Fields Arboretum
Rosyln Duck Pond
Garden city Gazebo
Central Park
Queens Botanical Garden
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
Bailey Arboretum
Eisenhower Park
Oheka Castle
Deseversky Center

Before your wedding day, save yourself any headaches by doing further research for site fee requirements or any special permits that will be needed.