By Karen, on January 3rd, 2013
Well, you are engaged….now what? Besides just relishing the moment…..you’ll need to soon start chatting with your fiance about what you both ENVISION for your wedding day….is it a casual backyard tented reception, or must you have your toes in the sand & a view of the gulf? There’s lots of factors to consider as you explore your options…..here’s some of my thoughts on some of the most popular types of venues in Southwest Florida.
1. Country or Yacht Club Reception:
Alot of country clubs here in our area(Naples, Estero, Marco Island) do weddings and do them often. Some are more flexible than others, but here’s some thoughts to consider…..Do you want your ceremony to be there at the club(in a garden or overlooking a lake)or do you want it at a church or the beach? If so, how will your guests travel from point A to B(and possibly C-if a hotel is involved)? Are a lot of your guests local and familiar with the area, or will you be having alot of people travel to join you for your nuptuals?For many of our weddings, which include many if not all out of town guests, we highly recommend hiring trolley’s or some other form of transportation. This way you aren’t concerned about people getting lost or having to drive after an evening of festivities. This is an expense you should consider, and not inexpensive, but well worth the investment.
Country clubs can be very turn key, if you want a very simple wedding and are not really concerned with decor and embellishing a space alot, this might be the definite way to go for you. If you want to dress up a space, I highly recommend getting either a planner who also does wedding design or a florist who does wedding design. I’ll explore these two alternatives in a later post.
2. Toes in the Sand & a View of the Gulf:
Photo Credit: Deb Cull Photography
Do you want to get married at a resort and be in the sand or have a view of the water?? There several more obvious options like hotels that have great views of the water, but you have to pay significant site fees for use of these spaces. There’s also some public beaches where you can have ceremonies, but you have limited time to set up, have the wedding & tear down, so this needs to be delegated to a professional. One last, less well known option, is there are a small handful of private homes on the beach in Naples(and Southwest Florida) that will allow rental of their properties. If you go this route I highly suggest a planner for this process so you can avoid being the point person on your wedding day.
This is the vision me and my husband thought we wanted when we got married quite a few years ago. Turns out we found a resort that we loved that sat on a bay with a view of mangroves, palm trees, and stunning fountained pools. We ended up getting married on a terrace overlooking this beautiful tropical resort….After considering the logistics of getting guests who were decked out, boated over to an island beach that the resort had access to, we thought we’d enjoy the ceremony just as much on the terrace that was SOO much more convenient. If you absolutely want to get married with a view of the beach, then you have a few options here in Naples, with different logistics invovled. That is why if your budget allows, chatting through these logistics with a planner who’s had to deal with these ins and outs can be invaluable to you as you make decisions.
3. A Tented Outdoor Reception:
We’ve had some clients who LOVE this idea, but absolutely wanted to get married in Naples. There’s a couple resorts or venues where this is a possibility, but ultimately the noise ordinance made them shy away from this option. If you are ok with starting and ending a little earlier than you thought, this might be something to consider. If you really want to dance the night away into the wee hours of the morning with your guests…..then this might not be such a good option. Now, we have had this concept work really well for us on Captiva and Sanibel Islands. Our brides have rented beautiful waterfront homes, that were more spacious and remote and the noise ordinance did not pose as big a threat to their nighttime festivities. Keep in mind that sometimes, depending on how “dressed up” you want your tent to be……it may need to be set up the day before the wedding, “dressed” the day of the wedding and come down the following day…..so if you are doing a tent……you MUST have a planner, so you don’t have to worry and oversee this.
There’s alot more I could say, but these are just some general thoughts on venues I know are prevalent in our area. Talking this through with a planner can be a huge help if you are doing something less turnkey, but having these conversations with your fiance before you start meeting with venues and other professionals can make the process SO much more enjoyable….
Wishing you & your fiance smooth sailing~
Karen
By Karen, on December 28th, 2012
GORGEOUS Image by Trenholm Photo
Well, Madi & I have been planning weddings in Naples and Southwest Florida for almost 10 years now. We have had clients hire us at many different stages of the planning process, so I’ve seen the results of a smooth start as well as not so smooth a start to the wedding planning process. Here are a few tips I would suggest to help you pave the way to a time that should be SOOO much fun. This will be a series(on each of the tips below) with some general information as well as some local expertise thrown in.
Trust me, there will be times that stress creeps in, but if you communicate with the “key players” clearly, choose the right vendors and venues & most importantly keep sight of what this day is all about it really should be an AMAZING time of your life!
6 TIPS TO SMOOTH WEDDING PLANNING:
1. DECIDE ON A VISION FOR YOUR DAY: Discuss with your fiance what each of your “ideal” wedding day looks like. If you both have very different things in mind, try to come to a common vision of something you both feel comfortable with and would truly enjoy-keep in mind you might have to make compromises here, that’s what married life is often about:)
2. COMPILE YOUR GUEST LIST: Start having each of your families put together a list of a-listers for your guest list. You and your fiance can add your a-listers to this and then get a ballpark idea of how many people you’d like to invite-this will guide you in your venue selection. You really need to do this practically and realistically, so your venue is set up in a comfortable way for the amount of people you will have joining you.
3. COME UP WITH A REALISTIC BUDGET: Figure out who is contributing to your day and get an overall budget in the works. Start allocating all the major expenses and give yourself wiggle room, there is always something unexpected that will pop up. If you can possibly hire a wedding planner at this stage to help guide you, I highly recommend it, but will touch upon that later in the series.
4. START RESEARCHING VENDORS & VENUE: Sometimes brides will hire a couple vendors she loves first & get their suggestions on venues they’d suggest before selecting a location(s). Sometimes she will select her venue first. As long as you’ve carefully considered your options & budget BEFORE doing this-either is fine. Although, if you know that you can afford and want a planner/consultant for your wedding day, I would suggest starting with them as early on as possible. They often know all the ins & outs of the venues in their area. They will know what restrictions & limitations that venues have as well as some hidden perks that you couldn’t possibly know without the experience of planning an event there. Finding vendors with a proven track record is important, so do your research!
5. PRIORITIZE: Even our high budget weddings always have to prioritize because you can always find one more thing you’d like to have….can we not?? This will likely tie in to your budget, but you have to decide with your fiance and other key decision-makers what is MOST important and what is not. As decisions start presenting themselves, you will have to go back to this prioritized list.
6. ENJOY: Don’t rush through this process, I am a fan of longer engagements so you don’t feel rushed and under pressure to make decisions too rashly. This is a really unique time in your life! Savor every moment…daydream together about what you envision about not only your wedding day, but your lives together. If you find the right people to guide and help you this will be a really smooth & amazing time. We still keep in touch with brides we worked with years ago, we consider them friends and we love to see their families growing!
Stay tuned each week as I dive a little deeper into each of my tips above! We’ve done this MANY MANY times over the past 10 years and truly enjoy sharing little words of wisdom to help guide brides into this exciting but sometimes intimidating process:)
Cheers~
Karen & Madi
By Lauren, on September 28th, 2012
I figured that even though it’s not even Halloween yet, it’s not too soon to start thinking about the holidays! All that’s involved in holiday cards: the photoshoot and outfits, the recipient address list, and of course, the cards! What better time to start customizing the perfect holiday card than now? Let Detailz Events connect you to Envelopments and their amazing paper products and artwork so you can have a unique card that represents you and your fam!
The thing that is so great about Envelopments is that if you are a DIYer (like me!) and/or want to save a few extra bucks, we can be your source for the design, paper, and supplies to make the perfect thing you are looking for. For the rest of us, who are not so creatively inclined, Detailz can put everything together for you. We can work with you to create the ideal customized design for your and your family, and we will handle the rest! The ideas are endless – we do place cards, escort cards, wedding invitations, menus, event signage, promotional products, favors… pretty much anything and everything!
Now, here are a few of our faves when it comes to holiday greetings!!
 Love this invitation and favors for a holiday party! The vintage graphics looks like it is straight from It’s a Wonderful Life. I also love the red and white stripes!
 I know we posted this one on Facebook already, but I love that it looks like a fair isle sweater! (Can you tell that I’m a knitter?)
 Who doesn’t love the chevron print that is so hot these days? It doesn’t hurt that this baby is super cute!
 Can’t decide if your little one has been naughty or nice? Well, with these delightful flip cards, you don’t have to! I can just imagine the silly poses you could have with Santa on the “naughty” side of the card.
Email us at madi (at) detailzevents (dot) com for any questions you have about our Envelopments products! Keep your eyes peeled for Round 2 of holiday greetings!
xx,
The Detailz Team
By Karen, on September 21st, 2012
Ok Detailz Fans….as you know I’m all about making it your own, whether it applies to your ceremony, your wedding day attire or your life for that matter….but today I’m talkin’ about your wedding day duds. Since fashion is where I started out……it holds a special place in my heart and it’s more about making it reflect you than the pages of a magazine. Below are just a few examples of how people used color and other beautiful baubles to add a little personality to their look. I felt like I kid in a candy store, but here are my tops picks..enjoy!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE how this couple added in elements that made it a complete look and not just throwing on a dress and a black tux! The leather accents make it a touch casual and the turquoise and mixed beaded necklace add that country rustic charm. They made it their own….and it wasn’t super matchy matchy it just had a really casual, eclectic, kind of hippy chic look to it….so fun if that’s what truly reflects you!
Now this look uses a little bling instead of brights which is totally cool by me:) If you come across a gorgeous necklace your grandmother had in her jewelry box or a great piece you stumble upon at a fleamarket…don’t be afraid to experiment and embellish that beautiful gown. This belt is TO-DIE-FOR!
Ok, this little dab of yellow is like a burst of sunshine right? I love the way the bride AND her handsome groom have little touches of it. Nothing over the top just a teeny bitsy bit of bright to let their personalities bubble up to the top:)
Ok, I had to do it….I just came across this necklace that I thought was fantabulous enough to stand on it’s own! What a statement piece…..yet soft & can double as your “something blue”.
We do so many different types of weddings here in Naples, some on the beach with barefoot brides, some in yacht clubs with crisp khaki’s and blues and some in churchs with elegant opulent touches. I am so often asked through the planning process, “Well, what do most people do in this situation……”. Of course there is a time and place for traditions that hold a special place in our hearts. There’s also a time and place to make new traditions or express who you are as an individual and a couple. Your wedding day attire is just one fun way to don what catches your eye and allows you to wear what I like to think are little pieces of art…..
Cheers & Happy Weekend~
Karen
Photo credits(Top to bottom):
Image 1: Bridal Bohemian
Image 2: Vintage Golds
Image 3: Sunshine Bright Couple
Image 4: Bright Shoes
Image 5: Bold Statement Necklace
By Lauren, on August 24th, 2012
Are you ready for the weekend? To get it started right, we have a guest post from the lovely Nanette of Luminaire Foto!
 Nanette and Karl of Luminaire Foto! Hello Detailz readers! This is Nanette here from Luminaire Foto. Today I’m happy to share a photographer’s perspective on engagement sessions. These are thoughts that we regularly offer the recently engaged. (If that’s you, congrats!)
First, and most obvious, an engagement session will result in a whole set of lovely pictures of you and your fiancé to use as you like. This might be the only time you’ll have photos taken of the two of you as an everyday, young-and-in-love couple. Beyond your wedding, your next photo shoot will most likely be a maternity or baby shoot, at which point the focus is on the little one. A few casual yet professional snapshots from an engagement session may become some of your favorite images as the years pass. Need a photo for a save-the-date or your wedding website? You have that covered too.
We always recommend hair and makeup for our photo shoots. (And yes, it does take more makeup than you usually wear to show up in photos, even for a natural look. It might feel like too much, but we promise, you’ll look great!) Kill two birds with one stone and have your wedding hair and makeup trial done for your engagement shoot! You’ll be able to see the result in the photographs and make any adjustments before the wedding day. Trying out a more formal hairstyle that won’t work for an engagement shoot? Your stylist should be able to create two versions for you.
As photographers, our favorite benefit of the engagement session is the face time it affords us with our clients. Many of them are destination clients that we only see at an initial meeting and then eight months later on their wedding day. Or they’re just busy people! In any case, an engagement session gives us a reason to get together and interact, cameras and all, before the big day. It’s a win-win. You and your hubby-to-be will get used to the camera and the spotlight ahead of the wedding. And just by talking with you and observing the way you interact, we’ll have a better idea of how to coax those beautiful photos out of each moment. In the end, this experience will result in engagement and wedding photos in which you look and feel relaxed rather than anxious or stiff. Easy peasy.
Thanks Nanette for the great tips for our brides-to-be and the gorgeous photos! Keep your eyes peeled for more guest posts in the future!
xoxo,
The Detailz Team
By Karen, on August 17th, 2012
Oh Friday Oh Friday….how I love thee oh Friday! Here’s a fun fruity cocktail to get your weekend kicked off or hopefully you’ll be hosting a gathering where you can share it with friends:) We found this creative concoction here….I suggest you take a peek and inspire some other great libations!
Happy Weekend!!
By Lauren, on August 15th, 2012
Good things come to those who wait & our bride and groom who got married at the Port Royal Club in Naples, Florida definitely waited to find their perfect match! Our clients focused on their careers & held off on marriage for many years, but when they found eachother they knew it was right{swoon}. So they wasted no time once they decided & called us to pull their wedding together. They gave us less than a month to plan a beachfront wedding for their elegant Port Royal nuptuals! I think this was the all time shortest time we have ever had to plan and design a wedding{yikes} You’ll see in the pics ahead…..it ended up being a pretty stunning day that they shared with an intimate group of their closest family and friends who flew in from all over the country. I love the beautiful details throughout the day that reflected the couples deeply held Jewish faith. They truly were an amazing match together and we wish them many many years of happiness together:)
A very special thanks to Deborah Cull Photography one of our favorite photographers in Naples & Grace Lakes Florist who did a lovely job on the floral….We only work with the best 
 We love the silky gold tones the bride chose to compliment their winter wedding! How gorgeous is this tabletop design? Karen really outdid herself on this one! 
 Our trellis/chuppa with stunning drapery and tropical floral  We love this tropical bouquet 
 Mazal tov!  The gorgeous ketubah the bride commissioned  We loved the bride’s display of family photos! 
 The loaf of challah bread used for the dinner blessing. We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed making this stunning wedding a reality for Marlene & Peter……Cheers~
By Lauren, on August 1st, 2012
One of the earliest steps in the design process is selecting a color palette for your wedding. It can be very difficult since there is an infinite number of beautiful color combinations to choose from! One thing that might make this process a little easier is a color palette generator. A color palette generator will identify the colors used in a photo that you supply. Some that we love are PHOTOCOPA, DeGraeve, and CSS Drive.
PHOTOCOPA was the fave at Detailz. You can see all of the swatches for the photo uploaded, and then pull them into your custom palette. They also provide a variety of pre-generated palettes from your image. You can also create a login and save your palettes for future use.
DeGraeve is great for web design and looking for bright colors. While they don’t offer all of the colors in the image, they do highlight the most prominent AND give you the HEX codes for HTML. What an easy way to coordinate your Twitter page to your avatar! :)
The final one we used was by CSS Drive. They allow you to either upload a photo, or paste a link to a photo. They also give you the option of a custom palette like PHOTOCOPA, but it’s not as easy to use. It only saves your prior colors clicked, while PHOTOCOPA allows you to rearrange your swatches.
We hope you find this post helpful on your future creative ventures!
xx,
Detailz
By Karen, on July 23rd, 2012
Ok my friends, it’s Monday again & to kick start the creative juices I came across this beautiful & whimsical print that makes you wish you were sitting on a beach chair, reading a good book and listening to the waves crashing…….
As I’ve said before, when I design weddings & events…I garner inspiration from so many different places and this print gives me SOO much to work with!
Can’t you just hear the sea gulls when you look at this???
Happy Monday!!
You must check out this artists work on her online etsy shop here…definitely worth checking out!
By Karen, on July 9th, 2012
Monday’s always require a little jump starting….so I thought I’d through a little color inspiration atcha today!!
When I design weddings, I get my inspiration from ALL sorts of places! Sometimes it can be the brides favorite color, other times it might be the room where the reception will be…or it can be as simple as a piece of jewelry or a dress that the bride would love to use for her bridesmaids!
Today, I was looking through some of my inspiration files and came across this dress! It’s like a big burst of HAPPY! Since we do so many beach & outdoor weddings in Naples….these colors are just so RIGHT for a tropical setting. I just love how vibrant these hues are and hope we have a bride who wants to be daring and try these shades out soon!!{hint hint}
Happy Monday!!
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