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 Read More…
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 Read More…
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 Read More…
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 Read More…
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 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!!
By Karen, on July 7th, 2012
Well….not every delicious concoction needs to be an adult beverage….this one is for the little kid in all of us! If a late night sweet treat is your thing & Nutella(or Norman Love Chocolates fills a need like nothing else:)…well this is the recipe for you my friend! Since everything delicious should also look absolutely adorable…one must line little shot glasses of these along with all sorts of delectables on a dessert table. Give this one a shot{no pun intended} and let me know what you think!!
Cheers!
Recipe:
2 Tablespoons of Nutella
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup of milk
Ice
Directions, use blender to blend all ingredients…cover rim of glass with a thin coating of nutella. Just warm nutella and dip glass..pour milkshake & ENJOY!!
{Recipe Source}
{Photo Source}
By Karen, on June 22nd, 2012
Well hello lovely Detailz fans……I can’t believe Friday has rolled around once again! This weeks libation is just so perfect for a Naples Wedding I ABSOLUTELY had to feature this. I stumbled across this cocktail which was featured on a fabulous little blog called Zested & I’ve had my eye on this recipe for a while. It really does taste like vacation in a glass & is just as refreshing as a breath of fresh air!
It is so simple with a champagne base and gently stirred with St~ Germain, which is a french liqueur of elderflower blossoms which is just heavenly.
As a little side note…this particular brand of St~Germaine liqueur(see link below)has a special service, where you can email them the style and flair of your upcoming wedding and they will have one of there master mixologists concoct a specialty libation just for your event! Pretty Cool, huh?
Get your Custom Cocktail here!
Anyways….I digress….here is the recipe for the Elderflower Champagne Cocktail!
Fill a tumbler with ice Fill three-quarters of the glass with dry champagne or prosecco Add thinly sliced cucumber and fresh mint. Top off with St-Germain.
Happy Friday!!
By Karen, on June 15th, 2012
Ok Detailz fans….. as you all know we have a fun summer blog series on signature drinks to give you inspiration for you next party or upcoming wedding! I look for any excuse to come up with a fun concoction to serve whether it be throughout the evening or just as a fun welcome as your guests arrive. This ones a zinger! If you like spice this one’s for you. It’s got a good dose of fresh ginger, chinese five spice and the star anise. This is a SASSY cocktail if there ever was one! If you aren’t a fan of anise, give it a little does of citrus peels and juice instead-I think it’ll still be well worth the effort!
Recipe:
1/2 cup chopped fresh ginger 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 3 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger 8 whole star anise 1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne or sparkling wine This one is definitely worth a try!! Happy Friday!! Recipe is from one of my fav culinary go-tos….epicurious
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