The Alternative Bouquet

When I design flowers I love adding unexpected ingredients.
Here are some alternative bouquet ideas for you!

THE FUND FOR PARK AVENUE

I have been asked to design a table for The Fund For Park Avenue fund raising event.

Its going to be very ZEN. I can't wait to show you all!

The Park Avenue Malls Planting Project will be WHITE Tulips for the 30th Anniversary of the program.

The Park Avenue Malls Planting Project is a continuation of the philanthropic efforts of Mrs. Albert D. Lasker. Today, with the support of the buildings facing the avenue and contributions from individuals, the malls between 54th and 86th streets are beautifully maintained throughout the year and feature seasonal highlights such as tulips, blooming Hawthorne and cherry trees and colorful begonias.

Green Floral Cones

Found @ Martha Stewart

Hey Newport Brides... Have Your Cake and Keep it to!

Don't Like Cake...

Well then, have your florist bake it!

You can have that iconic moment made with alternative ingredients!

So you can have your Cake and keep It to!

Wedding Planners Develop New Strategies to Handle Price-shopping Brides

Last week, Eventline looked at the challenge wedding planners face from cost-conscious brides—armed with data from Web sites and other sources—who push hard to drive down prices. (For more, click here.)

To fight against bargaining brides and the sour economy, many wedding planners have developed new ways to package their talents. Some examples:


"I have lowered my fees because the time I am working with my brides has changed—three months versus a year. I'm charging a monthly rate—even though it's the same amount of work."--Nancy Swiezy, A Newport Affaire, Newport, R.I., and New York

"We've gotten creative about how we present our services to clients. Instead of the old school packages, we give them an à la carte list of every service we can provide and they 'go shopping.' This helps them to see that every service has a value. If the total cost is over their budget, it is clear that removing some items from their 'shopping cart' will bring the price down, but we aren't asked to give them the whole list but for a smaller fee. We don't discount."—Tanya Posavatz, CSEP, CLINK, Austin, Texas

"While I have kept my fees constant, I have implemented a few 'levels of services' that a bride can choose from--for a flat fee, with the option to work with us on an hourly fee should they decide to engage with us for service not provided for by their contracted level. This was my way of giving the brides some flexibility in how they chose to work with us at the price point/ level of their choosing. This has worked fairly well for us, and for the most part, brides and their families have been receptive. It was the solution I came up with that felt like a 'win-win.'"--Cynthia Basker, Celebrated Events, South Bend, Ind.

"We offer full event design alongside coordination, which sets us apart from some of the other local event planners, but also can cause our price points to be slightly higher. We welcome negotiating the price if it means removing services, but we won't sacrifice the company's self-worth just to meet the brides' demands."--Tara Wilson, Tara Wilson Events, Fort Worth, Texas

"I spend a lot more time discussing exactly what the bride really needs from me and create a service package that addresses just those needs and price it accordingly. In the past I had three levels of service each with its own price range; now, it is completely custom. If she just wants a blueprint for her wedding, I create that for her, she pays me and is on her way, and my involvement ends there. Or she may want me to coach her through the planning process; she does the work, I keep her on the right track, or I do everything for her. It is very difficult to limit what I do, but in order to be profitable I have to be very disciplined in laying out exactly what I can do for the amount she is willing and in many cases able to pay."--Gwen Helbush, Where to Start Wedding and Event Management, Newark, Calif.

"We are pleased to be presenting our clients with destination wedding packages, which have just launched with The Royal Hawaiian in Oahu, with several other luxury properties are soon to join in the roster. The preliminary response from our clientele has been a very excited one, as a destination event is often times substantially more affordable than a big city wedding."--David Beahm, David Beahm Destinations, New York

"I have adjusted prices, 25 percent less that what I usually charge from November till mid-January since November and December are traditionally the slowest booking window. I am back to charging regular prices, and things are picking up! Also, more short-term/day-of service business than before."--Mary Dann, Mary Dann Wedding and Party Coordinators, Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Photo by iStockphoto.com/ © Kateryna Govorushchenko

Re Print from http://specialevents.com

Mary and David's Wedding The Water Club NYC

Mary and Davids first date was at the Water Club in New York City and he proposed to her on the top of the Empire State Building. So the nautical icons of a compass and a light house represented a new direction for two wonderful familys joining together. One never knows when Love will come... or in their case again.

Wedding planning and Flowers by Nancy Swiezy Events

Your Family Memories set ina Glass Vase...A Newport Affaire Exclusive

One may submit up to 24 photographs. Vase size is 6" x 2.5" x 10".
Available in color or black and white.
Your Family Memories set ina Glass Vase...
A Newport Affaire Exclusive
$250

Come on Lobster light my Fire

These darling lobster candles are from www.blackandlightco.com The perfect paring for your clam bake!

Inspiration...your dinner plate

This Rialto coral dinner plate would make a interesting icon for one's Wedding Menu or Invitation.


http://www.tableartonline.com

Have Palace will Travel

Have Palace will Travel... This 20x 40 back drop could turn the most boring Hotel Ballroom in to a palace!

News From A Newport Wedding Planner...Forty 1° North's New Event Space

A Sneak Peek at Our Event Space
Forty 1° North's New Event Space will set the scene for luxurious special event experiences that seamlessly transition between water and land. Guests can arrive by yacht or by land for private cocktail parties or corporate events, lavish soirees or intimate gatherings, weddings and rehearsal dinners.

The newest addition to the event accommodations – a luxurious, covered, open–air lounge connected to the hotel – makes an elegant yet comfortable space for both larger and smaller gatherings. The lounge introduces a cool color palette of whites, grays and splashes of soft blue, reminiscent of the water. Open on two sides to the outdoors, guests have the perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful setting, looking out on the marina and our garden courtyard through stone archways.

When not in use for special events, guests will enjoy an everyday lounge arrangement, with inviting seating such as basket chairs and cozy couches, alongside a large–scale dining table. For formal affairs and wedding receptions, the space lends itself to a more traditional banquet set–up, with modern accents.
Sales Manager, Melisa Dingman Lindley at (401) 846.8018 or mlindley@41no.com .

A Hot Tip from a New York Florist... Is Peach the New Pink?

My next two Brides will be using this color way this year.
As seen Laura, Donna, Orange Unique, Versilia, and Tombola roses

www.nancyswiezyevents.com

The George Washington Ball

I had a wonderful time creating these flowers of the George Washington Ball last week.
All the flowers would have been available during Washington's Time
Spray roses, Dandelions, Hydrangea, citrus leaves and thistle.

www.nancyswiezyevents.com

Live The Newport Life... Pretty in Pink

Cantine Riondo "Pink" Prosecco Raboso ($11.00)
Or
Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne ($50.00)

Your budget your palette.

I like bolth of them!

A Winter Wreath from A Newport Wedding Planner

Im working on a gift for one of my brides.
A Spring wreath for the door of their new home. But I so loved this one!
Happy Winter!

Plum Island Sand Dollar Cookies

Plum Island Sand Dollar Cookies are not only delicious, they are exquisite. Each delicately vanilla scented cookie is hand-rolled, individually designed, and unique.
Our recipe has been adapted from an authentic, old French Butter Cookie recipe, and we take pride in using only the freshest and finest ingredients. These rich butter cookies make a beautiful presentation for any special occasion and are a perfect complement with tea, coffee and wine.
Sand Dollar cookies are individually packaged in your choice of clear or colored cellophane bags tied with natural raffia ribbon. 2 sell for cookies for $5.00

Dawn Marie Shay, owner/baker, is a graduate of Boston University’s Culinary Arts Program where she formally trained with such culinary icons as Julia Child and Jacques Pepin. The Plum Island Cookie Company was born from her passion for cooking.

dmari@plumislandcookiecompany.com
www.plumislandcookiecompany.com

Winter White... By The Sea

I Want Modern Flowers...

Like This?

Inspiration...Folk Art

My next floral job is for The Sons Of The Revolution.
The inspiration for the SOR's is American Folk Art Flowers in Creamware styled containers.
A great juxtaposition to the gilded Victorian ballroom.

A Newport Very Sweet Heart!

The Americas Cup Yacht America

This Americas Cup Yacht America is $80.00 A perfect gift for the boys!
Its stands allmost 25 inches tall!

Nancy@ANewportAffaire.com
917 355 0689

Get Chocomize

We here at Chocomize want to add that little extra to make your wedding day the best it can be. Chocomize chocolate bars make a wedding favor that is not only unique, but also great tasting. Whereas a lot of companies focus on the look of your chocolate bars, we specialize in the quality and taste of the chocolate! We use high quality Beligan chocolate with only premium ingredients. If you are looking for a chocolate wedding favor that is sure to impress your guests with its look AND its taste, Chocomize chocolate bars are the perfect fit, take a look at our Creation Station to get an idea of the bars you can create.

At Chocomize you can customize the ingredients to make a chocolate bar that is truly yours. Imagine dark chocolate with gold flakes, candied rose petals, and strawberries! In order to create a bar to perfectly fit your wedding theme you can:

Choose from over 80 premium ingredients and three types of chocolate bar bases to make a bar that fits your wedding theme. Check out our Creation Station to design your dream chocolate bar.

-Design a label to place on the chocolate packaging! Popular options include the names of the bride and groom, messages to your guests, or a picture of the couple.

-Create a custom image to put on the chocolate bar. Not only can you design the packaging, you can also put a picture or a message on the chocolate bar itself!

http://www.chocomize.com/wedding-favors.html

In the mood for a POP of Sushi?

Max is originally from Japan, and has been residing in the USA for over 20 years now. Whilst in Japan, he used to work at Tokyo's famous Tsukiji Central Fish Market, renowned for supplying the freshest fish daily for all sushi restaurants in Tokyo and its environs. After coming to the US, he studied Culinary Arts/Baking and worked at many top hotels & restaurants. In Manhattan. He became a pastry chef and worked for the hotel at the World Trade Center for over 5 years, before deciding to have his own business, specializing in various sugar creations, thus Sugarworks was born. Do check out his other designs as well.
Sushipop: Tamago $2.95 each rest of all $2.45 each

www.sugarworksllc.com