Say "I Do" in Paradise

Atlantis - Paradise Island, Bahamas

I had the amazing opportunity to stay at the Atlantis resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas this past weekend for a four day getaway with a friend.  I can't describe to you in words the wonder of this place.

Three miles of impeccable grounds were covered in flowering tropical plants and scattered with palm trees which made for a lush landscape.  Pools throughout the resort, constantly replenished with crystal clear ocean water, housed manta rays, sting rays, barracudas, sharks and a variety of colorful tropical fish.  The relaxing sounds of cascading water can be heard from every corner of the property.

The resort features a wide variety of hotel room options from the reasonably priced, "singles" towers, Beach tower and Coral tower, to the higher-end "family" tower, the Royal tower to the private villas for the lavish vacationers.  It has two beaches, a casino, a nightclub, a marina, 8 water slides/rides including a 45-minute lazy river ride, snorkeling lessons, scuba lessons, 9 restaurants and high-end shopping.

Now I don't tell you this to make you jealous of my vacation, (though I'm sure you are after hearing about this heaven!) I wanted to share this gem in case you are in the market for a destination wedding venue.  This definitely isn't for everyone as I'm sure the amenities do not come at a cheap package price.  But if you are looking for a place with amazing hotel rooms, incredible 24/7 service and enough activities to exhaust even the most chipper wedding guests, Atlantis is your place.

Lauren (right) and friend, Kristi, at Atlantis

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.  Happy wedding planning!

Stay Fab,
Lauren

A Candy Buffet is a Sweet Treat for Your Guests!

It’s all the new craze, candy buffets at weddings and… Elite Elegant loves this idea!  Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth?  And with candy buffets, your guests can create their own favor that surely won’t go right into the trash with the typical low-cost, everyone gets the same thing, favors.  So we went on a search for the best candy store in Frederick, MD and we found it!  Sweet Memories in downtown Frederick, located on East Patrick Street, has a huge variety, from old fashioned Charleston Chews to taffy to decadent caramels and chocolates.  Whatever your favorite, Sweet Memories has it stored in cute wooden barrels that filled the store.  The owners, Doug and Christina, were very friendly, just overall wonderful people, and mentioned how setting up candy buffets at weddings was one of their favorite parts about owning a candy store.  They also offer pre-made wedding favors, candy gift baskets and candy centerpieces.  You can visit sweetmemoriescandystore.com for more information or call 301-620-4202 end_of_the_skypeto speak with Doug or Christina. 

Enjoy, candy lovers!

Lauren
PR and Marketing Manager

On the Green: A Guide to an Eco-Friendly Wedding

With the degradation of the world’s ecosystem, people are putting more effort into going green by practicing better ways to sustain our planet. From recycled invitations to earth-friendly receptions, many couples are planning eco-friendly weddings. A green wedding will not only help save the planet, but it can also help you save money as well.

Here are some tips to make your wedding eco-friendly:

Paper chase

Minimizing the amount of paper used in your wedding stationery can have a huge environmental impact. There are few certified green printers. However, there are many wonderful choices when it comes to paper. For wedding invitations, select paper that has a high recycled content or is made from an alternative fiber, such as cotton or bamboo. While it is acceptable to send emails or E-vites for surrounding wedding events such as the bachelor and bachelorette party, it is important to mail your guests a paper wedding invitation.

Instead of giving each guest a wedding program, print one program per couple. We also recommend placing only one or two dinner menus at the table rather than placing a menu at every plate setting.

Create an organic menu

Ask your caterer to create an organic menu to ensure your food has not been exposed to pesticides. Choosing free-range meats and fish and local organic vegetable and fruit is healthier for you and your guests, the animals, and the environment. Organic meals are a fresh, delicious and economical way to make an eco-friendly statement. Depending on the time of day, you may want to serve hor d’oeuvres at your wedding rather than a full dinner or buffet. A hor d’oeuvre reception is appropriate between 11am and 5pm or after an evening wedding.

Instead of tossing those extra entrees into the trash, ask your caterer to send leftovers to a homeless or food rescue group. Many organizations pick up fresh, uneaten food and deliver it to local shelters and families in need. If food donation is not an option, ask to have the food composted.

Faux flowers

Flowers are a major component to every wedding. Talk to your florist about local organic blooms and explore how you can enhance your bouquet with greenery, herbs, and grains like wheat and millet. For centerpieces, consider using potted flowers, plants, or even small trees, which can later be replanted in your own garden or yard.

Fruit can also make lovely wedding centerpieces. Fruit is inexpensive, aromatic, and most importantly, edible. After the reception, the fruit can be divided and given to your guests or donated to a homeless shelter. You can bring happiness to the lives of others by donating your floral arrangements to a local hospital, nursing home, women’s shelter, or any other organization that could use some brightening up.

Dim the lights

Candlelight is not only romantic, it is also energy efficient. Soy wax is a renewable and cost effective alternative to paraffin wax. Made from soybeans, soy candles come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and scents and are cleaner, longer burning, and more fragrant than regular wax candles.

The key to a stylish, eco-friendly wedding is simplicity. Choosing earth-friendly materials not only saves money, it saves resources as well.

FALLing in Love: How to Plan the Perfect Autumn Wedding

Beautiful, colorful foliage and pleasantly moderate weather makes fall the second most popular wedding season. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, September and October are the third and fourth most popular months for weddings (behind June and August). Nearly 22% of all U.S. weddings take place in the fall.

Here are a few things to keep in mind while planning a fall wedding.

Color Scheme

Who says that you can only use earth tone colors in a fall wedding? While we adore chocolate browns, consider other rich and glamorous colors such as pomegranate and eggplant that fit the time of year. If you have your heart set on brown, try mocha or cappuccino hues rather than chocolate, which combine beautifully with powder blue, apricot or rust, cream, and even red. In fact, you can use any color you like as long as you combine it with a darker hue to create balance.

Fabric and attire

While lightweight fabrics such as silk are perfectly appropriate for a fall wedding, it is important to choose a fabric that flatters everyone's figures and a color that will complement your bridesmaids’ complexions.

Just as you shouldn't feel obligated to outfit your maids in heavy fabric just because of the season, the groom and his wedding party should not be obligated to wear a formal dark suit. Khaki suits have an earthy feel that is very appropriate for an autumn wedding. If it is warm enough, forego the jackets and opt for crisp button-down shirts and khaki slacks.

Drops in temperature

Fall weather is typically mild. However, the temperature tends to drop in the evening.  Make sure your guests are warm and comfortable during your wedding ceremony and reception.  If you are having an outdoor wedding or reception, set up heat lamps or fire pits in outdoor areas or provide inexpensive shawls or pashima-style wraps for your guests.

Floral Arrangements

Since many popular wedding blooms are not in season during the autumn months, seize the opportunity to get creative.  Incorporate grains like wheat and millet, ornamental fruits and vegetables, and even herbs such as rosemary, sage, or thyme into your centerpieces and wedding bouquet.  There are lots of elements you can work into your wedding that reflect the season in subtle ways.

Wedding Favors

Another great way to incorporate the fall season into your wedding is with favors. Autumn magic starts with the sweet aroma of apples, pears, and maple syrup. Show your guests that they are the "apple of your eye" by offering them treats such as caramel apples, individual apple tartlets and hot apple cider or show that you and your groom are the "perfect pair" by giving guests pear-scented soy candles or a pillow box full of pear-flavored jellybeans.

Plan around the holidays

Also, remember to do your research when planning an autumn wedding. There are many holidays during the fall, including Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but by doing your research you can help your guests avoid scheduling conflicts.

Just as decision, destiny, and luck brought you and your soon-to-be spouse together, it can also help you plan the perfect fall wedding.