Weddings by Lindsay

Simple.Elegant.You

It’s not just about what we do, but what we know! Having a wedding planner used to be a luxury, but now it’s attainable for all couples.

When a couple gets engaged and starts planning their wedding it is usually their first time trying to figure out how to actually plan the big day. Planners have experience and knowledge you can only get from planning many weddings. Today’s average wedding can take 250 hours to plan! That’s a lot of time many don’t have these days. From invitation wording to honeymoon planning it can be an overwhelming task for anyone. Planners guide and assist you with making informed decisions.

You want to enjoy this time being engaged to the love of your life, not feel like you took on another full time job. Cut yourself some slack and hire a planner that has experience and will take your dreams and visions and make them reality!

Here are some tips for saving money in Central Florida…

1) Hire a wedding planner-whether you want to plan your own wedding or need help with selecting vendors, a wedding planner can save you money, stress and time. A Day Of Coordinator takes the stress away from you, your family and your bridal party so you can truly enjoy your special day! Besides the photographer, it can be the best investment!

2) Ceremony-living in Central Florida and near the beach allows many brides to have a beach ceremony. Not only does this save you money but it also makes for beautiful photos and can be intimate and allows you to be creative. You don’t need to worry about flowers and decor with a beach ceremony. With a simple arch and your bouquet the beach provides a natural look and feel to your ceremony.

3) Flowers-With today’s economy, brides are looking for more ways to save money but still be creative. One way to do so is to utilize silk flowers. Whether you use just silk flowers or combine them with real flowers you can save quite a bit of money.  Plus you can keep the flowers and not worry about how to preserve your bouquet. For centerpieces think of using fresh or fake fruit!

4) Day of the week-While most weddings do happen on a Saturday, many couple’s are choosing weekdays or Sundays to celebrate their wedding. This will save you money with the venue and most, if not all, vendors. Many vendors offer discounts on weekdays and Sundays.

5) Time of day-having your wedding in the evening usually means a full dinner will be provided. Think of having a late morning or early afternoon wedding and provide your guests with a lighter meal. This will cut your costs on the catering and sometimes even the venue since it is not a peak time of day.

Whether your budget is small or large, you can create a wedding that will be memorable. Thinking outside of the box and being creative you can have a personalized wedding that everyone can enjoy!

Yacht Weddings in Florida

The State is usually known for romantic beach marriage ceremonies. However, for those couples who are looking for something else, something more classic like yacht marriages, the city has a quite number of choices. One Florida wedding venue that is worth looking into is the Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club located in Jacksonville, Florida. The venue is situated on the waterfront and is an ideal place for outdoor ceremonies.

For those who are really serious about a formal, classy yacht marriage, one of the best options for a Florida wedding is the Carrousel Yacht in Miami Beach. It features a super yacht that measures 135 feet. It is docked along Miami Beach. The Carrousel Yacht is open for rent and is usually used as a popular venue for marriage ceremonies and marriage feasts. Some couples also hold their rehearsal dinners in this venue. Among its notable features is a charming top deck which can hold up to 150 people

Hotels and Popular Venues for a Florida Wedding

Among the popular Florida wedding venues are the numerous hotels in the area. One of the main attractions in the city, apart from its spectacular beaches is Disneyworld. For fairytale themed marriages, the Buena Vista Palace is a good place as it is in the Downtown Disney Orlando wedding hotel. For a touch of sophistication, the Boca Raton Resort and Club can be the perfect backdrop for that very special day of Florida Wedding in the life of a couple.

The city is also known for its rich heritage. For couples who want a touch of history at their marriage ceremony, they might want to consider looking into the two famous restaurants Upstairs at Bizaare and Bizaare Ave Café. These two restaurants are popular haunts for the locals. They can provide relaxing and laid-back venues without sacrificing elegance and style. The only difference they have with the hotels is that they do not have the air stiffness that hotels are known to possess. They will lend character and warmth to the whole Florida Wedding.

Romantic Winery and Other Alternative Venues

Couples who want something different from the city Florida wedding will be able to find a piece of Napa Valley in the Florida Estates Winery. The charming plantation in Land O Lakes, the Florida Estates Winery provides the romantic background situated in quiet rolling hills.

No marriage ceremony is complete without excellent food. Among the famous hotels, for Florida wedding, known for their delicious offerings is the Hilton Naples & Towers Professional Catering Team. The Hilton is well known for its excellent food and AAA 4-Diamond Accommodations. What sets the Hilton apart from the other venues is its Italian flavor brought on by the hotel’s Mediterranean Venetian interiors.

Couples travel from all over the world to visit and have a wedding and honeymoon in Florida.The beaches in Florida fronts either the Gulf of Mexico’s emerald color waters on the West side, and the Atlantic’s beautiful blue waters on the East coast.There are lots of destination get aways that are great for all to travel and expierence.

When the party’s over, the guests have all gone home, and all the thank you cards have been sent out… what do you think your guests will remember most?
 
The food? The flowers? The cake? None of the above.

They’ll remember if they had a fantastic time at the wedding, which is directly related to how much time they spend on the dance floor!

This is one of the most important benefits of having a great band for your South Florida wedding music. Not only must the music be great, but you must have a bandleader that knows how to get people on the dance floor and keep them there!

You could have the greatest musicians on the planet at your wedding, but if they’re not playing the right music at the right time, the dance floor will be empty. That’s a concert, not a party!

You see, the bandleader is similar to the quarterback on a football team, and the rest of the band is like the team. The bandleader needs to call the right “plays,” getting more and more people up to dance, and working the crowd for maximum fun!

This can also be observerd in DJs. The music is the original recordings, so musicians’ talent is not a factor. Two DJs can have the same stack of CDs, however one party will rock, and the other will be a bore. It’s WHAT music is played WHEN, that keeps the crowd dancing.

A DJ also blends one song into another, so there’s no break in the action on the dance floor. A professional South Florida wedding band will perform medleys, to accomplish the same thing.

Manhattan Music, Inc., based in Pompano Beach, Florida, uses this concept at all their performances.

Many couples make the mistake of basing their choice of band based solely on the band’s talent, rather than their ability to skillfully work the dance floor. This can result in what I call “the concert effect.”

How do you know if the band understands this concept?

If the band sends you an audio CD of their music, (recorded in a home studio, and polished to “perfection”) you can bet they don’t get it. They’re featuring their talent, not their ability to create a hot party. Considering most weddings are professionally videotaped, it raises questions as to why they aren’t presenting any live footage.

If they send you a “staged” video, (lip-synced in an empty room; typically with edits to a crowd dancing at some other event), they don’t get it. In fact, they’re hoping YOU don’t get it!

If the band shows up with a “set list,” they more than likely will just play the songs in the play list order, and whatever happens on the dance floor is left to chance.

Live video footage demonstrating the talents, musical styles, as well as how the band works the crowd is the best way to determine if the group can make the party sizzle, second only to being a guest for four hours at someone else’s affair.

Most couples want an amazing dance party for their wedding, not a concert. It’s the difference between an unforgettable event and a “nice time.”

South Florida wedding ceremonies are performed against a steady backdrop of exotic locales, including beaches, yachts, historic buildings, city and tropical locations. And the right classical music can really set the stage for a romantic, memorable wedding ceremony.

Talent notwithstanding, there is more to performing wedding ceremony music than a musically talented performance. While there may be many superbly talented musicians in our schools and conservatories, performing a wedding ceremony requires professionalism and a musical timing that many students have yet to attain.

Classical Musicians

Classical musicians always add an air of romance and tradition to any wedding ceremony. There are several different musical styles of classical music you may want to consider in selecting music for your South Florida wedding ceremony. Pieces such as “Canon in D Major” by Pachelbel is arguably the most popular processional music for weddings.

A harpist with a flute player, (referred to as a “flautist”) are among the most popular instrumentation, often with the addition of a cellist. String quartets, trios, Woodwind quintets and brass choirs are sometimes used for dramatic effect.

Band Musicians Offer Flexibility

Many ceremonies are also performed by the keyboardist and woodwind player from the band that will play dance music at the reception. These musicians can perform classical pieces using orchestral sounds, in addition to the flautist. They can then switch to jazz piano and sax for the cocktail hour, in contrast to the ceremony music. It can also be more cost effective to use the band musicians at the ceremony.

As your guests arrive, “prelude” music is often played to set the stage and create the atmosphere for the ceremony about to take place. It is important for the musicians to set the tone, as well as be sensitive to the crowd and the venue.

Timing Is Everything

In performing music during the wedding procession, the musicians must be able to time the music’s tempo, start, ending, as well as be able to go into a “holding pattern” if necessary to accommodate the length and pace of the ceremony processional.

They must also be able to create a musically dramatic moment upon the entrance of the bride. This moment is amongst the most memorable at any wedding ceremony, and must be well-executed for maximum effect.

The recessional, or trip back down the aisle at the conclusion of the ceremony is a time for celebration, and this should be reflected in the musical selection. You may opt for a traditional piece by Mendelssohn, or perhaps an upbeat Jewish piece in the case of a temple wedding.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Depending on the size of the crowd, as well as the setting (indoors or outdoors for example), the musicians may be required to amplify their instruments to be heard. Many harpists have an elaborate system of contact microphones installed on their instruments, while many violinists and cellists use a clip-on microphone strategically placed.

When making a decision on hiring a wedding orchestra in South Florida for your wedding ceremony, keep in mind they generally have a two hour minimum, so more than likely they’ll be performing at your cocktail hour as well. You may want to make sure the classical musicians can play a variety of popular songs, including jazz standards, ethnic melodies, and show tunes. Amplification is a must for the acoustic instruments to be heard over the noise of people chatting and eating.

South Florida wedding musicians can be auditioned via audio CD, or from a website if the audio quality is good. It is very difficult to go to someone else’s wedding ceremony to hear them in person, so recommendations by music companies or wedding planners can be helpful in your decision. Be aware that sometimes these wedding professionals may make a commission on their recommendations, so educate yourself as to the reputation of the person you’re taking advice from.

Selecting the best South Florida wedding music for your ceremony can be fun and exciting, and should always include professionals in the industry to assist in making the right choice for your needs and desires. Having wonderfully talented musicians perform for your ceremony can create a magical experience you and your guests will long remember.

With the ever so popular October 2010 weddings (many wedding vendors are completely booked for October) it makes me wonder if November 2011 will be just as popular. I think, yes! Many couples choose dates that have specific meaning to them. Some are choosing solely based on what the date looks like ie. 10-10-10. November 11, 2011 (11-11-11)is sure to be a popular pick. Even tho it falls on a Friday this will allow many brides to save money since it is a week day. My advice is to start booking your vendors for November 2011 now! Yes, it is a couple year’s away, but book early to secure your chosen date!

Wedding Save the Date

The best weddings are made in Florida and nothing can compare with Miami weddings. So if you want the best Miami weddings that make a lifelong impression on your guests and your loved one, Miami weddings are the closest you can have to a perfect wedding.

Miami weddings can be a traditional wedding or beach wedding but most wedding planners will recommend a beach wedding for that added touch and class to make your big day truly romantic. There are many beautiful beaches in the “Sunshine State” of Florida but Miami weddings are the best.

It is advisable for would-be couples to avail of the services of a wedding planner. For the bride, this is big load off her shoulders because there are so many things to do that she might end up tired on her wedding day. Besides, wedding planners are professionals who had planned many weddings before and are not likely to overlook something.

Their services include planning your wedding from the budget to the actual ceremony itself to planning the reception afterwards. You can ask them to plan your honeymoon too within Miami itself since they know the environs very well like the best beach condo units and the best in fine dining in the evenings. They can also recommend which concerts are available in the evenings for a romantic touch.

Florida beach weddings are getting more popular each day and most prefer Miami weddings especially during this coming spring break. The weather is usually cooperative around this time of the year and a beach wedding is ideal for that outdoors ambiance which your guests will surely appreciate.

Miami is a known tourist spot so it can get crowded at times but there are secluded areas where Miami weddings can held in relative privacy, away from the prying tourist crowd. In fact, some Miami weddings are held in an ancient Spanish monastery recently restored and renovated at great cost. That should provide the perfect backdrop for those very special and unforgettable Miami weddings.

Miami weddings planned properly can provide most brides with that once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy and celebrate the most-awaited day of their lives in total rejoicing and happiness. Nothing can duplicate Miami weddings when it comes to that perfectly romantic matrimonial event.

Wherever you are right now, plan your Miami weddings with the help of wedding planners and you can even choose your favorite spot anywhere in South Beach or other less crowded areas of Miami. You will be guaranteed a lifetime of memories that will last forever even up to your retirement years.

Here are a couple of pictures from this past weekends bridal show in Jacksonville.

When you have decided on a destination wedding, Florida can be a great venue. The white, sandy beaches and tropical climate, coupled with breathtaking views of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico will certainly make a wedding in Florida an affair to remember, both for the wedded couple and their family and guests. There is a great deal of options available, and there are many event coordinators available to help you plan your wedding.  Whether you choose a formal wedding or an informal one, there are options available for all kinds of tastes and budgets – something that has made Florida weddings the most popular kind.

Here are some of the wedding opportunities in Florida:

Beach Wedding – With miles and miles of scenic coastline and ocean vistas , a wedding with a beach setting and theme is probably one of the most popular choices available for couples wishing to get married in Florida. There are plenty of options available even in the beach wedding – you have barefoot weddings, weddings scheduled at sunset or sunrise and you even have a wedding on water. Florida is the only state with a floating chapel for those who want to get married on water. The choice of decorations for the venue and the wedding cake is invariably based on shells and flowers. The wide choice in venues makes this type of wedding a favored one. In addition, there are personalized services on offer in addition to options for exchanging vows in the local tradition.

Resort Weddings – With the large numbers of resorts, weddings in Florida have only got easier to arrange. Resorts offer wedding packages with several options such as green weddings in which services are held in an eco-friendly manner in natural habitats, garden weddings and of course, the ubiquitous beach wedding. Such events are usually popular in the Florida Keys, the Panhandle and Southwest Florida, but there are resorts available all over Florida and you can have a wedding in the resort of your choice. Most resorts throw in a complimentary stay at the honeymoon suite for the newlyweds. There are resort weddings to suit all kinds of budgets and you need to look into what exactly you are going to get for the money that you pay before selecting a package.

Disney Weddings – When you are considering a wedding in Florida, can Walt Disney world stay out of your list? Yes – you can get married at the wedding pavilion in Walt Disney World or at one of the hotels or resorts run by the Walt Disney Corporation. There are beach, spa, resort and garden weddings in Florida on offer, with the guarantee of having a fairy tale wedding arranged for you down to the last detail.

Once you have your mind set on a wedding in Florida, you just need to choose one of the wedding planners operating in Florida to get started on planning your dream wedding – formal or informal, on water or on land. You can get married luau-style too, if you so wish!

A1 Limousine of South Florida announced plans to expand its signature Luxury Limousine Service into Central Florida providing transportation for Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, Saint Petersburg, Clearwater, and parts of South West FL. Their core business will be offering Stretch Hummer Limousines and Party Buses for weddings, proms, nights out and more.

This move has come as the next obvious step for the Transportation Service. According to Bill Tozer, the lead Chauffer for A1, Bill states ‘that more and more work is evolving from the Tampa and so it only seems natural to open an office close to these areas.’ A1 Limousine has commented that the rising oil prices are making it harder and harder to be competitive in far away locations. The need to have vehicles close by is a necessity. The company also said that the skyrocketing oil prices has really hurt their bottom line, and that opening the new office will absorbed some of the inflation.

The company plans to install 5 Stretch Hummer Limousines in the Orlando as well as 3 Party Buses. A1’s core business will be providing Charter Chauffeured Service for Weddings, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Sporting Events, Corporate Events, Airport Transfers, Limo Hire and Shuttle Service Proms, and Homecomings.

During the past 8 years A1 Limousine has been offering service primarily for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach Florida. The business first opened their doors out of a 300 foot guest house in Lake Worth Florida with nothing more than a phone, a Limo Bus and a dream. The company now is believed to be the largest Hummer and Limo Bus Provider in Florida, possibly the country. A1 has a fleet of 10 Party Buses raging in size from 50 to 12 passengers. A1’s unprecedented fleet of Hummer Limousines includes the colors White, Black, Yellow, Blue, and Zebra Print. With a total count of 17 Hummer Limousines in the company’s arsenal, A1 Limousines is ready for Super Bowl 2009.