The Plaza is the Place to Be...

For over 100 years this icon of New York City has sat majestically on the corner of Central Park South and 5th Avenue. This New York legend has hosted events for the likes of kings, heads of state, socialites and celebrities. Since the reopening of The Plaza, it is now under the the culinary leadership of Executive Chef Chris Harkness, from CPS Events who has elevated the menu concept and

Exchange vows under the opulent canopy of The Plaza’s Grand Ballroom or in the timeless magnificence of The Terrace Room or host cocktails in the Historic Palm Court.

The Plaza has provided the location many motion pictures such as: The Way We Were, The Great Gatsby, Barefoot in the Park, Funny Girl, Cotton Club, Crocodile Dundee I and II, and Home Alone II: Lost In New-York. Designated a New York City Landmark in 1969, The Plaza is listed on the Register of Historic Places and the only New York City hotel to be designated as a National Historic Landmark.

This national landmark embodies the soul of New York City; once you enter the grand front doors you will see the wonderful renovated Palm Court. Here you must enjoy the Afternoon Tea service that blends an innovative menu with a formal tea to provide guests with a balance of service and flavorful cuisine.

Take the elevators to the dramatic ballroom, which boasts new carpeting and wonderful refurnishings. Cocktails can be enjoyed in the foyer of the ballroom where perfectly attired staff greets every guest with silver passing trays holding sparkling champagne. As you enter the ballroom, your eyes naturally take in the huge expanse and sense of awe as you see the wonderful columns extend upward.

And one must not forget the Famous Oak Room. The Oak Room, New York’s fabled landmark, is now open in The Plaza Hotel. It is the most romantic meeting spot in New York City and bringing old-world glamour to the next generation. The Oak Room closed during Prohibition and re-opened in 1934 as a full service restaurant. The Oak Room’s wood-paneled walls and barrel-vaulted ceiling remain today.

The Plaza Hotel is such a great spot to host a memorable wedding or event. This is the perfect place for any bride who wants a touch of chic royalty while still being in the heart of the city that never sleeps.

"Sempre Amore" in Santa Caterina, Amalfi

Italy is the country that is home to a romantic language, food, and people. Located in the amazing seaside town of Amalfi, sits a hotel high on the bluff called Santa Caterina. This family-owned hotel offers guests luxurious comfort with amazing views of the Amalfi seaside village.

One of the best meals, from being in Ravello, Sorrento, Rome and Amalfi, we had was at their restaurant with award-winning cuisine. I was served the most amazing stuffed zucchini blossoms I have ever tasted. I also tried this homemade ravioli dish with the most delicious lemon alfredo sauce. Honestly, if we could have licked the plate, we would have!

For a romantic night a great dinner is key but amazing scenery always helps. The glass enclosed restaurant overlooks the glittering lights of the seaside village below. The wrap around terrace for breakfast is awe-inspiring.

The hand-painted mosaic-tiled floor invites you to a lobby filled with smiling staff who are all quick to help you find a great local restaurant or tour of the area.

The rooms are well appointed, with the suites that are larger than most rooms in the states. Many rooms have patios and balconies all overlooking the ocean. The bridal villa is this little retreat tucked away from the main hotel. It has a private infinity pool, duplex apartment with lower level sitting room and an upstairs bedroom, truly one of the most romantic little hideaways I have ever seen.

The Al Mare Restaurant at the lower level of the hotel is accessible by riding a glass elevator, through the mountain to the bottom of the mountain. There, the doors open to a grotto feeling area and then you enter the pool deck where the Al Mare Restaurant is nestled amongst lemon trees.

Cocktail can be hosted on the terrace and reception can be hosted in either the Al Mare Restaurant or the upstairs dining, next to the terrace. I’ve worked in Italy many times, and this would be my choice as a venue to use for your cocktail and reception if you are staying in Amalfi.

What a great place to celebrate the tradition and passion of love! Sempre Amore! Always Love!

Cabo, Mexico is the Place to Go

On the Western Coast of Mexico sits a little oasis, in the area of Cabo San Lucas ... a place where peace and tranquility are no stranger. Esperanza is a world-class resort that offers their guests amazing accommodations, award-winning, Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and embodies the relaxed lifestyle of the Baja Peninsula. Tequila tasting is great, too!



This magical setting offers amazing ocean views. Esperanza is a place that really finds it important for any event to reflect each couple. The open-area terrace can comfortably hold 100 guests. The backdrop from the ceremony area will take your breath away.

Accommodations range from large suites to gorgeous Casitas and amazing villas. Thus offering guests a variety of rooms in all price ranges.

Travel and Leisure Magazine recently voted the Cabo Spa at Esperanza number 1 in Latin America. The spa offers 14 treatment rooms, a couple suite, and a large soaking pool. This relaxing experience will be remembered for a long time



My favorite thing about Cabo is where it is on this planet. Because it has a sub tropical climate, the weather pattern offers guests 350 days of sunshine, in a wonderful dry climate, that always gives ladies a wonderful hair day. The average temperature is mid 70's making it picture perfect weather for any wedding almost year round.



http://www.esperanzaresort.com/the_resort/

"I do" as the Romans do...

Along the Southern coast of Italy, in the mountains, sits the town of Amalfi. Everyone stayed at the five star luxury Hotel Santa Caterina, which has a breathtaking view and some great spots to host events. The couple hosted their welcome party there, and if it wasn’t booked on Saturday, they might have held their wedding there. This hotel’s service is impeccable; everyone is willing to help you.

We arranged a boat excursion to Sorrento (about an hour and half). While in Sorrento, guests had about 2 hours to shop and eat. We would suggest a little more time because there are great little shops and places to eat, but it all requires taking the time to walk around. You can also arrange for a mini bus to take guests who are not interested in taking the boat.

The couple got married in this beautiful church in Ravello (about a 15 minutes drive from Amalfi), the next town over. After they said their I do’s, they walked into the piazza as two guitarists led them and their guests up the path to Villa Cimbrone. This is probably my favorite thing that really shows the culture of the area.

Although walking up (and down) to get there can be bear for your older guests, it’s still a memorable place. For the older guests, there is a man that has a motorized chair to help them up and down, but it takes 20 minutes per way and only one person at a time. We also shipped flip flops for the ladies to change into for the walk-up and down.

Villa Cimbrone is this gorgeous venue that has a terrace with one of the best views, ever. Cocktails were held in the gardens nearby the terrace. The reception was held in the Villa’s crypt that is literally carved into the side of the mountain. The crypt has these gothic-style arches that give this area incredible drama.

It’s hard for me to describe this beauty of Italy in words. Even these photos don’t do it justice. Italy is one of my top three places for a destination wedding because the guests are excited to travel to Europe and we usually choose a place that most people have not been to. It’s easy to do a wedding in Rome, but traveling south to Amalfi, people get to see the countryside of Italy, as well as the mountains. It is nothing like Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence, or even Tuscany. This area has so much more character.

A Wedding Fit for a King and Queen

When I met Diana and Jimmy over a year ago, she was in the throws of pulling together the wedding of her dreams. As we began our journey together, we blended the couple’s love of Spain and wine into elements of the wedding.

The guests at this wedding were given a wine box, engraved with their monogram, filled with authentic Spanish rice, extra virgin olive oil, Romesco sauce, and even roasted almonds. This was perfect to set the mood for their theme.
With Oheka Castle as our backdrop, the ceremony was held on the lawn overlooking the manicured and grand gardens. The weather was divine and was even highlighted by cool unpredicted winds, courtesy of Hurricane Earl, sitting off the coast but never affecting our wedding.

A wonderful Spanish inspired cocktail hour followed the ceremony with an assortment of cheeses and meats from Spain, even a full roasted pig! The groom also provided a wonderful assortment of wines from Spain.

With the popular color scheme this fall being purple, which also happens to be the bride’s favorite color, we created bouquets and centerpieces using all the shades of purple (provided by Belle Fleur).

Guests always remember if the food was good and if the band got them up on the dance floor. Soul Solution band had the guests on their feet all night long. At our final band wrap-up-meeting, the couple noted that their family does not dance, but once Reggie played the first note, they were on the floor and remained that way all night long.

A wedding is only as good as their vendors they choose. It takes a great team to pull off a fabulous wedding, as well as capture it. I had the pleasure of working with amazing talent Matt Mendolssohn who provided these gorgeous photographs.

When asked by many, “Why do you plan weddings?” The answer is the end result--- the smile on the couples’ faces at the end of the night, and knowing that I had a part in helping them start on one of the greatest journeys of their lives.

Viceroy Anguilla: My new favorite spot

Having traveled to Anguilla for the past ten years, I always have found the people of Anguilla to be extraordinary. Now I can say that this island offers an extraordinary resort. Most people who know Anguilla know it for its famous 30+ beaches to visit. This tiny island is also known for having some of the best beaches in the world.

I'm very impressed with this new luxury hotel on the island known as Viceroy Anguilla. This resort is simply amazing. When you arrive and drive down the palm tree-lined driveway, you get a sense of peace, calmness, and balance. You enter this gorgeous lobby where friendly, smiling staff waits to welcome you to this oasis. As you pass through the lobby and head toward the water, the infinity pool offsets the Sunset Lounge. It is just breathtaking.

The spa is probably one of the best that I have seen in a long time. The rooms all overlook the water and offer amazing services that help you relax so much that you could just fall asleep. My favorite is the Swedish massage!Sit back and relax because you have arrived at a luxury property that will not only enhance the island but the Caribbean in general. The resort sets new standards for the term “luxury.” From the accommodations, to the food, to the service, Viceroy Anguilla has surpassed my expectations. The hotel has 3 amazing pools, including a family pool, each with different views of the property and island.

I think my favorite part of this resort is the dining experience. There are the three restaurants, all with the service and food being perfect. The main restaurant has air conditioning. I know that sounds like nothing, but a lot of restaurants in Caribbean in general lack this luxury. It makes for an enjoyable meal when the weather turns hot, humid, and sticky.

Whether your wedding is as small as two people or as large as 200, this resort can accommodate your needs.

If it was up to me and I had weather cooperating, I would have an ideal set up of the following: ceremony hosted on the beach, cocktails around the pool, and dinner and dancing in the (air conditioned) restaurant. You can even host an after party around the family pool.

If weather didn’t cooperate, the lobby makes for a breath-taking space to have your ceremony or any of the other restaurants, for that matter.

I’m all about having the idea of being flexible due to unplanned surprises like weather. To me, The Viceroy has the knowledge, the capability, and the staff to get things done. It also has chic décor with the major influences of rest and relaxation. Viceroy Anguilla is definitely one of my top ten places I would recommend to host a destination-wedding-weekend.

The Tides Riviera Maya, Mexico

Mexico is known as a great place to host any wedding. My favorite spots in Mexico include Los Cabos or the Playa del Carmen region. Two weeks ago I had a lovely couple host their wedding at a property called The Tides Riviera Maya. It is also a great location because it's an easy place for guests to get to. Many airlines service CUN (Cancun International Airport).

This Mayan inspired boutique resort is surrounded by tropical foliage. There is a path that leads guests to a reading area, a painting area, and a writing area, each located in it's own spot that offers peace and quiet. Guests have their own cassitas with a plunge pool, an indoor shower, an outdoor shower, and many things that really make you appreciate nature.

Although this is a small resort, because it's spread out, there is a great feeling of having your own space. Ideally if you are having 60-80 guests, I'd

encourage you buy out the property by taking over all of 32 cassitas.

The wedding recently hosted there had welcome cocktails around the Tequila Bar, rehearsal dinner on the beach, and cocktails and reception around the beautiful pool overlooking the beach. This resort also offers many options of places to have your ceremony, depending on the number of guests. The Tides also offers activities like a Mayan Cooking Class or a Tequila tasting event.

I would have to say my favorite thing about this resort was the natural beauty of it. Surrounded by the lush jungle, it offers a sense of calmness that is hard to find. It is very eco-friendly, which I still find to be a trend that many couples look for. The food was amazing. The staff was impeccable and always willing to help you with anything. Coming from New York City, there is a certain pace New Yorkers have. Being at The

Tides, I found the communication among the staff themselves was great. If someone couldn't give you an answer, they had "secret-service" style walkie-talkies and would get in touch with someone who could help.

Overall, if you are looking for an eco-friendly boutique resort that leaves your guests with a lasting impression, this place should be considered!