Rosewood Tucker's Point Hotel, Bermuda

As you approach the island of Bermuda, just a short 90-minute flight from the NY Metropolitan Area, you are instantly mesmerized by the gorgeous color of the water, pink sand beaches and pastel painted homes that dot the landscape.

Then just a short 15-minute car ride you arrive at the most amazing location of all in Tuckers Point. Once you arrive to your suite, most rooms are ocean view, room service offering you the makings for a Dark and Stormy greet you - this creation consists of Ginger Beer and Rum -- very tasty and very potent.

Rosewood Tucker's Point offers some of the finest accommodations on the island of Bermuda. Each of the resort's 88 guestrooms and suites are decorated in classic British-seaside style with distinctive artwork, elegant fabrics and furniture, luxurious five-fixture bathrooms, marble bath/shower, stand-alone deep soaking tubs "fit for two", unique stone and wood finishes. All of the rooms are suites are gorgeously appointed with plus carpeting, wonderful comforters and mattresses.

As you walk the grounds, you are greeted by the wonderful croquet lawn, where you will most likely see guests, dressed in white playing a game or two. This resort also offers Bermuda's finest golf resort experience, a stunning private beach club on the island's famous pink sands and world-class tennis facilities.

Tuckers Point's Award-winning Executive Chef Serge Bottelli and his world-class team provide the finest culinary experience in Bermuda at The Point Restaurant & Terrace. Renowned for superb international cuisine infused with fresh local ingredients. I had dinner at the Point overseen by Chef Bottelli, the wonderful fireplace was warm and inviting as you sat in the plush-armed chairs and enjoyed the twinkling lights of the harbor. You also have a choice of dining at the Cafe, poolside, or at the Beach Club or Grille Room.

The one thing I loved about this property is the variety of locations to host events. If you select one selection, they always offer a rain back up plan - which is very rare for an island hotel to offer, I have included the list below of the locations available to host a variety of wedding events.

At The Resort

CAMDEN BALLROOM: Perfect for formal wedding receptions and catered events, the ballroom accommodates up to 400 persons. Situated in a stand-alone wing, it offers the utmost privacy while our staff delivers personalized attention. The Ballroom may also be divided into three soundproof rooms — the Verdmont Room, Soncy Room and Chelston Room. State-of-the-art A/V, lighting and climate controls as well as WiFi, image projection, and HD monitors are available throughout.

THE GALLERY: This space offers the perfect venue for a variety of dining experiences, including plated luncheons and cocktail receptions. Expansive windows overlook the Palm Court and manicured Croquet Lawn. Custom loomed rugs, white marble floors and glimmering chandeliers create a light, yet refined atmosphere.

BOARDROOM: The Boardroom is handsomely appointed with seating for 14 persons at a handcrafted mahogany table. The high-tech capabilities found throughout the resort are available in the Boardroom.

WINE ROOM: The Wine Room at Tucker’s Point Restaurant may be reserved for private dining to accommodate 18 persons. Over 3,000 bottles of fine wine fill the walls from wood-plank floor to barrel-vaulted brick ceiling. Petite sconces and candlelight create an intimate atmosphere for rehearsal dinners and anniversary celebrations.

WALSINGHAM SUITE: The resort’s premier suite provides spacious accommodations and the capacity for gracious entertaining. The living room has a service entrance and pantry, study, powder room, wet bar, fireplace and dining area. A broad balcony overlooks a beautifully landscaped pool with views of Castle Harbour.

THE POINT TERRACE: Perfect for cocktails, the terrace features twin outdoor fireplaces and gorgeous views of Harrington Sound.

CABANA & PERGOLA TERRACE: The Pergola Terrace is located a step above the Palm Court Horizon Pool. Dine al fresco in brightly colored cabanas comfortably furnished or under a pergola with a softly cushioned banquette. This is a perfect location for outdoor receptions.

CROQUET LAWN: The Croquet Lawn suits a wedding ceremony or cocktail party with the Palm Court as a dramatic backdrop.

At The Beach Club

HORIZON POOL: Enjoy a spectacular vista of the Atlantic Ocean with waves breaking on the reef 300 meters from shore. The shaded pergola provides an excellent venue for a casual or formal dinner party up to 30 persons (available after 7 p.m.).

FOUNTAIN POOL: Overlooking the private pink-sand beach, the Fountain Pool area makes an evening cocktail reception or seated dinner extra-special (available after 7 p.m.). Fountains of water arch over the pool and Italian string lights illuminate this beautiful seaside setting where as many as 100 guests can be accommodated.

EAST BEACH: The Beach Club is home to the largest private beach in Bermuda and is ideally suited for ceremonies, barbeques and bonfires on the sand (beginning at 7 p.m.).

At The Golf Club

The Golf Club offers a variety of options, from the casual Grille Room & Bar to the grand Ballroom and Terrace with panoramic views of the golf course and Castle Harbour. The Private Dining Room and Clubhouse Boardroom provide ideal settings for a more intimate gathering. Cocktail gatherings may also be hosted on the course — the "Old 12th Tee" provides

What To Consider When Planning: A Tented Wedding

Tented weddings give the couple an opportunity to really take their own visions and work from there. Tents are an empty canvas ready to be painted by the vision created by the couple. Tented weddings are, by far, my favorite weddings. As a planner you may feel like a general contractor building a home because there are so many things to consider when planning a tented wedding.

When you consider a tented wedding the cost of these types of weddings are usually more expensive than the ballroom wedding or destination wedding.

The following are some of the areas to consider:

1. Parking situation
2. Location of the septic system
3. Rain contingency plan
4. Sound ordinance of the area and don’t forget town permits
5. Level land
6. Bathroom situation
7. Power hookup
8. Lighting of the event site and surrounding areas
9. Bug spraying the land

Each tent should be treated as a separate entity from the existing house because most clients don’t want people walking in and out of the house.

My biggest challenge for a tent installation was a campground in the woods of Maine - where I had no running water or electricity. We literally had to build the site from ground up and bring in water tanker trucks to support the event, along with generators and pathway lighting to get the guests from point A to point B without getting hurt.

Tented weddings give freedom to the couple with design, themes, and other details. You don’t have to worry about an ugly wall color. You can choose any theme and put it under a gorgeous clear-top tent, which is great for stargazing. Tackling the scary tented weddings can be a handful, but knowing the things I’ve mentioned earlier will definitely help with the research. These weddings are always beautiful and stunning, and will probably always be my favorite.

It’s all about the details

For me a wedding has all the same motions: bride wears a white dress, walks down the aisle, marries her groom, goes to a party and ends
with eating cake and dancing. That is the typical wedding. How do you make your wedding memorable? It’s all in the details. It might be cliché, but it is very true that people appreciate the small things in life.

I find it important for the couple to always add touches that make the wedding their own. The details can be put into any area of the wedding that the couple feels is more important to them. Some of my clients are foodies so they put more detail into food presentation; others want décor to be what I call the “Wow!” factor. A wow factor is simple; it makes your guests go, “Wow!”

It does not matter how big your budget is, you can still have a wow factor. Some clients I meet with love the DIY little projects where they make the favors together, and those are things your guests appreciate.

The photos are from a wedding in Jamaica.

For this couple, the décor was the wow factor. With beautiful linens, we didn’t’ want the centerpieces to take away from amazing linens, but instead we wanted the centerpieces to compliment them. We had topiaries made to tie in their color scheme: green, yellow, and white.

A nice little detail, we had white chivari chairs for the guests, and put a matching chair cover only on the bride and groom’s chairs. We also had hand-written table numbers. I cannot stress enough that when planning your wedding, stay true you and your fiancé’s visions.

Get Married at a Gallery

Ok, this isn't a formal gallery of art but it has enough artifacts to be! And the owner does actually own galleries.

There are not many places for American citizens to go without a passport, obviously anywhere in the United States is fine, but it may not occur to many that Puerto Rico counts as U.S. territory. This means it’s an easy travel place for U.S. citizens: no customs!

When in Puerto Rico, there are many things to see and do, but my favorite spot is Old San Juan. This area attracts many tourists because of its old-world, classic feeling. At the end of Old San Juan, beyond the ancient fort, at the top of the hill, and overlooking the ocean sits a hidden yet exquisite inn: The Gallery Inn.

You are greeted at a wrought iron gate and as you walk through an open corridor filled with antiques, this setting transports you into an unknown era. Every piece in this Inn was hand picked by the owners to enhance their collection of fine art as well as showcase them. I fell in love with every detail of this place. It's hard to tell you about how this place makes you feel, so I'm including many photos that can help me say this.

The view is spectacular from the roof deck. For dinner, you can enjoy delicious tapas outside on the roof garden. The artifacts, paintings, and statues are unique and intriguing. The bedrooms are impeccably decorated and fit for royalty.

If you are considering an intimate wedding this is the best place. They can accommodate a small wedding or a large cocktail party. Your guests and you can enjoy everything the Gallery Inn has to offer. With the attention to detail, this place makes you feel at home (Fun fact: this boutique inn is the owner’s home).

The owner has her own kiln, which she uses to make all the dishes for the inn. She even makes custom chargers for the wedding.

It is definitely a place you won't forget. With this amazing decor and art you actually forget that you are in Puerto Rico. For more information on this place go to www.thegalleryinn.com

Hidden Jewel of the Caribbean

I love when clients choose exotic destinations for their weddings because it gives everyone an added sense of great adventures. Iceland is a fantastic choice for any couple who loves hiking and cooler weather. However, the warmer destinations can be just as exotic and intriguing.

A true jewel of the Caribbean is the tiny island of Canouan. While this island isn’t the easiest to get to, you might have to take 2 or 3 flights depending on where you are coming from, it is a beautiful place to host a wedding.

It’s part of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and sits below Barbados, which is where you fly to and take a smaller plane to Canouan. This island is not very well known, not even my Word spell-check thinks it exists, underlining Canouan with that red line!

But this place exists, even if it you feel like you are in a dream while you are there! In the green mountains and valleys of the gorgeous island, sits the beautiful Canouan Resort that has breathtaking views of the bright blue water.

This resort is appealing to any couple because they can accommodate from a small getaway up to about 100 guests. The suites and villas add a touch luxury for this relaxing environment.

My favorite thing about this resort is the feeling I get when I’m there: complete calmness. There is a Zen tone to this property. If you want to relax and sit in the sun all day, go ahead! For those who want to play golf, there is an 18-hole championship, which happens to be part of the Trump International Golf Club. The views from each hole vary, but they are all spectacular.

One of my favorite features of this resort is their 17th century chapel. This is perfect for couples who want to host the ceremony there instead of the beach.

The resort has an amazing pool that it boasts as the largest in the Caribbean where you can host amazing cocktail parties. There are other options for cocktails; they have three restaurants that are all great spaces. You can even maybe host a party on the golf course.

The world-class spa is amazing. You can take the tram up the mountain to the individual treatment bungalows or take a boat out to the water and have a spa treatment in one of the huts sitting in the ocean.

The best way I can put this, is that it’s a tropical paradise that makes you feel like you have arrived in Bali but with less jet lag. It is certainly one of my favorites!
http://www.canouan.com/resort.asp

An Estate Tucked into the Hills of New Jersey...

I recently got to enjoy a wonderful tour of this amazing estate known as Natirar, in the gorgeous rolling hills of New Jersey. Most people are probably thinking, “Oh no! New Jersey?!” But this estate will make your jaw drop with breathtaking views and completely change those horrible stereotypes of New Jersey’s settings. This estate is fit for a king, and was even owned by one years ago.

While this place is still transforming, they want to add accommodations and a spa is in the works plus so much more, there is a restaurant that you can arrange for a delectable dinner.
“From Farm to Table…” is the mantra of this amazing restaurant. The Club at Natirar is a perfect location to host a rehearsal dinner or cooking classes.The farm to table concept comes from the practice of gardening and using organic foods. Natirar is set against 411 rolling acres, and was also once the home to the King of Morocco. Sir Richard Branson, of Virgin Atlantic, recently has become a part owner of this estate.

The estate is the venue to host large private events, from weddings to corporate events. Walking through the mansion and onto the patio, you will see the rolling hills of Somerset County- home to horse country in New Jersey. Cocktails can be held on this terrace followed by dinner in the enclosed, climate-controlled tent. In order to maximize the use of the estate, they have attached a permanent tent structure to the property, which sits on top of the hill, for the best view.

The size of the tent can accommodate approximately 300 people for a seated dinner. This tent has a draped ceiling ready for the client to create their vision and paint a picture of their perfect wedding day.

Once the tour had ended, we were treated to the most amazing meal that I have enjoyed in a long time. This estate has so much character and history, and now there is an added flair of innovation. Because of the work that has gone into giving this property a “face-lift,” keep an eye as this becoming a great spot for New York City brides who want that elegant wedding among hills and valleys.

Check out their website for more information at http://www.natirar.com/

Getting Married in Bermuda? My pick...

Pink sandy beaches, short flight from the United States' East coast, 180 islands connected by bridges, motor scooters and pastel-painted houses describe the friendly island of Bermuda.

From cozy Bed and Breakfasts to large hotels and world-class golf courses this English paradise offers visitors a host of options. One of my favorites is the Fairmont Southampton, this amazing hotel sits on the hill and overlooks world class beaches. This hotel is on 100 tropical acres outlined with lush bougainvillea and towering palm trees.

The Fairmont Southampton's guestrooms, most with sweeping water view and many with private balconies, have walk-in closets and marble bathrooms. For grand service reserve a room on the Fairmont Gold Floor, a hotel-within-a-hotel that pampers guests with its dedicated concierge, complimentary continental breakfast and complimentary canapés served daily in a private harbor view lounge.

An 18-hole par three golf course, a 31,000-square-feet Willow Stream spa, and some of the island’s finest restaurants including the historic Waterlot Inn, housed in a large traditional Bermuda cottage and winner of the prestigious AAA Four Diamond award.

For a romantic dinner, reserve a table at the elegant Newport Room designed to look like luxury yacht and winner of the AAA 5 Diamond award. For a more of a casual Bermuda dining experience and a family feast, visit Bacci for authentic Italian cuisine, which sits on the golf course or visit the. Jasmine Lounge serves wonderful martinis, tapas and other light fare at its lobby setting. Wickets is a great place for a casual poolside lunch, and in the mornings, grab a seat at Windows on the Sound for breakfast with a view of the Great Sound. This room is one of my favorite rooms to host a wedding. The wonderful patio that wraps around this room is perfect to host a sunset cocktail hour and dinner inside this all-windowed room allows the nighttime to fall and still see the glistening of the island lights.

For weddings, the ceremony can take place on the pink sand beaches to the terrace of the Windows on the Sound dining room overlooking the vista of the Atlantic Ocean. Or host your ceremony on the deck of the Waterlot and let the sunset be your backdrop. Share a kiss under the traditional Moongate - native to Bermuda.

Bermuda offers you a wonderful destination that is only 1.5 - 2 hours from NYC. You can get to Bermuda in the summer faster than you get to the Hamptons in Long Island ....

This island is a true gem off the East’s coast.