Featured Reception Location-The Riverhouse

The RiverHouse is a waterfront banquet facility located on the historic Manatee River at Regatta Pointe Marina in Palmetto, Florida. Built on an island and surrounded by a 350 slip resort marina, the RiverHouse offers a unique banquet facility with stunning views and breathtaking atmosphere.

The facility can comfortably host a 250 seat single event inside, with open waterfront porches offering an additional opportunity for seating, wedding locations, or social events. The RiverHouse is available for daily, evening, or luncheon bookings.

They are continuing to improve and renovate the facility which currently seats approximately 320 inside The Riverfront Room (2nd Floor) with gorgeous views of the Manatee River. Outside every window is a breathtaking view that is sure to make your event one to remember.  They are now also reserving The Regatta Room for banquets on the third floor with approximate seating of 110.

(Seating capacity can change based upon the customer’s layout requirements.)

For further information you can visit their website at : www.manateeriverhouse.com  or:

The RiverHouse at Regatta Pointe, Inc.
1001 Riverside Drive Suite 200
Palmetto, FL 34221
Phone:   941.721.3800
Fax:        941.723.0024
Email:    Info@ManateeRiverhouse.com

Featured Decor Inventory Item- Glass Cubes

Special Moments offers a planning package ( Treasured Moment) that includes complimentary use of all of our Decor Inventory. We are featuring the  Glass Cubes  in this blog post for you to get many ideas of what you can do with the  Glass Cubes  for your next event. Enjoy the photos below of our Many sizes and shapes of  Glass Cubes being used in many different ways.

Worst Best Man Ever!

This video was passed on to us to view and after viewing it, we thought we would share it with the blog readers also. This video is a good example of why you need a wedding planner and also how important rehearsals are for your big day. Enjoy the video, have a good laugh, but rest assured this is not a typical wedding scenario.

Pink and Green Inspiration Board

pink-and-green-inspiration-board

Unique Idea for Wedding Decor

vinyl wall decals
vinyl wall decals

Vinyl decals are a super simple way to decorate your home but the removable wall stickers could easily be incorporated into your wedding, too. Liven up the walls of your reception venue with the designs, or set up a DIY portrait station for your guests with a decal-decorated wall as the backdrop. The Fort Lauderdale-based company Badass Custom Decals offers dozens of cheeky and chic designs, and you can work with them on a custom order to incorporate your wedding artwork. The decals start at $20.

Reception Kissing Games

Originating in Europe, the tradition has been for the bride and groom to kiss when guests clink their glasses with silverware. But this tradition has become tiresome for most brides, not to mention, many venues don’t allow you to tap their dishes anymore. For fun, new ways to get the bride and groom to kiss during their reception check out a few of our  ideas below:

  1. A kissing jar- Guests would deposit money in a jar located on the Bride and Groom’s Table and then they would have to kiss for each monetary deposit.
  2. Silver Bells- Guests would have bells located at each of their seats or just located on each table and each time the bell rang, the lucky couple would have to kiss.
  3. A large Kissing Dice-  Two sides of the dice have lips on them and if it lands on that the bride & groom kiss.

We would love to hear your comments or ideas on the kissing game.

Holiday Weddings

Special Moments received some great information from Deborah McCoy at the American Academy of Wedding Professionals that we thought we would share with you on her input about Holiday Weddings.

Deborah writes: Lots of folks think they’re the cat’s meow, or should be say the reindeer’s red nose… but are they all that they’re cracked up to be?

This is the time of year when catering establishments are loaded with holiday parties of all kinds, for all types of clients, not just brides- and grooms-to-be. This is “the season to be merry….” but is it the best time to have a wedding?

Those of you who live in those parts of the country (and the world) where the weather could put a damper on your plans, know that it’s best NOT to try to fool Mother Nature. After all, weddings are just too expensive to take chances. A blizzard means that your catering property could shut down and your florist, for example, may not be able to deliver your flowers. And even more devastating, your out-of-town family and friends, who are so near-and-dear to you, might not make it. A real heart-breaker!

And then there’s the expense. Vendors and venues charge more during this time of sugar plums because they book fast and as previously mentioned, not just for weddings. They can pick and choose the parties they’d like to have and chances are there’s a waiting line for cancellations. This means you’ll pay more, the same for vendors.

And what about TLC? That’s an important factor. Who wants to have a wedding when a catering property’s only concern is how many hams they should make and turkeys they should stuff? Where the wait staff is so exhausted from working seven days a week, that your wedding is a second priority? Or the florist has delivered so many holiday flowers that your wedding flowers look a little limp? Or your band or DJ has played at so many holiday parties that they’re hoarse by the time your wedding rolls around?

Sorry to take the HO! HO! HO! out of HOliday weddings… but Christmas and Chanukah come every year. A wedding only comes once!

Unique Featured Reception Location-Nova 535

  NOVA 535 offers a truly unique, spectacular & private setting

Event Venue - Weddings, Corporate Events, VIP Parties

Housed in a gorgeous, meticulously renovated 1920’s structure with 18’ ceilings and Brazilian Hardwood Floors, NOVA 535 offers 7,000 sq. ft. of extraordinary & versatile event, gallery & meeting space with convenient parking.

nova535_photos_exterior_bamboo_nov_26_2008_web_004

The  unique modern art gallery – event venue symbiosis features a full-service bar, a world-class floating DJ booth, discrete VIP service & private access, 2nd floor VIP bar, delicious in-house catering, private balcony, smoking terrace, ADA access, fully air-conditioned museum quality gallery space, ten spectacularly gorgeous bathroom suites.

 
Artistic Diversity + Unique Space
NOVA 535’s mission is to provide a gorgeous and unique contemporary art gallery and event venue where the people of the Tampa Bay community can enjoy spectacular visual and performing arts experiences while offering the area’s most spectacular wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, corporate meeting, social mixer and special event space.

 

Where your first word is usually WOW!

For further information you can visit their website at www.nova535.c0m

Best Signature Cocktail Contest

Ok, all you bloggers out there!  We want your ideas!  Special Momentshas collaborated with Dress The Drink and are holding a contest for the best “Signature Cocktail” mix that you can come up with.  The winner of the contest will win a special gift from Dress The Drink.  Leave us a comment of your best recipe with your name and check back to see who the lucky winner will be.  All recipes must be in by February 15th and we will announce the winner on February 21st and post the winning recipe with the prize from Dress The Drink.  Good luck to all and we can’t wait to read your yummy concoctions.

A creation from Dress The Drink!
A creation from Dress The Drink!

 Dress The Drink is ranked as the #6 Home Based Business for 2008.  Visit their website to learn more.

Pros & Cons of Beach Weddings

Beach weddings are popular but they do present “special issues”. Failing to consider these ahead of time could leave you unpleasantly surprised on your wedding day!             

There is certainly nothing that should dissuade you from your vision of a beautiful seaside ceremony. As a matter of fact, there are many benefits.

Just know the issues and plan for them. Your wedding day will be a wonderful and joyous event!

The “Pros”

* A beach wedding can be much cheaper than a traditional wedding. Who in this day and age can’t afford to save money? It is said that the average budget for a wedding these days is between $20,000 to $30,000! That is an enormous and unnecessary financial burden to be faced with!

* Don’t start off married life enslaved by your wedding day debts. If you have that kind of money to spend, fine, but if not, don’t go there! Be practical and remember, the day is what you, your loved ones and your friends make of it…not how much you spent on it!

* A beach wedding can be a casual affair. It allows everyone to relax. Your guests can dress comfortably and affordably. Often brides-to-be are unaware of the financial strain they place on their wedding attendants and guests. Not everyone can afford to buy that wedding outfit.

* The wedding ceremony and reception can all be held right there on the beach. No need to travel to different locations. This is very convenient for everyone. Hey, even the kids can have fun at a beach wedding!

* A beach wedding allows you to involve everyone in the activities. Guests are not restricted to sitting quietly in their seats. They can actually be a part of the celebration!

* Beach weddings don’t always require a permit. If you are having a small ceremony and do not require a section of the beach to be blocked off…just do it! Simple yet lovely!

* A beach wedding is a modern and refreshing change from the “stodgy” traditional wedding. It allows your creativity and personality to shine through.

* There is no “right” or “wrong way” to plan a beach front wedding. It can be large, small, romantic, whimsical or even downright goofy! You can pay big bucks and hire everything out, or, you can be cheap and make everything yourself. The choice is completely yours!

The “Cons”

* The most important thing to remember when planning a beach wedding is that “Mother Nature” rules! Depending on her mood, she can brighten your day or rain on your parade! When planning your celebration, be sure to plan an “alternate location” should the old girl be cranky that day!

* The beach is usually a bit breezy so take that into consideration when picking your location. Try to choose a “cove” on the beach that is protected from direct winds.

* Be sure to check with local authorities regarding any permits needed to use the beach. This should only be necessary if you are having a large gathering and you want to block off a portion of the beach exclusively for you and your guests. Ask to be sure though.

* Check on the “Beach Rules”. Ask questions. Can you have candles on the beach? Can you play music into the night? How late can you stay? Is there an area nearby for open fires should you choose to barbeque?

* Speaking of food…don’t forget about the seagulls! They are notorious beggars and thieves. You can expect them to attend your beach wedding, uninvited! As long as you keep food covered and don’t feed them, they will stay on the sidelines.

* Remember the tides. You definitely do not want to be surprised by the quick and unanticipated arrival of high tide!

* On the beach, there will be bugs and sunshine! Make sure you consider the comfort of your guests. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant for those who did not remember to bring their own.

* Chairs may sink in the sand if you do not rent flooring to place under them. However, if you are planning a “beach blanket” reception, you will not need chairs. Remember your elderly guests though. Plan for their safety and comfort. You will need to provide them with chairs and beach umbrellas to protect them from the elements.

Beach weddings are absolutely beautiful but nature does provide an element of uncertainty. Careful planning on your part will eliminate most of them. Just remember…

If every hair is not in place due to the ocean breezes or a seagull drops off his “wedding gift” a little to close to the punch bowl…

These are not flaws or imperfections in your day. They are “memories”! Cherish them and have fun!

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