We love when our Uniquely Yours clients think outside the proverbial box as it pertains to wedding entertainment. Interactive entertainment features are quite trendy. Over the last few years, photobooths have been a fun interactive option for wedding guests, and we have seen numerous models from vintage to completely custom themed. Most include an attendant, a printed keepsake photograph, and some type of guestbook. None of them, however, have the “coolness” and creative appeal of the newest “photobooth” now available for weddings and special events – PhotoMingle.
PhotoMingle has all the features of a typical photobooth, allowing guests to take photographs and record video messages, but goes beyond the typcial with an interactive display screen that allows guests to write personal messages on their photographs with the touch of a fingertip. Guests can also manipulate and view the photographs on screen. The Uniquely Yours team recently had an opportunity to preview the PhotoMingle in action at a local industry event. It was a huge attraction for all the guests in attendance, and we had a great time testing out the features.
That is Lindsay from AFR Event Furnishings on the far left with the stylish screen “stache”, UY Karry, UY Erinn, & UY Sara.
The professionals at PhotoMingle also offer a guestbook/photobook that features all the personal photos and messages your guests created. You can see a demonstration video of the PhotoMingle and reserve one for your event by visiting the website at www.photomingle.com. Future plans for the PhotoMingle include connections to Facebook and Twitter as well as an iPhone application. We look forward to watching our clients and their guests have fun with the PhotoMingle at future weddings and parties!
Photo Source: www.photomingle.com
If you are just checking in, we have been spending the past few days commenting on the recently released The Knot’s 10 Hot Wedding Trends of 2010, specifically, our favorite trends amongst the named 10. Today’s is the final post in this series, and focuses on Hot Trend #7: Turn Table DJ’s and Specialty Music.
If you haven’t heard us say it before, we are saying it again – your music is just as important as your menu and decor. It doesn’t matter how spectacular your reception looks, if your reception itself is a bust because your music didn’t move your guests to get out of their seats and dance! The musicians and/or dj(s) you select for your ceremony and reception should also be a reflection of your own personality and tastes as part of your overall wedding style. Seek out musical performers who can deliver the sound and entertaining style you desire. We are excited to see turntable dj’s making a comeback, especially for the latter part of the dinner reception and for afterparties. They certainly up the entertainment factor by interacting with your guests and getting them out on the dance floor while creating new mixes and spinning custom vibes often into the early morning hours to your guests’ delight. Professional wedding dj’s may not offer turntable/mixing services as this is often the domain of dj’s from the club scene, so if you desire this entertainment option ask your area dj firms if it is something they offer. If not, you may want to seek out an entertainment agency that has a variety of dj acts available for you to review. The planners at Uniquely Yours work with some of the finest dj’s and entertainers in the business, and are happy to refer you to a firm that will meet your needs.
The planners of Uniquely Yours are pleased to announce that our creative services and ideas were featured twice in the most recent issue of Brides Florida magazine (Fall/Winter 2009). When the editors of Brides Florida contacted us to contribute to an article on unique cocktail hour entertainment, we were thrilled to provide some of our favorite ideas. On page 228 of this issue, you can find the article which focuses on bringing flair and fun to the cocktail reception, providing your guests an experience memorable beyond the typical drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres. Uniquely Yours planners Karry Castillo and Sandy Thornton submitted several ideas and those published included bar flair acts, cultural entertainers and instrumentalists, and silhouette artists perfect for vintage themed weddings.
Brides Florida is one of our favorite recommended reads, offering engaged couples a unique “Florida” perspective when it comes to planning their wedding. From venue locations, to fashion and favors, to honeymoon ideas and everything in between - Brides Florida is perfect for Florida brides or brides desiring a destination wedding in Florida. A special thank you goes out to the editors and staff at Brides Florida for including us in this fantastic issue.
Brides Florida can be purchased at newsstands all over the state or by following the link here.
When people think of wedding publications, The Knot immediately comes to mind. The Knot is synonymous with all that is current in the world of weddings and is an incredible resource for inspiration through their online Real Wedding galleries, interactive planning tools, and both their national/regional print publications. This summer, the Uniquely Yours planning team (Karry Castillo, Sandy Dostal Thornton, and Jackie Becker) had the opportunity to assist with the planning and production of The Knot’s North Florida Networking Luncheon. The luncheon provided a unique outlet for invited professionals across the North Florida region to meet and network. Featured speaker for the luncheon was none other than Alan Berg, Vice President of Local Strategic Marketing and Director of The Knot Market Intelligence. So in addition to the great networking, the attendees were able to hear first hand the newly released results of the Knot’s latest Real Wedding Survey and learn powerful tips and advice for improving their businesses through targeted, specific marketing and sales strategies.
Photo Courtesy of Dawn McCarthy Photography
Selected for its gorgeous landscaping and river views as well as its outstanding cuisine, the beautiful and historic Epping Forest Yacht Club served as the host venue. Epping Forest has been a Jacksonville landmark for nearly a century and was originally the home of Alfred and Jessie duPont. It is a venue that combines all the magnificence and charm of yesterday with today’s style and sophistication. Kudos to Dan Cook, Assistant General Manager/Catering Director, and his staff at the Yacht Club for their outstanding service and commitment to excellence. No wonder, Epping Forest is renown as a beautiful location for Jacksonville weddings and social soirees.
Epping Forest Yacht Club
Back of Epping Forest under the centuries old oaks
Greet Table
Because we were into the early summer months we wanted the event design to be light and fresh and work well within the historical environment of the venue. We decided upon an airy french country palette of soft creams and ivories which would flow well from the outdoor meet and greet through to the indoor luncheon. Lynette Self at the extraordinary Rose of Sharon European Florist brought our vision to life through her creative floral talents and we could not have been more pleased with the beautiful results. Rashida Erskine of BBJ Linen further instilled life and color into our design scheme with coordinating table linens throughout the venue.
Cocktails by the fountain overlooking the river
The Dining Room
Uniquely Yours Planner Sandy Dostal Thornton and BBJ Linen Sales Manager Rashida Erskine
Sharon Clark of I Need A Favor, embellished the Knot emblem and logo to correlate with our theme and location by including a vintage, soft line drawing of the mockingbird. Sharon graciously provided the name tags, menus, sponsor cards, swag bag tags, and programs.
Sponsor Cards
Nametags
Menu
Bag Tags and Programs
Each attendee received a cute Knot tote-bag filled with the latest issue of The Knot Florida and special goodies from the luncheon sponsors without whom we could not have put together such a wonderful and productive event. Special thanks goes out to the following North Florida professionals for their partnership and support:
Peterbrooke Chocolatier – Gourmet Chocolate Popcorn
Choux Designer Cakes & Pastries – Cupcake Dessert Display
The Write Touch – Stationery Items
The Spa At Bartram Walk – Mini Spa Products
We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Courtney Craver of Sublime Studios who documented the day along with Eric Torres of Collab-Creation Wedding Filmakers whose video is to be used for future Knot events and training. Thank you Courtney and Eric for your talent and beautiful images. All images courtesy of Courtney Craver of Sublime Studios unless otherwise noted.
Finally, we want to thank David Hanscom of Y? Entertainment whose team went above and beyond the call of duty at the last moment to provide the required audio-visual equipment and tech services as well as the entertainment for the entire event. We were impressed with his response to our call to action and greatly appreciated his sense of humor as well as his technical skills.
Uniquely Yours was honored to not only plan this event and work with the incredible team at The Knot, but also to participate and get to know so many of the wonderful North Florida wedding professionals with whom we look forward to doing business.
The late spring and early summer months were busy ones with the Uniquely Yours planning team attending conferences and making appearances at various wedding industry happenings. One of those happenings was The Sophisticated Bridal Showcase - “Something Blue”, a favorite among the Uniquely Yours planners. Frederick Smith, showcase producer, put together an amazing event featuring many of Central Florida’s finest wedding professionals at the expansive and beautiful Gaylord Palms. Guests were greeted in the ballroom foyer which was decked out as a cool lounge area, courtesy of Room Service Rentals. Here they could take in a beverage and enjoy the creatively inspired work of renown photographer Damon Tucci. Stepping into the ballroom, the guests were able to visit the booths of the featured wedding professionals which spanned every category imaginable from favors to custom invitations, bridal fashions, cakes, event design, venues, and more! Savvy brides were able to make significant planning progress by setting appointments with wedding professionals, taking advantage of special offers available the day of the show, and arming themselves with new products and ideas for customizing their own weddings. We were proud to be part of this showcase. Within this luxurious setting, we were able to showcase our wedding planning firm, network with some incredibly talented professionals and best of all, connect with so many wonderful, sweet couples looking to plan their weddings in style. A huge thanks goes out to Frederick Smith for bringing the Sophisticated Showcase to Orlando. We had a great time, and look forward to the next one!
Here are a few pictures of our booth. We went with a cooler, South Beach style take on the “Something Blue” theme. We think it turned out beautifully.
Chic Yacht Club Wedding
Adam and Meredith were married at the beautiful Eau Gallie Yacht Club. The Uniquely Yours team worked closely with the bride’s mother as well as the bride to create a destination affair that was both chic and timeless, yet suited to the nautical atmosphere of the wedding venue.
The family created some of the cutest “beachy” welcome pails for their guests, complete with key lime cooler cookies and sunscreen! Also included were custom designed guest itineraries for the weekend which detailed all the fun activities planned the week prior to the wedding on through to the reception. The covers of the programs were designed by an artist commissioned specifically to create a modern portrait of the bride and groom.
The colors of the wedding day were shades of white and ivory. The talented floral mavens at Thallo Floral Design put together an amazing look that seamlessly tied the event together from the bridal party bouquets through to the reception centerpieces which were a combination of tall vessels bursting with dendrobium orchids and table lamps surrounded by low arrangements of lilies and hydrangea. The linen lines featured a beautiful gold bichon complimented by black lamour napkins, and black lamour cushion covers. The cake table was swagged in multiple layers of gold bichon, gold lamour, and ivory bichon. Event lighting provided by Sophisticated Gents Entertainment and Event Design set the mood with tones of amber that transitioned into pinks as the evening progressed.
Meredith and Adam pledged their vows outdoors on the lawn overlooking the intracoastal. The ceremony was a true family affair with members collaborating to officiate and entertain. Additional musical accompaniment for the ceremony was provided by Gail Collins and her amazing team of talented musicians from String Music Specialists. Due to the unpredictable winds and noise that often arise during waterfront ceremonies, we always recommend audio support, and professsional John O’Hara was there to make sure key personnel and musicians were properly outfitted with microphones and to make sure all the guests could hear both the vows and musical entertainment.
The dinner reception was held indoors and the menu did not disappoint as the Eau Gallie Yacht Club is known for its wonderful cuisine. Guests enjoyed their choice of salmon, filet mignon, and chicken entrees. The beautiful cake was designed by Something Sweet Cake Studio. DJ Kevin of Sophisticated Gents Entertainment kept the dance floor hopping through the evening. Guests also had a great time hamming it up in the photobooth, complete with costumes and props. The emotion of the day was perfectly captured and documented by the talented Jason and Sara Martin of Concept Photography. Meredith and Adam enjoyed a sparkler departure and left their guests with a sweet remembrance of the day with a box of custom chocolates from Chocolate Creations by Connie. We love the flavors they selected which included chocolate martini ganache, cappuccino chocolate ganache, dark chocolate caramel walnut cluster, and a black forest truffle. Thank you Meredith and Adam for allowing us to assist in planning and designing your beautiful wedding! Congratulations and best wishes as you embark on new adventures together!
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