10 Tips for Celebratory Success: Advice from The Grand Summit Hotel & Marcello for Your Wedding or Special Event
The gorgeous models from Red Carpet Boutique, Nashley and Joanna, at the Grand Summit Hotel Gala Brunch www.redcarpetbtq.com
It was a pleasure meeting all of the beautiful and savvy brides, Bar Mitzvah moms and corporate meeting planners at the 2012 Grand Summit Gala Tasting. The Grand Summit Hotel pulled out all the stops to show off their exceptional cuisine, service and hospitality. The Grand Summit team, lead by Michael Marino, Jim Thornton and Teresa Garcia, along with the hotel’s discerning roster of preferred professionals, introduced the VIP guest list to exclusive event planning resources throughout the lavish brunch to ensure that they have the best special event possible.
After speaking with some of the Grand Summit Gala Pros earlier in the week, I compiled a top 10 list of planning tips that might come in handy for your upcoming wedding or special event...
The Grand Summit Hotel can help make your celebration fun, elegant & convenient.
1) All In One! Consider a venue that offers your guests the convenience of attending your ceremony, reception, after party, over-nite accommodations and even the next-day brunch without having to worry about traffic, parking or being able to party like rock stars. –Teresa @ The Grand Summit Hotel
2) Save It! If you have any material left over from you wedding dress or bridesmaid’s alterations, don’t throw it out! The florist can use these swatches to wrap your bouquets. -Matt @ Crest Florist
3) Think Big! If your venue can accommodate larger tables, seat 12 guests together instead of ten and eliminate the expense of a few centerpieces. -Matt @ Crest Florist
Crest can wrap your bouquet with extra material from your dress. They can also preserve your bouquet as a keepsake the day after.
4) Forever Young! If you’d like to keep your bouquet for posterity, it’s recommended that you drop it off to your florist the day after the reception for ideal preservation conditions. -Matt @ Crest Florist
5) Picture This! You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when you walk into the bakery looking for your special cake. Show the staff a photo of something you saw and liked to ensure that they can help you get exactly what you were looking for. -Ralph @ Bovella’s Bakery
6) You’re Worth It! Make sure that the make-up artist you choose only uses the highest quality make-up products on the market; there is a noticeable difference. Your skin and photographer will thank you. -Diane @ Bella Faccia
Let the professionals, like Event Planners and Wedding Entertainment Directors do all the work so you can enjoy every moment of your once-in-a-lifetime celebration. www.WedGuild.com
7) Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Try not to micromanage your own wedding reception or special event. Let the professionals you hired do what you paid them to do. If you put the right team in place, you’ll be treated like a celebrity and be able to enjoy the celebration as much as your guests. -Marianne @ Cupa Cabana
8 ) Money Talks! If you are working with a planner, be candid and let them know your approximate budget right from the start so they can help you prioritize your investments and save you a lot of time throughout the planning process. -Cindy @ Events To Perfection
Surround yourself with the people you love and who love you back… the rest will fall into place.
9) Keep It Real! Even though you and your fiancé think that Dub Step and 80’s New Wave music are totally rad, try to remember that your guests might also enjoy a great mix of some classic favorites and the current hits to dance to during the reception. –Benny @ Karisma Music Productions
10) The Secret! Regardless of your budget and your definition of the perfect day, the success of your wedding reception comes down to one thing- The Guest List. If you invite the people you care about and the people that care about you, the rest will take care of itself. -Michael @ Magical Nights
I’m proud to say that along with Benny and his fabulous band, Karisma, MMP is also considered a preferred source of entertainment at the Grand Summit. We always make a great team when we have the opportunity to collaborate. I had a great time serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the Gala tasting and look forward to the next celebration!
P.s For more event planning tips, advice and resources, check out our last article called “7 Ways to Bring the Wow and Have The Best Wedding Reception Ever!”
Grace Ormonde Brings Luxury, Beauty and Passion to New Jersey Wedding Professionals at The Crystal Plaza
The Grace Ormonde Weddings Collection
Above and beyond the inspirational artistry displayed on the pages of her new book, Grace Ormonde Weddings- “being in love never goes out of style,” it’s easy to see why people were lining up to pay $125 for her gorgeous coffee table collection piece last night when it also contains personal quotes like this…
“Ultimately, our ability to dream is what motivates us, and our ability to love is what sustains us.” – Grace Ormonde
After 10 years of documenting extraordinary weddings, producing bridal expositions and being the Editor-in-Chief of Wedding Style, (a seasonal magazine that features the luxurious sources for fashion, jewelry, lifestyle etc.), Ormonde designed a comprehensive work of art that includes her greatest hits and personal favorites within its pages.
From our little chat, Grace struck me as a kind soul who truly appreciates limitless possibilities with regard to aesthetics and the entrepreneurial spirit. It didn’t surprise me when I learned later on that Grace’s family grew up in a modest home on the island of Terceria where the nearby ocean view supplied her with a lifetime of inspiration to draw from.
Grace Ormonde and Marcello Pedalino
People with a genuine love and appreciation for the positive energy and therapeutic qualities that the ocean offers seem to be kindred spirits. Add a little international, Latin or European flair to the mix and life is really good. 🙂 Order the book .Follow Grace on Twitter
It was great to see some of New Jersey’s wedding and special event glitterati last night and meet a few new rising stars who also came out for Grace’s signing; Wedding Cinematographer Rob Adams, Photographer Vanessa Joy, the owners of Bride Live- Jay Thomson & Mike Hernadez, Photographer Ellen Marc, the design team for CW&I Andrea Daly & Kristin Badolato, Wedding Photo Journalist Jessica Lark, & Matthew & Kim Findlay from Crest Florist (the father and daughter team who had my favorite table design of the night.)
Special thanks to Allan Janoff, Nella, Jason & Marco from The Crystal Plaza for their continued support and gracious hospitality. I’m delighted that MMP’s 2012 event calender has us returning for another exceptional collaboration.
Encore Gallery:
