Saturday, July 4, 2009

title pic Ask Me About Honeymoons!

Posted by Zuriana on July 1, 2009

Ask Me About Honeymoons

I’m so excited we’ve added another service to Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions!  In addition to our Sandals and Beaches all inclusive packages, we offer destination weddings and honeymoons to some 1800 resorts and hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Want to learn more?  I dare you to “ask me about destination weddings & honeymoons”.

title pic What Ceremony Time Should I…?

Posted by Zuriana on June 30, 2009

Often couples who order personalized wedding invitations from us, or hire Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions to plan and coordinate their wedding ask ”should we list our ceremony time 30 minutes earlier than the actual ceremony time?”  Our guests usually run late, we don’t want them to miss the ceremony…

The answer is ‘no’ you should not indicate that your ceremony is earlier than your actual ceremony start time.  This is not fair to guests that do show up on time.  This can ultimately cost you more money in the long run because you have to hire your vendors for longer periods of time.  Sometimes vendors extend their time by the hour, not the half hour.  Would you want to pay extra for your photographer, ceremony venue, reception venue, videographer, DJ, band, transportation, etc. because you indicated your ceremony was actually 1/2 an hour earlier?

I was recently asked this question and here’s what I said:  “let your guests know that we start on time, if they’re late they’ll miss the ceremony, and I won’t allow them to cut through the processional…it will ruin your pictures”. 

title pic Thank You to Chapel of Love Ceremonies!

Posted by Zuriana on June 21, 2009

Thank you Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns of Chapel of Love Ceremonies for featuring our article on “How to Select a Professional Wedding Planner” on your blog!

I had the pleasure of working with Reverend Burns on two beautiful weddings in 2008.  Reverend Burns will create a wedding ceremony that reflects your personal style, feelings, and beliefs. 

Chapel of Love Ceremonies is perfect for: 

  • Christian
  • Nondenominational
  • Interfaith
  • Civil
  • Commitment
  • Spiritual
  • Vow Renewal

So, what are you waiting for?  Go get married!

title pic Love Our Blog? Vote for Us!

Posted by Zuriana on June 18, 2009

Nominate me for the WeddingChannel.com Bridal Blog Awards!

I hope you love reading our blog as much as I love writing it!  Show me your L-O-V-E by placing your vote

Once you arrive at the page found by clicking the ‘place your vote’ link above:

  1. Choose the REPLY button
  2. Indicate your vote by adding your own reasons why you think Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions’ blog should win.

“After the nomination period has ended on July 8th, we’ll pick our favorite nominees to compete for top honors. We’ll announce the finalists for each category, then you get to vote for your favorites.”

 Please share this with your friends and ask them to vote too.  Thank you!

title pic What a Girl Wants

Posted by Zuriana on

Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions is positively excited to offer the following products.  Use these mini notepads as favors and gifts at your upcoming bridal shower, in your thank you gift bags for your wedding party, or get something equally cute to use in your Out of Town welcome gift bags.

Bridal Party Notepad

Wedding Dress Mini Notepad

Wedding Notes Mini Notepad

Pink Ribbon Mini Notepad

Calling all brides…use these flip flops for your wedding day or to incorporate something blue into your wedding.

Bridal wedge flip flop

Something Blue Wedges 

 For your bridesmaids give them these cute sandals…

Bridesmaid Wedges
Image credits: Bonnie Marcus

Place an order with us by July 3, 2009 and we’ll cover the shipping for orders of $125 or more (tax is additional).

title pic Catonsville Block Party/Rehearsal Dinner Inspiration

Posted by Zuriana on June 17, 2009

Nathaniel of Balance Photography celebrated his birthday recently.  It was quite the shindig.  Put your own spin on these ideas to plan a fun rehearsal dinner that represents you!

El Nayar

El Nayar, a Mexican restaurant in Elkridge, MD, hosted the event and provided amazing food! 

The theme of the event was gardens.  Sweet.a bakery & cafe provided the most creative and amazing cakes to fit the theme.  I wanted to stick my fingers in the “soil” to see what it felt like.  I don’t think my fellow party goers would have been happy with me fondling their food.

Also, the rocks viewed in the soil and around the “flower pot” are really chocolate!   They were delectable.

(I’m running out of adjectives.  I had to take a look at my thesaurus!) 

Flower Pot Cakes from Sweet.a bakery & cafe

Rock Cake from Sweet.a bakery & cafe

Flower Pot Cake2 from Sweet.a bakery & cafe

Raspberry Cake by Sweet.a bakery & cafe

Cake flavors were:  chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse filling, chocolate buttercream and a dark chocolate fondant, vanilla pound with key lime, and almond pound with alternating seedless raspberry and raspberry mousse fillings. 

The cakes were delicious.  An added plus…there was plenty for me to take home and freeze for the next time I need my cake fix!

Live entertainment was provided by guitarist Chris Dunn and a special Eartha Kitt’s rendition of ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ (that’s the name I’m giving it) by Drew Vanlandingham.

Soloist and Guitar Player

Favors were these cute little plants planted in different vessels.  My favors were a basil plant, and a combination of a marigold and some other pretty plant.  They’re on my front porch so I remember to water them!

Plant Favors

The Wine Bin
Image credits:  The Wine Bin

Wine was provided courtsey of The Wine Bin.  Great spirits always put us in an even greater mood! 

What it looks like when a bunch of photographers lay their tools aside.

Camera Table

The birthday boy gets a kiss from his wife Rissa who makes up the other part of Balance Photography.

Birthday Boy Kiss
All other image credits courtesy of Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions. 

The end!

Please tell these vendors you heard about them on Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions blog.  Thank you!

title pic Scenes from Beaches Turks & Caicos

Posted by Zuriana on June 13, 2009

Penthouse at Beaches Turks & Caicos
Penthouse

I just returned from my tour of Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa early this morning!  This resort is simply beautiful.  I can not wait to take a vacation with my husband. 

I am very excited to share with you some of the images I took.   Beaches Turks & Caicos is perfect for:

  • Couples
  • Families
  • Singles
  • BFF Getaways
  • Golf Tournaments
  • Dive Groups
  • Bridal Showers

Call us at (301) 358-1818 to learn about our specials and how I can help you get started planning your vacation to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa

Note:  We honor our Military with a 10% savings.

title pic Headed to Beaches Turks & Caicos!

Posted by Zuriana on June 10, 2009

Sandals Couples Banner

Some colleagues and I are headed to Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa on the beautiful Island of Provodenciales!  We’ll get an opportunity to tour the resort, take part in a Sesame Street Parade, experience world-class entertainment at Liquid Nightclub, wiggle our toes in the sand, and learn all about Beaches resorts. 

I look forward to sharing my trip and all the information I learned with you when I return!  Have a great couple days!

title pic We’re on Facebook!

Posted by Zuriana on June 8, 2009

Become a fan and follow Zuriana’s Elegant Occasions on Facebook.  I’ve added a Facebook badge to our blog.  Look to your right and scroll down…  Pretty cool hunh?!  Let me know what you think.  Thanks for reading!

title pic Scenes from the Food & Wine Festival

Posted by Zuriana on June 7, 2009

Food & Wine Festival Panorama
View overlooking the festival

Food & Wine Festival Sign 
Path leading to the festival

Carla and Ariane of Top Chef
Carla and Ariane of Top Chef

Watermelon Queen
The Watermelon Queen

Wine Seminar
Wine Seminar