Boutique Hotels
If you want the flexibility and convenience of a hotel wedding, but are turned off by the institutionalized feel of multipurpose ballrooms, then the stylish decor and more intimate vibe of a boutique hotel may be a perfect alternative. The boutique hotel scene, which began in Miami’s South Beach, remains one of the hottest around. For a sexy and glamorous feel, consider the Hotel Victor, 1144 Ocean Dr., 305-428-1234; hotelvictorsouthbeach.com. Hold your ceremony on their second-floor terrace area, overlooking Ocean Drive and the beach, then dine on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine in the glass-enclosed dining room with sensual colors and sumptuous drapery. Afterward, you can return to the terrace for alfresco dancing. Seated capacity: 90–100.
Beachfront for Big Crowds
It’s difficult to find a space big enough to hold a larger crowd while maintaining a sense of intimacy—especially on the beach! We recommend trying the Beach House at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., 239-598-330, ritzcarlton.com—it’s a new event space that feels more like a cottage, but comes with the perks of full catering services and expert staff. The second floor of the two-story Beach House has breathtaking ocean views, and is perfect for a sit-down or buffet-style reception for 120–150 guests, as well as entertainment and dancing. Ceremonies can be held directly on the beach, or inside on the first floor. Plus, the Beach House is located steps away from the hotel, so everyone can stay in the same spot. Rental fee: $7,500 and up; catering: $85 per person and up.
What's Your Flavor?
Most cake designers offer about 20 different cake flavors and over 30 fillings—and with cake flavors like banana and guava, and exotic fillings like pineapple and mango cream, the potential combinations can get complicated. We asked Andy Strachwsky of Bake Me a Cake in Altamonte Springs, 407-830-9006, bakemeacake.net, for some advice. "Couples tend to be concerned about their guests liking the cake, so they stay away from flavors that are considered too exotic," says Strachwsky. "I think wedding cake flavors should reflect the couple’s tastes—it’s not like guests will take back their gifts if they don’t like it!" For an Orlando wedding, Bake Me a Cake created this coconut cake with chocolate ganache filling, decorated with fondant ribbon, stripes and flowers.
Something Cold, Something New
Self-serve candy bars are nearing the end of their three-year domination as the reception sweet spot. The next sensation? Ice cream. Reps from Cold Stone Creamery, coldstonecreamery.com, can set up a stand at your reception for some added entertainment. Staffers make mouthwatering concoctions to order, complete with the marble slab and mix-ins. Want to make the idea a take-home treat? Choose your favorite Cold Stone combination, and they’ll package it in individual cups with a personalized label. Cost: About $300 for set-up and $30 per employee, per hour.
Better Group Portraits
Pretty maids all in a row is standard, but kind of boring. Smart wedding photographers know how to jazz up your formal wedding party photos but also keep them wedding album–friendly. Good friends look great together in a tight cluster. "When you’re quickly bunched together with friends, you don’t have time to worry about how good or bad you’re going to look," says Romina Rivadeneira of I Shot the Bride, 786-280-5506, ishotthebride.com. "People forget about themselves for a few seconds, which always makes for a fun and much more expressive photograph."
Alternative Bridal Blooms
Hydrangeas, calla lilies and cymbidium orchids are popular bridal flowers, but some lesser-known blooms are far more stylish and distinctive. Ian Prosser of Botanica Design Studio, in Tampa, 800-771-0965, botanicaflorist.com, gave us some ideas for cool flowers he wishes more brides knew to ask for when ordering their bouquets. Prosser says pincushion protea (far left) have a wonderful texture and add an eye-catching element to the bouquet. Plus, it’s a great, almost tropical twist. Also try Muscari (near left), a great spring flower that also works well in boutonnieres. "The tiny ‘bells’ offer a lot of style for such a small blossom," says Prosser.
Couture Maps
A map depicting your ceremony and reception locations is a must. But adding the fun places out-of-towners should visit, and spots with sentimental value, like where you and your fiancé went on your first date or where he proposed, is a treat. You can send the maps as save-the-dates, as an insert with your invitations or include them in welcome baskets. We like the work of Stephannie Barba, couture maps.com, who created this map for the cover of a Florida couple’s wedding weekend itinerary (design fee: $350; printed maps start at $105 for 100).
Banishing Bug Bites
Beach weddings offer a perfect atmosphere, but being exposed to the elements also has its drawbacks—like insects. Instead of using those notorious candles, noxious sprays or creepy zappers to keep the bugs at bay, offer guests these all-natural mosquito-repellent wristbands. These BugBam! wristbands, 888-899-3308, bugbam.com, will last through the wedding weekend, and can even be personalized with a monogram or phrase. Costs: $2.99 each, plus a $150 setup fee for customization.
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