Happy Monday!!!  It seems like we just started the New Year and it’s already the last day of February.  Time sure flies when you’re having fun!  For the month of March we’re going to focus on entertainment.  We love to help our brides think beyond the traditional DJ or wedding band.

Your guests love to be entertained of course!  We enjoy the fine details of entertainment and once we put our heads together with our brides, we have stellar results.  In the past we’ve had a Nigerian dance troupe, an acapella group pose as guests while spontaneously bursting into song, and a Chinese dragon dance; just to name a few.  Think outside the box!

Finally, I’ll quote Courtney whose wedding is featured below,  “I don’t know if this is appropriate to say because it’s my own wedding but, THIS IS THE BEST WEDDING I’VE EVER BEEN TO!”

Happy Thursday SJE fans!

Today I’m going to introduce you to one of our favorite photographers…Blanca Duran!  We had the pleasure of working with Blanca in October and her husband Alex.  Not only did we love these two, but their love story made us swoon.  Judging from our recent photographer interviews, our brides love Blanca too!  We have 4 brides who have booked her for 2011!!  The image  featured is from the engagement session of our couple Doug and Donielle who were married October 30th 2010.  For more information about Blanca  Duran photography please check her out at Blanca Duran.com

Hi SJE bloggers, we hope your week is going well thus far. As event planners, we know that planning the details of your wedding may be the most challenging, and centerpieces are no different. When selecting a centerpiece, don’t feel compelled to restrict yourself to only using flowers. While keeping in mind that the centerpieces are an item that your guest’s will be observing all night, you want to make sure it’s appropriate for your wedding. It is always a good idea to have a variation of sizes in vases if you are utilizing them for your tables. You don’t want your guests not being able to speak to one another or to have to miss out on your first dance as a married couple. Be creative and ensure that whatever you end up using for your centerpieces compliments your overall wedding design.

Good Morning SJE fans!  June has proven to be hot and rainy so far for Houstonians.  But we’ve come to expect the unexpected here.

The team here at SJE considers NOLA to be our second home.  We’ve spent a lot of time in the great city of New Orleans over the years and the vendors have come to know us quite well.  As matter of fact we’ve had 2 weddings in NOLA this year and we have 2 more in October!

One of our favorite vendors in the Big Easy is Fat Cat Flowers.  Our brides love Fat Cat too!   Often we find that brides who reach out to us in the middle of the planning process have already booked Fat Cat Flowers.  This is a testament to the stellar work and reputation of the team at Fat Cat Flowers.

The photo shown here is courtesy of MQ Photography and features a bouquet from the wedding of Melanie and Peter 04-19-2009 in NOLA!

Welcome to another Monday! Here at Simply Jubilee events, we hope you start off your week on a good note, and what better way to do it than to talk about dessert. Today’s blog is meant to inspire as well as advise you of one of our favorite vendors. We must say that after having worked with “Who Made the Cake?”, located on 1811 South Shepherd Drive , for some of our memorable weddings, their cakes are created with care and detail in order to satisfy the couple and their guests. “Who Made the Cake?” can also provide miniature cakes and a variety of other pastries for your event. Encourage yourself to explore your options and add a little creativity when it comes to your wedding cake! You’ll be sure to have everyone at your wedding asking you, “Who Made the Cake?”

Greetings!

It was an interesting week to say the least. Have you ever traveled to New Orleans for Jazz Fest? How about traveling to NOLA during Jazz Fest for a wedding? Ah, now that’s a challenge.

I was actually on top of my travel plans this time and booked my flight and hotel early, because I knew my favorite spots to stay would either sell out or require some ridiculous 3-night stay minimum. Well after a long night with an ill child, I woke up and missed my flight. And of course every flight thereafter was sold out and overbooked. So what is a planner to do? I packed up my truck and hit the road. Flying low down I-10, I made it just in time for the wedding rehearsal. Whew!

Things don’t always go according to plan, and a planner has to be flexible and think through a situation in order to achive the best result. The goal is to reach and exceed your client’s expectations and sometimes having to create the “illusion of perfection”.

Live. Love. Laughter.

Simply Modern for Chrystelle and Scott

Chrystelle and Scott are so adorable. The whole family is adorable! I first met Chrystelle and her mother several months before the wedding where they had done quite a bit of the leg work already. They had the venue, the florist, and the photographer. It just so happened that they already secured a few of my faves! So I was tasked with helping them locate the remaining vendors and incorporating some “cool” (wink, wink) details into their wedding.

I have to tell you working with Vivian at the Audubon Zoo was amazing. She was so full of life and ideas and we collaborated very well. There weren’t any “turf wars” which made for a fabulous wedding for “our” bride.

Chrystelle and Scott envisioned a contemporary ceremony in shades of teal with orange accents set in front of the Elephant Fountain (aka Cooper Plaza) at the Audubon Zoo. The bridal party selected their own dresses in a style that made them feel beautiful and comfortable. Their dresses made a great backdrop for the fabulous bouquets designed and delivered by Fat Cat Flowers. The simple candelabras and vibrant altar arrangements were the perfect touch of bold elegance.

Post ceremony, the guests were led by a trumpeter from Dr. Jazz and the New Orleans Sounds to the cocktail hour and reception at the Audubon Tea Room. The room was set with a clean modern design in mind, which meant keeping the linens crisp and white with potted orchids on each table.

Chrystelle and Scott wined and dined their guests with stations created by the chefs at the Audubon Zoo, strategically placed throughout the room. There was a special treat for guests on this warm summer night. In lieu of a groom’s cake, Scott opted to offer their guests an icy snow cone (served with colorless flavors, of course).

They danced the night away to the musical sounds of the Boogie Men.  And the night’s festivities were captured by Chris Williams of Zoeica Images. Everyone had a blast and second lined right out of the reception, ending the evening on a high note! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Couple: Chrystelle and Scott
Date: July 11, 2009
Destination: New Orleans, LA
Consultant: Heather Hamilton-Sims
Ceremony: Cooper Plaza at the Audubon Zoo
Reception: Audubon Tea Room at the Audubon Zoo
Rehearsal Dinner: Acme Oyster House
Florist: Fat Cat Flowers
Bakery: Flour Power Confectionery
Makeup: Bellissimo
Photographer: Zoeica Images
Ceremony Entertainment: Dr. Jazz and the New Orleans Sounds
Reception Entertainment: Boogie Men
Transportation: Alert Transportation

Simply Jubilee Events is sharing in the love…

Secure your SJE Wedding Consultant by February 28, 2010 and receive up to $500.00 off select wedding services.

713 443 2588
www.simplyjubilee.com

This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotion or discounts. Offer expires on Sunday, February 28, 2010. Service agreement must be signed and retainer paid by Sunday, February 28, 2010 in order to qualify for the promotion.

Awarded “Best Wedding”, 2009 Crystal ICON Awards
International Special Events Society, Houston Chapter

Couple: Jennifer & Abraham
Date: October 25, 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Simply Jubilee Events: Heather Hamilton-Sims
Ceremony: West University United Methodist Church
Reception: Hotel Derek
Photographer: Aimee-zing Faces Photography
Videographer: Blue Star Video
Bakery: Sweet Delights and Cake Affairs & Culinary Creations
Florist: Floral Events
Lighting: DRK Event Lighting
Linens: Elegant Beginnings, Inc.
Ceremony Musicians: Divisi Strings
DJ: Victor Harris, Complete Music
Transportation: Royal Carriages and Rolls Royces owned by the Father of the Bride

Photography Shoppe

The tradition of cake pulls originated in Victorian England. Prior to a Victorian bride’s wedding, she would hide several sterling silver charms attached to satin ribbons within her wedding cake. Before she and the groom cut the first slice, her bridesmaids would each pull a charm as a special keepsake of the day. Each charm had a special meaning and foretold good luck, romance, or good fortune.

Today’s cake pull tradition retains the fundamental significance of their Victorian-era counterparts, however with a few contemporary twists. Not just for the enjoyment of bridesmaids; they are being included at any event involving a cake – bridal showers, baby showers, graduations, bat mitzvahs and confirmations, birthdays, and other celebrations – whenever you want a special memento for a special day.

Cake Pulls at the Wedding Reception

Each member of your wedding party, bridesmaids, children of the bride or groom or even the parents will gather around the cake prior to the cake cutting. Each person will pull a charm which holds the promise of their future. Each charm has a special meaning:

Heart: Your love is a true love
Engagement Ring: Engagement in near future
Four Leaf Clover: Good Luck In Your Future
Flower: A Blossoming Relationship
Wishing Well: A Wish Will Be Granted
Anchor: A life of Stability
Wedding Bells: Next to be married
High Chair: A life with Happy and Healthy Children
Money Bag: A Life of Financial Security
Wreath: A Contented Life
Rocking Chair: A long happy life
Antique Telephone: Good news is coming your way
Captain’s Wheel: Shows Confidence
Shamrock: Good Luck Will Find You
Picture Frame: A Happy Family
Baby Carriage: A life with Happy and Healthy Children
Airplane: A life of Adventure and Travel