This summer the picturesque and quaint town of Southrop, a small village in the Cotswolds, was overwhelmed with supermodels, celebrities, rockstars and fashion designers, who arrived in droves for the wedding of Kate Moss and Jamie Hince.  The romantic country wedding took place in a 12th century village church with a reception afterwards at Kate’s estate home.

The bride wore a Zelda Fitzgerald-inspired gown designed by her friend John Galliano while the groom wore a blue suit by YSL.  Six Rolls Royces chauffered the bridal party to the church ceremony.  Back at the house, a lavish tent was set up with Victorian chandeliers, dinner tables covered in pale yellow linens and black bistro chairs.  Delicate apricot nosegays and lilac roses in antique glass vases topped each table.

A six tiered cake – each a different flavor – was created by Penny Porschen.  The mixology team from Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris concocted the Kate76, made of vodka, champagne, crushed ice and sugar, as the cocktail of the night.

In the field behind the house, teepees were set up for the kids – many of whom were flower girls dressed in Bonpoint dresses and floral headpieces, including her daughter Lila Grace.  Votive candles in jam jars and antique lanterns were hung from the fruit trees to create a soft lit, dreamy atmosphere.

Guests included Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Jude Law, Mark Ronson, Christian Louboutin, Carine Roitfeld, Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella McCartney, who was a bridesmaid.  After the first dance to “If There is Something,” sung by Bryan Ferry, party-goers danced the night away to music by DJ’s Annie Nightingale, Nick Grimshaw, and Queens of Noise.

For more on the Kate Moss wedding, visit Vogue.com.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Mario Testino for Vogue

]]> http://www.notesonaparty.com/index.php/2011/10/19/a-country-wedding-for-kate-moss/feed/ 0 http://www.notesonaparty.com/index.php/2011/04/21/a-royal-engagement/ http://www.notesonaparty.com/index.php/2011/04/21/a-royal-engagement/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:55:51 +0000 Celia Chen http://www.notesonaparty.com/?p=1908 read more]]>

With less than 10 days left, the whole world seems to be buzzing about The Royal Wedding.  British celebrities David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John and Guy Ritchie have all made the invite list to the lavish affair, which is rumored to have a floral budget of nearly 1 million pounds.

While the entire event will be choreographed down to the last detail, there does seem to be one part that will be left to the couple to plan: the afterparty.  Will and Kate have promised to host a proper “knees up” after the wedding complete with DJ and dancing until the wee hours.   The Palace has responded by saying, “the party will end when it ends.”

For all of those royal fans on our side of the pond that will be gathering to watch the historic ceremony, we’ve rounded up some of the most original items that have been designed in celebration of the upcoming nuptials.  Eleni’s has cleverly created A Royal Wedding Gift Box ($68.50) filled with 16 sugar cookies of Prince William, Kate Middleton, a sapphire engagement ring, a royal china dish, Big Ben, a British flag and a horse and carriage.

Paperless Post has a clever invitation design for those planning a royal weddding viewing party complete with a tongue-in-cheek dress code. Tabletop inspiration comes in the form of Kings Road Redux dessert plates ($40 for set of 4), mugs ($45 for set of 4), a teapot ($40) and a serving tray ($55) -  all emblazoned with 24k gold crowns by Rosanna, Inc.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Eleni’s, Paperless Post and Rosanna, Inc

With friends, family and strangers as their witness, over a dozen couples took the plunge (or recommitted) in what was truly a sweet and sustainable day.  M Booth & Associates and Synergy Events produced the weddings, while my dvGreen team came on board as sustainability and design consultants.

Helping to promote green while also saving some of it, registered couples were treated to a full wedding setup.  A vibrant wedding canopy and bridal flowers were created with local sunflowers and greens by our girls at Celadon & Celery.

Powered by solar panels, wedding band One Love kept the party rocking all day.  Photographer Patrick Butler provided couples with portraits, and In2Green filled bridal gift bags with cool eco-Ts.  For signage, we opted for biodegradable bioflex with non-toxic inks rather than conventional vinyl.

Passers by enjoyed some sweetness of their own by digging into Beautiful Sweets organic cookies and drinking Sun Crystals-enhanced teas served in compostable Bagesse cups.  As with all good green events, leftovers did not go to waste and were donated to The Bowery Mission.  Additionally, gowns worn by guerilla brides, who hit the streets promoting the event, were donated to the Bridal Garden.  To keep the donations flowing, Sun Crystals plans to maintain a partnership with 1% For The Planet.

Of course, we can’t forget to thank Mother Nature herself who blessed the couples with a bright and sunny day (which of course helped to keep those solar panels fully charged).

Contributing green writer Danielle Venokur is the founder of dvGreen, a sustainable event design  and production firm.  She hosts The Green Party on MNN.com, and has  been featured in GOTHAM, The Knot, Treehugger, Vogue, and Modern Bride as one of their 25 Trendsetters of 2008.

A little bit of whimsy can be added to your table setting with these delicate handcrafted paper creations.  The collection by Timeless Paper consists of menus, napkin rings and table cards in the shape of butterflies, peacocks and flowers.  Place cards are cleverly designed to perch on the rim of goblets for an eye-catching and original presentation.

Created with white or cream paper stock with handpainted dots in any specified color, the items are handmade by graphic designer Emily Arrison.  Space is left for calligraphy or may be ordered in advance with names printed in an elegant script.

The individual items are sold for $1 to $3 each and come in sets. The entire collection is sold on Etsy at Timeless Paper’s shop.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Timeless Paper

It seems that all of us are crazy for sample sales and, if you love letterpress stationery, this one should definitely not be missed. Bella Figura, one of our favorite stationers (who produces exquisite and eco-friendly invitations), is hosting an online sale of their design samples starting today.  All proceeds from the sale will be donated to American Forests, a nonprofit conservation organization that aims to protect the country’s trees.

If you are planning a wedding or anniversary party or sending out birth announcements, ordering samples of their gorgeous invitations will help you get a feel for their luxurious paper, letterpress and inks before you confirm your final design.

Visit BellaFigura.com to plan your next invitation and to shop the sale.  All samples of their letterpress invitations will be sold for just $1 each (regularly $5). The sale will run through August 31, 2009 while supplies last.

Beauty without boundaries.  That is the mantra of floral design company, Celadon & Celery, and its founder, Bess Wyrick, who is quickly becoming the eco-chic darling of the events scene.

Often described as unexpected with a modern twist, Wyrick’s floral event designs are rustic, elegant and often enlivened with playful elements such as garden herbs.

After a four month field study on bioregionalism and sustainable living in Santa Cruz, CA, the entrepreneur became committed to the ethical and organic lifestyle.  Her company makes every effort to create gorgeous events using only locally grown and seasonal flowers, and whenever possible, organic flowers.

“Sustainable living involves a tangible and daily expression of intimacy with our place,” explains Wyrick. “It has been a learning process, but I know that we can respect our planet while we invent beautiful products.”

Now considered one of her signature pieces, Wyrick creates live vertical walls, installations of succulents and air plants that are both sustainable and striking.  Some of her other looks  include using the “un-vase,” a vintage bottle, coffee can, tea canister or ceramic to hold her arrangements and the “table-with-a-view,” tables that are landscaped – covered with moss, rocks, flowers and candles – to resemble individual gardens.

To hire Celadon & Celery for your next event or special occasion, contact Bess Wyrick via email or at 917 655 2271.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Celadon & Celery

At their New York launch party, VERT featured a product showcase of Yoko Chapman carbon neutral stationery (with complimentary Sweet Impression vegan cookies), Gardenia Organic fair trade floral bouquets and Fernando Jewelry recycled gold, conflict free rings.  The fashion show, emceed by Starre Vartan, author of “The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to Be Fabulously Green,” featured designers such as Jessica Iverson and her collection of eco-couture wedding dresses.

Preston Bailey, beloved event designer to the stars (think opulent affairs for Oprah, Joan Rivers, and Donald Trump), was the unlikely guest speaker at this green gathering. But, his honest, from-the-heart detailing of his baby steps toward green which started with a project that required him to consider sustainability, was inspiration for brides and planners alike.

The venue host for the night was The New York Academy of Sciences, a LEED-certified building and, in my opinion, an often overlooked location for chic, eco-weddings,

For the final kicker, VERT’s, “Go Green, Save Green,” promise means you can introduce sustainability into your events without going broke.  Their site is full of easy planning tips for saving money for the budget bride.  So, sorry kids, but no more excuses – time to introduce some green into that white wedding.

Contributing green writer Danielle Venokur is the founder of dvGreen, a sustainable event design  and production firm.  She hosts The Green Party on MNN.com, and has  been featured in GOTHAM, The Knot, Treehugger, Vogue, and Modern Bride as one of their 25 Trendsetters of 2008.

PHOTO CREDIT:  David Lindner

Paulette Koumetz and her award-winning chef, Christophe Michalak, have created 12 everyday classic flavors like caramel, lemon and coconut as well as seasonal specialities including jasmine tea and cinnamon.

A wonderful alternative to serving cake, their five-tiered tower ($106) holds a selection of 60 macarons in a dramatic yet elegant display. For dinner party or wedding favor gifts, order 2 macarons in a mini-box ($4) with signature logo cutout (which cleverly shows the flavor inside).  For special events and large orders, contact Paulette by email.

Orders can be made online for overnight delivery or in person at their shops.

Paulette Macarons Beverly Hills (9466 Charleville Boulevard, Los Angeles 310-275-0023)

Paulette Macarons San Francisco (437 Hayes Street, San Francisco 415-864-2400)

It is recommended that all macarons be consumed within 3 days of purchase…as if they would ever last that long!

PHOTO CREDIT:  Tina Rupp

Originally created as a wedding favor for her friend’s nuptials, the 1.2 oz Flying Chocolate Pig comes in a lavender gift box with a matching silk tie. Available online and at various Vosges stores, the chocolate pig retails for $12.

SPECIAL OFFER: From now until November 30th, 2008, readers of Notesonaparty.com will receive 10% off all web site purchases of truffles, chocolates, bon bons and more. Enter promo code 2810WB1 at check out.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Vosges Haut-Chocolat

Karwa has designed a variety of wine packages to suit novices as well as connoisseurs and to accommodate a range of price points from the “Because I’m Worth It” luxe tasting to “Savvy in the City” that features wines under $15. The interactive tastings are perfect for a housewarming, a bachelorette or even an office holiday party.

Here, we ask the entrepreneur about her friendly, fun approach to wine and the growing trend of tasting parties at home.

How did you come up with the idea for Swirl Events?
I organized a wine tasting for a group of girlfriends and asked everyone to bring their checkbooks so we could do some grassroots fundraising for an organization I support. Because it was Women’s History Month, I focused on all women wine makers and told my guests the stories behind the bottles. Maybe it was the influence of the wine speaking, but by the end of the evening, everyone encouraged me to create a company that did fun, “unstuffy,” but elegant wine tasting parties. And, Swirl was born.

Are all of your Swirl-ettes trained sommeliers?
Yes, at a minimum, each of our “Swirl-ettes” has an Advanced Certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, an internationally recognized and respected board. But that’s the minimum. On top of their extensive wine knowledge, they are all dynamic, personable people that are passionate about wine, but not at all pretentious about it.

Besides your wine tasting events, do you host educational wine classes?
We’ve just started our series of courses as we learned our clients wanted further education on wine in the Swirl way. Our first class was about “Decoding a Restaurant Wine List” and it was a hit! We’ve hosted other classes this Fall including, “Organic Wine” and “Best Wines for your Buck.”

Are you finding that more brides/grooms are looking to host wine tasting parties?
Bridal wine tastings are big right now. Brides and their friends are really eager to have an alternative to the typical and somewhat dreaded bridal shower where the only activity for guests is watching the bride unwrap presents for 3 hours! It’s also a welcome change for the bride who wants a bachelorette party at home that is a bit more elegant yet fun.

Swirl Events is available for private and corporate wine tasting events throughout the 5 boroughs, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. To set up a wine tasting (for 6 or more guests), contact Anu Karwa at 917-463-3994 or via email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Readers of Notes on a Party get a 10% discount on a private event.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Swirl Events

Whether it’s a wedding, a dinner party get together or a fabulous gala, when you receive an invitation it means it’s time to R.S.V.P.

From the French phrase, “Répondez, s’il vous plaît,” R.S.V.P. simply means, “Please reply.” These four letters are signaling your host’s need to know if you’re attending or not. Your head count matters, so make sure to reply as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two of receiving an invitation.

At Ceci New York, we always create reply cards and envelopes, that match the design of the invitation, to make it easy for our client’s guests to respond on time. The wording used to solicit a response can range from classic to modern. Some of our favorites include (see examples in the photo gallery above):

Kindly reply by (enter date)

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Please join us for the following festivities.

We hope you can join us to celebrate.

Remember, when there is a reply card, make sure you include the full names of you and your guest so your host has that information for the event. But, how should you respond if there is no enclosed card?

Below is an easy guide that will ensure your name stays on the guest list!

RSVP is on invite but no separate response card included:
- send a personal handwritten response to the host to the return address on the mailer envelope.

RSVP by phone number:
- call and make sure to speak to a person – answering machines are typically unreliable.

RSVP by email:
- it’s totally acceptable these days to save time money (and a tree) to accept or decline electronically through email.

Regrets only:
- this means reply only if you cannot make it. If your host doesn’t hear from you, they are expecting you to show up.

No reply requested:
- Not typical and remember, it is always polite to let someone know your intentions!

Lisa Hoffman, Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York (22 West 23rd Street, Fifth Floor Penthouse, 212-989-0695), is a world renowned graphic artist and award winning designer of invitations. To set up an appointment, contact info@cecinewyork.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Ceci New York

Modern Manners is an ongoing series with experts in the industry who share their tips on how to be a polite guest and a gracious host in today’s social scene.

After a short career in broadcast journalism, Chen followed her sweet tooth and apprenticed at her favorite French pastry shop and hasn’t looked back since. Chen, who counts chocolate confections, macarons, and St. Honores (a traditional French cake) as her favorite sweets, has since honed her craft at several high profile restaurants including Jean Georges, Country, and The French Laundry.

“I like working with desserts because it gives me the satisfaction of making a person feel like a child again,” she says.

Chen has now taken her love of all things sugary and founded Sweet Chick, a company that hosts cooking parties as well as creates customized dessert tables (think chocolate bars and bon bon shops) for weddings and corporate events.

“I decided to host dessert cooking parties to share my tips and tricks,” explains Chen. “These parties are social gatherings where people can meet new people, learn something new and have fun!” Indeed, at Chen’s classes, guests will learn to prepare tasty treats like summer tarts, petit fours, and chocolate truffles, or focus on a particular skill like cake decorating. Private dessert parties, which can be held in a commercial kitchen or in one’s home kitchen, can accommodate 8 to 10 people and cost $150 per person.

In addition to creating dessert tables for special events, Chen has also garnered acclaim for her elegant, custom-designed wedding cakes. The cost of the cakes depends on style and flavor, but generally ranges from $10 to $25 per person.

For more information on Sweet Chick or to place an order for a cake or dessert table, contact Hsing Chen at hsing@sweetchicknyc.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Sweet Chick

Lauren Shockey is a food writer who has contributed to publications including The New York Times Magazine, Gastronomica, Brides and ELLEgirl.

While there is no typical purchase price for this type of gift, a popular way of buying art as a gift is as a group. Whether a set of bridesmaids or siblings, the group sending this gift should have a good sense of the couple’s personal taste. Knowing a little about their interests (surfing in Montauk) or even something sentimental about their courtship (they met in Italy) will help in selecting something that will be cherished for its beauty as well as its meaning.

The gallery can frame the photograph, include a personal note and arrange for cross-country shipping, if necessary. Alternatively, for clients that prefer the couple to personally select their own piece of art, Spiritus can create an elegant gift certificate and follow up accordingly.

Susan Spiritus Gallery (3929 Birch Street, Newport Beach, CA 949-474-4321) is one of the leading galleries dedicated to fine art photography that works with both private collectors and corporate clients. Spiritus represents over 50 artists including photographic luminaries Jacques Henri Lartigue and George Tice as well as contemporary artists like Roman Loranc, Dave Anderson and Camille Seaman. By appointment only.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Roman Loranc

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.

Related Post: The Art of Photography

We first met Jaime at the celebrity-filled opening weekend ceremony of the Grand Antigua where we were lucky enough to experience Caribbean hospitality first hand. Here she gives us her thoughts on destination beach weddings, ideas for bridemaids’ gifts and tells us why her newest property in the Bahamas is the perfect honeymoon getaway.

Why is an island wedding so special?
An island wedding is the ultimate in romance. It doesn’t get any better than saying your vows with your feet in the warm sand with gentle breezes blowing in from the Caribbean sea, and amazing sunsets reflecting in the water. Whether you bring along your family and closest of friends or it’s just the two of you, island weddings will give you memories that will last a lifetime!

What is the one piece of advice you can offer to brides planning a destination wedding?
Enjoy every minute of it! That said, it doesn’t hurt to have a professional assist you with the details! For me, Preston Bailey and the planners on the island made sure every little detail was taken care of. I couldn’t have done it without them.

You custom designed necklaces for each of your bridesmaids. What are some other original ideas for gifts?
Whatever you give, it’s important that the gift is personal and will remind them of your special friendship. If it’s a custom creation, like the necklaces I gave to my best friends, think about the individual bridesmaid’s personality (not just how it will look with their dress) to ensure they get a lifetime of use out of your present. My girls still wear those necklaces today! I also gave them each a personalized tote bag, which I embroidered with my funny nicknames for them. To spice up my gift bags I threw in some cute items from lingerie brand Hanky Panky in the same colors of my wedding, pink and green!

Tell us a little about your new Royal Plantation at Fowl Cay. Looks perfect for a romantic honeymoon.
Royal Plantation Island in the Exumas, Bahamas is simply incredible! When my family first visited, we knew it was like nowhere we had been before – and we know the Caribbean. Even though it wasn’t for sale, we made an offer before our four-day vacation had ended. Royal Plantation Island is now the second resort in the Royal Plantation Collection, with the flagship in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The Island is 50 acres and completely unspoiled. Each of the six villas provides guests with comfort and elegance and offer mind boggling views. And the best part about the island is that the view is never quite the same – the sandbars, cays and waters surrounding the island are always changing with the tides and the trade winds. It’s a barefoot crash pad for the very lucky and a wonderful place for a romantic honeymoon.

Jaime Stewart-McConnell, Managing Director of Sandals Resorts, is responsible for a new line of small, elegant boutique hotels called Royal Plantation including properties in Ocho Rios (Jamaica’s only member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World) and in the Exumas, Bahamas.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Courtesy of Royal Plantation  

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.

You’ve caterer parties for the top luxury brands in the world. What translates from your corporate events to weddings?
Luxury brands (and fashion in particular) like things to always be different, and for their vendors to think “out of the box” and be creative. I find what carries most into our catering work is the service (the idea of a very presentable and exceptionally qualified wait staff), our trays (very eclectic and inspired), the ingredients we use (luxurious and only the best – caviar, truffles ,et al) and then always a little twist (like a fish papilliote) that adds a little theatrical quality to the evening.

Do you have an Olivier Cheng signature dish? A party favorite?
What’s not to love about anything with the word “truffle” in it? The foie gras truffles and truffled grilled cheese sandwiches are some of our favorites.

What are some of the most original venues in New York for a wedding?
New York is such a fantastic place to have a wedding. From venues with amazing views to spots with great ambiance, here are 3 of my favorite places. Each one is quite different!

Angel Orensanz – It’s a love it or hate it kind of place but I always feel transported to an ancient building in Italy – very romantic.

The Council for Foreign Relations – A very well maintained aristocratic edifice on Park Avenue that feels like a private residence. It’s very chic and upscale – yet intimate and personal.

The Glass Houses – For the modern bride who likes clean lines, glass and panoramic views. There are 2 floors to rent that offer lots of flexibility. A nice contrast from the white walled loft.

These days cocktail catering seems to be as important as the food. What’s a good specialty drink to serve at a wedding?
I like to serve cocktails that either reflect the seasons (like Elderflower and vodka or Ginger Citrus Martinis) or the passions of the bride and groom (like pomegranate with anything).

Some couples choose to forgo the tradition of cutting the cake. What’s a fun dessert alternative?
I love to do little passed sweets – from smores tarts to mini one-bite wedding cakes. It just reads fun!

Olivier Cheng Catering and Events (12-16 Vestry Street, 212-625-3151) has catered and produced parties for many luxury fashion houses including Chanel, Cartier, and, most notably, for Gucci who hosted an event with Madonna for Malawi.

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.

What should you know before hiring a wedding planner?
Know what kind of bride you will be. If you are planning the wedding on your own and holding down a full time job make sure your planner has the time to work with your schedule.

Find a planner that has the same style and taste as you. If you share the same “aesthetic,” your planner is less likely to steer you wrong when making important decisions.

Hire a planner with specific experience. If you want a tent wedding, ensure that your planner has extensive knowledge about tents and the logistics involved. If you are having a destination wedding, your planner should understand how to work with vendors from out of town and organize everything long distance.

Remember what is important to you. If you love gourmet food and fine wine, make sure your planner shares your appreciation or has knowledge of excellent caterers to execute your vision.

Figure out how much you want to spend. When speaking to planners, find out how they charge – flat fee or commission from vendors (not both!)

For a destination wedding, how should couples create a schedule for their guests?
A great destination wedding begins even before it starts. Send information to your guests to let them know what is in store for the weekend. This helps them with packing and being prepared for certain activities (like golf). Have a fun welcome gift in their hotel room when they check in. For a Hamptons wedding, we filled beach bags with local treats like North Fork Potato Chips , Bridgehampton Gorp, Levain Cookies , a Hamptons Magazine, some water, a piece of fruit and a schedule of the wedding weekend events. Remember, you can host a few activities during the day but give your guests time to relax and enjoy themselves. This is a vacation for them too!

What are some great ideas for a beach wedding?
Instead of a coat check, set up a “shoe check.” Just as guests enter the tent, have waiters with lavender towels ready to wipe sand from their feet and have their shoes waiting for them. Make your escort card table into a sand box with the names of each guest leaning on a starfish. Pass out colorful paper umbrellas to shield guests from the sun (which looks great in photos!).

Favorite venues in New York for a traditional bride?
We love the New York Public Library, The Frick and the Metropolitan Club.

Tell us about the most outrageous wedding you have planned.
Our weddings are never outrageous, they are understated and elegant but they can be logistically challenging. Once we planned a 300+ wedding on a private island off the coast of Connecticut and had to transport all the guests from a dock to the island for cocktails and the ceremony and then back to the mainland for the reception. We had every small boat hired from New York to Rhode Island!

If you had to register for wedding gift, what would it be?
A juicer (Nicky). His and hers custom surfboards (Ann).

Founded by Ann David and Nicky Reinhard, David Reinhard Events (128 East 72nd Street, No. 4A, New York 212-535-1520) is known for their personal service and fresh approach to wedding planning. They are regularly featured in publications such as Town & Country, Instyle and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.

Chiche shares some of her favorites from their extensive menu of established and lesser known (but incredible) vineyards.

Vilmart et Cie Grand Cellier d’Or Cuvée ($200) is a vintage Brut often described as the poor man’s Krug.

Henri Goutorbe Cuvée Prestige Brut Non Vintage ($85), made from 70% Pinot Noir, 5% Meunier and 25% Chardonnay, is a ripe and extravagant wine.

Champagne Loriot, made from 100% Pinot Meunier ($45), is the newest import, arriving in the US next month and sold exclusively at the Bubble Lounge.

Couples looking to celebrate an engagement with some drama can learn how to saber a bottle of champagne which is the act of opening the bottle by sliding a sword and striking a small spot where the seam meets the lower lip. Watch the video for an expert demonstration (but please don’t try it at home without proper instruction).

A private class at the Bubble Lounge is $50 plus the cost of the bottle of champagne. Engagement parties, including room rental, selection of champagnes, open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres are billed at $40/per person, per hour plus tax and gratuities.

Bubble Lounge is located at 228 West Broadway in New York and 714 Montgomery Street in San Francisco.

For information on special events, contact Yasmine Karrenberg at 212-431-3433 or yasmine@bubblelounge.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Julien Jourdes for FoodIncNYC and Laurent Alfieri

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.

How do you capture the personalities of your clients in their wedding invitations?
Every invitation is a blank canvas and each client is a new opportunity to create something fresh and outstanding. For a destination wedding in Mexico, a laid back couple wanted something “beachy” but with luxurious materials and fine printing. We created a custom pocket folder that was lined in bamboo woven rattan paper. The cover was ivory letterpress with a Mexican tile pattern print and embossed with their logo printed on a pebbled textured paper. We used a tropical color palette mixed with lighter sandy tones. All elements said “beach” without the expected seashell motifs that you so frequently see. The three panel RSVP card was perfect for giving guests all the proper information – easy and convenient – just like they wanted it to be.

And, for a non-traditional couple?
A punk rock couple wanted their invite to reflect their love for DADA art. We printed on smoky grey plexi-glass so the DADA art collage showed through from the back when the guests took the invite out of the envelope. The back of the invite was full of personalized phrases and words with hidden meanings that were significant to the couple and their relationship. Bold pops of hot pink, including the calligraphy on the envelopes, were sprinkled throughout the invitation. Guests said they felt like they were receiving an award when they opened it!

You are known for your bespoke invitations. What is the most luxurious invitation you have created?
We created a romantic invitation for a couple who were married at their beach home in the Hamptons. The save-the-date was a custom molded aluminum pebble engraved with their wedding logo and details which was hand delivered to each guest in a custom made sage green suede box. The invites were hand calligraphed with a personalized message from the couple instead of traditional wedding invitation wording. They even hand signed each invite with their names. This couple wasn’t afraid to break tradition and do something original. And, it was completely appropriate, tasteful and elegant!

If you can’t afford the bespoke treatment, how can you incorporate small details to make your invitation more special?
Simple does not have to be boring. No way! That’s my challenge – to really create something fantastic within those limitations. Some great ideas are to bring in a quote that’s meaningful to you or lyrics from your first dance song. Use your venue as inspiration or play up a theme.
For a couple who were getting married in a Broadway theater, we designed save- the-dates after old movie tickets and theatrical posters. They were flat and in one color but what was lacking in features, we certainly made up for in creativity!

When are digital invitations appropriate to send?
Weddings are momentous occasions so, in my opinion, you shouldn’t skimp on the actual invitation. Use digital invites for informal save-the-dates when timing and budget are tight. You won’t have to worry about the long lead times for design and printing or the cost of mailing and postage. Another good tip is to put together a wedding website. One of my favorites is the Wedding Window which looks custom designed yet is inexpensive. Send out the link, update with info along the way and your guests will never think you’re not on the ball!

Lisa Hoffman, Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York (22 West 23rd Street, Fifth Floor Penthouse, 212-989-0695), is a world renowned graphic artist and award winning designer of invitations. To set up an appointment, contact info@cecinewyork.com.

Notes on a Party introduces the Wedding Special, an entire week of editorial dedicated to fresh ideas, invaluable tips and interviews with the leading experts in the industry.

Tastebook is a newly launched site that allows you to upload and organize your favorite recipes to create a personal hardcover cookbook. Either include your own or choose from the 25,000 recipes featured on Epicurious.

Once you have added your recipes, you can design your cover (by choosing from 50 different images), preview your work and place your order. A cookbook with 100 recipes will cost $34.95 and take approximately 5-7 days to arrive.

A thoughtful and sentimental bridal shower or wedding gift, we love the idea of creating a unique cookbook complete with recipes donated from family and friends, personal photos and original notes to the couple.

PHOTO CREDIT: product photograph (c) Tom Seawell, cover photograph (c) Luca Trovato / FoodPix / JupiterImages.

Some of our favorites include barrel matches monogrammed with a single initial ($120 for 50) and the wooden oval stir sticks ($44 for 100). Don’t be afraid to get creative. The simple do-it-yourself technology lets you dream up all sorts of original ideas and messages in various fonts and colors.

For something a little fancier, peruse the designer section for some beautiful items created in collaboration with Hello! Lucky, the specialty design and letterpress studio based in San Francisco. The Antoinette style, which can be printed on just about anything, features baroque patterns and dramatic peacock feathers (très Versailles!)

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Foryourparty.com

To find out I attended the launch of Stewart’s newest resort, the $70 million, five-star, all suite Mediterranean Village at Sandals Grande Antigua. To celebrate the opening, Stewart retained powerhouse public relations firm BWR to create a lavish, over-the-top weekend of events that highlighted the property’s super-luxe amenities for a select group of Hollywood stars, media personalities, press and local luminaries.

On Thursday, October 4th, the resort and spa welcomed celebrity couples including Kimora Lee Simmons (star of the Style Network show Life in the Fab Lane) and her new boyfriend Djimon Hounsou, Brooke Burke and David Charvet as well as Stacy Keibler and Geoff Stults. All VIP guests including Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively, Rumer Willis, Teri Polo, Melissa Rivers, Stephen Colletti, Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos and Tony Potts were invited to experience Stewart’s new Luxury Included Vacation complete with spacious suites, private plunge pools with waterfalls and even personal butler service.

Opening night had a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by “The Taste of Antigua” – a dinner of signature culinary dishes from the island and a parade of dancers and musicians outfitted in vibrant costumes typically worn during the annual Antigua Carnival. Grammy Award winning artist Shaggy performed on a massive sound stage built by Bralco Group overlooking the Sandals pool.

Friday was full of rain showers which meant a soggy beach party but not dampened spirits. After an energetic show by reggae artist Sean Paul, guests piled into the British Pub for late night snacks and a lively set by DJ Splyce, one of Hollywood’s top DJ’s, that had guests bumping and grinding (literally) until the wee hours of the morning.

Thankfully, the sun came out in full force on Saturday so the silky white sand beach on Dickenson Bay became the place to be seen. A friendly yet heated game of beach soccer initiated by Access Hollywood had everyone cheering as well as ducking for cover. I might add that the highest scoring team members were all women – Blake Lively, Maria Menounos and Rachel Zalis, style correspondent for We TV.

Closing night celebrations were held poolside with an elaborate buffet of chilled lobster and shellfish, sushi and a dessert table that seem to go on for miles. An incredible fireworks show ushered in an unforgettable night at the resort. VIPs headed up to the tower for an all night dance party with DJ Splyce playing a mix of hip hop, rock and 80′s including a few crowd pleasing favorites from Journey, AC/DC and Michael Jackson.

After a weekend as a guest of the Stewart family, I began to realize that their resorts were so much more than just idyllic locations, luxe amenities and celebrated partnerships with wedding designers Preston Bailey and Sylvia Weinstock. According to Butch’s daughter, Managing Director Jaime Stewart-McConnell, the heart of Sandals is really about fulfilling all of your needs, desires and dreams.

And, isn’t that what romance and seduction are all about anyway?

PHOTO CREDIT: Dimitrios Kambouris for Wire Image

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We recommend heading to the new Kolo Bar. You won’t be able to order a cocktail but we promise that you won’t need one once you realize what they do. Housed in the upscale stationery store, Kate’s Paperie (72 Spring Street, 860-816-6075), this photo album bar is staffed with a Kolo designer who can transform your shoe box of prints or CD of digital images into an heirloom quality album in just a few days.

A variety of albums are available so that you can order copies for all your favorite in-laws.

Mini Album $30
The Noci album has a book-style sewn spine and a fine linen cover with a ribbon tie in a contrasting color. Up to 24 4 x 6 photos will be printed and loaded into this miniature album.

Couture $65 and up
A customizable scrapbook designed with a variety of unique templates, the Newport album can incorporate both photos and memorabilia including your invitation, seat cards and other nostalgic items.

Perfect $90 and up
Digital images are printed on archival paper for this Newport album which comes in two sizes (8.5 x 11 or 11 x 14) and in an abundance of beautiful colors like chartreuse and mango.

Simple Elegance $110 and up
Covered in European book cloth, 200-300 photos can be printed and loaded into either the Catalina or Hudson style albums.

The 450 square foot Kolo boutique inside Kate’s Paperie carries the entire product line of luxury archival photo albums, binders and boxes as well as limited edition offerings. While you are there, you might as well pick up some thank you cards for those notes that we all know are well overdue.

UPDATE: On July 30th, 2008, the Kolo Store moved from Kate’s Paperie to A.I. Friedman (44 West 18th Street, #4, New York).

PHOTO CREDIT: Images courtesy of Kolo

I’m sure if you ask owner and floral designer Olivier Giugni about it, he would tell you that it was enchantée. His lush garden has been artfully landscaped with an original mix of trees and plants including wax privet topiaries, Japanese stewartia, Japanese Maple (Lace leaf green), morning glories, asparagus ferns, different varieties of jasmine and even pineapples. Born in Provence, Giugni has always been inspired by the rich color palette of the South of France and its fragrant herbs which mixed with his strong sense of modern design gives him his signature style.

Truly a hidden paradise on an otherwise hectic corner of downtown Manhattan, L’Olivier Floral Atelier (213 West 14th Street, 212-255-2828) would be very special venue for an engagement party or even a small wedding. The 1500 square foot garden can host 50 guests (standing) for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. A bar can be set up in the charming pergola with a few food stations near by. Dinner can be served in the 1500 square foot interior of the floral shop which can be transformed by his event staff to hold one long (and dramatic) table of 30 with 2 round tables of 10. For those looking for something more intimate, L’Olivier can set a table for 12 guests on the covered outside deck.

Having one night in paradise does come at a price. Renting the floral atelier and private garden starts at $4000. Catering, staffing and flowers (by L’Olivier, bien sûr) are not included with the venue but can be arranged through the event department for an additional cost.

For more information, contact Caroline Bailly, Events Director at 212-255-2136.

Especially when the bride-to-be is your uber-stylish friend with impeccable taste. You know the type. Dress by Monique Lhuillier. Registry at Moss and Bergdorf Goodman. Flowers by Antony Todd. The task of planning her “last night of freedom” with all of her best friends from across the globe is a daunting one. Somehow the idea of dancing on a banquette at Bungalow doesn’t seem very original.

For a truly memorable experience, call my friends at Kiki De Montparnasse (79 Greene Street, 212-965-8150). Named after a French artist, muse and icon of female independence, Kiki De Montparnasse is a beautifully curated retail environment in Soho that celebrates sensual living.

With the belief that pleasure is paramount to a fulfilling life, Kiki is filled with the most exquisite collections of lingerie and boudoir inspired ready-to-wear designed by Creative Director and Co-Founder Jennifer Zuccarini. The store has endless gift ideas from jewelry to erotic accessories to products for the home, bath and body in beautiful packaging by Base Design (responsible for the brand identity and campaign, shown above). Some bestsellers for brides are the bow back panty (shown above) – a combination of the satin chiffon bow ($50) with the crochet lace g-string ($135), massage candle ($45) and the 24K gold handcuffs with key and chain ($175) – a cheeky yet apropos gift for someone entering the “confines” of marriage.

The 2000 square foot store is split into two defined areas – an open retail space in the front and a more intimate boudoir with a brass bed (shown above) in the back. Depending on your preference and size of your group, both spaces can be used for parties. Kiki’s signature is to serve champagne with chocolate covered strawberries or caviar during a private shopping event. A dedicated sales person will give a preview of the collection and tutorial on the toys.

On the second floor, Kiki has an incredible 1200 square foot private event space called the Salon. Complete with a kitchen, private dressing room and audio-visual equipment, this room can be transformed for many types of events. For a shower or bachelorette, Kiki can plan a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres or a seated dinner through one of their preferred caterers such as Serena Bass.

For the ultimate luxury experience, Kiki will have one of their stylists hand-select lingerie and merchandise for the bride-to-be as well as arrange for one of their “sexperts,” such as a dominatrix trained in the art of bondage, to speak to the group.

A night at Kiki is such a sexy affair….don’t be surprised if the boys want to crash.

For more information about special events at Kiki, contact 212-965-8070 or email salon@kikidm.com.