09/12/2010: 173 Carlyle House Open House

Source of Image: http://www.173carlylehouse.com/

I had a chance to go to the Open House at 173 Carlyle House yesterday.

While I had driven past this event venue in Historic Norcross several times before, this is the first time I was able to check it out.

173 Carlyle House has an elegant ballroom that can accommodate up to 200 people as well as several cozy rooms available for pre reception event. The courtyard space is also available for couples who want to get married outside. For larger events, the courtyard space allows outdoor dining as well.

One thing I like about this venue is definitely the food. Owned by Chef William Janousek (who was actually serving the meat at the chef station yesterday!), I can see that he pays a great deal of attention to the food quality at 173 Carlyle House. We especially love the various canapes! They were yummy and I could see the guests eating a lot of them during cocktail hour!

173 Carlyle House also serves various wedding cake samples that were baked in house yesterday and they were delicious! The pricing for the wedding cake is very reasonable as well. I will highly recommend brides who are getting married here to get the wedding cake in house to save on the cake cutting fee.

I also like the relatively neutral ballroom as it offers a lot of opportunities for brides to choose various color combinations that will work well to personalize their own event. For brides who want to bring in ethnic food to compliment Chef Janousek's tasty creations, I was informed that as long as the minimum on food and beverage has been met, 173 Carlyle House welcomes the couple to bring in some outside dishes that reflect their cultures or to show off that proud family traditional recipe! This is a flexibility that not many venues allow and in my mind, it is definitely a big huge plus!

If you are looking for a historic house to host your event in Atlanta, definitely consider 173 Carlyle House. Besides weddings, they also host other events such as holiday parties and one can choose between the ballroom or the other private rooms depending on the group size.

Have fun planning!

Marriage Couples Retreat

I spent my Labor Day weekend with my husband in North Georgia to attend the Marriage Couples Retreat organized by our church.

We learnt so much from the 3 day retreat. Besides our honeymoon, this was one of the best trips we have taken together. It was a trip filled with laughters, tears, discovery, and understanding. I am so glad we were able to get away from our daily life to spend time with each other and had a great learning experience with the other 9 couples to improve on our communication skills, and to enrich the most important relationship in our lives, the one we have with our spouse and partner for life!

For brides planning weddings everywhere, I just want to say that we should put in as much effort in our marriage. Afterall, the wedding is only the beginning of a marriage. It is the celebration of the beginning of a great journey, one that you and your spouse will take together, through ups and downs, sunshine or thunderstorms, harsh winter or beautiful spring.

I have always want my brides to have a beautiful wedding but I know I want them to have a great marriage even more!

Windermere Golf Club Bridal Show – 8/31/2010

Source of Image: Angela Wilson Photography

Yesterday I drove up to Cumming, GA for Windermere Golf Club’s bridal show.

I was informed that the ballroom can host up to 170 people but it is actually quite an intimate space (at least to me). One can also set up the cocktail area outside in the covered patio area which overlooks the golf course. Last night, I enjoyed a piece of wedding cake sample from Cake Envy out in the patio during sunset and it was a romantic atmosphere.

As far as the ceremony goes, it can be outdoor or indoor which is definitely a huge plus for those who want an outdoor wedding but also the peace of mind to know that there is a rain location in case of bad weather.

Whenever I go to a site visit, I always try to imagine what kind of couple will like this space. To me, Windermere is a more traditional venue suitable for couples who want a more classic country club wedding. However, I have also seen pictures of the ballroom at Windermere during last night’s show where the use of extra lighting totally transform the space and change the atmosphere.

While the venue is a little out of the way for people in Atlanta, it is not very far if you are in the Alpharetta or Buford area.

One final note: at night it gets really dark around the area so road signs are hard to see. Make sure you have a GPS or be naturally good with direction! I was glad I have a good memory!

A Massage Before Your Big Day

If you are feeling stressed with wedding planning, it might be a good idea to schedule a massage or two prior to the big day.

"But there is not enough time to go to the spa!" you claimed.

Well, why not try an in-home massage session?

I met Teresa Sims, owner of TS Massage Studio at Windermere Golf Club's Bridal Show tonight and I found her massage offerings to be very reasonable.

For example, she will travel to your home or hotel suite and the rate is only $39 per massage for the bride and groom.

You can also treat your wedding party to a relaxing massage as four full body massages, excluding bride or groom is only $200.

There is also an additional $25 for travel and setup fee for locations outside the 25 miles radius of the 30519 zip code.

It is worth noting that she also provide special rates for Gwinnett County, City of Lawrenceville and Gwinnett Medical employees.

For appointments, please call Teresa at 404-518-8203.

Atlanta Venue Spotlight: The Defoor Centre

Source of Photos: The Defoor Centre

Yesterday I had a chance to visit the Defoor Centre for their quarterly Open House.

It was my first time at the Defoor Centre so Ms. Michelle Davidson gave me a quick tour of the facility.

The Forum is a unique hexagon-shaped gallery that can accommodate 240 guests with a dance floor or 300 guests without a dance floor. There is a stage where wedding ceremony can be performed. After the ceremony, the guests will go to an adjacent room for cocktails while the staff will flip the room for the reception. Ms. Davidson said that all the tables for the reception will already be set up in a different room and they are simply moving the tables into the room after the ceremony and it generally only takes 30 minutes.

Personally, I really like the cocktail area that is adorned with the orange lanterns. When it comes to décor, it is also worth noting that the Defoor Centre provides 60” round tables dressed with your choice of linen with 20+ color options. In addition, crystal and iron candelabra centerpieces, buffet tables, and tea light candles are included in the rental fee as well. I was also pleasantly surprised when Ms. Davidson informed me that they also provide mahogany chiavari chairs (that most places will have to charge extra for!). Of course, you can go with the chair cover look for $4.00 per chair as well if you wish.

Last night I had a chance to taste some of the food at Defoor Centre as well and they were delicious. I was told that the chef will work with the clients on the menu choices although they do offer standard menus as a guideline.

During the tour, Ms. Davidson showed me where the original farm house kitchen was and the fireplace of the original structure. I find it interesting that an historical building built in the 1800s as a farm house can be transformed into such a modern day gallery with a contemporary feel.

For me, the grand piano on the stage and the chandelier in the middle of the 30 feet ceiling seems to remind me of the Phantom of the Opera! I didn’t see the Phantom anywhere last night though!

As a conclusion, if you are looking for a different venue for your wedding or special events, it is definitely worth it to check out the Defoor Centre!

One of a Kind Bridesmaid Gifts

Source of Image: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kazstyle

I believe the ladies whom you chose to stand besides you on your wedding day deserve a special gift.

The beautiful clutches shown above are hand made by Kaz Tateishi Aoto from Atlanta out of vintage kimono or obi fabric. She told me that they can normally be made and shipped within 1-2 weeks. She can also make them from the fabric that you choose.

For pictures on other items that Kaz can create, please visit the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kazstyle/sets/72157623192890454/

I am looking to feature more local artists' work on my blog. So feel free to leave a comment if you have someone you want to recommend.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadslounge

The jewerly you choose for yourself and your bridesmaids is an easy way to reflect your personal style in your wedding. You can choose something custom made for you in your color scheme for your bridesmaids as gifts for them. You can of course have something custom made for yourself.

Today I want to highlight the work of the super talented Ms. Yoko Fujiwara (Now. Mrs. Grunberg!) in the Atlanta area. She sells her jewerly through her Etsy shop ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadslounge ). You can also meet her in person at various shows in Atlanta area such as the Piedmont Park Green Market ( http://www.piedmontpark.org/programs/green_market.html ) and the upcoming Japan Fest (http://www.japanfest.org/) on Sept 18, 2010-Sept 19, 2010.

Sometimes I do not know how Yoko does it all. She performs Flamenco in the Atlanta area! (which I will write in another blog entry). She made custom jewerly and she also has an aromatheraphy shop! ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/aromarelax )

Stop by at her booth and check it out for yourself!