Monday
Mar. 15th, 2010
6:30 – 9:00 pm |
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 Many brides and grooms are choosing to have their wedding ceremony at the same location as their reception. While in the past, on-site ceremonies were popular with inter-faith couples, today we see more and more couples electing to have the ceremony on-site because it is more convenient and less stressful.
The advantages of a single location wedding begin early in the planning process. As many couples find out, it can be difficult coordinating dates and timing when dealing with separate ceremony and reception locations. One location may have the date you want available, while the other may not. Timing can also be difficult to work out, especially, when you are trying to avoid leaving too much time between the ceremony and the reception or you are trying to make sure there is enough time in between to get from one locale to the other.
For couples looking for flexibility, an on-site ceremony is a viable option  because the venue usually has no religious affiliation and therefore, there are no religious requirements that stand in the way. Moreover, clergy and officiants who perform on-site ceremonies are usually less stringent and allow the couple more latitude in selecting what is to be included in the ceremony.
The advantages do not end with planning. Imagine how relaxed your wedding day can be when your ceremony, pictures and reception are all handled at one location. Avoiding the hassle of gathering up your wedding party and wasting time traveling from location to location will allow you to spend more time enjoying each part of your wedding day.
Guests will certainly appreciate one destination as well. Driving to multiple locations can be confusing and stressful, especially for out of town guests who may not  be familiar with the area. With one destination, they will not have to worry about getting lost while making their way from the ceremony to the reception or be concerned with either filling a large gap in time between the ceremony and reception, or not having enough time in between to get from one location to another, leaving them feeling rushed to get to the reception on time. Guests will have a more enjoyable experience knowing that once they arrive at the ceremony they do not need to get back on the road. An added bonus is that you can arrange a block of rooms at a nearby hotel for out-of-town guests and provide shuttle service to and from the venue.
Another consideration is that there may be cost savings when the ceremony and reception are at the same location. Many times florists can decorate the ceremony area and then move the arrangements to the ballroom. You can also save on transportation costs because you can arrange a drop-off and pick-up from the limousine company which is less costly then booking a limousine for an extended block of time. Additionally, the dues and ceremony fees associated with places of worship are sometimes higher than the fee for an on-site ceremony.
Here at Majestic Gardens we have two outdoor ceremony gardens and an indoor chapel. The award-winning Secret Garden is a lush traditional gardens, features a Victorian gazebo covered with climbing roses and a butterfly garden.
 The Secret Garden If you like a more Mediterranean inspired setting, our fountain with its cascading waterfalls is the perfect backdrop for your outdoor ceremony. We also have a back-up indoor chapel for cooler months or inclement weather.
Each year, we find the number of on-site ceremonies increasing and even if you are not planning for an on-site ceremony, it is always reassuring to know that option is available should you run into any roadblocks in the planning process.
 There’s no question, chocolate and romance go together, but have you ever thought why? Many believe chocolate to be an aphrodisiac and there are many ties between chocolate and romance throughout history.
It was the Aztecs who were the first to believe chocolate had love inducing properties and the Aztec Emperor Montezuma purportedly drank 50 golden goblets of chocolate each day. This belief was passed on from the Aztecs to the Spanish and brought to Europe. From there, chocolate has been regarded as an aphrodisiac, and at times, even a powerful love potion that stimulates passionate love. Some believed that giving chocolate would actually seduce your beloved’s heart. Casanova reportedly the “world’s greatest lover” was said to drink chocolate daily to increase his amorous energy.
Myths and folklore aside, science tells us that chocolate does in fact boost the mood effecting chemicals in our brains including serotonin and phenylethylamine. As the normal levels of these chemicals are increased, feelings of excitement and energy are heightened and sensations of love and romance are enhanced.
Valentine’s Day is always associated with heart shaped boxes filled with chocolates but chocolate can be incorporated into your day in many ways. Start with a chocolate based cocktail such as a Chocolate Martini, French Kiss, Milky Way or Chocolate Covered Raspberry.  While there are numerous recipes to guide you in preparing these cocktails, these are our favorites:
Chocolate Martini
1 Part Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1 Part Vanilla Vodka
1 Part Crème de Cacao
1 Part Cream
Shake over ice, strain and garnish with chocolate shavings or rim with cocoa powder.
Chocolate Covered Raspberry
1 Part Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
1 Part Raspberry Liqueur
1 Part Raspberry Vodka
1 Part Cream
Shake over ice, strain and garnish with Fresh Raspberries
In addition to cocktails, there are so many rich chocolate dessert recipes to consider.  Chocolate fondue is very easy to prepare and you can add your favorite flavors to the melted chocolate including espresso, peanut butter or flavored liqueurs such as Baileys, Chambord or Kahlua. From there, you can dip strawberries or your favorites in the fondue for a fun and decadent dessert.
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with chocolate!
 When it comes to wedding etiquette, one of the most common concerns Brides and Grooms face is the reception seating plan. For the couple having a sit-down dinner or formal buffet reception, it is customary for the couple to determine the seating arrangements and provide seating or escort cards for their guests.
While the seating plan can be viewed as an annoyance or even a nightmare, a well thought out seating plan assures that guests are seated with other guests with common interests. Advance thought and planning can make your guests feel special and avoid the hurt feelings that often result with a hap-hazard seating plan or open seating plan. If your reception is less formal, then an open seating plan may work, but you should consider reserving a few tables for elderly guests and immediate family.
When you begin the seating plan, you will have to address several issues including where you and the bridal party will sit, as well as where your parents will be seated. Here are our Top 5 Seating Etiquette Questions which we hope will provide some guidance.
1. Seating for Bride and Groom? When it comes to seating for the Bride and Groom, the only sure rule for wedding seating etiquette is that the bride and the groom sit side by side with the bride seated on the groom’s left. The couple can elect to sit by themselves at a Sweetheart Dais and have their wedding party seated with their husbands, wives, fiancés and significant others at the two tables adjacent or closest to the dais table or the wedding party can be seated with other guests throughout the room. The second option is to have a large dais table where the bride and groom are seated with the entire wedding party. Most couples are moving away from the larger dais because it separates the bridal party from their dates.
2. Who sits where? Traditionally the Bride and Groom arrange seating around the bridal table. Typically the bride’s and groom’s parents “host” their own table consisting of their family members and close friends. Family and the bridal party are generally seated closest to the Bride and Groom followed by friends, co-workers, neighbors etc. Remember to be considerate of older guests who may not enjoy sitting close to the band or DJ.
3. Who sits with whom? As a general rule, try seating groups either by their relationship to you or their age group. While it’s a great idea to mix it up, remember that people are most comfortable when sitting with people they know. If there are guests invited who do not know anyone else, consider their interests and age group and seat them accordingly.
4. How to seat divorced parents? In the case of divorced parents, have each parent host his or her own table to diffuse any awkwardness or discomfort. Assign your mother one table, with her close family and friends, and your father another. Just be sure not to seat one parent at the bridal table, but not the other. Also, in considering where the tables are physically located in the ballroom, determine whether you can have the tables close to each other or if it will be better for everyone if the tables are on different sides of the room.
5. Where to seat children? If you plan on having children at your reception, seating the children can sometimes be tricky. Oftentimes, it is preferable to seat young children with their parents; older children can be seated with their parents or on a table together. A children’s table can be great for parents, but can be potentially disruptive to other guests if the children are without supervision. If you go with a children’s table make sure the parents of the children are seated nearby, or that there is someone assigned to supervise the children at their table.
Cocktail-styled wedding receptions have been increasing in popularity over the past few years with couples opting to create more of a “party” atmosphere for their reception, encouraging guests to mingle and relax.
Over and over, we hear guests comment that the best part of a wedding reception is the cocktail hour and couples who select a cocktail-styled reception are actually choosing a reception that encourages their guests to dance, mingle and dine at their own pace.
The couple who selects a cocktail-styled reception wants a less traditional reception and is confident that this type of event will make an impression on their guests. There are many different types of cocktail-styled receptions and if you opt for this type of a reception, you can design a menu to reflect your vision.
In response to the increasing requests for a cocktail-styled reception, we created a Continuous Cocktail Wedding Reception Menu. This menu is a five hour cocktail menu with the first hour styled after a traditional cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, hot and cold stations including the Miniature Vegetable Garden pictured below.
Following the cocktail hour, guests are welcomed into the ballroom for a four hour reception that begins with a passed champagne toast and passed hors d’oeuvres. Then, as the guests are mingling and dancing, different stations open in the Ballroom.
Station options include Italian, Seafood, Continental and Asian, as well as traditional stations such as Carving, Wok, Mexican and Sushi. There are also whimsical selections including the Gourmet Burger Bar, the All American Station and the Smashed Potato Martini Bar.
The wedding cake is served at a station together with coffee, capp  uccino and espresso. Continuing the cocktail theme, servers pass dessert and cordial selections throughout the Ballroom. Of course, you can change this menu and many couples elect to have the champagne poured at the guests tables and to have the wedding cake served to the guests.
With this menu, guests are always left amazed because the food just keeps coming. Many times, people think that the reception is going to be similar to a buffet-styled reception but there is very little similarity between the two. The Continuous Cocktail Menu offers an upscale alternative to a traditional sit-down reception and is certainly a trend that is here to stay.
 Today, most couples are looking to make a statement with their wedding cake. Over the past few years, the wedding cake has evolved from a simple traditional white tiered cake to become one of the focal points of the wedding reception. Couples now use colors, shapes, designs and decorations to create a wedding cake that enhances their style and color scheme. This shift in wedding cake design is showcased on wedding themed television programs such as Ace of Cakes and Amazing Wedding Cakes. The designer cakes featured on these programs include a variety of shapes, styles and colors with intricate details and designs. With a little imagination and creativity, you can style your wedding cake to achieve a designer look without the designer expense.
For the past few years, fondant cakes have increased in popularity because of the smooth appearance of rolled fondant. Now, cake designers are able to create intricate designs and smooth cakes with buttercream icing by using new tools and advanced techniques. As a result, buttercream is once again the icing of choice for 2009. The benefits of buttercream icing are that most people prefer the taste of buttercream to fondant and that buttercream costs much less than fondant.
One way to personalize your wedding cake is to incorporate your color scheme into your cake.  To create more impact, consider adding a colored ribbon or a colored design to a traditional white wedding cake. If you are a trendsetter, consider the dramatic impact a colored wedding cake could have, especially if you add designs and ribbons in contrasting or complimentary colors.
A recent Majestic Gardens’ bride wanted a cake that replicated the look of the traditional tiffany blue box and white satin ribbon that is the trademark of Tiffany & Co. The bride emailed us a picture of her dream cake which was a four tier tiffany blue rolled fondant cake with rolled fondant ribbons and bows. The cake was absolutely beautiful but it was several hundred dollars additional for the fondant cake, ribbons and bow. Rather than incur the additional costs, we suggested a buttercream cake with white satin ribbon. Here is the end result:
We were able to achieve the designer cake look and the only additional cost was for the satin ribbon. Keep in mind that if you decide to go with a ribbon accent, you need to consider the width of the ribbon, as well as the material.
Until next time …
 Today, many couples are choosing to include the Sand Ceremony as a part of their wedding ceremony. The Sand Ceremony has become more and more popular ever since it was featured in the wedding of reality star Trista (from The Bachelorette) and Ryan.
The sand ceremony includes at least two smaller glass containers of sand coupled with a larger center container or vase. The couple each takes one of the smaller vials of sand and each pours the sand into the center container, representing the uniting of their two separate lives. The couple then keeps the center vase as a keepsake of their wedding day.
In selecting the sand, keep in mind that each color symbolizes different qualities and traits. The most popular colors are as follows:
White: Truth, Purity, Devotion, Peace and Serenity
Yellow: Charm, Harmony, Balance, Friendship, Respect, Confidence
Pink: Unity, Honor, Truth, Romance, Happiness
Red: Love, Passion, Romance, Physical Energy, Strength, Courage, Vigor
Green: Health, Fertility, Luck, Prosperity, Nurturing
Orange: Sweetness, Trust, Creativity
Purple: Healing, Health, Power, Dignity, Strength
Brown: Nurturing, home and hearth
Blue: Patience, Understanding, Tranquility, Longevity, Strength
Silver: Creativity, Inspiration, Vision, Talents
Black: Strength, Empowerment, Wisdom, Vision, Success, Pure Love
The Sand Ceremony works well with outdoor ceremonies where the wind sometimes makes it difficult to light the unity candle. Additionally, with the Sand Ceremony, you can include family members such as children and parents by including additional containers of sand for each of them. Each participant has their own sand container which is added to the center vase at the appropriate point in the ceremony thereby representing the unity of the bride and groom with the others.
Until next time …
 The tradition of giving sweet wedding favors started centuries ago when European nobility presented wedding guests with small boxes filled with sugar cubes to take home. During these times, sugar was very expensive and highly valued because it was believed to have medicinal benefits. From there, sugar coated almonds, which symbolize longevity, wealth, health and happiness, became the most common wedding favor.
Today, traditional wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation by the bride and groom to their guests. Favors have evolved and couples no longer feel that they are limited to trinkets and keepsakes as their only favor options. Over the last few years, less traditional favors have included CDs with the couple’s favorite music, seed packets and seedlings for guests to plant, ice cream scoops, measuring spoons, wine bottle stoppers, candles and lottery tickets, to name a few. Additionally, many couples are opting to give a donation to their favorite charities in lieu of traditional favors.
Edible favors have also grown in popularity. Some of the most popular edible favors are Godiva chocolates, hot cocoa packets, ground coffee and flavored teas, as well as honey, maple syrup and olive oil in decorative jars. Equally popular are customize wine bottles, sugar cookies and personalized M&Ms.
Celebrity couples have led the way with trend-setting unique and different favor ideas. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale gave boxed Krispy Kreme donuts to their guests at their wedding reception. Following their wedding, Krispy Kreme favors became a big trend and many couples paired the donuts with ground coffee packets and mugs.
The past couple of years, the Candy Favor Buffet has been among the most popular edible favors.  At Majestic Gardens, our most popular Candy Buffet is our wedding inspired buffet which is decorated in white and silver and features all white, silver and chocolate candies with silver take-out containers and personalized water bottles. Of course, couples can select candies in their wedding colors and can coordinate the colors of the water bottle labels.
An even newer twist is the Pastry Favor Buffet which combines the idea of edible favors with the favor buffet. Rather than cand y in your wedding colors, guests are presented with pastries and cookies, decorated in your colors, to box and take home. The small bakery boxes are personalized and you can add a framed note thanking your guests for sharing your wedding day with you. Imagine how guests feel the morning following the wedding reception as they are having coffee and their favorite pastries.
Favors will continue to evolve and couples are sure to come up with more intriguing and creative favor ideas. We’ll be sure to keep you posted of new favor trends so check back often.
Till next time…
We would like to thank the many volunteers who gave their time on Thanksgiving to assist us in packaging and distributing over 1,400 turkey dinners throughout the local community from Lindenhurst to Riverhead. For the past ten years, Majestic Gardens has prepared turkey dinners for delivery to churches, local outreach programs, seniors citzens and needy families in our community.
While our chef prepares the meals, we would not be able to provide the meals without the help of volunteers and yesterday the number of volunteers was astounding. We were able to package all the meals and send the drivers out to make the deliveries within three hours from the time we started.
In addition to the volunteers, we would also like to thank the following companies who contributied food, beverages and paper goods: American Angus Meats, Cow Palace, Tilda’s Bake Shop, Sea Port Diner, Peter’s Fruits, Five Star Produce, Quality Bakery, Benintendi Inc., Five Star Seafood, SYSCO and DiCarlo.
This past Wednesday we hosted our Fall Bridal Expo for 2009.
 Fall Harvest Station The Expo featured fall themed centerpieces and table displays as well as our Fall Harvest Station for Cocktail Hour, our Autumn Delight Dessert Bar and our Fall Custom Cocktail Display. Fall weddings are increasing in popularity each year and for 2010, the Fall season looks to be the biggest season for weddings.
Our Fall Cocktail Display included the Fall-Tini and the Carmel Apple Martini. The Fall-Tini table featured a pumpkin orange table linen,
 Falltini Cocktail Display mini pumpkins, gourds, pine cones and leaves. The Caramel Apple Martini featured a rich gold linen with a glass top suspended on a bed of apples and mini caramel squares. Increasingly couples are incorporating these custom drink stations into their cocktail hour to customize their reception.
In keeping with the fall theme, we featured our Fall Harvest Station which is available for cocktail hour. The Fall Harvest Station features Chicken Calvados (sautéed chicken breast smothered in apples, toasted almonds and Calvados brandy sauce), Pumpkin Ravioli and Butternut Squash Soup with a cornucopia of pumpernickel and cranberry-walnut breads.
Our Fall dessert station was our Autumn Delight Dessert Bar featuring
 Pumpkin Waffle Toppings pumpkin waffles with an assortment of toppings. The pumpkin waffles were accompanied by apples sautéed tableside, creamy vanilla ice cream, warm caramel sauce, walnuts, raisins and chocolate chips. This dessert station was definately the hit of the evening and several couples who have fall weddings for 2010 and 2011 decided to add the Autumn Delight Dessert Bar to their menus.
At our next Expo in January, we will highlight winter weddings and showcase stations that in the winter theme. Check back for more information on our next Expo.
Until next time…
Hello and welcome to In Bloom, Majestic Gardens’ new blog where you will find all the latest news on everything about weddings, catering and Majestic Gardens. In Bloom will include information on the latest trends for weddings and celebrations, as well as offering guidance to couples as they plan their ceremony and reception.
Today, more and more, couples are looking for ways to set their reception apart and In Bloom will feature “Make it Your Own” posts with information, ideas and pictures detailing décor designs and menu selections to set your event apart. Our “Getting Married” posts are for the bride and groom and will feature all sorts of information about planning a wedding and wedding etiquette.  For the “Foodies” we will post recipes and cooking tips from our Executive Chef, as well as posts relating to the latest and trendiest cocktails and signature drinks. Plus you’ll see pictures from events held at Majestic Gardens and posts spotlighting couples who are planning their reception at Majestic Gardens in our “In Season” section.
The beauty of this blog is that we will be able to get information to you so much quicker since we can post photographs of events, new stations and enhancements almost instantaneously. So bookmark this blog, email your family and friends, add us to your RSS feed, read up and comment often. You may even check in and find us blogging about your event!! We would love your feedback on Majestic Gardens and In Bloom—including suggestions for future posts.
Email us at info@majesticgardens.com.
Until next time …
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