Tuesday
September 21, 2010
6:30 – 9:00 pm |
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 The past few weeks we have received several emails asking us to post pictures of recent cakes from weddings at Majestic Gardens. While we plan to update the photos on our website shortly, here are pictures of some of our favortie wedding cakes from the 2010 summer season.
Most couples are continuing to select stacked wedding cakes and are either mixing shapes or going with square tiers. Pictured to the left is a four-tier square stacked wedding cake with the tiers slightly off-set. The frosting is chocolate fudge and in keeping with the couple’s color scheme, the cake has turquiose piping and dots as accents.
This year we have seen the return of the black and white wedding but most couples are incorporting a splash of color. For 2011, it is believed that the black and white trend will be even bigger. If you are considering a black and white wedding, then you may want to consider a black and white wedding cake that incorporates your accent color.
 
If you love white chocolate and strawberries, how about a cake decorated wtih fresh strawberries dipped in white chocolate? This is the cake that Elizabeth and Seth selected for their afternoon wedding on August 8th. The cake was absolutely stunning!
For the couple who is looking for something whimsical, how about funfetti cupcakes? Danielle and Tim selected funfetti cupcakes with purple and turquoise accents for their guests.
 Funfetti Wedding Cupcake Tree
 This last picture we selected is from Joanna and John’s wedding on July 25th. Joanna and John wanted a more earthy feel to their wedding and used chocolate brown with coral and green accents. After toying around with several different cake ideas, they went with a round cake with green vines and small coral flowers.
If you like to see more wedding cakes, check back in a couple of months for pictures of fall wedding cakes.
Hello Everyone,
This is Martha from Décor and Design by Majestic Gardens and I am a guest blogger today. More and more brides are getting married at the reception site so below are ceremony decor ideas and pictures.
 The most traditional ceremony décor includes pew bows and flower baskets which are usually placed near on each side of the altar table or the front of the ceremony site. Greenery and flowers can be added to the pew bows if you are looking for something more lush.
Another great idea is to use your centerpieces to decorate the ceremony area. Centerpieces can be displayed on columns and can then be transferred from the ceremony to the ballroom. If you have fresh flower arrangement, you must consider the weather in determining if this is an option. This always works if you are doing glass hurricaine centerpieces. Pictured below are hurricaines set for the ceremony which we trasferrred to the reception room after the ceremony.
If you want to do something a bit different there are several options. Rather than pew bows, you can attach small floral arrangements to the ceremony chairs or pews to add a splash of color. If you like the look of draping, you can add draping between the arrangements.
 
For a fresher and more modern look, French flower buckets can be hung from the chairs using ribbons in your choice of color.
 French Flower Baskets For evening receptions many couples are choosing to line the aisles with hurricanes either on the ground or on pillars.
Another way to add color to your ceremony is to add sashes  to the ceremony chairs. The sashes are a great way to coordinate your ceremony with the colors you have selected.
For Majestic Gardens’ brides getting married in the Secret Garden, you may want to consider decorating the gazebo with draping and floral arrangements.
If you are thinking of being showered with rose petals by your guests as you go back down the aisle, then you should consider petal cones. The cones can be placed in the chairs and some couples alternate the cones with ceremony program fans.
 
Rose petals can be used to define your aisle or can be scattered in the aisle. Another alternative is to create a distinctive design with the rose petals. 
These are many more options so look future posts on ceremony decor. If you have any specific questions, you can email the Design and Décor division of Majestic Gardens at info@majesticgardens.com or you can always call us at 631-744-9500.
We want to thank everyone who attended our Summer Bridal Expo this past Wednesday July 14th!!
 Orange Sparkler In keeping with the summer theme, we greeted everyone in our lobby with tasting samples of Mixed Berry Mojitos and Orange Sparklers displayed on our glass-topped cocktail tables. The Mixed Berry Mojito is vodka based cocktail displayed on a bed of lemons and limes. If you are looking for a light and refreshing signature drink, you may want to consider the champagne based Orange Sparkler, displayed on a bed of oranges and orchids.
As always, couples are looking for different cocktail station ideas to personalize their reception. At the Expo, guests were able to sample different stations including the Country Barbeque Grill, the Smashed Potato Martini Bar, and our Clams, Clams, Clams stations.
 Country Barbeque Grill The Country Barbeque Grill is a great addition to a summer wedding reception and features Petite Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Mini Cheeseburgers and Grilled Sausage & Pepper Skewers paired with Grilled Corn & Chipotle Pepper Salad, Watermelon & Feta Salad and Cornbread Squares. The Classic Smashed Potato Martini Bar continues to be one of the most popular stations and it features a scoop of mashed potatoes served in a martini glass which you can then top with Beef Bourguignon, Broccoli & Cheddar, Caviar & Sour Cream and Chili to make your favorite smashed potato martini. For the clam lover, the Clams, Clams, Clams station features three preparations of clams: Clams Rockefeller, Clams Casino and Clams on the half shell.
The stacked wedding cake remains the most popular style for this year. Wedding resources are featuring stacked wedding cakes, in different shapes and colors with fresh flowers, bows and ribbon.
 Stacked Wedding Cake At the Expo, the featured wedding cake was a four-tier stacked cake with alternating square and round tiers with orchid and ribbon accents. Our featured dessert presentation was our A Taste of Heaven Dessert Display which we was paired with our Iced Coffee Bar. For the dessert lovers, the dessert bar includes three different torte presentations, napoleons, éclairs, cannolis, rainbow cookies, linzer tarts, almond cookies and old fashioned ice cream sundaes with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. At the Expo, we served Red Velvet Cake, Italian Lemon Cheesecake and Summerberry Stack as our three choices but there are many different cakes so you can select your three favorites.  For a cool refreshing ending, the Iced Coffee Bar included Mocha, Vanilla, Raspberry and Carmel iced coffees with Shaved Chocolate, Fresh Whipped Cream, and Cinnamon. At the Expo we featured purple, burnt orange and turquoise table linens since these colors are the hot colors for 2010 and 2011. Turquoise is the new chocolate brown and it can be paired with a variety of colors including ivory, green, yellow, red, orange and black to name a few. In addition to turquoise, brides we meet with are telling us that they are incorporating lavenders, lilacs, plums, aubergines and purples into their receptions and are mixing the purple tones with ivory, silver, brown, fuchsia and coral. For the fall brides, burnt orange is a great choice and because of the increase in the number of fall weddings, there are more and more selections available.
Our next Bridal Expo will be in September so keep checking back on our events page for more information.
 One of the most memorable aspects of a wedding ceremony is the magical moment the bride appears, and gracefully makes her way down the aisle to her eagerly awaiting groom. There are many traditions associated with the bride’s journey down the aisle. Some are rooted in superstitious beliefs, some are symbolic and some began out of practical needs.
The use of an aisle runner originated out of superstition. It was used as a barrier, protecting the bride and groom from evil spirits that were believed to live under the church floor. Practically, the aisle runner provided a clean area for the bride to walk upon in early days, when roads were not paved, as guests could track in a lot of dirt and mud. Traditionally, a white aisle runner symbolizes a “pathway of purity” or walking on “holy ground”.
The aisle runner is rolled down the aisle for the entrance of the bride and the bridal party. It commonly extends from the entrance area to the altar and is constructed of fabric, plastic or carpet. It is important that the runner material suits the ceremony venue and is properly secured to avoid slips and trips. If the ceremony is held outdoors on grass or sand, fabric or plastic aisle runners may not be safe, especially if the runner is constructed of light weight material since many times heels will go right through the runner. Also, if the runner is not secured properly, it will start to be pulled out of place during the processional.
A plain white runner may be the classic choice, but more and more couples today are getting creative and choosing to uniquely showcase their aisle runner.
 Monogram Runner from The Original Runner Company www.originalrunners.com You can personalizing the runner by having your name and date, family crest or monogram imprinted on the runner. For couples looking to add a meaningful twist, a scripture, personal quotation or message can also be imprinted.
In addition to a personalizing the runner with names, the wedding date or a monogram, aisle runners are also available in different colors and with patterns imprinted on them.
 Moss and Chocolate Runner from The Original Runner Company www.originalrunners.com If you Google “aisle runners for weddings” you will see how many different websites there are that specialize in custom aisle runners. One site that you might want to visit to see different options that are available is http://www.originalrunners.com. Many of these runners are heavier than a traditional paper runner and are safer for outdoor use.
 Rose Petal Runner A beautiful alternative to using a fabric, plastic or carpeting in an outdoor setting is the use of rose petals. Rose petals are a great way to form or define the aisle area. They are incredibly romantic and can be arranged in a variety of ways to create many different looks. They can be loosely scattered up the aisle creating a flowing, romantic feel or arranged to formerly outline the aisle for a more structured look. For a dramatic impact, some couples are choosing elaborate patterns such as the very popular lattice design. For a traditional feel, ivory petals are most popular, while many brides and grooms chose colored petals to coordinate with their theme or wedding color palette. 
When deciding on the whether or not you are going to use an aisle runner, you should also consider how the runner is going to look with your ceremony décor since the aisle will be featured in your ceremony photographs.
 This past Tuesday we hosted our Spring Bridal Expo for 2010.
At this Expo, we decided to highlight turquoise since it has been named the Pantone Color of the Year for 2010. We combined turquoise with black, teal, gold and ivory to create several different tablescapes. By far, the table that received the most attention was the black and turquoise table which featured a floor length black tablecloth with a turquoise satin coverlay topped with a black sheer patterned overlay.
We aded black chair covers with turquoise sashes and then topped the table with an elegant silver candelabra centerpiece. Also breathtaking was the turquoise helix sequin overlay with ivory covers and teal sashes. This table was paired with a crystal glitter ball which reflected off the sequins in the overlay.
For couples having the ceremony on site, our in-house event design team decorated the Secret Garden in ivory and turquoise by hanging ivory ribbon streamers on the trees, adding turquoise sashes to the ceremony chairs and accenting the ceremony aisle and gazebo with turquoise satin draping.
One of the most popular enhancements at Majestic Gardens are the glass-topped specialty drink tables.  At the Expo, our featured drinks were the Blue Dolphin and the Tiffany Bride. The Tiffany Bride is a tiffany blue champagne based cocktail served in tall elegant flutes on a turquoise satin table with small gift boxes, silver rings and pearl embellishments. The Blue Dolphin table features royal blue linens with the glass top is suspended on a bed of crystal dolphins. The table is decorated with scattered starfish, sand dollars, sea shells and sparkling candles. Increasingly couples are incorporating these custom drink stations into their cocktail hour to customize their reception.
In keeping with the turquoise theme, the Atrium featured ivory linens with turquoise runners and hanging paper lanterns in ivory and turquoise. If you are looking for a fun way to incorporate your color scheme into the cocktail hour, paper lanterns are a great choice. We also hung paper lanterns under the umbrellas and added turquoise draping to the aisle in front of the fountain to complete the look.
The featured wedding cake at the Expo was a stacked four-tiered hexagon cake with turquoise satin ribbon, sparkling jeweled butterflies and a monogram cake topper.  To complete our turquoise theme, our Candy Buffet featured turquoise foil take-out boxes and with water bottles labels and candy bag labels in turquoise.
In keeping with the latest comfort foods trend, we featured one of our newest crowd pleaser: the Mac-n-Cheese Bar. For a modern twist on the classic favorite couples select two varieties of Mac-n-Cheese prepared tableside and then guests add their favorite toppings. Also on display were our Shrimp Cocktail Ice Wedding Cake, our Decadent Torte Presentation and the Iced Coffee Bar.
Our next Bridal Expo will be in July so keep checking back on our events page for more information. Please send us your comments and feedback!!
There are literally thousands of posts predicting what the newest trends will be for the 2010 wedding season which means we almost have to guess which of the predicted trends we will actually see in 2010 and 2011. The biggest fashion trend that we see for this wedding season is the return of the veil.
Over the past few years brides elected either do away with the traditional veil altogether or wear a veil only for the ceremony. Traditionally, the bridal veil symbolized youth, modesty and virginity and by covering the bride, the veil was thought to ward off evil spirits. While these sentiements have changed over time and there is no “proper” wedding etiquette associated with the bridal veil, it looks like the bridal veil is making a comeback.
This January, Vanessa (pictured here) wore a beautiful crystal headpiece which featured a crystal flower on the side and an attached veil which was absolutely stunning and solidified our belief that we will be seeing many brides with veils for the upcoming wedding season.
Wedding magazines showcasing collections from all the most popular designers are featuring models wearing veils. If you thumb through the most recent Martha Stewart Weddings magazine you will find veils being featured with wedding gowns as well as advertisements for headpieces and veils.
In addition to magazines, celebrity weddings are another source for upcoming trends since we all look to Hollywood for fashion trends. Recently, Tia Mowry of Sister, Sister! wore a veil as did Heidi Montag of The Hills and Katharine McPhee from American Idol.
If you want want a vintage or Hollywood glamour look, then you should consider a birdcage veil for a dramatic accent.
 Birdcage Veil from birdcageveils.com The birdcage veil has a small amount of netting that covers the face and is attached to a jeweled clip, silk flower or feather headpiece. Katherine Heigel from Grey’s Anatomy and 27 Dresses fame wore a birdcage veil at her 2009 wedding and Drew Barrymore brought the look to the red carpet at the premier of Grey Gardens this past summer. Go to http://headpieces.com/2009/ http://www.birdcageveils.com and http://www.saragabriel.com/ to see pictures of birdcage veils that are featured in wedding magazines this season.
 Although the past few days have been a bit chilly and rainy, our daffodils have started to bloom and the tulips and hyacinths have started to come up. The beautiful weather we had in mid-March has contributed to the early blooms this year and we are excited that Spring is here and the 2010 wedding season is about to kick off. This weekend, the temperature is supposed to hit the 7o degree mark so we expect all the bulbs that have come up to bloom.
Our Welcome Spring Bridal Expo 2010 is scheduled for Tuesday April 27th at 6:30pm and our tulips and blossoming trees will be in full bloom then. If you love tulips, the gardens at the end of April are spectacular because the late blooming daffodils are blooming with our Best Pink and Blushing Lady tulips. We love these tulips because they are so cheerful and signify warm weather is on its way.
In addition to our Bridal Expo, we are hosting our Annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday May 9th and there are four different seating times scheduled as follows: 10:30am, 11am, 12:30pm and 1pm. If you are interested in finding out more information about the brunch, call us at 631-744-9500, email us at info@majesticgardens.com or click on the events page on our website to see the menu selections.
We wish everyone a Happy Easter and Passover weekend!!
 This past Monday we hosted our second Bridal Expo for 2010. At this Expo, we focused on a color theme and the colors for this showcase were shades of purples.
On display were two of the newest linens for 2010: the artistic braided silk and the swirl taffeta. The silver artistic braided silk overlay was displayed over a lavender lamour tablecloth with lavender chair covers and featured a silver candelabra centerpiece.  The silver candelabra centerpiece matched with the silver overlay with the candlelight reflecting off the silver sequins. The plum swirl linen is perfect for the bride who wants to add a bit of texture and dimension to the guest tables. As people walked by the table, they would reach out and touch the linen. Keep in mind that the linens are available in several colors.
One of the most popular enhancements at Majestic Gardens are the glass-topped specialty drink tables. At the expo, our featured drinks were the Purple Rose (for the ladies) and with Opening Day only two weeks away, the Fiery Fastball Martini for the baseball fans.  The Purple Rose featured an ivory satin cloth with a lavender runner, silver rings, ivory tulle and iridescent pearls. The Fiery Fastball Martini featured a black satin linen with a glass top suspended on a baseballs. Increasingly couples are incorporating these custom drink stations into their cocktail hour to customize their reception.
In keeping with the lavender and purple theme, the Atrium featured lavender linens and paper lanterns in ivory, lavender and purple. If you are looking for a fun way to incorporate your color scheme into the cocktail hour, hanging paper lanterns is a great choice.
The wedding cake was decorated with a sparkling purple and silver ribbon, purple tulips and silver double-heart cake topper. To complete our purple theme, the Sweet Dreams pastry favor buffet included pastries with lavender colored mousse and frosting as well as purple lighting.
 
Martha in our Design and Décor division and our house florists had beautiful centerpieces on display to give our attendees ideas for their own reception. The cylinder vases with the floating candles displayed by Martha are a great centerpiece idea and several brides inquired about the display.  Because there are several cylinders on the table, this centerpiece can double as the favors, with each couple at the table taking a cylinder home. If you love candles, then the candelabra or the pillar candle display may be the right choice for you. If you are a trendsetter and want something different, you might elect to go with the chandelier trees or the crystal hurricane centerpieces. For the traditional bride, the beautiful floral centerpieces created by James Cress Florist and Roots may be the choice for you.
 
Our next Bridal Expo will be in April so keep checking back on our events page for more information. Please send us your comments and feedback!!
 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!
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.
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