The New Year is here ...

But before we ring in 2012, lets put on our party hats and raise a toast to all the good times we had in 2011!

Warmth by the fireside...

We are currently in full festive bliss here at The English Manor. The holiday season really is “the most magical time of the year”. Poinsettias, wreaths, icicles and lights … you name it and we have it! Not only is December the most magical time of year, but it really is the perfect month for romance. The dim lighting and heat created by our fireplace adds the right touch of warmth to a cold and chilly night. It provides the perfect ambiance for a winter wonderland wedding! Here’s a picture of Kaitlin and Ryan beside the warm fire!


This past Saturday, on December 10th, Kaitlin, Ryan and their guests warmed up in our Ballroom with a fun and festive reception. Poinsettias decorated the tables as their centerpieces and their wedding cake was decorated with holly leaves and berries … both added the perfect pop of holiday color to their beautiful reception. Take a look at some of the pictures from Kaitlin and Ryan’s wedding below!

Photos courtesy of Elite Digital Images.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …

This past Friday was the start of our Winter Wonderland weddings here at The English Manor. Our wedding estate has been transformed into holiday bliss. Wreaths, trees, bells and garland are everywhere! All the festive decor just makes me want to sit by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate! There is so much happiness and joy surrounding the holiday season that you can’t help but always be in a good mood. But enough with how much I LOVE the holidays, let’s talk about this past weekend’s weddings…

Our 1st winter wonderland wedding this season was Beth and Dan’s … the wedding was truly a magical holiday party complete with tables named after the Twelve Days of Christmas. The holiday cheer was everywhere … even their attire! Beth and her beautiful bridesmaids donned red poinsettia flowers, which complimented their dark green dresses perfectly.
That Saturday evening, we slid right into Melissa and Jeff’s wedding reception. Their use of snowy decor really made their wedding shine … I absolutely loved how they incorporated the ski resorts they’ve been to as their table names. They also had a snowflake ice sculpture, winter white centerpieces, lift tickets as place cards and their sign-in book was a snowboard … I really loved this idea!
These two weddings were the perfect December kick-off! I can’t wait to see what else is in store for this month!

Tara & Russ 11/26/11 …

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS! If you haven’t noticed, I’m a fan of small elements that really make a wedding shine and I think we can all agree that Tara & Russ’ dreamy florals and romantic hummingbird details were a little slice of wedding perfection. From the groom’s cake to the gift card holder … you will love all the fabulous wedding details Julie captured from Tara & Russ’ wedding on Saturday. Their reception was complete with a hummingbird ice sculpture, a wedding tree sign-in book, a groom’s cake in the shape of a woody car, and a gift card holder in the shape of a house. Don’t forget to take in the beautiful color palette … perfect any season of the year!

The wedding cake

The Groom's Cake

Their gift card holder ... so sweet!

Leaf a thumprint and sign your name on the wedding tree! A great idea!

The beautiful centerpieces!

Real Wedding Wednesday ...

Before all the holiday goodness that is Thanksgiving, I want you to feast your eyes on this past weekend’s lovely wedding details. On Friday, Heather and Mark had a beautiful sunset ceremony at our wrought iron gazebo while the sun set in the background. On both Friday and Saturday, Elite Digital Images captured all the beautiful moments while Elite Entertainment provided the party! On Saturday, Gramercy Arts provided the lovely melodies as guests enjoyed Karen and Kevin’s cocktail hour in our Garden Room. Guests then danced the night away and took home picture frames as favors that also held their place cards! Take a look …

A weekend to remember in November ...

If you are a wedding nerd like us then you are going to love hearing about this past weekend’s fabulous weddings and all their personal touches. On Friday, Sue and Ryan braved the fall weather for a beautiful outdoor ceremony. It was a backyard, blacktie bash that was enjoyed by all! On Saturday, Veronica and Fahad wowed their guests with an assortment of favors to include wine charms, matchbooks and chocolate kisses. I loved that they could take their pick. Veronica and Fahad’s sign in book also displayed engagement photos of the couple … so unique! On Sunday, we absolutely adored Shannon and Tim’s orchard and hydrangea centerpieces … they really complemented the room! They also placed lanterns on the place card table … take a look!

Come visit!!!

Lisa and Julie are attending the Women's Expo at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. They will be there from 10-6pm today and from 10-5pm on Sunday! This expo will showcase the area's very best products, services, seminars and attractions created especially for women. Come stop by and say hi!!!!

All the pretty details...

This past weekend was amazing. We kicked the weekend off with Shanna and Lenny's wedding reception on Friday, where guests enjoyed the many choices of our buffet menu and were given truffles as favors. On Saturday, Allison and Brian's guests enjoyed laughing throughout the evening as they had a blast in the photobooth. Allison and Brian also brought in their own beautiful centerpieces that accentuated the gorgeous fall day. That evening, Tara and Jason's guests danced the night away and enjoyed black and white "mr. & mrs." heart shape cookies as a parting gift. On Sunday, Mission Dance rocked the ballroom for Allison and Brendan's reception. Guests enjoyed a lavish cocktail hour with bright, beautiful centerpieces and ended the night with our full viennese. Overall this was a weekend to remember!

Falling into October …

Having a fall wedding and love all things autumn? Well then you are about to read about the wedding of your dreams! Being that I have seen a lot of our fall brides incorporate this lovely season into their wedding receptions, I thought I would share some of the great ideas I have seen so far. First off, mini pumpkins or leaf shaped place cards are absolutely adorable! I also love the use of lanterns or mums for centerpieces. Sometimes just using colors such as papaya, burgundy and chocolate leave you smitten for some pumpkin pie!
While there are many things I love about the fall, I think the seasonal treats are my favorite part! Apple cider signature drinks, caramel apple favors, maple syrup from Vermont packaged in small jars as favors … these are just some of my most favorite fall delights!

Speaking of tasty delights… there are tons of ways to incorporate fall into your wedding cake! From adorning your cake with mini leaves and pumpkins to fresh fall flowers … your cake can look stunning! Take a look at some of the beautiful fall cakes we’ve seen…

What’s hot for 2012?

While attending the Wedding MBA conference in Las Vegas, Lisa and Julie learned all about the hottest wedding trends for 2012 and we thought we’d share some of these steal-worthy ideas with you!

1. Black tie is back! Couples are going back to tradition … tuxes and formal dress are making a comeback!
2. White palettes reign! You can notice this trend in the weddings of Kate Middleton, Kim Kardashian and Kate Moss … all white bridal parties are a stunning trend.
3. The night doesn’t end with the reception … a new popular trend is to continue the party to really have an all night bash!
4. Surprises are a must! Surprise your guests or fiancé with a little extra gift … you can really go all out with the possibilities.

Let us know if you are planning to use any of these great new trends!

What's your wedding style?

Every couple has a different wedding style. This past weekend we watched as each bride and groom added their own unique touches to create the wedding of their dreams. On Friday Jweda and Juan had a fantasy fairytale reception with silver and blue accents, while on Saturday Maria and Alex incorporated Maria’s love of leopard print into their wedding. On Saturday evening, Courtney and Eric had a very classic palette which made for a very elegant and chic affair. On Sunday, Lacey and Mike used different shades of peach and purples to compliment the neutral tones of our ballroom.

Confused as to what your bridal style may be? Find out on The Knot! Click here to take the “What’s your bridal style?” quiz !

The Wedding Forecast ...

What an exciting week Lisa, Patty and myself just had... We had the pleasure of attending a conference called the Wedding MBA in Las Vegas. The Wedding MBA conference is three days of the business side of weddings.... And for us wed-geeks! We loved every second of it! It was an absolute privilege to hear the speakers share their experiences, knowledge, tips, and trends with all of us! I personally loved the technology seminars put on by Sonny Ganguly from Wedding Wire! Absolutely amazing... don't worry girls we will be ready for the mobile revolution!

Patty, Carla Roney from The Knot, Lisa, And myself, Julie (... Pictured above). Carla gave wonderful seminar about the "10 Hottest Trends"... Don't worry girls! I will be sharing them with you very soon!

Kathy Ireland with Lisa! Yes that's right! Kathy Ireland from Kathy Ireland Worldwide was a speaker at the conference!!!!! and we even had the opportunity to meet her! She truly was everything they say about her... AMAZING!

Some of the other speakers we had the pleasure of listening to were... Andy Ebony from The Wedding Marketing Authority; Chris Evans, the President of Wed Pro Boot Camp; Perry Merry, author of The Best Wedding Reception Ever; and Tammy Elliot, President of the Perfect Wedding Guide.

I also want to give a special thanks to Chris Garrow from Unforgettable DJs.... Thank you for your advice during the technology seminars!

I already can't wait to go next year!!! Stayed tuned because I will be sharing what I learned with all of you!

In Favor of the Details ...

On this lovely Tuesday afternoon, I'm going to take a moment to revisit the oh so cute wedding details of this past weekend. Specifically... the favors. My love for every wedding detail is far beyond average and I can't wait to share the happy little details from three fabulous weddings. On Friday, Lindsay and Shawn's laid-back beachy bash had cute details such as sandy-topped wine stoppers for favors and I loved how their wedding cake was a smaller cake (for the cake cutting) surrounded with cupcakes for all their guests. On Saturday, Stephanie and David celebrated 9/10/11 by incorporating many of their cultural traditions into their wedding. Stephanie and David's guests were given little bags of tea as favors and beautiful orchid centerpieces topped the tables. On Sunday, the rain stopped just in time for Annmarie and Jason to get married at our beautiful black gazebo and as the party neared to a close, guests were given coffee mugs as favors... who wouldn't want that?!

Stephanie & David's favors ... "the perfect blend"

Labor Day Spectacular ...

There are a few things I anticipate more then Labor Day Weekend and with 4 uber-amazing weddings this past weekend … I was loving every moment!
To start the weekend off, Dana and Michael celebrated their love with a beautiful ceremony at our black iron gazebo and then partied the night away with family and friends. Guests enjoyed a photo booth and were able to take home a frame for their photo strip and a pint glass to toast to the married couple!
On Saturday afternoon, Cara and Robert’s navy & white theme perfectly represented this adorable couple’s chic and crisp style. The gorgeous navy bridesmaid’s dresses went perfectly with the groomsmen’s dress blues.
On Saturday evening, Dana and Joe sipped cocktails and enjoyed our gourmet specialties on our outdoor patio. The party continued in our Grand Ballroom as the sun set in the background. What a beautiful Saturday evening wedding!
On Sunday, Rosanna and Michael completed their beautiful garden ceremony with stunning sage green accompaniments. This was seen in their napkins, cake, bridesmaid’s dresses and flowers. They effortlessly combined the feel of a Labor Day backyard fete with a stylish soiree. The perfect end to Labor Day Weekend!

A look back at Chinelo & Randall’s May wedding …

With the end of summer approaching, I thought it would be nice to share this sweet thank you note from Chinelo and Randall. As fall nears, it’s nice to take a look back at their wedding which happened to be on Memorial Day Weekend – it was the perfect summer kick-off. Not only are you about to lay your eyes on some spectacular photography, but the images will keep you in the summer spirit!

Photos Courtesy of Haring Photography www.HaringPhotography.com

A quote from Chinelo & Randall's sweet thank you note ...

"We really want to thank you guys -- ESPECIALLY DEBBIE -- for doing such an
amazing job with our wedding. We actually had a great time (and I fully
expected not to having watched one too many Bridezilla shows). The
execution was amazingly smooth, I don't recall ever being stressed out.
Needless to say, we were thrilled and really want to express our
sincere thanks for your help in making our wedding so wonderful...Thanks again!!! "

A new trend to keep your eye on ....

A new trend I absolutely love is an “e session” or engagement session … not only are couples getting engagement photos done but engagement videos are also becoming very popular … check out this video Ada Marie and Matthew sent us of their engagement session with Joe Minnella. It’s absolutely adorable!

http://vimeo.com/25916826

We loved this video and can't wait to host their wedding ceremony and reception next July! Thanks to Joe from Joe Minnella Cinematography for letting us show this video!!

Stepping out in Style ...

Every girl has a closet full of shoes and on your wedding day you want the perfect pair. Here’s some pictures of stylish shoes that I love ...

Classic Beauty Photo Courtesy of Contemporary Image.

Something Blue Photo Courtesy of Kay English Photography.

Sparkle and Shine Photo Courtest of Contemporary Image.

Grooms can change it up too! Photo Courtesy of Contemporary Image.

Whatever your style may be ... let your personality shine through in your shoes!

Lucky in Love …

Don’t you just feel like the luckiest person in the world when you have found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? It melted my heart to see how absolutely in love this past weekend’s couples were. Melissa and Chris even coined the saying “lucky in love” as their wedding theme … I can’t think of anything more appropriate for their celebration of love!

Each couple this past weekend was “lucky in love” and here are some of the oh so cute details proclaiming their love. On Friday, you could literally see the adoration Kristen and Bob have for each other … Kristen surprised Bob with a custom designed ice sculpture - a bride and groom on a jet ski! I love love loved this!

On Saturday, Kerry and Jim enjoyed the start of their marriage with a signature drink creation highlighting their last name… a “mai”jito. This fun detail is something I always love to see brides and grooms do at their reception. They also celebrated their Irish heritage with an emerald green theme. Bold centerpieces designed by Petal Beach brightened the ballroom and their guests danced the night away with Unforgettable DJ’s providing the entertainment.

Kerry and Jim's centerpieces with our candelabra!

On Sunday, Melissa and Chris’ wedding reception had the classically beautiful wedding colors of black and white and I loved how they used pops of red to enhance their reception. Sean Patrick Photography captured all the details including the ceremony programs proclaiming “lucky in love” and a lucky horseshoe that was hung on the gazebo as they recited their vows.

Melissa and Chris after their ceremony!
I don’t think any of these couples will be lacking good fortune! Best Wishes!

Sweet Summertime ...

As the end of July nears, this past weekend was also the start of a new life as husband and wife for Julie & Danny, Kerrilyn & Scott, and Tina & Ray. The weekend started off with Julie & Danny’s wedding reception, which had a stunning purple and gold theme. These beautiful colors were seen throughout their reception with purple rose petals sprinkled on each table and gold bells attached to their place cards. On Saturday, Kerrilyn & Scott chose a more neutral palette for their wedding reception. Their flowers had yellow, blue and cream colors. They were perfect summertime colors and sticking with the beautiful beach weather, Kerrilyn & Scott took pictures at the beach with their bridal party before arriving here for their reception. On Sunday, Tina & Ray danced the night away with Rockin’ Ray from Thunder 106. This country loving couple shared their first dance together as husband and wife and then Ray serenaded Tina! All in all … it was one great weekend!

What I’m Loving this Week …

This past weekend was a blast and boy oh boy do I have some wedding eye candy for you! Jackie and Tom’s fabulous fete started the weekend off on Friday night with their wedding ceremony at our black gazebo, outdoor cocktail hour by our white gazebo and a rockin’ celebration that didn’t leave anyone seated. I also loved how they named the tables after board games … how unique! Saturday then followed with Emily and Bill’s wedding, which had the traditional Jordan almonds as favors. These almonds signify the five wishes for the new husband and wife … health, wealth, happiness, children and a long life! On Saturday evening, Cara and Andrew also had some cute favors … Chinese take out boxes with fortune cookies and Chinese candy as favors. Three out of our four couples had Elite Entertainment and Chris, Michael, and Kris rocked the house! Last but not least, the weekend concluded with Tina and Chris’ wedding reception and their beautiful navy and white theme was perfect for a jersey shore celebration. Before arriving at the EM, they went to the beach for photos and had perfect weather for an outdoor cocktail hour. They provided their own customized menu cards and guests went home with beautiful cheese knives as favors.

A Walk to Remember ...

As your wedding day nears, one of the things you will have to decide is who you would like to walk you down the aisle. Traditionally, the bride has her father walk her down the aisle. It is a special moment, which usually ends with the father “giving away” his daughter to her soon-to-be husband. This may be the obvious and most traditional choice, but maybe that pairing isn’t ideal for you. Consider who you would like to share this special moment with and choose that person! This person is not only lending you an arm to lean on, but they symbolize the support of all the ones you love!

It is your wedding day and therefore your choice as to who will walk you down the aisle. Make sure you choose what is most comfortable for you!

This Saturday's brides preparing to walk down the aisle with their special someone!

Angie + Sam 7/3/11 …

This fourth of July weekend was truly spectacular for Angie and Sam, as well as, their family and friends. Following their ceremony in Holmdel, their family and friends partied the night away here at The EM. Uplighting and florals were brought in to transform the room into Angie and Sam’s dream. Angie used our candelabras and Brandywine Floral Design provided gorgeous arrangements that were easily placed into the candelabra bowl for an elegant centerpiece. They also provided the florals for Angie and Sam’s tasty cake!

Here’s a picture of their cake …

Eat, Drink and Be Married …

This weekend was the perfect ending to the month of June, as well as, the perfect start to summer! With three fabulous weddings, there is so much for me to blog about! The weekend kicked off with Jennifer & Seth’s and Nicole & Joe’s wedding receptions on Saturday. Some of my favorite summertime details were incorporated into these weddings. On Saturday afternoon, watermelon pink was dispersed throughout Jennifer & Seth’s reception. This bright and tropical color was seen in their napkins, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, even in their cake! Their signature drink was one of my favorite summertime drinks, a Malibu Bay Breeze. It really makes me think of the Jersey Shore. They also enhanced their dessert with a chocolate fountain. …yummy! On Saturday evening, Nicole & Joe continued the summertime theme. Before arriving at the EM, they took pictures at the beach, then came here to get the party started! Place cards were designed to look like beach badges and ice cream scoops were given out as their favors. AMAZINGLY CUTE! On Sunday, the fun continued with Francine & Kevin’s wedding reception. Their signature drink was another summertime favorite, a Raspberry Mojito. Their guests also enjoyed a candy bar and a photo booth from Elite Entertainment! So much fun!

A Day of PhVusion ...

On Monday, Lisa and Julie participated in the PhVusion workshop here at The English Manor. They were so happy and excited to show everything they learned throughout the day, that Julie put together an Animoto video of everything Lisa and herself captured! Take a look!

Details, Details, Details ...

Everyone knows I’m obsessed with all the pretty little details that go into each and every wedding and this weekend was no exception. Tiffaney & Ben’s, as well as, Lisa & Mike’s weddings provided me with so many drool worthy details for me to go gaga over!

On Friday, Tiffaney and Ben’s wedding reception was totally vintage inspired! Lace overlays, vintage books and bottles, a fountain cake, and a handcrafted guest book and favors all contributed to the old-world theme. It really was one of the most charming weddings I have ever seen!

On Saturday, Lisa and Mike’s wedding reception was full of fun details. The use of pale pink was incorporated throughout their reception from their table runners to centerpieces. I absolutely loved how Lisa provided the ladies room with a jar of mints, proclaiming “mint to be” and the rain didn’t hinder their guests from dancing the night away … flip flops were provided for those who were ready to kick off their heels! Take a look at some of the pictures we were able to capture of Lisa & Mike on our grounds…

Linda & Ronnie 6/13/10 ... 1 year later!

Linda and Ronnie stopped by The English Manor today for their 1 year anniversary. They even let me snap a quick picture! Thanks Linda and Ronnie! Happy Anniversary and best of luck in the future!And here's a look back at their June 13, 2010 wedding!

Springing into Summer ...

This past weekend we celebrated three beautiful weddings! Friday kicked off with Brandi and Jordan's wedding ceremony and reception, Saturday followed with Jaime and Roman's and the weekend concluded with Nicole and Mark!

Each wedding had its own personal and unique touches and I am so happy that Mother Nature remained calm and the weather was beautiful! My favorite touch from Brandi and Jordan's reception was their wedding favors, which were little bags of gourmet coffee proclaiming "The Perfect Blend"... I loved this fun play on words! Flowerful Events provided their gorgeous centerpieces. On Saturday, Jaime and Roman's cocktail hour was to die for! They enhanced their cocktail hour with our raw bar ... it was a major hit with all their guests! I also loved their centerpieces, which included hanging lanterns. It provided the perfect ambiance for an evening wedding. Nicole and Mark also added something special to their cocktail hour... a steel drum player! (I am definitely saving this idea for when I get married). This really provided a great summer time feel!

Here's some pictures from this past weekend!

What I’m loving this week …

Candy bars! They are a “sweet” and tasty ending to your wedding reception! As your guests are leaving, treat them to a little something extra … and who doesn’t love candy?! Personally, I’m a fan of chocolate, but you can even coordinate your candies to match your wedding colors. If you supply the candy and to-go baggies, we can provide the jars. Here’s some pictures of candy stations we have done in the past …

The Bridal Veil …

With spring moving by so quickly, The English Manor is now in full swing! As more and more weddings pass me by, I’ve noticed each and every bride has her own signature style. I especially love seeing each bride’s veil or headpiece.

There are many varying origins of the bridal veil. Some cultures originated the veil to conceal the face of the bride from her groom. Family members exchanging a dowry were afraid the groom would not marry the bride if he didn’t like the appearance of her face … a veil was worn to obscure the face of the bride from her groom. Only right before the ceremony did the groom see the bride’s face for the first time.

In other cultures, the veil signifies the purity and innocence of the bride. There are even some traditions that say the veil is worn by the bride to protect her from evil spirits! Today, there are tons of reasons to wear (or not wear) a bridal veil … what will you choose?

I Thee Wed …

This past weekend we celebrated two beautiful ceremonies! Our first ceremony of the weekend took place at our newly renovated gardens. Jenny and Justin were our first couple to be married at our black wrought iron gazebo. On Saturday, Laura and John said, “I do” at our white gazebo … both ceremonies were gorgeous! We couldn’t have wished for better weather!

Take a look at some of these pictures from Friday!

A Night of Entertainment!

On Wednesday, May 18th at 7pm Elite Entertainment will be hosting their next private showcase at The English Manor! You will be able to see all their entertainers live and in person!

There is still room available,but reservations are required, so make sure to call Elite at 888-354-8380 to reserve your spot today!

http://www.eliteentertainment.com/index1.html

Our New Ceremony Location in the Making...

Special THANKS to Ralph and his crew at Truesdale Nursery and Landscape Services of Berkeley Heights, NJ for providing these beautiful new grounds!

The Royal Weddings of the Weekend...

Take a look at the video we put together for you! It is featuring this past weekend's wonderful EM couples!

The Big Reveal …

Should the groom see the bride before ceremony on their wedding day? More and more couples are breaking the old superstition that it is bad luck to see each other before ceremony and are choosing to have a meet and greet because it makes “the big moment” at the alter a lot less nerve-racking.

A “meet and greet” is when the bride and groom are able to see each other before ceremony, share a special, first glance moment and also ensure enough time for photos.

Take a look at some of my favorite meet and greet photos … I just loved how the anticipation and bliss of the moment was captured in each one of these!

If you have any questions about arranging a meet and greet before your ceremony at The English Manor – you know where you can contact me!

Laura & Jerry 4/17/11 …

We are so excited the rain cleared on Sunday and Jerry and Laura were able to have a beautiful, 60-degree weather wedding ceremony! After ceremony, their guests enjoyed a fishing-themed reception! Each table was named after a fish and guests were invited to find their seats by matching the fish on their place card with the one displayed at each table. My favorite touch to this fun theme was their cake topper … take a look!