Weddings by The Ritz-Carlton Volume 7 • Issue 1 January – June 2014 - (Page 72)

the expert CoastalCo nnoisseur Southern FloriDa'S WeDDing guru ShareS her Favorite aDvice For the beach anD beyonD Q Director of Wedding Sales The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Q How can couples make it easy for guests to attend a destination wedding? Q lydIa re dmon d What's the first thing you tell the recently engaged? What are your favorite ideas for beach weddings? First, congratulations! Start by thinking about location, especially places with a personal connection. Many of our clients in Naples vacationed here over the years and saw weddings taking place along the beach and in our courtyard. Q How should couples determine where to save and where to splurge? Splurge on cuisine, beverages and entertainment - creative ideas like a dessert station with handspun cotton candy will be talked about and remembered - as well as photos, which will be cherished for a lifetime. Save on favors and welcome bags; keep them chic, sweet and simple. Q In the digital era, are paper invitations still on trend? Absolutely! Formal stationery is always appropriate, especially for destination weddings. Stamps can be personalized with the date and décor colors. Of course, physical cards often point to websites and apps, where guests can find all the event details. Consider a location with multiple direct flights, and be flexible on your actual event date to find values on accommodations. A three-day weekend may be an easier time for guests to travel, requiring less time off work and other commitments. And try to offer multiple hotel options, with a variety of rates, close to your venue. Inventive coastal cuisine is always interesting. I worked with a couple to serve their favorite crab tower as an appetizer, and we gave guests the recipe as a takeaway. When it comes to gowns, hand beading, cap sleeves and fishtail hems are very romantic for a seaside affair. 72 w e d d i n g s b y t H e r I t z - c a r lt o n illustration by sam wilson

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Weddings by The Ritz-Carlton Volume 7 • Issue 1 January – June 2014

Volume 6 • Issue 2 July - December 2013
Contents
Memories
Trends
Dispatch
Beauty
State of Lace
Tiers of Joy
Beyond Flowers
Beyond the Sea
Vintage Vows
Atop the World
Honeymoons
Expert Advice

Weddings by The Ritz-Carlton Volume 7 • Issue 1 January – June 2014