WPIC

Your Clients can Experience Fiji like "The Bachelorette"

Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa debuts it's “Passion Under The Palms” Package in Honour of their special guests fom The Bachelorette.

Tonight, ABC's 7th Bachelorette, the energetic and vivacious Ashley Hebert, goes to Savusavu, Fiji Islands for a special date. 

 The date will include a Seaplane charter to Namena Island near the Marine Park where the couple will enjoy a beach picnic for the day, followed by a romantic dinner arranged by the resort amid a 90-acre virgin Fijian rainforest at dusk. The Bachelorette and her date will greet each other under the canopy of rainforest trees, in a candle lit setting for two. The couple will dine Fijian style on the woven tapestry, seated closely together and savor a succulent menu of beef fillet and walu fish.

If the Bachelorette’s date accepts the invitation to spend the night in the Fantasy suite, they will enjoy a stay in the Kavika Falls Villa, a 3,500 square foot luxury villa perched along the hillside of a lush virgin rainforest, with chilled champagne and expansive views looking out to the Koro Sea, providing the ultimate in privacy.  The villa comes complete with two bedrooms in the main house, two master bedroom suites, one on each side of great room, with interconnecting walkway verandas. This stunning private Fijian style Villa highlights fine linens, tropical furnishings, and a cascading waterfall through the entire villa with infinity edge swimming pool.

Your Destination Wedding or Honeymoon couples can also experience the “made for television” special date and experience their own special time together with the resort’s new package:

“Passion Under the Palms” Package Inspired By ABC's The Bachelorette.  The package includes:

• 5 nights at Koro Sun Resort and Rainforest Spa Fiji
• Three gourmet meals daily, with fresh vegetables sourced from the resort’s organic gardens, and accompanied by afternoon tea.
• Fijian welcome with a coconut milk foot soak and leg massage, accompanied by freshly chilled green coconut beverage.
• Full American Champagne Breakfast in the privacy of your own villa, with fresh exotic plantation fruits.
• Rainforest Rendezvous private candlelight dinner for two in the Rainforest, with hors de oeuvres and a succulent three course seafood platter.
• The Ultimate Indulgence, a 1.5 hour treatment starts with Banana Leaf Body Wrap, followed by a Couples Massage in the Rainforest Spa, rated “Top Island Spa” by Islands Magazine
• Ladies Sulu (sarong) complimentary gift
• Guided Snorkeling excursion of Fiji’s soft coral capital
• Fantasy Suite turndown service on the final night, including floating candles in the villa’s plunge pool (Edgewater Villa/Kavika Falls only), followed by a trio of decadent desserts.
• Waterfall Excursion with Fijian Village Visit and Kava Ceremony.
• Behind the Scenes Tour of J. Hunter Pearl Farm in Savusavu Bay 
• Private Beach picnic with tropical fruits, and lunch prepared for your day in the in the South Pacific sun.

The package is based on space availability and is available from July 18, 2011 to March 31, 2013.

ABOUT KORO SUN RESORT & RAINFOREST SPAThe rural and pristine location offers you the genuine warmth and friendliness of the Fijian people. Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa offers a truly native Fijian experience, dedicated to adventure, rejuvenation and romance. 29 enchanting bures and luxury villas are private, exclusive, air-conditioned, and offer vivid views of the ocean and reefs beyond. Your stay is all-inclusive with three gourmet meals and afternoon tea (excluding beverages) and activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, biking, tennis and golf.

From the meticulous attention you receive from the wonderful staff to the spectacular lush grounds, Fiji is yours to discover. 

The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8/7 Central on ABC. For more information on The Bachelorette, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelorette .

To learn more about Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa visit www.korosunresort.com, as well, your WPIC Destination Certified Wedding Coordinator or Travel Advisor can help you book this amazing trip! 

Consider Your Carbon Footprint: Eco-Chic Wedding

By Guest Blogger: Wayne Alldridge from Marble Weddings, WPICC

With ever-growing concern for our environment, fair trade and humanitarianism, eco-friendly weddings are projected to be a continuing trend.

In this article you will find key facts, tips, and ideas for developing an eco-chic wedding. Making yourself aware of industrial impact to the environment is the first step. Remember that eco-friendly wedding planning does not have to be all or nothing. Even if you choose one aspect of your wedding to be eco-friendly, that is still one step in the right direction.

Having an outdoor ceremony may seem like the most obvious choice for an eco-friendly wedding, but take into account what might be required. If you are thinking of a park, planning to have 150 guests attending, and must rent your own chairs, that is potentially several runs or several delivery trucks emitting fumes. On the flip-side, having your ceremony at an outdoor venue that caters to weddings, such as the Royal Botanical Gardens, is a great choice. They will likely have everything you need onsite, including a tent in case of rain. The natural garden surroundings make for beautiful décor, and eliminate the need for bringing in additional décor or flowers.

Having your reception at the same site as the ceremony is the most economical way to go. This eliminates more vehicle emissions from guests traveling between the sites, and having deliveries to two locations. If this is not an option for you, encourage your guests to carpool. Overall, a lower guest count is going to be more economical.

Once engaged, one of the first things that a bride does, is buy a dress. As an eco-friendly alternative you can wear a dress passed down from your mother or grandmother, and have it altered. You can also shop for a vintage dress. This brings in an elegant feel from the past. Another option is to have your dress custom made from a fabric like hemp or bamboo. Softer than cotton, and with a silk-like texture, bamboo fabric draws moisture away from the skin, so it's especially great for a summer wedding! But remember, having a bamboo dress made in British Columbia and shipped to Toronto defeats the purpose of eco-friendly. After the wedding you can donate your dress or keep it to have it made into a christening gown or first communion dress for your child.

Bamboo is a fast growing plant. It releases about 35% more oxygen back into the air than other plants and some species can grow up to 4 feet per day.

Your wedding invitations are the first insight that your guests will have into the theme of the wedding. Paper-less would be the most eco-friendly way to go, but typically, it is not customary to send electronic wedding invitations via email or social media. However, if you are creative enough, and explain to your guests the reasoning behind the electronic invitation, then why not? Video yourselves with a message to your guests: inviting them to your eco-friendly wedding. Within the email you can include the written details as well. Paper invitations should be considered for older generation guests. If you prefer to stick to paper invitations for all of your guests, then use recycled, organic, or hemp paper products. Reduce the amount of paper used by having post-card style RSVP cards. This eliminates the envelope.

Hemp is made from the cannabis plant and is one of the most eco-friendly fibers in the world. The plant controls erosion of soil, generates oxygen and can be cultivated in under 100 days.

When it comes to flowers, the biggest concerns are the chemicals that are used, as well as the conditions in which the farmers in some countries are forced to work. Most flowers bought in Canada are imported from South America. Many chemicals are used to preserve these flowers, even pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are banned in Canada. Even more than chemicals than the amount used for food preservation. There are organizations that regulate flower farms and limits on chemicals, and better working conditions for the employees. Working conditions are not up to our Canadian standards, but are certainly better than most, including health care and workplace safety. Fair trade flowers can be ordered though Transfair Canada. These are grown in Kenya and imported to Vancouver for distribution throughout Canada. Locally grown flowers can be found here from May through October. Also try to find vases that are made locally. The majority of floral containers (vases and pottery) are imported from China. Fair trade is not regulated in China and human rights regulations are sub-standard.

Continue the eco-friendly trend when purchasing décor items. Seek out candles made from beeswax or soy. Not only are they better on the environment, but beeswax candles burn longer, and have a nice natural aroma. Stones, bamboo and salvaged wood pieces make for beautiful centerpieces and additional décor. Candle holders can be made out of wood pieces and personalized stones in lieu of place cards.

Be sure to have labeled recycling bins and green carts at your reception. For esthetic purposes, these do not need to be in plain view at your reception. But can certainly be made available to service staff, and outside the venue. If the weather is going to be hot, have pitchers of water available with biodegradable cups. Avoid disposable water bottles.

Plastic bottles are the most prevalent source of pollution found in our oceans. Every square mile of ocean has over 45,000 pieces of floating plastic in it.

When deciding on your dinner menu, choose foods that are locally and organically grown. Eco-friendly caterers will prepare foods and meats that come from local farmers who use less chemicals, who feed their livestock organic grains, or raise free-range chickens. In order to keep your menu appealing to all parties, consider having the “ordinary” meal accompanied with the option of having the vegan alternative. Keep the beverages to a choice of domestic brands. No imports. We are lucky to be in an area so close to the famous Niagara wineries.

Have more than one purpose for items. The bridesmaids bouquets can be placed in ready-made vases on the head table for additional décor. Flower arrangements from the ceremony can also be used for the reception. The guest favours can be displayed as the centerpiece on the dinner tables.

One eco-friendly option in lieu of guest favours is to make a charitable donation. To make your guests feel more involved in this you can set up a donation table with several baskets or vases labeled with the names of charities. Guests then take their personalized stones (in lieu of place cards) and place their stone in the charity of their choice. An idea for an eco-friendly guest favour would be seeds in a personalized eco-friendly container or a fern sapling in a burlap pouch, for the guests to plant in their garden at home. Burlap is a coarse fabric woven from vegetable fibers.

To package those guest favours or organic cupcakes, use cellophane. Cellophane is the top eco friendly choice for bakers. 100% biodegradable and is made from wood, causing almost no environmental impact. Cellophane seals easily and keeps foods fresh because moisture and oxygen cannot penetrate it. These can be tied with hemp or raffia ribbon, and labels added. Raffia is also made from a plant and is eco-friendly.

Once the wedding is over, you have returned from your honeymoon, and settling back into your lives together, it's then time to send your `Thank You' cards. Finish the wedding experience off with an eco-friendly `thank you' by recording your thank you messages on video and emailing them to your guests. Don't record one standard message, record individual messages for the guests. It's more personal than a card, you could show them what you purchased with the money they gave you, and most of all… it's eco-friendly!

Wicked Wedding Cocktails

By: Tracey Manailescu

Holy cow!  I am so excited to share these super cool finds with you.  Just when you thought there was nothing else to do with food & drink presentation... Giddyup :)

Passionfruit Shells?

The hollowed out passionfruit shells contain the Hurricane Cocktail. Mix the seeds of the passionfruit with rum, sugar, cranberry juice and orange to create texture like bubble tea which is eaten through a straw.

Watermelon?

Watermelon Sours

Instructions 4 cups watermelon chunks, 4 oz Alize Red Passion fruit flavored liqueur (or other fruit flavored liqueur), 8 oz gin, 2 cups sour mix, Sparkling Rose, Lime slices for garnish

Directions: Puree the watermelon chunks, then strain to remove the pulp.  Stir in the fruit liqueur, gin and sour mix.  Chill.  Add sparkling rose right before serving.  garnish with lime slices.

*You can order this Keg Shank from kegworks.com ($30USD for the kit).

Cucumbers?

Cucumber Sake-tinis

2 jiggers (3 oz) sake, 2 tbsp simple syrup, 1 pony (1 oz) fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp fresh cucumber purée (see below), ice cubes, club soda

In a highball glass, combine sake, syrup, lime juice, & purée. Fill glass with ice, and stir to mix well. Top to the rim with club soda. Garnish with lime wedge and serve immediately.

*For the cucumber purée: Peel cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, & scrape out seeds with metal spoon. Cut into chunks, place in blender and purée until smooth. Cover & refrigerate until ready to use.

**For a perfect presentation, use a piece of hollowed-out cucumber as a glass, and garnish with a cucumber swizzle stick!

Pineapple?

 
Pina Colada

6 oz. brown rum, 6 oz. pineapple juice, 2 oz. coconut cream, 1 oz. cream, Decoration: 1 slice of pineapple, 1 maraschino cherry

Coconut?

Richard Leach, the award-winning pastry chef at The Hurricane Club in N.Y, created the tiki-inspired next 2 cocktails shown below.

#77

2 ounces golden rum, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce cardamom syrup, 2 ounces spiced passion-fruit puree, 1 ounce coconut water,1 ounce coconut milk
Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and shake well. Strain into a hollowed-out coconut shell. Serve with crushed ice in the shell, and garnish with a bamboo straw and paper umbrella.

Shared Cocktails?

This Tiki Style cocktail serves 5-8 people! #440, contains Montecristo spiced rum, pineapple, kiwi and ginger and is served in a scorpion bowl with a flaming shot of Bacardi 151 at its center (currently priced at $46USD)

I think I will be making a stop at the LCBO on the way home...

A Charity Buffet

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

We've seen the Candy Buffet, the Seafood Buffet, the Chocolate Buffet, now make room for the Charity Buffet!  

I got this idea from one of my bride's, Angela Gil (now Pereira). In lieu of favours or the traditional Donation to a Charity, she created these Charity cards, each worth a $2 donation, which I placed at each of her wedding guest's placesetting.  

During the course of the evening, guests were encouraged to go to the Charity Buffet and choose which Charity they would like a donation to be made on their behalf by placing the card in the corresponding vase.  

"Donations to Charity in lieu of a Favour" is extremely popular, but countless times I have heard guests grumble, "What if I don't support that charity? Why is a donation being made in my honour to something I don't wish to support?" With the Charity Buffet, guests get to decide where the money goes.

Love it!  Thanks, Angela (& Dan)!

Photos courtesy of my assistant, Dulce Avila 

Fresh Ideas for Wedding Refreshments

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

We all know there is nothing more tacky than a Cash Bar.  Asking your guests to help pay for your wedding is inexcusable, but offering a bar at a wedding can be very expensive for the hosts.  As with everything about weddings, you just need to be a little creative when quenching your guests' thirst.

The best way to keep the cost of the bar down, is to go to a venue that lets you purchase and provide you own alcohol, but there are ways to save even further.  A signature cocktail or specialty drink is still the favourite way to save on alcohol.  Simply purchase a case or two of one type of alcohol (example: vodka) and mix.  Using the same cocktail glasses, alcohol and mix for everyone cuts down on costs significatly and eliminates waste.  Pair the signature drink with beer and wine, and everyone is happy, especially the host.

A fresh idea is to use the same alcohol base and offer several different mixes in large pitchers on a self-serve or grab n' go bar.  You could have a Vodka Martini Bar or a Vodka-infused Cocktail bar, a Sangria Bar, a Margherita bar, the possibilities are endless. Lauren Balden of Catering by Design in Tampa, FL sets up Champagne-infusion Bars, where only the presentation rivals the amazing taste.

 Another great idea, that comes from Kim Baker, the President of the West Coast Florida Chapter of NACE, is to serve frozen cocktails on a stick!

Who says you have to serve alcohol? "Fresh" is THE Catering trend this year, so why not carry that over to the bar? Have a smoothie or juice bar (like above). Set up a cordial or lemonade station. Offer fruit-infused waters for a fresh spa-like feel.  Bonnie Fimiano of Cafe a la Carte offers Speciaty Gourmet Coffees served from a custom cart, complete with a Barista.

You need to offer your wedding guests something to drink and with all the options available, a unique and fun bar can be cost-effective and a feature!

The Wishing Wall

by Guest Blogger, Monica Hui, WPICC of Wishahmon Wedding Creations in Calgary, AB

In an effort to save money, I have been staying away from shopping malls. Instead, I have been doing some online shopping and paying for shipping! (My efforts of saving have gone out the window.)

I came across a wonderful product at Uncommon Goods called a “Wishing Wall.” Traditionally, at most weddings, guest sign a book or picture of the newly wedded couple. More recently, some couples have cards for guests to sign and to hang on a “wishing tree.” Personally, I feel that the traditional method does not allow me to write enough blessings to the couple. Regarding the wishing tree, I don’t really want everyone to read what I write to the couple!

The Wishing Wall is a wonderful compromise, much like a marriage. Guests can write all their blessings on a piece of paper, roll it up and place it in one of the compartments. They can be as creative and personal as they want. Not only is this a neat way for the couple to reveal and store all the blessings from their guests, I think it will also look cool as a piece of modern artwork.

The Wishing Wall is also Eco-friendly!  It is made out of 100% recycled cardboard and 30% recycled paper fibre.  It comes with a Wish Chest and sells for $45.

Sandals unveils new "Island Routes" at Chairman's Dinner

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

Last night, Sandals Founder and Chairman, Butch Stewart held a Chairman's dinner here in Toronto at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. Sandals CEO, Adam Stewart, was also in attendance along with top Sandals Executives, distinguished guests from the Jamaican Government, representatives from various Tourism Boards, Tour Operators, many Travel Agents and of course yours truly, WPIC President, Danielle Andrews Sunkel, and WPIC Vice President, Tracey Manailescu.

WPIC Vice President, Tracey Manailescu, Sandals Chairman and Founder Butch Stewart and WPIC President, Danielle Andrews Sunkel 

WPIC President Danielle Andrews Sunkel, CEO of Sandals International Adam Stewart and WPIC Vice President Tracey Manailescu

The night started with a cocktail reception and trade show, where guests could speak with Tour Operators and Representatives from the various Tourism Boards and Sandals staff representing each of the properties and products.  We then gathered in the Ballroom for sit-down dinner and presentations.

The Mr. Stewarts, who spent the night decked out in Team Canada Hockey Jerseys, delivered updates about Sandals International, the Sandals Foundation and introduced their newest product, Island Routes.

 

Island Routes is their new line of adventure tours that promises to show you the islands as you've never seen them before.  How about 4 x 4ing through the Blue Mountains? Swimming the ocean, on horseback.  Making Rum at the Appleton Estates!  Floating down the rapids in inner tubes! Swimming with sharks. Being up close and personal with aligators as you ride a pontoon down the river.  Eco-tours and Safaris.  Bobsledding or zip-lining through the jungle.  Romantic Bamboo River Rafting with your significant other.  Or have you ever fantasized about being stranded on a deserted island with your honey?  Your wish can be granted for an afternoon in the Exumas. 

Thanks to Sandals' newest venture, and 120 tour offerings, you can do it all.

 

As WPIC Certified Sandals Specialists, we are so happy and excited that Sandals is now offering Island Adventure Tours!  It is difficult to know who to trust when you travel to other countries.  You worry about the safety and upkeep of the vehicles, the knowledge of the staff, impact on the local environment, insurance and so many other elements when considering a tour.  

With Sandals at the helm, you can be confident that any tour they offer will be a superior experience, they will have the best insurance coverage and operator training, the safest vehicles and of course everything they do is environmentally-friendly and socially responsible.  I know this is going to change the way I travel!

 

Your WPIC Certified Sandals Specialist can help you choose the best tours for you and can book your tour at the same time they book your Sandals, Royal Plantation, Grand Pineapple or Beaches Wedding and/or Honeymoon.

 
  

Your WPIC Sandals Certified Representative can provide you with more details and brochures.

Our Irish Wedding Adventure ~ Belle Isle (Post 8 of 12)

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel

What a gorgeous and romantic place to get married!  We just loved it here.  The estate is at the Uppermost tip of Upper Lough Erne, on 470 acres spread over 8 islands and includes a working farm. There are so many accomodation and entertainment options at Belle Isle Estate, your wedding can last a week instead of just a day! 

Belle Isle prides itself on being an Ecologically-friendly location.  Energy efficient lightbulbs are used in evey fixture, a wood pellet furnace is used to heat the castle and hot water, 47% of their electricity comes from renewable resources, organic waste from their cooking school is used as compost in their gardens, the list goes on and on.  Its truly incredible to think that a 17th Century castle could become so "Green".

The estate has passed hands several times and was last purchased in 1991 by the Duke of Abercorn, who bought the estate for his second son, Lord Nicholas Hamilton.

The Estate is managed by the most wonderful couple, James and Fiona Plunket.  They were both so welcoming and knowledgable.  Fiona took us for a tour of the Estate, Accommodations and Cookery School and James joined us to show us the Castle and grounds.  Such a great couple, I really liked them, and they have a true love and passion for Belle Isle. 

Wedding & Ceremony Locations

Below is a map of the Hamilton wing, where weddings take place in the castle.  There are three ceremony location options: the Drawing Room, the Dining Room (furntiure will be moved out for both of the prior options) or the Garden.  The garden is my personal favourite!

 
The Dining Room

Can seat up to 42 for a Wedding Reception. Or be made over for a Civil Ceremony

The Drawing Room  It is much larger than it looks here.

 
The Garden  Here is James Plunket showing us the garden space in winter (above) and as it looks in summer (below)

Accomodations

The main castle sleeps 14, but there are several other places for guests to stay on Belle Isle. The Courtyard, the Coach House, The Walled Cottage Garden, The Bridge House, The Bridge Cottage, The Garden Cotteage and Glen Cottage.  One of the castle bedrooms is called the Coco Chanel Room, because the bed in there was the one she slept in everytime she visited with one of her good friends!

Here is a photo of James and his wonderful wife, Fiona, showing me around the Castle.  Notice the artwork, there are 950 framed works of art in the castle!  I asked James if would count them to make sure, but he declined, lol. I just had to include this shot of their very special toilet :) Apparently many guests like to get a photo of themselves on the toilet!
This is the Courtyard, where Tracey and I stayed.  These gorgeously renovated suites are full self-catering cottages with 2-3 bedrooms, a full kitchen 1 or 2 bathrooms and even a fireplace in each unit! This would be such fun for a close group to take over all of the units!  You could have big dinners set up in the courtyard.The interior of our Unit #6

Here is the Coach House, the bell on top would run the farm telling the workers when it was time to work, time for lunch and quitting time.  It is now a large self-catering cottage with three bedrooms.

 

The Walled Garden Cottage, doesn't it just scream romance? 

Things to do at Belle Isle

There is so much to do on this island!  Year-round Pike fishing, Coarse fishing, Driven Snipe and Woodcock Shooting, Tennis, Croquet lawn, Children's Playground, 17ft outboard boats to rent, a BBQ house, the lake and huge lawns for organized games. Within thirty miles there are many castles, Belleek Pottery, the Marble Arch Caves, theatre, shopping, tons of pubs, the possibilities are endless.  Fermanagh County's largest town, Enniskillen, is only 12 kms away.

You can also take a class at their state-of-the-art, on-site cooking school, Belle Isle School of Cookery!  With space for 12 chefs, this would be a fun activity to incorporate.  The school also has a store with home-made preserves, chutneys and  specialty cookware.  

All in all, Belle Isle is the perfect Destination Wedding location for a couple looking for a Get-Away Family Wedding in Northern Ireland.  I can not wait to bring my family to stay at Belle Isle!

Photos are a compilation of our photos and photos from the Belle Isle Website.

Our Irish Wedding Adventure ~ Lough Erne Golf Resort (Post 5 of 12)

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel 

Upon arriving at Lough Erne Golf Resort we were struck by the vast amount of green around it. Not one, but two Golf Courses!  The Photo above shows just a section of the beautiful main building which backs not only onto their Champion Golf Course, but also Lough Erne (Lake).  The photo below shows the private 2 bedroom, self-catering cottages.

We were warmily greeted outside by the best Bellman in history, Neil. The main lobby is so beautiful and soothing with dark wood, muted walls, plush seating everywhere, including in front of several open fires! 

We were given a quick tour of the leisure facilities and their authentis Thai Spa, where we immediately booked our Spa appointments for that evening (purely for research, you know). 

 (Photo from Resort website)

Neil then brought us to our room, giving us a little tour along the way, he showed us around our gorgeous suite and taught how to work the tricky terrace doors, LOL.  One thing I really liked was a little pamphlet titled, "50 Things to do".  It listed 10 things to do in the rain, 10 things to do in the sun, 10 things to do with children, 10 things to do with a car, 10 things to do without a car.  What a fabulous idea!!

The view was absolutely stunning from our terrace suite.  Here is a photo I took:

When we informed him we had Spa appointments, he showed us these handy back stairs which led directly in to the spa so no one would see us go downstairs in our bathrobes and slippers.  He was so wonderful our entire stay, that we insisted on getting a photo with him at tea the next day.

Down the stairs and in to the Spa we went. Lough Erne possesses the only authentic Thai Spa in Ireland.  We were led in to a room with beautiful music, candles, relaxing lounges and treated to an exoctic fruit juice shot while we waited for our Thai Masseuses. I had a head, neck and back massage and Tracey was treated to a scalp massage.  After our fabulous treatments we were brought to another peaceful room where we were treated to green tea and assorted fruits, set at our individual chaises, we were invited to stay as long as we liked.   If we didn't have dinner reservations, I wouldn't have moved the rest of the night. It was the perfect ending.

As if we weren't already spoiled enough, we headed to Lough Erne's Catalina Restaurant for what we affectionately call, "The BEST Dinner of our Lives!!"  Chef Noel McMeel's amazing menu is based on foods found directly in the County of Fermanagh.  Collette McMeel (no relation to Chef), was the sweetest hostess and sat us in front of terrace doors overlooking the Golf Course.  We started our feast with a selection of homemade breads (Tracey's favourite was the curry bread!), Irish Crab salad and Scallops.

  

For the main course Tracey had the Mixed Grill which is a selection of all the local meats and I had the Fillet of Fermanagh Beef Rossini, we had to savour every single bite as it was just that good.  Our dishes came with entree sides, but little copper pots arrived on the table with seasonal mixed vegetables and the best darn scalloped potatoes in the world!  For dessert I had a souffle, while Tracey had a selection of Irish Cheeses with Port.  With our coffees came homemade fudge and hand-dipped chocolates.  We thought our friend, Alanna McQuaid (Lough Erne's Canadian Groups Representative), was exaggerating when she said Catalina's was the best restaurant in the world, but My Goodness,  she was spot on!

The next morning we went to Catalina's for a fabulous Irish Breakfast plus buffet, then went for a walk around the grounds. 

We then met with Events Manager, Tricia Ellse, who showed us the many places available to have Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions at the resort.  Ireland's Marriage Laws are such that on-site Civil Marriage was only made legal in 2007. Marriages must take place in a licensed area, if a venue would like to offer multiple Ceremony areas, they must license each one. I particularly loved their private outdoor terrace for cocktail receptions and the main walkway for the bride and groom to enter from.

 
All in all, we had a fabulous time at Lough Erne Golf Resort.  The people who work there are so warm and friendly, they truly make you feel welcome and valued.  The venue is absolutely beautiful and it has all the luxuries modern couples demand with a comfortable, luxurious old-world atmosphere.  For more details about the resort, be sure to visit their website.

Photos are a combination of our own, and photos from the Lough Erne Golf Resort website. 

Tracey's Favourite Things -August

Great items searched for 'high and low', by: Tracey Manailescu :)

 

Sometimes you see something and it just makes you say, "Wow!" These are awe-inspiring items that anyone can add to their wedding.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Stamps (La Poste, France) Now who could refuse something as sweet as this?

5,60 E per bar (or booklet of 10)

On May 25,2009 post offices in France started selling stamps that smell like chocolate bars!!! The stamps come in a booklet of 10 stamps. Yes, they really are shaped like a chocolate bar.  Each square has a different design on it. This takes "scratch and sniff" to a whole new level!

Find them here 

 

Read the Blog on "O Gourmet" for more (*This is a great newsletter with recipes from Top Chefs and Canadian Events year round.  Sign up, it is free!).

 If you have been to a tented wedding recently, than chances are you have seen these! What a way to add "POP" to the decor!

POM LOVE on Etsy

These are such a cute way to make your theme more dominant. Sweet touches. "Timeless Paper" have dragonflies, butterflies, peacock, maple leaf etc.

www.timelesspaper.com

Here is a new way to add that personal touch, and make every occasion special, while caring for the enviroment. Use Chalk impressions from Chalkboard China:

www.chalkboardchina.com

Do you want to step away from the tradional bouquet?  Here is an idea from "Princess Lasertron":
 
princesslasertron.etsy.com

Check out these beautiful Bridal Shower Inspiration Set ups from "Hostess with the Mostess" 

"Bling Bride" "Modern Moroccan" "Natural Bride" www.hostesswiththemostess.com

And for the Grande Finale... These babies are going to change the way we look at Wedding Cupcakes! (Thank you Danielle!)

For Destination Weddings:

For Bridal Showers:

 

These wonderful Cupcake Holders can be found at Dessert Decor.