First Coast Weddings and Events is a full-service event planning firm serving Northeast Florida. Our goal is to make every wedding stress-free and fun for the bride, groom and their families.
These two lovely ladies are always my first two calls when a bride is looking for a hair stylist and a makeup artist. They show up on time and make our brides look AMAZING – and they were both just named to Jacksonville Magazine’s Best of 2009.
Even more exciting is that these incredible ladies now share a studio space – Loft 9 in San Marco. If you haven’t seen The Lofts San Marco, it’s the former South Jacksonville Grammar School built in 1916. The building is gorgeous, and it’s event list on the National Register of Historic Places. The large windows let in tons of light, perfect for a salon! (Of course, I’m even more excited because Casey happens to be my personal hair stylist as well as a great wedding industry friend!)
One of our beautiful brides, Lauren,
made even more stunning by Casey and Kimtasha!
Last night, we had the pleasure of attending the premiere of Rose of Sharon’s recently remodeled studio. Amazing! The transformation makes me want to re-design our office.
The space formerly used for bridal consultations (and the accounting department!) now has a stunning “greenhouse” feel. The team actually demolished the paneling and found gorgeous brick walls. Add in some unique display shelves and the look is incredible.
And speaking of incredible, the new wedding section is fabulous. Not only is there a couch and a large computer monitor for viewing photos, but every type of vase, container, candelabra and column is right there to touch and feel. I feel like a kid in a candy store each time I walk in.
If you haven’t selected a florist for your wedding, be sure to make an appointment with Lynette or Judy!
Recently, the girls and I took a little trip down to the World Golf Village to re-visit Laterra Resort and Spa. We did a wedding at this venue back in October, 2006 – how time flies!
The beautiful Mediterranean-style architecture is an elegant backdrop. Can you imagine arriving under this porte-cochere in a horse-drawn carriage or antique Rolls Royce?
The outdoor lobby area is available for wedding receptions. as is the lawn/pool area. Ceremonies can be held facing the stunning fountain, or the dramatic arches of the building.
Laterra is a beautiful property, but its only drawback is the lack of indoor space. If you consider hosting an event there, be sure to consider the weather!
However, the added bonus is that the guest accommodations consist of 1 bedroom-, 2 bedroom-, and 3 bedroom-suites with full kitchens, which are great for families.
And of course, the best bonus is the Spa! While we didn’t take any photos inside, the relaxation room is to die for – a circular room with a water/rain feature from floor to ceiling. Amazing! And the floating cabanas over the koi pond look heavenly for a massage.
Laterra does not have on-site catering, so everything must be brought in, including tables and chairs. For more information about rentals, contact Susan at (866) 828-3772.
This post was written by guest blogger Cicely Rocha-Miller – Enjoy!
Event Planner, Cicely Rocha.Miller and Sarah Hubbell of Life Design Event Planning recently launched a new website and resource called Mrster :: A Resource for Planning the Modern Union.
Mrster (pronounced: mist + er) is an online magazine and ultimate planning tool for same sex and hetero couples who are planning for their wedding days. Our goal is to provide a modern day resource chock full of smart ideas, allied vendors, real life experiences and true stories for couples of all backgrounds.
With all of the wedding blogs floating around the blogosphere, you’re probably wondering what sets Mrster apart. Allow me to give you a little background on Mrster in the making…
Erica, one of our advisory board members, recently described her frustration when looking for a cake topper that resembled her and her bride-to-be, Shannon. Scrolling through images of topper after topper of three inch figurines clad in tux and gown, Erika eventually gave up on trying to find a pair that reflected her own relationship. Perhaps her dilemma felt trivial at the time – a small battle in a larger war … but even the small battles are worth fighting. It is with couples like Erika and Shannon in mind, that Mrster was created. Add in loads of passion and personality, and we’re sure you’ll be adding Mrster onto your daily reading.
Another fantastic resource that is tangled in the depths of Mrster is it’s FabUlist. This is a list of vendors that believes in legalizing gay marriage, pursues in the unity of all couples so there is no separation, acknowledges that we are all equal and does not judge nor discriminate against anyone else that believes the same. They offer services to gay and hetero couples without any questioning or second guessing. They are excited for your commitment to each other and are with you during the fight for equality. How can you pass that up!?
What are you waiting for? Head on over to Mrster.com, and don’t forget to subscribe!
If you are wedding vendor that is interested in being a part of the FabUlist and advertising opportunities, please email cicely@lifedesignevents.com for more information. Currently, we are catering to Arizona couples but are looking to go nationally in the next few months.
As l am from England, of course l have BBC America! I absolutely love this channel and have come across a new television show (well new to BBC America anyway!) called Don’t Tell The Bride.
This show follows the groom-to-be who has been provided with $20,000 to create his bride’s wedding of her dreams. There is one catch however, which is that the groom only has one month to plan the wedding, from selecting the venue, invitations, wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses etc. and CANNOT speak or visit with his bride until the day of the wedding, at the altar!
Throughout watching a couple of these episodes, l have felt excited, anxious, surprised and overwhelmed for these bride and grooms, and l do not even know these people! So this left me with a burning question for you bride-to-be’s out there.
Would you let your husband- to- be plan your wedding from start to finish, including selecting your wedding dress?
If you would like to start watching this nail biting television show, the next show airs on BBC America, July 17th at 9.00 P.M.
This month’s Association of Bridal Consultants’ meeting was held at Hotel Indigo, a new boutique style hotel here in Jacksonville.We were treated to a yummy buffet of hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the hotel by the Director of Sales, Beth Long.
The first thing I thought was ‘what a perfect location for out-of-town guests’.Whether your wedding is at the beach, downtown, or anywhere in between Hotel Indigo is located in the center of everything Jacksonville has to offer.Conveniently located in Southside’s new Tapestry Park the hotel is minutes from shopping & entertainment at Tinseltown, and the St. John’s Town center. It’s just a 20 minute drive to the downtown area or the beaches, and less than 30 minutes from the Jacksonville International Airport.
Hotel Indigo’s banquet room is great for rehearsal dinners, bridal luncheons, showers, or a farewell brunch for your guests.And their two-room suites are spacious enough for families, or for getting ready with your bridesmaids on the big day.There is a café and cocktail lounge on-site, the chocolate-Twix martini is a must try!
For more information and photos visit Hotel Indigo on the web.
It’s finally here – the debut issue of Southern Weddings! I picked up my copy this morning at Barnes and Noble on my way in to the office. While I have only had a chance to flip through the pages, I can tell already that it is on my “faves” list!
What are your favorite features or articles? Post a comment to let us know!
