Alabama Wedding and Event Professionals

Working in the wedding industry, I have met and befriended many professionals. From wedding planners, entertainment gurus to the out of town videographers which I may or may not have danced along with while working a wedding! 

The wedding industry in Alabama is booming. When getting married, brides and grooms want to deal with the best of the best. You want professionals with expertise and excellent reputations. The place to find these vendors is Alabama Wedding and Event Professionals (AWEP). 

AWEP is an organization comprised of members within the industry dedicated to providing superior services and maintaining a high level of professionalism. Members of AWEP encourage and promote the highest level of ethics within the special event industry. All companies who are members of AWEP strive for excellence in all aspects!

Members fall into a number of categories within the wedding and event industry. The categories range from beauty, catering and flowers to transportation, travel, entertainment and planning! There are over a dozen categories containing numerous companies in each one. 

You can trust these AWEP companies with your wedding and special events. 

Visit their website for more information and how to join if you are a company!

The Caribbean's Best Kept Secret

When I think of the Caribbean the first places that come to mind are Saint Thomas, Antigua and the Grand Cayman just to name a few. Most people can name most of the islands, but it seems as though the twin island country of Trinidad and Tobago remain the best kept secret of the Caribbean. 

Located on the northern edge of South America, the islands are in fact among the wealthiest and most developed nations in the Caribbean. The key to keeping Trinidad and Tobago such a secret is the fact that tourism is not a major industry, leaving the islands abundant with unspoiled beauty not found in many of the Caribbean islands. 

With the average temperature being 70 degrees, both islands are a dream location. Trinidad is divided by three distinct mountain ranges with an abundance of rivers and streams. Thus making the landscapes gorgeous to view while enjoying a hike or laying on the beach. Tobago is mountainous but dominated by just one main mountain ridge. The ocean views are gorgeous surrounding the islands. Both Trinidad and Tobago are popular locations among yacht owners. Cruise ships also dock at the bays. 

Arriving to the island can be achieved by a direct air service from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Orlando, New York, and Newark. For outside the US, London and Georgetown offer direct air services as well. The flights from the US are usually 4-5 hours depending where you are traveling from. 

Popular beaches in Trinidad are Maracas, Tyrico, Las Cuevas, Toco, Mayaro, Chagville, Los Iros and Quinam. Most of the beaches on the North coast are beautiful, with powdery sand and clear blue water. 

Popular beaches in Tobago include Pigeon Point, Store Bay, MT Irvine, Bucco, Grange, Englishman's Bay, Canoe Bay. Tobago's beaches are extremely beautiful.

When I travel to Trinidad and Tobago in the hopeful feature, I have a feeling I would never leave the beach. The water is absolutely gorgeous. There is also a natural coral reef, the Buccoo Reef, so snorkeling is a must when in Tobago!

If you are anything like me, seeing the local wildlife is a must. Both Trinidad and Tobago are full of rare birds, leatherback turtles and home to a wonderful zoo near the Port of Spain.

When I go out of the country, I sometimes worry about language barriers. I usually try to learn the language enough to get by, but sometimes that can be very difficult depending where you travel. Luckily for those who have trouble with learning new languages, Trinidad and Tobago's official language is English. However Hindi, French, Spanish and Chinese are often heard there too, so if you enjoy learning you might enjoy grabbing some Rosetta Stone!

One of my favorite things to do is eat when I travel. Trinidad and Tobago have excellent and varied food options. A popular cuisine is Indian. The food tends to be spicy and full a flavor! Another big thing is deep fried shark. Very controversial, but they still serve it because it is so widely popular. Not my cup of tea, but the locals love it.

If you are into something more light and healthy, they are known for their wonderful kale soup. Now that is something I would be on board for. 

Enjoy a great local alcoholic drink if that is your thing. They are sugar cane colonies, so rum runs freely at the bars on the islands. Moonshine is also popular on the islands!

Remember, always call your local travel agent for more information. They are knowledgeable and can tell you facts that you may not be able to find online. Travel Planners, Inc. in Mountain Brook knows all the details on remote locations and can answer any questions you may have! 

Upcoming Wedding Food Trends

I love party planning and hosting events at my house. I enjoy inviting friends over and making finger foods and making brunch. When I found out this year's wedding food trends I was so excited because they were right down my alley. Although I don't plan to walk down the aisle any time soon, these would be so fun for any wedding!

I featured this on our Alabama Wedding Events Professionals blog but wanted to share this with all you guys as well. I just love it. 

So the wedding planning has begun, the dress fitted, invitations sent out and the venue has been selected. But one of the most important aspects of a wedding reception is the food. In 2012 cake pops and one plate dinners were hot trends. In 2013 food trucks were popular. This 2014 will bring back comfort food and themed food bars into the spotlight.

Caterers have chosen to take traditional comfort food and turn them into appetizing hors d'oeuvres. This trend is catching on like wild fire. For instance, taking a grilled cheese and cutting them into bite sized pieces and serving them with individuals shot glasses of hot tomato soup. Genius! Simple and easy to eat! These are great for children too.

Finger foods are popular at wedding this year. Mini cheeseburgers, personal french fry packages and even silver dollar pancakes for a brunch style reception.

Speaking of brunch, this is another popular wedding food trend. Brides are steering towards brunch foods for reception catering. This is gaining popularity in the aspect of staying in budget. One way cost-conscious brides are achieving this is by having a morning wedding and serving brunch at the reception rather than lunch or dinner. Having a brunch reception allows the guests to customize their own meals and even maybe include a Blood Mary and Mimosa Bar. This is a great way to create interaction among the guests.

The brunch theme is probably my absolute favorite theme this year. There is just something so fun about brunch. Mimosa and my girlfriends all gathered together on a Sunday afternoon. Perfection!

This past year was a huge year for fancy statement cakes and the maybe a lingering cupcake trend from 2012. This year we will see more dessert bars. This can range from crepe bars to making your own s'mores bar. This is a great way to break away from the traditional wedding cake.

  

Whether you choose to follow this year's trends or go the traditional route, your wedding is your special day and will be perfect! Let us know what trends you like the best!

GREAT Pinterest Board for Bite Sized Foods

Another Pinterest Board for Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bars

Best Spring Vacations of 2014

This winter has been the longest, coldest and straight up most stubborn winter I have ever experienced. I have been stranded in a snow storm in my car for 9 hours, had co-workers spend the night at work due to snow and have been on house arrest due to the snow. So please no more snow.

Today marks the first day of spring and I hope it stays this nice! I am headed to Seagrove, Florida today for a long weekend vacation and our friend spring has never come at a better time.

Winter is over (fingers crossed), which means it is time to dig out those suitcases from the back of your closet, dust off the passports and start planning a perfect spring escape!

This year has some great popular (and not so popular) "hot" locations.

On the top of that list is the U.S. Virgin Islands. Every April, St. Thomas offers the best remedy for winter blues - Carnival. I have never been to the U.S. Virgin Islands but they are known as "America's Caribbean Paradise". With its food fair, festive parades and ornate costumes, this island-wide party is one of the best in the Caribbean, and it's certifiable fun for all. Also, with the peak season over, airfare and hotel rates see a significant drop.

Another location that is gaining popularity this spring is Vancouver. The weather is gorgeous and sunny in the springtime. Vancouver has numerous festivals every spring, so it is a perfect getaway for music lovers. Vancouver's peak season is summer so April is a perfect time to vacation since the tourist level is low. The downtown is full of healthy dining options, high-fashion boutiques and is surrounded by both beaches and mountains. It s nicknamed "North Hollywood". 

Amsterdam in the spring is also a perfect getaway. The snow has melted and the beautiful flowers are starting to bloom along the canals. They also have a flower festival, so what better way to kick start spring than to attend a flower festival in Amsterdam! Amsterdam is full of outdoor events and parties, so there is never a dull moment. March and April are the best times to travel here and you come in contact with fewer tourists. The temperature is mild, if not a bit chilly, but very nice nonetheless. 

Ah, Paris. One of my absolute places in the world. Spring in Paris is known to be one of the best experiences. The flowering tress, the wonderful weather and sitting outside drinking a cup of Parisian coffee with a warm french baguette. Sounds like a dream. The streets are filled with local vendors selling vegetables, clothes, bread and much more. The ambiance alone should be a reason to visit Paris in spring. 

Bermuda is also a location that I loved. I have only been once, but that was enough for me to fall in love. Right now is the perfect time to scoop up great deals to travel to Bermuda. Lower rates right now will let you truly experience Bermuda. Bermuda has some of the clearest waters I have ever seen and it is WARM! If you love to golf, the upscale island has gorgeous greens to play on. 

Traveling in the U.S. this Spring is also an option. Charleston, Orlando, San Antonio and Washington D.C. are all on my list. I have traveled to all of these places and highly recommend them. 

You honestly cannot go wrong with a trip to Charleston. In spring the city glows. The gorgeous cobblestone walkways and moss covered trees are a welcoming site to visitors. The weather allows you to walk around and enjoy the outdoor patio seating and local cafes. This is the place to truly experience the south - and that says a lot since I live in Alabama, the home of the true south!

Orlando is every child's dream during spring and summer. Why? Because that is where Disney World is, of course! What better time to go to Disney than in spring when the weather is not too hot and the tourists have not swarmed yet. This means no hour long wait in the lines at Magic Kingdom! Travel to Orlando this spring and let your inner child free!

As a southerner, I know how HOT it is in the summer down here. Alabama gets pretty miserably hot, but nothing compared to summer in Texas. So if you want to visit San Antonio, go in the spring. The weather is beautiful. Walking around and touring the Alamo, grabbing a bite to eat at the River Walk and catching a show at SeaWorld make San Antonio a definite spring hot spot this year! Try to go before the end of April, because once May and June hit, the weather is no longer bearable for extended periods of time. 

One of my favorite things about spring is seeing the cherry trees bloom at my parent's house and around my little neighborhood. Washington D.C is famous for having a gorgeous array of thousands of blooming cherry trees in the spring. A sight not to miss! The weather is at a constant 60-70 degrees in the spring! Talk about perfect! The city is full of energy and excitement, which are the ingredients for a wonderful vacation!