Shadowbrook

Wedding Invitation Ideas

shadowbrook — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:48:22 +0000

Where’s the Reception? Scan This

 By COURTNEY RUBIN NEW YORK TIMES

Enlarge This Image Brandon Kidd Photography

To set the tone for her wedding…

in the Culver City neighborhood of Los Angeles, Michelle Dinh wanted an invitation as design-driven and as stylish as her feather-effect silk organza Oscar de la Renta gown and the converted garage in which the ceremony would be held. So to her pink and gray letterpress invitations, she added a Quick Response (QR) code, a pixelated square that can be scanned with a smartphone.

“We wanted people to go, ‘Oh, that’s cool,’ ” said Ms. Dinh, 28, of her decision to use the code, which took guests to a Web site about the Nov. 5, 2011, wedding weekend events. The QR code, frequently seen on billboards and in magazines, was also in keeping with her aesthetic. “We didn’t want a traditional verbose information card, so using the code meant the card could be really clean,” she said.

Couples, and not just the tech-loving types who register their receptions on Foursquare and create Twitter hashtags for the event, are using the codes for a range of tasks. These include sending guests to an R.S.V.P. Web site and even automatically adding the ceremony to guests’ electronic calendars, as Melody Chalaban and Michael Swain did for their Oct. 22, 2011, wedding in Pala, Calif. Never mind the novelty factor; the codes make life easier.

“Who really wants to spend hours manually counting reply cards and building spreadsheets for vendors?” said Chrissy Stengel, 33, of San Francisco, who recently sent out invitations to her March 24 wedding with a QR code to reply. “If the technology is available, why not use it so everyone wins?” (Dozens of Web sites will generate a free code.)

Giovanni and Evangelina Jaramillo enclosed QR codes with the invitations to their Nov. 23, 2011, wedding that turned on the map application on guests’ phones and gave them directions to the reception at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, N.Y.

The property has a main restaurant and a tricky-to-find cottage, where the couple held their reception. “With the QR code, we were able to bring people right to the front door,” said Mr. Jaramillo, who was happy to find a majority of his 127 guests used it. “Nobody had to stop at the restaurant and ask around.”

Mr. Jaramillo, 32, said he came up with the idea when the events manager of the location handed him a “cheesy piece of paper with their directions on it,” he said. “It was white and our invitation was cream-colored. Their card would have stuck out like a sore thumb.”

Of course, traditionalists argue that the real sore thumb is the chunky checkerboard code itself, which resembles a computer error (even tech bloggers have called the codes “robot barf”): hardly a cordial invitation to scan with a phone, let alone to attend a big event.

Invitation startups like Mighty Nice Inc., a Chicago-based company offering online and letterpress invitations, present the code as a standard option (the company charges $15 for it), but Brian Lawrence, a consultant to the wedding-invitation industry for 15 years, predicted that traditional stationery companies would play the role of disapproving in-laws.

“The whole wedding industry is based on tradition and formality, and if someone is spending $200 to $300 a person at a nice venue, a QR code projects informality and doesn’t make a good first impression,” he said.

Representatives from Crane & Co., the 211-year-old stationery company practically synonymous with tradition, think otherwise. The company has tested QR codes (typically black and white, though they can be any color) across its five types of printing processes and will offer them for all invitations come fall.

“I don’t turn my nose up at how people are communicating,” said Eliza Browning, a seventh-generation member of the Crane family and the vice president of Crane’s Digital. “We will always offer classic, timeless paper correspondence, but we need to anticipate where the market is going.”

She dismissed the idea that the codes would stick out on elegant stationery like a guest in shorts at a black-tie affair, though to help dress up the squares, Crane’s may offer the option of a monogram at the center. “Just because it’s a technical icon doesn’t mean we can’t make it beautiful,” she said. “If you engrave it on an ecru 100 percent cotton notecard, it’s beautiful because the craftsmanship makes it beautiful.”

The effort may be lost on non-tech-savvy guests.

Gwen Schmidt, 38, of Pittsburgh, used the code to direct guests to an R.S.V.P. Web site for her Oct. 9, 2010, wedding. “I think mostly people didn’t notice it if they didn’t know what it was,” she said.

Like most couples using the codes, she took the precaution of also printing the Web site’s address. It was partly for guests who might not be clued in to the codes, but also as a kind of insurance in case of code malfunction, the specter of which looms over most couples who choose to use them.

Ms. Chalaban and Mr. Swain, both 35, borrowed phones from co-workers to test their code’s compatibility with iPhone and Android systems, and spent about a day working out kinks. “It was saving Jan. 1, 1900, as the wedding date,” Ms. Chalaban said, laughing (now, anyway).

Ms. Dinh used her iPhone to test every one of her invitations, which (with her now-husband and the designer) she spent 12 hours hand-cranking on a 1920s letterpress.

“Some places the letterpress pushes down harder than others so the color was too uneven, and the code wouldn’t work,” she said. “And some versions we had to throw out because I just didn’t like what they looked like.”

By COURTNEY RUBIN A version of this article appeared in print on February 12, 2012, on page ST8 of the New York edition with the headline: Where’s the Reception? Scan This.

Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss on Celebrity Weddings

shadowbrook — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:28:09 +0000

Wedding planner Mindy Weiss never saw Heidi Klum’s divorce coming “I always say I’m responsible for the wedding, not the marriage.’’ That’s Mindy Weiss’ motto. The Los Angeles-based wedding planner to the stars has seen her fair share of happy endings — and ugly divorces. But that doesn’t mean Weiss has given up hope. She recently came out with a new book, The Wedding Planner & Organizer (Workman, $28.95), helping brides keep it together on their big day. Literally. It’s a three-ring binder with tons of advice on budget, locations, the dress, guests and more. With features like a pouch for fabric swatches, The Wedding Planner can turn into a scrapbook and hand-me-down when the honeymoon is over. We spoke to the happily married mother of three from her home in L.A. before her planned trip to David’s Bridal in Hialeah on Thursday evening, but unfortunately she came down with “a really bad flu,’’ and had to cancel. Still, Weiss did give us dirt on major Hollywood couples she helped down the aisle, and we wouldn’t want it to go to waste:

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden: “Nicole had a Marie Antoinette theme at her father Lionel Richie’s house. We actually built kind of a structure over the pool, and it looked like it was part of the house. Nobody could tell they were in a tent. We tufted the ceiling in blue and did a whole kind of black-and-white checked marbled floor, so the contrast between the two was amazing. She had torn out pictures she’d seen of what she wanted, so it made it really easy on me.’’

Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and Rochelle Karidis: “They wanted a Goth theme. We hand-painted blood coming down the cocktail linens. The centerpieces were red rose hearts with a dagger in them. It was colorful and full of personality. I always tell couples to personalize it. At the end of that one, there wasn’t anyone wondering whose wedding they were at.’’

Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi: “It was a small dinner party, only 22 people. Portia loves flowers, and Ellen’s taste is impeccable. There was one long table of beautiful flowers going all the way down the middle.’’

Fergie and Josh Duhamel: “They did it at a private home with around 300 guests. Her dream was an indoor garden, with a forest feeling. I made a custom graffiti wall with little symbols of what they like: Fergie’s music and Josh loves fishing, so we painted a fishing pole.’’

Heidi Klum and Seal: “I did their original wedding in 2005 and remember, they renewed their vows every year. Everyone always dressed up; the funniest was a trailer-trash party. Last year, we went Venetian ball. Their split was a big shock to me. I didn’t know about it, and she’s a close friend. I think she was dreaming about the fairy tale. She’s strong, and they’re friendly. I know they’ll figure out a way to raise the children.’’

Russell Brand and Katy Perry: “It was amazing. We went to India, where I probably never would have gone. I am with people during the best time of their lives, or what they think is the best time, so it’s always sad. Divorce happens all the time, you just hear about it more frequently when people are famous. Marriage is another job; you have to work on it. It’s not you in the apron singing in the kitchen. It’s bringing two completely different people together. You have to have a strong foundation or else you’re not going to make it.’’

-By Madeleine Marr The Miami Herald Mindy Weiss Photo By Madeleine Marr

Bridal Fairs

shadowbrook — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:25:47 +0000

You Are Cordially Invited to

Attend Our Upcoming Bridal Fairs

Experience Shadowbrook’s renowned cuisine, featured vendors and
entertainment in an atmosphere of unobtrusive elegance.

Dates & Times

Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 2-4pm

Sunday, April 1, 2012 from 2-4pm

Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 7-9pm

Thursday, July 12, 2012 from 7-9pm

Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 7-9pm

Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 7-9pm

Sunday, December 30, 2012 from 2-4pm

Please Call For Reservations
(732) 747-0200

Indian and Pakistani Weddings and Events

shadowbrook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:25:13 +0000

Surrender to Fantasy… An enchanting tree lined drive welcomes you and your guests to the most elegant Georgian Mansion set on 20 secluded acres of magnificent formal gardens and splashing fountains…the perfect location for your celebration of a lifetime. Shadowbrook presents a menu, a service and an ambiance that are unsurpassed, offering a variety of packages, including Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Explore the amazing photo galleries of our events. Shadowbrook is conveniently located in Central NJ, just south of Red Bank inShrewsbury,NJ off of Garden State Parkway Exit 109. 20 Minutes from Staten Island and the Driscoll Bridge, 45 minutes from Brooklyn, 1 hour fromManhattan. Call today to arrange a private tour of our magnificent venue 732-747-0200

Shadowbrook Awarded 5 Star Customer Satisfaction Award

shadowbrook — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:51:33 +0000

Shadowbrook has been awarded CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award for 2012. Based on CMUS Power Ratings including a multitude of resources, including consumer review website, blogs, social networks and industry resources, Shadowbrook has received a 5 star top honors rating, representing excellence in customer satisfaction.

Shadowbrook Debuts Regency Room Lighting

shadowbrook — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:06:38 +0000

Exciting News….Shadowbrook is now featuring a new state of the art lighting system in the Regency Room on the Garden Level. Beautiful shades of Pink, Blue, Purple, Red, Yellow, Green will enhance your spectacular celebration at Shadowbrook. The alluring charm and versatility of this new element will delight and enchant your guests and set the perfect mood for your event. Come for a preview during our Sunday January 29, 2012 Bridal Fair from 3-5pm or call to arrange a private tour. 732-747-0200

Victorian Suite for Cocktail Hour

shadowbrook — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:02:27 +0000

The Victorian Suite may be available for your Cocktail Hour.

Victorian Suite

shadowbrook — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:50:17 +0000

The Shadowbrook Victorian Suite and English Courtyard Garden are available for your party of 50-75 guests.

Shadowbrook again honored with Bride’s Choice Award

shadowbrook — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:56:46 +0000

Shadowbrook has again been honored with the prestigious Bride’s Choice Award for 2012. This top rating is only bestowed upon 5% of Wedding Professional Nationwide. A Shadowbrook bride has the pride of knowing that the Zweben Family’s three generations of experience and Shadowbrook’s century of tradition and trust are working for her. A special thank you to our Brides for taking the time to vote and provide testimonials of your wonderful Shadowbrook experience!

Celebrity Wedding Dresses Want to look like a Princess, The First Lady or Bella Swan on your wedding day?

shadowbrook — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:03:50 +0000

“The aisle becomes the next red carpet, and we analyze it for trends,” says WeddingChannel.com associate editor Amy Eisinger.

New Yorker Lisa Sharma donned a David’s Bridal version of the dress Kate Middleton wore for her April 2011 nuptials. As luck would have it, Sharma’s boyfriend proposed just a few weeks after the Windsors’ wedding. So when she heard David’s Bridal had created a knockoff of Kate Middleton’s Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown for just $999, she made a beeline for the branch on Sixth Avenue atWest 25th Street, clutching her royal-wedding edition of People magazine. Not surprisingly, Sharma’s veil, tiara, shoes and the vintage Rolls-Royce that escorted her to the ceremony were also all inspired by HRH Catherine. She fondly remembers her wedding day…“I felt like a princess and I looked like a princess”

The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown wasn’t alone in causing widespread anticipation lately…

In fact, Bella Swan – the fictional star of the Twilight movie series ran her a close second.The stunning design, created by Carolina Herrera made out of crepe satin and French Chantilly lace, 152 buttons line the back of Bella’s dress, with 17 additional buttons on each sleeve took Ms. Herrera and four seamstresses six months to custom make for Ms. Stewart. Look familiar? The buttons on Bella Swan’s gown are very similar to those on the maid of honour gown worn by Pippa Middleton for the Royal Wedding in April. The estimated value of Bella’s wedding dress is $35,000, a similar amount to Pippa’s gown, rumoured to have cost around £20,000. Ms Herrera plans to include the design for Bella’s dress in her 2012 collection, to be available at her CHNY boutiques this year. The bridal dress company Alfred Angelo will be selling a replica of the dress in select stores, priced at $799. Bella’s Manolo Blahnik shoes were embellised with jewels.

“Do you really want to say, ‘I copied my wedding-day look from “Twilight,” that teen novel?’ ”Well, yes, actually, if you’re Christine Fritz, the 46-year-old airline reservations agent and self-described “Twi-Hard fan” fromJacksonville,Fla., is one of the first brides in the country to snag a replica Bella wedding dress. “I went to see [‘Twilight’ movie] ‘Breaking Dawn’ because I was eager to see what her dress looked like,” says Fritz, who notes she hasn’t missed a single installment of the franchise. “I said, ‘Wow, that’s it — that’s my dress!’ ” The recently engaged Fritz, a mother of three who owns all the “Twilight” books, then caught a glimpse of the Bella dress, being sold for $799 in the window of an Alfred Angelo Bridal boutique on her way to work a few weeks ago. “I pulled over the car — I had to buy it. I also have my name signed on Edward’s [cardboard cutout] — so he’s mine when this is over,” laughs Fritz, whose 19-year-old daughter witnessed the impromptu gown purchase, slightly chagrined. “She said, ‘Mom, you’re such a dork, but get it!’ ” Speaking of her upcoming February 17th wedding ”…in my mind, I’m marrying my Edward,” she avows.

Erin Halper, a 32-year-old who runs a financial marketing firm, says she selected her one-shoulder wedding dress precisely because it mimicked Michelle Obama’s inaugural ball gown. “I really wanted a dress that looked very much of this time, of this era,” explains Halper. “I knew that if it was something like what Michelle wore, then it would be trendy.” In January 2009, Halper watched the Obamas waltzing on TV from her Midtown East apartment. “I remember saying, ‘Wow, if I could have that in a wedding dress, it would be amazing.’ ” She was married 10 months later. While she couldn’t afford the original Jason Wu design, she says her $1,800 Pronovias gown was an ideal imitation — albeit a bit sexier.

Eisinger lists Grace Kelly as the original celebrity wedding muse, but says that ABS by Allen Schwartz’s 2010 knockoff of Chelsea Clinton’s Vera Wang gown was the first replica dress brought to the mass market at an affordable price. She notes that it’s far more common for brides to borrow a single element from a star’s wedding look — say, a sleeve-length or veil style — than duplicate a gown thread for thread. Ultimately, copycat gowns fall in and out of favor along with their famous models. WeddingChannel.com’s Eisinger points out that the previously hotly anticipated Kim Kardashian replica gown by Vera Wang for David’s Bridal (expected to be in stores this spring) is now somewhat stigmatized.

On the other hand, says Reed Kimmel, owner of RK Bridal onWest 39th Street, “Kate Middleton could have worn a burlap bag and people would have jumped to wear it.”