Check out Unique Designs....

Unique Designs has launched their new website. Unique designs is a custom invitation studio and their invitations are innovative, modern, and without a doubt, one-of-a-kind. You should definitely check out the website to see for yourselves, just go to http://www.daretobeunique.com/. Browse through their portfolios of invitations for weddings and other events and I assure you, you'll be impressed!

~A`vie Ladies....Unique you Rock it!!!

Something fun with A`vie

Sometimes we get to have a little bit of fun before the event starts. By fun is we get to find some extra decor and we can add it around the reception or the ceremony even stop and pose for a picture together.

Juliana and Angela at the Thomas Center

Benay and Juliana at Thomas Center

We came a cross a few things that we could use from the ceremony inside the reception hall before we opened the doors therefore we reused it. So here I am hanging them from the lights.

We will do what it takes to make your wedding everything you want it to be.

~Angela

Opera House Meet and Greet Event on Thursday night...

We are putting together a Meet and Greet event for Vendors on Thursday, June 25th at The Opera House in High Springs, FL. Come experience the Opera House venue for your next wedding, reception, party, meetings, or bridal luncheon. We would love to see you all there.

Networking will be happening (bring your cards for the networking table)
Appetizers from Opera House
Free Champagne
Cash Bar
Entertainment
Door Prizes
Gift Bags for all those who come with some baked goodies

But wait I am not done...we will be featuring the Cast from 'The Wedding from Hell'. In a great performance and they are coming to do it again for us. You are going to love seeing it.

Plan on being at the Opera House on Thursday night from 7:00-10:00pm. RSVP to us so we can get you signed up.

~Angela

Courtney and Bill's Wedding at TPC in Ponte Vedra

Their wedding exuberated modern elegance in every detail chosen for their special day while still letting their own personalities shine through. The substitution of a groom’s cake with rhubarb pie, donations in memory of Courtney’s sister in lieu of favors for the guests, and riding away at the end of the night in a golf cart all portrayed their own unique style. Standing alone as the best moment of the day was during the sand ceremony when Courtney poured her sand faster than Bill’s and exclaimed “I beat you”. By staying faithful to their personas, this couple made this chic day their own. Here are some of my favorite photos that I would like to share...

~Lauren

Keri and Cole's Wedding was beautiful and simple but a WIN for all

Keri and Cole were married June 14th at the Baughman Center. Family and friends celebrated during the reception at Plantation Hall at Haile following the ceremony. Here is Angela helping the beautiful bride, Keri, get ready!

The Plant Shoppe brightened up the room with these stunning blue hydrangeas and roses!

Keri and Cole added their own style by placing this picture of them on their guestbook table. In the middle is a picture of Keri and Cole, and above and below is each of their parents on their wedding day!

Wayne’s World provided the musical entertainment and the photographer Caroline Johnson and videographer Mike, from Videotronics, were there to capture every moment! Catering by Anne provided delicious southern-style food, and Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art made this beautiful cake!

We had so much fun! Thanks Keri and Cole for letting us be a part of your special day!

Benay, Angela, Lindsay & Denise

~Lindsay

Opera House Meet and Greet Event on Thursday night...

We are putting together a Meet and Greet event for Vendors on Thursday, June 25th at The Opera House in High Springs, FL. Come experience the Opera House venue for your next wedding, reception, party, meetings, or bridal luncheon. We would love to see you all there.

Networking will be happening (bring your cards for the networking table)
Appetizers from Opera House
Free Champagne
Cash Bar
Entertainment
Door Prizes
Gift Bags for all those who come with some baked goodies

But wait I am not done...we will be featuring the Cast from 'The Wedding from Hell'. In a great performance and they are coming to do it again for us. You are going to love seeing it.

Plan on being at the Opera House on Thursday night from 7:00-10:00pm. RSVP to us so we can get you signed up.
~Angela

Flower Girl 101: How to get kids down the aisle

Most of you know that having young children in your wedding, although adorable, usually doesn't go quite as you envisioned. The average 3 year old doesn't exactly do what you want her or him to do- especially if the parents aren't there to whip them into shape. The following tips cannot guarantee a perfect performance, but they certainly can't hurt:

1. Practice. Whether at the rehearsal or some other time, let the child walk up and down the aisle several times. Try to practice a few times when the room is empty and a few times when there are people there. This helps them slowly get used to the spotlight being on them.

2. Incentive. Pretend this is Christmas morning and promise that child whatever it takes to get them down the aisle. Having mommy or daddy standing at the end with piece of candy or new toy generally does the trick.

3. Plan B. Just in case you are still facing a screaming child, be willing to accept the fact that it may not happen at all. Whether you have a flower girl or not, you are still getting married to the love of your life. Try having a bridesmaid walk with the child, holding his or her hand. If that still doesn't work, let it go- this is your day!



~Ann Marie

The Opera House in High Springs Meet and Greet Event Coming...

We are putting together a Meet and Greet event for Vendors on Thursday, June 25th at The Opera House in High Springs, FL. Come experience the Opera House venue for your next wedding, reception, party, meetings, or bridal luncheon. We would love to see you all there.

Networking will be happening (bring your cards for the networking table)

Appetizers from Opera House

Free Champagne

Cash Bar

Entertainment

Door Prizes

Gift Bags for all those who come with some baked goodies

But wait I am not done...we will be featuring the Cast from 'The Wedding from Hell'. In a great performance and they are coming to do it again for us. You are going to love seeing it.

Plan on being at the Opera House on Thursday night from 7:00-10:00pm. RSVP to us so we can get you signed up.
~Angela

Jasmine's Wrap-up

It amazes me how quickly six weeks can go by when you are having as much fun and learning as much as I have been while working at A’vie Weddings and Events. I came into my volunteering position this summer eager to acquire as much knowledge as possible about event planning and implementation. I was excited that I would be lending a helping hand with weddings in particular as they are a very unique and personal type of event. Due to time constraints, I was only able to assist directly with three weddings, but that was plenty to give me a taste of the hard work and dedication that goes into making these events come to life.

The very first weekend of the semester, I already had my first event to look forward to, which was the Deller-Karahalios wedding. It took place at the parents of the groom’s home in Earleton, FL. Because it was an outdoor wedding in the month of May in Florida, we were hoping that the weather would cooperate, but it did not. Rainy conditions were experienced, but thankfully, it was before and after the ceremony. On a more positive note, the reception décor was beautiful, and the buffet food and cake provided by Celebrations Catering and Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art were delicious. This wedding took a great deal of effort and perseverance to put together, but the turnout was phenomenal and I enjoyed beginning with a bang.

Two weeks later, I worked a Jewish-style wedding of the Keathley-Rubin families. The ceremony took place in the Turtle Court of the Thomas Center, which provided a gorgeous backdrop for photography. It was at this wedding that I had the pleasure of witnessing the fantastic DJs of Jay’s Entertainment in action, all of whom had lively and fun personalities. They did an excellent job of keeping everyone on the dance floor well into the evening. However, there was a lot of construction on the exterior of the building, making it a less aesthetically pleasing venue for the guests as they first arrived. This was a wedding bursting with traditions, including the fabulous “something blue” shoes that the bride wore.

The final event that I had the pleasure of working was the Cauthen-Hall wedding at the University Auditorium on UF campus and the reception at the UF Hilton. This was the first wedding in which there was a transition from one location to another between ceremony and reception, which I think went very smoothly but would not choose to do over a single location. Stunning shades of berry accented every part of this event beautifully, and Jay’s Entertainment was present once again with as much energy and enthusiasm as they had at the previous wedding. This was the most relaxed of the three events I worked and I was happy to end on a very high note.

It is difficult to sum up all that I have learned, but I will provide a few of my personal suggestions: opt not to have a wedding outdoors; have Ms. Debbie’s Sugar Art bake the wedding cake; have Darrin from Jay’s Entertainment as the DJ; do not invite more guests than can fit comfortably at the venue; try not to transition between ceremony and reception; and most of all, have fun! All in all, I feel honored to have been able to gain further experience in my field of study with A’vie.

~Jasmine Garcia

Stevie and Cristina's Rehearsal Dinner

The Marks' rehearsal dinner, held on June 12th at their home in Gainesville, was a festive affair with orange and blue Gator décor from floor to ceiling.

Large tents from Party Time Rentals held the UF inspired tables to seat the 110 guests- definitely the largest rehearsal dinner I've ever done! The wedding itself had over 300 guests! Although it was quite warm outside, we didn't have a drop of rain and didn't see one mosquito! That's all we could ask for this outdoor party!

Mi Apa catered delicious food that was presented with floral decorations carved out of peppers. Not only was the food aesthetically pleasing, but delicious too! The menu consisted of pork (cooked by Cristina's family), black beans, white rice, sweet plantains, stuffed potato balls, and even some Chick-fil-a chicken nuggets for the kids. Since Cristina's family is Cuban, everyone loved the authentic hispanic food.

The dessert table featured several kinds of homemade baked goods along with a cake from Publix sporting a bride and groom gator on top. Cakes by Jenny provided delicious mini-cupcakes with orange and blue icing. Mi Apa also catered some cuban pastries- filled with coconut and guava. Yum!

In addition to being almost as elaborate as a wedding reception, this rehearsal dinner was vibrant, fun, and classy. I had so much fun getting to know the Marks family and I wish the best of luck to Stevie and Cristina in their new journey together!

~Ann Marie and Lauren