Going to the Chapel...
By Kellie K. Speed
You've gotten engaged, set the date and shared the exciting news with everyone you know. So, what's next? A lot!
Now is the time to decide whether you want that fairy-tale wedding complete with church bells and 300 guests or if you'd rather have a destination ceremony. Today, more and more couples are choosing destination weekend weddings with a Friday-night rehearsal dinner, the main event on Saturday and a morning-after brunch on Sunday. Couples are finding this to be a great way to really spend some time with each other. Whether you marry at a villa in Tuscany or a local resort, you'll need someone with your interests in mind to help coordinate everything and make you feel at ease. Most resorts, like Mohegan Sun, have full-time wedding planners to make sure every last detail is attended to.
"This is so exciting for us because we are a full-service facility that offers unique venues to produce a memorable wedding occasion," says Mary DeVizia, director of catering for Mohegan Sun. "We can cater to everything from a small affair to a lavish 2,000-plus guest reception. One of the reasons guests choose to get married here is because we have everything on-site and can arrange it all for out-of-town guests. We have our own limo service, florist, entertainment department and over 100,000 square feet of space."
"We don't compare to anything in the local area," says Gary Crowder, senior vice president of food and beverage at Mohegan Sun. "We offer everything under the sun here, so if it's a weekend affair a couple is looking for, we have Michael Jordan's Steak House, where they could host the rehearsal dinner, have some drinks at Rain and schedule the Sunday brunch at another location. It's one-stop shopping here for a wedding. We had a wedding under the planetarium where we sectioned off an area and the couple got married on top of Wombi Rock."
If you're an avid gambler, you can even redeem those points you've earned for a room reservation, florist or catering facilities. Feeling stressed out the day before your nuptials? Escape to Mohegan Sun's full-service spa, Elemis, which offers a bridal package that includes hair styling and a massage.
"We have an array of entertainment here from the 300-seat Cabaret to the Wolf Den that offers free shows," Crowder says. "We have been a long-time favorite site for bachelor and bachelorette parties. If you book different venues, you will feel like you're in different locations, not just one."
"Our intent is to customize affairs for individuals," DeVizia adds. "We have had a strong interest from the Asian market so we've even created a specific Asian wedding package. Every menu is a work in progress and our pricing is reasonable for our product. From white gloves to a casual affair, we do it all quite easily and effortlessly."
Now that you have the reception site, what are some of the latest hits in floral designs? "Brides want less Martha Stewarty," laughs Paul Eckhart, owner of Broadway Florist in Newport, R.I. Brides and grooms find Eckhart's work appealing because he works one-on-one with them, deciding every detail of the planning process so that the arrangements reflect each couple's personality. "They're looking for vivid colors, lots of coral and pink tones with a splash of lime but nothing too gaudy," adds Eckhart. "The trend is for couples to collect things themselves like containers and have us design them. They're looking for more of a custom design. Each season has a subtle change. For the fall, we're seeing more combinations with fruit and nice textured ribbons.
A mix of more tropicals seems to be in order because brides are steering away from the typical rose and hydrangea bouquets. Finally, since 9/11, couples have been more conservative. The mood is less decadent than it used to be."
When it comes to cakes, you need to find a baker who sculpts edible works of art. Every cake should be designed to complement the individual ceremony with no design or flavor being too extravagant. "I know there are a lot of trends out there, but we try to be a trendsetter," says Rebecca Moesinger, co-owner of Konditor Meister European cakes in Braintree, Mass, who recently had one of her creations selected as the winning cake for a couple married on the "Today" show. "The design work that goes into the sides of our cakes is something that a lot of people don't do," says Moesinger. "When it comes to cake trends, virtually anything goes! People are adding more and more color, bows, fresh fruit and flowers to make their cake different. The brocade design and an elaborate scroll work well so the design jumps out. We are starting to do cognac and champagne cakes, which are becoming very popular. Brides pick things that make sense for the season like a cornucopia of flowers for the fall. Some trends like that are just sticking because they make so much sense."
If you've looked at your parents' photo album recently, you probably want to make yours a bit different. "Couples today want relaxed and casual photos as opposed to our parents' generation," says Susan Bouchard, founding partner and photographer for Options Photography in West Warwick, R.I. "They want to have their weddings reflect their lifestyles and personalities without getting away from the formality. We're seeing more and more intimate moments between couples," says Bouchard. "We're a different generation today than our parents. We're more interested in the behind-the-scenes look and focusing on the details of the day. We always spend the first hour taking pictures of the flowers and invitation before the dress is even on. The invitation sets the tone of the day and the rest of the album completes the rest of the story."
Bridal fashion was heavily influenced in the 1980s with Princess Diana's gown and again in the 1990s with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's dress. The trend now is a shift back to a more romantic, elegant and classic look. Strapless dresses like those by Richard Tyler and Vera Wang are very popular right now. At Hollywood awards ceremonies, some of the most glamorous women wear gowns that display their shoulders and back. Today, bridal gowns, from sexy slip dresses to haute couture fashions, have followed this trend.
"Brides today are seeking very simple, classic looks," says Diane Haskell, owner of Montage Bridal in Mystic. "They don't want ruffles, beads and sequins. I am seeing lots of chiffon dresses and 100-percent silk gowns are becoming very popular. For the fall, some brides are wearing halter dresses with long gloves."
Whatever you choose, just be sure to relax and enjoy the day!
To coordinate a memorable event on your wedding day or to receive more information on Mohegan Sun's Wedding Services, please contact us at 860.862.8970 or e-mail wedding@mohegansun.com.
