Saying Goodbye to 2009...

It's hard to believe that 2010 is just around the corner. 2009 was an amazing year...both professionally and personally. PBW designed and coordinated over seventy five memorable events. We received so much great press. We were selected as one of the Knot's BEST OF IN '09 for the fourth year in a row! We launched PLUSH, our non wedding event planning company. We also welcomed several new coordinators to our fabulous team!

On a personal level, we had much success as well! 2009 was apparently the year of the baby!!! My senior designer Melissa had her first baby, Rocco Thomas, on June 26th. My husband and I also welcomed a son. Dylan Thomas was born January 21st. I also became a godmother for the first time! My best friend gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Kylie Sung in October. Needless to say, it has been both a challenging and rewarding year for all of us. As my son nears his first birthday I can't help but reflect on the past year and get excited for what lies ahead!

So you might be thinking..."What else could PBW have planned for 2010?"...To answer your question..."A LOT!!!!" We have exciting plans for the coming year. While I cannot divulge too many juicy details right now, I will give you a preview of what's to come:

-Several gorgeous featured weddings and events coming out in bridal magazines. (NJ Bride, The Knot, Bridal Guide, Park Place and more!)

-We will be planning The Knot's industry party next fall (we took a year off after planning three of their previous parties) so we are beyond excited to be working with The Knot again.

-Swanky Planning events: On January 24th I will be co-hosting a fabulous and posh bridal event at the Meadowwood Manor (www.theweddingpartynj.com) Be sure to register early as space is limited.

-More Wedding and Event Planning 101 courses for budding event planners. The response has been overwhelming so I'm eager to continue!!!

-Exclusive relationships with some of NJ's finest reception facilities (details to come soon!)

-Most importantly: We will continue to design and coordinate events while putting our brides first! We've always been about pampering and doing all we can to make our clients feel stress free and relaxed during their wedding planning experience. I started this company because there seemed to be a void. Everyone was planning, but no one was caring. I still believe customer service is key and a happy bride is always the goal!

That's just a taste of what's to come! We will continue to blog, post updates and keep our readers aware of everything that's PBW! We love your support and comments. Please keep 'em coming!!!!!

As the year comes to a close I cannot help but count my blessings. I'm thankful and grateful for so many things. My beautiful and healthy son. An amazing husband. Wonderful friends and clients. Loving family. A successful business. What can I say? I'm truly blessed.

I want to wish everyone (our amazing clients who allow us to be creative, professional vendors who never let us down, talented planners and industry professionals that inspire us, supportive family and friends, and of course, my dedicated and fabulous staff) a joyous and healthy new year. May 2010 bring you everything you hope for!!!!

Love and Prosperity,
Jenny

The holidays are upon us!

From my family to yours...

Wishing you good times, good friends, and a world of holiday happiness!

Love,
Jenny

Samantha and Jeff's Winter Wonderland Wedding...LITERALLY!

On Saturday night PBW clients Samantha and Jeff tied the knot at the beautiful Seton Hall Chapel and then celebrated in style at the Crystal Plaza. The "theme" was always winter elegance...but the couple had no idea just how wintery their wedding day would be! On Saturday, our area got hit with what weather officials called the storm of the century! And while neither Monique nor I was looking forward to venturing outside or driving in the blizzard, were were not about to let some silly storm stop us from making sure all our hard work paid off!

The bridal party was equipped with faux mink stoles, warm velvet gloves and adorable snow boots! The ballroom was filled with lush florals in three different designs, all in shades of reds and burgundies. We rented beautiful sheer and gold overlays with coordinating lamour napkins. Centerpieces had gold painted pearls dripping inside their vases. Pillar candles were wrapped in deep red velvet ribbon. The walls were washed in a glowing amber and the couple's custom monogram was seen by all on the dance floor. The wedding cake (done by Crystal Plaza's in house baker) was stunning...white with gold pearl detail and handmade sugar snowflakes.

While many couples would have been bummed by the weather, our couple took it in stride and made the most of the winter wonderland on their wedding day. They even ventured outside during the peak of the blizzard to take some really fun photos! I can't wait to see the professional pics from www.CLBphoto.com!

I also have to thank the other great vendors who helped make this day so spectacular! A huge thank you to everyone at the Crystal Plaza...Jason and his staff were such a pleasure to work with!

Other vendors include:

Florals: Crest Florist

Music: Barry Herman Entertainment

Stationery: Camturnerdesign.com

Video: Villanovisions

Rentals: Table Wraps

Photobooth: NJphotobooths.com (Thx Josh!)
Pashmina favors: Broadway Boutique Trading Corp

Transportation: Action Limo

Accomodations: Short Hills Hilton and Westminster Hotel

On Sunday morning I received an email from the bride thanking us for making her day so fabulous! As always, it was OUR pleasure!

I think there's a few important lessons to be learned here...

1. A great wedding is NOT contingent upon weather

2. Not even the storm of the century will stop PBW!!!!!!!

Samantha and Jeff....we all wish you an amazing honeymoon and a lifetime of love and happiness!!!!

Samantha and I coming in from the snow!

Stephanie and Mike..."Falling" in Love

This blog entry is a bit overdue, but definitely worth the wait. Stephanie and Mike exchanged vows on October 17. The quirky, lovable, down right hilarious couple was married on a rainy Saturday morning at the beautiful Manor in West Orange. The rain, however, did NOT stop this couple from having a great time!!!!

Everything looked so elegant! Kudos to my girl Adhari for coordinating such a fabulous autumnal inspired event!

Special thanks to CLB Photography (www.clbphoto.com) for capturing some amazing moments, Laurelwood Designs (www.laurelwooddesigns.com) for the beautiful flowers, Michelle Loconte of Pink Comb Salon (www.pinkcombsalon.com) for hair and makeup and Sounds to go DJs (www.soundstogods.com) for the entertainment.

We loved working with this couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness and laughter!

Carlos Bakery and PBW - Always a Delicious Combination!

For years we've been taking our clients to Buddy at Carlos bakery for nothing less than amazing wedding cake designs. Even with his new hit show "Cake Boss" Buddy still makes time for his "regulars." Most recently, some of his cakes were featured in Life and Style Magazine. We were so excited to see the cake of one of our favorite clients (Renee and Sean) in the spread! Below is the page...Renee and Sean's cake is the one right next to Jenna Bush's cake. We are always impressed with Buddy's skill and attention to detail and look forward to working with Carlos bakery for many more years to come!!!! Way to go Buddy! So definitely pick up your copy today! And another big congrats to our fabulous couple Renee and Sean (by the way, you can see their wedding in the last issue of Contemporary Bride magazine!)

White HOT Winter WOW...Patricia and Greg get married!

December 11th was a bitter cold day...but that didn't stop the joy felt by all as Patricia and Greg took their vows and made their guests jaws drop (literally) at an insanely gorgeous winter inspired reception at il Tulipano in Cedar Grove.

Melissa met the adorable couple back in January and got the ball rolling quickly, as they wanted a 2009 winter wedding and the time was ticking away! Patty and Greg wanted a fabulous party that would knock the socks off of their friends and family. They wanted to preserve certain traditions in their culture, as the groom comes from Filipino roots and the bride from Bolivian background. We knew that the bride loved the idea of lots of white and some bling...but the groom insisted we pop in his favorite color green--it wasn't a problem...in fact, it worked out so wonderfully!

Melissa worked with them to create a design that would transform the tuscan inspired ballroom into an icy hot winter fantasyland...complete with white draping, fabulous uplighting, beautiful rentals, and some seriously amazing floral design!

The ceremony took place at St. John the Evangelist church in Orange. The bridal party looked amazing...the bridesmaids dresses were all a fabulous shade of green in different styles...an awesome POP of color for winter! Patricia was stunning in her Priscilla of Boston gown...rocking 1 of 2 hairstyles and "looks" she had that day (loved that!).

The couple headed to il Tulipano and were waiting with baited breath to see their stunning ballroom...but we made them wait...it had to be PERFECT! Melissa and Erika went over every detail to ensure this room was nothing less than perfection...and boy did it pay off! When the ballroom doors opened for our couple...a collective gasp...followed by the "Oh my GOD"s and "Wow"s that we love sooo much! Melissa, you did it again..what a transformation!

The reception was amazing...lots of love in that room..you could feel it!

Many to thank for a huge success! First, to Scott Bush at Scott Photography for the quick turnaround on these gorgeous photos...great stuff! To Charlie at Krystle Clear Productions for capturing the moments on video and for the wonderful montage that left many shedding a tear at dinner..Thanks! Thank You to Infinity Studios for the uplighting and gobo of their monogram, Oasis Music for the packed dancefloor, and Allison at The Satin Bow for the day of stationery (that matched perfectly!). And last, but certainly not least, to Lisa and her team a A Touch of Elegance for the to die for floral design and Sandy at Jersey Street Furniture for the draping...you rocked it yet again!

Congrats again Patricia and Greg...enjoy your honeymoon in Jamaica!

Tickled Pink: Sarah and Ryan

Congrats to our lovely couple Sarah and Ryan as they exchanged vows and threw a fun and festive party on November 21st!

Melissa had the reigns for the day that began at the bride's home in Jersey City. Sarah looked fabulous...all thanks to wedding hair guru Michelle LoConte of Pink Comb Salon (www.pinkcombsalon.com) and amazing makeup by Evelyn Abanto (www.evelynabanto.com)!

St. Aedan's in Jersey City was the setting for the traditional Filipino ceremony, which was truly beautiful...the church is huge...nice long aisle!

After lots of pics at the church and at Lambert Castle...our couple headed to the Valley Regency in Clifton, ready to party!

The ballroom was fantastic..with lovely centerpieces in shades of pink and fuschia...lots of candlelight, and amazing uplighting from our friends at Infinity Studios (www.infinitystudioslightingandevents.com). Sarah and Ryan LOVED everything...guests were wowed...dancefloor was packed all night...definitely a SUCCESS!

Thanks to Fabio and his amazing staff at Valley Regency, Eric at Creative Unlimited (www.creativeunlimited.tv) for video, Santos VIP for transportation and to Jason Rhee of Jason Rhee Photography (www.jasonrhee.com) for the great pics! And many thanks to our Erika for assisting..awesome job!

Much love and happiness to you Sarah and Ryan...we had a wonderful time!

You REALLY Like us!!!!

My good friend Josette at the Knot just shared the news!

PBW was named a KNOT BEST OF PICK for the fourth year in a row!!! We are so honored by this recognition and have to thank our clients, vendors and the entire bridal community for their votes.

Thanks again to everyone who helped PBW get to where we are today. We promise to keep up the good work!!!

Thank you for your continued love and support!!!!

Ho Ho Ho...and a Bottle of Sangria???

Last week we had our annual PBW Holiday Dinner at the Garlic Rose in Cranford. What a fabulous time!!!!! We ate entirely too much delicious food, drank some of the best tasting sangria around (I lost track after the 2nd round of carafes) and reminisced about all the fun we had in 2009. We literally closed the place down! (our apologies to Garlic Rose for that one!) It was simply an awesome evening...full of good cheer and amazing friendships. There's no other group of ladies with whom I'd want to celebrate the holidays!

I'm already planning next year's holiday celebration...it's going to be tough to top this one!

You like us, you really, really like us!

I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of our clients who gave us such great ratings on projectwedding.com and weddingwire.com. Because of you, PBW received the "perfect rating" award from the popular vendor review sites.

We loved helping each of you plan your big day and we are so appreciative of your kind words!!!!

Also...a HUGE thank you to all of my PBW ladies and interns as well as our amazing vendors....I couldn't do it without your help and hard work!

Jenny

A "bus load" of LOVE: Sarah and Jim

Congratulations to Sarah and Jim on their wonderfully classic and elegant wedding on November 14th. The weather wasn't incredibly cooperative that day, which saddened Melissa, who had worked with the couple for a number of months ...but to her surprise, it didn't dampen their spirits AT ALL! They truly enjoyed every moment of their special day!

The couple exchanged vows before a crowd of family and friends at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Maywood, NJ. It was a beautiful ceremony..decorated in rich fall tones and hanging lanterns from the pews. The Woodcliff Lake Hilton was the location of the gorgeous reception, where there was a lot of merriment to be had by their incredibly jubilant family and friends. The ballroom was fabulous...topaz embroidered overlays by Table Wraps and copper chivari chairs from Party Rental Ltd. set the tone for fabulous fall arrangements by Laurie and her team at Laurelwood Designs (http://www.laurelwooddesigns.com/) and the display of the great customized menus, table names and escort cards, created by the ever so talented Cam Turner of Cam Turner Design (http://www.camturnerdesign.com/) . Amber uplighting from Infinity Studios (http://www.infinitystudioslightingandevents.com/) completed the look.

There were many details that made this event personal and extra special for Sarah and Jim. As a favor, guests walked away with custom cookie cutters in the shape of puzzle pieces, with tags to reflect their donation made to Autism Speaks, a charity near and dear to the couple.

One VERY special touch was the incredible creation by the "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro of Carlos Bakery in Hoboken...a cake in the shape of a charter bus! Jim's family owns and operates Saddle River Tours in Bergen County...so as a couple they decided it would be fun to have Buddy make a cake that was an exact replica of one of their fleet. It was EXACT...with full mechanisms under the bus and everything! Needless to say...it was a complete HIT with their guests!

Thanks so much to Dave Cross Photography for the great images captured throughout the day! You can see their fantastic blog of Sarah and Jim's day at: http://davecrossweddings.com/weddings/wheels-bus/

To Tom Saffioti and the staff at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton for their assistance, Elegant Ensembles (http://www.elegantensembles.com/) for providing cocktail music and entertainment and to Charlie at Krystle Clear Productions for capturing the day on film..Thanks a bunch! And special thanks to our wonderful Monique for all of her help throughout the day..you rock girl!

Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness, Sarah and Jim!

"The Wedding Party" is coming to town!

I am so excited to announce The Wedding Party!!! On January 24th, I will be a special guest host at NJ's first swanky and chic bridal event!

I'm sure you've been to bridal shows before...herd like crowds, hundreds of vendors who hassle you, and food and drink that leaves alot to be desired! Forget what you've experienced in the past. Our event will be nothing like that!

Our goal: give brides to be a swanky and posh wedding planning experience. You'll sip cocktails and dine on sumptuous cuisine while mingling with just a select few of NJ's hottest trendsetting vendors. Guests will partake in a high end "tricky tray" and have the opportunity to walk away with thousands of dollars worth of wedding services. With co-sponsors such as New Jersey Bride Magazine and NJwedding.com...it's sure to be an amazing success!

We also plan to dontate a portion of the net proceeds to Autism Speaks..a charity that is near and dear to PBW.

Within the next few weeks we will have a website up and attendees can pre-register. So definitely check back here regularly for updates! In the interim, please feel free to email me directly with any questions! Jennifer@pamperedbrideweddings.com

We look forward to seeing you at The Wedding Party!!!!