Great Find | Jacques Torres Chocolate Wedding Favors

This is the most delicious wedding favor I've ever had the pleasure of taking home with me. Remember when I mentioned Joey & Chris absolutely spoiled their guests? Well, I may not have mentioned they absolutely spoiled each of their vendors too, but they did! I was beyond excited to take one of these little brown & orange boxes home with me after their July 3rd wedding.

I've always been an advocate of edible wedding favors, but these New York City Jacques Torres chocolate wedding favors top my list of yummy treats. In flavors like Hearts of Passion, Love Potion #9, Espresso, Wicked, LoveBug, and Hazelnut, how could you go wrong? Give your guests a beautifully boxed favor like this, and I will guarantee no one will accidentally "forget it" at the table at the end of the night.

(photos left, Jacques Torres website; photo right, Jen Kroll Photography)

Real Wedding 2010 | Joey & Chris

I have been looking forward to Joey & Chris' wedding since chatting with Joey last November. The couple chose to work with the pastor who had married Greg and I in 2007, and I knew it was one ceremony I wouldn't want to miss.

Working with Joey and her mom, Shari, on this wedding was a treat. No detail was overlooked, and Joey & Shari are one of the most organized mother/daughter teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

From the beautiful alençon lace linens to the lush peonies, and the amazing favors representing each of their childhoods and their present life together, including Sarasota water, Michigan cherries & wine, and Jacques Torres chocolate - guests were spoiled all night long. After dinner, wedding cake, accompanied by a delicious dessert buffet & coffee bar was put out for guests to enjoy.

The night's entertainment including both The Cangelosi Cards and music from Andrew at Music Host Productions kept the dance floor packed all evening. Since Joey & Chris met while swing dancing, many of their friends share this passion as well, and danced until the wee hours.

And when people were not on the dance floor, they were lined up to partake in the Fourth of July themed photo booth, provided by their photographer, Jen Kroll. Joey collected tons of fun props to keep their guests laughing all night long - the mustaches were a huge hit!

Congratulations to Joey & Chris!

The Details...
Pearls Events Coordinators | Aletha, Stephanie & Megan
Ceremony | Ford Ballroom at Amway Grand Plaza
Reception | Pantlind Ballroom at Amway Grand Plaza
Officiant | Jennifer Browne
Makeup Artist | Julie Strating
Hair Stylist | TreAvanti
Flowers & Linens | Stems Event Design
Photographer | Jen Kroll Photography
Videographer | Coastline Studios
Band | The Cangelosi Cards
Disc Jockey | Music Host Productions
Pastry Chef | Amway Grand Plaza
Rentals | Events by I. Candy

Friday Favorite | July Vacation

It's July, which means Greg & I are off for our annual summer vacation. Pearls Events has slowed down each July, which means I get a nice break from the busy season to head out on the open road with Greg. With August full of seven weddings, it's a great time to relax before I get busy again!

Last year, we drove 5000 miles in our VW Jetta Wagon with our destination being Lake Louise, Canada. This year, we are going to stay closer to home and head to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Not as far, but just as much camping, wildlife, hiking trails & time with nature and Greg.

Last November, I shared a few photos of the trip, but today I wanted to share a few more. I know, I know - photos of other people's vacations are boring, but honestly, if you've never been on a road trip in North America, maybe you'll catch the road trip travel bug and make you want to explore the beautiful back roads. Taking the long way, and soaking in every ounce of life.

Have a great week! I'll be back Monday, July 26th!

Mt. Rushmore - we had both been there as kids.

Giant, double rainbow on the way to Devil's Tower.

Beautiful road just outside of Alva, Wyoming, population 50. Yes, fifty.

A great sky around the abandoned church on the way to White Sulpher Springs, Montana.

The beautiful gardens in front of the Glacier Park Lodge

Me in a tree at Glacier National Park.

This is one of my favorites from the trip. Tons of waterfalls at Glacier!

At the end of our mini hike - Avalanche Lake

Totally worth the hike, although I whined the whole way. I was scared of bears crossing our path. We were the only people at the lake when we arrived.

An awesome arch in Glacier National Park

The Weeping Wall in Glacier.

It's a mountain. Which one, I'm not sure.

You could walk up to a glacier here, but it was all snowy and we were in sneakers. We took photos!

A Glacier Lily

Lake Louise. This photo is untouched - it's really that gorgeous.

Aletha at Lake Moraine