Catering By Robert . Event Concepts : 07/01/2018

Sunday, July 8, 2018

A Great Escape for A Florida Destination Wedding

Laura and Toby's 'Game - On' Wedding at a Fun, Private Estate

Orlando area residents, Laura and Toby, weren't looking for a traditional venue for their early December wedding. They envisioned their day to be something fun and meaningful for about 80 family and friends who were eager to attend their destination wedding weekend.

So they chose The Great Escape Lakeside , nestled among the Florida pines and palm trees of Clermont. The vacation rental property had just about everything for a light-hearted celebration: from a lakeside dock to a water slide pool with lazy river, to indoor and outdoor large scale board games, it met and exceeded their expectations.

***** Selected Photos By Eva Photo Studio *****

Operated by Orlando Area Luxury Rentals, Great Escape is set within 10 gated acres. It was built specifically as a game-oriented vacation rental with overnight accommodations for 40+ guests in 13 themed bedrooms with nine private bathrooms.

Catering By Robert / Event Concepts . FL, is pleased to be an approved vendor for event planning and catering at this unique estate.

We were so thrilled when we learned of Laura and Toby's plans for their intimate ceremony and reception that included lots of relaxing, fun times for their invited guests. Consequently, the afternoon of their wedding, they were happy and relaxed, anxious to enjoy every minute of their 8 hour celebration!

The rehearsal had a laid back feel with only a few in attendance. Their precious pup was also part of this affair.

When guests arrived at 2 p.m., the day of the wedding, the bar was in full swing on the pool deck.

Laura took her time getting ready in a near by bedroom. She could peek out at any time to see the progress of set up, and Toby "chilled out" exploring more of the house.

The easy flow of the day, gave Eva and Mauricio (the photographers,) plenty of time for first look shots around the property.

The ceremony was held lake side with only the breezy palms swaying as their backdrop.

It was a quick ceremony with lots of love and laughter.

There was time for private moments during social hour. We hand-passed an assortment of appetizers that included Marinated Mushrooms, Cuban Crostini, Soft Pretzels with Nacho Cheese, and Calypso Meatballs.

The introductions and first dance were held on the designed "dance floor" next to the pool. Everyone also toasted the bride and groom before retreating the to tent for the main dinner. Although Laura joined Toby in making the wedding a casual, fun affair, she did choose a more formal set up for the main dinner tables inside the tent.

Guest tables were covered in floor length eggplant linens with our specialty runners down the centers. Laura had collected an assortment of unique silver Christmas items placed as centerpieces.

We mimicked the silver and eggplant look on the buffet and other display tables.

The dinner menu consisted of Honey Glazed Carrots, Roasted New Potatoes, Parma Rosa Pasta, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Carved Roast Baron of Beef and our popular Paella.

A friend of Laura's designed the wedding cake with chocolate dipped strawberries.

Congratulations to Laura and Toby on their wedding at The Great Escape.

Planning, Design, Coordinating and Catering - Catering By Robert / Event Concepts . FL

www.cateringbyroberttampa.com

Photography: Eva Photo Studios

www.evaphotostudios.com

DJ: DJ Ricky of Rhythm Makers

http://www.weddingdjtampafl.com/

Tent, Rentals: Rentaland of Orlando

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Navy Nautical At Tampa Bay Watch

Abbey and Eric

Abbey and Eric's wedding planning journey with us started 14 months before their April 21, 2018, celebration. We learned that both of them grew up in New England and that much of their vision for their day revolved around their fondness of the ocean.

Since Tampa Bay was now their home, they chose Tampa Bay Watch as their location because of its unique setting on an estuary overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Their sign in feature was a watercolor drawing of the waterfront side of the Watch.

******* Selected Photos by Lifelong Studios *****

The details of the proposal were part of Eric's "dating game" where he offered special envelopes to Abbey for weekly adventures. "One of these envelopes read 'The Big One: 5 Days' Notice,'" recalled Abbey. "I thought it was for a Disney trip and held on to it to save the best for last."

As it turned out, this last official date started with a helicopter ride and ended with a horse and carriage tour of St. Pete where Eric ended up proposing to Abbey on the waterfront of Vinoy Park.

Although the official wedding colors of the attendant gowns was a dusty blue, Abbey loved the idea of traditional nautical navy and white simplicity. This included our in-house navy blue floor length cloths, silver charger plates and navy napkins in a pocket fold topped with a alternating sand dollar or star fish holding a thank you card.

Abbey loved the idea of blue and white striped runners which matched her invitations. When we were unable to find rentable versions, Abbey purchased them at cost from one of our linen suppliers.

Abbey and Eric's choice for fresh florals was a softer look with graduated shades of blush pink and white. At our suggestion, they hired one of our favorite florists, Carmen's Flowers, to provide small arrangements surrounding our in-house white carriage lanterns on each of the guest tables.

The bridal party personal flowers were in the same shades.

Abbey and Eric chose to utilize our white pergola as their ceremony backdrop. Carmen accented it with two arrangements that was later moved to the reception area.

Our white shepherd hooks down the aisle, also held small jar arrangements by Carmen.

Abbey hired Kristen of Flawless Fetes to coordinate the rehearsal/ceremony, and serve as a day of coordinator. She took a lot of pressure off Abbey by handling the "end of the night" items so that her family/bridal party members didn't have to worry about transporting them back to the hotel.

We all worked as a team to place the many personalized features that Abbey and Eric collected for inclusion for their wedding day.

The results of our one-on-one Design Meeting with Abbey several months prior to the wedding, translated into a collective coastal look.

She requested that we incorporated our navy sequins specialty cloths for the cake and sweetheart tables.

The guest tables surrounded the dance floor and the buffet was set on the south side of the room.

During social hour, the couple leisurely enjoyed formal pictures as they decided to do a "first look" prior to the start of the ceremony.

Because Tampa Bay Watch restricts on-site cooking to areas outside of the main building, our culinary staff set up a "cook tent" for frying of appetizers and other fresh cooking of our cuisine that included vegetables and our traditional Paella (later transferred to the upstairs buffet area)

Our hand-passed hors d'oeuvres included Deep Fried Mac and Cheese Bites and Eggrolls, Cajun Chicken Skewers, Brushetta, and Mini Meatballs. We also provided a displayed Smoked Cheddar Spread with dippers during social hour.