Event Planner Notes

In the midst of planning Rachel and Russell’s wedding, we received a call from a mother who was looking for assistance planning her daughter’s wedding reception. Her daughter Abby was living in London and would be married there in July, however she wanted to host a post wedding reception at her home in Ellicott City. Whoa - two brides in one month that we would not meet until the week of their receptions!

Initially, Abby’s mother wanted to host the reception at the Elkridge Furnace Inn, but Abby had her heart set on her parent’s backyard. She thought a home wedding would be more cost effective. However, with a potential guest count of 150 this most likely would not be the case. First off, we had to get tenting proposals from a couple of recommended companies. Both Abbey and Nick are huge music and theatre buffs. So music was very important to them. Sue selected Damon Forman’s Blue Funk Band for the entertainment. After Loane Brothers won the tenting bid, we were off to plan the other logistical details of a beautiful garden reception.

The bride’s mother Sue loves yellow and blue which is the color scheme of her home. Sue hoped we could incorporate these colors into Abby’s wedding scape. Naturally the colors worked out perfectly! Carla a designer with “Fleur de Lis” florist paid a visit to Sue’s home and came up with some wonderful decorative ideas. The house and tent would have summer blooms in Sue’s colors. Then we picked out some beautiful linen’s in various shades of blue. Since the Elkridge Furnace Inn was the first choice for Abby’s reception venue, we thought they should be considered as a potential caterer. After an amazing food tasting at the Furnace Inn, a tapas-style stations menu was created.

Sue flew to England the first week of July to spend a week with Abby before her big day in London. Shortly after the London wedding, Sue was back at home in Maryland to ensure all was ready for Abby and Nick’s second act. Finally the week of the big reception was here and so were the newlyweds. After a few quick meetings with us, their photographer Rich Riggins and band leader Damon - we were ready for a party!

It was a rather warm end of July day with lots of calories spent during setup. Lounge furniture, tables, chairs, bars and flowers for both the house and tent had to be placed. Guests began to arrive at 5 o’clock just as the sun was moving further west.  And as the music began and cocktails were served, Abby entered the tent with her Dad to start the dancing. Guests enjoyed a mix of foods including; Southwestern inspired Chicken with Black Bean Relish on Polenta Cakes, Maryland Crab Cakeswith Sugar Snap Peas,Filet tips with Potatoes Dauphinoise and assorted Pates. For a bit of the whimsical and to accompany the wedding cake, we had the Highland Creamery serve Ice Cream and Sorbet. On a warm summer evening this was a most welcome treat.

At 10 o’clock, after the last song played, Abby quickly changed into a shorter white dress. She and Nick dashed through their Sparkler exit into their limo and were whisked off to the Airport. Next stop Bali for the Honeymoon, then off to their new home in Hong Kong. 

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