“La Cage au Follies”

 I never really thought about who or how a birdcage is made.  And then I met Katie and Mike, a pair of artists who design, manufacture and supervise service to some of the most beautiful birdcages in the world.  I mean the sculpted iron, bent wood, polly-wanna-hot tub cages.

And the first thing they told me was that they wanted no bird cage or bird themes at their ceremony or reception…they wanted an elegant, intimate experience for all their guests.  I immediately cancelled the 200 white doves that I had ordered.

So instead of “plucking” the budget, Katie and Mike spoiled and pampered their guests like prize winning parakeets.

First they had a beautiful, intimate ceremony in the South Ballroom with capuccino chair covers sashed in champagne crushed silk.  Gabriel the harpist played so sweetly that there was not a dry eye was in the house.  He literally soaked the room in musical joy.

Delectable passed hors d’oeuvres and melon martinis soon followed with an extravagant sushi station.  Guests dined on tea smoked salmon salad.  Missouri watermelon sorbet garnished with a frosty pink slice served as intermezzo and a mixed grill of beef filet and sugar cane skewered shrimp was the entree of choice.

And the Italian Elegance Wedding cake stole the show with it’s meringue center and almond paste.  I just about passed out when I ate it.  Chef Patrick is destroying my waist line a little everyday.  There are pictures of him filled with darts at every Jenny Craig across America.  And of course, a lavish dessert station followed this with chocolate fondue and every kind of accompaniment known to the culinary world was nibbled on the rest of the evening.  Katie and I shared a chocolate fondue moment and we bowed our heads in silence to the chocolate Gods for all their blessings.

I could go on and on about their gorgeous peach tone french damask linens, monogramed ice sculpture, designer flowers and me…but I won’t.  Katie and Mike realized that the greatest gift on their wedding day is sharing the “moment” with their closest family and friends.  They in turn, pampered their guests with culinary and visual offerings that were the best money can buy.

I will miss their friendship and their generous nature.  I will keep in touch  with them as I plan on marrying well this year and may need a custom birdcage for my new mega mansion.

Birds of a feather flock together…and I look great in feathers.

Rob 

 

“Men grow cold.  As girls grow old.  And we all lose our charms in the end.  But square-cut or pear shaped, these rocks won’t lose their shape.  Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

Deidra Greene was a testament to thinking outside the box.  Miss Deidra lives in Atlanta and I realized after our initial meeting that she would be my southern belle bride of the summer.  I also realized we were a perfect team after I recovered from the momentary blindness caused by the rock on her finger.  It was a Helen Keller moment and I swooned in true southern style.

Being a jewelry maverick myself, I showed her the rock on my finger.  As Rob always says, tell men to keep the chocolates and roses and give gifts with resale value.  My good jewelry will take care of me in my golden years.

Deidra chose bold colors with a contemporary design…Tangerine Orange and Fushia Pink.  The bridesmaid dresses were the cutest I have seen all summer and were strapless, tea-length gowns with contrasting sashes.  If the dress was Fushia, the sash was Orange and vice-versa.  Adorable.

I could go on and on about this amazing evening.  Joy Greene was simply gorgeous in a delicious shade of pink.  The pan roasted duck breast with blueberry pepper chutney was superb.  However, it was the choice of wedding favor that impressed me the most…

I am often asked my opinion about wedding favors.  And I am not a fan.  I would rather spend my money towards the culinary or visual experience for my guests than on a favor.  However, if a favor is something very personal to the couple or directly related to the theme of the event, I like them.  Deidra’s handsome new husband Kurtis and family has a rich Trinidad heritage.  In Trinidad, it is the custom to have a rum soaked cake called a “black cake” served at the wedding reception.  Deidra and Kurtis presented their guests with a mini boxed “black cake” to enjoy at home.  What a beautiful tie in to the Richards family!  I have been given more votive candles, candy, almonds, mints, seeds and other goop to last a lifetime.  And since I get to see the event clean up, often favors are left behind and thrown away.

Deidra, you did good!  And at 1:00 am that little cake tasted mightly good while I reflected on your reception and put away my jewelry.

Diamonds are a girl’s (and Rob’s) best friend.

Rob