It seems like a long time ago that I met Brenda and Robert Mast. Isn’t it funny how there are some people that feel like old friends from the first time you meet. That was the case with my special Mast family and one of my favorite wedding receptions of all time.

Bride Shelley and Groom Eric live in Chicago so Shelley and I did a great deal of planning long distance. In December of 2005 we started planning a Holiday Wedding for December of 2006. The best thing about the holidays at the Coronado is that we are so beautifully decorated. I love the magic of the greenery, ribbon and ornaments dripping from every sconce and chandelier. The tree is always stunning and the mantle is glorious. Shelley wanted to add just the right mix of neutrals and ivory to this to create a Winter Wonderland wedding reception that would be magical…and it was.

Now “Winter Wonderland” means different things to different people. For some people it is imagining being abducted by a Swedish male super model and wisked away to his Aspen cabin for romantic evenings by the fire…or so I have been told.

My vision was to use various shades of white and ivory to create the illusion of winter…frost and snow. Gold candlabra held snowballs of white lilies, orchids and roses. A mixture of flower height varied from table to table and was bathed in a rich golden light from hundreds of votive candles. A deep matte gold chair cover was sashed with a crisp ivory matte satin bow giving the illusion of a wrapped package. Frosted blown glass chargers and damask napkins folded like snowflakes created a magical tablescape.

The crowd was in awe of the multi-tiered wedding cake in the softest shade of ivory. Fondant snowflakes which looked like Tiffany ornaments cascaded down the side and swept around the cake. Some of the snowflakes were pure white and others were dusted in 24K gold leaf. Icicles and fondant pearls completed the look of this fairy tale creation. I was pretty proud of myself in finding the antique carved gold cake stand and having the entire cake table top mounded in faux snow. The flocked white velvet linen looked frosted and magical pinned in sweeping swags with snow lightly dusting their creases…it was heavenly!

For Shelley I created signature drinks that were beautiful to behold. White chocolate decorated the rims and icicles of chocolate dribbled down the glass. Frozen in white sugar and garnished with a white dipped peppermint stick, Eric’s drink was a true winter wonder and named after his favorite Cardinal player…”The Frozen Pujols”.

From sheer white organza layering the amazing winter dessert buffet to the hors d’oeuvre trays with crystal snowballs and glass icicles, all the special touches of this amazing night made me feel like I was in a lovely Winter Wonderland….minus Frosty and other select claymation characters.
Brenda Mast stole the show in a cranberry red gown with ruby crystal beading. Red is my signature color and I am not upset that Brenda wore it despite the fact that I told her I was going to. I always make it a point at the client’s culinary tasting to point out what I will have on…and I hate competition! It was such a Joan Collins move! Ouch.

Brenda is someone who you can talk to about anything. She is a gifted, spiritual person and she just makes people feel good. We have had many good talks and I am proud to say that she will be a dear friend forever. Robert Mast is a fine man…an officer and a gentleman. I never could get him to call me “Rob” and not “Mr. Schaefer” but it did make me grin everytime he did it! To both of you I send my thanks for your faith and trust.

It was perfect…even without the super model.
Rob Schaefer

*Sally…Sally…Sally. You deserve an award for “Best Mother of the Bride”. From the first moment I met you, I realized what a special person you are. Both you and Kurt made this event so much fun. And you could have walked a Paris runway in your beautiful evening suit that night. You go girl!

Sara and Erik (Bride and Groom) had an amazing wedding reception. Sara told me right off the bat that she wanted ivory and cream tones with accents of chocolate brown. And she had it! The chocolate brown chairs were just enough color to balance out the paler tones. The raw chocolate silk overlays on the accent and sweetheart table were the perfect touches. The giant arrangements of fall branches in distressed copper urns were stunning with masses of hanging votive candles and gave elegance and height to the Ballroom. I could have stared at those all night!

I know that Dr. Weisenfels was worried that guests might not have enough to dine on so I hope the passed hors d’oeuvres, sushi station, four courses, designer wedding cake, lavish dessert station and cordials and chocolates were enough! LOL! Doc, I hope you are proud of the amazing cuilnary experience you gave your guests.

Of all my memories of this magical night, it had to be Dr. Weisenfels toast that will stay with me the rest of my life. It truly was one of the most sincere and beautiful toasts I have ever heard. And when Doc’s voice cracked and he teared up…I think everyone teared up a bit in that sweet moment of stillness.

Sally, I will always remember our debate over wedding favors and the now famous table #17. I think the champagne glass favors looked beautiful!

I will think of you all the next time I raise my glass.

Rob Schaefer