St. Barts as a Destination Wedding Location

I really love St. Barts in the Caribbean. We have been getting a flood of calls for destination weddings and this is the perfect location.

St. Bart’s is small beautiful island, a little more than eight square miles. It is considered by many to be the Caribbean's most beautiful island, with dozens of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and a green, hilly landscape punctuated by numerous lagoons. This creates the illusion of being in a much larger place. The shoreline includes fourteen beaches of various sizes, all covered with gleaming white sand. The climate is arid tropical maritime, which means that it rarely rains, and that year round temperatures range from 72° to 86° Fahrenheit. Average temperatures are 69°F in the winter, and 77°F in the summer. The highest temperatures hover around 86°F in February.


St. Bart’s has more than 20 beaches, St. Bart’s also offers good diving, fishing, boating, and especially windsurfing. Great for guest activities.


One of the best things about St. Bart’s is the quality and variety of the food. St. Bart’s is home to plenty of upscale French and Creole restaurants. Because so many people rent villas here, local markets and take-out shops are also popular options.

As for the nightlife there are a few hot spots like the Le Select bar in Gustavia, and discos and bars like Le Feeling in Lurin and Le Petit Club, Casa Nicky, and the Yacht Club in Gustavia so you can have a relaxed evening over a drink or party the night away.


However, the ultimate St. Bart’s nightlife experience is lingering over a late dinner before retiring to a private villa or hotel. The core value of the island is tranquility which is what makes it a perfect getaway for your Destination Wedding.

Rent a villas for 30 of your closest friends and family and have a wedding your guests will not soon forget.

Thank You Card-- Yes, You Have To Send Them Out

I recently had one of my brides tell me how she went to a wedding last summer, bought the couple a love (and expensive) gift and she is still waiting on a thank you card!

I know, I know, we are Indian but that does not give anyone who is getting married or has recently gotten married the permission to NOT WRITE A THANK YOU CARD!!!!!

Ok, so, I know we are all busy but I found the perfect solution for all of the busy doctors, lawyers, accountants and everyone else who thinks they are too busy to write a thank you note to their wedding guests... WWW.REDSTAMP.COM

This company will write the notes for you. There are really no more excuses.
According to their website, you have to email them name, addresses, gifts you received and how you plan on using them. They will do the rest.

This is what they say:
Handwritten notes in either feminine or masculine penmanship
Hand-addressed envelopes, absolutely no labels
$5 service fee per card {not including price of card}
No minimum or maximum quantity required
Custom personalized stationery available
Two to three week turnaround time

Photo Stamps

I recently received a wedding invitation and it contained a photo stamp. I know this is not a new concept but it was great to see what the couple looked like as I only knew the parents via my parents. It was such a cute idea and I highly recommend it to all our couples who are mailing out save the date cards or invitations. Some great sites to visit are:


www.stampexpressions.com
www.photo.stamps.com
www.zazzle.com/custom/stamps
www.pictureitpostage.com/Custom_Postage_Design/
www.yourstamps.com/

So Cold in NYC... Work, Work, Work!

It is only 9 degrees outside! I guess it is really good as I have not left my house for the last two days! I am so overly caught up on work. I love it.

We have been off to a great start this year with lots of calls and bride bookings.

We have been telling brides not to let the economy get in the way of planning the wedding of their dreams.

Isn't that why you are hiring a planner? A planner is your best confidante and another avenue to help you save your hard earned money.

Our job is to give you a beautiful wedding and to be there to listen to you. We live in the same economy as our brides and we certainly understand the dilemma between saving and spending on your dream wedding.

It helps that all of us at the company are the ultimate thrifty spenders! We never pay full price for anything! Trust me, if we can't help you save money, no one can!

You only get married once but you want to think of your future, too.

Love the Manolos!

One of brides who was married this past August had on these Manolo Blahnik Brooch d'Orsay Pumps. They looked so nice when she walked down the aisle with her sari that I absolutely had to get them for myself! They are the perfect gold shoe to go with any Indian outfit.

Good lesson for brides.. just treat yourself to something that you have always wanted! Let's face it... most of us do so much just to please others (parents, fiance, employers); why not do something nice for yourself.

YOU DESERVE IT!

OK, I admit it....SHOES ARE MY GUILTY PLEASURE!

A Note From Katherine! I really miss you..

My long time assistant and friend has left to move to Cali and plan her own wedding in Oct of this year... I really miss her and here is a note she wanted us to post:

My Experience with Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants

I have worked for Sonal and SJS just shy of two years. It has been a valuable learning experience that I am grateful to have had. Many people who want to get into this business have ideas of grandeur, that this is a glamorous job. That is not the case. Although you get to meet a variety of people, both clients and vendors, there are a lot of details and work that involve planning and executing a successful event. People don't realize that your job doesn't end until the event ends and you are not sipping champagne with the guests. At SJS we are there bright and early to wake the bride on the day of the event, sometimes at 3am or 4am, and don't leave until the last guest has left. We research vendors, help the bride get dressed, contact vendors the day of the event, and serve as a mediator for the families. It takes a lot of energy, focus and attention to detail to produce any event. If you want to get into the event planning business do realize that it is not a job for those who are timid. You are constantly communicating with people and need to have an aggressive and professional manner. Multitasking, delegation, and negotiation are skills that you must posses to survive, as well as being able to roll with the punches.
I don't want to scare anyone interested in breaking into the business. I love working with people and helping couples with the most important day in their lives. I know one of my favorite moments is when we do grand entrances for the reception. The parents, bridal party, and the couple are so excited to celebrate that I get excited and want to walk in with them.
The knowledge and experience I obtained with the company is priceless and I consider myself very lucky to have been chosen to work for SJS. I have met some great vendors and made friends along the way. It is sad to say farewell to all of you, but you will always be remembered. Please keep in touch. I thank Sonal and the SJS staff for giving me this wonderful chance. Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

With Warm Regards & Love,

Katherine

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish all the brides and vendors a HAPPY NEW YEAR!