Review: Sinnfully Sweet Creations

I recently posted about what to do post-nuptials and I forgot to mention an important activity - a thank you event for your sponsors.

Now, in the old days, weddings were funded/sponsored by the bride's family and while much has changed since then, there are usually family, friends and acquaintances who step up to the plate and help the bride and groom:)

That said, one of the many people who offered some serious assistance was my godmother.  So I hosted a luncheon in her honour and the piece de resistance was this:

Vanilla bean cheesecake with strawberry orange brandy topping, fresh strawberries and white chocolate mini curls (not to mention edible glitter!!!)

(file photo from Sinnfully Sweet Creations)

Not only was this cheesecake gorgeous, but it was DECADENT.  The flavours were unbelievable; the texture, flawless.  My guests were floored and my godmother, a lover of cheesecake, happily took the rest home with her (don't let the picture fool you, the cake was BIG; you could easily get 15 or 20 slices!).  Many thanks to Tomyko Ellis for her Sinnfully Sweet Creations, it definitely lived up to the name!

After the Day is Gone

Did you know that 'post wedding depression' is a real thing? It is.   After months or years of planning and your special day is executed in fine style and with great attention to detail, then there is...nothing.  Real life can smack you in the face, especially if you've opted not to take your honeymoon just yet.  But guess what - regular life can be pretty good too!

Here are some things to consider:

• You're probably in a new house or you've amalgamated your and your hubby's collective crap...sorry, belongings.  Take the time to create an orderly and enjoyable space in your new home.  It'll take your mind off the wedding day which has passed and  focus on the great things to come.
• Remember all those things you ordered? The wedding dress, jewellery, flowers, rings, lingerie (wink wink)? Well the vendors of those items will probably love to hear your thoughts about those products.  Take the time to write reviews or, if they don't have websites (as is the case with some local companies in Barbados), give them a thank you call or post to their wall on Facebook.  This also helps brides-to-be in their search for good vendors and businesses to use for their special day.
• And while you're writing those reviews, write thank you notes to your guests for their gifts/monetary donations, they'll appreciate it:)
• Plan the 'next big thing' with your hubby.  Believe me, the wedding day goes quickly, so quickly that after it's gone, you may be wondering if it even happened; but that is just one highlight in a series of lifetime highlights.  Plan a trip, celebrate your 1 month/3 month/ 6 month anniversary.  Create occasions for the two of you (and your friends and family!) to enjoy.

There are loads of other suggestions out there to put some pep back in your step, take a look at the links below:

http://www.bridalguide.com/beauty-fitness/health-fitness/beat-the-after-wedding-blues

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bitchless-bride/five-ways-to-beat-the-aft_b_2932986.html

The Right Time and Place:) (Venues)

Choosing a venue for your wedding goes beyond finding a place that’s aesthetically pleasing.  You have to start seeing locations through the eyes of a photographer, a wedding planner or decorator.  

Consider:

•           Is the terrain bumpy or level? This will affect placing of tents, delivery of catering and even maneuvering around the venue in heels.
•           Is the venue covered? And, if it is outdoors, are the reception and ceremony areas covered?    
•        Is the location near a highway or other source of noise? 
•       Is there ample parking for your guests?
•       In the event that you have disabled guests, is the venue accessible?
•      Have you visited the venue on the exact day and time that your wedding will be held? You may visit a venue on a Tuesday morning and it may be lovely, but what does it look/feel/sound like on a Saturday at 5pm?
•        Take your personality into consideration – are you a more garden or seaside kinda girl? Do you like rustic or posh? Would you prefer the countryside or a more cosmopolitan area?

      After you’ve decided what are the deal makers and breakers for you, then you can consider your options.  While many persons opt for a hotel (like I did!) where you know the quality of the food is good and you’re assured that the grounds will be picture perfect for your nuptials, there are many other places that you can check out that cater to all budgets.  The options below vary from all inclusive (venue, decorating, catering) to venue only:

Sugarland Gardens (Warrens, St. Michael)

Spring Bay Villas (St. Philip)

Mahogany Ridge (Blowers, St. James)

Serendipity Bay (Martin's Bay, St. John)

Codrington College (St. John)

George Washington House (The Garrison, St. Michael)

*photo from Elegant Weddings Barbados

Orchid World (Sweet Vale, St. George)

Farley Hill/Hastings Rock Boardwalk/Beaches

Springvale Gardens (St. Andrew)

*Coordinated by Affordable Weddings

The Barbados Museum (Garrison, St. Michael)

Country Life Farms  (Belle Farm, St. John)

246-433-2979 | Email: comik@caribsurf.com 

Maxor Villa (Strathclyde, St. Michael)

246-435-0886

Keep Calm and...eat Cake!

Now this has to be one of the hardest things for a bride to decide on for a number of reasons.

1. Your favourite cake flavour may not work for your guests (imagine you love hazelnut and some of your guests have nut allergies...mmmyeahhh)
2. If you're not familiar with the baker and you're judging their work by their portfolio, all you're seeing is the icing, there's no guarantee of the flavour.
3.  That portfolio may be filled with work that's not theirs (gasp!)
4.  Even if you're familiar with the baker, they may be a one trick pony, i.e. you may love their vanilla swirl, but their chocolate cake may suck!
5. You may have champagne tastes and mauby pockets, a Bajan (people from Barbados) saying which means what you want you can't afford.

Now, while you may not be able to get a personal reference to help you make your wedding cake decision, luckily sites like Facebook now have widgets that allow people to rate the product and leave comments - this is your lifeline, especially if you're a destination bride.  I've had some beautiful cakes taste no better than sawdust, at least some reviews from a few customers can give you an idea of the calibre of company you're dealing with, even if you can't taste the real thing.  However, whenever possible, ask to have a cake tasting so you can be assured that the cake tastes like what you imagine it would.

Now, to the fun part:

ANNALISE CAKE DESIGNER

Facebook page













SINNFULLY SWEET CREATIONS

Facebook page


















WITH LOVE BY ESTHER JAMES

Facebook page



















AS CUTE AS A CUPCAKE

Facebook page

Picture Perfect! (Photographers)

Quite a few 'former brides' have told me that something WILL go wrong on the day; I'm hoping against hope this isn't the case, or that if it is, I'm the exception to the rule.  Not likely, but a girl can dream!

Yet, if worse comes to worst, I'm making sure there's a great photographer to capture everything - the goodness and the madness. I'm not just talking about the wedding ceremony - photographers should be there for the pre-wedding getting ready, engagement dinners, engagement sessions (for your signing photo), even your bridal shower or stag party! After all, years down the road, all you'll have is the memories.  Here's a list of photographers in Barbados and their websites/Facebook pages.  Next to a personal reference, a look at a vendor's portfolio can put your mind at ease and let's you see their work - and style - first hand (well, second hand). Remember I'll be adding more, so stay tuned!:


ANDREW BROWNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Andrew Browne website

Andrew Browne Facebook











MARK ATKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Atkins Photography website

Mark Atkins Photography Facebook








GINA FRANCESCA PHOTOGRAPHY

Gina Francesca Photography Facebook

Gina Francesca Photography website








PASSIONNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Passionne Photography Facebook










DKM PHOTOGRAPHY

DKM Photography Facebook










DLIGHTFUL MEDIA

DLightful Media Facebook 

Take it Away (the responsibility, that is) - Wedding Planners

If there's one thing I've learned from planning a wedding it's this - you shouldn't plan your own wedding.  I could leave the post at that but I'll explain.  Wedding time is stressful, no matter how much help, money, or focus you have.  I've scrolled the life out of Pinterest and you know what? Even the best decorating maven or DIYer needs a little help from her friends - or better yet, a professional.

Now I say this because I remember reading a post from a DIY bride who said a major regret she had on her day was that some family members and friends weren't in pics because they were helping keep things together behind the scenes.  I can only imagine her regret; that said, here are a few wedding planners in Barbados.  They source vendors for flowers, rental gowns, cakes, lighting, venues and much more.  Remember, I'll add to this post so be sure to check back.


NSPIRATION PLUS

Wedding coordination is the name of the game and Nspiration Plus promises to meet all your needs.  Their website highlights the range of Nspiration's portfolio, from outdoor and beach themed weddings, to church halls and other event sites.




SANOJAH'S

Sanojah's covers many bases in the wedding planning realm.  They offer full coordination services, but also provide event rentals and their signature 'wedding in a box' package provides you with all your event based needs.  In addition, they use many local products so that's a plus for any conscientious bride! See their work on their Facebook page or their blog.











ISLAND BLISS

If heaven had a wedding, Island Bliss would be the wedding coordinator.  Truly, the pictures say it all.  Based on their posts, they work with the premier vendors on the island, from flowers to cakes to venues, rest assured that they can make your dreams come true.  See their Facebook page and website pages





AFFORDABLE WEDDINGS

If you're a Barbados bride-to-be on a budget, Affordable Weddings may be worth a look.  They'll take the stress of wedding planning away and keep some pennies in your pocket for the honeymoon; and if you're wondering what you'll do with your dress after the wedding, the company also offers dress rentals.  Check their Facebook page for more info.









SOULMATES BARBADOS

Soulmates Barbados features a team of planners that are not only experienced, but have the certification (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada) to boot.  Their website gives you an idea of what their company offers, including 'day of'' wedding planner services.








EXQUISITE DESIGNS

Exquisite Designs will help outfit you - and your venue - from top to bottom. They offer wedding packages, gown rentals and a bit of everything in between.  There's also a print design company on site to help you with wedding invitations and programmes.  See more on their Facebook page.













WEDDINGS BY MALISSA

Destination brides are sure to have come across this name, as Weddings by Malissa is one of the more known names in destination wedding services.  This company works with the creme de la creme of vendors on the island and offers packages for those who want to take the guess work out of getting married. More of her work is accessible on the Facebook page.








WEDDINGS BEYOND YOUR IMAGINATION

Many moons ago, the local tourism authority had a slogan for the island: "Barbados- Just Beyond Your Imagination".  This event planning company aims to meet that mark, with a Facebook photo set of their work that will have you running to book the first flight out.

Say it (I Do!) with Flowers!

I'm not a flower girl - I'm a bride! I jest...honestly, I prefer plants to blooms however I know that a bridal bouquet is expected to be floral and bountiful.  Here's a list of florists that have either websites or facebook pages to get you on track with your decision on what you'll be holding on to (besides the hubby-to-be) on that first day of the rest of your life;)  Revisit this post as other flower vendors will be added.

FLORALS BY PATRICIA'S EXOTIC CREATIONS

Patricia Estwick runs this floral outift and you'll get a good idea of her work from her facebook page - it has  more photos than you can shake a stick at! If it involves flowers and weddings, she does it.
















HASTINGS FLOWER MART

 A known name in flowers on the island, Hastings Flower Mart will cover the gamut of your flower needs and also offers rentals of vases and other items to add to your display.

Barbados Bride to Be!

I'm a bride and let me tell you, the struggle is real.  In addition to what all brides go through (people inviting themselves to your wedding, people telling you what you CAN'T do because it's not 'done'-you know the drill), the additional difficulties I've faced have come because of my location - Barbados.

Don't get me wrong, my native land is as beautiful as can be; but finding relevant information on vendors has been challenging, mainly because the information is not listed beautifully in a directory, like you get in the U.S.

So that's the raison d'etre of this blog - to list as many vendors as I can to help other brides - whether Barbadians or destination brides coming to spend their special day in Barbados!

Hopefully, this will make the struggle just a bit easier for one or two brides - perhaps even you!



Nikki