Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you, from Grand Volute Ballrooms! "Thank You!" to each and every one of our wonderful clients for another great year. Have a joyous, safe celebration, and a wonderful New Year. 

Bless you and yours!

-Kent, Mary, Jan, Kim, and the rest of Grand Volute Ballrooms

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you, from all of us as Grand Volute Ballrooms!

Best wishes through your holiday season! 

Be merry, spend time with those whom you love, and take time to relax! 

-Grand Volute Ballrooms

Lanterns are a wonderful addition for depth and light for night-time weddings. They can be used both indoors and out, and with a few adornments, are easily adapted to any season. They add warmth to photography, and to the atmosphere of your wedding... we just love them! 

They can easily be made at home, with a bit of time and dedication-- the hardest part is finding the jars! 

Consider purchasing a bulk package of canning jars, and filling them 1/4 full with a material that suits your color choice. Choose sand for browns, salt or sugar for whites, and add dye to suit any other color. Be sure to do some math, in order to make one large batch of lantern "filler" so that each lantern is the same shade. Consider making lantern filler in several different colors, in order to truly match your color scheme. Place one candle (or electric candle, if it's windy) in each jar, and viola! Easy! 

Have an aisle to light up? Line it with lanterns. Consider placing a jar on each table as a center piece! Want to hang a few (or a lot)? Affix wire securely around the rim of the jar, and add a handle to the top, also made of wire. This project is so simple and the finished product is so clean and elegant!

I Spy Cakes specializes in highly personalized cakes. Have an idea? They can produce it! 

I Spy Cakes is a small, locally owned business-- a husband and wife team that are particularly creative. Because they are a small business, they are able to meet your every wish! Each cake is personally designed, hand drawn, and discussed with you, to ensure that the product is exactly as you have imagined it! 

Take a look below to view a few of their products -- Definitely professional, definitely unique! 

Consider I Spy Cakes for your wedding or holiday party needs! 

 

Kirstin Anne Photography

We have suggested in previous posts hiring an amateur photographer for wedding photography. Oftentimes, "amateurs" are students in their junior and senior years of schooling, pursuing a degree in photography. These individuals are often great options for someone looking for a less pricey alternative to hiring a professional photographer, more energetic, more experimental, and just as professional as a "professional!" 

One of our employees has recommended Kirstin Anne Photography. Kirstin is a senior at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and consistently produces fine quality work. She is well recognized at CCS. 

This is what Kirstin has to say about her work: 

"Hi I'm Kirstin! I love to travel, meet new people, and capture a moment in time. I photograph people, products, and places for a wide variety of clients. I'm always learning and open to new ideas. My favorite part about photography is that I get to talk with the people I'm photographing. I get to learn more about them and try to bring that out in the photograph. Wedding and engagement photography is so fascinating to me because it is the love between two people that gets to be shared through one click of a button. It's a special feeling between two people and it's exciting to capture that through the lens while listening to their story.

I'm in Grand Rapids, MI and would love to work with you!"

Kirstin Anne Johnson
kirstin@kirstinannephoto.com
616.430.4269
www.kirstinannephoto.com

Please take a moment to review her portfolio on her website, and consider her for your wedding photography! 

Will you be my Bridesmaid?

Have you ever been a bridesmaid? How were you asked? Most bridesmaids are asked to be a part of their best friend's wedding via telephone or over coffee. While those are perfectly fine ways to ask your girlfriends to be a part of your special day, we love this idea: find a small locket or ring, like the ones pictured below, and hide a "will you be my bridesmaid" message within it. These would be awesome matching jewelry for the ceremony, as well! 

Congratulations Men!

Iamstaggered.com recently conducted a survey of couples tying the knot in 2011, and learned some interesting statistics! Grooms are more involved in the wedding planning process than ever before. Wedding planners (ours included) have been intentionally offering opportunities for Grooms to become an equal partner in the wedding planning process, and rightly so! 

The graphic below offers a breakdown of the information that iamstaggered.com found in their research. Just something fun! 

Where will your holiday party be?

We are closely approaching upon the holiday season! Grand Volute has availability for your work or family holiday party, and would love to work with you to make it unforgettable. Whether you want to give the cooks in the family a break and cater the food, whether your family has outgrown the living room, or whether you want to treat your hard-working employees, we have party packages available to meet any size, budget, and occasion! Call Mary Ellen, Jan, or Kent today to book your party!

Cover Bands

We love the idea of having live music for our receptions! It is so unique, fun, and memorable. Considering hiring a cover band, instead of a DJ for your wedding reception. The cost is generally about the same, and bands are usually very negotiable in their charges. Choose a band that will cover a few of your favorite artists, that will get your guests in the celebratory spirit, and most of all, encourage everyone to have a great time! Ask for a schedule of any concerts that possible bands might be performing, and take an evening to listen to their performance, so that you know when you've found the right one! 

For some great, reputable bands, Click Here

Love this Engagement Photo!

Photography: Ryan P Photo http://www.ryanpphoto.com

Personalize your Drinks!

Looking for a fun getaway trip? Go on a wine-tasting search! 

Michigan has been blessed with a wonderful climate for wine production, and the Traverse City area is richly populated with wineries. Take a trip to Traverse City, and come back with a special request for your new favorite wine! Don't care much for wine? Consider taking a tour of a few breweries. We have some as close as Grand Rapids! We are capable of ordering nearly anything you'd like to make your day as special as it can be! 

Suggested wineries: 

Two Lads (Traverse City)

Black Star Farms (Traverse City)

Left Foot Charley (Traverse City)

Suggested breweries: 

Founders Brewery (Grand Rapids)

Kraftbrau Brewery (Kalamazoo)

Short's Brewery (Bellaire)

Shoes with a Purpose

Looking for a way to support a good cause for your wedding? Tom's Shoes can help you out! 

For every pair of shoes purchased, Tom's will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need (usually in rural Africa). The shoes are modeled after traditional African footwear, and are incredibly comfortable (I have a pair, myself!)

Tom's carries a variety of colors and styles, from wedges, flats, and boots, as well as sizes to fit the whole family. Encourage your whole wedding party to buy a pair, and match! How fun! 

http://www.toms.com/wedding

Candy Buffet

Take a minute to Google a few pictures of "candy buffets" and you'll notice a few things. 

1- They're incredibly popular

2- There is a right way, and a wrong way, of incorporating the candy buffet into your party.

Candy buffets are wonderful additions to any party, whether it be a wedding, class reunion, graduation party, bridal shower, baby shower. Everyone loves candy, so the time is always right to have a buffet. 

The trick to the candy buffet is to go big, and to coordinate. Choose one main color, and one or two complimentary colors, and stick to those colors. There are numerous websites the cater to bulk candy, and it is possible to sort by color! A favorite of ours is http://www.candywarehouse.com .

Go big-- put a lot of candy in a small space. This will look much more impressive to guests, and could actually save you some money in candy costs, because it discourages "grazing" guests.

Rent (or purchase) clear glass containers to show off your candy! We are more than willing help our clients with this!  

Also, please don't feel committed to only candy-- apple buffets are also very popular during the fall months. 

Color Schemes

We love having unique color schemes for our weddings, and at Grand Volute we are able to cater to any color scheme that our brides desire. Below is an image of some of the more popular, unique bridal color schemes. Pick a fun and vibrant color scheme, or more classic, traditional colors-we've got you covered. Anything from chair covers, tablecloths, napkins, to candy, we can make everything match! We are able to make special orders for our brides, and are always more than eager to do so.

Upcoming Events

It's that time of year again where many unique artisan crafters come to sell their handcrafted wares during the Christmas through Lowell event. On Friday, November 19th and Saturday November 20th, Grand Volute Ballrooms will open it's doors to guests seeking unique gifts for the holidays! You can shop till you drop from 9am to 9pm on Friday, and 9am to 7pm on Saturday and best of all, you can enjoy lunch prepared by our Chef! There will be over 25 crafters displaying woodworking, stained glass jewelry, handbags, woolens, handmade rugs and a new trend of recycled material gifts. Come one, come all, enjoy the food, get into the holiday mood, for the holidays are near, and this is the one-stop shopping event of the year! 

Contributed by: Jan Herb 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Grand Volute Ballrooms! 

Below is a beautiful picture shot by Virgil Hubbard last year. 

Our brides are the most beautiful around. 

What a great idea!

Recruit an army of boys to clean a bunch of pumpkins, and you've got a beautiful display! How wonderful is this! Autumn is a wonderful time of the year. Hope everyone is enjoying it as much as we are. 

Featured Business: Modern Photographics

Modern Photographics is a staple in the city of Lowell, and for good reason. They have been serving the West Michigan Area for over 35 years, and produce quality products time after time. We have been honored to work with Modern Photographics quite a few times, here at Grand Volute and have been nothing but impressed with the quality of their photography, personalization, creativity, and flexibility. They are fun photographers, and know how to capture the mood of the day, and personality of the couple. We highly recommend Modern Photographics. 

To contact Modern Photographics for a free consultation, call: 616.897.5606

Tell them we said "Hello!"

http://modernphotographics.com

Now, if this doesn't equal fun, what does?! 

This couple was married in our facility a few years ago, this is their anniversary portrait! Modeled after the movie "Up!"

Eco-Friendly Weddings

We are well into the trend of environmentally friendly EVERYTHING, and weddings can be included in that. Many brides opt to not hold an eco-friendly wedding, because oftentimes, eco-friendly is another word for "expensive." But that doesn't have to be the case! If you would like to choose to consider the environment while you plan your big day, it can be done intimately, affordably, and in a way that reflects your personalities! 

A few tips:

Seek the advice of your chef when ordering food, so as not to order too much food for your guests. Do the same when ordering cake. Another great option (and even more affordable!) is to purchase a smaller wedding cake, and additional sheet cakes to be cut in the kitchen, plated, and served. Sheet cake is much more affordable than wedding cake is, and tastes just the same! 

Look into purchasing post-consumer wedding jewelry. These companies, such as GreenKarat melts down old jewelry and creates new jewelry out of the old! GreenKarat even allows their clients to send in their old jewelry to be melted down into new wedding bands. Something to think about! For more information about GreenKarat, see: http://www.greenkarat.com

Consider emailing invitations instead of mailing them. Have only a few invitations printed out, and send those to those who may not be able to access the internet. 

Donate items that you are not likely to use again to a thrift store or charitable organization. 

Use potted plants as centerpieces, and ask guests to take them home and plant them! 

Recycle cans and bottles, glass, paper, etc, that is disposed of during your wedding. (Note: Grand Volute recycles!) 

Have your wedding in someone's backyard, or at a park. (Note: We can cater!) 

Borrow, borrow, borrow: Consider borrowing as many things as possible. From jewelry, to the honeymoon, anything can be borrowed! Wear your mother's gown, borrow a friend's jewelry, or borrow someone's timeshare property for your honeymoon! 

Have your wedding and reception at the same location (We can do this, as well. We have great ceremony areas, both inside and out) to cut down on travelling. 

Encourage your chef to purchase locally grown and produced products. At Grand Volute, we get a considerable amount of our produce from local farm markets. 

Ask bridesmaids to wear their own dresses that they already have. It is fine to request a certain style or color. 

Look into hiring local talent for your music, decorations, food, etc. Support local! 

Any more ideas? Leave a comment!  

Here are my picks for Best Fall Signature Drink. Don't be afraid to consider reducing your hosted bar package and adding a signature drink. This can either be a seasonal drink or something that showcases your personalities. I love the Pumpkintini and the Autumn Russian.

P.S.: Be sure to try these at your next Halloween party! 

-Mary Ellen 

Autumn Russian

1/2 part Kahlua 

1/2 part Vodka 

1 1/2 part (Hiram Walker) Pumpkin Spice liqueur 

1/2 part light cream 

Dash of nutmeg

Pumpkintini

1 part (regular or vanilla) Vodka

1 part (Hiram Walker) Pumpkin Spice liqueur 

Shake, strain into glass and sprinkle with cinnamon

Ring Warming Ceremony

For the Bride and Groom that want every guest to be involved in their ceremony, consider a Ring Warming Ceremony. Never heard of it? Neither had I! 

Tie the rings together in ribbon (securely, so that they don't get lost!) and have the guests pass the rings from person to person throughout the ceremony. Request that they say a prayer or a good luck wish as they hold the rings in their hands. Assign a family member (or the ring bearer) to ensure that the rings are passed to every guest by the time that the rings are exchanged. Be sure to plan enough time for each person to have a moment with the rings. 15-20 seconds per person is usually a reasonable amount of time. 

Wedding Hair

Many brides stress about their hair for their wedding day. From growing it out, to spending a day or so at the spa (which is great!), there is no doubt about it that most brides think that their hair is definitely something that needs to be paid attention to on their big day-- and it should! There are even hair shows dedicated specifically to wedding hair styles. These shows take place in New York City -- but no worries, we have the inside scoop on the tips and trends for this year's wedding hair.

Just like with everything else, the bride's hairstyle should reflect her personality, and compliment her dress. We recommend working with a stylist that you know personally, or meeting with one stylist on several occasions in order to be able to achieve a look that reflects who you are, as a bride, and coordinates well with your dress.

Also consider having your makeup professionally applied. Many stylists are trained specifically in makeup application, and will match colors to compliment your complexion and dress.

Be sure to bring your veil or headpiece with you as you test out hairstyles with your stylist, too!

For a bride that might be looking to have a great look on a budget, consider seeking the consultation of a stylist-in-training. A great resource for this in the West Michigan area, is the Douglas J Institute Cosmetology School. Students work under the supervision of trained professionals, at a reduced rate.

Below are some pictures from this year's hair show in NYC!

Apples!

During the last few years, we have had the privilege of working with countless vendors in the West Michigan Area. We love sharing with our clients the best that West Michigan has to offer-- because we want our clients to have the event of their dreams.

Fall weddings are wonderful-- they are always unique, and there are countless ways to have fun with a fall theme.

We have a great opportunity for some great party favors-- apples! These aren't just any old apple, as you will see below. Kristin Huyck has developed a way to mark the skin of an apple with nearly any design imaginable. It is completely natural, edible, and awesome! 

Below is what she has to say about her business:

"Each year, the calendar tells us when fall officially starts. Not for me. The fall season starts when the apples are ready for picking. Harvest time. I cant wait to take that first bite, crisp and full of flavor.

Apples are part of me. I am number six, the sixth generation of growing and harvesting Michigan apples. So, naturally, when it came to planning my wedding, apples were a must. And being a woman, I have been planning my wedding since I was 12. 

With the help and support of my father, who doesn't miss a beat with what is going on with the orchards, I began to play around with apples and experimenting with designs on their skins. After many, many seasons, I came up  with what is pictured below. The perfect little gift for each one of my guests. And they are tasty too!" 

Wedding Video

Dont stop at pictures: many photography studios now provide video services, as well. Dont forget to incorporate this into your special day. You want to remember this day forever, and video captures so much more than picture.

Below is a short clip of Bethany Edwardson walking down the aisle earlier this summer. Video captured by Ryan Humm.



Bethany walking down the aisle from Ryan Humm on Vimeo.

Guest Photobooth

While guests books are great, many couples desire to have a more memorable keepsake to remember the guests who were present for their wedding. While guest books allow each and every member to sign that they were present, it doesn't represent the personalities of your guests. For the bride and groom who desire to have a keepsake of the guests and their personalities, and and opportunity for something really fun, a photobooth is a great option! 

How to make it happen: 

During your reception (or at another casual moment) have an area set up with decorative curtains that an individual, or group of individuals can step into to have their photos taken. For even more fun pictures, have a basket of props near the photo booth for guests to pose with for their pictures. Pictures can be taken by a gracious family friend, or you might consider hiring a amateur photographer who might charge you less for their time than a professional, but would produce quality pictures, nonetheless. Also consider using a digital camera, and using photo-editing to achieve a look that matches the feel of your wedding! This is a great idea for someone looking for a memorable, fun keepsake from a reception, and you'll be surprised to see the pictures once they're printed! 

Somethig Blue!

This is by far the favorite element for brides of the bridal rhyme, which signifies purity, and royalty, amongst other things. Finding blue things to incorporate into your wedding is a blast-- have more than one! The regular stand-by is a blue garter, but there are lots of other options, too! Consider:

Light blue (or any shade of blue!) toenail polish, or even blue fingernail polish! Go bold!
Blue shoes-- so much fun!
Blue earrings
A blue diamond wedding ring
A blue wedding dress-- a popular trend in the 19th century
Blue flowers
Blue cocktail drinks during the reception
A blue carpet to walk down the aisle on
Get crazy-- have a blues band at your wedding!
A blue wedding cake
Or get married with the blue ocean behind you, or outside, with the blue sky above!

Have fun planning!
Leave a comment if you have any more ideas for any of these elements!

Something Borrowed

Incorporating something borrowed into the wedding day symbolizes borrowed happiness, or continued good luck from a long-married couple. Most people, for this reason, borrow something from a long-married friend or relative. It is recommended that after the wedding, one person is assigned to returning this item to its owner, in order that it remain borrowed-- not stolen! A great person for this job is often a wedding attendant or the mother-of-the-bride. Additionally, be sure to write a thank-you letter after the wedding!

Some great ideas for borrowed items include the traditional jewelery, sewing a father or grandfather's silk handkercheif (as long as it isn't flu or cold season) into the bridal gown, or borrowing a family member's ceremonial book (Bible, Torah, etc.) for the ceremony. Less traditional ideas include borrowing library books for ceremonial readings, borrowing a friend's home for the reception, wearing a friend's shoes, or even borrowing your mother's own wedding gown!

Nearly anything can be borrowed for your wedding, so get creative! Remember, the whole point is to remember that you can count on your friends and family, and to receive continued good luck from long-married friends and family!

Something New

For most brides, the majority of their wedding consists of things that are 'new,' from their dress, to their shoes, to their rings, and so forth. The trick to this portion of the rhyme is finding something that is unique and significant to the bride and her husband, new, and symbolic of the life that they are looking forward to living together.

Great ideas would be:

The key to your new home tucked into your handbag, or sewn into your dress.
An engagement picture inside of a silver locket
A new shade of lipstick, or a new tattoo for someone a little more daring.
A great, common idea would be new lingerie to wear for the wedding, the wedding night, or on the honeymoon (or for each night of the honeymoon!)

The idea of incorporating something new doesn't need to be extravagant, simply meaningful. It can be anything from a new pack of gum, to a new car, to simply considering the wedding bands the "new." Be creative, unique, simple, or traditional with this element of the rhyme. The most important thing is that it represents the bride and groom, and their future together.

Something Old, but Wonderful

The idea of utilizing something old in your wedding ceremony can be a wonderful addition to your day. Something old signifies continuity from within the bride's family. For this reason, brides often incorporate a piece of memorabilia from her family.

One great way to personalize this tradition for your wedding day would to use a classic car (possibly lent from a grandfather or family member) for transportation. A grandmother's antique hat pin could also be tucked into the bride's bouquet. Traditionally, brides sometimes wear a grandmother's pearl necklace, or another jewelry item that has been passed through generations. For brides looking for a more classic look, consider wearing vintage white gloves, or wear a headpiece, tiara, or veil that has been handed down.

A few more unique, even more sentimental way of utilizing this great tradition would be to tuck a love letter from the bride's father to the bride's mother into the bride's purse. Another great idea is to set a display table of antique pictures from the family of the bride and groom. This is a classic look, especially if the pictures have been printed and framed in black and white, or in frames according to the wedding party colors or theme. Another great idea would to create luminaries of pictures of the bride and groom to be placed along with, or as centerpieces on tables.

http://www.weddingbee.com

http://www.marthastewartliving.com

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue!

Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.


A well-known rhyme amongst bridal parties, this too can add even more meaning to one of the most memorable days of your life. 


The tradition started in the Victorian Era in England, each one of the tokens being a symbol of good luck. Something old symbolizes continuity within the bride's family and the past. Some new signifies optimism and hope for the bride's future, and something borrowed is usually something borrowed from a long-married friend or relative, so that the good future may carry over to the new bride. It is also a reminder for the bride that she can depend on her friends and relatives. 


The blue item is the most well-practiced element of the rhyme, which is a century old tradition, originating in Ancient Rome. Roman brides wore blue to symbolize their love, modesty, and fidelity. This is why the Virgin Mary is often depicted wearing blue, but since her attachment to blue, it has also been associated with purity. Before the 19th century, brides often wore blue gowns, instead of white. There is even an Irish Proverb that states "Marry in blue,lover be true." 


The last part of this rhyme is "a silver sixpence in her shoe." This element represents wealth and financial security, something that everybody is hoping for in a new marriage. This tradition actually started with Scottish grooms placing a silver coin under his foot for good luck. The chances of good luck were enhanced further, if it was placed under the left foot, in fact. Today, many companies make keepsake sixpences for this occasion, and sometimes dimes or copper pennies are used, as well. 


This week, and next week, we're going to spend some time looking into different, unique ways that this rhyme can be incorporated into your wedding ceremony. Keep your eyes peeled. Next, something old. 

Why do we do what we do?

Have you ever wondered why we do what we do, when we do a wedding?
Why do our brides wear white gowns?
Why do we ask our flower girls to toss flower petals around?
Why do we go on a honeymoon?
How about tying cans to a wedding car?
Or why do we wear our rings on our left, ring finger?
Why do we cut wedding cake together?
Why does the bride's party stand to the left of the groom?
Why does the bride wear something blue?

All of these are great questions to have answered for your wedding day. Besides the fact that these are all traditions, and tradition runs deep in many families, knowing the answer to these questions can add considerable meaning to your day. Knowing why we do what we do can add so much more to every moment to your day!

So here we go...

Why do we wear white gowns?
Because it proves the bride's worthiness.

Why do we ask our flower girls to toss flower petals?
It guarantees the couple many chances to have kids.

Why do we go on honeymoons?
It is considered a cooling-off period for the bride's family (what a surprising meaning!)

Why do we decorate wedding vehicles with cans?
The noise frightens away evil spirits.

Why do we wear our wedding rings on our left, ring finger?
This is the finger that contains the vein of love.

Why do we cut wedding cake together?
This tradition symbolizes the couples shared future.

Why does the bride's party stand to the left of the groom?
To defend his bride, his left arm must be free (of course!).

Why does the bride wear something blue?
This shows that the bride and groom are considered royalty (blue is the color of royalty.)

So now you know! How fun!

Mirabella Confections

We just wanted to send a bit of love to one of our favorite vendors, here at Grand Volute, Mirabella Confections. 

Mirabella crafts some of the most beautiful cakes in the West Michigan area. They have a professional staff that is eager to meet your every need, from designing a cake perfect to fit your theme, colors, and size. Our every interaction with Mirabella has been more than impressive.  Take a look at the pictures below: they speak a thousand words to the quality of Mirabella Confections. 

To Contact Mirabella Confections visit them on Facebook by searching "Mirabella Confections" or visit mirabellaconfections.com 

They are located at 4950 Plainfield Ave NE Suite F, Grand Rapids Mi 49525

Honeymoon Destinations

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations

1.       Jamaica- Has glorious sunsets and alluring white sandy beaches and sparkling waterfalls

2.       Hawaii- Some of the finest beaches and some of the best water sports

3.       Mexico- Mayan and Aztec heritage, non-stop nightlife and endless beaches

4.       Italy- Art and Architecture, Venice gondola rides

5.       French Polynesia- Lush tropics, turquoise lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs

6.       France- The city of lights and decadent cuisine

7.       Greece- Ancient history and charm with amazing islands

8.       St. Lucia- Gorgeous beaches with French flavor

9.       Dominican Republic- National beaches and beautiful beaches

10.   Aruba- Beautiful weather year round, with white-sand beaches and 24 hour casinos

ccontributed by Karen Horrigan, Travel Consultant

http://www.travelwithkare.com

Take your Vows in Paradise with a Destination Wedding

Style, budget, location, theme… they vary from bride to bride but the one thing they have in common is they want their wedding to be a special, unique reflection of them. It is strongly suggested to work with a Travel Agency to help you with the wedding details; they can take care of the wedding, the guests, help you with the country’s rule to get married, schedule your spa appointments and help you with the legal requirements with group travel and marriage at the resort of your choice.

There are several different styles for a beautiful wedding in a stunning location, for your choice of a Destination Wedding.

Old Fashion with a Spirit of Adventure
You can have a traditional wedding, with all the traditional elements on a French Polynesian motu, in a European village, or aboard a fabulous yacht, where ever you wish!
Beach Wedding
You’re a beach lover, dreaming of the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters; you can choose a seaside chapel or the warm sandy beach under your feet to say “I do!” If it is just the two of you, you can have a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach or for a large group reception dinner it can be easily arranged by your travel consultant. If you want the theme to follow you to the dinner, add a flavor of the island with steel drum band or flavors of local cuisine.
Heritage Wedding
Heritage weddings are an extra special way to honor your background. If you are Italian, think about getting married in a cathedral in France. There are so many ways to incorporate your heritage into your wedding. You can also add wedding favors to fit the theme, Italian candies, or Parisian soaps.
Extreme Destination Weddings
Some brides are not looking for the traditional wedding; they look for a bit of adventure, maybe a bit on the wild side. Here are some of many ideas: scuba wedding, bungee jumping wedding, skydiving, or a wilderness wedding. You get the idea, what is your once in a lifetime adventure you want to do to start your life as husband and wife together?

Contributed by Karen Horrigan, Travel Consultant
 http://www.travelwithkare.com

Not Just Any Honeymoon... Your DREAM Honeymoon!

What is your Dream honeymoon?

What is your dream honeymoon? Relaxation, romance, adventure, or cultural, here are some suggestions to find the right destination for your dream honeymoon.

For a quiet, relaxing honeymoon, laying back on the hammock or an in-room spa you might want to look at destinations like Bora Bora, Curacao, Kauai, St. Barts, or St. Martin.

For the hopeless romantic, looking for charming, cozy or luxury, Caribbean beach for a romantic honeymoon look at Aruba, Bora Bora, Madrid, Maui, Paris, St. Lucia, St. Martin, and Venice.

Are you looking for an action packed honeymoon with adventure? Good destinations to look at are Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Montego Bay, Oahu, Ochos Rios, Riviera Maya.

Do you like ancient traditions, discovering history, and enjoy learning about the local history then you may want to consider Cozumel, Madrid, New York City, Oahu, Paris, San Juan, and Venice.

Contributed by Karen Horrigan, Travel Consultant

http://www.travelwithkare.com

Destination Weddings

Another week has started! This week we have a guest contributor, Karen Horrigan from http://ping.fm/hlFaR Karen is a specialist in travel, and has a lot to say about the ever-popular destination wedding. Grand Volute highly recommends Travel with Kare for any destination questions or arrangements. Be sure to check back daily for additional contributions from Karen!


Top 10 Reasons to have a Destination Wedding
1. Save Money! A traditional wedding can cost several times more than a destination wedding.
2. Do something different- Skip the traditional wedding- choose a unique and memorable experience.
3. Have the Best of Both worlds!- Combine your wedding and honeymoon into one beautifully planned celebration.
4. Crowd Control- Bring along the whole family, or make it a wedding just for two.
5. Stress-Free Planning- Your Travel Consultant will work directly with the resort's wedding coordinator.
6. Perfect for Second Marriages- Scale down and go someplace special the second time around.
7. Neutral Setting- Avoid family drama, choose a neutral setting.
8. So Much to See and Do- Most resorts have many on-site, and off-site activities available.
9. Celebrate Longer- Traditional weddings last for 5 hours, while the destination wedding can last days or weeks!
10. Expand on a Theme- Incorporate your love for the beach, the snow, heritage or something else special to you.

Want a fresh, trendy look for your wedding? Check out the ballerina length wedding dress.
Fresh to the wedding scene, the style is not new- Some might even remember it having been worn by none other than Audrey Hepburn in "Funny Face."

Definitely a trendy look that we love! Whether going for a fun, easy going, somewhat casual look, or a old-fashioned, reserved look, the ballerina dress is simply wonderful!

Thank YOU!

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit us at the 2010 Pink Arrow Football Game at Lowell High School Memorial Stadium!

Early estimates have shown that the community of Lowell has raised over $750,000 over the past three years for cancer research.

Thank YOU, our wonderful clients for allowing us to be able to contribute to such a great cause!

Pink Arrow Project

On September 10, 2010 CaterCat, the barefoot division of Grand Volute Ballrooms will be participating in the fight for Cancer at the Lowell High School "Pink Arrow Day"! Chef Kim Chase will be grilling marinated steak on skewers dipped in a secret sauce and rolled in a surprise topping! The aroma will permeate the stadium and have spectators lips smacking! A portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Pink Arrow Project Fund. The Pink Arrow Project Fund started three ears ago by the Lowell Football Team waring pink football jerseys. Pink football jerseys were auctioned off to the highest bidder along with the right to have a name of a loved one placed on the back of the jersey during the football game. At the of the game the guest received the shirt and the proceeds from the auction went to families in the Lowell Community that were touched in some way by Cancer. The Pink Arrow Project has blossomed today and many other communities are following in the same direction!

Come support the Pink Arrow Project at the Lowell High School Football Stadium and treat you taste buds to a culinary delight by CaterCat.

Contributed by Jan Herb
Cancer survivor

I am so excited! One of my bride's is on the cover of the new Lansing Bride magazine. We are also a featured vendor in the Grand Rapids Bride magazine. Congrats to Meg!

Style Me Pretty Blog Site

Check out this blog site. Simply elegant. http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/06/03/dessert-table-by-eat-drink-pretty

CaterCat at Make-A-Wish Foundation Gala

Thank you so much to Make-A-Wish Foundation for the opportunity to present our off-premise catering division CaterCat. It was a delightful evening with about 400 in attendance.

The Art of Selecting a Diamond: 3 of 10

We have chosen to highlight the art of picking out a diamond. There are ten key steps in selecting the perfect engagement rings and wedding bands, and we want you to be informed as you make this important decision! Keep checking back as we highlight each step! 

Today: Selecting a Setting

The setting of a ring is the encasement that holds the stone in place. There are a number of different settings to choose from, from standard to custom. There are prongs, bars, tension, bezel, flush, cluster, and "invisible" styles to choose from. Be sure to ask your salesperson to show you the variety of settings that you have to choose from, Each setting can be desirable, depending on the style of  ring that you are considering. The most popular style is the "prong" because it holds the diamond differently than the others, which allows more light to travel through the stone, thus creating more sparkle. 

What a great experience. Thank you to everyone at eightWest for making this a wonderful experience.

The Art of Selecting a Diamond: 2 of 10

We have chosen to highlight the art of picking out a diamond. There are ten key steps in selecting the perfect engagement rings and wedding bands, and we want you to be informed as you make this important decision! Keep checking back as we highlight each step! 

Today: Metal and Sizing

 Engagement bands are typically made of platinum, yellow gold, or white gold. Platinum is the most expensive, because it resists tarnishing, but, unfortunately, it is also the most expensive metal to repair. The most popular metals are yellow gold, and white gold, which are typically available in 14 or 18-carat gold. They do tend to show wear, but can be easily repaired. White gold is very popular right now because it appears to be silver (though it is truly gold.) White gold does tend to loose its "silver" look, and will need to be repaired. The metal, and thickness of the band will affect the style of the ring, the stone, and the ease of repair and resizing. The size of the ring effects how much metal will be used to create it, therefore, size should be considered when selecting a metal. 

Love this Gown!

Welcome to 2011! 

Alma Novia has released their 2011 wedding collection, and this is our favorite! What a stunning dress! 

Steps to Picking out a Diamond: 1 of 10

We have chosen to highlight the art of picking out a diamond. There are ten key steps in selecting the perfect engagement rings and wedding bands, and we want you to be informed as you make this important decision! Keep checking back as we highlight each step! 

Today: Budgeting and Sizing

Before setting foot in a jewelry store, have your budget decided. It is easy to be persuaded by jewelry salespersons to "just spend a little bit more." When walking in to the store, be sure to let your salesperson know of your budget, and he or she will assist you with choosing a ring that fits comfortably within your price range. Speaking of fitting, be sure to know what size your soon-to-be fiancée wears! If anything, bring one of her rings into the store, and they'll be able to tell you the size. If you'd prefer for her to be completely surprised, it may take some work to get a ring of hers out of the house, but the surprise as well as being certain that the ring fits will be worth the hassle.