mind travel.

This is the location of my head this sunny but cold January Monday. These are from the lovely Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

An all-inclusive getaway with yoga on the beach, grilled seafood and spa treatments seems about perfect to me lately. As a hit-the-road, submerse-in-the-culture, major-in-foreign-language kinda girl this is not my typical preference. But after a long New England winter, these images are calling my name. More research to share on some of the best deals, the best reviews and the best pricing I find. Might be useful to those of us out there who need a pre-moon, a honeymoon, a destination wedding or simply, a long overdue reason to completely unplug. With projects on deck straight through until early April, booking a trip in Spring could make this busy season {wait, I thought May-October was busy season?!} fly by. Need more inspiration? Check out the Costa Rica promotional piece Buzz did last year for another fantastic location. I can smell the tropical flowers watching this one!

I attribute this new obsession to all the Netflix streaming of Anthony Bourdain No Reservations show we have been watching and Miss Sarah sending out a message for hot tropic resort ideas! Thanks guys, the travel wheels are spinning.

{erica}

vow renewals+ beach sunset + ceviche

This past weekend, Buzz was lucky enough to film a very special vow renewal for Tucker + Katie on Nantucket. Anything that combines sunset on an island beach, 40 of your closest friends and family and gourmet Mexican food in a restaurant with an urban vibe has my vote as the perfect way to celebrate! We look forward to sharing the film short in the coming months.

The sorbet colors in the sky were the perfect backdrop for their vow renewals on the beach. The ceremony was led by the same minister who officiated their wedding ten years ago. He introduced the adorable brother and sister (9+7) who proudly projected the words from their sweet readings to their parents. The gathering of friends+ family circled around them and clapped as the kissed and the sun dipped into the sea.

Photo booths, high spirits, raw bars and top shelf tequila, the most delicious guac ever followed at a NYC-esqe gourmet Mexican bistro Corazon del Mar. I am trying to convince Mike we might need a scouting + research trip to see if we can steal this idea for our ten year anniversary!

beach modern

As a follow up to the last post, if you are considering a destination wedding this winter (or any time!), how gorgeous is this beach modern look? Love the key lime green and cream. So classic. So tropical.

Then maybe you could give away one of these in your guest welcome bags. New favorite for beach towels--lightweight linen, oversized, quick drying and gorgeous.

{erica}

destination weddings: stay in costa rica

Stay In Costa Rica Destination Weddings from Buzz Media Company on Vimeo.

For the newly engaged this summer who may be considering a winter destination wedding, we have just the place. It was such a thrill to be included in with the talented team of vendors who headed down to Stay in Costa Rica and Los Suenos Resort this past April.

Take a peek at this promotional film short we created to run on their new destination wedding website to be launched later this month. Truly top notch accommodations, world class eco-tourism adventures for you and guests and a fantastic staff to guide the planning process. Seem too big for your budget? Travel logistics seem too complicated ? You might be surprised. Direct flights from New York to San Jose are less than flying cross country and no jet lag. You get so much more for your dollar while relaxing in a five star luxury resort experience. Pura vida!

{mike + erica}

our costa rica shoot on SMP!

A good Monday= we are on the beach playing hookie + get notice that our team's Costa Rica shoot {on the beach} has been posted in a three part story {part two and three are here and here } on Style Me Pretty!

We are so grateful to the talented team of {fun} vendors here in Connecticut and of course, Megan and Larry from Stay in Costa Rica who made this trip so rewarding! Check out the postings for full credits on paper goods and table scape design and loads of rich, colorful destination wedding images. No question, this place is the way to host an elegant and adventurous tropical destination wedding!

And for a true taste of 'pura vida' here is the Buzz film short...

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica from Buzz Media Company on Vimeo.

Team Costa Rica:
Planning + Design: Candice Dowling and Diana Chouinard ofJubilee Events
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck and her team ( Erik Maziarz, Greg Lewis, Rebecca Hales and Sara Code-Kroll!)
Floral: Datura: A Modern Garden
Wardrobe + Styling: Beth Chapmen of White Dress by the Shore
Hair + Makeup: dd Nickel
Film: Buzz Media Company
Beautiful Hospitality during shoot: Stay in Costa Rica
PR + Marketing: MMH Public Relations

Behind the Scenes: Costa Rica

Playa Herradura, Costa Rica from Buzz Media Company on Vimeo.

We have been a bit remiss in sharing the details of our trip to Costa Rica last month. We almost forgot to post this film short! If your computer can handle it, click full screen and turn it up for full effect. There is so much eye candy from our trip and we are still editing the promotional piece and will share the results in June. What a fantastic group of talented vendors! The passion and excitement is palpable in this piece. It was everything- the somewhat impromptu locale and beauty of dusk in this lush setting, our model Michelle who had never done this before {and fresh off a surfboard} but was as stunning and natural as they come, and all of our our good fortune to be there, in that moment. The collaboration with this group was more easy and inspired than we could've ever hoped. We are still so grateful we had the opportunity to be involved in an editorial shoot to promote a wonderful destination wedding locale, Stay in Costa Rica.
Our team:
Planning + Design: Candice Dowling and her team at Jubilee Events
Photography: Carla Ten Eyck and her team (Greg, Eric, Rebecca, Sarah!)
Floral: Datura: A Modern Garden
Wardrobe + Styling: Beth Chapmen of White Dress by the Shore
Hair + Makeup: dd Nickel
Film: Buzz Media Company
Beautiful Hospitality during shoot: Stay in Costa Rica
PR + Marketing: MMH Public Relations

pura vida. part II

My last few blog posts gave a flavor for the week we were about to have in one of the most magical corners of the world.We are so humbled, honored and inspired to be in the company of some of the areas finest wedding vendors for a truly soulful and lush photo shoot in Costa Rica last week. We just returned and are reliving the images on film and in our minds.

While these gorgeous photos are not from our shoot {those are reserved for editorial content at a later date} it reminds me of the beauty of tropical events. We cannot wait to share the Buzz documentary of what can only be classified as a truly organic {sourcing tablescape decor direct from the rainforest!}, inspired and collaborative effort.

The fresh mango and watermelon juice every morning, the Casa de Suenos {aptly the 'house of dreams'} villa we stayed in, lush surroundings, surf culture, colorful Costa Ricans and photo shoots bringing together everyone's passions...yes, it really was a dream. Costa Rica...the 'rich coast' it certainly is.

A special thanks to all of our colleagues and friends who made this experience so magical. Candice Dowling of Jubilee Events, Carla Ten Eyck and her phenomonal team of photags, Beth Chapman of White Dress by the Shore, Tony Palmieri's florals of Datura and hair and makeup stylist dd Nickel. We were 17 people pulled together in the 'house of dreams' to make this shoot for a gorgeous luxury resort {ideal for destination weddings!} a reality. We cannot wait to share the results.

{mike + erica}

destination weddings.

Beltane Ranch
As we at Buzz get more excited about plans for filming destination weddings, the inspiration is endless. Here are two incredible venues for intimate destination weddings or a honeymoon getaway. They both seem to embody my favorite things in luxury---local and seasonal foods, understated luxury and spectacular vistas. And the prices? Surprisingly doable.

From the photos and description Beltane Ranch in Sonoma, California actually is the Garden of Eden. Surrounded by vineyards, orchards and the beauty of northern California it is a feast for the senses. Full, seasonal, homegrown breakfasts are served on the porch outside your room. Ingredients are sourced directly from the flower, herb and vegetable gardens {a mixture of citrus, fig and persimmon trees and rasberry beds. A walking trail leads to additional gardens on the ranch where they grow asparagus, melon, tomatoes, summer and winter squash, potatoes, onions, chard, peppers, broccoli with orchards full of heirloom apples, plums, nectarines, pears and peaches....oh my} And we haven't even begun to talk about the enchantment of wine country {they do a private label for one of my favorites, Cakebread Cellars} For foodies and wine aficianados this couldn't be a more perfect destination for your guests!

Dunton Hot Springs

While living in Colorado, the San Juan Mountain Range was one of my favorite corners of the state. Maybe it is the constant bluebird skies, the high altitude clarity or the focus on clean living- but I loved being surrounded by people who seemed to be living life truly alive. Alas, Dunton Hot Springs Resort for the perfect, intimate {42 people tops) winter wedding. Just across the mountain from Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs Resort is a romantic ghost town, set in an extraordinary alpine valley. They say it best, This perfectly restored ghost town thrives on contradictions; hand-hewn log cabins exquisitely furnished, a life-worn saloon serving food of startling quality, lung torturing trails followed by pampering massages, sensuous hot springs beneath shimmering snow banks...
As one of the top rated, five star and understated luxury resorts in the world, Dunton Hot Springs Resort is my kind of place.

{oh and if you wanted to rent the town with private cabins and full gourmet meals for each of your 42 guests for a Sunday this winter? 10 K and it is yours- not a bad price tag for celebration to remember!}

{erica}

season winds down.

While we still have several beautiful late Fall/ early winter weddings taking us through the holidays- something about the colors and cool air in late October that marks the winding down of wedding season.

A (generous +thoughtful) friend is lending us her house on Martha's Vineyard for the weekend to unwind and enjoy the post season, leaf-peeping goodness of Autumn in New England. Among other general relaxation activities, we are looking forward to popping in on the Journal of a Beach house bride girls and visit their couture bridal and vintage wedding shop Tulle. I am really liking this pre and post season getaway tradition we may have started! Have a good weekend!

{erica+mike}

Pantone Swatches: The Wedding Palette

We still laugh at how many conversations, emails and magazine tear sheets were exchanged between my mom and I for color ideas when it came time to plan our (Mike and I, that is) wedding. It did not help that it was a destination wedding at my parents beach club so mom got stuck with the thankless task of scouting out locally just the precise shade of mango and coral for all of our decor items. Not pink and orange. Not salmon and fushia. Very specifically, mango and coral. I still cringe thinking of how picky I got in the planning process.

So to avoid these long consultation sessions-how smart is this concept found at Snippet & Ink from the leaders in color? Pantone Wedding swatches from Dessy eases the communication process between graphic designers doing your invites, the florists and your bridesmaids. Even with our wedding behind us, I could still spend hours here in the color chart and creating inspiration boards with all the beautiful Pantone color combos!
{erica}

surf lodge

Work is taking us to New York to shoot twice next month and the first trip takes us through the North Fork of Long Island. I stumbled across theThe Surf Lodge in Montauk courtesy of CocoCozy and think it would be the perfect getaway for the wife who has been craving a trip to California and husband who loves surf culture and all things beach. If the weather holds and we keep getting the long Indian summer days---The Surf Lodge could be the perfect east coast dose of Southern California!

big sur brides.

Maybe it is the gorgeous, temperate and sunny September skies or the grapes plump for picking here at the vineyard and messages coming in from staff harvesting out in Napa- but my head is in Northern California today. For me, Fall always kicks in the "wouldn't it be great to take a trip to..." conversations. These images from Big Sur Bride are stunning. Talk about perfect ceremony location! Ranch wedding inspiration board-northern california style.
{erica}

globe trotting.

Something is up. As of late, at final wedding appointments,I will spend an inordinate amount of time asking details about couples honeymoon destinations hanging on every detail of their planned journeys. At the DMV last week while waiting to officially change my name, I took a sentimental journey through my passport and recollecting the border patrol for each of the stamps. What a point of pride it was for a period in my life (early twenties) when my passport was messy with stamps and dog-eared from all the youthful globe trotting. A year abroad in Germany took me through just about every country in the EU and a post graduate coursework in Costa Rica had me and my best friend (naively, I may add) hopping every possible bus (full of chickens and people) through Central America.

These images from Toast (worth going on their site and ordering a catalogue-just for the images) and my new favorite coffee table book from Lonely Planet may just help keep the wanderlust at bay until Mike and I can go in search of the next passport stamp.

block island + birthday = bliss

This is my recommendation for any couple-to-be after months of planning a wedding. Take a pre-moon. Just an overnight before the wedding to get back to the business of being a happy couple. Sometimes it is difficult to know how much you need a vacation until you are on one. You breathe deeper, walk slower, find inspiration easier and giggle at the drop of a hat. The short and unexpected getaways are sometimes the best. Forty eight hours of unplanned, uninterrupted relaxation. The kind of getaway where the biggest decision is whether to walk or bike to happy hour to watch the sunset.

Mike, Lulu and I spent a glorious two days in Block Island pre-season, off peak days in perfect weather for my birthday. Nothing beats it. Except, of course, an unexpected upgrade to a gorgeous suite with water views and a private deck. We were so grateful to Tamara at Blue Dory Inn who graciously offered us the best room in the Inn (complete with a kitchen to keep ingredients chilled for the perfect mudslide.) On Monday morning, Mike and Lucy surprised me with a birthday breakfast in bed serving up the Inn's homemade scones, fresh fruit & OJ, chewy bagels, spinach and onion frittata and possibly the best cup of coffee ever made. (though it could have been the water views that made it taste so divine!)

Lucy was full of energy and good spirits and biked with us around the entire island (she had a tandem bike hook-up on Mike's bike) for a late afternoon at Mohegan Bluffs. In the shallows, she found countless snails, glittery rounded rocks, a crab and two purple starfish. Nothing beats a day like that in eyes of a six year old- especially when finished off with an oversized treat from the Ice Cream Place.

The early June, Sunday vacation getaway is ideal in Block Island. All the seasonal staff are in their pre-season mode...fresh faced, enthusiastic and accommodating, the room rates are terrific and the weather is generally glorious.

Whether a birthday, "pre-moon" or simply a much needed break, go ahead- play hookie and head out to Block.

la dolce vita.

My college roomate, Anna Ciano used to tell me warm and wonderful stories of her whole extended family spending the month in Sardinia, Italy each summer to visit her grandparents. I was smitten by her colorful stories of family gatherings, farm and market fresh recipes and tradition that took place in these summer months on this windswept and rugged island off the mainland. She would come back in the Fall completely fluent again in Italian- longing for the easy, Italian afternoons. She often extended the invite to join them and never got a chance to. These images from the UK based company Toast may or may not be from there but, in my mind, this is the trip I never took. It is worth a visit to their e-catalogue to take your own trip to visit the Ciano's.

|erica|

Morning Coffee #4: island blue + lemon yellow

I am quite certain the bride that lived in this room from Lobster and Swan would want this wedding photographed by Ben Chrisman. The vibrant jewel tones (smart-pick the color of the sky as one of your wedding colors), jet setting nature (notice the carry on suitcase) and wonderful wispy sun dresses paired with hip minimalism. Who doesn't want this wedding? Or at least be a dear friend of the lovely couple with good taste to help celebrate the day?