A wedding is a once in a lifetime event, and with it comes a MOTHER IN LAW monster lurking in the shadows…. Ok, although the reality is not all mothers- in- law and mothers- of brides are terrors. Some moms are quite nothing short of angelic guardians who guide us all through the process of life through their infinite wisdom and unrequited love. (I love you mom!)
As we all know in New Jersey weddings, family is family and no one should be disrespectin’ nobody’s mom and brides are no exception. (So put down the claws Bridezilla). After all, part of the whole marriage process is a joining of two families and our central New Jersey wedding venues celebrate this unity of family by treating our brides as family of our own.
After seeing an article posted by OneWed featuring the What Not to Wear for MOBs and MOGs, Hotels Unlimited decided to take a crack at this (with of course a bit of sensible tongue in cheek and a drawing ability of a fifth grader, since that is how we roll here in Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean County, NJ)
How does the bride then ask the mother in law about her attire for the big day?
After deciding on a color palette and a theme, it is time to do some dress shopping. Why not make a day of it and enjoy it? Take the mom(s) out to lunch, order a few drinks, and have a fun day of shopping together. Get to know the woman you are intending to dress and imagine what her wedding dress was once like, because she too was once in your shoes.
Some tactful ways to approach this can be covered in conversation and in the right questions:what style of dress mom wore to her wedding?, what were her wedding colors?, who was her favorite fashionista-type celebrities? Somewhere behind that mother -in-law -death- glare- of- love is a woman.
WHAT IF MY MOM…. Says she likes 80s grunge and would like to be dressed out of a combination of a dumpster and Lady Gaga? (and please, no meat dress at my wedding!!)
Although that is a tough combo to salvage, even Lady Gaga has had her classy moments that could make any woman beautiful. Show mom the Lady Gaga-esque styles that you would like and see what she thinks. Fortunately, there are enough styles and variety that it can loosely tie into the bridal theme without making the mother-monster miserable. (yes, pun was intended.)
When all else fails, at least the bride can say she tried. Although a NJ wedding is one of the biggest milestones, one has to ask the important questions of what truly matters: family. After all, remember that the family will still exist long after the wedding is over so it is best not to burn any bridges since you will be with them until death do you part.
As the temperatures outside become slightly warmer outside we are reminded that spring and love are coming into the air, and what a better way to celebrate love than through a wedding? When selecting your central NJ wedding venue, one must consider the value that the venue can provide for their special event. Today, Hotels Unlimited announces its One Day Wedding Sale for our Ocean County wedding facilities: The Atlantis Ballroom & The Versailles Ballroom. With half price enhancers and prices starting at $45-$49 at the Atlantis Ballroom and $49-$59 at the Versailles Ballroom, Hotels Unlimited has not had a better wedding package deal for 2012.
Versailles Ballroom at the Ramada of Toms River
Particularly, Hotels Unlimited already offers in our packages:
-One on one personalized service and a commitment to your vision
-Table linens & centerpieces
-Catering package options
-On-site ceremony space and overnight stay
Atlantis Ballroom inside of the Holiday Inn of Toms River
Both the Atlantis Ballroom and The Versailles Ballroom have won The Knot Best of Weddings awards thanks to our lovely brides who rated us among the best. To see the Versailles Ballroom reviews and the Atlantis Ballroom reviews be sure to check out our pages on The Knot, our website, or on WeddingWire. To see more details on our offer see the
Interested parties are invited to participate in our New Jersey wedding catering tastings during our 2012 Mercer County bridal shows. Here we took a short preview video to allow interested couples an insider’s look into the world of The Windsor Ballroom as part of our Behind the Scenes YouTube Video series.
Our Central NJ wedding venues are available for tours and to schedule a meeting with you. We look forward to hearing from you:
Find the perfect spot in the Caribbean for your honeymoon after your Central NJ wedding. There are many places to choose from, each with their own unique features. Some of the hottest spots in the Caribbean include Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, and Turks and Caicos. So which one is the right place for you and your significant other.
According to WeddingWire.com, Aruba is an island with beautiful soft beaches and lots of entertainment. During your honeymoon in Aruba, you can choose from many activities including snorkeling, golfing, hiking, and horseback riding. Also, the nightlife in Aruba is very lively with plenty of bars and casinos to choose from.
The Bahamas is one of the biggest honeymoon destinations due to its variety in entertainment, luxury, and beauty. They offer the same activities in the Bahamas as they do in Aruba, except the Bahamas has the third largest barrier reef where you can snorkel or scuba dive. It also has such natural beauty to be explored.
Another hot honeymoon spot is Turks and Caicos, with only eight out of forty islands occupied. Here you can indulge yourself in shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and travel to caves and natural forests. Turks and Caicos has beautiful weather year-round, so no matter when you go you can be laying on the beach basking in the warm sun.
To explore the other islands and see what they have to offer visit WeddingWire.com. You will soon be exploring your options and booking your beautiful getaway to the Caribbean! Happy honeymoon newlyweds and congratulations on your marriage!
In a down economy, it is no surprise that people are turning to new alternatives to subdue the cost of their Central NJ wedding. After all, with all the components to a wedding the average cost is around $40,000 in New Jersey. This is why many wedding experts have projected 2012 to be yet another popular year for do-it-yourself projects (see our post for hot 2012 wedding trends.)
According to a new article featured in the New York Times, this trend is only going to increase as 2012 progresses. People are now looking into making their own wedding ring as both a sentimental symbol of their love and a unique mark of this major lifetime milestone. Although making a wedding ring isn’t a walk in the park, some welding shops such as The Wedding Ring Experience will guide couples along their journey to make their own personalized wedding rings using gold or platinum. Some couples can bring their own precious metals and materials or the shop can purchase the raw materials needed at the current exchange rate.
This can also make an excellent idea for a NJ engagement ring, because what woman wouldn’t want a custom piece to call her own?
Happy New Year everyone! There are some great opportunities and great deals to be had when planning your NJ wedding for 2012, and here at Hotels Unlimited we have some exciting news to tell you about. Looking forward to the new year, we are excited to see what the latest trends for 2012 will be for weddings. Here are some popular trends for the upcoming year.
The Dress
According to Brides.com, some really popular dress trends for 2012 include the invisible neckline that would allow for additional support for any bride. This also includes lace sleeves.
Although some consider it taboo to not have a white dress, the wedding industry is slowly starting to break from the 200+ year Victorian tradition and is starting into blush, lavender and green accents into the dress.
Finally the other significant change is the double skirt look. Rather than bunching and gathering, a double layered skirt can accent a bride’s curves.
Flowers… or perhaps not?
With the high cost of flowers, many brides are getting craftier and going the DIY route on their bouquets. This can mean using non-traditional accents such as small berries, fruit, buttons, fabric, broaches, gems, wire and more. This is also a more eco-friendly option as flowers wilt and die within hours of the wedding. However, brides that opt for an all floral bouquet can choose locally grown options for the season as it is a more cost-effective option than ordering flowers and paying for shipping.
Vintage Themes
Looking to save some money on the big day? Many brides are looking towards the vintage route to include being crafty and incorporating the family theme. Some brides have done this by including old marriage photos from the family, incorporating older elements into their wedding.
Champagne, the perfect accessory to any party celebration: holidays, birthdays, New Year’s, and of course any Central NJ wedding. After all, what is a New Year’s resolution without making a wish at the bottom of a toasting glass at midnight? Today Hotels Unlimited asks our audience: is Champagne really limited to only black tie affairs? This particular blogger (and aficionado of Champagne) thinks not. A good Champagne, ( like any other type of fine wine) is not just limited to one kind of occasion, but rather a key ingredient in some delicious recipes to be shared with good friends and family at any time.
The Mimosa
A classic drink of Champagne and orange juice, the mimosa serves great versatility and is also a classy twist for any Sunday brunch. For a more flavorful twist, try adding some lychee for a sweet delight.
Champagne Sangria
What girl doesn’t love a good chat with friends while enjoying a pitcher of Sangria? Although Sangria is traditionally made with a wine base, Champagne can add a light bubbly flair for your cocktail by simply adding your favorite fruit to your champagne. For a refreshing holiday twist, try using orange slices and some sprigs of fresh mint.
What are some of your favorite Champagne recipes? Comment and share!
“Santa baby did I forget to mention one little thing? A ring.” Although Christmas and the holiday season is a popular time to propose, there are many different styles of rings that can reflect the style of the bride. This cute article by bridal guide, gives some cute insight into cuts of diamond engagement rings.
Round
The look: Also known as brilliant-cut, this tried-and-true shape reflects more light than any other, and is the most popular. Avril Lavigne showed her traditional side by wearing a round diamond engagement ring.
This choice says you’re: Trustworthy and easygoing.
Emerald
The look: Inspired by the Asscher, this glamorous choice is also a rectangular step-cut shape. It has fewer facets than some of the other shapes, so look for an emerald-cut that offers maximum brilliance.
This choice says you’re: Efficient and straightforward.
Cushion
The look: Rectangular with curved sides, the cushion-cut first hit big in the 18th century. A recent resurgence in popularity has given it a modern-meets-vintage feel. Ben Affleck gave Jennifer Garner a cushion-cut rock.
This choice says you’re: Organized and daring.
Princess
The look: This relatively new square shape, with a modern, understated feel, combines a sparkly, brilliant effect with a geometric step-cut. You can attribute its spectacular glitter to extra faceting around the rim.
This choice says you’re: Decisive and fun-loving.
Heart
The look: This century-old shape, symbolizing love and devotion, should be well proportioned for optimum sparkle. Kid Rock proposed to Pamela Anderson with a yellow heart-shaped diamond.
This choice says you’re: Sentimental and dreamy.
Pear
The look: Resembling a teardrop, a pear-shaped diamond has the fire and beauty of a round shape, but with a less conventional look. This shape can also make a wide finger look slimmer.
This choice says you’re: Even-tempered and adaptable.
Oval
The look: If you love the gorgeous sparkle of a round, brilliant-cut diamond but still want something unique, consider an oval. A fresh take on a timeless style, this new shape came about in the early 1960s. Actor Jerry O’Connell recently gave his betrothed fashionista, Rebecca Romijn, an oval-shaped sparkler.
This choice says you’re: Risk-taking and creative.
Asscher
The look: Square with angular corners, this shape dates back to the late 1800s. If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s step-cut, meaning the facets are rectangular and seem to descend into the stone.
This choice says you’re: Feminine and meticulous.
Diamonds by the Numbers
73: Percentage of brides who help choose or affect the choice of engagement ring.
4: Average number of jewelry stores those brides visit.
$2,600: Average amount spent on an engagement ring.
50: Percentage of diamond engagement rings that include round diamonds. The runner-up: square shapes like princess and emerald-cut. The biggest rise in popularity has been in vintage-inspired shapes like cushion and Asscher.
We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of 2011 and celebrate with us during last night’s Mix and Mingle Holiday Jingle at the Holiday Inn of East Windsor along with the National Conference Center. We annually invite our NJ corporate events partners to celebrate with us as both a thank you and a way to warm up for the holiday season ahead.
Whether the company is having a fourth quarter report meeting or strategizing for the upcoming year ahead, one needs a meeting space that is convenient and centrally located. Our Central NJ meeting and banquet facilities are holding a deal for the businesses that look forward to 2012. With this offer, people who book 5 rooms inside our hotels can redeem a FREE meeting room space up to $500. Companies can take advantage of getting a well rested night’s sleep before the big meeting early in the morning.
As a way of saying thank you, we are inviting you to our New Year’s eve 2012 celebration. Help us kick off the new year with Versatile DJs along with a 5 hour open bar, gourmet cuisine, and of course free champagne at midnight. The party will be hosted inside of the Atlantis Ballroom at the Holiday Inn of Toms River. This location is 10 minutes from the Seaside Heights boardwalk which is a nice peaceful walk during the day just before you gear up for the big party at midnight. This central NJ party is one that no one should miss.
