Elisa, the Countess of Confectionery?

Today I was a kid in a candy shop – literally!

In honor of Valentine’s Day we visited Farris and Foster’s Famous Chocolate Factory in Orlando. Holy peanut-butter cups! – if you love chocolate this is the place to be!

While I could go on and on about our chocolate factory adventure, and how much fun we had, and how delicious everything was, I won’t (because you’ll be jealous!). {wink}

Instead, I’ll tell you about what a great event venue it is for parties. I mean, who wouldn’t want to come to a ‘make your own chocolate’ party? And the team at Farris and Foster’s is ready to accommodate groups of up to 36. Children’s parties, Girls Night Out, Date Night, Bridal Showers and Teambuilding events are so much sweeter when chocolate is involved!

On the other hand, if you’re just looking for Orlando’s finest handmade chocolates, Farris and Foster’s is known as ‘your neighborhood confectioner’. Almost all of their candies are made fresh daily right in their shop and some of the recipes go back generations! Stop in anytime you’re craving a sweet treat or in search of a memorable gift (except Sundays).

Something for everyone!

Fresh chocolate strawberries

Farris and Fosters’ gift shop has something for everyone and every occasion – from holiday novelties, to boxes of assorted chocolates, to gift baskets!

They also make scrumptious truffles which are ideal as favors for parties and receptions. And please don’t forget to try the fresh dipped strawberries!

Foster, Farris and Fosters

Owner Foster Lanenga holding today’s Orlando Sentinel, where his picture appeared on the front page.

© 2010 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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Hilton Orlando

Alizma

Alizma

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Quite an exciting weekend! I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening Showcase for the Hilton Orlando! 

The inauguration of this sensational new property was a first class affair! It was such an honor to attend this special event and tour the property which boasts state of the art design, luxurious details and unique features tailored to appeal to business and recreational travelers alike. The 1400 room Hilton is the first hotel to be connected to the Orange County Convention Center via a sky-pedestrian bridge, so it’s guaranteed to attract a fair share of Orlando’s convention market. It’s stylish and inviting design is also sure to appeal to those planning social events and I foresee this venue becoming a very desirable location for nuptials and social celebrations!

Seafood Bar

The Hilton Team deserves the highest compliments for an evening that was beautifully orchestrated and by all accounts flawlessly executed! Executive Chef Thierry Meissonnier and his culinary team deserve the highest praise for the delicious, world class cuisine served throughout the evening – the seafood display in particular was breathtaking!

There were so many wonderful elements to the evening that I could go on and on, but time will not allow for that so here is a brief description of some of the highlights:

The Orlando ballroom was set for over 700 guests and featured floral and decor by Greenery Productions and linens by BBJ. Additional decor was provided by Room Service Furniture Rentals and Occasions by Shangrila (and I’m sure there are others that I may not be aware of).

Seafood Bar

Action Station

Upon entering the ballroom, guests enjoyed appetizers (lamb, duck, etc.) served from action stations and two tremendous seafood bars. This was the first time I’ve experienced this type of presentation for an appetizer course – it was as enjoyable as it was impressive!

Entertainment included Alizma -that fabulously talented violin trio you may have recently seen on America’s Got Talent 2009, and the hot Orlando band Skylyne 407 .

VIP’s in attendance included Mayor Richard Crotty.

Following dinner and keynote speakers who acknowledged the efforts of so many who were instrumental in bringing the Hilton Orlando to life, guests were led to the Southwest Lawn to view a spectacular fireworks display.

Two “After Parties” – one within a tent one the Southwest Lawn and the other in the Orange Ballroom – were in full swing from 9pm to midnight! Guests danced and enjoyed coffee, cocktails and desserts to their hearts content!

It was truly a GRAND opening!

For additional information hosting an event at the Hilton Orlando, please contact the Sales and Catering Office via the main hotel line: +1-407-313-4300
Address: 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando, Florida, USA 32819

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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Do you remember the last wedding reception you attended? What do you recall: The food? The entertainment? The “look” of the room? Just close your eyes and reflect for a moment; try to think of the things that were most memorable and pleasing.

Aha! I bet the pleasing part makes it a bit harder. No doubt that more than a few of you thought about the wedding with the DJ who thought he was Elvis, or the event with the cash bar (surprise!) -and you forgot your wallet.

The more events I do, the more I remember only what is remarkable. Remarkable can be fun, outstanding, unexpected and impressive. Remarkable can also be uncomfortable, annoying, disappointing and catastrophic. As your wedding and event planner, my goal is to make your event memorable for all the right reasons.

In terms of decor, remarkable doesn’t necessarily translate into expensive. Details that are well thought out can be seamlessly incorporated into event decor and the table top design thereby creating a look that is remarkable in a visual and textural sense. (If you’re wondering what I mean about ‘well thought out details” try to imagine a table top with so many tchotchkes – bells, cameras, scrolls, bags of chocolate kisses, etc. – it looks like the favor catalog threw up; and, yes, for some bizarre reason people still do this.)

Decor and design are most remarkable when they draw you in, and you experience the vibe as it was intended to be: exciting, chic and sexy, warm and inviting, modern, etc. The best designs are not limited to what can be seen; incorporating smells, tastes, physical contact, sights and sounds into the design actually creates a more memorable experience. In other words, the five senses overlap and influence each other, and combined they create the overall impression, which in turn becomes your memory of the experience.

This is why we ask our clients to describe their vision of the event. Even if they insist that they have no idea about what they want, they truly do… We ask them to imagine what it looks like - including colors and lighting, what time of day it is, how many people are present, how the space feels (intimate, modern, elegant, indoors or outdoors, etc.) and then we begin to design an event based on their  preferences and our interpretation of their style. 

I must admit, sometimes the finer details do not become crystal clear until the very end.  It really is an organic process.  And it’s a challenge we face with every event: How do you know how far to go? Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more.

In keeping with this topic, I thought you’d enjoy this short video featuring friend and colleague Rashida Erskine of BBJ Linen’s Orlando office. She offers some insightful recommendations and helpful tips for using linens to pull the look of your reception together with remarkable style.

{Our apologies; this video link has expired}

Please the fabulous team at BBJ Linen’s Orlando Office if you would like to meet with them. Ph. 407-857-6566   Or, feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance with fine-tuning your wedding or event design.  Call 877.55FLAIR or email Elisa: eventstaff {at} aflairforaffairs.com

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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February:2009

I can’t believe how time has flown by since this magnificent wedding! Our couple, Kirsten & Rich, we’re so incredibly wonderful to work with! Their February nuptials took place at St. Margaret Mary in Winter Park, and were followed by a reception at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.

Kirsten was a vision in an elaborately beaded Lazaro gown; bridemaids and groomsmen looked very sharp dressed in black for this formal, evening affair.

Kirsten’s overall vision for the reception was a warm and romantic setting incorporating both tradtional and modern elements: red roses, hanging crystals, the glow of candle light, satin finish linens and dramatic lighting.

Additional images from this event are featured on our website: Featured Affairs – Romance & Splendor Photos courtesy of Damon Tucci.

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