Archive for the ‘By Tammy Golson’ Category

Written by Tammy of Tammy Golson Events.

Bridal magazines, weddings shows and vendor blogs are great resources for wedding planning inspiration but New York brides (and grooms) get to add their city to the list of places of where they can shop for innovative ideas as their wedding approaches. There is a surplus of inspiration simply on the city streets. Whether you are thinking about invitations, centerpieces or the menu for your wedding– there truly is something for everyone. I am excited to share a few of my favorite stops in New York City. They all trigger creativity and foster originality.

The flower district is an early morning adventure for couples planning a New York wedding. Whether you are a budding floral enthusiast with limited knowledge of flowers or a veteran flower aficionado this is an excellent opportunity to see what flowers, vehicles and details your gravitate to. The series of wholesale flower shops and floral supply stores along 28th street (between 6th and 7th Avenues) open very early and wrap up by noon-ish and are closed on Sundays. The early bird does get the worm in this case as quality and quantity are better the earlier you arrive. A stroll down this block is a great opportunity to see what is in season, plentiful and available. Take photos, make note of your questions and come to your florists or design meeting better prepared.

While it is not expected for a couple to know what they want exactly before the first meeting, it is helpful to come having an idea of colors and a general sense of what will make them happy. The above centerpiece was produced using the bride’s hand picked selections from the flower district. More pictures from this New York wedding are here.

Flowers by: Gabrielle Aronas.

Photography by: Robert Wagner Photography.

Sweet Alternatives.

December 27, 2010

Written by Tammy of Tammy Golson Events.

Your favorite cupcakes didn’t make the final cut for the reception? Rice pudding is what makes you drool? Dreaming of a dessert bar?  There are many opportunities to share your favorite foods with your guests throughout all the wedding related events you plan to host. Engagement Parties, Welcome Receptions and Rehearsal Dinners are excellent opportunities to be decadent, adventurous and creative with your culinary offerings.

Rice to Riches is a Manhattan based dessert restaurant that serves only rice pudding in so many fun flavors.

Baked my Melissa’s cupcakes are sweet and pretty and tiny enough to keep your guests mingling, dancing and engaged in their conversations. Standard cupcakes are a commitment, Melissa’s allow you to sample a variety of her fun flavors and are single bites of goodness that make balancing a cocktail or other sweet temptations simple.

Amy Atlas is the queen of dessert tables. Her masterpieces inspire like no other.Be sure your event planner is highly skilled in procuring the very finest quality of products as the ingredients paired with a meticulous presentation will take dessert tables from great to excellent. Those who produce first-rate treats in New York (and of course now all are available elsewhere when by ordering online) include: Jacques Torres, he creates elegant and sophisticated chocolates, Eleni’s decorates the most whimsical and delightful sugar cookies and the Chocolate Chunk N’Caramel popcorn by Dale and Thomas is addictive, it’s so delicious. There were two stores in Manhattan but now this must-have snack is only available online.

What is your favorite dessert or sweet indulgence?

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A Foodie Wedding.

December 22, 2010

Written by Tammy of Tammy Golson Events.

If you care deeply about the food you eat year round, why would you abandon those standards on what is often referred to as the most important day of your life and likely the biggest and best party you will ever host? Guests know you and will expect a delicious experience.

Placing a priority on the food at your wedding goes well beyond what is served for dinner. Food can be infused into almost every aspect of your wedding festivities. I look forward to addressing many areas of how to impress the palates of your guests from first bite to last morsel.

Starting at the beginning, the date of your wedding and the venue chosen can contribute considerably to the culinary experience you are sharing with your guests. Keep the seasonality of fruits and vegetable and the proximately to an ocean if fresh seafood is important, in mind when deciding on the when and where to get married. Getting a sense of the experience, personality and flexibility of the chef at the venue can prove valuable later in the process as menu is being discussed.

Last summer a foodie client married at a lake club in Montauk, a fishing village on the farthest tip of Long Island. The couple and I sat down with the chef and came up with the menu together, course by course. Having worked at the private club for a long time, his menu caterers to the palates of the member ship. They club doesn’t host many weddings each season, so the Chef was thrilled to meet a couple who cared so sincerely about the food and he was very happy to have an opportunity to flex his culinary muscles and to deviate from the club’s menu. A luxury like this is extremely uncommon, but it exists and it’s worth looking for and in the end you’ll be happy you made the extra effort to find someone open to preparing the best meal possible.

Finding the right venue can be one of the many fun tasks of planning your wedding. Find venues that are inspired by great food and schedule time to visit the properties, talk with the on-site professionals and most importantly, try the food.

When touring and tasting, remember to take note of:

-Presentation

-Ingredients listed on menu

-Taste

-Service

-Staff

While ala carte food (food served in the dining room) and service often varies from the food and service at a wedding, the criteria listed above can measure the integrity of the food, the seasonality of the ingredients and the priority placed on guest satisfaction.

There are no shortage of food influenced venues in New York City! One high quality wedding venue just out side of the city is: Blue Hill at Stone Barnes. It rests on an organic farm and the menus are created around local and seasonal ingredients. It’s a short trip by train or car from the city. If it’s difficult for you schedule a visit, you can sample their succulent creations and superb service at Blue Hill in Manhattan located at 75 Washington Place within Manhattan’s historic Greenwich Village, between Washington Square Park and 6th Avenue, and between Waverly Place and West 4th Street.

Please come back for more about food and weddings in the weeks and months to come.

What is the most memorable food experience you have had at a wedding?

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Introducing…Tammy Golson.

December 16, 2010

Written by Tammy Golson of Tammy Golson Events.

Greetings and a big thank you to the ladies at The Wedding Boutique for inviting me to contribute to The New York City Wedding Boutique.

I am a wedding planner, a daughter, a sister, a sister-in-law, (a first time aunt-to-be!) friend, and New Yorker. I love to travel, eat, cook, explore and entertain.

I have over a decade of experience in Manhattan. I make every effort to bring warmth, sincerity, and style to each event I plan and coordinate. My company was born out of my strong desire for interesting food, my love of entertaining, the joy I get from being creative and my passion for weddings and romance.

I earned a degree in hospitality and tourism from the University of Wisconsin–Stout and went on to create a culinary and catering curriculum for a program in Scotland.

In New York City, I have planned events at prominent corporations, private clubs and cultural institutions, including The New York Times, The Penn Club of New York and Lincoln Center. I thrive on the city’s energy, its standards, and its endless gastronomic possibilities.

Social media has served me well and I am thrilled at this opportunity to connect with a wider audience. I welcome your comments and feedback, always and truly appreciate when something I share starts a conversation, ignites comments and fosters reader participation. If you have any questions about planning weddings in New York or about me in general please don’t hesitate to ask. I want to be a valuable resource to you, as you embark on or continue through your wedding planning journey.

I hope you have a delicious and enjoyable long summer weekend. What do you have planned?

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