Casual Wedding Attire

Not everyone wants a formal wedding with tuxes, aisle runners and candelabras.  Maybe you are a

 Bride and Groom who prefers a more casual laid back venue and atmosphere.  We loved Nicole and

 Robbie's choice of groomsmen's attire for their seaside ceremony. 

Whether beach or garden/lawn setting these colorful Polo shirts, white linen pants and Rainbow Sandals

 are not only comfortable, they're practical as well and also make great gifts for the Groomsmen.

Pastors shed their robes for more beach appropriate attire as well.

A Month For Giving Thanks

 Patriots ~ Pilgrims ~ Praise

The word Thanksgiving is defined as the action of giving thanks or gratefully acknowledging benefits or gifts received, especially to God.  

November is the perfect month for reflection and to offer thanksgiving not only on the day that President Lincoln declared a national holiday in 1863, but everyday of the month.  As another year draws to an end it's the perfect time to look back on the months past and count all of our blessings. 

November 11th or Veteran's Day is a day to remember the sacrifices our Veterans have made to ensure our safety and freedom.  It's a day to be thankful for all the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and often take for granted.  Be sure and say "thank you" to a Veteran this Veteran's Day and let them know you appreciate their service to our nation and the sacrifices they've made to keep us the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.  

Election Day is another day in November to be thankful.  It's a day that we exercise our freedom to vote for the public officials of our choice.  A privilege not every country enjoys.

We as Americans have much to be thankful for every day of the year, not just in November, but this November we hope everyone will take some time to be still, reflect and remember all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us as a nation and remember to give thanks for each of them. Remember our founding fathers and reflect on the principals that made this nation great and remember Freedom Isn't Free.  

We are thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and as our way of saying "thank you" to our military for the sacrifices they make to ensure our freedom and right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,  Grand Occasions is extending a discount to all active US military that books a Full Service Planning, Coordination & Event Design Package for a 2013 wedding.  Give us a call to learn more details, be sure and mention our LIBERTY 2013 promotion.  

In the words of Lee Greenwood ~

 And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.....

God Bless The U S A !

The photo above is a favorite of just one of the military couples Grand Occasions has had the honor of working with.  They just celebrated their 3rd wedding anniversary and we wish them many more years of happiness together.  

That's Amore!

Move over Spider-Man and Mary Jane!  Tobey and Kirsten have nothing on our couples!  These kisses may not have made the cover of a magazine or the silver screen, but they are definitely noteworthy and we're pretty sure our couples heard bells ring, Ting-a-ling-a-ling,  and wanted to sing "vita bella" (beautiful life in Italian) as they danced down the beach with a cloud at their feet because they are definitely in LOVE!

Happy Valentine's Day

 We wish you all a "vita bella" filled with love, laughter, adventures and happiness!

2011 Grand Occasions Brides

We are happy to announce that our annual Say Yes to The BEST....Dress contest is about to begin!  We've been waiting until we received photos from all of our 2011 weddings in order to give very bride a chance to compete.  A panel of judges has been busy choosing finalists from all of our 2011 brides.  The task has not been an easy one as you can see.  Finalists will be announced this week, but in the mean time we wanted to share photos of all of the gorgeous brides we had the privileged of working with in 2011 and say "THANK YOU" to each of them for allowing us the honor of being part of their special day!! BEST WISHES to each of our couples for a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness together and GOOD LUCK to all of the contestants!! 

GET READY TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!!!

Visit our Facebook Page and become our friend, then wait for the finalists to be  posted and choose your favorite.   Everyone can vote (except me).  To vote all you have to do is like their photo and make a comment.  Each like counts as 1 point, every comment counts as 2.  The contestant with the most points will be our winner and will receive a cash prize!!

https://www.facebook.com/grandoccasions

https://www.facebook.com/grandoccasions

Lana & Dave's Vintage Beach Wedding

Photography courtesy of  Scott Smallin   

We've been promising to share highlights of some of our 2011 weddings, but got a little behind over the holidays.  So without further adieu, we are delighted to begin by sharing Lana and Dave's special day with you! 

  When I was contacted by Lana from Pennsylvania to plan her and Dave's destination wedding I was immensely excited to be given "creative" license and to begin pulling her vision of a romantic beach wedding together turn it into a reality. Lana had already chosen a gown with a vintage feel,  had colors selected for her bridesmaids and flowergirl and they knew they wanted the ceremony decorations to look like they belonged on the beach and not detract from or compete with the natural beauty of the ocean and seashore, but other than that they didn't have a clue what direction to take.  I learned that they both loved antiques so I kept that in mind while developing their design.  A romantic sunset ceremony with a vintage beach theme was perfect for them and I immediately knew what elements to incorporate and what vendors would be able to replicate that vision. 

 A second marriage for both the bride and the groom, Lana and Dave wanted a romantic ceremony on the beach near sunset for the two of them and their immediate family. The couples grown children (each had 1 daughter and 1 son) and the granddaughter of the bride would serve as the wedding party. 

The adorable flower girl, granddaughter of the Bride wanted to have a bouquet like the Bride and Bridesmaids in place of a basket of petals.

The precious ring bearer (grandson of the Bride) preferred to remain on the sidelines.

Lana being escorted and presented in marriage by her son.

It was the perfect evening and Huntington Beach State Park was the perfect spot for Lana and Dave's romantic sunset ceremony.

Soft green hues and a variety of textures gave the ceremony the organic feel the couple was looking for.

Fishnets with sugar starfish draped the arch.

Crocheted barefoot sandals perfect for beach weddings.

Lana's beautiful bouquet of roses, hydrangea, cymbidium orchids, freshia and coffee berries.

 The cake table covered in a seafoam linen with vintage lace overlay and accented with starfish, fishnets, bamboo and moss continued the vintage beach theme.

 Cheers!

 Congratulations to Dave & Lana

Married married on August 24, 2011

We wish you many year of happiness, love and laughter!