They "STILL" Do

What a pleasure it was working with India and Phillip.  Like so many other military couples who say their "I Do's" in a short civil ceremony and then head off to a new assignment, India and Phillip wanted to share and celebrate their love on a special day set aside for just the two of them.  Surrounded by their closest family and friends and a warm ocean breeze, they repeated their vows on their 1 year anniversary in a beautiful seaside setting.

Beautiful seaside setting was the perfect spot for India & Phillip to exchange their vows.

The happy Bride is escorted to her awaiting Groom by her Uncle Ronnie.

India and Phillip's vow renewal was conducted by Phillip's cousin adding another special and personal element to their ceremony.

Live butterflies were released at the conclusion of their ceremony.  

 The butterfly symbolizes new beginnings, freedom and happiness. 

The happy couple with their wedding party.

 Phillip and his guys.

Congratulations to one of the sweetest couples ever.  Happy Anniversary, we wish you many, many more happy years together! 

TIME FLIES

Wow, is it possible we haven't written a blog post since 2013!  I guess what they say is true, time flies when you're having fun OR when you're busy with weddings, events and life in general!  Time stops for no one and that's all the more reason to enjoy and celebrate every second of everyday or the present and just like that word denotes, today, this very minute is a gift to be treasured and the next one is not promised.

All that being said, I've met so many wonderful couples and added a treasure trove of amazing new clients and friends to my treasure chest since my last post.  I have a heap of wonderful stories and beautiful pictures I must get busy sharing with everyone!  SO, without further adieu I'll start with a sneak peek from our Memorial Day Weekend wedding that's a LOVE STORY made for motion pictures!  I promise to be back soon with Gina & Jim's story and more images of their special day, but for now we'd like to say,

Congratulations

God's Richest Blessings

and Best Wishes

For a lifetime of love, happiness, adventure and lots and lots of memory making to the newlyweds!

Not even Tropical Storm Bonnie could dampen the spirits of this happy couple on their wedding day proving once again, two people sharing one umbrella can survive ANY storm

TOGETHER!

A kiss for Mom before passing her to Jim.

Walking Mom to the start of her new beginning.

From this day forward.

Sealed with a kiss!

The new Mr & Mrs 

In HIGH tide or low tide I'll be by your side.

Handprints in the sand. 

Beautiful flowers and gorgeous rings, Jim has excellent taste (in rings and a mate).

Delicious & Healthy Taco Soup

 Kids are back in school (maybe you're one of them), there's a crispness in the air, schedules are hectic, but you still have to eat!  If you're anything like most of us, you're at a loss for new things to prepare for your family.  Seems like it's the same ole same ole every week.  You're always looking for something nutritious, delicious that is also quick and easy to make.  If this sounds familiar this Healthy and Delicious Taco Soup fits the bill.  And when's it NOT the perfect time for Mexican!

TACO SOUP

• Non-stick cooking spray or extra virgin olive oil
• Small onion diced
• 8 oz 99% lean ground turkey
• 1 medium zucchini chopped
• 1 small sweet pepper chopped (red, orange or yellow)
• 1 package of taco seasoning (preferably low sodium)
• 15 oz can pinto beans drained and rinsed
• 15 oz can of diced tomatoes with chilies
• 14 oz can of low sodium stock (chicken, beef or vegetable)
• 1 cup quinoa
• Corn from 1 fresh ear (optional, but makes it so delicious) 
• Pinch of salt (kosher or sea salt)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional) 
• Lime wedges
• Diced avocado 
• Sour cream (optional)
• Shredded Mexican cheese blend (optional)
• Tortilla chips (optional)

In a large pot sprayed with non-stick cooking spray OR 2-3 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, brown the ground turkey and onion over medium heat.

Add the zucchini, peppers and taco seasoning. Stir to coat all the vegetables with the seasoning.

Add the beans and diced tomatoes, stock and quinoa. Turn up the heat to high and bring to a boil. Then cover and simmer about 20 minutes until quinoa soaks up most of the liquid.  Add more stock if thinner consistence is desired. 

Squeeze one lime wedge over top of individual bowl, diced avocado,  sprinkle with Mexican shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Optional: Sour cream, shredded Mexican cheese and tortilla chips

E N J O Y!

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.

We are honored to be awarded the Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Award for 2013.  Every year we are blessed to meet and work with the most wonderful clients who allow us to be a part of one of the most important days in their lives.  We don't take that for granted and want to thank everyone who put their trust in us to make their vision of their special day come alive and who voted for us.  We will continue to strive to be the very best in our field and exceed all expectations.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.   

Myrtle Beach, SC ~ Pinehurst/Raleigh, NC – January 15, 2013 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading online wedding marketplace, is thrilled to announce that Grand Occasions Inc. has been selected as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards® 2013 for Wedding Planning in Myrtle Beach, SC ~ Pinehurst/Raleigh, NC!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism.  Grand Occasions' selection as a Bride’s Choice Award 2013 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews. While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards® winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Grand Occasions.

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards® 2013 are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on professional achievements from the previous year. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients. As a Bride’s Choice Awards winner, Grand Occasions is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

“Each year, WeddingWire looks forward to celebrating the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Now in its fifth year, the Bride’s Choice Awards® program continues to recognize the elite wedding professionals who exemplify a commitment to quality, service and professionalism. These businesses were chosen by our bridal community for their responsiveness and dedication to their clients over the past year. We are honored to recognize Grand Occasions Inc. for their impressive achievements within the wedding industry.” 

Grand Occasions Inc. is thrilled to be one of the top wedding planners in Myrtle Beach, SC ~ Pinehurst/Raleigh, NC in the WeddingWire Network of sites, which include leading wedding sites such as WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We value all of our clients and truly appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards® for 2013. 

For more information about Grand Occasions Inc., please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/grand-occasions-inc-myrtle-beach-sc-and-pinehurst-nc/341a6d9d4fc73025.

To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards®, please visit www.WeddingWire.com/brides-choice-awards.

About WeddingWire, Inc.

WeddingWire®, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding

vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge.  For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and

on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE:MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

Engaged & Deployed

http://robcunninghamusa.com/2012/11/06/god-bless-america-military-heroes-give-us-free-elections/

Just 19 days ago Trina and I were busily tying up loose ends and completing the final details of her and Chace's November 21st wedding.  Her wedding gown was pressed and ready for her to step into in just a few days.  Flowers  and cake were ordered, final menu had been selected, music selections were made, linens had been delivered and guests travel arrangements had been made.  The day she and Chace had been waiting for was almost here!  This Thanksgiving would be extra special as they would be giving thanks for their newly established family and the start of their happily ever after. Within 24 hours everything would come to a screeching halt when they received news that Chace was to be deployed just 3 days before their wedding.  And just like that, their dream was shattered and instead of packing with excitement for their destination wedding they were packing with apprehension for a destination not so delightful.

Most brides and grooms make their plans without ever having to think about the possibility of one or the other being deployed 1/2 way around the world at the drop of a hat, but that is the reality of military couples.  Just another of the sacrifices they make for you and me day after day, month after month and year after year. 

Having just celebrated Thanksgiving and looking forward to Christmas the holiday of love, hope and peace and a brand new year, let's take time remember the men and women who are serving our country far from home and family this Christmas season.  If you have a neighbor who is serving abroad or if you happen to see a member of our military in the airport or on the street please let them know how much you appreciate them and their service.  A simple thank you or maybe a hand delivered card or note of encouragement or maybe an invitation to join your family's celebration if they will be spending Christmas apart from their loved ones.  I'm sure every gesture will be greatly appreciated.  Please be sure to say a prayer for their safety while they are away as well as their safe return.  God bless each and everyone who serves, we wish you a VERY Merry Christmas!

Announcing New Web Site Launch!

www.grandoccasions-inc.com

We are excited to announce the launch of our new web site within the next 12 hours!  We hope you'll stop by for a visit.  Please be sure to check our Gallery to view some of the beautiful weddings and events we've had the privilege of planning and coordinating. 

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.  

The h"APPY" COUPLE

www.appycouple.com

People can use their smart phones for just about anything in today’s technology era.  Phones come loaded with apps that can be used for navigation, to locate the nearest Starbucks or restaurant, to browse Facebook and Twitter, and now even to design your very own personal wedding app!

APPY COUPLE is a new app, still in the beta stage, that can be used as a couple’s official wedding site where family and friends can get up to the minute details of their special day.  APPY COUPLE can be used to share information about their up-coming wedding from gift registries, date, time and locations of the bridal shower and other pre-wedding events to the details of the wedding weekend.  You can view pictures of the couple, read their love story, meet everyone in the wedding party and leave your own personal messages.  The app can  be used on the big day as well, to find directions to the venue and for guests to post pictures taken at the ceremony and reception.  What a great way for the couple to relive their special day from so many different perspectives and view them immediately.

APPY COUPLE allows the bride-and-groom-to-be to create and publish their own wedding site without major technical skills. The app provides a variety of features to help the happy couple plan their special day from the minute she says "yes" until they begin their happily ever after.  Some of the features include allowing guests to RSVP to events, check the weather, access hotel information, view the wedding day countdown and make a virtual champagne toast that can be always remembered.  Also, the APPY COUPLE app includes coordinating emails and a matching website, which will display the same content for guests without a smartphone—making the app convenient for everyone.

Because APPY COUPLE is still in the beta stage it requires an invitation code in order to get started. On their site, www.appycouple.com you can request an invitation code, once you receive your code you can begin planning your special day!  Choose from hundreds of designs and pick the one that best fits your personality and atmosphere you want your special day to convey.  Complete each category you'll be ready to send an email link or a provided code to everyone so that they can access your very own personalized wedding app. The app will always be free for guests to download; however in the fall AppeProPo will start charging for the app.  Basic design prices will start around $49, while limited-edition and designer-series app templates will cost between $99 - $200 each. 

APPY COUPLE is available on iPhones, Android phones, iPads, Web browsers and via email invitations.

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