Q + A: Joan Bever of The Breakers Palm Beach

The Breakers Palm Beach is the definition of luxury. It is spectacularly beautiful, the service is unparalleled, and its oceanfront location cannot be beat. It is the perfect destination wedding location.   Palm Beach is a snap to get to and The Breakers has so many amazing areas both indoors and out to host different events. I am especially enamored with their ballrooms - the ceilings! the ocean views! They are truly stunning. Last month, The Breakers added me to their preferred list of wedding planners as the preferred west coast planner. It's the ultimate compliment!

Joan Bever, the Director of Catering and Banquet Operations at The Breakers was gracious enough to share her expertise on planning a great destination event below. Thanks Joan!

P.S. I just returned from a phenomenal 4-day wedding in Palm Beach where we had the rehearsal dinner in the historic Circle Ballroom at The Breakers. I can't wait to share all the details with you! Photo above courtesy of The Breakers. Photos below of a 40th destination birthday party I planned in the Circle Ballroom. Florals by The Breakers Design Studio.

What’s your favorite wedding food trend of the moment? "Home-Style meets Chic". A couple of examples are: Pomegranate Short Ribs served over creamy goat cheese polenta and topped with Indian River citrus fennel slaw. Served in a martini glass. Or a Low Country Shrimp and Grits Station served from mini skillets.

What are the top 5 things a couple should look for when scouting venues for their ceremony/reception? 

1) Consider having a destination wedding without leaving the USA. The Breakers offers a full destination wedding experience without the hassle of passports, customs, multiple plane changes and last but not least making the experience easier for you guests. 

2) Interview the Catering Manager to ensure that they have a high degree of expertise in the following areas: menu planning, ceremony orchestration and connections to the best vendors in the wedding industry. 

3)  Plan your tasting approximately 3 months prior to your wedding to ensure the menu is creative and speaks to you individual taste and style. 

4) Look for a venue that has "All Inclusive" packages like The Breakers. For example: some caterer's prices might appear to be lower than a resort however, you may experience "hidden fees" that actually make it more expensive. Examples would be rentals such as china, tables, chairs, tenting, A/C, electrical charges, etc. 

5) Finalize all major details thirty days prior so that you have time to enjoy some personal pampering before the big day.

  

Can you tell me about an event you are most proud of? And why?  

My daughter's wedding! It was held at The Breakers this past November. I only have one child and it was both of our dreams to have it at The Breakers. The wedding was everything that we hoped for and more. It was a full destination wedding with guests traveling from all over the country including California and New York. We started the celebrations with the rehearsal dinner down by the beach followed by the wedding the next day in our gorgeous Circle Ballroom. We concluded the weekend with a farewell brunch on the top of the Ocean Terrace with breath taking views of the blue Atlantic Ocean. For a sneak peak of the wedding click here. 

The Breakers has so many spectacular ballrooms, which is your favorite? My personal favorite is the Circle Ballroom but they are all so gorgeous in their own special way. Check out The Breakers wedding website and blog to learn more. 

Do you have any suggestions for couples who want personalize their hotel / resort reception? 

* Couples can rent our ocean side Grand Cabana's and invite all their guests to spend the day with them before their rehearsal dinner or after their Sunday brunch (I prefer the latter as it is an opportunity to relax, unwind and relive all the weekend activities with your closest family and friends). 

* Another idea is to hire an artist to paint the wedding as it takes place. A cherished memory that you have forever and also really fun for the guests to watch the artist paint. 

* Personalizing a thank you card or a "To-Go"gift that's placed in your guest's cars by Valet. 

* An obvious and popular way is with the gift bag but add in a CD with the couples favorite tunes.  

* Make the grooms cake about something he is passionate about , ie: A replica of his boat, his Alma Mater, such as a giant Gator Cake for the Florida Gators, or giant NY Jets Helmet.  

Do you prefer a seated dinner or stations for a wedding dinner? What should a couple consider when deciding between the two? Seated. In deciding between a seated dinner or stations, couples should consider if some of the traditional formalities are important to them such as being introduced, first dance, toasts, and cutting of the cake. It is much easier to have guests attention at a seated dinner....after all it is about the bride and groom, so why not get all the attention they can get.

The Breakers hosts fabulous Indian Weddings complete with a Chef who specializes in Indian cuisine. Can you tell me about your favorite Indian wedding at The Breakers? I have to defer to Jeff Fowler who is our Indian wedding expert. Jeff recently coordinated a destination Indian wedding where they did a station style Sangeet (the equivalent to a rehearsal dinner) with Bollywood performances through out the evening. The Wedding day included traditional Indian rituals such as the Barat for the Groom and the Dholi for the Bride. Our Indian chef prepared sumptuous Indian cuisine with a modern twist. The Thali was created from edible vegetables bowls. The Breakers Design Studio did all the decor for the weekend including arranging for specialty Indian decor and incorporating customized Deities (Indian Gods and Goddesses).

There are lots of destination wedding locales, but very few have a venue like The Breakers for a wedding or rehearsal dinner. Why is the Breakers in Palm Beach is the perfect choice for a destination wedding? Sometimes brides are deciding between a castle in Europe or a Caribbean locale for their destination wedding. The Breakers offers the best of both worlds with spectacular ballrooms, ocean front location with a tropical climate,  excellent food and service. Everything they need is right here and it is so much easier for their guests to get to. The resort is situated on 140 acres of Ocean-front in Palm Beach , Florida.  We have 540 guest rooms, two 18 hole golf courses, full service spa, gorgeous beach bungalows, eight restaurants and so many other amenities! 

Coming Soon: Q + A with Joan Bever of The Breakers

The Breakers Palm Beach is one of my favorite hotels for events. They have the most spectacular ballrooms. (See evidence above - The Circle Ballroom is magnificent!) I'm working on a great Q + A with Joan Bever, the Director of Catering and Banquet Operations at The Breakers. Check back soon! xo

Romantic Napa Valley: Neely + Adam

As people go, there is no one more radiant than Neely. She is bubbly, fun, and simply lovely to be around. Neely is a romantic to the core and really wanted her wedding to be an intimate celebration with close family and friends. We put together a stunning palette of dusty pinks and creams, tons of candlelight, and lots of lush garden roses to create the romantic look she was striving for. Neely and Adam picked one of my favorite private estates in the Napa Valley for their ceremony and reception - a magnificent home with gorgeous gardens and extraordinary outdoor space. And despite the threat of rain on her wedding day, Neely was as bright as the California sunshine.

The ceremony was beautiful. It's simple palette of whites and greens was elevated to ethereal with a lush white rose petal aisle. After the ceremony, guests cocktailed by the pond and indulged in a seafood bar - a favorite of the bride and groom. For dinner, we set 2 long tables with exquisite arrangements of pastel garden roses, dahlias, and hydrangea under a canopy of trees. Ladies were even greeted with a perfectly placed posy at their seat. Guests dined by candlelight and later danced the evening away to the Durell Coleman Band. 

My favorite detail? The long tables with the candles hanging from the trees were perfect for the romantic wedding Neely desired. The combination of the candlelight and laughter from the guests created such a magical evening.

Photography by Meg Smith. Ceremony and reception at a private estate in the Napa Valley. Catering by Paula Le Duc Fine Catering. Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Cake by Perfect Endings. Bride's hair and make-up by Wallett. Bride's gown by Oscar de la Renta.

Coming Soon: Romantic Napa Valley

I can't wait to share this incredible wedding with you. It's the definition of romantic. Come back soon! {Photo by Meg Smith}

Q + A: Joan Gilbert of Joan Glbert Bride

Joan Gilbert has an unparalleled ability to find the most flattering gown for every bride. Yes, that is a bold statement, but trust me - it is one that has proven true through many years and many brides. When prompted for bridal gown recommendations, I always guide my clients to Joan. I have complete confidence in her timeless style and knowledge of her craft. She is a master of fit and of finding a dress that makes brides look and feel amazing. I love to visit her atelier in San Francisco's Nob Hill neighborhood. It's intimate and stylish and the ultimate way to select a gown.

What should a bride do to prepare for a dress appointment?
Many brides are apprehensive about looking for a dress, but if you get some courage and do some homework it need not be daunting at all. Actually it should be a fun experience. Just keep in mind that no one is born a bride and the process of looking for a gown is one that develops and evolves.

First, look at photos online to get a feel of what appeals to you. However, I think trying on gowns is the only way to know what you look great in. Just be flexible, Knowing your body and what you want to emphasize and minimize will help. It is hard to visualize what you will look like in a wedding gown from the hanger . You just never know. Also have a sense of the "look" of what you think you want. But, that too can change.

How many dresses should a bride try on?
I think 12-15 dresses in the look and feel you want should suffice. Sometimes you are lucky and the first one "hits" If so, that is okay too.! Be careful of making a career out of dress shopping. You need to have trust in whoever is helping you. You want to be helped by someone who knows what she is talking about, not just telling you every dress looks great.

How much should venue play into the choice of the dress?
You should at least know if you will do a country wedding or an urban hotel. The venue really does set the tone.

Do you need shoes before deciding on a gown or not?
No need to select shoes first. It is the other way around.

How much lead time should a bride allow when selecting a gown?
4-6 months is a comfortable amount of time. But, don't freak if you have less time than that. You can find a fabulous gown!

How does she know if she's found "the one"?
You must feel that you look "drop dead" gorgeous. If you do, so will HE (and everyone else!). There are no "Bride Police " out there so have faith in how you feel you look. You are the star of this production, whether big or small. Just look at your self in the mirror and if you think"WOW' well that is what you want. If not, then move on.

What dress has been your best seller?
Hard to say because I personalize each gown for a bride's figure. Everyone has different issues. There is nothing more rewarding for me than to make any bride with any kind of figure think she looks so special and is such a knockout.

Any advice for a bride on a budget?
Do your homework before you make an appointment. You will be happy that you are not wasting your time trying on gowns way above your budget and end up being disappointed. Just because you are on a budget does not mean you cannot look fantastic. You can!

In your years of experience, what do you think is a formula for success in dress shopping?
Be selective about where you go and have some idea of what you are looking for. Go to places where you will get an honest and direct opinion, not where you are being told every dress is just grand! Because they are not. From my point of view, classic, stunning, sensual and chic look best and last the longest when looking at photos. You do not want to think, "yikes what was I thinking?" when looking at photos. Quality fabrics and great fit show up enormously in person and in photos.

Who if anyone should come with to try on?
I really think going alone works best. Because too many opinions can really mix you up. Especially because most others do not have your taste level. But, if it makes you feel better, bring someone who does have your taste level. If you have scouted the gowns and have narrowed it down to a few, it can work to have another opinion, but again someone with your same taste. And someone respectful of your taste.

Coming Soon: Q + A with Joan Gilbert

I'm working on a great Q + A with the witty and talented Joan Gilbert of Joan Gilbert Bride. Check in later this week for her tips on finding "the one" and more! {Photo by Meg Smith. Dress by Joan Gilbert.}

Star Struck: Lauren + Mark

College sweethearts, Lauren and Mark, wanted an intimate wedding that reflected their beginnings together. Lauren's parents' estate in Portola Valley was a natural fit for their fall wedding with it's lush gardens and stunning landscape. The couple exchanged "I do"s under a sprawling oak tree and setting sun. As an ode to their beginnings, the ceremony string group was comprised of college friends of the groom.

At Cornell, Mark majored in astronomy, so we created a spectacular clear dinner tent so guests could feel as if they were dining under the stars. Guests enjoyed an amazing evening of fine food and wine, while dancing the night away to the tunes of Pride & Joy.

My Favorite Detail? I'm a dog lover and a complete sucker for the color coordinated ribbon collar that Lauren's mom made for the dogs the day of the wedding. Aren't they the sweetest?

Ceremony and reception at bride's parents' estate in Portola Valley. Photography by Meg Smith. Catering by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Flowers by Kathleen Deery Design. Dinner and dance band Pride and Joy through Innovative Entertainment. Tent and lighting by Classic Party Rentals. Bride's hair and make-up by Wallett. Printed materials by Union Street Papery. Bride's gown by Joan Gilbert Bride. Bridesmaid's gowns from Bella Bridesmaid.