St. Barths or Yachting The Caribbean with SeaDream Yacht Club

 For a most romantic get-a-way, imagine sailing the beautiful Caribbean ocean aboard The Seadream Western Caribbean who’s motto is “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising”.  Meander into ports just not accessible to the larger ships, indulge in amazing cuisine, plan to dance the night away or try your hand at the small casino aboard ship.  Spectacular ports-of-call throughout your trip await you in The British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Barths.

 Nicaragua and Costa Rica For more active, adventure seekers, there is the Island Eco-Lodge on Lake Nicaragua, on the architecturally stunning Jicaro Island where you can take a 4 hour hike up Mombacho Volcano, fish in the beautiful lake or relax in hanging hammocks. Sail above the trees on a zip line canopy tour and or just take in the culture and history of the local Nicaraguense.

 Paris and South of France

Begin your indulgent gastronomic tour in Paris on the left bank with a stay at the charming tiny boutique Hotel L’ Espirit de Saint Germain located next to The Saint Sulpice Church made so famous in The “D’avinci Code”.  San Germain is renowned for local chic boutiques, pasticeries, brasseries, and bistros.  With the university just nearby, and the gorgeous Luxemburg gardens and the Musee d’Orsay and Seine river a short walk away, the area is an ideal base for a Parisian stay that maybe feels a bit more local and relaxed.  This area offers a multitude of exquisite eateries sure to please even the most discerning palates.  A day trip to Lyons awaits with a stroll through Les Halles Market where the most famous chefs in the region including the local hero, three Michelin-Star chef Paul Bocuse provee delicacies for their restaurants. Take a riverboat down the Rhone and The Soane Rivers and savor the exceptional wineries, captivating villages and even a local truffle farm along the way.

For more expert travel advice contact Resort to Laura Madrid:

Always start with a consultation.  Your hair stylist will look at your face shape, personality and lifestyle and of course, the details of your dress, the neckline and accessories such as tiarias, the veil, a barrette or flowers. Trial runs are encouraged so you can try out the style before your big day. Ideally this visit should be at least six months before the wedding day for a consultation.

A sophisticated, modern look

This year brides are going more natural than years passed. Tasha Shaw of Jamison Shaw Hairdressers in Atlanta suggests doing a soft wave on the side with one side tucked.  This is an elegant, natural look. Brides are also adding vintage broaches or feathers as bling which gives elegant detail.

A soft elegant look

Additional styles for 2012 are hair softly swept away from the face in an updo with a low bun in the back.  Rouching, a French word which means to plait the hair, creates volume and strength for an easy up-do that has a lovely result. It is a very ancient sewing technique. A strip of fabric or ribbon is gathered in a repeat pattern and as the gathering thread is drawn up, the strip forms scallops or petals. Throughout history, Rouching has been an embellishment or trim on women’s clothing often seen on a neckline, sleeve, hem or bonnet. —- and now it is done with hair!

Hair Stylists will also work with the bridesmaids, mothers and other members of the bridal party.   At The Payne-Corley House, you will have access to our gorgeous bridal suite 1-1/2 hours prior to your ceremony.   We recommend using this time for pre-ceremony pictures and so the bride and bridal party should come with hair and make-up done.   Your stylist is welcome to join you to the bridal suite for last minute touch-ups before you walk down the aisle.

Whatever hair style you favor, you’ll be a beautiful Payne-Corley House bride for your most special and memorable day. 

If the ceremony was meant for our lovely outdoor gazebo and there is a chance of inclement weather your Event Specialist can help you make the decision to move it inside as she tracks the storm and gives you the latest developments on the situation.  

 We offer lots of flexibility and give you up until two hours prior to the ceremony start time to choose to hold your ceremony inside.  There’s plenty of time to dress the alter and to relocate any florals to enhance the ceremony site.  

From the bridal suite you’ll descend down the grand stair case and enter through the arch to walk along a white aisle runner to the front of the room.  As guests gaze at you from their gold Chiavari chairs, you’ll meet your handsome groom under the master fireplace which sets the perfect stage for this magic moment. 

 After the ceremony as you are taking pictures we’ll ask guests to step into the bar area and onto the veranda and we will reset the room as desired for your reception.

Celebrating 10 years in business, Melonie got her start baking cakes when a friend from church encouraged her to attend a cake decorating class.  She never would have tried without her friend’s encouragement and as it turns out she not only loved it but was good at it!  In fact, Melonie recently won her first cake decorating competition and was awarded the National Association of Catering Executives 2012 Events Trend Design.   Here is Melonie’s award winning design:

“One of the things we are known for is being able to make our butter cream look smooth like fondant, but without the added cost of fondant.  We also specialize in offering our brides the ability to replicate their wedding dress pattern into their wedding cake design.”  In fact, Melonie’s award winning cake design was inspired by The Great Gatsby.

On a personal note, the staff favorites from Melonie are:  Butter Pecan (hands down), Strawberry and Orange Creamsicle.  

We are very fortunate to have an award winning orchestra right here in our community.  The Duluth High School Orchestra   can provide a variety of different string ensembles for wedding ceremonies and events.   The students are incredibly talented and eager to gain performance experience.  Utilizing these students can offer a big cost savings.  The students have played for a number of weddings here at Payne-Corley House and we are happy to recommend them.

The tasting is a gift to our booked clients so they can get a feel for what their event will be like and select their menu items.    As usual, our culinary and service team did an outstanding job.  Thank you to Abby’s Floral Design for decorating the house.

Just a few pictures from the event: