Square Biz

The 2008 wedding season is quickly approaching! Each year, brides to be look for ways to put their own unique spin on a day that is laced with tradition. Whether it's a little twist on something old, or a nostalgic touch on something new, our blushing brides look for something to set their special day apart from the rest.

In 2007, we saw traditional granduer cakes give way to cute little novelty cup cakes. Gone were the pastel color schemes that dominated in previous years. They were replaced with bold chocolates, kiwis and tangerines. And gaining momentum at a slow and steady pace was the Square table. But at the end of the year, it stilled played second fiddle to the traditional round.

When I first started trying to sell my brides on this concept, I was met with stiff and, more often than not, unyielding opposition. They were loyal to rounds, afraid to go in another direction and unable to grasp the visual effect of square tables. They all but grimaced at the thought of squares. And so the blushing brides of 2007 would cling tightly to tradition and proceed to dress their rounds in everything from eggplant pintuck to pink and black polka dots. Et tu, Brute?

But at last - there was a breakthough! After one successful wedding with squares, the demand for them began to increase. Aside from giving your reception a crisp and innovative appeal, these 60" tables also seat up to 12 guests. If you're not ready to completely walk away from tradition and the infamous rounds, here are a few tips and ideas:

• Use square tables to line your center aisle - this makes for a fabulous entrance
  
• Make your reserved tables square - these tables are usually in the front and highly visible
  
• Try using a combination of squares and rounds - work with your venue or planner to create your own design
• Use a smaller square for your sweetheart table
  
• Position the square to look like diamonds - it's an optical illusion with stunning effects
  

Check out the squares in action!

Our 'Rising Star'

Each year NACE, the National Association of Catering Executives holds an induction ceremony to ring in the new year with a new board of directors. During this ceremony, they also honor one deserving NACE member with the Rising Star Award. The recipient of this award is recognized for their unyielding dedication, desire to excel and commitment to excellence. This year Embassy Suites Charlotte's own Allison Myers was honored with this distinguished award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the Charlotte Chapter of NACE.


Allison is the Programs Co-Chair for NACE and wholeheartedly plans each of the Charlotte chapters monthly meetings and special programs. In November of 2007, Allison dedicated months of planning, along with NACE President Cortenay Matters and immediate past President Linwood Campbell, the 8th Annual Crystal Ball. The event was held on Allison's home turf, Embassy Suites Charlotte, and she took special pride and extra care to make sure no detail was left undone. The event was so well planned and the theme so thoroughly executed that it was also honored at the induction ceremony.


In October 2007, Allison assumed a new challenge and transitioned into the Corporate Catering market at the Embassy Suites Charlotte where she plans everything from corporate meetings to seminars to company kick-off events. No matter the market, Allison is a planner at heart with a natural flair for bringing concepts to life. The decor at tonight's induction ceremony was evident of Allison's eye for detail and passion for event design.


Tonight was a night of recognizing and showing appreciation for all who contribute to making the world of Catering and Event Planning the exciting and rewarding industry that it is. Our very own Culinaire International Food & Beverage Director, Matt Mellon, attended the ceremony to present Allison with her award. They were both all smiles!

The industry in which we work is fast paced and demanding and often we perform a thankless job. By the time the details are finalized, the courses are served and the clients are bid farewell, we are on to another event and on to making another client's vision a reality. Tonight, the Charlotte chapter of NACE and the Embassy Suites Charlotte paused to recognize, to honor and to thank Allison Myers, a Rising Star.

Congratulations!!!

Bredgeth's Quinceanera

On January 19, 2008, we had the honor and pleasure of hosting Bredgeth's Quinceanera. A Quinceanera is a young woman's celebration of her 15th birthday and it is on this occasion that she is presented by her family to society, no longer as a girl, but as a young lady.

This celebration goes far beyond your typical birthday party and Bredgeth's parents made sure that her every wish became a reality. From the Robin's Egg Blue decor to a menu composed of her favorite foods , Bredgeth was pampered and truly a princess for the day!

Our staff and I arrived early that day to begin setting the room and it wasn't long before Bredgeth's vision began to come to life! The tables were covered with white linen and finished with baby blue napkins. To complete the look, Connie Duglin provided the chair covers along with white satin sashes. Bredgeth's family placed blue balloons that had her portrait on them in the center of each table. We made sure that the dance floor was large enough for Bredgeth and all of her friends to dance the night away! And finally we set a head table for Bredgeth and six of her closest friends, which they dubbed the "VIP Area". =)

The afternoon literally flew by and before we knew it, we were all waiting for Bredgeth to make her grand entrance. So many of Bredgeth's friends and family came out with this commemorative affair. Even the little lady above was decked out in her finest attire to witness the event! Bredgeth's guests enjoyed authentic Peruvian desserts (provided by her family) while they anticipated the arrival of the guest of honor.

Bredgeth arrived just before 7pm accompanied by her "VIP" entourage. She was dressed in a traditional Quinceanera gown, custom made with her signature color. She carried a rhinestone embellished scepter and was adorned with a princess tiara. Her friends and family all came out to greet her and each waited to have their picture taken with Princess Bredgeth!

While all of the excitement and picture taking ensued in our garden atrium, the Embassy Suites Charlotte staff was busy in the front and back of the house. Here are members of our catering operations team making sure that the everything is set and ready to go on the buffet. And in the kitchen, a dedicated member of our culinary team puts the finishing touches on Chef Phil's famous Dessert Nachos! Yum!!

What celebration would be complete without a cake? Like all of the other extraordinary decor, Bredgeth's cake was "true blue" and followed suite. It was three tiers accompanied by four heart shaped cakes and enhanced with a glowing blue fountain in the center. Bredgeth managed to escape the "VIP Area" and take a few pictures with her parents.

Aside from being an awesome (not to mention fun) event to host, it was also extremely sentimental. The best part was seeing Bredgeth's parents beam with pride as they watched her that night. It was a time of joy, a day of memories and a picture perfect night of splendor! Feliz Cumpleanos Bredgeth!!!

2008 Bridal Showcase

Last Sunday, hundreds of bubbly brides poured into the Charlotte Convention Center to attend the Annual Bridal Showcase. There were cakes artists, videographers, bridal boutiques and florists galore – pure Bridal Bliss!!!

Being new to the Charlotte area, I was both anxious and excited to participate in this year’s showcase and delighted to help new the city’s new brides-to-be kick off their year of planning.

Thank you to each and everyone that visited our space! To Classic Party Rentals, Connie Duglin and Todd Crawford: A most sincere expression of gratitude for making our booth come to life!!

Check out our pictures!

Something sweet from Embassy Suites: Tiny organza satchels filled with kisses

We attached our business cards, but how cute (and cost-effective) would these be as favors???

Two tables; One color scheme; Two Visuals Effects

We wanted to demonstrate how upgrading your linen,

centerpiece and table setting (or all three) can make a huge impact

on the visual effect that your event has.

Mission Accomplished!



This little box turned out to be a crowd favorite!

It's a chinese take-out box, colored to match our decor and

finished with pink, chocolate & ivory polka-dot organza ribbon.

This trendy and thrifty favor is sure to be a hit on your special day or next special event!

(From l to r: Erin Hobbs, Fontella Gilmore & Lauran Peoples)

The Ladies of Embassy Suites Charlotte!

Here were are wrapping up the day and pausing for quick snapshot.

Welcome to the Embassy Suites Charlotte

Our blog is finally here! What a way to bring in 2008!! With today's technologically savvy brides, it is an absolute necessity that we provide information in an informative virtual environment. Here, you will read about the latest happenings in the industry and at our hotel, along with pictures that showcase both our venue and special events that we've hosted. We look forward to the year ahead and all the beautiful things that wedding bells bring!