941-893-7860|swankysoireeflorida@gmail.com
FacebookInstagram

BLOG

Wedding Welcome Bags

Destination weddings are becoming more popular. A great way to greet your guests traveling is with a welcome bag. Welcome bags are not a MUST HAVE item for your guests, especially if you are on a tight budget. Favors for your wedding day may be a better idea then having both favors and welcome bags. Usually, when guests check in to their hotel rooms you can leave welcome bags with the front desk. As your guests check in the staff will give them to your guests. Another idea, is to personally deliver welcome bags to your guests as you may not see them prior to your wedding day. It's a great way to thank them for coming to your wedding. Here are some fun and popular ideas and items to include in your welcome bag for guests.   The Actual Bag: Starting with a fun personal/customized bag sets the tone of your theme for your wedding, and it's fun to be creative with it! If it's in your budget, get custom tote bags done for your guests. They can reuse the bag during their trip or even for groceries and it's a nice memorable item for them to keep. Include your monogram, or names and date you are getting married. Maybe even include the location.   A Welcome Note: A welcome note really can be anything you want it to be. A simple tag attached to the bag may be all you need. If it is a smaller group of guests, include a schedule of events for the weekend. If some of your guests haven't been to this location before, include brochures or fun maps of the area. A simple, handwritten thank you [...]

By |2019-07-05T10:48:56-04:00August 12th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Wedding Welcome Bags
Read More

National S’mores Day

Did you know that on August 10th it is National S'mores Day! The beloved dessert that is a classic to have on camping trips, or bonfire parties. There are plenty of weddings thrown in rustic wooded areas, or even in a backyard. Is your party venue not out doors? No worries,  take a spin off the traditional cake and provide s'mores instead! Some outdoor venues will have open fire pits where you can have a station set up. If not, be creative and provide candles, or tiki torches around the station for small roasting.   If roasting marshmallows is hard to have available for your event, incorporate them as favors. Cute little bags put together with the necessary items and a clever thank you tag is all you need!   Don't forget about adding some fun and clever signage to your event. There are always silly puns to intertwine with your event! Signage can make for great photo opportunities, and sometimes the little details really can make the difference that sets other events apart.   Have a Happy S'more Day from Swanky Soiree! I might just go roast one myself now.

By |2019-07-13T09:31:01-04:00August 10th, 2019|Dessert, favors, Party Decor, Weddings|Comments Off on National S’mores Day
Read More

Fun and Favorable Favors!

When having a wedding, it is common for the couple to provide favors for their guests. It makes for a great souvenir to take home to remember their special day. Depending on the budget favors can be big or small, or some use it to donate to their favorite charities. If doing a destination wedding, it is fun to incorporate local goodies from local businesses for your guests to cherish. In this blog post, we have incorporated some of our favorite local Sarasota favors. We also, have incorporated some of the most commonly used favors as well.   Drinkware: This is by far the most popular items we see. Koozies of all kinds, bottle openers, shot glasses, coasters and custom plastic cups. You can be creative with your custom design, or simple. Just make sure it includes your names and date!   Personal Care Items This category can include any of your basic bath necessities. This could be bath salts, bath bombs, lip balm, and soap. These are great items you can also find in local stores that are hand made from artists that like to sell at art fairs. These items come individually wrapped, all you need to do is add a cute tag around it with your names and date and a "Thank You" of course! Food Items Food items is another great way to incorporate local establishments, or offer them as a dessert option instead of a favor. If your wedding has a certain theme to it, you can get creative with items to go with that theme. Some common items we find are "His & Her" candy, "Mint - to - be", Hershey Kisses "from the mr [...]

By |2019-07-05T09:59:18-04:00August 6th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Fun and Favorable Favors!
Read More

Swanky Stylized Shoot – BoHo meets Beach Chic

Swanky Soiree loves a good styled shoot. It gives us an opportunity to get some new items out there to shine. It also features decor rentals that aren't used as often. This helps showcase how amazing these items look when completed! Featuring Swanky Soiree arch, lanterns, flatware, and napkins we hope you enjoy browsing through! Thank you to all the vendors that helped make a beautiful scene. Photographer: Alisa Sue Photography Floral Designer: Studio Q Floral Design Other: US Tent Rental Linens and Coverings: Linens by theSea Favors and Gifts: My Favorite Sweets Favors Dress Store: The White Closet Bridal Makeup Artist: K. Gamso Hair & Makeup Cake Designer: Julie Deffense Artistry Design and Decor: The Copper Acorn Vintage Rentals Event Planner: Swanky Soiree Events Event Venue: Longboat Key Club  

By |2019-06-27T13:14:03-04:00July 28th, 2019|Photography, Rentals, Table Decor|Comments Off on Swanky Stylized Shoot – BoHo meets Beach Chic
Read More

Feature in Marry Me Tampa Bay

Swanky Soiree is happy to announce that we have been featured in a blog post with Marry Me Tampa Bay! This feature was from Brittany & Gregory's destination Sarasota Wedding. They were married at Longboat Key Club and partnered with some amazing vendors.  To view the feature clink the link below and enjoy the beautiful wedding we were part of. https://marrymetampabay.com/elegant-tropical-destination-sarasota-wedding-the-resort-at-longboat-key-club/

By |2019-07-26T14:22:03-04:00July 26th, 2019|Weddings|Comments Off on Feature in Marry Me Tampa Bay
Read More

National Tequila Day

Did you know, on the National Day Calendar, July 24th is National Tequila Day?! This calendar has been published with some wacky holidays. However, here at Swanky, we love any excuse to celebrate! Here are some ideas to mix in some tequila to add to any celebration on that date! Other than Margaritas, there are other specialty drinks to offer to your guests at your event. Tequila Sunrises are good for destination weddings on the beach. If you are having a brunch reception Bloody Maria's are similar to Bloody Mary's, instead they incorporate tequila instead of vodka!   Tequila themed favors and place cards are a great way to get the party started. Your guests can indulge in some fun before the main event even starts! But, your guests shouldn't be the only ones getting their tequila on. Some wedding ceremonies have included a "marriage unity" shot as part of their process.   As always, you can't have a party with tequila and not have some fun signage. Small signs with amusing sayings can be great for photo opportunities or making sure the vibe is just right. Don't forget to drink responsibly!

By |2019-07-13T09:06:59-04:00July 24th, 2019|favors, Themed Parties, Weddings|Comments Off on National Tequila Day
Read More

Love is Sweet!

The tradition of wedding cakes came from Ancient Rome. The tradition started by rowdy guests breaking a loaf of bread over the bride's head for fertility's sake. Wow, the times have changed since then! Swanky has been blessed to see all kinds of different cakes and styles come across our weddings. However, the wedding cake tradition is slightly changing and couples are beginning to incorporate other sweets in there special day. Here are some fun examples of desserts at weddings.   Donuts The donut bar seems to be coming up a lot lately! The puns you can play with for a display sign are endless. There are many specialty donut places. They make fresh donuts with a variety of icing and toppings to make all kinds of combos! Swanky Soiree has their own donut wall that can be rented if this is the route you would like to take for your dessert! #donutmindifido   Mini-Dessert Bar Mini desserts are a great option to have because you can have multiple options of sweets for your guests to choose from. Most of them are bite size, and could include but not limited too items like mini carrot cakes, brownies, cake pops, cookies, fruit tarts, etc. They make for fun displays and colors to go with your theme and environment.   Cupcakes Instead of a slice of cake, why not a personal cupcake? There are so many bakeries in the area that specialize in cupcakes where it almost looks like a work of art. They may be beautiful, but that won't stop you from eating them still! Cupcake towers and tiers are common in fancy dessert displays. Some couples even choose to have a [...]

By |2019-07-02T10:45:30-04:00July 17th, 2019|Cake, Donuts|Comments Off on Love is Sweet!
Read More

Swanky Spotlight: Siobhan & James Murley

We are so lucky that Siobhan and James booked Swanky for full planning services! The couple is from Canada and a destination wedding at Longboat Key was their dream that we made happen. A bright sunny day, nice breeze and beautiful decor made for a perfect evening. This couple liked to have fun and the reception was not different, it even featured a pinata! Thank you to all the vendors for making this day fabulous! Photography: Concept Photography // Venue: The Resort at Longboat Key Club // Officiant: Kevin Kiser // Dessert: Cakes by Ron // Dj: TLS Entertainment // Photobooth: Be Scene Photobooth // Florist: Oneco Florist // Linens: Linens by the Sea // Hair & Makeup: Destiny & Light  

By |2019-06-27T13:05:29-04:00July 8th, 2019|Arch, Cake, Rentals, Weddings|Comments Off on Swanky Spotlight: Siobhan & James Murley
Read More

Don’t Stress about the Dress!

Here at Swanky Soiree, we admire every aspect of a wedding, including the dress! When wedding dress shopping, it can be overwhelming with the amount of options available. So many different styles of sleeves & necklines, lengths, jewels, lace, and trains! Some dresses even have pockets now! When trying dresses on, you ultimately will feel if it is right for you or not. Doing some research of dress styles prior to the appointment can help. You might be in love with one style, and try on another that is completely different and get that one. Here is some helpful lingo of types of wedding dresses to help decide which style fits best. You know your body type better than anyone, the dress should compliment it! A-Line: Not as large and in charge as the ballgown. A-Line gowns can resembles the figure “A” (literally) as it is more fitted through the waist and gently gets fuller from the waist to the hem. Tends to best for all body types! Modified A-Line: The modified A-Line is less dramatic than the A-Line with a skirt that is looser than the traditional version. Very flowy and quite comfortable! Ballgown: What every Disney Princess wears! With a fitted bodice and a pouf at the waist that then turns into a full skirt for the dramatic effect. Short girls may not want this one. Mermaid: The mermaid gown tends to be a tighter-fitting dress. The dress is fitted down to the knees, where then the dress begins its dramatic pouf and flair. This is a style that is great for women with an hourglass figure. Mini: The mini dress is well, mini. The dress falls above the knee. May be a [...]

By |2019-07-02T10:44:01-04:00July 5th, 2019|Weddings|Comments Off on Don’t Stress about the Dress!
Read More

#FunFactFriday

In Old English Folklore Saturday is believed to be the unluckiest wedding day. Funny—it's the most popular day of the week to marry now! It's important to find a day of the week and date that matters to you and your guests. Most of the time, Monday-Thursday is usually cheaper for venues, and other vendors used. Friday-Sunday is more popular to be booked which increases prices not only for wedding vendors, but also air fare and hotel rooms for guests.

By |2019-06-20T17:19:36-04:00June 28th, 2019|#FunFactFriday, Weddings|Comments Off on #FunFactFriday
Read More

Swanky Spotlight: Jessie & Derek

Jessie & Derek are a sweet and fun loving couple that booked us for month of planning and design. It was a pleasure lighting up their dance floor and getting to see both Jewish and Christian faiths come together. A beautiful evening with nothing but the sun shining through and the spring florals in full bloom set the mood right! This local couple had much to celebrate with their blended traditional fun. The dance floor was complete with the tradition of Jewish and American moves, and were happy to share it with close family and friends. Thank you to all the vendors that made their day special! Venue: The Powel Crosley Estate // Caterer: Good Food Events + Catering // Photographer: Rising Lotus Photography // Videographer: JSmedia // Band: Bay Kings // Hair & Makeup: The Destiny & Light Hair and Makeup Group by Priscilla Marie // Cake: A Piece of Cake // Florals: Kathy Gilbert // Photo Booth: Snapshoot Photo Booth [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

By |2019-06-20T17:24:14-04:00June 18th, 2019|Uncategorized, Weddings|Comments Off on Swanky Spotlight: Jessie & Derek
Read More

Blogging about Bling!

There are several important parts of getting married, but the most important is choosing a wedding ring/band for you and your partner to enjoy and have the rest of your marriage! Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart. Some things to keep in mind when your searching for a ring band is the shape and setting of the actual gem. Can you fit your hand in your pocket or is the rock to big? Some couples will decide to incorporate a family heirloom which is super special and meaningful! Second would be sizing of the band, and the comfort level of the metal that may be chosen. Keep in mind of your budget, you shouldn't go into debt for something sparkly as the jeweler should suggest ways of making it stand out the best way possible! Lastly, a ring (especially custom) can sometimes take up to 6 weeks before it is ready! Make sure you get everything in writing of what you want and costs. There is no right or wrong when choosing a diamond or gemstone, only how you feel about that certain type. In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness. A pearl ring used to be said that it is bad luck, as the shape of a pearl looks like the shape of a tear! That of course is only if you believe such symbolism of the ancient myths and traditions. Here are some helpful charts and photos that has several different cuts of a diamond/jewel and bands to get an idea [...]

By |2019-06-12T22:29:19-04:00June 11th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Blogging about Bling!
Read More

Swanky Spotlight: Erica & Ryan

Erica and Ryan booked us for Full Planning, and we had a blast helping them create their special day! It was a beautiful and bright afternoon to match their colorful scheme to their ceremony & reception. The fun loving couple celebrated their wedding with close family and friends. Erica loved bright colors and unique details to incorporate in their wedding and we had fun doing that for her. Thank you to our vendors that made this day special! Wedding Venue: Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast // Hair & Makeup: K. Gamso Hair & Makeup // Pier 22 Catering // Photographer: Ashlee Hamon Photography // Officiant: Reverend Chris // Florist: Oneco Florist // Dj: Iron Mike // Rentals: US Tent & Linens by the Sea // Pies: Der Dutchman // Cake: Publix [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

By |2019-06-20T17:27:48-04:00June 4th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Swanky Spotlight: Erica & Ryan
Read More

Wedding Day Games for Guests

Bored with the traditional bouquet and garter toss? We are in the day and age of old traditions getting transformed into something new and different. Trends are popular, but traditions are forever, right? Some couples, may find the idea of a bouquet toss and garter toss not something they want to incorporate in their night (which is totally ok!). Especially when a single older aunt may have caught the bouquet, and a younger groomsman may have caught the garter. Lucky for that aunt she will get the garter up her leg, but may make the groomsmen feel a little uncomfortable! If you want to incorporate something different into your night and still involve the crowd here are some fun games that have been popular the past couple of years. The Shoe Game! To set up the game, you just need two chairs and the groom and brides’ shoes. The Bride will hold one of her shoes, and one of the groom’s shoes. Same goes for the groom. He will hold one of his shoes, and one of her shoes. The Bride and Groom will be sat on the dance floor with their backs to each other. The Dj asks a series of questions like, “who asked who out on the first date” or “who made the first kiss” or “who cooks better”. The bride and groom will lift the “his” or “her” shoe to each question without looking at each other. It’s funny if they don’t match up and if they do match up, well we know it was meant to be!Who takes the Cake! This is a simple and easy way to get that honeymoon fund built up if you know your family and [...]

By |2019-06-12T22:29:21-04:00May 30th, 2019|Trending, Weddings|Comments Off on Wedding Day Games for Guests
Read More

#FunFactFriday

One of the most popular items that get paired with a wedding dress is a bouquet. The tradition of bridal bouquets started back in Ancient Roman days, as well as the Middle Ages. Each era brought it's own meaning behind having a bouquet of flowers. Some believe that flowers signify new beginnings, or hope of fertility. Certain bouquets would add spices and herbs to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Also, it was uncommon back in the day for women (and men) to bathe regularly, so it would mask the smell of body odor on their special day! [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

By |2019-06-12T22:29:21-04:00May 17th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on #FunFactFriday
Read More

Save the Dates and Invitations

Wedding planning comes with so many Do's & Don'ts! We have the perfect guide to staying ahead of the game with relaying info to guests. Wedding Website Personal Wedding Websites are a must have - especially if you want all your guess to know as many details as possible! (Lets be real - it can't all fit in your invitations) Once you have confirmed your date and venue, go ahead and start your website. I really like using The Knots Wedding Website - it is extremely user friendly - guests can even RSVP to your website. You can regularly update details as you lock down more. There are so many different website themes to pick some - what makes it even better is that The Knot has teamed up with so many other amazing vendors that you can have matching invitations, and a honeyfund!   Save the Dates   In a world thats clearly dependent on technology - your wedding website can double as your "save the date," but if you would like to stay more on the traditional route, then you can send a paper one. Save the dates can be sent to your guests 9-12 months prior to your wedding date. You can get really creative with these! So have fun Invitations Invitations should be sent out 2-3 months before your wedding. The problem with sending them TOO early, is that guests tend to procrastinate and think they will have all the time in the world to plan their wedding trip. Since you have a wedding website or sent out save the dates - the invitation is just a reminder that HEY! This is happening in real life :] and its the last reminder [...]

By |2019-06-12T22:29:22-04:00January 25th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Save the Dates and Invitations
Read More

Taylor and Chris – Longboat Key Club

Planning with Taylor & Chris was a blast! She shared our love for color coding & organization during the planning process. This made for a smooth and absolutely stunning wedding day! We just couldn't wait to see these final photos. With at backdrop of the beautiful Longboat Key Club and clear Sarasota skies we knew they'd be amazing. Congratulations Taylor and Chris - We wish you both an eternity of happiness! Thank you to our vendors! // Venue- Weddings at The Resort at Longboat Key Club // Band- Bay Kings Band // Officiant- Rabbi Huntting // Florist - Flowers by Fudgie // Cake - Cakes by Ron // Rentals- US Tent Rental // Photographer- Corner House Photography // Hair and Makeup- Eye Do's Make-Up & Hair // Transportation- Siesta Trolley, Inc [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

By |2019-06-12T22:29:23-04:00January 8th, 2019|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Taylor and Chris – Longboat Key Club
Read More
Toggle Sliding Bar Area