The Lord of the Wines

Maybe, like me, you've come to associate New Zealand with The Lord of The Rings/The Hobbit Trilogy movies. After all, the rolling green hills, lush forests, mysterious caves and even active volcanoes make the idyllic setting for "Middle Earth."

At the Oyster Bay Launch at the Trinidad Hilton, hosted by Massy Distribution, I discovered though, that New Zealand also plays home to some of the world's most distinguished wines. In fact, many wine connoisseurs attribute this to New Zealand's unique terrain and climate.

At the event last night, guests were treated to a wine tasting and education facilitated by my friend Francis Ragbir ( one of T&T's very own wine experts and also an all round jolly fellow!). 
 

Francis telling us all about the proper way to do a wine tasting

I was surprised to find out that Oyster Bay is the #1 premium New Zealand wine brand in the USA and is ranked #7 in terms of premium wine brands imported into the US. The last two years in a row, has also seen Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc being listed as a Top 200 wine brand in Wine and Spirits Magazine.

Even the Wall Street Journal has poured ( pun intended!) accolades onto Oyster Bay, citing that "Every seafood restaurant should have a Sauvignon Blanc from Oyster Bay." Across the pond, it's also the most consumed merlot in the UK. Interesting facts, indeed.

We were asked to sample four wines in turn and each came with a food pairing. 

Four tastings of wine each, makes for very happy bloggers!

 Here's my take on them (I'm no wine expert but I can tell you what I liked!):

Salmon cake, brie cheese in filo, tuna taster in cucumber and beef brisket (on the spoon)

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc - My favourite of the four! This was a medium-bodied, aromatic, spicy wine. I would even say that for me, I detected herbal notes. Definitely a type of wine that you can savour. We were asked to sample it with a tuna taster wrapped in cucumber. 

Oyster Bay Marlborough Chardonnay  - This was a crisp, tart wine that you could perhaps start dinner off with and continue drinking, since it's light bodied. At first whiff, I got hints of peach. We were asked to sample this with the salmon cake.



Oyster Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir - This was very fruity and fragrant - with notes of vanilla and cherries. We were asked to try it with brie cheese wrapped in filo pastry. This wine would also pair well with chicken and fish.

This Merlot also went very well with the chocolate and fruit dessert.

Oyster Bay Hawke's Bay Merlot - This medium-bodied wine had big, rich flavour. I'm actually not keen on red wine but I would definitely have this another time; since I found its acidity level perfect for me. This was my second favourite of the four. 

We were asked to try it with beef brisket. I certainly think, as a red wine option, that this would be a crowd pleaser for weddings



All in all, my table had so many interesting people and blogger friends that I felt quite at home. Every one left with a gift bag with this nifty wine opener!

Would you like Trinidad Weddings.com to cover your event or review your product? Drop me a line at simone@trinidadweddings.com and I would be happy to help you.

Join us on www.trinidadweddings.com for more!

Stechers launches new cosmetic brand from Paris

Luxury goods provider, Stechers invited the TW Wed-Zine Magazine to cover the launch of “Black Up”- a new cosmetic brand from Paris, at its Long Circular Mall perfumery. 

Black Up is the first makeup artist brand created especially for women of colour.  

Guests arriving for the launch

During a TW exclusive interview with Stecher’s General Manager, Simone Agar, she explained the need for yet another cosmetic line to the Stechers’ offering:

 “What we have discovered is that some of our other European makeup brands were producing colours and tones mainly for Caucasian and Asian skin types. We hope that with the launch of Black Up in Trinidad that we will be able to provide all women with both a full palette of foundation options as well brighter pigments for lipsticks, eyeshadows, liquid liners and blushes. “

 

Guests mingling during the launch

Pro Make-up Artist (MUA),  Kirk Thomas - who’s also Creative Director for the Face of T&T and the senior MUA for Miss T&T Universe, helped developed a portfolio of seasonal looks to highlight the versatility and intense pigments of the Black up line.

Tina Hamilton, the Caribbean’s Regional Manager for the French cosmetic company was on-hand at the launch, to showcase how the Black Up line seeks to celebrate the unique nature of ethnic skin.

The Black Up line of cosmetics and fragrances is exclusively available from Stechers at their Long Circular Mall perfumery.

P.S. Don’t forget that Stechers also has its Haven Spa at its Long Circular Mall perfumery, where you can get facials, waxing, massages and more, plus the advice of a medical aesthetician!

Photo credit for makeup shots: Kyle Maloney

MUA for makeup shots: Kirk Thomas

The FETE AGD line of jewelry

I first met Analicia Garcia-Dubrisingh, Designer of  the FETE AGD line of jewelry, upon the suggestion of Stephanie Ramlogan, my Fashion Stylist for the launch the 2013 issue of the TW Wed-Zine magazine. 

I had never heard of her before but Stephanie insisted that I had to see this young designer's work. She thought it would be a perfect fit for the look she was creating for me, which she called: "chic, sophisticated entrepreneur at cocktail hour."

In the end, we met and after hitting it off and having a great conversation about fashion and design with Analicia and her brother Estevan, Analicia loaned me two very special pieces. 

"Something blue" cuff - photo by Trinidad Weddings. Copyright 2013

One was a "something blue" silk-satin cuff, with silver, white and pale pink cultured freshwater pearls, moonstones, pink Swarovski crystals and silver Czech glass beads sewn onto it. 

The other was FETE's teardrop-cut, Rose-de-France amethyst necklace.This necklace was sterling silver with graduated amethysts, all together totaling about 10 carats. 

Amethyst Necklace - photo by Trinidad Weddings. Copyright 2013

So, it's no surprise that I would support and be eager to view Analicia's Thebes Collection, which she recently launched at The Gallery's Holiday showcase on November 21, 2013 at Long Circular Mall. 

The Thebes Collection is named after an ancient Egyptian city of the same name. 

It was inspired by a love of ancient far- Eastern and Egyptian art and design. The collection was formed following Analicia's visits to NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art, which exposed her to the impact of intricate detail and fluid, recurring forms. 

This is why all of the hand-beaded circular pieces are called "Mandala" - after the Buddhist symbol. It's also why many of her collar necklaces and bracelets are color-blocked, with beaded bands - which are similar to Egyptian pieces; except that Analicia has created them in vivid, tropical colors.

It's amazing that Analicia is only 21 and since her launch of Fete A.G.D. in 2012, she has expanded in 2013, to include wedding pieces. 

Analicia, Designer of FETE AGD, wearing one of her Thebes Collection statement necklaces.

She will be going to London next year to study fashion design but plans to continue designing bi-annually released collections for her label, building it as she increases her design knowledge. 

I'm so proud of her and happy to know her! Good luck Analicia on your design journey ahead...

If you would like TrinidadWeddings.com to cover your event, please drop us a line at contactus@trinidadweddings.com

 All photos on this blog post provided by Stephanie Ramlogan, unless otherwise stated.

Plan Your Wedding on Wheels Limo Tour!

I’ve been in the wedding industry in Trinidad & Tobago for 10 years now and after all this time, it was refreshing to see a wedding promotion that was so different and innovative!

The “Plan Your Wedding on Wheels Limousine Tour” hosted by Jennifer GoberdhanSignature Weddings and Events was the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago.

It first came to life as a creative way to commemorate the launch of the company’s business and website, www.jennifergoberdhan.com


5 brides & Jennifer Goberdhan (2nd from left)

Then, preparations started off on Facebook - with a competition for brides-to-be. To enter, they had to introduce themselves and their fiancé and describe how they met and became a couple.  The ladies who had the most interesting and heartfelt stories were chosen as the 5 winners.



The 5 brides who won, were taken in a gold, Hummer limousine (another first in Trinidad & Tobago!) to different wedding vendors’ locations.

While enroute to the vendors, they were given “do-it-yourself” tips on planning their weddings by Jennifer Goberdhan herself, who is an internationally trained Wedding Designer and Planner with the Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute in the US. 



Getting glamed up by Fashionista Image Management

The lucky ladies generated buzz and excitement wherever they went and emerged from the Hummer (kindly provided by Transport Solutions)!  

Stops were made at: Bakery Treatz, Claudia Pegus, Trinidad Weddings (that’s us!), Fashionista Image Consultants, Berment’s Catering, Naalri’s Photoplanet, and Spira’s Celestial Gemstones & Jewelry. 

Each vendor eagerly gave insider advice to the brides and showered them with gifts of their specialty  products and services .

Lunch at Berment's Catering

Cake tasting at Bakery Treatz

Jewelry Shopping at Spira's Celestial

Gift of a Trinidad Weddings Tote bag

Hors' D'oeuvres & TW Wed-Zine Magazines! 

Fashion styling tips from designer Claudia Pegus

The goal is for Jennifer Goberdhan’s Plan Your Wedding on Wheels Limo Tour to mushroom into a highly anticipated event in the future and to create a business development avenue for all partnering vendors.

According to Jennifer, “These vendors are selected for their expertise and standards of premium quality, in order to introduce brides- to-be and the people of T&T to an experience that is not only fun and different but of a standard that is world-class.”

All photos on this page were done by: Naalri's Photo Planet

TW Wed-Zine Magazine Goes Global!

Cover of the 2013 TW Wed-Zine

We wrapped production of the 2013 TW Wed-Zine magazine at the end of March 2013; and celebrated in full TW-style on April 12^th at Jaffa at the Oval, Port of Spain.

Want to know why?

We made history!

For the first time ever...a local magazine is available for digital download sale internationally.

Anyone, anywhere in the world can now buy the TW Wed-Zine in an animated, flipping page format, compatible for MAC, PC and mobile users!

Cost is only US $3.50.



If you really want to see what I’m talking about, you can click here to buy: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=155)

I know you’re dying to get a sneak-peek into all the wonderful little details that went into making our event successful! So, here they are:

1.    Our starting point was an aqua and white colour scheme that was meant to complement our logo.

2.    Alison Lee Loy did our beautiful and almost ethereal, floral design

3.    Analicia Garcia Dubrisingh – designer of a line of jewelry called “Fete," kindly lent me some exquisite jewelry pieces  - a  sky-blue, silk- satin wrapped bangle with silver, white & pink cultured freshwater pearls, moonstones, pink Swarovski crystals and silver Czech glass beads sewn onto it and a sterling silver necklace  with faceted teardrop, Rose-de-France amethysts. If you like her pieces, you can get them at The Gallery, Long Circular Mall.

4.    Our lighting featured our logo on the ceiling and was executed by TriniParadise Lighting & Special Effects

5.    We gave out bride & groom cookie favours to our guests – they were baked and decorated by Bakery Treatz.

6.     Our guests also got gorgeous cards featuring a “source list” – which noted every sponsors’ contribution. These were designed by Wedding Reflections.

7.    The Guest Factor was on-hand to showcase their digital guest book. Our guests loved interacting and giving us feedback about our event. If you’d like to see some video messages from our guests, go to: http://www.theguestfactor.com/webgallery/default.asp?id=C562B42E-B13A-4CF6-AA94-5E56366737CA

8.    Inventure Associates superbly handled our magazine design and also our Audio Visual production for our launch.

9.    Stephanie Ramlogan handled my entire fashion styling for the event, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes – literally!  Together we worked with fashion designer, Darcel de Vlugt to come up with the concept for my outfit. The end result was what I call “resort office” – what a Caribbean woman could wear to work.  Brides, if you need a fashion stylist for your wedding, Stephanie is your girl.

10. My makeup was done by Tricia Blaise of Face by Blaise (I loved the magenta lips she gave me!) and hair by Melissa Jones of So You Beauty Bar.

11. Venue, food and beverage were done by Jaffa at the Oval. Did you see Chef Joe Brown’s hand-carved ice sculpture of the two hearts? Simply fantastic!

Here’s a slideshow of how it all came together:

Create a free picture slideshow

The 2013 TW Wed-Zine Magazine is here!

Our latest issue of the TW Wed-Zine magazine is finally here.

We love that just-off-the-press smell wafting around our office and we can't wait to share our mag with you!

To pre-order your copy, please email contactus@trinidadweddings.com and quote the code PREORDER. Once you do, we will send you guidelines on how to purchase our magazine safely & securely from our website, www.trinidadweddings.com

Cost is US$5.50

P.S. Did you know our gorgeous cover photo was taken in Tobago?

Photo by: Celeste Hart.