The Face of Trinidad Weddings Magazine 2015

We’ve always featured real brides on the cover of our magazine, the TW Wed-Zine

It’s our philosophy here at www.trinidadweddings.com,plus, we think there’s no better inspiration for our readers than a local bride smiling prettily back at them!

Our next cover could feature you! 

This is why we've launched the #FaceofTW promotion.

Every day since our promotion started last week, we have been flooded with entries but here are just some of the beauties who've entered:

To find out how to enter and win FABULOUS prizes, click here: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/FaceofTW/

A return to the 1950's - Trinidad Weddings at Stechers Shoppers' Night

Don't blame us - we're in the business of weddings, so there's nothing we love more than themed events (occupational hazard!); and even better...one that includes a starlet from the Old Hollywood era.

So, you know we were excited when our friends at Stechers ( there they are below, looking all glammed up!):

Sent us this: 

Here are some snaps from the event:

Simone, Editor of Trinidad Weddings, takes a shopping break, in front of the Stechers Haven Spa, Long Circular Mall

One of my favourite perfume bottles on display - a work of art: Valentina by Valentino and ...who knew Pitbull had a fragrance for women too?

Trinidad Weddings' client Angostura, serves up some 1919!

Jewelry from John Medeiros, crafted in Rhode Island

Candles - loved the Wild Orchid and Sandalwood scent (middle)

Handmade, gold Peerless Cross pen, limited to a production of only 125 in the world!

More Marilyn! A quote of hers that I love?

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."


This amazing porcelain sculpture below, by Lladró was on display at the event.

 

Guests were also treated to mehendi by our friend Nicole Joesph of Stained Mehendi and samples of organic tea.

Here's a snippet of the entertainment at the end:

Want Trinidad Weddings to cover your event or write a product review?
Email contactus@trinidadweddings.com 

For more, join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trinidadweddings or 

check out our Magazine Fanpage here: www.facebook.com/wedzine

Trinidad Weddings' inside scoop on CLD's Anniversary Party

When Trinidad and Tobago-based Fashion Designer, Charu Lochan Dass asked www.trinidadweddings.com to partner with her for her first anniversary party, and bring over some of our TW Wed-Zine magazines,  there was just no way we could refuse. 

We are die-hard supporters of local fashion and we have been especially impressed with her label - CLD, ever since she launched last year. 
 

TW Wed-Zine Magazines on display at the CLD Anniversary party

Shortly after her first collection showed in Trinidad, in November 2013, Charu was jetting off to show an Autumn/Winter collection at New York Fashion Week, followed by yet another collection in September 2014, in NY as well. 

Remarkable for one year's achievement, don't you think? Not many designers can say they've made those kinds of strides during their first year. 



No wonder then, that the fashion crowd counted down the days to CLD's anniversary party that was about to happen on November 27, 2014 at her Gallus Street Boutique. 

At around 7:30pm, all you could hear was the crowd murmuring and the photographers with their frenzied clicks, as models started their descent down the stairs.

The Holiday Glam collection was just about everything you would wear for the Christmas season - from brocade skirts, shift dresses, deep V-cut ballerina blouses, black sequined dresses and even metallic shorts. 

Sweet and sophisticated, with a little hint of naughty. But - don't tell Santa! 

Don't believe me? See for yourself...

P.S. Check out the stunning red, glittered lips on the models done by Sacha Cosmetics. I got the inside scoop and yes...they used real glitter specially applied!

(*photos by Aarti Gosine)

The rest of the event didn't disappoint. No event with vodka and cupcakes ever could!

Speaking of cupcakes, my friend Amreeka from The Cake Boutique was there with her divine vanilla cupcakes with champagne buttercream and chocolate cupcakes with rum buttercream! (*photos by The Cake Boutique)

 We're looking forward to seeing what else CLD has planned for 2015!

Want Trinidad Weddings to cover your event or write a product review?
Email contactus@trinidadweddings.com 

For more, join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trinidadweddings or 

check out our Magazine Fanpage here: www.facebook.com/wedzine

M&D’s ‘Discover’ Event

Marketing and Distribution’s (M&D) “Discover” event on October 5, 2013 was an absolute pleasure for www.trinidadweddings.com to cover.

It was a night of wine and premium liquor tastings, fine cheeses and appetizers that all culminated in quite a swanky soiree.

The objective of Discover was set to be more than a gathering of the nation’s taste-makers but also to provide an event for true connoisseurs to socialize and sample luxurious libations in an elegant environment



A selection of Crystal Farms' Cheeses paired with Gamay wines.

  

True to expectation, The Oval’s Century Ballroom was filled with a smartly-dressed crowd who savoured M&D’s display of its entire Wine and Spirits Portfolio.

Yes, that’s over 100 brands; such as Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque and Mumm Champagne, Absolut vodka, Ballantine’s 30 year-old Scotch, Jose Cuervo Res de la familia Cakebread (winner of the Readers' Choice Award for Best US wine), Louis Jadot Gevrey Chambertin, Cascine Prosecco and Fonseca 20 year-old Port to name a few.

There were also unique execution stations such as the Absolut Vodka Martini Makers Bar, Alize Cocktail Bar, Jose Cuervo shots as well as a Bubbly station.

One of my favourite cocktails is the Tom Collins. So a stand-out moment was when bartender Clinton made one for me on-the-spot with Beefeater 24 Gin. One of the best Tom Collins ever!

My Tom Collins being made!

Tasty hors d’oeuvres such as scrambled eggs with caviar served on spoons, spinach filo pastries, samosas, shrimp and pineapple on skewers and chicken sliders were had by all in attendance.  Of note was Jaffa’s authentic Indian buffet, featuring naan, mushroom pakoras and butter chicken accompanied by a selection of Patak chutneys and sauces.

Guests were given champagne flutes as tokens and treated to a rocking after-party with DJ Nuphoric, as the event drew to a close.

Trinidadweddings.com’s relationship with M&D began when they were an elite sponsor for our event, The Wedding Convention in September 2013; and we certainly look forward to more fabulous events from M&D.

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

All photos by: TrinidadWeddings.com

The Outlet Market’s Cupcake Challenge

There are some offers in life you just can’t refuse-  getting to be a judge at a cupcake challenge, is one of them!

And so it was, on June 29, I took it to task at The Outlet Market’s Cupcake challenge, that was held at the Chinese Association.

Other judges on the panel were: Joel  Villafana, TV6 Sport Anchor and co-founder of TriniCooks.com, Tricia Corbin Oliveire from The Brown Box and Michelle Sohan from Bakery Treatz. We were an animated bunch but have no fear, we took the tastings seriously.

From left: Simone, Tricia and Joel





If the sugar rush hasn’t affected my brain post-challenge, I would estimate we tasted about 12 cupcakes.  

Competitors had to present us with their cupcakes, tell us a little about themselves/their baking history and present us with recipes for each cupcake.

Popular contenders for the “win,” were pina colada, chocolate and red velvet flavoured.  However, the plate of cupcakes that floored us and indeed demolished all the competition, was submitted by the youngest competitor, 16-year old Shennaih Moore.

She gave us a trio of curry-lime, tiramisu and maple-bacon cupcakes. 




Curry-Lime Cupcake (bottom middle)
Top: Tiramisu
Right: Maple-Bacon
Photo by: TrinidadWeddings.com

The best tasting out of the lot and surely the most novel, was the “curry-lime” cupcake.

The cake itself was infused with curry powder, with a gooey shredded coconut filling, topped off with a flourish of lime buttercream.

Michelle from Bakery Treatz (right)
congratulates Shennaih

Atop the cupcake was a chocolate leaf, which Shennaih made from spraying an actual leaf with oil spray and coating it with thick, milk chocolate, freezing it and then peeling away the actual leaf.

I had a chance to chat with Shennaih afterwards, so of course I had to ask,

"What’s your favourite cupcake flavour?"

You won’t believe her answer but I’m going to tell you anyway  -

“I don’t eat cupcakes. My favourite dessert is yogurt!”

Good luck in the future Shennaih – you’ve truly shown others that age has no power over talent!



Andrea Coutain, Founder of The Outlet Market
presents Shennaih with her prize.

 Photos by Elise Romany (unless otherwise stated)

Jennifer Goberdhan's Wedding & Event Design Showcase

“Everything in business happens at just the right time,” so says Jennifer Goberdhan, Wedding Designer extraordinaire; and you know what? She’s certainly right!

 June 15, 2013 was exactly “that right time”-  a day which Jennifer chose to host her Wedding & Event Design Showcase at the Trinidad Hilton.

I stopped by just after lunch, to chat with Jennifer and find out more about her designs.

Jennifer has had extensive training abroad, and has worked closely with Preston Bailey, who’s one of the most prestigious names in the global wedding industry.

She has an eye for being tasteful and restrained yet dramatic – and that’s a difficult combination to come by!

To top it all off, Jennifer has a warm, winning personality. It’s the type of persona that can immediately put couples at ease, knowing that their dream vision for décor, will materialize under her capable hands.

Above, to the top right, is a peek at some of my favourites from her Showcase.

To contact Jennifer, please visit this link: http://www.trinidadweddings.com/index.php?option=com_supplier&id=8999&catid=43&layout=supplierdetails&Itemid=2

Inspirations for a Great Gatsby-Themed Wedding

Photo: Copyright 2012 Trinidad Weddings

“The Great Gatsby” – a book penned by author, F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, is once again out in a movie version, with its world premier on May 10,  2013.

Previous movie versions were done in 1926, 1949 and 1974. The book has been regarded as  one of the most popular American novels of all time.

It has also been called a landmark novel for the iconic 1920’s era – which was characterized by immense economic boom, parties and all-out decadence.

Bridal fashionistas everywhere are going to be inspired by the sheer glamour that the 1920’s continues to evoke, even up to today.

 

Here are some ideas if you want to have a retro,1920’s wedding:

Gown  and Accessories– the 1920’s were all about creating a long and lean silhouette on women, so dropped waist dresses were in style. You can also opt for dresses with illusion (sheer) necklines, many layers of fringe, tiers, pleats or heavy beading.

Accessories can include: jeweled sashes, beaded clutches, Mary-Jane and T-strapped styled shoes, layers of pearls, bridal headbands or fascinators, bands worn across the forehead, cloche (close-fitting) hats and any accessories featuring: ostrich feathers, glitter, sequins and crystals.

Groomswear – Single-breasted, neutral-coloured suits would suit Gatsby-inspired grooms well; as would, bow ties and ties, fedora hats, waistcoats and spectator shoes. Pin-striped suits were also popular for men during the 1920’s.

Bar choices – If you’re going with this theme, your bar is going to be one of the main focal points. This is because the 1920’s were also known as the time of Prohibition in the USA - when alcohol was banned nation-wide. What cropped up, were “speakeasies,” – establishments that sold liquor illegally. In the book, the “mint julep” is Jay Gatsby's famous drink of choice. Other good beverage options that would work well with this theme would be champagne and gin-based cocktails.

Cakes and décor design – Gatsby-inspired weddings will feature the Art Deco design style, which encompasses  bold, geometric shapes and lines (which were often repetitive.) Designs such as: the sunburst pattern and chevron (a zig-zag repetitive pattern) were also trendy during the 1920’s.  Gold, black and white are colours that would suit a Gatsby-inspired wedding well.

Music - Fitzgerald coined the term the “Jazz Age” for the 1920’s, so of course, having some light jazz played will be sure to enhance your theme.  Live performers were also popular

during the 1920’s; for a modern day option you could have a saxophonist or a small band.

 

FOR MORE GREAT GATSBY INSPIRATION, VISIT OUR BOARD ON PINTEREST:  
http://pinterest.com/trinidadwedding/great-gatsby-inspired/

 

***********************************************************

Mint Julep Cocktail
1. Fill a tall glass or silver tumbler with crushed ice
2. Put 2 sprigs of fresh mint in another glass
3. Add 1/4 oz. of water
4. Add 1 tsp. sugar
5. Muddle ingredients well
6. Add 3 oz. of bourbon
7. Stir gently, but thoroughly
8. Strain into glass with crushed ice
9. Garnish with fresh sprigs of mint

,

 

 

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