Archive for the 'Weddings' Category

Photo Credit: Paul Retherford

Ferinoosh Khosravi, the Roosevelt Hotel’s Senior Catering and Sales Manager and popular “Wedding Ace” has taken to her blog Here Comes My Bride to weigh in on what to expect from this season’s weddings.

In her latest post, she explains that the muted colors and small, modest  accessories that were popular to last year’s brides will not be as prevalent this year. Bright colors and bold accessories are what we can expect. Also, bridesmaid dresses will begin to vary in color hues and fabric type, giving way to a more casual vibe.

Ferinoosh also has some ideas about how to cut costs for the big day (it is ok for the groom to wear his best suit rather than renting an expensive tuxedo). Check out the full post for all the details.

During my years of working with brides I believe I can say I have seen so many different types of brides. Each and everyone unique to their own style. Based on my experience I have developed a “Type” and “Personal Style” category to help me and my brides to plan the best weddings for them.

Although there are so many different categories out there, here are the four that helps me the most:

City Bride
Vineyard Bride
Castle Bride
Island Bride

I guess once you know what type of a bride you are, you have a better and clearer view of how to do the rest of the planning. I know the first thing in bride’s mind, is the “Wedding Gown”. One thing that I always stress to all of my brides is that you have to be yourself and find what works for you.

If you are a city girl, you will not feel comfortable in a lacy country looking gown or if you are an Island girl, you will not feel good in a princess looking hairdo and Cinderella dress. I know some times we get lost in all the pictures and dresses we see and we love them all but finding what your style is and niche is the most important key factor. Here is what I found out based on experience and research (thanks to all the bridal magazines out there):

A city bride is always looking much better in something that is sophisticated, unique and more Modern. An Island bride always looks amazing in Narrow, sexy and a very light gown. I always tell my Castle brides to choose a gown that is classic, elegant and a bit dramatic and finally my Vineyard brides to wear a very soft, feminine and natural looking gown.

All these said, I know you always want to look and feel stunning, but remember you need to consider a dress that suits your location as well. If you are a city girl who is getting married in the Bahamas, of course you need to wear “Bahama-like” no matter where you are from.

Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager

Considering all of these, to find out the best arrangements for your big day, my suggestion is when visiting your florist take a picture of your wedding gown, swatch of the bridesmaids, color of the groom’s tuxedo, location of the wedding and all your favorite pictures that you tore from magazines…this will give them an idea of what’s going on in your head.

Also consider this; your color theme should compliment and not contrast against each other. Also make sure to use season as a good indication of the theme of your colors and types of the flowers you choose. Although overall I believe that flowers are beautiful and no matter where and when you use them they still are gorgeous but sometimes some choices do not make sense. Like Daisies are not for indoor wedding especially in the middle of winter.

Once you find out what your personal style is the rest is easy. Let’s start with flowers … my favorite subject. First there are so many beautiful and different kinds, shapes, colors and smells out there but first it’s very important to know what goes with your style first. Second such as, the season, the location & the mood of your wedding.

One thing that I love is the smell; I think that will set the tone. Smells are very memorable. I love the fact that every time I smell lily’s it remind me of one of my dear friend’s wedding.

At last remember, choose a flower that is a perfect match with you and who you are and don’t forget the embellishments, that a little bit of a bling or spot light on the flowers goes a long way.

Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager

PHOTO: Ruth and Herbert at The Roosevelt Hotel New York in 1955.

In the summer of 1955, love found its way to The Roosevelt Hotel New York. Married in our Terrace Ballroom in July of 1955, Ruth and Herbert made memories in the celebration of their love and unity by taking the leap into marriage.

It wasnt until their 45th wedding anniversary in July of 2000 that Ruth and Herbert made their way back to The Roosevelt Hotel and we were beyond happy to have them back with us!  It was just for a weekend getaway, but this happy couple rekindled in the Big Apple and even got to see a Broadway show!

They came back to us for the big 50th anniversary and we are now looking forward to having Ruth and Herbert stay with us once again for their 55th anniversary! 

Congratulations Rith and Herbert on your upcoming anniversary!  We are proud to consider you part of The Roosevet Hotel family!

Posted By
Kelli Crean
Ecommerce Manager

As someone who constantly helps brides make choices almost every day I came up with my own system on which and how to choose the best options for your cocktail reception.

Here are a few things that you should consider before you even look at the menu:

Your Ethnicity -Always incorporate your ethnic background food into your choices.

Your Style – If you are a very authentic individual then create a very authentic looking station. For example use the actual Paellera for the Spanish Paella or if you are more of a modern style individual maybe serve it in individual decorative plates. Here is another example; Dolma is one of my traditional foods. Originally the ingredients are fully warped in grape leaves; you grab one and dip it into a sauce. What we did was, we cut the cooked leaves and mixed it into the ingredients (just to make sure guests are getting the same taste) than we put it on a plate that had another leaf sitting at the bottom and added a few drop of the sauce on the top. Same food different presentation!

The Season - Use the season into your wedding… How about Spring Harvest or Summer Soups…

The Location (City, State & Country) – As you know each region has its own special food. For example why not have a station with all the famous cheeses (remember the happy cow commercial, LOL) from California. How about a Lamb Bredie in South Africa and may be a fresh seafood station from Colorado River.

Your Favorite food – Always incorporate your favorite food into your cocktail reception. (Remember it may be your favorite and not others. So adding it to your cocktail reception is such a better idea than into your dinner menu).

Up to date - Now a days with all the different restaurants and food options, people would love to see newer things rather than the same old same old.
For example I believe the days for Carving and Sushi stations are over (at least the way we were presenting them) here is my suggestion, if you have to have a carving station, have it precut into small pieces in a very nice presentation and decorative cutting board and let the guests grab their pieces themselves. (don’t you hate it when there is a hug cutting board and you can see all the lines of years of usage and a hug knife that looks very scary and how about that awful ugly looking warmer).

As for Sushi station, I know a lot of people still love to have it but I am not that crazy about it. Maybe my suggestion would be a few fresh (made just before the reception and not during) trays mixed with a Seafood and Caviar bar.

Another very common station is the Pasta station. Forget about the old fashion way of chef mixing different kinds of pasta and sauces in front of the guests (remember this is cocktail reception and not a buffet brunch). How about a very simple small plate with the sauce at the bottom and a spatula full of pasta on the top or have sauces in different bowls separately and let people choose and mix them.

Asian Stations such as Dim Sum, Noodle, Thai, Peaking Duck, Lo Mein…etc are still very strong and popular. Number one reason is that they are lighter and a bit healthier than all others and as I mentioned earlier they make guests feel good about themselves after all that eating and drinking.

Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, European, Spanish, Italian Tuscan, Potato and American Deli stations. I love the variety and I believe they offer something for everyone.

As for passed Hors D’Oeuvres, One good thing is that any food can be turned into passed hors d’oeuvres. Just make it in smaller pieces, add some color and a nice decoration and you are good to go.

Here are some facts that you should consider when making a decision:
• Guests love passed hors d’oeuvres more than stations
• They love to see more options
• They love to see different presentations
• Smaller the pieces the better
• Easier to eat the better
• Something that does not smell
• Something that goes with what they are drinking
• Something that does not repeat at any of the stations or the dinner table
• Sweet station is for after dinner and not the cocktail reception
• Pick a station that does not smell
• Pick a station that does not require people standing on line for it
• Guest love un attended stations more than attendant stations
• Healthy, Green, Low Cholesterol makes the guests feel good about themselves
• Always have a semi menu sign at each station explaining the ethnicity and back ground including the some popular ways to consume the food.
• If you want it will be a nice touch if you add the original recipe so people can take with them. (I always ask my bride and grooms if they go to an event and see and taste something they like, they should definitly take a picture and if possible get the recipe from the chef).

Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager

I never believed in buying things for a one time use only. I always advise my brides to buy good quality products (yes I know sometimes you have to pay more) buy a style that is timeless, buy what works for you and finally buy something that you can use later.

When it comes to weddings, I know most of us are excited about buying things specific to the wedding. We follow the “vision” and the “picture” we have in mind of how we wanted to look on our big day. Right? Granted, we’re all like that but I think it’s time to sit down and take a good look and see what the best solution is especially with this economy to not only save money but also to be able to reuse the stuff we buy.

All I have to say is to know your look when going shopping for your big day and look the best version of you.

I have a friend that we all call her “miss colorful”. Her name is Tina. Love her and her style!
It was “Tina” on her wedding day we saw. Her tiffany blue shoes and her matching clutch were written “Tina” all over them.

She knew “herself” and she knew that the white shoes and the white clutch was not just “her”! and she won’t ever use them again.

So now every time “Tina” wears her blue shoes, it reminds us of her wedding day. Isn’t that awesome?

I know we all have seen pictures of the brides with their favorite color shoes and
clutches (the pink one is my favorite) and it just makes me happy that we are thinking out side the box. Go ahead and make a statement, let everybody remember “you”!

When shopping for shoes and clutch for your wedding, if you must have the white shoes, just keep one thing in mind, get a satin or a fabric that can be colored later. Same for your clutch, if you can’t color it (which most of the fabric ones as well as the leather ones can be colored) at least get one that is not too big and too bridey and remember you can always use your creativity, paint or glue something or attached a nice brooch to it, this way you are able to reuse it.

If anything, you can always donate them to a charity that helps less fortunate brides. Think about it! Especially in this economical hardship.

Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager

I know the “norm” and the “tradition” is to throw the bouquet and the one who grabs it will be the next lucky bride!… But is there really a “norm” on doing anything? Isn’t it true that some things you start today can become the norm and tradition of tomorrow?

If I believe in such a thing as “norm” or “tradition”, that means some one like me who is constantly searching for new ideas should kiss the creativity goodbye.

I had a visit from a bride of mine the other day and this was the problem she had. She said she has about 20 close friends and 4 sisters and a few young aunts. Some single, some divorce and some married. The single ones don’t like to be singled out; the divorced ones are ashamed to go for the bouquet for a second time and the married ones feels left out. So she wanted me to come up with an idea about her bouquet toss problem.

To me watching people throwing themselves in the air to grab the bouquet was never a favorite moment of mine. I have seen people getting injured, kids getting caught underfoot not to mention people getting into fight over the bouquet. Embarrassing right? I guess you can say I never liked the idea to begin with and now that I have an opportunity to do some research and to come up with new ideas it seemed like a very interesting project to me.
So I went back to my bride and asked her series of questions in hopes of coming up with newer, none traditional idea.

Is there anyone specific that you want to give your bouquet to? Is there anyone you are thankful for everything you have in life? How about the one person that has been your role model all your life? Think outside the box, How about your dad? Your grandparents? Your sisters? Your best friend? The person who introduced the two of you together? The couples who are celebrating their 50th anniversary and you admire them for that?

So this was my suggestion: For each one of the people who had such an unforgettable impact in your life, we will have a stem with a small note attached, thanking them for being who they are and let them know what they mean to you and leave it on their seats.

The bridal party bouquets will have a small note, maybe one of your most memorable moments with that particular person or just a simple meaningful poem.

When the time comes for your “Bouquet Toss Tradition”, stand on a stage (or if your ballroom has a balcony stand on the balcony) and as you are thanking the guests for attending and sharing your big day with you, slowly open up your bouquet (premade, break apart bouquet) and simply throw it at them. Who doesn’t like to be showered with flowers…

And at the end, remember you can always simply hand your bouquet to the person/or persons who means the most to you.

Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager

Continue on my journey to find what is the best thing that my bride can do to be up to date and fashionable and yet elegant and simple without any over dues (and any regret few years down the road) so I purchased a few of my favorite bridal magazines… Town and Country Weddings, of course “Martha Stewart Weddings” and “Well Wed” and head home to start writing.

Going through my notes to put this blog together I realized they all have one thing in common and that is “The glitz of the new fancy big bulky fashion jewelry” …

Today is all about the new fashion jewelry. Some coming from the past antique pieces and couture jewelry and some newer designs, although they all have one thing in common; they are all big and bulky and they present a fashion statement. Passing the Cartier store on 5th avenue I realized even big names like Cartier are going with this new trend. Have you seen the Panther head ring? Oh…beautiful.

Panther-head ring - Cartier

Glancing through the Town and Country Weddings Spring/Summer issue I realized that even some big names in Wedding Gown Designs are using the same concept. For example Rivini put a beautiful ad with the bride wearing a big bulky necklace, another one with a beautiful fashionable ring. Monique Lhuillier has a bulky conversation ring on her bride’s finger; Romona Keveza used an Italian silk satin belt designed with big Swarovski-jeweled buckle like piece and last but not least Oscar Heyman’s creations on some other brides.

When you have time check out Jemma Wynne’s big rose quartz ring, love the Aspray, David Yurman’s, Dior and Buccellati’s new collections on bold and beautiful jewelry.
With spring around the corner, some of these jewels have the spring’s pastel and floral accents which makes it perfect for the spring wedding.

I believe the days for the small pearl necklace and earrings are over. Although they are one of the most recognized jewelry for the brides (and I know most of the time it is from your mother or your grand mother and adds a very sentimental value to your day) but it’s time to use them for the small cocktail parties you through after your wedding to show off your registry items.

So here is my advice: “Simple but classic and timeless, and mix it with bohemian elegance and a touch of a trend”. Also remember you have to find which trend will fit into your personal style and what works with you.

Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager

Our very own Kelli Crean was interviewed by NYC station Fox 5 News to discuss social media as a growing job trend. Watch as Kelli discusses all aspects of social media and The Roosevelt’s growing social media community.

Kudos to Kelli for a job well done!

Growing up in Colorado, I am the biggest “Winter Wedding” fan. The holiday’s mood, clean and crisp air, sparkling snow, wood fires, etc are all my favorites. Although most of the people believe coming up with the theme for the wedding is always the hardest part, I believe the season will set the tone for the theme of your wedding. Putting first things first, besides only a few, most of the time we pick the season of our wedding based on our most favorite times of the year and memories. Some times we pick the season based on our own personal experiences. For example my skin looks much better, cleaner and fresher in winter, so that maybe one reason for me to pick the winter for my wedding…….

Using the season’s elements in all parts of your wedding from invitations, to décor, flowers, food, drinks, music, favors to your wedding gown……

Invitations: If you pick a colored invitation, then pick a very rich color, like Chocolate Brown, deep Rusty Green or deep Burgundy to set the tone. Decorating them with opposite colored robins or use elements of nature like piece of wood or pine cone in the design will help as well.

Decorations: If you go with winter white, use icy blue, metallic and platinum colors. Simpler the better and maybe for design use crystal snow flakes or white fur.
Amidst glowing candles or season’s elements like the crystallized twigs or even a small Christmas tree for the cocktail tables. I would definitly go with a few small arrangements and silver trays. I love the combination of Rustic greens mixed with brown. Crystals, white quartz stones with deep chocolate brownish candles and rusty green robins. The entire elements are there.

Atmosphere: Make sure you pick a location that has fire place….love them in the middle of the reception. Place a few lounge style couches and throws next to the fire place.

Food & Drink: Eggnog, Apple cider, Rich wood wine and cordials. Maybe a big pot of soup on the fireplace outside the reception area? Warm winter soups and winter salads, like ice lettuce with blue cheese crumbs are my favorite. Big chunks of meat….if possible have the meals cook in an outside area where guests can smell the wood firing and the meals. Remember Steaks and Veal Chop and Chicken filled with Berries and stuffing and a good warm Chocolate dessert.

Wedding Cake: Consider serving a winter-inspired side with your wedding cake. Match your wedding cake decoration and favor with a good winter wine or a winter drink. If you are serving tea or coffee, don’t forget the Cinnamon or Sugar Cane Sticks.  For cake décor, instead of white cake consider the winter colors. If you want to stick to the white cake consider robins and pinecones….more winter elements the better. If you use flowers, consider sugar glazed versions to make them look like a winter touched flowers instead of the normal look.

The Dress: A couture vintage lace dress or a fur (fakes are my favorites) short or long Audrey coats or a very nice white or pearl white cashmere shall will do and remember big sparkling vintage brooch for your shall or coat is a must.

Favors: I will send the guest home with something not only to remember your wedding but also the season of the wedding. For example, Swarovski snow flakes ornaments, or wood shaped candles…stuck of cinnamon tuck together with a deep purple velvet robin and a jar of good tea or homemade Jam……

 Posted by
Ferinoosh Khosravi
Senior Catering Manager