24
RUSSO’S Russo’s 25th Anniversary Iconic Couture Wedding Dresses 25 Ways To Experience Russo’s A Closer Look Inside Russo’s On The Bay and Vetro By Russso’s On The Bay Choosing The Perfect Dress Featuring Vassa Halatas and Couture Designer Angel Rivera Russo’s Makes Major Announcements Special Bridal Preview Edition MODERN TRADITIONS MAGAZINE Fall/Winter 2011

Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

This edition of Russo's Modern Traditions is full of ways to make your wedding amazing with the latest trends.

Citation preview

Page 1: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

RUSSO’S

Russo’s 25th Anniversary

Iconic Couture WeddingDresses

25 Ways To ExperienceRusso’sA Closer Look Inside Russo’s On The Bay and Vetro By Russso’s On The Bay

Choosing The Perfect Dress Featuring Vassa Halatas and Couture Designer Angel Rivera

Russo’s Makes Major Announcements

Specia

l Brid

al

Preview

Edition

MODERN TRADITIONS MAGAZINE

Fall/

Win

ter 2

011

Page 2: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

25 waysRoyal Touch at Russo’sTo experience the

Page 3: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Royal Touch at Russo’sOn The Bay

As we commemorate our 25th anniversary, we have created 25 ways to experience the Royal Treatment at Russo’s On The Bay and our newest venue Vetro. Imagine working with a blank canvas to create the event of your dreams; it can happen at Russo’s. Matched with 25 years of incredible service and Italian inspired gourmet cuisine, at Russo’s we are ready to serve you and your guests. There’s nothing like experiencing Russo’s and at every opportunity, we turn your day into a remarkable Royal Fairytale.

From the moment you arrive and for many years to come, Russo’s On The Bay and it’s talented staff will work tirelessly to create an unforgettable day that is perfect. From the linens to the doors being opened for your guests to the moment you toast and have your first dance, Russo’s is the trusted place that our clients have enjoyed for the last 25 years. We are confident that you will too.

Page 4: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Magazine PublisherFrank Russo, Jr. Russo’s On The Bay Owner

Magazine DirectorTrisha Ahlman

Editor-in-ChiefLaCosta Lolly

Columnist/ ContributorsLaCosta LollyBrett BachmanMaite Ballesteros Trisha Ahlman

Advertising SalesJohnny DezagoKelly GrecoJoe VaccaJoey Iaboni

Staff & AdministrationVinnie Vitucci, Executive AssistantMark Sweeney, Banquet Sales Manager

Design TeamTrisha AhlmanLaCosta LollyMark AhlmanKarl Tilston

Page 5: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

ModernTraditionsTo live is to celebrate occasions such as love, life and special moments that last for a lifetime. From traditional to modern, family values still remain. Whether simple or lavish, events are the heart and memories of tomorrow. Russo’s On The Bay where it all begins –

Russo’s On The BayDear Reader,

Throughout my years in the hospitality industry, I’ve had the honor and privilege of helping thousands of couples create the most memorable moments of their lives. Some of the brides whose communions took place at Russo’s On The Bay have hosted their weddings here and then their children’s communions. One thing has remained consistent throughout the last twenty-five years. No matter the party, the family, or the event; each of us shares a commitment to family and traditions.

Russo’s Modern Traditions is all about the passion that brings us together – a passion for a better life, more quality time with the people we love, and events that create legacies within our own families. Knowing our world is different now with technology, busy lives and going our separate ways, our goal is to give the reader tools, information and support to bring each of you closer to your own spouse, children and relatives so that we don’t lose sight of our family values. From creating an incredible party at home to hosting a spectacular catered affair, we will focus each issue around things that matter to our clients and readers. From gourmet food and recipes to a night out on the town, this magazine will take you on the journey of modern traditions and leave you with a renewed sense of what matters most

– celebrating life, love and special occasions together.In each issue, we’ll highlight some of the people that have made our legacy possible including both team members and clients. Were it not for the loyalty our clients have shown us over the years and the incredible staff that we have here at Russo’s On The Bay and Vetro, our company could not have become what it is today. Without the unwavering dedication to each and every event, we would certainly not be the force that we are. Starting with our Preview Bridal Edition as a sneak peak of what is to come in the near future, Russo’s Modern Traditions Magazine will highlight in the first edition the “Legacy of Russo’s” story – A True American Dream, features highlighting the expertise of employees, our loyal clients and their special moments, editorials, how to’s and much much more. Most importantly, we will capture the nostalgia of bringing people together for many issues to come.

Set to launch this fall, my family is proud to publish this magazine to showcase the best of the community and inspire everyone to live greater, more passionate lives.

Thank you,

Frank Russo, Jr4

Page 6: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

your own

Russo’s continues to dazzle brides and their guests with our phenomenal grand ballroom, perhaps the grandest room at Russo’s On The Bay. It is characterized by the large cocktail seating area, incredible chandeliers, and grand staircase entrance available to our wedding couples. The room is designed to accommodate up to five hundred and seventy-five of your most treasured guests, but the sliding wall allows you to shape the room for as few as two-hundred and twenty-five guests.

The Renaissance Room is our most popular wedding location. In addition to enjoying our luxurious bridal suite, impressing guests with the vast cocktail area, the terrace and experiencing the royal treatment of Russo’s On The Bay; our brides will have a grand entrance fit for a queen. The staircase entrance allows our bridal couples to appear into their reception from the wall and make their entrance as husband and wife from a grand staircase that leads them to their first dance as a married couple.

The Renaissance Room

The Renaissance Bride and Groom Entrance

The Tivoli Room

Modern Russo’s Brides love the Tivoli Room and the more modern look that appeals to many Russo’s Brides. The Tivoli Room is characterized by its simple mirrored ceilings, beautiful chandeliers and incredible flooring design. It’s the perfect backdrop for events ranging from communions and anniversary parties to sweet sixteen’s and weddings. Designed for up to two-hundred and sixty guests, the room can accommodate you and your guests for the night of your dreams.

CustomizeRoyal Affair at Russo’s

5

Page 7: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

Tivioli Grand Entrance Seasonal & Winter Weddings

Russo’s is a Great Backdrop for Photos

At Russo’s On The Bay and Vetro, our menus and décor change with the seasons. At Russo’s, we relish in the moment by creating a winter wonderland scene. The amazing seasonal décor is for couples who want to experience the wistfulness of Christmas time. Whether fall, winter, spring, or summer – you can ensure that your wedding will be as unique as the couple, taking on the beauty of each season with the design. It’s truly a time to remember for many years to come.

From our luscious green gardens and gazebo to our beautiful dramatic Patio Room, Russo’s has dozens of backdrops for photos to remember your special day. Many Russo’s Brides have created uniquely beautiful photo opportunities during Russo’s On The Bay weddings. In fact, though thousands of couples have walked through our doors in twenty-five years, our couples’ photos rarely look the same. Each couple works with their photographer to create an album that is unique to their style and personality.

Your wedding guests are seated as you watch them enjoy themselves from a video screen as the master of ceremony announces the names of the happy couple. Imagine rising from the center of the dance floor into the Tivoli Room as your wedding guests look on in awe. You become the center of attention, while you and your spouse share a brief, private moment in admiration before you enter the room. It’s truly a spectacular feeling to embrace each other as husband and wife. Finally, you and your new spouse make your first appearance in the grandest way possible.

Royal Affair at Russo’s

6

Page 8: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

your ownCustomize

Royal Affair atVetroNamed for Murano glass, the product that made the Venetian Island of Murano famous, the Murano room offers a modern twist to classic Italian beauty. The room’s clean lines and bold features combined with classic Murano glass sculpture makes this room a unique and beautiful location for any type of event. The Murano room at Vetro Restaurant and Lounge is the perfect location for weddings, corporate parties and social events of any kind and can seat up to one hundred and ten guests.

Enjoy an amazing bay-front view as you dine from the comfort of our incredible Murano Terrace. Take in the ambiance as you enjoy cocktails and socialize with friends and guests. The terrace is also a beautiful location for photos, creating a pristine bay backdrop to capture special moments. The Murano Terrace is truly a room with a view. It’s open, airy and well lit so that you and your guests can appreciate the moment. In the evening, the Terrace becomes a great place to gather as your party celebrates through the evening admiring the moonlit waters.

The Murano Room at Vetro

The Murano Terrace The Restaurant

Even when you aren’t hosting or attending a party, you can always enjoy our incredible cuisine at Vetro Restaurant & Lounge - where a unique dining experience awaits you. From the moment you walk through our doors, you will experience service like never before as you savor mouthwatering sensations prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. World renowned Chef, Michael DeGeorgio, personally creates the creative and classic Italian cuisine; combining traditional offerings with exciting international inspirations.

7

Page 9: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

Royal Affair atVetroVetro’s Amazing Display

of Murano Glass Sculptures

Vetro’s Quaint Wine Cellar

The Blue Lounge

With a selection of over 428 wines, we put incredible effort into our wine collection. Fortunately our sommelier, PJ Connolly has over 23 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and helps our guests pick the perfect wines for their menu selections. The quaint room is perfect for corporate events, social parties, and rehearsal dinners for up to eighty guests. It’s rich décor built of reclaimed wood with old world carved detailing highlighted by Tuscan beamed ceiling is a great setting for romantic events and gatherings.

The elegantly decorated lounge featuring live music is perfect to relax, have a drink and catch up with friends, family or business associates. From the moment you step foot into the elegant, beautiful blue and chocolate colored modern styled lounge, you feel like you’ve been swept away. Enjoy the music, the incredible beverage selection, one of our many wine choices, or top shelf liquors. It’s the perfect place for meeting friends before dinner or night cap. Take a deep breath and reminisce after a long day with family and friends at the Blue Lounge.

The origins of glassmaking in Venice go back to the times of the Roman Empire when molded glass was used for illumination in bathhouses. Blending Roman experience with skills and trade, Venice emerged as a prominent glass-manufacturing center as early as the 8th century. Today, Vetro has one amazing Murano glass sculpture after another. At every turn you are in awe of the amazing art. It not only adorns the Murano room, but throughout the entire venue as well. Our guests insist on touring Vetro to learn about the incredible Murano glass chandeliers and fine artifacts.

8

Page 10: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

our team at Russo’s and Vetroso unique compared to the restWhat MakesExecutive Pastry Chef, Marco Valencia, designs and creates sensational pastries, desserts, and cakes that are sure to impress every party guest. Our brides have worked with Chef Marco to create some of the most innovative and delicious designs available from crystal-encrusted fairy-tale styles to Mad-Hatter inspired pieces of art. Most importantly, because our focus is always on the quality, freshness and taste, you and your guests will never be let down by the taste of our delectable, mouthwatering cakes because you deserve your own magnificent show stopper.

Our outstanding cuisine is prepared with great care by our chefs to guarantee sumptuous dining. With two kitchens and an in-house bakery, you are guaranteed the freshest foods along with superb quality. Our menus change seasonally highlighting the delicacies of winter, spring, summer and fall. In addition to personally handpicking the freshest ingredients at Hunts Point and the New Fulton Fish Market, we also manage our own import company to guarantee only the highest quality products reach our shores from Italy and many other parts of the world.

Our senior management team has over 200 years of combined experience directing the most lavish events and parties. The most memorable of occasions calls for an exemplary standard in catering. At Russo’s On The Bay, we take pride in offering you the most elegant of surroundings. We have an award-winning, highly skilled staff, proficient in all aspects of the hospitality industry. You will find our staff to be courteous, prepared and genuinely concerned with the success of your affair. At Russo’s, our culture promotes passion and dedication at every opportunity.

Award-Winning Pastry Delights & Customized

Wedding Cakes

Our Five Star Gourmet Menu Selections

Our Amazing Talented Team of Professionals

Page 11: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

so unique compared to the restIf the beautiful bay view was not enough, the gardens of Russo’s On The Bay are incredible for photos and romantic moments. In the summer of 2010, Russo’s expanded their outside area to include a lavish garden overflowing with a variety of beautiful flowers and trellises with climbing vines along with a floating gazebo on the water. A perfect setting for picture taking, many of our brides utilize the area for their wedding photos, working with their photographers to create idyllic photos that truly capture their personality, joy, and romance on their wedding day.

At Russo’s, our designs represent the finest in traditional Italian décor with a hint of modern flair to dazzle you and your guests. No stone was left unturned throughout the entire facility. The floors are made of exquisite fine marble that extends through the remarkable venue. Russo’s takes great pride in making sure that when you and your guests arrive, every corner of the venue has been polished to perfection. Unforgettable moments start with the smallest of details. From the hand painted murals, to the etched glass doors, to the scenic view of the bay, our décor was designed to create a luxurious backdrop for your event.

Our team takes their work very seriously, especially when it comes to the food and drinks we serve to our guests. We are proud to have relationships with several premium beverage manufacturers and distributers, only serving our guests the best premium and top shelf options available. Featuring over 428 wines from around the world, we have an experienced sommelier on staff and all of our servers have basic training in wine and pairing to assist you with making your decisions. For those seeking wine education, we also offer wine classes several times a month.

Extraordinary Wine & Premium Drink

Selections

Beautiful Gardens Incredible Décor and Design

Page 12: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

at Russo’s and Vetro Are always w orth celebratingCasual Moments

Latin night is sure to get you moving and shaking. Our sensational entertainers drive the pulse of our Latin Night evenings as our guests enjoy the rooftop breeze, comfortable conversation seating, and beautiful views. Vetro Restaurant and Lounge’s new Latin Night on the Rooftop is guaranteed to be an exciting break from your weekday grind – take a break, relax, and enjoy the excitement of Vetro every Tuesday night. Celebrating modern traditions starts with enjoying the moment as we embrace the culture and richness of our community with family and friends. There is nothing like a night of dancing at Vetro.

Nights at The View on the Rooftop at Vetro start with cocktails and mingling. From there, you and your party will watch the sun go down as the music livens up. Enjoy a cozy seat on a comfortable lounge chair or dance the night away, the choice is yours. Featuring Latin Tuesdays, Disco Nights, Ladies Night, and featured DJ’s, there is never a dull night at Vetro. Get ready to experience an evening you’ll never forget. Part of making memories for a lifetime truly begins with a night of dancing. Starting in the lounge for cocktail hour, to a nice delicious dinner at the restaurant, and finally to the roof at Vetro – you’ll create a night to remember.

Latin Dancing on the Rooftop at Vetro

Sultry Summer Nights at the View

Sunday Brunch on The Terrace at Vetro

Many people enjoy Sunday Brunch with the family as a form of family tradition. Now you can enjoy Sunday Brunch like only Vetro Restaurant and Lounge can offer. Enjoy the terrace or the main dining room as you enjoy omelets, mimosas, desserts, baked delicacies, plated entrees and so much more. It’s a special combination of brunch and your favorite Vetro cuisine that everyone should experience at least once. To accentuate the day, the beauty of the water creates a wonderful nostalgic moment to captivate you and your guests.

11

Page 13: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Are always w orth celebratingCasual Moments

Birthdays and Other Celebrations

Charity Events & Fundraisers

Cooking Classes with Renowned Chef

Angels On The Bay, founded by Frank Russo, Jr., is among many of the charity events and fundraisers we host throughout the year. Attending these events is a wonderful way to support your community and experience the royal treatment at Russo’s. You can host your own fundraiser or charity event at Russo’s to ensure your respected donors and supporters are well taken care of. At Russo’s you can bring in unique entertainers such as jugglers, magicians, casino nights and musicians – all to raise money for your heartfelt cause. At Russo’s we never stop working to deliver the very best especially for our community.

Our renowned Executive Chef, Michael DeGeorgio, has been creating culinary delicacies for more than twenty years. Michael has numerous commendations by the James Bear Foundation, and is a consultant chef for Colavita Company, Darden Restaurant Group, Carmelina Tomatoes, and Unilever Foods. Now, everyone can benefit from DeGeorgio’s expertise by attending cooking classes. In the fall, we’ll be introducing kids cooking classes as a new tradition to bring families together. Children will enjoy the opportunity to share this moment with their family as they learn all about food, celebrating and being together.

Birthdays and social events are sensational at Russo’s On The Bay and Vetro. Our incredible selection of special occasion cakes offer a range of options designed to suit any style and preference. We’ve held unique theme parties for our guests that range from vintage-inspired to masquerades and Renaissance themes to wild New Year’s Eve themes. For your cherished little girl on her Sweet Sixteen, the sky is the limit as she designs her very own unforgettable party. In fact, any party is a perfect fit for Russo’s On The Bay and Vetro as our experienced and devoted team is always ready to make your event special and unique.

Page 14: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Unforgettable

Page 15: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Creating the wedding ceremony location of your dreams starts with a team of experts dedicated to making sure every detail, even the smallest, is considered. Get married in any of our beautiful banquet rooms and then invite your guests onto the terrace for cocktail hour as you to retreat to our beautiful, ethereal garden gazebo for photos with your wedding party. If you don’t have a dream wedding ceremony location planned, our team will even work with you to create transportation plans from the ceremony location or hotel by working with our preferred transportation service. You will have fewer worries on your big day as you enjoy your special moment. To help you create transportation plans for your guests that culminate at Russo’s On The Bay or Vetro Restaurant and Lounge, we take every measure into consideration.

In fact, our incredible consultant team at Russo’s On The Bay can help you create entire wedding weekends consisting of brunch offerings, rehearsal dinners, shower events, ceremony, and receptions – all because you are a Russo’s Bride and you deserve the best in service. Our commitment to create the perfect wedding day and attention to detail is by far the best benefit of having your occasion at Russo’s against all others.

The CeremonyRusso’s On The Bay and Vetro Restaurant and Lounge offer several incredible settings for an on-site wedding ceremony. Having your wedding on-site allows your guests the convenience of less travel so that the entire wedding party can start celebrating right away. (above features: Russo’s On The Bay Renaissance Room)

Page 16: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

Vassa Halatas of Wedding Dresser Couture by Vassa, has been in the fashion industry since the start of her career. Her specialization in wedding and even-ing apparel has allowed her to work closely with brides for over twenty years, helping each excited bride-to-be to choose the perfect gown for their big day. Vassa gives us her seven favorite tips for brides-to-be as they start their own journey of choosing a gown. DON’T dismiss a gown before you’ve taken it off the hanger! Every gown looks and fits differently when you try it on. It’s amazing how often brides-to-be are stunned by the gowns that weren’t that interesting on the rack. DO be open-minded!Try all different silhouettes and fabrics even if you are unsure of how they will look on you. You will be VERY surprised at the differences. DO stay true to your own personal style. Your wedding gown should reflect your personal style. Don’t be afraid to try colors, styles and shapes that fit your personal taste, but keep in mind that you want to be happy looking at the gown in your photos for years to come. DO make certain you love the WHOLE GOWN. When shopping for a gown to wear on the most important day of your life, make certain that you love the entire gown. While you may love several dif-ferent trains, bodices, or shapes; try to find a gown that you love from head to toe. Remember that most of your pictures are from the waist up and the train is usually bustled for a reception.

DON’T settle just to have a gownYou should never have a “BUT” in the sentence when choosing your wedding gown, (i.e. “I like the dress, but.....”). A wedding dress should feel like the most beautiful item you will ever wear. If you have to say “but” when describ-ing the gown, look for another gown. DON’T bring the whole family shoppingDon’t bring everyone you know with you when choosing your wedding gown. It’s a big decision and a very personal one. Not everyone will have the same vision as you and it is a nice surprise for your friends and family on the day of the wedding.

Choosing thePerfect Dress

Occasions/ Weddings

15

Page 17: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Photos: (Far Left Bottom Featuring: Angel Rivera, Couture Wedding Designer at Wedding Dresser Couture by Vassa.)

(Bottom Middle and Far Right: Russo’s Brides courtesy of Infinity Photography.)

Page 18: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Occasions/ Weddings

“Being an Icon is All About Being True to Yourself”

Page 19: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Every bride dreams of the perfect gown, the perfect place and the perfect day, but for those short of a $10 million budget to reenact the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, planning the perfect wedding is all about understanding priorities. Your wedding day is just one day, a mere 24 hours in a lifetime of marriage. The true importance of this particular day is that it is the day that you celebrate finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, your one perfect mate.

Anyone can have an iconic wedding, but it starts with understanding that the most important part of your wedding is you and your soon-to-be spouse! Throughout the engagement and the wedding planning process, remember to spend time together enjoying the journey. An iconic wedding starts with a happy couple and that should always be your primary focus.

You and your spouse have your own personalities, cultures, traditions and style. Your wedding day is all about the two of you. Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and show off your personal style and your style as a couple. There are several options for customizing your wedding day including customizing your cake, gown, rings, music and so much more.

Consider sitting down with your spouse-to-be and coming up with a list of your personal priorities. Feel free to keep it broad. Are you seriously concerned with the environment? Are you a vintage-inspired girl? Do you dream of fairy tale wedding glamour? What matters to your fiancé? Come up with creative ways to blend your personal styles to create a customized wedding experience. Remember to take into consideration family traditions, culture and heritage, religion, personality traits, important causes, and family remembrance.

Most locations and vendors will work with you in regards to style and design of your wedding from the menu to the lighting and from fashion to music.

The first priority for every couple should be the relationship itself, but how do you start organizing the rest of your priorities? Unless you are eloping, your first priority for your wedding will likely be your guests – being surrounded by friends and family on your special day. What follows that is entirely up to the two of you as a couple. Is the food most important or do you want the ideal setting?

Determining your priorities will help you plan your wedding and your budget in a less stressful way.

It Starts With a Happy Couple

Set Your Wedding Day Priorities

Show Your Style as Couple

Secrets to a TrulyIconicWedding

…It’s all in the little details

Your Wedding is Your Day and Your Chance to Show Off Your Personal Style

Page 20: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

What is Your TopPlanning Priority?

Start with your top priority to help relieve the stress of the wedding planning process. If your top priority is handled, you can begin to relax and enjoy the process. What is your priority? Take a moment to list out all of the important wedding components including food, venue, ceremony, gown, entertainment, cake, personal taste, guest list, floral decoration, and transportation. Go through the list with your spouse and rate each one in order of priority. You can use a wedding planner like the one featured on the Knot with 200 pages to help you get organized. Most importantly, ask what are the most important aspects of your own perfect wedding day?

My Rating My Fiance’s Rating

Food

Gown

Cake

Entertainment

Location

Photography

If your top priority is for your guests to experience incredible food, be satisfied with their meals and have several menu choices – start your wedding planning process by interviewing and touring catering halls and be sure that you have the opportunity to taste the food. Ask about how their food is prepared, what type of ingredients goes into the menu and where their food comes from. Make sure that what they serve is fresh and local whenever possible to ensure the highest quality for your guests. Nothing is worse than remembering how horrible the food was 20 years from now.

The best entertainment can sometimes book up early, so talk to some of the leading entertainment vendors soon in the process. When you pick an entertainer, make sure that you select a reception venue that can accommodate the technological and acoustic needs of the entertainment group. To get great entertainment on a smaller budget, consider looking at weekday evenings instead of weekends when many entertainment groups are already booked. Also, make sure your entertainment company knows how to keep the room energized and entertained. Ask the company how it plans the music, be sure to ask for references and make sure they are reputable. You want to help them create an unforgettable evening but it’s always best to take expert advice and be flexible.

Entertainment

Food

Page 21: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Russo’s Modern Traditions | Page

Most reception halls and catering venues offer incredible places to take photos. Look through the catalogs and speak to recommended photographers. Most photography studios are happy to show you catalogs and portfolios to help you make a decision. Ask the photographer questions and check their skills and capabilities. It’s important to know the camera types, styles, lighting, and effects that are used to ensure you receive flawless prints to remember your perfect day.

If a perfect location is the most important priority on your list, start with researching different locations. Visit the venues, browse photo catalogs, and ask the salesperson about how they can make the location suit your personal style. Look at the venues photo catalogs to get ideas for your own reception, ceremony and photography. Remember that wedding locations often offer several different options to customize the location including lighting packages, linens and more. Most importantly, make sure to find out their number of years of experience in the industry, how seasoned their staff are and if they use outside vendors for things such as valet or do they do everything in-house. The answers could make the difference in a quality experience. These questions will help you avoid any potential last minute disasters.

Location

Photographer

If the perfect gown is the highest priority on your list, think about the gown shopping first. You don’t have to purchase the gown first, but start shopping early. Have you always dreamed of a princess gown with large cathedral train? You may want to avoid outdoor locations where the train will be cumbersome. Keep in mind that the perfect gown is not always the most expensive. Many designers can help you design a custom dress. Seamstresses can also help you to create the perfect gown from great vintage finds. Start trying on gowns early to make your decisions on style and type of gown. Then pick the locations and settings that will best compliment the gown.

If your cake is #1 on your list, look for a catering hall or baker that is seasoned in creating customized, detailed, and delicious wedding cakes. Look for opportunities to taste their cakes and desserts as soon as possible to ensure that you not only have beautiful design, but incredible flavor. Second to the bride and groom, the cake is one of the biggest ‘wow’ factors in today’s weddings. Ask the company you choose how customized they can make the cake and their transportation policies (if you choose an offsite caterer) to know how soon you can bring the cake to the venue.

Cake

The Gown

20

Page 22: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Forever Love

Page 23: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

Photo courtesy of: InfinityPhotography.com

Page 24: Russo's Modern Traditions Magazine

RUSSO’S ANNOUNCEMENTSFor Our 25th Anniversary

Preferred Vendor ProgramOur Preferred Vendor Program has existed for some time, with Vendor Concierge, Kelly Greco, handling all of Russo’s Brides’ vendor coordination efforts. As Vendor Concierge, Kelly researches, tests, and spot checks each and every vendor that is part of Russo’s Preferred Vendor Program. Most importantly, when having your event at Russo’s On The Bay or Vetro Restaurant & Lounge, using one of our Preferred Vendors provides you our courtesy guarantee that if you are unsatisfied with the service of a Preferred Vendor, our team will guarantee your service with them. We do this because we know the risk of choosing just anyone to assist in your wedding plans and we believe in the strong relationships that we have with our vendors.

25th Anniversary MenuAs we begin our 25th Anniversary, we have updated our Wedding Menu to allow our newly engaged couples a customized affair that they will never forget. The 25th Anniversary menu includes an updated cocktail hour, an appetizer course, pasta and risotto combination, intermezzo or salad course, our signature 11-choice entrée selection, and an elegant customized cake from our in-house bakery. The 25th Anniversary Menu also allows each bride and groom to customize their wedding from linen packages to ambient lighting to truly make it the “royal” affair they have always dreamed of.

Russo’s Modern Traditions MagazineIntroducing Russo’s Modern Traditions Magazine, a new publication produced by Russo’s On The Bay that focuses on food, family, lifestyles, and – of course – events and special occasions. Our readers will enjoy cooking tips, wine advice, local family activities, event planning expertise from our team of seasoned professionals, while bringing our favorite recipes from Russo’s and Vetro home with special features from Chef Michael DeGeorgio. Russo’s Modern Traditions is a great way to bring the Russo’s experience home and to share the Russo’s experience with everyone you love. Remembering and celebrating our core family values with a hint of modern twists is the real essence of Russo’s Modern Traditions.

A New Russo’s Web ExperienceOur clientele is intelligent, classy and sophisticated. They are educated and want to know more about planning the perfect party, food, wine, corporate events, and lifestyle tips. Because they associate quality with value, the new RussosOnTheBay.com Web site was designed to help our clientele experience the service of Russo’s On The Bay virtually. From expansive photo galleries to educational information, you can rely on RussosOnTheBay.com as the ‘go-to’ resource for all of the information you need when planning an event or hosting a party.

To learn more call:Russo’s On The Bay

Trisha Ahlman, Magazine Director800-935-8490 ext. 4

RussosOnTheBay/ModernTraditions.com

Russo’s On The BayKelly Greco, Vendor Concierge

718-843-5055RussosOnTheBay.com

Russo’s On The BayMark Sweeney, Banquet Sales Manager

718-843-5055RussosOnTheBay.com