ORLANDO (March 14, 2009) – Eager brides seeking to plan the wedding of their dreams, just like those seen on TV reality shows or in celebrity wedding magazines, are often shocked to find out just how much these over-the-top events can actually cost. But one award-winning Orlando hotel is doing the unheard of — helping brides to achieve the wedding of their dreams at a fraction of the cost by offering complimentary planning services throughout the entire process, as well as plenty of money-saving tips along the way.
Named a 2008 top wedding location by The Knot Best of Weddings magazine, which is published by The Knot Inc., the number one rated weddings website and trusted weddings resource, Rosen Plaza has long been applying its meetings expertise to the weddings business. While many convention hotels may shun the bridal business for being too time consuming or troublesome, Rosen Plaza prides itself on taking the time to create the event of a lifetime for each and every couple, creating more than 120 dream weddings each year.
Rosen Plaza brides have the benefit of working with the hotel’s two dedicated wedding/catering managers from the first time they call until the day they walk down the aisle. Acting as each bride’s personal wedding planner, they guide them through each step of the process, from selecting menus and colors of linens, in choosing vendors like florists and deejays, as well as themes, decorative elements and favors. Each will even coach inexperienced couples on the appropriate time to send their save-the-date cards and invitations, and will also manage the wedding rehearsal if needed.
“I love to help couples create the wedding of their dreams, and I love working with brides —and yes, even their mothers,” joked Juan Guzman, one of the two hotel wedding/catering managers, who stresses the importance of maintaining a cool head and a sense of humor throughout the wedding planning process. “No matter what the bride’s vision is, we do our best to work within the budget to make it come true.”
The wedding pro once helped one bride bring her fairytale to life with a Cinderella-themed wedding, complete with a pumpkin-shaped carriage — inside the Rosen Plaza ballroom! He recently helped another couple with an Aladdin theme to surprise their guests by popping out of a genie’s bottle.
To help couples better manage their wedding budget, Rosen Plaza offers customizable packages with a range of per-person prices, including the Elite Wedding Package, Grand Wedding Package, Premier Wedding Package, as well as Cocktail Receptions. Other pre-packaged, yet flexible options include the addition of hot or cold hors d’oeuvres, a variety of fruit, crudité and antipasto displays, and several fresh cooking and carving station options. The hotel also bundles its wedding services into customizable categories such as decorations, rehearsal dinner and others. Menus can be tailored to meet every taste, budget and dietary restriction.
Rosen Plaza also offers couples on a tight budget a variety of ways to save money throughout the process. Some of the hotel’s most popular money-saving tips include advising budget-conscious couples to tie the knot on a Friday evening or Sunday, when the event space is less expensive. They also recommend using plants and greenery rather than flowers. Not only are plants less expensive than flowers, but they can be taken home and replanted or given to guests. Budget brides may also opt to serve chicken rather than more expensive options like steak or fish. According to Robin Simmons, another of the hotel’s wedding/catering managers, chicken can look equally as elegant when paired with a sauce or upscale side dishes. When it comes to wedding photos, both managers remind couples to ask their photographer for a CD and print their own images, rather than paying for expensive prints. And, providing the proverbial icing on the cake, Rosen Plaza also offers each wedding couple a free night’s stay on their first anniversary.
The nuptials experts also keep a sharp eye on national wedding trends, including the increasingly popular “Candy Stations,” in which couples offer a variety of self-serve candies for guests to select and scoop, offering a fun reception-time activity and an economical wedding favor.
The hotel’s convenient address in the heart of International Drive in Orlando makes it the ideal location for brides in Central Florida as well as those planning an Orlando destination wedding. With a large heated swimming pool and spa, fitness center, four onsite restaurants and its own nightclub, Backstage at Rosen Plaza, as well as complimentary scheduled transportation to Universal Orlando, Sea World Orlando and Wet n’ Wild Orlando, the hotel provides wedding guests instant access to a variety of entertainment options. The hotel also offers complimentary scheduled transportation to Shingle Creek Golf Club, The Spa at Shingle Creek and Body & Sol Spa at Rosen Centre. Rosen Plaza is just steps away from Pointe Orlando, which offers dozens of shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment options, including nationally acclaimed names such as Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café and Emporium, The Oceanaire Seafood Room and B.B. King’s Blues Club.
Rosen Plaza is located at 9700 International Drive, Orlando, FL just 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport and adjacent to the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center. For more information, visit www.rosenplaza.com or call 1-800-627-8258.