Long Island Gay Weddings

5 Easy DIY Engagement Party Beverages

LIGW Admin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:37:58 +0000

1. Fruit Pops and Prosecco

Having an outside engagement party? Try this frozen fruit pop drink with a splash of Prosecco to lighten up the mood and cool you off in the warm temperature. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.

2. Carolina Peach Sangria

Ingredients

1 (750-milliliter) bottle rosé wine
¾ cup vodka
½ cup peach nectar
6 tablespoons thawed frozen lemonade concentrate
2 tablespoons sugar
1 pound ripe peaches, peeled and sliced
1 (6-oz.) package fresh raspberries
2 cups club soda, chilled

Preparation

Combine first 5 ingredients in a pitcher; stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in peaches and raspberries. Cover and chill 8 hours.
Stir in chilled club soda just before serving.
Peach-flavored vodka may be substituted. Omit peach nectar.
1 cup frozen raspberries may be substituted.

3. Watermelon Lime Jello Shots

Ingredients:

10 limes, pulp removed
1 box red Jello (I used strawberry because my grocery store didn’t carry watermelon flavored, but obviously if yours has watermelon – grab it!)
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold vodka (Again, if you have melon flavored, go for it)
Mini chocolate chips

Preparation

Halve limes and use a paring knife around the edges of the halves to loosen the pulp from the rind. My technique was to do this, and then juice them with my KitchenAid attachment, which helped remove the loosened pulp. Plus, then I got a cup of freshly squeezed lime juice! I also used my (clean) fingers to finally help scrape out the resilient pulp under a running faucet. Set lime halves aside, empty side up.
Add 1 cup of boiling water to the Jello powder, and stir for 2 minutes until fully dissolved.
Stir in cup of cold vodka.
Pour mixture into lime halves, filling all the way to the top.
Chill Jello-limes in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut each lime half in half again, making wedges.
Stick in chocolate chips, if desired.

4. Fresh Melon Quenchers

Ingredients

1 – 1 ½ cups cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon puree*(about a quarter of a 4 lb. melon)
3 ice cubes
¼ inch slice fresh ginger, grated
Plain low-fat yogurt
1 – 2 teaspoons honey
Shredded lime peel (optional)
Plain or flavored sparkling water

Preparation

Puree melon by coarsely chopping melon and transfering to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. If needed, stop motor and press fruit down into blades with rubber spatula or spoon and continue to blend until smooth.
In blender container, combine melon puree, ice cubes, ginger, a teaspoon or two of yogurt, and honey.
Blend just until mixture is frothy and smooth.
Pour into serving glass. Add additional honey to adjust sweetness. Stir in lime peel to taste.
Add sparkling water to fill glass. Serve with Frozen Melon Drink Skewers.
Serve immediately.

5. Kamikaze

Ingredients

2 ounces vodka
2 ounces lime juice
1 ounce orange liqueur
Lime wedge

Preparation

In a cocktail shaker combine vodka, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
Add ice cubes; cover and shake until very cold.
Strain liquid into vodka glasses set in a bowl of ice or, if desired, into a glass filled with additional ice cubes.
Garnish with lime wedge. Makes 1 serving.

Looking Great: Wedding Prep

LIGW Admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:27:25 +0000

Everyday life can be stressful alone, but when adding planning a wedding to the mix can help cause an unexpected weight gain. Many women try to lose those few extra pounds before their wedding to fit into that perfect dream dress and some tend to gain even more pounds due to the pressure of wedding planning. Your wedding day is your dream day and of course you want to look absolutely flawless. Well to those in need of a plan and outcome here are some helpful tips and suggestions.

One place that happens to be extremely helpful as well as pleasant is Cleansing Concepts. Cleansing Concept helps to improve the quality of life through detoxification providing colon cleansing, ion therapy, infrared sauna therapy, living clay therapy, fit body wrap, and even a three week wedding detox. The three week wedding detox includes three colonics, three sauna sessions, and 3 foot baths as well as cleansing diet and supplements can be the perfect package. Another option, if this package doesn’t suit your taste or time availability, is their fit body wrap which only takes an hour. The fit body wrap is very much relaxing as you lay on a heated bed while you listen to soothing music which for most brides-to-be would be a nice get away from the chaotic wedding planning. Cleansing concept now has two different locations at 309 Madison Street, Suite #4 in Westbury, NY and 269 East Main Street, Suite #F1 in Smithtown, NY. For more information you can call 516.640.5322 for the Westbury location and 631.656.6313 for the Smithtown location or email them at info@cleansingconceptsinc.com.

For those who don’t have much time in the day to fit these items in or would like to add to their detox plan try the simply eating healthy way. It is important to manage your diet during these stressful times. You’re on the move all day so you may not have time to have a healthy home cooked meal and end up making a fast food run but no worries here is what you can do. If you like smoothies try a healthy smoothie to replace a meal.

A healthy smoothie can consist of anything from all your green vegetables to your red berry fruits. For example the Cherry Vanilla Smoothie with the following ingredients:

1 cup frozen cherries
6 oz vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt
4 oz 100% pomegranate juice
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1/2 cup ice

Try to prepare your smoothie options either before bed or in the morning. Of course don’t skip any meals and make sure you are not skipping out on breakfast. A major aspect as well to include is trying when possible to also get some exercising in especially cardio. Also don’t forget when your taste testing eat a small portion. Good Luck!

University Club

LIGW Admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:26:33 +0000

Located on the beautiful private campus of Hofstra University, the University Club is the ideal venue to host a reception, dinner, or shower. Our professional staff and culinary team are ready to meet your needs by tailoring our services for your event. Our venue seats up to 180 banquet-style seating for any special catered events. Outdoor patios and two smaller private intimate rooms to accommodate ceremonies, cocktail receptions, showers, Sweet Sixteens, anniversary parties, or any special occasion.

Perfect for weddings, the Presidential Room features a full bar and lounge area, dance floor, and gracious view of the outdoor patio and Hofstra Bird Sanctuary.

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Lessings

LIGW Admin — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:20:43 +0000

Trust, Understanding & Commitment

More than just words, these ideals form the foundation of a lifetime of memories. At Lessings, we have the understanding and commitment to Catering a beautiful Waterfront Wedding that will add to your most Cherished memories.

Specializing in one Wedding at a time, our Historic Waterfront Mansions, Waterfront Country Clubs or Restaurants will provide the perfect location for your intimate event.

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Club Corp

LIGW Admin — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:16:03 +0000

Club Corp, the world leader in private clubs, is proud to present their three Long Island locations. Whether it’s their flagship property, The Hamlet Golf and Country Club in Commack, known for its understated elegance and award-winning cuisine, the country elegance of Willow Creek in Mt. Sinai or the stunning panoramic views at the Windwatch in Hauppauge, the Club Corp team of professionals will ensure your wedding day is the experience of a lifetime. Please contact one of our prestigious properties if you are looking for a truly unique wedding experience.

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The Inn at Great Neck

LIGW Admin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:43:14 +0000

The Inn at Great Neck provides its guests with a sophisticated boutique hotel located on Long Island’s beautiful and historic Gold Coast.

The Inn offers a variety of accommodations to meet the individual needs of our guests. Whether you are looking for space to stretch out, relaxing in-room luxuries, oversized or romantic suites, or adjoining rooms that offer proximity with privacy, the Inn will provide you with maximum comfort accompanied by a wide array of amenities and services. Discounted group rates are offered to wedding guests within a block of rooms, and complimentary Romance Packages are offered to the happy couple on their wedding night.

The Inn can host events and occasions from parties of 10 to parties of 200. From an intimate banquet event to an elaborate catered affair, the team at the Inn at Great Neck can assist you, ensuring that your needs are met and that we “exceed your expectations” for a spectacular day or evening. The Inn offers diverse buffet style menus and an array of plated table service menus to meet your specific needs for the affair you are seeking to host. In addition, the Inn is the perfect venue to host a variety of pre and post wedding functions.

We look forward to the honor and privilege of being the host hote lthroughout your celebration.

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Ceremonies of the Heart

LIGW Admin — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:08:59 +0000

Congratulations and Welcome to Ceremonies of the Heart!

I am Reverend Debra A. Viola, or as many of my clients and friends call me; Rev. Deb. I am an Ordained Interfaith Minister of Spiritual Counseling and Healing and a Licensed Master Social Worker.

My associates and I specialize in heart centered & personalized wedding ceremonies that reflect your love, beliefs & life. We can provide you with a variety of different ceremonies; Religious, Spiritual, Interfaith, and Civil or Secular.

When two people are in love and want create a life together the most natural process for them is to share their bliss and happiness with those closest to them. To celebrate all that their love holds for them and the brilliant future that they look forward to. This is the most perfect expression of all that the gift of love is capable of creating in our lives! A wedding ceremony is the outward form and the highest expression of this love. Marriage tells the world we are family like no other institution can!

I have never been more proud to be a New Yorker than last year when the Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage! I was able to marry my partner this year and I know firsthand what a momentous gift it is to be able to share and celebrate your love and relationship with your family, friends and the world! It was a day I will never forget!

Let us help you to create a wedding ceremony that will live in your hearts forever! We can create a Wedding that reflects your values, your beliefs, and your unique love. We can provide you with reading selections, choices of ceremony segments, vows, music, and more. Together we will create a unique and personalized ceremony especially for you two. One of the things that our couples love most about our services is our attention to the personal aspects, those details that make you two a unique couple!

The process of planning a wedding is overwhelming and exhilarating. We will help you make the ceremony process easy and simple. We will go over with you all the options that are available in creating your ceremony. And together we will create the ceremony of your dreams! A custom written ceremonies that is unique for you as couple.

We also have Rabbi’s available and Minister & Rabbi teams for Interfaith ceremonies. We offer pre-marriage counseling and individual / couples counseling services.
It would be an honor for us to share in your wedding day.

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Fusion DL

LIGW Admin — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:13:28 +0000

Land’s End

LIGW Admin — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:48:09 +0000

With Land’s Ends seaside charm, this classic Tudor style Mansion looks out over the Great South Bay, the Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove. Land’s End is located in the quaint town of Sayville, Long Island offering its amazing waterfront views.

Stroll through impeccably kept gardens or gaze out from the canopied deck at captivating sunsets creating the perfect backdrop for your most memorable day. With your ceremony overlooking the beach, a spacious cocktail room, separate grand ballroom, private bridal suite, charming cordial room and on site accommodations for your guests, you are sure to find Land’s End a spectacular location for your Wedding.

At Land’s End we are devoted exclusively to you, as only one Wedding occurs at a time. Our professional event hosts who provide you with an exceptional level of elegance and intimacy through meticulous planning and lavish surroundings. An experienced culinary staff will pride themselves on flawless presentation and culinary excellence, and our service staff will bestow personal service upon your guests to meet all their needs.

Throughout your event, you and your guests will enjoy the delectable gourmet cuisine which will be specially prepared and perfectly executed by our culinary trained chefs. For an enchanting evening or an elegant afternoon, you will see that the possibilities for your affair at Land’s End are endless.

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Cleansing Concepts

LIGW Admin — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:43:18 +0000

Cleansing Concepts specializes in detoxification therapies. At Cleansing Concepts our goal is to detoxify and rejuvenate the body, so that your quality of life is greatly enhanced. Giving us longer, healthier and happier lives. By detoxifying the body, you not only eliminate harmful toxins but you also reduce inflammation that causes disease. We focus on your individual needs and support you through the cleansing process.

The services offered at Cleansing Concepts include Colon Hydrotherapy, Bio Mat Enhanced Ionic Foot Bath Treatments, Far Infrared Sauna Therapy, and Fit Body Wrap Weight Loss Treatments and Detox Clay Supplementation. We use the most advanced equipment on the market that delivers a safe and effective cleanse. Some of the benefits of cleansing the body include weight loss, skin health, improving digestive health,reducing stress, and boosting the immune system. Our warm and friendly staff are fully trained and certified. Our clean and relaxing office is designed to provide you with the most comfortable and private cleansing experience.

Cleansing Concepts has been the leader in this industry for over 4 years. We have been voted Best of Long Island 2011 & 2012 and are continuing to bring our clients incredible service at affordable prices. In the world we live in today it is impossible not to be effected by toxins on a daily basis. It is so important that we educate ourselves on how to prevent health risks and how to naturally treat what ails us. Learn more about Cleansing Concepts 3 Week Wedding Detox to ensure you look and feel your best on this special day!