- 6:22 PM: The Poolside Reception was already in high gear by the time I arrived. As I was following a group on over I took a view of as many people as I could. Many more attendees arrived throughout the evening, as some had just flew in or checked in at the hotel. The two bars set up at opposite sides of the area slowly began to see lines. With the flow of alcohol at an even rate, the levels of laughter got louder as time went by. The hors d'oeuvres flew in on large platters held by curtious hotel staff and they never seemed to run out. - Adjacent to the pool area was a short flight of stairs which came in handy with taking slightly elevated group shots. Everyone was in a great mood. Some attendees had spoken about how long they had waited to attend the Bromeliad Extravaganza. The weather for the reception was flawless, with the only irritation coming from a low flying aircraft or two, but many didn't seem to mind. - The first of many photos featuring the Keynote Speaker of the 2007 Bromeliad Extravaganza, Chester Skotak. He is standing next to his wife and they are with Vendor Eloise Beach and Attendee Jim Pearce. - During the Poolside Reception, a small silent auction took place and it featured some hard-to-find books and other interesting items. - Live music was provided and the musician performed just about non-stop and did an excellent job. Everyone enjoyed listening to him and some broke out into a dance or two, or three. - Three of the busiest people at the Extravaganza. The entire event would not have gone as smoothly without the efforts of Extravaganza Chairmain and Bromeliad Society of Broward County Past-President Jose Donayre, Society President Colleen Hendrix, and Society Vice-President Tim Hendrix. - The silent auction table gets worked over quite well by just about everyone, including myself. In the center wearing the gloves is Extravaganza Speaker Dr. Theresa Bert and she gives a rare book a good look over. - 7:02PM: Extravaganza Chairman Jose Donayre gives a welcoming speech to everyone at the Reception. He thanked everyone who traveled to be there and all the volunteers who collaborated to make the Extravaganza a reality. - A few minutes later, Jose gave the mic on over to Society President Colleen Hendrix. She welcomed everyone again and gave a brief run-down on the following days events. - A brief moment to capture two of the Extravaganza's Speakers a day before each of their seminars. Director of the Mulford B. Foster Bromeliad Identification Center Harry Luther and Dr. Theresa Bert. - 7:20PM: The sun begins to go down as the group shots continue, music plays in the background and the bars seldom see a quiet moment. Vendor Eloise Beach poses next to Keynote Speaker Chester Skotak, his wife and veteran collector and Society member Maureen Frazel. - The music became too powerful to resist so Extravaganza Chairman Jose Donayre begins to dance with attendee Sandy Roth. - They continue to dance for several minutes and neither seemed to get tired. - Members Maureen & Bill Frazel spent the night talking with everyone. They are very friendly and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Ryan

I go to a lot of weddings, and I NEVER see receiving lines. And I don't miss them! It's a long boring wait in line, standing in high heels, when I could be having a cocktail and appetizers and socializing. I'm sure the bridesmaids and ushers have as little interest in meeting me as I have in meeting them. As for the bride, groom, and their parents, I'll speak to them all sooner or later; at the very least when the bride and groom come around to all the tables, and when I greet the parents at the beginning of the reception and then thank and say goodbye to them at the end. But then, I never see a reception 4 hours after the wedding, either, and I, too, wonder what the guests are supposed to do with themselves for all that time. If, though, it's the opposite of assumption -- that is, with the smaller number being invited to the reception only -- then I suppose you'd have to do SOMETHING so that the couple and their families can greet the ceremony-only guests. A receiving line would be one solution. But I think I would prefer a short sort of mini-reception, maybe coffee and cookies and perhaps champagne, so that you are offering those guests SOMETHING. I also never see a grand entrance for anyone but the bridal couple (and actually I think even that's a little silly -- but not a big deal).

We seem to have 2 threads going. This is what part of what i posted on the other thread in ans to SanddNY's ? There is a dunkin donut shop at 15 W Main Street aka Montauk Highway. I will post this information on the other thread and see who responds how about 10:30 meeting time? Please answer if ytou will be able to make it. Marci

My immediate reaction was English/irish or house converted into a grand hotel. Like the one where I had my wedding reception, up in the hills a few miles from my home town in Ireland. It is so lovely. And yes, fires were essential. My mother was quite skilled at maintaining a fire all day and getting it to the point of never being fully extinguished. One needs those embers the next (freezing) cold morning. Fire scares the bejesus out of me, I have decorative logs, fairy lights and large candles in my fireplace. I am good at pretending ;-)