Tuesday, June 22, 2010

"Double Happiness"

Sure to be Orlando's Must-Attend Bridal Event of the Year, A Sophisticated Bridal Showcase is not to be missed. This year's theme is "Double Happiness", featuring the most elegant and innovative must-haves for any wedding. Unique Option will be there, providing a jazz lounge as well as other displays.

Showcase Features:

  • Over 90 professional wedding vendors
  • Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, cakes and pastries
  • Live entertainment provided by electric harpist and international recording artist, Meko
  • Hottest wedding trends on display
  • Grand prize is a 4 day/3 night trip for 2 to Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, courtesy of All About Travel and Radisson Aruba Resort. Grand Prize Giveaway Terms
  • Runway fashion show with bridal and bridal party fashions provided exclusively by Solutions Bridal Designer House.

Come by the Unique Option booth and say Hi!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Your Event Partner Surges Ahead!

We at Unique Option would like to share some exciting news about some proactive organizational changes to our business. Our excitement about the building of the most specialized team in the industry is perfectly matched to the enthusiasm for our ambitious next phase of development. Unique Option is a team focused on building successful events, through the leveraging of our professional skills and diverse products and services. Allow me to introduce you to the new faces of the Unique Option team!

Ricardo Brown
Financial Analyst/Accountant

Ricardo has reason to have his head in the clouds, he is a recent parent and citizen of the United States, having moved from Spanish Town, Jamaica. He finds humor in watching Family Guy through quips like "You know what grinds my gears...?" Since leaving Jamaica, Ricardo has truly developed his epicurean tastes; growing away from Ackee & Salt Fish and spending his hard earned cash at the Hong Kong Buffet. When asked what he would do if he won the lottery, Ricardo simply said: "I would take a day off and soak it in." As our accountant, we're confident that if he does win, he'll spend it wisely while enjoying his time at Jamaica's Hedonism II Resort.
Jackie Becker
Senior Account Executive Jackie joined Unique Option a mere nine months ago, and since then she has worked tirelessly to save her money to make it back to the Florida Keys. "Carpe diem!" is not just her favorite quote, but a work ethic she applies daily. Prior to joining Unique, Jackie was instrumental in making every brides dream a reality while with Uniquely Yours Wedding and Event Specialist. Born and raised here in Florida; Jackie left Merritt Island to pursue her education here in Orlando. She likes spending time with friends and family and cheers on the Knights during football season. When not at Blue Martini or Maria Bonita you'll find this dedicated and spontaneous gal buzzing around town meeting with clients and building relationships.
Noor ZufariSales & Marketing Associate When Noor is not living it up in Paris or tripping off to the Middle East, you can find her enjoying the company of friends at Chipotle. Born in Fort Smith, AR and now living in Winter Park, this passionate and loyal person dreams of returning the favor and spoiling her family. Since joining Unique Option in May of this year, Noor has leveraged her knowledge and skills from her previous role as a Medical Billing Account Manager to help us succeed in coordinating client needs, process improvement, and building relationships. Looking forward, Noor relates to Lewis Carroll's character Alice's statement, "But it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."

Brittany DytrychSales & Marketing AssociateBrittany joins the Unique Option team after holding the position of Executive Assistant to the General Manager, Radisson Hotel. Originally from Chicago, IL, Brittany relocated to Central Florida to attend school at UCF, to obtain her BS degree through the Rosen School of Hospitality Management. Her taste in food is similar to her desire to travel- eclectic! Drawing inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us," Brittany is an exciting addition to the team.


The Logistics Team:
Mark Roque, raised in Chicago, IL, relocated to Orlando and has been working for Unique Option since Thanksgiving of 2007. Mark has been at the center of every one of our events since then, ensuring on time delivery with a smile. As the "Go-To-Guy" of our seamless logistics operation, Mark strives for excellence day in and day out.


Rod Scott, born and raised in Montgomery, AL, relocated to Kissimmee, FL a little over two years ago. Since then Rod has been a dedicated and reliable resource within our logistics team. Quality is what drives Rod. Our furniture and decor require delicate upkeep and no one understands that better than Rod.




Unique Option has become the jewel of Awny's career. He says, "If I had to conceive a job that encompasses all my passion and draws on my past professional experience, it would be exactly what I do at Unique Option." Developing solutions to create visual and functional enhancements to events, furniture and decor, Awny summarizes his drive as: "Winning for your team is my job."
Born in Medina, Saudi Arabia, Awny grew up working in the family hotel business where he remembers his father's instruction; "You have to get it right the first time and every time." Awny attended Texas A&M University where he earned a degree in Finance. He later joined Citibank's Saudi Arabian subsidiary and remained in the Bank's Jeddah branch for a few years where he was promoted to manager before leaving in 1987. Upon leaving Citibank, Awny became the Finance Director and COO of Umra Tours, a local DMC; with overseas offices in South Africa, England, and Singapore. Until this day Awny remains active in the hotel and DMC business through various partnerships. In 1993 Awny started Mayasim Ltd. a design and supply-consulting company for new and refurbished hotel properties. Mayasim Ltd. used the Central Florida hospitality rich market as its American gateway to products and services. Awny moved back to the United States in 1996 and continued the consulting business from his Orlando, FL home where he continues to live.

The Best Is Yet To Come...

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Reception-Less Weddings

Picture a wedding. Did you picture a large ballroom with gorgeous centerpieces and layers of tables upon tables with their place settings? Tradition would have you believe that every wedding needs a sit down dinner. Sure, everyone enjoys the steak/Chilean sea bass (if you dare) option but the whole process takes up at least an hour just to get people seated and a full drama mini-series to get the seating arrangements right. Consider an
alternative option that would allow for more fun and mingling and less restrictions.

Doing away with the banquet style reception opens the doors to different locations that are usually crossed off the list for their lack of space. Of course, we are not suggesting food should not be served or skimmed on or that there should not be plenty of seating options. We are offering an opportunity to innovate without sacrificing the essence of the event.

More and more, brides and grooms are opting for smaller, more intimate weddings that end earlier and allow for an even more intimate after-party. This weekend, Unique Option had the honor of designing just such a “reception-less” wedding at the Jacksonville Public Library. The outdoor courtyard was beautiful in itself and with the addition of choice seating and decor, the mood was set for a memorable night!