April 20, 2011
Ritz-Carlton Introduces Specialized Same-Sex Wedding Service
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Palm Beach, FL., April 2011 - As a destination weddings leader in the Ritz-Carlton portfolio, The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach recently announced Nancy Salatto-Deighan as a certified gay weddings specialist.
As the first hotel in the state of Florida to embrace this niche and the only Ritz-Carlton hotel, Ms. Deighan completed a specialized course led by the 14 Stories Gay Wedding Institute, focusing on the nuances and details pertinent to the gay wedding ceremonies and celebrations from assistance with invitations, details with processionals, traditions, language and vendor selection.
As a testament to the standards of excellence and unparalleled service of The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, this certification will be extended to the entire catering sales and special event team to assure that our same-sex couples have a flawless celebration throughout their stay.
"The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach can further provide exemplary options and service to our guests and it is with great pride that The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach build a community for same-sex couples to celebrate their love and lives together," according to Michael King, General Manager.
As one of the resort's dedicated on-site wedding specialists and senior catering sales manager, Ms. Deighan has worked with the beachfront resort since 1994, where she came on board as a conference concierge. Throughout the past 15 years, she has managed all facets of the food and beverage specialty and, having worked her way up, has mastered the role as catering sales manager, relying heavily upon her wealth of experience at the hotel.
All of her previous experience will be called upon for her current role, as Ms. Deighan will welcome brides and brides or grooms and grooms to the property and help them visualize their perfect day - whether it is a most elegant affair in one of the resort's three opulent ballrooms, or a magical sunset soiree in Eau Spa's courtyard garden, or possibly a more intimate exchange of vows in an Oceanfront Cabana.
Over the years, Ms. Deighan has exhibited her skills and talents and has not let a detail go unfulfilled.
She has flown matzo ball soup in from New York for her wedding events; she has designed human sushi and dessert buffets, hired go-go dancers, planned fireworks, suspended 1,500 roses from a dance floor ceiling, organized a ceremony over a pool with Plexiglas, called the local meteorologist to assist in making last-minute decisions and more.
Her catering background will play a strong hand in helping to craft her clients' perfect wedding menus. Ms. Deighan has helped fashion a 10-tier wedding cake, created completely organic menus, designed menus around themes such as colors, specialized and ethnic cuisine and more.
With a knack for creativity and an eye for the latest wedding trends - and not to mention with the help of the talented team working beside her - Ms. Deighan has been and will continue to be an instrumental role in The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach wedding experience.
Ms. Deighan received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration and Management, as well as a Master of Business Administration, from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.
LINK: Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
