Real Weddings: Brittnie Holt and Jeff Faine at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

Hi, hello, hey there and, most importantly, I'M BAAAAACK!!!! Excuses, excuses, but the whirlwind of dizzyingly beautiful weddings, galas and events have had me, well, preoccupied. But, i really am back! This past weekend, I had the greatest time executing months of planning and design for Brittnie Holt and Jeff Faine. I'll let the imagery speak for itself, but here are some of my favorite highlights: * Those flower girls! Simply put: OMG!!! And such moxie they had, I adored them!

* I tore a page from Ellen while watching the Oscar's, and yep...I had 20 pizza pies delivered in the last hour, and if you wanted a piece you HAD to be on the dance floor. {We'll have to wait for the video to be done to see that!}

* I'll say it to my grave: Have a "Plan B that can rock your world. We were supposed to have an outdoor gazebo ceremony and dinner dancing under the stars with some extra glow with market lights. Florida weather had something else in store for us, and my goodness, did you see how GET LIT reworked the market lights? It was everything!

I'm so, so happy to be back! I missed "virtually" talking to all of you, and so tickled you came back to read too! xoxo

*Images Courtesy of Jensen Larson Photography* * Floral and Draping by Raining Roses Productions* * Lighting by Get Lit Productions* * Venue: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel* * Design: E Events by Lisa Stoner* {That's me!}

Wedding Video Teaser~Kylie Watzka and Nathaniel Drummond at The Portofino Bay Hotel

In a nutshell, Kylie and Nathaniel are in love. Madly in love.

Saturday, February 18, 2012 was just the beginning. The Watzka and the Drummond families came together at The Portofino Bay Hotel in loving celebration, and with that kind of love and support, how can life be anything other than "happily ever after for them?"

Enjoy this 60 second teaser from Jeffrey Stoner, and ....go kiss YOUR love!

xoxo

Kylie & Nate's Wedding Trailer from Jeffrey Stoner Video on Vimeo.

Pattern Board for Design & Styling by Amy Atlas

Simply put and in Amy Atlas' own words, this is the bible for patterns/designs--

Thank goodness for her! As a wedding planner / designer, I am {what I would consider} well versed on patterns, colors, textures, etc. My challenge, however, sometimes lies in the articulation of such.

Amy Atlas is well known as "The Sweets Stylist," has a wildly successful business, is highly regarded in the lifestyle entertaining blog-world, an accomplished author and her work is featured in countless magazines and television shows.

Now she's gone and done it! Streamlining these patterns and colors has truly made this a "go-to" tool that I will most certainly share with my clients and colleagues.

Thanks, as always, Amy for all of your "sweet" details!

*Images and Pattern Board are Courtesy and Copyright of Amy Atlas Events*

Ready to "Pap the Question?"

I recently learned of this incredible service that will, undoubtedly, forever commemorate the moment she or he says that worthwhile, one-word answer: "YES!"

"Pap the Question" uses their years of paparazzi experience and skill and will record your special moment without your partner ever knowing. These savvy photographers capture every nervous and romantic moment!

After in depth correspondence on how the proposal will be planned, they are discretely positioned {paparazzi-style!} nearby to record the proposal and reaction via photography and / or video.

How truly special is that?!

This service is surprisingly affordable, and I believe it will make any proposal {regardless of how grand} the absolute PERFECT proposal.

Need proposal advice? I'll plan the details, and then get you in touch with "Pap the Question!"

*All Images Courtesy of Pap The Question"

A Vintage Wedding With Elegant Details- Leigh & A.J

Working with Leigh was a dream situation, designing her wedding was inspiring and watching the wedding day and evening unfold before my very eyes ...Captivating!

Creamy, fluffy floral elegantly positioned against glimmering and flickering candlelight everywhere, a neutral linen palette with lace details and calligraphed mirrors as table numbers served as the perfect combination for romance and celebration.

Cheers to Leigh and A.J.!




*Image Courtesy of Abby Liga*
*Video Courtesy of Jeffrey Stoner Video*

A Wedding Showcase Weekend as Presented by Hilton Orlando: Leisure and Pampering!

Part two of this incredible Wedding Showcase weekend that was expertly hosted by the Hilton Orlando is all about the pampering and leisure we experienced while in their accommodating hands.

After our welcome reception on Friday evening, we returned to our hotel suite to find a beautifully wrapped gift. After I stopped squealing long enough to successfully open this favor, I could see that it was a Clarisonic! {I had that on my Christmas wish-list} What a way to set the tone for the weekend, and I already felt spoiled, and yet ...there was more.

The next day we were all afforded private cabanas poolside, adjacent to the pool's slide and a separate lazy river. Jeffrey and I jokingly admitted that we gave new meaning to the word "lazy" in lazy river while our girls lived it up on countless rides down the water slide. The cabana offered our own private haven, out of the soon, flat screen television, fridge stuffed with water, soft drinks and fruit.

Impressive! So impressive in fact, that it was going to take a lot {and I mean A LOT!} to pull me away from my corner of paradise. I couldn't imagine what could possibly draw me away from that heavenly existence that I was thoroughly savoring with my husband and children.

Until I remembered I had a one hour Sweedish massage appointment in The Spa made on my behalf by Teresa Bernstein, Director of Local Catering! I, along with many of my wedding planner friends, were able to restore and refresh with relaxing treatments of our choice and then spend some quality, quiet time in the Relaxation room after. {I hope these ladies forgive my no-makeup picture posted!}

Given our seemingly frantic schedules with family and work, I cannot remember such an enjoyable weekend where I felt that great and had so much fun with not only my family, but my colleagues as well ... The memories and libations will be forever remembered as there was {yet another!} gift awaiting us upon check out, and placed in our car by valet. A digital picture frame along with a complete slideshow from the weekend's activities downloaded. Nice touch, wouldn't you say?

Kudos, Hilton Orlando!

*Images Courtesy of Amish Thakkar {and my trusty iPhone!}*

A Wedding Showcase Weekend as Presented by Hilton Orlando: Design & Personal Service.

I have recently returned from a Wedding Showcase weekend {a FULL weekend!} that was graciously hosted by the Hilton Orlando, and it truly knock my stilettos off!

This weekend was so full; full of design, personal service, leisure, pampering and food and beverage that I struggled with the content of my review. The answer quickly became obvious: break it down into 3 posts!

Today, I will speak about the design and personal service that I encountered. Both were equally as extraordinary from the moment I received my hand-delivered invitation expertly crafted by Lindsey Luxa with Dragonfly Custom Design, checking in, thoughtful surprises and inspiring environments.

Theresa Bernstein and her attentive staff knew they had quite a task in trying to impress and indulge our areas finest wedding planners. {All of which were in the guest list and in attendance}

We've seen, done, designed and planned it all, right? Right! Read on...

*I, along with my family, were greeted graciously upon arrival at valet and check in and recognized as being a "VIP" guest of the Wedding Showcase
*Upon entering my spacious and comfortable room, I found an informative {and pretty!}itinerary of the weekend's events
*Warmly greeted by everyone from the banquets team, Theresa Bernstein, the General Manager Doug Gehret and Executive Chef Louis Martorano
*Exquisite floral and event design by the collaborative efforts of Tommy Murphy with Greenery Productions and Remmal Karamsadkar with Occasions by Shangri-la.

Just take a look at that these telling and beautiful images that are courtesy of Amish Thakkar with Fine Art Productions. What a weekend!