Inspired Wedding Tabletop Decor:"Daoyi Icepiration"

One may say I over-think things. Of course, I would disagree, arguing that I think things through thoroughly... :)

This tabletop that "the team" and I created was born from a couple of things I had been wanting to do for some time which were:

1. Creating a table scape that was actually "inside" the table. A little "off," I know, but I have grown to expect by now that both Awny Kashoggi and Tommy Murphy just "get me!"


2. Appeal to an Asian aesthetic and culture which I am completely fascinated with.


3. To not just out ANOTHER ROUND table on the floor. The idea was to "inspire" after all!

With that criteria, our "Daoyi Icepiration" table was born. My research showed that Mazu Daoyi's life took an extended journey, much as I refer to the process of wedding planning.

This table was, I felt, the most challenging. Thank goodness I was surrounded by the additional creativity and enthusiasm of Awny and Tommy. Awny's ability to "space configure," much like an architect, brought this table higher with sleek, black leather stools around. He determined exactly how to produce the"inserted" design. Of course, Tommy took it from there with the amazing zen design with carefully selected floral, trays as chargers and stones.

Taking it even one step further, we recruited phenom, Lindsey Luxa with Dragonfly Custom Design to create our menus on acrylic. Yes, acrylic!

I am also especially thankful to Damon Tucci who got the real polished images you see here and even scaled a ladder to get them.

This table was especially marvelous and gratifying. Though we used this as strictly a "show table," I was grinning from ear to ear when the general manager to The Ritz Carlton told me he wished he could eat at that table...:)

Inspired Wedding Tabletop Decor: Effortlessly Elegant

The second table that I featured with my select partners for the most recent Ritz Carlton, Orlando-Grand Lakes wedding show, "Impress, Indulge, Inspire" was named "Effortlessly Elegant."

Borrowing a few words from the E Events tag line, Tommy, Awny and I set out to create a table that was high on style, class, decorum and grace.

I became admittedly nervous while planning the original 3 table "looks" with the gentlemen, fearing I was alienating a large demographic who remained classic and traditional. {When taken off the leash, I tend to get carried away and go for "bravado" rather than "mainstream!"}

To my delight, a 4th table option was offered to me, so I truly jumped at the opportunity to design and plan this absolutely gorgeous table.

This was indeed a "dining table," and one that I personally dined at that evening along with some special guests. Tommy, as always, became insistent on the practicality of the table testing and re-testing the guests' sight-line. {So important, and it was noticed and appreciated by guests that evening!}

I love how the applicationof one floral color hue. White in this instance, made the bold impact and statement I was looking for while keeping the "traditional" bride content as well. Equally as pleasing, were the vases selected for the centerpieces. Traditional glass? Yes. The different shape, however, brings on that "fresh " approach I call for. {That's how YOU stand apart!}

BBJ Linen assisted us with this linen selection for this table and did a magnificent job of bringing what was in my head to the table. I adore how they treated the chiavari chairs with that chiffon and ribbon; it was so ethereal.

Lindsey Luxa with Dragonfly Custom Design created breathtaking menus and escort cards, classic in design but on metallic paper with a crystal accent atop. Perfect!

Along for the ride, taking pictures and dining next to me, was Damon Tucci who was kind enough to capture this table for me as well...{top photo}

Inspired Wedding Tabletop Decor: "Big Sur"

A question I often ask my clients, vendor partners and even myself is "What inspires you?" I find that if thought our carefully, it can open the door to many creative opportunities and experiences.

Several months ago, I had the distinct pleasure of having been asked to participate in an evening to assist The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes to "Impress, Indulge and Inspire." Guests that already had their special date on the books grew increasingly excited over the designs created by our area's top wedding and event planners, floral designers, furniture rental ingenues and the like. Prospective clients invited could not get their dates on the books quickly enough after the stellar evening.

Enlisting a team that I was extremely compatible with was my first priority. With that in mind, I immediately called Tommy Murphy with Greenery Productions and Awny Kashoggi, owner of Unique Option. As I have come to delightfully expect, an initial pow-wow between us sparked such enthusiastic creativity and inspiration. Getting in a room with these gentlemen is exhilarating and I left the table dizzy with the anticipation of seeing our collective ideas brought to life.

Indeed, the reality far exceeded my expectations!

Our first table we labeled ,"Big Sur" as this same team was inspired by a recent couple, {and recent blog post} Christie and Harvey Heller.

Organic, earthy, natural and hearty with a splash of "over the top," the table was presented with the use of camphor vines with cymbidium orchids wired woven amongst the branches, a natural stone overlay over moss green velvet and shantung linen provided by Wildflower Linen. Awny's water walls surrounded by candles in varying heights carried our imaginations to what we had dreamed the ideal rustic yet glamorous environment would be out west.

To tell our story from beginning to end, we had invitations, escort cards, and menus designed with organic paper, real leaves and stones by the innovative Amy Morelli of the 2u Collection.

I was fortunate enough to have the gracious offer from Damon Tucci to capture my table images and the rest are from Tommy's trusty camera.

What inspires you...?

Real Weddings: Christie and Harvey Heller

How do you not only marry a couple that lives in 2 separate states, but truly come from 2 very different styles??

Clearly these lovebirds have enough in common to be madly in love nut, the challenge?? One of them {Christie} hails from Boulder, Colorado and the other {Harvey Heller} hails from Orlando.

As I brainstormed my approach to designing this wedding, I was perpetually challenged by respecting both and "marrying" not only these 2 people, but their lifestyles as well.

Christie and Harvey were such a delight, mainly in part because of their implicit trust and in me. Christie was still living in Boulder and her visits were few and quick.

They were already established with their venue, Maison and Jardin prior to enlisting my help and were set with space, food and beverage. They even got married in Big Sur the weekend before which made my main objective planning a superb party!

While elegant and stately, Maison was hardly rustic {Boulder} or the intrinsic "Orlando vibe."

hmmmmm...

Recruiting Tommy Murphy with Greenery Productions put our best foot forward and were overjoyed with putting ideas and proposals together to get our couple inspired and eager to see their results. We felt particularly challenged by an "addition" to the venue that revealed the mechanics to a tent frame. The creative ceiling treatment prepared by Tommy's designers was spectacular! Natural wood lattice accompanied by camphor vine and hanging amaranthus and greenery transported us to and enchanted forest.

Striking linen from Wildflower Linen offered such a sophisticated flair-

The design was further complimented with design ideas and furniture groupings from Awny Kashoggi with Unique Option. The entire outdoor space was dedicated to a social hour where guests sipped on 2 signature champagne cocktails and enjoyed music and the ever popular photo booth by Plumb Fun.

As guests were invited inside, they experienced a"woodlands" scent easily created by using a sensory teaser by Scent Events.

Christie and Harvey were so thrilled they invited the entire vendor team to share in the culinary delights prepared by Maison for all of their guests. Fabulous!

...and because "pictures say a 1,000 words," I was fortunate enough to have photographer and fellow girlfriend, Abby Liga on hand for these wonderful shots-

Just Another Couple of Days in the {Denver} Office

Okay...I think I may have officially come out of my "summer coma" and I'm back and ready!
There is no doubt that styling, producing and coordinating "Down the Aisle" in Denver was hard work. The refreshingly unexpected part was that we all managed to have a wonderful time working AND playing...It was great fun {and great relief!}to greet everyone as they arrived to The Ritz Carlton, Denver despite some travel delays-
Even one of my dearest and best girlfriends Michele tagged along to not only support her main fella', Jeffrey but toil along with the rest of us on those many "unglamorous" tasks that need to be accomplished.
I promise pictures of the actual evening are forthcoming on our blog, but if you simply cannot wait, you should definitely check out Garrett's blog as he was the gate-keeper to all of the "fancy" shots.
Fancy-Schmancy!
I managed to hone in some mad photography skills of my own as did Jeffrey, Awny and Brittany.
With that in mind, you'll see what just another couple of days in the office yielded in Colorado. Looking back, it's amazing we ever pulled off the show!
Thanks to Jeffrey for putting this fun piece together for us to enjoy!

New York Ave...We're Making Progress!

...so the new office is in full swing! We are definitely feeling more at home now that the new, fabulous and unbelievable furniture has arrived thanks to the creative genius that is Awny Kashoggi and his incredible team at Unique Option.
Yesterday, I was instructed to merely unlock the door for his wonderful crew to come in and load in the furniture. I was then to report back to the office at a certain time to see "the reveal" of sorts and offer feedback. {Very home-makeover show!}

Feedback?!? As if!!

As I explained to Awny last week while he was describing all that he had planned to bring over to the office, "If I told you that you could show up with inflatable furniture I would be okay with that--would you believe me??? Because I would!"

Above you will see what I saw as I left the office when the furniture truck arrived...

After, you see my personal "supporting cast" including our newest coordinator Brittany, along with our energetic {and nearly cloned!} intern Jessy and the "favorite" {and you all know that she is...} Terri! Just as I had hit my threshold with all things feng shui, these sassy ladies kicked it into high gear to start getting our pad in order.

Phew! Now that was a full day at the office!