Real Wedding: Enchanting Tablescape

Enchanting floral and tablescape for the wedding of Jessica and Jim at The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes! This just oozed style and romance with the boundless talent from Jesus Rodriguez and team at Raining Roses~ xoxo *Image Courtesy of Basia Mille Photography*

Divine, White Wedding Cake!

Oh, my! How dreamy is this wedding cake by the talented pastry team at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes?! Jessica described her vision for the cake to the "T," and it's just perfect. I admire that intricate lace pattern and sugar flower so! *Image courtesy of Basia Mille Photography*

Wedding Video Highlights- Vicky and Danny Landau

I have worked with many incredible brides and families in my years of wedding planning, and working with the Landis and Landau families proved to be equally as rewarding.

Some of my most memorable, fun and heartwarming moments {in my work life} came with this experience of working with bride, Vicky and her illuminating and devoted mother, Kate.

All they ever asked from me was "something different, something distinct." You see, this family is no stranger to entertaining and parties. I had my work cut out for me!

With this in mind, there was no other venue for them than The Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando {Jessica Solomon was a dream!} and pulling in an amazing team who all worked seamlessly together.

"Cousin" Lee Forrest was brought on swiftly for floral and decor which complimented the amazing invitations and wedding paper designed by Amy Morelli with The 2u Collection.

Never stepping into a ballroom {or otherwise} without my lighting guru Tommy Hart, he, along with his team from American Audio Visual, executed the most breathtaking lighting for both the ceremony and reception. All of these amazing details and moments were expertly captured in this highlight video produced and edited by Jeffrey Stoner.

Now, pour an extra cup of coffee {or wine!} and enjoy these 3 minutes of love, family and style ...

An Evening Wedding Ceremony, Luscious Lighting and the First 60 Seconds...

Get excited. This was one for the books!

Anatomy of a Wedding- Furniture Rental

Of all of the many details that can go into designing a wedding environment, one of my favorites has to be incorporating furniture whenever and wherever I can.

During the first dance, after dinner and during the dancing, a comfortable and beautiful furniture grouping can make all the difference in look and vibe.

The grouping below was designed in collaboration with AFR Furniture Rental for a wedding at The Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando.

Central Florida vendors: Don't miss the AFR Event Furnishings Networker: History Happening on August 18th! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us!

*Image Courtesy of Garrett Nudd*

"A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words..." Wedding Moments in Time

I love the editorial, "Sex & The City" vibe this image offers, and a clear representation of how I absolutely adore and cherish my work. Working with beauties such as Jackie on the most special day of her life makes everything so incredibly worth while...

Real Weddings: Jacqueline London gets married! {The trailer!}

Poise, grace and generosity of heart and spirit are only a few words to appropriately describe the wedding of our local news sweetheart, Jacqueline London and her handsome groom Tony McGee...

A two minute glimpse into the wedding experience of Jacqueline London and Tony McGee as exquisitely documented by Jeffrey Stoner.

Am I biased? Perhaps...but great video is darn great video!

Jacqueline & Tony's Wedding Trailer from Jeffrey Stoner Video on Vimeo.

Tanya Carroll, 'er Eledmire was a bride I shall never soon forget!

Now very proud to call her my friend, we met approximately one year prior to her wedding date to begin the process of designing her wedding.

It never felt like work with Tanya and I was just so pleased to see the love and compatability she shared with her fabulous husband, Carl.

Jokingly, we call each other "diva" though there was never such behavior...;)

Her amazing team consisted of the enviable The Ritz Carlton, J.R. Sterling, Jeffrey Stoner Video, Flowers of Winter Park, DJ Carl and the one and only Dale Dees.

See you real soon, friend!

Wedding Video Trailer: Tanya & Carl Eldemire

As challenging as it remains for me to appropriately describe the look, mood and sound of Tanya and Carl's wedding this past Saturday, I am so grateful to not have to rely on my vocabulary! Instead, I have the opportunity to present the most touching moments in 2 breathtaking minutes...

It is, in my opinion, such a rewarding investment to enhance your wedding video with a "teaser trailer." Presented on line by Jeffrey Stoner a mere 24 hours after the wedding, friends and family can share and reminisce your finest moments on your finest day. Jeffrey even gave Tanya specific instructions on how to load it to her Facebook page! Gotta' love technology--

Here, you will see what Saturday meant to Tanya & Carl Eldemire, their family, friends...and even team! We all adored this couple so much--this day, and all it's glory could not have been more well deserved.

Tanya & Carl's Wedding Trailer from Jeffrey Stoner on Vimeo.

Wedding Video Highlights- Kirby and Jesse Filar

One of my favorite enhancements in video documentary is the highlight montage. In mere minutes, these cinematic moments encapsulate and re-tell the story of your wedding day from your perspective and from the perspective of your guests.

After all, you cannot possibly see and experience every reaction, tear and laugh all alone! Besides, you should only have the simple task of looking radiant and poised the entire day, just as sweet Kirby and her dashing husband, Jesse did-

My gratitude goes out to Jeffrey Stoner who is always so willing to share his talent and time in an effort to share your moments and love...

CLICK BELOW TO PLAY

Real Weddings: Erin Jacoby and Mike Walker: THE SLIDESHOW

I do love the slide shows that Garrett and Joy put together for our couples and their families!
As we take it easy from celebrating {and eating!} this Holiday Season, the gracious photography duo were kind enough to share the slide how with me- {I thought this would be an easy blog-read during this busy week!}
So-- from me to you: Please revel in good love and good laughs with this incredible couple and their incredible families on this most incredible wedding day...

Real Weddings: Kirby and Jesse--The Movie Trailer!

Blogging on a Sunday? You know this has to be good...! What a way for me to wrap up our 2008 wedding year; everything was seemingly perfect-
Yesterday, Kirby Watzka and Jesse Filar were married under the beautiful Wedding Gazebo at The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Their beautiful, sunset cocktail hour took place on the Davinci Terrace prior to moving the dinner and dancing inside to The Plaza Ballroom.
Photographic imagery is forthcoming, however, I really wanted to share a moving and invigorating movie trailer that was produced by my great friend and colleague, Jeffrey Stoner. {Have you slept yet Jeffrey?!?}
Reliving a wedding day in this format is incredible and facilitates the natural excitement still palpable from the day prior! What this can offer a couple, their families and friends in the interim of waiting for wedding albums and final documentaries is priceless. All of this can be viewed on line via a special link posted by Jeffrey.
Personally, I have watched it a few times, I've heard from Kirby's mother Penny, and she has watched it several times today as well. I only hope Kirby and Jesse have access to a computer on one of their layovers today while flying out to their honeymoon!
If the trailer is just a "taste" of the final edit as Jeffrey suggests...then I consider the wedding was a tremendous sucess-

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...?

engage! 08 Part Deux...

For all of my industry friend and blog readers, if you have not already, do look into engage! 08 to broaden your horizons.

Caution: Bring a notebook, laptop, recorder--whatever it takes to enable you to retain the wealth of information you will receive from this symposium-

I attended this past June and, in an intimate setting at The Celebration Hotel, learned and networked amongst the country's finest in or industry. Of course, it didn't hurt to have friends and colleagues, Michele Butler, Susie Weiss and Jay Casiano there either. And, meeting new friends like Liene Stevens was the icing on the cake!

Rebecca and Kathryn somehow planned and executed the finest symposium I personally have ever attended. Intimate, full of information, excellent presenting guests and, hey, I'm going to be perfectly honest, the swag was stellar!

Above are some pictures I took this past June from that great day...What a specific treat it was to hear Marcy Blum be so candid and "real" and Simon T. Bailey for being so incredibly motivating.

Straight from the engage! 08 blog, allow me to "engage" your curiosity:

"Set for October 14th, 2008 at the spectacular Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes this high-impact b2b luxury wedding business symposium will include appearances by The Knot founders Carley Roney & David Liu, cake diva Sylvia Weinstock, WeddingBee founder Bee Kim, CBS The Early Show producer Jill Meister, Sean Low-President of Preston Bailey Designs and wedding PR guru Eda Kalkay and will include discussions on:
Building a global wedding brand
Diversifying your business
Targeting [and managing!] the affluent bride and groom
Insights into the mindset of millennial matrimony
Blogging and leveraging new media
'Romancing' the bridal and lifestyle media
Turning your passion into profit
Real, honest and interactive including an "Inside the Wedding Studio" style Q & A session with Carley & David on building the most powerful wedding brand in North America while balancing it all as a husband and wife team and parents of 3 young children!
A candid discussion with wedding cake diva Sylvia Weinstock, fresh off the set of hot show "Gossip Girl" will 'dish' on starting her company at age 50, going global, and the real story behind those signature glasses!
President of Preston Bailey Designs, Sean Low, the business mastermind behind one of the most successful global wedding names in the world will share specific strategies on how to take your wedding business to the next level, elevating your level of clientele - and getting paid what you are really worth {and beyond!}.
Special guest speaker, Simon T. Bailey is back by overwhelming demand. Internationally renowned author of "Release Your Brilliance" will lead an inspiring and motivating session guaranteed to examine your potential, insight, genius, innovation and ideas - just waiting to be released. Truly transformational!"

Sex and the City!

Okay, so I really do TRY not to put too much fluff on this particular blog, so please forgive my adolescent rave about the release of this movie...

I took my E Events team last Friday evening (Yes; Premiere night!) after a wedding rehearsal and joined our industry girlfriends such as Michele Butler, Susan Southerland, Lisa New, Tami Corday and Jennifer Sharpe.

We were (and still are!) such avid viewers and fans of the show, have gabbed about it for years, and here the premiere was before us-

Goodness knows we all had a hectic and over-scheduled Friday, and we here were in the midst of a rather detailed and large wedding weekend for an amazing couple and their families, but there was NO WAY we were going to miss this!

Allow me to point out every cliche in the book that we absolutely did adhere to...

YES, we...

1. Pre-purchased out tickets WEEKS in advance


2. Forwarded, giggled and sometimes teared up at the trailers on the SITC website


3. Were dressed to impress


4. Had rockin' shoes!!!!!!!!!!


5. Lastly (and not all together shamefully) indulged and sneaked in some cocktails

Ladies, I had the BEST time not only watching this fabulous movie, but watching it with my friends-

An Officer, A Gentleman...and quite a Lady

This entry is so long overdue, but it is worth every bit of heart and soul...This was a wedding and process I shall never soon forget.

Megan and Michael were married on September 8, 2008 to the likes of the most visually dramatic ceremony and liveliest and memorable reception.

Our relationship with Megan was quick and we had to hustle with the dynamics and logistics given the 4 months we had to pull it all off. Megan is an extremely busy woman, but one who had a definite vision, aesthetic and emotional tie to every person that was to share this amazing journey with her.

Megan was a coincidental guest at our "Down the Aisle" show at the Ritz Carlton last April, there only to support her friend and trusted hair stylist Dale Dees. Clearly, something "grabbed" her that evening prompting her to make some major decisions as to the direction of her wedding day.

I am just the lucky gal who managed to answer the phone on the day she called, and it was a thrilling ride to share with her.

I have never met someone that had such specific stories to share about everyone in attendance, what they meant to her and Michael and how she could gracefully display her deep appreciation to all of them for just being a part of their lives. No detail was spared.

THANKFULLY, (somewhat by my own imploring!) I was assigned a true partner, Tami Corday at The Ritz Carlton. This is a no brainer people! Together, with Tommy Murphy at Greenery Productions, Paradise Band, DJ Carl, The Culinary Institute, (Did you see that cake?! It was over 5 feet tall!!) Jeffrey Stoner and John Unrue, we had one heck of a soiree!

The ceremony boasted 4 points if entry during the processional with beautiful solos from the Broadway renown Connie Kunkle, accompanied by the classic Shannon Caine and her musicians with Beautiful Music. The lighting was dimmed and timed appropriately for maximum emotional effect and reverence. Guests were invited into the ballroom prompted by a heightened musical cue int he foyer only to find our "magical" couple already dancing to their first dance, "Cheek to Cheek." With their bridal party and family positioned by them throughout the dance, we all felt as we were in "Heaven."

Michael is one of our officers and a gentlemen proudly serving our country in the Air Force. We were humbled by his and his fellow officers' commitment and dedication to our country.

For all of this, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ferrara are truly an officer, a gentleman and QUITE a lady!

P.S.: Please don't mind that goofy photo booth picture at the end there...Nancy, Jeffrey, Ricardo and I were feeling a little "punchy" and thought we could have a little fun with it as well!! This was our impressive "Zoolander" pose which has become a photobooth fave... :)