Saturday, October 30, 2010

Happy Halloween


Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! When else is it ok to get dressed up as someone/something else? This year we didn't have a Halloween wedding, but last year we did. We wanted to reflect on that wedding. It was so much fun! The couple had a traditional wedding ceremony at Graham Chapel at Washington University St Louis. But the reception was anything but traditional!

The reception was held at the City Museum and was pure Halloween Fun, complete with costumes and the Bride of Frankenstein movie! This couple was celebrating their love for each other, and the love of Halloween which also was their first date!

This couple proved that having a wedding on Halloween can be amazing!






Happy Halloween to all!

Floral Design: Sisters Flowers
Photography: Von DeVore Photography
Cake: The Cakery
Lighting/Set Design: Exclusive Events, Inc.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

NYC Bridal Market Recap...

I’ve just returned from New York Bridal Market. Bridal Market happens twice a year and is when bridal dress designers showcase their latest creations. The runway shows were amazing! I was also fortunate enough to attend two parties. The first one was hosted by the team at Martha Stewart Weddings in their offices, and was so much fun, and even Martha Stewart herself was in attendance. The Knot’s Market Gala celebrating their 15 year anniversary at the New York Public Library. This was my first time at the New York Public Library and The Knot did not disappoint. I can’t wait to share with you all the fashion. In the meantime, here are some photographs of me.

First up.. the super cute smile booth at the Martha Stewart party. I always think it's funny how much us wedding vendors love photobooths, and this party was no exception. Our friends at smilebooth had a setup that was in line with the glitter theme. Note the gold glitter that everyone is tossing up, that was stuck in my hair and dress for days, but was so much fun.


Me with the lovely Ali Phillips from Engaging Events By Ali, Inc. in Chicago

Next we headed over to the Knot party, and as we walked into the New York Public Library, in the middle of the room was a larger than life 14 foot replica of a bride created by Preston Bailey which was inspired by a Monique Lhuillier gown. It was absolutely mind blowing, and was made entirely of flowers! Next to the bride, were two small poodles made of flowers as well. Amazing!
Images from Chrisitian Oth
Preston Bailey, Carley Roney, and Monique Lhuillier pose by their collaboration
More images of the stunning NYC Public Library

Me with, Ali Phillips, Harmony Walton, Lara Casey, Ceci Johnson, Stephanie Grimm Me posing with the floral poodles, which were too adorable.

Although my trip to NYC was entirely too short, and packed with events from morning till night, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I can't wait to share with our LBE clients all of the latest bridal fashion.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Katie & Todd 9-18-10 Disco Ball Inspired Part 2

A couple of weeks ago we posted some images of this wedding. We wanted to share some additional detail shots. We loved that Katie loved her Chrisitian Louboutin shoes so much, it inspired our reception decor design.

In the top right hand picture you see her shoes. Our bride kept calling them her disco ball shoes, so it stuck! We incorporated disco balls into the design. Our very lovely (and patient) friends at Sisters' Flowers humored me. They suspended the balls inside of vases, and on the floral centerpieces.



To give the same mirrored look as the disco balls, mirrored vases were used 2 of the 3 centerpiece arrangments. In addition, we made custom disco ball napkin rings. The detail was mirrored on the silver charger plates.

The bold colors of wineberry, loden green, and federal blue, were used in all aspects of decor, the linens,floral, lighting, stationery, and cake.

Lighting by Millennium Productions
Two Blue Doors, Inc. created the custom artwork used on all of the stationery. It was stunning.

Parties & Props, Ltd. helped bring our vision of a dramatic entrance point to both the ceremony and the reception to life. Take a close look, we reused this gate at both the ceremony entrance and the reception entrance! It was such a converation piece.

Our clients, were great and really put their trust and faith in our design, and the talent of all of the vendors involved. Thank you to Katie, Todd, and Katie's mom for allowing us to create a design for you.
Extra special thanks to Gina Kelly (Lace Photography) for all of the amazing images!

Dream Team:
Event Stylist & Coordination: Lacy Branch Events
Ceremony: Event Lawn - Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St Charles
Reception: Discovery Ballroom-Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St Charles
Photography: Lace Photography
Floral Design: Sisters Flowers
Stationery: Two Blue Doors, Inc.
Lighting & Videography: Millennium Productions
DJ: CJ's Disc Jockey Service
Officiant: Lamira Martin
Rentals: The Aries Company
Linens: BBJ Linen
Hair & Makeup: Tami Scott Cosmetics Salon: Acadamie
Transportation: JED Limousine
Misc Decor Rental: Parties & Props, Ltd.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Engage10- The Breakers A Luxury Wedding Business Summit

Here is an stunning Slideshow of pictures by Donna Von Bruening DVB

For many of you that follow my blog you know that I attended a life changing conference of top industry professionals back in June in Grand Cayman. Well this week I attended the follow up Engage10! conference at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, FL. It was 4 days of AMAZING! About a year and a half ago, my dear friend Ali Phillips from Engaging Events by Ali in Chicago convinced me to attend, and I am so glad she did!

From the time we arrived, until the time we left Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce of Engaging Concepts and the whole entire Breakers staff made us feel like royalty. We had a list of speakers that consisted of some of the top names in the industry. To name a few, Randy Fenoli from Say Yes to the Dress, Sylvia Weinstock, Abby Larson, Todd Fiscus, Darcy Miller, Mindy Weiss, Carley Roney, Marcy Blum, David Beahm ,and Bryan Rafanelli (yes, THE Brian Rafenelli known for planning Chelsea Clinton's wedding). Each one of them dove deep into their professional and personal lives to share with us their stories. It was truly inspirational! However, the speakers are only part of the Engage experience. I know that from my pictures it looks like we did nothing but have fun, well that was the case actually, we did have fun. But it was so much more. From the morning breakfast sessions, we networked and connected with professionals from all over the world. Then we had daily speakers, as I mentioned before who kept us on the edge of our seat. Then each evening we had events, that allowed us to further connect, network, and share experiences. I think for me that was the most valuable.

Mindy Weiss Presenting
Me with Randy Fenoli

Unfortunately for me, I was sick with a head cold the entire time, so I wasn’t able to meet as many people as I would have liked. But I am blessed that I got to experience this again, and cannot wait to take the information back to my business and our clients. Thank you to Kathryn and Rebecca for doing such a great job, and for all of the lifelong connections both personal and professional that I have made.

Here is a video recap from the SUPER talented Cloud Nine Creative Inc.:

Engage 10 {Day One} from Cloud Nine Creative on Vimeo.


Engage '10 {Day 2 + 3} from Cloud Nine Creative on Vimeo.



On a side note, thank you to the following speakers who also have inspired me to push myself further. Simon T. Bailey, Harmony Walton, Liene Stevens, Ali Phillips, and Bernadette Coveney Smith

These pictures were of me enjoying the events:
This is the dessert each and every one of us was served on the final night! No that is not a prop! Just deliciously amazing

This picture is of me with Anthony Luscia from Martha Stewart Weddings, and Photographer Sara Kauss

Me with Ali Phillips

Me with the always inspirational Simon T. Bailey