Event Inspiration: The Black & White Wedding

With the dog days of summer upon us (where did the summer go?!) and Fall quickly approaching, I wanted to create a wedding that meshes these seasons together into one, perfect evening…

And an early Fall wedding can actually be a difficult one to plan. You’re still in the relaxed summer mindset but with that crispness beginning to touch the air, you just may want to insert that little bit of formal flair.

But there’s nothing a little black, white, and glitter gold can’t fix!

The black and white lends that touch of formality but added in polka dots and stripes, maintains that sense of summer fun. Throw in a bit of glamorous gold and a hint of Autumn rose and you’ve just found yourself true love!

Speaking of glamour and true love, this venue couldn’t get any better! The Nottoway Plantation, located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, is the perfect blend of bold and rustic.

With a few elegant touches…

…a mixture of rose and wildflowers…

…and some fun-loving finger foods…

…and, well, you have yourself an amazing and glamorously playful wedding!

The only thing that could possibly top the décor is the bride herself…

Va Va Voom!

EVENT INSPIRATION: 8 TIPS FOR A FUN-FILLED EASTER BRUNCH…

Easter is a family-filled time of celebration and festivities. And whether or not you’re religious, it’s next to impossible not to join in on the fun! If you’re planning an Easter event for friends and family, here are a few tips and suggestions:

1. Use your china. Play with your china. Mix and match your china!

2. Florals and cupcakes. Need I say more?

3. And lots of other mini foods…

4. Hats. Especially for the kids!

5. Speaking of kids, give them there own happy place.

6. But don’t forget the adults…

7. Simplify…

8. But never let your guests go home empty handed!

Of course, if you want to add a little extra pizzazz, I say go for the gold and add lots of bunnies! Preferably real ones….

I couldn’t resist.

Hope you have a happy Easter ya’ll!

STYLING: TIM BURTON-ESQUE

Last year, a client had contacted me for a bit of wedding inspiration and now that it’s October, I thought it would be the perfect time to share. She couldn’t quite afford a wedding planner, but I wanted to give her a little something to get her footing and lead her in the right direction. I inquired about some of her favorite colors (black, orange, purple, and green), theme ideas (a blend of Halloween, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Victorian-era), gown style preference (non-traditional and black – she also wanted a cocktail version for the reception), and a few other favorite items (art, outdoors, Shel Silverstein). She also stated that she would prefer to have guests already seated at the dinner tables as the ceremony takes place in the front or center of the room.

I researched a few venues, found an outdoor space that fit what I had in mind to a T, and this is what I came up with:

This was something a bit out of my realm of style, but I loved thinking outside the box! What do you think – hit or miss?

If you need a little inspiration of your own, feel free to contact me and I would be happy to help!

AN END OF SUMMER SOIREE

As mentioned in my 30 Things to do Before I Turn 31 list, within the next month, I plan on hosting an End of Summer Soiree for my fellow neighbors. I’m actually terribly excited to do this, as it’s been a while since I’ve hosted anything beyond a few family gatherings, and since I have yet to meet a few of my neighbors, I want to make sure I get everything down to a tee!

I’ve decided to go for a simple summer garden theme with a rustic pop of color to bring in the last rays of summer while still celebrating the coming of my absolute favorite season! Yep, that would be fall. The crisp, fresh air, the cool breeze, the turning leaves, and the sweater styles….ah, be still my heart! It is comfort at it’s best.

And it is right around the corner. Where did the time go? Now, with only a couple of weeks to prepare, invitations are first priority!

I’m a huge fan of the printed invitation (which I feel is a bit of a lost art in this day and age), so with just a little time, recycled card stock, twine, and fresh herbs, I hope to throw together a very simplified (and non-wedding) version of this:

(sweet and simple!)

Now on to the menu! I must admit, I am not the best cook in the world, by a very, very long shot. But I do love putting together finger foods, which is exactly why I love hosting a good cocktail party over the (dreaded) dinner party. Not to mention, foods in miniature are simply adorable! And cheese…who doesn’t love cheese?!

Here’s what I’m thinking:

Delicious, yes?!

And finally – my favorite part – the décor! I definitely want to maintain a soft, summer glow while bringing in the earthy and rustic palette of fall. However, I also want to add a nice pop of color that truly infuses a happy, celebratory mood. Since tones of fuchsia and burgundy are the new “in” colors for the fall season, I think this would be the perfect fit…

(Napkin from here, image via here)

So what do you think – is this a party you would want to attend?

STYLE EXTRAORDINAIRE: JOE NYE (THE PARTY GUY)

Similar to photography, fashion, or interior design, planning an event is a form of art. It takes a lot of organization, communication, and patience, absolutely, but it also takes a huge amount of creativity, passion, and a good sense for style and structure. (I, myself, have a passion for events planning on par with interior design, which you will see displayed throughout my blog.)

LA-based interior designer and party planner Joe Nye is an excellent example of a style extraordinaire:

I cannot even begin to describe the awesomeness of this man. His table settings are out of this world, his flower arrangements and presentation are simple yet spectacular, and his (April, 2010) book Flair is a must read. His interior design is much like his tablescapes; chock full of pattern and color and a heck of a lot of fun! As Joe Nye Inc. states, “Nye creates livable and well-porportioned rooms oozing with comfort and innovation.” I place key emphasis on oozing…

As you can see, in both his tablescapes and interiors, Nye merges very eclectic patterns (particularly floral!) and vivid colors to create layered focal points throughout the setting. Yet somehow, in this confused conglomeration of pattern and color, he creates something peaceful and elegant. It’s organized chaos at its best!

FLOWER POWER…

Why hello my lovelies, and TGIF! I know I say this every week, but didn’t this week seem particularly long to you? Tomorrow I will be headed to the Lake for a day full of fun and sun, so I will definitely be making the best of the weekend. I hope you plan to do the same!

In the meantime, I must make this quick as I have to head out to a dreaded doctor’s appointment shortly….

I recently stumbled across the work of Amy Merrick and immediately fell in love. Amy’s work embodies the feel of lazy summer days, and as a somewhat new transplant to the countryside – and gardener in training – I can appreciate the wild and loose floral styling all the more. In fact, it is absolutely refreshing to see such amazing, old-world romance alive and in floral abundance!

Her work speaks for itself…(all photos courtesy of amymerrick.com)

Amy’s floral arrangements are incredible, but it is her styling that utterly astounds me. The photos illustrate such a simple elegance and antiquity that instantly makes me feel at home. Her blog, An Apple a Day, only furthers this feeling, packed with pictures of her country lifestyle and cottage home. Ahhh. I can imagine myself frolicking through fields of herbs and wild flowers…

Amy creates floral arrangements for events all along the East coast using locally sourced materials as much as possible. Call or email her if interested!

Happy weekend ya’ll!

MONDAY MUSING: PAINTING THE WORLD WITH COLOR

Event design, interior design, and fashion are very similar creatures – which is exactly why I love them all! They are all a form of interactive art, a play on personality, a form of expression, and a means to add color and beauty into daily living.  These aspects are what make life bareable and what makes each individual so outwardly unique.

When you walk into a home, you are walking into a glimpse of another life; you are viewing someone else’s memories, dreams, and daily struggles. When you pass an individual on the street, you are getting a preview of who they are now and who they want to be; you are viewing someone else’s stature in society, their aspirations and their insecurities. When you step into an event, you are stepping into a personal and privileged celebration; you become a part of someone else’s vision and benefit to their mission.

These are just some of the ways we choose to paint the world:

Roksanda Ilincic dress, Kelly Wearstler interior

Carolina Herrara Dress, Katie Ridder interior

Stefano Pilati of Yves Saint Laurent dress (which he is now no longer a part of), Robert Stilin Interior

Versace dress, event via here, interior via Pinterest

Christian Dior dress, cupcake via, interior via

So tell me, how do you add your own splash of color?

WEDDING INSPIRATION: TUSCAN STYLE

This weekend while relaxing at a local brewery, I stumbled upon a small, intimate wedding taking place amidst the flowing beer, and it left me with a feeling of wedding bliss. In my mind, events are nothing more than mini interiors to style and decorate to my heart’s content, so with wedding season upon us, I felt obliged to put together my own summer wedding….

The color choices inspired me to go with a Tuscan theme – time-worn, elegant, and organic, with a hint of drama. Now, I wouldn’t have done my own wedding any other way, but if I had to get married again (to the same man, of course!)…this would be my inspiration.

I’m always curious about choice of wedding colors – what were yours and how did they inspire you?