Ceylane & Darren - September 25, 2010

I first met Ceylane and Darren in the summer of 2009. They had already selected 11 North Pearl Events Centre for their September 25, 2010 wedding reception. The goal in working with them was to create an uber-romantic reception as elegant as the setting in which it would take place. I think we achieved just that.

The color palette for the design would combine the bride's favorite color red with a fall inspired chocolate brown. Pops of gold and crystal bumped up the bling in the room. To give the couple the ultimate in romantic ambiance, the room was aglow with an abundance of candlelight and filled with classic red roses.

To create more visual interest in the room, the floor plan included long Tuscan style tables seating 20 guests, more traditional rounds and a long oval table for the bridal party. Instead of matching centerpieces on each table, a different but coordinating design was created for each shape of table. Long tables featured two tall centerpieces of curly willow branches, hanging candles and red rose petals. Then cubes of red roses were were added to create a floral table runner effect. Low and lush clusters of small cubes of red roses, floating and pillar candles adorned the round tables. For even more romance and bling, every surface of the room was sprinkled with red rose petals and crystals. The Chivari chairs, chargers and framed table numbers added the touches of gold to create a truly gilded feel to the room.

But a wedding is so much more than its design. This was a very special day for a special couple that has been together for a long time already. They injected their personalities and story into every detail. From the the music playlist, the menu, the custom monogram displayed on the wall to the lavender ceremony flowers selected in honor of the grooms late mother, the guests could make no mistake that it was the wedding day of Ceylane & Darren. It was an absolute pleasure working with such a wonderful couple. I know that their wedding day was just the beginning of a long and happy life together.

Thanks to my team: Sarah, Katelyn and Leah and everyone else who helped make it all happen: Brandi, Brian & Aimie at Classe Catering, Michele Peters at Ambiance Florals & Events for the amazing floral designs, DJ Greg Frasier for keeping the party energy up, J&S Watkins for the delicious wedding cake, limousines by Advantage Transportation, photos and video by Chris Pettigrosso of Galleria Designs, ceremony music by Azzaam Hameed and overnight accommodations by the Crowne Plaza City Center.

Blog photos by Lydia Zach of LZ Photography.

Paris Style in Albany New York

It's been nine months since I was contacted by a sweet woman by the name of Lynn with the most charming of southern accents. Turns out she was the mother of a groom getting married in September in Albany, but she and her son were actually from Tennessee. Her story was quite special so I was instantly intrigued about working on this project. Her son Adam was in Iraq serving our Country in his second tour there. His time there had been way too eventful and there were moments when she and her husband didn't know if their son was alive. They were counting down the days that his tour would end and he would return home to marry his beautiful young bride Leah. Wanting to honor her son and celebrate his safe return and their new beginning, she had a vision to create an extraordinary rehearsal dinner to kick off their wedding weekend.

Since the couple would be headed to Paris for their honeymoon, we decided to create a Paris inspired event. Everything from the food to the decor would emulate this beautiful city. There was no better location than the 42nd floor Observation Deck of the Corning Tower in downtown Albany.

70 guests enjoyed a five course french menu complete with pre-dessert cheese course. The design details of the room were chic in a simple palette of black and white with pops of royal purple. Centerpieces featured glowing cylinders of purple delphinium topped off with damask lampshades for a sophisticated and somewhat masculine look. The room also featured a lounge area with custom slip covered benches with coordinating damask pillows.

Lynn spared no expense in creating personalized details. Signs displaying the names of cities significant to the couple were displayed in the windows and pointed guests in their direction with mileage to each one from Albany. Custom stationery was created for everything from menu cards to the signature cocktail signage. In lieu of traditional escort cards, a special french style bulletin board was created, on which hung small velvet pouches with custom escort tags displaying their table number. Each pouch contained quarters for the observation deck view finders and displayed the message "Enjoy the View".

This event was a so fun to plan and coordinate. Guests had an amazing time celebrating in this unique location. The bride and groom left elated and ready to walk down the aisle. By all reports, the wedding day of Adam and Leah went perfectly and the two are enjoying the "real" Paris! We wish them both a long happy life together and thank Adam for his service to our country. Another thanks to Lynn for trusting us with this special event. It was a pleasure.

Kudos to my team: Katelyn and Julie, to the chef and staff at Sudhexo for putting together a fabulous meal and to Ambiance Floral & Events for the beautiful centerpieces.

Event images provided by Lilly Zach Photography

Let there be light . . . and no ugly carpet!

We’ve all been to a wedding or corporate seminar in a typical hotel ballroom right? Ever caught yourself completely captivated by the psychedelic pattern of the carpet on the floor? Seriously, who dreams up these designs??? Such carpet may be durable and hide stains well, but trying to figure out how to make your romantic pale color palate work in a room with such a strong colored and patterned carpet is definitely a challenge. However there IS a solution to this design problem. . . specialty lighting.

Specialty lighting is an often overlooked wedding element that can completely transform an event space. If you layer your lighting properly, you can make that beauty-challenged carpet virtually disappear! First, using uplights around the perimeter of the entire room will wash the walls and ceiling with light, bringing the eye upward and away from the carpet. Next draw guests’ eyes toward your beautiful tables by “pin spotting” them. This is the technical term for lights mounted above and pointing directly on each table in your room. Don’t forget to pin spot special tables such as the cake and sweetheart tables. Your final layer of lighting is, of course, candles. Cover your tables with the gorgeous glow of flickering candlelight. Once the perimeter,

pin spot and candle lights are in place, dim or completely turn off the house lights and you’ll be amazed by the effect. Not only will you have eliminated the carpet-factor, you will have also created an amazing and romantic ambiance that your guests will never forget!

Contact a local event lighting, rental or design company for a lighting consultation. They can take a look at your space and create a personalized lighting plan tailored to your specific design needs and budget.

Happy planning everyone!