From Inspiration to Reality

I am always interested in stretching and growing creatively in my work as an event planner. I love flowers (who doesn't?) so when I was contacted by fab planner Dana of Elegantly Yours to design the florals for an upcoming wedding, I jumped at the chance. While I can't show all of the gorgeous details just yet, I did want to share the journey from inspiration to reality.
This was the prototype for the reception tables I'd created for the bride to preview. Roses and carnations in varying shades of pink with hot pink calla lilies artfully twisted in the bottom of the vase.
Here are the final centerpieces ready to grace the guest tables. The vases were banded with satin ribbon and crystals while the flowers' colors were punched up a bit.
Slight change from hot pink calla lilies in the mock up to floating mini pink cymbidiums. The pinks really popped against the linens. I loved the design process and the chance to flex my creative muscle a bit. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing my floral work.

**Photography courtesy of Metro Photos.

Real Wedding Day Inspiration - Cayce and Adam

Happy Memorial Day, dear readers! I know you all are gathered around the grill with family and friends enjoying this incredible weather. Since this holiday is all about honoring our armed forces, I thought this lovely wedding photographed by Richmond's own Vera Pakizer would be picture perfect for today's Real Wedding Day Inspiration.
Gotta love a man in uniform.
Love the laterns decorating the space.


Perfect cake topper captures the couple's likeness
Bride, Cayce jamming with the band

Say It With A Picture - The Design Process

My dear readers, I hope you are enjoying your weekend. It's a little chilly here in Richmond and has been raining off and on all day, perfect blogging weather! I received an email recently from a reader (Hi there, Angela!) who was having a bit of a problem conveying her design ideas to her florist. My response: say it with a picture! They're worth a thousand words and will definitely ensure you and your team of vendors are on the same page. Inspiration boards are a key piece of our design process at Dawn Easter Events.

A floral design client getting married in May sent this picture as inspiration for their centerpieces. The bride liked the round fullness of this pomander. The chosen color scheme is shades of pink, gray and white.

Here is the design I came up with. The larger size emphasizes the fullness she wanted as well as incorporating a mix of flowers adds visual interest and texture. I think the mini calla lilies in the bottom of the vase round out the design rather nicely.

My clients were very happy with the mockup I presented today. I have a few other details up my sleeve to add a dash of pizzazz. Can't wait until the wedding! It's going to be beautiful. I'll be sure to post pictures.

My Life In A Venti Cup

So I received an email from one of my favorite blog authors, Franki of Life in a Venti Cup, who wanted to spotlight my party ideas. Of course I said yes! Anyone who is familiar with Franki's blog knows it is always Modern, Chic and Glamorous. Thinking about my ultimate dinner party makes me want to put out my rolodex. Enjoy!

Save The Date: Maximize Your Brand

Happy Tuesday, dear readers. I hope you all had a wonderful time over the holiday weekend, spending time with family and friends. As an event planner and business owner, I know the importance of continuing my education in the special events industry. There are always new things to learn and people to meet. In an effort to stay "in the know" and bring that valuable knowledge to my clients, I along with Dana Briggs of Elegantly Yours Events, am hosting Maximize Your Brand: A Wedding Business Symposium July 22, 2009.

We are very excited to welcome celebrity event planner and featured star of Whose Wedding Is It Anyway, Linnyette Richardson Hall of Premiere Event Management as she discusses the best ways to interview your clients and create winning proposals.

Katie Martin, owner of the world renowned Elegance & Simplicity and founder of the Green Wedding Consortium, will discuss how to “go green” with your business.

Chat with legal eagle and planner Karina Jimenez of Something Blue Legal as she informs you of how to avoid the legal pitfalls prevalent in today’s wedding industry.

Michelle Slaughter, owner of HERPRESIGN public relations firm, will share the secrets of what captures an editor’s attention so your events can get that much coveted media exposure. Learn how to effectively build your brand.

If you are involved in the special events industry, this is an amazing opportunity you do not want to miss! Dana and I look forward to seeing you in July. Be sure to stay in the loop by checking out the Maximize Your Brand blog.

Stay First Kiss Ready

I am attending a launch party of a colleague in a week or so and I needed something to go in the bridal gift bags. I wanted something useful but still fun and feminine. Now you know how I love Etsy (they have the COOLEST things), so I'm looking around for something fabulous when I came across Your Lips But Better. Jenny makes the yummiest (is that a word?) lip balms I've come across in a long time. Amazing flavors/scents like Rose, Ginger Peach, Cucumber Melon, Honeysuckle Nectarine...I could go on and on. With ingredients like jojoba oil, avocado oil, and cocoa butter, you'll be sure to stay ready for your first kiss as the new Mrs. It's a good thing I ordered a few extra for myself;)

Gold List Monday: LEPENN DESIGNS

Happy Monday, dear readers! If you are not on Twitter by now, you should be. I have met some really talented people networking on that site and today's guest, Le'Trice Penn of LEPENN DESIGNS is one such person. I loved Le'Trice's work so much, I had to have her design something fabulous for one of my clients. The end result is gorgeous, better than I ever imagined! It's one of my favorite invitation suites to date. She had recently revamped her website and had an incredible photo shoot to showcase her work and I knew it was time to introduce her to you. Enjoy!
Please tell our readers a bit about you and your business. How did you get your start designing paper?
LEPENN DESIGNS is a custom/handcrafted invitation and stationery design studio owned by the husband and wife team, Le'Trice and Charles Penn. We design all things paper and beyond for all of life's events. We have a true passion for creating beautiful and unique products that will wow your guest and leave behind sentimental thoughts of you. Our business began in 2007 from the basic idea of wanting to start a business. We brainstormed ideas and decided that a custom invitation business would be a perfect fit as I, Le'Trice, have always had a knack for design and I always loved being on the computer creating things for family and friends.

When starting a consultation, what questions should couples ask their stationery designer?
The first thing to do before you even contact the designer would be to visit their website and peruse their design portfolio in order to make sure their style is a good match for you. Then once contact is made you could ask the designer about their production time frame, starting prices & deposits and how the overall design process will work. Stationery companies have different processes so it is very important that you do some research first in order to make sure you are a good fit with them. They are responsible for working closely with you in order to make sure your designs express your true style, so of course you need to be compatible with them!

How far in advance should couples book your services?
In order for the custom design process to go smoothly and non-rushed, couples should book with us at least 4-5 months before their wedding date. We tend to fill our production calendar months in advance so it is very important to hold your initial consultation as soon as possible so that you can be placed on the schedule to allow plenty of time to work on your designs.

What do you see as upcoming trends in paper designs?
Some of the new trends that I'm starting to see more and more is the incorporation of the exact pattern/graphic design of the couple’s wedding attire, venue or table linen into the actual design of the wedding invitation. I have done several designs where the bride has sent me an inspirational photo for me to mimic in her stationery design. It's a really cool way of expressing the couple on paper and tying all of the wedding details together. The best part is when the guests actually notice how EVERYTHING matched!

Another great trend is having custom postage designed to coordinate with your wedding invitations. Let’s face it, the latest stamp designs to come out through the post office have been awful! So the perfect solution is to create a custom stamp through zazzle.com by uploading your monogram design or graphics that were used in the invitation design. I have done this for my clients for no additional uploading fee, all I ask is that they give me a stamp or two for my samples ;-)

From where does your design inspiration come?
My design inspiration comes primarily from the client. I take detailed notes during the consultation so that when it is time to design I am able to create exactly what they have envisioned. I use key signals such as how they react to certain samples, colors, graphics etc. in order to figure out what their "true" style is. I have my clients send me color swatches, floral/decor ideas they're using, dress design and even cake design so that I can build their invitation suite around the exact style and feel of the wedding. Other inspiration comes from the latest stationery trends and reading a ton of event/floral design blogs that truly grab my attention to help get my "Paper Mojo" started in creating a design!

Food For Thought Thursdays: It's Cocktail Time

A close friend invited me to a shindig next month at her amazing new home in Washington, DC and she has yet to settle on the menu. Since the weather has warmed up, we'll be hanging in your backyard. I thought I'd share a few of the recipes I'll be sending her way. So how I think this just volunteered me as the sous chef.
Asian Salmon Cakes
Herbed Goat Cheese Mini Flans
Rosemary & Parmesan Crusted Asparagus
Chicken Pesto Pizza

Bring More To The Table

Good afternoon, Dear Readers! One of the things I love about designing events is the transformation of the space. Guests typically don't see the before and afters but they absolutely experience the effects. A key element in that transformation is linen as it has the biggest impact. I came across an great article by Youngsong Martin, owner of the uber-fab Wildflower Linens, on GetMarried this morning and thought it perfectly illustrates just how important linens, particularly chair treatments are the overall look of your event. Happy Planning!

Friday's Escape: Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast Australia

There is fabulous and then there is fabulous. And today's destination, my lovely dear readers, is the latter. Palazzo Versace is the brainchild of none other than Donatella Versace, herself. Located on Australia's exclusive Gold Coast, this hotel is at the same time classic and contemporary, bold and refined, elegant and vivacious. The property includes 205 guestrooms, 72 condos, 3 award-winning restaurants and even a private marina. Does this mean we're going yachting? Oh, I do hope so. I need to work on my tan! Happy weekend!

Gorgeous aerial views. I'm such a sucker for blue water.
I am not a huge fan of yellow, but somehow this works.

Imagine what I could whip up in this ballroom!
I. Must. Have. Those. Chairs.
Would we ever leave this gorgeous pool?

Food For Thought Thursdays: Cinnamon Chocolate Gelato

One thing I never tire of is good chocolate, the darker the better. I'm not a huge chocolate ice cream person because usually the flavor leaves a lot to be desired. When I came across this recipe, I thought this just might be the ticket. It has the richness of the chocolate and the spice from the cinnamon. Time to break out the ice cream maker. If you don't have one (tsk, tsk, summer is right around the corner), Williams Sonoma carries a really cool one.

Cinnamon Chocolate Gelato with Toffee Bits
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch salt
2 cups whole milk, divided into 1/4 and 1 3/4 cups
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
plus
1/2 cup heavy cream (I used whole milk)
1/3 cup coarsely chopped toffee bits/candy bar pieces (I left these out)

Method
Whisk sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt in heavy medium saucepan until blended. Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, whisking until cornstarch is dissolved. Whisk in remaining 1 3/4 cups milk. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens and comes to boil, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook 1 minute longer, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat; add chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then whisk until melted and smooth.

Transfer gelato base to medium bowl. Mix in cream. Place bowl over large bowl filled with ice and water and cool, stirring often, about 30 minutes.
Process gelato base in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions, adding toffee during last minute of churning. Transfer to container; cover. Freeze at least 3 hours and up to 2 days. Enjoy with friends!

Friday's Escape: The Residence, Tunis

I have been feeling a bit exotic lately. Must be due to these sandals Franki posted a few days ago. They called to mind desert sands, flowing white linen, and blazing sun. Tunisia seemed perfect. Now if we're trekking to northern Africa, a weekend jaunt is not sufficient, a luxury 10-day excursion is the order of the day. The Residence Tunis is a gorgeous property bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy!
Loving the architecture
Manicured garden & grounds
Soothing neutrals in the bedroom suite

I love this bathroom. Could be in there all day; luxe & sparse.
Perfect for lunch after exploring the city.
Loving the indoor pool.
My golfing buddies would have a blast here.

Food For Thought Thursday: Grilled New York Strip Steak with Argentinian Chimichurri

I think it's about time for a good steak, wouldn't you agree? I'm not much of a red meat eater, but sometimes nothing but a juicy steak will do. I found this recipe and knew I had to share it. I'm sure my male readers will love any excuse to fire up the grill. Happy Cooking!

Marinated and Grilled New York Strip Steaks with Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce
(Serves 4)
4 New York strip steaks (or something comparable), about 10-12 ounces, 3/4″-1″ thick

Marinade:
1 cup Dos Equis Amber
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk.
2. Put steaks in a dish large enough to fit all of them (i.e.: 2″ deep baking dish), pour marinade over them and refrigerate for 1-4 hours (turn them over halfway through marinating time).
3. Set grill to medium-high heat. Remove steaks from marinade, pat dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
4. Grill steaks about 8-10 minutes total to medium-rare. Let stand about 10 minutes to let the meat rest before serving.

Chimichurri:
(adapted from this recipe from Gourmet magazine)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano leaves (or 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano)
1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes

1. Finely mince all of the herbs and whisk all ingredients together (or whiz it all up in a food processor). Refrigerate for about two hours.
2. Serve over steaks as soon as they come off the grill