Wedding Sugar – Page 12 – St. Simons Wedding Planner

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Coming Soon: Unveiled Bridal Style Revealed, Los Angeles Event

Wedding Advice, Wedding Sugar

unveiled bridal style event los angeles beverly hills show

I know our blog gets a lot of love from L.A. readers, so I definitely wanted to pass this on!

On Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., plan A will present Unveiled: Bridal Style Revealed, in Beverly Canon Gardens, a jewel-like park nestled exquisitely between the Montage Beverly Hills and Bouchon. Unveiled is the first grand scale public event to be produced in the Beverly Canon Gardens. In its second year, Unveiled is an outdoor bare-it-all bridal bazaar that showcases the city’s best inspiration for modern brides planning for their big day. Featuring couture bridal collections and informal modeling, paired with the finest cakes, décor, trend experts, celebrity planners and beauty services, Unveiled presents the best Los Angeles has to offer.

This year’s “State of the Union” address will be given by Darcy Miller, Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings, revealing the latest design trends, event planning tips and the current state of weddings according to Martha Stewart Weddings. Also on-site, will be the top bridal bloggers who comprise Unveiled’s Social Media Collective: The Bridal Bar, 100 Layer Cake, The Bride’s Café, The Bride’s Guide, Green Wedding Shoes, and Junebug Weddings. Priscilla of Boston will share with guests their couture bridal collections by Melissa Sweet, Reverie by Melissa Sweet, Platinum,Vineyard and Jewel with informal modeling throughout the day. The cake collection of 7-10 intricately designed wedding cakes will be on display until it’s time to indulge and taste them all, with a glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial.

I dare you to say that is not divine!

For tickets & information:

unveiledevent.com • 310-860-1300

I Dare You: Shake Up Your Wedding Lounge

Wedding Sugar

I absolutely adore lounges at wedding. Even for the cocktail hour and times after, it serves as a cool respite for guests to get away or discover other areas of your wedding reception. What is becoming unloved is redundant white furniture. While I love the chic Miami look— I am finding that it is becoming overdone. I am SO glad to see some new options out there for creating a one of a kind lounge area.

Perhaps you’d like to go a little futuristic, with several elements of your furniture serving as lit décor. Talk about fashion meeting function!

I love this black and white patterned sofa from Cort, which also has a matching chair set, which is now available for rent. This is from their Essex collection.

I really love this martini circle bar. it almost has a futuristic Jetsons look to it, but what I love the most is that it isn’t the standard six foot table with risers on it that is seen at so many weddings. Just a note—people will spend more time at your bar than your cake table or other areas, so make it lively, fun and part of the event. Cort also has some great pieces like the Luna light furniture (above) with a bar to match!

Which are your favorite pieces to use for a lounge?

I Dare You: Get a Mermaid

Wedding Sugar

Many times you will see that grooms run the gamut when it comes to getting a band or DJ. Some make the argument that they love live music, others say they don’t want to see someone else sing covers. If you’ve opted for a DJ, this may leave funding available in your wedding budget for some “other” entertainment.

Now, when I was in college, one of my major’s pre-reqs was to take Sociology. I had the best professor who was a freelance writer for Cosmopolitan magazine. At one point, she told us a story of how she had to interview Steve Tyler of Aerosmith for the magazine. She said she stepped into his house and he had mermaids swimming in his living room. INSANE.

Well, now your event can have a mermaid, too. I’m a huge proponent of creating fun, unique events. We’ve given you options of incorporating some tasteful, yet nonconventional ideas into your wedding to make it the most talked about event of the year. However, Zhantra takes it to a whole new level.

Fabric Aerialists Belly dancers for event
Aerialists and Belly Dancers (funny how they are in the same position…)

Brazilian Brasilian Carnival Dancers

Imagine ditching the “traditional” introductions into your reception and coming in between lines of Carnival dancers who can then do a short performance for you and your guests.

Event Entertainment :: Fire dancers

Fire dancers and synchronized swimmers are ALWAYS fun. We’ve done fire dancers towards the end of the evening to avoid the reception lull and guests LOVED it. The show was great and gave the guests a chance to rest and enjoy the entertainment. When it was time for the show to be over, every one was excited and ready to tear up the dance floor again.

strolling table for weddings and events

Credit: Screaming Queens

These strolling tables are my absolutely favorite. They add so much character…pardon the pun. These tables can move, hence the term “strolling” or the can be stationary.

So go on…get a strolling table…or a fire dancer…or a mermaid. Shake it up!

The Right Tuft

Wedding Sugar

For whatever reason, I am madly smitten with tufts. I’m not really sure, but it is just one of the facets of glamour for me.

ivory beige tufted headboard for wedding decor seating inspiration idea

This tufted head board would make a great backdrop against walls paired with bench seating. Instant glamour! Something like this:

Glamorous wedding with ivory flowers and candelabra lampshades, mirage chairs, mirrored table tops and tufted bench seating

These beautiful jewel toned pillows would make a great contrast against any lounge furniture or auxiliary seating. – Wal-Mart, $11

Shake up some options for your sweetheart table seating with these beautiful chairs which can later be placed in your home.—Next Tag and CasaSugar

Also, this is a wonderful look for your lounge. Doesn’t this just scream “Come splay across me”? —sofa.com

What are your favorite tufted décor ideas?

I Dare You: Alternating Table Designs

Wedding Sugar

burgundy and merlot centerpieces with calla lilies and other flowers with black goblets

white flowers with black linens and black ghost chairs

I think this concept that Colin Cowie used for Jay-Z and Coldplay’s NYE party is smart, chic and modern. There were to two different table designs alternating through the party. I don’t just mean “alternating centerpieces”—I mean completely different chairs, centerpieces and linens.

On silver tables, were beautiful florals in shades of merlot, burgundy and purple. Paired with dark runners and varying holders, the black goblets are gorgeous! The clear mirage chairs scream uberchic.

Not to be outdone, the “black” table featured all white florals in different containers with the black goblets and black mirage chairs.

There are other guest tables that appear to be squares with black linens and silver covered chiavaris. these tables had fuchsia flowers bunched in the center.

Different concept—one event. It is striking.

Greatest Moments in the History of Weddings

Wedding Sugar

This is a glimpse into some of the greatest moments in the history of weddings—not the greatest weddings in the history in time. It’s small (and not so small) moments and gestures that changed weddings or are so endearing, we hope that they catch on for other weddings in the future. While I couldn’t list all of my favorites, here are a few that are remarkable.

J.Lo’s Surprise Wedding

This moment is great, because Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony truly did catch their family and friends off guard with their backyard nuptials. There are no other pictures that are known or seen publicly, which makes this all the more extraordinary. I love the idea of completely surprising your guests with a wedding in a meaningful and personal setting. Can you imagine the guests who decided to skip the party only to find that it was a wedding later? Mmmmhmmmm!

A King Gives Up His Throne

I remember being so captivated by this story in high school (a mere two years ago…UGH perhaps in dog years….). If you aren’t aware of this unassuming couple, it is American socialite Wallis Simpson and her husband, Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor. Wallis was a two time divorcee and as King and the head of the Church of England, the king could not marry her because of the religious complications. His love for her was so great that he abdicated his throne in order to marry her. It was his brother, King George that inherited the throne (yes, the one from The King’s Speech) and gave his brother the title of “Duke of Windsor”. As the wife of a Duke, Wallis was known as a Duchess, however she could not have the “Her Royal Highness” with her name. But knowing all this, I love their garb for the day: Classic, elegant, and uncomplicated to the point of being understated.

Princess Diana

From one royal wedding to another…Princess Diana’s wedding had captivated not only her country, but he world. Her wedding inspired many weddings of her time and those many years later (Mariah Carey’s wedding with Tommy Mottola was patterned after the royal wedding. Diana’s wedding made it okay for women to splurge: her wedding dress was a puff ball meringue wedding dress, with huge puffed sleeves and a frilly neckline. The dress was made of silk taffeta, decorated with lace, hand embroidery, sequins, and 10,000 pearls. It was designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel, and had a 25-foot train.

American Royalty

First, this is the best picture ever. Second, when JFK Jr. finally wed, you heard hearts break across the world. However, you couldn’t help but to become endeared to his new beautiful bride, Carolyn Bessette. The evening wedding ceremony took place in the wood-frame Brack Chapel of the First African Baptist Church on the private Cumberland Island (not too far where we are in the St. Simons/Jekyll Island area). What made this wedding so beautiful was its intimacy and timelessness. Looking at this picture today, you would have a hard time believing it took place over 10 years ago. Moreover, the intimacy and personal details made it even more special: the bride wore Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ clip in her hair and her bouquet was designed by the same woman who designed the White House rose garden. JFK Jr. wore his father’s wristwatch. Additionally, the church, which had no electricity, was lit with candles and kerosene lamps, and the couple stood under an altar adorned with greenery arranged by Efigenio Pinhiero, Jackie Kennedy’s longtime butler. The guests were shuttled to Greyfield Inn, where they dined on the couple’s favorite food and watched their first dance to a Prince song. If for nothing else, this saves them a special place in my heart.

Surviving a Beach Wedding

All of these delicious pictures are of Survivor contestants Rob + Amber’s wedding, created by the illustrious Colin Cowie. This is a gorgeous wedding which completely revolutionized how beach weddings would take place and be experienced. The vibrant colors, estate seating, dotted with whimsical, yet upscale, elements into the décor. After this, many couples began to create dynamic and large events on the beach or nearby.

Weddinglicious

I’ve been a fan of Fergie since she was Stacy Ferguson: 1/3 of Wild Orchid. When Mindy Weiss planned the wedding for Fergie and Josh Duhamel, it was a beautiful, lush affair. While this is fabulous in its own right, what made it to the great wedding moment list is what happened during the reception. A slide show was shown with photos of the couple at different stages in their lives. At the end, Josh surprised Fergie with a video segment of 40 of their closest friends dancing and lip-synching to her hit, “Fergalicious.” The video included a pregnant Rebecca Romijn dancing at her house and Stacey Kiebler and boyfriend Geoff Stultz singing and dancing in the shower.

At the conclusion of the meal, an after party was held in a third tent decorated to look like a Moroccan lounge. The tent included couches and a graffiti mural that read “Fergie Loves Josh.” At one point Kid Rock jumped on stage and sang his hit “All Summer Long,” joined by the bride. This is a wonderful homage to the significant other to honor their achievements by including your family and friends. It makes the day all the more meaningful.

At Last…

If Christina Aguilera’s Christian Lacroix wedding dress in 2005 wasn’t sumptuous enough, it was only surpassed by her talent and generosity. First, guest received invitations in a silk lined invitation box came a note which read, “While we celebrate the richness of life and all the circumstances that have blessed us in career and love, we are mindful of those who are suffering greatly as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The best gift you could give us is a donation to any of the organizations helping the stricken citizens of New Orleans.” Also, during the reception, Christina serenaded her husband with her rendition of “At Last”. If you’ve never heard her cover of the song, you are missing one of the best covers of Etta James’ classic. I’ve always thought one of the best things an artistic couple or member of that couple could do is perform or present their art to their significant other at the wedding reception. Also, Christina’s wedding décor sparked the love for hanging crystals and crystal trees.

Event Vision: New Orleans Cocktail Hour Part II

Wedding Sugar

We talked about food and drinks in Part I of our Event Vision: New Orleans Inspiration Series. Today, we’ll focus on décor. Since your cocktail hour will be a less structured and traditional part of your wedding reception, you can really embellish with details and color. Unfortunately many people believe that the only thing available for New Orleans inspiration is Mardi Gras—which can quickly turn your event from a stylish fete into an instant cheesefest. There is so much more to New Orleans than Mardi Gras and food—however, the same principals can apply to your décor: go big and bold…with no apologies.

One thing New Orleans is known for is parasols. You can opt to use them as props for your pictures or photo booth, but definitely consider having them become an integral part of your décor. Don’t confuse them with the oriental parasols, but seek out colorful and ornate Victorian parasols and hang them from the ceiling of your tent or reception venue. They make a great entrance or lighting fixtures!

If your wedding is outside, you can still have your bit of New Orleans. One of my favorite things is the French Quarter’s wrought iron balconies. You can have your own variation by bringing in your own iron elements such as arches, gates and fences and hanging lush ferns from them.

New Orleans is an old city—full of rich history and culture. Many of its architecture and design influences come from baroque periods and designers. You can bring the old world into the new world by incorporating modern pieces like these tufted benches for seating and baroque mirrors and frames.

Photo: Melissa Schollaert via featured wedding on Elizabeth Anne Designs

I really do love this arrangement of lush flowers on this antique gold stand. Its fullness makes up for its size but provides soft colors (but feel free to go bolder!) which will look great on cocktail tables and bistro sets.

Speaking of bistro sets, toss a few around in your cocktail hour if it is outside, along with some vintage street lamps. Both are a part of the New Orleans experience and can easily transport your guests.

Don’t forget your décor for your reception either—small touches like naming your tables after New Orleans’ famous streets, making your food buffet look like it’s part of a Mardi Gras float can bring so much authenticity to your event. Don’t forget about the music, either (you’d better not!): Play songs from natives like Louis Armstrong, the Marsalis brothers, etc. to get people in the spirit. If you really want to get people moving—when it is time to get your guests to move on to the reception, do it Mardi Gras style with a trumpet player playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” taking them into the reception pied piper style. If this doesn’t work for your event, you could always do it for your wedding reception entrance or send off, where guests can toss feathers and beads.

I hope this inspires you for your New Orleans’ themed wedding!

*Garnish*: for more inspiration, check out these links:

http://www.mailelaniphotography.com/blog/martini-and-adam-•-married/

http://eventjubilee.com/blog/on-royal-street-french-inspired-photoshoot-in-new-orleans-part-ii/

http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/new-orleans-wedding-dress

Details: Great Lighting with Crystal Decor

Wedding Sugar

There is just something about gorgeous lighting that takes any event from drab to fab. Pair it with crystal centerpieces: crystal candelabras, crystal chandeliers and crystal globes, and you have a a stunning combination of faceted lighting that makes the ultimate statement.

Photo by Los Angeles Photographer, Andrena Photography

above images :: rrivre works

Event Vision: New Orleans Cocktail Hour

Wedding Sugar

New Orleans wedding ideas food drink sezerac, st charles, gumbo, crawfish po boy inspiration ideas

New Orleans is world-famous for its food. The indigenous cuisine is distinctive and influential. From centuries of amalgamation of local Creole, haute Creole, and New Orleans French cuisines, New Orleans food has developed. Local ingredients, French, Spanish, Italian, African, Native American, Cajun, and a hint of Cuban traditions combine to produce a truly unique and easily recognizable Louisiana flavor¹. But it is not just the flavors of Louisiana that makes it special, it is the soul and spirit behind it. I come from a family that has roots in Louisiana and this passed down from generation to generation. You show your love by feeding people good, hearty meals. I laugh as I write this now, because it doesn’t matter when you walk into my parents’ house, my dad will say “You want something to eat?” (he makes a mean gumbo, by the way).

dgw-beignets-project foodie oyster-poboys-sl-258232-l--myrecipes

So when you ask your guests if they want something to eat, offer them unique specialties like beignets (French doughnuts served with coffee and chicory, known as café au lait). Oysters are an area favorite, and one way to get them with another favorite the Po’boy, above. There is also absolutely no way anyone will let you leave New Orleans without trying a crawfish. You can incorporate them into your cocktail hors d’oeuvres by offering New Orleans French Bread Pizza – with Andouille Sausage, Crawfish and Provolone.

gumbo healthy-delicious

You can also serve “mini” version of New Orleans staples like étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and other Creole dishes. The Monday favorite of red beans and rice (Louis Armstrong often signed his letters, “Red beans and ricely yours”).

But what about your drinks?

Well– everyone gets a Hurricane when they are in New Orleans.It’s an extremely sweet alcoholic drink made from lime juice, passion fruit syrup and rum. Wikipedia says: “The creation of this passion fruit-colored relative of a Daiquiri drink is credited to New Orleans tavern owner Pat O’Brien. In the 1940s, he needed to create a new drink to help him get rid of all of the less popular rum that local distributors forced him to buy before he could get a few cases of more popular liquors such as scotch and whiskey. He poured the concoction into hurricane-lamp-shaped glasses and gave it away to sailors. The drink caught on, and it has been a mainstay in the French Quarter ever since.”

First: awesome story. Second: I want one now.

The official drink of New Orleans is the Sazerac. It is said that “Hurricanes are for tourists, Sazeracs are for natives!”

Sazerac
2 1/2 oz Rye whiskey
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters (remember him?)
1 small dash Angostura bitters
1 sugar cube
absinthe
lemon twist
couple of drops of water

Tools: spoon to stir and muddle with
Glass: two Old Fashioned or Sazerac glasses

Of course, there is also the beautiful St. Charles Punch. It’s just as rich as it is beautiful, so be prepared for robust flavor!

St. Charles Punch

Adapted from Stanley Clisby Arthur’s Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em:

1 teaspoon rich simple syrup (2:1)
1 teaspoon orange curaçao
1-1/2 ounces fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 ounces ruby port
1 ounce Cognac

Arthur’s original instructions: “Dissolve the sugar with a little water in a mixing glass. Add the lemon juice, the port wine, the Cognac, and last the curaçao. Fill the glass with fine ice and jiggle with the bar spoon. Pour into a long thing glass, garnish with fruit, and serve with a straw. […] Don’t omit the straw; this drink demands long and deliberate sipping for consummate enjoyment.”

Gorgeous picture and recipe from Chuck T’s Flickr Stream.

If you really want to go authentic, create a mock Bourbon Street—with stations featuring cocktails some of the best establishments on the avenue. Each station can be an ode to the local bars, such as Pat O’Brien’s, Bourbon Pub, Napoleon House and other bars and restaurants.

With New Orleans being full of such color and flavor, there will be no drought on inspiration for you to draw upon for your cocktail hour for your wedding reception. Stay tuned for Part Deux for inspiration for décor and other elements

1. Food in New Orleans, Wikipedia

I Dare You: Untraditional Centerpieces

Wedding Sugar

art unusual vases and statues with pink orchids and purple table linens and hanging crystals

Hear me when I say this: I adore the look of this room. True, I am already on a purple kick in 2011. I am becoming obsessed with orchids. Granted. Hanging crystals still have a special place in my heart. However, when I saw these centerpieces that are more like statues, I was in love. I love that these tables don’t completely dominate the room, leaving other tables underwhelmed. Remaining tables are in unique pyramid vases. This was for a benefit for the Nevada Ballet company, and the pieces were meant to evoke a dancer’s legs.

art unusual vases and statues with pink orchids and purple table linens and hanging crystals Pink Orchid Centerpiece Ideas