The "I DO Brunch" Part Three - Pen To Paper

(Diamond Minor Design)

(Diamond Minor Design)

(Diamond Minor Design)

(Momental Designs)

(Momental Designs)

(Momental Designs)

(Momental Designs)

(Carla David Design)

(Carla David Design)

(Carla David Design)

I love the written word. There is something magical about gathering your thoughts, then transferring them with the sweep of a pen to paper. Words in all of their finery were truly on display at the "I DO Brunch". An integral part of the design teams were the stationers, all different in their approach to creating fine paper magic - and all uniquely suited for this challenge!

As with the other part of the collaborative "teams", the stationers were tasked with creating programs, menu cards, table numbers and the "I DO Introspect" - a series of questions designed to stir conversation, create the veritable "aha" moments and give our planners a chance to discuss relevant, salient issues as they relate to our industry. Through the magic of technology, all three designers were able to work basically sight unseen with the florists and linen companies to create paper loveliness for our guest tables. From hand painted artistry to sleek, sophisticated textures and everything in between, the talented owners of Diamond Minor Design, Momental Designs & Carla David Design truly showed how a bit a paper and a smidge of ink can truly become something wonderful....

Tablescapes One Through Four

Karron Davis-Minor

Diamond Minor Designs

Tablescapes Five Through Eight

Kristy Rice

Momental Designs

Tablescapes Nine Through Twelve

Carla David Design

All photos courtesy of Garrett Photography/Baltimore, MD.

The "I DO Brunch" Part Two - It's All About The Linens!

(Select Event Rentals)

(BBJ Linen)

(BBJ Linen)

(Gala Cloths)

(Gala Cloths)

(Select Event Rentals)

(Select Event Rentals)

I admit to being passionately fanatical about linen and tablecoverings - for me, they are one of the important elements to any great tablescape. So for the "I Do Brunch", I partnered with three of the finest companies on a local and nationwide basis to provide the elegant pieces of fabric that our guests would dine on.

As with the florists, the linen suppliers were tasked to work with the green and purple palette - then "float" their concepts along to the corresponding florist and stationer so that the end result would truly be a collaborative effort. Mind you - some of these people had NEVER met each other in person, their only contact was by phone and email. The tables were a great example of how technolgy can be used effectively and with great style! From deeply sexy to softly enchanting and ending with crisply chic - each of the tables had their own distinctive tone, mood and ambiance, which our Brunch guests thoroughly enjoyed!!

Tablescapes One Through Four

Midory Takeda-Rangonese

BBJ Linen

Tablescapes Five Through Eight
Guiliana Cox/Dulany Noble
Gala Cloths

Tablescapes Nine Through Twelve
Susan Childs
Select Event Rentals

Registration Area/Cardbox Table Linens

Susan Childs

Select Event Rentals

P.S. Non-professional pictures are courtesy of a few of our Brunch participants - because there were so many images taken and I don't want to miss anyone's name, I'll just say thanks for sending them over :)

The "I DO Brunch" Part One - Flowers In Bloom

(Flowers By Gina D.)

(Flowers By Gina D.)

(Flowers By Gina D.)

(Flowers By Gina D.)

(Richardson's Flowers)

(Richardson's Flowers)

(Richardson's Flowers)

(Wicked Willow)

(Wicked Willow)

(Wicked Willow)

(Wicked Willow)

(Crimson & Clover Designs)

(Creative Custom Cardboxes)

(Crimson & Clover Designs)

(Crimson & Clover Designs)

(Crimson & Clover Designs)

Historic Savage Mill Manor was the perfect location for the first "I DO Brunch" For Wedding Planners. Quaint, charming and with tons of history - it sits in the quiet enclave of Savage, MD., a small town in Howard County. The weather was gorgeous - sunny, with a bit of wind and plenty of fluffy clouds in the sky.

Guests were greeted by members of my team and offered the signature drink of the day, the "I DO Mimosa". This delightful concoction, dreamed up by yours truly, was a sweet mixture of orange and passion fruit juices, topped off with Italian spumante. A luscious strawberry petal finished off the libation which was served in a sparkling flute.

The color palette for the event was green and purple - which are two of my favorite hues to work with. Perfect for a spring event, these cool shades definitely herald the Easter season!
A funky custom card box, designed by Marni Gold at Creative Custom Cardboxes and done in our signature shades, festooned with a touch of "bling" and sensuous feathers graced our registration table.

Amy Epstein of Crimson & Clover Floral Design was tasked with providing the floral decor for the venue and took simple spring blooms then arranged them in such a fashion that they were a modern twist in a vintage location. Her incredible focal piece in our bar area, created with amazing purple tulips and the coolest ball fashioned out of deep purple carnations and crystals was truly a sight to behold!!! Guests were marveling and touching the spiky lavender flowers and the lush grass display created specifically for the Manor House' antique fireplaces.

As our colleagues entered the main dining area, the oohs and ahhs really came into full force - the vision that met them was truly camera worthy. Twelve tables were given the true imagination treatment and designed totally different, yet cohesive enough to fit the overall color scheme.

The tablescapes were created by teams of linen suppliers, stationers and florists - I gave them design "parameters" and let their respective genius run wild! To be honest, I had no clue of what the finished product would look like - but I'm wise enough to let the professionals work their magic and mojo to make things happen! And the end result was nothing short of amazing - I was so happy with how their creative juices flowed!

The floral designers were as follows:
Tablescapes One - Four
Randy Woods - Wicked Willow Floral Designs

Tablescapes Five - Eight
Sheila Smith - Richardson's Florists

Tablescapes Nine - Twelve
Regina Davis - Flowers By Gina D.

I think each of them did a fabulous job - our guests were truly appreciative of your hard work!!

P.S. Many thanks to Tiffany Parry & Bridgette Crawford for providing these photos so you could get a first glance at the lush beauty of this event -professional pictures will be up soon!

The "I DO Brunch" Recap

The first ever "I DO Brunch" For Wedding Planners was held this past Saturday, April 4th at the charming Savage Mill Manor in Howard County, Maryland. And judging from the wonderfully positive response I received from my guests - I can say that it was a success!!! Many, many heartfelt thanks go out to the lovely ladies who attended this new venture of mine, I really appreciate your support!

I'm going to be "recapping" the Brunch in parts - simply because there's so much to cover :) From the venue, to the decor, to the design teams, the menu, the SWAG...I simply would not be able to do it justice in one post! So, over the next few days - I'll be giving you a bit of insight into this gathering designed just for wedding planning professionals..hope you enjoy it!!

Pro Pics From "Aisle Style"

Finally - some professional images to share with you from last month's "Aisle Style" bridal event sponsored by Baltimore Magazine!

"Glamour - The AfterPARTY" was the design vignette I was tasked with creating, so using the materials on hand at the hotel with a few other little "fripperies" thrown in - my team and I designed a luxurious, comfortable space for the happy couple and their posse to hang out in AFTER the wedding festivities have officially ended.....

Pete Redel's lens caught the absolute essence of what I was going for....hope you enjoy them too!