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!

Another "I DO BRUNCH" Sneak Peek

I can't help myself - this is so, so pretty, I have to share it!

The uber-fabulous Kristy Rice of Momental Designs is graciously sharing her talents with us for the upcoming "I DO Brunch" next Saturday. I gave a design idea to a few collaborating "teams" and the results will be on display at the event. Kristy posted her inspirations to her blog today, and I was so thrilled with the result that I'm letting ya'll take a look too!

Kristy - thanks for your hard work! I'm certain that my fellow wedding planners will absolutely, without a doubt love your designs as much as I do!!!!

Aisle Style Recap

(acknowledgement menu - created by Diamond Minor Designs)

(pillows with a personal touch of bling - the jeweled pins are out of my collection!)

(this hotel pillow is normally burgundy chenille, but with a little bit of fabric - I gave it a new look!)

(a sparkling monogrammed pin is a great way to inject a bit of you and your spouse into the surrounding decor!)

(A luxurious "throw" to add panache to a chair - this was created with a cloth from my collection & a few gold tassels...)

(Sheila's beautiful orange-hued bouquet)

(another glimpse of the submerged orchid centerpieces)

(Simple orchids under water make for a stunning table focus)

(Another view of our crystal embellished floor lamp)

(A standard hotel floor lamp, transformed with florals, lighting and hanging crystals)

(Our design vignette signage)

(A few of the flowers we needed to make this baby POP!)

(The hotel lamp and couch - before)

( These crystals were painstakingly hand-strung by Sheila Smith)

(The always fun, ever-talented Gene Perkins of Perkins Event Lighting)

(Sheila & Chris from Richardson's Flowers)

(The title may be "Glamour - The AfterParty", but the setup sure isn't!)

(Here's what we started with at 7 a.m...)

I am recouperating from all of the excitement and hectic activity leading up to Baltimore Magazine's ultra-luxe Aisle Style event this past Sunday at the Hilton Baltimore. Many thanks go to the fine team at Baltimore Magazine including Jessie, Brittany and Janelle for the invitation to participate as a featured designer - I had so much fun coming up with my vignette!

Speaking of which - my project was entitled "Glamour - The AfterPARTY", which was quite fitting for this party DIVA :) Working in collaboration with my partners in "design crime", the talented Sheila Smith at Richardson's Flowers and Gene Perkins of Perkins Event Lighting, we crafted a pretty cool space - working with the existing structures of the hotel. That was the caveat - I could do whatever I wanted within the area, I just couldn't move the furniture out!

So...my thinking was to create a relaxing environment, with the right touch of bling and glam - for the new Mr. & Mrs (and their posse) to hang out and still savor the moment. Add in a few champagne cocktails and some tasty "nibbles" and we're good to go! For the final touch - Susan Childs at Select Event Rentals brought in a sinfully sheer caramel overlay with a raw silk undercloth & crystal encrusted table lamps, while my creative paper guru, Karron Minor of Diamond Minor Design took care of our menus and other printed collateral.

A few of my amateur pics are posted above - can't wait to get the professional ones up in a week or so!!

"I DO Brunch" Sneak Peek!

As the "I DO Brunch" gets closer - our studio is starting to fill up with all of the trinkets and goodies we've assembled for our very special guests. Vendors on both the local and national level are bestowing the newest, coolest, prettiest, tastiest items in the wedding and special event upon the Brunch so that my colleagues are able to see and experience first hand some of the finest wares available!!

I have to share one of those products with you - and it's something that can really make a terrific impact at your reception or party. Marni Gold of Creative Custom Cardboxes (a fellow Twitterer) has designed the most funkiest and delighftul box for our event - I gave her our logo and she came up with the gem you see here.

If you are looking for something beyond the standard satin bag on the wrist that you or someone else will lug around all night...definitely check out her website and contact her for a personal stamp on your special day!!!

Marni - thanks a bunch! The box is gonna be perfect for the Brunch!!!!!