Life Designs: Kasey + Alan's Wedding

The first time I met Alan & Kasey (and Kasey's brother who was her Man of Honor and made my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard) my gut told me this was going to be a super fun and memorable wedding and it was. Kasey was so easy to work with and Alan was very involved in the planning process and which is awesome because many grooms are so passive and don't have a ton of interest. Alan & Kasey were ideal clients. Their families were tremendous and it was a complete delight to work with them. Last year I wrote a blog post about how I was touched by an RSVP from one of their guests. I invite you to take a look back at it to truly understand the emotion that went into their wedding planning process and how even the little things can be so impactful.

Recently their wedding Photographer (and good friend) Rhonda Lewis of Rhonda Lewis Photography who is one of my favorite people and photographers (she shot my wedding as well) emailed me a few pages out of Alan & Kasey's wedding album. I demanded that Rhonda allow me the opportunity to share with my readers the beauty of her photographs. She gladly agreed.

Here are a few pictures from their phenomenal wedding day.


This heart was a little surprise that we did for the couple. Kasey's diamond engagement ring was a heart shaped diamond so I thought it would be great to tie it in with a candle light design which was viewed by guests once the sun went to sleep. The view of the candles was from a intimate balcony off the reception that overlooked the golf course. It was a great hit and so affordable!


Alan made a really amazing special request for this table. Check it out below about the meaning behind the details as it was a special recognition to the soldiers that we have lost.

MISSING MAN TABLE & HONORS CEREMONY


COURTESY OF NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES
OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

This table is reserved to honor our missing loved ones or missing comrades in arms. Set for one, the empty place represents an American (men or women) still missing from anyone of the five services – Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard. This Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. Some (Here) in this room were very young when they were went into combat; however, all Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call and served the cause of freedom in a special way.

The table is round – to show our everlasting concern for our missing men (and women).
The tablecloth is white – symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers.
The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of their bitter fate
A pinch of salt symbolized the tears endured by those missing and their families
The glass is inverted – to symbolize their inability to share this evening’s (morning’s/day’s) toast.
The chair is empty – he/she is missing.

Please honor America’s men and women who could not be here with us today.

It was an phenomenal day and I can't thank Alan & Kasey for the opportunity to be a part of it. Special thanks to Rhonda Lewis for all the pictures. You are so talented and have such an amazing connection with all of your clients.

Here is a list of the key players that were involved:

Invitations by: The Invitation Lady

Music by: Creative Touch Entertainment & The Instant Classics

Floral by: Fiori Floral

Venue & Catering : Sharon Bishop of DC Ranch Country Club

Videography: My Wedding Film

Photography: Rhonda Lewis Photography

Rentals: Tri-Rentals

Linens: BBJ Linen

Event Planning: Duh. Life Design Event Planning & The Life Ladies

Bridal Gown Salon: Uptown Bridal

Hair & Make-up: Par Exsalonce

Alterations: Jewel Couture

Lighting: Sound Lighting F/X. Inc

Officiant: From this Day Forward

Pastry Chef: La Dolce Pesca

Rehearsal Dinner: Tommy Bahama

Many thanks to all that were involved.

With all that Life has to offer,

Cicely

The Retro Political Period - Tablescape

When speaking of an American pastime or specific events that occurred within it, the question that always seems relevant is "Who was president during that time period?”. Due to the current zealous presidential campaign that our country is embarking upon, reverting to the basics and the retro history of presidential elections seemed fitting for this challenge. We present our table design as the Retro Political Period. With faded hues of our American Flag, nostalgic retro cigarette candies, ballot cards as menu pieces and the signature political pins, we wanted to take you to the retro times of our past candidates’ campaigning ventures. Below are pictures of the tablescape designed to do just that.

Pictures courtesy of Rhonda Lewis Photography

Linen provided by: Chair Covers & Linens, Inc.

{1} Table Runner multi painted stripe $6.40
{8} Napkins multi painted stripe @ $1.25 each = $10.00
{8} Sashes multi painted stripe @ $1.20 each = $9.60
{1} 132rd basic poly linen slate, $18.00

Total cost = $44.00

Invitations provided by: The Invitation Lady

{8} Menu’s @ $4.00 each = $32.00
{8} Cig Wraps @ $3.00 each = $24.00
{1} Table # $5.00

Total cost = $61.00

Floral provided by: Fiori Floral

Floral Centerpiece = $250.00

Total cost = $250.00

Speciality Items

Custom made Political Buttons @ 5.90 each = $53.10
Custom made Ballot Box Signage = $30.00
Candy Cigarette Box Favors @ .40 each = $3.20
Misc. Items = $15.00

Total cost = $101.30

Rentals provided by: Tri-Rentals

{8} Sets of Silverware @ 3.75 each = $30.00
{8} Sets of Glassware @ 5.55 each = $44.40
{8} Sets of Dinnerware @ 2.10 each = $16.80
{8} Chairs @ 5.00 each = $40.00
{8} Chargers @ at 5.00 each = $40.00

Total cost = $171.20

Grand Total Table Costs: $627.50

Table Top Decor & Confectionary Creations Competition

Photography by: David De Dios Photography, Rhonda Lewis Photography, Scott Foust Photography, Jane Jordan Photography

I love table decor and design. Those in our industry call it Tablescaping (at least I do) and this year's Event Elements competition is right around the corner. Last year, I had the chance to be involved and actually won first place within my element and I loved my experience so much last year that I jumped on the chance to be involved again. This year I would like to personally extend an invite for you to come check out this years event.

We invite you to join us at the 2nd Annual Event Elements - Confectionery Creations & Table Top Decor Competition featuring the styles - Retro, Contemporary, Traditional or Vintage.

My element this year is Retro. I am pretty confident that no one else would have thought of the direction I am going, but it's always exciting to see everyone's interpretation. Should be interesting for sure! Here is a hint: It's very fitting for our nations timing.

Here are all the details for the public viewing:

When: Monday, June 30, 2008
Where: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, 5350 E Marriott Dr Phoenix, AZ 85054
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Cost: $10 Per Person

See you there!

With all that life has to offer,

Cicely

Remember the Landslide Wedding

A few posts back I wrote about a wedding that almost was put to a hault due to a landslide happening 12 hours before the wedding day but with a lot of prayers everything worked out.

As promised, I did want to share a few pictures that the amazing talented Jane Jordan Photography team shot. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and we are so thrilled that everything worked out. Below is one of my favorites courtesy of JJ but if you click on their blog they have posted more.


Congrats to Adelita and Chris and thanks again for allowing Life Design Event Planning to be a part of it.

With all that life has to offer,

Cicely

"Colorful Carlisle" Inspired by Life Design Event Planning

In my last post I wrote about an Open House and Trunk Show at Inspirador. I gladly accepted the opportunity to showcase a table display so I choose a brand new unique linen, some fun colorful monkey ornaments and the inspiration began. Below is a break down of a few details from the table display. Thank you to all vendors assisting me with the display of our collaborated talents.

"Colorful Carlisle" Inspired by Life Design Event Planning

Design Board: Where the plans began for the total vision. It's so important to pull all of your pieces together in one element. This helps to bring all aspects of your design together to make sure that it matches and/or flows.

Candy Tables are all the rave within wedding and event trends right now. Instead of having the guests serve themselves I had champagne glasses filled with candy for them to pick up in a hurry. No lines at this table!

Menus had a bit of a contemporary feel to them. Rather than everything centered and aligned in a certain style it was off kilter and a little sporadic. Very fun. PS. Notice that J-Lo was to be a guest at my table.

Centerpiece was very fun with an array of orchids and feathers along with a few other surprises. I love that it was encased in an over sized snifter.

The glassware helps bring in just the right amount of pop with the overall look and colors in the design. It was very dramatic.

Mrs. Seal will sit here.

I was a bit nervous about this table design as it was completely original and out of the ordinary but I was totally relieved when i received an abundance of compliments. Thank you to all that came out and supported the event and it was great meeting and developing new relationships with new friends I met.

My Element Was Sky

This past summer NACE's Phoenix Chapter had the excellent idea do put together a table top competition and this years theme was focused on the four elements of Earth, Water, Fire & Sky. Like any planner, I love designing tablescapes so I jumped on the chance to enter. Immediately I was assigned my element of Sky. What's the first thing people think of when it comes to sky? Fluffy white clouds with a crisp blue sky. Well, not me, I wanted to surprise people and think outside of the expected. I chose to focus my table decor with what Arizona is known for; "Wicked Sunsets". First things first, I did some research on some of our more richest sunsets through photography and came up with this breathtaking picture below. This was to be the inspiration of Life Design Event Planning's table design.

Below are pictures detailing my final design of "Wicked Sunset".


All the stemware, flatware and chargers were provided by Tri-Rentals from their Unique Line. The particular stemware I used was called Amber Frost & I also used their Scallop chargers. The flatware I chose is called Antique Gold Swirl.

I wanted a fun way to incorporate our paper products so we used gold push pins with name tags displayed on a juicy pears as the place card and had custom square menus made with beaded embellishments all provided by The Invitation Lady. As you can see the menu card is propped up by a fold. We wanted to give it a three-dimensional look.


The floral was provided be Fiori Floral. I wanted the richness of purples, oranges, & golds to echo the vibrant colors of true Arizona sunsets. If you dim the lights we hid mini electric candle votives in the gold rock marbles and when it was dark streams of light would radiate out just like a sun trying to hold on to day light for just a bit longer. It was so beautiful.

The linen was by far my favorite part of this table design. BBJ helped us pull the whimsical strides of a sunset with different and absolutely non-traditional pinning and tying.

When walking through the displays at this competition I was taken back by the astounding creativity and thought that I had no chance with competing with the top florist, planners and designers in the Valley. Vendors had spent thousands and thousands on just one table where I had spent only a few hundred. Well, my mouth dropped when I was announced as the first place winner in my assigned element. It was a wonderful feeling to run to the stage for my "medal" (yes, we got metals) and award. It just reassured my feelings on the fact that you don't have to spend thousands to get that Wow Factor. It's all about design and being creative. Thanks Laurie for teaching me that lesson. :)

There was also a competition among cakes so I thought I would end this post with a few pictures of some outstanding cakes that were on display. I didn't know all of the cake designers by the pictures alone so if you are reading this and one of your cakes are posted I would be glad to give you the props you deserve by listing your company. Please feel free to email me.

Classic Cakes and Confections are an excellent resource for amazing cakes. They taste and look fantastic. Here is Ella and Neil struttin' their stuff next to their element cake. Great job guys!

Both cakes above are the element of water. The second one is from Honeymoon Sweets.

Element of Fire. So creative!

Element of Earth. Such detail!

Again, thanks to all that participated and Kudos to Jennifer from Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine and Laurie from BBJ linen for planning this madness. It was so fun.

Can't wait to see what everyone does next year!

Special thanks to Harold of To Have & To Hold Photography for these beautiful pictures.