Dressing the Part

When selecting the attire that you will wear for your wedding you will find that there are countless options. Gone are the days when all wedding clothing looked the same. Also gone are the majority of the rules which once applied to wedding attire. While modern etiquette still does dictate certain guidelines which should be followed at your wedding socially. When it comes to what you wear you should freely express your personal style. Elements that may influence what you wear could be your wedding setting including the climate and the venue style, or cultural customs and traditions.

The idea of wearing a color other than ivory or white is something that many aren’t brave enough to embrace, again unless there is a cultural influence. While both ivory and white are stunning when properly styled, wearing color is much more memorable and lots of fun. Just remember to remain in the range of colors that compliment you and that aren’t too saturated for that particular season.

I know individuals that have envisioned what they have wanted to wear since they were a child and they did not stray from that vision. Even when it meant trying on a teeming number of items until they were satisfied.

You will find your wedding duds where you happen to find them. A distinctive look could be created by combing stylish vintage boutiques for the selection that speaks to you. Or if you are feeling a bit indulgent go the custom or designer route.

I have even had clients be professionally measured for online orders. If you choose to purchase at a store that specialize in wedding apparel or buy directly off the rack, you should switch up a few details or add an accessory or two to make it a unique look for you.

When it comes to wearing attire which you inherited and was previously worn by a love one, it should be you who has the desire to wear the garment and not at the forceful suggestion of others.

While I do appreciate a classic look and am a lover of clean lines. I fully support breaking from traditional and giving yourself some style room to breathe. Especially on a day where you will more like be photographed more than any other day in your life. That is unless you are normally chased by the Paparazzi.

Going for a stylish look on your wedding day could be a great thing for you. I am sure that your wedding photos and future self will thank you!

The Most Important Meal of the "Evening”

There is something really special about breakfast and brunch food and I must admit that I am totally addicted to the cuisine. This affinity began when I was about ten years old and I cooked my very first egg successfully. That moment grew my culinary interest, skills and my breakfast menu repertoire. There is nothing like a big breakfast on a lazy Saturday morning and I indulge on the Sundays that I can meet my favorite cousin for Brunch, around Noon. Nothing can touch the vivid memories that I recall as a child being at my Grand Mother’s home after school on a cozy Autumn evening and having my pallet totally seduced by my first ever introduction to breakfast as dinner. My world changed forever!

My Grand Mother walked to the beat of her own drum and was a naturally gifted cook. She knew that nurturing her family thought cooking was a definite extension of her love for us. The term “from scratch” could have been her mantra. It was common place to smell warm, wholesome, mouth-watering aromas wafting from the interior of her gas oven and filling the entire home. I remember that on this particular foggy evening in place of her usual dinner fare she served fluffy scrambled cheesy eggs with creamy, buttery grits and an array of country sausages and extra crunchy thick cut bacon. Not to mention pans of her hot and golden, steamy biscuits. Which no meal in her home was ever complete without and for me was the crowning touch. Especially when accompanied by the fresh caramelized, pan sautéed apples that she surprised us with. This was my breakfast T.K.O. a meal so gratifying that I fell in love with the concept.

Some evenings, after a long day it is so satisfying to arrive home and discover that it is the perfect time to indulge in my favorite craving. I have even pushed the envelope a little further and served breakfast at a dinner party that I hosted. Though that particular serving was more refined, it still held the same level of surprise and satisfaction that I first experienced and my guest adored it. From French Toast with fizzy Mimosas to smothered hash browns and stuffed omelets there are endless options.

I am sure that we each have a breakfast favorite that could inspire our next evening’s solo dinner or gathering with friends.

Always The Wedding Planner…Never The Bride!

I have worked with numerous Clients that love the fact that they have hired a professional to plan their wedding and oversee all of the teeming details that automatically come with planning a wedding of any size. I see the joy and excitement in their eyes when we meet and I have taken an idea that we shared and completely embellished it. I also delight in the relief that we share when an unexpected issue is instantly resolved. Because there will be items that you didn’t expect. Planning your own wedding, completely on your own even with the wealth of planning tools available today still takes patience and organization. It also requires knowledge of how to entertain and an item that can’t be purchased…style.

Even if you are planning your own unique rendition of a non-wedding-wedding, you still must have help outside of yourself at some point. I often hear from brides that want unique weddings or something that they haven’t seen at another’s wedding. That is fine and often a great idea if it is successfully translated otherwise this desire to be daringly individual can ruin a wedding. Many brides overlook the fact that everything in the wedding must be cohesive regardless of the size, style or scale of the event.

I adore all of the crafty websites that show us how to make it all. However, I feel this also has given way to who I refer to as the “D.I.Y.”Bride (Do It Yourself). The bride that gets so caught up in making everything for the wedding and enlisting the apprehensively volunteered time of friends and family that she loses herself and doesn’t enjoy the moment. As well as losing a few acquaintances and night’s sleep.

I recommend that you ask yourself a few simple questions to determine if you should hire a Professional Wedding Planner. A) Am I planning my own wedding because I am being frugal but, actually can afford to hire a Professional Wedding Planner? ( If answer is yes then proceed to next question) B) Am I planning my own wedding because I am very knowledgeable of the wedding industry and I do not need assistance with budget, menus, vendors, style or the actual timing of all that happens on the wedding day? (If you answered yes to this question then you may have the courage to go it alone. If no then seek professional help!) I always turn to a Professional for whatever need that may arise because I find that their experience and knowledge is purposeful, there is a reason that there is help out there. For instance I know absolutely nothing about cars so I do not attempt to fix my own. Even with social media channels that tell me I can fix it myself. There is a good feeling that comes with hiring the right wedding planner. It should feel like someone having your back, like you have an advocate in the industry that KNOWS. Use your wedding planner as a resource!

Set It Off

You should make setting a fabulous table fun! I never try to repeat the same table décor twice, unless the design is so amazing that I have it photographed for my idea book. Not repeating is so easy to do because I am always looking for ways to add some detail or element of surprise to my décor and designs. My mantra should be “Think Outside of the Box.” I always encourage everyone to push the limits of their personal style and to be fresh and unique with their ideas.

Setting a great table and atmosphere has the power to change a person’s mood. Think of your guest and how you want them to feel then create a table so fabulous that it ends up on social media. Many households today don’t commonly have multiple China patterns waiting in the wings to entertain. Nor do most even know how to properly set a table. This could make setting an amazing table very intimidating but it shouldn’t. By combining elements that fit the tone of the celebration you will create an ambiance that encourages your guest to be present in the moment. Remember, unscented candles are very important so I recommend candles and more candles you have a dimmer switch for a reason! It would be wonderful to have a full place setting for twelve but who really does? That is your license to be creative! Your setting choices for China will depend upon the foods that you will serve so keep that in mind when planning. I encourage you to always purchase pieces that are staples such as plates, silverware and glassware in clear, solid or neutral patterns. This makes your collection endless and interchangeable. You can layer and add objects with texture and color as accents and have a different table setting every time. Fresh greenery or florals are important but they should complement the setting not dominate it. Never incorporate anything that competes with the food or the ability to socialize.

Your goal is to have a table that is visually stunning regardless of your style. Create a flow with your décor by combining objects of different heights on the table and remember to repeat some of the same elements to unify the design. There are certain rules that simply must be followed which I alluded to above.

Mis en place! Everything has a place. I feel that you must put all of the silverware and the stemware in the appropriate places. Other than that I am very relaxed when it comes to not displaying some archaic dining tool and they don’t get in a bunch whenever a guest eats dinner with their salad fork. Planning ahead is necessary when you are setting a table or hosting. So break out everything you own and pull items to make a stunning combination to set it off for the people that hold space within your heart. Create great moments and spaces in time to add to your memory. Setting an amazing table can be inspiration for a start!

Let's Get-Together

   There are so many reasons to plan a celebration and I am sure that there are some special people in your life that deserve to be the recipients of such, or even an invited Guest.

Besides, who doesn’t love a great party or even a simple “get-together?”

In my life I often look for reasons to celebrate.

Besides planning spectacular gala weddings and extraordinary events professionally, I also create intimate, low key gatherings not just for my Clients, also for myself.

I live for togetherness and find it really exciting to be surrounded by individuals that I love or admire and for everyone to be bonded in the same amazing energy, in the same space.

That, is a feeling that I adore!

Regardless of the size and scale of an event, I always say that the love is in the details.

I feel that details are the special elements that you think of that add feeling and remembrance of your gathering.

These details do not always have to be on a grand scale either.

Sometimes, just the tiny extra touches can speak volume.

Have you been thinking about planning your own gathering?

I encourage everyone to look for a reason to celebrate and think about planning something “just because.”

 I love it when a simple phone call announcing to a friend that I am making a pot of Gumbo or the descriptions of what I have on the grill, turns a weeknight into an impromptu dinner affair

Even more so when the release of a favorite movie to DVD transform a challenging work day into an evening on the lawn with blankets, bottles of wine, hot buttered popcorn and friends.

 A spur of the moment assembly of special people can foster memories for a lifetime.

These stolen moments don’t require a Tiffany engraved invitation and usually require minimal effort, but the sentiment and level of enjoyment have the potential to be as great as any other.

Life today is very busy.

You may be engaged in the most elaborate plan of your life right now or have the next five months of your life allocated strictly to whatever is going on in your head.

But, don’t overlook the smaller moments with the individuals that offer life structure and that make the grand celebrations all the more necessary.

Let’s get together and let’s celebrate something!

Just be creative with the details and don’t forget to engage with your guest and enjoy in the moment that you are in.

Oh... and I hope that I am invited!

An Event To Remember

It is the goal of every great Host to have each of their Guest leave their Event with their senses stimulated.

 I often achieve this by encouraging my Clients to think outside of the box.

There are countless options available for every event setting. So why not create one that is all your own. An event with a look and an ambiance that is memorable and as unique as you are.

Creating a signature based upon the Client and the event is usually where I begin.

 By choosing a favorite item of my Client's and then building upon it, I feel that an event transforms from ordinary to one of a kind and extraordinary.
 For example Alisa was a very non-traditional Client that was planning her wedding. She was not delighted with and wanted few to none of the choices that make most Brides swoon. This for me meant that there was an opening to explore modern venues and to make selections that spoke solely of her contemporary personal style. 
Which involved encouraging her to walk to the beat of the own style drum. For instance, her favorite color is black, so we picked figure hugging column gowns for the Bride's Maids in black and they each looked amazing! 
Alisa met her Fiancé, Roberto in Jamaica, which is a place that boasts music and cuisine that they both adore. We recreated some of these dishes for their Reception Menu for their Guest to dine on while enjoying the live, soft melodic sounds of the island.

Then what better wedding setting for two Professional Urbanites than an evening ceremony beginning at eight o' clock on the top floor of a skyscraper boasting a full panoramic view of the golden, twinkling city below. Despite the Modern Urban flair of the event, the ceremony and reception weren't void of special moments or of plenty of tears.
 It was a wedding that their friends and family often recall. One which they  use as a style gauge for other weddings and one that they talked about for months.
 My advice to each of you is the same that I give to each of my Clients, "Go for it!" I love personal style expressed with great taste. So, articulate your style at your next event and give your Guest something to remember!