Is there such thing as too much flowers?

I am a big fan of sir Preston Bailey (yes I said sir) as for me he is the king of event design.
However I can't help wonder how much is too grand, I mean the americans certainly like to explore when it comes to creativity and produce dramatic looks which most of the times leave me baffled but sometimes I find it a little over the top.

Don't get me wrong I respect and admire Mr Bailey's work I think of it as pure art and it should be preserved in a museum to inspire many generations.

I don't know if my European culture is stopping me from fully embrace the art of over producing. You'll find it in the music videos, the movies... When do you cross the line from simple elegance to ostentatious design?

What do you think, can flowers be too much? Would you like to have giant centerpieces at your wedding?

Love
S

My passion for making you happy

Getting married and setting a business are quiet similar tasks, they both require a lot of research, planning and money.
Being able to visualize the end result and work backwards to achieve your goal.
Are you being efficient, organised ? Are you putting everything on paper, are you measuring every actions?
Have you left room for errors? Do you have a plan B?

You need a wedding plan that have been tested before, it's hard to obtain a good result the first time around.
However a bride only has one day and she can't afford to miss it.

Planning a wedding is a lot of work it takes practice, expertise and patience. It would almost take the fun out of the wedding.

It takes perfectionists to pull out the stress of organizing a wedding. Although there is no such thing as perfection, we can always strive for the best that is possible.

Do yourself a favor and hire a wedding planner, find one that you trust will deliver your dream day and sit back and enjoy being a bride.

Too many brides say I've enjoyed my wedding but....
It you are going to spend a lot of money you owe to be fully satisfied.

 wishing you a happy wedding!

The importance of being you

I am starting my new business. I am very excited and scared about this new venture.
This is a time of doubt, research and hard work. I don't know much about what makes some styles trendier than others.
In my view beauty lies in the eyes of each and everyone of us. I do not belong to any style or community or one way of thinking. I was raised on two different continents and I draw my style from various cultures.  I am inspired by anything and everything that crosses my path.

The lord have tremendously bless me, for I come from very far and I believe I am heading to amazing places.
Hunger is the most amazing motivation there is as I will not stop until I am fulfilled.
What can I possibly bring to an industry already filled with talented event designer and planner. Do brides really need another planner ? Probably not. Do they need fresher ideas? always.

Vintage is a strong Uk trend. And I can see why as fashion always come back.
But I for one dream of innovative, unique, original ways to use basic style. I've always liked  to approach things from a different angle in order to refresh an existing item.

I think a true designer never stop exploring and discovering through their clients. It is their taste that stretches our imagination. My dream client would be someone who dares to be different yet elegant and refine.

What do I have to offer potential clients, besides my drive and desire to touch their heart with exquisite events.

I have faith in my creativity, my passion for art, from fashion to interior design. I strongly believe that there are things that no books can teach you when it comes to style. Learning and practical experience will only complement your existing skills.

Through my research I have noticed trends, ways of doing things. How do I fit in in all this?

Shall I simply join in or do I dare to be me?

You've guessed right, I hate following people, as much as I love to learn from others I believe in being you.

There is no point in joining the crowd unless you'll bring something new to the table.

So there you have it, when planning your event, or dressing up in the morning remember to stay true to who you are.

Have you discovered who you are yet? Do you own your style? I would like to hear  your opinion on the matter. All comments are welcome.

Love.
S

A piece of art: wedding cake

Choosing your wedding cake is as important as the dress, the venue, flowers.

The cake provides the bride and groom with another way to express their style and taste.

Nowdays cakes can be real piece of art.

The cake adds to the décor and it’s the ultimate wedding desert. Do as much research as possible, design the cake in line with your theme. Here are a few inspirations and guidelines on choosing your cake.  Be inspired.

Interview of Sylvia Weinstock, Queen of cakes.

http://youtu.be/VTTg2INvA6w 

Allow me to share a little piece of France: Macarons.

French favours -" Les dragées"

"La dragée" is usually offered to guest at christenings and weddings.
They can be thrown with rice at newlyweds leaving the church. They bring joy and good luck to the couple. They are traditionally presented in tulle with the couples names entwined and the wedding date. Nowadays they can be wrap in all sorts of packaging.

The original wedding almond is design to last through time and can be kept as a souvenir.

Nowadays couples find amazing ways to present their favours. I've selected some of my favorite to share with you. Be inspired.

What to expect from your destination wedding planner in France

1-     The wedding planner knows the laws and customs, which will save you valuable time.

2-     The wedding planner can recommend reliable suppliers and venues.

3-     The wedding planner eliminates the language barrier.

4-     The wedding planner knows the wedding timeline for your chosen destination.

Planning a wedding in France ideally requires a minimum of 12 months.

Suppliers and venues need to be booked well in advance in popular cities such as Paris or Nice.

5-     For church wedding, French laws require that you marry in the town hall first. However in order to marry in the town hall you need to be a resident of the county for over 3 months.

6-     It’s easier to obtain your marriage licence in your country and have a symbolic ceremony at the venue.

7-     Depending on the wedding location your transport and accommodation will have to be booked well in advance to guarantee the best rates and the best suppliers.

8-     The Bride needs a hairdresser and make up artist at the venue on her wedding day. The wedding planner would arrange reliable professionals and ensure that your wishes are met.

9-     I would recommend arriving at your wedding location at least a week before and maybe you could have your Hen and Stag night there too, the wedding planner can recommend various places.

10- The wedding planner will help you to personalise your wedding and incorporate your country culture with your destination wedding.

Basically your wedding planner should be your eyes and legs on the ground while you oversee everything from the comfort of your sofa.

It would be easier for a wedding planner to understand your requirements if she understands your culture and your vision for the wedding.

The more you’ll meet your wedding planner, the more the planner will get to know you and better plan your day.

Good luck on your wedding ….

Wedding destination idea: Annecy - Le Palace de Menthon

It is common to assume that France is made of Paris and the French Riviera.

However France has a lot more to offer then these two well known locations.

I've chosen to share with you the beauty that Annecy has to offer as a wedding destination.

Annecy is often compared to Venice for its charm and the construction built by the lake.

Annecy is easily accessible from major European cities and from Paris. And if you are looking for a location that offers exquisite views and amazing comfort, the Palace of Menthon would exceed your dreams.

 

You can choose to visit Annecy in the winter for its wonderful ski resort and in the summer for shopping, water sport activities and a well deserve rest.

And a wedding at Annecy would be much cheaper than in the big cities but with all the convenience.

I hope I have inspired you to discover a wonderful city.

For amazing pictures of Le Palace de Menthon please click the link below:

http://www.flickr.com//search/show/?q=palace+menthon

The Essence of Black & White

 It may not be the theme of the season but a Black & White marriage is bold and rich.

I suppose having a Black & White themed wedding could be compare to the essential little black dress. It's appropriate for every occasion and it will never be out of style.

You can never go wrong with the basics. Keep it simple. And it will be elegant and pure.

 Be inspired.

                                        A white cake dress in black lines

   The light simply shines off the black canvas and beautifully decorates the fish bowl

I like the way the photograph plays with the light on the above picture, of course I love the dress too

                               Just love the contrast created from the glass chair

                                              My own wedding shoes

Flowers arrangement by Preston Bailey

I just had to share some of Preston Bailey amazing work with you. It's so dramatic and it has that wow factor that most brides dream of. Get inspired.

How to save money on flowers

Flowers are very important to the wedding decoration and can be expensive.

See below some tips from New York wedding planner Marcy Blum on reducing the cost of flowers.

How much you set aside for your flower budget depends on how important the decor is to you. If you'd rather spend the money on food and liquor, or the wedding gown, you can save some money on your flowers. BUT, it's unlikely that you can completely eliminate a florist--it's not as simple as you may think.

Flowers have to be conditioned. Stems are cut and some greens removed to prevent rotting in the water. It's time-consuming and laborious. Experienced is needed to know when to condition the flowers so they open at the correct time.

• Use plants instead of cut flowers. For example, using cyclamen, African violets, or plants that you've dug up and re-potted, is simple and saves money.

• Opt for flowers simply placed in a vase or urn, without arranging or wiring.

• A hand-wired bridal bouquet will cost much more than a ribboned one.

• Use fruits or vegetables as part of the arrangement.

• Use candles--they are the best secret for getting the most bang for your buck. Lots of votive candles grouped together make a powerful visual statement, much more so than a row of bud vases.

• If you use flowers, go for large bouquets of a single type of flower, rather than mixed bouquets. It will make a more dramatic statement if it's all one kind of flower.

• Consider using daisies or another simple flower, like sunflowers or gerbera daisies. Gerbera daisies have to be wired but they're still less expensive than many other kinds of flowers.

• Use flowers that are in season and that don't have to be imported, especially if it's a destination wedding.

• The trend in bridal bouquets is the large, traditional bouquet of stephanotis, the beautiful bell-shaped flowers. But that is an expensive bouquet because each flower is wired and a tiny pearl inserted.

Chairs - From Montaigne to Napoléon

Crystal or ghost chairs from French designer Philippe Starck are the trendy pieces to your table.

I first discovered these chairs when researching the web. And I recently had the pleasure to sit on them when visiting friends in their contemporary villa on the French Riviera.

I was pleasantly surprised at how light the chairs are not to mention very comfortable. And the transparent chair brings so much elegance to your table and the room in general.

The chairs are inspired from the Renaissance, and carry Montaigne's name who was a great thinker of his time.

The transparent model was so popular that it has been created in different colors, style and materials.
All images are from Options, I can't wait to work with them for my destination weddings to France.

Also very popular are the Napoleon chairs which exist in crystal too:

St Pucchi

St Pucchi is an american brand designed by Rani Totman.

Elegance & Style with St Pucchi dresses.

I found Rani Totman dresses when researching the web for my client. Unfortunately they do not have retailers in the UK however they would consider making a design for my client and ship it over. I think I would suggest getting inspiration from the design and either look for the same type or have it custom made.

http://www.stpucchi.com/Home.html

Creative table planning

Some inspiration for your table plan display.
Some are easy to make and quiet unique. Lovely way to personnalise your wedding.

             For the green or eco friendly wedding - image from vibrant bride

     This one is very unique and might be hard to realise lol - image from vibrant bride

                               Candy table plan - image from Vibrant bride

                           Concert table plan image from vibrant bride

Golf - table plan image from Vibrant bride