I love lamp

Beautiful, inspirational, and a bit creepy... interesting lighting designs and elements from Belgian artist Nora de Rudder:

photos from decor8

My tropical's depressed... It always wants to go to Krispy Kreme

I was watching Forces of Nature last night, you know, the movie with Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock which seems a little less than perfect. Ben Affleck's charachter, Ben, almost missed his Savannah wedding to Maura Tierney because "forces of nature" were preventing it. When he does get to Savannah, there's a terrible hurricane, and the outdoor reception scene was one that makes you laugh because of how ridiculous it looks... Umbrellas, and chairs and rose petals being strewn about in slow motion and people having a hard time running from them... but then again, what if that really happened?

At the Gibbes, the wedding of Sarah & Jason faced Tropical Storm Alberto head on, and Soiree designed an intimate Courtyard reception.

I've heard that it can be considered a good omen to have rain on your wedding day, check out this (unreliable-looking) list if you're superstitious.

And how did it turn out... would you ever know?

photos by a talented Adrienne Page

It's a Gelato kind of summer!

For those of you who know about Paolo's Gelato Italiano on John Street next the Rue de Jean, you know what I mean when I say it's full of charachter! Paolo Dalla Zorza is the uber-charasmatic owner of the authentically unique gelateria and he is one of the nicest people, like, ever. In addition to his Charleston shoppe, he also own's a Paolo's Gelato Italiano in Atlanta (which has appeared on the Food Network), and has many other ventures including being a pet chef.

beacon of yummy goodness

The flavors of gelato, which are whipped fresh daily, range from Italian favorites like Straciatella and Nutella to interesting options like 1,000 Roses, Olive Oil, and Chianti; check them ALL out here.

Me and Paolo, just chillin'

The reason I'm blogging about Paolo and his gelato is because it's a fun addition to your summer events! Paolo rents out a cart filled with your potions of choice and it's nothing but self serve FUN! We had this at our spring Rodin preview party and I chose Straciatella, Raspberry, and Pistachio flavors in the colors of the Italian flag... you know, a Spoleto thing. I don't know how much it usually costs to rent because we got the hookup, but check it out, it's a great alternative to a regular dessert display.

photos by Charlestonpicturecompany.com

"Cash rules everything around me" - Wu Tang Clan

Do you ever wonder how much event planners make? Are you an event professional and wonder if what you're making is comparable to others in your field? I know; this is a highly interesting topic, here is what I've found:

I looked through a few resources and Monster.com's Salary Wizard shows that the median salary for a meeting/event planner in Charleston, SC is $47,567 with the 75th percentile of people in this category making $58,252. The average pay for event professionals in the entire nation is $51,703 and $63K on the high end.

Catering managers in Charleston make about $36,797 according to the website. Wedding planner pay, on the other hand, is harder to gauge because of the highly independent nature of the job :(. I would think Charleston wedding consultants make anywhere from $30K-$100K, don't quote me, I'm not a reliable source.

If you're considering making the move to the Big Apple, a 10-person survey last year reported that an average NYC professional makes around $73,850 and is 39 years old. (Click here for the full article and details)

C.R.E.A.M. Baby!

photos from BizBash

The Bold and the Beautiful

If you saw my wardrobe I don't think "bold" would be the word to describe it, but for some reason I am insanely attracted to pattern and color... I don't understand why, but my fashion and passion don't correlate :(

Love these old/new graphic patterns for a vintage/contemporary look in designing everything from invitations to decor.

Above, Saima Says Design out of Washington, DC creates luxurious and interesting designs for clients everywhere. Saima, herself, is totally cute, too!

Above, Blik Surface Graphics have ingenious varieties of wall decals. Imagine a huge mirror wall covered in this vintage pattern, tres chic!

Finally, "throw" your guests off with unexpected patterned throw pillows among a sea of solid colors. Above, West Elm's allover medallion pillow covers.

Going out boating this weekend, maybe see you at Morris Island!

photos: Saima Says Design, Blik, West Elm

FYI...

I hear the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island will soon be hiring for a Catering Manager and a Conference Services Manager.

4-Stars 5-Diamonds, what what!

photo from www.thesanctuary.com

Sheer Elegance Courtesy of Stephen Duvall

June 9th felt like a day for the record books; positively sweltering. Despite the heat the Gibbes was teeming with activity for a classy courtyard reception for the wedding of Stephanie and Ben. Stephen Duvall Catering & Events delicately decorated the courtyard in gold linen and sheer ivory over gold chivari ballroom chairs. Tiger Lily created a combination of cascading flower arrangements and smaller full florals with a lot of greenery and ivory roses. The tent was draped in a semi-sheer liner with twinkling string lights showing through and wrought iron chandeliers brought some color and substance.

Following the ceremony at First Scots Presbyterian guests were greeted to a cool cocktail hour on the first floor of the Gibbes Museum of Art. They sipped on libations and enjoyed a selection of fancy passed hors d'oeuvres such as Duck Satays with Sesame Orange Glaze and Shiitake Mushrooms Stuffed with Foie Gras and Port Wine Demi Glace Reduction, YUM-O, as Rachael Ray would bark!

After the cocktail hour, the outside temperature had cooled to a comfortable level and wedding guests were seated in the courtyard for a high class 3-course dinner which included She Crab Soup with Sherry Service and a dual entree of Chive Butter Poached Lobster and Herb Crusted Tenderloin of Beef with Roasted Shallot~Port Demi-Glace, Saffron Whipped Potatoes and Vegetable "Fettuccine" with Carrots, Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Red Bell Pepper.

The beautifully intricate cake was made by none other than Jim Smeal, and guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Flabbergasters from Chapel Hill, NC.

Seeing as 2007 is the year of the Pig in the Chinese zodiac, Stephanie and Ben gave those in attendance a symbol of good luck in the form of a small pig in their favor boxes.

Good luck to you Stephanie and Ben Wong.

photos by Stephen Duvall Catering & Events

Event I'd Like to attend O' the week: Potter-mania

above, orbs containing prophecies over an elaborate dessert display

above, a replica of the enchanted ceiling at Hogwarts Great Hall

I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night at the IMAX theather, and boy-wizard was it worth it! Harry and Cho finally kissed and he was looking... pretty hot for a half-blood prince! The last 20 minutes or so were in 3D and the only slight disappointment was that we sat on the side and probably lacked the full effect. For the movie's Hollywood premier and after party, Warner Bros. and Wendy Creed Productions threw a "Riddikulus" event... in a good way.

above, the Courtyard at the Jim Henson Lot in LA

above, actual moving portraits just like at Hogwarts

POTTER PARTIES ROCK!

photos by BizBash

Let's hug it out, b*tch!

HBO's Entourage is one of my favorite shows on television-- I even made my dad watch it with me last weekend while he was in town, and it was only then I realized how inappropriately brilliant it is (talk about wierd when we're watching and Turtle says "Now Drama has the cleanest @$$hole in LA" after he encountered a "fat whore's" long, scary tongue, LOL).

The crew is always hitting up LA's most famous and exclusive hotspots making the viewer feel like part of Vincent Chase's "entourage" in young, hot Hollywood. When some of these places are not being used for filming or excessive coke snorting, they are used for fabulous event venues... let's see:

The Chateau Marmont is an historic hotel on the famed Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. In the show it's where Vince meets with fictional film director Billy Walsh to discuss "Queens Boulevard". In real life Chanel sponsored a party for the film Marie Antoinette in 2006 and transformed the hotel's garden courtyard into a luxurious French-inspired lounge.

In Season 3's episode called Crash and Burn, Turtle and Drama pursue a foot race to swanky Beverly Hills eatery Spago only for Turtle to fall flat on his face. Spago was the location for the premier party for the movie Closer in 2006 and because the guest list grew so out of control, they had to put up 2 tents at the last minute in front of the restaurant for the party.

One of my favorite clips between Ari and his loyal assistant Lloyd

photos by BizBash & HBO

7-7-7 at the Old Village Post House

7/7/07 was a hugely popular date to get married all over the world, maybe the most popular wedding date EVER! I coordinated an intimate wedding which took place at the Old Village Post House in an historic part of Mount Pleasant. The Post House's rich and eclectic decor made a simple statement without having to do much more with it. A few flower petals, some tiki torches, and simple arrangements and votives on the tables didn't compete with the venue's unique ambiance.

Guests arrived and escaped from the heat in the Post House's tavern, then the Catholic and Hindu inter-faith ceremony took place in front of 50 friends and family members in the charming courtyard. After the ceremony the guests were treated to a cocktail hour and passed hors d'oeuvres, like crispy saffron risotto cakes with tomato ginger compote and grilled shrimp with tamarind bbq sauce, in the tavern area.

For the seated dinner in the Pitt Street Room the P.H. pleased the palette with such choices as corn & crab chowder and seared golden sea bass with carrot-mustard sauce. After dinner it was back down to the tavern for drinks, cake, and dancing (which was inside rather than in the courtyard with the lucky wedding day downpour!). The chocolate strawberry cake was made just down the street at the Village Bakery and proved to be a hit. The newlyweds stayed in the on-site 6-room Inn making for an easy, elegant wedding.


Congratulations Meghan and Neel Vasavada!

Travel Series: Telluride Bluegrass Festival

My friend, and fab Folly resident, Maggie Hackett recently returned from the Telluride Bluegrass Fest in BEAUTIFUL Telluride, Colorado. In her own words:

"Let’s see… The festival started on Thursday 6/21 and ended Sunday 6/24. I flew into Telluride on Wednesday in my uncles’ little 6-seater plane. It was crazy!! Scary but so worth it We had a little keg party at my aunt’s house that night. My aunt gave us her downtown condo that she usually rents in the summer and it was the best part of the trip – not having to camp! haha

On Thursday we saw Emmylou Harris and the Counting Crows, who were unfortunately unimpressive. Friday we saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Saturday was a HUGE day. We saw Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush Band, Alison Krauss with Union Station and Tony Rice and the New Orleans Social Club – EXHAUSTING! Sunday was relaxing. Alison Krauss and Union Station ended the festival – it was beautiful.

We would start the day with breakfast and setting up our section at the festival, then we would go on a hike or shop in town. We ate lunch in the town most of the time – it was pretty $$$! The afternoons we spent at the festival and the nights were totally for dancing. After the shows ended we would go to a bar to hear more music for “Nightgrass”. A bunch of people from the festival would play other shows throughout town. It was incredible!

The climate was AWESOME. Cool in the mornings, hot in the afternoon and cold at night. No humidity! We saw Tom and Katie’s jet at the T-Ride airport when I was leaving on Tuesday so I guess they were in town but alas, I did not see them.

All in all, it was an amazing trip…definitely one of my best ever! I am an addict now and will go back for many more festivals!"

The 2008 Telluride Bluegrass Festival is scheduled for June 19-22, 2008

FOLLOW YOUR FOLLY BITCHES!

Color combo I'm loving right now

So I'm planning a wedding for next April and the bride's chosen purple as one of her colors. Since it will be spring I thought pairing the purple with a blue or navy would be beautiful and a nice change from the lately-everpresent chocolate brown. Here are some photos I've found that make the purple/blue combo a nice reality!

This cake designed by Ellen Baumwoll for Bijoux Doux not only employs great hues but also gives a very modern feel to the classic wedding cake with whimsical shapes in 3-D piping.

Lavender roses and blue hydrangea will surely show the bride's southern roots...

But lanterns dotting the open sky above the dancefloor and hand painted parasols hung from the tent (top), from Asian Ideas, will "marry" the deep south with the far east and prep the couple for their exotic Japanese honeymoon.

FED EX What what!!

photos from theknot.com, Brides.com, and Asianideas.com