Wedding Centerpieces + Wow

As your guests find their way to the tables you have so carefully dressed and set, you want to give them something interesting, beautiful, unusual and unique to look at as they enjoy their meal.  Here are a few fabulous centerpiece ideas to get you started.

Source: weddingbycolor.com via Angela on Pinterest

This is a great way to show off your engagement pictures, photos of loved ones who coulld not be with you for your special day, or vintage photos of family and friends. 

Photo Centerpiece How-To...
Disassemble three like-sized frames, setting aside their fronts and discarding their backings. Paint or stain wooden frames desired color; let dry. Upload or scan photographs into a computer. With editing software, make the images black and white, and resize them to fit your frames. Print them onto vellum paper with an ink-jet printer. Slip the images into the frames. Using cloth tape, hinge frames together to form a triangle. Stand frames around a candle in a protective glass holder.

Source: twigandthistle.com via Angela on Pinterest

I love this little wishing tree from Twig and Thistle.  The red bird theme would be so unique for a wedding.

Source: google.com via Angela on Pinterest

Give the tables a natural feeling with a centerpiece like this twig and tulip combination.  Easy on your budget, and so simply beautiful at the same time.  Can you say BONUS?! Honestly, these could not cost more than $10.00 to make!

Source: weheartit.com via Angela on Pinterest

Go Bold with your theme!  This is probably the best advice I can give you.  Put your imagination to work, or hire someone who will.  Give your guests a treat by filling the tables with fun, creative little venues that show of your perfect theme, love birds, travel, vintage...whatever that mey be, play it up and go big.

No matter what the size of your wedding, your guest tables are a huge part of the party decor, use these horizontal surfaces to really make your wedding shine, and let your unique personalities take the stage.

Why I love Dessert Tables

I love Dessert Tables because...

An event all wrapped up into a 72" x 30" X 30" space!  That's it, that is why I love dessert tables!  In this little confined space, an idea, design, concept, highlight, climax, and treat of the day, evening, or event takes place.  One chance to make a lasting impression.  If the dinner left something to be desired...this would be it.  A last chance to make a lasting impression.

I've always loved a last chance, after everything else has had it's chance, going out with a big bang is always exciting!

Allison and Sage came along at the 2012 Phoenix Bridal Show,  They were looking for three things....Unique, Asian/American, and gluten free.  They found....ME.  Perfect match, done, got it covered.

After a tasting which included Boston Cream Pie, Black Forest Cake, Blackberry Shiraz Lime Pie, Apple Pie Pops, Cherry Bomb Pops, and Almond Cupcakes, a fabulous East meets West Dessert Table was designed to meet their every desire and wish.

So much  fun, such a diverse and fun group, and a glamorous venue to celebrate a unique and loving relationship.

Congratulations Sage and Allison.

 The table skirt is stretch netting gathered over red chintz.  The topper is a taffeta silk ribbon fabric.  Red lanterns, white vases with gold birds and flowers, red perfume bottles, and  black blossom platters and stands complete the "East Meets West Theme" for this gorgeous table.  Sprinkled with real red rose petals, this was one of my favorite projects of this year.

The cake topper was the deciding factor for the cake design.  A star filled night gave inspiration and the star burst design was born. Gold tipped white peonies finished it off and added an elegant touch.

 Apple Pie Pops, heart shaped, and filled with cinnamon, apple goodness, gluten free, by the way.

 Almond cake with strawberry butter cream, with a surprise filling of vanilla custard filling.  Cherry Bomb firecracker design!

 Boston Cream Pie Petit Fours for the grooms "Western Influence".

Gold, Red and White details blended seamlessly with the elegant venue decor.
The Tre Bella was gorgeous and the table linens in red, gold black, and white were so gorgeous.  The Tre Bella staff was wonderful, so professional, and on top of the schedule for the event.  Couldn't ask for more.

Three Rules + DIY Brides

For all the DIY brides out there, I have a few words of advice:

First of all, I was a DIY bride.  I did it all.  Silk flowers, all of them, bouquets, arrangements, garlands, swags, I even bought fresh pineapples, sand and mini tiki torches for my centerpieces.  A balloon release after the ceremony required a helium tank, custom balloons and 3 hours of my time on the morning of my wedding.  Rental pickups, vendor deliveries, tuxedos and bow ties ( my boys were young and needed help getting dressed), the girls hair (they were young too and needed help to get ready...this all left me with about 30 minutes to get dressed, stop sweating, climb into the car, and race to the church.  

Bottom line?  Whether you are the bride, mother of the bride, bridesmaid, best friend, or just the designated DIY helper, don't underestimate the time, effort, and steady nerves that are required to make a wedding come together.  Not just come together, but come together in the way that you have imagined all of your life!

Rule #1
Estimate the time it will take you to set up/execute the decor element you are imagining....then multiply it by at least 3.
         Unless you are willing to mock up the decor element you are executing, then you are really only estimating this time.  When actually setting up/executing, the time gets away from you, tools needed are not available, and venue restrictions may exist.  If you are willing to mock up an element, make sure that you multiply the time it takes you by the number of elements you are trying to reproduce.

Rule #2
Plan for the worst, expect the best. 
          A wedding planner is really just a pessimist, we follow this rule, or we would be constantly in the middle of chaos. Before the wedding day, sit in a quiet place, go over every detail in your mind, from the moment you wake on wedding day, until moment you wave goodbye to your guests.  Go over every step, what needs to be done, who will do it, and how long (realistically) each will take.  BE REAL!  Can you, or whoever you will trust with your special details, really make it happen?  If so, write it all down, plan it, share it with them, and then....make it happen.  If not, GET HELP!

Rule #3
All of the money spent will be worth nothing if not executed.
          Wondering what I mean by this one?  An example is always best:
I purchased wonderful walking stick/branches to bury in the ground at a beautiful outdoor ceremony, even tested them 2 weeks prior, and they just slid into the wet ground. 

When wedding day arrived and the watering system had been turned off (anticipating women's high heels sinking into the ground)  the branches absolutely REFUSED to be driven into the ground.  After 2 hours of struggling with tools, and techniques, we decided to place the bottle and baby's breath next to chairs at the end of each aisle. Great look, wasted money, and wasted time.  Lesson learned.  do you want to learn this lesson on your wedding day???? The bride never knew, didn't even notice the change...I was upset!  I had at least 6 hours and a considerable amount of money into these, with a less than desirable result. 

Rule #4
Your Mother loves you, but wants to enjoy the day of her daughter's wedding.
               She is also, probably contributing to this day financially, so she wants to enjoy it along with you.  To watch you with your girls, having fun is sweet, but she has been waiting for this day (in reality a lot longer than you) just like you.  Let her enjoy it, don't expect too much, and make time to spend alone with her (and your Dad) right before you walk down the aisle.  It's so sweet if she wants to be your wedding planner, but first of all...she's your MOM, honor her.

Stephanie + James Vintage Inspired Wedding

When I first met James, it was to deliver a dozen Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.  The next communication was from Stephanie, she was inquiring about consultation services for a completely gluten free wedding.  I was hooked. I have to say that many of the gluten free brides that I meet are scared to have a gluten free wedding.  But the reason is usually because they really do not have any idea just how fabulous an entirely gluten free wedding can be. Together with James, Stephanie, and Jennifer's Catering,  I think we proved my point.  The food was so delicious, the cocktails were yummy and no one knew that even the cake was gluten free.  Perfect meal, good friends, loving family, inspiring music, and a perfect evening.

 The 1920's style Sue Wong gown was the inspiration behind this intimate, garden, vintage inspired design, and it was so much fun.  Although the day was warmer than expected, the love that radiated between this couple really provided the heat. I was so lucky to be a part of this beautiful union.  Thank you Stephanie and James for choosing me, I hope you have many, many happy years together!

 Thank you to Style Me Pretty for choosing to feature this on your beautiful blog!  See it here.

 

 I must give a very special thanks to the staff from Jennifer's Catering, Andrew, and especially Maggie Wark.  She started this project with James and Stephanie, and was there to save me when time got tight.  Without her, my ever amazing daughter Jennifer, my very own sweetheart Charley, and Kayla, my newest and hard working assistant, this day would not have been as spectacular as it was. And of course, the graceful, talented photographer, Diana Elizabeth, who gives everything her special touch, always beautiful.

Photographer: Diana Elizabeth Photography,   Mariana Marie offers gluten free and cruelty free makeup applications and did a beautiful job with Stephanie’s makeup.Venue: Private Arcadia Estates Residence / Event Designer, Coordinator: Angela Saban Design / Gluten Free Desserts: Angel Cakes Bakery / Makeup: Mariana Marie / Wedding Dress: Sue Wong / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Groom’s Suit: Bar III / Groom’s Tie: Hugo Boss / Bridesmaid dress: Ann Taylor / Florist: Designs by E / Caterer: Jennifer’s Catering / Bartender: Pourmasters / Rentals: PRO EM / Event Music: Apperson Strings / Wood Sign: My Soul Speak / Second Shooter: Amy Gallagher

National anthem + my 6 yr old Grand daughter

My precious grand daughter auditioned to sing our National Anthem at an Arizona Diamond Back's baseball game, and today she got the call that she was chosen!  I have always known that she sings like an angel, but today, the rest of the world, or my little corner of it, agreed.  Way to got Promise Rose, don't ever stop dreaming!!!  We love you so much!
This is the video of her audition.....

Custom Table Linens

I began a project tonight and as I sat at the sewing machine trying to coax some gorgeous platinum satin into submission, I thought about the first time I completed a fabric project all by myself.  I was in Home Economics class somewhere around 5th grade.  Ok, I'll say it, I was a geek.  I loved Home Ec and Math, Accounting later in High School, and English, I loved to write stories. 

Anyway, the first project I remember was an outfit, a shirt and pants.  I was so proud, especially after taking it apart and starting over.  Using a pattern, cutting it perfectly, and performing the correct stitches and steps to make it fit just right, well it just made my world a better place!  Corny?  Maybe, but now I am grateful for the lessens learned because now, when I see a beautiful dress, I want to duplicate the flow on a table. 

No patterns, no directions, not even a YouTube video to help me figure it out.  Just my imagination, a machine, scissors, thread, and a glorious piece of fabric.  I think about it, worry about it, measure, pin, sketch, and finally, I cut.  After I cut, there's no turning back, it's sort of like jumping off a cliff.  A little dramatic maybe, but after the cut, you better have a plan.

My plan for the famous pink table skirt on this table was a layered chiffon skirt that felt like a fabulous pink wedding dress that I spotted online.

 I watched my Grandmother fashion wedding dresses, carefully covering little buttons with satin, until her hands began to shake from Parkinson's Disease made it impossible for her to continue.  My own mother was a seamstress, creating hand painted and custom designs for the rich and famous Cattle Baron's wives throughout New Mexico and Texas, until rheumatoid arthritis crippled her hands and made it so painful to hold the fabrics she loved so much.  I am blessed to be able to feel the fabric in my hands and fashion it into flowing, sparkling designs that make a couple's special day even more glorious.  \

Stay tuned for the latest linen, platinum, layered and laced vintage dessert table linen.

Until then,I  hope you are grateful for whatever gifts you have, and that you give them freely and with a happy heart.