We are so thrilled to be a participating sponsor and the event designers for the annual Darkness to Light, Circle of Light Gala. This is THE event in Charleston every year, and we’ve been donating our design services since 2005…All the big chefs in Charleston donate their talent as well, so guests dine on amazing food, experience fabulous entertainment, and both a live and silent auction with out of this world items. This year’s theme- Passage to India! And, Mackenzie Phillips will be accepting the Voice of Courage award.
For more information on how to purchase tickets, click here.

Here are some shots from years past:

From left: For a Cuban themed evening, tropical grass imags were projected the exterior of the tent; vivid oranges, yellows and reds along with tropical grasses made the tent warm and alive- images from the invitation lit the ceiling of the tent; a glowing orange walkway led guests to the dinner tent.

From left: A glowing green after dinner lounge; Volvo was sponsor that year, so we projected vintage Cuban images on the cars on display; raised stages scattered around the lounge allowed for salsa dancers to provide entertainment.

From left: A Cuban themed drag show had guests on their feet cheering; tall lamps placed on a few of the dinner tables provided ambient lighting; Flamenco dancers demonstrate their art.

Tara’s Tidbit

Tara is too busy to tidbit this week- and too old from her recent birthday to think…

A Star is Born

We are so proud of our May wedding couple, Ann E Rice and Tucker Ervin, who were recently asked to guest star in Darius Rucker’s new video, “History in the Making”. It debuted on Wednesday night at the CMT Awards where Darius won Best New Male Artist. To watch the video, click here. Ann E also shared some photos from when they were on set.

Make It Work…

I have been a loyal Project Runwayer from the ‘ol Bravo days… This year amazingly we had two Charlestonians on the show- Gordana Gehlhausen, owner of Goga Boutique on King Street, and Carol Hannah Whitfield- whose wedding designs you can find at her Etsy shop. She does lovely stuff for a bride and her maids, and is one of the final 3 designers, with her collection showing in Bryant Park/New York Fashion Week on this Thursday night’s season finale.

love the pale aqua color…

the perfect rehearsal dinner/engagement party dress!

 

Can’t Find My Way Home…

My husband and I just returned from a week in San Francisco and Napa Valley. How breathaking… however, I’m still waking up from my food and wine coma. Some of my favorite shots and inspiration from the trip:

On Alcatraz Island, you would not believe how HUGE the succulents are- the diameter on the top one was about 10″.

Sorry for the horrible camera skills, but I loved the Modern take on the Men and Ladies’ restroom signs- cute!

We have recently done glass etching for weddings, with a guests’ name on it so that it doubles as a place card and a favor… The twist on this, as Mia, PR Director for Miner Family wines told me on our trip that for her wedding, they etched their names and date onto the bottom on a Riedel glass for all of their guests to drink from that night and take home.

Love the fresh vines and greenery growing on the covered piazza, could be great to do in an event space that needs some dressing up.

Garden roses grow “like weeds” everywhere! They are huge (again, diameter on this one about 6-8″) and you see them in every color…

These copper cups are the water glasses at Bottega in Napa… How luxurious.

One of the highlights of the trip was a Richard Avedon exhibit at the SFMOMA… I’m obsessed with his books and vision.

Just some eye candy:

Top of Nob Hill from the Cable Car

View of Napa Valley

Getting ready for the next harvest

The barrels are amazing, artwork in themselves

Amazing wine cave at Miner wines… this is just one section…