We are back from a fabulously successful trip to San Francisco for the Weddings 360 University.  It was a truly informative week, getting to see what is up and coming and what is changing in our industry as well as meeting other people who have made huge contributions to our industry (Todd Fiscus of Todd Events, David Beahm, and Sean Low) and how they have grown their businesses was worth the across the country flight several times over…

our first day of classes at the Four Seasons, San Fransisco

One of my favorite sessions was by Rebecca Grinnals, founder of Engaging Concepts… her footprint on many large clients in the event and hospitality business is unfounded, so any chance you have to hear her speak, you must!  Actually, she is the brainchild behind the Engage! summits, at which Tara will be a guest speaker at the Breakers in Palm Beach, FL in October. Here is a link to the Carolina Herrera article from her program, it’s quite interesting…

Tara’s class on Spacial Challenges at Events and Venues and how to Overcome Them sparked so many questions from the audience, it was nice to see how relative and helpful the topic was for the attendees.

our new best friend, Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee tweeting during Tara’s class- we love her!  To follow her on twitter, click here.

So you can see how cute Maria of Ritzy Bee really is!

The Soirettes with Jean Marks and Jubilee Lau, the founders of the Weddings 360 University and two oh so lovely ladies!  We are so thankful for all of their hardwork in putting this entire event together!

Karen was one of the Weddings 360 “hostesses” who totally saved the day for us… our tabletop material seemed to be lost in the shuffle when all of our supplies were to arrive before us, but she personally searched through all of the piles of boxes scattered throughout the St. Regis and found it for us!  Go Karen!

There was a photobooth set up at the Emerald Underworld party (so beautifully put together by Gloria Wong Design out of California), which of course always makes for good times!

Thank goodness for William and JJ who came out to help with our Design Showcase…

Speaking of design showcases… we were one of 4 designers (and the only one not out of California) asked to set up a vignette that attendees could walk through during the days of the event…Our theme was “Animal Husbandry”… keeping in line with our typical style, we did very clean, minimal, simple and elegant, but with a modern funky twist here and there.

Classic Party Rentals was kind enough to set up our tent, and do this fabulous hardwood flooring for us… and when our fabric to line the tent and walls didn’t arrive in time, they of course came to our rescue, and it was the perfect color!!!!

We used cowhides that we have in our office and horns from local S.C. white tail deer to hang butler cards from. Beth Ann from Studio Cakes in California made our cake for us, with gold filligreed design to match our printed materials and a quilted pattern in the fondant.

Our new favorite design element for this year is the faux python skin toppers we made for our dining and cake tables… it was so luxurious! We also saved by purchasing inexpensive lights from ikea and then wiring our own leaves to them and spray painting them gold… And of course, one of our favorite touches, the etched glass place cards!

All of the designers participated in a panel where guests could ask about their design asthetic, inspiration, and how to pull it all together…We had the pleasure of reuniting with one of our all time favorite friends, Nancy Liu Chin from San Fransico… She has one of the kindest spirits I’ve ever met, and is SO MUCH FUN!  She and her husband, along with Yungsong  Martin, founder of Wildflower Linen took us to an authentic only in the know Chinese restaurant in Chinatown- what a feast!!!!

Nancy’s vignette was inspired by the future and by the movie Avatar… you can’t see it here, but her room glowed a moody blue… her cake was amazing!  Love the center set on an acrylic box almost like an “internal” cake topper… and her wall of bubbles gave an interesting detail to white fabric draped walls…

We did have one day to explore- St. Patty’s day… So we hopped on a cable car and set out across town

This Cathedral window would make an amazing pattern for stationary items…

First stop was lunch at the Swan Oyster Depot… a famous must try local favorite seafood only spot…

There is always a line out the door… as long as you stay “under the awning” you can enjoy libations in line

Everything was so amazingly fresh… um hello, why don’t we have a spot like this in Charleston… There are only about 20 seats (all counter stools) in the entire place!

Next stop- the world famous Buena Vista Irish bar for St. Patty’s day

Irish coffees!  These are all Tara’s… just kidding!

A big thank you to all who made the trip such a huge success for us!

Charleston Fashion Week- Bridal Showcase

Saturday, Tara and I along with our Bride and Mother of the Bride for October 16th attended the Bridal Couture Show… There was puffy whiteness everywhere!  Definitely the two trends that stuck out the most to me were short dresses and the one shoulder neckline! Maddison Row and LulaKate were my top two favorites.

asymetrical short dress at Maddison Row

LulaKate is now bridal only doing both bridesmaids and wedding gowns… her gowns were stunning!  Definitely competeing with the top national known designers… Carol Hannah Whitfield, a finalist in last season’s Project Runway was also there to debut her bridal collection…

this grey chiffony thulle number was my favorite of the entire day!… from Maddison Row

so different and unique, looked as if it had a removable thulle overlay skirt!  fun!

mmmmm, maribou feathers.

love the shirred taffeta on this..

sorry for the horrible exposure, but this crisp tailored pleated short number is perfect for other wedding related events, or for reception dress number two! All from LulaKate.

Another short little ruffly dittie, but the backlessness of this is hot! From White boutique on Daniel Island.

My friend, Ivy Robinson, event planner extraordinaire came down for the shows with her jewelry designer friend, Kristen Morris. Um, I am obsessed!  Kristen had this necklace on at the show, and I was pining…

And Ivy was sporting this new bracelet… all handmade from vintage pieces…

She can do all custom bridal jewels as well! Her stuff is really amazing…