frankly speaking

If you have not seen this newer (about a year) magazine, it’s a must.  Tons of great DYI ideas for any celebrations throughout the year.  Am just loving this magazine! 

One of the best gifts I get from doing what I do is the relationships I develop with my clients. Many turn into friends, something I never thought about when I first started this business 18 year ago.  Each and everyone is truly a blessing.  After the wedding, I have designed and coordinated many other events for wedding clients such as Corporate events, Family Holiday Parties, Birthday and Retirement Celebrations and Baby Showers and Christenings.  This past weekend I traded my Bride hat (or veil?) for my Baby Hat.  I did a Baby shower for Zoe and Rob, who were married in July 2008.  There wedding was featured in Chicago Social Brides Magazine.

Since they have opted to not know the sex till the little one makes their debut in April, I went with colors of Lilac, Buttercup and Mint.  Lilac tablecloths adorned the tables that I detailed with Buttercup and mint napkins, folded like a diaper and secured with diaper pin.  Baby carriage menus and Bedazzled bon bons in the theme colors completed the table setting.  Stork Centerpieces were at each table adorned with tulips, hydrangea and orchids.  Hand painted table numbers, complete with stork guided guests to their tables. 

The placecard table had custom placecards in coordinating colors.  A beautiful floral complete with a baby done completely out of sugar was the highlight of the Placecard table. 

Lunch was served after guests arrived.  A wonderful garden salad was the prelude to each guests choice of Chicken Picatta, Pecan Crusted Tilapia or Mushroom Risotto.  An Apple Tart with ice cream (Mom to be’s request) was served as dessert, in addition to the numerous homemade sweets guests brought. 

A wonderful afternoon was shared with family and friends showering Zoe and Rob with an abundance of lovely gifts.

This Months Catering Executives Club Meeting as held last Monday at the Murphy Auditorium.  This is such a cool space. I was wow’d with Limelight Catering’s Menu.  We started with a Sweet Onion tart with Fennel, Endive, Mache and Champagne Viniagrette.  This was followed with a Seared Scallop with Parsnip Potato Puree.  The Entree was  Chicago Spice House Braised Beef SHort rib, Cannellini Bean, Pancetta, with Tomatoe and Rosemary.  The dessert was Guinness Stout Ginger Cake with Lemon Curd Cream.  We enjoyed music by the Ron Harris Music Group, Linens by BBJ, and Rentals by Halls.  We also got to take a tour of the RIchard Driehaus Musuem next door. 

I was asked to produce the Drake Hotel’s wedding Event.  It was just amazing. We had over 150 brides attend.  Thanks again to the vendors I asked to participate:  Elenteny Designs, Mangel’s Florist, Al Sofia Orchestra, Anthony Gowder Designs, BBJ Linen, Hall’s Rental, Anna Held Flower Shop, Vanessa’s Modern Bride, Rolf’s Pattiserie, Botanicals, Frost, Artists Events and Entertainment, The Adams Duo, Nicholas Joseph, Cort Event Furnishings, Record a Hit, Colette Salon and Day Spa, and O’Dea Entertainment. 

 I showcased 11 new tabletops designs, 3 ceremony sets, a cocktail reception, a Brides and Grooms Lounge, and small intimate wedding ceremony and reception for 18 people. 

Attached a few photos from my phone.  Garbo Productions shot the whole event, and I will post a link once the photos are done.�

Those with 10 years or more of experience in the Event Industry and invited to attend the Masters Brunch.  This years was the Hotel Intercontinental in NOLA. (Note: this has nothing to do w/ ABC’s Master Bridal Consultant Designation).   We arrived to the sounds of Gospel Choir and and Ice Bloody Mary Bar.  (Drinking in Church?)  The curtains opened to find a lovely setting for lunch.  Menu was a Pickled Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese, and a Louisana Seafood Napoleon of Redfish, Crab Cake and Gulf Shrimp.  We ended desserts of Lavender Blueberry Torte, Dark Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Cake, Raspberry Chocolate Bomb and Coconut Passion Fruit Torte.  These were displayed around the centerpiece at each table.  We enjoyed a panel discussion by Restaurant owners from NOLA.  It focused on “masters” can move ahead in our industry an advance our personal goals.  It was a delightful brunch.

The Coolest thing I found this year at Special Event was “Living Decor”.  I was amazed with the interactive elegance of the Champagne Chandelier, as an aerial Bartender pours flutes of bubbly from high above.  Un real.  (they switch off every 30 minutes, but that is a long time to hand upside down). 

I was once again passed up for a GALA nod.  Discouraged, but will keep trying!  This years Gala was held at the Convention Center.   Congrats to all Winners. It was great to see alot of new people winning!  We started with Cocktails and HD’s and then went into the award ceremony, and walked the red carpet to find out, we were walking a train (long, several hundred feet) of a fabulous gown!  From here we went to the Celebration.  Dinner was  Anise Scented Butternut Squash Soup with Crawfish Avocado Relish, followed by a New Orleans Charcuterie Plate featuring a Country Style Terrine and Andouille Sausage, with Picked Veggies and Creole Mustard.  The Entree was an Herb Crusted NY Strip with Roasted Shallot Au Jus and Fingerling Potatoes.  Dessert was a scrumptous Red Velvet Cake with Cream cheese Icing and Berry Coulis.

The entertainment was AMAZING.  We had something to go with every course. It included the sounds of a girl group who does Classical Music called Bella Rouge, the Joyful! Gospel Choir, Virtuosa Violin Group, and Amanda Shaw, and 18 r old fiddler who was amazing. This was followed by a singer Ingrid Lucia,wo started singing on the streets of NOLA.  We then had a New Orleans Hornets Drumline and Step (such energy) then the New Orleans Hornets Honeybees, disguised as the waitstaff!  No wonder this chick didn’t bring me coffee when I asked.  We had a performance by the Pendulum Dance Theater, doing cool tricks suspended on fabric.   The evening ended with a great club DJ  “Rekka” and dancing.  Was one of the best GALA’s in the past few years.. and I almost didn’t go!  The gala had for me  what I found was my WOW for the whole conference.. see my next blog!

The Special Event Welcome Event “Festivals de la Louisane” was presented by NACE. (Ntl Assoc of Catering Execs).  I twas held a Mardi Gras World, the company that makes all the floats for the Mardi Gras Parades.  After getting off the bus, we walked thru the warehouse that houses many of the floats.  Great music, boas, hats and The “Hurricane” were enjoyed by all.  We then were guided to their event center, throught a courtyard and botanical garden complete with Cajun Revelers.  We then entered a “Mansion” guided by beautiful southern belles in hoop skirts.  A room was devoted to Degas, who lived in New Orleans in the 1800′s. Many pieces from his home were on display, as well many of his paintings coming to life, with live actors “striking a pose”.  From here, we went to the porch of the mansion. My first thought was “Crap, it’s outside and I don’t have a coat”. WRONG.  We were in a space that was a “Swamp” with bridges, trees w/ hanging moss, and little shacks.  Clouds and stars in the sky, but we were INDOORS.  They recreated an outdoor expereince indoors. I was blown away. Throughout the event. over 30 NACE caterers and restaurant members had a “taste of New Orleans”.  We had everything from Alligator Sliders to Jambalaya to great southern desserts.  The evening endes with fireworks over the Mississippi RIver.   Great way to open the conference.