What was so amazing about this event was not only the attention to detail, but the overall branding and look that we pulled together.  Swathi was determined to have a one-of-a-kind event, and we definitely styled the luncheon at the Bartolotta tent and dinner at Renaissance Place to be more modern and not at all with the usual color scheme of Indian weddings.  The couple had a very distinct idea of what they wanted, what they liked and how they wanted things done, which is always great, because it removes all ambiguity during planning.  But even the most articulate planning can have its starts and stops.

For instance, 8 days before the wedding, our Maharaja horse, which Adam was riding in on for part of the ceremony at Pier Wisconsin, died in the field!!  Where could we find a trained horse in a few days?!  Thankfully, Golden Chic was able to work with the horse owner and find a replacement – though not as white as we had originally planned – but how many times do you call a bride and say, “Um.  The horse is dead”?  Not a usual conversation!  Swathi had gorgeous saris and ceremonial jewelry throughout the day, and the mandap set up, for all the searching of finding one, was out of this world gorgeous, thanks to Poonam Creations.

Floral was crazy gorgeous – pale pink orchids and luscious roses, manzanita branches and huddled groups of pave roses under six-foot tall centerpieces with hand-sewn vase covers from La Tulipe.  And we actually had chivari chairs with seriously comfortable pillows, thanks to the chair and linen rentals of Elegant Touch.  We lit the walls with pink lighting from ACME, and Brian Redd of ACA Entertainment played a mix of Indian songs with popular current dance hits – and the dance floor was packed immediately – all night!!  There were a lot of sweets – starting with customized favors from Indulgence Chocolatiers that were custom flavors plus imprinted with the monogram – just like the fancy chocolates at Godiva.  We got the cake from Sweetness by Alice (who did a marvelous vegan groom’s cake that also was a great hit) which got devoured just as fast as the sweets table, which had a huge line from the beginning.  Shutterbooth did a lovely photobooth that finished with a thick scrapbook of memories for Swathi and Adam, and thanks to Bartenders on the Go for amazing staff and Classic Party Rentals for all the lovely cutlery, and we had ourselves a prime platinum event.

Of course there was oodles more – from a harpist during cocktails, to the talents of JBe Photography and Park Hill Video.  Ceremony musicians were brought in from Canada, and Swathi herself was brought into the ceremony on a doli carried by four strapping men.

Through it all…I could not have done it without all of my Golden Chic girls there on hand from 7am to 1am!

Most finally – this was a wonderful wedding because it was so obvious that Swathi and Adam are going to be happy for always – they are this perfect personality blend, plus this great melding of cultures and heritage.  They were so amazing to work with and we are so grateful for this chance to pull off a glorious Indian wedding for them – it was a fabulous day from start to finish!

Ceremony:

Lunch:

Reception:

by Sarah Kikkert

We all know that traditional weddings of the past hold a special place in our hearts, but the new fad in weddings these days is a sophisticated combination of traditional and personal; brides today are adding a little bit of pizazz in everything, including their wedding dresses.

White is beautiful in its simplicity and purity; shades, tones and hues of white, cream, ivory, alabaster, and bone are all still associated with American brides for centuries.  But brides these days are powerful, independent and strong women who are looking out of the box for other fresh and innovating ideas for all aspects of their weddings – including their dress.

“Married in black, you’ll wish yourself back” was a popular mantra for decades, but no longer can this be the tried and true rule.  Traditionally, and still the most popular color of wedding dresses today is white – the typical go-to color for any new bride-to-be.  Then, shades of white took over in this arena.  Ivory, eggshell, off-white and snow – there are literally dozens of shades that add a little edge to that beautiful gown.  However, many brides are taking it a step further and adding a splash of color to their dress for a little bit of fun and flirt.

Color can be added to a dress in many ways.  Demurely, with a bow or sash, or artsy beading.  Added inlets or panels or in hems and necklines are also striking.  These colors can vary from something soft and sensual (like light pink) to something dashing and bold such as red or black.

Some gowns have been coming out in pinks of multiple shades to benefit Breast Cancer, and is a great way to show your support for family or friends (or yourself) in memory or in acknowledgement.

If you’re still afraid to stray from that traditional white, but are looking for something a bit different, try colored heels or a handbag to complete your look!  Either way, a colored wedding dress or accessory doesn’t have to be a shocking one.  Instead, adding color gives you a bit of flair and personality to make your special day all the more ‘you’!

Love the pink number from Alfred Angelo…and you can find all the rest of the styles here as well. ]]> http://www.goldenchicevents.com/blog/2010/09/a-dress-of-many-colors/feed/ 0 http://www.goldenchicevents.com/blog/2010/08/fuchsia-baby-pink/ http://www.goldenchicevents.com/blog/2010/08/fuchsia-baby-pink/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:01:12 +0000 Sara http://www.goldenchicevents.com/blog/?p=818 Why not be a little girly – your wedding is, after all, a girl’s big dream, the day where you’re a princess and all your girlish, childhood fantasies can come true.  This color combo is exactly that – a harkening back to those days of bubblegum dreams and yet a little grown up spice thrown in the mix.  Done right, it doesn’t have to look like Valentine’s Day, and can be dreamily beautiful, traditionally stunning or modern and edgy.  It all depends on how you use both the pale pink and the fuchsia.

First, you have to opt for a baby pink that borders on the super soft, barely there pink.  A dash of neutral beige or champagne to the tone, and suddenly you’ve got a much more sophisticated shade to work with.  It’s best as a backwash to your entire event – soft, perhaps vintage-minded, and definitely adult, this pale pink is a great color on bridesmaids, in flowers, and with invitations.  It’s pearly softness is feminine and natural, and can be used in multiple shades throughout the day to keep things from feeling too cookie cutter.

Fuchsia should be used as an accent only – it overpowers easily and can be offensive if used often in your decor.  Use it instead as pops in the centerpieces, a bit here and there in the bouquet or at the church, and with the little accessories and paper products at the reception.  Perhaps for late-night dancing, you can create a hot vibe with fuchsia uplighting, or offer divine candy in fuchsia shades as a favor, but definitely choose only a few places to use this dramatic shade.

What is best about this combo is that it can be used year-round and can be distinctly adult without being boring…while at the same time remind you and your family of the little girl you used to be.  And if you love pink – why not?  This is, after all, your day to do what you want!

Adore the gorgeous bouquet and Martha Stewart’s fuchsia centerpieces.  You can’t go wrong with chocolates or heels in fuchsia either.  I also have to say the dress has just the right hemline…you wouldn’t need the flower to finish it off if you don’t like it.  And again, Martha has it right with pale pink linens and invites in different shades of pale.

From the color of the linens to the flavor of the cake, every wedding detail is significant when planning your special day.  The music you provide for your guests on the dance floor is one of the most important of these details, so choose wisely!  While it is memorable to have a family member or close friend provide musical entertainment, brides tend to host either a live band or a DJ at the reception.  There are plenty of differences between these two, but here are a few logistical pointers of your wedding to help you choose the best option for you.

Venue:  Often the size of the reception hall helps determine whether a live band or DJ will work better.  Smaller spaced are usually more difficult to house an entire band, which can vary from four to twelve pieces.  Halls which showcase a stage or other focal points other than the head table are great workable spaces for live bands, as well as those with the space to bring in a rented stage.  DJ’s can work great in these locations as well, but may be a more suitable option in smaller settings and can set up virtually anywhere in the space.

Formality/Guest Profile: Live bands are usually considered more traditional (though still contemporary!).  What is the average age of guests attending your wedding?  A live band easily characterizes the voices of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, but if you are catering to a more hip-ho conscious crowd, or want the best of Brittany Spears, a DJ would be more able to find appropriate options for the personality of those guests.  If you’re dealing with lots of foreign music, too, it’s best to have a DJ who can play the CDs of the cultural sounds than get a traditional band, who will not be able/familiar to replicate those sounds.

Budget:  While it is always possible to work within your budget to fit each bride’s desires, on average, hiring a DJ is more cost effective than hiring a live band.  With more members equipment, and physical effort, live bands usually come with a heftier price tag for a reason.

Personality:  The most important factor in choosing your type of music is your personality and what you see as best fitting your wedding and its guests.  Both live bands and individual DJs create great music and memorable vibes, so it is crucial that whichever you choose, that the option fits you and your tastes!

Your wedding will likely be one of a handful of days you will remember for the rest of your life, but how will your guests remember it?  If you don’t have a budget for an over-the-top wedding design to make it memorable aesthetically, turn to the favors to express your personality.  Handing out party favors at wedding receptions is not a new tradition – not by far.  In fact, the custom has been around for literally hundreds of years.

While weddings are traditionally sacred, special ceremonies celebrating the union of two people, at the core of this celebration is one big, fabulous party, in which you and your fiance are the hosts.  Thus, the party favors show your guests the importantce of having them there.  Wedding favors can be almost anything, which makes them perfect for personalization, creativity, and a wedding on any budget.

Don’t let the freedom of your wedding favors’ versatility to go to waste: be creative and follow your taste.  While any bride can be traditional and offer almonds as her party favor, go the extra step and make the gifts something that represents you.  Perhaps it’s an ode to your heritages, or something edible.  Seasonal goodies are fabulous.  Destination weddings, or if the majority of your guests are in the hotel, have the hotel staff drop off morning bags filled with bottles of orange juice, croissants, and donuts at each room instead of giving away a favor the night before.

Use hobbies, favorite places, colors, music, special trinkets, or other personal “favorites” to start brainstorming your perfect favors.  From chocolates to tea bags, and absolutely anything in between, wedding favors are your ways of saying “thank you” to all your guests for supporting you on your beautiful day, and they’ll remember the uniqueness just as long as you will.

You can’t go wrong with boxes of candy, or something ultimately Wisconsin like maple syrup or honey spoons.  Preserves are always a good bet too.  Your heritage can be played out with something more substantial, like Welsh love spoons or German beer steins.  If you’re chocolate lovers, stay true with truffles, or for travel lovers – even using old maps to wrap local artisan soaps can be enough.

As the worst of the summer’s heat and humidity hit, it’s hard not to wish for the cooler months.  With the wind down to the tail end months of the year creeping up, a whole new batch of color schemes emerge that are ideal for any of the chillier fall and winter seasons.  One of the boldest is the royal combination of royal blue and indigo.

While there are many interpretations of the shade classified as “indigo,” for all intents and purposes, we are referring to a deep, plush purple to be paired in this majestic duo.  These dark colors are great for the upcoming seasons because of their boldness and versatility.  Fall, a season screaming with reds, oranges and golds, calls for an equally striking combination on the opposite end, one that is greatly juxtaposed with these cool tones.  Winter, on teh other hand, boasts soft and quiet hues like white, ice blue and silver – so make a splash upon this palette with these dark and daring shades.

As these colors are both quite loud and a bit similar, it can be easy to overdo the elegance this pair offers.  Opt for punchy linens, bridesmaiddresses or chair covers…but not all three at once!  Accessories are a great way to showcase your colors, too: in shoes, party favors, or flower arrangements.  If you are looking for a “safe” color palette, royal blue and indigo are probably not for you, but for the boisterous and adventurous bride, there is not need to look any further for the wedding colors of your dreams!

The blue bridesmaid dress reminds me of what Miranda wore for Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding to Big in SITC #1 and the tie is a good match.  Can’t go wrong with organza bags or chocolate candy at the candy bar.  The letterpress is gorgeous on the invite, and the luxurious Christian Louboutins are always in fashion.  Am definitely digging the headpiece too, for a proper spot of color.

But while I was there, I continually thought of all the amazing things that could be done within the Kohler system – from gorgeous ceremonies and receptions to intimate family dinners the night before nuptials, unique experiences for guests and a hot spa for the bride and her girls to use the morning of the wedding.

What I really admire about Destination Kohler is how self contained the property is – and just how many different experiences there are waiting to be had.  Beyond the great Waters Spa, there’s excellent golfing to be had between the Straits (and Irish course) and Blackwolf Run – the boys will never be bored.  Of course, there’s the “Great Wall of China” that my grandfather loves to take people to see – the Kohler Design Center hosts a whole wall of brand new toilets.  I never get sick of going in and seeing the new displays, dreaming that I’d have the luxurious bathrooms and kitchens that are set up inside.

You can go on a walk through the gorgeous gardens of the Club during spring and summer, or shop at Woodlake – I especially like the Craverie chocolate shop…which has so much more than chocolate.

A flashback to my childhood is at River Wildlife – a little cabin half hidden away near Blackwolf Run – that serves great food and is the perfect cozy setting for a fall event or small supper.  Not only is the food excellent, but the woodsy, warm atmosphere is unlike anything I’ve ever found in Wisconsin.

Check it out – just for the experience sometime!  :)

All photos from Destination Kohler website.

The dynamic teal offsets the quiet blue – and this color combo will definitely be one to match more exactly than most – but it’s great for draping, linens, and dresses.  These two colors would not best replicated in faux floral – keep to ivory and white for your blooms – but use these colors to the max with favors, ceremony elements, and in the trim of your bouquet.

While the vintage soft blue is in itself a bit timeless, the teal too can be done to feel a little old-fashioned instead of modern.  Use crushed velvets, or brocade, and you’ll have a traditional wedding from start to finish.

Recognize that this color palette is different, and surprising, and go from there…you won’t be disappointed with the final effects!

Find the sexy bridesmaid dress here, and I love the vintage ring with the pale blue stone.  Gotta love the vintage bag too, though if you want to go modern, use the pattern on the teal pillow for inspiration.  Check out here for the invitation, and the pale blue tux is a cool find.  Crushed velvet takes this color combo back to winter…but best of all are the amazing shoes – I want them!!

Saturday brought more amazing weather and a great turnout for the beach volleyball tournament.  While that was happening, we had different radio stations and news channels stopping by for snippets of coverage as loads of young, strong and amazingly helpful volunteers helped drag oodles of pallets, mattresses and sheets to the 30 cabanas for the evening’s bash.  Chandeliers were hung from the ceiling, thanks to Exciting Events, and Steve White of UW-M fame hooked up the rest of the LEDS everywhere.  Party Floor came in from Chicago and put together a gleaming white dance floor, as a DJ spun music the entire time.

Thanks to Bartenders on the Go, we had great staff setting up the numerous lit bars, a martini bar from Great Lakes Distillery and a mojito bar, care of Ward’s House of Prime were also available.  By the time the big Mr. Lucky band came, we had Elegant Touch’s linens on, luminaria candles lit, and hordes of volunteers dressed in their outfits.

As cabanas filled, champagne was poured, and people strolled the beach, dropping off their shoes at the Shoe Check, getting a massage, or lounging in the swank furniture provided by CORT, the music was happening, and the guests were enjoying taking a plop on the Princess and the Pea bed, or relaxing in their cabanas.

By the end of the night, the charity had made great money during the raffle and live auctions, which featured a ridiculously awesome line-up of great trips and Milwaukee treats.  Couldn’t have done it without my husband, my staff, the amazing board members of Pathfinders, and the charity itself.  It’s always a ton of work, but the end result is worth it!  Come on down next year!

But for the official, old fashioned box, you have to go with Shutterbox.  I don’t mean to make this a full fledged advert for these guys, it’s just I happen to think it’s pretty amazing that couples can get an official booth at their wedding.  Props and such are part of it, and I also like the guestbook scrapbook option, as well as being able to customize the photostrips with your wedding monogram and the like.

Anyway, just the find of the week!!  Enjoy!