Archive for October, 2010

Rob’s Fall Tips for Entertaining at Home…

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

-Work with the Season.
Fall Flowers and Fruits and Vegetables are at their peak and most
inexpensive.
Red, Gold, Copper, Chocolate Brown and Black are fantastic color choices for this time of year.

-Think Upscale
Fall is more than Scarecrows and Corn Shucks. Sleek black vases filled with cattails, clear vases of berries with floating candles, massed out branches with hanging votive candles and outdoor tables strewn with golden leaves look amazing.

-Focus on Impact
Limit your menu and make every course or station an experience.
I have one client who is having cinnamon martinis and butternut soup squash shots while guests walk up the driveway flanked by copper lanterns. Roasted pork mini-sandwiches on tidbit plates with autumn vegetable risotto in martini glasses are featured inside with Fall Sangria and Mulled Ciders. The Backyard will focus on burlap wrapped cocktail tables with pumpkin damask overlays from Party Arts and a lavish chocolate S’more and Crepe station created from old wine barrels and wooden planks. Guests are taking home a fluffy, fleece throw as their parting gift which they can cuddle in all evening long.

-Create an Environment
Lighting – Fall means less light so choose tall scented candles, lanterns and a fire pit or bonfire to create the look. Change your light bulbs in the house to amber bulbs as well.
Music – I love a solo violinist or guitar to get a fall party started and then you can always merge into quality cd or IPOD as the evening progresses.

Live music is an amazing treat for your guests and helps to set the mood.
Decor – I love mixing linens and textures and using my client’s materials to create a great party. Grandma’s mason jars look great on a patio with candles burning in them. Mom’s copper pots and cake molds make great buffet decor and that old orange afghan Aunt Doris gave you makes a great table top linen.
Dad’s Wheel Barrel makes a great statement filled with Iced
Ciders or Sodas.

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

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Planning a Holiday Party? Come to our Office Staff Holiday Luncheon!

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Photobucket

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Transforming the Coronado Ballroom to Fit Your Style

Friday, October 8th, 2010

From the beginning, Shannon had a vision of her dream wedding and with the help of amazing vendors and coordination from Ellen and Kristen with Bride’s Vision; we were all able to pull it off for her and Chris on June 5th.

Early on, Shannon decided upon the beautiful summer tones of turquoise, purple, and silver. Now, those that are familiar with the Coronado may at first wonder how that would look in a mostly gold-toned Ballroom. However, with the help of our friends at Millennium Productions and a little uplighting, they transformed the traditional Ballroom into a purple palace. To finish the look, a turquoise glow was projected on the cove of the Ballroom along with the couple’s monogram, and pin spots illuminated the floral centerpieces.

Shannon wanted to keep her guests guessing all night, so the cocktail hour in the Grand Lobby provided one look: purple bengaline linen provided by BBJ Linen, turquoise and cream florals provided by Festive Atmospheres, a signature cocktail named the Blue Hawaiian (both the bride’s favorite drink and the locale of their engagement), and flat screen TVs provided by Millennium Productions displayed the couple’s beautiful engagement portraits by Sal Cincotta.

As guests moved into the North Ballroom for dinner and dancing, a new look was unveiled: turquoise organza and sequin custom-made linens provided by BBJ Linen, silver chiavari chairs provided by Premier Rentals, centerpieces of vibrant turquoise and purple dendrobium orchids, purple hydrangea, and roses created by Festive Atmospheres, and an intimate sweetheart table with a silk back drop provided by Millennium Productions. A draped lounge area in the South Ballroom provided by Millennium Productions offered the perfect get away from the packed dance floor – Elite Pro DJs kept guests dancing all night!

The custom wedding cake by Steven Becker Fine Dining mimicked the silver scroll design of the wedding invitations with edible silver dust and the groom’s cake by Kreative Kakes was an ode to Chris’ hometown – a large New Orleans Saint’s fleur de lis and football helmet.

At the end of the evening, Shannon surprised her groom with the Funky Butt Brass Band to lead a traditional New Orleans Second Line Dance with custom handkerchiefs as a take-away for each guest and Millennium Productions’ videographer was there for every moment of when St. Louis met New Orleans.

Pictures by Sal Cincotta will be added to our Facebook soon!

Jaci Burgess, Catering Sales Manager for Steven Becker Fine Dining and the Coronado Ballroom

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I was a guest at Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding!

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Well…I should have been! I had my outfit picked out and planned on sitting next to Madeleine Albright. It was thrilling to hear that someone was going to finally spend some money on a wedding and not be apologetic about it. And how refreshing to hear that a bride was going to work with a specific color story and not going matchy-matchy or crazy contrast. Working with blue-based colors such as lilac, blue and soft raspberry was pleasing to the eye and gave Chelsea’s wedding a rich look with depth. We notice that when the economy swings upward, we shift towards colors that are more subtle…colors that give events a richer feel. Fabrics become luxurious. When economic times are bad, we see cheaper looks and fabrics. After 25 years of event planning, I believe it is because people don’t want to look like they are spending money…and often they don’t even realize it.
By using tones of one color palette, events have more depth and tells the eye a more restful story. The eye is not darting back and forth from one extreme to another. Although shocking combos such as Orange and Hot Pink will always have their place, we see more of the same color saturation in our events for the next few years. Gray again is the new neutral and will act as the starting point for many brides in 2011. The last time we saw gray so strong was the 80′s…a time of spending and consumption. Remember television shows like Dynasty and Dallas! When you are planning your wedding, want to stretch the budget dollar and give your event a more expensive look, go for related colors and use richer fabrics. Have the best of what you can afford and you will appreciate your choices for years to come. And if you would like to discuss color theory or selection, give me a call!

Rob Schaefer
Inaugural St. Louis Wedding Professional Hall of Fame Inductee

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