Let the merriment begin!!

Thanksgiving feasting... check, Black Friday shopping... check and yes, the Holiday Season has officially begun!! As the days grow shorter and the nights colder it time to share in the warmth, lights, laughter and love of those near to us. I can't express how much our Friends, Clients, Colleagues, Fans, and Supporters have ment to us in the past year. So here, at Vivid Expressions, we cherish the connections and friendships we share by taking some time to celebrate.

We are hosting an"After Work" Holiday Open House on December 1st at our Studio-gallery in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Please join us for "Event Art After Work", a gathering for our special Friends and Clients (past, present and future) designed as a relaxing after work affair. Enjoy refreshments and original Artwork in our unique Event Design Studio-gallery environment. For more information or to register to attend please visit http://www.vividexpressions.com . I hope that you can join me for a little merriment after work this coming Wednesday!

What: "Event Art After Work" Bride & Client Holiday Open House
When: Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
6pm - 9pm
Where:Vivid Expressions Event Design Studio-gallery
2505 Horse Pasture Road
Suite 104
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453
(Near the corner of Dam Neck Road & London Bridge Blvd)
Directions

Local TN: 757-802-3299
(Toll Free): 888-878-4843

How many Hors d'oeuvres do you need?

Woo hoo! The Holiday party season is about to begin! A fantastic time of year for friends, family, food, and fun. It's also a great Holiday Party opportunity for Hosts to throw Cocktail Parties. Cocktail parties are popular at this time of year because they are just so flexible. They can be a preludes to a dinner, done in conjunction with another friend's party as a "kick-off" a bigger party or a Cocktail Party can simply stand alone as a time to relaxing and mingle.

I could focus on the "Cocktails" to serve at a Cocktail party (or even a cocktail reception) but it's also important to make sure offer enough hors d’oeuvres for your guests. So how many hors d'oeuvres do you need for the crowd? Here are some tips to help determine the type of Hors d'oeuvre Service to offer guests (Light, Medium and Heavy Hors D’Oeuvres) and how much to feed your guests.



Light Hors D'oeuvres
Light Hors d’œuvres refer small appetizers served as an afternoon snack or before a seated meal. They may be cold, light, and often consist of fruit, crudités (cut fresh vegetables), cheeses, dips, spreads, and crackers. They are usually accompanied by cocktails or other beverages such as tea, coffee, sparkling water, punch, etc.

Light Hors D'oeuvre Service
When serving light Hors d'oeuvres plan on 4 - 6 pieces per guest.




Medium Hors D'oeuvres
Medium style Hors d’oeuvre service will offer your guests more food and can be considered a hearty snack eaten between lunch and a late dinner. They can consist of many of the same items seen in a light Hors d’oeuvre service but they may also include delicate savory finger sandwiches, petit fours, small tarts and sweets – much like the foods you’d find in a British-style Afternoon tea.

Medium Hors d'oeuvre Service
Plan 7 to 10 pieces per guest


Heavy Hors D'oeuvres
Heavy Hors d’oeuvres are the most substantial of the Hors d’oeuvre services. These Hors d’oevres are usually cooked and served warm (ex: savory or sweet Baked Puffed Pastries, Greek Lamb Meatballs, Mini Spring rolls, Bacon wrapped Scallops, Thai Chicken skewers, Smoked Salmon on mini potato pancakes, Beef with Horseradish on Crostinis, etc). Heavy Hors d’oeuvres can be used to substitute a meal and are ideal for cocktail parties and cocktail-style receptions.

Heavy Hors d'oeuvre Service
Plan for at least 11 to 13 pieces per guest

Last but not least... if you missed us

Yesterday we were delighted to make the "Hampton Road's Finest" Bridal Show, our last Bridal Show of 2010, at the simply elegance and enchanting Founder's Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach. Unfortunately a camera phone just doesn't do this justice but...


What's up next? Our an evening Bridal Holiday Open House at our Event Design Studio-gallery to be held on December 1st from 6pm - 9pm. If you are a Bride who would like to join us for the "Wedding Art After Work" Event please the "Shows & Presentations" page of our website for details. http://www.vividexpressions.com

Hope to see you there... Cheers!!

Last but not least!

We invited you to visit us as we participate in our last Bridal Show of 2010 - The "Hampton Roads Finest" Bridal Show! Join us as we are prepare to showcase a selection of very special new designer products from two exciting, innovative and truly Artistic wedding lines call "Copper Wedding" and "Bridal Sculptures." Experience our work as well as the services of dozens of other wedding professionals on the enchanting grounds of the exquisite Founders Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach.

"Hampton Roads Finest" Bridal Show

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

2pm - 5pm

The Founders Inn & Spa

5641 Indian River Road

Virginia Beach, Virginia

For tickets or more information please visit http://www.showbride.com/... looking forward to see you there!

A quick peak...

Just a very small look at the beginning stages of a wedding ceremony site design concept being illustrated... enjoy!

Behind the Design: Can you see me now?

Ok, image celebrating a very special occasion. Perhaps it's a fantastic wedding or cherished anniversary. It could even be a wonderful birthday honoring someone you love. In any case, it's a joyous celebration simply filled with family or friends you haven't seen in a while, dozens of fun activities and traditions you will surely treasure for a lifetime. It doesn't matter if it's a wedding or a reunion there will most certainly be toasts, dancing, laughter and tons of memories... you just wouldn't want to miss one moment of it.

Guests enter the reception hall or ballroom and all remark on the decorations. The dramatic professional lighting and the beautiful special linens and exquisite place settings. They then notice the interesting centerpieces done by a "friend" of the host who is "crafty" - decorative and promenade on the center of each tables. Well, if the other guests didn't take the time to notice them they soon will and they better like them because unfortunately, they will be the only thing they are going to see. In design any piece most meet the two criteria of form and function, the centerpiece was not designed to meet those needs. One of the biggest mistakes I see in novice table designs is when someone does not take into account Scale and Line of Sight.

Scale

Scale, in the case, refers to the design of an item (or focal point like that of a Centerpiece) that is in balance, correct proportion, and size in comparison to the space and/or items around it.

Line of Sight
This is the visual space or area over the tabletop that allows guests to have an unobstructed view across a table and across the room. Low centerpieces (Centerpieces typically less than 10" tall) do not present this issue and are the simplest solutions however, the design of some tall centerpieces may be a concern. There are two design techniques that may used to insure a tall centerpiece that does not interfere with the Line of Sight of guests. The first is to create one that's largest, most dense area or focal point rests at least 24" above the table. Another is to create a tall design that's structure is translucent, wispy or consists of a lot of "negative space" or open spaces throughout the area between the base and up to at least 24" above the table.