Portfolio Video...

Have you seen the video? It's a little jazzy collection of some of our favorite "Before" wedding/event illustrations and "After" completed Wedding/Event & Floral Design... enjoy!

Free up some memory... in your life!

Ok, this may not replace my long standing goal of eventually hiring a Personal Assistant but this free online tool will certainly do for now. If you'd like to have someone remind you of all those dozens of little items on your "To do" throughout the day just give this a try. http://www.task.fm/ offers a free online tool which allows you to send a brief "tweet-like" message to yourself.

Once you've set-up an account you can enter a simple reminder message (example: "Dinner with Bob at 6pm tonight") that can be emailed, text, or even sent to you in a voice call at a scheduled time and date. The basic tool is available free online or you can upgrade to the "Pro account" which offers more features. Will it replace your good old post-it notes? Maybe not. And no, it can't run to the Post office for you or pick-up the dry cleaning but if you just need a little reminder this can be a very helpful tool. Let me know if this helps you... enjoy!

Caricatures and Celebrations

I'm just back from an evening of performing Caricatures at the scrumptious Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel and Waterfront Conference Center. Over the past few years this venue has gone through a bit (o.k. a major... down right extreme) makeover and she look stunning! Gone is the "old world nautical" feel and instead the hotel is sporting a new look of Modern-elegance. In short, it is a splendid place for a celebration.

To make things even more delightful I had the pleasure of working with two fantastic event pros - DJ Rodney Charles and, florist extraordinaire and inspiring colleague, Daevid's of Norfolk - both created an absolutely fun, festive and fabulous environment to be in. Lots of fun! Pics coming soon... Cheers!

In Front & Behind the lens: Jade Tablescape Details

Your wedding day will seem to defy the laws of physics because it will feel like the fastest day of your life. Serious, with all the months (or sometimes years) of anticipation the actual day really flies by and if you're not careful you'll miss so many moments. I always tell Clients that one of the best investments you can make in your wedding is a great photographer. Remember, after the cake is cut, the dance floor is empty, the candles are blown out, and the entire event is over it's the pictures that remain. You'll look back in a few weeks, months, years and even decades to see family, friends and so many remarkable moments. The sights of the day will never be duplicated and a professional, talented photographer will be able to capture every smile, mood and detail.

I recently had the pleasure of having some of my designs photographed by Bill Murray of ONON Digiography in Virgina Beach, Virginia. Bill's work always convey a vibrant story and each Bride is presented flawlessly. His creative eye, technical knowledge, easy-going personality and passion for his work makes he just wonderful to be around and preserve the beauty of day.

"I guess you could say I just love people, and I REALLY love being around people that are in love. I've been told many times that people can see my soul in my work and I would have to agree that I put my heart into it. I truly believe that my connection to the wonderful people that trust me with their once in a lifetime events makes a huge difference. I TRULY care about every moment, because once that moment passes, it will never happen again. I capture those moments, reverently, while laughing, with tears in my eyes at times. I feel everything that I see."

Enjoy some of our work seen through the lens of Bill. You can contact him at ONON Digiography in Virginia Beach, Virginia... and tell him I say "Hi."

Green and Glam

I'm so grateful and yes, overwhelmed by all the amazing love and raves we received at Sunday's Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside. The Booth had 3 distinct sections. The first was a small "Art Gallery" featuring some original event art - illustrations, hand-sculpted flowers, custom favor boxes, and a bouquet. The opposite side had some lounge furniture and a looped video of our work as well as a cool hand-made mosaic Vivid Expressions LLC sign. But it was the center section that made the biggest impact. An 8 foot tablescape in vibrant jade green (complementing the tall, floating cymbidium orchid centerpieces) and white with accents of silver surrounded by a cascading wall of green and clear crystals and jade roses.

More pics of the actual tablescape to come... Cheers!

Having The Best Bridal Show Experience

It’s January and for many newly engaged couples this is the perfect time to start planning. Why? Because this is also Bridal Show Season. The time when many of wedding industry vendors, venues, and other professionals exhibit there products and services in a Tradeshow-like environment… "The Bridal Show". Ok, most “tradeshows” don’t feature the latest Wedding Gowns and Bridal Fashions in a runway show during the event but there will be tons of displays, presentations, demonstrations, and even catering and cake samples… yum!

Although this will be a fun setting for most couples to learn, see, and explore what local wedding vendors have to offer, the dozens of options, bustling crowds and ocean of booths, vendors, services and products can become a little overwhelming for Brides and Grooms. Here are my Top 5 tips to make your Bridal Show Experience fun and not frustrating.

1. Come Early!

Besides finding great parking and getting 1st crack at many of the sights and sounds of the event, some shows offer special incentives, activities and event prizes to a limited number of Brides who come early. The Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase, for example, is offering Brides the opportunity to meet with Guest Speaking, Trendsetter and Wedding Expert Jane Medley of "The Brides Café" at 10 am, an hour before the Bridal Showcase opens. This is free to Brides! To register and more details about the showcase visit http://www.uniquelystyledbride.com/.

2. Bring a Friend.

Invite your Fiance, Maid/Matron of Honor, or Parents to join you at the Bridal Show. They can help you gather information or ask their opinions. Just be sure to limit it to one or two people you really trust and feel comfortable with - too many opinions from too many different people may be a little overwhelming and actually hurt your decision making.

3. Bring your Calendar.

Availability of some wedding venues and vendors my fill—up after the show. If you find a vendor you'd like to meet with for a consultation you may be able to book an appointment on the spot!

4. Bring a Pad & Pen.

Bridal Shows are designed to help you become familiar with wedding services as well as the latest trends. You may see great ideas, have questions, or discover new wedding services you weren't aware of before. It may save you time by bringing a pen and note pad to take notes. Note: You may also register for additional information, appointments, or give-aways and (for some people) pre-printed labels with your Name, Wedding Date, Email, and Telephone Number could make registering a snap!

5. Bring a Check Book or Credit Card.

Let's say you see a vendor you've always wanted to meet or even book. During the show you've talked and they still have your wedding date available - you want to snag them for your special day before someone else locks them in. If you have your check book or credit card handy you can nail down your date with a deposit!

Got it? Great, now go forth and enjoy!

Edible Bliss: Grabable Gourmet Goodies

I've always loved cupcakes, there's just something about treating yourself to a scrumptious little cake which you "could" share but is perfectly fine, and expected, for you to indulge in all by yourself. With the popularity of cupcakes as a creative sweet wedding alternative there are many "cupcakeries" to choose from "Just Cupcakes" in Virginia Beach, Virginia has a chic, gourmet flair that sets them apart. Madagascar bourbon vanilla, Guittard chocolates, and real sweet cream butter... ooooh baby! This adorable shop in the Hilltop section of Virginia Beach may become your favorite little escape when you need to pamper yourself a little. And, yes, they even offer cupcake catering for special events - just give Carla a call and she'll design and deliver the perfect "Small Sweet Selections". With cupcakes baked on site, fresh every few hours using only the finest ingredients this is not your average cupcake shop, these exquisite personal treats are more like "hand-crafted" edible bliss.

After the Proposal...

Congratulations to all the lovely couples who became engaged over the holidays or New Years Eve!! "Twenty-ten" will be an amazing year and I'm excited for all the love, beauty, joy and promise to come this year. January, with its spirit of freshness and renewal, is the perfect time to start the wedding planning process. So, where do you begin? Here are 3 helpful steps to get started:

Step 1: "Gonna be a Good Day"
Start by selecting a date, a couple of potential dates or a timeframe (such as the 1st two weeks of May) for your wedding day. This will help you as you start the process of researching, checking availability, and placing deposits to reserve that perfect location or desired vendor services.

Step 2: Know your range
How much does a wedding cost? Many Brides and Grooms "to be" may have an idea of some of the things they'd like to have for their wedding but very little idea of fees or the total cost. It's extremely important to have a general budget range in mind.

Did you know the average wedding in the United States in 2009 cost approximately $28,000? Even during a recession... Surprised? Here's the good news, most wedding professionals will be able to work with you to help you understand your options and assist you in creating a wonderful event. Sit down and trully think about a realistic "budget range" that features a low and high-end number range you would like to spend on your wedding. Keep in mind, it may fluctuate as the type, size, and style of wedding you'd like to have becomes clearer but giving yourself a "budget range" to work with will be essential in the planning process.

Step 3: Size can matter
In general, think about the size of your wedding. Will it be an intimate affair with 60 guests or do you envision a grand event with 250, 300 or more? Of course the number of wedding party participates and guests will vary but the number of guests will have a direct effect on everything from finding a location to accommodate the group to the catering cost per person. Just keep it simple, ask yourself would you like a small (less than 100), medium (about 100 - 200) or a large wedding (greater than 250) and go from there.

What's next?
As I mentioned before, January is the idea time to start planning, in fact, you'll soon notice a ton of Bridal Shows all taking place throughout the month. These show are a fantastic resource -putting Brides (and Grooms) face-to-face with local vendors, professional services, the latest fashions and available wedding trends for their special day. We, for example, will be participating in the Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase, the most spectacular of it's kind in the Hampton Roads area, on January 17th at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, Virginia. Later I'll continue with 5 things you'll need to know to get the best out of the Bridal Show. Until then, congrats again and Cheers!

To be continued...