10th Anniversary Vendor Party

No one throws a party like Vow Bride! Some of the Hampton Roads region's "Who's Who" of wedding professionals gathered to relax, socialize and celebrate in anticipation of the up-coming Vow Bride 10th Anniversary Bridal Event. Kim Wadsworth, Editor-in-Chief of Vow Bride Magazine, hosted an amazing "Vendor Appreciation Party" held at the uber stylish, modern and chic "Alot" Hotel in Chesapeake, Virginia on February 10th, 2010.

During the event I enjoyed the delightful company of Barbara Anderson of Style Events (one of the show's major sponsors), Maya Warburton (of Maya Couture), Rodney Watzlavick (of DJ Rodney Charles), Eleise Theuer of Eleise Theuer Photography (and genius behind my lovely profile pic), and other brilliant photographers Keith Cephus, David Schwartz, and Ramon Permel just to name of few. Other notable vendors who attended the Vendor Party (and guests of the Bridal Event will meet) included The Chrysler Museum of Art, Ice Art (seen with me on the left), Virginia Beach Resort Hotel, Catering Concepts, Just Cupcakes, and Shockely's Sweet Shoppe who created the exquisite and artfully done cake featured below.

I have to admit, I adored the feeling of being a pampered "guest" of a sensation party for a change. We were treated to scrumptious food, an enchanting candy station, music, cocktails, and fabulous door prizes including Fondue for Two from The Royal Chocolate in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Manicure & Pedicure, and a Gift Certificate to Salacia Restaurant (Virginia's only AAA 4-Diamond Steakhouse Dinning Establishment) located in the gorgeous Oceanfront Hilton in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Intriguing? Just wait and see what we all have up are sleeves for Brides & Grooms attending this fantastic event! Vow Bridal Event Vendors experienced a small sample of exceptional delights those who will attend the Vow Bride 10th Anniversary Bridal Event will enjoy this coming Sunday, February 21st at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

For more information or to receive a discount on admission to the event please visit www.vowbride.com. Cheers!

The Countdown... until Vow's 10 Anniversary Bridal Event!

Congratulations to all those wonderful couples who became engaged over the Valentine's Day weekend!! Oh yes, love still in the air and for many the wedding planning process is in full swing. After the "big question" has been popped and an enthusiastic "Yes" has been given, it's time for planning, researching bridal resources, and visiting local Bridal shows. Well, do I have a some exciting news for you! We are extremely thrilled to be participating in the up-coming Vow Bride Magazine Bridal Show and will dedicate our blog this week to a "Countdown to Vow's 10th Anniversary Bridal Event"!

For 10 year Vow Bride Magazine had been a priceless resource for savvy, stylish Brides in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The magazine has showcased the artistry of award winning photographers, stunning high-end bridal fashions, cutting-edge bridal industry trends, and a full-range of phenomenal wedding professionals and talent. Throughout the years the Vow Bridal Show has blossomed into one of the area's most anticipated Bridal events.

Blog Event Spotlight: Bridal Gown
For most Brides it's all about "The Gown". Seriously, ask most newly engaged Brides what they are looking forward to doing in the planning process and, for most, finding the gown will be at the top of the list. And why not? Remember playing "Dress up" as a little kid? If you do odds are you pretended to wear a Wedding Gown (even if you don't pretend to get married). In short, a Wedding Gown symbolizes "the Bride". It is the only garment you will ever have in your life created to fully represent love, your "Special day", and designed to showcase you - a complete, absolute expression of your personal style and beauty. It's because of this that finding "the dress" is such a detailed, sometimes anxious, and special process.

My advice - bring good friends or your planner and work with a Professional Bridal Attire Expert who can guide you through the various styles, silhouettes, fabrics, foundations, and what will best work best with your body type. If you haven't found your gown yet the timing couldn't be more perfect to visit the "Vow 10th Anniversary Bridal Event" this Sunday, February 21st at the Virginia Beach Convention Center near the Virginia Beach, Virginia Oceanfront. Not only will you see a range of breathtaking wedding fashions but you'll have a chance to meet renowned Bridal Fashion Designers and Experts. One exciting feature of the Bridal Event will come from our friends at Maya Couture. Maya Warburton, Gown Designer and Owner of Maya Couture, will offer Brides visiting the show an unique opportunity. Maya Couture will conduct a "Sample Sale" during the Bridal Event. Brides attending the show are not only invited to see gorgeous designer gowns but will be given amazing deals on gown, purchase them and take their dream dress home! For more information on the Bridal Event, Bridal Attire Designers, or to register to attend the show please visit http://www.vowbride.com/

Look forward to more updates and seeing you all soon... Cheers and blessed wishes!!

What Wedding/Event Pros can learn from the Vancouver Opening Ceremony

Oh Canada, what you were up against. I, like millions, watched the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver British Columbia last night. And again, like countless others, I wondered.... "How are they going to top Beijing?" Let's face it, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony was, in a word, amazing!

Comparisons to the Beijing Show: Mind boggling fireworks across the city and over the then newly constructed "Bird's nest" arena, thousands of musician (literally, 2008 drummers) and dancers performing in perfect unison, gravity defying over-the-top acrobatics, and multi-million (perhaps billion) dollar cutting-edge technology and special effects - Beijing created an unforgettable and awe inspiring Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Olympic Games. Volunteers? Ha! The Chinese Government recruited nearly the entire country's participation in a well groomed, precisely orchestrated and unprecedented show for the world. The results were simply amazing.

The Event and The Economy: Beijing was a tough act to follow but think about this. China provided Artistic Director Zhang Yimou the tremendous resources and the enormous advantage of a whooping $300 million budget for the Beijing Opening Ceremony production. Compare that to the $38 millions budget David Atkins (Artistic Director for the Vancouver Ceremony) had to work with .

So, what can Wedding/Event Planners, Designers and Coordinators learn from the opening ceremony? David Atkins faced the same issues that many of us in the Wedding and Event Planning Industry have faced recently - working with reduced budgets and sometimes resources. It certainly wasn't a jaw-dropping spectacle but it was a welcoming event that expressed the spirit of the host (or in this case Host City) and isn't that what a reception is supposed to do? Yet, despite the event's two biggest issues (budget and manpower) they were still able to produce a warm and delightful experience for the audience. In the event planning and design field this is what truly separates the best from the rest of the crowd. Of course it's easy to create lavish affairs with unlimited budgets but it are those who can use their talents, creativity and innovation to create a wonderful and well polished experience that are the industry leaders.

Here's 4 things we as wedding/event pros can learn from Vancouver:

1. Create a feeling of intimacy:

One of the most successful things about last night was the feeling - of inclusion, history, and family. It was like the entire world was invited to a small family dinner at Canada's house. This was accomplished in a few ways. Atkins united us as one people, 1st with the four native tribes of Canada and then inviting the native people from across the Globe. Incorporating traditions is an effective way to create a deeply personal feeling and allow others to connect. This was my favorite part not just because it was interesting to see but, man, I love a good party and they danced for nearly an hour as the athletes of the world made their entrance.

2. Discover Local Talent:

Another way they created intimacy is by getting to know Canada and it's history and culture. This was accomplished through a couple of different types of story telling segments. A dramatic narration of the country's legends was told by the familiar voice of Canadian born actor Donald Sutterland (yes, Kiefer's Dad). Now I know Donald Sutterland isn't your average local talent but the ceremony also featured a Canadian Slam Poet, Chris Gilpin who expressed the more hip cultural spirit of British Columbia. Again, showcasing the country's own unique personality, culture and home-grown talent.

3. Lighting and mood:

The other element that was utilized in the story telling was lighting. David Atkins developed a mood during the ceremony with his use of lighting effects. Hundreds of projectors and LED screens were used to create alluring visual effects like the Northern Lights suspend above the arena, Whales swimming across the arena's floor and then thousands of Salmon swimming upwards to later transform into trees. The lighting effects drew everyone's attention towards the center of the arena defining the visual direct of events and engaging the audiences focus in a strategic direction and flow along with the story. It was very well done.

4. The show must go on:

Ok, Tribal Dancers... check, lighting effects... check. Well, I guess I can't finish without discussing the, uhmm, "technical difficulties" of the evening with the torch lighting. As "The Great One", Wayne Gretzky, held the torch on the arena floor we all wondered "Where was the cauldron?" We soon figured it out. It seems (and I could be wrong) that four columns and the Olympic Cauldron were to rise dramatically from the floor and four athletes were to all ignite it at once. Well, as 3 (of the 4) columns and the cauldron began to rise it be came apparent that if there was a 4th column that there was a malfunction and the 4th column was stuck. Did that stop the show? No way... After a few moments the columns were lit, the Olympic Cauldron was engulfed in flames and the 2010 Olympic Games began!

Experienced Wedding and Event Planners know - no mater how well you plan there will always, always, always be snags but it is the true professionals that are ready to react and it is their job to "put out those fire" (pardon the pun) without the guests' awareness. Experienced planners are quick problem solvers who can come up with solutions as soon as the problem pops up. But in some cases you have to do what the producers of the ceremony did... you just go with what you got. No need to panic or stop the entire event just because one column doesn't want to cooperate... use what you got and remember, "The show must go on"! So, they did and you know what... everything still worked out fine. A lesson for us all. Don't stop the show and in the words of fashion expert Mr. Tim Gunn, "make it work!"

Fashion Design World looses an Artistic Talent

Here at the eve of London's Fashion week I'm saddened to learn of the loss of an incredibly talented and influential creative spirit - British Designer Alexander McQueen. Known for his truly artistic, dramatic, often over the top and fanciful designs and theatrical productions - Alexander "Lee" McQueen has been a cutting-edge creative force in the fashion industry since his career began at age 16. His work was technically innovative, artistic and unconventional couture statements. His designs told stories and featured elements created to convey a feeling of different concepts, times and places. McQueen's designs have been admired and worn by a tremendous spectrum of famous fans including Janet Jackson (Below), Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady Gaga, Eve, Madonna and even First Lady Michelle Obama. With his tragic death at the age of 40 his talents will certainly be missed and leave a notable void in the fashion and creative world.

Behind the design: Lovely and Low

In case you didn't know I love educating and facilitating. It's true! In fact, my 1st job as a teen was for the State of Virginia as Museum Services Assistant - giving demonstrations of 18th Century children's toys and helping with Revolutionary History Museum tours. Needless to say my focus now is more Fine Art and Event Design oriented and I'm more than happy to share theories, techniques and principles.

Ok, last time we talked about the "Power of 3" in creating visual interest on a table. Today I'd like to continue dissenting table-scapes but talking about a common mistake when choosing Centerpieces for an event. In general, centerpieces (floral or non-floral) fall into two categories; Tall and Low. Tall centerpieces tend to create a more dramatic look - giving the observer a feeling of full space and proportion by drawing the eye vertically. Low centerpieces are usually more intimate (and yes, less expensive). The reason low centerpieces create a more "intimate" feeling is because they do not draw your eye up and down, instead they keep your focus low - drawing your eyes horizontally across the table.

One of the most important things to remember with low centerpieces is they should be approximately than 10 -12 inches tall (or less). This is to make sure the design is functional (as all good design) and doe not disrupt with the guest's line of sight. An example of a bad low centerpiece design is one that obstructs the view of the guest. And although you many want to avoid your Cousin Fred, hiding behind the centerpiece should no be the way to do it.

Ok, so you don't have a ruler hand. Want a quick and easy way to check the height of a centerpiece? Don't let Mom see you do this but forget your manners for a moment and put your elbow on the table. From your elbow to your wrist or top of your fist is approximately 10' tall and roughly the maximum high for a "Low" centerpiece. Exception to the rule? There are always exceptions. If the centerpiece is clear, translucent or has design/materials with a lot of negative space but we will talk about that when we explore "Tall" centerpieces next time. Until then... Cheers!

Celebrating 10 stylish years!

For 10 years "Vow Bride" magazine has been the region's foremost wedding-style resource for trendsetting, Bridal Fashionistas. Twice a year readers drink in the simply scrumptious articles and stunning images designed to reflect all things weddings in the industry and Hampton Roads. Editor-in-Chief, Stylist, Make-up Artist and one of Hampton Road's Premier fashion mavens Kim Wadsworth is the creative mind and driving force behind the "Vow's" vision and success. With vital planning information, gorgeous models, breath-taking gowns, and the absolute best locations the magazine's pages showcase the works of some of the area's top photographers such as Keith Cephus, Eliese Thuer, David Schwartz, and Ramone Permel. In short, the Vow Bride is a must have for any Bride planning her special day in Hampton Roads.

Join Vow Bride in celebrating its 10th anniversary at the fabulous Vow Bridal Show. Over the years the show has become established as one of the area's signature Bridal events. To add to the splendor and exciting of this year's event Vow has announced the tremendous honor of hosting the talent of famed Couture Designer Romona Keveza. Come out to see, taste, and experience the Vow Bridal Event at the chic and modern Virginia Beach Convention Center on February 21st.

Behind the Design: The Power of 3

Tall Centerpieces are dramatic! There's no surprise why Brides & Grooms and party hosts love them. They capture your attention and draw your eye vertically - taking advantage of the proportion of a table or even a room. Of course there's a price to pay for such drama... it's also no surprise that smaller, low centerpieces tend to be less expensive that tall, fuller centerpieces. How can you use a lower centerpiece design without loosing visual interest? Here's the solution - remember your design principles! One of the best ways is to achieve visual interest with lower centerpieces is by creating rhythm or "a visual flow" horizontally across the table instead of vertically. This can be accomplished with smaller, low centerpieces by using multiple decorative items or floral arrangements on a single table in odd numbers - usually in 3s. Here are few examples:

More posts about using Art and Design princples in event designs are coming soon!