Uncommon Events Designers Diary

Street Art is alive in London!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 23:49:00 +0000

I love to travel and immerse myself in new and different cultures. These experiences inevitably show up in our event design, one way or another. Bits and pieces of what I find interesting will make their way into our "art of the party".

When in London, I went on a tour in the Shoreditch neighborhood. Street Art is a part of their community. Street Art was started by Banksy in the early part of this century. Today, there are many artists who follow in his footsteps, creating beautiful, visuals in the most unexpected, industrial places. Keep your eyes open, you may find Street Art in your area!

I love this artist and just saw another of his artwork in Ghent, Belgium

This was our tour guide, a Street Artist herself.

The last one I saw and a favorite of course!

Double Decker Bus tour of London

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 02:07:00 +0000

When planning a wedding or special celebration with a group in London, a Double Decker Bus tour is a must. It is a fast and convenient way to orient your guests to the beautiful city of London. We added Champagne and Mimosas to our morning adventure. Two Blue Badge Guides added the story behind all of the sites.

CAKE!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 02:13:00 +0000

I am always seeking the most amazing wedding cake and the pastry chefs who can create them. The ability to make an amazing looking cake that tastes delicious is an art. There are few that can manage that task.

As I travel abroad, I always snap images from windows. I like how the images portray the cake with the ghosted images of the surrounding buildings. These cakes were in a shop window in London.

The last cake belonged to a birthday girl (client). I commissioned Rachel Mount to create a "London" cake. It was simply stunning.

Wedding Dress Design

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 02:54:00 +0000

Whenever I travel anywhere, I always snap a pic of wedding gowns in stores I happen upon. This one struck me as chic and stylish. Found in Belgium.

CHOCOLATE!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 23:47:00 +0000

Who doesn't LOVE chocolate. So many brands, so many "artisanal" chocolate makers. When traveling, I indulge. This trip to Belgium and The Nederlands obviously offered some of the worlds finest chocolates and eye "candy" images (pun intended).

Amsterdam candy store

Chocolate store in the Hague

Yes! It's a chocolate purse!

And a chocolate shoe!

Oops, this is unbelievable SOAP! Found in Ghent, BE.

An Incredible Wedding at Vie

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 00:13:00 +0000

An Incredible Wedding at Vie

Jenna and TJ came to us to assist in the planning and design of their wedding more than a year in advance. Jenna travels heavily for her company and wanted a team on the ground in Philadelphia to create her vision and manage all the details. She chose stunning colors of coral and charcoal gray accented by gold. The venue, Vie, is already decorated on its own but we added to the beauty of the venue with more chandeliers, glitz and glam. The mirrored head table had 12 dimmable chandeliers above at varying heights. The seating was mostly at square tables; white leather and those clothed in gold. We had 10 tables that seated 6 guests each, quite a nice difference from the “common” seating. The floral centerpieces ranged from our stunning 5’ tall round floral spheres (Jessica, our Creative Director, made the floral spheres so beautiful that most of the guests asked if the flowers were real!), and crystal candelabras to lower elements placed in mercury glass and adorned with glowy candlelight.

The paper pieces for the wedding were gorgeous. The wedding invitation was delivered in a hand calligraphed box. The guests knew that it was going to be a special evening upon its’ arrival. The menu, die cut to fit within the charger plate, was one of my favorite pieces. (So much so, I am using the same style for my event in London this August!) . The print theme was carried though out every paper element.

On the patio we added some fringe elements and furniture as well as a cigar rolling station for later in the evening. The guests LOVED that space.

Jackie Bayne, from Love Shack Photography, did an amazing job capturing all the details of the day. There were so many!

Wedding Planning, Design & Décor : Uncommon Events (of course!)

Images : Love Shack Photo

Cinematography: CinemaCake Filmmakers

Cocktail Music: Philadelphia String Quartet

Invitation: Papery of Philadelphia

Host Hotel : Rittenhouse Hotel

Kudos!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 01:50:00 +0000

Dear Melissa, Amanda and Jess,

Words cannot express our gratitude towards everything you did to turn our dream wedding vision into a reality. As you know, we started our wedding planning journey without your guidance or assistance. Without your help, we know the final design would have paled in comparison to the wedding you helped us achieve.

Your attention to detail and tireless effort gave us the wedding of our dreams. The compliments continue and the memories grow as we reflect on the wonderful evening we shared with all of our friends and loved ones.

We will always remember you fondly for our amazing wedding and recommend you to any couples that want their wedding experience to exceed their expectations.

Sincerely,

Lindsay & Jason

Bride and Groom

Ritz Carlton Philadelphia

At the Jersey shore – a fabulous beach wedding!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 02:15:00 +0000

This Bride & Groom are perfect for each other and their relaxed yet elegant beach wedding was flawless. Even though the skies threatened rain all day, we never had a drop. The sun came out just as the ceremony dawned. The bright light of the bay moved into the gorgeous sunset and as the light dimmed the market lighting made the evening shimmer. The Reeds at Shelter Haven is the ultimate venue for a wedding at the shore. The ballroom extends very gracefully into the patio making the inside and outdoor space appear as one. The guest rooms at this venue are beautifully appointed and the Team that runs the show at the hotel, in every department, is nothing but professional.

This bride chose yellow and gray as her colors. We found the absolute perfect linens to convey the beach feeling within her color scheme. The centerpieces were full yet simple, adorned with lanterns and much candlelight. The head table was 100 glass containers of candles of all shapes and sizes. Our Creative Director, Jessica, who is in charge of all things fabulous, did an amazing job with the personal flowers, ceremony and table designs.

The logistics of the weekend were handled by myself and my Wedding Planning assistant, Amanda, who always does a stellar job at the details. Managing the schedules from the rehearsal dinner to the Sunday brunch is an incredible task.

We were sad to see it end but thrilled that everyone was HAPPY!

A big shout out to Dave Robbins for these amazing images. He has an incredible eye for the details and a great sense of fun in his photographic composition. (And he was great to work with!)

Wedding Planning– Uncommon Events

Design and Florals – Uncommon Events

Photography - Dave Robbins

Venue - The Reeds at Shelter Haven

Video – CinemaCake

Band – Eric Nicholas and One Love

Dress – Van Cleeve

Hair and Make-up – Duette Hair and Make-up Design

Ceremony on the upper deck at The Reeds

Parasol Detail in ceremony

The Brides Bouquet

Dress by Van Cleve

Just in case it rained (and it did not!)

Succulents and crespedia for the boutonnières

Cocktails on the lawn

The Reeds - Stunning at Night!

This got a LOT of use!

LOVE this sweet touch!

Beer koozie and fold up sunglasses with the Twitter # - cute, cute idea!

The bride used paperless post for the Wedding Invitations and carried through the theme on the print pieces for the day

Such a great idea so everyone could take their own iPhone pics – kinda like a photo booth but much more fun!

Last photo of the night! Congrats Mr. & Mrs.!!!

A “Ritzy” wedding at The Ritz Carlton of Philadelphia

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 02:33:00 +0000

Lindsay wanted a “fancy” wedding and that is exactly what she got. Jason, the groom, was an incredibly supportive and loving partner before the marriage was defined. The couple was wonderful to work with and gave us the opportunity to create magic. Her father wanted Lindsay to have the wedding of her dreams. The invitations were simply stunning with a bit of bling on each piece of paper the guests received prior to the wedding and on the day of. Her choice of dark purple shades with accents of silver gave us the elements we needed to create a sparkly, glittery wedding at the Ritz Carlton of Philadelphia.

The on-site ceremony was gorgeously draped in a shimmery silver satin. When lit, created an atmosphere that was divine. The Lucite chuppah, white/ silver damask runner and candlelight along the aisle made the ceremony just perfect.

After the guests moved upstairs to cocktails, we were given the task to turn the room into something completely different and we did just that! The lighting became a different hue, the tables that were clothed in a deep purple taffeta and silver were moved into place. The white dance floor was revealed and their name was in lights. Drum roll please!

Mike and Jana Kerr did an amazing job capturing the warmth and love this family has and got all our “uncommon” details at the same time!

Wedding planning, Décor & Design : Uncommon Events (of course!)

Photography: MKPhoto

Cinematography : CinemaCake Filmmakers

Invitation: The Papery of Philly

Band : EBE London
The Ritz Carlton of Philadelphia

Stephanie and Jonathan’s CinemaCake Film

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 23:11:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 23:13:00 +0000

Wedding Tip #60

Make a list of the five major expenses of your budget in order of importance: location/food and beverage, design/decor, entertainment, photographer, cinematographer. Drive your dollars towards what is most important.

A new idea for the “POP UP” culture!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 23:44:00 +0000

This is a great idea. Uncommon Events would love to plan a Pop Up Wedding. Just give us a call. We can make it very “uncommon”!

http://www.npr.org/2014/07/06/328887021/its-a-nice-day-for-a-flash-wedding

Handsome and simple boutonnières for the groom and his posse!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 02:17:00 +0000

Images by Dave Robbins Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 23:42:00 +0000

Wedding Tip #59

Have an open conversation with your mom and soon to be mother-in-law about their expectations for your wedding. Listen and digest before you react. Your wedding is a special day for both families and keeping the conversation open and honest makes things easier for everyone.

Fun Ceremony Detail

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 01:18:00 +0000

We hung yellow parasols for this fun couples ceremony for them to stand under as they said I Do!!!!

Photography: Dave Robbins

Venue: The Reeds at Shelter Haven

New Wedding Video

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 03:08:00 +0000

The wedding less than one week ago! CinemaCake Filmmakers make magic happen!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 03:04:00 +0000

Wedding Tip #58

Plan for the weather but don't stress about it, no one can control what will happen.

April Wedding at Horticulture Center

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:36:00 +0000

Here are some of my favorite photos from one of our prettiest spring weddings at the Horticulture Center in Philadelphia. It had beautiful flowers, tons of personal touches and a very in love bride & groom :)

Images by: Lauren Fair Photography
Catering by: Stephen Starr
Venue: Horticulture Center in Philadelphia

Summer Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 22:57:00 +0000

"Thank you SOO much! We love everything about it, you all did an awesome job. It's perfect! Thanks again!!!!"
- Jenna and TJ

Cinematography: Ryan Bedard, Angel Lugo, Rick Stevens, and Dave Williams of CinemaCake Filmmakers
Same Day Editor: Jonathan Sutton of CinemaCake Filmmakers
Wedding Planning and Design: Uncommon Events
Photography: Love Shack Photo
Reception Venue and Catering: Vie
Preparations Venue: Rittenhouse Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000

Wedding Tip #57

You don't have to do height order for your ceremony. You can keep those who you are closest with, close to you.

A fabulous grooms cake – Replica of the WVU stadium!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 01:26:00 +0000

This was just so much fun. The groom attended WVU and loved it there.

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 07:00:00 +0000

Wedding Tip #56

Put effort into your ceremony, it is the point of the day.

Kudos!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 16:30:00 +0000

Hi Everyone!

Now that I've had a few days to recover (boy was I exhausted) I just want to thank you all SO much for making our day (and entire weekend) absolutely PERFECT!! You totally nailed my complete vision and I could not be more grateful for everything you have done along the way. I 100% would not have been able to do it without your amazing team.

Thanks again, TJ and I will be forever grateful!

Jenna & TJ
June Wedding

Vie by the Cescaphe Group

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:45:00 +0000

Wedding Tip #55

Share your budget with your vendors from the start. If they know what you want to spend, they can offer what you can afford without hesitation.

The last day of May and it was perfect!

noreply@blogger.com (Uncommon Events) — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 18:58:00 +0000

This wedding was held at Greystone Hall on the very last day of May. The weather was picture perfect. The bride wanted a touch of vintage and incredibly romantic. Her colors of muted and bright pinks with gray were just the ticket. There were many, many details. The escort cards were displayed library style as a nod to their love of reading. The burlap containers had a touch of satin ribbon scrolled with love letters. The napkins had a paper bellyband inscribed with their monogram. The light peach subtle satin linens with the fine burlap napkin were the perfect accouterment for that vintage feel.