Justice Christine's Sweet 16

This past July, Lavish Events had the pleasure of designing and planning an all day event for Justice Christine. Justice wanted a classy event that would showcase her style. Justice prides herself  in being unique, so we wanted to make her event all about her.  Justice is a fan of Juicy Couture. Our inspiration for the decorations came from the Juicy Couture store....the glass apolothocary vases filled with candy and pastel colors used to wrap purchases. LePenn Designs helped us design a logo and a box invite that set the tone for the rest of the event. For fun, we thought it would be awesome for Justice to have her own personal photoshoot to kick things off.  The photos came out beautiful...thanks Davide'. 

Our team had a great time planning this classy affair. Justice is a smart and thoughful young lady. Welcome to young womanhood Justice....WE LOVE YOU!

Here are some of the places and people that we worked with to create Justice Christine's Sweet 16 celebration:

Theme: Justice Christine's Sweet 16

Colors: Light Blue, Black and White

Days Events - "A day with my girls" @ The Juicy Coutures store at Somerset Collections, The Woodhouse Day Spa, and ending with a classy Sweet 16 party aboard the beautiful Detroit Princess

Event Theme Design, Planning and Management: Lavish Events, LLC

Decorations by: Lavish Events, LLC and Tiki Quvon Balloons and Gifts

Invites, logo and stationary: Lepenn Designs

Cake: Lakes Cakes

Linens by: Montage Linens

Overnight Accomodations: Detroit MGM Grand Hotel

Limo Bus:  WN Williams Limousine Services

DJ: DJ Stunna

Personal Photoshoot:  Davide' Photography

Picture slideshow created with Smilebox

Out and About - Lavish Events attends the Reception Stars Limo Tours

FINDING THE RIGHT “SITE” THAT MEETS YOUR WEDDING NEEDS AND WEDDING BUDGET…

The Lavish Events team recently took part in a venue tour given by Bill Lonskey of The Quintessential Event.  Bill took us on a Limo tour to seven beautiful wedding venues located in Southfield and Downtown Detroit: the Westin Southfield, Detroit Marriott, Westin Book Cadilliac, Doubletree Guest Suites, Coach Insignia, The Fillmore, and The Whitney.  The Limo Coach, provided by Golden Limo in Ann Arbor, was beautiful and decked out with refreshments, snacks and gift bags for all of the participants.

The metropolitan Detroit area offers many choices and resources for a couple’s upcoming nuptials and reception needs. The tour began at the beautiful Southfield Westin hotel, we were introduced to their Go Green menu featuring fresh fruit and various delicacies that promote healthy eating, which is perfect for the Go Green couple, and various wedding decors, including a plethora of table linens and chair covers with complementary bows. In addition the Westin offers a unique atrium venue, which is perfect for a wedding and/or reception among a lavish array of live greenery and open views of the downtown skyline of Southfield.

Next, it was off to the Detroit Marriott located on the Detroit riverfront. We were greeted by international wedding dress designer, Katerina Bocci, and 3 models featuring 3 of her unique bridal gowns. The Marriott also decked out its reception room with various decors, including an array of floral centerpieces, table and chair linens, designed by local floral designer such as Blumz and Gerych’s Graziella.   As an added incentive, the Marriott is offering a free honeymoon for all couples who book their wedding between now and June two (2) round trip tickets and hotel stay in the United States plus 200,000 Marriott points. What an awesome incentive!

The newly, renovated Westin Book Cadillac was our next stop. In one of the two beautifully restored ballrooms, couples can choose not only from a variety of table and chair linens, but also table options ranging from round to square tables, and the unique clear acrylic table and chairs, which was beautifully decorated by Gerych’s Graziella. While sampling the delicacies, including the delightful desserts by Olga’s Creations, we were entertained by the Mel Ball players. The Book Cadillac also offers in house spa treatment packages at Spa 19 for the couple and their wedding party as complements to their event and/or overnight stay at the hotel; plus the Book Cadillac has the unique 24 Grill, which is available for private occasions.

A few blocks away was the Doubletree Guest Suites, which offers two unique different rooms – The Terrace or the Crystal Ballroom – for any couple’s wedding needs; additionally, the hotel’s quaint restaurant offers a weekly Friday night Jazz and Soul evening for a minimal cost per person. The hotel has partnered with the close by Woodhouse Day Spa to create a special package for every member of the special occasion. Blumz by JRDesigns was the decorator in the Crystal Ballroom, which has just recently opened its own venue in Ferndale Michigan for those individuals looking for a new, small locale.

Seventy-four floors above the Detroit River sits Coach Insignia, formerly The Summit restaurant; however, part of this circular venue, is a private dining area available for a wedding reception, family gathering, bridal and/or baby shower, or any other special event for approximately 80 individuals. Feasting on lobster corndogs (yum!) is just one appetizer available on the vast dinner menu Coach Insignia offers its guests. If this private dining room isn’t large enough for your needs, then the entire restaurant is available for rental.

The Whitney restaurant is an option for those couples looking for a smaller, intimate atmosphere for a wedding or other special occasion. The Whitney specializes in weddings, dinners, and tea parties in various parts of this wonderful, cozy homey ambiance, including an outdoor setting in the garden on the property. The various dining rooms inside include a library, a music room, or the Ghost Bar which is located on the 3rd level and offers comfortable seating and lounge areas for a casual gathering. It’s truly a haunting experience for those couples looking for a unique setting.

Finally, The Fillmore, which used to be the State Theatre, offered the most surprising venue; most assume it is just a small replica of The Fox theatre, which is just one block away, and based on its inner décor, it does resembles The Fox, but its setup is more diverse than The Fox because it offers a distinctive floor plan that allows the couple to choose background lighting that complements their wedding colors, a unique layout utilizing the stage, dance floor and 3 levels surrounding the dance floor. Plus, it has a mezzanine and balcony areas available for your event. The vast entrance lobby offers the couple an exclusive area to accommodate pre-reception hors d’oeuvres and/or cocktail hour.

Kudos Bill to you and your team for a well put together event.  The Lavish Events team cannot wait for the next tour.

If you would like more info about each of these venues or would like to hire Lavish Events for your next event, give us a call 1-313-350-1295

For more pictures from the tour check out the photo section of our Facebook page.

Dos, Don'ts, Answers and Advice Series - "The Groom's Cake"

Part of my job as a planner, is to give advice to my clients about wedding dos and don'ts.  I decided to create a new series for our blog to help answer some of the sommon questions that we get.  I hope you enjoy. 

When doing cake consultations with a brides-to-be, I often hear the question.... "What is a groom's cake?"  and "Is it tradition to get the groom a cake?"

Well, I have heard many different answers so I decided to do some research.  Here is what I found out.  The groom's cake is part of an old southern tradition. It was tradition for the bride to surprise the groom by buying him a cake as a gift - "the groom's cake".  Usually the groom's cake is chocolate or some other dark flavored cake and/or soaked with liquor.  However, today's groom's cake can be any flavor the couple desires.

The cake can be cut and put in gift boxes for guest to take home or served as an alternative flavor in addition to the wedding cake at the reception.  It can also be used to serve to the wedding party and close family as a late night reception snack.  Another good idea (the one I like the most) is to have the groom's cake at the rehearsal dinner. The bride can surprise her groom to be with the cake during the dinner.

Crazy groom's cake legend:  it used to be said that the groom's cake should be cut and given to single women who attend the wedding to take home.  Once they get it home, they are instructed to put it under their pillow as they sleep.  Legend has it that this will cause them to dream about their future groom-to-be.

See below for some really cool groom's cake examples.  Now a days the cake is usually fashioned after the groom's favorite things, hobbies and interest.  But please keep in mind...the groom's cake is an option not a must have. It is also usually much cheaper than the wedding cake...especially if ordered from the same bakery as the wedding cake.

In the picture below, the bride had a really good idea to incorporate the groom's cake with the wedding cake.

All pictures are from the www.pinkcakebox.com site.. this lady is awesome...I use this site alot for cake inspiration for my clients. Other sources: The Wedding Channel and The Cake Channel

In the Spotlight: Magnificent Floral Events

Lisa of Magnificent Floral Events, is not only a friend of mine, but a very gifted wedding and events florist within the Metro Detroit area. If you are looking for a florist with real talent, and an eye for creativity, then Lisa has it. I recently asked Lisa to particpate in our new blog spotlight series by providing a few pointers on what a bride and groom should look for, ask, and expect from a wedding florist.

Q.  How long have you been in the business? 
A. 15Yrs

Q. What is the big misconception about your services/industry?
A.  The cost of flowers

Q. What are some of the things a client should look for when interviewing with a florist?
A.  Look at their recent photos, you want a florist that is willing to work with you and satisfy the designs you have in mind.

Q. What should be in the contract?
A.  It should included some basic things like your name, address and phone number, contact person's name, address and phone number for every delivery location, and more importantly an itemized list and description of every floral arrangement, the number required, color of ribbons The total cost, your deposit and the amount still owing and the date for the last payment

Q.  What type of training should a Florist have?
A.  Some basic floral and floral arranging training and should be able to develop a great rapport with customers

Q. What type of training do you have?
A.  I have had 12 weeks Floral training at the Genesee vocational Center, Floral Design classes at Mott Community College, 12 weeks in Advanced Floral Design at the Royal Oak Technical Center, and continuing education floral classes thru the MFA (Michigan Floral Association)

Q.  How can a bride save money when deciding on what services they want from a florist?
A.  Ask about using flowers that are in season that are in the region (local) or using filler flowers and greens. Consider using masses of inexpensive flowers like white carnations or chrysanthemums instead of roses. Put the bulk of your budget toward flowers for the reception site. Create something dramatic in a few key spots rather than placing numerous smaller items here and there.

Q.  When a bride/groom first comes to you for a consultation, what should they bring with them?

A.   Bring as much information as possible:Color swatches, pictures of dresses, pictures of flowers and arrangements that you like (magazine clippings or websites) if available, a picture of your reception room, a list of who needs flowers

Based on my own experience in working with Lisa, I know that she will go the extra mile to include all elements in her designs such as, lighting, pipe and drape and even some extra bling.

A good wedding planner needs a good decorator/florist to collaborate with to bring a design to life. And by the way, check out the LE Real Wedding for Tanesha and DonLarae...Lisa helped make my vision a reality by providing lighting, flowers with bling and pipe and drape.

Check out some samples of Lisa's work:

Maria B. Stanfield - Fabulous at Forty

Happy New Year from Lavish Events.  We are so excited to think about what 2010 will bring.  Over the New Years weekend, Lavish Events had the pleasure of designing and planning a 2 day event for Maria Stanfield.   Maria came to us and asked that we help make her 40th Birthday a classy affair. When we plan an event, we first sit down with our client and talk about what they like, what are their passions.  That helps us understand the person and what type of event they desire.  Maria is really into fashion.  She loves Gucci.  So we decided why not design an event that represented her love for fashion. Our inspiration for the color scheme came from the Gucci bag and ribbon that the store uses to wrap purchases.  LePenn Designs help us design a logo and a box invite that set the tone for the rest of the event.  Another person that was very instrumental in the planning of Maria's celebration is Sheri Walker.  Sheri was very instrumental in securing the venue and logistics at the 24 grille.  Our team had a great time planning this Fabulous Affair. Maria is a smart and classy women. Cheers Maria!

Here are some of the places and people that we worked with to create Maria's Fabulous at Forty birthday New Years weekend celebration:

 Theme: Fabulous at Forty

Colors: Gold

Day 1- "A day with my girls" @ The Gucci Store at Somerset Collections, The Woodhouse Day Spa, The Studio 88

Day 2- A "Fabulous at Forty" Affair @ the 24 Grille in the Westin Book Cadillac

Event Theme Design, Planning and Management: Lavish Events, LLC


Event Planner: Sheri Walker - 24 Grille

Signature Drinks: The Maria-Tini

Photographer: Mantrell Goodrum

Invites, logo and stationary: Lepenn Designs

Cake: Lakes Cakes

DJ:  DJ Vern English -The Tandem Entertainment

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wedding Day Emergency Kits

 

Often I am asked by my Brides.....What is a Wedding Day Emergency Kit?

 

A Wedding Day Emergency Kit is something every good Event Planner/Coordinator should have. It is used to stay one step ahead of any minor or major mishap with clothing, drugstore needs, and forgetful wedding party members.

 

It's Better to Be Safe than Sorry!

Here is a list of some of the things that we bring with us to ALL of our weddings:

• Extra Socks for the men in the Bridal Party
• Extra Stockings
• Mouthwash
• Mints
• Contact Eye Solution
• Tissue
• Toothpaste
• Tooth Brush
• Dental Floss
• Stain Remover
• Saftey Pins
• Needle and Thread
• Tape
• Bobby Pins
• Comb and Brush
• Facial wipes
• Deodorant
• Hair Spray
• Chalk for stains on the Brides dress
• Extra Batteries (for cameras etc.)
• Nail Polish
• Scissors

A few things to think about when deciding on whether or not to hire a "day of" wedding coordinator

Hi All,

Here is a great article that I read on one of my favorite blog sites "African American Brides Blog". I thought I would link to it because the article was very well written. Take a look and tell me your thoughts. http://blog.african-americanbrides.com/2008/12/do-you-need-day-of-coordinator.html

P.S. and just so you know.....Lavish Events has very reasonable pricing for our "day of" wedding package :)

Contact us for more info at 313-350-1295
nicole@lavishevents.net