Fabulous Friday

We are ready for yet another weekend. Something about being the guest at a wedding versus the person behind the scenes this time is creating a bit of excitement for us. We are excited for the first moment of the bride and groom making eye contact down the aisle, the 'giving away' of a father's daughter, the smiles and laughter, and the huge celebration to follow.

We just cannot get enough of loving love...

Here's to hoping your weekend is light, lovely, a bit sparkly, and always fabulous,
*Lisa

To Market, To Market {New York, that is!}

Bridal Market was this past week in New York, showcasing the best of the best in the bridal industry and what dresses are planned to sweep an aisle in the very near future. Like any true bridal confection ado, my favorite dresses were hands down Priscilla of Boston Collection. True glamour, sparkle, and rich textures are making comeback in a big, big way. My question is: When did glamour and sparkle ever go out of style??

Also making a comeback? The return of the sleek, dramatic 'do. YES. PLEASE!

My top selections are shown here- one short and one full length. I imagine this full length as the perfect winter wedding dress and literally picked my jaw up off the floor when I saw it. LOVE! And the feather collar?! Does style get any better??

However, I could not resist sharing my all time favorite veil of the event from St. Pucchi. Definitely not for the faint at heart, this veil leans toward total imagination and whispers romance. Sure it's not for everyone, but the creativity of such a gem surely scores huge bridal points in my book...

Making all events fabulous,

*Lisa

{photo love via Style Me Pretty}

The Process: SMSU Gala {Event}

With each event I design, my goal is to always photograph the process so people better understand the benefit of hiring someone {hopefully Simply Fabulous!} to create their event. Ninety-five percent of the time I remember the camera after things are put into place or after I have left the event- grr! Sometimes I do have luck on my side as most events have a professional photographer and they are willing to snap some shots. Those shots not only benefit me for capturing my work, but also give the photographers the opportunity to show me what they can offer my couples with their photography talents- a win win!

The SMSU Gala was, by far, one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for me. Challenging {and nerve wrecking!} because it was my first corporate event for Southwest Minnesota and rewarding because any time I can offer my services for a good cause, I feel better about where I am in this world.

The theme for the Gala was 'San Francisco'. Because I came into the design process after the 'big picture' items had been decided, I really tried to tie it together with what I knew would compliment the decor already in place. I determined nautical and modern was the way to go.

We started with Starfish. Lots of them. These were tied, re-tied, knotted, and individually hung, then taped so invisible line would not tangle.

{just a few of the 150 starfish that were constructed for the event}

Next were the Mitsumata branches. These needed to soak for hours, as the wood absorbs and allows to construct the branches. Once constructed, they then needed to dry and were painted white.

{dried branches awaiting placement}

I then assembled two different types of tablescapes. One was filled with crushed shell and blue coral, the other filled again with crushed shell, sand dollars, white starfish, and some adorable live goldfish.

{a few of the 30 tablescapes that were assembled}

Linens of deep blue and coral orange were placed on each table prior to the water filled bowls being placed. I then decided to surround the bowls with a true nautical feel of Capiz shells and accented with my favorite flower, the orchid. Tying into the theme, the Mokara orchid was the perfect compliment to the table.

{How perfect are these?}

I decorated the hightop cocktail tables with a flat bowl filled with river rock, Mokara orchids dancing on the water, and surrounded with candles. I then accented each of the ten tables with two white starfish.

{LOVING the simplicity of this!}

The Registration tables and Ticket tables were given tall glass cylinders filled with blue accent stones and Mokara orchids. The orchids were submerged with water for a very dramatic look. Seriously, the photos do no justice to the beauty of the orchids!

My only regret of this day was that I did not get a good picture of the trees. Each of those fifteen centerpieces were used throughout the silent auction tables and helped to complete the look.

In all, sixty one tablescapes were created for the event. Yes, sixty one all assembled by one person! The assembling process for this started on a Monday afternoon and was completed on that Friday afternoon. This was alot of hard work, but nothing outside of what my company creates for each event. We LOVE design!!

The pictures below were taken later into the evening after my departure. The evening was a HUGE success in raising over $40,000.00 for scholarships for SMSU. And we love the fact we were a *tiny* part of the event!

{Still prepping, but a day light view of work in progress}

{One of the centerpieces- LOVE!}

{Can I say it one more time? LOVE!}

*All photos were taken by myself or SMSU staff.

Simply Fabulous is available for Corporate Event Planning and Decor, traveling throughout the U.S. 507.829.1422

Fabulous Friday

Another beautiful extended summer weekend has found its way to Minnesota and we couldn't be happier. We know as much as we love this, soon we will be shuffling through leaves on the ground and gently packing away bulbs to grow for Spring. Ahh, how we love the changing of the seasons!

In the meantime, we leave this week with yet another lovely image from Emily Steffen Photography. We dream of a place so peaceful and serene to meet that soon-to-be and begin the next of many seasons of a lifetime of love...

Here's to hoping your weekend is light, lovely, a bit sparkly, and always fabulous,
Lisa

{Photo love: Emily Steffen Photography}

Vendor Recommendation: Emily Steffen Photography

Oh goodness, where do I even start? Do you know that feeling that you get when you just meet someone who oozes greatness and happiness and excitement all in one? I guess I could say that I am lucky in life to know a few people as such. Emily Steffen is one of those girls and my-oh-my do I adore this girl!


I met Emily a little over a year ago when a dear photographer friend of mine brought me with to a bridal photo shoot to play some fun dress up for an evening. After a few hours of "hold that pose" and "move your head here", I knew, without a doubt, that I was never meant to model. Every inch of my body ached in places that I had long forgotten about and I was exhausted.


Then came bubbly Emily and her camera.


Flashing a million watt smile, and this contagious giggle; this girl made it all disappear and she ROCKED out photos- of me! My job is to fix the dress, and hold the flowers, and apply the gloss- not BE the image in the photo! After one night with Emily, I knew this girl was a force to be reckoned with on the photography scene- and I had yet to even see the images. When I did, I knew she was someone I wanted within my list of vendor contacts. Not only are her photos completely amazing as you will soon see, but her passion is so clear in each photo.

It was with the photos in this blog segment, that I knew I had to interview Emily for her talent, her vision, and why selecting a quality, professional photographer is an absolute MUST for your wedding day. Enjoy!


How long have you been shooting weddings?
For 5 years! :) And loving every second of it!! :)

Describe your style of photography...
I am all about being real and candid. I strive for natural photos with a romantic touch that capture the day as it happens!

In viewing your blog, you can clearly see that you have a passion for, well, love. Why do you love shooting weddings so much?
Call me girlie or a hopeless romantic, but I can't find any better job that being a wedding photographer. I LOVE love and being able to document it every weekend just makes me giddy! :) It's the commitment, the hype and the details of a wedding that make me look forward to every single wedding!!! :)

Have you noticed any trends or changes in what couples have been requesting over the past few years?
I think that people have wanted less and less, what I call, prom-posed photos! :) Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for family formals (and every photographer should do them for you) but to make them stuffy and boring is so 10 years ago! :) Having fun with photos and loving every moment of your day is where it is at! :)

Have you found that couples needs have changed with the economy? How so?
Somewhat. I haven't seen anything dramatic change with weddings, but I think that people are starting to get more creative with details and decor. I am seeing more DIY details (which CAN save you money), handmade favors or personal touches on decor. I am, however, seeing people cut back on certain areas of budget to make room for what they really REALLY want.

What do you think is the most important thing for couples to consider when choosing a wedding photographer?
I get asked this question A LOT and I preach about being able to find something that you just FALL IN LOVE WITH! Love their photos, love their style and love their personality. You should be able to look at your photographer's and not be able to take a smile off your face. Try not to hire someone based on budget or recommendation alone. If you hire someone that jives with you and your style you will have no troubles trusting your photographer to get everything you wanted and more on your wedding day.

What makes Emily Steffen Photography different from other photographers?
ME! :) I love love and am truly excited about every single client that hires me (although I could probably make a case that I have THE BEST clients in the world). I am real and make people relaxed, I make fun of myself to get a reaction out of a groomsmen and I will always give you a hug at the end of your wedding. Because that's how much I love my job and feel 100% THRILLED to be at your event! :)

Do you have a favorite moment in a wedding that you care to share?
It was July 3rd of this year and I had never met the couple before the wedding day (they had booked me over the phone about 3 months prior). I had learned over the course of the morning that the connection (and reason) the bride and groom had met was from the Groom's sister, Jessie who happened to be the bride's best friend in college. Jessie has suddenly gotten sick and lost her life to cancer a year prior to the wedding. So, at the ceremony, there was a recording of Jessie singing a song that had been sung at a different occasion. The song was amazing and there wasn't a dry eye in the barn, including mine! :) I still remember the look that the bride gave the groom the moment that song started playing...gosh, it gets me every time!

Favorite venue to shoot in?
Any sort of barn, field, grassy nook.....call me a rural girl, but those spots are my faves! :)

Oddest moment or odd requests?
I about peed my pants when the Father of the Bride called his daughter by the wrong name during his toast at the reception. The look on the bride's face was appalling and Dad didn't even know he had done anything wrong! :)

What best advice do you care to give to a newly engaged couple?
Think about what YOU want and how you want to remember the day. Add touches that are meaningful to your relationship and story.....be yourself and have fun planning one of the best days of your life!

Like we said: A-maz-ing! Emily, you are just too talented for words and we at Simply Fabulous completely adore you and your work!


If you are interested in seeing more of Emily's amazing talent, please check out her website at http://www.emilysteffenphoto.com/ or contact her at 715.220.9443

{Simply Fabulous does not accept compensation for vendor referrals. All Vendor Recommendation segments are based on Simply Fabulous' belief that talented, passionate vendors deserve recognition and we are pleased to offer such recommendations to our readers.}

Fabulous Friday

How lovely is this entrance? We have to admit we are a bit biased as this vision of white is something that resembles our bit of 'bridal fluff' at our boutique. Bold, yet romantic, we are thinking this staircase is our Scarlet to her Gone With the Wind. Give me this grand entrance any day of the week. COMPLETE LOVE!

Frankly, if Rhett saw this, we do think he would give a....darn.

Here's to hoping your weekend is light, lovely, a bit sparkly, and always fabulous,

*Lisa