Caitlin & Jim's Wedding: June 26, 2010

I had such a great time working with Caitlin and her family on her wedding this June. We met on one of those chilly days at the National Constitution Center (NCC) - and hit it off. I knew I was in trouble when the conversation turned to Caitlin's plan to wear shoes with a pop of color on her wedding day - she turned me on to Rue Lala; my life (and wardrobe) has not been the same since!

This was the first event I had the opportunity to work with Kevin from from "Spark Photography." He really captured the spirit of their day; and the personalities of everyone attending - these folks were having a great time! They got married at St. Augustine's on Old City and the reception was at the NCC. Caitlin had every detail down from the "I DO" written on the bottom of her shoes to the handmade pinwheels she and her mom made for the escort cards...

There were just too many great shots - check out the slide show for a few more favorites!
Thanks Kevin & Spark Photography! 

8.11.2010 Update: 
I got a really nice email today from Caitlin's Mom; Ann...It's so nice to know I seemed to have touched them as much as they touched me...


"Hi Judith,
Many, many  thanks to you for all you did to make Caitlin & Jim's day so special.  From that first snowy day we met at the Constitution Center we knew we were competent hands. Our comfort level was so high that Caitlin said she had a new best friend.  Your attention to detail and color is impeccable. The pictures are amazing.  I will send the pictures as soon as I can figure how to!!

Our sincerest best wishes to you in all your future endeavors.
All the best!!"

Ann & Frank  Dillon

PAMPI Gala 2010: "A Night in the Piazza"

More fun stuff happened in June with the PAMPI Gala.
I belong to an event planning organization called "PAMPI" (The Philadelphia Area Chapter of Meeting Professionals International - a regional professional organization dedicated to serving the diverse needs of meeting professionals) and was thrilled to have been invited to work with Kris Sumey from Event FX as the decorator for the PAMPI Gala on June16th. The event took place on The Piazza at Schmidts and we could not have had a better evening. The theme of the event and all of the decor took on a Italian twist with inspiration from the Trevi Fountain we awarded honors and ushered in the new president.

Todd Zimmermann from Pictures by Todd was an event sponsor for the evening and the official photographer that evening; he was kind enough to share some images with CS (Thank You Todd!):

 

The event would not have been possible with out all of the event sponsors - just a few of them are pictured in this post: Event FX provided all of the lighting & props (and Kris was the Chair of the event!) Sandy Fergus represented with her living statues from Creative Juice Group...and you know I love cake - Cupcakes Gourmet did not disappoint!

Check out more of Todds work form the event! Please visit http://www.collages.net , and fill in the following

information: Username: MPI Awards Ceremony; Password: 21885

Jacob Berger's Bar Mitzvah at the NCC

Who loves The Constitution? Jacob Coleman Berger does! And his mom, Lynda, made sure his Bar-Mitzvah was the best in history!

Of course the reception took place at the National Constitution Center.

Lynda owns Color Reflections, a full service printing company and she made some really cool details to tie in all of the Philadelphia history into the party. Then she went one step further and made her own lamps - using family photos she made this super cool lamp that glowed all night long.

Oh yeah, and there were some pretty decent centerpieces & floral decor too! All of the lanterns echoed Paul Revere - "the guest are coming, the guests are coming!"

And even though neither Lynda nor I actually personally made these - we agree that it might be the coolest thing every - Photofetti!

Special thanks to my new friend Ann Marie Casey for sharing her event photos from the night. There were so many great shots I couldn't choose, so check out the slide show for more! 

She does more than Mitzvahs too - her weddings and Fine Art work are beautiful! Check her out!

Summertime Catch Up - ISES: FRESH 2010

Apparently it has taken be awhile to dig out of the deep winter freeze! I have been out having fun, working on great events and shamefully neglecting blogging! So here come some updates - probably out of order - but fun tidbits about what we've been up to here at CS! So lets dig back to oh, say, March - Brrr...That's when one of my favorite networking organizations ISES (International Special Events Society) had it's annual showcase "FRESH" at Elkins Estate.

 "Elkins Estate was built in 1895 by Architect Horace Trumbauer, an important architect of the gilded age. He was responsible for designing homes for the wealthiest families in America, as well as major cultural institutions such as the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Elkins Estate was built for William L. Elkins, a noted financier, transportation entrepreneur and philanthropist." - elkinsestate.org

I was so excited to be the Sponsor that got to decorate the Pod in the Music Room. I think it is the most beautiful room in the house. It is over the top Rococo, gold, crystals - Liberace would have LOVED it! The Estate is right around the corner from my Alma Mater Tyler School of Art (or where it used to be until it moved downtown this past year!) and I used to go by itching to get inside for a peak! This is my 3rd year participating (FRESH 2007 & FRESH 2008) in the event where Philadelphia Caterers, Decorators, Entertainers and  Special Event Vendors get to showcase what they see as 'Fresh' for the upcoming year.

You know what I think is "Fresh?" Developing something that suits the room or the client instead of always trying to make something it is not. So I went for it - the room screamed gold, gold, gold and more, more, more - so that's what I did....what ever I wanted..Our room was still jumping at the end, they had to kick people out after the event was over!

When you have a "Pod" the event coordinator assigns you other vendors who have asked for space to showcase their wares...this year I was thrilled to design a space with great talent: CinemaCake; Max and Me, Choice Party Linens, Cort Furniture Rental, Ken Ulsaney Ensemble and Chaddsford Winery.

And now the best part PICTURES- Sofia Negron was there! So I got awesome pictures, again! Here are a few...

February Table Inspirations

Snow can't hold us back! We designed a little inspiration for all of the sweethearts who got engaged over Valentine's Day - snow can't stop us! Michael Persico captured these shots for me - Thank You!

Winter doesn't have to be red & green! Cool blues and lavenders can be a winter wonderland...

Spring has been on my mind and these yellows were calling my name!

As were the hot days of Summer...

And the crisp days of Fall....but I am really not ready for them just yet!

Independence Visitors Center Open House

If you haven't made your way to the Independence Visitors Center (IVC) lately swing by over the weekend! Nestled between one of my other favorite venues the NCC, the IVC is located right by the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. They actually have a lovely Grand Ballroom on the second floor with a beautiful view from the Terrace. Michael Persico captured these shots from the last Open House we did together to showcase the rooms possibilities to current clients & potential brides.