Glamorous Philadelphia

On Saturday, January 28th, over one thousand men and women gathered to celebrate the Academy of Music 155th Anniversary Concert Ball. What an amazing night full of beautiful music and glamorous people. This year, the ball took on a different format. Guests arrived at the Hyatt at the Bellevue first to dine and then proceeded to the Academy of Music for performances by singer and pianist, Diana Krall and cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. Once the concert was complete, guests were invited to designated dance areas while the concert hall was turned into a dance floor for the guests. This is one of my favorite events of the year! Can’t wait for next year!

*picture courtesy of www.phillychitchat.com

Four Seasons Hotel Bridal Show

On January 21st, we were honored to be a part of the Four Seasons Hotel Bridal Show! Thanks so much for including us in such a special day!

Don’t Rain On Our Parade: Hurricane Irene

Dear Bob,

Our every expectation was exceeded. Where to start?

All of the arrangements were works of true artistic ability and feats of engineering. The one word that keeps being repeated by our guests is “magical.”

From the raw bar, the lobby bar, the canvas of orchids…place card table and dining tables- truly jaw- dropping. As I visited our guest’s tables I was in awe. I don’t think I could select a favorite.

Thank goodness we had the candle wall and benches in the first anteroom. Because of hurricane Irene, that became “picture central” and what a wonderful backdrop it was. The hand’s stage was perfect also.

Linens, menus, and place cards complimented each other beautifully.

Ed and I, Mollie and Joe couldn’t have been happier with all of your efforts on our behalf especially in the face of a hurricane.

Most importantly, our family enjoyed working with your family. Every meeting was a pleasure for us. We felt from the outset that you all understood what we hoped to achieve. Thank you, quite simply, for everything.

Warm Regards,
Linda

Pictures courtesy of Cliff Mauntner Photography

Fuel the Cure

This past Saturday night, November 19th, the 4th annual Fuel the Cure event was held at the Arts Ballroom. Fuel the cure is a nonprofit organization comprised of young professionals raising money for a different charitable organization each year. Since the beginning of the organization, Fuel the Cure has raised over $150,000 for various charitable organizations such as, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Breastcancer.org, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and St. Damien Hospital. This year, the proceeds of the event went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The sold out, Saturday night event was filled with amazing raffle items such as, Villanova University basketball tickets, a Stella and Dot necklace, Tory Burch bags, and a three night stay at Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over 400 guests enjoyed dancing, food by Stephen Starr Events, and flowers, of course by Lamsback Floral!!

Inserted in this post, are some of the pictures from the event. We channeled a contemporary vibe by using mercury glass. Hydrangea, calla lilies, and phalaenopsis orchids were in abundance. We can’t wait to be involved again in such an amazing event next year!!

The best seat in the house

Have you ever noticed that when all of the guests arrive to a ceremony they flock to the front rows of seating? However, I like to sit in the back when I attend a wedding. And more importantly, if I am designing a wedding, I find myself all the way in the back, with the bride, her family, and the wedding party.

Of course, I want to tell the bride how to hold the bouquet at the same level as her belly button and not all the way up to her chin. I also explain that when the doors open she should walk slowly down the aisle and take in this moment. But, there is a part of me that likes to be a little selfish. Not only do I like to calm the bride’s nerves, but I also like to get the best seat in the house. The best seat is usually located in the standing room only section, which is also known as the back of the aisle. I get to steal a glimpse at the bride right before she steps foot onto her new path, her last deep breath, and her first smile. I also get to see the groom fidget as he waits for his bride nervously.

Every weekend, without fail, I see these moments as if they are scripted. But, for some reason, I feel like I am watching them for the first time.

A parent’s thank you

Bob,

I want to tell you how extremely pleased we were with everything you did for Elle’s wedding. The bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres were beautiful. Elle’s bouquet was exactly what she wanted and looked beautiful with her dress. The flowers in the church were magnificent and really complemented the altar area. The reception was magnificent. I don’t have the right words to express how beautiful everything looked. You greatly exceeded our expectations. Everyone commented on how beautiful the flowers were. I know it is a long day for you, but I really wish you could have stayed for dinner and heard all of the positive comments. One guest said that it was better than going to the flower show!

Thank you so much for all of your help with Elle’s wedding.

Harriet and Paul

Picture courtesy of Susan Beard Photography

Samantha and Stephen’s Romantic Summer Wedding

A couple of weeks ago, I had the honor of making Samantha and Stephen’s summer dreams come true. I knew Samantha when she was in grade school with my son years ago, so you could only imagine the excitement when I heard from her mother that she would be getting married. I live for these types of milestones, watching someone grow up and then designing the biggest day of their life. What an honor!

Samantha sat in my office planning a Four Seasons wedding. Her dream was to have the ceremony outside in the courtyard. Keeping with the theme of the outdoors, I decided to create orchid lanterns and hydrangea flower boxes that lined the aisle. Petals created the walkway for Samantha and her guests that led to the natural chuppah. The chuppah was full of hanging amaranthus, hydrangea, roses, and French spray roses. Little did the guests know, the transformation was about to begin.

The cocktail area was full of white flowers except for a small vase of purple sweet peas (as seen above). Guests noted the dash of color, but wouldn’t realize it’s effects until the party began. As the doors of the ballroom opened, guests were greeted with a room full of purple, blue, and green flowers.

By the way, I love surprises, but only when I am creating the surprise! Each arrangement sat on top of purple linens with hand sewn dogwood flowers. I coordinated lavender napkins with purple marrow stitching, table numbers, clear chiavari chairs, and place cards all went with the theme of the room. Thanks to my team, Eric Allen from the Four Seasons, Joey Roberts Music and Entertainment, and MK Photography; Samantha, Stephen, and their guests danced the night away under a sea of purple reign.

*Photos courtesy of MK Photography

Avi’s Bris

New beginnings are something I live for. I love new projects, new event spaces, new designs, and newborns.

Three weeks ago I received a call from a dear client of mine. She told me that in just eight days she would love for me to design the celebration of her grandson’s Bris. Immediately, I knew the brunch at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia was going to be amazing!

Legos were going to be the theme with bright yellow and blue flowers. Each centerpiece was designed around a structure of legos. The arrangements included sunflowers, gerbera daisies, French spray roses, tulips, roses, hydrangea, and hybrid delphinium. I added one last touch by making custom legos tables for the younger guests to be seated at. I can’t wait to share pictures with all of you when they are available!

Congratulations, to a wonderful new addition to the family!

Springtime for Erica and Justin

Do you know why I loved Erica and Justin? Because they had an April wedding. Ok, so I love all of my brides and grooms who had April weddings this year and in years past, but the real reason I love those couples is because I secretly would love my own children to get married in April. I know at least my daughter will argue that November suits her best. While November takes on a lot of natural beauty, April is the rebirth of all that is wonderful—white cherry blossoms.

On April 2nd of this year, Erica and Justin were married at The Westin Hotel. I absolutely love working at The Westin and with Stewart! It is such an amazing space with a wonderful staff.

Erica and her parents were framed at the beginning of the aisle with large garden urns of white cherry blossoms, truly a great picture opportunity. Candle stands with roses lit the aisle and a twelve-foot chuppah stood at the end of the aisle. White cherry blossoms and roses cascaded down the poles of the chuppah. Personally, I felt the “wow” factor was the two large arrangements of roses, snapdragons, stock, and French spray roses that sat on top of the chuppah. For dramatic effect I added large white cherry blossoms  that gave height to the centerpiece of the ceremony.

As sundown occurred, the lights flickered giving a magical environment for such a beautiful couple. Everything at that moment was perfect. Tears of joy and love complemented the warm feelings in the room from the warmth in all of their hearts.

Each month of the year has its specific attributes. Specifically, the month of April lends me artistic license when it comes to using cherry blossoms. In April, everything is new and fresh. Like a marriage, it is the beginning of something wonderful.

*Images provided by Phil Kramer

A Bride’s Thank You

Dear Bob,

Words cannot express my gratitude and how touched I was when first, I saw the church and later, the ballroom. I could not have dreamed of a more beautiful vision. It was truly a dream come true that you made a reality.

Our guests were in awe, completely amazed by your work. Every detail… it was all so perfect. I still get emotional looking at the pictures of the bouquets, centerpieces, and gorgeous displays in the church. Your tireless efforts to make it all so incredibly beautiful have become a permanent, wonderful memory in my heart.

I can only imagine how much work went into making it so special and unique. I can’t thank you enough. I hope our paths will cross again someday!

Thanks for making my dreams come true.

Warm Regards,
Melissa