Monday, November 29, 2010

I feel like a broken record each time I say this, but the past month (or two) have been QUITE busy (and CRAZY) for the members of WHE. We have seen our share of blushing brides (Melissa, you will always be a favorite), candy-filled teens, and amazingly happy "forever friend" clients!! But, the past few weeks have also been some of the most humbling that we have faced. Over the past year, I have worked with some of the most memorable people on some of the most unforgettable events. For that, I was recently named a Finalist for Event Producer of the Year by the Event Solutions magazine. Througout the process, I had to go back and "relive" some of the most special events of my career. They weren't the largest nor the most expensive, but they were the ones that will always hold a soft spot in my heart. Whether it was the client or the outcome...the result was the same: magic. And reliving each of the events has proven to me something I already knew: it isn't my creativity necessarily that people like, but it is my passion and "non-settling" belief that people remember. And, even if I have to put linens on a Delta plane to get across the country in time for an event, I refuse to settle. If I have promised excellence and magic, the event will get that and then some. That is simply how I roll.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

As I start to shift things into "fall" accents around my house, I can't help but notice all of the beautiful colors that make up this rich color palette. Burnt oranges, red, golds, coppers, browns...the colors of fall create such a warm hue within any event. The colors can make a wedding more intimate - a corporate dinner more inviting. Each of these colors provides a strong "base" color to build on with accents of any color. Add a spicy fragrance, a few flickering candles, and a bottle of wine...a memorable fall soiree! Enjoy!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Well, after a crazy past few weeks, I have learned quite a lot: I am much more patient and organized than I ever thought; I am the posterchild for "calm under stress;" and my mother is QUITE the trooper! With three events in three weeks that details went down to the wire, my team and I executed each one of them with style and ease! Through all of the learning, I also learned that my team knows MUCH more about weddings than I ever knew! As the "wedding planner" in a recent wedding, I realized how much more work it is above and beyond the "making it pretty" details that I was accustomed to. Church-hunting, dress fittings, champagne runs...all of the "other" details that I never knew about. But, with all of my recent research, I have come to realize that my love and admiration for each couple that I work with puts me in the same place as a Wedding Consultant. Thus...we launched White Hot Wedding Day. The one aspect that separates our Wedding Consultants from others is the "one stop" ease with which WHE operates. We design the wedding, the look, the flowers, the lighting, the entertainment...and then manage all of the finer details of dress fittings, rehearsal direction, menu selections...all with one contract, one person, one team. While the past three weeks have been exhausting, they have been some of the most rewarding also. I mean, in three weeks another "baby" was born...not many mammals can say that!!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

In the past few days I have looked through 5 different bridal magazines, and each one of them featured beautiful dresses by Monique Lhuillier. One of the dresses in particular inspired our newest specialty linen - Rosette. The texture and brilliance of both the linen and the dress scream "spring wedding!" New growth, new beginnings...all set for spring!

Also, the past few days has been spent organizing our new Showroom and Warehouse. It is CRAZY how much stuff we collected in the first months of White Hot Events!! The floral cooler is being built, the shelving is going in, the inspiration is starting to bud...everything is getting set for some crazy days ahead!!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Today I had the pleasure of attending two bridal showers for not only two very special brides, but also great friends. Bridal showers have always been intriguing to me. Everyone wants to know every detail of the upcoming nuptials (for those wedding details that have actually been formalized - you know who you are, Missy)! Others remember their own personal wedding memories and all of the things that NOW, looking back would've done differently. The games that are played to teach each person details about the bride that we truly didn't know!! But, more importantly, at each of the showers today, you could see the excitement on her face. The unknown parts of the next chapter in her life. Each truly looked "in love."

Now, let's just hope that euphoric state lasts LONG past the first time he forgets to put the seat down!!!

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Last night White Hot Events had the pleasure of coordinating the White Hot Event for The Wedding and Event Network and assisting Noah's at their "venue opening" in Chandler. Not only was it a pleasure, but we all had such a good time working with such a great venue and team! We also showcased our newest cusom linen - our Ivory Rosette. Watching so many people feel it and fall in love with it makes us feel that we have a great line for the future. So, today my team and I will be delivering the used flowers to a few of our special friends. Seeing people's expressions when they receive flowers unexpectedly is truly a special moment! I hope we can put a few smiles on faces today!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

My apologies in advance that it has taken me soooo long to get back!! Things at WHE have been sooo crazy here lately that I have no idea where to start! One of the MAJOR things that we have been up to is building our "specialty linen" inventory!! With an in-house inventory, ANYTHING is possible (and believe me, we have been attempting EVERYTHING). This picture is our latest creation. Brides...we had you in mind!! A table covered in "roses" - how much more romantic can you get? The linen sets a beautiful background for us to top with equally amazing flowers. Voila! Can't get any sexier?!?!?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Well, I guess that all of the puzzle pieces have come together. Another member has joined our team!! It is almost like writing an event. Each puzzle piece of the event is individually selected for the way that it will fit in with the pieces around it. Linens are selected to set a tone in the picture. Florals accent the linens...lighting and drape accents the venue. Most people put a puzzle together starting with the edges. Me...well, that seems too easy. I have always put puzzles together starting with the largest elements. In an event it would be draping, lighting, staging...then I would move on to the smaller elements of the puzzle......linens, florals, furniture. So...another puzzle piece has been added to the big WHE puzzle. I guess that the corners are coming together. Now, for the crazy middle part of the puzzle!! Lord ONLY knows what that looks like!! Hopefully there is a glass of wine somewhere in there!

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Today I had the pleasure of working on a bridal ceremony site, and it donned on me how important that 30 seconds is...her walking down the aisle. It is the first time that the groom is seeing the love of his life as his wife. It is the last time that her father is her "protector." It is the first time that she is seeing her groom as her husband. It is in those 30 seconds that all eyes are on her (let's be honest...the poor groom takes a backseat at that particular moment). Every bride that I help day of, I have to keep reminding her to WALK SLOWLY. So many brides get so excited that they nearly bolt down the aisle. Walk slowly...strut your stuff. For you, for your father (or other honored person to walk with you)...even for your groom. Remind him all over again why he fell in love with you.

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

I know that it has been quite a while since my last post...my apologies in advance for that! It has been a CRAZY few days getting offices ready, attending crazy meetings, taking care of an amazing bride.......however, from this day forward I will let each of you into my daily thoughts...no longer the voice behind the curtain!

That being said, today is July 4th. I don't ever recall the fourth of July being a four-day holiday; however, this is apparently the case this year! And, it is today, that the party-planner in everyone comes out. Red, white, and blue paper plates - any other day would be considered "cheesy" - today, is a staple of every backyard bar-b-que. The "Bobby Flay" in every man rises to the surface. I just walked outside (mind you, it is still over 100 degrees here in Phoenix) to the smells of bar-b-que ribs, burgers...you name it coming from the neighborhood. Today is truly a day to spend time with friends and family - throwing the party of the summer! Just please do me this favor...when you live in a state that is as hot as he!!, let's keep the LIVE flames to a minimum, okay?!?!?

Saturday, June......something, 2010

So, today the new office started to come together. Got the email and Blackberry "in sync." The desk is put together and printer hooked up. Now, this is going to sound crazy, but at the age of 31, shopping for office supplies never gets boring. For some crazy reason there is something exciting about buying new pens, brightly-colored post-it notes, and file folders. Why is that?? Is it because the thought of being all organized is quite rewarding??? I am not sure, but of course, when I bought the stapler "Office Space" came to mind! I felt the need to build a basement (and, of course, paint it red).

So, for the next few days, "real-life" is taking over the creative side of me. The new office should be fnished tomorrow. Then, well, let's roll!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Ahhh.....where to begin!! Moving offices is one of the craziest things in the world to do. New blackberry...check. Setting up new email server (who knew that a Principal Designer and Managing Partner / short blonde girl could do that), but.......check. Moving furniture and getting organized......well...........sort of. We have set a goal to be RACING through the world by the end of next week. Do-able? Well, for those of you that know me, CLEARLY do-able. For those that don't........

Hi. I am the Principal Designer and Managing Partner of a company that I was proud to build. I do my best designing working out and drinking wine (no, not at the same time). I tend to push the limits, but play by the rules (Fire Marshall's rules, that is). I can look at a 33,000-square-foot ballroom and mentally fill it in five minutes. I guess in one word I'm.......humble.

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Our design team has started putting together one of the larger events we have ever done and, in the "dreaming" aspect, the size of our venue HAS to be taken into consideration. Ironically, I can dream a BIG dream, but if I can't make it happen, what good does it do me?? Unfortunately for all of us, there are rules and regulations to event planning. Fire marshall, safety measures that have to be in place...boring (and oftentimes not pretty) stuff. But, all do respect, if I do my job right, I should be able to "shrink" my dream down into a size that will fit the venue it is going into.

In like most things...........um............size matters!

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

The past few days I have been contemplating what aspects make up a truly "special" event, and each event I recall had incredible lighting. Just like draping, lighting will transform the environment of an event into something extraordinary. Now, don't get me wrong...I am not talking about bright white, Stadium-like lighting (let's face it...NO ONE looks good in that lighting). I am talking about golds, ambers, no color pinks...beautiful colored-lights. Uplights will mask the most bland airwall and turn it into something with pizzazz. Moving gobos will not only given people something to watch...it will also give the drunk ones something to focus on!! Either way, don't think that linens and florals alone will get the job done. If the lights aren't on, who will see them? And the worst part of it all, not even the best digital cameras will do lighting justice. Until "they" make one, this random thought will have to go without a picture!!

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Chocolate. I thought I only loved the taste, but recently I fell in love with the actual color. A few nights ago we did an event built on the color palette of chicolate, lavender, and cream. So soft and elegant...I was quite proud of the way it looked. It is almost as ifevents are taking bold colors and "diluting them" down to a soft, elegant feel. During the summer it is easy to stay with bold, bright colors...I guess that was what set our event apart from the expected. Add candles, an amazing menu, and a few libations and voila...a good time was had by all!

Oh, and the craziest part...chocolate wasn't even on the menu! Who does that!?!?!

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Paper lanterns. Ahhh.....summer. Paper lanterns can make any event special. The soft glow from above can add ambience to any event. Tonight's event, while 112 degrees outside, has a cool, soft glow like none other. A soft breeze blowing through. "Greenday" coming from the strings in the background......

How sad is it that this was a corporate event?? @#$%!!

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Draping. Ahhh...such a versatile way to transform a room! To me, a Ballroom is a blank canvas for any event. Floor to ceiling draping can add the dramatic "wow" factor to a room that is like no other. Yesterday I was able to watch the reaction as a bride walked into a room with floor-to-ceiling draping. She became breathless. Her groom speechless. Don't get me wrong, the flowers and the lighting aided in the overall beauty of what they saw; however, they admitted that the one thing that "had to happen" was the draping. Champagne silk covering the walls. Soft lighting highlighted its' sheen. After yesterday I know that it will be the event of their lives.

Now, I just have to get through the next three months of bridal craziness and get her down the aisle and I can take a breath! Yay wedding!

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

A very close friend to WHE has watched us in action for years. As she begins the next chapter of her life "as a Southern Belle" she described us in action in the following:

I have always used the analogy of a swan to describe an event. On the surface the swan looks graceful gliding across the water - this is the image our clients and their guests see as they enjoy their event. But if you peek below the surface you see the swan's little feet paddling to maintain the flow. Those paddling feet are the crew setting up and tearing down as well as the staff during the event. Elements you and your guests never really notice if they have done our job.

WHE has some amazing "feet" ready to glide in to plan your event.

To my darling friend...I hope your "feet" carry you to happiness. Good luck!

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The "less is more" theory RARELY applies to event production. These days, I find myself using less "flowers" for centerpieces than more. A single stem, placed in a clear glass vase, is a clean look...compared to a huge arrangement of a mix of flowers. Maybe it is the dawn of summer...maybe it is just the fact that I prefer for events to made up of clean lines...for guests to see the details. Stunning linens, breathtaking florals, lighting to add that "sparkle" to the room. I want people to remember those details...when the "whole picture" is too much, add some alcohol and they won't remember much!

Simple and stunning. I think that is my new flavor of the month.

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

Today, I experienced something...different. I met with a new client who initially wanted one specific design. The floral design included calla lilies, sloping down, almost "hanging" from the larger arrangement. The minute she saw it, her frown mimicked the flowers. She wasn't happy with it, but wasn't able to express why. We switched linens to something I recommended better, that helped (she began to get happier). We then started to turn the calla lilies more upward, and almost like a mirror-image, her frown became a smile. How is it that little details like that can change someone's mood about the overall picture? We duplicated EXACTLY what she thought she wanted, but in the end I "lead" her into making a better decision.

Am I manipulative? Possibly. Am I nice about it? EXTREMELY. Am I proud of the way that I did things? Um............more than words can say.

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Why is it that sometimes I feel like a fairy godmother, sprinkling pixie dust throughout ballrooms turning them into great events?? Today I watched the mother and father of the bride walk into a ballroom and become ELATED at the job that my team and I had done for their little girl. It was almost as if they thought I sprinkled dust over the entire room and POOF!! It all happened! The sad thing, is that is how I hope it always seems...effortless. I don't like for guests (or parents of brides) to see my team sweat. I don't like when people come into the room before the "wow" moment. I wish every guest in my future thinks that I am a fairy godmother with pixie dust. I guess that is how I hope to fly!!

Now for the mop and stove...let me sprinkle some on them and see what happens!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

As an event planner, every "change/addition" seems like an "emergency." It is ironically, in these moments, when I feel my strongest. It is easy to dream up a fairy-tale event that goes smoothly, but it takes a special personality to handle being 40 short of something 12 hours before the doors open. Oh, and did I mention that the 40 need to EXACTLY match something else? Not everyone can handle this type of "emergency." There is no pill for it (or, at least not one that I have found). There is no miracle cure for it. It is truly in these moments when I know that this is the job for me.

So, call 911? Nope. Just call us...with black bag and cell phone in hand, we are prepared to deal with every "emergency." (Well, there might be a small flask in the bag, but who's looking??)

Okay...gotta run! I am still 40 short for tomorrow! @#$%!!

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

As the new Sex and the City movie debuts, many of us are trying to dream up the best SETC-themed event. But, truthfully, I get the hot pink and Manolo concept...check. Make sure that the guests ONLY carry black American Express...check. Great lighting and pink martinis...check. The only concept that I am having a hard time "rationalizing" is the interactive part. Am I supposed to find a Samantha-type to hit on all of the guys? Possibly a redhead to insult each man's "manhood?" Where do I draw the line between an actual SETC "party" and an out-of-control-hot-pink-zebra-pint-in-your-face-possibly-80's-theme..............?

Well, I guess I could charge $500 bucks at the door.

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Today I had a committe meeting for an upcoming event, and sitting there brain-storming ideas with other event planning professionals it occured to me...how is it that the best ideas we have happen over cocktails? Is it because we are not considering the logistics of "how" we will make it happen (going back to the "dreaming the dream, servicing the nightmare" concept)? Or, is it truly that we are more creative with our inhibitions thrown out the window? Don't get me wrong, we pulled some great ideas out of sobriety, but it was a unanimous decision that the next meeting will be during "happy hour."

So, to all future guests of our events...Welcome! It took us as many cocktails to make your event happen as you will consume during! Cheers!

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

The details of any event are only known to the planner. Today I met with a bride, several days prior to her wedding, to finalize all of the details. She was so caught up in the details going smoothly that she was overlooking the big picture. Whether your shade of lipstick EXACTLY matches the shade of the bridesmaid's dresses will only matter to the bride. The groom, her parents, the entire bridal party, and all of the guests will notice if she is missing an entire table, did the place cards incorrectly, or left them waiting a half hour.

Any problematic details, on the other hand, need be noticed and dealt with...not dwelled upon.

Monday, May 25th, 2010

Welcome to the incredible world of White Hot Events! Our design team works around the clock to make sure that every detail of your event is precise! If inspiration strikes you at two in the morning (and some of us do our best creating with infomercials), our design team will take your thoughts, and with some magic, turn them into awe-inspiring and unforgetable moments. That is how we are....that is how we roll! We make your events sizzle!