We here in our studio at Designed Events have spent the last 12 years covering many weddings for all different types of brides but the only bride that we have neglected is the DIY bride and for that we apologize; however, we want to make it up to you.  So we have established a DIY FRIDAY (Our spin on TGIF Friday).  Every Friday we will show you how to put a personal stamp on your big day without breaking the bank.  No cookie cutter wedding decorations but unique, less expensive projects ranging from handmade invitations to one-of-a-kind place cards, centerpieces and so much more!  Remember DIY FRIDAY at Designed Events.
Eventfully yours,
Betsy

Very Unique Place Cards!

Wedding Wednesday: Clam Bakin' for a Rehearsal Dinner

At Designed Events, our goal is to make sure that each bride receives a unique planning and wedding experience highlighted by special touches to make her guests say, "OH MY LORD!"  With summer rapidly approaching, a great way to do this is a clambake rehearsal dinner.  Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is for the wedding party and out of town guests, but this budget friendly option (with TONS of food!) allows all to be included in the weekend wedding festivities.  Right now clambakes are all the rage with some of our favorite online stores and shops, like One Kings Lane and Anthropologie, having their own clambake accessory lines!  Hope this idea helps in your rehearsal dinner planning!

Eventfully yours,
Betsy 

DIY Thursday: "Fancy-Q" Centerpieces

We recently signed a lovely bride who is having a fabulous "Fancy-Q" wedding this fall!  She and I are working together to create an atmosphere of a down-home relaxed BBQ with classy up-town flair. As I worked on her mock-up, I wanted to do a variation of the flowers for our DIY Thursday blog posting!

In order to be budget friendly, I chose seasonal flowers at the wholesale market.  I love the way a mixture of flowers in the most simple of containers can still appear so upscale.  To accomplish this DIY you will need: a variety of season flowers, mason jars, paper ribbon, and a little bit of sass!

The first steps of the process involved prepping the florals and unwinding the paper ribbon.  Be careful when using the paper ribbon because it tends to be a bit fussy and can tear easily as you unwind it.

Next, arrange the flowers in the mason jars as you like making sure to always use an odd number of each flower.  This is supposed to appear as if they were hand picked from your garden, so don't stress too much about where they fall.  Finish this off with some colored water and floating candles to add a touch of warmth to the centerpiece.  

Eventfully yours,

Betsy

Wedding Wednesdays: Look At Those Shmancy Lights!

We here at Designed Events recently trekked out to Titusville (so far, I know!) to check out Birdsong Barn for our brides.  We were so impressed by the rustic feel and affordable rental prices that this barn just became one of our favorite new wedding venues!  What excited us most is Birdsong Barn can serve as a blank canvas for some pretty awe-inspiring lighting displays to add that down-home feel to your shindig.

Lucky for us at Designed Events, we have a fabulous relationship with Ben Lawles at Kaleidoscope Event Lighting!  He is one of the best and will really work with a bride to achieve her perfect vision for the special day.  One of our favorites right now is the whimsical outdoor market lighting to add a bit of magic to a summer evening.  We have already booked with Mr. Lawles on a number of our up-coming weddings and are excited to see what he will create!

Check him out at http://keventlighting.com/ to see more!

Eventfully yours,

Betsy

Time Flies...

Wow, I must say how embarrassed I am to have neglected my blog (and all your readers!) for almost an entire year.  We have been busy-little-bees here at Designed Events and I am so excited to share all of our news with you all!

First off, we have a pretty snazzy new Facebook page that y'all must check out at DesignedEventsMelbourne! In addition, we have been working at developing a working website that is more functional for all of our AH-mazing client and supporters.  

The whole design team here at Designed Events promises to keep our blogging more up to date! In the meantime, check out some of our newest inspirations for the upcoming wedding season. 

Designed Events Planning-Melbourne Florida

Love was in the air on St. Patrick's Day in Melbourne Beach, Florida at Haley & Michael's military wedding. Love of country.....love of family.....and love for each other was never more evident . The ceremony took place at the end of the very long Melbourne Beach pier where the bride arrived by boat to meet her awaiting groom who was in full military regalia. The reception was under a beautiful tent with dramatic lighting and music that all danced to including some darling Irish Step Dancers also in full costume. Later the adorable Haley joined them in her own Irish jig. Good food, good friends and a real sense of patriotism made this an event to remember.

Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, FL

You know you have gone full circle when your lovely couple announces to you the upcoming birth of their first child. I actually feel like a proud aunt/mom/wedding planner. I worked closely with Meg & Nick the months close to their wedding and really was made to feel like part of the family. Best Wishes and prayers for a healthy, happy baby! Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events - Wedding Planning - Melbourne, FL

For those of you that are familiar with Preston Bailey (the event decorator for the stars), you know how magnificent his events become once he puts his vision down on paper and everything seamlessly happens! When a wonderful young bride came to me with Bailey's latest book in hand, I knew that we would need to adjust budget to vision. Because let's face it, not many of us have Oprah's or Joan River's bank accounts. My bride's dream was to create a winter wonderland for her December wedding in Florida and I an happy to say we achieved that with the help of her wonderful family who went into the woods to find the "birch like" trees for our forest. The trees were cut and prepped, the family once again pitched in and painted the trees to give the desired effect. Once the white twinkling lights were delicately placed on each individual branch, an enchanted winter wonderland was created. The joy was evident in my beautiful bride's face. Happy life to you both! Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, FL - Disney meets Mark Anthony

What do you get when you mix a little salsa, a little Disney, a little Mark Anthony and a lot of love...welcome to Maritza and Shane's wedding! The wedding was in a ultra modern church and the reception at Heritage Isles in Vierra. For those of you not familiar with the venue, you should check it out. The room was beautiful and the personel incredibly accomodating. Centerpieces were a mixture of florals and tropical fruits, Renaissance Catering provided the tasty food and DJ Shane entertained as well as lit the room to create a magnificient ambiance. It was an evening not soon forgotten. I had the pleasure of meeting the families of both the bride and groom and feel a kinship to the entire extended family. Good luck to the happy couple! Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, Florida - Fran & George

What can I say about a young couple that has only hope and love in their eyes....meet Fran & George. Not my typical, run of the mill groom but a charming & warm groom nonetheless. When they first visited me at my studio, I was very interested to hear about the wedding day but George had very little to say. It was lovely Fran that filled me in with all the details. With each meeting, George opened up and I am happy to report that by wedding day, George and I were friends. The genuine caring and loving nature that this couple exhibited truly reminded me of why I love the wedding business. Her flower selections reflected the sophisticated simplicity that she exudes! I wish you only the best that life has to offer and many moments of laughter! Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning-Melbourne Florida- "Double the Fun" B'Nai Mitzvah

It isn't everyday that I am given the opportunity to work with one great 13-year-old but I was honored to be hired to work with two charming 13-year-olds getting ready for their big day...their B'Nai Mitzvah! For those of you that haven't been blessed with the exposure of the jewish culture, a b'nai mitzvah is a mitzvah for two. In this case a set of twins...Evan & Ellie. Their theme was broadway and Ellie's creative juices were working when she came up with the title of the mitzvah "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Temple". The venue turned into old, glam broadway complete with a "Will Call" booth, giant "Sold Out" broadway posters, a "Silent Picture" booth and the "Main Stage" where the twins with their friends sat front and center. As the guests entered they were red carpet ready and when the doors opened it was broadway at its best with great food, good company, fine music and wonderful traditions! Mazel tov Evan & Ellie! Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning-Melbourne Florida- Thank you!!!!

It's official!!!! I have the most AWESOME job in the world. Working with wonderful people and learning new things everyday.... whether it is a new word in hebrew for an upcoming bar/bat mitzvah or a cherished tradition from a foreign culture. I have the privilege of coming into people's lives during some of their most precious moments. I would like to thank all of my former clients for having faith in me to deliver a spectacular event and to thank future clients for the possibility of working with you. Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne FL - Love Reigns

Who was to dream that a trio of running giraffes, one very large rhino & some very loud macaws would be the PERFECT backdrop for a very unique wedding for two very special people. When I initially met Meg, I was totoally drawn in by her sweetness and grace. She was unlike any other bride that I had ever met. She had no interests in marrying at a country club....on a golf course...with crystal chandeliers but instead wanted to be married in a venue as all described as "So Meg"....The Brevard Zoo. As the event designer, I didn't want to fall into a typical zoo like theme so instead we watched the Robert Redford /Meryl Streep "Out of Africa" and took our lead from that. Vintage lace dressed the tables, misquotoe netting created the chupppah and magenta & orange roses adorned the room. The marriage was a union of two very distinct cultures....jewish and cuban so we felt it extremely important to honor both. The jewish ceremony was lead by a colorful Rabbi and we introduced a "Touch of Cuba" in the reception with a area of Cuban coffee, dominoes and a wonderful "family photo wall". Mazel tov Meg & Nick! May your life be as beautiful together as you are separately! Here' s a tip - If your budget can not handle a photo booth, create your own free standing photo wall and customize to fit your theme. Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne FL - Golden Fundraising

With all the hype about "gold buys", I have taken my gold parties to the next level and have started "Golden Fundraising" for any non for profit organizations.
The non for profit hosts the gold buy at their venue & we provide the man power for testing, weighing, and buying. CASH is received on the spot and we give back a percentage of the proceeds to the organization that is hosting. It is a "win, win"! Because we have been part of the Brevard Family since 1970, people feel much more comfortable than they do in a" hotel buy setting" plus we guarantee to pay higher than anyone in the area. Here's a tip: If you are looking for a unique fundraising opportunity, contact me and we will hold a "Golden Fundraiser.....not just another bake sale" for your organization! :) Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, FL - Mexican "Green"

This past weekend I had the pleasure to work with a family on their first son's bar mitzvah. The theme was a Mexican Fiesta.. It was a "Nacho Ordinary Bar Mitzvah because normally, when discussing a Mexican theme for a kid friendly party, words like pinatas, inflatables, glowsticks etc. would be mentioned; however, this particular mom was very clear on what she wanted. As part of her son's "tzedakah" (the charitable giving), she wanted all decor to be made from things that we could reuse. For instance, rather than spending hundreds on floral displays, the tables were adorned with striped blankets & baskets that were fill with beans, rice, garlic & hot chli peppers. The entrance of the venue was draped to give the appearance that the guests were walking into a Cantina which also had baskets full of produce and dried legumes. Once all the guests were gone, all of the perishable items were packed and were taken to the local soup kitchen where they would be used to feed many hungry people. As I was packing up the last of my props, I realized that this particular event would stay with me much longer than most because of the good sense of this charitable mom who instilled in her young son the beauty and true meaning of his bar mitzvah. Here's a tip...when deciding on decor, plan on using the decorations like this family did or even consider taking the flowers or centerpieces to a hospital or an elder care facility where they will bring much joy to the residents. Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, FL - The Event Resource Center

With the help of several of my colleagues, I am happy to announce that on November 7 we will be holding a launch party for the opening of our new "Event Gallery". We are a full service event resource center offering a relaxed showroom that features all the latest trends & styles in event design. This is a great way for clients who are planning a wedding, corporate event, or bar/bat mitzvah just to name a few, to be introduced to many of Brevard County's top professionals. Included within our showroom will be everything you need to plan your next event from start to finish. Prospective clients are invited to share in a glass of wine while browsing our prescreened vendor displays and information. Here's a tip...Meet & greets & vendor showcases are a must attend! Hope to see you at "The Event Gallery". Eventfully yours, Betsy

Event Planning - Melbourne FL - Bridal Budget

The big talk this year with most of my brides (and the rest of the world) has been the lagging economy so we have had to adjust accordingly. We price our weddings per item, so brides can prioritize to fit their budget. They have the "must haves", "would really like" and "in my dreams" and can then decide with a itemized breakdown where they can spend those wedding dollars. We also have created a different payment schedule. Rather than asking for 50% deposit as in years past, we now allow our brides to "pay as they go" and require a much lower deposit. Here's a tip...when meeting with your service providers ask them if they can incorporate this "pay as you go" method. It will be easier for you, the consumer, to make monthly payments rather than one lump sum and there is nothing better than a happy bride!!! Eventfully Yours, Betsy

Event Planning - Melbourne Florida - "A Blues Wedding"

I recently was given the opportunity to help a wonderful couple design their reception site. They had initially met at a local jazz club & wanted to incorporate the "blues" vibe into their wedding and that's exactly what we did. With a little bit of creativity, we transformed the reception venue into "Miller's House of Blues". The stage was set for the evening's theme with the help of B & W Harlem Posters, lamps posts, neon signs, & fog machines...all of which gave guests the feeling of entering a club below street level of a city. Spandex chair & table covers created lounge furniture & battery operated lamps adorned the tables. Here's a tip....when planning your wedding theme incorporate elements about you as a couple much like this couple did. It certainly personalizes the event and makes it exclusively yours and totally memorable. Eventfully Yours, Betsy

Event Planning in Melbourne - "Gold Rush"

Due to the economic conditions, I have found that my Event Business is down from last year. Fortunately, many of my clients are weathering this economic storm and are booking for 2010. But in the mean time, I needed to create an event that would be a "win win" for both myself and my clients so we began hosting "Gold Rush Cocktail Parties". I am not the type to invite friends to a "tupperware" party and obligate them to spend money; however, I am one to invite friends to share in a little food, wine, & conversation and leave with some CASH! The concept is that they bring their recyclable gold (ie. broken chains, single earrrings, & class rings), have it tested, weighed, & have the opportunity to turn it in for cash on the spot. The parties are exclusively for ladies & have really been enjoyed by all. Here's a tip...If you are thinking about selling your gold beware of who you are selling to and don't fall for the gimmick "We pay 20% more!" Most of the time the buyer can't tell you the seller what that means....20% more of what?

Event Planning in Melbourne - Love at any Age

I just sat down with a lovely lady this morning and her daughter to discuss her upcoming nuptials. She is a vibrant 77 year old and her soon-to-be groom is 78. We discussed all of the normal wedding planning & decorating check list & I got to know her in the hour that we sat. After she left, I realized how lucky I was to have met this remarkable lady. In the wedding business, the majority of the brides I meet are in their twenties & some as "late" as in their thirties. Many of which are just starting out with either the prospects of a new home or a new job & the excitement of a new husband with which to share a new life. But my bride this morning brought with her a rare excitement...one of wisdom and knowledge that only living life awards us. She spoke with fondness about her prospective husband & the eagerness to blend their lives together. She didn't dwell on color selection, flower choices, or seating charts but instead focused on how they could celebrate their happiness with those that they loved. Normally I provide "tips" for my brides, but this morning my bride provided me with the most important tip of all...when planning your special day don't focus on the unimportant... keep your love in the fore front and everything else will fall into place. Thank you "Fergie" for that gentle reminder!