My Grandma's Marvelous 80th Birthday Party

My Grandma turns 80 next week and we threw her a fabulous bash to celebrate - with good food, drinks, and friends aplenty. We decked out the Yacht Club on Lake Union with rich chocolate brown textiles and ice blue accents, crystals draping silver tree branches, candles and candles, and seashells accents (she loves the beach).

We staged a backdrop with fun props for photos and her friends loved it! Too cute!
The hors d' oeuvres were fantastic - plenty of gourmet bites and goodies.
We also had angel food and chocolate cupcakes topped with ice blue butter cream and sugar crystals and pastilles for dessert. A very Happy Birthday to my very special Grandma!
*thanks to mom for the photos, Ruth-Anne Ford for the scrumptious cupcakes, and the lovely Cleo at Ravishing Radish for helping to make such an awesome and memorable party!

Happy 10th Anniversary, Economic Opportunity Institute!

The Economic Opportunity Institute contacted us in the spring to help them plan a unique and memorable event for their 10th anniversary. EOI is a great organization, pushing for greater rights, health care and pay, and much more for Washington residents. We were thrilled to be on board, and knew the perfect venue for this urban, yet sophisticated event, would be at SoDo Park, an awesome venue owned by Herban Feast.
We worked with EOI to develop an event that not only honored Bill Gates, Sr. with an achievement award, but it raised awareness, funds, and celebrated their 10 years of success and looked to the future. We heard raves from guests that it wasn't your "typical" non-profit event; the "economic comedian" was hilarious, and the surroundings, food, decor, and venue made for a magical and refreshing event.
It was rewarding to be in a room full of senators and other highly influential people honoring Aubrey Davis and Bill Gates, Sr. - two who have helped to greatly change our community.

When we talked about a non-floral centerpiece for each of the 21 tables, Nick came up with such a cool idea that tied in the union and working aspect of EOI (and their invitations). A big thanks to Herban Feast for catering a fabulous event!
Venue: SoDo Park
Catering: Herban Feast
Audio/Visual: AVMS
Rentals: AA Rentals
Wine: Esquin Wine Merchants
Photography: Jim Berry

Professional photos to come.

Marie & Emmett's downtown bash

Marie and Emmett are a super fun couple we've been working with for over a year. Marie's ultra fabulous hot pink shoes were the inspiration for the entire wedding!From the hot pink in the orchids placed on each setting to the escort cards and formal invitations all accented by crisp white and black, the palette for the wedding was most definitely elegant with a huge twist of fun!

We couldn't have gotten a better fall day for the wedding; the sun was shining and golden leaves were falling all around. Guests gathered at St. James Cathedral for an afternoon ceremony then headed to the Pan Pacific Hotel for a chic bash. The guests were all so much fun and we loved Marie and Emmett's family and wedding party! Nick and I sat back and watched them all dance the night away under the lights of the Space Needle...we made a special Dick's Drive-In delivery towards the end of the night which gave them all their second wind!

Thanks to our team of talented vendors who helped to make the day amazing:
Seattle Flowers created the serene orchid centerpieces
Flora Nova Design constructed the unique boutonnieres and breathtaking bouquets
Carol Harrold did a fantastic job photographing the day's moments
Drew Hobson kept guests dancing well into the night
Rowell from SparkLL who, as always, creates amazing paper designs
British Motor Coach for the limos and vintage Daimler
Congratulations, Marie and Emmett! Enjoy your long honeymoon in Hawaii!

Photos from Stephanie and Coby's big day

Here are a few amazing shots from Frank Ross Photographic from Stephanie and Coby's August waterside wedding. We had a ball during the entire planning process; especially at the wedding. Please refer to the older post for vendor information.

Happy 60th Birthday, Carl

Over Labor Day weekend we helped Carl and his wife Pam play hosts to about 60 guests for several events at their home on Bainbridge Island. The events marked Carl's 60th birthday party (we also coordinated his party in Ohio earlier this summer)and guests had a ball.
The rain managed to stay away, and guests were able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings as well as the outstanding food by one of our absolute favorite caterers, Ravishing Radish. Patricio from the Herbfarm serenaded guests with amazing Spanish guitar tunes and the always awesome and talented Aly Medina from La Luz Photography took these fantastic photos.
Ruth-Anne Ford served up to-die-for poppy seed birthday cake (which we plan on having her recreate very soon!)...

Stephanie and Coby were married on a gorgeous day on the water in Gig Harbor. We were thrilled to bring on a team of some of our most favorite vendors for this special event.

Guests were treated to delicious Dungeness crab cakes, grilled miso-citrus prawns, and signature summer cocktails of vodka, Amaretto, and lemonade pre-ceremony. As they exchanged vows on the water, Stephanie and Coby were serenaded by beautiful piano music and a song by Coby's brother on the guitar. Under unique triangle and square parasols from Dragonfly in Tacoma, guests got whiffs of lavender mixed into the stunning butter-yellow and sage colored arrangements from the incredibly talented Ravenna Bloom.

After the ceremony there were more hors d' oeuvres and drinks, followed by an elaborate sit-down dinner under a spectacular tent draped in moss green fabric provided by Rented Elegance, glowing lanterns and twinkle lights, and breathtaking floral arrangements by Wendy Morgan of Ravenna Bloom (including vibrant green garlands across the tent). The gourmet 5-course dinner was provided by one of our favorite caterers, the wonderful team atRavishing Radish. The team created a fabulous feast including a lemon-basil sorbet palette cleaner, plates of local artisan cheeses and gelees, and tasty grilled Oregon country sirloin steak and pan-seared halibut entrees by chef Pam Samper. Post-dinner was also a treat, with individual lemon and blueberry cakes on each table by Suzanne's Cakes in Gig Harbor.

Chopstix provided the entertainment and dueled the night away on two pianos - it was so fun to watch guests request songs and sing along. If you haven't visited a Dueling Chopstix show, you must attend! To capture this amazing celebration was the team of Frank and Kelli Ross from Frank Ross Photographic who captured our wedding over five years ago. We can't wait to see their fantastic work; it's always so much fun to work with them! Congratulations, Coby and Stephanie!
*Stay tuned for professional photos!

Photography: Frank Ross Photographic
Catering: Ravishing Radish
Floral: Ravenna Bloom
Valet: Butler Valet
Rentals: AA Party Rents and Pedersen's
Cakes: Suzanne's Bakery in Gig Harbor
Music: Chopstix
Invitation and other paper design: SparkLL
Tent draping and lounge seating: Rented Elegance

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Deadline: 08/15/2008