New Furniture Debut at the Stonehouse!

We were so psyched to showcase our new furniture for Cathy & Steve's wedding at the Stonehouse Restaurant in Warren, NJ (www.stonehouseatstirlingridge.com ).  This is one of my favorite venues because of its eclectic modern decor - lots of copper, stone, and over-sized wood beams, peppered with unexpected pops of geometrical accessories.  An eye-catching color scheme of black & white paired with Apple green was well suited to this exciting environment.  We fabricated a long multi-sectioned head table, covered with plush black fabric accented with large bejeweled buttons.  A trio of Apple bengaline runners draped off the front of the table, with their tips weighted with large black gemstones.  Gorgeous green cymbidium orchids, submerged in glass cylinders with black river rocks and lit above with floating candles, adorned this show-stopping table.  Clusters of pale green carnation spheres added more green where it counted most.  Guests at the head table sat in high-backed white leather chairs.  Adjacent seating areas offered stylish comfort with white leather ottomans and lighted end tables. 
A white pipe-and-drape backdrop ensured a clean background, while an amber lighted room wash set the tone for a super chic soiree!

A striking damask pattern carried the black and white theme overhead in the form of a grand custom-made chandelier, strung with black crystals and hanging votive candles.  The strong damask pattern covered two large columns flanking the head table, and once more in the foyer as vertical strips beside the bride and groom's initials, spelled out in green Kermit mums.  A solid layer of carnations supported the seating cards on an oval-shaped marble table.

A series of large black cylinder vases brought attention to two very long tables adjacent to the dance floor.  Ornate black mezzo vases supported hemispheres of mixed flowers for standard round tables.  Black charger plates and damask runners contrasted with the cool green bengaline linens.

Low floral arrangements consisted of vibernum, hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids, carnations, and hypericum berries.  Shiny ceramic balls provided textural contrast for these lush centerpieces.

Many thanks to the talented team of event planners from My Bellisima (http://www.mybellissima.com/ )for making this set up an enjoyable one!

Save the Date!

A Touch of Elegance pairs up with the incredible fashion designers of Mataano to create an extravagant floral head piece for one of their hottest looks!  Join us for a great cause and a spectacular night of design creativity.  Visit www.mataano.com to see the high-style resort wear we will be drawing inspiration from! For video and images of the previous Tulips & Pansies shows, go to www.villagecare.org/Event_Information/tulips/

And So It Begins

After humble beginnings over 12 years ago, A Touch of Elegance has reached a critical point of super expansion as evidenced by this behind-the-scenes teaser photo. A host of builders have descended on our warehouse locale to begin construction of our new design home! Operations are scheduled to begin at this modern base of operations June 2011, including sales offices, mezzanine display level, vast inventory storage, and upgraded refrigeration & production areas.

More info to come to this blog soon on our big move, expanded services, new partners, and novel identity!

AOL Gets Devilish with Decor

A Touch of Elegance partnered with Indiana Market & Catering to help AOL promote their Project Devil campaign last night at the super-chic Publicis Modem Innovation Lab in lower Manhattan. An intimate cocktail hour was presented to AOL executives with an appropriately devilish theme. Red Deviltinis were served alongside hot and spicy hors d' oeuvres. Cocktail tables offered Red Hot candies and mints and were adorned with flower arrangements inspired by red flames.

To emphasize the video projection of the Project Devil advertising, designers flanked either side with tall vignettes of decor elements. Dynamic floral arrangements atop mirrored columns were illuminated from below by clusters of candle flames in cylinder vases. The vases were accented with red acrylic beads that looked just like the Red Hot candies served on cocktail tables. Red lighting around the rectangular space completed the hot feeling and made this event a tempting one that people were talking about!

Hot Off the Presses!

"A Certain Grandeur" (pp. 78-85) covers the breathtaking marriage of Vannessa Abreu to Patrick Deyhle at the Venetian in New Brunswick, NJ. Olde-world class was seamlessly accented with modern elements in this palatial show-stopper. Watch for a variety of table shapes & sizes, along with a mirrored sweetheart table fit for a queen. What a magnificent ballroom! Featuring the incomparable photography of Josh Lynn.

We are honored to have not one, but three, Real Weddings featured in this edition of New Jersey Bride!

"Tropical Extravaganza" (pp. 172-173) highlights Ashley Newborn and Anthony Bertolini getting hitched at the Palace at Somerset Park, in Somerset. This event gets my vote for most PIZAZZ of the year - vibrant tropical flowers, twelve-foot palm trees, and a rock-and-roll back story. An animal theme was supported by a "kissing lovebirds" cake, live fish in the centerpieces, and having "Juicy" the Yorkie as a flower girl. All of these eclectic elements were woven together with whimsy by event planner extraordinaire, Jenny Orsini, owner of Pampered Brides Weddings.

"I Carry Your Heart with Me" (pp. 176-177) is the poetic story of the romantic wedding of Claudia Kim and Andrew Wu at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston. The romanticism found in the grand ballroom of the Crystal Plaza was played upon perfectly with mostly black-and-white fashion and flowers, with the addition of hot pink for a trendy signature touch.

"Enchanted Garden" (pp. 180-181) is the must-see magical wedding of Dorian Muench and Kevin Fritze at the Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown. The scope of this vision knew no bounds as we spun a fairy tale with talented planner, Samantha Goldberg. Our largest production to date, the entire venue from ceiling to floor was covered with fresh flowers, greenery, and real trees. Even the chargers, napkin holders, and menu holders were customized out of oak and birch trees. Without a doubt, one of my favorites!

Congratulations to all four of our featured couples; may you continue to be happy and prosperous in 2011 and the years to come!

An Enchanted Garden... for Two!

It's not every day that we completely transform a country club into an indoor 'Enchanted Garden', but for Dorian & Kevin's June 19th wedding reception at the Springbrook Country Club, that's exactly what happened! Production started earlier that week at Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist's Edison warehouse, where pallets of flowers were used to create an enormous array of arrangements. A second design team worked from our Rockaway location, where Trish climbed onto the work table to reach the top of a huge topiary design.

Our task was to bring in a lush overgrowth of greenery and beautiful flowers, so that the space felt like a vast garden, infused with the wild and mystical forces of nature. Designers climbed ladders to adorn brass chandeliers and hang a semi-transparent organic "drapery", which blocked most of the invasive sunlight without blocking the spectacular view outside.

Two long tables flanked the dance floor and displayed a miniature forest of tree-inspired centerpieces.

Two square tables for Honored Guests were positioned prominently as bookends to the sweetheat table, and each was housed in its own black metal gazebo. Our designers customized floral chandeliers to perfectly hang inside the structures and provide overhead candlelight.

The rest of the tables were round and featured magestic colorful arrangements on black iron stands, crested with birch branches and lit from beneath by hanging votives in petal-lined glass cups.

Elaborate place settings brought the party theme within the guests' touch with real birch napkin rings and menu holders, as well as the surprising velvet texture of authentic maple chargers, all especially prepared for this event. Fresh florals accented gathered linens and natural wood chiavari chair backs. Even small details, like votive candles, became 'enchanted' with real moss.

Remember those topiaries Trish was working on? They were positioned as triplets in all corners of the room to bring floral spectacle up to the ceilings at every turn. Even the club's wall sconces were floralized - basically, if it didn't move, it was covered in flowers!





Foreshadowing of a metal gate motif was introduced to the guests at the seating card table, where a bed of colorful gerbera daisies cheerfully greeted them.






The sweetheart table became the focal point of the room by backing it with an incredible mantel display and a hand-made floral work of art, complete with picture frame. Inside the hearth, logs were replaced with a vignette of bright flowers and burning brown and green candles.








The anticipated reveal of the ballroom resulted in what every event planner and designer hope for: amazement and joy!! Moments later, Kevin and Dorian paused for a picture with planner Samantha Goldberg (left) and Designer Lisa Plociniak (right).









Impressive wrought iron gates opened from the cocktail space into the ballroom for a soiree that was, in a word, ENCHANTING!

Event Planning: Samantha Goldberg (http://www.goldeventsplanning.com/)

Lighting: Infinity Studios (http://www.infinitystudioslightingandevents.com/)

Venue: Springbrook Country Club (http://www.springbrookcountryclub.com/)

Flowers: Delaware Valley Wholesale (http://www.dvflora.com/)

Floral Design: A Touch of Elegance (http://www.njweddingflorist.com/)

Menus: Cherese Rambaldi (www.facebook.com/.../The-Honour-of-Your-Presence/42360368565)

Candelabra/Gazebos: Regal Candelabra (http://www.regalcandelabra.com/)

Entrance Gate: Ruth Fischl Rentals (http://www.ruthfischl.com/)

Westin Bridal Show - Jersey City

We brought a trio of different looks to the Jersey City Westin for a Sunday bridal show last weekend. Shows are fun for the designers because we get to play around a bit and try out some new ideas - like this massive mirror tower! Great for getting attention at a show, this show-stopper would be more appropriate for a seating card table, or it could be scaled down to work as an actual centerpiece.

In stark contrast, a classic garden feel permeated the neighboring table, accented with mossed candle holders and real birch branches holding napkins and menus.

A surprising pop of yellow at the base of a damask lampshade defines this modern design. Check out the incredible menus and napkin treatments on all the tables, provided by Cherese from Honour of Your Presence.

Some fab bouquets to accessorize the models working the runway...

These ladies knew where to find the finer things!