One of my favorite parts of wedding designing is taking ideas from the couple and realizing them, especially the most abstract! I love the challenge of taking elements that seemingly have no through line and create a cohesive masterpiece—thanks to my professors at Kalamazoo College! My design style relies heavily on theatrical aspects, as my training begins with set design and construction. Understanding the minute elements of design and the nuances of a play/idea allow me to develop a plan to visualize the final outcome and design accordingly.
So . . . when I received an invitation to be a part of the upcoming NACE Tabletop Wow event hosted by the Detroit chapter of NACE, I was extremely excited to get involved! What’s even better, is this year’s theme is a tribute to the Movies!!!!!! Since I refuse to settle for anything less that exceptional to deliver to you my dear bride, I am constantly seeking ways to strengthen my skills of design and implementation. Here is another fantastic opportunity.
Here is the overview. After selecting the theme of my table (Harry Potter, Avatar, Caddy Shack, Action Films, Romantic Comedies, Musicals, Classics), I can collaborate with numerous vendors both in and out of NACE to design a table that will be displayed and judged at the April 21st monthly meeting at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. The tables are required to be functional, in other words, people have to be able to eat and sit at the table (no Naked Sushi Models), and extra points will be awarded to tables producing the WOW factor for under $500 (and we are required to provide a handout of the cost for the table).
Here’s a quick blurb on last year’s Tabletop WOW event at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. I was told there was not theme last year, but as the second annual event, they’ve thrown out a new challenge – BRING IT!
Well . . . what do you think? I’m super excited, but there are so many options out there. Any suggestions? I would love to get your feedback on table themes you would like to have at your event! And if you are a vendor and would like to be a part of the design team, contact me!! By the way, it doesn’t have to be for just a wedding – Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Graduation, Retirement, Anniversary—Post your comments!
So this should have been released as yesterday’s Major News Monday, but I just got the fantastic news to share with you now. Get Married magazine, which also has a weekly series on TV and an amazingly helpful planning website, just announced the giveaway of Get Married magazine subscription every day in the month of March!
Don’t wait, it’s an exciting, refreshing and enlightening new magazine with great covers, ideas and talent listed inside. Definitely the next hottest thing on the magazine scene! You can pick up the winter edition at your local bookstores (Borders, Barns & Noble, etc.)
If I had the opportunity to take advantage of this myself, I wouldn’t be sharing it with all of you! Ok, maybe I would! J
So to all you brides with dreams bigger than you’re budget, and I know mine are, here is a chance at an amazing lifetime chance! Crate&Barrel partnered with Daily Candy to giveaway an amazing $100,000 Wedding. Oh, what I could do with that!
The contest started February 1st, so get cooking on your entry details, stir up your registry, and flood your Facebook friends for votes!
The Prizes
Grand Prize
The Ultimate Wedding with a whopping $100,000 value. And to make it even sweeter, this day of perfection will be organized by A–list planner extraordinaire Jo Gartin.
2nd Prize
One $7500 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.
3rd Prize
One $2500 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.
Honorable Mention
15 winners will each receive a
$1000 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.
Popular Vote Winner
The highest vote–getter will receive a
$500 Crate and Barrel Shop Card.
The Contest
The Planner
Your big day will be in the savvy hands of A–list planner Jo Gartin, who’s planned the nuptials of stars such as Kate Walsh and Tori Spelling, and now maybe, you. Known for her impeccable style and unique ideas, Gartin will make your affair one to remember.
The Announcement
All entries must be in by 11:59 pm CST on March 31, 2010. Couples are encouraged to run their own marketing campaigns, as the 50 finalists will be those with the most votes. A panel that includes Jo Gartin, along with judges from Crate and Barrel and Daily Candy will then select a winner. We will notify the lucky couple and the 18 other winners and post all winners on crateandbarrel.com/ultimatewedding in April 2010.
The Celebration
The planning will begin once the announcement is made. Gartin will be at your beck and call to bring your Ultimate Wedding to life, from designing invitations, choosing a locale, and setting the scene to creating a menu, picking a band, and coming up with favors.
Time is money, so hop to and register.
Its vow or never!
Learn more about celebrity wedding planner Jo Gartin
Sample Contest Entry
Our love story (in 100 words or less).
When his lab immediately rushed over to my Chihuahua at the dog park, we both rushed over to stop the madness. After some awkward small talk, we realized it was more than puppy love. They’ll be walking us down the aisle.
Three important details about our
Ultimate Wedding.
It will be a small destination wedding on a farm (albeit a fancy one) where there are plenty of activities for guests (swimming in a lake, tractor rides, spa). All family members will behave themselves. There will be a gospel choir singing during the ceremony.
Our everyday dream day.
We would go for a horseback trail ride, stop and have a picnic lunch, and watch the sunset while sharing a great bottle of wine.
How to enter
Register at Crate and Barrel
Enter the Ultimate Wedding Contest between
February 1, 2010 and March 31, 2010 by first registering online at crateandbarrel.com. Just click the “Create My Registry” button just above on this page.
Complete the Contest Entry Form
After registering at our site, you’ll have the opportunity to link to the Ultimate Wedding contest entry website, where you’ll need to tell us about yourselves:
Upload a photo of you and your fiancé;
Tell us your love story in 100 words or less;
Share three important details of your Ultimate Wedding in 100 words or less;
Describe your everyday dream day in 100 words or less.
Your entry will go live for all to see. Friends and family can vote for you online at ultimateweddingcontest.com.
Get Out the Vote
Once you’ve created your profile, it’s your job to get as many people to vote for you! 50 couples will be chosen by the voting public to move on to the next round—heartfelt declarations, funny stories, and grassroots marketing plans are welcome.
Add to Your Crate and Barrel Registry
To advance to the final round, your wedding registry must contain at least 50 items and have a total value of at least $2000. With all the great selection of product at Crate and Barrel, this will be easy
Final Judging
A panel that includes Jo Gartin along with
Crate and Barrel and Daily Candy will then select a winner. We will notify the lucky couple and post winners on crateandbarrel.com in April 2010.
