Sparkliatti Has Moved!!!

At Sasha Souza Events we plan all different types of social events. It's not just weddings...

Everything from birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, brunches, winemaker dinners...anything that consists of a gatherings of friends.  Today I have a really great new event that we planned last August...I love all of life's celebrations and this one is no different.

EVENT PROFILE:

Project:  Winecentric celebration dinner

Guest Count:  180

Location:  Castello di Amorosa

Date:  August 28, 2010

Client Desires:  a wonderful, protracted "winecentric dinner" which focuses on what Napa Valley does best ... a food & wine experience. 

Event Overview:  Guests were shuttled to the venue where they noshed on hors d'oeuvres while overlooking the upper Napa Valley while listening to a live quartet.  Before guests were seated in the courtyard, they toured the venue to learn more about how the winery creates the wines they would be tasting later.  Once they entered into the courtyard, the experience began with opulently decorated tables in plum linens and accented with gold and fucshia.  Guests dined on four courses paired with wines from the winery and the guests were educated on the exact viticulture of wines they were drinking.

After dinner, guests were invited to spend time in the velvet rope bar...to continue their wine tasting experience which included dessert wines paired with small bites. Decorating the well was so much fun with feathers and garland.

Lighting makes all the difference, check out this 16' ice wine bar both during the day and after with the lighting.  It's literally day and night...

What celebration is complete without dancing?  The dancing room was kept relatively monochromatic but an intense swirl gobo lit the floor.

The lighting in the evening was immensely important to the design because the site can feel very cool and we wanted to warm it up and make it really the star of the event.

Hope you enjoy the amazing details shot by Damion Hamilton and while you're at it, please swing over to his blog to make a comment to increase his donation to Japanese aid relief as well for his Comments for Cash campaign today, 3/29. 

So, instead of leaving comments here, please leave them on the posts on their blog.... it would mean a lot to me if you would help support this wonderful cause.

Click the palette below to be taken to the colourlovers information for this event.

We're gettin' our metallics on at The Special Event Show Wedding Lunch this year!  The amazing team of Heather Crabtree & Jennifer Thinnes from Outstanding Occasions in Phoenix, Arizona has gone all out to ensure an amazing luncheon for the over 700 attendees.  But there are very few tickets still available so if you're "thinking" about attending, you might want to get off the fence and commit to it TODAY. 

 

The Special Event Show 

Event Chair:
Jennifer Thinnes, Outstanding Occasions™
Heather Crabtree, Outstanding Occasions™

Location:
South Ballroom Level One/ Meeting rooms 160-167
Phoenix Convention Center

Date and Time:
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
2:30pm – 4:30pm

 

 

Dynamite image of the bride's shoes by the amazingly talented photographer Joe Buissink for an August wedding for Sasha Souza Events.  Wedding photos coming soon.

Photo credits: Top:  Apple, LOVE, Hand

Middle: Coffee, Shoes, Spoon

Bottom:  Keys, Sign, Handwriting

I have been thinking a lot lately about what has placed me on the path to where I am today...a place where I am very happy in my career and have been very blessed.  I have come to many different conclusions but one thing that has stood out to me is the realization that I am in love with romantic love.

The soul achingly wonderful thought that two people can be so deeply in love with only each other that they feel they do not want to live without each other...for the rest of their lives.

There is something wonderful about it - the wonderful energy to be around - an energy between the couple who have enbarqued on a journey of discovery, learning and an open heart which will eventually grow into a more lasting love.

The symbols to express love - the heart shape, the word love, flowers, the forbidden fruit, the hugs and kisses are all universally  understood.  They are words can be understood by all whether spoken or in a symbol.

So my question to the event designers, wedding planners and coordinators out there is... are you in love with love?

One thing I wish for all of you is to find the love of your life. ;)

So excited that our episode of Get Married will air this coming Saturday on WEtv.  Check out the amazing designer's challenge we were a part of for the Fall issue cover shoot which will be on newsstands and available at Get Married on July 27!

It was such a great honor to be asked to speak at the ISES Denver Wedding Showcase last week....the theme for the tables was "Vintage Romance".  ISES Denver never ceases to inspire me and all the designers show such amazing design work. 

My favorite (& best use of theme) table that evening was a co-creation of Perfect Petal & Catering by Design. 

Designer Cindy Ollig from Perfect Petal was extraordinarily detailed.  Just look at the images.  From Pear Preserves made by Catering by Design to the wish tickets, rose head "cupcakes" and lace tablecloths, there was nothing but perfection in this table. 

Let's talk about the food!  So yummy and I loved the twist on the crudites with the pretzel shaped bread sticks, beets with yummy cheese & nut crust.  Divine!

They appropriately named the table "Smitten" - Cindy said "The inspiration was Romance in the orchard... so we imagined hanging open filament light bulbs from tree branches, ticking covered picnic benches paired with vintage chairs, open garden roses in apricots and frosty pinks, atop white cake plates stacked high. "County Fair" admission tickets wound throughout the river of floral..hand carved wooden birds held place cards around their necks and chandeliers of weathered forks and spoons were hung with sturdy twine above trays of pear preserves and short rib sandwiches. To add a singular compliment to each guest the "bride and groom" have placed a tiny cake plate at each setting with an upside-down garden rose that couldn't look any closer to a fondant iced cupcake!"

Bravo! Perfect Petal, Catering by Design & ISES Denver.  Another amazing event!  So excited to have Kim Laga running our SSE Denver branch and being able to benefit from this amazingly talented group!

Our new website made it's quiet debut a week ago and while it still needs some additions...such as our entire press section...overall the site is up and running smoothly.  Be sure to check back after January 10th for any updates, new additions and add ons that are not currently available.

What you can expect to see in our new awesome site:

• the same high quality content that existed on our old site,
  
• with updated content including the introduction of our new offices and bios on our planners are all updated.  Check it out!
  
• updated weddings & Sasha Souza Events news - as they are published/announced,
• direct contact to all our offices via email and phone numbers are listed on the contact page,
• the revised apprentice program into a link to Team IDo...our wildly popular coaching program...we are limiting new Team IDo signups in 2010 to a total of 10 for the entire year,
• direct link to Signature Sasha where you can...buy an autographed copy of our book, sign up for Team IDo, find Sasha's speaking engagement calendar, and checkout updated "Signature Sasha" tools for planners

Coming in 2010:

• updated sashasouza.tv - it's been a while - don't bother clicking the link ; ),
• integration for our Sasha Souza Events planners to post their own blogs,
• free custom couple websites hosted on our Signature Sasha site,
• updated & expanded corporate & social event information,
• additional listings of properties in the markets where we have offices to help engaged couples preview what we consider to be some of the most desirable locations for their weddings.  Although we work at any property, these are locations we consider to be stellar.  
• customized planning calendars/tools for our couples on the Signature Sasha site
• if you're attending The Special Event show in New Orleans, check out our new business cards!

What this means for our couples is that hire any of the Sasha Souza Events planners receive the same top level treatment, design sense and style in any of our offices. 

What this means for our fellow planners is that you can get info on how to own all the Signature products that the SSE team uses at their own weddings...

We hope you'll enjoy the newly updated color palette - including the hint of our wild side in the leopard print menu bar.  I think it gives a perfect first glimpse into the depth of the company and makes a statement about the kind of couples we work with as it mixes the cutting edge of design & the elegant/rich color palette. 

Sasha Souza Events truly offers something for every couple...from DIY planning to fully designed events all based on a couple's budget. 

You can find out more by contacting a planner in your area today....

xo,

  

We Put the Awe in Awesome....

 

I saw these recently in our local Safeway store and thought that they were so smart!!  Especially now with the holidays and all the paper, boxes, party accouterments, etc. that pile up.  Check out these new trash containers!!  I love it when people make mundane tasks, like taking out the trash, fun!

It’s a creative new product that is sure to generate a little “trash talk” at gatherings all over – be it parties, picnics, tailgating or the kids’ soccer games. Flings Recycling & Trash Containers are convenient, portable, compact bins that snap open accordion-style to roughly the size of a tall kitchen bin. Sporting a 13 gallon capacity, Flings Containers are designed to make it easier to keep recycling and trash separate and promote the recycling of items such as bottles and cans.

 

Up to now, the consumer’s alternatives for trash or recyclables collection at gatherings were either to clean up the household trash bin, or to hang a trash bag in places using makeshift options. Those solutions were often unattractive and ended up being quite messy. Flings Containers are easier to store and set up, more decorative in-use, and simpler to dispose. Flings can be placed at multiple points around larger gatherings.  With Flings, trash & recyclilng almost take care of themselves… and the  hostess can enjoy the party!  

 

Fling Containers’ developers say there was a drastic need for disposable, but attractive, trash and/or recycling containers. At most get-togethers, recyclables typically end up getting mixed up with the trash or are left strewn about to deal with later. Flings Recycling & Trash Containers respectively are clearly marked to help guests do their part as the party is going on.

 

When full, users can simply toss out the Flings Trash Containers or empty the contents of the Flings Recycling Containers into a regular recycling bin. Flings Recycling Containers conveniently capture up to 60 cans or bottles, which is a real breakthrough since American’s recycling rate of 30% is one of the lowest in the developed world (Sad Face)

 

Depending on the situation, Flings Recycling Containers may be able to be used multiple times before having to be thrown out.  Flings come in four different colors and designs right now, but several more are in the works.  The Flings Containers sell for $3 - $4 apiece and are available at: www.flingsbins.com or at the following retailers:

 

Safeway (NorCal)

Rouses (New Orleans)

iParty (New England)

Weis (mainly PA)

Price Chopper (mainly NY state)

 

You can also download a $1 off coupon TODAY! 

I am a stickler for pretty food - food that looks like you want to eat it right off the picture.  When I was writing our book, I scoured probably a thousand images of hors d'oeuvres, salads, entrees, desserts, cake.  You name it.  What I realized is that I have a LOT of food pictures!!  I'm always making sure the photographer "got the food shots" - because they often tell the story of the couple, but through food. 

Where I live, in the Napa Valley, food is an important part of our lifestyle and our culture.  It's through food that we express ourselves and our wine.  The food doesn't need to be gourmet, it just has to be tasty, well thought out and presented well. Even if you don't think you will put the food pictures in your album, on Facebook or on your wedding blog, if you've put any thought whatsoever into the meal you will want to make sure that the images are captured.

There are many blogs out there that are amazing and showcase food so beautifully.  Food styling is an art in and of itself with amazing stylists like Rori Trovato taking the images to the next delicious level - not to mention her husband, Luca Trovato is a phenomenial photographer in his own right and all of his images are amazing.. 

When I look back at the food pictures of our weddings, I can almost taste it.  Taste the pulled pork, the lamb or the tomatoes.  They bring back memories of the heat of the day, the look of the couple and the magic of the moment.  Look at the pretty food below, I think you'll find it as appetizing on the computer screen as it tasted in person!

Photos by:  Briana Marie Photography, Sherman Chu, Elizabeth Messina

                  All bottom images by Briana Marie Photography 

I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Sasha Souza Events family - Event Planner and Designer Suzanne Dement who is managing our newly opened Tennessee office.  Suzanne brings amazing event design & coordination skills to couples planning a wedding throughout Tennessee & beyond to the South.  We love her and I know you will too!  Suzanne has an amazing eye for design and is detail oriented and one of the funniest people I know. 

Suzanne is an active member of the Association of Bridal Consultants and you can find her on twitter @sse_suzanne.  

Suzanne will also publish posts for Tennessee Tuesday, the new segment on Sparkliatti starting next week.   Suzanne's beautiful work will also be on our new website debuting October 1st at Sasha Souza Events.  In the meantime, you can contact Suzanne via email at suzanne {at} sashasouzaevents {dot} com or by phone at 1-800-381-1326

all photos by allisonrodgers.com

 Life is a bowl of cherries....so eat up!

 

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photo by Brooke Schwab via Life. Love. Lipstick. Blog.  I wish I knew who made this gown.  It's AMAZING!

Available from Zappos Couture for L.A.M.B.

I came across this company earlier this week on Twitter and couldn't believe my eyes. Gorgeous, GLAMOROUS jewelry for rent at amazingly reasonable prices! So smart.  The prices for the jewelry below are just in the $30 - $40 for a full 7 day rental and you get the necklace and the earrings. 

The Carolee LUX Floral Bib Set $41.00 for a 7-Day lease. The Carolee LUX Antique Collar Set $34.00 for a 7-day Lease!

I want to reserve the set below to wear to the Special Event Show Gala Awards in January 2010...not that I have a dress to match it, but I fully believe in using the jewelry to inspire the gown :)

This set is from the ABS India Collection. Beautiful blue, green and gold wrapped in a stunning collar fit. And a 7 day rental?  FOURTY FIVE DOLLARS.  Smokin'!!

Go Sarah!

Image by Critsey Rowe

The Black Orloff diamond. A 68 carat wonder originally owned by Catherine the Great, and passed down through the Russian royal family

Via Jessica Claire

via Susan Stripling

(B via Chenin Boutwell {Boutwell Studio}

Via Anna Kuperberg

Photos by Jerry Yoon via Wedding Bee Pro

Today we start a new feature...She's Pretty.  Gorgeous single images for you to adore a much a we do.

Image by Elizabeth Messina