Dear Brides and Friends,

One of the reasons why I love being a wedding photographer is because I love to photograph pretty things and usually everything that has to do with weddings, is really pretty in one way or another. I asked Brandy Blackford from Sweet I Do’s to be a guest on our blog not just because of her amazing talent to bring ideas to life, but also because she does it with style, grace, beauty and dedication. She understands wedding trends and what works together as she develops design elements for a theme. Her talents go beyond just decorating a table or aisle but into knowing fonts and typography, paper selections and color.

I first met Brandy in person after she had been up all night taking care of details for a wedding she was working on, while also beautifying an incredible styled shoot we were partnering on that day. Although tired, (who wouldn’t be after being up all night?) Brandy was dedicated to ensuring the collaborative vision of the styled shoot was in place and all would go smooth, even though she was working on such little sleep. I was very impressed and knew right then that she was someone I needed to get to know better. Her dedication and commitment speaks to the quality of her character, and as wedding vendors those are the types of people we like to align ourselves with. The theme for our styled shoot was Ralph Lauren meets modern vintage. As you’ll see by viewing the images, Brandy was a major participant in bringing that theme to life through her precise execution of all her decorative elements. Thanks to her (as well as our other vendors), we had lots of pretty things to shoot in that 15 hour day. It was a Dreamcicle day come true! Thanks again, Brandy!

 

I was so honored when Kristi with Dreamcicle Studios Photography asked me to write an article on how to create a gorgeous themed event. Knowing that Kristi with her amazing eye and talent for capturing all of the details thought that I had something to offer her readers is very humbling. Themed events seem to be one of those things that you either love to plan or want absolutely nothing to do with. The pressure to create a beautiful event that is remembered is so great that the thought of adding one more thing to the mix is overwhelming. The good news is that creating a theme for your event can actually make the planning process that much smoother and easy to handle.

 

Today I am sharing my personal tips that I use when putting together an amazing themed event that covers all the little details.

~Brainstorm your event~
Even as a professional designer and coordinator, I still brainstorm through the event. However, I tend to start with the final product and work my way backwards. I ask my clients what the end vision of the event looks like to them. What it visually looks like, the emotions it invokes, the colors and yes, even the smells. Once we have a mental picture of what that is we talk through all of the details that are needed– everything from a color palette to the texture of the linens, the meal selection to the fonts and paper used in the printed materials. The trick is to pull in all the details at this stage to ensure that they all work together to create the final masterpiece.

~Less is more~
With Pinterest taking a front seat in the planning process, it is easy to become overwhelmed with ideas, each one a must have. Individually the items all seem like they are perfect for your event, but when you put all of the elements together in your mock-up it looks like a craft store exploded in your living room. I do love Pinterest and I have tons of boards and pins, but I use them as inspiration only. I ask clients to choose one or two favorite pins from their boards (which I do recommend they create) and we work the theme around those elements. Remember you are creating a themed event, not a theme park.

~Sample, sample, sample~
The best part of creating a themed event for me is the ordering of samples. I love seeing all the pretty things that could be included in the event. From beautiful papers, to yummy desserts and everything in between, if you have never physically seen or touched an element that you would like to include in your event, order a sample or schedule a visit with the vendor providing the service. Try to experience at least three different options of each element. I tend to choose two fairly mainstream choices and one selection that is unique. It is often those unique elements that bring your event from ordinary to extraordinary!

~Details matter~
I know I’m going against the norm here by saying that details matter, but realistically when putting together a themed event they really, truly can make it amazing or make it look like you gave up about halfway through the planning. The littlest things can have the biggest impact. Are you having a beach or nautical themed event? Include delicious seafood choices in the appetizers and main dishes; make sure that the floral selection includes plants and flowers that are found near the water; offer favors that reflect the theme – salt water taffy anyone! Is a library theme more your style? Send invitations that mimic old library cards; create a program that looks like a mini-newspaper; choose a font that resembles an old newspaper or book. Dreaming of having a carnival themed event, but don’t want it to be too childish? Bring in a sweet table that offers all of your favorite carnival treats – mini-cotton candy, caramel apple bites, churros; have a late night snack provided from a food truck; provide animal crackers as a cute escort card/favor to each of your guests.

~Mock-ups are key~
If at all possible, before you spend a ton of money and time on a project, create a mock-up of all of the elements that you are actually going to use. There is no substitute for seeing, touching and tasting all of the pieces before committing to a final vision. By creating a true to life version, any adjustments that need to be made because of height, spacing, lighting, etc. can be made prior to your event which will create less stress on you and your vendors they day of the event. Less stress and the knowledge that all of your hard work is just right is priceless.

Creating a themed event can be a lot of work, but the result is worth it. Having a plan in place prior to making decisions such as venue selection and music choices will actually make those decisions easier. Knowing that you want to have a vintage themed event will eliminate all of the modern venues, the golf course views and hotel ballrooms (unless you happen to have an old hotel to choose from). Choosing a rock and roll 60’s themed event will make your music selection choices much easier than trying to listen to 500 different classical music selections. Italian food fits perfectly with a wine themed event, but backyard BBQ, not so much.

Still overwhelmed by all the choices that are out there? Contact a professional event designer to assist you in creating the vision that you are imagining. Most designers offer hourly consultation services as well as full design packages.

 

 

 

Here’s some of Brandy’s work……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandy Blackford is the owner and event coordinator of Sweet I Do’s, a Phoenix based event design and coordination company. She lives in Surprise, Arizona with her wonderful husband, Steve and is expecting their 2nd child next year.

Website: www.SweetIdo.com

Blog: www.SweetIDo.BlogSpot.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Sweet.I.Do

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SweetIDos

 

 

Vendors on this amazing styled shoot include:

Shoot Designer: Sweet I Do’s, 623-242-4442 | Photography: Dreamcicle Studios Photography, 602-625-2006 | Venue: Bentley Projects, 480-946-6060 | Floral: PJ’s Flowers, 602-995-4999 | Linens: Southwick Linens, 480-699-8891 | Tableware: A to Z Rentals, 602-468-1188 | Seating: Classic Party Rentals, 800-678-3854 | Styled Shoot Coordinator/Planner: Stylish Events by Lisa, 480-209-2559

 

About Dreamcicle Studios Photography: We’re a madly in love husband and wife photography team in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area that loves capturing love more than anything! We photograph new beginnings and completed souls; faces of anticipation, happiness, love. It’s wedding photography designed uniquely for you. We’d love to speak to you about photographing your dream wedding day! Contact us by clicking here.