Contrary to popular belief, incorporating personal collections into weddings has always been important to brides.  The trend has just been a little more publicized over the past few years.  But in our world of wedding planning and event design we’ve been amazed to see what keepsakes, collections and heirlooms our bridal couples have set aside for use in their wedding decor.  For a 2007 beachside wedding in historic Lewes, Delaware, one of our client’s most important design goals was to display her collection of cherished wedding cake toppers in a sentimental, sweet fashion.  Having collected vintage cake toppers for over twenty years, the bride’s modern love for traditional elements was one of our favorite elements woven through the wedding day.

What better way to style the vintage cake toppers than on wedding cakes?  The award-winning couture cake baker, Truli Confectionary Arts, designed seven wedding cakes that were displayed on a 200-year old antique plank table as an old-fashioned seaside “cake walk” buffet.  The traditional fondant-covered stacked cakes were designed in classic white and warm ivory, as well as the soft, beach-inspired shades of butter yellow and pale pink.  The vintage cake toppers either crowned the top of the cakes or sat along the edges, where appropriate without compromising the design of the lovely cakes. Placed underneath trees holding ivory muslin lanterns, the cake buffet table allowed the 250 wedding guests to sample the cakes from both sides.  Antique silver pedestals, vases and serving ware added that last touch of historic elegance that reflected back to the overall wedding theme.  An incredibly sweet wedding all-around, pop over here to see more photos of this charming open-air seaside wedding celebration.

{Photos courtesy of Liz Banfield}

More fabulous photos to come soon! Not to mention the sensational wedding we produced at The Rittenhouse… it was a BUSY weekend for the Evantine Design Team!

The warm tones of terra cotta, amber and pumpkin look lovely in a casual mixture of roses, sweetheart roses and pincushion protea. Playful wisps of brown and cream-spotted quail’s feathers add a touch of autumn whimsy to the posy.

And although you can’t feel it, the stems of the bouquet were wrapped in soft sable brown velvet ribbon. Rich, vibrant and ready for Fall Weddings.

{Photo: Leah MacDonald}

Ohhhh yeah, some of the younger designers out there in the industry may not remember, but we do.  We remember the good old days, when chair covers, chair caps and tailored chair backs and frilly chair skirts weren’t something you could just order in a jiffy online from a reputable rental company.  Oh no my darlings, that’s not how it went down.  These decorative accents had to be made-to-order with a seamstress you had to hunt down and pay handsomely to diligently sew 300 of the same exact design in less than a week.  But not anymore!  Thankfully, times have changed.  Talented event accessory companies, like our dear friends at Wildflower Linens, have revolutionized the way event designers and party producers are able to get their greedy paws on such delectably stylish chair covers as you see here.  From Parisian black and white bustled stripes to tailored orange grommeted leather and feathery peacock blue ribbons, anything you can imagine in the way of chair decor is now available for short-term rental.  {if you listen carefully, you can hear the sounds of an exhausted seamstress sighing in relief}.

One of our lovely July brides chose to walk down the aisle carrying a stunning hand-tied bouquet of ivory, cream and pale pink flowers that included fragrant Stephanotis, Vendella and Lydia Roses, as well as white Dendrobium Orchids. For just a touch of sparkle to complement Tammy’s wedding gown, crystal pins were inserted into each one of the waxy white star-shaped Stephanotis blossoms.  The stems of the bouquet were tightly wrapped with white velvet ribbon (to keep her hands cushioned and protected) and layered with silver-embroidered lace ribbon.  The floral design mirrored the beauty of Tammy’s silhouette:  formal, elegant and classic.

[Photo: Marie Labbancz]

When it comes to planning your special event, wedding or bar/bat mitzvah menu, invariably the question “what are the most popular food stations at parties?” gets asked.  The answer, at least on the East Coast, is an enthusiastic “SUSHI!!!!”  In one form or another, sushi stations or sushi bars, are a guaranteed win-win choice for cocktail receptions for discerning palates.  Sushi and sashimi are even served at children’s parties for the kids to enjoy!  Over the years we’ve designed and styled many a sushi presentation using carved ice, glass vessels, running water, river rock, custom-made wooden planks, light up tables, lucite shelves, red lacquered boxes, gold vessels, Asian statuary, and on and on.  Below are just some of the sushi stations we’ve created for weddings, parties and social gatherings.  [Above, Catering:  Leslie Rosen Catering; Photo:  Philip Gabriel]

For a modern white and purple 25th wedding anniversary we worked with Leslie Rosen Catering to create a stylish Seafood Crudite with colorful mixed sushi, salty steamed edamame and a large ice bowl filled with cocktail shrimp.  [Above, Photo: Paul Loftland]

Multiple light up tables were placed in a row to create a large sushi display that would allow a large group of guests to graze all at one time.  Each table was composed of multiple mirrors in silver metallic frames that held monochromatic displays of sushi, sashimi and seaweed salad. [Above, Caterer:  Wolfgang Puck Catering; Photo: Susan Beard Design]

For a tented cocktail reception for a bar mitzvah at a private home, this floating ice sushi station presented multiple sushi rolls on glass and metal platters.  [Above, Catering:  Leslie Rosen Catering; Photo:  Phil Kramer]

Sushi isn’t just for cocktail receptions. Why not serve it as a surprise second course during a sit-down dinner?  That’s exactly what we did for a bar mitzvah at Peche at Sherman Mills.  Just as the first course was ending, a wall of drape opened on one side of the ballroom to reveal a forty foot sushi station laden with gold vases filled with purple orchids and plate-after-plate of sushi! [Above, Catering: Leslie Rosen Catering; Photo: Susan Beard Design]

Sushi Cabanas built with tents inside a building gave the adult guests at this bat mitzah a fun activity to enjoy while they watched the kids dance below.  [Above, Catering:  Peachtree & Ward; Photo:  Phil Kramer]

Bamboo, black beans, sushi mats and vintage Asian elements combine to make this sushi stationa hit at a boy’s bar mitzvah celebration at Peche at Sherman Mills.  [Above, Catering:  Leslie Rosen Catering; Photo:  Philip Gabriel]

In a Jewish wedding ceremony, the bride and groom as well as their parents, stand under a chuppah, or wedding canopy, while the ceremony is performed.  The chuah is generally interpreted as a symbol of the home that the bride and groom are about to create with their marriage; as well as the creative and religious expression of the hope that their new home will be filled with God’s presence.  For many, the fact that the chuppah remains open on all four sides symbolizes the welcoming nature of the newlywed’s home to family and friends as Abraham’s tent was to passing strangers as told in the Bible.

{Photo:  Phil Kramer; Location: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia]Traditionally, the chuppah was made using a family prayer shawl called a tallis tied to sticks, branches or simply held over the bride and groom’s heads.  Nowadays, the chuppah is constructed out of drapery, fabric, flowers, greenery, crystals, candles, potted plants, twigs, trees, chandeliers and clear acrylic.  In our thirty years of designing weddings from Boston to Florida, we’ve had the pleasure of creating some memborable wedding canopies for our clients.  Here are just a few of our favorites:

{Photo: Clair Pruett; Location: Westin Philadelphia}

{Photo: Michael Leslie; Location: Hotel duPont}

{Photo:  Cliff Mautner; Location: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia}

{Photo: Susan Stripling; Location: Hotel duPont}

{Photo: Ash Imagery; Location: Westin Philadelphia}

{Photo: Cliff Mautner; Location:  Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia}

{Photo: Marie Labbancz; Location: Trust the Venue}

{Photo:  Susan Beard; Location: Loews Hotel Philadelphia}

{Photo:  Cliff Mautner; Location: Urban Outfitters}

“Fireworks are an art form that uses the night sky as the canvas.” Larry Crump.

Like most people around the world, we’re fascinated by the spectacle of fireworks.  Perhaps it’s their mystic allure of bright lights and big bangs in the dark night; all we know is fireworks transport us to a place of celebration.  Young and old, it doesn’t matter, we’re all brought together under the spectacular displays of falling stars.

Fireworks date back to 7th Century China, where people believed that fire could disperse evil spirits. Sparks were a good omen, sound could frighten ghosts, and smoke could create a healthy atmosphere. In modern China, much like their ancestors, people set off fireworks to express their happiness, to pray for peace and invite good luck during community festivals.

Here in America, the very first celebration of Independence Day was in 1777 and fireworks were a major part of the celebration. This early fascination with their noise and color continues today as the American fireworks industry is now a billion-dollar-a-year business.  Most of which focuses on Fourth of July celebrations, followed by New Year’s Eve and Memorial Day.  However, more and more private events are using dramatic fireworks displays to mark momentous lifetime occasions.  As the perfect finale to their perfect day, we love when brides and grooms incorporate a fireworks show into their wedding.  Hearts race with excitement as the night sky literally lights up right before your eyes.

We wish our family, friends and colleagues a very Happy Fourth of July!

{Photo:  Philippe Cheng, Fireworks:  Firework Concepts}

Far be it from us to keep these stunning umbrellas from getting into the hands of stylish ladies everywhere.  Adored for their charm and cheer, we’ve had trouble keeping them in stock for months now!

Well we’re happy to announce that we’ve just received another shipment of these pretty parasols and you should pop in to Evantine at The Rittenhouse as soon as you can to get one!  Or call and have one of the stockists set them aside for you.  These umbrellas are not only gorgeous to look at but they’re the ideal protection from rain and sun as you make your way through town.  Wouldn’t these umbrellas be fabulous for brides or bridal parties who are out in the sun for hours taking formal photographs? What fun those photos would be in their wedding photo albums!

We do offer a large selection of styles and patterns, but the floral umbrellas are the most popular!  {As pictured immediately above, L to R}  Pink Gerbera and Water Lily.  {Below} Stepping out under this bright sunflower umbrella is a true mood changer.

Available while supplies last at Evantine at The Rittenhouse, 210 West Rittenhouse Square, Upper Lobby Level, Philadelphia, PA 215-790-2576.  We ship worldwide and gift wrapping is a pleasure.

The Greater Philadelphia area, including Wilmington, Delaware, Southern New Jersey, the Main Line suburbs and, of course, Center City, is rich in historic houses of worship of every denomination.  If you are considering holding your wedding ceremony in one of the area’s churches, you’ll need to make securing the date and location your first wedding planning priority.  [The Catholic Basilica Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, Photo:  Cliff Mautner]

What’s in a Date?  Well, everything!  Particularly when you are working around religious holidays set forth in every faith.  Although most weddings are scheduled around a favorite season, such as the flowering cherry blossoms in Spring, or the colorful foliage in Fall, it’s important to educate yourself on the religous holidays or observances that would impact your chosen wedding date.  First, start with major holidays then move to religious holidays, taking into consideration your faith and the religions observed by the majority of your family and closest friends.  Many churches will not hold weddings around significant rites such as Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Easter), Christmas or during Lent.  It’s best to consult directly with the church of choice to best understand their Holy Days.  Once you’ve worked around the religious holidays, you need to consider National holidays, regional or citywide events that would impact your event or your guests’ travel to and from it.  And don’t forget, if like most couples, you plan on celebrating your wedding on a Saturday, you’ll face competitive scheduling and back-to-back ceremony bookings.  Once you have a date in mind, don’t delay in reaching out to the church to secure it in their book.  [Saint Ann's Church, Wilmington, Delaware, Photo: Anna Kuperberg]

Plow Through the Required Paperwork.  Most churches will offer bridal couples a detailed information booklet on wedding ceremony procedures, requirements and guidelines.  Some of those booklets can be quite intimidating with paperwork, historical records and relationship counseling.  But if you’re already a member of the church, which most people are, these records shouldn’t be hard to come by or challenging to complete.  In order to help couples prepare for the celebration of a life long marriage commitment, the church may or may not require the engaged couple to participate in a process of instruction and formation.  In all honesty, so many of our clients have expressed surprise at how insightful their pre-marital counseling sessions were and how useful the exercises were in preparing for marriage.
 
[Above, Christ Episcopal Church, Riverton, New Jersey, Photo:  Melissa Mermin; Below, L to R, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May, New Jersey, Photo: Images by Berit;  Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Wilmington, Delaware, Photo:  Laura Novak; St. Thomas of Villanova, Villanova, Pennsylvania, Photo:  Philip Gabriel]

Rules, Rules and More Rules!  Each church has it’s rules and regulations as to what is permitted in their “house.”  Trust us when we say, don’t make any assumptions as to what you can and cannot do.  Be clear on what is allowed, discuss the options and alternatives, and confirm all permissions granted IN WRITING.  When you plan your wedding months if not years in advance, any oral communications and promises as to what you are allowed to do in the church will mean nothing if the person who made the promises has moved on to another parish.  Churches deal with hundreds of wedding ceremonies every year, it’s not inconceivable that they will not remember your wedding details without friendly reminders.  

Some of the more common questions to ask the church include: 

• are there any time restrictions on the usage of the church? 
• are we permitted to take photos in the church? are photographers or videographers able to move in the church or are they to remain still in their position for the duration? 
• are there any restrictions on flowers or other decorations? 
• is an aisle runner permitted? are open flames candles permitted or only battery-operated? 
• are there mandatory fees for the church music director, organist, solosit or choir?  are you permitted to use your own musicians? 
• is there a mandatory fee for the priest, minister or sexton? 
• is a traffic officer or security guard outside the church required? 
• are there parking spaces provided in the church parking lot or in front of the church?
• who runs the wedding rehearsal?

Don’t Forget the Importance of the Ceremony.  Although many brides and grooms focus most of their wedding planning energies on the reception, don’t forget to devote time, energy and thought to your wedding ceremony.  It’s the portion of the day that reminds you of the traditions and customs from whence you came, and which signifies those you will take into your new life together as a couple.

[Above, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, Photo:  Phil Kramer; Below, St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Photo:  Cliff Mautner]