Saturday, March 13, 2010

Irony & Art of the Tables Past

I've always been a fan of ironic humor. I even studied it in a humor class in high-school.(I always took the easiest classes I could so I'd get good grades) Ironically, that fooled me into thinking I was smart when in reality if I had taken some challenging classes maybe my brain would work better today and maybe I would be doing something a little more financially rewarding than babysitting. I didn't even take a full year of typing in high-school because I never wanted to sit on my butt all day in front of a computer. Ironically, that's what I love to do now and I'm regretting not taking a typing course. I'm no longer such a fan of irony. It seems to follows me around, day in, day out. Sure, it's funny if it's on a sit-com about a can't win loser that you're watching on television but it's not so funny when you'd swear you were playing the lead role in that sit-com. Not a day goes by that at some point in the day I'm not looking over my shoulder expecting Ashton Kutcher to jump out and yell "You've been punked!" I had another of those ironic moments yesterday when I was looking through a bag of papers I found tucked away in my abyss of a closet. I was searching for some financial statements that my youngest daughter needed when low and behold I came across last year's Art of the Table brochure. I had looked and looked for that thing over and over so that I could try to figure out who to give credit to for the tables I had posted pictures of. Ironically, as soon as I delete the posts because I didn't know who to give credit to, I find the damned pamphlet from the show. So since I feel bad for posting pictures that I obviously shouldn't have I am going to go through this pamphlet and name everyone who had a table at last year's show and try to link to their website if possible. If I can figure out by reading the description of the table who is responsible then I will repost the pictures for it. If not, I won't but rest assured every table there last year was awesome and anybody in this list of people would be great to hire as a designer for your event. This is going to take a lot of time which ironically I am always running short on. Hopefully, I will get it done before next year's show. And here we go..... This first table is A Day in Paris by Pam Monahan again from Entertaining with a Flair www.entertainingwithaflair.com
Floral Designer Rebecca Valentine- Rebecca Vaentine Floral Design 317-385-9206-www.rebeccavalentine.blogspot.com Stationary by Jen Swathwood-Card INc.317-733-9301 www.cardink.net

Next table is Library Love - Tablescape Designer Susan Jackson Learned & Amie Drose from Where Can I Put This? -312-209-3466 Floral Designer Jim Holland- Freelance Floral Designer 317-902-3138
Wreath made from book pages

Library Card or Menu card?
Next we have WOW with Warhol! Tablescape Designer Kim King Smith-Kim King SmithEvents,LLC 317-512-0172- www.kimkingsmithevents.com
Floral designer Bokay Floral, Broadripple 317-253-2323
Stationary Designer Jen Swathwood- CardInk 317-733-9301- www.cardink.net



Next up is I Love Paris in the Springtime Tablescape Designer Kay Krober Invitaion and Celebrations 317-733-9570
www.kaykrober.com Floral Designer Ken Meyers- Freelance Floral Designer-317-926-5695- myerskena@yahoo.com
This next table I am guessing by the description is called It Had Better Be Tonight www.detailanddesign.com"> Table Designers
L. Gene Huddleson II - Detail + Design 317-423-3590 gene@detailanddesign.com Monica Richare Detail + Design 317-423-3590 www.detailanddesign.com


The table behind this one with the peacock feathers belongs to Circle City Planners 317-490-8738 www.circlecityplanners.com Floral Designer www.byroyalcreations.com">Royal Creations 317-257-5540 www.byroyalcreations.com
From the description of the table I am guessing that the Gone With the Wind table below belongs to Jim Holland, Freelance Floral designer 317-902-3138 Stationary designer is www.eventsbygloria.com">Gloria Boyden, Events by Design. 317-566-8233 www.eventsbygloria.com

My guess from reading this pamphlet is that the Bridal Bliss table must be this gorgeous table below. If I am wrong I apologize. Tablescape Designer>www.eventsbygloria.com">Gloria Boyden, Events by Design 317-566-8233 www.eventsbygloria.com Floral Designer /www.WeddingFlowersDesignStudio.com">Jan Johnson, Wedding Flowers Design Studio 317-813-8699 www.WeddingFlowersDesignStudio.com


Again. I'm making a guess by what is written that this cool table below is the Crystal Ball Bliss table by /elitebridalconsultingandevents.com">Elite Bridal Consulting & Events,LLC.
317-592-9592 www.elitebridalconsultingandevents.com
Floral Designer Kathy's Kloset 317-291-7767


Any other pictures I had posted I can't seem to figure out by the descriptions in this brochure who is responsible for them. I will list everyone though that I see had a table there besides these tables. Tablescape Designers Vanessa Chaves & Megan Gates IMA/Wolfgang Puck catering 317-923-1331 -vchabez@imamuseum.orghad a table named Art of Seduction
This next picture I have a feeling probably belongs to
Tablescape Designer www.HeavenlySweetsCakes.com">Tanya S. Marshall Heavenly Sweets Cakes 317-770-9399 www.HeavenlySweetCakes.com
Tablescape Designer and Floral Designer Ken A. Meyers Freelance 317-96-5695
myerskena@yahoo.com Was there with a table named New Traditions
Tablescape Designer www.memorymakersindy.com">Lisa Gorman from Memory Makers Wedding and Event Planning was there with a table named Dawn. kathysklosetofflowers.com">Kathy Hinderlit from Kathy's Kloset was the floral designer.
The Moulon Rouge Table was by Amanda Coffey from the Indianapolis.Conradmeetings.com/">Conrad Hotel
317-524-2558 with floral designer Enflora 317-0913-9300
Julie's Ever After Table was by Becky Ruby - Lilly Lane 317-435-8806There was a table called A Toast to the Bride and Groom by www.abutlerspantry.com">Sandy Rogers from Butler's Pantry 317-733-8003
Jim Holland Freelance Floral Designer 317-902-3138

I have a lot more to list but have no time right now so I will come back and list the others here as soon as I can with an edit to this post. Thanks!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Art of the Table 2010


Table design by Entertaining with a Flair-317-576-9547 floral design by Bella's Blooms 317-362-7841

So, last year we all went to the Art of the Table and I posted some pictures of tables on my blog quite awhile after the fact because I had found some pictures of it on my daughter's camera. I didn't know who to give the credit to for doing any of the tables since it was so long after the fact and I didn't even think about having a blog when we were at Art of the Table. I did however say on my blog for anyone responsible for any of the tables that I posted to please let me know so that I could give them their due credit for it. Of course no one did because very few people even look at my blog, let alone read it. I never tried to make it sound like I did the tables myself. Well, evidently I must have upset some of the planners or someone else did because this year we weren't allowed to take pictures.
I started this blog without a clue as to what I was doing and have learned much in the process and am trying not to make the same mistakes that I did at first. Please forgive me if you feel that I took something of yours and didn't give you the credit. From now on there will only be things on here that I know whom to give the credit to and if you are actually reading this please leave me a comment and prove me wrong that nobody actually reads it.

With that being said, this year was not only disappointing because we weren't allowed to take pictures but they didn't serve hors d'oeurves as stated on the ticket and we actually had to shell out money for a glass of wine after shelling out money to get in. (actually, let me give the credit and thanks for my ticket to get in to planner Katasha from K Sherrie+Company Planning Atelier) Along with the lack of food and lack of free champagne there was also what seemed to be a lack of tables this year. We had so looked forward to this event and were really disappointed. It was nothing like last year. Perhaps we drank too much last year and had too good of a time. Maybe we ate more than our share of Wolfgang's crab cakes. By the way, they did away with Wolfgang too. At least we knew about Puck in advance and were trying our best to deal with it. To be fair there was a small candy buffet there put out by Sweetest Candy Buffets. A few of the ladies welcomed picture taking so I did get a few to show you.

This first awesome table is by Pam Monahan & Karen Abbott from Entertaining with a Flair. 317-576-9547 (For some reason I am having trouble getting their link to work) They called it Design with Oranges and Greens to reflect a bride's wish to design the reception room with her favorite colors. The gorgeous florals are by Bella's Blooms.317-362-7841


These green cylinder vases with candles in them had initials monogrammed on them. I loved the table wrap with the couples nuptials cut out and going around the table. This would be great for a candy buffet or cake table. Too bad they can't patent that idea. (Can they?) It looks like a lot of work. These ladies have some very creative ideas. Thank you ladies for letting me post your table on here.

I love the custom decorated flower girl basket and the chair tie embellishments! If you can't get their website to come up like I can't you can email Pam at pmonahan@entertainingwithaflair.com



This next table is inspired by the Show Twilight I believe. It was another of my favorites and for some reason didn't make into the brochure so I am glad I picked up the information for it. It is titled The Cullen Wedding and is put together by designer Rebecca Raymond from the Omni Severin Hotel (phone number 317-396-3643)
The floral designer is Brenda Williams, Rue de Fluers, 317-370-4376 and the stationary designer who put together this menu looking card that I am reading all the information from is Jackie Bilskie, TEN:THIRTEEN Design, 317-379-1699

I am in love with the idea of raising the centerpiece up on this mirror by using cylinder vases. Pretty awesome. I also love the mirrored chargers and the crystal candlesticks. Lots of sparkle, yet very classy.
The menu cards and custom wine labels added a subtle hint of (vampire blood) color.



This is the way to do a chair tie, is it not?

This table was a group favorite amongst the ladies I went with. It is inspired by Audrey Hepburn and named My Fair Lady. The Conrad Indianapolis' own Amanda Coffey (317-424-2558) designed this table along with floral designer David Strohmeyer from McNamara Florist.
It had quite an elegant feel to it. Very impressive and classy.


Another beautifully done chair tie with embellishment.

Each place setting had either a rolled cigar favor for the men or a cigarette holder for the women.


Loved the pearl chargers too!
Thanks to all of the ladies who let me post their tables on here. (Update: I went back and deleted any posts on any Art of the Tables pics. If you know yours were on here and want them reposted with credit or have any you would want me to post I would love to do that.)

Saturday, March 6, 2010

The Reception - Please Be Seated

I found this article thanks to a tweet by a new follower (@RAEvents).
Is this not the coolest reception photo? click it bigger
Photo: Photograph Courtesy of Van Vliet & Trap

You’ve survived the perilous task of narrowing your guest list to 150 of your nearest and dearest. Now you must figure out where to seat them. Karen Bussen, wedding planner and author of five bridal guides, including Simple Stunning Wedding Etiquette, lays out the ideal floor plan that takes everyone’s needs—and idiosyncrasies—into consideration.

Read more of Katie Charles' article in New York Magazine here: New York Wedding Guide - Please Be Seated - Wedding Planner Karen Bussen Suggests a Seating Chart -- New York Magazine