Tag Archives for weddings

Spotlight on Double G Events

Designer Maggie Brucker of Double G Events knows how to throw a perfect party! Recently, Maggie graciously indulged Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles with a delightful dose of her wit and wisdom.

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We adore your work! How were you first drawn into this beautiful business?

Thank you so much for your kind words! I actually got into this industry “by accident,” though I always knew I wanted to do something creative for my career. As I was growing up, I took theater and dance classes, voice lessons, performed in plays, painted, and more. I went to college for Interior Design thinking I would open up my own design firm some day, but I realized that it wasn’t for me after working in the industry for two years.  I then did what every other 24-year- old college graduate did when they didn’t have a job and started bartending at my friend’s restaurant. The restaurant soon started to offer off-site event catering and my friend asked me to help, thus my love for events and weddings was born!

After a few years with my friend’s catering company, I was offered a position as the Event Planner for Barteca Restaurant Group (Bartaco, Barcelona Wine Bar), where I took on the role of planning and designing all in-house and off-site events. Six years later, I decided to open my own Event Planning and Design boutique and Double G Events was launched in 2010!

 

Your events are so fresh and spirited, yet so timeless. What’s the secret to striking this perfect balance?

You hit the nail on the head! There are so many talented planners and designers out there, and I am so lucky to be friends with most of the ones based in Connecticut–they really are my soul and support group. Being a solo entrepreneur, it’s wonderful to have these gals just a phone call or text away for some “water cooler talk” or comedic relief. Sometimes you just need someone to lean on who gets your industry!

With that said, we all offer similar services and need to be able to differentiate ourselves from each other. It took me a while to figure out my unique style through lots of soul searching, paying attention to the clothes I wore, how I decorated my home, and more. I came to realize that my style is timeless with a bit of unexpected edge. I try to stay away from trends because I want my clients to be able to look at their wedding 30 years later and still love it.

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When I work with brides, the word I say over and over again is “AUTHENTIC.” I ask them questions about how they spend their weekends, what shows they like, how they decorate their home, and more. Though Pinterest is helpful for aesthetic reasons, it tells me nothing about my couples and who they are personally. My goal when designing a wedding is for their guests to walk into the space and say, “I get it! This is totally Jane and John!” and understand why certain elements were chosen.

As you can see from all of these photos, every wedding is unique because every one of my clients has their own unique style, and our job is to bring that to their event.

 

Within an event design, what element can you never get enough of? And what aspect do you think is most impactful when used with restraint?

Lighting, lighting, LIGHTING! Lighting will change a room’s ambiance in a heartbeat and I always ask my clients to put aside splurge money for this purpose. I describe lighting as the “jewelry” of the event. We work with Shindig Lighting a ton, and they are always evolving with innovative chandeliers, bistro canopies– you name it! In one of our most recent weddings together at Truelove Farms, we used hand-made hanging Moroccan Chandeliers that they personally picked out during their trip to Morocco to ship back to the USA!

 

Are you noticing any trends that were prevalent just a few years ago that your more recent clients are not requesting?

I won’t lie, but I am SO happy the burlap and Mason jar trend is OVER! As a designer, there is only so much you can do with burlap, and it made every wedding look exactly the same.

 

Are they asking for anything that’s new and surprising you?

We’ve definitely noticed a trend towards having a less formal affair. Instead of plated 4-course meals, clients are interested in having interactive food stations or passing appetizers throughout the reception so that guests can easily mingle and dance as they please. We’ve also been seeing a trend towards brunch weddings (my favorite meal of the week) instead of traditional dinner weddings.

Our clients are always looking for venues that have that “wow” factor, i.e, industrial factories or airplane hangars. Those are super fun to design!

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You do a lot of work at the Connecticut shore. Is there a dream venue you’ve been longing to design for but just haven’t had the opportunity yet?

Our dream venues are always backyard tented weddings—they are so personal to us and our clients. It’s a blank slate to bring in anything that the clients want without worrying about whether the décor we bring in will clash with the surroundings.

 

You receive heaps of praise from delighted clients. When they write you the thank you note, what are the two or three things that you keep hearing for which you are most proud?

I am most proud when clients praise my amazing team. I am personally not one to be in the spotlight – it actually makes me a bit uncomfortable – which is why I think I like this job so much. The bride is the show and I can stay behind the curtain.

When a client praises my team, I smile from ear to ear because they are an extension of me and my work. It makes me feel like I’m doing a great job in teaching them what our brand stands for, and watching them grow makes me feel like a proud Momma!

Here are a few of the best compliments I’ve heard lately:

“We spoke with other planners and you were the friendliest!”

 “I’m not that worried about which venue we choose because I’ve seen your work and know you’re going to make it amazing!”

 “We did not pay you enough for what you did!”

 

When it’s time for you to relax and recharge, what’s your idea of a perfectly relaxing evening?

I travel to Colorado a ton; we are currently opening up a studio in Denver and there’s nothing like the mountain views. When I’m in Connecticut, I love going to farmers’ markets and estate sales, hosting dinners for friends, trying out new restaurants (food in the way to my heart), and taking my dog hiking in the woods.

And your ideal weekend escape?

There are so many options, but there’s nothing better than retreating to a cabin in the woods without cell service or email so that I can completely unplug at the end of a busy season!

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Photo Credits:
Trulove Farms Wedding
Location: Trulove Farms, Morris, CT
Planning + Design: Double G Events, Planning + Design
Photography: Athena Bludè Photography
Florals: Fleurescent
Tent: Abbey Tent + Party Rentals
Rentals/Linen: Peak Event Services
Vintage Rentals: Gather + Lounge
Lighting: Shindig Lighting
J House Greenwich Wedding
Location: J House Greenwich, Greenwich, CT
Planning + Design: Double G Events, Planning + Design
Photography: Sarma + Co.
Florals: Fleurescent
Rentals/Linen: Peak Event Services
Lighting: Shindig Lighting
Candlewood Lake Wedding
Location: Candlewood Lake Club, New Fairfield, CT
Planning + Design: Double G Events, Planning + Design
Photography: Andrew Henderson Photography
Florals: Fleurescent
Rentals/Linen: Peak Event Services
Lounsbury House Wedding
Location: Lounsbury House, Ridgefield, CT
Planning + Design: Double G Events, Planning + Design
Photography: Monika Photography
Florals: Truffles + James
Rentals/Linen: Party Rental Ltd. // Gather + Lounge

 

24 Hours in Paris with Loli Events

Both French born, Lauren Fremont and Coralie Prats of Loli Events make gracious living their business. Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles asked them to share their favorite haunts in our beloved Paris for you to keep in mind for your next trip to the City of Lights!

Lauren Fremont
Coralie Pratts

Where to Stay

Pavillon de la Reine

Where to Eat and Drink

  • Les petits cafés: My love for coffee shops is endless, and thankfully Paris is full of them! My favorite is the Saint Regis Café on Ile Saint Louis because of its authentic style and location–the servers are super fun and the coffee is really good too!
Café Saint Regis
Wild & The Moon
  • Fine Dining: Le Meurice Alain Ducasse is located inside the Palace Hotel Le Meurice and it is truly stunning. Walking into this restaurant is already an experience in itself!
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The grand dining room at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

  • Cocktails: Le Moonshiner is a speakeasy on Rue Sedaine and it is the best place in Paris to drink a good whiskey cocktail! The hidden entrance and retro decor make for a memorable night out.

Le Moonshiner

What to See

  • La Seine Banks: It is always interesting to wander along The River Seine, especially around the two islands, Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint Louis, and along Saint Germain. You will find all kinds of people; joggers, old people with their dogs, lovers, artists, and workers on their way to the office.  During sunsets, the buildings turn into gold and the sky softens with gorgeous shades of pink–I will never get enough of it!

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  • The Square Georges-Cain: This is my favorite place in my beloved neighborhood, Le Marais. It is a lovely park in front of a beautiful building and it’s very well maintained–It’s my little heaven on Earth! The location on a quiet street makes it the ideal place to relax outside in the nice weather. The Square George Cain

 

  • Paris doors: How can we not talk about these huge and colorful street doors? I have so many blue doors photos on my phone–they are all different and all majestic!
  • Old little streets & Passages: Paris used to be so differentPassage des Princes back in the day! I’m always very nostalgic when I find a little street and picture the whole city before Haussmann’s renovation in the 19th century. Thankfully, we still have the beautiful Passages like two favorites: Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Princes!
  • Museums: Musée Jacquemart-André is a beautiful hotel particulier in Paris that offers a large collection of private paintings and antique furniture. The grand townhouse is divided into five major parts and it is a wonderful place to explore.

Musée Jacquemart-André

Merci to Lauren and Coralie for letting us in on a few of their Paris favorites!

Where are your favorite destinations to visit in Paris or other cities around the world? Discover our Jet Set Collection to inspire your next trip and use the #DestinationDempsey hashtag on social media to share your travels. 

Spotlight on Marcardin Calligraphy

We sat down with Heather Brock of Marcardin Calligraphy to talk about her beginnings as a calligrapher and how she became inspired to start her own company. 

Q: “Marcardin” is such a unique name. Can you please tell us the significance of why you chose that name for your company?

HB: The name Marcardin is very dear to me because it is the name of an old family estate located in Shelbyville, Kentucky that belonged to us for over 150 years. Much like other homes and farms of that era, the estate was named by its builder, Mark Hardin. Fast forward to the early 1990s and my family was faced with the tough decision to sell it [Marcardin Farms] once my Great Aunt passed away. Most of the family memorabilia was kept in the attic; old letters and notes penned by ancestors, including those from my great uncle Mark Hardin, dated back to around 1856. All of the letters feature beautiful pen and ink calligraphy, and as an adult, the penmanship is my favorite thing to exist from that attic. I’m very fortunate to have such richly documented family history to reflect on. Marcardin, which was once known as Marcardin Farms, is now calligraphy for me.

Marcardin Estate
Mark Hardin’s Handwriting

Q: When did you first learn calligraphy and how did you know that you wanted to do it as a career?

HB: I was probably 10 or 11 when I picked up any sort of calligraphy pen for the very first time. I remember mastering (or so I thought I did) any instructional books I could get my hands on, but I moved on with other art mediums as I grew up. In my 20s I decided to pick up a pen again to learn the refined skill of pointed pen calligraphy in hopes to address my own wedding envelopes some day. When I realized how therapeutic it was to put pen to paper, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue for a long time to come.

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An envelope addressed to Marcardin Estate 

Q: How long have you been based in Kentucky? Do you have a wide client base in your area, or does most of your clientele hail from elsewhere? 

HB: I was born and raised (and still reside) in Louisville, Kentucky, so I’ve always stayed put. I am very fortunate to work with some of the absolute best wedding planners and designers in the city and state, so I do get a lot of referrals through them. I also serve nationwide, working with some stationers out of New York City and Los Angeles.

Q: We see that you offer a variety of calligraphy styles for your services. Do you think that there is an even split between interest in more traditional styles versus a more modern look? img_5198

HB: I would say nine times out of ten, my clients choose my Signature style. It’s definitely more modern, but it still gives that flourished feel that can be found in some traditional styles. I’m definitely more of a modern calligrapher; traditional calligraphy, such as Spencerian and Copperplate, can take decades to master. I certainly envy my calligraphy colleagues across the world who have the patience and skill set to achieve those writing principles.

Q: You have done beautiful work on everything from outer and inner envelopes, to escort cards and menus. How do you ensure that your pieces reflect overall aesthetic of the event?
img_0083HB: I love when I’m able to help design an entire invitation suite, so it can be printed or pressed in every which way. I like to start with my bride’s ideas of what she is thinking by getting inspiration photos from her. I’ll go through my series of questions which can turn into a few different pencil sketches before I put ink to paper. I then send my work to my go-to designer to do all the digitizing for me. From there, we meet to make sure everything is set perfectly for print.

 

 

Q: We were thrilled to work with you on pieces for a Dempsey & Carroll wedding recently. How did you first hear about Dempsey & Carroll? 

HB: I was so excited to finally get my chance to calligraph the beautiful paper from Dempsey & Carroll. I’ve seen it [Dempsey & Carroll’s paper] in many areas of the wedding industry, and have always heard great reviews from other calligraphers. The paper is exquisite and I am in love with everything from the texture to the watermark logo– It’s hands down my favorite to write on.

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Heather’s work for a recent Dempsey & Carroll wedding 

Spotlight on Leo Mascotte, Part II

Austin Ackles sat down with Creative Director, Leo Mascotte, to discuss more of his favorite Dempsey & Carroll wedding suites. 

AA: This wedding took place on a family property in Old Chatham and we drew a marvelous tree the couple was to be married beneath. (The resulting steel engraving die was a sculpture in and of itself!) What makes this wedding suite one of your favorites? 

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LM: Old Chatham’s charms, to no surprise, are notably old school.  This Columbia County hamlet oozes classic Yankee Town & Country charm, and is home to one of America’s most storied fox hunts, The Old Chatham Hunt Club.  The blind engraved tree motif could not be more inspired.  So too the navy blue and white color palette, classic and crisp, yet decidedly modern for a wedding.  These colors perfectly set the stage for this type of “Down East” event.  As does the Chevalier font, as naturally handsome as the chocolate labs I imagine sleeping under the couple’s table.

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I Would happily take odds that the weekend felt like a trip back to a cherished campus. The Groom and groomsmen in navy blazers, with Hermes ties chosen to recall shared sport. Radiant and crisp in Oscar de la Renta organza, the bride, seemed to be the source of the reception tent’s glow.  Her mother, effortlessly triumphant spending an evening at home amongst abundant flowers, planned to appear picked from the property’s gardens.

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AA: This wonderful couple was married in the bride’s grandmother’s garden just outside Melbourne, Australia. They loved the watercolors from our Mark Ingram collection (which we used for their save the dates) and they wanted to incorporate them into their wedding suite. I think the colors are delicious! 

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LM: Tasty indeed, the palette reminds me of tea at Laduree, in Paris.  The pale pistachio walled salons filled with a dazzling array of pastel tinted macaroons.  The wedding stationery is kept from getting too sweet by the underlying hint of rich ochre in the custom sand colored ink.

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Attention to detail here is remarkable.  Each piece of the extensive suite was engraved, such a wonderful and increasingly rare touch.  Rarer still, each item received edge treatment using a custom pale french pink.  The invitation is set apart by it’s exquisite beveled edge.  My favorite touch is named Henry B. the couple’s beloved Labradoodle.  He sits atop the reply card, bestowing a welcoming glance encouraging all to join.

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AA: How we love a perfectly-sized New England church wedding and then a celebration afterwards at a yacht club! This wedding suite is one in a series that is a variation on a very classic theme. How do you see it reinvented this time?

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LM: I love the look of this suite almost as much as I revere the venerated yacht club where it was held.  This group sets up a carefully balanced interplay of established forms set off against modern elements.  A generation ago this piece would have been printed on a folded sheet.  Today so rarely used, the foldover’s scarcity may as well predict it’s return to favor.  Here, a stiff Embassy card reflects the current currency of chic.   This nod to today is set in contrast to timeless Italian script.  For me this font remains, the unassailable definition of impeccable old school elegance.   The suite’s painted edges are left un-beveled, at once old school handcraft, and not expected.  The rich pewter ink color manages a similar duality, with Commodore worthy aplomb.

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AA: Dempsey & Carroll has this long running creative partnership with the legendary firm, Schumacher, and this is a beautiful example of our collaboration. The font here feels old and new to me at the same time. What is it that makes this invitation suite at once breezy and stately?

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LM: This celebrated print “Birds & Butterflies” was based on a hand printed 1960’s wall covering found in Schumacher’s archive.  Available as both a fabric and wallpaper it has a lovely density that never overpowers.  Set amongst charmingly drawn foliage, rendered in spare black on white, a flock of colorful creatures takes flight.

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The Open Antique Roman font almost seems to have been picked from amongst the fabric’s vines.  The letter forms have a polished yet unfussy 1930’s feel.  Designer Thomas O’Brien coined the phrase “Vintage Modern” which seems to describes this Schumacher print, the  and this this suite perfectly.  I can think of no better way to mark a marriage in Millbrook, NY.  Very top drawer.

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Spotlight on Valley & Co.

Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles sat down with Aleah and Nick of Valley & Co. to talk about some of their favorite wedding destinations on the West Coast. 

 

AA: Squeezed into just a few dozen words, can you give us the essence of Valley & Co.?
A&N: In short, we throw pretty incredible celebrations for our clients and have a ball doing so! We focus on the beauty and fun in life and incorporate realistic elements into our events. We truly love creating joy for others and Valley & Company is a reflection of our passion!

AA: Which came first, the business relationship or the life partnership?
A&N: Our relationship came before our business. We met during Aleah’s senior year in high school and Nick’s freshman year at university. Aleah followed Nick to college where we planned events with several student government organizations and some pretty impressive non-university related parties as well! You can say the rest is part of our history! We’ve been planning events together since we got together and formed our company in 2003, right after we graduated from college.

AA: You’re the masters of the best coast! What’s your single favorite thing about the mighty Pacific Northwest and the very best thing about the glorious south coast?

A&N: Oh, what a kind compliment, thank you! The Pacific Northwest is absolutely incredible. Both born and raised, there is just so much to appreciate. We love the sea and islands, the culture, the incredible food (especially Dungeness crab), and the majestic mountains. But the best thing about the mighty Pacific Northwest is the fact that you can drive out of the city to any number of spectacular places in just an hour or two. There are countless hidden gems for destination weddings that we love! California is also pretty amazing and we love events along the coast in San Diego and in the desert of Palm Springs. The year-round nature of events in California (except for the one unexpected November day mentioned below!) is special and you can’t beat the sunsets and cuisine. Our West Coast clients up and down the coast tend to share an underlying vision of wanting to create a true experience for their guests, so we put great emphasis on the setting, the local bounty and seafood and land food, great wines,, and showcasing the very best that our region and the coast has to offer.

AA: Can you tell us about an impossible to foresee (or just plain weird) logistical challenge and how you overcame it?
A&N: One November in San Diego we had a beautiful wedding planned on the rooftop of a beautiful hotel perched above the busy boardwalk in Pacific Beach. An unexpected and unprecedented storm came rolling in rather quickly, dumping torrential rain and gale force winds on our just-installed tent. As we were setting up the chairs, the tent (properly weighted!) started to take flight up and over the balcony, with weights and all. Nick and some of the crew quickly pulled down the tent and slashed the ceiling to let air through. They held it down until it could be taken away. We all worked extremely fast to move the ceremony into the beautiful restaurant below and dinner on the terrace protected by glass doors. Luckily as the ceremony was underway the skies parted and the sun came out, but that was the most unexpected weather incident we’ve ever encountered! Our team was swift on our feet and was so professional and cool under the pressure! It reminded us that there can never be enough back-up plans (this summer in Washington we rolled out a Plan J!). Foreseeing any potential issue before it can arise and already having a solution in place is a large part of our job.

AA: Please think back a few years: Are the any materials or themes that you were employing regularly that have completely dropped from your current repertoire? 

A&N: We love a good classically beautiful wedding with fresh and modern touches that reflect our couples. With that said, we are seeing a departure from too rustic, overly glam, and anything that can possibly look dated even a few years down the road. Our clients tend to want an extremely personal celebration that has roots in pure beauty, so we start from scratch working in details that truly mean something to them, like a special patterned china, an altar built with logs from the bride’s family home, traditions through toasts and activities, and a menu and drink experience that is expressive of them and their backgrounds. It’s refreshing and exciting that so many of today’s couples want to create their wedding vision with a totally blank canvas!

 

AA: And now for some fun: You’re stranded on a desert island with 100 other people. Thankfully, a couple of your fellow castaways have fallen in love and are getting married. You have no supplies. What five items do you wish you had and, if it’s not obvious, why?

A&N: What a great thought!

We would wish for:

  • a stereo to provide music for the celebration
  • a pallet of champagne
  • a fishing pole to catch fish to feed all of the guests a lighter to make a roaring fire (Nick’s answer)
  • a sewing kit to fashion décor from palm fronds (Aleah’s answer)

Spotlight on Leo Mascotte

Austin Ackles sat down with Creative Director, Leo Mascotte, to discuss some of his favorite Dempsey & Carroll wedding suites. 

AA: This wedding took place in beautiful Lake Bluff, on the shores of Lake Michigan, just outside of Chicago. How do you feel that location is reflected in these designs?

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LM: Beautiful indeed.  No less an authority on the American scene than F. Scott Fitzgerald  “Once I thought that Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world. Maybe it was.”  Chicago’s Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are, to my mind, the most beautiful, and most American suburbs in the country.  Architectural treasures abound.  One finds the work of Howard Van Doren Shaw, Henry Ives Cobb and Frank Lloyd Wright.  But it is David Adler’s work that makes this place like no other.  He designed the original club house of the venerable club, Shoreacres, where the ceremony and reception took place.

This wedding stationery, like Adler’s work, is informed by, and respectful of, a rich heritage, drawing on a comprehensive understanding of tradition and precedent.  It is however, uniquely American and modern in the way it modulates a purely formal model.

The decision to use handwritten calligraphy, in this marvelous crisp style, arrives at a similar easy going elegance.  The seeming effortlessness of the text is balanced by the formality of timeless hand engraving.  The beveled edges, and rounded corners riff on the expected, introducing a note of cool aqua, repeated by the lovely tissue liner.  Assured, and impeccable, the suite’s offhand, jazz age cool finds no better expression than its opening flourish.

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AA: By comparison, this suite for a Fishers Island wedding feels so edified while still retaining an airiness.

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LM: An airiness which shows that less can be splendidly more.  The understated élan of this invitation and stationery suite could not be more appropriate to the wedding’s location.  Set at the north eastern end of Long Island Sound, just off the Connecticut coast, this tiny strip of New York state is a world apart.   Prized for its pristine beauty, privacy and remove, Fisher’s Island is timeless.

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The epitome of old school, east coast, Summer as a verb propriety.

The marvelous font born of this storied way of life.  Chevalier lets the hand of the engraver shine within its handsome block forms.  An unexpected polish comes from the Oxford Gray ink.  It softens letter forms that would have felt rigid rendered in a darker tone.  But it is the white space that I find most compelling.  Calling to mind trim sails, tennis attire, and freshly pressed linen collars, this suite announces with an insider’s whisper.  The subtle edge treatment, like the family silver, manages to shine, not shimmer.  The reception card is my favorite piece, am certain that the smart glint of it’s sterling trim won it pride of place on many a mantle.  I would have tucked it just so, to remind all who saw it: black tie, naturally.

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AA: For oceanfront nuptials at the storied Breakers in Palm Beach, this family with impeccable taste wanted to push their boundaries. How do you think these invitations (our largest, Empire size) strike a balance between boldness and refined taste?

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LM: Is there a request more fully aligned with this location?  A theatrical, larger than life, tropical aesthetic has defined Palm Beach from its beginning. Built in 1925, The Breakers tile roofed, Mediterranean Revival, Neo-Moorish stage set world defines Palm Beach.  From the shops of Worth Avenue, to The Everglades Club, from Doris Duke’s Mar-a-Lago to The Bath and Tennis Club, Palm Beach’s heart beats Lilly Pulitzer pink and acid green.  All this sumptuous extravagance walks a resort town  tight rope of good taste, tipping it’s hat to the staid conservatism of the East Coast cities from which America’s uber-posh winter resort draws its crowd of swells.

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The suite takes up this theme, playing in a key that all but glitters with gold.  The sheen of the tissue lined envelopes sets the tone.  This matte midas touch is echoed in the ink, a tone that harmonizes beautifully with the bold sweeping forms of the Bickham font.  Gleaming hand applied leaf shimmers, setting off precious and pains-takingly hand beveled edges and eased corners.  The blind engraved, marital monogram, is set apart.  Like an orchestra’s rest, the matte white silence the suite’s largest motif makes for a lily that is impeccably un-gilded.

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Spotlight on Charley King

Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles sat down with event planner Charley King of Bluebell Events and spoke about the endless beauty of Southern California and beyond.

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AA: Bluebell is such a lovely name for your business. Can you please tell us about its significance?

CK: Bluebell is the special name my father called me ever since I was a little girl. Ten years ago, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and when considering what to name my company, I wanted a name that would remind me of my father and honor him. Five years ago, my father passed away from the disease. Now, anytime anyone says Bluebell Events, it makes me smile as I think of him and how proud my father would have been.

 

AA: With a background in theatre and film, how have those talents carried over to your work as an event designer?

CK: It was the next, perfect, seamless transition as both professions are very similar. I approach every event as I would a piece of theatre.or film It has many important facets to consider: lighting, costumes, set, makeup, hair, the cast of characters, the arc of the storyline, and everything in between. The event must flow like a beautifully written play or musical and take the guests on a magical journey. When I was a performer on Broadway and London’s West End, I focused on my piece of the puzzle, the performance. Now, as an event planner, I act as the producer, the director and most importantly, the stage manager.

AA: You’re based in Southern California. What exciting new venues have come on-line and could you name a favorite hideaway that we might not know about?

CK: I am so lucky to live and work in a place where you can have an ocean backdrop, a mountain view, an elegant hotel, or in a rustic vineyard. There are so many incredible wedding venues and estates here and we are completely spoiled. My newest discoveries that I have fallen in love with for events are Big Daddy’s Antiques and Epona Estate. Big Daddy’s takes the vintage trend to a whole new level. Big Daddy’s is a retailer of one-of-a-kind antiques and reproductions from Europe, Asia, and North American markets. It is incredibly eclectic and a designer’s dream blank canvas to work with. Epona Estates on the other end of the scale is a privately owned 40 acre working horse ranch and world class vineyard. It is located in the heart of the Santa Monica mountains adjacent to the Malibu valley. Both these locations allow clients to let me design every single aspect of their wedding.

AA: This has been a crazy year with El Nino, not only for California, but for much of North America. Has it affected any of your wedding days and what last minute changes had to be made to insure a brilliant outcome?

CK: Fortunately, El Nino never really hit us as hard as they expected it to. We always have a Plan B in place for inclement weather anyway. I am fortunate to work with an incredible team of vendors who are able to create solutions at the last minute.

AA: Would you tell us about a client relationship that started out on the cool side but ended up warm and wonderful?

CK: Client relationships are extremely important to me. My couples become like family to me and I become like Mother Bear for them. From start to finish of the planning and beyond, I nurture an open, connected, comfortable relationship with my clients and their families. I can’t imagine planning an event for a client that starts out cool.

 

AA: What is a favorite destination you’ve designed for and where is a dream locale you’d love to create for but just haven’t had the opportunity to quite yet?

CK: I adored designing a wedding at Emmanuel College, a constituent college of Cambridge University in England. The architecture of the chapel and the University was absolutely striking. I also loved working in Hawaii. My dream locale is a snowy, winter wedding in Aspen. My earmuffs are waiting!

AA: Let’s begin with the end in mind: When the ball drops this next New Year’s Eve, what would you like to say about the year 2016?

CK: Every year, an unexpected destination or fabulous opportunity comes into my life. I would love to be able to hold up my glass of champagne and say, “Wow! That was a phenomenal experience that I will never forget.”

Spotlight on Jacin Fitzgerald

Dempsey & Carroll’s Kara Alexander sat down with event planner, Jacin Fitzgerald, to learn about her work, her love for fresh flowers, and her impressive social media presence. 

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KA: You once said, “I stopped searching the world for my purpose… Realized my true passion lies within the details of life and that I want to help others achieve their dream event.” Where were you when you had this epiphany and what were you doing that helped you come to this realization?

JF: There’s a long and short version to this question but I’ll try to keep it brief…I got my start in weddings just out of college, working for an oceanside venue in Newport, Rhode Island. From there I went on to work for Sailing World magazine, assisting and traveling for their national regatta series across the country, and then went on to move to Australia to work in Sydney as long as my visa would allow. Following Australia I traveled and visits New Zealand and Fiji, then came home and felt like I was starting all over again. I thought in order to be successful I had to work in a corporate job, so I got a job for an agency representing a pharmaceutical company and managed accounts for strategic marketing events across the country. While working here I felt like I still hadn’t met my purpose in life, and though I loved my colleagues and clients in the corporate gig, what I really missed was the creativity that came with weddings, the work I started with from the very beginning. Honestly I think my epiphany came when I suggested to a corporate client that we use blue napkins for their event to bring in their branding colors, and I was pretty much told “no one cares about the napkins, just get the right audience in the seats.” I realized I wanted that creative outlet back and started my company as a “side project” towards the end of 2009, and ended up resigning from my corporate job at the end of 2011. I haven’t looked back since.

KA: The average person might plan one wedding their entire life; at Jacin Fitzgerald Events you plan four per year, plus find the time to travel and co-edit for @travelinsiders! How do you choose which clients to take on? Is it a first come, first serve basis or do you spread them out to one per season?

JF: I don’t choose my clients – we choose each other. My consultation process is very much a two-way interview, we are getting to know each other and see if we might be a fit. I would hate for anyone to ever think I’m “choosing” anyone – once my four weddings are booked, I close up bookings for the year. It’s pretty simple actually.

As for Travel Insiders, I co-edit this project with a friend of mine, Abby Capalbo, and we literally manage this as an outlet to share our love of travel and places we’ve visited, or places we want to visit!

KA: As a planner who services weddings nationwide, what would you say is the biggest difference you see in weddings from each region?

JF: That’s so so hard to answer – I think every region has their differences for sure, but it’s so fun to bring those quintessential qualities to life in the design. New England weddings tend to have more of a nautical, coastal vibe and the season may end sooner than down South where the weather may be more temperate later into the year. California is amazing weather-wise and my East Coast clients getting married out West are always surprised at the lack of rain plans needed (though we obviously always have a plan B in place).

KA: I imagine your office and home are always flooded with the smell of fresh flowers, what are some tips and tricks you can share about floral arrangement and keeping flowers lasting longer?

JF: Best tip for keeping flowers fresh longest is so simple – trim the ends at a diagonal when you bring them home from the store (if they’re flat they may cut off water supply) and continually change out the water, re-trimming ends if needed.

KA: Aside from your website, you have such a huge social media presence! How have you gotten 42 thousand+ Instagram followers, 6300+ Twitter followers and 9700+ Facebook likes?

JF: Honestly I have been on social media since the beginning, and my online growth has been organic. I try really, really hard to be authentic both online and in person – when you meet me you’ll meet the same person you “see” online. That’s really important to me. I keep my personal life and work life very separate, too, and I think that’s key for me to maintain a professional “gallery” to showcase my work, with an occasional photo of our dog, Rhody, thrown in for good measure – he’s the best dog ever but we are a little biased :)

Real Wedding: Helen & Bryan

Real Wedding: Helen & Bryan

Old Lyme, Connecticut

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Lauren Sozmen of Loli Events has collaborated with Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles for several celebrations and this time the wedding invitations would be just as spectacular as those before.

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The ceremony was held at Old Lyme’s stately First Congregational Church after which festivities carried on into the night in and around a vast, glowing, flag-crowned tent. Guests would wander the grounds and skirt the water’s edges in proximity of where the fabled Connecticut River empties into the Long Island Sound.

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To set the tone, our airy Empire invitation, engraved in elegant Baron Gray ink with edges painted in emerald green on perfectly heavy cotton stock. An undeniably classic combination though with a spunky contemporary script font and vibrant painted edges, these invitations would be miles from staid.

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It may be the rigors of Soul Cycle during the week but, come the weekend, Helen and Bryan’s preference is to bicycle on scenic country roads. We created a new motif with two bikes that was used on the envelope of the save the date. Later, Lauren brilliantly adapted the motif for charming wooden swizzle sticks and amusing cocktail napkins.

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Congratulations, wonderful couple, Helen and Bryan!

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Lauren Sozmen, Loli Events

Photography by Shannen Natasha Weddings

 

Spotlight on Cristina Verger

Dempsey & Carroll’s Austin Ackles sat down with event planner Cristina Verger and spoke about her beginnings in Rome and her enormous success here in New York.

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AA: In just a few words, can you share with us the essence of Cristina Verger Event Planning & Production?

 

CV: The essence of Cristina Verger Event Planning & Production is to work with our clients in, not only meeting their expectations, but surpassing those expectations.

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AA: You are consistently busy. What are the top three reasons clients keep flocking your way?

 

CV: What I mostly hear from clients is that they find me to be: professional with incomparable industry knowledge; brutally honest (hopefully I am not shattering hearts); sense of style; they seem to enjoy the entire process while working with me. As one client recently told me “we know you are not going to let us have a bad wedding.” Most rewarding of all for me is to feel this mutual respect and to have my client’s confidence.

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AA: We recently worked with you on ceremony programs, menus, escort cards, and table numbers for a New York City wedding and a huge blizzard hit on the big day. Please tell us what ended up happening?

 

CV: This was definitely one for the books. On Saturday, Jan. 23rd, the actual snowstorm was much worse than predicted and turned into a “state of emergency” followed by the Mayor’s travel ban. With 50-80 mile per hour winds, almost two feet of snow fell within a few hours and I knew it was impossible to proceed with the wedding. Most of the guests had flown in from out of town and were housed between the Mandarin Oriental, the Essex house, and the Park Lane Hotels, while the wedding ceremony and reception were scheduled to take place at the Metropolitan Club. Even though all the venues were in close proximity, it was impossible to get anywhere with a travel ban in effect. In addition to which, all the professionals working on the wedding could not get to the venue. The wedding had to be cancelled.

As a wedding planner, I am not legally obliged to reschedule a wedding, only to produce and organize the wedding celebration for the day for which it is planned. Acts of God and major catastrophes, are exactly what they are. However, a wedding is a very special day in a “girl’s” life, a once in a life event, and I understand how terribly upsetting cancelling your wedding can be. It is a day to which everyone has looked forward to for almost a year, the buildup to this moment is incredible, and the letdown would be equally enormous. With this in mind, I offered to move the wedding to the next day, Sunday, January 24th. Once the bride and family agreed, I moved to make this happen. Not such an easy task. All had to be rearranged within a few hours and before the 2:30 pm start of the travel ban. (The decision to reschedule the wedding to the next day was made at 1 pm.) Of course, I had to reach every single person working on this wedding and ensure they would be available for the next day. My long standing working relationship with all the professionals involved was key in receiving full cooperation. Everyone worked very hard on rescheduling their lives and ensured that they were able to provide their services on Sunday. The Metropolitan Club was also excellent in reaching all their staff and rescheduling everyone for the next day. It was quite an experience to be out, driving in the snow storm. Every street had cars stuck and we had to go around vehicles, make sure we did not get stuck ourselves in the deep snow. My driver, Vito, was fantastic and committed. My assistant, Valentina, was a true trooper handling the bridal suite filled with bride and 15 bridesmaids, plus hair and makeup artists, the photographer, and more … I needed to make sure that she was able to get back home before the ban. In order to achieve all, I was the one that ended up driving around well into the travel ban. In fact, met by the police, and risking arrest, Vito was able to talk us into freedom.

The result was a fabulous wedding on Sunday the 24th and, in the bride’s words, “perfect!” Stressful? Definitely. But also exciting and the experience gave me another opportunity to “think out of the box,” which is what I do best.

 

An article about this wedding can be found here in The New York Times.

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AA: You’ve worked extensively all over the globe and are Italian born. What’s your favorite thing about working in Italy and what is your favorite thing about working in New York?

 

CV: Italy is where I was born and raised. It is an incredibly beautiful country with cities that are “open air” museums. When you walk through cities like Rome, Florence, Siena, and many others, you literally bump into major works of art casually placed throughout. Bernini sculptures and fountains adorn all of Rome, for instance. Working in Italy, anywhere in Italy, as the country is vastly varied in its offerings. From north to south it is completely different landscapes, food, wines, oil, cuisine. Even language changes since all the regions were actual countries not too long ago. To me, creating a wedding in Italy, for Americans, means bridging what we are used to experiencing at weddings here, but with the thrill of what Italy has to offer. Truly marrying the two cultures to bring out the best of both and, thereby, create a unique and memorable experience for all attending.

 

New York is a unique city, the energy of which is intoxicating! A NYC event is one that very few will not want to attend. I always tell my clients not to plan on a no-show when inviting guests to a NYC wedding as all, from anywhere in the world, will be eager to participate in a wedding celebration NYC Style!

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AA: If you’re planning a wedding for a client that wants to have a B-list, what is your advice to them?

 

CV: Just the other day, someone said to me that they found out they were a “B” list guest and were completely insulted. I am not a proponent of a “B” list for this exact reason.

 

AA: Is it a refreshing change to design a corporate event or do you prefer the flamboyance of private parties?

CV: Designing a corporate event can be very rewarding as often these are very lavish and have a very “business” approach to the entire process. But producing private parties and especially weddings, allows me to truly utilize all my skills and guide the bride through the minefield of options. Most brides have never planned such a large and important event as their wedding. They may have a vision but this vision is not quite clear. I can be a pivotal person in achieving and then surpassing their expectations.

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AA: If for some crazy reason you couldn’t be an event designer, what career could you see yourself totally immersed in?

 

CV: This is a tough question. I have always wanted to be in the hospitality industry, since I was a little girl. In Rome, my family owned and operated a hotel in the heart of the city. It was always my desire to, one day, operate the hotel myself. However, for many different reasons, at some point my family decided to sell the hotel and move to NYC. Though we no longer owned a hotel, when I was finished with my school, I went into the hotel business and from there began my career which ultimately led to starting my own business 15 years ago. I may still open my own hotel in the near future, but being an event producer and, particularly producing weddings, allows me to completely use my creative skills and realize wonderful settings for the brides who put their trust in me. It is fabulous to be part of such a momentous time in a couple’s life! To answer your question, there is nothing else I’d like to do. I am totally immersed in what I am doing now.

 

AA: Lastly, when you finally have time for yourself, what’s a favorite getaway?

 

CV: So many beautiful places to visit in the world! The end of this year I am planning on a trip, over Christmas and New Year’s, to Australia and the Fiji islands. Last summer, I spent the end of August (after my last wedding of the season) till mid-September, between the South of France and Milan. It was fabulous! Nice was great, and I love the Mediterranean. The difficulty is being able to plan much in advance as it always depends on the events I have in the works.

 

AA: Thanks so much, Cristina. You’ve been so much fun to work with!

 

Website: Cristina Verger Event Planning & Production