Rocket Science Weddings and Events

Wanted to do a little entry on the Star Awards this year... as my two blog readers know, last year I was the Design & Decor Chair for the Star Awards and I loved it. Nothing like planning a party and awards celebration for party planners! This year since I was on the ISES Minneapolis/St. Paul board and had some other commitments, I didn't volunteer to work on the Star Awards, but I got to attend and enjoy it.

This year's theme was Steampunk - which I still don't have a good grasp on, but the party looked really cool! Sheree from Apres Party and Tent Rental was the Design & Decor Chair this year and she has such a unique eye and brilliant vision.

I was nominated in the Best Wedding category for two different weddings this year, and won with Jess & Paul's incredible wedding on Lake Minnetonka. I was even more honored that this wedding took home the Best ISES Team Effort award that I shared with Robin from D'Amico, Allison from Ultimate Events, Andrew with AV for You and Raed from Indulge & Bloom. It really took an enormous amount of effort from every single person involved to make this wedding happen.

Finally, I was asked to be a presenter for a few awards, which was really fun. Russell with Wisteria won for Best Table Top Design for a wedding we did together and I got to hand him the trophy.

Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the Star Awards and the 15th anniversary of the Minneapolis/St. Paul ISES chapter. So I am sure all the stops will be pulled for an epic event!

Here are a few photos from the party thanks to Katrina of Studio Laguna (who won for Best Wedding Photography)...

It is a touch ironic that I sponsored a signature drink that I couldn't even enjoy, but Gretchen with Gretchen Berry Design Co. (nominated for Best Graphic Design) assured me the "rocket fuel" was delicious.

Love this cute little centerpiece! What a great way to use a mum ball.

One of my favorite decor elements was this custom Paris bar done by Apres and Big Ink. Such an easy way to personalize an event with the bar front. And you know everyone needs something to look at while waiting for a drink.

Who are those good lookin' ladies?! Unfortunately Chowgirls didn't win this year, but it was fun hanging out with the Chowgirls crew. Hopefully next year they won't be just finalists, they will be winners!

Presenting the Best Design & Decor budget over $25,000 to Beth who was shocked to say the least that she won. Took her awhile to come to the podium to get her trophy and she was already on stage!

Here I am in my non-steampunk dress (no steampunk materinty section!) but steampunk hair accepting the award for Best Wedding.

Me and Laura with the Best Wedding trophy. I wouldn't be where I am without her support! Couldn't ask for a better friend and assistant.

The whole team accepting for Best Team Effort. The best part about this award? Being able to talk about Paul's balls. You want to know the story, I am happy to share!

I think a long time ago, when I blogged on a regular basis, I would put up single images from events that really spoke to me. I was doing a little cleaning in iPhoto and came across this shot and just knew I had to share it. Even after almost thre years is still one of my favorites! The look on John's face is exactly what every groom should feel during his ceremony, total and complete love and joy. In a bow tie.

Thanks to 1012 photo for this shot that still makes me smile.

So, my new thing is taking pictures via Instagram during the wedding day. Turns out, some of the shots are pretty good! I decided to compile all of my shots on to one "postcard" for the blog.

Katie and Nick, aka Lincoln Street Warriors, had such an amazing wedding yesterday. It was an honor to be there, Katie looked stunning and Nick, well... as handsome as Pitbull. Katie's attention to detail and impeccable taste could be seen everywhere, from the invitations she made with her mom to her dress and accessories, to everything!

Some of the great people who made it possible: The always beautiful Semple Mansion (doesn't get easier than working at my office), flowers by Rocket Science (Nancy you are the best!), catering by Russell's on the Lake, music by Rich Lewis Band and Bellagala (DJ Kris rocks the house), AV by AV For You, photography by Bellagala (can't wait to see the pro pics that Kim & Travis took!), and linens by Linen Effects.

At long last, Cylinder Thursday is back, and with gusto! Now, loyal reader, you may have a sense of deja vu when looking at this entry. I did indeed do an entry with an orange cylinder made like the cylinders you see here. However, I think this is worthy of its own post because here you can see the cylinders in action, and in TECHNICOLOR!

Tonight was a great open house at the Chowgirls' Parlor. They were celebrating getting their liquor license as well as the unveiling of this great, urban event space. The Parlor is perfect for parties of 40-60 people, who want an intimate art atmosphere. The art on the walls currently is by Chank Fonts, but a little bird told me the next show may feature the super talented Josie Lewis.

A lot of people put a lot of work in to making this party great, including: Connie Duglin Specialty Linens, 1012 photo, Sweets Bakeshop, Two Smart Cookies, Muddy Paws Cheesecake, and all the staff at Chowgirls.

There was a great turnout, it was fun (as always!) to chat with Katrina of Studio Laguna, Matt of The Traveling Photo Booth, Sally (and Maia) of La Vie Photography, and the Wedding Guys Matthew and Bruce.

Without further ado, here are some technicolor cylinders and some pictures of the party.

Yes, those are fuzzy fur linens (faux of course!).

This blue color was probably my favorite.

By the end of the night, the logo cookie was the only one left.

First off, I need to apologize for the quality of these photos. I really wanted a sweet all white tablescape to put these on and to have some amazing photographer like Becca Dilley shoot it, but all I have is my iPhone. (Someday I will have some client who wants to do a funky all-white wedding, and when I do, I will post nice pics of these cylinders then!)

Rice. A wedding staple, but not any more. Traditionally tossed (or hurled) at the newlyweds as the exit the church, this practice is all but banned these days. The poor birdies can't digest the rice and it kills them. Moreover, you don't want to get a piece of rice stuck in your false eyelashes or down your dress. I also have a huge flinching problem, so a whole line of people throwing rice at me would probably not be the best idea.

Here is a way to take a "wedding tradition" and make it new, rice cylinders! I used a small tea light in a metal casing, but you could use a votive or a small gas lamp (both burn longer than a tea light). The rice covers up the not pretty part of the candle so all you see is the flame.

White Rice CylinderThis is with flash, so you can see how cool the white looks.

Here we are without flash, so you can really see the glow of the candle, how romantic!

Here I put it against a white background, but it kind of just looks yellow. But at least you can see that even white on white, the rice has enough dimension to create a lot of visual impact.