A Week in the Life of a Wedding and Event Planner (and mother)

So, I've been thinking about what to write for this article and my thoughts keep going back to the running list of things I have to do in the next week (over and over and over and over...keeping me up all hours of the night even though I have it all carefully laid out on my calendar - ie. my cell phone calendar that is linked to iCloud and therefore may as well be tattoo'd on my forehead).

Sigh.

So, for those of you who are thinking of becoming a wedding and event planner, I hope this post won't scare you off (that certainly isn't my intention) BUT it is designed to give you a little bit of insight into what exactly you will be in for.  

A little background info: Over the next two weeks I have one wedding and one fundraiser (I've been working on this since December and it's almost here!  WooHoo!!!)  Plus, I won't mention the numerous phone calls and emails that I will field all week from upcoming bride's, vendors, fundraising personnel and potential clients.  

Today: 12:30 - Drop off gift bags for out of town guests at hotel in Midtown

             3pm - Confirm with all wedding vendors

             4pm - Complete wedding day timeline that was begun last week

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Into the Lights

(Stinger & Rock Pendant Lights from Jamie Harris Studio)As a designer, I’ve been lucky to see many beautiful, uniquely-designed furnishings, but I have always had a special partiality to light fixtures, especially hand-made blown glass lights.  Maybe it’s the sparkle; maybe it was that memorable trip to a glass blowing factory in Venice; or maybe I just hate the dark.  But I always gravitate to the lights first at any show or store. 

At this year’s Architectural Digest Home Design Show, there were several impressive designs of light fixtures.  Above are the pendant lights from Jamie Harris Studio. The narrow, tapering light is called the Stinger Pendant and the bubble shaped-ones are called the Rock Pendants. 

(Droplets, courtesy of Moshe Bursuker)Glass artist, Moshe Bursuker, started with sculptures of blown and cast glass and then incorporated his designs into platters and tiles.  He branched out to creating jewel-like pendant lights called Droplets, reminiscent of Moroccan hanging lamps.

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A Modern Wedding

Here is quite possibly one of my favorite weddings and favorite bride's ever!  I was lucky enough to get to work with her and the fabulous team that she put together to coordinate her wedding in Columbus Circle last July.  The bride is an interior designer and designed everything for the day, down to the pillows...loved them. The venue was overlooking Columbus Circle at the breathtaking Steelcase Design Studio.  The venue does not normally host weddings, however by the end, I was begging them to please consider it.  I would LOVE to show some of my bride's the space and the view!!

The day was perfect, the bride was beautiful and the groom very much in love...I'd say it was the loveliest of the lovely.

The photographer was the amazing Levi Stolove...I adore him.  He was sweet, easy to work with and best of all, his photographs were gorgeous! 

The flowers, the flowers, the flowers...I can't tell you how much I loved them!!  I especially loved the yellow Billy Buttons and they were a perfect fit for this modern New York wedding.  All florals were done by the talented Leeanne Rickey.  She was also an interior designer and had the most amazing eye...I am working with her again at the end of this month and I can't wait!

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Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2012

(Cabinet on Stand from Bart Niswonger)Whenever I visit the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, I make a beeline for the furniture displays. The AD show has everything a home design addict would love: artwork, furniture, lighting, tabletop displays, kitchen and bath – so much so that it can be overwhelming.  But furniture is the heart of every room so I love to check out the latest furniture lines from the big, established firms to the new work from the smaller furniture studios. 

Just as bold bright colors were the top trends in fashion, brilliant colors were also seen in many furniture designs.  The cabinet on a stand – seen above - from Bart Niswonger is a perfect example with its red-hot and yellow colors and floating yellow-green flowers.  Made of ash, cherry and cast urethane, the cabinet provides that pop of color and touch of unexpectedness to any interior.  Another whimsical piece is the ball side table.  Floating orange urethane tops the table as red balls pop out from its sides.

(Ball Side Table from Bart Niswonger)ThinkFabricate introduced their Not Your Mother’s furniture line - fun, trendy pieces for your home.  Below is the Skyline chest of drawers with a pink silhouette of Manhattan’s skyline decorating its front.  You can choose other colors and other silhouettes for further customization.

(Dresser from ThinkFabricate)For those who prefer their wood furniture to look like wood, the AD Show also offered incredibly crafted wood pieces.  BDDW introduced their Lake bookcase and Lake credenza made from a creamy-looking holly. Tyler Hays designed these pieces in quality hardwoods with hand-rubbed finishes. Their designs would complement any contemporary home.

(Lake low credenza from BDDW)

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Amazing Wedding Gowns...

Chiffon, sequins, beading, ball gown, sheath, cathedral length or mid-thigh...no matter what your style is the Spring 2012 collections have something to offer.  I have chosen four from each of my favorite designers to showcase.  For a more complete view of each designer please visit their website or Martha Stewart is featuring all the large (and not so large) bridal design houses Spring and Fall 2012 collections.  

Amsale - My wedding gown was Amsale...I adore her!

Ann Bowen

Badgley Mischka

 Marchesa - I am in love with Marchesa Bridal (and her non-bridal designs...gorgeous!!)

Monique Lhuillier

Reem Acra

Vera Wang

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For more information on Wedding and Event Planning, please visit our website at the Sheffield School.

Katie is the Wedding and Event Planning Student Advisor and owner of Sara Kate Events.