Buccaneer Bash

This pirate themed Halloween party was so much fun to plan and execute. Take a look at some of the highlights of the evening!

The kitchen was completely covered with cardboard painted to look like wood plank and completed with lit portholes. Outside, a 14 foot row boat was used as the bar.





A picture of some of the guests taken early in the evening at the captain's dinner table.









Guests were encouraged to come dressed in theme and boy did they ever!





Treasure was compiled of vintage pearls from Ebay, silver candlesticks and trays from Goodwill, plastic coins, costume rings, as well as bottles and rocks spray painted gold. Once it got dark, the lights inside the chest allowed it to glow from afar.



The largest decoration of the evening was this 60 foot pirate ship I built along the pool wall. Complete with eight cannons, buoys, ladders, anchor, and 42 foot masts with pirate flags flying.

Paris Meets India Wedding

Brides usually have a good idea of what they want their theme to be and it was no different in this case. This couple had their heart set on Paris meets India so I designed the event around bold jewel tones, tons of candlelight, french and indian accessories, and travel.







The room was huge and the ceilings were over 20 feet tall so we needed to break of the space with color. Five different tablecloths were used in varying textures to help create a fluid space.





Each table had mismatched candles, flowers, and centerpiece to keep with the combination of all the elements, essentially creating a series of unique spaces.





Wicked Fairytale Party

When you are given a theme as varied as Fairytales, t allows the imagination to soar. I must admit, I spent hours  re-reading all my favorite tales and some I had never read. Then I took pencil to paper and started sketching some of what you'll see here.



I had forgotten that Pinnochio  got caged at some point in the story but as soon as I read that paragraph, I HAD to find him and a cage!







What fairytale theme would be complete without a castle facade and Rapunzel's hair falling down from the tower?





I was a little worried about recreating the princess and the pea bed but I think the air mattresses worked nicely. I only wish there had been more money in the budget to have made an extra large quilt to flow over the entire eight foot mound.

 

The Mad Hatter Tea Party looked amazing at night with all the small lamps, mismatched shades, and baubles on the table but the evening shots did not allow for any of the detail. In these daytime photos, you can see the chargers with clock inlays, books bound by velvet belts, antique typewriters and more!





Country Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception

We live in the South therefore a lot of brides want to throw Rehearsal dinners that showcase the best the South has to offer including sweet tea, peach pie, grits, and low country boil.





The combination of antique lace, burlap, and mason jars are perfect for any country gathering!



Printed garlands hanging on twine were showcased throughout the house with all the images that inspired the wedding design.







A fire pit surrounded by hay bales with warm blankets was the perfect socializing spot of the evening, unless you were standing over at the oyster shucking station!



Twisted Circus Party

Come one! Come all! This was a small Halloween party I threw together many moons ago and that I am looking forward to revamping soon. Let's take a look...



The invitation was designed by an artist from Deviant Art in which I gave him pics of our costumes and told him to make the invite look and read like a circus poster. I was thrilled with the final product!



The front door can be tricky for a circus theme. I went back and forth about a big top tent or a ticket booth but eventually settled on layered drapes tied back with tassles and this 'You must be this tall to enter sign'. Once the red lights shined on it at night, it was just creepy enough for me to love it.





There are tons of cheap cardboard concession stand ideas on the internet but I wanted to cover this 8 foot long by 5 foot tall space over the island completely. I set my sights on designing this sheet, complete with roll up ordering window, menu, and lighted top. Once I added the hanging strands of cotton candy and chips down the side as well as caramel corn and swirled lollipops, it became most party-goers favorite spot.



Every circus has a gypsy camp and mine was no different. Multiple tents were set up around the fire pit with wash lines of bright colored clothes and accessories. Multi-colored chairs were added with miscellaneous music instruments and circus props to complete the look.



 

On the way out the door, everyone passed this wine bench with a sign instructing them to take a bottle when they go, each recovered with these custom wine labels by Mike Maihack.




Beer labels by Mike Maihack as well.

Marie Antionette Bridal Shower

What could be more girls then the Queen of France and her love of all fashion? Guests were sent invites instructing them to ignore the bridal registry and purchase the bride accessories instead. Then they were told NOT to wrap their gifts as the gift themselves were being used as the decor. When they arrived, they were given custom made gift tags to sign their name and attach to the item before it was put on display.


Mannequins were dressed throughout the room in lingerie, boas, and necklaces. A repurposed fireplace screen was used to hand necklaces and earrings from and tea cups with saucers held bracelets and rings. Several mannequin heads were spray painted the theme colored and dressed with wigs for any hair flair to be attached and I had to play with the 'Off with your head' idea as well.





Custom made wine labels replaced the originals and vintage tea servers were used to display jewelry and give the table some height.





The dessert was completely about 'Let them eat cake!' Mini eclairs, cupcakes, cream puffs, and multiple cakes filled the table in bright frosting. Hat boxes, eiffel towers, mercury glass goblets, and even a pair of high heeled shoes helped give the table a sense of indulgence.





At the end of the day, all the guests grabbed accessories off the tables and decorated the bride to be with as much bling as possible. I would say that she was thrilled at the final product!