[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]My mother was a bridal seamstress for many years. Growing up with her artistry and magical hands that could literally make anything (i.e., clothes, food, whatever!) leaves a huge impression on a girl. We used to make clothes together all the time. I literally had my own fashion design shop in my parents basement. My mother and I would shop for material in NYC, come home and make an outfit. It was the coolest thing!
Needless to say, I was very spoiled when it came to Halloween costumes. My parents never once bought a costume from the store. They believed in using all the resources around you first, so we always made our costumes. Mom would mostly sew them for us, but being part of that creative process was always so much. It’s definitely why I love Halloween so much.
This year, in the spirit of one of my favorite holidays, we’re throwing it back to one of my favorite dessert tables. This one took a lot of work and a lot of details. Our client hosted a big Halloween party in their home and we were in charge of the decor and dessert. Spooky and scary was the theme, but delicious and convenient was also part of the goal.
When it comes to ridiculous and over the top dessert tables, you must have an amazing baker that can see your vision. We love working with Sugarush in Red Bank, NJ. They are always up for our crazy ideas. This time we had ghost, mummy and pumpkin cake pops! They were so perfectly made and simply delicious. We also added some spooky cupcakes, eye gum balls, taffy for color and various sugar cookies.
We also designed a Witches Brew Bar station equipped with a cauldron filled with dry ice to give that creepy design element. It came together in such a fun way. We definitely had Hocus Pocus playing in our minds when we designed it.
We wanted to create a creepy atmosphere in the home as well. This is wear draping and uplighting is very important. We also had little shadow bats in the background of the draping as well. Can you see them? But, the creepiest aspect of all was the dry ice. This photo in particular had us a little shook up. Do you see the face in the smoke?
You can take a look at the full gallery of photos below. What’s your favorite Halloween tradition? Leave comments below! Happy Halloween!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]NYC Bridal Fashion Week is so glamorous and exciting. This year took place from October 4 through October 7, 2018. I love all the new looks that come around. I love seeing what is ahead in fashion, so I can give my clients choices to what best suits their needs and wants.
Years before I was able to attend and style bridal fashion week events, I was working the law firm life in midtown. But, every fashion week would get me very excited since the shows took place very close to my job at Bryant Park. It’s always exciting when NYC Fashion Week is happening because you never know who you will bump into. Literally.
For me, one afternoon, I was walking by Bryant Park, while texting on my phone, when I noticed a bunch of people simply standing near the sidewalk to my left. I thought it was odd and kept walking straight ahead. I was rushing back to work after lunch in the park. All of a sudden, I bumped into a woman. I was so shocked because I almost took her out flat while she was stepping out of her car. I was mortified and embarrassed because I was not paying attention.
I apologized profusely as she grabbed on to me to stay steady. The people around her gathered around and were very concerned. She laughed and said it was fine and she was an amazing sport. I apologized some more and all she said, “Oh, sweetie. It’s fine. It’s NY. It happens. Are you OK?” I nodded yes and I was appreciative of her grace. I wished her an awesome day and went on my merry way.
As I walked away, I noticed while I was talking to her all these lights were flashing. But, I also felt the woman I bumped into was very familiar to me.
As I turned around, I saw her posing for photos. Those people on the sidewalk were the paparazzi and I almost took out a celebrity.
It was Tyra Banks.
Yeah. I’m still not over it. But, she was such a peach. If I ever bump into her next time, I’ll take a photo. Who knows – maybe I was on Page Six that week anyways.
But, now, my work day is a bit more serene as I look outside bay windows in New Jersey and see lots of grass. No more texting while walking either.
My schedule was a little crazy this October, so I could not make it to any shows for NYC Bridal Fashion Week 2018. I still watched on the sidelines. (Thank you, internet!)
Anyways, without further ado, here are my top picks during Fashion Bridal Week October 2018 in NYC. These picks showcase some of my favorite designs for 2019 so be sure to be on the lookout for all the trends this coming year.
Which one is your favorite? Comment below.
(Special thanks to Phillip Van Nostrand for his beautiful photos of the BHLDN gowns.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Classic Elegance” title_align=”separator_align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_image_grid img_size=”medium_large” excerpt=”true” excerpt_type=”description” image_ids=”1298,1299,1300,1302″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Romantic” title_align=”separator_align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_image_grid img_size=”medium_large” excerpt=”true” excerpt_type=”description” image_ids=”1303,1304,1305″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Sexy” title_align=”separator_align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_image_grid img_size=”medium_large” excerpt=”true” excerpt_type=”description” image_ids=”1309,1307,1308″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Boho Chic” title_align=”separator_align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_image_grid img_size=”medium_large” excerpt=”true” excerpt_type=”description” image_ids=”1311,1312″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Modern & Flirty” title_align=”separator_align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_image_grid img_size=”medium_large” excerpt=”true” excerpt_type=”description” image_ids=”1317,1314,1315,1318″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Make an Entrance” title_align=”separator_align_left”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcex_image_grid img_size=”medium_large” excerpt=”true” excerpt_type=”description” image_ids=”1323,1321,1322,1320″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Growing up, I was consistently surrounded by family. We’re not talking 1 or 2 cousins, we’re talking 22 first cousins. So, a traditional Sunday dinner, would mean a packed house. Within those times, I reveled in helping my Mother set the table, making sure the napkins were folded just right, polishing down the silverware. We weren’t the richest family in the world, but boy did my Mother cherish her fancy dishes and so did I! Planning parties is literally in my blood. When it finally came to plan my wedding, I suddenly had all of this stuff to do while working 55-60 hours a week. How was I going to do it all?
A little back story. I met my husband in May of 2010. It’s my favorite story ever. Serendipity at it’s finest. He attended one of my non-profit events via The Croatians of New York & Los Angeles (CNYLA) in California. He checked in for the event with a friend of mine, but I didn’t remember officially meeting him until around 1:00 AM when my day of work ended. This is where he forgets we “officially” met, but it sparked something that continues to give me goosebumps: all his best friends in Los Angeles were from my father’s village in Croatia. It was nothing less than meant to be.
A few Facebook messages, a 4-hour phone call later, we were both feeling all the tingles. After racking up some miles flying from coast-to-coast, flash forward to 2011, when he proposed under the LOVE sign in NYC. We had dinner afterwards in the cheese refrigerator of Artisanal where all my love (and fromage) dreams became true.
Engaged and, oh, so young! Who are these crazy kids? Photo by Endless Wave Studios.
What this meant for me was that I get to plan another party. Woohoo! I already helped a few friends plan their weddings, a few bridal showers and I planned marketing events at my job, so this was going to be easy peasy. But, this time, it was MY wedding. Oh, shit. The bar has now been raised. The amount of overwhelm that came over me is exhausting to think about even now.
My then fiancé, now husband, really wanted me to relax for my wedding. He knew how I was during events for work and for my side-hustle, always thinking ahead and making sure things went right. He wanted me to be in the moment for ourselves. It was hard for me to let go of the reigns, but I did. We searched high and low and our photographer recommended an event planner. We met, we chatted, we signed the contract.
Phew. That was simple. I let her know my high expectations since I was in the event industry and that logistics played a huge role in the day of events. I dotted all my i’s and crossed all my t’s. I had an entire dessert bar map delivered and ready to go at Clarks Landing Yacht Club. I had a CD of music ready for the ceremony. All payments were made. Everything was ready to go.
It was the best day of my life. My husband and I repeated to each other consistently that nothing was going to ruin our day, not even rain. As long as we ended up married, that’s all that mattered. Our mantra of the day stayed with us and it really did make a huge difference.
Our serious face at Clarks Landing Yacht Club. Best cocktail hour ever! Photo by Endless Wave Studios.
Wedding days are hectic, and things go wrong. My wedding planner didn’t turn out the way I expected, but it was a blessing in disguise: it pushed me to go into business for myself. I never want ANYONE to feel the way my wedding planner made me feel on my wedding day. Not to mention bringing me to tears on my honeymoon with her words after the wedding too.
Years later, what I realized is that we were not a match. We were never a match. I wish someone was there to tell me, “Hey, Diane, you need to connect with your vendors. They need to understand you and your vision. They need to communicate with you. They need make you feel safe.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t have that. I felt alone in the process, aside from family and friends.
In the long run, it doesn’t matter. It was still the best day ever and I had wonderful vendors that saved the day. (Here’s looking at you Don at Clarks Landing Yacht Club and Greg from Endless Wave Studios!) Not to mention how our friends and family all came together and solved some big issues within minutes, by simply making a couple of extra phone calls that my wedding planner did not have the capacity to do.
All my Jersey Shore Wedding dreams come true at Clarks Landing Yacht Club. Photo by Endless Wave Studios.
Going the extra mile. Not being afraid of the unknowns. Thinking on the fly. Having a community of vendors to help. Those were my expectations.
This is what I vow to give my clients. I am your insurance policy of happy. Things may go wrong on your wedding day. Or, they may go perfectly. Either which way, I’ll be there to fix anything that comes in the way of your amazing day.
And, now? I have the utmost honor of being on the Best of The Best List at Clarks Landing Yacht Club. How cool is that!? I got married there and now I get to give back in the same place that my marriage started.
Do you have goosebumps after reading this? If you do, I’d say we’re a match. <3
Hello! I’m Diane. I’m excited to meet you and give you the confidence to make big choices, empower you to stay focused and create a wedding day full of love, fun and unique design. This is where I share my latest designs and advice for couples like you. Everyone deserves the best day ever. Time to pop the champagne, plan and celebrate!
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