Love is in the Air!

Last year, I participated in the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller's inaugural FREE Valentine's Day Wedding. The Clerk wanted to celebrate love in an economical way, allowing couples from all backgrounds to wed in a gorgeous setting without spending a small fortune. Vendors from the wedding industry volunteered their services including baked goods, photography, music, & DDE provided coordination for the brides & grooms plus a custom candy buffet. See more on this special day here!

Once again, I am delighted to participate in this event! We're expecting many more couples to get married this Valentine's Day and we can assume that this event will get bigger & better every year. For more information on this Sweetheart of a Deal, check out the Clerk's Website!

Happy {early} Valentine's Day!!

Inspiration Boards 101

Most of you have heard of inspiration boards and perhaps even the awesome site called Pinterest {and invitation only mega site for "pinning" pictures you find on websites onto one easy to find site}. Inspiration boards are a great resource for couples who are trying to rally in all of their ideas for their wedding (or new home kitchen, meal plans, vacation itinerary, etc.). Sites like Brides & The Knot deliver trends to the masses and gorgeous blogs like Snippet and Ink & Southern Weddings share unique ideas with tips on how to make those images come to life.

In short: Inspiration Boards can place the whole feel & vibe of your dream wedding onto one convenient page that you can share with all your vendors. This is the reason that DDE couples receive a lovely inspiration board from yours truly.

Well then, what's so special about Desiree Dawn Events Inspiration Boards?

1. Customized for you.
2. Subjective & Objective matter that's within your budget.
3. Seasonal & Local.

These are not generic boards that 100's of brides will be re-pinning and re-posting ~ they were made with a specific couple in mind, to project a specific emotion that is described by that couple. They are made for you.

In order to keep details hush-hush from my couples' guests, I've decided to only post boards from wedding dates gone past. And because I am so anxious to post some - I am doing so...right now! :)

Larissa + Eric

12.18.11

Rockledge & Indian Harbour Beach, FL

an excerpt from my follow-up email after our design meeting: So all that said, I feel like your likes and interests in daily life really associate well with your wedding ideas. You have an admiration for the tropics but also appreciate the sophistication of city life & enjoy the occasional preppy ski trip!!! perfectly combined in a Chic Florida Winter wedding: lots of whites, details of sparkle, and some very soft and understated pinks (very soft, Larissa!). I think it will really turn out lovely.

Black & White Gala Wedding

The Black & White Gala is something that I was inspired to do because of NYC - Sinatra, modern but classic, formal but not stuffy and definitely festive. The black and white flowers are called Anemones, aren't they just gorgeous? They bloom in the winter along with tulips. I would do lots of up lighting - see the soft amber/rosy colors on the walls? And the white tuxedo jacket - saw Eric wearing one on FB at some point and I thought, maybe he could wear black at the ceremony and have a 'party jacket' to change into? hey, if brides can have a reception dress, why can't grooms!?

Pink Champagne Fete



The Pink Champagne Fete was completely inspired by Larissa'a gown & the bridesmaid's gown - Eric, I wish I could show you! Light fabrics, soft pinks and pale golds - a little french, oui? Perhaps a little shabby chic, even! This would be a great selection, especially if the event is earlier in the day, with lots of sparkling wine, savory eats and sweet endings. I'd offer benches on the lawn for seating and create separate rooms with drapery to go along with the gala-feel. Floral decor could be simple; multiple varieties of single blooms in clear vases, staggered in height and countered by overly luscious bouquets.

 Burlap & Bling Soiree

The Burlap & Bling Soiree was a combination of your time in the islands and your lust for all that glitters is gold...understated, tropical, calming. I can definitely hear the calypso beats in the background. All of the white candles have bling accessories, even the simple chandelier was given some jewels! The light burlap adds some natural elements and the mercury glass ties in the gorgeous bridesmaid's gown. This is a great combo of how white, gold & silver can work together. Baby's breath is normally used as a filler flower, however, when it's bunched all together it creates a snow-like cloud - homage to your ski trips, engagement and nod to the winter season. Most of the lighting would be candlelight but we could add some string lights if need be, too. And I love the idea of using the poolside or lawn for outdoor seating.

I cannot wait to show you images from this wedding so you can see how we take these boards and make them come to life!

{several images humbly borrowed from Elizabeth Anne Designs, theknot.com, & renttherunway.com}

Sneak Peak: Jessica + Michael

more from this homemade wedding very soon! xoxo

Heather Claypool Photography - Kelly & Bryan

   As if you haven't seen enough from Kelly & Bryan's Earth Day Wedding in Key Largo...Heather Claypool just sent me some beautiful images that she captured. Much better than my amateur photos posted previously!

   I love how it feels like Heather is telling the story of this special day. The mother of the bride singing, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine" - Kelly is the youngest of 4, and the only girl. The groom danced with his mother and paid homage to their home state with Ray Charles' "Georgia On My Mind". Let's not forget the amazing steel drum band that broughtback Bob Marley from the grave with "One Love" as the recessional song.

The bride and groom were oh-so-eco-friendly in many ways. The bride borrowed her veil from a sister-in-law and the groom bought a suit that he will certainly wear again. All of the flowers for the reception decor were purchased from a local GreenMarket vendor and the delicious Bahamian style delights were all local and fresh. I have great pride in this wedding and my warm feelings towards this couple run deep. See how great they are, for yourself:

Congratulations to the MR. & MRS. !!!

Happy Anniversary to Tracy & Stephen!!

One year ago today, I was in Palm Bay Florida, watching two people commit forever to one another at a beautiful waterfront backyard wedding. The bride's uncle officiated the intimate ceremony while her three children participated in a sand ceremony where the groom not only committed to the bride, but also to those kids. It was a tear jerker, for sure! A friend of the groom DJ'd while aunt's and uncle's bar tended and catered, serving delicious signature sweet tea cocktails & chicken marsala that was to-die-for! It was, in the truest sense, a family affair. Did I mention that the venue was at the bride's parent's home? It sure was!

Here are some details from that special day and once again,

Congratulations to Stephen & Tracy!

thanks to Henk Prinsloo Photography for all of these images!

Just one more...

I just love this shot of Bryan and Kelly from their Auburndale celebration!

Since a lot of guests couldn't make the long trip to Key Largo for the ceremony and reception,

 the newlyweds decided to don their wedding duds once again

and enjoy a hometown soire`with family and close friends.

thanks to Marti Newkirk for this photo

Congratulations to the Bride & Groom...and Go Gators!

More from Bryan and Kelly's Key Largo Wedding

I have a friend who has a sister who is a photographer...in Ohio! Guess who got to come down to the Keys and capture this gorgeous wedding?

Please check out Heather Claypool Photography for a sneak preview and get her spin on the big day.

Heather also put together this amazing SLIDESHOW for K&B to send to all their family! What an awesome keepsake that they can share with everyone...

Congratulations to Bryan & Kelly Rogers!

This past Friday, which happened to be Earth Day, I watched a beautiful wedding unfold and turn into a celebration that will be talked about for a long time.

Just before sunset on a peninsula that jutted into the beautiful waters of Key Largo, Kelly Chevalier & Bryan Rogers exchanged simple vows and promised to love each other forever...even during college football season (he's a Bulldog & she's a Gator). A friend of the Roger's family offered his house as a backdrop for this marriage celebration and it proved to be a perfectly tropical location that gaveway to soft breezes and gorgeous sunsets.

So many special touches made this day unique; hand picked seashells from the Mother of the Bride, a full steel drum band that truly set the mood, and delicious signature Keylime Margarita cocktails to quench the thirst of the 80 or so guests.

I was delighted to be a part of such a terrific day and I wish the bride and groom a lifetime of memories filled with love and laughter! Enjoy St. Lucia!

Special Vendor Details:

Venue: Friend's Home in Key Largo, FL mm 95

Catering/Rentals: Debbie at Islamorada Weddings

Music: Dexter with Pan Paradise

Truly Eco-Friendly

Valentine's Day is the official launch of wedding season.

It's the start of Spring, warmer weather, and the birds and bees display their affections for one another.

And so do the couples!

On Monday, February 14th, I was blessed enough to see 46 people exchange wedding vows in an intimate ceremony hosted by Sharon Bock and held on the beautiful grounds of the National Croquet Center.

Sharon wanted to give these couples the opportunity to have a "dream wedding" for free!

This is truly economically friendly.

I provided a massive Valentine's Candy Buffet and there were cupcakes and champaigne, as well! The brides and grooms varied in ages and wore everything from wedding gowns to sundresses, tuxes to jeans. All the brides were given a rose to carry and the happy couples enjoyed music, sweets, and drinks.

 It was adorable!

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this event

and I cannot wait to work with the Clerk of Palm Beach County next year!

Desiree (me!), Sandy - director of events at NCC, David - GM, Sharon Bock - WPB Clerk & Comptroller, Scott - catering manager

  

  

Aren't the happy couples just as sweet as pie??? I pray they are blessed in their marriage for many years!

So...23 weddings all at the same time...pretty eco-friendly, huh?