Only You Can Prevent Fire Hazards

We like to keep ol' Smokey the Bear's tag line in mind when creating an event, but we've tweaked it a bit. "Only good planners can prevent event hazards."
From flameless luminaries in a variety of sizes, to these new bamboo tiki torches from Fortune Products Inc., fire hazards are easily mitigated. Just use batteries and LEDs because event planners know who wins when we battle the wind. Check out the bamboo tiki torches! These handcrafted high-quality bamboo torches break down into three pieces. That will keep shipping costs low for a destination wedding or out of town event. Boasting an instant, easy set up, these torches run about 20 or so hours on two AA batteries.

We intended to keep this post about types of event hazards, but that's not going to happen!  Just fell in love with Fortune Products Inc's Fairy Berries.  We know it might be a weird name but these little delightful "berries" can create a fantasy-like feel for an event.  Fairy Berries are round balls that produce a "moving firefly or fairy-light effect that is absolutely unique," according to the company's website.  Each tiny (3/4 inch) clear ball has a white LED light that fades slowly on and off.  Even better?  We can put these little gems in trees or hang them from just about anywhere because each ball has a recessed hook.     

Let's get back to the part about event hazards for a second.  What could go wrong with Fairy Berries?  Nothing unless small children pick 'em up before the parent gently explains to the child that they shouldn't put these in their mouths.  Also, watch out for Grandma with the bad hip and poor eye sight.  Keeping these Fairy Berries, electrical cords, in a concentrated location, might prevent her from accidentally slipping on one.  Oopsie!  Also, be courteous to the event venue's staff, especially when you use a public park or other locale...if after an event, the location goes back to "open to the public," be sure to clean up.  You don't want to be responsible for a pup getting a hold of flower petals (some are poisonous for animals) and since you can recycle decor items, be sure to retrieve them. 

Perhaps Opulence Isn't Out

This is ahhhhmazing. The house of Mouse, ahem that's Disneyland, kicked off a couple's "happily ever after" in regal shades of purple.

The Freeloaders Rockin' on Folly Beach

What are you doing this weekend?  If you're in or near Charleston, SC get yourself down to Folly Beach's favorite dive bar, Snapper Jack's for live music from The Freeloaders.  The funk starts around 10:00pm on Saturday, July 23rd.

Listen here: http://www.reverbnation.com/freeloaders

What is Pinterest?

Heard of this site yet y'all? If not, head over to www.pinterest.com and request an invitation. Have oodles stored in your "Favorites"? Even if you think it's organized perfectly (by folders, no doubt), your system is about to be trumped with Pinterest's oh so fabulous, user-friendly, super visual twist! Pinterest allows you to bookmark and share your latest loves from the web in one spot and includes a function for followers or following! You know the girlfriend you have with impeccable taste? Right, the one who finds the coolest prints or sweetest antiques? If she's on Pinterest, you can follow her.

Pinterest is a basically an online design board. When you start an account, you're set up with default boards and allowed to "pin" websites or upload images to the respective boards. For example, I have a board called "Gadgets and Tech" and it includes neat little tech-y products I've had my eye on and another for "Quotables" which features prints of funny or favorite quotes.

Will I keep ripping pages out of magazines? Most likely, but I'll use this new tool too! Sniff, sniff that's not from Calvin Klein....but we smell an obsession with Pinterest coming your way!

My current favorite to follow is my lovely friend Jill, check out her taste and see what you think: http://pinterest.com/jtennant81/.

Special Events Magazine Article

We love reading Special Events Magazine!  I especially enjoyed the May/June 2011 issue and the article about "What's Big in Big-City Weddings" from SE's On Trend section. Sacks Production, a Los Angeles-based event planning company, is known for catering to the design desires and whims of celebs like Khloe Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez.  What does the company's president have to say?  Just what we've been thinking! She says she is seeing clients "go with a natural feeling instead of a pave look." Instead of opulence, opt for creating a feeling or a mood--guests will appreciate your attention to their comfort.  Traditional receptions are going by the wayside in favor of more parties, more fun and we don't dare say less glamour, but perhaps less glitz and manufactured elegance.   

Our other fave takeaway from this piece?  "October is the new June," according to Sarah Pease at Brilliant Event Planning in NYC.  Sweating through seersucker isn't just commonplace in the Southeast, brides and grooms nationwide are realizing sweatstains stink.  We say, bring on those October and November color-palattes. Hooray! 

InspireMeBaby.com

No, we didn't catch baby fever, but when you look at this site...it is kind of hard not let out an audible "awwww" or two! When we find a lovely website with a neat purpose, we can't help but share it. Check out inspiremebaby.com. The site's creator publishes articles and links to inspire newborn, child and family photogs the world over!

Xiapeng Li and Angel's Wedding Video "Just Haven't Met You Yet"

Thank you Style Me Pretty for this awesome wedding video! PS, the groom is none other than Chinese gymnast and gold medal winner Xiapeng Li. Make sure you mute our music before you watch--the magic is in the music!

Angel & Xiaopeng's Rock 'n Roll Same Day Edit from Pelican Hill from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.