{Holiday Entertaining} Serve in Style

Beautifully display 3 colorful beverages of your choice in our elegant contemporary Trio Beverage Dispenser. Perfect for entertaining. Self-service through the spigot. Dispenser is made of glass. Exclusive to Z Gallerie. Glasses sold separately.

And who can't have glassware that is just to die for gorgeous from ZGallerie.com.

This Majestic glassware has a beautiful amber luster with exquisite detail painted on the stem. Its grand size and height makes an impressive statement for your table setting. $51.80 (set of 4)

Brighten up those dark and stormy holiday evenings with our dazzling Puccini glassware. The most common libations are transformed into festive drinks in these bright reflective metallic glasses. The intricately etched gold exterior is cleverly paired with a Silver interior, supported on a clear glass stem. $31.80 - 51.80 (sold in set of 4)

Beautiful amber colored glass interlaced with white gives this glassware collection unique character. $31.80 - 39.80 (sold in set of 4)

{Pro in the Know} Place Card vs. Escort Card

A frequent question that comes up often is ...
what is the difference between an escort card and a place card? ... and do I really need menus?

Escort Card:  These lovely cards are used to tell guests which table they are assigned to for the main reception.  Typically they are displayed in an area just outside or close to where the guests will be entering in and done in alphabetical order.  They should be alphabetically arranged in an area and could carry a cohesive theme with the rest of the decor.  For example, a beautiful floral centerpiece may sit in the center of the table and tent folded cards in color or theme matching cardstock will align around the arrangement.  The card usually states the guests name and "Table number ____ has been reserved in your honor."  Then the guests pick up this card and carry it with them to their assigned seats.

Get as creative as you wish when displaying the escort cards.  You can use fascinating ribbons and fabrics, mini picture frames, river rocks with calligraphy, miniature flower pots and more.  Think outside of the box on how to "wow" your guests by incorporating your personality.

Place Card: These beauties are actually displayed at the seat to where the guest is assigned and typically done when you have given your guest a meal option on your invitation reply card.  You also would have a seating chart available for your guests to note which table they are assigned to.  The place card is a bit more time consuming; however, it's very important for the catering staff to know which entree is being served to which guests.  It also can indicate if there is a food allergy or specific need for the guest such as a vegetarian meal.

Another opportunity for you to showcase your personality and flair.  Have fun matching your place cards to your decor and theme.  You can still use beautiful folded table tent style cards that match your stationery, but you can also get creative.  Color code them with big rhinestones for the staff to clearly see and don't forget you may be in a darker room.  Or you can find fun shapes of animals to indicate chicken, beef, fish or veggie options.

Menus: Menu cards are a fantastic way to personalize your celebration dinner and add to the decor elements.  Your guest feel as though they are sitting down at a private dinner in honor of the guests.  Even if the meal is pre-chosen for your guests, its a nice way to inform them of what is best yet to come. Better yet, if you are using food stations, it allows your guest to pre-plan ahead for what they will choose  when they go to serve themselves.

Photography by: April Green Photography (rock place card), BQ Photography (blue escort cards), Ivy Studios (pink escort card and menus), Weddings by Us (Tuscan place card)

{Pro in the Know} Table Linen Terms

When it comes to planning the details for your grand celebration, you should always consider the scheme of things and truly think about the big picture.  Linens can truly bring a room to life.  A lot of facilities already provide basic linens in typically white, ivory, black and some times brown. 


Here are some terms that will help you when looking into which linen option is right for you:


Classic Standard - This line offers the largest selection of colors and sizes and is the most economically priced it is the perfect solution for cost conscious budgets or, as coordinating linen to an overlay. If you are looking to add dramatic color and flair to your special event this is the way to go! 

Lamours -  Lamour is a smooth matte- satin fabric that lends a luxurious and polished appearance to you table. When you are the event planner, remember Lamour is the special event linen with a myriad of colors to reflect the feelings you are trying to reveal. From wedding linen to any party linen you can imagine, Lamours will present the sentiment you want the guests to experience.

Bichons and Bengalines - With the crinkled silk feel of Bichons and the luxuriously ribbed texture of Bengalines, these tablecloths, napkins and chair ties offer unusually rich color palettes to your table fashions and effortlessly become the party linens to have and showcase your special events!

Damasks and Brocades - Elegantly textured Damask and Brocades are sure to set your special event apart from the others, as you showcase that a tablecloth is not just a tablecloth, it’s a statement!

Pintuck - A very rich and elegant linen with a diamond shape grid pattern and gorgeous sheen.  Dresses up any table to an elegant, yet modern level.

Glitz and Glamour - With its wide array of fabrics that glisten and sparkle, this line will add sizzle to table linen and excitement to any event décor. Add that perfect party linen that will set your special event apart by adding that exceptional twinkle.

And one of the most important questions I get:


Lap Length Linen - If you are sitting at a table, this linen drapes over the top and comes down to just sit above your lap.  This is a great linen to use as an overlay over top of a floor length linen.  I don't recommend using it alone as you will see the table legs.


Floor Length Linen - If you are sitting at a table, this linen drapes over the top and comes all the way down to meet the floor.  


Linen descriptions and pictures provided by www.BBJLinen.com 

Haute & Tantalizing 3D Tablescape | Modern Autumn

This tablescape is a beautiful mixture of modern meets autumn. Yes, fall is quickly approaching, which so happens to be my favorite time of the year. With fall comes wonderful parties celebrating many occasions. This year, I want a fall table that is a bit more modern than the traditional coppers, browns, deep purples, so I created a concept utilizing beautiful black elements such a black and white satin linens and black glassware including the centerpieces and wine glasses. The centerpiece brings in the eye candy colors of plums and copper flowers, while the copper chargers tie it all nicely together. The floral vine invitation and stationery carries on the same floral element as the dinner plates.

Haute & Tantalizing 3D Tablescape | Garden Whimsey

Hosting a fun and whimsical garden theme party? This tablescape will be perfect for you. Invite your guests to your garden bash with beautiful lime and floral inspired invitations.

Create a beautiful centerpiece with carnation pomanders, drizzling crystals, and swirly candleholders sitting atop a bed of wheat grass. Your guests will enjoy the texture of the luxurious grasslike green linens. Personalize clear green plates with these adorable topiary name holders. And don't forget the oh so chic chameleon chairs that are sure to bring a smile to anyones face.

Haute & Tantalizing 3D Tablescape | Charcoal Trend

Charcoal and golden yellow bring the spin on the perfect modern celebration. It's hip, it's vibrant, and it's oh so modern! Tablescape your table with silver pintuck linens, white square china, blue cobalt glassware, and stainless napkin rings. Set your centerpiece with single yellow flowers of one kind like sunflowers, yellow carnations, or even tulips. Or use multiple yellow buds. Make a dramatic statement with matching yellow and grey metallic menu cards, invitations, and table numbers or place cards.

Haute & Tantalizing 3D Tablescape | Berry Chic Party

A beautiful zebra theme inspired tablescape that is rich in color and uber fun. Perfect for a sweet 16 party, bridal shower, or even super chic wedding reception. Introduce your guests to this fabulous theme with zebra and berry pink invitations. Once they arrive they will know they are in for a good time!

Haute & Tantalizing 3D Tablescape | Rustic Elegance

If there is one thing we love to do with our clients, it's to bring their thoughts and visions to life. Often times it's a challenge to sit down and pull everything from their minds and get it into raw, touchable form. But once you figure it out, it's a very rewarding challenge that we absolutely thrive off of.

However, in return, we are very creative visionaries ourselves with tend setting, creative, and innovative design concepts that live deep in mental libraries. Many times we can tell our visions to clients and the look on their face is priceless .... on one hand they have no clue what we just said, but on the other hand they are absolutely excited and love what we just said.

So we have to do is pull from within our minds to put them out onto paper and we do that through a simple 3D photo-realistic rendering. It's not always perfect and never the exact product, but it gives people a vision to enhance upon so they can give their feedback (good or bad). The end product comes out absolutely amazing because together our ideas, thoughts, likes and dislikes come together cohesively.

3D mock-ups are inspiring --- and you will get to spend this entire month watching many of them come to life through our "Haute & Tantalizing 3D Tablescape" series! Enjoy :)

EE Celebration | Tuscan Wedding {part 2}

A Very Talented Vendor Team:

Photography - One Fine Day 

Venue - Villa Siena

Planner - Meant2Be Events

Stationery / Details - The Event Essentials

Entertainment - SKM Entertainment

Flowers: Blume Events

Cake: Piece of Cake

Linens: BBJ Linen

EE Celebration | Tuscan Wedding {part 1}

Back in May, I was truly honored to be share collaborative design talents along side of a wonderful friend and very gifted planner, Regina from Meant2Be Events.  For this elegant and regal wedding, the bride, Candice, was very much into personalizing her details to showcase their personality as a couple. (So many details, it will take 2 days of posts) Nothing was left untouched or didn't go unnoticed.  At times, I even caught guests making comments about their excitement to see what element will come to life next.  It was a very warm, inviting, and eye appealing celebration filled with an over abundance of love (and rhinestones!) Candice and Kevin didn't stop smiling, laughing, dancing, and kissing all night.  As a vendor, it was a magical experience that will never be forgotten and their pure happiness was very contagious!  

Until tomorrow ... there will be more beautiful shots of this glamorous couple, their orchid chandelier ceremony, choreographed confetti filled first dance, blinged out cake, and more ... stay tuned!!

EE Celebration | Designer Damask Wedding

March makes for some of the most beautiful weddings here in Arizona and this one is no exception. Jenni was an absolutely radiant bride even though her entire bridal party was sick. Yes, her entire bridal party! But she's such a tough cookie that nothing took her smile away that day. It was an amazing celebration where her guests just didn't want to leave at the end of the night. Congratulations Jenni and John -- and Baby Tristan!! It was an honor to be a part of your incredible day! Thank you and many blessings your way. Oh and Happy first Birthday Baby T!!

Photography by the very talented Shelly Ivy Studios team

and photographer friends Bret Siegel and Lis Thurston 

EE Celebration | Posh Pink Wedding

Often times I am asked what came of the couple whose engagement was caught on film. You can catch me in a reply that they truly had their perfect wedding that she had dreamed of for years, and now I have pictures to prove it.  Congratulations Alicia and Nick!!  Your affair was amazing, elegant, and sincerely filled with many tears of joy.  I am forever thankful to be a part of your love filled affair and will forever treasure the memories -- and look forward to many more!! Can't wait to celebrate with your brand new home that you get to move into tomorrow!

For those of you who would like to revisit the engagement story - click here!

Photography by the very talented Shelly Ivy Studios team

and family photographer friends - Bret Siegel and Lis Thurston