Starting at the beginning, pulling together a vision. My first photoshoot - LOVED IT!

When the lovely ladies of New Orleans Weddings Magazine asked me if I wanted to design a tablescape for one of the issues coming up, I was over the moon excited. Of course I want to do a tablescape! A tablescape is an artistic arrangement of articles on a table (according to Wikipedia). So often as a planner I get to pull together your vision of your wedding. With my own tablescape I get to be creative and pull together my vision.

Like many events, there were central colors and a venue. That's where you start. I was given the colors coral, cream and gold and the Champagne Palace as my location. That's it....an open canvas, if you will, to pull together my vision in this awesome location with some gorgeous colors.

Who knew coral, cream and gold had so many options???!!! To narrow it down I went to my favorite color palette creating website to create my palette. I love playing with colors but narrowing it down was kind of hard. So I kept at it and below is the finished product. It doesn't have to be perfect, because just giving your florist and other vendors actual colors is a great help!

After getting my color palette together I then went straight to Pinterest to start my inspiration board! I looked up coral, cream and gold weddings, tables, decorations, etc. There was so much to see and use! But I fell in love with one in particular from Style Unveiled. Not the same exact colors or an even close on the setting, but I loved the inspiration!

So far I loved what I was seeing online and on my board. You can see more of the Inspiration board on my Pinterest board. I was beginning to see my vision....my tablescape. I then went on to see my venue - Champagne Palace. It is gorgeous and has a gorgeous courtyard.

 

After seeing the courtyard, we knew exactly where to do the shoot! But we also knew we wanted to bring in current trends like vintage style. And while vintage is in right now and the inspiration comes from a vintage style, I couldn't very well do a true vintage style in this setting. Champagne Palace is grand, gorgeous and lavish, and if I wanted vintage at all, it had to be subtle and in smaller ways. So I used bits and pieces. The multi-shaped and mercury vases and vessels added touches of vintage while the gold overlay, brooches, and gold lanterns provided the opulence to match the environment.

We loved the way things were coming together and we could see the coral, cream and gold as well as touches of vintage and opulence working together.





(LESSON ALERT: ALWAYS HAVE ALTERNATIVES AND PLAN Bs) When working an outside space, you have to be ready to adapt to what you have and what you can do. The day of our photoshoot it was raining....and rained for at least an hour.

We scouted Champagne Palace and knew we could move inside if we needed to. But luckily it stopped and we set up outside in the courtyard. When working with Event Rentals, it's important to know your "punch list." This is a list of items they will pull to deliver to your event and this is what will be on your contract. For this "event" or photoshoot we needed the following: drapery, poles to hang drapes, bases, chandelier, dinner settings, chairs, etc.

(LESSON ALERT: ALWAYS DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECK YOUR CONTRACTS EVEN IF YOU ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE VENDOR AND KNOW THEM. THE CONTRACT IS THE FINAL SAY ON WHAT IS ACTUALLY DELIVERED.) 



We created a Sweetheart table for our lovely hypothetical couple. And it was sweet! The table was set off and intimate by framing it in front of the fountain. Overhead, we used a crystal ball chandelier to enhance the intimacy by lowering the ‘ceiling' and creating its own space in the courtyard.

Keep an eye out in the future New Orleans Weddings Magazines for the finished tablescape as well as all the detailed shots of our tablescape by Oscar Rajo. I can't wait to see them! Thank you to the following vendors for working with me on this:

• Firefly Ambiance Candles & Decor
• Stationery Studio
• Grow With Us
• Event Rentals
• Sweet Life

This tablescape was planned and designed by It's Your Time Events. If you are interested in working with It's Your Time Events to plan and design your event, please contact Erin@It'sYourTimeEvents.com or call 985-234-9757.

Getting to know your vendors - Galvez Restaurant

I'm going to preface this by saying, I'm not a food critique. I am just me, and these are my opinions and thoughts on a nice visit I had getting to know one NOLA Vendor. 

Most people don't realize or know that Louisiana has a short but very strong Spanish history. People focus so much on our French and Creole background that our Spanish background gets lost. I mean, come on we have Spanish moss (is that Spanish?). But you can also see our Spanish heritage throughout the Quarter which has many buildings from Spanish era construction. And you can find, down Dutch Alley (where they have the bronze statues I love so much) a restaurant which touches on our Spanish heritage - Galvez Restaurant.

Galvez Restaurant on the river not only captures Louisiana's Spanish, French, and Creole heritage in the food it produces, but it also showcases great views of the river and city. 

Chef Laura Cedillo and Events Coordinator Tara Cartner welcomed me with open arms and a LOT of food. Originally from Ecuador, Chef Laura hails from NY restaurants. She buys all her food fresh and LOCAL. These two make a great pair!

Now, be prepared, I'm going to admit something here...Born and raised in NOLA and I'm a picky eater. I have never eaten ANY of these things before, including paella. But when the chef is cooking for YOU and you're an event coordinator who is supposed to be able to tell others about real experiences, I had to do it. And I have to say I liked it all. I ate muscles and scallops and shrimp and paella....and it was good. Nothing was overpowering or too spicy. It was all good and I savored all of it. And Chef Laura assures me they are very flexible and can do many more dishes including traditional NOLA dishes.

Just a little about the food:

Gambas al Ajillo- Gulf shrimp with toasted and roasted garlic, Spanish Chorizo cooked in white wine, chicken stock and oregano

Almejas o Mejillones a la Mariner - mussels and clams. Mussels are the Mejillones, and the clams are the Almejas. Cooked in white wine, sofrito, choriozo with fresh oregano

I wanted to take the bread and soup up all of the sauce!

Olives Bernardo- Named for our name sake, Bernardo de Galvez, these are Spanish green olives stuffed with Valdeon blue cheese wrapped in Serrano ham. One of my favorites

Vieras al Albariño- This was the scallops dish. 3 scallops seared and placed on top a garlic potato cake with asparagus, and topped with Albarino Buerre blanc, fried serrano ham, sauteed mushrooms and mint and pea pesto.

And the Paella Valenciana- Aborio rice flavored with saffron with chicken, fish, shrimp, mussels, Andouille sausage, Spanish Chorizo, green peas and hericot vers with roaste red peppers, served with house made jalepeno sauce.

Galvez Restaurant is located in the French Market. Dutch Alley and other areas of the French Market can be rented for events (which I am so excited to learn about!). Picture an event where you have rented out Dutch Ally with it's garden lights strung and Galvez Restaurant is catering. You can throw your bouquet from the balcony of Galvez and dance the night away with easy access to the Quarter and so much more. Tara has even been known to go down to Cafe du Monde to get beignets for passed desserts! I'm thinking I need to have an event in Dutch Alley with Galvez Restaurant!!!

This blog was done by It's Your Time Events in an effort to become more of a resource to brides and others looking to have events in New Orleans. If you are interested in having It's Your Time Events plan your big day (or any other event), please email erin@itsyourtimeevents.com or call us at 985-234-9757. 

Seeing things from a different perspective and learning from others

This post is long overdue.

When I started It's Your Time Events, I made a decision (and personal goal) to work with and learn from as many vendors as I possible so I could learn as much as possible. Knowing what vendors need and want can only help in making sure all of my events go smoothly from beginning to end, and ensures both my clients and the vendors I work with are happy in the end.

The first wedding I got to see from a different perspective was with Studio Vieux Carre for a wedding planned by Jennie Keller - Weddings in the City by Jennie Keller. Terry asked me to help in getting from one location to the other and with miscellaneous items along the way. It was a big night because they were a "same day edit."

Because it was a same day edit, Studio Vieux Carre worked like a well oiled machine that night. The week before Terry sent out a timeline with details outlining where we were all supposed to be and what we were all doing. I was supposed to get Terry from location to location (on time). I was a little nervous because I was working with THE Studio Vieux Carre and THE Terry Taravella! And I was also a little nervous because I knew this was a big event when Terry told me it was taking place at Club XLIV in Champion Square! 

We started by leaving the Hyatt and heading to Immaculate Conception. Turns out, there was a monster truck show that night too (so glad I was a little early and saw Jennie outside so I could park in front of the Hyatt). Lesson learned: know the other events happening around your locations so you can plan accordingly. The streets were a MESS that night! But Jennie handled the limos and parking spectacularly and I was able to get out and to Immaculate Conception on time and ready to support Terry and team!

We left Immaculate for Champion Square where I basically dropped Terry off in the street because of how busy the street were that night. I ran to catch up and right into the Second Line into the square! It was truly a sight to behold!  (you can see more of the reception sites on Brandon O'Neal Photography Blog)

I caught up with Terry and team and had one mission: gather cards for Joe to download and begin editing. Joe, Terry, Jeana, and Gary started the "event" by shooting the bride and groom getting ready, moving to the ceremony and then continuing onto the reception. During the reception, they continued to shoot while simultaneously one of them began downloading and editing. At this point, for a same day edit and for the Studio Vieux Carre team, it's important for the editor to be able to focus on the editing and not shooting. It's important for the editor to be able to focus. So I did what I could by running back and forth for Terry, Jeana and Gary and getting Joe drinks occasionally. It wasn't much but they said they appreciated it so I'll take that :)

Watching them, as a part of the videography team, I was able to see the videographer and photographer blend in with the crowd and how they are dedicated to capturing everything from big moments to the smallest of details. I was also able to see how they move with their audience and clients. (I especially loved how Brandon, the photographer, moved with people while they were dancing. He didn't ask them to stop or hold that pose. He moved with them...rocking back and forth.) It was seamless.

Being a part of this team showed me how all the pieces come together for one ultimate goal - the happiness of the client. Jennie Keller was the leader, or maestro, who took the lead, answered questions, and made sure participants, photographers, videographers, and behind the scenes vendors all knew what was going on and when it would happen so they could do what they needed to do. And Studio Vieux Carre's "same day edit" was their solo which they executed flawlessly. There were so many pieces and parts moving. All of these vendors worked together to make sure Emily and Ron were happy in the end. And I was honored to be there for it and to help in any way possible! Thank you Studio Vieux Carre!

To Look or Not to Look, that is the Question: First Looks

You've heard it before, the Groom is not supposed to see the Bride before the wedding. It's bad luck. It's a tradition. You can't do it. And while there is plenty to do to keep the bride and groom in their separate corners on the morning of the wedding, many couples feel this is an outdated tradition (including me). Honestly, my husband and I not only saw each other that morning, we ate breakfast together with some of our guests and we had a few moments alone exchanging gifts and it was absolutely perfect. There was no pressure or work to keep us hidden. We did exactly what we wanted. And so should you.

The superstition/tradition originated from a time when most marriages were arranged and grooms didn't know who he was marrying (I can't imagine this). Back then, there was a possibility he might take one look at her and run...deciding not to proceed with the marriage. So the parents took charge and said the first time he should see her is at the altar, thus placing more pressure on him to marry her (isn't there already enough pressure?).

Now-a-days many people agree this is an outdated tradition. Many people participate in the "First Look" and it has become a very special moment on a very busy day - the Wedding Day. The First Look is often coordinated with the photographer to find a somewhat secluded, intimate or private space where the couple can meet and see each other before the wedding ceremony. You'll see many pictures of the groom facing one way as his bride approaches from behind to greet him. Once they meet, they can share a moment in peace that can be beautifully captured by photo and film - First Look by Studio Vieux Carre. 

As a bride, this moment provided a chance to see my groom and look him in the eyes before all the crazy started. It allowed us to relax just a bit more. As a bride, it allowed me to take a quiet moment with my soon-to-be husband and just take in the moment. There was no rush to get pictures done between the ceremony and reception. There were no people wanting hugs or wanting to talk. It was just the two of us looking into each other eyes and taking in the moment. 

As a coordinator, this eases tension because the bride and groom are dressed, ready and in the same place well before the actual wedding; therefore they're less likely to have logistical issues arriving to the ceremony on time. 

By no means am I trying to convince any couple to do something they don’t feel comfortable with. If you're a traditional couple, go for it and wait until the ceremony? As I've said it before, it is YOUR day, so remember it the way you want.

As for me, I did it my way. I didn't care about tradition. I ate breakfast with my soon-to-be husband and enjoyed a moment or two with him again before the ceremony. I loved every minute of it. 

If you choose to do the first look, it's important to coordinate this with all vendors and parties involved - coordinator, photographer, and videographer. Do you want your parents or his parents to see? Mine watched from an area which allowed us our moment but still allowed them to take part in it from a distance.