Happy Halloween!

Centerpieces for the party we did today.

And they light up!

Happy Halloween!!!

And the winners are...!

The winner of:

TullaBelles Memory Book: Hui Shan
Starbucks Gift Card: LaKendra, Affairs with Elegance
Dunkin Donuts Gift Card: Miss Meme

Please contact me at isha{at}ishafossevents{dot}com to claim your prizes!

Thanks for reading.

Carolyn & Josh

Carolyn and Josh were married at Foundry United Methodist Church! The bride designed every detail of this fun-filled event. She hand-painted the aisle runner and made the pew decorations! The wedding program was a playbill complete with bios on the 'cast' and a crossword puzzle.

The wedding reception, at the Granby Theater was a blast!


The fun included a popcorn bar and caricaturist!

All images: Hampton Roads Photography

Everyone had a great time. We worked with the bride for ten months and were thrilled to see everything come together just as she imagined. We wish the couple much joy and happiness!

Winner! Digital Camera Rental

By random selection, our third commenter Anonymous is the winner. Please contact us at
info{at}ishafossevents{dot}com to arrange collection of your prize! Thanks for participating.

Giveway: A Latte Pleasure

My name is Isha and I am a coffee addict. All kinds of coffee - from a gas station or fancy chain, but always hot, never cold. My favorite: Tall, Breve (half & half), Hazelnut Latte. Even my 4-year old can order it for me. I am not ashamed.


I can now enjoy my pastime with some style!

Love the insulated HipGrips from TullaBelles! They come in 10 different patterns and colors. Can anyone say "stocking stuffer".



Like this product? Enjoy the blog? Tell me about it and be entered for a chance to win a $10 gift card from Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts!

Giveaway: Only a few more days to win digital cameras (free rental) for your wedding!

Real Wedding: Lesley & Randy

Lesley & Randy were married at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Virginia Beach! Their wedding reception followed at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Everyone danced non-stop thanks to Roger Cruz of Astro DJ!

The wedding colors were sage and espresso. Isha Foss Events created centerpieces of Hydrangea, Siberian lilies, and Escimo roses in shades of white to ivory and paired it with Manzanita in espresso stained boxes. Hanging votives illuminated the tables.

Our own Tania Peace provided wedding day coordination. We all enjoyed working with this lovely family and wish them every happiness!

images: Veronica Dana Photography

Giveaway: Posh Presents

The only thing better than a great gift is a great gift, well presented. I was recently introduced to TullaBelles by way of an event swag bag. The version I received is the reverse of the one below and is destined to be my wedding day tote for years to come!

My bag also contained their cookie's "Nam's Bits" as well as a notebook, lolly, and key chain. I had to find out more about this company that made me feel like a kid on Christmas morn!

Turns out they have a wedding division Tulla "I do!" that makes posh gifts for wedding party and guest alike - you know I love guest bags! They also make this lovely keepsake book. So, in the spirit of giving back, I'd like to gift this to a Weddify reader! Just leave a comment about the products or our blog and we'll choose a winner randomly. Winner will be announced on October 30.

engage! 08:: the encore - Part II

I told you in a previous post about how valuable the engage! 08 symposium was but the swag wasn't bad either! I was thrilled to receive my beautiful tote chock full of products and goodies beautifully presented by TullaBelles!

... including engage! 08 logo cookie favors from Sweet Talk Boutique and an advance copy of Sylvia Weinstock's new book - due in November. It was a real Oprah moment when aproned helpers brought them out on carts ...

... followed by her new chocolates from Godiva! The tiny wedding cake shaped chocolates are packaged in a box bearing Sylvia's trademark glasses.

This was a really great experience. Events like this keep us on our game and illustrates how committed we are to education and excellence as part of a continuing effort to bring you the very best!

I've been tagged!

Lakendra of Affairs With Elegance recently tagged me on her blog:

Four things I did today:

1. Sent out timelines for upcoming weddings
2. Met with a prospective client
3. Ordered linens for an upcoming photo shoot
4. Made lots of follow-up calls for this weekend's wedding

Four things on my to-do list:

1. Blog, blog, blog
2. Finish brochure for a knitting conference
3. Confirm transportation for upcoming wedding
4. Return cake items from last Saturday's wedding
   

Four of my guiltiest pleasures:

1. US magazine
2. Starbuck's coffee
3. Nestle's Tollhouse cookies
4. ABC Wednesday night lineup

Four random facts:

1. I can't sleep when my husband or children are away
2. I've always wanted to be a dancer
3. I don't know how to whistle
4. I keep a pad and pencil next to my bed for when I wake in the night with wedding ideas

Giveaway! Digital Camera Rental

I was talking with the folks over at Photofest about their great idea of renting digital cameras for weddings! I love that the product is not wasteful, and therefore eco-friendly. Haven't heard about them? Here's the deal:

Photofest rents quality digital cameras for your wedding or event. You keep the cameras for up to seven days, so your guests can take shots of all your events - not just the wedding! The pics are then posted to your personal online gallery, so everyone can view them!



I think it's a great idea - what about you?! Leave a comment on our blog and you could win a rental for your event!* Some restrictions apply.

The company has graciously offered to share their product with a lucky Weddify reader!* All you have to do is leave a comment on your thoughts about the usefulness of this service and you could win a rental.

A winner will be chosen randomly and announced on October 29.

* Two weeks notice required for rental. Event location and shipping in U.S or Canada. Event must take place within 8 months of contest end. Winner must notify Isha Foss Events within one week of contest end or another winner will be chosen. Must comply with company rental terms and conditions.

engage! 08:: the encore - Part I

Last week I attended an amazing event for wedding professionals. The business symposium was presented by the knowledgeable and talented Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce of Engaging Concepts - consultants to the luxury wedding industry.

I wanted to let the experience soak in before writing about it, but there still are not enough words to explain all that this conference was. The speakers included Carley Roney & David Liu of the Knot, Sylvia Weinstock, Wedding Bee founder Bee Kim, and more! One highlight was an inspirational talk by Simon T. Bailey - and a copy of his book! There was swag-a-plenty (that's another post)! Simon gave us homework and accountability partners. Here are my tablemates:

Jackie Zumaeta and Nikki Lindgren of Reunion Resort
with Randy Fenoli (center), Fashion Director at Kleinfeld

But just as important was the time spent sharing with top-notch, like-minded wedding professionals from around the world. Space is extremely limited and the event sells out so put it on your calendar and book it as soon as dates are released for engage! 09.

The location was the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes.




Hope to see you there!

Words to Treasure

My favorite part of any wedding is the vows. Even more so when they are written by the couple. There is so much hope and potential at that moment.

In addition to holding them in your heart, it would be great to write your promises in a journal like a recent client. I loved her little notebook that she clung to. It was pretty, and special and she looked beautiful reading from it - as opposed to a crumpled paper.

I can only imagine how many times one might reflect on their vows. I am reminded at every wedding I am honored to attend. It would be lovely to have a keepsake.

I found all these on Etsy:

susanporteous

SpinachNPeace

MJADesigns
jwalkmagic

You could include all the readings and lyrics of songs from the wedding!

Real Wedding: Aisha & Huang (Tony)

Aisha & Tony were married at The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond. The ceremony was held in the Flagler Pavilion and was followed by an intimate reception at the Robins Tea House.

The bride was stunning and glamorous! We created her bouquet with Vendela roses, Cymbidium orchids, and mini Calla lilies. We collared it with copper leaves to pick up the tones of the event.

Tony was excited and calm at the same time. Here he is waiting with the officiant behind a stacked-stone wall at the pavilion.

Aisha loved the place card tree we created. We also added orchids - but I was too busy by then to take photos.

The groom created the menus and programs. Favors were personalized tins of tea!

Lucky guests received individual cakes from The Magic Cupboard!

Isha Foss Events provided wedding day management, event design, and florals. It was wonderful working with this laid-back, stylish couple!