Cans for Comments - LAST REMINDER!!

This is the official LAST reminder to take part in our Cans for Comments program! We will be counting comments until midnight on (Yikes!) Halloween, October 31. Please keep those comments coming! For each comment made on any blog post, we will donate one can in your honor to Tampa Metropolitan Ministries. Our current count is, 50 comments = 50 cans! Our goal is 78, doubling our Cans for Comments results from earlier this year.

So, please continue to comment, comment, comment, and help others! Thank you!!!!

Image courtesy of http://www.wishspecialevents.com/.

A Weekly Dose of Inspiration!

My apologies for the late weekly dose of inspiration. Were you having withdrawals? :) I must admit that we 'borrowed' our inspiration from one of our favorite TV shows, Project Runway, by choosing a locale to inspire us.

The gorgeous, picturesque Isle of Capri has made it's way onto our blog! I am so proud to say that I have been here and it is truly unbelievable! Capri is a combination of gardens, high style shops, historic architecture, and of course, the Mediterranean Sea! The natural, rustic atmosphere influences the laid back, quiet attitude of the locals. Numerous celebrities own homes there, and use the island to 'get away from it all.' Big names, like Prada, Gucci, and Chanel, have all set up shop there, bringing luxury to this beautiful island. Being a part of the Italian coast, wine is obviously present, but it is also a part of the region known for producing, the very potent, Limoncello (a lemon flavored liqueur).


Our wedding design begins with a historic, outdoor location and incorporates details that are uniquely 'Capri.' Shades of beige, yellow, and green keep the look natural, yet vibrant, while shades of bright purple are used to represent the gardens seen throughout the island. Not only will the wine, of course, be flowing, but it will also be brought into the design through the cork escort card holders. To incorporate the high style aspect of Capri, the fashion for the event would have to be pieces from designers such as, Monique Lhuillier and Manolo Blahnik. A gown with a vintage, almost antique look, captures the historical feel of Capri. The simple elegance that is seen in the gown would then be mimicked in the cake design. Reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea, touches of lanterns and finger starfish would also be present. And, the best souvenir for this Capri-themed event, a small bottle of Limoncello!


Italian Timeless Style by uniqueeventdesign on Polyvore.com

For next week's inspiration, we want to hear from you! Do you have something that inspires you? Tell us about it, info@uniqueeventdesign.com!

Images courtesy of http://www.wikipedia.com/ and http://www.polyvore.com/.

Real Wedding: Stephanie & Jason - Lovebird Themed Nuptials

We originally covered Stephanie & Jason's wedding back in September -
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - Stephanie & Jason's Lovebird Wedding

Here's some of the great photos that we received from the photographer, Chad Spencer of CMS Photography.

Wedding Coordinator - Us!
Venue - Davis Island Garden Club
DJ - Delite Entertainment
Catering & Cake - Special Occasions
Officiate - Father Jack
Photographer - CMS Photography

Images courtesy of http://www.sarasota-photo.com/.

Fabulous Find - Eco Friendly Jewelry!

There are eco-friendly/green options for almost everything in your everyday life. This week's Fabulous Find speaks closely to our heart, eco-friendly jewelry! Bario-Neal Jewelry is handcrafted in Philadelphia and utilizes low-impact environmentally conscious practices. All of their jewelry is made with reclaimed metals and ethically-sourced stones. They even take it a step further and donate 1% of their profits to the Association for Responsible Mining. By purchasing Bario-Neal jewelry, you are not only helping the planet, but also looking fabulous!

Bario-Neal's packaging is also really cool! They package all their jewelry in 100% recycled glass bottles and muslim bags!

You can learn more about the environmental and social concerns surrounding the jewelry industry, by visiting the Bario-Neal Research Blog.

Images courtesy of http://bario-neal.com/bn/.

Cans for Comments Reminder!

Another weekly nudge to keep those comments coming! Our current total - 37! Remember, every comment is one more donation to Metropolitan Ministries. Thank you for your support!

Images courtesy of http://www.wishspecialevents.com.

Vendor Feature: Sweetie's Delights Bakery

This week, we are featuring Sweetie's Delights Bakery located in Valrico. Sweetie's Delights is a family bake shop that has become a staple in the Brandon/Valrico area! Out of their super cute, whimsically decorated bakery, Krystal, Karen, and Jessica work together to create sweets for every taste. From cakes, to cupcakes, to cookies, they will reel you in with their sugary pieces of Heaven! Not only do they make amazing cakes and pastries, but they are also known for their 'Whippy Dip,' which is yummy whipped cream that is added to a number of their different specialties. They were even awarded Best Dessert at the 2008 & 2009 Taste of Brandon. Whether it's a wedding, baby shower, wedding shower, birthday, or any other special event, they've got you covered!








You may remember that they made the cake for Amanda & Chip's wedding, back in June. It was beautiful and delicious!


They even sent me home with a bunch of yummy treats to try! I cut them all in half and shared them with the hubs. He said all of them were fantastic, but the red velvet was awesome! I have to agree! :)


Contact them today to discuss your upcoming event!

Sweetie's Delights Bakery
1050 Bloomingdale Ave.
Valrico, FL
813-662-5671
http://www.sweetiesdelights.com/

Images courtesy of http://www.sweetiesdelights.com/ and Abe's Photography.

Fabulous Find! Red Carpet Style

This week's Fabulous Find is from Faviana. They are the 'go to' resource for evening gowns. For the past five years, they have been interpreting the gowns seen on the biggest stars on the red carpet and in movies. The styles worn by such stars including Julia Roberts, Beyonce, and Halle Berry have inspired their 'Dress Like A Star' collection. Ten minutes after the gown graces the television, the Faviana designers are hard at work creating the newest 'celebrity look-a-like' gowns at unbeatable prices! With gowns ranging from $120-$500, it's the perfect option for your special event and to feel like a diva-for-a-day!

Principal designer for Faviana, Shala Moradi, says, "It's great to be in a business where everyday is...a special occasion."






Their gorgeous gowns are the reason why Faviana is this week's Fabulous Find!

Images courtesy of http://faviana.com.

A Weekly Dose of Inspiration!

In honor of a big part of the Fall season, football, we've decided to let the University of North Carolina logo inspire us. The blue and white color scheme is combined with the soft, traditional font to create a charming wedding design.

The color scheme of shades of blue and white is softened with feminine and traditional details. We decided to pull in seaside touches, such as white starfish and coral, to incorporate the feel of the North Carolina coast. An outdoor wedding complete with blue gingham linens, white garden chairs, and white and blue Chinese lanterns, give this design the charming feel of a picnic. To retain the traditional look, we opted for simple flowers like blue hydrangeas and white roses. This is a great translation to a UNC fan's love of the tar heels!

Seaside Charm by uniqueeventdesign on Polyvore.com

We want your inspiration! E-mail us with your ideas for upcoming doses of inspiration, staci@uniqueeventdesign.com.

Images courtesy of http://www.anoopdog.com/ and http://www.polyvore.com/.

Vendor Feature: TPepin Hospitality Centre

This week, we are featuring the TPepin Hospitality Centre, located in Tampa. This venue is seriously grand! They feature some of the most cutting edge audio visual options. From High Definition plasma screens throughout the facility to customizable wall pictorials, their lighting, sound, and video features are top notch and allow you to create your own personalized environment. With four distinct areas, accommodating 40 - 900 people, TPepin's 18,863 square foot facility can surely accommodate your event, and then some! There is also an outdoor space with a cascading waterfall with a reflection and torch flames, a great option for a unique ceremony setting.

The TPepin Hositality Centre is located at:

4121 N. 50th St.

Tampa, FL 33610

813-367-0040

http://www.tpepinhospitalitycentre.com/

Contact them today for a walk through and experience the grandeur!

Cans for Comments Reminder!

Keep them coming people! We are doing great! Half way throught the month, and our total is currently 23. Keep supporting Metropolitan Ministries!!!

Image courtesy of http://www.wishspecialevents.com/

Do You Have What It Takes? Seeking Interns!

Do you have what it takes to be a part of the UED team? If so, we are seeking an Event Intern.

This position is sporadic in nature and just includes assisting our team on events during the busy wedding season. This is not an "in office" or "business" internship. You will be required to arrive a few hours before the event to help with setup, assist with the execution of the event, and strike after the event. You may sometimes be asked to assist with the rehearsal coordination, the day prior to the event. You may be subject to long and late hours, but you will gain valuable hands-on experience.

The only qualifications for this position is an interest in wedding and event planning, good communication skills, and the ability to think quick on your feet! Also, you must be able to work on weekends (including Friday). We'd prefer if you are getting some kind of school credit for this internship, but it is not required.

If you are interested in interning with us, please e-mail your resume to staci@uniqueeventdesign.com. No calls, please.

Thank you and good luck!

Image courtesy of http://www.stepintothelimelight.com/.

Fabulous Find: Personalized Hangers

This week's "Fabulous Find" comes from the ever fabulous, Etsy. Your photographer suggests having a nice hanger for your dress to hang on, but why not turn it up a notch with these super cute personalized hangers from seller, LilaFrances?


You'll have to be careful with some of the heavier dresses, but this is such a fun way to display your fashion. Besides your dress, another option, is for your bridesmaid's dresses. Can you see it? Your girl's dresses hanging next to each other on hangers with their names on it? Too cute!


How about your wedding night negligee hanging on a personalized "Mrs" hanger? In addition to being a great photo op, this is also such a cute keepsake!

Be sure to check out LilaFrances' Etsy store for her full line of personalized hangers.

Images courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/.