March Open House | NCC

I always love and Open House - but it does fill me with a fair bit of anxiety. I work really well with inspiration and making things to suit my client's personal sense of style...but these events are wide open. "No parameters.," "Whatever I want...," Geeze, too many choices! Here is what fit the bill in March at the Bridal Open House with Brulee Catering and the Events Team at the NCC. Once again Peter Van Beever captured the centerpieces while he was there showcasing his amazing work to prospective clients. Thank you!
"Spring"



"Fall"

"Summer"
"Winter"
 ...and a fun seating card display - with a treat from the night's sponsor "Pearl Vodka"

WOAL Countdown

The WOAL (Wedding Of A Lifetime) acronym grew out of VOAL (Vacation Of A Lifetime) for my sister and I...We vacation every year together aiming for the best experience & most fun two gals can have (with their beaus in tow of course!) But on November 7, 2011 Mr. Holiday had a panic attack - VOAL 2012* was threatened because a certain Brit had proposed to our Fair Lady! It was true, Iain proposed and Jen said YES! I'm not gonna lie - I felt like a bad sister. I was unprepared for a Monday proposal & caught off guard - so when she called to tell me...I think I was a bit lack luster. I actually had to call her back once it hit me with all the emotions that were true...
That being said I think I might have gone on endlessly at consultations about "My sister this" and "My sister's wedding that"...thanks for letting me wax on ladies....I'm psyched for WOAL 2012! (yours will be prett good too! hahahahaha! No really!)

* Note: Mr Holiday has recovered & VOAL will immediately follow WOAL. So yes, either I am going on my sister's Honeymoon - or she is going on my vacation. Your peanut butter is in my chocolate...!

October Featured Artist: Shari Sikora

Great Florist - Terrible Blogger....but as I catch up and try to my posts I am pouring over the gorgeous images that photographers have so graciously emailed me I don't think I have taken the time to brag about the local artists that I like to include in my designs. So let me take a moment and introduce Clay Artist Shari Sikora.
Her artist statement starts out "I am an artist; it’s not what I do, but simply who I am and always have been." and it is so true. What she "Does" and how I met her is via Valley Press Inc. (a family owned custom pre-press, printing and finishing company I use in Bala Cynwd, PA. where she creates amazing designs and keeps me coming back because she reads my mind - especially when I lose my nouns.)

But I digress! Here is what she really does...

What she is, is an amazing artist who creates wonderful pieces in clay & uses the Raku method of firing. Ironically Raku means "enjoyment" or "ease" - which fits in perfectly since she says that "from the first day she touched clay she loved it."
You have seen her work in a number of shots (courtesy of AMC) where I used her fridge magnets as place setting decor. I have pretty much stalked her shows to purchase all the teal and gold flower button magnets. Each one is unique with vintage button centers she has lovingly selected from her mother's extensive (and I mean huge yet meticulously organized) collection. In addition to the local craft shows, you can see Shari's work regularly at the Potters Guild as well as Earth & State in Media, PA.

Support local art! Buy some pottery today!

Unpublished Gem No.1: IVC Open House March 2011

I miss you so much! Here is another post that got 1/2 way done before I got distracted by beautiful flowers and lovely brides...way back on...OMG! March 16th! Yikes! I am feeling some particular stress since we just wrapped up the October Open House at the IVC & I am worried AMC will hold the new images hostage! (Just kidding ...sort of...) Anyway check out these unpublished gems...
Ann Marie Casey (AMC) has been a busy photographer, here are a few real shots from our previously mentioned Open House at the Independence Visitor's Center (IVC) below. Check out the slides show to the right for more details. During set up she was 'yelling' at me to stop...I thought I had her behind schedule, but really she said "...I kept giving her too many things to shoot!" I met a lot of super cute brides at this event and booked 3 weddings! (which by now I am sure I should be posting their pics!)
 
You know how I like to rock out a "Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall" theme for open houses not only because I like to torture myself by trying to find out of season flowers but because it give visiting guests an idea of what their wedding could look like depending on when they get married! 
Winter
 
 Spring
 
Summer
Fall
Thank You IVC for showcasing the Grand Hall, Liberty Ballroom and Terrace, Brulee Catering for the delish dishes...
 ....and Isgro's Paticceria for my cake fix!

Blog Gem: 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show | Campbell Studios Presents

Amazing Spring Events = Beautiful Parties > No Social Media ~ Where did Spring go?! 
I have to admit I was feeling so on top of technology - I had a whirl wind of Facebooking, Twittering, LinkedIn and Blogging...then I got my hands dirty....I started this post in May and now it's the middle of June August September October! How does everyone do it?!

There have been so many great events, lovely brides and fun projects - lets start with one previously unpublished gem of a posting that was super fun: Campbell Studios presents at the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS set up a round platform presentation area where different designers/floral artists from the area were invited to give a demo for a few hours.
The Philadelphia International Flower Show 2011was March 6 - 13th where "Springtime in Paris" had everyone itching for a sign of warmer days. I had the opportunity to 'present' in the Designer Showcase. I invited Ann Marie (AMC Photography) to come and capture Kristie and I in action.
 Now, while I am not short of opinions and my 'Girl Friday' Kristie knows more flower names than I do after 20 years in the business - we don't actually like to be onstage. (Or on camera for that matter - so AMC had to go undercover.) So we transformed the round stage that we were supposed to speak from and turned it into the platform for the flowers and we mixed and mingles with the crowd!
We had so much fun!
 
Our plan was to give people a tip that they can take and actually do themselves. Something that they could go home, try & say with pride "I made that!" I filled my garden trolley up with my personal collection of vintage containers, ash trays, vases and buckets so I could show people how to design in regular containers - things they may already have.
All we needed was a rubberband to make these people feel like Martha Stewart!
 
And we were worried no one would come see us...we were wrong!
People were taking notes!

 We were nervous at first, but had a really great time! See you next year! XOXO Kristie & Judith
We gave away these little DIY Tip Sheets - I just know everyone ran home and tried their hands at floral design when they went home!

Cocktails and Connection: The Knot |The Bump

Campbell Studios was so psyched when Mark Kingsdorf of The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants asked us to be the Floral Sponsor for last nights sold out industry networking event held at The Please Touch Museum (PTM) by The Knot. Kim Rifici (Catering & Facility Senior Sales Manager for Max and Me Catering at the PTM) and I had such a fun time picking the rentals out to compliment Mark's "Speak Easy/1920's Art Deco Party" theme inspiration. We started with the linens that Nancy Bauman from Gala Cloths provided and it all started to come together. 

When guests entered the South Foyer, they were greeted with an Art Deco vibe..the Pluto Linen dressed the tables here and Campbell Studios used all silver toned containers in sleek designs. When I look at all the vintage wedding portraits I have collected from that time period, (aside from the masses of Plumosus Fern!) I think of classic flowers such as Baby's Breath, Chrysanthemums, Gardenias and Roses. I also think of those gorgeous Max Leverrier Deco Lamps. So as a homage to the 20's we made giant Baby's Breath spheres on trumpet vases, tulips in stylized tulip vases and roses/gardenias here and there. Ann Marie Casey was attending and graciously shot a couple set up pics for us...Thank You AMC!
The white furniture from Dave Buckley from AFR kept the design grounded and Ellen Diamond Williamson from On Q Productions Inc. highlighted all the details with her fabulous lighting team. Shutterbooth gave everyone a chance to capture the moment with complimentary photo booth fun.

When guests moved on from cocktails into Hamilton Hall we flowed from "Deco" to "Speak Easy." Bentwood chairs added just the right touch to the Waldorf Damask linens...we finished them off with cigar boxes, vintage books and ferns (I had to get the ferns in there somewhere!)
Carmen Tomassetti and the CTO Artists rocked the house while Dave Williams of CinemaCake captured it all on film for the evening! Susan Beard Photography was the official Photographer Sponsor - stay tuned for their event images!

Brian Toner from Eventions kept all the sponsors logos rolling on his video screens - like ours which recently made its debut:
Everyone wrapped up the evening with coffee that Marci Mathis from Maui Wowi provided and my favorite food group cake by Esgro's Pasticceria in the Carousel House.Thank you everyone for making this event so exciting to produce and attend!

Style Me Pretty | Kate and Luke SMP Featured Wedding

How ironic that I sit down to catch the Campbell Studios Blog up on all the fun we have been having this summer only to find that one of my favorite sites "Style Me Pretty" picked up the submission CinemaCake and BUPhotography submitted of Kate and Luke's wedding this past May! They were one of the last posts I wrote, what a great way to start the week!

Campbell Studios did all of the Event Design and Wedding Coordination - it was such a pleasure to pull together Kate and Luke's personal sense of style for their big day! From Kate's gorgeous Junko Yoshioka gown to the long reception tables (a first at the Union League!) filled with all white open Peonies, Hydrangea and Roses - the wedding had details specific to them at each turn.
You can check out the wonderful write up by Mallory by clicking "Style Me Pretty Little Black Book" and check out more of Bernadette's images from the wedding by checking out the "Style Me Pretty - Bridal Inspirations." If you have a minute to add a comment I would love to know what you think, and any activity keeps Kate and Luke visible so more people like you can check it out!

Katy Goodman | The Please Touch Museum

Katy and Jeff  found me via Sofia Negron - their photographer, and we hit it off from the start! The Wedding and Reception were both held at The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. Various shades of reds made up the color pallet - all developing from the 'Red Majestic' callas in her bouquet...(which ended up not being as red as anticipated; but a call earlier in the week to the bride to talk about color assured all that it would balance out the red bridesmaids perfectly - and it did!) The colors flowed through the event beautifully. 
The silver foiled containers gave consistency to both the centerpiece designs, while the red napkins brought the signature color to the edge of the table.

I love the way Sofia catches moments like this, when you are not looking at the camera - but are truly in the moment..

 Check out more of Sofia's details in this sneak peak slideshow below!
 
(Thank You Sofia!)

Kate & Luke | Union League of Philadelphia

Here's a little sweet treat from Cinemacake; the trailer from Kate and Luke's wedding. Just like cake - I always want more! Jimmy & John were such great shooters, I can not wait to see the whole film!

Dunigan-Breslin Trailer from CinemaCake Filmmakers on Vimeo.

This was also the first time I had the pleasure to work with Bernadette from BUPhotography. She was a sheer delight & so much fun. Here is a sneak peak from her...
Campbell Studios had the pleasure of doing the event design, floral decor and coordination for Kate and Luke. The ceremony was at Old St. Joseph's and the reception was at the Union League where Abby Kanak and her amazing staff took care of every guests needs. Everyone rocked out to Chico's Vibe, who read the crowd and rocked the house. All of the printed materials were done my one of my favorites Kramer Drive.
I can barley stand waiting for Bernadette to finish up with the Photos! Stay tuned for more...!

Quick Pics from the Independence Visitor Center Wedding Open House | 3.16.2011

Thank you so much for inviting Campbell Studios to the open house last night! Michelle (Max and Me Catering) and Roshni (Liberty View Ballroom) introduced me to some very lovely people with upcoming floral needs! Ann Marie Casey was there (and on twitter now too @annmariecasey) so I can't wait to see her take on the tables. More details to follow when the images are available!

(This one was my favorite...)
Yep, there's those gorgeous Kramer Drive printed materials again - yet 
they look so different with this combo!

Independence Visitor Center Wedding Open House | 3.16.2011

One of Philly's best kept secret venues, The Independence Visitors Center (IVC) is having a wedding showcase this Wednesday from 6-8 PM in the Liberty View Ballroom! Michelle from Max & Me Catering and Roshni from the IVC are an amazing team. Come join us and see what this gem has to offer! Great views, perfect location and fabulous food!
Campbell Studios will be decorating four tables: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall so you can imagine the room with decor. The centerpieces will be designed to suggest the possibilities, and while maybe a little over the top there should be an element of inspiration for you to take away with you. If you see something you like - we can set up time to design something that suits your personal sense of style!
It's not too late to RSVP; email Roshni Patel to join in the fun: RPatel@independencevisitorcenter.com

Photos from the NCC 3.11.11 Open House!

Thank you to Studio Nine for capturing some shots of the table settings and flowers last week! I did a little extra table dressing this week with my favorite invitation design studio Kramer Drive. I had the inspiration to add teh printed materials a little late in the game but Meg and Ashley did not disappoint! They provided all of the coordinating Table Numbers, Seating Cards and Menu Cards. So lovely! Thank you!

The National Constitution Center gave everyone tours, Max and Me served up tasty treats, Isgro Pasticceria had sample wedding cakes and Advanaced Staging showcased the power of lighting!

Summer Table

Spring Table 
 

Winter Table

Fall Table
 
And I did a little 'seating card display' set up with potted mini Pansies for each guest to take home!



AMC Youth Planning Showcase | 3.13.2011

If you haven't had a chance to RSVP - don't let that stop you! The sun is going to be out, go grab a few things at the Ardmore Farmer's Market and head on over to Case Galleries for our Open House. There is free parking, Free Admission and some rockin' door prizes to boot!
I am going to be in great company too. In addition to Ann Marie showcasing her great new space and fabulous body of work we will be joined by: Invitations of Distinction, Z Event Group, All Around Entertainment, Bredenbeck's Bakery! Come check us out!