Illumination | Alchemy Fine Events

Colorful Parker Palm Springs Wedding

A Colorful Modern Palm Springs Wedding Reception, Part 3

Now for the big reveal of this colorful and bold wedding reception!

Since we decided to have the dinner reception at the Bocce Ball Court we opted for two long rows of feasting style tables. To differentiate the tables that were all pushed together, I used a different color of napkin on each table and tied the corresponding strips of colorful fabric on them for napkin treatments. These bold colors popped off of the champagne sequined linens and sparkled under low hung lanterns and bistro bulbs. These colorful tablescapes were truly magical!

Guests dined in the courtyard on a seasonal fresh menu as the DJ played tunes and guests toasted the bride and groom. Following dinner the guests were brought into PSYC, the Parker’s Spa, where they were treated to desserts, wedding cake and were able to dance under a beautiful Moroccan cabana poolside. In true party girl style, the evening ended with a SPLASH when all of the wedding party jumped into the pool and jacuzzi to enjoy the last few cocktails of the evening.

Alchemy Fine Events Parker Palm Springs Colorful Wedding by Alchemy Fine Events | www.alchemyfineevents.com

Palm Springs weddings are known to be fun and colorful, so we had to take it to the next level!

Design, Planning, & Invitations: Alchemy Fine Events and Invitations / Photographer: Scott Clark Photo / Videographer: DP Weddings / Venue, Cake, Catering, & Rentals: The Parker Palm Springs / Floral Design: Arrangements Floral & Party Design / Hair: Jose Neira Salon at The Parker / Makeup: Makeup By Keturah / Linens: La Tavola / Cigar Rollers: The Cigar Guys / DJ: Chris Cote / Bride’s Dress: Anne Barge from Malindy Elene in Tampa, Florida / Shoes: Valentino / Wedding Band: Tacori / Engagement Ring: Designed by Groom / Groom’s Suit: Hugo Boss / Shoes: Allen Edmonds / Tie: Ted Baker / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo, Adrianna Papell, &Donna Mizani / Groomsmen Suits: Banana Republic / Flower Girl: Ava Madison Boutique

posted by Vanessa, 8th July 2015 , Categories: Cake and Confection, Colorization, Flowers and Decoration, Illumination, Palm Springs Tags: colorful, tablescapes, wedding reception

Ocean in the Desert Scottsdale Wedding

Deserted Ocean Private Estate Scottsdale Wedding

We are so so excited to finally show off one of our favorite weddings we designed and planned for a lovely couple in Scottsdale, Arizona on Martha Stewart Weddings today!! When Kari the bride first called me we were discussing a cool Sedona elopement after her hectic previous attempt at wedding planning which she scratched for an easier, less stressful route. With so many people to coordinate and schedules to consider she was wanting to just ‘do it!’ with out the worry. When her family friend offered her gorgeous Scottsdale esate after hearing of her woes, we jumped at the chance to move it there to accommodate her guests easier. The only catch? The season was getting hot soon and we had 4 weeks to plan the whole thing!! We jumped into action and made this spectacular back-yard wedding a hit!

Kari and Charlie both loved the ocean but also the desert. I came up with the creative vision of a ‘deserted ocean’, a dried up ocean bed in a magical desert. After bringing on the fantastic Luna of Arrangements Floral Design we whipped up this fantastical evening which turned out to be pure magic. Gina Meola did a fabulous job of capturing the day’s beautiful details and was such a pleasure to work with!

Arrangements Floral & Party Design crafted a stunning bouquet of coral charm peonies, king proteas, ranunculus, astilbe, and tulips. Wrapped in gold sequined trim, the finishing touch was a skeleton leaf. Kari worked with stylist Alex Evjen of Ave Styles to create her stunning ensemble. After trying on the blush pink Monique Lhuillier “Candy” dress at Destiny’s Bride in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kari knew it was her gown. A custom sash, veil, and earrings by Paris were added to the ensemble, which was rounded out with nude Jimmy Choo pumps.

Charlie sported a gray Savvi tuxedo by Mr. Formal.

For the invitation I hand illustrated a jellyfish and had it foiled onto a croco embossed glossy paper for a fun contrast of styles. More to come on this invitation as well!

Boutonnieres were made with ivory roses, brunia, and dusty miller—a heart-shaped charm once belonging to Charlie’s late mother was attached to his as a special way of honoring her memory.

The matron of honor and best man carried seashells housing the wedding bands. Kari’s sister Lori carried a clutch of coral charm peonies, king protea, yellow roses, brunia, and dusty miller. Kari’s other sister Susan’s bouquet was comprised of a king protea surrounded by white roses, brunia, dusty miller, and coral charm peonies.

Guests were treated to cool lemonade as they arrived. Since we knew the day was going to be so hot we dip-dyed fans to match the decor and tied on feathers and beads with leather cord.

To work with a backyard and actually have the ceremony on their driveway I knew we had to transform the space. I designed a geometrical wall to be built on which we applied mirror to reflect the gorgeous desert landscape.

In lieu of a traditional guest book I created a ‘Message in a Bottle’ table were guests could write their sweet notes to the couple and float them in the infinity pool. They’ll be read at their one year anniversary which is coming up soon! We also created a wall of photos with fun facts about the couple that guests would be quizzed on later.

To bring in the ocean vibe we had to serve fresh delicious seafood!

To create the feasting style dining table I built a structure which we mirrored and then hung shelves of floating candles and flowers for a seemingly floating tablescape.

I wanted to create a beautiful tablescape that seemingly floated in our modern mirrored structure so that you saw nothing but the desert around you and make you forget you’re dining on a driveway. The open structure built around the long feasting-style table allowed for showcasing the landscape, while adding drama and romance with candles hanging overhead on white-washed wood shelves also filled with floral arrangements and gnarled grapewood. Constructed with help from a framing contractor, mirror acrylic panels were added to created the illusion of a disappearing structure. Trailing down the middle of each table was a collection of oceanic elements, including ceramic sea urchin votives, air plants, and aqua sea glass. Ombré napkins tied with leather cord and sea urchins topped geometric plates and silvery placemats. The petite cake, by Classic Cakes and Confections, was inspired by the bride’s gown. To bring in more of the ‘ghost-like’ creatures that used to live in this ‘deserted ocean’ I found these incredible jellyfish lanterns from designer Roxy Russel which I hung in front of sheer panels of fabric and twinkle lights for our Jellyfish Lounge.

Post by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations.

Photography: Gina Meola
Event Design and Planning, Stationery, and Napkins: Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Catering: RendezVous Catering
Flowers, Lighting, & Draping: Arrangements Floral & Party Design
Cake: Classic Cakes & Confections
Music: [string trio] Simply Three; [Flamenco guitarist] Miguel Rodriguez from Jim May Productions
Rentals: [furniture] Pacific Event Productions; [linens] La Tavola; [china and glassware] Classic Party Rentals
Hair and makeup: TEAM Hair & Makeup

posted by Vanessa, 13th March 2014 , Categories: Cake and Confection, Celebration, Ceremony Design, Cocktail Hour, Desert, Fashion and Accessorization, Illumination, Imagination, Invitation, Scottsdale Wedding

Old Hollywood Inspired Persian Wedding at the Bel Air Bay Club by Alchemy Fine Events

A Colorful and Festive Persian Wedding in the Pacific Palisades - Part 2 Cocktail Hour & The Reception

Make sure to visit Part 1 on our blog to view photos from this Jewish and Persian wedding ceremony!

As soon as Jessica and Ilya said “I do”, a joyful spirit was in the air and it didn’t take long for the party to start. A traditional Klezmer band entertained guests as they made their way to cocktail hour in a naturally beautiful outdoor courtyard. An abundance of food, lively music and comfortable lounges allowed guests to eat, drink, converse and become instantly immersed in the festive atmosphere.

A Persian wedding is not complete without tons of food, so to really incorporate Jessica’s heritage, we had the pleasure of creating a Persian feast table overflowing with fruit and nuts for guests to pick at. This served as a gorgeous focal point and also as a teaser for the hot Persian buffet to come later on in cocktail hour. Guests definitely had full bellies and happy hearts!

For the seating cards, we created a stunning display of hand painted tiles that Laura Hooper Calligraphy wrote each guests name on in gold. They doubled as a beautiful take home gift for the guests.

For the reception tablescapes, we really wanted to intertwine the Persian influences with an Old Hollywood glamour flair. We did this by having Krista Jon create exotic floral centerpieces featuring a variety of vibrant and textured blooms upon mirrored boxes and eclectic vintage glassware. The tables were lined with jewel toned glass, vintage gold and brass mirrors and bowls of fruits and nuts to offer to guests. This was complemented by colorful mercury glass votives, as well as crystal pieces on top of bold patterned linens by La Tavola.

Laura Hooper wrote gold calligraphy onto mirrors to create glamorous table numbers.

For additional fun touches, we custom made lace napkin treatments with a large rhinestone button that many ladies ended up wearing as bracelets later on in the evening. We also had AV Event Design display a patterned wash on the ceiling in addition to the fuschia uplighting.

This gorgeously decorated, candlelit fountain looked spectacular as the sun went down.

For dessert, we had Vanilla Bake Shop create an all white tiered wedding cake that we decorated with fresh blooms for an exotic flair. Later on in the evening guests were surprised with ice cream sandwiches from the Beachy Cream girls for a delicious send-off treat.

As the joyous and fun-filled night was wrapping up, Jessica and Ilya’s family and friends sent them off through a sparkler lit tunnel to their Rolls Royce escape car.

This wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty here!

We also recently posted Jessica & Ilya’s rehearsal dinner on our blog which was also featured in Martha Stewart’s Bride Guide!

Planning, Design & Stationery: Alchemy Fine Events

Florist: Krista Jon

Photography: Luna Photo

Lighting: AV Event Design

Rentals: Archive Vintage Rentals

Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

Wedding Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop

Ice Cream: Beachy Cream

Linens: La Tavola Linens

Beauty: Fiore Beauty

Venue: Bel Air Bay Club

posted by Vanessa, 18th January 2013 , Categories: Cake and Confection, Celebration, Colorization, Coordination and Collaboration, Drink and Libation, Flowers and Decoration, Illumination

DREAM:: An Intimate Bridal Affair

A San Diego Intimate Bridal Show featuring Modern Luxury Design

A few weeks ago we had the exciting idea to collaborate with our favorite San Diego vendors and create a very un-bridally bridal show! Along with Isari Flower Studio and Luna Photo, we pulled together our favorite San Diego vendors and designed and coordinated this special event just as we would a real wedding. No big tacky signs, no booths, nothing like a traditional bridal show! I really wanted to show a bride ‘this is how we would really all work together!’. From creating a cohesive design plan, site plan and gearing our furniture, flowers, food, music and drinks all towards the same design direction for one cohesive look verses a piecemeal feeling that you walk away from traditional bridal shows with.

Whether you need to fill in a few spots in your vendor list or come and hire the DREAM team as a whole, we were and are very proud to bring you San Diego’s best! Thank you everyone for helping us have had such an amazing turn out of more than 350 brides! With such an amazing success DREAM may be making another appearance later this year.