Solved! The Tri-Fold Invitation

With so much information to parlay to your guests today, from directions to accomodations to multiple parties, invitation designers are trying to keep up. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all: if you're planning a wedding with many weekend events, I urge you to consider picking an invite with an organizing system. There are tons with self-enclosed folders to neatly contain multiple cards and other designs placed on tri-fold cards, like these by Just Ink on Paper. Regardless, a wedding website is a must for keeping guests in the know (especially those travelling to a destination). Check out the designs at http://www.wed-o-rama.com/.

Freshly-Squeezed Wedding

This snowy day has me jonesing for a bit of delicious, sugary sunshine. My remedy? Freshly- squeezed citrus inspiration from TheKnot.com's Real Weddings Gallery. From Meyer Lemon centerpieces to pineapple cake filling to margarita & caprihiana bars, yellow is the hottest hue in weddings according to The Knot editors. Hope these inspiring images brighten your day!

(All Photos from TheKnot.com; photographers are cited in the gallery)

Dreaming of a White (Edible) Christmas

This photo from a recent Domino spread served as the inspiration for the dessert buffet at a recent Chandelier Events holiday party. The pastry mega-talents at Thomas Preti Caterers took my vision and whipped up a "Snowed In" dessert winterscape beyond my wildest White Christmas dreams! Here are some of the highlights (and a few inspirations that you can pull off in your own kitchen this weekend):

• Croquembouche Christmas Trees: Hand-made meringue and the traditional profiterole spun with caramel & sugar (see photo), this customary French Wedding Cake doubled as snowtipped trees on our display.


• Individual Fondue: Guests were served gourmet hot dark and white chocolate sauces in their own ramekins, and selected fruits, pretzels, marshmellows, pound cake, and brownies in a gift-box display (brilliant idea from the chefs at Thomas Preti that wowed guests ... and curbed double dipping).


• Chocolate Pudding Shots: Even Jello chocolate pudding can be dressed up by serving it in shot glasses! Top with fresh whip cream (cool whip will do in a hurry!) and top with a dust of cinnamon.


• White Chocolate Raspberry Trifle: Serve your own spin on this layered dessert with vanilla pudding, raspberry sauce and chocolate cookie crumble in martini glasses!

** A big dose of delicious gratitude to Jessica, Jen and the amazing crew from Thomas Preti for their fabulous, fresh ideas...and top notch service.

Check back soon. More photos to come!

Out of the Box Confections

While browsing bridal shower cakes online, I stumbled (I mean, "Googled") upon Pink Cake Box in Denville, NJ. Being a Jersey girl myself, I was pleasantly surprised to see such talent based outside of New York City where many of my vendors reside. Big score for my Jersey clients!

Their wedding cakes span the range, from traditional to chic to downright whimsical, and if you're looking for a grooms cake -- look no further! From bulldogs with oreo filling to Nintendo Wii's, their strength is definitely in their theme cakes. Cupcake towers are absolutely adorable.

My favorite? This Hula-inspired confection for a 2nd birthday. I mean, really, does it get any cuter than that? Check it out at pinkcakebox.com.

Recipe Report Card

I survived--with aplomb. I'm proud of my tiny Brooklyn brownstone kitchen.
Recipes get an A+.

A few tips:

* Butternut & Granny Smith Apple Soup: easy, easy, easy to make...but requires a lot of chopping. So make sure you've got a really good knife. And try to buy the butternut squash pre-cut. Make sure the package says 3 lbs. I bought 1.87 pounds and had to cut up another one at the last minute (only used 1/2 of another one). Sprinkle nutmeg as a garnish.

* Broccoli with bread crumble: I used Progresso Italian breadcrumbs instead of the white breadcrumbs...works just as well, extra tasty. Save the leftover breadcrumbs in the fridge (remember, you used butter!) and make turkey cutlets the weekend after T-giving.

* Turkey with Sage Butter: INSANE! Absolutely delicious.

My Thanksgiving Menu

Just finished whipping up a fabulous (and easy...ok, after all the chopping...easy) Butternut Squash & Granny Smith Apple Soup and geesh! now I know why soups win challenges on Bravo's Top Chef.

Here are the staples of my Thanksgiving meal ... add the sweet potato casserole, the pumpkin pie, and the Wyatt Pinot Noir ... and you're golden.

• Sage Butter Oven Roasted Chicken with Cornbread & Caramelized Onion Stuffing (a la Tyler Florence)


• Cream of Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (williams-sonoma.com)


• Broccoli with a Crunchy Crumb Topping

PS: Thanks for reading my blog! Happy Thanksgiving. xoxo, Amy

Playful Placecards

Browsing Etsy, I came upon these super cute, super chic cootie catcher placecards. I mean, how ridiculously cute -- and they're ideal for weddings and bridal showers.

The creator will actually personalize each placecard with questions about you and your fiancé -- so your guests get to know more about you two as a couple while they find their seat and mingle. There's space on the outer corners for your guest's name and/or table number. For an extra fee, she'll even work from your guest list to print your guests' names directly onto the Cootie Catchers. Several colors and types of quality paper readily available. They ship to you *flat* with instructions for folding. They'll fold them for you at an additional cost.

First 25 = $25 (1 each); each additional up to 100 (add $.65/each), each additional over 100 (add $.50/each).

Make Your Champagne Toast Sparkle

Champagne is looking for a little change-up this holiday season. Sure, a bottle of Veuve can stand on its own. But why not mix it up and create a champagne mixing bar at your next soiree!

Allow your guests to become mixologists for the evening: stock the bar with liqueurs like St-Germain Elderflower (my new favorite), Pama Pomengranate, Chambord (old stand-by), Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Pellini Peachello...go to town! You can even offer up fruit purees like cherry and blood orange. Make sure to have garnishes on hand: raspberries, rose petals, and sugared rims.

PS: For tarte liqueurs, like Pama, simply drop a sugar cube into the base of the flute before pouring the champagne.

Shameless Splurge: Jonathan Adler Ornaments

With the recession looming, I actually feel guilty about posting these Jonathan Adler holiday ornaments ($100 for a set of four, fredflare.com) --but I simply could not resist. This boxed set of four white porcelain ornaments from Jonathan Adler features a Magritte-worthy pipe, a skeleton key, pocket watch and brogue topped off w/ a black ribbon. Comes packed in gorgeous box -- a keepsake, or a hostess gift for that VIP in your life.

Need to rationalize the splurge like me? Go "eco" and hang these babies on a kitschy fake tinsel tree!

Love Note: East Six

I recieved the most beautiful invitation over the weekend -- I had to jump online to share the designers with you. The girls at East Six (http://www.eastsix.com/) are some of the freshest talent on the wedding scene. If you want something truly personalized, they will bring it to life--they will create an extraordinary design for a 12-piece wedding package, a birth announcement, even social stationary. And their design cues come from something as simple as a color palette, a season, a motif to the lyrics from your favorite song, or the design of your baby's nursery. Totally in love.

Harvest is Upon Us

This year, I'm hosting Thanksgiving so, as with any event, I approach this special Thursday with my usual aplomb. And, it all starts with Wheat.

Spread the word about your wholesome feast to your guests with these harvest invitations from TinyPrints.com (less than $35 for 25 invites!)

Bundles of wheat make for an elegant table accent. It adds texture and warmth--without overdoing it on the theme. And, because its so sturdy, it makes for a wonderful decoration through the holiday season. It's a fabulous concept for a barnside wedding as well.

Following on our wheat texture, I may have to reconsider my fine china in lieu of a moderate splurge on a seasonal set of dishes from Target .

Amber votives can be plentiful at $2.5o a piece.

And, I adore these swanky glass cloches from Sur La Table. They are the perfect way to display pre-dinner eats & cheeses. They'd also double for a fabulous way to display candles on the table.

And finally, dessert--simply, would not be complete without Baked NYC's Caramel Apple cake. I'll be making my way down to Red Hook for this modern spin on apples & classic autumn spices, then layered & topped with a sweet caramel buttercream. It's delicious--and it matches!

Fresh Find: Delicious (Worry-Free) Desserts

Today's is Wyatt's 3rd birthday--so, naturally, I took on the task of baking cupcakes for his preschool party.

There are a ton of kid-friendly bakeries in the City, like Babycakes, that I love. But, I decided that I'd whip out my baking talents....and whip up some Cherrybrook Kitchen vanilla cups for 20 tots. Let me just say that these NUT-FREE, EGG-FREE, DAIRY-FREE desserts were some of the most decadent little homemade treats I've tasted. I was super-impressed with the ease of the recipes and the truly divine taste--especially for an allergy-free, organic mix in a box.

BONUS: Because there's no eggs, my guy and I got to lick the bowl!

Clutch Heaven

I fell for this velvet damask midnight blue vintage clutch on Estiloweddings.com today. The perfect handbag for a winter wedding guest ensemble or bridesmaid gift at only $32.

Delish.com: Stylish Spook from "Country Living"

photo credit: Michael Luppino

Logged onto Delish.com today--and found their super-chic Halloween party slideshow courtesy of Country Living. I totally dig the broom napkin treatment. Make sure you check it out!

Little Black ... Cupcake Stand

All too often, I've seen expensive gourmet cupcakes displayed on less-than-elegant plastic towers. That totally negates the chicness of the detail, don't you think? That's why I was so excited when I stumbled upon this 9" noir scalloped-edged cake pedestal on Fancy Flours. It's so Brocade Home! Microwave and dishwasher safe, $39.

(I) Love Birds

Love birds are the motif of the moment. From funky Partridge-Family designs like this one from inkOBSESSIONS on Etsy (my favorite site for super chic handmade stuff) to modern graphics featuring swirly peacock feathers, I am flocking to anything with a feather these days. This invite set is also affordable, starting at $3.25 a set -- that's $325 for 100 (a little more if you want to add more cards for directions, accomodations & reception 411).

Your grandmother's trash could be your event's treasure!

OK, so I am mildly obsessed with what I call "Modern Vintage". Designers are turning back the clock for inspiration. LOVE these amazing plastic utensils from PlumParty.com!

In these crazy penny-pinching days, remember that old becomes new again. Get inspired by vintage fabrics and stock up on cheap vintage at yard sales where 50-cents is the standard. Comic books are perfect for a boy's birthday bash; shabby-chic table linens and mix-and-match silver are ideal for a bridal shower; and the obligatory lava lamp could be the centerpiece of your 70's fondue display. Don't forget to check out Ebay!

Winter Wedding Inspiration

This year's Pottery Barn (http://www.potterybarn.com/) holiday catalog arrived -- and it's chock full of icy details. From amaryllis garlands to vases filled with vibrant chartreuse reindeer moss (yes, it is named after its tiny "antler-like" branches!) to an assortment of textured candles like these cool birch cylinders covered in metallic bark. Check out potterybarn.com for more inspiration!

Fresh Concepts: Couture Comfort Food

It's no secret that menu options have taken a creative twist recently. In fact, I was blown away by the Bruschetta Bar at The Knot's recent market party -- a set-up of tiny gourmet toasts with a self-serve selection of delicious spreads from traditional bruschetta to artichoke-pesto.

From mini sliders and hand-cut fries to truffle-infused mac 'n cheese, childhood favorites have become a staple at cocktail receptions.

Recently, I've seen some new innovations. Here is some food for thought!

* Tomato Soup Shots with grilled cheese garnish
* Katz's-style Kosher Franks served with Dr. Brown's Black Cherry, Cream & Celery Sodas
* Fondue Stations at cocktail hour & during dessert
* Mini Junior's Cheesecakes (a new spin on the cupcake tower)


(photo: Dave Robbins)

Hudson Hotel Rooftop Wedding

Who says white is old-fashioned?! We chose the Hudson Hotel Rooftop for a garden setting in the center of the City.

A small intimate affair got a shock of fresh with 12 varieties of stark white blooms by Matthew Robbins for Artfool (www.artfool.com).

White-blossomed branches arched over the ceremony on the terrace,


Frosty white fondant iced the chocolate cake with white chocolate filling by Cheryl Kleinman (Brooklyn, NY; 718-237-2271).

Photography by Sarah Sloboda (www.sarahsloboda.com).

Recession-Proof Flower! The Carnation

Tightly-packed carnations are an event planner's recession-proof floral solution. This grocery store bloom with ruffled edges goes Bergdorf chic when showcased in monochromatic bunches, creating looks from a sweet centerpiece or modern placecard display for a fraction of the price!

Informal Formals in the Meatpacking District

Traditional and modernity collided when Monique Lhuiller meets cobblestones & taxi cabs
in Annmarie & Brian's pre-ceremony shoot in New York City's Meatpacking District. These wonderful shots were captured by Dave Robbins (http://www.daverobbinsphotography.com/).

Wedding in Purple (Altman Building, NYC May 2008)

Just a preview of the Altman Building wedding from May 2008. More images to come!
We transformed the exclusive Altman Building (http://www.altmanbldg.com/) space from a blank canvas to a dramatic crescendo of color from ceremony in champagne light to cocktail hour in stark white to reception in a deep purple haze with lucite and ice accents throughout.
Truly a platinum event made possible by the talented team of Belle Fleur (http://www.bellefleurny.com/), Bentley Meeker Lighting (http://www.bentleymeeker.com/), Draping by Gio Events, Thomas Preti Caterers (http://www.thomaspreti.com/), Okamoto Studios (www.okamotostudionyc.com), Classic Party Rentals, The Dean Scala Band, Elan Artists (http://www.elanartists.com/), and photography by Dave Robbins (http://www.daverobbinsphotography.com/) -- who captured these beautiful images above.

A Party: The Ultimate Production

Welcome to our blog!

At Chandelier, we approach each event and every event like a stage production. For our clients, we work to create their debut--and of course, a rockin' afterparty -- with a unique blend of creativity, event planning intelligence and a decade of professional stage production experience.

Together, we'll:

write the script

create the budget

conceptualize the set and decor

cast the perfect team of producers, stylists, musicians and lighting

write the score & choreograph the dance

and ultimately, give each guest the orchestra-seat experience.

Stay tuned for some of our work--and some of Chandelier's favorite things!