viva la diva

www.vivaladivaevents.com
I keep seeing blogs ask stylists and planners if they had to plan their wedding all over again, what would they do? Although I loved my The Great Gatsby-themed wedding and certainly wouldn’t want to change a thing about it, OOOOH would this ever make a great venue! Anyone else want to get all dressed up, sip champagne and listen to jazz in a giant field of ranunculus? We’d all have to travel to The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA to attend, but I’d be okay with that. :) (photo credit: the divine dish)

I keep seeing blogs ask stylists and planners if they had to plan their wedding all over again, what would they do? Although I loved my The Great Gatsby-themed wedding and certainly wouldn’t want to change a thing about it, OOOOH would this ever make a great venue! Anyone else want to get all dressed up, sip champagne and listen to jazz in a giant field of ranunculus? We’d all have to travel to The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, CA to attend, but I’d be okay with that. :) (photo credit: the divine dish)

Had an incredible weekend that consisted of getting to see the fabulous David Stark Design and Productionpresent his work not once but TWICE. This was very exciting for our entire team, as we deeply respect his approach and feel we have a very similar philosophy on what it takes to produce an unforgettable event. (Hint: it involves taking risks and daring to be different. YES - exactly!) Anyway, it was awesome. :) Check out his new book ‘The Art of the Party’ if you have the chance. It’s so inspiring and absolutely gorgeous!

Had an incredible weekend that consisted of getting to see the fabulous David Stark Design and Productionpresent his work not once but TWICE. This was very exciting for our entire team, as we deeply respect his approach and feel we have a very similar philosophy on what it takes to produce an unforgettable event. (Hint: it involves taking risks and daring to be different. YES - exactly!) Anyway, it was awesome. :) Check out his new book ‘The Art of the Party’ if you have the chance. It’s so inspiring and absolutely gorgeous!

Cue the confetti! Our 2013 wedding season is officially right around the corner, which means our office hours are changing. As of April 28th and through late October, we are available by appt only Tuesday-Friday and are closed Sunday/Monday, unless prior arrangements have been made. This is when we’ll sleep, hang on the lake, and show off all your cool event photos to our proud friends and families. ;) Thanks for your patience!

Cue the confetti! Our 2013 wedding season is officially right around the corner, which means our office hours are changing. As of April 28th and through late October, we are available by appt only Tuesday-Friday and are closed Sunday/Monday, unless prior arrangements have been made. This is when we’ll sleep, hang on the lake, and show off all your cool event photos to our proud friends and families. ;) Thanks for your patience!

I just stumbled on these soon-to-be-released vintage seed forever stamps and cannot wait to use them on some of our summer/early fall 2013 wedding invitation suites. #adorable

I just stumbled on these soon-to-be-released vintage seed forever stamps and cannot wait to use them on some of our summer/early fall 2013 wedding invitation suites. #adorable

Couldn’t help but post a lil’ sneak peek of Kortney & Ryan’s custom designed invitation suite. ❤✌#detroitisforlovers

Couldn’t help but post a lil’ sneak peek of Kortney & Ryan’s custom designed invitation suite. ❤✌#detroitisforlovers

A successful wedding has the following primary elements (secondary being lots of other things, like awesome vendors and details, but that’s for another day):

#1 a personal and romantic ceremony

#2 a fun cocktail hour

#3 a delicious and intimate meal with great ambiance

#4 an all out RIDICULOUS dance party - like this one from a wedding we did this past summer, dj’ed by DJ C4.

Don’t forget about any part of it, especially the last part. You can have the most beautiful wedding on the planet and have it be BORING (I’ve seen it many times). Consider everything from your entertainment to your staffing, and don’t forget that your band or DJ directs the day. If you don’t have a proper MC, chances are the energy and flow of your day will suffer.

You want to give your guests an experience. There are many moving parts, and it should feel natural but clearly planned and cohesive. Hope this helps! 

Just in time for our Downton Abbey/garden party-themed auction next weekend, I found these. Who needs striped straws when you can have PATTERNED straws? Woo! (Only a matter of time before I “need” step and repeat VLD circle logo straws, too. Just sayin’!) More fun prints here. Cheers!

Just in time for our Downton Abbey/garden party-themed auction next weekend, I found these. Who needs striped straws when you can have PATTERNED straws? Woo! (Only a matter of time before I “need” step and repeat VLD circle logo straws, too. Just sayin’!) More fun prints here. Cheers!

A couple preview shots from Abby Rose this past weekend, plus an email from our bride (this makes me sooo happy): “The wedding was more amazing than we ever even dreamed! We had so much fun and our guests were going crazy over how great everything was. At the end of the night the dance floor was packed and people were BEGGING Andy to play another song! The party continued in the hotel bar until 3am. :) Anyways, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart…..I LOVE YOU! HUGE success!!!”

Well friends, the search for VLD’s next great intern has officially begun. Love events and think you have what it takes to be in the biz? We have 16 weddings in 16 straight weeks this spring and summer season - let’s just say this is an opportunity for someone to jump right in and take a bit of a crash course. ;) More info is here. Please apply there or send resumes/cover letters to intern@vivaladivaevents.com. No phone calls please. Thank you for your interest in Viva La Diva Events! (photo credit jess + nate studios)

Well friends, the search for VLD’s next great intern has officially begun. Love events and think you have what it takes to be in the biz? We have 16 weddings in 16 straight weeks this spring and summer season - let’s just say this is an opportunity for someone to jump right in and take a bit of a crash course. ;) More info is here. Please apply there or send resumes/cover letters to intern@vivaladivaevents.com. No phone calls please. Thank you for your interest in Viva La Diva Events! (photo credit jess + nate studios)

Site visit at Planterra today. I’ve been obsessed with the idea of doing an event there ever since it opened - and *especially* once I saw this photo from Jess + Nate Studios. Excited to have the opportunity to design something magical for Carly & David’s wedding this October!

Site visit at Planterra today. I’ve been obsessed with the idea of doing an event there ever since it opened - and *especially* once I saw this photo from Jess + Nate Studios. Excited to have the opportunity to design something magical for Carly & David’s wedding this October!

Spotted: a VLD-designed wedding in the new Westin Book Cadillac brochure (bottom left). We’re so honored. Love that place! ♥

Spotted: a VLD-designed wedding in the new Westin Book Cadillac brochure (bottom left). We’re so honored. Love that place! ♥

Just found out we won Editor’s Choice for Best Wedding Planner in Metro Detroit by The Knot!! AWESOME!

Just found out we won Editor’s Choice for Best Wedding Planner in Metro Detroit by The Knot!! AWESOME!

Sibling worked so hard on all of our branding and material (which we’ll blog about soon). We love it! Between our cute new print collateral and promotional material, and even a little illustrated a2 map for our website (ahem, also doubling as fun postcards - want one?), we’re one happy little company. ♥

Sibling worked so hard on all of our branding and material (which we’ll blog about soon). We love it! Between our cute new print collateral and promotional material, and even a little illustrated a2 map for our website (ahem, also doubling as fun postcards - want one?), we’re one happy little company. ♥

It’s our 3rd year in a row working with a local school - this time it’s for their annual auction and fundraiser. We’ll be completely transforming a gymnasium into the gardens of ‘Jolly old England’. Sounds like a perfect excuse to spend hours watching Downton Abbey to me. ;) Cheerio!

It’s our 3rd year in a row working with a local school - this time it’s for their annual auction and fundraiser. We’ll be completely transforming a gymnasium into the gardens of ‘Jolly old England’. Sounds like a perfect excuse to spend hours watching Downton Abbey to me. ;) Cheerio!

Keep meaning to post the ‘viva la dude’ mug that Sibling made for Bryan (and any groom that we serve coffee or tea to in our office). Can’t forget about the gents! ;)

Keep meaning to post the ‘viva la dude’ mug that Sibling made for Bryan (and any groom that we serve coffee or tea to in our office). Can’t forget about the gents! ;)