A Jungle Safari Party

Recently, Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone produced a fabulous Jungle Safari Birthday party for a special little boy. 

The party was held at the Detroit Zoological Society where guests enjoyed various zoo excursions and fun rides before celebrating in our Safari themed Tent for lunch, entertainment and birthday wishes. 

With only one month to plan for over 125 guests and a very large empty tent to design, we pulled out all stops to create a magical jungle escape for the birthday boy and his guests to enjoy. 

Our design inspiration came from the Zoo life itself; tropical floral and green foliage, different and unique animals, rustic outdoor elements and an imagination of going on a wild safari trip.

The invitation suite was designed by couture invitation designer Celeste Simpson of  Impress Me Designs.

 

Guests were called to the party with a beautiful   Passport Invitation, inviting them to embark on the birthday boy’s safari excursion. 

With their zoo excursions complete, guests arrived to the Tent for a delectable lunch and were greeted by various entertainment acts as well as life size Giraffes, Elephants and Water feature vignettes.

Safari Hats placed at each setting were given to further enhance the jungle safari festivities.

A candy store inspired candy buffet for guests to indulge in was   designed by our  Metro Luxe Events Executive Chef Daniel, for guests to fill their bags to take home as a memento of the day’s events.

The delicious Cake was designed using the animal print theme throughout, featuring life like edible bamboo shoots and glitter dusted fondant leafs, grass and rock boulders to accent.

To end this magical safari journey, guests joined a magician in singing and wishing the birthday boy happy birthday. Candles were blown out, with all his wishes sealed and the safari trip was complete.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone believes that the event stationary should all compliment and become a full stationery suite.  Using the safari themed elements from the passport invitation, we created a fun Thank You card to send to guests for gratitude in joining this wild celebration!

**A special thank you to Mari Latozas, Photography by Mari; who captured the Jungle Safari Journey and provided the above pictures.  

Financial Tips for Newlyweds – Part 1

Prior to starting up Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone, I have been a private practice accountant for over 15 years. Over the years as an accountant, many couples have come to me for financial advice when first starting out as husband and wife. When the honeymoon is over, you are faced with many decisions regarding your joint finances.


The Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone, Financial Tips To Newlyweds Column will be a post I share from time to time.

First and foremost, pick a time to sit down together to discuss the following financial matters:

• Make a list of each spouse’s financial resources; investment portfolios, including any IRA’s and 401k accounts, checking and savings accounts, assets and all property owned.

• Next, make a list of each spouse’s Debt: Credit cards, Auto payments, personal expenses etc…

• Obtain a copy of each of your credit reports and review your credit history. Thanks to a 2004 federal law, everyone is entitled to one free credit report from each of the main credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can obtain all 3 reports through a centralized source such as annualcreditreport.com.

If you haven’t already purchased a home together, before searching the real estate market you will need to clear up any discrepancies on your respective credit reports.  You will also need all cleared before meeting with your lender to seek credit approval.

Now that you’ve obtained your credit reports and have listed all of your Income and Expenses as well as Assets and Liabilities, you can now begin to develop a plan that you both can manage and accommodate.

Set up a Budget or Spending Plan:
In most marriages there is always a ‘spender’ and a ‘saver’. For a stress free marriage, you will need to devise a budget or spending plan that both partners find acceptable and that they can maintain. At this point, you can also decide who will be handling and maintaining the finances or if the responsibilities will be shared equally.

• Draw up a plan that accounts for all of your monthly earnings and expenses and then discuss your short term and long term goals. If one of those goals is to purchase a home, you will need an honest and fair assumption of what you can and cannot afford. If another is to pay down debt, you will need to discuss and compromise on what areas you need to cut back on to accomplish this goal.

Financial discussions are not easy and are often touchy subject matters; however, if you come together with all the facts and have a plan and an open mind, things can go smoothly.

Look for more Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone's Financial Tips in our upcoming posts!

**Image taken from collegescholarships.org

Styleline Magazine Features Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone

Featured in the Styleline Magazine, Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone was asked to design the decor and create a vision for an intimate Fall inspired dinner party for a very special client.

Along with using our own inventory of décor elements, we incorporated some of our client's interior furnishings and elements to bring the theme to life. Every event designed by Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone has a central theme and inspiration.

For this dinner party, the theme was based on the reunion of several couples who had traveled on several journeys together. To add some sass to the conversation by jolting memories, we utilized some of the treasures collected on these trips as a reminder of wonderful times shared together.

Our Associate Designer, Debbie Clark and I went treasure hunting throughout the client’s home and found many ecletic elements to add dimension to the decor. Because the home was modern, the biggest challenge was making the stark dining room feel warm and intimate.

The inspiration for the color scheme came from one of the client's paintings by Edgar Sanchez. The colors in the painting worked well with our fall theme and the linear lines in the painting kept with the modern flair of the room. The brush strokes in the painting are so obvious they resemble colored feathers. Using feathers became our 'Ah Ha' moment. Peacock Feathers as the anchor was set in motion, bringing in the feeling of Fall without being trite. They pop with color, texture and dimension, much like the painting. Throughout the dinner party design, we brought in all the subtle and bold colors from the feathers.

The background for the tablescape was a moss green silk textured linen. A Peacock Feather was tucked inside a cinnamon satin napkin as an accent. The buffet was draped with a coco sparkled linen to create the backdrop for the luscious chocolates, strawberries and champagne. The tablescape included the client’s own fine china, stemware and flatware along with different crystal pieces from our own collection. We completed the table decor with an elaborate floral cornicopia table runner made up of rich burgundy and deep rust toned multi-textured seasonal flowers stuffed with peacock feathers and fruit. Of course, candles glimmered from every height and angle.

The food was prepared by Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone’s culinary expert, Chef Daniel Vallone. Chef Daniel customized a 4 course dinner menu with a selection of thoughtfully paired wines, keeping in tempo with the decor and the theme. The first course was a port wine poached pear salad with black fig vinaigrette, petit crystal lettuces and a warm goat cheese soufflé. Each Poached Pear was presented on an Austrian Crystal pedestal.

Chef Daniel presented each course as an exciting culinary journey, designed to keep the excitement elevated and the conversation flowing for great friends who had shared so many good times.

Check out the Interview with Candice Vallone of Metro Luxe Events also in the StyleLine Magazine issue!

A Fall Dinner Menu for the Michigan Bride

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone, offers ideas and concepts of developing a fall themed menu.

When developing a fall/winter menu for a Michigan Bride or event host, we like to bring a touch of the outdoor atmosphere into the dining experience.

For a unique experience, present guests with an Oxtail Consommé with Oxtail Ravioli, salsify, root vegetable, leeks and truffles. This starter course would be presented on a bed of colorful Fall leaves. You can use the Fall leaves as an underliner for the soup bowl, bringing in texture and color to the table while intermingling with the richness  and colorful Oxtail consommé.

For another  first course option, take pine needles and lay them in a shallow bowl.  On top of the pine needles,place another bowl filled with Kabocha Squash Potage with Duck Confit and Fugi apples. To present this entrée, the servers would go around tableside, using the French Service we spoke of in an earlier blog post and begin to pour hot water into the outer bowl, steeping the pine needles and releasing their fragrance into the guest’s sense of smell; bringing another unsuspected layer to the dinner.

Serving a fish course at any function will set the tone for a remarkable and elegant dining feast. A main course of Grilled Loupe de Mer, pumpkin risotto, butternut squash beurre blanc, wine syrup and pistachio oil is an elegant course.

A traditional main course option is serving a selection of red meat, that would still follow one of the interactive introduction courses he discussed above. Great options would be a main course of Lamb Tenderloin with fava beans, dates and smoked bacon or perhaps a Roasted Veal Loin, crispy sweetbreads, and sweet potato pancakes with a chanterelle mushroom ragu. Each dish would bring in a touch of wild game adding to the heartiness of the season and to the table.

Fall and winter dinner events are intimate gatherings with a strong focus on the food being served. Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone likes to provide a relationship with the season, the guests and the food itself.

Wedding Cake Stands for the Michigan Bride

Clara French Ceramique cake stands are some of the most beautiful cake stands I have come across in a long time. Each piece has so much detail, with just that certain special element. The delicate patterns and unique scrolls have a modern take on an antique look.

Ceramist Micaela Willis and owner of Clara French Ceramique, is a local Seattle artist who creates exquisite custom cake stands and cake plates using traditional European methods.

Clara French Ceramique offers several cake stands to choose from which can either be purchased or rented; but for a true experience, Michigan Brides can have Micaela custom design a cake stand inspired by certain details, colors and elements of your wedding. The cake stand will later become an heirloom piece for you and your family to forever treasure and pass down.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone recommends to Michigan Brides looking for unique and personal guest favors, Clara French custom  nine inch cake plates. Each plate can be personalized to include your names, wedding date or a sentimental message on the face of each plate.

Your wedding cake is a luxurious centerpiece, using a Clara French cake stand to showcase your Wedding Cake will create an exquisite work of art.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone is currently designing a dessert table for a Michigan Bride for her upcoming wedding and we will be using a few of these beautiful Clara French cake stands to showcase the desserts!

** Images taken from various Clara French Resources

Couture Bridal Shoes for the Michigan Bride

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone recommends Aruna Seth's couture shoe designs for the Michigan Bride looking for that perfect shoe to compliment and enhance your wedding gown.

Pair these beautiful shoes with our favorite  couture wedding gowns by designer Katerina Bocci and you have perfection.

Aruna Seth is an International couture shoe designer whose couture creations have graced the red carpet.

From the exquisite Swarovski crystal embellishments on the face or back of the shoe, to the soft materials encasing the soles, these shoes are show stoppers, a true statement piece and a Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone favorite.


**Image provided by arunaseth.com

Fall Weddings In Michigan

As summer comes to an end and fall season approaches, Michigan’s beautiful autumn colors begin to emerge. The apple orchards begin to prepare their delicious apple cider and donuts, while many families travel to Michigan to witness the stunning ‘Fall Color Change.’

Fall season is a beautiful time for the Michigan Bride to take advantage of a season so rich in color by incorporating all of the Fall season offerings into an inspiration for your wedding.

During the Fall season, the Michigan Bride’s choices are endless. Metro Luxe Candice Vallone loves designing a fall themed wedding by integrating deep rich colors, multiple and unique flowers, plush textured linens and savory comfort foods into the wedding theme and decor.

In an earlier post, Fall Flowers for a Michigan Wedding, I discussed that the Michigan Bride does not need to be boxed in with the basic orange and brown color palette for a Fall themed wedding. Using an array of beautiful deep jewel tone colors will make a powerful statement.

Another benefit to having your Michigan wedding during the Fall, is that the availability of your select wedding venues become more flexible. Some of Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone’s favorite Michigan Venues are historic sites; with their blazing fireplaces, rich woods and sparkling chandeliers historic venue are a perfect and scenic match for a Fall Themed Wedding.

Fall Weddings lend themselves to savory and seasonal culinary creations as well as edible treats to use as guest favors.

Look for Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone’s culinary expert, Chef Daniel’s upcoming post on a Fall themed dinner menu!

Menu Tastings For Your Michigan Wedding Reception

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone's  gives advice to future Michigan Brides and Event Hosts on what the two most important questions to ask venues regarding their menu selections and food presentations.

Q. What questions should a Bride or Host ask their venue, regarding the venue's menu selections?

A. Does the venue offer a private menu tasting or a group tasting?

Having a private tasting is a very important feature; a menu tasting should be an 'individual' experience, where all of the parameters are discussed based on the Host's preferences, food seasonality and availability and current presentation techniques.

A menu tasting should not be taken from a 'cookie cutter' banquet menu, nor should you have to sample food with hundreds of other people who also have an upcoming event at that venue. Your event is personal and your menu tasting should be just as personal.

A tasting should be customized to your liking, offering you a variety of food selections, garnishes, sauces etc., giving consideration to any special needs such as food allergies and kosher or vegetarian requests.

A private tasting also allows you to get comfortable with the Chef as well as the staff's service; giving you confidence that the day of your event will run smoothly and with no surprises.

Q. What is a great 'wow factor' for food presentation?

A. Utilizing different and unique plates and serveware for each course; thinking outside the box and not keeping with the same standard plates.

Another great presentation is to have one or two courses served with 'French Service'. French Service is an elegant style of service. The distinctive feature is that the final preparation of the food is tableside. For larger parties, having the servers add the final sauce on the entree for each guest, would give you a taste of the elegant French Service.

For a Metro Luxe Candice Vallone catered event, Our Caterers offer our clients a personal and private menu tasting customized to your requests. For a special parting gift, we also capture photos of your final menu selections, so that you have a snapshot of each dish being prepared for your event!

Couture Wedding Dresses in Michigan

Michigan Brides and Brides across America looking for only the best in their wedding gown, Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone would like to introduce you to the Katerina Bocci Couture Bridal Collections.

Katerina Bocci’s Design Studio is an expansive 3200 square-foot facility located in Shelby Township, Michigan. In her studio you will find custom couture bridal gowns, evening gowns, cocktail dresses and fine elegant suits. All of her couture designs are custom created using only the finest in luxury fabrics, laces, beading and silks.

Upon one of my visits to her studio, Katerina's staff was hard at work on a piece for her upcoming 2010 bridal gown collection. I was completely enamored by how beautiful each piece was and by how much detail and time goes into such a creation.

A Katerina Bocci couture wedding gown graciously shows off and enhances your body, accentuating your best features and the materials used feel so luxurious on the skin. Each piece is custom fit to the individual; each piece has her special mark; each piece is such a work of art you almost want to frame it.

Katerina Bocci's designs have graced the runways of New York and she has created custom couture wedding gowns for many local and national celebrities.

For the Michigan Bride looking for the most beautiful wedding dress of her dreams, look no further than a Katerina Bocci couture wedding gown. Her designs are elegant and classic with a current and relevant twist.

**Image provided by Katerina Bocci

Weddings at the Royal Park Hotel; Rochester, MI

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone recommends the Conde’ Nast Johansens award winning Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan.

The Royal Park Hotel is a boutique hotel with an old mansion feel. They offer two beautifully appointed ballrooms and can accommodate celebrations of any size. The hotel sits on the banks of Paint Creak which makes the grounds a superior photographic backdrop for your pictures and memory albums.

For the Michigan bride having both the wedding ceremony and reception onsite,the Royal Park Hotel's Conservatory, aptly named the Crystal Palace, features a private garden with a flowing fountain and an open Belgian Glass ceiling. The Conseratory is encased in large surrounding windows showcasing the beautiful views of the grounds; it also features a beautiful Murano chandelier sparkling from above. The Crystal Palace can be used for ceremonies for up to 200 guests. For more intimate events and celebrations such as small receptions, showers, dinner and cocktail and hors d’oeuvre parties,the Crystal Palace can accomodate up to 90 guests.

The second and larger ballroom is the Royal Grand Ballroom which is ornamented with handcrafted chandeliers, fifteen foot high ceilings and an Italian marble gallery. The Royal Grand is one of the largest ballrooms in Southeast Michigan and can accommodate up to 1200 guests.

If you are hosting out of town guests or having your bridal party dressing onsite, the Royal Park Hotel offers beautifully appointed suites, each adorning an old world feel, while overlooking the views of downtown Rochester from private balconies.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone will design your event from start to completion, incorporating rich materials and luxurious details to match the elegance that the Royal Park Hotel offers.

**Image provided by Royal Park Hotel

A Michigan Wedding at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone is very excited to announce that for the first time in the 124 year history of the Detroit Institute of Arts, they have graciously opened up this very special venue for wedding and other private celebrations!

The Detroit Institute of Arts is only one of a few other museums within the United States that allows private events. The others include, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore and the Jocelyn Art Museum in Nebraska.

The Detroit Institute of Arts, referred to as the DIA, is one of the premier art museums in the United States and home to more than 60,000 works of art that comprise a cross section of multicultural creativity from ancient times through the 21st century.

At the Detroit Institute of Arts, you can choose from a variety of rooms for your celebration. The select rooms offered are: the Walter B. Ford II Great Hall, the Prentis Court, the Rivera Court the Kresge Court each showcasing beautiful works of art as well as ornate and exquiste historic decor.

In addition to hosting your wedding reception, you can now celebrate all of the milestones of your life; such as wedding showers, engagement parties, birthday celebrations as well as bar and bat mitzvahs. All food and catering is prepared by their in house caterers, Sodexho Corporate Services, with offerings of menu tastings prior to your event.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is a perfect location for certain Michigan brides or other celebration hosts looking for an event venue with a unique flavor and flair. Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone is partial to this type of venue where the architecture, art and design elements of the DIA provide a very evocative and exciting backdrop for producing a flawless event.


**All Images provided by the DIA

Michigan Weddings at The Henry Ford

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone loves the refined sophistication of The Henry Ford.

Appealing to a Michigan bride seeking a historic and formal setting for their wedding venue, The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan, has an array of unique and exquisite venue options on their property to host a wedding ceremony and reception.

The Lovett Hall Ballroom is one of Michigan’s most beautiful ballrooms. In the late 1800’s, Henry Ford himself designed the ballroom to entertain heads of state and dignitaries. With the sparkling crystal chandeliers, a grand staircase, and a balcony that overlooks two courtyard gardens, this venue is pure elegance.

The 19th Century historic Martha-Mary Chapel on the property of The Henry Ford is perfect for the Michigan bride wishing to host their ceremony and reception at the same site. To add a dramatic effect to your ceremony entrance and exit, they also offer a horse drawn carriage to transport you through the scenic view of the village.

Another highlight on the property is the grand entrance of the Museum Plaza; a wonderful area for a cocktail and strolling hors d'oeuvre reception.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone will customize your event by pairing the perfect Henry Ford setting to your vision, creating intrigue and elegance with the use of beautiful and refined elements. You and your guest will enjoy an unbelievable experience from the moment you arrive to the time you depart.



**Images provided by The Henry Ford Website

Weddings at Meadow Brook Hall; Rochester, MI

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone recommends the Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens as a spectacular venue for a wedding or event celebration. The mansion is the fourth largest historic home in the United States and is often described as an American castle.

Inside:

The architectural elements include elaborate details of ornate plaster ceilings and crown molding throughout. Beautiful rich woodwork and crystal chandeliers add a luxurious charm.

The Great Hall which boasts a grand fireplace is a great area to host your cocktail hour. The Loggia Terrace which runs the entire length of the mansion is perfect to use for an outdoor reception or for a cocktail hour.

We believe the most lavish room in the mansion is the Christopher Wren Dining Room, accommodating up to 94 guests for an intimate sit down dinner. Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone loves to use the mansion’s dining room for intimate dinner parties while incorporating luxurious linen fabrics, beautiful tablescapes and crystal stemware to showcase the room’s richness and historic setting.

If space is needed for larger parties they are able to accommodate up to 200 guests utilizing several rooms connected to the dining room.

The Ballroom and Fountain Room are on the lower level of the mansion and accommodate a number of unique functions. For a change in scenery, Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone likes to arrange cocktails and dancing after dinner in the Ballroom or cordials and dessert in the Fountain Room. The options are endless at this luxurious venue.

Outdoors:

The outdoor grounds are so breathtaking to hold an outdoor ceremony or tented reception. The outdoor areas include: the Rock Garden which houses a gazebo and fountain with lush floral gardens can accommodate large or intimate ceremonies. The next area is the Pegasus Garden which is regal and formal offering a beautiful long flagstone walkway leading from the mansion toward the Pegas Fountain where your groom awaits you.

For larger events, our favorite area is the South Lawn outdoor tent which is positioned during the months of May through October. Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone loves to design a thematic concept which the tent allows for with its clean, blank canvas.

The tent can accommodate up to 350 guests and is equipped with a parquet dance floor, sheer ceiling liners and chandelier lighting.

The possibilities to transform the ambiance of your event into spectacular are limitless at Meadow Brook Hall & Gardens.

** Images taken from Meadow Brook Hall site.

Weddings At The Townsend Hotel; Birmingham, MI

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone chooses the Townsend Hotel as one of Southeast Michigan’s premier wedding venues for the Michigan bride.

Located among the high end boutiques in downtown Birmingham Michigan, the Townsend Hotel with its impeccable elegance and European refinement, is an ideal venue for the Michigan bride who wants sophistication and a memorable experience for her special day.


When entering the Townsend Hotel, an expansive sparkling crystal chandelier greets you in the grand foyer. The hotel offers a 5000 square foot ballroom, detailed with crystal chandeliers, marble flooring and deep wood paneling, making it a perfect setting for your reception or any pre-wedding celebration. Also offering several other unique and beautiful rooms and foyers, the ambiance at the Townsend Hotel is American luxury at its finest.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone will custom design a spectacular event with sophistication and elegance, enhancing the ornate details that this hotel embodies.



**Image provided by hotels.com

DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB: “THE CARRIE GOWN”

DETROIT PREVIEWS "THE CARRIE GOWN"

Last night, I attended the Crème de la Crème fashion and afterglow party held at the beautiful Detroit Athletic Club; the event was hosted by the charismatic Jon Jordan, channel 4 fashion editor.

The purpose of the event was to promote Detroit as the Ultimate American Destination for National and International clients and to showcase Detroit native and/or based couture bridal gown designers, bridal salons and various special event industry vendors.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone and staff commends all involved in the production of this great event - Detroit has so much to offer in fashion, food, entertainment and lifestyle. Together as a community, we need to promote more awareness of our great city and to the local talent that resides here!

With French Mimes interacting with guests and the live music by Panache Entertainment the ambiance was set.

The main attraction of the night was Vivienne Westwood’s ‘The Carrie Gown” from Sex and the City. Alexis Williamson, the owner of Le Salon in Royal Oak, was chosen by Vivienne Westwood personally, as 1 of only 5 salons to preview and showcase “The Carrie Gown”. Le Salon is beautiful, edgy and couture savy, with museum quality presentations throughout the salon. Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone encourages all brides to visit this salon, it will not disappoint!

Following the presentation of "The Carrie Gown", a fabulous strolling fashion show was presented, with models walking the catwalk wearing the beautiful couture designs of Katerina Bocci, Kate Bennett, Cynthia LeMaide and the luxe shoe line, Omelle Footwear - all local Detroit talent! I think every woman there wanted to get married (again) just to be able to wear the gowns!

An afterglow party followed the show, with DJ CAPTN20 spinning some kicking sounds to dance off the tantalizing hors d’oeurves, sweets and cocktails that the DAC’s culinary staff presented.

All in all, the event was a success! The perfect place, the perfect crowd, the perfect purpose: showcasing what Detroit has to offer in couture fashion, beautiful venues, and the great people of our town!

Photo provided by Creme de la Creme

Wedding Cake Inspirations for a Michigan Bride

Today is my birthday - another year older another year wiser!

You may find this strange, but I hate cake! In my growing years as a kid, I would ask my Mom for any other sweet concoction for my celebration, 'just please no cake!' To this day, I must say cake is just not for me. I do however, think in today's time, they are truly a work of art. Today the choices of flavors, and design are endless. I've actually come across a few that I loved, because they didn't taste like cake!

On this day, since birthdays and cakes go hand in hand, (well atleast for most people) what a great day to highlight some of Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone's beautiful cake inspirations....

Hey, I can always look at them from afar,enjoy their beauty and serve them to my guests for their enjoyment - I don't have to eat any at all, and just think of all the calories I'm saving!

Guest Favors for a Michigan Wedding

I just visited one of our local Michigan cider mills and indulged on the great apple cider and delicious donuts.

I love candy apples and now with so many businesses creating speciality, 'gourmet apples', we at Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone, think they are a wonderful choice for guest favors for the Michigan bride or event host.

Michigan Brides or Event Hosts can use gourmet apples in place of the typical chocolate candy favor; wrap them up in beautiful cellophane and add a nice grosgrain ribbon, add a favor tag to say thank you or present them in a beautiful Lucite Box and place your monogram on the box lid.

For another great element, Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone can design a delicious Gourmet Apple Bar for your guests to indulge in!


You can purchase these delicious apples at the following sites:
www.amyscandykitchen.com
www.berries.com
www.candy_apple_shoppe.com
www.stickyfingersapples.com

Wedding & Event Signature Drinks for the Michigan Bride

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone is a firm believer that details matter.... with that being said, I love to incorporate signature drinks into any event. Matching your wedding or special event with a Signature Drink is a great way to add wow to your details. The drinks should be fun and creative to match the theme and tone of your event.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone's mixologist can create a custom Signature Drink to accent and add excitement to your event.

When considering what drink to serve, remember to think of the type of guests you've invited. Are they drinkers, non-drinkers? Also, mind the liquor ingredients, you don't want your guests to be intoxicated before the party even starts! So, nothing too outrageously strong and nothing too frilly so that the male guests don't feel like they are drinking soft drinks.

For guests who are non-drinkers, always have a non-alcoholic version of your signature drink so that they don't feel left out and can enjoy your offerings as well.

As an overall alternative, if you prefer no alcohol, you can always offer tasty, specialty ice teas to all of the guests as your Signature Drink.

The color and style of the drink should be reflective of your color theme and of your own personality as the host. Choose colors that will compliment your theme, or go colorless which will always blend with any color scheme.

The glasses or the containers that will hold the drinks are very important as well, as this will enhance the whole experience. (It's all in the packaging!)

Lastly, there are several choices on how to serve the drinks. If your event is a little more formal, you would want to have the drinks tray severed by the venues' staff. If the event is outdoors or more casual, you may wish to set up a self-serve table, decorated beautifully, for the guests to retrieve at their leisure. Another option is to have a tended bar serving the drinks to guests as they walk up for either formal or casual.

Salute!




** Some Images taken from Brides.com

Fall Flowers for a Michigan Wedding

When I think of fall I always think of rain and cold and that I'm another year older! What a better way to perk myself up than with flowers!

Even with my cold and rainy thoughts, fall can still be vibrant and beautiful for Michigan Weddings. Michigan wedding trends for fall floral choices are always changing; you don't always have to use the typical orange, brown, yellow combination to create a fall look. Deep Dark Jewel tones mixed in with a hint of gold and orange are a beautiful alternative.

Rich dark hued Cala Lillies, Orchids, Berries and Dahlias were used in this example.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone likes to layer different hues of each color and use various flowers for depth to incorporate the Fall color scheme throughout the whole wedding.

**Images by Jennifer Skog Photography, Kehoe Designs, Paris Designs London, Lolivier and Florals of Waterford

Wedding Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary!

On this day I will celebrate the wonderful things about my husband and our marriage and reflect on the day we got married - what a beautiful day that was.

A nice quote by Ogden Nash

"To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you're wrong, admit it;
Whenever you're right, shut up."

Vintage Glamour for the Michigan Bride

Vintage looks have been cropping up on the fashion runways, red carpet events and many Michigan Brides are wanting to incorporate an Old Hollywood theme for their wedding.

Old Hollywood glamour to me exudes confidence, sexiness, fierceness and sets a very formal tone.

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone created these inspiration boards for a Michigan Bride who wanted a vintage Hollywood Style wedding with a Modern Day Twist.

Attire:

Fashion for the Bride: Channel your inner Marilyn Monroe. Think sweetheart necklines, drop waists, mermaid style gowns.Elbow length satin gloves and a Cage Veil. If your wedding is in the winter try a faux fur shoulder wrap. Carry a classic sleek satin clutch handbag

Bridal Jewelry: Go for vintage inspired brooches and rhinestone hair combs (no tiaras), and chandelier earrings or simple pearls for all will do. Not too much jewelry just one or two statement pieces.

Bridal Hair: Finger Waves, and more finger waves – think Veronica Lake if you have medium to long hair – or Grace Kelley for shorter versions or something with a low side swept chignon bun.

Makeup for the Bride: Ruby Red Lips, Matte alabaster skin and Lush Eyelashes(didn’t they all look so flawless back then?)

Fashion For the Groom: Channel your inner Fred Astaire with classic White Tie or Black Tie attire. Combine your tuxedo with crisp white shirt with a black bow tie or a white satin tie like the picture above.

Groom's Jewelry: a nice pair of cuff links and a dressy watch.

Details:

Reception Venue: Grand Ballrooms with Big Crystal Chandeliers or Old Restored Mansions

Reception Colors: Silver, White, Black and either Blush Pink or Classic Red

Reception Flowers: Calla Lilies, Roses and Peonies – again in shades of monochromatic blush pinks or reds

Reception Music : Swing Orchestra Band or Rat Pack inspired music – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin.

Signature Drinks: Create a Champagne Glass Tower inspired from the glam days by using the Retro “Coupe Glasses”. Display the Tower either during cocktail hour or inside your reception area as a Signature Drink for the guests throughout the evening.

First Bridal Dance: Hire a Ballroom Instructor to choreograph your first dance to a classic swing themed song and have the band play it live when you dance. (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers)

Bride & Groom Grand Exit: Drive away in a rented Vintage Rolls Royce Phantom Convertible or a Vintage style Limousine and have everyone send you off at the door.
If you prefer not to leave your wedding before all of the guests – rent one anyway for your day’s transportation.

Colin Cowie

Have you read the "Colin Cowie Chic" book yet?

Michigan Brides, Dinner Party Hosts or anyone who loves to entertain, this is a Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone favorite and a must read! Colin Cowie Chic is packed with super ideas on entertaining and living life to the fullest. The book showcases everything from becoming better organized, to being a gracious host as well as a great guest.

This book is aptly titled "The Guide to Life As It Should Be"

One thing that popped out at me, that I know I have been guilty of, is buying something really nice and then putting it up and away and not ever using it. For example, I have some really beautiful wine glasses that I put away for display only in our China Cabinet - stupid..

Colin Cowie basically says in his book - the next time you have a glass of wine, pull out your best drinkware and enjoy them ....... Live Life....

You can buy the book on www.Amazon.com - let me know if you've enjoyed it as much I did.

Wedding Cupcakes for the Michigan Bride

For the Michigan Bride looking for alternatives in wedding cakes, cupcake towers have been all the rage in replacing a traditional wedding cake or any cake for that matter.

Here are samples of some really neat lasercut cupcake wrappers to take your cakes to the next level!

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone designed a layered cupcake stand utilizing these beautiful wrappers for a dessert table display.

Sold At: Shop Bakers Nook

Design Concepts for the Michigan Bride

Do you know your design style?

Metro Luxe Events Candice Vallone thinks that knowing your design style can help the Michigan Bride and her groom in developing a theme and concept for their wedding.

I copied this link to a fun picture quiz from This is Glamorous’ blog. It's really neat and I think the quiz is right on the money for my style.

For Michigan Brides who are unsure what their style is, try out this fun quiz and gain new inspirations and concepts that you can incorporate into your wedding and later into your new home.

My style was: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

"When it comes to decorating your home, no one would ever accuse you of purism or restraint. You're a real glamour puss, never happier than when an opportunity crops up to add another flourish of theatrical pizzazz to your home!"