January 2013
Davis Islands Garden Club
Developing a personalized sense of style is a process. Whether for a wedding or other special event, our clients find their own signature "look" and "feel" by trial and error. It does not happen overnight. Such was the case of Katie and Damien this past winter.
Because Katie was a busy nurse and Damien in the military, her mom, Diane, took an active role in helping to develop a menu and event design that sincerely reflected them as a couple. Working from a distance, Diane and husband, Tom, traveled back and forth from their Michigan home to Tampa Bay where the couple resided.
For this celebration, the planning started with the food, since Tom was a seasoned gourmet chef. Then came Katie's color scheme of periwinkle blue and chocolate. Things developed subtly as Katie found time to explore work connections to a florist and DJ. Then came her signature monogram that forged the eventual guest table look at the garden club.
Our event designer, Kent Billiter, met with Katie and her mom to plan out her table décor that included a fresh floral arrangement and a balanced mix of the chocolate brown and blue. At one of our open houses, Kent was able to showcase several options for runners, napkins, and chair ties. Katie and Damien brought a sample centerpiece from Bay Bouquet and the rest is history.
Katie chose to alternate high and low blue tinted hydrangea stems. The taller were fashioned atop a tall rounded cylinder vase with a wispy stem of brown curly willow inside. The shorter version was in a clear square vase filled with black rocks.
A set of three runners outlined the table with two periwinkle on either side of a chocolate brown. Our in-house white chair covers were tied with a matching chocolate sash simply tied in the back.
Much of Katie and Damien's personalization came in the small details such as custom printed table numbers and tags tied to individual boxed favors of chocolates.
Despite it being mid-January, the weather cooperated prior to dusk and the couple was able to enjoy an outdoor ceremony with lots of waterfront backdrops. The couple chose to do "first look" pictures with the bridal party and family prior to the ceremony.
After the ceremony the Davis Islands patio welcomed guests for the social hour with open bar and rented glassware. The place card table played a dual role for the cards and gifts and hand-passed appetizers featured fish tacos, mini quiche, gazpacho shooters with shrimp, and mini empanadas.
Indoors guests were assigned their seats at 8 - 10 person tables. Windows were simply draped with our sheer white curtains. A station buffet featuring tropical fruit, mixed greens salad, green beans, Rosemary roasted potatoes, Fettucine Alfredo with a seafood option, Cheese Stuffed Tortellini, and duo carving station of Roast Baron of Beef and Herbed Pork Loin with dressing.
At the end of the day, with details in place, Katie and Damien enjoyed a stress-free celebration incorporating their sense of style and format.
KUDOS:
Event planning, design, coordination and cuisine - Catering By Robert / Event Concepts. FL, Kent Billiter, Designer
Personal and Reception Flowers - Bay Bouquet, Tampa
Venue- Davis Islands Garden Club
DJ - DJ Fresh, Doug Hensel
Cake - Publix Greenwise, South Tampa
