Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Evanee + Jim

And the award goes to....Evanee + Jim! Our Taylor Swift lovin', doctor-by-day, dreaming of Hollywood by night bride had a very specific vision and {SHE} brought New Hollywood glam to the Steel City. Every single detail was intentional and seriously came together like one of your favorite love films that puts you in tears by the time the credits are rolling. Their wedding was a movie-literally! The Buchners started their love story with a styled video save-the-date trailer that was a modern day spin on how they met and later was premiered as the introduction for their grand entrance at the reception. It included a new edit and real time moment from the actual wedding day because Sho Films is that amazing! The wow factor and drama did not stop there. From Evanee's gorgeous illusion and lace gown hidden with a full skirt for a jaw dropping change out that surprised everyone (groom included) to the 100 foot red carpet entrance with paparazzi to capture guests entering to the gold edged cake defying gravity from a crystal chandelier to the red carpet floral runner cascading from the king table to the thousands of bold red roses against muted tones to the aerialists performing throughout the evening--the Buchners gave their guests an award winning evening of not just eye candy + design but insane fun! Ann Louise Photography was the perfect fit to capture all of the glam and Sho Films could not have cut their love story any better! {SHE} will never stop gushing over the Buchners. They won! 

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Ceremony Venue: Immaculate Heart of Mary
Caterer: Fairmont Pittsburgh
Photography: Ann Louise Photography
Videography: Sho Films
Floral Design: Mocha Rose Floral Design
Stationery Design: Loree Mayer Design
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rental + Marbella Event Rental
Cake Design: Frosted Envy
Lighting: PSAV
Entertainment: Anthony Molinaro
Gown: Steven Yearick from Anne Gregory for the Bride
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Hair + Makeup: Roma Salon

Pittsburgh Event Planner | Forces of Nature

This time last year we collaborated with the best of the best in Pittsburgh for one night of design insanity supporting Event Pros Take Action. Five planners were given the design challenge of color. Guess what color {SHE} got? Pink of course! Any other color for this would have been so unnatural because our world is pink. This hue embodies an attitude and set the tone for our design that was defiantly feminine, opulent, dramatic, yet playful! Our pretty in pink, plush play lounge was a dream! The interactive chic space draped in shimmery blush sequin included a life-size sliding puzzle, oversized Jenga, tic tac toe tables, checker tables, and the classic game of Tetris with a floral game controller. Can't forget the thrift piano that came to life with gallons of pink paint + glitter and hundreds of flowers. And then there was the ribbon + floral chandelier that anchored the space. What a labor of love cascading ribbon and flowers ceiling to floor?! We're still in awe of this magical evening and the amount of love + time every single person and company contributed to this project. Our white floral wall greeted guests upon arrival!! {SHE} was so proud of our city, our industry, and genuinely inspired by the talent that was showcased by all! Lauren Renee Designs did not leave out a single detail in the beautiful photos! This was no small fete; our team, friendors, and partners worked very, very hard to knock this design out of the park and we're forever grateful. This is how you PARTY WITH A PURPOSE!

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Photography: Lauren Renee Designs
Videography: Emmai Alaquiva
Floral Design: Mocha Rose Floral Design
Wholesale Partner: Mayesh Wholesale
Branding: Loree Mayer Design
Puzzle + Table Art: Ashley Cecil
Custom Drapes + Pillows: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rental
Rentals: Marbella Event Furniture
Lighting Design: Gray Phoenix
Live Paint Artist: A Little Guilty
Desserts: Bella Christie's

Pittsburgh Event Planner | Peachie's Mardi Gras Ball

One of the best and most exciting things about our job is we never know what our next job or who our next fabulous client is. So every single new consultation has an element of surprise! When we got the call to plan a big bash with a four week turn around for Peachie's birthday 5.1, {SHE} had no idea it was the beginning of a wonderful relationship and friendship! We started the planning with an info gathering session with Peachie's sister and closest friends. Though Peachie knew about the party, they wanted to keep a lot of the details + surprises unknown to her. Peachie is innately a giver and always taking care of others so it was important that she could just show up, be celebrated, and be the guest of honor. What originally was going to be a winter wonderland experience at a ski resort turned into a New Orleans meets Pittsburgh experience when {SHE} got involved because the initial venue was simply inadequate for this affair. Pressed for time and decisions, {SHE} put the brainstorming cap on quick and learned one of Peachie's favorite places to travel was to New Orleans and {SHE} loved Mardi Gras so it was the perfect theme for this vibrant lady in red! Moreover, her February 27th birthday often falls right within the Mardi Gras festivities! Don't even know where to begin with the details for the PARTY. OF. THE. YEAR! {SHE} can assure there were none left out. From the second line grand entrance, to the array of colors and ambience of N.O. streets, to the completely customized and unique centerpieces for each guest table, to the live speed paint artist, to the masked aerialists, to the taste of Bourbon Street in the food and beverage--we were celebrating in her beloved hometown but you felt the soul and culture of Mardi Gras + New Orleans! Mecca Gamble captured this amazing celebration beautifully and Emmai Alaquiva's cinematic story allows us to relive the fun over and over and over! This special celebration will never ever get old. 

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Party Venue: Heinz History Center
Caterer: Commonplea Catering
Photography: Mecca Gamble Photography
Videography: Emmai Alaquiva
Floral Design: Hens + Chicks Floral Design
Stationery Design: Bellamy + Belou
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: Marbella Event Rental
Cake Design: Bella Christie's
Lighting: Three Rivers Entertainment
DJ: GQ
Master of Ceremony: Tee Jay
Jazz Ensemble: Calvin Stemley + Stemtec
Aerialist: Iron City Aerialists
Speed Painter: George Williams

 

Cleveland Wedding Planner | Naeemah + Daven

On New Years Eve, with only 20 seconds left in the countdown, Daven dropped on one knee and asked Naeemah to bring in the New Year as his wife! The drama + romance behind their proposal continued with planning their dream wedding. Naeemah had a vision-a modern, chic black tie wedding along with a fun-filled weekend in the city. {SHE} knew it could only be brought to life with the help of a #detailsnob. The weekend kicked off with gorgeous welcome boxes (our favorite-to-date) that guests received upon checking into the Westin Downtown Cleveland. In the box guests would find custom-labeled, well everything! Mini champagne bottles. Mini water bottles. N+D’s favorite candies. And the hangover kit, which would come in handy after an eventful weekend! The party began after rehearsal on Friday with a welcome party at C’set La Vie and ended at The Vault for an after-party on wedding night. From the intricate bodice + lavish skirt of Naeemah's gown, to the breathtaking 10’ phalaenopsis orchid centerpieces to the 'X' shaped tables, the boldness of black, and perfect amount of sparkle, this bride loved drama just as much as {SHE} does! Naeemah + Daven’s city chic wedding was captured to perfection by Making The Moment and featured online in Bridal Bliss on ESSENCE.com. Now to enjoy all of the fabulousness that happened that one time {SHE} went to Cleveland-yup we travel! 

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Westin Cleveland Downtown
Caterer: Westin Cleveland Downtown
Photography: Making the Moment
Videography: Noah Epps Videography
Floral Design: Neil Leeson Decor Floral
Stationery Design: Loree Mayer Design
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rental + Marbella Event Rental
Cake + Dessert Table Design: Bella Christie's
Lighting: Network Sound + Lighting
Ceremony Musicians: Accordia Stringed Quartet
Entertainment: The Unit Band + DJ K Nyce
Gown: Lazaro
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Hair: Hair by Meechi
Makeup: Makeup by Bo

Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Beth + Brian

Beth + Brian went into the wedding planning process with two main goals--"let it be fashionable" and "let it b fun!" {SHE} can definitely say: mission accomplished! The couple knew how to enjoy every minute and step of planning from selecting linens to designing stationery, and finding the perfect bridal party attire. With Beth being an uber stylish fashion blogger {IG: @thefashionableeye} it was quintessential that the wedding was bursting at the seams with details, details, details. There were no defined "wedding colors" which worked so well. We created the perfect palette + design elements that were compiled of mauve pink and shades of purple that melted into stormy gray, then accented with metallic gold. {SHE} just loved how the overall modern, chic motif was the perfect juxtaposition to the ultra classic + architecturally ornate Pennsylvanian.  Milla C. Photography, with their journalistic approach to weddings, captured the day + details with perfection--even their first look in the rain. It was such an honor to relive the day, as the Picards are featured in the current print edition of Whirl Wedding Magazine. Check them out!

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Ceremony Venue: Calvary United Methodist Church
Reception Venue: The Pennsylvanian
Caterer: Opening Night Catering
Photography: Milla C. Photography
Videography: Pictory Productions
Floral Design: Hens + Chicks Floral Design
Stationery Design: Loree Mayer Design
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rental
Add'l Rentals: Marbella Event Rental
Dessert Table: Bella Christie's
Lighting: Gray Phoenix
Entertainment: Jeremy Ganss
Gowns: Anne Barge
Shoes: Valentino
Hair: DeStefino Beauty Bar
Makeup: Beauty Justified

Live inspired + celebrate stylishly!