Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Samantha + Jeff

If there is one thing that {SHE} loves, it's when a bride knows what she wants + dares to be different.  Samantha knew she wanted something non-traditional yet special + unique to she and her hubby-to-be. Samantha + Jeff elected to have an extremely intimate wedding ceremony amongst 10 immediate family members in their backyard. It was quaint, warm + beyond special. The pair then headed to the Pittsburgh Opera, the venue they chose because of its industrial chic vibe. It was pertinent to the couple that their celebration abandoned many of the standard "wedding elements" but rather had open-concept seating with a mixture of farm tables coupled with metal galvanized chairs, lounge furniture, and ultra clean-line cocktail tables + barstools.  Above the two lounge vignettes that anchored the space were brush brash industrial chandeliers to create an inviting ambiance for their family + friends to eat, drink + be merry! With a myriad of food stations + mini desserts along with the laid-back room layout truly promoted that mix-and-mingle atmosphere that Samantha + Jeff longed for! As guests departed, they were asked to take home a mini pie -- one of the couple's favorite sweets + a fantastic late night snack! Aaron Varga Photography captured the night with perfection!

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Reception Venue: Pittsburgh Opera
Catering: big Burrito
Photography: Aaron Varga Photography
Floral Design: Hens + Chicks Floral Design
Stationery Design: Taylor + Hov
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasion Party Rental, Marbella Event Rental + Elegant Chair Cover Designs
Cake Design: Bella Christie
Shoes: Kate Spade
Hair + Makeup: Beauty Justified

Live inspired + celebrate stylishly!

Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Katie + Tony

Katie + Tony's wedding was a stunner and off the charts with branding, customization, + details! Actually, the entire weekend was beyond fabulous! The wonderful parents of the bride hosted their guests three days with beautiful events; we can't wait to share those pre + post functions but back to the wedding! Inspiration began with the bride's love of jewel tones, art, and her lotus ring design. In the words of the bride, "sometimes, as is often the case, nature is capable of depicting the beauty of love, marriage, and life in one small object. The lotus flower grows in shallow, muddy water and blooms beautifully each day towards the sky before sinking below the surface as night falls, to re-bloom again the next day. This peaceful daily rebirth has inspired artists for centuries and is the prominent motif in Katie’s engagement ring and wedding celebration." Throughout the design, we used variations of the lotus literally everywhere--from the monogram to the paper goods to the girls' getting ready sweatshirts to real lotus flowers floating on each table to the cake design to the picture by number guest book to the custom 35 foot gold laser cut wall behind the dance floor. The ballroom was a show stopper boasting a unique combination of rich color, gold metallic, art nouveau flair, sparkle, texture, flowers, and candles. There really are no words to describe the insane amount of design + detail captured beautifully by Michael Will Photography!

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Ceremony Venue: Saint Mary of the Mount Church
Reception Venue: Fairmont Pittsburgh
Photography: Michael Will Photography
Videography: Yamean Studios
Floral Design: Mocha Rose Floral Design
Stationery Design: Loree Mayer Design
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasion Party Rental
Rentals: Marbella Event Furntiure
Cake Design: Fairmont Pittsburgh
Entertainment: Three Rivers Entertainment
Gown: Miss Hayley Paige
Hairpiece: Vintage Grace Boutique
Shoes: Betsey Johnson
Tuxe: Samuel Barron Clothiers
Hair + Makeup: Beauty Justified

Live inspired + celebrate stylishly!

Pittsburgh Event Planner | Masquerade Bash for Latasha Wilson-Batch

Over the weekend we celebrated stylishly with one of our favorite girl bosses! Latasha serves as the executive director for the Best of the Batch Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to improving the lives of children and families in distressed communities by building character, self-esteem, and appreciation for education. Latasha's other title is superwoman! During the planning process we were able to see her wear many hats and witness her amazing work ethic in action. Her schedule never lets up from spearheading the foundation, speaking all over the city and country, advocating in the community, mentoring youth, empowering women, attending a gazillion events all over, serving on a multitude of boards...the list goes on! Knowing her personally, her leadership and passion is beyond inspiring and seriously worthy of a celebration! Planning this milestone, Latasha wanted it to be a memorable event for closest friends, family, and colleagues-mission accomplished with masks required, a swanky venue in the city, bold + beautiful details + color palette, food + desserts overload, and a fun party! Latasha also wanted to highlight the foundation and everything that's happening for it after 17 years of commitment and hard work. In lieu of birthday gifts, {SHE} asked her guests to donate to the foundation. This is SO true to who Latasha is--selfless, giving, and always putting others first. We could not be happier to see her start a new decade oh-so-fabulously with a smile, happy tears, and surrounded by love! Crushing on these images by Kamron Khan Photography! 

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Venue: Revel + Roost
Photography: Kamron Khan Photography
Videography: Emmai Alaquiva
Floral Design: Hens + Chicks Floral Design
Stationery Design: Taylor + Hov
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: Marbella Event Furniture + Decor
Lighting + Draping: Gray Phoenix
Cake Design + Desserts: Bella Christie'z
Cake Topper: Jenn + Jules
Entertainment: DJ Nate the Barber
Hair + Makeup: 4Ever L'Amour Studio

Live inspired + celebrate stylishly!

Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Ginger + Drew

Something classic will never ever go out of style. Residing in and planning from New York City for their black tie wedding back in Pittsburgh {the bride's hometown}, Ginger + Drew's big day was effortlessly elegant + timeless. This pair were a joy to work with and had such kind spirits. They were very hands on in the planning along with the very sweet mother-of-the bride. Including personal elements in their day was very important to them. Our favorite details were the heirloom family veil that Ginger wore, the couple married at the same church Ginger's parents married, the "Big Apple" favors, the small pops of red, hearts, and arrows for their wedding month of February, the king table that anchored the infamous Duquesne Club main dining room, and the needlepoint table numbers made by the women in her family that went perfectly with their hand-illustrated branding from their New York based stationery designer. Not to mention ordering pizza as a late night snack for the reception from a local pizza shop because they met on a blind date at a pizza shop. We just adored working with this couple and their families! And even more elated when their wedding was published in The Knot Magazine because the stunning images captured by Boston-based photographers Studio Atticus are oh-so-worthy! 

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Ceremony Venue: Shadyside Presbyterian Church
Reception Venue: The Duquesne Club
Photography: Studio Atticus
Floral Design: My Garden Floral
Stationery Design: Foxy + Winston
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: All Occasion Party Rental
Cake Design + Favors: Vanilla Pastry Studio
Entertainment: The Elite Show Band
Gown: Monique Lhullier
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Hair: Andrew Leo Hair
Makeup: Kelly Bartlett

Live inspired + celebrate stylishly!

Pittsburgh Wedding Planner | Patricia + Frank

When Patricia + Frank decided upon February for their wedding month, the colors of marsala, navy, ivory + rose gold seemed more than appropriate! What a perfect palette for winter nuptials -- but who would have guessed that the temps would reach nearly mid-70s that day! Even with that said, the radiant sun would never outshine such a stunning couple + their amazing wedding day.  They decided upon two historic venues for their ceremony + reception -- Trinity Center for Urban Life + the Ballroom at the Ben -- both located in Downtown Philadelphia.  Through their wedding design, we added a modern, city chic twist to traditional elements.  Fresh Design Florists created the most perfect designs -- particularly centerpieces consisting of blush, magenta + marsala florals cascading along candelabras. And once it was time to party, there wasn't one square inch empty on the dance floor as DJ Ricochet played all the best songs from yesterday + today! John Barone Photography documented the wedding day - check it out!

Planning: {SHE} Shayla Hawkins Events
Ceremony Venue: Trinity Center for Urban Life
Reception Venue: Ballroom at the Ben
Caterer: Finley Catering
Photography: John Barone Photography
Floral Design: Fresh Designs Florist
Stationery Design: Loree Mayer Designs
Linens: Mosaic
Rentals: Lilly V
Cake + Cupcake Favors: Desserts by Dana
Entertainment: Aniya Jazz + DJ Ricochet
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Makeup: Camille Tabb