{LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN} | Luxury Florida Destination Wedding Planner + Designer

{Save-the-Dates + Valentine's Day = The Perfect Combination}

2012-01-24T13:15:00.000-05:00

With Valentine's Day just right around the corner, we've been brainstorming some fun and different Save-the-Date ideas for those of you getting hitched next Fall/Winter. Why not combine your Save-the-Date with a little Valentine's Day love for all of your guests to be!? Just like the two of you, it might just be the perfect combination!

Here are some fun ideas for a Save-the-Date/Valentine's Day combo that all of your guests will love when you ask them to "Be Ours".

Customize an engagement picture with the word LOVE and ask your friends and family to "Be our guests"!

Rather than "our class", let your guests know that the "we would knot be the same without your love and support...save-the-date..."!

Or send a fun or quirky little gift to your guests asking them to "be yours"!

Customize a Paint Strip in different shades of Reds and Pinks that not only makes a cute Valentine's Day Card, but also a fun Save-the-Date idea.

Who doesn't love getting chocolate on Valentine's Day? Surprise your guests with a custom wrapped chocolate bar and details about your upcoming nuptials inside!

A cute scratch off card with a role of pennies is also a fun little nod to a Valentine's Day/Save-the-Date combo!

Or send each guest a little bag of Valentine's Day treats with a personalized Save-the-Date slipped inside!!

{Photos via Martha Stewart, Dandee Designs, Country Living}

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Real Wedding | Marica and Brock | Boca Grande, FL}

2012-01-13T10:01:00.004-05:00

Back in late October 2011, LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN had the distinct honor to assist with the wedding celebration of Marica + Brock, who both live in New York City, for their beautiful Boca Grande, Florida wedding weekend held at the historical Gasparilla Inn & Club. The best thing about it was that they had The Gasparilla Inn & Club all to themselves and their 200 guests for the entire weekend.

We started Marica and Brock's beautiful four day wedding weekend on the Thursday before with the Ceremony Rehearsal at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church which was followed by a Rehearsal Dinner for the wedding party and their family at the Golf Club Gazebo at The Gasparilla Inn & Club. Friday morning, they treated their wedding party to a day of fishing and later that evening, all 200 guests were invited to a Fish Fry at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club full of recipes that were custom created from old family traditions. On Saturday, the wedding festivities began with the Ceremony held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, followed by Cocktails, a Dinner Reception and Dancing (with AMAZING floral by Botanica International Design Studio) at The Gasparilla Inn. Then on Sunday they treated everyone to a yummy farewell brunch in BZ's at The Gasparilla Inn. That afternoon, Marica + Brock escaped on a float plane from Boca Grande to Miami and then off to their Honeymoon in Barbados.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful weekend full of fun, laughter and impeccable service provided by The Gasparilla Inn & Club. Here are some images from their beautiful wedding day, taken by John Unrue Photography. P.s. Marica's GORGEOUS Oscar De La Renta gown is to die for!

A very special thank you to an amazing creative team that we were able to work with to make Marica + Brock's day so special!

Event Planning + Coordination: LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN

Ceremony Venue: St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

Cake: The Gasparilla Inn & Club

Calligraphy: Sarah Hanna

Stationery: Bradley's Engraved Stationery

Band: The Faze Band

Ceremony Florist: Native Gardens

Personal Flowers, Main Floral and Decor: Botanica International Design Studio

Hair & Make-up: Brides Personal Stylist from NYC

Photography: John Unrue Photography

Rentals: Linens with Panache/Classic Party Rental

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Happy Holidays}

2011-12-22T08:53:00.002-05:00

We want to personally wish you and yours the warmest of Holiday Wishes!

Please note that our office will be on Holiday from noon on Friday, December 23, 2011 and returning on Monday, January 2, 2012. Should you have any questions or need any assistance, we will be checking email, so please send us a note at info@luciapauldesign.com. We look forward to working with you in 2012!

Happy Holidays,

Anna + the LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{REAL EVENT | 2011 Franklin Templeton Shootout}

2011-12-13T10:03:00.005-05:00

Last week, LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN had the honor of working with Kirsten and Greg Norman and their fabulous team from A Greg Norman Production Company on designing and planning all of the decor for the 2011 Franklin Templeton Shootout ProAm Pairings Party and Awards Dinner. When we were approached, we only had two and a half months to pull all of the design elements together for both events. Needless to say, it was a fun event to be able to work on.

Here are a few shots from both events during the 2011 Franklin Templeton Shootout and links to additional photos from the event. First up, Tuesday night's Pairings Party. To see more photos from the Pairings Party you can visit the Franklin Templeton Shootout's website HERE.

{All photos by Michael O'Bryon}

{The Host, Greg Norman, with some of the fun poolside decor}

{Greg Norman with the Emcee for the Evening, Chris Berman}

{The Floating Stage}

{The Scoreboard and Pairings Listing}

On Thursday night, we had the distinct honor to help plan and design the Awards Dinner for the ProAm. With over 350 guests hosted in the Tiburon Ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples Golf Resort, we created a design reminiscent of the Art Deco Era with a cool and chic Dinner Club vibe. We worked closely with the fabulous 50-Fifty Creative Services on all of the custom floral and decor elements. The 35 tables were adorned with two different styles of centerpieces. The first were hand painted black and gold Palm Leaves in tall, sleek black vases surrounded by smaller gilded vases filled with Creamy, White Phalaenopsis Orchids. The second style was a low, but full arrangement of White Phalaenopsis Orchids accented with gold and black cafe lamps. We accented the table settings with crystal stemware, Gold Python-like Chargers (they were amazing!), custom made Napkin Rings, Gold Stemware and simple black satin linens. To set the stage, we worked with Design Elements to create a backdrop that had depth and texture. They also created entranceways into the ballroom out of sleek black drape to keep in tune with that chic dinner club vibe.

Here are a few photos from Thursday night. For more photos from the event, visit the Franklin Templeton Shootout's website HERE.

{The Tiburon Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples}

{The Taller of the two centerpieces}

{The lower arrangement composed of Phalaenopsis Orchids and the Cafe Lights}

{The hosts own Wine Label}

{The Emcee for the evening, David Feherty}

{The Panal, from left to right, David Feherty, Greg Norman, Ricky Fowler, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley}

{The wonderful hosts for the evening, Kirsten and Greg Norman}

A special thank you to the Creative Team that helped make this event happen:

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Golf Resort - Venue, Audio Visual, Staging

KCTecs - Lighting/AV

50-Fifty Creative Services - Floral

Linens with Panache/Classic Party Rental - Rentals

BBJ Linen - Linens and Chargers

Design Elements - Stage Decor and Draping

Table Wraps - Cocktail Hour Linens

URBANcoast - Table Numbers

Michael O'Bryon Photography - Photography

And the entire staff at A Great Norman Production Company!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{STYLE INSPIRATION | HOT CHOCOLATE GOODNESS}

2011-12-08T20:14:00.007-05:00

The weather outside is frightful-- or at the very least getting a bit nippy-- and nothing gives you a warmer and cozier feeling than a delicious cup of hot chocolate. This comforting beverage is such a winter staple that we couldn't help but use it as this week's muse for our style inspiration post. Sure, hot chocolate is a bit more abstract than a trend found in a fashion magazine, and sure, it's not technically winter yet, but who doesn't love hot chocolate when it gets cold outside? :)

Once again, we've gone to Pantone for our color palette, and wouldn't you know it, Pantone actually makes a color called Hot Chocolate! We love you, Pantone. Other colors we chose for our hot chocolate palette were Cinnamon Sticks, Snow White, Light Taupe and Taos Taupe. These beautiful, neutral tones create a warm and intimate atmosphere for this winter wedding.

Our inspiration board consists of log cabins, snow-capped mountains, fur(real or faux), and wooden accents. The "hot chocolate" fete would be perfect for a destination wedding(ahem Floridians).

Have a great weekend!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{some photos via: Monique Lhuillier, Rebecca Thuss, Joanna Goddard, Orange Girl Photographs, Jet Fete Blog, Belle the Magazine, Martha Stewart, Style Me Pretty, & Pinterest}

{HOLIDAYS: HAPPY HANUKKAH!!}

2011-12-01T17:47:00.049-05:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The holidays are upon us, which means a time to reflect on the past year, an opportunity to reunite with family, and an excuse to decorate, decorate, decorate(!) for your upcoming gatherings. Hanukkah is first up, starting at sunset on December 20th this year, and our event planners at LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN found some beautiful ideas(using the traditionally gorgeous blue, silver, gold, and white color palette) to help you transform your home for those eight crazy nights. :)

The Festival of Lights can begin for your guests before they arrive at your door. Hang some Star of David lanterns or blue and clear mason jars with candles along your walkway to light the path to your home.

Adorn your entryway with a lovely pearl and lights Star of David or hang a blue and white wreath on your door.

Lush flowers, such as hydrangeas, add life to your decorations. As does a foliage garland along your mantle.

Here are a variety of modern menorahs for your festivities.

The above manzenita branch menorah displayed as the centerpiece for your dinner table.

Paper dreidels make for adorable place cards, as do Star of David shaped cookies engraved with your guests' initials.

The blue, white, silver, and gold color scheme make for exquisite place settings, whether you want a more minimalistic look or all out glam.

Finally, here are a couple of sweet ways to wrap up some Hanukkah gelt(or Hanukkah money, as well as chocolate coins given to children during the holiday) for your happy guests at the end of the night.

Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{some photos via: Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, Pinterest, Westelm, HGTV, Impressionen.)

{With Gratitude | Happy Thanksgiving}

2011-11-23T13:29:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! Anna here. Once or twice a year, I tend to get the feeling to get personal on our blog. This is one of those times. 2011 has quite possibly been one of the most amazing and best years of my life (both personally and professionally) and in honor of Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude with you.

My gratitude begins with my husband. I am grateful because without you, I would have never learned to LOVE, to trust and to believe, again. Also, my heart is so full of joy with our new bundle that we are expecting come March 2012...Oh BOY! Baby E, we can't wait to meet you.

I am grateful to my parents, my family and my friends for all of their love and support in truly believing that I can really achieve my goals and my dreams.

I am grateful to our team (Angela, Jessica, Vikki, Linda, Ron and Leslie) here at LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN for their support in helping make our clients dreams come true. Without all of you, none of what LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN has achieved would have been possible.

I am grateful for our amazing Creative Team of vendors throughout the state of Florida and the US. Having the opportunity to work with so many amazingly, wildly creative people allows us to create designs and events that always WOW our clients...thank you for being so giving and supportive.

I am grateful for our Clients. Without ALL of you, LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN wouldn't even exist. Thank you for trusting my team and me with letting us assist you with such important events and milestones in your lives. You are what drives our passion to succeed and has made LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN who we are and continue to be.

I am grateful for God. Thank you for the blessings you have given me and teaching me to let go of the past and the ability to look forward to the future. I truly believe you have so many wonderful things in store. I can't wait.

So with all of my gratitude, I thank you for allowing me to share. I wish you and your family's a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

XOXO,

Anna

{Harvest Gold | Dressing the Thanksgiving Table}

2011-11-23T09:35:00.000-05:00

A lot of thought and preparation goes into the menu for Thanksgiving Day. BUT don't forgot about creating a beautiful table setting to enjoy that delicious meal with your friends and family. Here are a few of our favorite "Harvest Gold" inspired table designs.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR TABLES TO YOU YOURS!

Don't forget a fabulous hand-written calligraphy menu!

{Images via Martha Stewart, Eddie Ross, Ritzy Bee, Design Sponge, Flickr, Dust Jacket Attic, Caio Newport Beach, Sunscholars, Anyone Can Decorate}

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{STYLE INSPIRATION | THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW }

2011-11-17T10:37:00.008-05:00

One of the biggest trends to hit weddings this year is rainbows. Brides and grooms who wanted a fun vibe for their big day--or couples who just couldn't choose what color palette they preferred--basically chose every color under the rainbow(pun intended) to decorate all aspects of their wedding and reception. The crew here at LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN figured we'd give this trend a go, so here is our take on the most colorful and happiest color palettes imaginable.

The color palette is made up of a variety of basic colors from Pantone. The lovely thing about rainbows is that while you're working with a large group of colors, they all seem to beautifully work together.

Our rainbow wedding would be best suited for an afternoon soiree at a picturesque park. And if your day happens to be a rainy one, don't fret...a rainbow won't be too far away.

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{some photos via: BHLDN, Pinterest, Brides Magazine, Limn and Lovely, Pantone, Inspired by This, Candice and Ezra, & Etsy.

{ALL IN THE DETAILS | Expert Advice: KT Merry Photography

2011-11-02T10:21:00.020-04:00

A couple of months ago we started an Expert Advice series on our blog so we could provide our readers with insider tips on how to make their wedding day the best it could be. Our series began with bridal attire expert Judy Ferrara, owner of The Dressing Room in St. Petersburg. She offered our brides sage advice on how to choose the right dress for their big day.

Today, we wanted to provide you with tips on how to best capture that dress and all of the other details that make your wedding day yours. We are honored that the wonderfully talented KT Merry of KT Merry Photography agreed to share her photo knowledge with us. We hope you find it as useful and we did.

LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN (LPD): Tell us a little about yourself and why you entered into the field of wedding photography.

KT MERRY: I have had an interest in the arts since I was very young. I started with drawing and painting before I developed an interest in photography in high school. Through a national competition I won scholarship to photo school and I chose to attend the Hallmark Institute of Photography in Massachusetts. After photography school I began working for fashion photographers as a freelance photo assistant. I spent almost 5 years traveling and learning from some of the best photographers in the fashion industry before I decided to embark on my own with wedding photography. Five years later, I couldn't love what I do more!

LPD: What do you think couples should look for in their prospective wedding photographer?

KT MERRY: I think it is very important to look at magazines and blogs to see what style wedding and wedding photography you are drawn to. Look at the types of weddings and images that a photographer captures and wait for the photography that moves you.

Next I would start a dialogue with your prospective photographer to make sure you are a good fit for one another. Keep in mind your photographer will be spending most of your wedding day with you.

LPD: What advice would you give couples to help their pictures turn out the best they can be?

KT MERRY: When you begin planning your wedding and start looking at venues and locations keep in mind how things will photograph. Visit the locations during the same time of day and year that you will be getting married and look at the light and scenery. This also applies to the location that you will be getting ready in. Ideally, you are looking for a space/room full of light, not too busy with decor and a similar style and feel to the rest of your wedding as this is also where your details (dress, shoes, invite, rings, etc.) will be shot.

Next... scheduling!! It's imperative to speak with your photographer about the timeline for your wedding day. I like to help my brides set times for key events such as the ceremony and portraits to ensure proper light for these important events. I also make sure that there is enough time scheduled for portraits of the bride and groom, bridal party, and family formals. Depending on the logistics of your wedding day this often means seeing each other prior to the ceremony. It is crucial to speak with all of your vendors to ensure everyone is on time to prevent any delays that might cost you photos.

Lastly... details. Have all of your wedding details ready to be photographed when your photographer arrives to your getting ready location. This includes: dress, rings, bouquets, invitation, welcome bag (if applicable), shoes, jewelry, favor, etc.) You may want to consider adding certain details to your wedding that will enhance your images, such as a 'just married' sign on a getaway car, a calligraphy sign for you to pose with or other props that will make for cute photos.

LPD: Where are your favorite locations to shoot a wedding and why?

KT MERRY: I absolutely love natural light so I prefer outdoor weddings and locations. If you have a beautiful outdoor setting and pair it with some soft light at the end of the day I am very happy!!

Once the sun goes down I love when the bride and groom add lighting elements. If the event is outside consider cafe string lights and candles, inside uplighting for a ballroom or reception room, plenty of candles, and even a spot for the dance floor will enhance your reception images.

LPD: What are five moments you always capture at a wedding/reception and why?

KT MERRY: I love to capture the bride getting in her dress. Seeing her slip into her gown is a must, she feels beautiful and it shows in the photos.

-If the bride and groom are doing photos prior to the ceremony (which most of my couples do), we arrange for a 'first look' for them to see each other for the first time. I like to keep this moment just the two of them (with us shooting discretely).

-The bride walking down the aisle with her dad. You'll never see a father look more proud and the bride simply beams as she locks eyes with her groom.

-Both sets of parents watching the ceremony. They are often holding hands and full of emotion. Most brides and grooms have their backs to their parents and don't get a chance to notice their reactions so it's nice for them to have the photos later.

-The bride and groom walking back up the aisle after the ceremony. Right after the first kiss the bride and groom turn around to see all their guests cheering and walk hand and hand down the aisle. I think this is when they look the happiest and completely forget about the camera and live in the moment.

-Lastly, if there are any grandparents at the wedding I love to get a nice portrait of them at some point. I have a great photo of my grandmother from our wedding and it means so much to me that she was there and brings back wonderful memories of her every time I see it.

For more information about KT Merry Photography, please visit her website at www.ktmerry.com. You can also call (305.788.3049 ) or e-mail her, as well as visit her blog, Facebook page or Twitter account. :)

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{STYLE INSPIRATION | PANTONE'S FASHION COLOR REPORT SPRING 2012}

2011-10-27T09:37:00.018-04:00

Oh, Pantone...how we love thee. Always a beacon of inspiration, we were excited to see that Pantone had released their Fashion Color Report for Spring 2012. Sure, Fall only just began, but it's always fun to take a little sneak peak at the colors we will be sporting come Spring. Not to mention, what colors our brides will likely flock to for their March/April/May weddings. :)

We chose tangerine tango, bellflower and driftwood from Pantone's Spring colors, and added a pinch of cloud cream to lighten the palette up a bit.

Although the colors are "fun", we went glam, glam, glam for this inspiration board. We featured lush fabrics, satin and silk gowns, enormous tents, and a bounty of floral arrangements to make up an elegant wedding and reception. Proof that an unorthodox palette like tangerine, purple, gray and cream can create a fabulously chic and lavish formal affair.

Have a fantastic weekend and Happy Halloween!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{some images via: The Knot, Pronovias, Christian Oth Studio, Ceci New York, Pantone, Libby James blog, Style Me Pretty, Charlotte Geary Photography, Wedding by Color, Amsale}

{Real Wedding | Michelle + Cal | The Before + After}

2011-10-11T10:11:00.002-04:00

We recently had the honor and the pleasure of planning, coordinating and designing (along with the amazing 50 Fifty Creative Services) a Luxurious, Destination Wedding in Naples, Florida at the LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort. While these aren't the official wedding photos for Michelle + Cal, we were excited when Savor Photography stopped by to take some detail shots for us. Here's a few fun Before Pictures (taken by our team member, Jessica) and a few After's (taken by Savor Photography). We promise many, many more to come once we have the honor to showcase Michelle + Cal's fabulous photographer's (12-1 Photography) photos...which we are dying to see!

{One of the Kings/Feasting Tables Before}

{And the After}

{A Room Shot of the Before}

{A Few Room Shots of the After}

We promise many, many more photos and details to come! If you do want to see more, you can check some more photos out on our Facebook page HERE and also on Savor Photography's Blog HERE! Enjoy some delicious eye candy!!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{STYLE INSPIRATION | POLKA DOTS!}

2011-09-26T13:52:00.009-04:00

Read a magazine featuring fall fashion and you will likely find pages and pages of models wearing polka dots. That's right! Those sweet, little spheres are back, and since we love them here at LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN we thought we'd use them in our latest style inspiration board. So sit back, grab your tall, pumpkin spice latte, and please enjoy our take on a fall, polka dot picnic wedding. :)

Fall is finally here, and as the masses start bundling up we start thinking about warmer, cozier colors such as coffee, golden yellows, and deep jewel tones. Luckily, Pantone provided such hues in their fall fashion color report, and we used them to create an inviting color story.

Although polka dots were our inspiration, we didn't want every inch of our faux wedding to have specks on it. Instead, we used the cute little dots on such items as the wedding cake, ring pillow, and favor boxes. This allowed us to take a more abstract approach with other items, such as featuring billy balls in the bridal bouquet, round cake pops, and circular fans to symbolize the polka dot shape.

Polka dots also influenced the setting. When we see polka dots we think charming and fun, which is why we decided to take advantage of the amazing fall weather and move the wedding outdoors! Picnics make for an intimate, joyful celebration...what more could you ask for out of a wedding?

{some images via: Pantone, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Sarah Rhoads, Amsale, We Heart It, Quite Like It, Christos, BHLDN}

Happy Monday, everyone.

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Real Wedding | Mayssoun and Ankur: Behind the Scenes}

2011-08-25T11:28:00.002-04:00

Last week we shared all of the beautiful details from our client's, Mayssoun and Ankur's, Wedding Day. Now we thought it would be fun to share some of the Before and After shots and some Behind the Scenes of the LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN team at work!

As most know, weddings take a lot of planning and time in doing so. This wedding was no exception, considering we only had three months to pull it ALL together. Along with the planning of the wedding itself, we handled all of the entertainment components as well, which included a lot of production scheduling, meetings and rehearsals. For example, just for the Bride and Grooms "Grand Entrance", we had to make sure everyone was on cue, from the moment the doors opened, to when the spotlight and lighting hit the doorway to when the Opera Singer and the Grand Pianist started performing to when the Ballerina's were cued (to perform their custom choreographed performance, to live music)...needless to say, lots of practice and quite a few rehearsals were much needed. We are proud to report, everything went as planned!

We typically don't feature this type of thing on our blog, but we thought it might be fun and interesting to see the before and after shots and what really does go into the whole wedding planning process (and why wedding planners are important) and what we do so you, the client, can really enjoy your day!

{The Before}

{The After's}

{The Before}

{The After}

{The Before |

The Prima Ballerina's}

{The After}

{The Before |

The Band and our Opera Singer}

{The After}

So now you got to see a few of the Before and After's, here are a few shots of the LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team hard at work!!

A VERY SPECIAL thank you to Widdis Photography for capturing all of these fabulous Behind the Scenes details!!! This was such a fun surprise to see these with all of the gorgeous pictures that they captured that weekend!! You guys ROCK!

::

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Real Wedding | Mayssoun and Ankur}

2011-08-16T11:45:00.003-04:00

We are excited to finally be able to post this beauty of a wedding, captured by the fabulous Kathy and Brian of Widdis Photography, that took place last May in Dearborn, Michigan at what was The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn, but is now The Henry! The wedding was recently featured on Style Me Pretty's, Little Black Book Blog, but we wanted to share A LOT more of the details and pictures (this is a HUGE post filled with lots of goodies). Also, be sure to check back next week for a "Before and After" room transformation and some behind the scenes fun with the Anna Lucia Richardson and the LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN team. It basically took a small village to produce this one in three short months...and our vast list of vendors ROCKED!

So without further ado, we present to you the fairytale wedding of Mayssoun and Ankur!

After their first meeting, Ankur was instantaneously taken with Mayssoun, owner of The Institute of Higher Learning. Even though Mayssoun was smitten with him as well, Ankur was a tutor on her staff, and she was not comfortable dating an employee. So Ankur did the noble thing and quit… he knew deep down inside he didn’t want to allow this opportunity to pass him by. And thus the perfect love affair began.

Ankur, now working in New York City, and Mayssoun, who recently expanded her company from Ann Arbor to New York, are two of the busiest people you can imagine. Planning their wedding was quite the challenge, given that we only had three months to pull the entire three-day event together. Even though Mayssoun is Middle Eastern, born in Lebanon, and Ankur is Indian, they didn’t want a traditional Indian or Arabic wedding. Instead, we, along with a crew of talented vendors, created their dream wedding that was inspired by their love for the French style.

The weekend was kicked off by two wedding ceremonies. The first was a traditional Muslim ceremony held at Mayssoun’s family’s home. While the ceremony itself was simple, it was rich in cultural and religious tradition for only immediate family members from both sides. The first ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour at the Rattlesnake Club and a surprise civil ceremony, performed by the Honorable John Corbett O’Meara in front of 150 of their closest friends and family. The civil ceremony was held in a garden overlooking the Detroit River. Guests joined Mayssoun, clad in a gorgeous customized Chanel gown carrying a bouquet of lush white Calla Lilies, and Ankur as they were joined as husband and wife. After the second ceremony, guests were invited inside the Rattlesnake Club for a delectable six-course menu, hand-selected by the bride and the groom.

The following day was the official wedding reception. Preparations began first thing in the morning with a violinist and master pianist acting as an alarm clock to wake our bride from her slumber. Throughout the day, Mayssoun and Ankur prepared for the main event, and midway through the day, they had to take a break from “getting ready” to join LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN and the entertainers in an hour-long rehearsal for the evenings festivities.

The Bride wore a custom, one of a kind Carolina Herrera Bridal Gown and veil, and a stunning Cartier Diamond necklace and earrings. Mayssoun carried a lush bouquet, which was inspired by a beautiful design that she had found in the pages of Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, filled with Phalaenopsis Orchids and a hand dyed braided ribbon that matched the boutonnière that was designed just for Ankur.

As guests arrived to The Henry, Dearborn, they entered through a hallway adorned with Boxwoods and custom frames which displayed the escort cards. Once guests found their card, they proceeded into the cocktail hour where they nibbled on a selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres and mingled between the custom linens and hundreds of Roses.

Guests were invited into the ballroom and were wowed as an opera singer performed while they found their tables and their seats. The guests were awed by the experience of the custom Ice Sculptures, custom linens, a Live Event Artist, draping and production lighting, a stage wrapped with four foot tall Boxwood, over 15,000 cream colored roses and thousands of candles made the room completely breathtaking.

At the tables, which were custom built specifically for the wedding, guests were greeted by an eight page booklet, Le Programe Du Soir (The Program of the Evening) that included a poem written by Mayssoun for Ankur, a beautiful poem by Khalil Gibran called The Men, and a Thank You note for the guests from Mayssoun and Ankur.

Once the guests were seated, the Bride and the Groom entered in the grandest of fashion, called An Operatic Zaffe. Accompanied by four Prima Ballerinas and a male ballet dancer, they were escorted through the maze of strategically placed tables to the dance floor. It was a true experience right out of a Degas painting. Once the Grand Entrance concluded, the Ballerinas joined Mayssoun and Ankur on the dance floor for the first dance… all while accompanied by a 12-piece band, the Opera Singer and a Grand Pianist. It was truly an event within the event.

Throughout the night and while guests dined on a six-course meal, they were reveled by an array of entertainers, which included Arabic Drummers and DJ, six ballroom dancers, the ballerinas, a 12-piece band, the Opera Singer and a Live Event Artist who painted the scene of the entire wedding. Once guests completed their six-course meal, including the six-layer, all white meringue wedding cake, they were then invited to enter into the desert room, which donned over seven additional wedding cakes, a grooms cake adorned with chocolate shavings and curls and over 45 feet of table top with additional French inspired pastries and deserts. Needless to say, no one left the wedding reception hungry.

After dinner and the extensive dessert, the entertainment ramped up rotating between the 12-piece band, the DJ and Arabic drummers. For an entire two-hour time period, the dance floor was jammed packed with guests. Mayssoun even took center stage and sang a solo with the band to her beloved Groom…the crowd went wild.

At the conclusion of the six-hour reception, guests were sure to not leave empty handed. Mayssoun and Ankur presented each couple or guest with a special gift from Tiffany’s as a way to say thank you to all 250 of the guests who helped them celebrate their union. However, just because the Reception was over didn’t mean the party was. Guests who still had the energy, were invited to an after-party which included a full bar and afterglow while the DJ spun until 4 am.

The next morning, everyone was invited to a Brunch at Gulio & Son’s, where Mayssoun and Ankur took the time to personally talk with every single guest and to thank them once again for making their wedding weekend such a memorable one.

The entire weekend and wedding celebration was truly one to remember.

A very special THANK YOU to an amazing group of vendors that made this wedding weekend possible:

Event Planner and Designer: LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN, Tampa, FL - http://www.luciapauldesign.com/

Photographer: Widdis Photography, Grosse Pointe, MI - http://widdisphotography.com/

Reception Venue: The Henry, Autograph Collection (formerly The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn) – Dearborn, MI

Stationery: Cartier, New York, NY - http://cartierstationery.com/

Brides Jewelry: Cartier, New York, NY

Wedding Gown (Ceremony): Chanel, New York, NY

Wedding Gown (Reception): Carolina Herrera, New York, NY

Wedding Ceremony and Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Rattlesnake Club, Detroit, MI - http://www.rattlesnakeclub.com/

Videographer: AV7 Weddings, Michigan - http://www.av7weddings.com/

Hair (Ceremony and Reception Nights): Figo Salon, Birmingham, MI - http://www.figosalon.com/

Make-up: Jon Liekfelt of Priss Makeup, Birmingham, MI - http://www.prissmakeup.com/

Opera Singer: Elena Repnikova, Michigan

Ballerinas: Valentina, Michigan

Lighting and Draping: The Lighting Guy, Michigan

Band: Simone Vitale, Royal Oak, MI - http://www.simonevitaleband.com/

Custom Linens: Nuage Designs (Miami, FL - http://www.nuagedesigns.com/enter.php) and Gala Linens (Ferndale, MI - http://www.galalinens.com/)

DJ: DJ Rumzei, Michigan

Ballroom Dancers: Fred Astaire, Bloomfield Hills, MI

Live Event Artist: K.A. Von Hasenbalg, Oregon, OH - http://www.studiovon.com/

Rentals: Special Events Rental, Warren, MI - http://specialeventsrental.com/
and Elite Rental, Troy, Michigan - http://www.eliteeventrentals.com/

Florist (Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony and Reception): Bellasario Florist - http://www.bellisarioflorist.com/

Cake and Desert Tables: Sweet Dreams, Michigan - http://www.sweetdreamsweb.com/

Ice Sculptures: Ice Dreams Sculptures, Michigan - http://www.icedreams.net/

::

XOXO,
The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Finding Inspiration | Pinterest + Lover.ly}

2011-08-12T11:59:00.002-04:00

When clients first come to us they are full of ideas for what they want on their wedding day...but they don't always have the images to back them up. One of the biggest helps for Wedding Planners and Designers (this goes for floral designers too) is that we LOVE when clients come to us with some sort of a vision in mind. But it also doesn't hurt to have some images and pictures to help define that vision so that we can expand on it and create a one-of-a-kind wedding or event for them.

While part of LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN's Full Planning and Design Service for our clients includes the creation of a Custom Design Concept (a very small sampling below...we never do the same design, even color palette twice), complete with floor plans, color palette, linen and fabric samples, and every design element from beginning to end (even down to the cocktail napkins) of their wedding or event. It does help when a client comes prepared to the initial consultation with some ideas in mind and in hand. This way it helps us visualize what really gets the client excited and what they want their wedding or event day vision to be!

While all of the wonderful magazines and blogs out there are filled to the brim with gorgeous inspiration and ideas, it's sometimes hard to organize them in your thoughts and in a fashion where you can see everything "together"...especially when you find inspiration in dozens, and in extreme cases, hundreds of places. Well, fret no more. We have two very useful tools that you may or may not have already heard about. The first (and currently the most popular tool) is called Pinterest and the second, which is the newest kid on the block (and we think it's going to be a smashing success) is called Lover.ly.

First up: Pinterest!

What is Pinterest? Well, according to their website, "Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes."

Now in order to join Pinterest, you must request an invite to set up an account. It's not difficult and it doesn't take long...but you may be placed on a brief waiting list. But be patient, it's worth it! Pinterest is a great tool for Brides (and Grooms) to be to start collecting their thoughts and beautiful images that they collect from all of the Blogs and around the web. For more details, here's a link to exactly how it works and how to get started: Pinterest!

Secondly, but certainly not least: Lover.ly!

Lover.ly is the new kid on the block (currently in the Beta stage) and one of beauty. Rather than Brides and Grooms scouring the web for images, per their words, "Lover.ly is a new visual search engine and cloud scrapbook for all your wedding inspiration. We bring quality content, search-ability, technology and inspiration in one place. Lover.ly has an archive of over 100,000 images organized by our blogging editors and community of users - our database is updating and evolving daily. Our visual search engine is designed to help users discover, search, save, and share inspiration for all things loverly."

As we mentioned, it's currently in the the Beta stage, but you can request a Beta invite to test the site out. We must say, it's pretty lovely with lots of gorgeous inspiration! Here's a link to their website and where you can sign up today: Lover.ly

So we hope this allows you to find much inspiration in the sea of images and wedding ideas out there and helps you get your wedding ideas organized!! Happy Planning...and designing!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Lucia|Paul Design Featured on Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book}

2011-07-15T14:35:00.000-04:00

We are so excited to share with you (finally) this amazing wedding we did last year for some pretty stylish clients! Check out our feature HERE today (along with the fabulous Widdis Photography) on Style Me Pretty and make sure to check back on Monday for more images on our Blog from the wedding!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Happy Red, White and Blue}

2011-07-01T11:18:00.000-04:00

We just wanted to wish you a very Happy 4th of July!! Here's a little inspiration to make your Holiday weekend as cheeky as it can be. We hope you celebrate in the very most posh and true Red, White and Blue...with a touch of Yellow too!

{Images via (clockwise): Straws - Flickr; Cake - Glorious Treats; Yellow Tote - Etsy; Fireworks - Jessica Claire; Tumblr; Ralph Lauren; Star - Craftzine; Nautical Attire - Polyvore; Nail Polish - Beautorium; Hat - Anthropologie; Tablescape - Shine}

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{ALL IN THE DETAILS | Expert Advice: The Dressing Room–Part II}

2011-06-30T08:45:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, you were introduced to Ms. Judy Ferrara of The Dressing Room for Part I of this weeks series, "All in the Details | Expert Advice". Well, just when you thought Ms. Judy had given you some excellent wedding advice, there's more . . . “Wedding dresses come in a dizzying amount of options. Here is a glossary of wedding dress/gown terms to help you keep it all straight.”

Grab your paper and sharpen those pencils; it’s back to school for you ladies – first class: Wedding Dress 101 – Glossary of Terms!

Silhouettes

A-line: fitted at the bodice and flows out to the ground, with an unbroken line (resembling the outline of an uppercase A).

Ball gown: fitted at the bodice and has a waistline that leads to a full skirt.

Mermaid: fits closely to the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out to the hem.

Sheath: fits very closely to the contours of the body; has a straight skirt with no waist.

Trumpet: fits closely to the body until the mid-hip and then widens gradually to the hem (resembling the mouth of a trumpet). Often confused with mermaid, but trumpet flairs from mid-hip, whereas mermaid flairs below the knee.

Necklines

Portrait: (Off-the-shoulder): sits below the shoulders and highlights the collar bone and shoulders.

Bateau: (boat neck): follows the curve of the collarbone to the very tip of shoulders.

Halter/High Neck: has straps that wrap around the back of the neck, or a high neck with deep armholes.

Scoop: “U” shaped neckline with varying depths.

V-neck: dips down in a V-shape.

Strapless: neckline with no straps. Comes in three variations:

Slight curve: neckline curves slightly up or down

Straight across

Sweetheart: neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart.

Spaghetti Straps: decorative (not functional) thin straps added to a strapless neckline. Comes in the same three variations as strapless.

Square: has a straight horizontal bodice that meets with straps in a 90-degree angle.

Waistlines

Basque Waist: waistline features a low “U” or “V” shape.

Dropped Waist: features a waist line below the natural waist at the mid-hip.

Empire: has a raised waistline that sits just below the bust, from which the rest of the dress flows down to the hem.

Natural Waist: waistline that hits at the natural waist (the indentation between the hips and the rib cage).

Princess: A-line silhouette with vertical seams down the front.

Trains: various lengths, many types of ways to do a bustle.

Sweep: (also called brush) is the shortest train – usually, the back hem is only a few inched lower than the front hem.

Court: slightly longer than the brush, extending approximately 3’ behind the waist.

Chapel Length: generally 1 1/3 yards or 4’ from the waistline.

Cathedral Length Train: generally 2 ½ yards or 7.5’ feet from the waistline.

Fabrics

“A wedding dress can be made from either silk or polyester.

How the fiber is woven determines if the dress is . . .”

Charmeuse: lightweight, semi-lustrous soft, is satin-like to the touch.

Chiffon: delicate, sheer, and transparent, with a soft finish. Often layered because of its transparency.

Crepe: light, soft, and thin with a crinkled surface.

Duchesse Satin: a lightweight hybrid of silk or polyester and rayon woven into a satin finish.

Dupioni: a finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen.

Faille: a soft light ribbed fabric of silk, rayon, or taffeta.

Georgette: sheer and lightweight fabric with a crepe surface.

Mikado: a brand of blended fibers, usually heavier than 100% silk.

Organza: crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar but more flowing than tulle.

Satin: heavy and smooth with a high sheen on one side.

Shantung: similar to a raw silk, characterized by its rough/nubby texture.

Taffeta: crisp and smooth, with a slight rib.

Tulle: netting (just like ballerina tutus).

We hope this helps with a little insight into dress styles, necklines, waistlines and fabrics! And hopefully leaves you equipped with a style in mind as you being shopping for the gown of your dreams!!! Happy Shopping!!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

Featured in the Collage above:

Silhouettes: Mermaid & Trumpet, Necklines: Halter/Criss-Cross Halter/High Neck, Scoop, V-neck, Strapless-Sweetheart, Spaghetti straps & Square, and Waistlines: Princess, Trains, Chapel Length, & Cathedral Length Train

Designers:
Jenny Yoo, Nicole Miller, Coren Moore, San Patrick, Thread, Sara Gabriel, Simone Carvalli & Lynn Yugo

{ALL IN THE DETAILS | Expert Advice: The Dressing Room}

2011-06-28T10:30:00.002-04:00

Welcome to a new series that we are starting here on our Blog called "All in the Details | Expert Advice"! Our goal is to bring you the absolute best advice and expertise from our favorite professionals around the Event and Wedding Industry World. We hope this series leaves you inspired and equipped with etiquette, ideas and a sense of a better understanding of why it's important to work with and hire professionals to help you with your BIG day!

First up on this series is Part I, for this week, by the fabulous Ms. Judy Ferrara of one of our favorite bridal boutiques, The Dressing Room, located in St. Petersburg, Florida. We did a little Q+A with Ms. Judy and asked her to provide us with a little information about her gorgeous little boutique (we love going in there to play dress up from time-to-time), what her top 6 Things a Bride Needs to Know when Considering Purchasing a Bridal Gown and to provide us with a little eye candy of some of her Real Brides! Make sure to check back on Thursday for more great tips from The Dressing Room on Part II: Wedding Dress 101.

Enjoy!!

LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN (LPD): Judy, it's such an honor to have you as our guest on our Blog today! Thank you for joining us and for giving our readers a little insight on who you are and what you do. So can you tell us little about WHAT The Dressing Room is?

JUDY: We like to think of this room as a little different - at the very least, independent. Not only an independent locally owned store, but more importantly - a special way of providing the best made dresses for you, and by having an appointment you will be able to enjoy a private setting, the store is all yours. We only see one bride at a time.

LPD: What is your focus at The Dressing Room?

JUDY: Our focus is on the silhouette, construction, value and your body type. This collection features more than 175 sample gowns, dresses and veils, wraps, shrugs, boleros accessories and jewelry for your review. We encourage our brides to create the beautiful details to the gowns, choose from all styles of bling, trims, crystals or use handmade flowers and blooms; this will insure your gown will capture your vision and individuality. The size range is 0 to 32.

LPD: What Designers do you carry at The Dressing Room?

JUDY: Some of the wonderful Designers we carry are Nicole Miller (Bridal only), Jenny Yoo, Coren Moore, San Patrick, Thread, Sara Gabriel, Simone Carvalli, Lynn Yugo along with beautiful accessories to accompany the gowns. Also, along with our Bridal gowns, we also carry a vast line of Bridesmaids and Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses.

LPD: What are your store hours?

JUDY: We are open Monday through Saturday by Appointment Only! The reason why we are by Appointment Only is to be able to provide the best service possible to each of our Brides and Clients and give them the one-on-one service and attention that they deserve.

LPD: In your opinion, what are the 5 or 6 most important things a Bride needs to know when purchasing a Bridal Gown? What advice can you give that would make the process an enjoyable and seamless one?

JUDY: Without a doubt, the 6 Things a Bride Needs to Know When Considering Purchasing a Bridal Gown are:

1) Make an appointment to insure the attention and service you will need to better see and try on gowns. Block at least an hour and be on time. Expect your visit to start on time and that someone is ready to work with you once you arrive.

2) Keep your family and friends to a minimum for the first visit, this will insure a better experience and then bring others with you if you wish to see the gown once again. Keeping the number smaller helps you focus and forces you to make your own decisions.

3) The dress is the main focal point for the entire day, the dress sets the tone for the entire wedding, everything revolves around it. This purchase is your signature, statement and expression. Think of the tangible take away of your day, photography, picture yourself in this dress in photos for the rest of your life.

4) Check out the construction of the dress, is it comfortable, appropriate for the venue, sit down in the gown and see yourself in a mirror, this very helpful in determining the ‘look’ you are going for. Try on a veil, look at accessories, get a ‘rough draft’ of the look, and ask to take photos. Ask questions regarding the alterations, the costs and the time needed to complete the work.

5) Be realistic about your budget and remain flexible in trying on various silhouettes. You might be very surprised that a gown that looks so-so on the hanger is beautiful on you. Keep an open mind and try on several gowns, ask how you can embellish or change a detail on a gown, what else can be done with the gown, that helps you make a decision that might personalize your look. Try to benefit from the creative process.

6) Enjoy the shopping experience, if you do not connect with a store, leave and make an appointment with another. Read the reviews and spend your time and money were your business is appreciated.

Thank you so much, Judy for sharing all of this wonderful information about your store and these fabulous tips!! Check back on Thursday for Part II from The Dressing Room on "Wedding Dress 101". For more information about The Dressing Room, visit her website HERE.

The Dressing Room

2430 Central Avenue

St.Petersburg, FL 33712

(727) 323 7666(ROOM)

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Tampa Bay Weddings Magazine | LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Featured}

2011-06-16T11:08:00.002-04:00

We are very excited to announce that we are currently featured in the upcoming issue of Tampa Bay Weddings and we were even more excited to hear that our shoot was selected for one of the two covers!!

We were very honored to partner up with an amazing team of vendors including Gina Leigh Photography for the gorgeous FILM (not digital) photography; La Vie en Rose for the lush florals cascading down the center of the table and that amazing bridal bouquet; Colours by Linny for the gorgeous hair and make-up; Malindy Elene for the stunner of an Anne Barge gown and belt; TentLogix for the Oh-So-Chic table and chairs (p.s. TentLogix is just amazing); Panache/Classic Party Rentals for the beautiful chargers, linens, flatware and stemware; Tiffany & Co for the amazing jewelry; Tampa Museum of Art for lending us their gorgeous location for the day; and last, but certainly not least, was our fantastic model and talent, Liskula of Level Talent. We were very blessed to work with Liskula who is a real, life supermodel who has graced the covers of magazines such as Vogue and Elle and has glided down the runways of Oscar De La Renta, Dior, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani and many, many more. She was so wonderful to work with!

Here's a look at the cover and the entire four page spread in the newest issue that will be hitting newsstands soon! In the meantime, you can check out the entire publication online HERE...there's some pretty nice eye candy in this issue!

A very, very special thank you goes out to the most amazing team of vendors who made this all possible! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

Photography: Gina Leigh Photography, www.ginaleighphotography.com
Stylist/Coordinator: Lucia|Paul Design, www.luciapauldesign.com

Floral Design: La Vie en Rose, www.lavieflorist.com

Location: Tampa Museum of Art, www.tampamuseum.org

Bridal Gown: Malindy Elene, www.malindyelene.com

Hair & Makeup: Colours by Linny, www.cblmakeup.com

Table & Chairs: TentLogix, www.tentlogix.com

Chargers/Stemware/Flatware/Runner/Napkins: Panache, www.linenswithpanache.com

Model: Liskula, Level Talent, www.levelmodels.com

Jewelry: Tiffany and Co., www.tiffany.com

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{SNEAK PEEK | Real Wedding of Jamie + Jay}

2011-06-01T21:46:00.000-04:00

We were so excited to get a first look at a few of the photos from the wedding of Jamie + Jay from this past weekend at one of our favorite resorts, LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in Naples, FL, we couldn't wait to share. Stay tuned for more to come soon!!

Our GORGEOUS (and super sweet) Bride, Jamie!

Photography ~ Limelight Photography
DJ ~ Djfelix InDahouse
Cake ~ Ella's Cakes
Event Planning and Design ~ LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN
Florist ~ Botanica International Design Studio

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Happy Memorial Day | A Note from The Boss}

2011-05-27T12:24:00.007-04:00

I don't usually like to put up a "personal" post like this, but D sent me this email that he received from his Boss this morning. D works for a very large corporation and it was very touching to see that his Boss (a Top Dog) sent something clearly from his heart to D and over 4,000 other employees throughout D's region. I just had to share it as it showed such a sense of camaraderie and all in honor of Memorial Day weekend. It makes me feel very proud, as it does D, that he works for such a wonderful company!

Here's to all of those service Men and Women, including my wonderful DAD, who have served and continue to serve our country...thank you!

Here's the email:

_________

"East Area Team Members,

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

With all the tough weather we have had ripping through the country, I truly hope you and your families get the opportunity to enjoy some fun outdoor activities in more pleasant conditions. Special well wishes go out to our own team members in Alabama, Minnesota and Missouri that have been hit extremely hard.

This weekend please fly our flag in memory of our servicemen and women. They've done some good work lately.

Sometimes when I pause to write a quick note to our team members on the eve of certain holidays I seek some inspiration from a recent book or article I've read or a story I've heard. Things have been quite busy lately so I felt rather pressed for time this week. As we all know God sometimes works his magic in timely ways.

Last night I was at the grocery store with my 12 year old daughter Mackenzie when I ran into a good friend who is a well decorated green beret. He is a veteran of multiple foreign tours of duty in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He has four boys and they are all good athletes with big hearts. He remains a leader within the military and serves as a volunteer coach in nearly all of his boys activities.

As we said our well wishes for the Memorial Day Weekend he told my daughter that they just got a new puppy and they were taking him to the Hamptons for the weekend. When Mackenzie and I exited the grocery store, there was my friend Phil with his adorable 10 week old springer spaniel waiting to say hello to Mackenzie. He proudly introduced "him" as his 5th boy.

When Mackenzie asked "What is his name?"

Phil's reply was…"Soldier"

Have a patriotic Memorial Day!"

_________

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!

XOXO,

Anna

{Image above via Pinterest}

{To Have and To Clutch | Nelle Handbags}

2011-05-26T13:45:00.003-04:00

We are swooning over these adorable little clutches that we came across by Nelle, we just had to share. If you are looking for the perfect little "something special" to carry all of your goodies in on your wedding day or next event, look no further. They also would make the perfect bridesmaid's gift...one that they are surely to use long after your big day!!

For more styles, check out the Nelle website HERE! Sooooo pretty!

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Featured in CRAVE Tampa Bay}

2011-05-19T09:05:00.004-04:00

We were excited when we were approached last Fall about being featured in the "ultimate guide to women-owned businesses in the Tampa Bay area, featuring entrepreneurs YOU need to know" (per the cover of CRAVE Tampa Bay's newest guide). We feel very honored to be in pages with some of the most inspiring and successful women in the Tampa Bay area, including some of the Event and Photography Industries best: URBANcoast, Christine DeLessio Photography, Carrie Wildes Photography, Pezz Photo (who did a wonderful job capturing Anna (even though she hates having her picture taken) on the LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN spread, seen below), Voila Cinematic, Paper Presence, our friends at Pinstripe Marketing, one of our favorite restaurants and caterers, Mise en Place, and soooooooo many more!! Outside of the Tampa Bay Event and Photography categories in the CRAVE Tampa Bay Guide, they also feature other brilliant, women owned businesses in the Beauty, Business Services, Fashion, Food and Drink, Gifts, Home Moms, Pets, Recreation and Wellness categories.

Here's a peak at LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN's feature!

If you are interested in a copy of the book, please let us know...we have a few laying around the studio!!

Thank you again to CRAVE Tampa Bay for the honor of being part of such a wonderful book and also a special thank you to the photographers that allowed us to use their images, from some of our events, on our feature: Pezz Photo (portrait, top right page...thank you AMY!), Jessica Johnston Photography (left page and bottom right), Widdis Photography (center picture, right page) and Jennifer Mayo Studios (left picture, right page).

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{ANNOUNCING | LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Welcomes Jessica Bruning to the Team}

2011-05-10T11:52:00.006-04:00

We are growing and we are very excited to announce that Jessica Bruning has joined the LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN team as a Jr. Event + Executive Assistant.

Jessica was born and raised in Frankfort, KY. She spent a year at the University of Louisville and then moved to Tampa, FL to pursue her lifelong dream. She attended the International Academy of Design and Technology where she was placed on a fast track, completing a four-year program in three years and in which she recently graduated with a BA in Interior Design.

We are certain that Jessica will be a valuable and devoted member of our team. We are excited to have her as a part of LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN as the company continues to grow as the premier wedding planning, event planning, wedding design and event design company throughout the state of Florida, the United States and beyond. Please help us welcome her to our team!!

You may reach Jessica at Jessica@luciapauldesign.com.

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Royal Wedding Week | Wedding Dresses Inspired by Kate Middleton}

2011-04-27T14:51:00.034-04:00

In just two days, Kate Middleton will become a princess. And while some may be wondering if she can handle this important task or if she'll ever be queen, others are simply obsessing over what she is going to wear! Kate's wedding dress designer is a mystery, but that hasn't stopped the media from speculating. The three names that have popped up the most are: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen(how appropriate), Bruce Oldfield, and Sophie Cranston for Libélula.

Here is a peek at some wedding dresses created by these designers:

{SARAH BURTON FOR ALEXANDER MCQUEEN}

{BRUCE OLDFIELD}

{SOPHIE CRANSTON FOR LIBELULA}

::

Other bridal designers and fashion houses such as Vera Wang, Amsale, Monique Lhuillier, Valentino, Jason Wu, and Gucci also decided to showcase how they imagine the future princess should look on her big day.

{AMSALE}

{ANGEL SANCHEZ}

{CHANEL}

{CHRISTIAN LACROIX}

{GUCCI}

{JASON WU}

{MELISSA SWEET}

{MISSONI}

{MONIQUE LHUILLIER}

{NINA RICCI}

{REEM ACRA}

{ST PUCCI}

{TOMMY HILFIGER}

{VALENTINO}

{VERA WANG}

Which style do you think Kate should wear on Friday?

Happy viewing, everybody!
XOXO,
The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{images via: Brides Magazine and Women's Wear Daily}

Trend Alert | Black Wedding Dresses}

2011-04-21T23:31:00.027-04:00

Back in 1997, Sarah Jessica Parker married Matthew Broderick in a black wedding gown. Her reason? To avoid media attention. And while Ms. Parker was successful at thwarting the pesky press, over the years she has repeatedly admitted to regretting her not-so-white wedding. In fact, the actor has said that she would wear white if she ever renewed her vows to Broderick.

But, what would you do? Not many people remember what brides, even famous ones, wore on their wedding day. Sarah Jessica's choice, although regrettable to her, has remained fresh in people's minds and may have even inspired some bridal gown designers to "go black". Case in point, a few of the gowns appearing in the Spring and Fall 2011 collections of some of our most admired fashion designers. The following are dresses that flirt with going to the "dark side" and dresses that just go for it.

Vera Wang (above) and Atelier Aimee (below) add a black sash that makes a more subtle statement than going all black.

Designers at Atelier Aimee, Rosa Clara and Carolina Herrera(below, respectively) start to get a little more daring by incorporating black details into their gowns.

Vera Wang steps it up a notch by going gray! Still pretty daring...

Rosa Clara goes even further by covering white fabric with black tulle.

::

And finally...

Romona Keveza doesn't just design a black wedding dress. She designs a short, black wedding dress.

Oscar de la Renta delivers a black wedding dress and tops the look off with a black veil.

Atelier Aimee takes black and goes Victorian with it.

Rosa Clara's BBD (big black dress)

Romona Keveza goes "conventional" by keeping the black dress long this time.

And Vera Wang goes full circle.

What do you think about this trend?? Would you give it a try or feel you would regret it afterwards?? Inquiring minds would love to know!

Happy Friday and Easter everyone! Enjoy your weekend.

XOXO,
The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{FOUND | LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN in the The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook}

2011-04-20T09:51:00.001-04:00

We were a little slow in checking it out, but we were pretty tickled while flipping through the pages of The Knot's Ultimate Wedding Lookbook when we came across an image from one of our clients weddings back in May 2008. However, we found it a little funny when you read the caption that The Knot states that "there's not a single flower in sight" but in fact, the lanterns showcased in their book were part of a rather detailed design that included a large centerpiece of orchids as shown below. Regardless, we are honored that The Knot liked what we did for our fabulous Bride and Groom!!

Here's the Actual Image via Widdis Photography...

And a shot of the actual tablescape.

XOXO,

The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team

{Images by Widdis Photography}

{STYLE INSPIRATION | MARCHESA}

2011-04-15T12:08:00.016-04:00

While browsing through the dozens of wedding dresses that graced the runways during Bridal Fashion Week, we couldn't help but notice a little trend emerging: short wedding dresses. Sure, designers have made short dresses before, but there seems to be an increase in number and styles. One that stood out for our staff is a beautiful lace frock created by fashion house Marchesa. The dress is so lovely, dainty and sweet that we couldn't help but feel inspired.

{click on image to enlarge}

So we used two of Pantone's hot fashion colors for Spring 2011(Silver Peony and Silver Cloud) and complimented them with some delicious creamy tones to make up a dreamy color story.

{click on image to enlarge}

The Marchesa dress screams classic romance, yet it still allows a little room for fun. Although the dress has lace and tulle, the fact that it is short makes it perfect for a not-so-stuffy backyard wedding or a ceremony in the park followed by an intimate dinner reception at home.

{some images via: JCrew, Nuage Designs, La Tavola Linen, Ceci New York, Amsale, Marchesa, Martha Stewart, and Pantone}

Have a great weekend everyone!

XOXO,
The LUCIA|PAUL DESIGN Team