Winter Wedding Lounge

Looking back on our events, this one at Studio 450 was most definitely one of our coziest!

Studio 450 is another one of our FAVORITE loft venues.  (And you might not know - I have a soft spot for this NYC loft because I was married there a little over 12 years ago)

SO many things I love about this loft space like its size, the room layouts and the fact that it has two floors and a really nice size deck.  But most of all I love its shinny whiteness (yes I think I made that word up but it perfectly describes the space)

Studio 450 is on West 31st St at 9th avenue which I would best describe as a fairly non-descrpt (and kind of always gray) area of the West Side.  There's usually scaffolding of some sort on one of the buildings in the vicinity.  I know I'm not 'selling' why this 'great' venue is so great very well but honest, I'm getting to my point, which is this. 

There's something wonderfully magical about going to this dingy gray part of New York City, riding up a huge metal freight sized elevator to the top floor, not knowing what in the world to expect from a party in a place like this.  Having the elevator doors open and arriving into a truly lovely, bright, spacious, glossy white venue with sunny (or sunset) views of New York City in all four directions.

What I absolutely love about this space is that its a large open white pallet.  Its urban chic.  It's a space where you can truly create ANY type of environment. 

I've been lucky to work in this venue dozens of times and have had the opportunity to do a lot of very creative themes.  But since I first stepped into this venue, I have ALWAYS wanted to do a cozy 'ski lodge' event!  I have done lots of other 'winter' environments but I finally got the chance to do my cozy ski lodge here at 450!

  

Looking forward to a cozy New Year!!!
Cheers to your next event
xoxo Maya

10 Ways to WOW your Wedding Guests

Yes, the cake, the gown, and the centerpieces are all important, but these 10 ideas are not only super-simple -- they're also guaranteed to make your wedding rave-worthy.

1. Create a Welcome Video

Most likely you won't be able to greet all of your out-of-town guests when they arrive, so consider arranging a virtual welcome. Talk to your videographer about creating a brief video of the two of you welcoming them to your wedding location, and provide tips for things to do in the area along with what they can expect for the rest of the weekend (or simply create your own with a digital video camera!).

2. Don't Underestimate the Welcome Bag

Another easy way to impress? Give each guest a welcome bag. Fill an inexpensive basket or canvas tote with bottles of water, a bottle of wine or locally brewed beer, something salty, something sweet, and a piece of fruit. Don't forget to include a welcome letter (or video) as well as a detailed itinerary for where the guest needs to be and when. Leave the whole thing with the hotel concierge for the guests to pick up when they check in. And be sure to provide them with maps and lists of local restaurants, museums, and other attractions in case they want to explore on their own.


3. Keep Them Entertained -- Not Overwhelmed

You don't want to stress your guests out with too many activities, but a few entertainment options before the wedding will really show them how much thought you put into their visit. Suggest group activities like area hikes or tours for your guests to mingle and get to know each other before the main event. Lay out planned weekend activities for guests in a timeline so that everyone is in-the-know.


4. Ditch the Boring Ceremony Aisle

It's probably the one detail of wedding planning you forgot about, but it's also one of the simplest to take to the next level. A creative DIY runner, rustic pew arrangements in Mason jars, or even a quirky patterned rug can all dress up a plain aisle -- and make a major impact on your guests.


5. Make Inventive Escort Cards

The escort card display is the first thing your guests see when they walk into your reception -- so make it good. Have your calligrapher write guests' names on pretty vintage mirrors, print names on horse show ribbons, stick the cards in cupcakes, or attach each card to a tiny can of champagne with a note that reads, "Do not open until the wedding toast."


6. Add Music to the Transitions

Hire a bagpiper, a drum line, a gong player, or even a strolling guitar player to lead guests from one space to the next. If you're not set on an instrument, localize it: For a tropical setting, hire someone to blow a conch shell, or in the mountains, hire an alpine horn player to announce when it's time to move.


7. Rethink Wedding Transportation

Okay, you're probably not going to have a parade float, but that doesn't mean you can't be creative with your transportation. Your guests will gape when they walk out of your ceremony and see an awesome antique car or retro school bus waiting to pick you up! Or choose transportation that pays homage to your wedding venue, like a hayride for a country ranch wedding or even a Snowcat for a winter mountain reception.


8. Give Them A Say!

Use your RSVP cards or wedding website to let your guests have an opinion on something other than chicken or fish. Let them request a song, create Mad Lib-style return cards you can then display at the reception, or have them vote on the top-tier flavor of your wedding cake! Guests will love seeing the details that they helped choose come to life on the wedding day.


9. Serve Food You'd Want to Eat

Think about what foods make you happy -- whether it be ice cream sandwiches, mac and cheese, watermelon, donuts, or tacos -- and add them to the menu. One of our favorite new ideas: a potato chip bar complete with all the dips. Talk to your caterer about putting together a truly personalized (and delicious!) menu. Then watch your guests chow down.

10. Send Them Off with Breakfast

Even if it's not an all-out postwedding brunch, plan to give your guests a little goodbye breakfast the day after. Rent out the hotel conference room and talk to the staff about creating a breakfast buffet. Or simply arrange for bagels and coffee to be delivered to your guests' hotel rooms before they depart.

-- Justine Lorelle Blanchard - The Knot & News Channel5

Special thanks to: Maya Kalman of Swank Productions in New York City and Kelly Karli of Frosted Pink Weddings in Colorado.

Baby's Breath. YES Baby's Breath

There are a few flowers that in my opinion get a really bad rap. (*more of this list to come)
Baby's Breath is probably at the top of that list.


The poor bodega flower has built a reputation of being the "cheap filler flower" used in the arrangements you'd get at a grocery store, bodegas and unfortunately still some flower shops. ( And because its primarily used as a way to mask the small amount of flowers they are bundled with it always makes me think of a cheap date. )


BUT the truth is if you use ANY FLOWER (en mass) by themselves they are always breathtaking! And Baby's Breath is no different (and to most a surprising reality!)


If you look at Baby's Breath up close you'll see it's actually a beautiful, delicate and very romantic grouping of flowers. To me there's something ethereal and kind of effervescent about them. They feel almost cloud like. Really perfect for a modern romantic wedding.

So the next time you see Baby's Breath give it a closer look.  I am here to attest that Baby's Breathe (done right) CAN be elegant, gorgeous and unforgettable!

  

*And Yes Baby's Breath does have a strange (un flower like) scent however in a large open space such as this one it was completely undetectable. 

HUGE THANK YOU TO:

5TH AVENUE DIGITAL

ROBERT EVANS

DAVID NICHOLAS

BELLE FLEUR

CREATIVE EDGE PARTIES

 

Cupcake Alternatives!

I am loving these awesome alternative to the now (TOO typical) tiered cupcake display!

***Come on Brides....lets start a much needed NEW TREND!

Here are some ideas I Love:

Sprinkles Custom Cakes just introduced Cake Shooter, a push-up pop with three layers of cake and icing. The shooters are available in four flavors: Yellow Raspberry Swirl, Pina Colada, O.M.G. (a mix of raspberry swirl and chocolate buttercream icing), and the Sprinkles Signature (vanilla Bavarian cream and white icing). The label on each pop can be customized with a company logo or message for no additional charge, though a week’s notice is required They also have a super cute and interactive Sprinkles Mobile Another cute (and local) idea is your very own Ice Cream Truck like this one we did outside of Gotham Hall in NYC Cake Pops are decedent little cakes on a stick that are as yummy as they are cute. Each Cake Pop is made to order so you can make it any cake flavor, any color fondant on the outside and any design detail on top! And if you're not into cake at all...how about Ice Pops or Shaved Ice!Peoples Pops transforms local sustainably grown fruits and herbs into Popsicles (they do pretty awesome shaved ice too!)

What are some of your new ideas to do for dessert.... instead of the Cupcake? I'd love to hear!

xoxo

~Maya

You Just Got Engaged! Now What?

Congratulations! You just got engaged!

I know its such an exciting time and you want to get started planning NOW.
BUT hold on! One thing I'm sure you haven't thought of is what if I loose my bling?!!?

I know....what do you mean? But yes things do happen. Diamonds do fall out of their settings and rings do slip off of fingers. What would you do if that happened? (other than sob)

So first things first! Call your insurance agent and get that bling insured! Doesn't cost much at all to add it your renter or homeowners insurance. But if the unthinkable happens knowing you were smart is priceless!

Cheers to your engagement!
~Maya

Non Floral Wedding Centerpiece

Don't get me wrong I have nothing against flowers! LOL
- some of my best friends are florists!

BUT I DO LOVE non floral wedding centerpieces
because it shows a real desire to be different (and sometimes quite budget friendly)
(and I say 'sometimes' because not always will flowers be less than some of the non floral centerpiece ideas we've come up with!)
One of my favorite non floral wedding centerpiece ideas is the Candelabra.

They can be purchased or rented. You can find them is all different shapes, sizes, materials and finishes. And like the ones we used for this wedding at The Edison Ballroom they can be painted any color that goes with your decor vision!
(these were a strange chipped antique gold so we sprayed them high gloss black)
This one is a particularly fun DIY centerpiece because the bride is a jewelry buyer for a popular chain store and so we used the necklaces she sells as embellishments on all the centerpieces! (which some of the guests that worked with her realized as they were complimenting us on the decor -too funny!)
While this particular wedding was very much a black & white theme
(as well as feathers - which will be another non floral centerpiece blog) :) We used white taper candles (make sure to ask your venue about flame rules) BUT in the past to really jazz things up you can buy (or even spay paint!) taper candles any color you want! (with non flammable paint)
Picture sunshine yellow, a soft violet....any color or combo of colors that you may find hard to buy. OR if you wanted to get really crafty and ombre would be outrageous!

Whatever you decide, just know that centerpieces do not have to include any flowers and can still be magical and elegant.

And as always, your wedding decor should be an expression of YOU!.... so be chic, be sassy, be be bold...be YOU.

Cheers to getting married in NY!
~Maya

Photos & Video by the awesome and talented Jorg Windau
Planning, Design & Production by Swank Productions

SWANK 2nd Annual SAMPLE SALE!

SWANK Productions is having its 2nd Annual SAMPLE SALE!
Tons & Tons of great Decor & Furniture from this years hottest events PLUS we're redecorating our office so EVERYTHING WILL GO!
Dont miss this event, last years was a huge hit!
Wed 21st & Thur 22nd - 10am-6pm -
231 W29th St Suite 605 NYC!
Cash Only

The Plaza gets The SWANK Treatment

The Private Copper Room

"Rat Pack" Billiards Boys night out

Two different looks for the Ballroom

Swank Productions is now the preferred, recommended

and simply adored designers for the newly re-opened Oak Room at The Plaza!

Swank is bringing new attitude to this iconic venue by embracing its elegant, masculine aesthetic and rejuvenating it by mixing bright color concepts. The Oak Room was recently featured on the hit TV show Gossip Girl. It’s not only the perfect location for Manhattan’s big wigs to come enjoy a delectable steak, but it’s the place to see and be seen. Private events are a huge part of this landmark’s business. It’s a justified assumption that for every fabulous party you need a fabulous designer and party planner! Swank Productions just recently designed and produced a photo shoot for the Oak Room’s makeover “After” shots. The shoot features four different looks. The first shot was designed to pick up on the rich oak wood paneling throughout the room. The tablescape featured chocolate brown taffeta linens, regal purple floral arrangements, and gilded details as wellas a more formal look incorporating the exsisting newly renovated chairs in the space. Another table was designed using the Oak Bar’s original incarnation as a men’s only club. A color palette of billiard green and burgundy were utilized for this table. Cabaret lamps, champagne buckets, bottles of whiskey were placed on the tables. Vintage billiard balls were placed at each setting. The final look was a private dining room with copper walls. A color scheme of copper and acid green was conceived inspired by oxidized copper (i.e.- The Statue of Liberty). Gold leaf, mother of pearl, and amber details were incorporated into the tabletop design.

We are thrilled that Oak Room patrons will now call upon Swank to personalize the space for them with luxury Event Planning and Couture Design!

Swanky Bride Reviews her SWANK Productions Wedding

A huge THANK YOU to our Swanky Bride for giving us this "love note" on video!

Big xoxo!

~Maya

SWANK Productions Planned and Designed TNT Wedding DAY!

OMG! It was just so much fun watching all our hard work DESIGNING & PRODUCING this amazing wedding for Christina & Shawn! (did we mention we did this ALL in 5 DAYS!!!!) (and did we mention that every product and service was DONATED to us by our AWESOME VENDORS!

Take a look at the BEFORE shot of the room and some of these AMAZING AFTER shots! Another amazing SWANK TRANSFORMATION!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

We'd LOVE to do a custom wedding for YOU!

CHEERS!

xoxo

Maya

more to come next week once I'm back in town!