To The Boston Wedding Industry -
Simply put, I love you. I love everything about you. It has only been 6 years but you've taught me so much and you've been so incredibly supportive. You've given me room to experiment with who I am as a planner and as a designer. You've provided me with words of encouragement when I second-guessed myself (all the time) and you've been quick to reprimand and quick to forgive when I did something incorrectly. You've been friends and supporters and you've been gracious, patient and honest with me. I'm so grateful for the amazing friendships that we've all forged and I'm constantly amazed by the businesses that all of you run. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by people whom I look up to a heroes but cherish as friends. I know - I'm an overemotional sap. I can't help it.
At the end of October I was given the opportunity to showcase myself and my design concepts to a room full of wedding industry professionals at #HEBXX, all of whom have been in this business longer than myself and all of whom have built amazing careers. #HEBXX is a bi-annual meeting of the top wedding and event industry professionals that features a panel of superstars. I was given the chance to work with top vendors in the industry, from Rentals Unlimited, Entertainment Specialists and Person + Killian Photography to Longwood Events and Design Light Co, and at the helm of this event was Arlene Cronk, Owner and Lead Designer at Invitations and Company. Thankfully, we had Artistic Wedding Films to capture this insanity on film. Together we executed a vision that I can only describe as "weird, kind of funky, hipster/seasonal/industrial." From air plants to geodes to feathers dipped in gold and my very own braided dreadlocks, this was a chance to just play. And just in case anyone in attendance didn't have fun, we gave out full bottles of Fabrizia Limoncello to everyone who attended. (The swag bags were out of control due in no small part to Giardini Di Sole owner, Libby Morris.)
These vendors never scoffed at me when I asked them to built a stage using palm trees and fronds, nor did anyone say no when I asked for pallets of luxury faux fur, gold leather and 100 fresh pomegranates. Never once did they blink an eye when I took a phone call while hand-dipping feathers in gold paint. And THIS is why I love you. Rentals Unlimited even let me design brand new tables for their collection! Do you love the reclaimed steel/hardwood top tables? We do too. :)
Thanks to everyone who participated in HEBXX - this event was more than I could have possibly imagined. And special thanks to Julie Raymond of Bittersweet Gardens for the INCREDIBLE floral design and ridiculous tree-scape you built, and to Jeanne Spence from Gourmet Caterers who recommended me as Lead Designer for this outrageous event.
