Clavin Kelly Events

Extra! Extra! Check us out in In Style!!!!

2009-06-22T11:50:00.006-04:00

Keri and Tori are thrilled to announce that we have been included in July's In Style Magazine. We worked with them to help create a Fiesta party for their Staycation Guide!

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Dinner at The Park

2009-06-12T16:18:00.006-04:00

Below are some photos I took with my iPhone for a wedding that we did at The Park Restaurant in Chelsea. It was a rainy spring day but we were still able to have that "alfresco feel" thanks to The Park's gorgeous glass enclosed garden.

This was a true budget wedding and in an effort to keep event design costs down we did the flowers ourselves. We used the standard white cotton tablecloths but with some inexpensive, but stunning plates and glasses from Party Rental we were able to really transform the table... or at least I think so!

Professional Pics from Missy Lamb's Studio are coming soon!

Sweet Dreams

2009-06-04T10:30:00.001-04:00

We covet this oh so much ....

Photo Credit: Melissa Rufty via Desire to Inspire

Real Wedding - Morgan & Josh Part II

2009-03-18T11:08:00.009-04:00

Apologies for the delay! We have been busy bees at CKE working on some of our upcoming weddings! Yay!

Here is some more fabulous eye candy from Morgan and Josh's ultra glamorous affair courtesy of Meredith and Michael at Christian Oth!

Hard to see in this picture but Todd from VSF, who did all of the gorgeous flowers, also tied on a "Mr." and "Mrs." signs to the back of the chairs along with some stunning garland.

Photo Credits: Christian Oth Studio

To Top It All Off

2009-03-18T10:44:00.011-04:00

While we love a traditional veil for walking down the aisle, they can literally be a bit of a drag during the reception. Why not switch out your veil for a gorgeous hair piece? It's a perfect opportunity to show off your style and add a bit of glamour to your already fabulous dress!

Here are a few of our favs:

The Sienna from Portland based designer Austie. Great price and she will make it for you in any color you choose!

Leah C. Couture Millinery makes us drool every time. First is style B17 and below is "Exotic Nagorie"

Los Angeles design duo Jen and Jamie of ban.do have fabulous and over the top hair pieces for every budget.

The style above are no. 89 and "Shazam!"

Real Wedding - Morgan & Josh Part I

2009-03-02T13:19:00.009-05:00

Wow! Baby, it's cold outside. Just when we thought it was safe to hope for spring, Mother Nature hits us with a snow storm of epic proportions. Where was this snow during the holiday season may I ask? I could be upset but at least it's pretty and at least I remembered to wear my wellies today!

Anyway... in the spirit of winter, we bring you Morgan and Josh's absolutely STUNNING winter wedding. It was held this past January in Manhattan. Morgan is from the West Coast and Josh is from the South but they met and fell in love in NYC. Morgan is an event planner herself so she was an absolute dream to work with and had the most beautiful vision for her wedding (more on that in the next posts.) Grab a cup of hot coco, snuggle up and enjoy this gorgeous wedding. All photos are from the lovely and talented Meredith and Michael at Christian Oth Studios.

The Gates outside the New York Palace Hotel (GG fans will know it!).

Morgan's sister and maid of honor Ashley getting Morgan's dress ready.

Josh and his groomsmen walking to the church.

Morgan and Josh

Cocktail hour details.

More to come......

Photo Credits: Christian Oth Studios

Great Colors!

2009-02-24T10:47:00.003-05:00

I just LOVE these colors together. I found this on the absolutely delightful website Once Wed. Such a great non-floral design. I think I may use this for my cinco de mayo party. (That I just decided to host now.... hey... who doesn't love a margarita!)

Definitely check out Once Wed, not only is it a place to buy a previously worn dress or sell your dress, its also full of gorgeous design inspiration!

Photo Credit: Frida Table Top on Once Wed

Shine a little light

2009-02-19T14:58:00.002-05:00

A different and very inexpensive way to do your escort card table:

We used varying sizes of candelabras along with silver trays for the escort card table at a recent wedding we planned. The result was stunning (if we do say so ourselves)!

More Blog Love!

2009-02-18T14:13:00.005-05:00

Another great, big, giant thank you to the ladies at Elizabeth Anne Designs for listing Clavin Kelly Events in their vendor library!

Elizabeth Anne is a great resource for brides-to-be and we especially LOVE their expert advice column on a Wedding Planner vs a Wedding Coordinator vs a Wedding Designer...... SO imporant to know. I kept shouting at my computer while I was reading it, "YES! EXACTLY! Why doesn't everybody know this! NEVER trust the in house coordinator!!!" Ah Hem... I got a little excited but it was very right on.

Blog Love!

2009-02-17T10:15:00.003-05:00

A HUGE shout out and a GIANT thanks to Brittnye over at Brown Turtleneck Sweater for featuring the escort "cars" from one of our weddings!!

Check out her blog for some great design inspiration from the windy city!

Photo Credit: Todd Pellowe

A little taste . . . .

2009-02-15T15:01:00.004-05:00

While we are waiting for the rest of the images from a recent wedding we planned in NYC, we wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the GORGEOUS florals done by Todd at VSF.

He included some fabulous salmon colored "feather-ettes" for additional texture.

It is kind of hard to see here, but he used ROCK CANDY in these arrangements as well. He used peach for the smaller ones and clear for the larger ones. Such an amazing idea!

We can't wait to share the rest of the images from this beautiful wedding. Stay tuned!

A Great Cause!

2009-02-11T12:45:00.004-05:00

Clavin Kelly Events is honored to be included in this year's Spring Fling. It is the annual fundraiser for Street Project, a non-for-profit organization that connects young professionals with worthy volunteer opportunities in New York.

We are going to help make their venue look fabulous and hopefully get a few other vendors to donate their time. If you are interested in donating an item or service for their silent auction, donating your services for the day of the event, or even just attending, shoot us an email and we will hook you up!

Check out Street Project's website here to learn a little more about this wonderful organization!

i heart peonies

2009-02-05T13:35:00.008-05:00

And really... who doesn't?

Wishing I had some on my desk now....

hint, hint....

Photo Credits:

Image 1 Ariella Chezar

Image 2 Ariella Chezar

Image 3 Terry Michael Photography via Artfool via Black Eiffel

Frugal Fruit

2009-02-02T12:29:00.011-05:00

For any event, whether it is a small dinner party or a large wedding, flowers often seem to be the most traditional centerpiece idea. And don't get me wrong, I am obsessed with flowers! I had to physically pull myself away from some gorgeous orange tulips I saw at the market yesterday. I buy way too many fresh flowers, but hey, they make me happy and luckily in New York they are not too terribly expensive at your local bodega. That said if I am trying to save some money or doing something a bit different for a dinner party, I often turn to my grocery store for some inspiration.

For my Thanksgiving this year in between springs of dried wheat in bud vases I had mounds of beautiful Satsuma mandarins piled high in big hurricanes. (More for Chinese New Year than Thanksgiving, I still felt they gave a "bountiful thanks" feel.... and sorry.. no pictures... I was too stressed cooking a 28lb turkey to take them!!) I know I am certainly not the first to think of using fruits (and vegetables) as centerpieces, but I do think it is something to keep in mind, particularly when planning a wedding. In these trying economic times with budgets being slashed right and left, it's time to get creative! I used artichokes and sprigs of rosemary on my own wedding tables and they saved me a ton of money, and got a lot more comments than a collection of flowers.

The citrus bowl below adds a gorgeous splash of color and looks so organic and natural.

The yellow lemons with the ribbons still looks very feminine and also somehow classic, but the color is so sunny. It just sings celebration.

I have always adored this shot from Martha Stewart of the apricot place card. Such a gorgeous touch. A very good idea if you are not completely sold on the full on fruit centerpiece. It's a small way to incorporate it.

Another idea if you still want to work with flowers on the table is to have cheese plates on the table adorned with fresh figs. Cut a few open to show off their gorgeous color. I try to buy fresh figs whenever I find them in the market... to eat or to use as decor.

Photo Credits:

Artichokes & Rosemary - Todd Pellowe Weddings

Citrus Bowl - Ariella Chezar via Snippet & Ink

Lemons - Rebecca Thuss for Martha Stewart Weddings

Apricots - Rebecca Thuss for Martha Stewart Weddings

Figs - Martha Stewart

The Website is FINALLY Up!!!

2009-01-22T11:30:00.003-05:00

Our website is FINALLY Up!!! Yay!!

Thank you to everyone who offered their help and insight to get it up and running!

Wedding Featured on Southern Weddings Magazine Blog!

2008-11-18T12:31:00.003-05:00

We are so excited about this! Our Labor Day Weekend Wedding was featured on Southern Weddings Magazine's Blog!!! You must check out this blog if you have not already. It is filled with real weddings and showcases unique details. It is one of our daily reads. The ladies who run it really know their stuff!

Here is the link to Part 1 and Part 2

Black and White Floor

2008-11-06T15:37:00.004-05:00

I love the terrazzo floor on this balcony that was featured in the NY Times Home & Garden Section today.

There is something so effortlessly elegant about this type of floor. You can usually rent something similar for a dance floor at a wedding or event and I think it makes such a difference. Hoping my dream home will have some of these floors one day!

Photo Source: NY Times

French Country Baby Shower

2008-10-30T13:46:00.007-04:00

Here are some pictures a baby shower we designed for a client on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The hostess wanted something that was not too precious, but still fun and sophisticated.

We set the table with a white table runner and filled different cut glass vessels and antique tea tins with seasonal flowers and greens. Lorina Limonade bottles not only added to the design but were perfect for all the pregnant ladies not drinking wine. Finally for a burst of color we hung yellow pompoms above the table.

On the menu was french onion soup (in beautiful footed mini soup tureens), quiche, green salad, and fresh bread. The dessert course had tiered trays of petite fours and cupcakes.

Perfect Wedding Shoes!

2008-10-29T12:53:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you, but I had put a lot of time into my search for wedding shoes. These new Carmen Satin Peep-toes from J.Crew are not only "reasonably" priced but they also come in really fun colors! I love the blush for just a hint of pink and the mint julep for a touch of something blue.

Photo Source: J.Crew

Labor Day Weekend Wedding

2008-10-15T10:04:00.013-04:00

Here are some pictures from a Labor Day Weekend wedding we planned in Indianapolis. We are so excited to share these with you! The color palette came from the different blue and green shades of hydrangeas. The bride wanted a garden party feel and the groom just wanted to have fun!

The Venue

The Dress

The Shoes!

The Invitation Suite (sorry for the blurred names... privacy!)

The Tables

The Bridal Party

The Details

The First Dance

All photos are by Todd Pellowe

Other Vendors:

Event Planning - Clavin Kelly Events

Flowers - Posh Petals

Caterer - Hoaglin Fine Catering

Videographer - Paper Tape Films

Lighting - Indy Pro Audio

Full Moon

2008-10-14T13:59:00.002-04:00

It's a full moon tonight! How GORGEOUS is this picture by Philippe Cheng?

Photo Credits: Phippe Cheng Weddings

Indian Summer

2008-10-09T14:46:00.006-04:00

It feels like Indian Summer today in New York. We are a full nine days into October and while earlier in the week the weather has been a bit blustery and chilly (prompting us all to whip out our new fall clothes! I swear I saw someone with gloves on the other day... I mean, come on!), today is warm and downright balmy. As I start thinking about holiday invitations and winter coats, I feel a bit bittersweet that summer is over.

Don't you just love this color palette though? The pink and deep yellow are cheerful but earthy. It all seems so warm and inviting.

Late summer sunflowers

How gorgeous would a rustic dinner party in late summer look with plates and plates of heaping heirloom tomatoes in the center? The colors and shapes are gorgeous and potentially much more affordable than flowers. I would have beautiful bottles of olive oil on the table as well. Gorgeous and delicious!

Heirloom Tomatoes - so gorgeous, so yummy!

Photocredits: Both images from the New York Times. Flowers and Tomatoes.

Love This Dress!!

2008-10-09T13:00:00.009-04:00

On part 1 of Project Runway's Season Finale last night, the contestants had to show their bridal creations. I'm in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with Leanne's gown and I know I'm not alone! It was just so stunning. Obviously the tiers and the architectural waves of the skirt are the big wow factors, but I even adore how delicate the bust is. I would seriously wear that if I were getting married again. I really love it. Now the Carolina Herrera dress on the right is not really the same dress at all, but the silhouette and the bust line are similar. I actually tried on the CH gown when I was looking for my wedding dress. I did end up going with a CH dress but not this one, as this one was just a tad too fashion forward for my wedding. However, should Henry Higgins invite me to Ascot anytime soon, I will march back to CH and buy that dress and a fabulous hat and be off!

Photo Credits: Project Runway dress from Design Sponge and Carolina Herrera from Brides.com