Heart & Stroke Ball 2010

We are committed supporters of the American Heart Association.   Their 22nd annual Heart and Stroke Ball was this past Saturday night at the Bluegrass Ballroom in the downtown Lexington Center.    This is our 4th year designing the decor for this prestigious black-tie event for over 450 guests.

With a keen eye on the goal of using fundraising dollars for saving lives, we took a modern streamline approach to decor this year.  First, we chose a royal blue pintuck tablecloth to match the blue chairs (what else can you do, if you can’t cover them, you have to make them work!).  Then we brought in red (of course) flowers: orchids, tulips and….yes… over 1000 carnations.  Don’t cringe at carnations!  They can be beautiful and fun when used in amass.

We had custom labels made for our vases to echo the event’s logo.  The great thing about these is they are static-based and can be used again.

We mixed up the heights of centerpieces using medium submerged tulips and tall submerged orchids.  All pieces featured either floating candles or submerged lights in them.  The below orchid pieces  sat upon light bases to illuminate from the bottom of the piece.

Check this out (below)…….

The above design (with the flowers coming out of the top of the vases) was inspired by Jeff Leatham, who hosted  Flowers Uncut last year on TLC.  He is one of my favorite NYC designers!  Everything he does is unique and artful!

Jeff Leatham and his signature design

Now, I know we are in Central Kentucky but I thought people would really get this design.  During set up, I had a couple people ask me if I wanted them to drop the flowers down in the vase (as if I was not tall enough to do so and they were trying to help me….awww…don’t you love KY…we are so nice here!).  Anyway, it was comical to hear offers to help and “are you going to put those down in the vases”?  Eventually when we finished the set up of the room, they got it.  They liked it.  And I smiled.  See NYC….you got nothing on us!

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New Pictures from Heather and Greg June 2009

Hanging votives lit up this focal point of the room

Amy Campbell, from Angela Anderson Photography, was sweet enough to send me some flower images she shot from Heather and Greg’s June 2009 wedding.  I was left breathless by her vision and had to share!

I so enjoyed working on this wedding.  First, because it was a GE team effort (Alicia was the planner and I was the designer/florist….which always makes for a super-fun event).  But also, because our beautiful bride, Heather,  pretty much gave me her budget and told me that she wanted beautiful, bright colors and the height of her venue (The Keene Barn) addressed in the design.  I love having some freedom to create.

Four of these large arrangements were used on the outdoor patio for the ceremony, to create an altar focal point.

Colorful rose petals led the guest eye's down the aisle to the floral altar.

Her flowers included the luscious Black Magic red roses, Vendela ivory roses , Hot Princess pink roses, Toscana pink alstromeria lilies, Honey Bell yellow alstromeria lilies, Belles of Ireland, Castellanro hot pink carnations, white hydrangea, beautiful green pittosperum….and fields of curly willow!

A favorite current trend is using different heights on centerpieces.  It keeps your guests’ eye moving around the reception.  Being kissed with beauty at every level.  For Heather, we did one large center focal point (below) with every flower imaginable at the mouth of the vase and hanging in the super-tall willow branches, adding hanging votive candles to create romance.

Then did medium size arrangements (below).

And my favorite, the short arrangement, but still managed to “lift” it off the table by using a lift vase with coordinating pieces artfully placed at the bottom of the lift vase.  This is a treat for guests seated at the table and is often met with….”well, look at that” as they enjoy their dinner.  Something new they did not notice until seated.

Curly willow and alstromeria lily blooms grace the bottom of the vase lifts.

A sweet finish!  Amy, your photos are amazing!  Thank you!

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Wedding in the Snow

All this snow has me thinking how wonderful it would be to have a wedding today.  Being stuck inside has me looking at beautiful outdoor winter wedding images online.  What an abundance of fun snow-wedding ideas.  Now I just need a fabulous, bold couple who are up for it! Anyone?

Don’t you just love this picture from Grazier Photography?

See more images from this winter wedding, by clicking HERE.

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A Great Expectations KY wedding featured on LUCKY ME!

We are thrilled to have one of our May 2009 weddings featured on LUCKY ME! Holly and Travis’s wedding was just over the top fun, fun, fun.  I highly recommend this site for fresh wedding ideas and interesting commentary.

http://www.eluckyme.com/home/2009/11/10/real-wedding-travis-and-holly-tm-photography.html

Be sure to check out the video trailer at the end.  So much fun!

Isn't that Kentucky scenery just awesome? We are so lucky!

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Hot Wedding Color Combinations for 2010

Brides like to talk about “their colors”.  Often, we are asked what the “in colors” are each each year.  Sometimes, that is because the bride was to be on the cutting edge of design.  Yet sometimes, it is because a bride wants to steer clear of what is “in” and do something more traditional or original.  Judge for yourself.

Below are samples of what The Knot has declared to be the HOT wedding color combinations for 2010.

1.  Cloud, Cream and Platinum – mixing shades of white, ivory and silver

Cloud, Cream and Platinum

2.  Blush, Ebony and Pewter – light pink, black and silver

Blush, Ebony and Pewter

3. Wasabi and Pumpkin – modern green and flat orange

Wasabi and Pumpkin

3. Eggplant, Cornflower and Magenta – deep purple, royal blue and bright pink

Eggplant, Cornflower and Magenta

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World Equestrian Games September 25 – October 10

As you may have suspected, event space and hotel rooms in our city are almost non-existent during this timeframe.  Most venues are holding all space for events surrounding our city hosting the World Equestrian Games with anticipation that it will be used for this city-wide event. We are advising social clients to steer clear of these weeks for many reasons.

First, vendors across the board will be charging a premium for products/services during this time….and that’s if they are actually even available.   As most preferred Lexington hotels, event venues, transportation, caterers, etc. have already been booked for the Games.

Secondly, traffic and logistics will be very challenging during this time, even away from the Horse Park.  For instance, downtown will host a free 17 day festival in the heart of downtown in conjuction with the Games, called “Spotlight Downtown Lexington“.  Can you imagine, downtown streets blocked off for 17-days straight!?   Chaos!

October is normally a very busy months for weddings and social events in our area.  So with will be interesting to see what happens this year with the Games in town. We will try to keep you updated as more information is revealed to us.

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What’s new in event tabletop design?

Each January, the Special Event conference is THE place to check out what is new and fresh in event “looks”.  Click HERE for a sneak peak of what is being showcased for 2010 for the newest tabletop fashions (remember this is “runway” style – so it may not be realistic, but pick and choose features that appeal to you).

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Save 25% on Invitations

In today’s economy, everyone is looking to save where they can.  We offer 25% off all of our invitation lines, every day.  (This month a bride ordered her 150 invitations/accompaniments for $590 and received the 25% discount saving her $147!) You can borrow our books and look through them in the convenience of your own home for up to 1 week.  We carry all Carlson Craft, Stylart, Birchcraft lines.

Special Offer: Now through spring, receive 100 free personalized napkins, with your order of 150  or more invitations from the Carlson Craft’s “Blue Book”.  This book was just updated last week with brand new styles! Give us a call to check them out.  Call Deanna at 859-576-3406 or Alicia at 859-539-7137.

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Happy Families

Here at Great Expectations we love to work with the entire bridal family.  Quickly we tend to learn the personalities of everyone involved.  It makes our journey of planning so enjoyable to get to know everyone.  Surprisingly, each member of the family usually has their own idea of what is most important to them. We love making the whole family happy!

We loved working with the Brown family this past year.  A super fun-loving group!

We loved working with the Brown family this past year. A super fun-loving group!

Check out the bouquets we designed:  daisies, tulips, spider mums, freesia, roses and lisianthus.

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We’ve Been Busy…Decking the Halls for our Clients

We’ve been as busy as elves this Christmas season, decorating and spreading Christmas cheer all across this city….hotels, restaurants, bars, private homes, offices, banquet space, golf clubs, tents and stores!  We are counting our blessings and making our Christmas wishes.

Thank you to all who made 2009 a wonderful year for us.

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