R P Scissors Blog

Flower Arranging Birthday Party Featured on Style Me Pretty

Ara recently styled a cocktail and flower arranging Birthday Party that was being thrown by Gabriella New York. Guests were greeted with delicious champagne and cheese platters. Rountree Flowers was on hand to teach a class at this fabulous feminine party! Check out some images below...

The cake was made by Lael Cakes -- doesn't it go perfectly with our party?

We used vintage teacups as vases for the flowers, however any and all types of glasses, cups, and bottles found in your home can be used to create a unique and fabulous arrangement!

The finished products were beautiful! Each guest took home their teacup arrangement in a personalized box. The beautiful photography was captured by Moss + Isaac and the birthday cake was made by Lael Cakes. 

Visit Style Me Pretty to view the full post on our fabulous Birthday Party!

xFrances

Cheerful, Colorful Wedding at Falkirk Estate

Here are some pics we snapped from our wedding last weekend at Falkirk Estate!  The colorful palette and bow napkins give this wedding such a light-hearted effect while still maintaining a sophisticated look.

The garden inspired Chuppah was AMAZING!!!

Candy escort cards added a unique and whimsical touch as did the beautiful and colorful floral centerpieces done by Rebecca Shepherd Floral Designs 

Charming and Rustic Wedding at Brooklyn Winery

Here's some Iphone pics from our Labor Day Wedding. It took place at Brooklyn Winery, where we incorporated the rustic charm of the venue to create a soft and delicate feel. We did the flowers too!

We used wine bottles as vases, mason jars for flowers, and potted plants which included ivy and moss to add to the simple yet elegant look.  

The Cream Event: Boho Chic Wedding Event

In August we were excited to partner with Gabriella New York Bridal Salon for The Cream Event! We created a fun and dynamic setting to showcase their dresses.

Styling was done by RPS Events! 

 

Heading to Scottsdale, AZ this week!

I am heading home this week to meet with some of Arizona's fabulous local vendors!  As you may have heard, I am currently dedicating time to building up Rock Paper Scisosrs Events in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area.

Photo by Radiant Photography

This gorgeous image is from the wedding we did at Silverleaf Club in Scottsdale this past November.  We are hooked on AZ weddings, and if you are bride or vendor and would like to make an appointment, I will be available from Wednesday, February 15 - Sunday, February 19.  Please reach me via email at [email protected].

Hope to meet you in AZ!

xo, Ara

Williamsbrides: A Cool NYC Bridal Fair

So actually what makes Williamsbrides so cool is that it is not your typical "bridal fair."   It is geared towards couples of all shapes and sizes, and is meant to be much more guy friendly than your normal wedding show - and it is taking place in a cool warehouse in Williamsburg.

Buy your tickets in advance to save big time on the ticket price! www.williamsbrides.com

Rock Paper Scissors Events will be there with a table, and speaking on the VIP panel, and we would love to see you there!  The VIP panel is seriously cool, including Huffington Post Weddings, Xochitl from Always A Blogsmaid and AaB Creates and Bernadette from 14 Stories, a gay focused wedding consulting firm.  To purchase tickets, go to the show website: www.williamsbrides.com.  

Hope to see you there!

xo, Ara

Fairytale Inspired Dinner Party at Gabriella New York

We were so excited to see the lovely dinner party we styled for Gabriella New York on Merci New York! We created an intimate fairytale themed event to play off of the gorgeous bridal salon.

To see more pics, click on over to Merci New York.

xo, hannah

Host: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon / Event Design: Rock Paper Scissors Events / Floral Design: Rountree Flowers / Invitations and Paper Goods: Lela New York / Lighting: Stortz Lighting / Catering: The Little Owl / Wines by: Chandon / Rentals: Taylor Creative and Party Rentals LTD / Photography: Trent Bailey Photography / Video: Hello Super 8 / Entertainment: 12th Night Music

Gay City Hall Wedding Package

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with some of NYC's best vendors to offer a stylish, affordable City Hall Wedding Package to celebrate the Gay Marriage legislation!

We will style an adorable picnic lunch at City Hall Park following your City Hall nuptials.  The gourmet picnic will be catered by Naturally Delicious along with sweets from Sugar Flower Cake Shop.  Music by Earl Maneein, and all of it will be captured by Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Kelly Guenther.  This is an AMAZING group of vendors, and a very special offer to celebrate the new legislation.  

Kelly Guenther Studio will take care of booking for all vendors. To book, please email [email protected].

Romantic Vintage Inspiration at The Metropolitan Building

We were so lucky to work with some amazing vendors on this photo shoot produced by the lovely blog Aisle Candy and the photographer KT Merry.  The full post was on Style Me Pretty, and here is a sampling.

 

 

 

If you want to see even more, head on over to Style Me Pretty!

The inspiration came from BHLDN's new line of wedding dresses.  From there we decided to do a super soft, romantic, vintage inspired shoot that was 100% pretty.  We shot at the Metropolitan Building, which is a super cool venue out in Long Island City, and we used all of the tableware from Anthropology.

I had the bright idea to do a sequin lined aisle, which came out beautifully, but word to the wise, you need a billion sequins to get a cool effect, and a good vacuum to pick them all up later!

I brought in some of my very favorite vendors to collaborate on this, including kat flower, Preston & Olivia, Nine Cakes and Love Jenna Calligraphy.  The absolutely freaking amazing photography was done by KT Merry, who I feel truly lucky to have worked with.  We also did a DIY project based on the favors in this shoot, which we'll feature next!

Location: The Metropolitan Building in Long Island City  (http://www.metropolitanbuilding.com/)
Photographer: KT Merry (http://www.ktmerry.com)
Hair: Takahide Tokuyama for Patrick Melville Salon  (http://takahidetokuyama.com/)
Makeup: Hiro Yonemoto for MAKE UP FOR EVER (http://www.hiroshiyonemoto.com) 
Models: Click Models (http://www.clickmodel.com/click-nyc.php)
Dresses: BHLDN (http://www.bhldn.com) and a few others from Gabriella New York (http://www.gabriellanewyork.com/)
Hair Accessories: Preston and Olivia (http://www.prestonandolivia.com), Jennifer Behr (http://www.jenniferbehr.com/) and Jannie Baltzer (http://janniebaltzer.com/)
Jewelry: BHLDN (http://www.bhldn.com)
Flowers: KatFlower  (http://katflower.blogspot.com/)
Cake and macarons: Nine Cakes (http://www.ninecakes.com)
Event design and styling: Rock Paper Scissors Events (http://www.rpscissors.com)
Calligraphy: Love Jenna (http://lovejennacalligraphy.com/)
All tableware: Anthropologie (http://www.anthropologie.com)

 
 
 

Free Cooking Class at Williams-Sonoma by The Breathtaking Bride

One of my favorite ladies,  Sarah from The Breathtaking Bride, is going to be cooking up a storm and giving out tips for healthy eating and losing and maintaining your weight for your big day and beyond.  

The class is totally free, plus you DO get to eat what she makes :)  Just make sure to rsvp to reserve your spot!

Wedding Crashers Brooklyn Wedding Fair

This past weekend we had the pleasure of transforming the entryway for the Brooklyn Based Wedding Crashers fair. The fair was a blast.  FULL of fantastic vendors, and a truly fun day.  See the transformation here!

BEFORE.  Photo by my lovely intern Lindsay Rodabaugh.

AFTER.  Photo by Lindsay Rodabaugh

So just three hours, over 100 paper garlands, and death-defying-acts-on-a-ladder later, we had created this vibrant and cheery entryway.  We were tasked to make an impact with the entryway design.  And so we did.  Here are pictures of the process as well as some beautiful detail shots. The entryway design was made immensely better by flowers from Blossom and Branch.

Above three set-up images by Lindsay Rodabaugh.

And here is end result!

 

The three images above are courtesy of the fabulous Kristina Hill Photography.

The above two photographs are from Lindsay Rodabaugh.

These last two photos are from the talented florist Sarah from Blossom and Branch.

Seriously a fantastic day, a great event, and I am so grateful to have been involved!

 

HUGE Gabriella New York Bridal Sample Sale!

Hi ladies, stop reading and head over to Gabriella New York right now! 

On Friday, February 25, 2011, from 12pm-7pm, they are having a sample sale of up to 70% off.   No appointments.  Just run over there and scoop up the deals.

Gowns on sale from:

Marchesa

Angel Sanchez

Matthew Christopher

Amy Kuschel

and more!

Here is their website for all the details: www.gabriellanewyork.com

Wedding Crashers Brooklyn Wedding Fair

For those planning a wedding, the Brooklyn Based Wedding Crashers fair is an AWESOME event.  It  brings together great vendors in a bar.  Yes a bar.  So already you get the picture that it is cool and different.  

This was seriously my favorite wedding fair last year.  It is relaxed, very male friendly so definitely bring your fiances, and brings together a great group of people.  Including us!  We'll be decking out the entry way to the Bell House, where Wedding Crashers will be held, so you can't miss our work.  We'll also be doing a talk and generally hanging out all day so come by and say hello!  For more information, including details on the after party, click here.

See you there!

Weddings In the News II

While perusing the New York Times recently I stumbled upon a story about one of my favorite sites, Groupon, becoming the platform for a marriage proposal! I knew what that meant, times for another installment of Weddings in the News!

Other stories this week include the untraditional medium of Save the Date for the royal couple, an editorial about an author's experience becoming ordained online, a Real Housewives star's unusual choice in bridal gown and the trend towards smaller guest lists.

Royal Couple Sends Save The Dates Via Fax

First Hand Account of Online Ordination

Real Housewives Bride Forgoes White for Gray

Guests Lists Shrink in Recession 

A Proposal On Groupon

Are we missing any fantastic stories about weddings or events? Leave a link in the comments or send us a message for the next roundup! Xo, Alex

Upcoming NYC Wedding Fairs in 2011

For those who don't know, we are coming up on Wedding Fair/Bridal Expo season in NYC.  There are some great ones, and some to avoid assuming you don't think that atmospheres like Times Square during rush hour are "fun." Here are my three favorites in order of their event date: The Wedding Library Wedding Party event with Martha Stewart Weddings is fabulous.  Last year's show was also held at the Palace Hotel, and it was spread out enough to actually be able to enjoy all of the top notch vendors. And let's just say that Martha Stewart doesn't put her name on something unless it's going to be really good.

 

Wedding Crashers is a Brooklyn centric wedding fair for those looking for a more relaxed fair experience with some rather cool vendors.  This was by far the most truly fun fair I went to last year.  I could recommend this to even the most fair averse couple.  It is going to be on February 27, 2011 at the Bell House.  For more info click here.  

 

 

 

And in March you have the best NYC centered fair to look forward to, the New York Magazine Weddings Event.  If your wedding is in the NY metro area, you can come here and find all of your vendors.  Plus your admission ticket includes cocktails.  Mmmhmmm.  I only recommend the best events to you my dears.  

Thread Pop-up Shop in NYC This Weekend!

Please do your bridemaids a favor and get them to go with you to the Thread Pop-up shop this weekend in NYC.  

Thread has adorable, very fashionable bridesmaids dresses, and if you go to the pop-up you get a 20% discount! Call them and squeeze in an appointment.  Seriously ladies 20% off makes them extremely reasonably priced for a cute dress that they'll actually wear again.  And they have wedding dresses as well if you have not found "the one" yet.   So grab your ladies and have a fun girl's afternoon!  I'll be there to check everything out this weekend, so if you miss it, check back next week for all the details.  

Other Wedding Festivities Part V: The Post Wedding Brunch

A citrus inspired post wedding brunch

Clockwise from top left: Martha Stewart, The Knot, The Knot, Kelly Oshiro Events, Buddy and Bean

Welcome back to the final installment of the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by intern extraordinaire Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. It can be a bit overwhelming, no? But the fun side is that they can be a great opportunity to showcase all the fabulous ideas that didn’t make it into the big day. 

The post wedding brunch is the final event in a long line of parties celebrating a wedding. This one is unique because it happens after the ceremony and reception, lending it a “wind down” kind of feeling.

The day after brunch is a modern event that is quickly gaining popularity as a way to send off your guests and relive memories from the night before. As a newer trend it has less traditions saddled to follow but it is usually hosted by the bride and groom, or by a close friend or family member as a gift to the couple. The location could be a private home, a restaurant, or, if most out of town guests are staying in a hotel, consider hosting a brunch there to make life easy on everyone, including the host. You can send a separate invitation for this event to make it really stand out or you can include it with your wedding invitation for simplicity’s sake.

At Rock Paper Scissors just because the post wedding brunch is the last event to take place doesn’t mean it needs to be last in style! We picture a low key brunch using simple and inexpensive lemons as a main décor element. White linens, usually included at a venue or restaurant, can be supplemented by yellow napkins to make your table look custom and cheery. Centerpieces can be as simple as a big bowl of simply citrus or supplemented by yellow flowers.

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: Lemons can be used to bring interest to all five senses. It can be added to meals and water as a flavoring, and large quantities emit a lovely scent, one that can also help to wake people up before a long flight or drive! 

Other Wedding Festivities Part IV: The Rehearsal Dinner

A dramatic nautical rehearsal dinner

Clockwise from top left: Paper Crave, Le Cupcake, The Knot, The Mayflower Shop, Paper Crave, A Hole Lotta Nothing, Timeless Paper

Welcome back to the fourth installment of the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by our intern Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. It can be a bit overwhelming, no? But the fun side is that they can be a great opportunity to showcase all the fabulous ideas that didn’t make it into the big day. 

The rehearsal dinner is an event where the key players of the wedding gather after rehearsing for the wedding ceremony to take place the next day. The dinner is traditionally hosted by the grooms family, but like most wedding events we’ve been covering this week, tradition is loosening and couples are often hosting, or at least planning, the event themselves. The guest list can be anything from immediate family and wedding party to a huge bash with every out of town guest invited. The location is similarly anything goes- it can be held at a restaurant, a private home, the hotel where most guests are staying, or anything else you can dream up.

At Rock Paper Scissors we think the rehearsal dinner is a nice event to make a nod to the groom’s hobbies and tastes. With a whirlwind of feminine and bride centric events, this is a great opportunity to honor the other half of the wedding celebration! With a sailing loving groom in mind this inspiration board started with the discovery of this amazing and dramatic invitation suite- proof that nautical need not be simply cutesy or preppy! From there we sought out other great paper products, table numbers and place cards, that used two elements from the invitation suite, rope and anchors. And to round it out, life saver cupcakes are perfect for a rehearsal dinner, slightly less formal and less expensive than a cake. 

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: Rope can be an unexpected and fun design element. It can be incorporated into centerpieces, signage, even invitations, lending a more masculine vibe to the event.

Other Wedding Festivities Part III: The Bridesmaid's Luncheon

A gerber daisy inspired bridesmaid luncheon

Clockwise from top left: Perfect Wedding Guide, Cheerupcherup, Google, ModCloth, Carrie's Cakes, Martha Stewart

Welcome back to the “Other Parties” series going on this week on Scissors brought to you by our lovely intern Alex. Every bride knows that outside the main event are a seemingly endless list of parties that either build up to or wind down from the wedding itself. So far we've looked at the engagement party and the wedding shower, and today we're looking at the more elusive bridesmaid's luncheon.

While everyone knows what a Rehearsal Dinner and a Wedding Shower are, a Bridesmaid’s Luncheon is not always given for modern weddings. Those who do chose to carry on this tradition will be rewarded with a warm and personal event perfect for kicking off a wedding weekend.

While totally optional, more and more brides are bringing back the luncheon, most commonly hosted by the bride in honor of her bridesmaids and close female relatives as a thank you for all they have done for the big day. It can be hosted anytime, though it is usually held the day before the wedding, when everyone is in town and the key players have likely taken off work for the rehearsal dinner. It’s the perfect excuse to meet up and spend quality time with the important players before the madness of the rehearsal and wedding begin. This is also a great time to give your bridesmaid’s gifts, if you feel they are too personal to present at a large rehearsal dinner.

At Rock Paper Scissors we picture an unabashedly feminine affair where the bride and her girls gather after a morning of blissful pre-wedding manicures and pedicures. Using simple gerber daisies as inspiration, we found great paper products to get your girls excited about the party before it begins. Then, keep the day affordable using bud vases with single stems for centerpieces and cupcakes to feed your sweet tooth.

Rock Paper Scissors Twist: For such a small and intimate event, forgo traditional place cards and instead create a photo place card. Find small 2 x 3” frames and instead of writing the name of the person, find a photo of the bride and the guest together. Print in black and white and voila! Place card, personal touch and party favor all in one.

Quatre Coeur Fabric Flowers Event

Just got this in my inbox and thought I would share!  The lovely ladies of Quatre Coeur who do amazing floral design are also doing fabric flowers.  You could use these as accessories for you and your bridesmaids, or go all out and use them in your bouquets and at your reception.  They are having a trunk show plus how-to's this Saturday in Brooklyn so go check them out.  See the invite below.

 

JCrew Bridal opening event in NYC

I love receiving invitations, really of any kind.  And I especially love receiving invitations to cool opening parties that I can pass along to friends.  JCrew is finally opening a bridal salon to showcase their lovely bridal collection here in NYC, and everyone is invited.  Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings is hosting the event, so I have a feeling it is going to be just as perfect as it gets.  Rsvp to the email address below to get on the guest list, and I'll see you there!

 

NYC House Tour Event: Newlywed Nest

Just spotted this really cool event over at the Wedding Library blog.  Over the next few weekends you can get a peak inside a new NYC apartment that was professionally designed, but here's the great catch, using all IKEA furniture with an eco-bent.  The apartment is sponsored by Brides magazine, and it is coined the Newlywed Nest, so the concept is approachable design for a young couple (though the 2 bedroom triplex with a terrace might be somewhat out of a reach for many of us) PLUS they have wine, snacks, Physique fitness classes and book signings going on there.  Fun, right?  And it's FREE.  You just might see me there every weekend from April 24 - May 22.

Click here to go to the Newlywed Nest website for event info. 

New things from around the Web

So in my browsing of wedding blogs and websites, I found two very interesting things that I wanted to share with you all.  The first is that there is a MEN's relationship/wedding blog.  Seriously.  And it's cool.  Kind of like what Thrillist is to Daily Candy, The Plunge blog is to all of the women's bridal blogs out there.   It expounds on topics such as a quiz to decide on if she's the one and guides on wedding planning and subsequent complications.  Definitely written by men for men.  Send it along to all of your engaged guy friends!

Also, I saw that Brooklyn Bride is hosting a very cool Bridal Show called Urban Wed that promises to be unlike the usual mayhem that ensues at these events if you've ever been to one.  The ticket sales are capped at a very small number so that you can actually talk to and get to know the hand-picked vendors she has selected to be there. Definitely something to check out if you are getting married!