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Mango Orchid Bouquet: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:23 -0700

I wish I had discovered this Mango Orchid Bouquet ($12.95) a little bit sooner, as it would have made a fun gift for Mother's Day. What do you think, would you buy these chocolate dipped mangoes on a stick?

Mark's Garden Adds Floral Drama to the Governors Ball

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:15:51 -0800

When I walked into the preview for the Governors Ball, the suspended globes immediately caught my eye. However, once I was able to pull my gaze down, my eyes became lost in the drama that is the floral arrangement.

There are over 15,000 roses, in 15 different shades of red, and they're accompanied by golden orchids imported from Thailand several days before the event. The cocktail tables are dotted with bouquets of roses, the dinner tables are huge, tall red and gold bouquets, and the food stations are littered with petals. The staff at Mark's Garden have created a beautiful arrangement that is dramatic, and somehow over the top and subdued at the same time.

I had a chance to talk to Mark Held - he and his staff have been doing the flowers for the Governors Ball for the past 13 years - about their floral decisions. To see that, and even more pics, read more.

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DIY: Elegant and Rustic Wedding Decor

partysugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 07:50:38 -0700

A friend of mine recently got married at a San Francisco restaurant with 25 close guests in attendance. The ceremony was held in a private room, and afterward, everyone sat down at one big table for a three-course dinner.

Since the couple threw together the "elopement" on short notice, they recruited friends to help; a friend and I were asked to do the flowers. I was surprised by how cheaply we were able to fill the room with blooms. Since the restaurant has exposed brick walls and a rustic feel, we decided to go for the same look with the arrangements. To see my tips for achieving a similar scheme, read more.

Know the space. Get a feel for the room you'll be working in and talk to the restaurant about any decor (such as candles and tablecloths) they'll have on hand or any restrictions that may apply.
Become a jar collector. To echo the rustic modern vibe of the room, I rounded up mismatched glass jars from my cupboards and friends' kitchens. They're free of charge and oh-so-hip.
Go wholesale. Many cities have flower markets that are open to the public. If you can, find a wholesale card to get better prices; I borrowed one from an event coordinator at a local nonprofit. Even if you can't get a wholesalers' discount, you'll still be able to get better bulk deals than you would anywhere else.
Mix and match. Splurge on some pricier statement flowers to anchor the arrangements - we went with purple hydrangeas, white tulips, orchids, and dahlias. Then, fill them out with cheaper filler in complementary colors: try mums, alstromerias, and assorted greenery.
Light it up. Place votive candles in smaller jars and use them to surround the floral arrangements. This will give the flowers a grander appearance without actually needing more flowers.

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Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:15:51 -0800

Last year's Oscars was all about golden opulence and red accents, but this weekend the Governors Ball is looking East for inspiration. You can too, when you create the look for an Oscars viewing party. Start by running a red-carpet-like runner down the middle of your table. Serve the popcorn in a big white bowl and let guests help themselves by filling movie popcorn bags. Place the gourmet hot dogs on a pretty floral-printed plate. Metallic river stones and matching candles provide a zen, glowing atmosphere. Place champagne buckets around the room and serve the sparkling wine and cocktail in stemless champagne flutes. Throw plush pillows on the couch and arrange orchids in oversize tubular vases.

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Come Party With Me: Moroccan Dinner - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:17:15 -0700

Use a kaleidoscope of colors to create the look of a Moroccan dinner. Start by setting the table with an eye-catching Moroccan print tablecloth. Add ceramic plates, rustic silverware, and plain linen napkins. Serve the drinks in Moroccan tea glasses. Turn off the lights and hang Moroccan candleholders from the ceiling for a glowing, seductive ambiance. Arrange a blooming bouquet of pretty orange, yellow, and purple orchids. Write the guests' names on mosaic tiles and place on each plate for place cards.

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Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:01:18 -0800

Instantly set the mood for your Oscars-viewing party with a fabulous red carpet leading up to your front door. Once guests arrive inside, envelope them in decadent gold and red decor. Cover the buffet table with a luxe gold tablecloth and sparkly red tablerunner. Light hundreds of tiny tea lights in rhinestone-rimmed silver votives. Place the food on large square and rectangular platters arranged attractively around the table. Serve the champagne in flutes and offer guests appetizer plates or trays to hold their snacks. Make sure the television is visible from all areas in the room and add extra red cushions for plush and comfortable seating. Golden orchids look stunning placed decoratively around the space.

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2008 Governors Ball Flowers

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:53:10 -0800

This year they're doing 15 types of red roses and imported golden orchids.

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Chatting with Governors Ball Planner Cheryl Cecchetto

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:18:31 -0800

Last week we got to take a peek at what this year's Governors Ball is going to look like. As you can tell, it's going to be an extravagant affair with lush red velvet, shiny gold accents, red roses and gold orchids. Such an extravagant affair can only be pulled off by someone really spectacular, and that someone is special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto. For the 19th consecutive year, Cheryl will be overseeing every tiny detail from the 1,675 floating transparent globes to the 15 shades of red roses.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Cheryl, to find out what she has to say about the event, as well as hear her advice on how to host your own fabulous party, read more.

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The Governors Ball Will Be a Sea of Red and Gold

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:13:31 -0800

Last week, I gave you a sneak peek at all the delicious food that will be served at the Governors Ball, and this week I'm here to share a gallery of the look. The ball, which is being produced by Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions, has been inspired by the fact that it's Oscars 80th anniversary. This year it's all about the gold of the Oscar and the red of the red carpet.

When I walked into the press preview, a sixth of the ballroom had been done up like it would on Oscar night. From the ceiling to the floor, not a single detail was overlooked. The ceiling was coated in glass bubbles that reflect the tiny lights, creating a starry look. The floor was coated in red carpet with gold runners, and the flowers - red roses and gold orchids - matched as well. The tables were either cozy lush velvet or cool, mirrored and sleek. The silverware was gold and the plates were clear. Mirrored walls and railings add another dimension, while mirrored tables and tufted chairs break up the space.

It's going to be a gorgeous event, fit for Hollywood's biggest night! To take a look at the entire gallery - that's just a sneak peek above! - read more.

Oh and I've included a few pics of what the ballroom looked like before they changed everything. They really do an amazing job!

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Stanlee's Secret

partysugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:12:57 -0700

If you live in San Francisco, have an indispensable budget, and are looking to throw a super memorable party, there is one man and one man only who is capable of getting the job done: event planner super star extraordinaire, Mr. Stanlee Gatti. Stan has spent more than 20 years envisioning the decor of countless high society events with a sense of style that is utterly unique and breath-taking - including the Black & White Ball and several major floral art exhibitions such as the recent ONE at the Conservatory of Flowers. Last week I had the extreme pleasure (seriously I was so nervous he is like one of my idols and there is a character in my novel loosely based off of him) of sitting down with Mr. Gatti in his beautifully light, airy studio in SOMA. When I walked through the front door I was worried I had the address wrong as upstairs is Stanlee's office and downstairs is where the production of designing the look for an event takes place. Downstairs is totally urban with an industrial feel and upstairs is warm and chic - the walls practically oozed luscious creativity. When I asked Gatti about the upcoming trends in party decor, his answer was that of pure confidence and utter genius: I do not know what the trends are because I set the trends. I never look at what everyone else is doing. He only borrows from himself by delving deeper into his history to discover a new way of doing things. A tried and true trendsetter, Gatti sees the world through rose colored glasses literally as he was born with the gift to visually glimpse the world in colors. His infectiously positive outlook, incredible will to translate his ideas from vision into reality, and fun loving attitude make him not only one of the best event planners in the nation, but an ideal human too. For more on Stanlee's way of life and my interview, read more

PartySugar: What colors are popular this year?
Stanlee Gatti: I have a natural instinct for color and see the world in color. The colors I use are based on my own feelings. Right now I love eggplant, reds, purples, blues. The combination of eggplant and red, purple and red. I like to take two colors and mix them differently.

PS: Do the colors generally change with the season?
SG: Slightly, I get some of my inspiration from what is happening in the fashion world, especially from the Japanese designers. I only wear Japanese clothing with the occasional pair of Levi's because they are truly unique and different. Yohji [Yamamoto] and Issey [Miyake] push clothing and design to a place of innovation.

PS: What trends are emerging in arrangements and centerpieces?
SG: Always think in colors first because the color is energy. I do not know what the trends are because I set the trends. I never look at what everyone else is doing, but I've been doing arrangements that are back to the basics: overflowing, jammed flowers. It's a return to the 80's when everything was a little more traditional and using one type of color and flower was innovative. There is a simplicity and form to it all.

PS: What flowers are in?
SG: There is a caste system in which roses, orchids, and lily of the valley are always in, but I love doing funeral flowers at a party. Gladiolus, mums, and carnations can be absolutely beautiful when done correctly. I say never close the doors - if done correctly in the right way anything can be done. I don't believe in framing things in. It's up to the individual to create something that expresses where you are. I don't ever want to be predictable. It depends on how far your mind travels to a different place. Other than that, I've been doing a lot of flowers and fruit, roses and pears in gold tones.

PS: Is there a huge difference between the east coast bride and the west coast
brides? Between the east coast party and the west coast party?
SG: The only difference is in climate. The location and climate of a party obviously affects what the kind of party it is and what it looks like as well.

PS: What was your most memorable party?
SG: The Black and White Ball of '87 because it was the first time anyone had ever blacked out an entire tent before. I loved the way it looked it made it look like space or had the feeling of being in a planetarium because the only light came from underneath the tables. Still there are so many memorable parties. Suzie Tompkin's wedding on the pier was amazing because we virtually took 12 days to build a wooden reception room with murals.

PS: What's your advice to the everyday hostess?
SG: Do small dinner parties and try your best. Do what you think is pretty and what you like. Don't go into it with the mindset of trying to impress, instead put a real interest into the food you make and the flowers you choose.

PS: What's your advice to the bride who wants the perfect wedding?
SG: Perfect: define perfect? A perfect party is a party where everyone has fun. The number one most important thing is that there is fun. Perfect equals fun.

PS: Where can a bride cut costs without it showing to guests?
SG: Mix things and remember not all centerpieces have to be floral. Look at what's important to you and go from there. Make a list of the most important part of your wedding and start cutting from the bottom up.

PS: What was the biggest wedding disaster you have ever had to confront and how did you do so?
SG: 15 years ago in Modesto at one of the Gallo daughter's weddings. We were using a huge pompadour rose and drove the roses up in a refrigerator truck. On the morning of the wedding we realized the flowers had froze and had to buy every pink rose from every florist in the area. In the end everything worked out as it was supposed to. As long as you work it out before the party, everything will end up as it's supposed to end up. For me once the event starts it's all about having fun and no disasters occur.

PS: What is your favorite flower?
SG: I don't have one. Flowers are like colors, I love them all. I enjoy green earth tones because every other color goes with green. But seriously how can you turn your back on anything that comes from nature when there is merit to it all? The other day I saw a dandelion and thought it was the most beautiful thing.

PS: What is your guilty pleasure food?
SG: Without a doubt, chocolate.

PS: What is your favorite restaurant in San Francisco?
SG: I'm a vegetarian and love the Moroccan food at Aziza.

PS: A successful party is…
SG: Fun! A party is only wrecked by the negative attitude of the people in attendance. It's really all about having fun. You could stay at home with a six-pack and be with the greatest group of people and have as much fun as at a huge glamorous party.

For a peek of Mr. Gatti in action, come back tomorrow to check out the images of a dinner he was designing the night of this interview. Click on an image below for a closer look at the inside of his studio.

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Image Source: Pat Johnson