To view the entire catalog, click on the photo.

Ermenegildo Zegna’s Spring catalog features soft & clean pastel colored suits and shirts for men.  Without a doubt, we think it works!  The look and feel of this style is strikingly similar to the soft-spoken gowns on the March cover of Vanity Fair which we featured earlier this week on our blog (If you missed the pastel trend featured on a few Hollywood starlets, you may want to read this too:   http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/soft-spoken-hollywood-glamour/)

Our team would love to see some 2012 grooms step out of the traditional black tuxedo.  Step out of the British khaki and grey suit trend.  Step into something elegant like this! (pretty please?!?!)   Zegna’s collection features silk suits, ties, shirts, shoes, and accessories in pale blues, violets, green grey hues, and chalky whites.

Maybe the bride has always dreamed of wearing a striking white gown, but nobody ever said the groom couldn’t make a statement too.  This refined but stunning style will surely make a bride blush!  We love the latest pastel trend, even for men.  It speaks to fashion without losing formality!

And if you love the latest trend, we think this boutonniere would add the perfect touch against silk pastel!  Picture this Whimsical Gatherings design on a fashion-forward, sleek & stunning suit!

And for the bride…

To keep up with all Whimsical Gatherings event and floral design work, “like” our Facebook page and subscribe to our blog!

More photos from the event featured above will be posted next week.  These wonderful photos of our work come from Waldorf Photographic Art.  You can view more of their work on their website.    http://www.waldorfphotographicart.com/

Visit The Bride Link blog to read more.  Just click on the photo above.

To view more of our designs and keep up with our future event work, “like” us on Facebook:

  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whimsical-Gatherings/109726178969

Or subscribe to our blog.

]]> http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/link-with-us/feed/ 1 whimsicalgatherings The Bride Link http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/a-preston-bailey-birthday/ http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/a-preston-bailey-birthday/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:19:54 +0000 whimsicalgatherings http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/?p=237 ]]> Look what our very own Leah McCall received for her birthday!  A signed copy of Preston Bailey’s latest book!  We are feeling super inspired right now!

www.dixiepixelphoto.com

Whimsical Gatherings had a wonderful time designing for this Winter wedding at the Hilton Knoxville.  We brought in snow covered crystal trees for the ceremony aisle and snow covered trees with candle baubles around the dance floor.  The bouquets and table designs were stunning too!  Don’t miss this one!

You can find detail photos of Whimsical Gatherings’ work from this event on our Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/pages/whimsical-gatherings/109726178969

For some amazing photos of the bride & groom, visit Dixie Pixel’s blog.

www.dixiepixelphoto.com

]]> http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/winter-wedding-teaser/feed/ 0 whimsicalgatherings Photo by Dixie Pixel, Design by Whimsical Gatherings http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/soft-spoken-hollywood-glamour/ http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/soft-spoken-hollywood-glamour/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:01:14 +0000 whimsicalgatherings http://whimsicalgatherings.wordpress.com/?p=206 ]]>

Vanity Fair March 2012 Cover Photographed by Mario Testino

We love this Vanity Fair cover!  Not only does it feature two Oscar nominees (if you read our blog last Friday, you know we have been keeping our eyes on the Award Shows), but it also highlights some beautiful Art Deco-inspired pastel gowns! *swoon*  Style Director for V.F., Jessica Diehl, went for a ‘20s/’30s jazzy boudoir feel.  We think she nailed it!  Bridal fashions and floral designs often follow the latest red carpet styles, so as you can imagine, colored gowns are becoming the new trend.  We saw a few blush colored bridal gowns last year but 2012 is looking to offer an even wider array of choices for brides.  If you want an eye-catching & memorable gown, take another peak at this Vanity Fair shoot by clicking on the photo above.

Inspired by this cover, we gathered some of our own soft-spoken but glamorous floral designs to share with you.  Some say “less is more” and these designs can help set the stage if you are planning a refined & classic wedding with an old Hollywood feel!

Julie Mallett Photography www.juliemallett.com

For a fun Art Deco feel, we grouped cylinder candle vases atop tall mirrored pedestals surrounded by beautiful pale petals.  You can also make a statement with rose buds inserted in between multiple cake layers!

Meggie Velasco Photography www.meggievelasco.com

Meggie Velasco Photography www.meggievelasco.com

For a soft but stunning touch of color, orchids are always the right choice!  This classic cake design and candle lit table centerpiece set the stage for a posh but pretty reception.

Meggie Velasco Photography www.meggievelasco.com

Meggie Velasco Photography www.meggievelasco.com

And last, we have an elegant table design and vanity piece.  Chic lush flowers  seated in translucent glass will whisper romance.

What do you think?  Will you surprise your groom and guests by walking down the aisle in something a little different?  Do you like the old Hollywood trend?  Leave us a comment & share your thoughts!  Whimsical Gatherings looks forward to making YOU feel like a star on your special day!

More photos from each of the styles shown above can be seen on our Facebook page under the albums “Graceful”, “Silhouette”, and “Callaway Gardens”.

If you have a glamorous gown in mind, but cannot find it on the racks, contact Colleen Moore at White Orchid Bridal.  She can create a one-of-a-kind wedding dress for your special day.  www.whiteorchidbridal.com

The Wedding Chicks  www.weddingchicks.com/2010/12/07/whimsical-tennessee-wedding-ashley-hoskins/

The Thirty-Something Bride  www.thethirtysomethingbride.com/unfake-weddings/2011/7/25/the-unfake-wedding-of-carrie-jason.html

Style Me Pretty  www.stylemepretty.com/2011/11/30/knoxville-wedding-by-dixie-pixel-photography/

Style Me Pretty  www.stylemepretty.com/2010/10/07/tennessee-wedding-with-edwardian-elegance/

Southern Weddings Magazine  www.swsmag.net/blog/2009/8/26/real-tennessee-wedding-mary-mark.html

Southern Weddings Magazine  www.swsmag.net/blog/2010/7/19/knoxville-inspiration-shoot-dixie-pixel.html

Polka Dot Bride  www.polkadotbride.com/2010/05/pink-cupcake-bridal-shower/

Glamour & Grace  glamourandgraceblog.com/2012/a-whimsical-purple-styled-shoot/

HGTV  www.hgtv.com/entertaining/sophisticated-fruit-and-vegetable-centerpiece/index.html

Elizabeth Anne Designs  www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/07/13/classic-peach-knoxville-wedding/

HGTV  www.hgtv.com/decorating/elegant-autumnal-centerpiece/index.html

Eat Drink Pretty  www.eatdrinkpretty.com/2010/08/real-party-southern-bridal-shower.html

The Blue Streak  bluestreak.moxleycarmichael.com/2011/05/09/weekend-wedding-brings-the-trappings-of-hollywood-and-fun-to-worlds-fair-park/

Leah McCall and her Whimsical Gatherings “Dream Team” have been proudly featured in Grace Ormonde, Ines Del Mar Weddings, Southern Weddings Magazine, The Knot, Ruffled, Style Me Pretty, The Thirty Something Bride, Eat Drink Pretty, Get Hitched Weddings, JLM Couture, Glamour & Grace, Polka Dot Bride, Tried & True Weddings, Bouquet-Bouquet, HGTV, Wedding Chicks, and more.

Leave us a comment if you have found a link that we didn’t include here or on our Facebook page.  Leave a “Happy Birthday” wish for Leah too if you’d like!

We love fashion.  We love glamour.  So, of course, we love the red carpet!  Our floral arrangements, interior designs, and event ideas are often inspired by the designer gowns that adorn the Golden Globes and Grammy Awards.  High neck lines, sexy open backs, asymmetrical drapes, refined ruffles, sheer polka dots, bold colors, flashy metallics, one-shoulder straps and romantic lace; we just can’t get enough!  We each have our own favorite; Leah loves Chanel, Colby admires McQueen, and Carrie adores Lhuillier.  All of these designers have daring and detailed red carpet designs as well as unmatched and magnificent bridal apparel.  Luckily we still have the Academy Awards coming on Sunday February 26th!  Sequins, pearls, and fancy heels…our creative minds start spinning!

Speaking of the Academy Awards, have you seen what the Official Governors Ball Cocktail is this year?  Oscar’s signature champagne cocktail is called the Moet Red Carpet Glamour.  It is a beautiful cocktail topped with a single rose petal. *sigh* We love when flowers are used in unique & surprising ways!  There are many edible flowers you can use to create drinks and appetizers like rose hips and citrus blossoms, but if you would like to treat your party VIPs to Oscar’s exclusive, you can find the complete cocktail recipe at:  http://oscar.go.com/blogs/party/moet-signature-cocktail-winner

Leave us a comment to let us know what makes your creative mind spin!  Tell us what you think of these gorgeous photos too!  They just happen to be from one of Whimsical Gatherings’ 2011 events.  This VIP room design was from a large corporate function held at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum.  We invite you to enjoy more of these photos on our Facebook page where we have uploaded many of our 2011 events!

Enjoy the Academy Awards next week and please drink responsibly.

Photos were taken by Tara of Dixie Pixel Photography.  See more of her work at http://dixiepixelphoto.com/

When we meet with a client about an event, we usually talk about what they like; colors, flowers, style, accessories. There is also a framework of tables & attendees, whether the event is indoors or outdoors, and what type of natural or artificial lighting will be present. When you book Whimsical Gatherings though, you get so much more than bouquets and centerpieces! Once we get the basics on paper, the dreaming begins! We love to design. You know that. We also love to dream up unique WOW-factors and focal pieces for your event. We have a huge play room (some call it storage) with vases, boxes, candles, fabrics, ribbons, crystals, rhinestones, paper, tables, mirrors, balls, branches, even broken mirror & glass pieces…you get the idea! This inventory allows us to test ideas so we can custom-create new and fabulous things. It’s also not above us to hike the woods around our studio to chop branches, cut thorny thistle, or gather leaves. This is what makes our “work” (I put that in quotes because when you love what you do, it’s not really work) fun and rewarding. You want your special day to be beautiful. You want your event to be unforgettable. We want this too! Often times you see detail shots of our work with ribbons, pins, crystals, berries, and even textured leaves added to bouquets…but we want to show you something BIG! This post highlights the use of Magnolia leaves. It also shows you how we can create a BIG effect at your event with a custom chandelier. Some say “it’s the small things”, but we think it’s both the small and BIG things that make your event swoon-worthy. You hire us to set the backdrop for your event. This includes, not just what sits on the table or what you hold in your hand, but the entire environment. Needless to say…we want to give people something to talk about! Magnolia is a great plant that can add warmth and depth to your holiday and/or home décor. Yes, the flowers (when in bloom) are gorgeous but don’t deny the luscious greenery! You can even spray paint the leaves with gold or silver metallic paint (trust me, we’ve done it!) and use as garland with ornaments or red bows. In the photos here, you see a classic use of Magnolia with the simple addition of mirror pieces, mercury balls, glass bobbles filled with votive candles, and crystal pendants. Both designs, though different in their drama, add just the right effect for the atmosphere of each venue. Tell us what you think! We love feedback. And if you need help creating a memorable environment this holiday season for your employees, friends, or houseguests, give Whimsical Gatherings a call! If you happen to have or know of someone with a Magnolia tree as well… let’s talk!

Photos were taken by Tara of Dixie Pixel Photography at two different wedding receptions we recently designed in Knoxville. Dixie Pixel Photography is the recipient of the Best Wedding Photographer 2011 Award from CityView Magazine! See more of her work at http://dixiepixelphoto.com/