My initial consultations with wedding coordinators and clients often include a conversation about my love of story-telling. I usually share about how I like to get to know my clients, understand their stories, and help them express them. I love subtle details and wacky romances. I want to hear about the proposal, how my couples met, and what they are most excited about for their marriage. Some might think I’m sappy but I find connecting with people to be the most meaningful part of my work. Expressing these personal details in bold and understated ways is why I do what I do.
When I met with Gloria McCune of Grand Engagements about our upcoming photo shoot, I was delighted to get to know her story a little better. As we talked about her inspiration for the stylized tablescape and decor, I began to connect the dots. She described an urban vibe with an eye for fashion and something a little unexpected. Her vision included a striking palate of black and silver with accents of purple. It wasn’t just an arbitrary concept however. Gloria wanted to infuse part of herself in this shoot.
When I discovered that she is Hungarian, grew up in Germany and the US, speaks multiple languages, and has a rich Eastern European heritage, I knew we were getting somewhere. The crown in her logo isn’t there just so she can connect with brides who want to feel like a princess; she has a very regal sensibility about her. As she shared about her childhood and the aesthetic & cultural influences that have made her who she is today, I knew we needed to tell this part of her story.
Gloria’s love of chess, languages, romance, and fashion came together at this fabulous photo shoot at The London West Hollywood.
To top it all off, the fabulous girls over at The Wedding Chicks featured the photos on their blog.
The incredible professionals involved in this shoot included:
Event Design: Gloria McCune - Grand Engagements
Venue: The London Hotel West Hollywood
Photography: Jasmine Star
Floral Design: Carissa Jones - JL Designs
Cakes: Melody Brandon - Sweet and Saucy Shop
Chairs + Settings: Classic Party Rentals
Hair + Makeup: Janelle Contreras for Nirvana Salon
Bridal Veil: Linda Ly - Whimsical Designs
Linen: Wildflower Linen
Stationery: Allison Howell - The Innovation Companies
Tags: Escort Card, Invitation, Menu, Photo Shoot, Place Card, Press, Steel
101, Company News, Design Challenge, Featured Projects, Holiday, Inspiration, Uncategorized, Why Design | admin December 4, 2009 | 
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Alright, I’ll admit it. I’m a book nerd. I love reading. To myself, to my husband, listening to other people read to me (seriously, sometimes I have friends come over to read to me). I get excited about books. My latest library find is Art Without Borders by Ben-Ami Scharfstein. Haven’t delved in yet but I can’t wait to read this “philosophical exporation of art and humanity.”
I must say, however, that I was attracted to it not only by its title and content. It was on the “New Book” shelf at the library. It was so shiny and perfect. In fact, I think I may the first person to have checked it out {happy sigh}. Somehow that knowledge makes the read more enjoyable. You might say that I’ve judged this book by its cover. And you would be right.
I’m unashamed about judging other books by their covers as well. Today’s Shoot from the Hip post inspired me. I will definitely become a regular visitor to The Book Cover Archive. Not only a place to see new titles (which I might actually read)… such good design inspiration too.
I was also stoked to see The Pelican Project at things magazine. This documentation of the chronology of Pelican book covers warmed my heart. Considering the countless hours I spent with a Penguin Classic paperback in college, I was glad to see documentation of the evolution of cover art. Books like these aren’t just parts of our culture and conversation, they hold a place in our collective aesthetic as well.
A snap of my own beloved collection.
This design challenge is about what we wear. The everyday. The mundane. The t-shirt. What is inspiring about a simply-stitched piece of jersey? Everything! Such an iconic piece of our lives can inspire anticipation for a celebration.
This first piece was designed from a salvaged shirt that originally said “I {Heart} Paintball.” With a little cutting and magic, it becomes an intriguing sleeve with a clever “Before & After” (a-la-Wheel-of-Fortune) message.
Our mantra “inspiration is everywhere” is evidenced in this t-shirt-turned envelope. The original featured a tree with carved initials. This manifestation showcases the quirky design and houses an invitation to fit the theme. Fabric envelopes can be designed without t-shirts, however. While this invitation was inspired by a t-shirt, patterned fabric, silk-screened custom designs, or patchwork pieces can be used to make any invitation unique and personal.
For a different spin on this challenge, we wanted to include another concept. To begin an interactive event experience right from the start, this invitation doesn’t include a traditional response card. Instead, it includes two t-shirts, one with a “Yes” and one with “No” on the front. Guests are asked to wear the shirt with the appropriate response, snap a photo, and send it in as their reply to the eagerly waiting hosts.
We’ve got more design challenges coming your way. If you’d like to send us your suggestions, please email them to allison@theinnovationcompanies.com. Can’t wait to put our creative juices to your tests!
We’re innovative around here. Sometimes so innovative that we’re bursting at the seams with creative ideas. Instead of waiting around, we want to share the fruits of our flowing creative juices. That’s why we’re introducing a new series on our blog: Design Challenges. We come up with a challenge and motivate our designers to head to their creative corners and come up with something unique, fun, and unpredictable.
This week’s challenge was to create table numbers without using any ink. There were no other rules. Here’s what we came up with:
First up is our metal 4 that brings together texture, color and style with the sleek number and fun paper background.
Table 5 is illuminated by candlelight shining through the cut-out number behind etched glass.
This custom clock number tells the time on the hour hand. Table eleven could be surrounded by different times of the day and accompanied by a description of what the bride and groom do at that time.
A dimensional 2 is dressed for a 1920’s party with a feather flapper headband.
The number 10 is hand-cut and mounted to show the purple metallic paper underneath. Layers of leaves, textures, or other paper could show through.
A wooden oval is painted with the event’s colors and showcases a carved 7.
Stay tuned for more design challenges to come. Please send us your ideas for a puzzler. Make it a tough one. We want to exercise our creative muscles. Send your design challenge to allison@theinnovationcompanies.com.
