FIU Women's Studies Tropical Day in Paradise

April 6th, 2008 in the Esserman Estate in Coconut Grove the FIU Women's Studies Organization hosted a Tropical Day in Paradise. The night before was so rainy, but Sunday couldn't have been better for a day event. The colors were fuchsia and Teal with accents of yellow, lime, and plum. The guests enjoyed cocktails while listening to a live steel drum player and looking out to the ocean. The silent auction was very successful and the event overall was a total hit! I look forward to many more events with FIU and the Esserman Family.

Special Thanks to: Lynda and Jim Esserman and the Esserman Family and FIU Women's Studies for all of their hard work.

Event Coordinated by: Jackie from Jackie Ohh... Events. To all of the event team: You guys pulled it off perfectly. Thank you.

Caja Madrid Cocktail

I had the great pleasure of working with Borja and Ana Morube on Caja Madrid's Bank Conference Cocktail at their private home in Key Biscayne. The house is a zen inspired home with amazing modern architecture and a view of the ocean that leaves you speechless. The night of April 4th was great and breezy... perfect weather for a party!

As the guests entered the home, they were greeted by Caja Madrid's logo and a beautiful pathway decorated with tons of hallow candles.

We designed a great layout for this outdoor event. Half of the pool was covered with an acrylic floor that was lit from the pool changing colors every 15 seconds. The production company did all of the production of lighting, draping, tenting, and the pool cover. On top of the pool cover was an all white, grand circular bar. The smaller cocktail rounds were covered in white dupioni linens and the high boys were covered in lime green dupioni linens to add contrast and to match the color of Caja Madrid. Mahognay chiavari stools and chairs were used for seating and added an elegant and modern touch to the decor. The house was lit in chocolate lighting to add color contrast and for a ambient look. Our florist for the event did a great job at all of the floral decor. We used a variety of all types of white orchids to enhance the event and to match the modern look of the house. One of my favorite elements was the hundreds of handles hanging from the banzai tree in the garden.
The furniture rental company that we used provided all of the acrylic bars white, modular furniture we had spread throughout the lawn and the dock. We had them make us green pillows to accent the furniture and to further accentuate the green theme for our clients.

The food was amazing! The Catering company and her staff did a great job! The food was not only scrumptious but what an amazing presentation!

Event Designer and Coordinator- Jackie from Jackie Ohh... Events. To all of the event team members: thank you thank you thank you. It was gorgeous! Another event flawlessly done and executed!

Cristy and Mark Williams

Congratulations Newlyweds! Cristy and Mark Williams got married on March 15th, 2008. After many months of planning, the big day was finally here. Our first stop, the beautiful St. Patricks Catholic Church in Miami Beach where the couple started promptly and said their "I do's". Next stop, the JW Marriot for the much anticipated reception. Cristy and Mark wanted a fresh, romantic feel for thier room using hues of pinks, greens, whites, and chocolates. Enjoy!

All Photos are by Unique Design Studios www.udsphoto.com

HIS & HERS

At 6:30pm on the dot, Cristy walked down the aisle with her dad to meet her groom. The church was filled with family and friends and the ceremony was gorgeous. We still aren't sure what happened to Mark, but he started sweating profusely throughout the ceremony. The priest got a bit worried about him so he asked the church assistant to get him some water. A couple of sips afterwards, the ceremony was back on track. Phew! You gave us quite a scare there Mark! Glad you were okay. A couple of minutes and a long kiss later, they were married!

After they took quick pictures with their family, they were off to JW. Jessie and I awaited them downstairs where they had a private cocktail hour to relax and take some time to take it all... they were finally married. As the guests got to the main floor of the ballroom, they were greeted by a gorgeous arrangement of green apples and baby pink hydrangeas. The table was filled with tini green apple candles with each guests names attached to it. It was an amazing table presentation; every guest had something to say about it.(Sorry about the picture above. It was was taken by me on my digi =p)

After walking into the cocktail hour, guests were enjoying the live piano, eating, drinking, and watching the cigar roller roll cigars for the wedding guests. All of the men were around that table at some point within the hour. It was great! Some Details of the Reception
The custom designed menu cards and the CD favors After their private cocktail, Marlyne took Cristy and Mark downstairs to the lobby for some pictures by themselves. Our lighting company provided us with the uplighting and pin spots around the ballroom. We almost always use lighting at every wedding/event we do. It adds such an amzing touch to the ambaince and the feel of the wedding. Shortly after, around 8:45pm, Cristy and Mark walked into their room for the first time. I'll never forget the looks on their face when they saw how it had come together. (This probably is one of my most favorite moments at a wedding.) They stopped on the dance floor and just starred out to the ballroom as the band played a romantic love song. They were in wow, gave me a big hug, and started walking around the room to see everything. They loved it all and so did their guests. "Wow" was defiantly a word I heard a lot that night. We could not be happier that everyone was over joyed with the wedding and how it came together... beautifully.

The florist did a great job in the arrangements for the wedding. It was exactly what Cristy and Mark wanted. The linens and specialty rentals were just the perfect combination to tie it all together. We rented off white shantung underlays with white palette overlays, mahogany chiavari chairs with off white shantung cushions, off white shantung napkins and they accented it with a beautiful green, satin bow to match the decor.

During Dinner Jessie and I transformed the Place Card table into a To-Go Breakfast in Bed Table. Each guest took one box on their way out. The box was filled with delicious cuban pastries including Pastel de Guayaba, Queso, y Carne with two Croquettas (uno de jamon y el otro de pollo). The Guests loved it and it was delicious. The wedding overall was beautiful and al of the guests had a great time. Cristy and Mark and their families are super happy which makes me even happier! Wedding Team: Wedding Coordinator: Jackie Farah Fernandez and Day of Assistant Jessica Vega for Jackie Ohh... Events, Unique Design Studios, Florencia de Salvo and JW Marriott Miami, St. Patricks Miami Beach. To all the wedding vendors: You guys all did such a great job. Thank you!