Gumdrop Trees @ OTC

Often times I’m asked where I come up with my ideas...that question always stumps me. I’ve been doing this job a long time, and I don’t like to repeat myself if I can help it and I don’t like the safe route. Almost always with each event, there is at least one piece to build from. 

I like to take that piece, and carry that through every element of the event. In this case, the inspiration was the string bulb lights we are going to hang over the event space. I almost didn’t need buffet signs b/c the food speaks for itself, but I couldn’t pass up a chance to add to the theme and decor. 

After months of planning, and promoting, and teasing, the night finally came. Our very first popup supper club at Old Town Club. Members had 72 hours from receipt of email to sign up for the dinner, with no idea what they were going to eat, or where. And it was only open for the first 24 people to sign up. And we sold out!

From the lit up signs to mark your path, to the luminaries, to the lights strung from the trees, what a grand entrance!

It all began with this napkin. We had this vision of peaches and pinks and golds, but then came across this napkin and that set the tone for the whole party!

Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie did an AMAZING job with the flowers.

The hanging lights were so pretty as the night got darker

The grand entrances!

Enjoying some cocktails and antipasti

Chef Luke and Charles getting ready to grill some salads...

Beautiful herbed oil in mini canning jars, to go with our house made Focaccia bread.

Raise a glass - or an OTC styrofoam cup!

The coolest part of this night was that it appealed to all ages! What a fun blend of members. 

And as these beautiful ladies were enjoying their cocktails, you can see our Assistant Manager Kristian in the background staring at the scary clouds moving across the sky....while I was trying to pretend I didn’t feel the raindrops through the trees.

And then the rains came.....

And everyone made their way to the mens grill, umbrellas in one hand, and flowers in the other! I love our members - they refused to let a little rain dampen their spirits or the beauty of the party!

So we moved the beauty to the balcony and continued on!

I get a lot of questions about what size tablecloth to use, so I thought this diagram was a big help! 

Months of planning, days of construction and here is the end result! An amazing tented extravaganza! Caitlin and Davis were such a fun couple to work with - I remember when she was our Swim team coach, and now I get to plan her wedding!

Gorgeous flowers on exquisite tables

What a perfect setting for the cake under the massive crystal chandelier.

A really unique take on an escort wall - framed prints of guests’ names in gold frames hung on a custom greenery wall. 

A simply beautiful way to dress up a bar with a garland of greenery

A great start to the dinner with a Crab and Avocado Terrine with orange ginger pudding

Another beautiful display of family wedding photos

One of my favorite parts of the night was when Caitlin’s mom and dad showed her and Davis their gift - a custom dinner table made from reclaimed wood, so they could start their “own family dinner traditions”. And they used it for gifts that night!

Letterpress menu cards.

Love the idea of combining long tables and round tables. It adds some fun dimension to the room, along with combining different patterns or textures in the tablecloths. 

A nice way to dress up the front entrance

And here is a picture of the beautiful bride and groom before they make their grand entrance!

And what a great shot of the sendoff!

What to do when you want to have a sit down dinner for 400 people in Winston Salem, NC? There aren’t too many options, but I’m proud to say Old Town Club is a fabulous one! All we have to do is build a tent… I had 2 brides in the last year come to me and say “We love Old Town Club and want to have our reception here, but you don’t have room for all of our guests for a sit down dinner.” So I took their vision, and made it happen – dream big and we can achieve. Working with Party Reflections out of Charlotte, we constructed this monster of a beautiful room (not a tent when it’s all done and draped and chandeliered). Here’s the before pictures.

First the floor, then came the roof. Add some fabric...

This is where it starts to look like a beautiful ballroom instead of a tent

I couldn’t resist a shot of one of the hardworking guys seeming to be swallowed up by the liner! Someone suggested I add crystals to his pants and make him part of the decor.

Love this custom art sketch of Carolyn’s wedding dress.

Write a note to the bride and groom

Beautiful flowers on the balcony

Gorgeous cake from Ketchie Creek, with a Vintage tablecloth that belongs to the bride’s grandmother. A great way to add a special family heirloom

Amazing flowers with gorgeous peonies, from Amy Lynne Originals

Beautiful pink damask cloths from Party Reflections

Whether your event is super casual or super elegant, make your seating assignments fit the theme. We had a Farm to Table dinner where we featured local purveyors, so we assigned guests to tables based on the host “farmer”. 

And then we we had a smaller wine dinner where we assigned seats using chalkboard paint on wine glasses!

And a couple more classic, elegant presentations of escort cards for weddings.

And then there is a THEME! A coastal Batmitvah for a girl who LOVES sailing. Super fun way to direct guests to their tables.

And then there is this! A custom greenery wall at the entrance to our dinner tent, with framed lists of guests names and table numbers. 

Gone are the days of the church guest register being the only way to remember who came to your wedding! Have some fun and create a keepsake that will not live in a dresser drawer. This bride and groom had their guests ink their thumbprints into tree leaves, and write their names next to them.

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Morgan and Jon thought it would be fun to have their guests sign coffee table travel books to places they loved. In the background you can see pictures of the parents and grandparents.

A beautiful photo book of the bride and groom, pick a page and sign a note! Don’t forget some pretty pens to go along with it.

Whether it’s a Rolls Royce, a Golf Cart or a Love Bug, make a statement that reflects you with your getaway!

This inspires me to do something...not sure what yet...but this is how I do my job...I get inspired and figure out how I can make something magical of my own. And I don’t have a budget like Preston Bailey, but that won’t stop me from being just as fabulous! I always tell my brides, dream BIG! And then step back and figure out what can be done. If you don’t dream, you’ll never know what we can actually do.