the Not-So-Big Wedding Challenge

I first heard about this event from my friend David Morely. The challenge was to form a team of no more than 5 vendors and design a beautiful, elegant and budget-friendly wedding package. The rules specified that the package would be for 65 guests, using only $15,000 and had to include photography, catering, cake, centerpieces and entertainment. We were also required to include a Montgomery Parks event site as part of the budget, as they were the sponsors of the event. The table design included in the package was to be displayed at the bridal show at Rockwood Manor. The team must be willing to sell the "package" to couples attending the expo at that rate for the next 6 months.There were prominent judges brought in from across the country and they selected the winner before the attendees of the bridal show arrived.

I immediately contacted Petal's Edge and Corcoran Caterers to be on my team. As we brainstormed, we decided that we really really wanted to win the event. And in order to do so, we decided that we had to play to the judges and have the best looking and most cohesive table there. Which lead to us wanting the mahogeny chivari chairs. Which also meant that my good friend David got booted from the team. He was very understanding (and thrilled for us when we did win). Yes, we traded a videographer for chairs. I do not recommend you do this for your wedding. We pulled in Cleverly Candid for photography and Marc Wilner to be our DJ. These two completed our noteworthy team. We chose Seneca Lodge as our site, and in order to pinch pennies, we went for a Friday night event rental.

Leslie Grimes and I picked out two different color palettes: a warm one and a cool one. Gerry and Rebecca from Petal's Edge felt that we could use the warm one in particular with the tiny orchids they selected for our centerpiece. Using that type of orchid allowed us to maximize just a few stems in a thin mouthed vase and still create a lot of impact with a tall centerpiece. Leslie designed a wonderful and seasonal menu that I showcased with menu cards on the table. While the competition was fierce, the judges said we were the clear winners. We were thrilled! We worked hard on the concept and we were so happy that it paid off.