🍂September Recap: Top 3 Creative Highlights!

#1 "And it all started with Hurricane Isabel…

Join me in reflecting on two decades of love, creativity, and unforgettable moments. Yes, it was my 20th wedding anniversary on September 20th. In September I not only celebrated the beginning of our enduring love and commitment, but we're celebrating the spark of a journey that brought Vivid Expressions LLC into being as well as joy, inspiration, and unparalleled experiences to countless couples and industry colleagues alike. And, like a lot of wedding professionals, I was introduced to the charm and complexity of the wedding industry after my own wedding but that's where many of the similarities end.

You see, over the years I've learned a love. I learned that weddings are not just about creating a fairytale experience; it's also about love, devotion, and weathering life's storms together. Ironically, our story began with Isabel (a Category 5 hurricane) striking Virginia only hours before our special day. Despite a rollercoaster of phone calls, statewide outages, flooding, storm damage, cancellations, and challenge after challenge - in the end, love prevailed over adversity and I married my best friend.

I learned so much that day but ultimately I wanted to use my gifts, expertise, knowledge, and talents to help others avoid the obstacles I've experienced in my journey and give form to what inspires them. Now, 20 years after my own wedding, I'm so grateful for where I am now. And after 17 years since launching Vivid Expressions LLC, we've become highly regarded as a premium creative studio, specializing in creative consulting, wedding and event design, live event art, floral design, and offering creative coaching and workshops for wedding couples and industry professionals.

To all the brides who give me the honor of helping them crystalize and live out their wedding vision, and to the amazing industry colleagues, venues, and vendors, thank you for being part of my incredible journey. Let's continue creating magic together, one vivid expression at a time. Cheers to love, creativity, and many more beautiful years ahead.

#2. INTRODUCING “MINI MASTERPIECES”

I'm thrilled to introduce you to our latest innovation - “Mini Masterpieces”, Live Guest Favor Paintings. It's the perfect keepsake for your special day.

Each painting isn't just a work of art; it's a piece of your story, a memory etched in color and emotion. These small, quick watercolor paintings are done live and serve as heartfelt keepsakes for your guests to treasure and remember the joy they shared with you.

Why bring in an artist like me?

I'm inspired to infuse every stroke with love and emotion, ensuring your guests feel valued and cherished. Each painting is uniquely yours, a reflection of your guests' personalities, making it a truly one-of-a-kind gift. With Live Guest Favor Paintings, we don't just create art; we tell your love story.

New Wedding Favor Trend
Capture Your Love Story
Heartfelt Keepsakes
Unique, No two paintings are alike
Professional Excellence
Interactive Experience
Memories That Last

Your wedding deserves to be a canvas of unforgettable moments, and together, let's create memories that last a lifetime. Contact me to check availability and let's paint your wedding day with love and creativity!

#3 OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

2023 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS DINNER

We're excited to share the wonderful experience we had recently when we had the privilege of being a part of the Old Dominion University (ODU) Alumni Association's annual Honors Dinner. It was an evening of elegance, celebration, and recognition, held at the exquisite Norfolk Waterside Marriott in Norfolk, Virginia. We couldn't be happier to have been entrusted with the task of creating stunning floral designs that would help set the stage for this remarkable event.

With nearly 300 guests in attendance, the ODU Alumni Association envisioned a sophisticated color palette of navy blue, stormy gray, and shimmering silver. Vivid Expressions LLC worked diligently to bring this vision to life. I pulled together a Mood Board the help organize the inspiration but it was the Concept Design Sketches that I presented to the board committee that elevated the process. My custom illustrations depicted a captivating array of tall and low floral arrangements, catering to both round and long banquet tables. Once the sketches were approved, I created the tall floral designs atop 30" clear vases, which added a touch of grandeur to the pre-function area as well as the ballroom, while the low arrangements were created in round and square glass vessels, enhancing the overall look.

The attention to detail extended to every aspect of the tablescape designs. Vintage bud vases, each with its own unique shape, style, and size, adorned the long tables and were accented with the soft glow of candles scattered in between them. This created a warm and inviting contrast to the room. To make a dramatic statement, we crafted full and lush floral designs that adorned the stage, ensuring that each guest felt the beauty and elegance of the evening.

The floral selection included a harmonious blend of white and blue hydrangeas, delicate white roses, playful white mums, graceful white snapdragons, vibrant blue delphiniums, and a variety of lush greenery.

I'm so grateful to the ODU Alumni Association for entrusting me with this year's special evening. It was a pleasure to bring my creative expertise to this celebration of achievements and to play a part in making it truly memorable. At Vivid Expressions LLC, we believe that every event should be a reflection of each person's uniqueness and vision, and it was an honor to bring that philosophy to the ODU Alumni Association Honors Dinner.

Special acknowledgment to ODU Alumni Association Honors Dinner vendors & associates.

Please follow: @odualumni, @olddominionu, @marriottnorfolkwaterside, @eventsnsight, @bluesteellighting, @vividexpressionsllc, @waterfordeventrentals, @astroentertainment, @pop_vb_, @alphalit_vb757, @cathylewistalks, @kristaharrell96, @jancartervb, @marketingnsight

Well, needless to say, September was full of creativity and inspiration. And, if I haven't mentioned it lately, thank you. Thank you so much for your continued support and for thinking of Vivid Expressions LLC as your creative partner. I always look forward to opportunities to help create, inspire, and bring magical moments to the lives of those I connect with. Most of all, I can't express how delighted I am to share this with you.

Best,