BLU Event Design has moved!

We are excited to announce our new blog page! Check out our hugely improved :) Beach Weddings tips, ideas and inspiration page at: http://destin-beach-wedding.com/floral-gossip/ See you there!!!!

Wine, women & shoes event, by BLU Event Design

Few weeks ago we posted an inspiration board for the Wine, women & shoes event! ...and ta da... Various shades roses, tulips, green goddess callas lilies with touches of dusty miller, berzilia and green amaranthus spilling out of polka dot magenta hat boxes complete with black satin bows.



Our flirty creations felt right at home at the penthouse suite of stunning Emerald Grand! Bright and colorful blooms complimented the old world glamor of mahogany bookcases and beams.. Sheer lime green overlays, fuchsia silk napkins and a tiny stiletto at each place setting added to the sophisticated glam look for a worthy cause!

Tags: wine, women and shoes event, blooms by BLU Event, Pink flowers by BLU Event Design, Destin flowers by BLU Event Design, flower delivery in destin by BLU event design

Pretty in Pink...or more like hot Pink, by BLU Event Design

I must share..here at BLU Event Design we are huge fans of modern take on seaside living!! Speaking of.. Here is a pretty arrangement we sent over to our friends at Caliza restaurant @ Alys Beach! A magnificent fuchsia orchid floating over pale pink roses, soft foliage and curly willow branches arranged in a cigar box..





Hope you guys enjoyed it!!
Can't wait to come out and dine poolside, the menu looks heavenly!

Stunning WaterSound Wedding, by BLU Event Design

You know when you look at a picture and you can feel the mood. A blanket of white sand, a breathtaking sunset that bounces off a crystal chandelier nestled in between sweet ivy, and white orchids. Lining the way to the arbor, a collage of vine spheres adorned with white roses and ivory ribbon.











Meet Kristen & Chris. Chris, your All-American blond hair blue eyed groom, lapel dressed with a mini calla lily and Kristen, a real princess adorned with pearls and lace, holding a sweeping bundle of white lilies accented with tiny pearls, to create the true meaning of soft elegance. This wedding folks, was about pure romance.

Venue:WaterSound Beach Club
Flowers, linens and decor: Yours truly
Photography: Freshnk(Now Luft Creative)
To for more details see Fall issue of Panama City Living Magazine!

Tags: Kristen & Kris, Published in Panama City Living Magazine, WaterSound Club Wedding, Panama City Beach Wedding, BLU Event Design wedding, White and pink beach wedding by blu event design

Wine, women & shoes, by BLU Event Design

We are proud to be a part of something so fabulous! Wine, women & shoes along with Emerald Grand of Emerald Coast are hosting patron dinner and BLU Event Design is delighted to design the florals for such fun and glamorous occasion!!



Our inspiration is... all things girly and fun.. stilettos, hat boxes, ribbons and gorgeous blooms!!



Where do you look for inspiration?

BLU Event Design - The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick

We are very proud to announce that BLU Event Design has been rated by the brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick.



We want to thank each and everyone of you for your vote and share how incredibly thrilled we are to receive the honor! We had an amazing year and looking forward to another wonderful season ahead!!

Tags: Best of weddings 2012 by BLU Event Design, Best of Weddings in the floral category

Sweet Valentine, by BLU Event Design

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you love birds!!!

And nothing says Valentine's Day like chocolate-covered strawberries! Those red, heart-shaped fruits, that melted chocolate, together in one sweet, scrumptious bite. They're undeniable!!


You will need:

Approximately one pound of washed fresh strawberries, stems intact, dried thoroughly.
11-12 ounces of a good quality dark or milk chocolate. Chocolate chips can be used, Ghirardelli is a recommended brand. Try to avoid cheaper melting chocolate.
A double boiler, or a glass or stainless steel bowl over simmering water, or a microwave safe dish.
Wax paper and a baking tray



How to:

Line the baking tray with waxed paper, prepare strawberries.
If the chocolate is in bar form, chop into small uniform pieces.
If using the double boiler method, make sure the bowl is completely dry, and the bowl isn’t actually touching the simmering water. Stir the chocolate pieces until you have achieved a smooth and shiny texture with no chunks.
If using a microwave to melt the chocolate, set the microwave on 50% power for 30 second intervals, stirring after every interval. Continue microwaving until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Generally, your chocolate will be sufficiently “tempered” when the bottom of the bowl it’s in no longer feels warm.
Immediately dip the strawberries, one at a time, in the melted chocolate and transfer to the wax paper lined sheet.
Serve as soon as the chocolate has set up a bit. (If you can resist!)

Tags: valentine's day arrangement, beach wedding hairstyles by Blu Event Design, chocolate covered strawberries, Sweet Valentine by blu event design, destin, destin wedding

Taming your locks.., by BLU Event Design

Skipping the salon can be a big money saver for budget-conscious brides, but how do you make a DIY 'do stand out from the every day?

Sarah Potempa, a New York hairstylist who coiffs models and celebrities for runway shows and fashion magazine shoots, describes how to glam up a tousled down-do and bring elegance to a classic bun — all by yourself (or with the help of trusty bridesmaids).

A word of caution: Always do a practice run before your big day, and take pictures, to make sure it's the look you want and that you can pull it off.


Beachy glam

After washing your hair, figure out where you'll want your part. A middle part is more relaxed. A side part is more old-Hollywood glamour.

Loosely blow-dry (don't straighten) your hair, flipping your head down to get some volume at the roots. When it's 80 percent dry, use a brush to smooth down the ends. Optional: Apply a soft mousse while your hair is still damp (Potempa likes Aussie's "Catch the Wave Mousse and Leave-in Conditioner").

Once it's completely dry, separate the left and right halves of your hair and bring them forward, as though you're making pigtails. Starting on one side, separate the top 3/4 of your hair and clip it out of the way, leaving you with a row of hair at the bottom of your head. You will be curling by section, starting at the back and working your way forward.

Holding the curling iron upside down, so that the handle is pointing to the ceiling, clamp the first 1-inch section of hair at the base of the iron. Rotate the iron away from your head so that your hair forms a spiral up the shaft of the iron, stopping when you get close to the roots. Hold it for 10 seconds (up to 15 seconds if you have very fine hair), then pull the iron out. Do not run your fingers through the curl yet.

Repeat for each one-inch section of hair, working from back to front. When the bottom row is done (usually two or three curls), release the clip to separate the next row up (about 1.5-inch wide) and do the same thing. Then do the next row up, etc. Once that side of your head is finished, do the other side, always going from back to front, bottom to top, rotating the iron away from your face.

With the curls still intact, spritz your hair with a hair spray that is both flexible and strong hold. Then run your fingers through your hair. If you have hair that easily holds curl, you could run your fingers through before applying hair spray. If you have very fine hair, consider spraying before you start curling.

If you have kinks or frizz around your hairline, use a small touch-up straightening iron to smooth them out (and bring it with you for emergency touch-ups).

Save time: Save half an hour by using the Beachwaver, a new motorized rotating curling iron from Potempa. The Beachwaver does the rotating for you and has a switch that specifies whether you're working on your right side or left side, so that all the waves go in the right direction. $179 at qvc.com

Messy bun


(For hair that's mid-neck and longer)

Once you achieve beachy waves, pull your hair into a low ponytail, either at the back of your head or to the side, and secure with a rubber band.

Twist your ponytail and wrap it around itself, pinning as you go. Let wisps fall out. To create more wisps and texture, trying separating your ponytail in two and tying it in a knot before wrapping and pinning.

Save pins: A handy tool is Potempa's Wrap-up, which is like a stiff scrunchy. You slide it down to the bottom of your ponytail, roll it up toward your head, bend the edges to snap it into place, then pull your hair over the edges to make it disappear. $12 at sarahpotempa.com

*Article-Courtesy of Chicago Tribune

Anything but vanilla! by BLU Event Design

As the wedding season starts, new trends emerge! This year its all about the color!!!! Take a look at some of the wedding gowns that are turning heads this spring!



Top left Vera Wang, top right Vera Wang for Davids Bridal, bottom left R-Mine, bottom right Vera Wang.

Christmas wish from BLU Event Design

The gift of love
The gift of peace
The gift of happiness
May all these be yours at Christmas

Merry Christmas!

We've been nominated for the "Best of Weddings on the Knot", please write us a review!

We've been nominated for "The Knot Best of Weddings"! Please help us get the title by taking a few minutes and submitting a review based on your experience with us! The deadline for eligible reviews is November 3rd, so don't wait! Every vote counts and we would love to hear what you have to say!
Click here to write the review!
Thanks so much!

Featured in Panama City Living Magazine, by Blu Event Design

We are so proud to see our name in the bid lights!!! Kristen and Kris's wedding made the front cover and feature story of the Panama City Living Magazine!!!! What a gorgeous wedding it was! We were blessed to meet two amazing families and work with a great team of professionals - staff of Watersound Beach Club and team of Luft Creative photography!!
Here is the cover :) .... more to come!!!

Tags: BLU Event Design featured in Panama city living magazine, Counts Barr Wedding, Watersound Wedding, Watersound Beach Club Wedding by Blu Event Design, Kristen Counts wedding, Seaside Wedding, Blu event Design magazine publication

Dreaming of a destination wedding? by BLU Event Design

Ladies, as the weather is getting more and more gorgeous and sunsets look like they are painted on a beautiful canvas, one thing to still keep in mind! We are still in the midst of the hurricane season - spend a few hundred dollars on a wedding insurance to protect your dream and investment!

Tags: Wedding insurance by BLU Event Design, wedding insurance, destination wedding, florida wedding, florida rain wedding

Summer wedding trends, by BLU Event Design

About a week ago I got to visit the Mecca of all things designer - Atlanta Market! Eight hours went by like 10 minutes and though it was humanly impossible to cover all 26 floors of florals, furnishings and accessories, one thing was clear.... the crisp whites, neutral grays and light beige's were the palettes of choice...



much like my own idea for an elegant and effortless seaside affair: crisp white linens over long farm table, few crystals for sparkle and fragrant peonies scattered between countless votives... aahhh, can you feel the ocean breeze?

Stacie and Kiley's amazing Destin wedding, by BLU Event Design

What an amazing day it was!!! Bride and groom were picture perfect!!
For more pictures of Stacie and Kiley's Destin beach wedding take a look at the video:



Photography: Lidsey Brooks Photography

Tags: BLU Event Design, destin beach wedding, destin wedding by BLU event Design, florals by BLU Event Desing, Stacie and Kiley's destin wedding, destin wedding floral, destin florist, destin beach location

Mark your calendars! by BLU Event Design

Ladies, if you still haven't found that special piece to complete your look, check out BLU's favorite site for accessories: www.susancampbelljewelry.com There is something for everyone! Anything from simple seaside inspired bracelets to sapphire necklaces and fun headpieces. It gets better..., two of the talented artists will be featured at Susan Campbell Jewelry boutique in Pensacola,
FL, in the upcoming trunk shows. Here are few words about the "must attend" event for every Gulf Coast bride:

Jenny Packham is a world renowned British designer of bridal gowns, evening dresses, and accessories. She is a graduate from the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art.. Packham’s many celebrity clients include Kiera Knightley, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Heidi Klum. She has been honored as Hollywood Designer of the Year, International Couture Bridal Designer of the Year in 2007, and British Bridal Dress Designer of the Year in 2008. According to Susan Campbell, “Packham’s bridal hairpieces are both elegant and modern, and something that the bridal market has been lacking until now.”



Pensacola jewelry boutique, Susan Campbell Jewelry, will host two trunk shows dedicated to the bridal season during the month of March. The first trunk show will start on Gallery Night in downtown Pensacola on March 11, 2011. Bridal hairpieces and accessories will be featured from the highly publicized designer, Jenny Packham. The second trunk show, which will start on March 16, 2011, will feature bridal jewelry designed by Anne Sportun.



Anne Sportun is a Canadian designer who is driven by her belief in universal shapes and symbols. All of her bridal collection is hand-crafted using both traditional and unconventional gold-smithing techniques. Her work has been featured in Lucky Magazine, Modern Jeweler, Engagement 101, Lustre, and many more. In 2003, a picture of Sportun’s hands appeared on a Canadian postage stamp.

Campbell, whose shop has also been featured in Lucky Magazine, Southern Living and others, is excited for the upcoming month. “I want brides to come to Susan Campbell Jewelry to find quality pieces. Brides spend many hours painstakingly picking out the perfect dress, and accessories should be equally as important, not an afterthought.One should have the opportunity to compliment the quality of the dress with the same quality in accessories. I think we have found that quality with Packham and Sportun."

Susan Campbell Jewelry, located in Historic Downtown Pensacola, is an intimate jewelry boutique which showcases a unique collection of handmade, gallery quality jewelry. The boutique was opened in March 2006 by Susan Campbell Hatler and her husband Ryan Hatler. For information, call (840) 434-8948 or visit www.susancampbelljewelry.com.

For more information on the Bridal Trunk Shows, or more information on Susan Campbell Jewelry, please contact Grace Cobb, Susan Campbell Jewelry, USA, 850-434-8948; email: grace.scj@gmail.com

Yummy favor your guests will love, by BLU Event Design

I promise you, your guests will skip a course or two when they see these chocolate innovation! Hersheys, step aside! ChocoSpoons are making a debut as a wedding favorite!

Pink blooms, by BLU Event Design

Happy Valentines(belated) to all of you, love birds, out there! Just wanted to share this "sweetheart" arrangement I created on a request of a dear friend! Five shades of roses - ivory - blush - fuchsia, seeded eucalyptus and calla leaves make up this romantic formation! Nothing like sixty perfect blooms to say "I love you"...





XOXO, Zhenia

Tags: pink blooms, pink rose arrangement, valentine's day arrangement, pink arrangement by BLU Event Design, florals by BLU Event Desing, rose arrangement by BLU Event Design

Wedding cakes we heart!

I wanted to share these edible masterpieces with all of my brides:

The first one is this fun and flirty creation by Vanilla bakeshop:



this ethereal beauty is by Sweet and Saucy:



and finally, vintage inspired sugar creation by... Sweet and Saucy:



Share your favorites with us...

Beautiful Beginnings Bridal show, Pensacola, FL, Part II

I must say, we were pleasantly surprised by all of the wonderful feedback we got from our brides on the brighter color selection! Bravo ladies!!! Unexpected palette is the way to go this year!







Looking forward to another busy year!! XOXO, Zhenia