Real Weddings: Leilani & Josh - TLC's Battle of The Wedding Designers - Aloha Wedding Bells

That's right...I won TLC's Battle of the Wedding Designers Aloha Wedding Bells Episode (Season 1 Episode 4)! I had the pleasure of competing with two of America's Best Designers and my friends and colleagues, Steve Kemble and Michelle Buckley. I am happy to have beaten the two of them and have the opportunity to design and plan Leilani and Josh's dream wedding!

I wanted to send a special thank you to the vendors who helped me out on TLC's Battle of the Wedding Designers. I appreciate all your help and for being there to make sure that I came in budget for Leilani and Josh's wedding. You are all incredible people and I could have not done this without your support and friendship. Here's to many years of working together and giving all our clients what we do best...quality service with a smile!

The Battle of the Wedding Designers journey was such a great experience and I met some wonderful people along the way. I hope that I can do more of the shows in the future, because I would really love to show more of what I am capable of doing. Plus the challenges are fun. There's a lot of design in me that's wanting to come out and be seen.

What I am most thankful for though is meeting Leilani and Josh and having the opportunity to design their dream wedding with an incredible group of vendors that I love working with! Here's a few photos of some of the details, taken by the incredible Vanessa Honda and Sheena Sales (yes my cousin) of Vanessa Honda Photography, on Leilani and Josh's wedding day.

This was the final product for the floral. Leilani and Josh wanted the pink and green concept. The original plan was to do really plain (black and white with a splash of color - yellow was the original splash for my pitch) which is below.

For the guest book, I opted to do a painted guest book that is now a piece of art that hangs in Leilani and Josh's home. Additionally, I used Capiz shells for both the escort cards and for the wish tree. The wish tree was shells were later transformed into wind chimes for Leilani and Josh's home.

 We had two types of cake due to Leilani's food allergies. The smaller of the two cakes was vegan and gluten free. The cake was designed after my overall inspiration of a Hawaiian Quilt.

 The Plumeria wedding ring was made to reflect Leilani's favorite flower which was used throughout the wedding space as well as accent flowers.

Thank you to the following individuals and companies for bringing my design and concepts for Leilani and Josh's wedding come true! For TV purposes we had to produce this wedding for $12,500 and we could not have done it without the help of some of my wonderful friends. These are the individuals I have to thank with all my heart! All of them incredible to work with!

Floral: Wendy Smith at Your Image Floral Design
Food and Beverage: Doug Biggs at DJ's California Catering
Location: Robert Cassar and Laura Schneider at Rancho de Las Palmas
Cake: Jana Richardson at Jana's Creative Cakes
Rentals: John Leenhouwers at The Tent Merchant
Linen Rentals (Pitch and Wedding Day): Dick Thomas at Sitting Pretty Chair Covers
Linen Rentals (Pitch Day): BBJ Linens
DJ and MC Services: DJ Luke Ferro
Hair and Makeup: Ja'Nice Estrada at Devenir Beauty
Hula and Hawaiian Music (Pitch Day): Kawika Valoria at Halau Hula a Kawika laua 'o Leinani
Hula and Drummers (Wedding Day): UC Santa Barbara's Iorana te Otea Polynesian Group
Photography: Vanessa Honda and Sheena Sales at Vanessa Honda Photography
Photo Lounge: Miguel and Solana Torres at Star Photo Party
Ceremony Pedestal Stands: Hans Lammersdorf at Rotoluxe
Aisle Runner: Stephanie Laudani at Starry Night Designs
Floor Decal: Lauren Atwaters at Ten23 Designs
Custom Garter and Dress Tag: Victoria Joanne at Hand Crafted Creations
Bride's Shoes: Mary Robertson at Nina Shoes
Tattoo Booth: Melissa Perez and Ross Beardsley
Painted Guest Book: Jana Brody at Paint Jam USA
Cookie Favors: Cary Goldberg at Luv Bug Cookies
Coordination Assistance: Gerri Sevilla
Wedding Dress: Prince Charming of Prince Charming's World
Orchid Lei's: Amy Vongpitaka at Amy's Orchids
Hotel Rooms: Tawny Byron at Grand Vista Hotel Simi Valley
Ministers: Deserae Tyae and Chris Kai'aokamalie
Special thanks to Michelle Ah Mook Sang for sharing her Hawaiian culture insights with me.

My deepest appreciation to all of you. Leilani and Josh says Mahalo for making their DREAM WEDDING come true!

Leilani & Josh were married on 5/22/10. Happy One Year Anniversary Leilani & Josh. I love you both very much! Mahalo!

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011 and Cake Balls...Makes for a Good Day!

Well it's been a pretty exciting day at Percy Sales Events and it's not even noon yet! We got an email a few weeks ago that stated that we were voted as one of the Best Wedding Planners by The Knot for their 2011 Best of Weddings - a yearly thing they do that identifies the best of the best in every region! Today it was official as The Knot revealed publicly their 2011 The Knot Best of Weddings on their website and we were definitely on the list! Next up is the publication which should come out in the next month or so!

I am so honored and happy to have been selected amongst my peers and recognized as one of the best by such an influential publication! I am more than ecstatic! 2011 is going to be a great year for Percy Sales Events and we can't wait to assist our current and future couples in creating their dream weddings!

If you need assistance on any level with your weddings, birthday, or any other type of celebration, Percy Sales Events will be more than happy to work with you! If you mention The Knot upon contracting our services we will give you an additional 10% off our services! Percy Sales Events is available to produce, design, and coordinate weddings worldwide. Ask us about our destination wedding services making it easy and simple to have your wedding abroad or let us design and plan the wedding of your dreams locally! Either way, Percy Sales Events, will make sure that your wedding or other celebration will be one you remember with joy forever!

Look out for our new website soon! We are revamping and updating the look of the Percy Sales Events website.

After we received the news about The Knot, I had a little tasting session in the office to try these new cake balls from a company out of Dallas called Zen Baking Company. The little balls of heaven were pretty amazing but not at all what I was expecting. From the get go, I had in my mind that these little sweet balls were going to be mini circular, ball like, cakes that were iced and decorated...a cake ball. What we got was something more surprising and something that I love! You know you all love to lick the left over batter off the bowls when you are baking right? Well, these "cake" balls are more of the like the uncooked batter, just a little more dense (truffle like consistency)...not sure how they do it actually...but I think they should be renamed as Cake Batter Balls. But at any rate, these cake balls by Zen Baking Company would make nice favors or an addition to your dessert table at your event.

Our favorite cake ball flavors that we tried today were:
Ode to NOLA a pecan praline concoction
Mocha Toffee Crunch
Pastilla de Yummy (a sugar candy sorta bite - for Filipinos it tastes like the pastilla sugar candies)
Choco-choco-choco-late a chocoholics best friend!
Purplelicious is a made from purple yams or Ube and is a throwback to a traditional Filipino dessert, really delicious

The other item we tried and absolutely loved from Zen Baking Company was their Cookie Dough Whoa balls! I absolutely enjoyed these...the grainy raw cookie dough presented in an upscale way and covered in either white chocolate or dark chocolate...what else can you ask for! The Snickerdoodle was pretty awesome and was a hit amongst those tasting them. All in all these were probably our most favorite and people were fighting for the leftovers.

In addition to their core flavors, they also offer seasonal and specialty flavors! I am sure if there is something you are wanting they can probably come up with a cake ball to match it. A bit of warning - these cake balls are not for the faint of heart. These are pretty intense in taste and it definitely gives you a sugar rush. Think truffles only cakier.

They have many options for presentation packaging and they ship their products pretty meticulously. So ordering them for shipping is no problem at all. The samples arrived at my house as beautiful as they packaged them up. These will definitely be a hit and a conversation piece at your next event. For more information please contact Zen Baking Company if you are in the Dallas area you can find cake balls at your local Central Market.

Thank you to Zen Baking Company for sending us samples! We are fans!

What's Hot and What's Not

A friend of mine, who is getting married, came by the other day and showed me some stuff she wanted to do for her wedding...I don't know if she was joking or not, but seriously I was scared of her choices. She told me that these were her "inspirations" and wanted me to help her come up with something that was fresh but still had the same feeling. So she challenged me to turn her crazy inspirations pics into something that is well...a little more up-to-date.

This is my hot and not list for my dear friend...which I may have to rethink after seeing her choices. Her choices are the NOT pics and mine of course are the HOT pics. Here we go...

First the head piece. My friend wants to wear bling...

I realize that every bride wants to be a princess on her wedding day. But really gals...the tiara, especially ones that's only fit for royalty, is a little passe...it's very 2007. For an up-to-date look that still gives your up do a little flair, try some hair adornments that are placed towards the back or side of the hair for a fresh updated look.

Now the dress...she wanted to stand out...

Okay ladies, I also realize that pick me up skirts is another princess concept and the colored dresses was the sign of being the "un-bride" or "unique bride." But...do you really want to see those pictures 5, 10, 15+ years from now and think..."who in the hell thought this was a good idea?" Pick me up skirts are fabulous, but you really don't need that extra bling on the skirt. Next the color RED...okay I know "rebel bride" but it just screams...really cheap. Instead try for a hint or subtle color in blush, pale pink, champagne or for you bolder brides a faint sea foam. Trust me if you want to make an impact choose something subtle with just one or two unique details...people will scream WOW rather than OMG.

The shoes or can I say glass slipper...

Again, I get the Cinderella syndrome, but when it comes to shoes, do you really want your feet sweating inside plastic on your wedding day? It's not comfortable and when you get back to your suite that night, the feet may be a little too funky for the groom. Instead of taking the glass slipper literally, go for a shoe that hints that it's a glass slipper but still wearable and more comfortable. Unless you plan to leave it on a staircase during the evening, most people won't even see them anyway.

The multi-colored bouquet...

I love the use of colors in a bouquet...but only if it's done correctly. It could turn a joyous full burst of color to one big hot mess. When choosing a multi color bouquet, plan on going more with less. Choose interesting flowers with bold colors but keep the styling simple...all the other dodads and things popping out of the bouquet are not necessary. You want it to be pleasing to the eye and not an eye sore.

The cake...did she seriously say she wanted to have a satellite wedding cake (multi-tiered mess)...

The satellite cake was very popular in the 1970s and though it's not at all modern or pleasing to the eye...some people still like to have this set up. In modernizing and making this cake wreck concept go away...one can do multiple, small, multi-tiered cakes in the same color palette with different designs, it gives a throwback to the satellite concept without having to go there. Additionally, it will lend a beautiful visual to your dessert bar.

Hopefully my friend sees the difference between what she thought she wants and what I know she wants. There's a fine line between hot and not, but when it comes down to it...remember the saying, "Less is more!"

Stay cool!

-Percy

Photo Credits: "Not" photos from various websites on the Internet, "Hot" photos from Brides.com except for "Hot" Shoes which was from Zappos.com

Cake Love: Just the Frosting by Jennifer Tan

Okay folks, you all know that I love everything sweet and especially love my cakes. Well there's a new player in town (San Francisco Bay Area) and you need to RUN not walk...RUN to her and have your cake made by this incredible artist/baker! Jennifer Tan started Just the Frosting from her kitchen and continues to do her artistry as a side business. I told her she needs to lose the day job and do this full time.

The picture of the Ni Hao, Kai Lan birthday cake was for my niece's 1st Birthday in June. It was absolutely beautiful and out of this world delicious. Her fondant work is incredible and very detail oriented...she even covered the top part of the cardboard base in fondant...which is unheard of. The cake was a tasty banana nut confection with cream cheese filling. Mmmm I am craving it now! The Kai Lan topper was made out of gum paste.

Seriously folks, if you want a wow cake that's pleasing to the eye and mouth at your next wedding, birthday, or other celebration contact Jennifer Tan. Trust me...it's more than Just the Frosting that is going to make her and her cakes a household name! You won't regret it and you will fall in love with her cakes too!

-Percy

Photo from Just the Frosting

Inspiration Mondays: Lego

Lately my Inspiration Mondays have been inspired by my son...today is no different. This evening we were playing with my Lego blocks that are almost 30 years old. I finally took it out of storage and gave it to him. These multi-colored blocks are my muse for today and I thought I would do a wedding based on Lego. Actually, I have had a Lego inspired wedding cake done for a client and those photos are part of this board as well.

Here are my elements in making a fun and quirky Lego themed wedding...or even party. Click on inspiration board to enlarge (clockwise from top left):

Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet; Necklace: Coloroot; Invitations: My Gatsby; Sandals: Fendi; Cake: Christine Dahl; Flower Centerpiece: Fan Pop; Candy Favors: Gumball.com; LED Lanterns: Geek Alert; Cake Topper: Lego; Lounge Furniture: No Made Design; Bridesmaid Gown: Priscilla of Boston; Rings: Hardware Sphere

I hope this inspiration board stacks up to your Lego wedding expectations.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites, except for cake and cake topper photos by Percy Sales

Inspiration Monday: Hello Kitty

I've been seeing a lot of blogs about Hello Kitty weddings lately and I thought wow...there are some people who literally take the Hello Kitty theme to heart. So as I pondered...what would I do if a bride insists on designing a wedding around the theme of Hello Kitty? I thought about it all day and came up with the above inspiration board (click board to enlarge).

I am inspired by Hello Kitty's simplicity and versatility. I am inspired by the color pink...all shades of it. I am inspired by the quirkiness that fans of the cartoon icon seem to possess. I'm inspired by Japan. So in designing my Hello Kitty inspiration board, I have mixed the classic with the wild and have added a touch of the famous pink.

My inspirations (top left and clockwise): Wedding Gown: Alvina Valenta; Pink Dyed Crinoline (for under the gown): couturesantrash (ETSY); Flowers: fleuretica; Bridesmaid Gown: Jenny Yoo; Bracelet for bridesmaids gifts: Sanrio; Cotton Candy Bar: Martha Stewart; Chandelier: GSPN Crystals; Ceremony Site: One Source Weddings; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Centerpiece: InStyle Weddings; Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes; Ring: Gumuchian

I hope this inspires the little girl in you.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites

Inspiration Mondays: Claude Monet's Water Lilies

I was recently looking through one of my favorite art books and stumbled upon one of my favorite artist, Claude Monet. I love Monet's work. The iconic images of water lilies in his Giverny, France home are one of my favorite series. The colors of these paintings are all so beautiful. The hues of greens, blues, purples, pinks, and browns work so harmoniously together.

These images have inspired so many before me, including Mattel, who released a Water Lily Barbie back in 1997. Today, I am inspired by this impressionist master and how I see his art being pulled in to a grand wedding.

A wedding inspired by Claude Monet (clockwise from top left):

Wedding Gown: White Chocolate
China: J. Seignolles
Bouquet: Hidden Garden Flowers
Bridesmaid Gown: Vera Wang
Lounge: Town and Country Event Rentals
Food: Serve French Cuisine to your guests
Tablescape: Nisie's Enchanted Florist
Shoes: Fifi Maisie Wedding Shoes from The Shop @ Percy Sales Events
Floral Hair Clip: Soiree Silk Floral Hair Clip from The Shop @ Percy Sales Events
Flower Girl Gown: Frances Johnston
Cake: Colette's Cakes
Venue: San Diego Botanical Building at Balboa Park

Hope this inspires you to create your own work of art!

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites except for White Chocolate Wedding Gown found at Brides.com

Inspiration Mondays: Boracay, Philippines

I was reading a magazine recently and there was this photo of Anne Hathaway at the Oscars wearing a beautiful gown by Armani Privé. As I looked closer at the gown, especially at the bottom of it, I noticed how the larger sequence he used almost looked like capiz shells, which automatically reminded me of one of my favorite places on earth, Boracay, Philippines.

I'm kind of amazed that I have not done an inspiration board on my home county until today. So here it is my Philippine Island, specifically, Boracay inspiration board. I was going to use a Monique Lhuillier gown for this board, because she is a Filipina, but decided to highlight other designers this time around.

I am inspired by the white sand beaches of Boracay, off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destination. It has been a long time destination for Europeans but most Americans probably have not heard of this magical place. I see it as being one of the top destination wedding locations in the coming years.

I am also inspired by capiz shells, pina cloth, tropical blooms, mouth watering cakes with island flavors such as ube and macapuno, and rich colors of the region. Turquoise waters, beautiful sunsets, and perfect weather round out my inspiration.

My Inspirations:
Location: Boracay
Wedding Gown: Armani Privé
Bridesmaid Gown: Priscilla of Boston
Cake: Goldilocks
Bouquet: Your Image Botanical Designs
Barong Tagalog: Barong Filipino Designs
Capiz Shell Chandelier: Exomod

I hope you too will be inspired by the Philippines and the beaches of Boracay!

-Percy

Photos as listed above. Anne Hathaway photo from Photo Agency, sunset Boracay photo Jose de Luna, Boracay Beach with Chairs by Roger Alcantara

Trend Thursday: Let Them Eat Croquembouche!

This is a re-post from a blog that I did in May 2008. I have been getting a lot of questions about cake alternatives and this post is one of my favorite alternatives to the wedding cake. So please enjoy the re-post of Let Them Eat Croquembouche!

A French staple at weddings and other celebrations, the Croquembouche of Profiteroles is finally making it to the States...and you don't have to be French to enjoy it. This luscious tower of cream puffs (choux filled with pastry cream) drizzled with caramelized sugar is not only great to look at but also a sweet treat.

Croque en bouche means "crunch in the mouth" but these bite size delicacies are more than that. The crunch comes from the caramelized sugar. The cake usually made in a high cone form is usually decorated with caramel, sugar almonds, chocolate, flowers or ribbons.

So forget about the tired old chocolate fountains that become a glob of a mess and the dessert bar that becomes way too much. Throw your party back to the era of Marie Antoinette and let them eat a "ball" of heaven. The choux can be filled with any savory filling, but I personally think the vanilla cream is the best.

This cake can substitute for a grooms cake or even replace the wedding cake all together...perfect for the bride that hates cake. Croquembouche's can usually be made by your local French Pastry Bakery, if not you may want to do a Google search on bakeries in your area that specialize in these masterpieces. Locally, Christine Dahl in Santa Barbara specializes in these cakes as well as in traditional wedding cakes. This is a unique take on a US wedding cake but the croquembouche is definitely a classic worldwide.

-Percy

Photo from Nice Croissant London