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!

Rocks and Wrecks at the 2011 Grammys

Best Performance of the evening. Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow

The Grammys are all about Rock 'N Roll Style...the time for celebrities to pump up their red carpet style with some edge! We saw some ROCK it out, while others were just a total WRECK! The overall show was a little drab, but for the most part I enjoyed the performances!

Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow blew it out of the park with their collaboration on F$@* You - otherwise known as the song Forget You. Cee Lo, dressed like a cross between Elton John and the NBC Peacock, made the performance. He was backed by some Muppets - a memorable throw back to Elton John on The Muppet Show. Ms. Paltrow, in a plunging neckline cat suite, showcased her voice and made the song truly a Grammy favorite - I HATE YOU TOO!

Lady Gaga's performance was also memorable, though not the best that I have seen from her. The latex outfits a little odd, but what do you expect from Gaga. The number by Bruno Mars, B.O. B, and Jenelle Monae was also memorable and great to see these relatively new artists showcase their talents! Eminem was also wonderful...that's one angry white boy...but the emotions and performance electrifying!

Worst moments included Christina Aguilera doing her over the top vocal mishmash. Thank goodness Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Florence Welch were there to save the tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. RiRi had a bad night vocally but her second performance with Drake was far better than her collaboration with Eminem. Bieber, Usher, Jaden Smith...odd performance, but I guess I just may be too old to get Bieber (even though he is talented, Smith not so, and Usher - stick to dancing though I live the song OMG).

Here's my picks for best and worst dress for the evening!

Rockin' it out!

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gautier, Miley Cyrus in Roberto Cavalli, Lea Michele in Pucci, and Julianne Hough in Catherine Malandrino.

Jennifer Lopez in Pucci, Jada Pinkett-Smith in Amanda Wakeley, Keri Hilson in Basil Soda, and Eva Longoria in Ashi.

 

Jennifer Hudson in Versace, Heidi Klum in Julien Macdonald, Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture, and Janelle Monae in Ralph Lauren.

Now for the Wrecks - these outfits totally crashed and should be burnt!

Willow Smith in a custom outfit including Louis Vuitton shoes...looks like Scary Spice incarnate, Toni Braxton in unknown looked way too matronly and the dress looks too big, Leanne Rimes in Reem Acra, not so bad but the dress looks a little too big, Ciara in Pucci, - less is more Ciara - way too much going on.

Nicki Minaj in Givenchy - BAPs revisited WTF?, Rhianna in Jean Paul Gaultier - looks like you took the fur trim off Mrs. Claus' dress and sewed them together - not flattering, Haley Williams in Jeremy Scott - so wrong in so many ways - looks like you took it out of a dress up box of a 6 year old, Katy Perry in Armani - the disco ball bra is so 1990 and the skirt looks like curtains from a funeral home.

Ultimate Wreck Lady Gaga. I get it you are an original, but can you do something normal for once. I realize that you were born this way, but we didn't need to see you in your egg.

Now for the men...just a mashup of what they were wearing.

Rockin' It

Ricky Martin - love the silver jeans and combat boots - now that's coming out, Lenny Kravitz - rocker chic and he can pull it off, Adam Lambert - safe and hip with a little bit of glam, Justin Bieber - age appropriate and stylish.

Wreckin' It

Usher - homeless chic never chic unless your homeless, DJ David Guetta - did you and Usher shop at the same thrift store?, Sean "Diddy" Combs - is 90s revival in style? Lose the outfit, the grills, and the sunglasses!, John Mayer or is it Johnny Depp - John or Johnny? Mayer you don't look cool.

Well there you have it, my rock and wrecks for the 2011 Grammy Award Red Carpet.  Enjoy!

AMA - Red Carpet looks more WTF than OMG.

I love award shows and seeing all the glamor and gowns and bling and fabulousness. But it seems last night's AMA (American Music Awards) were more about trying to out do Gaga's outfits (she wasn't even there) - which can't be done or trying too hard to make a statement - whatever statement they were trying to make. I thought most of the outfits were a big fail and quite disappointing. Here's a look at the parade of HORRIFIC outfits that came down the red carpet last night. Just seemed like an off year.

(Mike Nelson / EPA)
I get it, less is more, but it was a just a bit off Rhi Rhi. Maybe you should have taken a cue from Hallie Berry's 2002 Oscar Gown by Elie Saab - the same designer that did this number. Your asymmetrical green draped dress by Elie would have made a better impact on the red carpet.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Ke$ha, maybe you should replace the $ with a ¢ because this entire look likes like one HEFTY mess. It looks like a PR garbage bag challenge and you oddly are reminding me of the female version of Syndrome on The Incredibles. I hope this was not the junk junk you were talking about that boys wanted to touch.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Miley Miley Miley - maybe we should just change your name to Charmin because it looks like you forgot to check your behind before you left the restroom in this Marchesa gown. I think chopping off the train would have made this couture look much better.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Willow - you've got my hair whipping but fire your stylist now. This concoction that they assembled is a hot mess and has me shaking my head NO NO NO. Overworked couture on a preteen just looks odd and the fit not too flattering...if you were older people would be saying what's up with the CT.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Nicki Minaj there is so many things wrong with this. Let's just say, maybe you should get your money back from the metal yard - they'll buy back by the pound. Manish Arora the designer of this number just did too much - way too much. If he wanted his couture to be recognized in The States maybe he should of put her in one of his other and absolutely stunning colored frocks. Plus wasn't the skeleton thing already done by Lady Gaga last year on stage? A rehash of his (Manish Arora) carousel dress that Katy Perry wore to the European Music Awards would have been a welcomed site too.

Regardless of the train wrecks - and there were more of those than just the ones above, a few of the celebs were right on the mark. Here are three of my favorites from the evening.

(Chris Pizzello, Associated Press)
Katy Perry is a teenage dream in this pale pink confection by Badgley Mischka. Simple, classy, dreamy.

(Danny Moloshok / Reuters)
Kelly Osbourne in Dior - absolutely beautiful. She looks old Hollywood fabulous, thinking Bridgette Bardot - sexy but classy.

(Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)
Taylor loving the bangs and this bang up dress by Collette Dinigan. You sure know how to light the way!

So that is my recap for this years AMA Red Carpet looks. Quite disappointing year - lets hope the couture for the awards season are better than these frocks.

Santa Barbara's Zoofari Ball on Marie Manvel's Block by Block

I had the pleasure of being part of the fabulous committee that put on Santa Barbara Zoo's Zoofari Ball this year. This year's theme was Hot! Hot! Hot! Carnaval! which had a beautiful Rio Carnaval feel to the event. Lisa Carter and her team at Behind The Scenes designed a vibrant event that captivated the feel of Rio! Over 600 people were in attendance and raised much needed funds for Santa Barbara Zoo's educational programs. It's the wildest fundraiser in Santa Barbara and the most fun. Mark your calendars for Zoofari XXVI!

Here's a clip from Marie Manvel's local show Block by Block on KEYT (ABC affiliate) covering Zoofari Ball XXVI Hot! Hot! Hot! Carnaval! Held on August 28, 2010.

Zoofari final from Marie Manvel on Vimeo.

Battle of the Wedding Designers Update

Story of my life. I was notified late this afternoon that the Battle of the Wedding Designers episode that I am on (Aloha Wedding Bells) has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict at TLC. I am not sure what that means...but I guess they didn't think it's the right time to air that episode for one reason or another - I know they just want to showcase this episode to a larger audience. But I was told that it will still air, just not tomorrow night and that it has not been pulled all together. I personally think it's going to be a great episode and that TLC is waiting until sweeps week to show it or they are turning it to a 2-hour show (wishful thinking on my part)! So as soon as I know the new date I will let you all know. I am hoping it will happen in the next couple of weeks.

I am a bit disappointed, but what can I do. We will just have to wait a little longer to see if they take a bite and if I won the battle.

Thanks for the continued support and the anticipation!
-Percy

Tune in this Friday (7/9/10) to see Percy Sales on Battle of the Wedding Designers

The Battle of the Wedding Designers episode I am on will air on Friday, July 9, 2010 at 10pm/9pm CT. The title of the episode is Aloha Wedding Bells. Watch me battle it out with Michelle Buckley and Steve Kemble. Who will win the cultural challenge? Tune and and watch! Here's a preview of the episode that aired this week (it's a little ghetto because I don't have anything to record off the DVR...but it works).

Battle of the Wedding Designers (Aloha Wedding Bells) Commercial from Percy Sales on Vimeo.

Show: Battle of the Wedding Designers
Channel: TLC
Season 1, Episode 4 (Aloha Wedding Bells)
Premieres July 9, 2010

Watch Percy Sales on TLC's Battle of the Wedding Designers

I know it's been a long time since I've posted a blog...well let me tell you it's been an incredibly busy year so far and the first six months of 2010 just whizzed by! I promise to do a better job in the last six months of the year.

The biggest news that I have is... I was asked to be one of the Wedding Designers for a new TLC (The Learning Channel) Show called Battle of the Wedding Designers (working title). A pilot of the show aired in November 2009, Battle of the Wedding Planners, and it was so popular that they have done a four episode mini season for the summer and yours truly will be on one of the episodes.

The premise is that three of the top Wedding Designers (flattered to be considered one of the tops) battle it out to win the honor of planning a couple's wedding. We all had to pitch our ideas to the couple, show our venues and designs, and at the end of the day the couple chooses the designer they want to design their dream wedding. Who am I up against? Do I win or do I go home a disappointed wedding designer? You will have to watch as the drama unfolds. The series will air on Fridays at 10pm ET PT and 9pm CT starting June 18, 2010. So set your DVRs to Friday evenings on TLC! My episode (Episode 4) is slated to be on July 9th!

Here's a promo piece from the pilot



Can't wait to see it all complete!

-Percy

Fantastic Fridays: Vera Wang to Cha Cha Cha on DWTS

The Fox Trot, the Paso Doble, and the Cha Cha Cha, can this diva Tango her way to win the coveted Dancing with the Stars trophy? I sure hope so. I am super excited that Vera Wang, according to E!, has signed a contract to compete in the next installment of Dancing with the Stars. I wonder if she will modify any of her own couture creations for her costumes on the show?

She should do well, considering that she trained as a figure skater as a girl and competed in the 1968 US Figure Skating Championship. In 2009, she was inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, so we know that Ms. Wang has the moves. We all know she will put 100% into her performances and there's no doubt that she will surprise many of us with her dancing talents.

Vera Wang is a world-renowned designer, best known for her wedding and evening gowns. Brides around the world covet her gowns, which have graced the aisles of many celebrity weddings, including Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez. Her designs are also staples on the red carpets.

You go Vera! I can't wait for the next season of Dancing with the Stars! I can't believe how excited the wedding community is about this news.

-Percy

Photo from Vera Wang

Wacky Wednesday: My New TV Guilty Pleasure

I realize that this has absolutely nothing to do with weddings or events, but I have to say that since it's Wacky Wednesdays, I have to give props to a pilot TV show I watched last night, Glee on Fox. I have to say that I think this is going to be my new favorite show...my new guilty pleasure.

Glee is a mix between the original Fame TV show meets High School Musical. The characters all seem really interesting and I think it's going to make for good TV. I hope they don't cheese it up too much. The storyline was really interesting, the musical numbers were wonderful, and the characters are great. For me it was the triple crown of TV viewing last night. As another friend put it, "It's shear genius!" and I have to agree.

The premise is a high school music teacher torn between doing what he loves and making more money to support his wife and the lifestyle she thinks they should have. Than there's the other teacher who is secretly in love with the music teacher. The football stud turned Glee Club geek, after the music teacher basically fabricated a story to get him to sing in the group after he heard him singing in the shower of the boys locker room. Finally, you have your Glee Club geeks who are just a great group of of folks with awesome voices. I can't wait for the season to start.

If you missed the pilot, you can watch it in full here. Favorite line from the show last night, "I'm Beyonce, I ain't no Kelly Rowlands standing in the background."

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

-Percy

Photo from Fox

Wacky Wednesdays: Casting Call for New Wedding Makeover Show

TNT is currently casting engaged couples with an August wedding who deserve a wedding makeover.

"Do you know of a couple getting married in August 2009 who really DESERVE an amazing wedding but cannot afford it in these tough economic times?

“Wedding Day”, a new prime-time series premiering June 16^th on TNT, is seeking to cast a wonderful couple for a very special online promotion to run along with/in tandem/or during the series.

If chosen, the existing wedding would get a HUGE upgrade with the help of our audience's participation. Thus, the couple must be willing to let the entire wedding party be filmed and broadcasted online, and to incorporate the choices that the audience vote on as their favorites, such as which flowers, bridal gown, etc. to use.

Teachers, volunteers, social workers, charity workers, etc. … we want to hear from you!

If you had to downgrade your wedding plans due to job loss, injury, deployment…we want to hear from you!

If you know of a couple who is so busy helping others they deserve someone to help them out…we want to hear from you – Nominate someone today!"

To nominate someone of to apply yourself, please send a brief paragraph about your situation, or another couple's situation, the current wedding budget, and a recent photo of the couple (in .jpg format), and your contact information to: bigfishcasting@mac.com

Please respond by May 8, 2009.

Couples may be asked to make a quick casting video explaining why they could use the help!

Please keep in mind that TNT shall have full discretion in choosing a couple, and reserves the right not to choose any couple at all. Finally, being chosen to participate in this promotion does not mean the couple will be featured on the Wedding Day television series itself.

Good Luck!

-Percy

Photo from Yarwood.org

Wacky Wednesdays: WE TV Ugliest Bridesmaid Dress Contest

Your BFF's Wedding is finally over and even though you smiled and gushed at how wonderful your bridesmaid gown was, deep down you knew it was the most hideous thing next to your taffeta prom dress. Well don't despair. The UGLY BRIDESMAID DRESS may just win you $5000!

You heard it right bridesmaids this is your chance to take away the humiliation by getting paid.

Visit WETV and show them why your bridesmaid dress is worthy of the prize.

Here's how it works:

1) Just click on the Register button
2) Fill out the registration form and
3) Upload a picture of you wearing your dress. (Your photo's size must be between .005 MB (50 KB) and 1 MB (1,000 KB), and must be formatted as a JPEG) Non-commercial photos only, please.

After you have done that, spread the word to your friends, family and the world and have them rate your dress against all the other timeless, ugly gowns that is on the site. You think your dress has what it takes to win, enter today at WETV!

Good Luck!

-Percy

Contest logo from WETV

Trend Thursday: Celebrity Chefs

Forget the celebrity singer, celebrity planner, and even the celebrity designer! Couples are clamoring for the Celebrity Chef! With the popularity of shows like Top Chef, Iron Chef, and the myriad of other cooking shows, on such networks as Food Network, brides and grooms are looking to have these icons of taste cater their wedding.

One hit show, Top Chef, has been enticing brides and grooms to call on these rising stars. Most likely because to most people, these individuals are more accessible than say Cat Cora, Mario Bartali, Jamie Oliver, and Wolfgang Puck. However, if you have the dough...even you can get the best of the best to cook for your guests.

So if your budget is more shiitake mushroom then white truffle, you might want to consider such reality show chefs as Fabio Viviani from the current season of Top Chef or Lisa Garza from The Next Food Network Star, before they soar to super nova chef status. Individuals like this are known because of their TV appearance and loved because of their personality...plus their food looks so yummy on the boob-tube. Additionally, their pricing is probably more competitive than say Chef Tom Colicchio when it comes to catering your wedding feast.

The great thing about this trend is couples are FINALLY putting focus on the foods that they are serving to their guests. Like my guest blogger Paul Bott stated last week, this trend of foodies and treating a wedding dinner as a wedding feast is really rising in popularity. But the trend of hiring the celebrity chef is the newest "wow" factor that people are doing, because now everyone at the celebration can taste a piece of this superstar!

Have fun thinking of who should cook your feast. Remember, it never hurts to inquire about their services...you might just be surprised what they comeback with. Now I'm hungry!

-Percy

P.S. Talking about Top Chef...If you are a fan of the show please don't forget to vote for your favorite chef (Fabio for me), at http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/vote/index2.php. You can vote up to 20 times a week for the next two weeks. Maybe you will be the lucky winner of the trip to NYC plus $10,000!

Top Chef Logo from Bravo TV's Top Chef

Super Sweet Sixteens Just Got Sweeter

MTV's My Super Sweet 16 just got sweeter! They are no longer just looking at over the top Sweet 16 parties. MTV wants to show a wider range of celebrations, showcasing just how creative these parties can be, at every budget!

Want to showcase your party and put it up against someone else's to see who comes out on top? You think you're ready for the Sweet 16 Battle? MTV is searching for teens, or planners putting on Sweet 16 parties in the next few months. You think your party has what it takes to stand out, even with only a $1000 budget?

If you are interested and you think you have what it takes to throw the perfect Sweet 16 party, please contact sweet16battle@mtvstaff.com and send them your party date and information. They are looking for people who are throwing parties between now and December 31, 2008.

-Percy

Photo from MTV

30 Days and Counting

I love Morgan Spurlock's show 30 Days, which can be seen on the FX on Tuesday evenings at 10pm. This is the 3rd season of the show. This thought provoking show has explored everything from being in jail, to working in a coalmine, to living with same-sex parents. However, what they all explore is the transformation one goes through once you have lived in their shoes for 30 Days.

It's about learning to understand the lives of people who are different from you and try to understand what their lives are like and how they live it day-to-day. This 3rd season has been very good, and for the first time in watching the show, I actually felt sad - not hopeful. This was the same-sex parenting show, where they got a woman to live with a gay family for 30-days. Maybe the issue is too close to my heart, but I felt that the person coming in the lives of the same-sex couple was guarded the entire time she was on the show and never opened up to the possibility that this couple, The Patrick's, were good parents, good people and equals to their heterosexual counterparts. Instead, she kept bringing up her own moral values and never opening up to the moral values of this couple.

The thing that really made me upset is how she kept saying that the people she was meeting was attacking her for her beliefs, but never stopped for one moment to say, "hey, maybe I am also attacking their beliefs" which she did quite frequently. What even irked me even more was one scene where she met two women working to protect gay families. One of the women, a lesbian, was explaining her story about being with her partner, having a kid through artificial insemination, and than breaking up. She stated that she could no longer see her kid because she was not the biological parent and felt as though her kid was being abandoned by her. Well this Kati woman looked her in the eye and said, "As a lesbian, why would you want to bring a kid into this world anyway?" Well she did not stop to think that "straight" people bring kids into this world all the time, give them up for adoption, abandon them because they got pregnant at an early age, or neglect them all together. Look at the number of kids in the foster care system.

At any rate, I felt that this episode was just so disheartening, maybe that is what Morgan wanted, because as a gay man...there is no way I can change the ideals people hold and I don't expect to. Nevertheless, I see how gays and lesbians are still thought of as not being equals to our straight counterparts, because of stereotypes that conservative religious organizations have placed on this group of people.

I still love the show and hope that all of you will watch it, because as hard as it was for me to watch this particular episode...the premise of the show is to hold people to their own truths, in hopes that those open enough to accept the lives of others and respect their lives without any judgment can learn from them. What I hope people get with this show is that no matter what you might think of people who are different from you...is to maybe open up a bit and be compassionate to them for living the best lives they know possible.

This blog really does not relate to any events, but I guess if I had to tie it in...OPEN YOUR MINDS TO ALL THE POSSIBILITIES. You may amaze yourself of what you can see when you do.

-Percy

Photo from 30 Days

MTV's True Life Casting for Couples Having Destination Weddings

MTV's True Life is looking for couples 18-28 who are planning destination weddings in July and August 2008! If you are a same-sex or straight couple and fit the age and date criteria and are looking to have your destination wedding shown on national media, this show is for you. If you would like to be on the show, please email married2@mtvstaff.com with your story and your grand plans for your wedding.

True Life employs first-person narrative storytelling to provide a window into the lives of young Americans. To date, the series has explored topics as complex as living with a disorder such as autism or obsessive-compulsive disorder; living in extreme poverty; and being deployed to and returning from military service in Iraq.

Below are two casting calls for the show. The first one is for same-sex couples and the next one is for any couple (18-28) planning a destination wedding.

True Life: I'm Having a Destination Wedding (same-sex couples)

From South Africa to California, Gay Destination weddings are becoming incredibly popular. Are you Gay and going somewhere far from home to tie the knot?

Whether you're getting married in a tropical area such as the Caribbean, or Hawaii or if you've decided to celebrate in Europe, Asia, Africa or even in Massachusetts or California we want to hear from you. Make your wedding even more extraordinary by having MTV document your journey.

We're looking to follow young people who are getting married this July or August that appear to be between the ages of 18 and 28. Email married2@mtvstaff.com and tell us your story. Please be sure to include your name, age, location, date of the wedding, phone number, and a photo.

True Life: I'm Having a Destination Wedding (all couples)

You don't have to be a celebrity to get married like one! Are you adding a twist to your big day, by tying the knot thousands of miles from your home? Is there something cultural/spiritual/emotional tying you to the spot you've chosen? Have you always been the adventurous type and could only imagine having a wedding somewhere completely off the beaten path?

Whether you're getting married in a tropical area such as the Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii or if you've decided to celebrate in Europe, Asia, Africa or even a domestic seaside location we want to hear from you. Make your wedding even more extraordinary by having MTV document your journey.

We're looking to follow young people who are getting married this July or August that appear to be between the ages of 18 and 28. Email married2@mtvstaff.com and tell us your story. Please be sure to include your name, location, date of the wedding, phone number, and a photo.

Additionally, if you are looking for a planner to assist you with your destination wedding, please contact Percy Sales Events and we will be happy to make your destination wedding all you have ever dreamed of.

-Percy

Logo from MTV

Percy on Style Network's Peter Perfect

Well you've heard me blog about these two before, but now you can watch how celebrity stylist Peter Ishkhans transforms a local cake bakery, For Heaven's Cakes, on Style Network's smashing new show Peter Perfect.

This is currently one of my favorite shows, not only because I will be on one of the episodes, yes I am on the Let Them Sell Cake episode, but because Peter Ishkhans really has great vision on transforming these businesses and setting them on the path to success.

Peter Perfect airs on the Style Network at 9pm ET/PT and 8pm CT, and is produced by 44 Blue Productions. The show that I will be on premieres Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 24, 2008. I am not sure what scope I will be on...since I have not seen the episode, but I will be towards the end of the show (if I make the cut/editing)...after the reveals. Watch as Peter revamps For Heaven's Cakes. If you miss the Saturday premiere, it will be on rerun's throughout the week, just check your local listings or go to the Peter Perfect Website.

For more information please visit the Peter Perfect Website at Style.

-Percy

Peter Perfect logo from Style

Isabella Rossellini in a Role of a Lifetime

This has nothing to do with events or a party, but it is one of the best videos/documentary I have seen in a long time.

It's called Green Porno which is currently showing on the Sundance Channel or you can also see clips on www.sundancechannel.com. The posted segment above is the sex life of a bee and Isabella is just wonderful in it.

I guess if you want to grab aspects for a party, the back drops would be great for a child's party and the costumes are great for a halloween party.

But this is just for you to smile and say, "what a great world we live in."

If you want to see green porno the snail go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bn_yTCTPlA

Enjoy!

-Percy

Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvfTSmitM3k

Peter Ishkhans is Peter Perfect

"Style-nista" Peter Ishkhans has a new show on the Style Network, and I absolutely love the concept of this reality show. It premiered on April 19, 2008 and it has been a weekly must watch at my home...so far.

The concept is sort of Extreme Home Makeover meets Extreme Makeover but for struggling businesses and their owners. He totally redesigns the business inside out, gives the owners a new look, and gives these individuals a new outlook to their business lives. It's pretty amazing how these businesses transform and how the owners really start to think about their company in a new way...the Peter Perfect way.

In the show, he plays not only designer and stylist, but also a therapist at times. He is not afraid to experience what these individuals do for a living and rolls up his sleeves to learn from them. I think that is why the show works, he really "experiences" how these companies must function on a daily basis.

For party throwers, the show offers some great color ideas and design concepts. Peter's keen sense of mixing modern with vintage is outrageous. He surely can take some vintage wallpaper and make it look now. The show also gives you an insight to some great hair and clothing styles. Peter really likes the rock-n-roll vibe so you get some cool edgy styles to inspire your own look.

So far this season, it's the premiere season of the show, he has revamped a dog grooming business and a candy shop. This weekend his challenge is a gourmet coffee business. So tune in Saturdays at 9pm EST/PST to the Style Network to experience Peter Perfect which is produced by 44 Blue Productions. I can't wait to see what he does next. Maybe he can revamp my website and give me a makeover. Peter if you are reading this contact me.

-Percy

Photo from www.peterishkhans.com

Dream of Being a Star?

Have you ever wanted to be a TV star? Well if you are a bride or a groom, Reality TV has several opportunities for you to be on the boob tube.

44 Blue Productions is currently casting for a new show called Made of Honor. They are looking for brides and their bridesmaids to participating in identifying whom the lucky girl or guy should be the Maid of Honor - so brides you should have no clue who the MOH will be. The bridesmaids will compete for the honor of serving you. The couple should live in the greater Los Angeles area and be between the ages of 21-35 and it must be the first marriage. They require that you have 4-7 bridesmaids. For more information, please contact casting@44blue.com.

The other producers currently casting is Brand New Entertainment and they are casting brides and grooms for a show called First Dance, where you will surprise your guests with a non-traditional first dance. If you have not seen any of the shows concepts, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qd_j98-y-M&feature=related to view the inspiration for the show. They also have their own Myspace page where you can gather more information www.myspace.com/tlcfirstdancetvshow. They have been picked up for 12 more episodes so if you are interested contact tripletcasting@earthlink.net. They provide the choreographer - you provide the moves.

Both shows will be air on TLC (The Learning Channel).

-Percy