Every once in a while I engage in a conversation that reminds me how lucky we are here in Arizona to have such talented and innovative wedding vendors to work with. While talking “wedding world” with people who are not in the industry or planning a wedding, their eyes gloss over when I  speak about escort card displays, candy bars and late-night sliders. I guess I take all those things for granted but one thing that all people can appreciate as soon as I explain it is the Rose Petal Carpet.

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

As far as I’m concerned, this floral concept is the #1 way to impact the look of your ceremony and Events by Showstoppers specializes in them. Ken and Jim, Showstoppers’ founders,  consistently design spectacular carpets and never stop innovating with their designs. It’s cutting edge floral that rocks my world!

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Phyllis Lane Photography)

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Phyllis Lane Photography)

(Photo by: Phyllis Lane Photography)

Events by Showstoppers creates carpets for corporate functions as well- fashion shows, photoshoots, etc. This carpet may look familiar since it was designed for our 10th Anniversary Issue cover (and our 10th Anniversary Gala)!

 (Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

(Photo by: Sedona Bride Photographers)

This is from Wildflower Linen’s Arizona warehouse debut  fashion show (see more from the Wildflower Linens Show) :

Now do you see why I love these? Rose petals will never be the same again!

As you can imagine, the process of designing and executing these very special carpets is labor intensive but I think Events by Showstoppers founders Jim and Ken really have a passion for it. Here’s what they had to say when I asked them a few questions about their work:

KG: You always seem to be on the cutting-edge when it comes to floral design. Where do you get your inspiration from?

J/K: We get our inspiration from all kinds of sources. One source is from our love of old classic movies. We love to incorporate, for example, lighting effects we see in old ” film noir ” movies from the 40s and 50s. Some of our best inspiration comes from the old classic biblical movies where we get great ideas for fabric draping, unusual color schemes, and other lighting effects. The half circular rose petal carpet we produced for a PB&G shoot at L’Auberge ( a few issues ago ) was actually inspired while watching Cleopatra. I designed the carpet like an Egyptian jeweled collar. When I explain the inspiration for this design, people immediately ” get it .”

KG: How long have you been doing rose petal carpets and what do you love most about them?

J/K: For about 4 years. I especially love the process of drawing the concept, selecting the colors and calculating the quantity. Seeing the final result and how it pleases the onlookers is very fulfilling.

KG: What challenges do you face when creating rose petal carpets and how do you overcome them?

J/K: Wind. You don’t overcome it. You have to go with it.

KG: If you could create your dream rose petal carpet, what would it look like?

J/K: A kaleidoscope. Lots of interesting things can be done.. especially indoors.

KG: What floral trends are you seeing for Winter ’11/Spring ’12 weddings?

J/K: I don’t know about other designers but we are interested in one color ( monochromatic ) color schemes with multiple, muted derivatives of that color, combined with various tones of grey. Like muddy mustard colors combined with charcoal and lighter grey. Also interested in complimentary and split-compliment schemes like mustard colors against raspberry and fuchsia with grey or silver.

Events by Showstoppers just launched their new website too- it’s full of their gorgeous floral designs. And yes, the Rose Petal Carpets have a dedicated section!

Chatting Soon~Kelly

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Paris’ Moulin Rouge, where extravagant entertainment, the can-can dance and circus inspired acts feel at home, is known for drama. The setting is decadent, the people are jubilant, and everyone has such a good time, they stay all night.

Our recent Moulin Rouge inspired event at The Venue Scottsdale was nothing short of fabulous, just like the real Moulin Rouge,  thanks to the many people who helped to make it an evening to remember. We are so anxious to share our adventures with you!

It all started with a buzz about the invitations from Celebrations in Paper… the red feather, vintage aesthetic and fishnet detail made them gloriously flirtatious. The RSVP’s came rolling in!

The Venue Scottsdale was the ideal location for our event since it has distinct areas- we used the main courtyard for the large and raucous party, the bar nooks (otherwise known as the catacombs) for the more intimate entertainment and the Billiards room for dining . This is the main party hall with a dramatic high ceiling and a stage we couldn’t resist.

This is Ashley Richardson of Ashley Gain Weddings and Events. This gal worked her tail off to make our event as spectacular as it was and we are so grateful to her. She always looked at ease which is quite a trick when planning an event of this magnitude!

Here are the girls- this is probably the ONLY time they sat all night! Aren’t they a gorgeous crew?

On to the party!

The linens and centerpieces elicited oohs and ahhs- you can see why!

Here is our much admired Publisher, Fran Samuel, alongside our Marketing and Sales Director Jennifer Rabito, who is always a crowd favorite. Below them is Bob Messinger of Applause Entertainment who acted as MC for the night and provided us with the entertainment for the entire evening. It was quite spectacular- the catacombs of The Venue Scottsdale were occupied with all sorts of eccentric talents such as Lip Readers and Tarot Card Readers. And of course, not to be forgotten, we had an aerialist, can can dancers and a crooner in the main courtyard!

Of course there was food…oh the food!

Photographer Sarah Hagerty of Hagerty Photography was able to relax a little, then it was back to work capturing more beautiful scenery and people!

We ended the night the best way we know how- with chocolate! Bedazzle my Bon Bons made these decadent and sparkly delights especially for our event and they were completely sinful…

Here we all are! The Phoenix Bride and Groom Team thanks all of the vendors who gave so generously of their time and talents to make the Moulin Rouge Event a success. It was wonderful connecting with so many wedding industry professionals and we can’t wait for the next party!

We also enjoyed a Live Photobooth by Keith Pitts- these are always so fun!

Here is a slideshow from Hagerty Photography that shows even more pictures!

If you enjoy time lapse videos, you are going to like this quick one of our set-up created by Serendipity Videography:

Phoenix Bride & Groom Timelapse by Serendipity Videography from Serendipity Videography on Vimeo.

We could not have enjoyed ourselves and entertained our guests without the following people/companies. Their contributions and hard work made this THE event of the year!

Thank You…

The Venue Scottsdale/ Ashley Gain Weddings and Events/Hagerty Photography/Serendipity Videography/Celebrations in Paper/BBJ Linen/Wildflower Linen/Quest Drape/Sound Lighting F/X/ Events by Showstoppers/ Classic Party Rentals/Designer8* Furniture Rental/ Applause Productions & Entertainment/ Encore Creative/Heidi’s Events and Catering/Fabulous Fine Food Catering and Events/Santa Barbara Catering/Marcellino Ristorante/Creations in Cuisine Catering/Ciao Baby Catering/Bruce Brown Catering and Events/My Goodness Cakes/La Dolce Pesca/ Creative Cappucino/Honey Moon Sweets/ Bedazzle My Bon Bons/Live Photobooth by Keith Pitts/Lip Story

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