Brilliant Blog

A Brilliant Wedding: Ashley & Lee

January 26, 2012

It’s not every day that you move halfway across the country, only to meet and fall in love with someone who went to the same college!  Ashley & Lee did just that. These two wanted to combine their southern hospitality with their cosmopolitan life here in NYC so I designed their wedding in hues of purple with magenta and gold accents.  The ballroom at the brand new Eventi Hotel proved to be the ideal space with its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and chic lounge furniture.

Their centerpieces from Starbright Floral reflected the young, fresh vibe of their wedding – three distinct arrangements, each with a different flower choice created a pop against the plum textured tablecloth.  A black lacquer dance floor and white calligraphy on their escort cards rounded out this beautiful May wedding.  Congratulations to this happy couple – I was so honored to be part of your big day!

Lovely photos courtesy of Moss Creation.

Aisle Runner Alternatives

January 18, 2012

If you like the idea of an aisle runner but want something a little more unique, get inspired by the overall look and feel of your wedding. If you’re having a fall wedding, work with your florist to create a carpet of leaves in gorgeous reds and oranges. A glamorous indoor wedding? Scatter sequins down the aisle to add just the right amount of glitz.  Or, if you’re sold on rose petals but want a different interpretation, try doing a geometric pattern. The aisle’s the limit!

Photos courtesy of Zoom Photography via Style Me Pretty,

KT Merry and Rock Paper Scissors Event Design via Style Me Pretty, and Sedona Bride.

Featured in the UK Daily Mail!

January 17, 2012

I am thrilled to be featured in an article about proposal planning in one of the UK’s biggest papers, the Daily Mail! For the complete article, please click here.

Side Buns: Timeless or Trendy?

January 12, 2012

The 1980s were the times of banana clips, mini skirts and classic Madonna, when most brides were of the mindset that bigger was better – especially when it came to wedding hair! Giant mall bangs, huge tendrils and perms were what every bride dreamed of. One of the hottest wedding hairstyle trends of the past few years is the side bun, a modern twist on the classic bun.

Will the side bun prove to be timeless or will it be an indication of the decade, like big eighties hair? What do you think?

A Brilliant Marriage Proposal: Matt & Missy’s Video

January 3, 2012

Enjoy the video from Matt & Missy’s engagement that I designed and planned as The Proposal Planner.  Video courtesy of our friends at Pap the Question. Check out all the photos from their amazing day here.  Want a marriage proposal like this?  Call us at 917.974.4729 or email at sarah@brillianteventplanning.com.

A Brilliant Marriage Proposal: Matt & Missy

December 29, 2011

Matt wanted to propose to Missy, who loves everything vintage and French so I designed their marriage proposal to reflect her taste for le francais but also their future together. We shut down a local french bistro and filled it with singers posing as regular patrons. Our friends from Pap the Question took paparazzi-style photos while the couple enjoyed a cup of tea.  They were transported back to 1920′s France – a large iron structure decorated the private room with crystal chandeliers and fresh florals.  Tiny hang tags from each corner of the structure had a reason why Matt loves Missy.

Underneath the structure was a 5-tier cake by Elegantly Iced and a custom-crafted wooden wine box with their names. Inside was a bottle of 2008 Pinot Noir – a vintage from the year they met. They plan to use the box as a time capsule and open it on their 10 year anniversary. Missy said YES and the vintage fun continued with a 1920′s limousine chauffering them to a private dinner at one of NYC’s best restaurants.  Their proposal was featured in the New York Times and in USA Today. Special thanks to Pap the Question for the amazing photo & video.  Congratulations to Matt & Missy and stay tuned for the video…coming soon!

Featured in the New York Times!

December 27, 2011

I’m so honored to be featured in the Christmas Day Sunday Styles section of the New York Times! Stay tuned for more photos, video and details from Matt & Missy’s engagement and click here to read the article.

Bothersome Bouquets

December 21, 2011

Notice a difference between the two brides in the first row and the brides in the second? The top two brides have perfectly placed bouquets as they walk down the aisle: at or below their waist. The ladies in the bottom row are holding their bouquets so high that it obstructs their face as they walk down the aisle. Don’t let this happen to you!

Photos credit to one, two, three and four.

A Brilliant Wedding: Jacob & Dina

December 7, 2011

Jacob hails from Canada and his California bride, Dina, were brave souls selecting their wedding date in February! As luck would have it, the weather held out and it was a snowy, yet clear day.  Their beautiful wedding was held in the library at the New York Academy of Medicine and was the perfect mix of their shared intellectual flair, Jewish Orthodox faith, and their genuine warmth and love for each other, their families and friends.  It was a true pleasure to kick off our 2011 season with these two and an absolute honor to be a part of their big day!

Flowers by Blossom and Branch, Hair by Stacy Pitt, Makeup by Sally Duvall, Venue NYAM, Kosher Catering Esprit Events, Band Simcha All-Stars, Non-Kosher Catering Sterling Affair, Photos by Karin VonVoigtlander.

Pier 1 Imports: Party Protege

November 16, 2011

I recently partnered with Pier 1 Imports to help transform a bland Brooklyn loft apartment into a party paradise! With food and drinks by chef/mixologist Yvan Lemoine, these three lucky ladies had an amazing home makeover and transformation. Watch episodes 1-4 below and see what tips and tricks you can learn for hosting a fabulous party in your own home this holiday season.