Philly Mag’s Bridal Bulletin just ran a feature on our wonderful program called “Kindness Blooms,” where our clients (and others) can donate the flowers they love from their incredible celebrations to people who could really use a little unexpected joy and beauty in their lives.   The Kindness Blooms page will tell you how you can help!

You may remember a couple years go when we first blogged about word starting to get around about Eclatante’s Kindness Blooms’ project in MainLine Today and Philly.com.

Since then so many floral arrangements have been provided to the Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Hospital, the Laurel House and several area retirement and nursing homes.   Its been pure pleasure being able to facilitate the joy that people get from truly beautiful flowers.   And, honestly, there are just no words to express how much better it is to donate the flowers than to see them trashed!

We are always looking for volunteers to help in our efforts.   Please take a look at our Kindness Blooms page and let  us know if  you can help!

Eclatante and Beautiful Blooms were honored and excited to be asked by the American Heart Association to host their annual Go Red for Women Preview Party.

Heather Fowler agreed, not only to let her studio be turned into a dressing room, but to shoot this wonderful event.

The event showcased some of the most talented young women I have ever met.   Young fashion designers from Philadelphia University’s fashion design program competing at a drop-dead amazing fashion show on our Walk.   All the dresses were, of course, red.   But even more incredible, each designer was inspired by the story of a person close to them who had experienced heart disease in a very real way.   The stories were beautiful — just like the dresses that were exhibited that evening.

In attendance were about 200 women (well, mostly women) who have a heart for this incredible campaign.    As they arrived, they were treated to delicious treats from Max & Me Catering and served wonderful beverages.  And All Around Entertainment created the perfect musical atmosphere for the evening.

Of course, we added our own special touches everywhere!

Donna and I were thriled to introduce the participants

The emcees were Biil Henley and Lori Wilson, hosts of the daily NBC10 10! show.  The judges were Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News, Kristin Munro of Philadelphia Style Magazine and Tiffany Hill, B101 Radio.

While all that was going on, the models were getting ready on the next block in Heather Fowler’s studio.  Their hair and makeup was expertly accomplished by Phoenix Salon & Spa and Salon 201.

until it was time to line up for the fashion show

In Part 2, you’ll see the parade of these beautiful dresses and the winners of the 2010 Go Red For Women Red Dress Fashion Show.

This winter, we were thrilled to have the pleasure of working with one of our favorite families of all time to help them plan their son, Harry’s, Bar Mitzvah.   We’ll tell that amazing story soon, since it occurred during one of our historic blizzards.   But I digress.

Since then, Harry’s dad, Ivan, celebrated his 50th birthday.   His gorgeous wife Ann wanted to throw him a party he would never forget.   She asked Donna of Beautiful Blooms and Eclatante to help her get the details together and, of course, we were very happy to oblige!

Here’s a little back story:  Ann & Ivan are both British (with the most wonderful accents!).  Ann had no problem coming up with the perfect theme, since Ivan was born in 1960 — London in the 60’s!   How fun is that??

Eclatante’s own Maggie Ruder took these photos.

Eclatante was able to find a classic English black cab to to take the couple and other guests from their home to Duportail House for the party.  If you’ve ever been to London, you know these little cars are everywhere!

Even Donna and I dressed up for this one!   And we had to jump in the cab for a quick photo!   By the way, Claudia Seyler did our hair and makeup for the party.   I still miss the eyelashes!!!

We loved the gobo we had created to emulate the Tube in London.

And of COURSE, we had to have the famous British red telephone booth!   People were in and out of it all night!

LOVE these photos of Ann & Ivan.   Her absolutely PERFECT dress was specially made for the night by Janice Martin of Janice Martin Couture.  And I could not get over how Ivan nailed the look of his suit.  He had his tailor create the perfect trousers.   It was like going back in time!!  (Not that I remember the 60’s.)

Donna and I couldn’t resist jumping into the phone booth ourselves. I mean, who could?

We saw some great outfits that night!   Among them was certainly this Union Jack dress!

And just look at this fantastic jacket right off the Sargeant Pepper album!    The DJ immediately struck up The Lonely Heart’s Club Band the very moment this guest walked in the door — right on cue!

We loved the trolly cake from Cake Art Studio

Ann & Ivan had a fantastic time -- which, of course, is why we do what we do!

When we last talked about the planning of Faye & Matt’s wedding, you were asked to chime in on the difficult choice between two wedding gowns that were beautifully designed and custom created for Faye by Janice Martin Couture. Here is the stunning winner:

Now is your chance to decide between two really beautiful  floral centerpieces created by the incredible team at Beautiful Blooms.   You can vote on Philly.com for either of the two beautiful pieces below.  Faye and Matt love both, so it really is up to you.

By the way, these photos were taken by Kevin York.  Faye and Matt are extremely lucky to have Kevin as their wedding photographer – it’s a certainty that their photos will be AMAZING!

Design#1  (“Organic Chic”) is created from an organic mix of hydrangea, protea, frog’s eye euphorbia, stock, hypericum berries and curly willow.  I just love how the colors compliment each other in the shades of apple green, purply blue and yellow. It will look stunning on the square tables dressed in a great purple pintuck linen with accents of yellow.

Design #2 (“Fishbowl Fashion”) has a more modern feel and was created in a large fishbowl. This arrangement is a combination of plum calla, yellow protea placed on a base of green split peas.   This centerpiece will look equally beautiful on the purple linens.

Hurry.  You only have until Tuesday night to vote for either of these gorgeous pieces.

After the centerpieces are decided, you’ll get to vote for the beautiful wedding rings from Safian & Rudolph.

We introduced you to Faye & Matt in an earlier post.   They are the amazing couple that won the Love of a Lifetime wedding at the incredible Independence Seaport Museum on May 23rd.

Here is your opportunity to vote for the invitations designed by Two Paper Dolls that will be going out shortly.  Both are beautiful!

Here’s how it goes.   Each element of the wedding will be voted on by the public on the website hosted by Philly.com.  So far, the perfect menu and food service from Culinary Concepts has been chosen.  (YUM! – Philadelphians have great taste in food!).  Now it’s up to you to choose between the two amazing invitations created by Two Paper Dolls.   Here they are.

Hurry up and cast your vote for either one of these.   I have my favorite, but that hardly matters!

After the invitations comes the two totally custom-made wedding gowns from Janice Martin.   We’ve been going to the fittings and I’m sure you will adore what’s being created for Faye.   Deciding between the two might be a problem though.

Congratulations Matt and Fay e- winners of the “Love of a Lifetime” wedding!

Photo by Kevin York

(more…)

Last weekend, Eclatante was honored to play a role in planning one of the sweetest proposals we have ever heard of.

The story goes like this:   We were contacted by Tamar, the sister of Tali, the unsuspecting bride-to-be to help pull off an incredibly romantic surprise proposal.   Yoni, the ever-so-handsome young man doing the proposing was far away, in Israel, where he had been for quite some time.   Yani, the beautiful bride-to-be, didn’t expect to see him until next month.

But Yoni had gone to great lengths to surprise the love of his life.   Unbeknownst to Tali, Yoni created a wonderful photo montage to be shown on the Piazza’s 30′ screen. sent it here, then boarded a plane to Philadelphia.

Yoni arrived from Israel just in time to build a wonderful snowman on the Piazza stage then make himself scarce for the big reveal.   Under a great pretext, Tamar brought her sister to the Piazza where Tali saw the montage and believed that her amazingly romantic boyfriend had arranged for the best Valentine’s Day gift ever – the display of that montage.    Here it is:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJFXvo8L6iA

Man!  Tali was stunned beyond words when her Yoni stepped before her and got down on one knee   Honestly, I don’t think there has ever been anyone so surprised in the history of proposals!   Of course, she said YES!

We arranged to have the wonderful Heather Fowler on board to shoot the scene as it unfolded.   It really doesn’t get any more romantic than this!

The Philadelphia Inquirer picked right up on this story, as did 6ABC.

I can’t wait to see this wedding happen!

Photo by Cliff Mautner

Photo by Amy Deputy

Photo by Tania Lezak

Photo by Tania Lezak

Photo by Laura Novak

Photo by Sandor Welsh

Photo by Therese Marie Wagner

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Maggie Wallace Cullun

Photo by Tania Lezak

Photos by Alison Conklin

We have a tone of these amazing photos of kids at our weddings.   We might do this again someday!

Welcome back to Holly & Bill’s wedding.   If you read Part I, you know that their wedding was incredibly romantic and beautiful.   Just like them.

So, to continue, after the ceremony, the guests were invited to eat, drink and mingle among the stunning statues and masterpieces that adorn the walls of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts while Holly & Bill took off with Marie Labbancz for a memorable photography session.

Meet Bill’s adorable twins – Evan & Lexie.   They were so delightful throughout the whole day.

I think forgot to show you the wonderful ring bearer’s pillow that Beautiful Blooms created for Evan in Holly & Bill, Part 1 — it was really cute.

The couple then went into the Sculpture Gallery and had some incredible photos taken.  I just LOVE these!

And of course, with Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in such a prime location on Broad Street, there is simply no excuse for not taking the classic and always beautiful photo in front of City Hall.

Guests just loved their seating cards — they received a beautiful handblown glass pumpkin with their names printed on attached cards.   So so so so pretty.

After the photos and the delightful cocktail hour where they greeted all of their friends and family, Holly & Bill had their grand entrance into the real party!

The tables were absolutely lovely.   Beautiful Blooms did a spectacular job of creating the centerpieces that perfectly matched the look and feel that the couple wanted.

Since the night of that wedding, I’ve called their maid of honor toast “the best MOH toast of all time.”   If you need a refresher on that amazing story, here it is:  TRUE BFF’s

Finally, the cake cutting:

Then the guests danced the night away and left with candy & caramel apples.

We look forward to keeping in touch with these two.  I just know their lives will be filled with wonderful stories and beautiful memories!

Welcome back to Kelly & Liam’s wedding.  Hope you enjoyed Part 1.  This Part 2 is about their very special Quaker ceremony on the private beach at her mother’s summer home in Bethany Beach, Delaware.   Only these amazing photos by Amy Deputy can even begin to tell the story of how beautiful and romantic the ceremony and its setting were. Amy’s genius is in capturing the magic in every moment.

When guests arrived they were offered these refreshing lemon/limeaid beverages

Guests were then invited down the lovely boardwalk accented beautifully with blue ribbon and glass lanterns

Guests were offered seats in the lovely Quaker Meeting House setting we created on the beach for Kelly & Liam's wedding ceremony

In case you don’t know, a Quaker ceremony is a bit different than a typical wedding ceremony. The guests will gather for silent worship.  Then, as they may be inspired to do, individual guests may stand and give their own messages to the couple and the other guests.    Afterwards, the couple signs the marriage license and the guests are invited to do the same.   This certificate becomes the couple’s treasured possession.

At Kelly & Liam’s wedding, the couple and their immediate family members sat under an absolutely gorgeous structure created by Beautiful Blooms that perfectly reflected the stunning setting. The words spoken by many of the guests – some of which in a truly melodic Irish brogue — were incredibly warm and loving.   It was, in all ways, one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever seen.

The adorable flowers girls carried these perfect flower baskets created by Beautiful Blooms

Kelly enters the beach with her brother

After the ceremony,the guests were welcomed into the cocktail hour on the beach

Really nothing like a cocktail hour on the beach!!

We had these absolutely perfect pinwheels created to serve as the seating cards for the guests. Guests just LOVED them!

While the guests enjoyed their cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Kelly & Liam spent some time basking in their first moments and husband and wife.

There is one more amazing part left to show you about Kelly & Liam’s wedding.   The wedding reception was as much fun as it was gorgeous.   Just wait!

Kelly & Liam are an extraordinary couple.   Therefore, of course, they had an extraordinary wedding.  Everything took place at Kelly’s mother’s summer home on the beach in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

Amy Deputy was the incredible photographer that brilliantly captured every facet of this wedding. There is no way to do this wedding justice in just one post.   Soon you’ll see why.

Kelly & Liam met when Liam was working on Kelly’s home in Philly.  Liam is a true Irishman – with a sweet brogue and an amazing soccer game. Once they met, it was all over. They got engaged in June of this year, came to Eclatante in July and got married in September.   And what a wedding it was.

Carolyn of The Papery got right to work to create the perfect invitation for Kelly & Liam.   Totally reflective of the wedding being planned and Kelly’s elegant and clean style, the invitation was the guests first look into this amazing wedding.

We planned this stunning beach wedding (all the parts to take place on the sand with the reception in a tent) in a matter of weeks – and it came off without a hitch. That is not to say that there weren’t a few scary moments.   On the Monday prior to the wedding, the weather reports cited an 80% chance of heavy rain, complete with lightening and thunder.  But by Friday, there was not a cloud to be found.   They say it was Kelly’s grandmother’s wedding present!

As the story goes, Kelly wonderful grandmother passed a way a couple years ago.   Before she died, she told her family that she was going to become the Angel of Weather.   Well, most of us turned into believers that weekend and think that Kelly’s grandmother gave her granddaughter the best wedding present either.

Here are just a couple “before” photos (from my iPhone) taken as we were setting up the tent on Bethany Beach during the days before the wedding.

Tenting by Party Center - Photo taken with Kendall's iPhone

Photo by Amy Deputy

I think I’ll just start posting photos and let the story unfold.  (All the rest of the are Amy Deputy’s.)

There's nothing quite like a wedding rehearsal on the sand.

On the morning of the wedding, Liam’s family were were playing in the water with delight.  It was the perfect beach day.

Even Lulu, Kelly & Liam’s fun-loving golden retriever was having the time of her life.   A totally calm Liam had a great time in the water playing with Lulu just hours before the ceremony.

While Liam and Lulu were playing on the beach, Kelly was up in the house getting ready.

Of course, eventually  Liam did come in from the ocean to get ready for his wedding. His boutonnière created by Beautiful Blooms was the great final touch to his perfectly chose attire as was his best man’s.

Then the moment came for Kelly & Liam to see each other for the first time.    Kelly grabbed her beautiful bouquet created by Beautiful Blooms – with her beloved late father’s class ring attached – and headed downstairs to see Liam for the first time.

• 
• 
• 

• 

  This is a lovely shot of Kelly's bouquet (A hand-tied bouquet of white mini callas, white spray roses, white dahlias and an accent of soft blue delphinium) and Liams's great tie!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Kelly & Liam’s wedding.   We created a Quaker Meeting House ceremony on the beach.  It was absolutely beautiful!

Maid of Honor toasts range from those that are poorly conceived and delivered to some that are achingly touching.  This past weekend, we witnessed one of the most touching toasts ever.

The bride, Holly, and her Maid of Honor, Kelly, have been best friends for twenty-five years.  In fact,  during the first year of their friendship, Holly and Kelly purchased a pair of those sweet “best friend” necklaces, each of which represents a half of the best-friend’s heart.  In her toast, Kelly told beautiful anecdotes of their enduring friendship and how happy she was for the great love that Holly had now found in Bill, the happy groom.

Then, to the amazement of everyone in the room, Kelly reached down and took her half of the necklace, telling everyone how she had managed to keep it for twenty-five years and that she had always cherished it as a treasured posession.  We were all in tears.

Then it happened.   Kelly walked over to Bill and dropped her half of the “best friend” heart into his hands, saying that it now rightly belonged to Holly’s soulmate, her new husband.   With that, even the Air Force fly boys whofly jets with Bill and were seated together at one very testosterone-laden table were in tears!

Sometimes the simplest heartfelt gesture beats all the eloquence in the world.

AMAZING photography by Marie Labbancz!