Creating a Soundtrack for Your Event
Like many little girls, my childhood memories had Barbie in the mix. I had the different ones, like Peaches and Cream Barbie, Crystal Barbie, Bridal Barbie (of course). One of my favorites was Workout Barbie. Something about her electric blue unitard, hot pink ballet shoes and striped leg warmers really got my attention. Dare I say I thought she was sexy, at the age of 9? I would have worn an outfit just like it to class at Maria Priadka’s School of Dance…if I’d had any other mother than my own.
One thing I remember specifically, is that my version of “playing dolls” was different than most of my friends’. They insisted on weaving these elaborate (read boring) tales of doll life and scripting appropriate dialogue to go with it. It always seemed like our flow was interrupted by someone directing us with, “Now you say such and such and I’ll say so and so”. I preferred to pump up my radio and dress my dolls in outfits I thought went with the music, creating a “scene”. I could do this on my own for hours, and hours at a time. Each song demanded a different look, a different pose and sometimes a different setting. But I remember being intent on connecting what I saw to what I heard.
Now that I am an adult, songs are like a trigger for memories, some good and some not. What I find interesting, is how detailed the memories become when I can connect them to a song. I remember what I wore, where I was and how it smelled after hearing just a few bars of music. When I’m asleep, the settings in my dreams are in vivid color and there is always background music. I host events, see paintings and scenes in my dreams, sometimes long before I can even use the ideas. I am learning to write them down, but mostly the mental attachment to the music is enough.
As an event designer and planner, I really like the first meeting with my clients. They are sooo excited about what they want to create and celebrate, that I can’t help but be excited too. I get them to talk about what they see in their mind’s eye, because that is what they will be anticipating. After they share all of the details, I ask them to name songs that make them feel the way they want their event to feel. You might say that I create a soundtrack for their wedding or party or proposal. After our meeting I listen to their songs and begin to match what I hear to what my clients have said they want to see. Music and color are huge factors for creating unique event designs. People respond to both very personally. My secret is to mesh them in a foundation that sets up everything to work together. When I present the event plan to clients, their music is playing in the background, so they can start feeling it right away.
In the planning stages of your wedding, milestone party or proposal, think about how you want to feel and how you want your guests to feel. Those feelings tell your brain to commit that moment to memory. Have some songs in mind and share them with your event planner. Second, collect tons of pictures of items, flowers, designs in colors that you love. They don’t have to match or even make sense for your event. A good event designer will be able to pull a distinct style from what you are drawn to. And last, don’t be afraid to be daring, different and totally you. Once-in-a-lifetime events deserve one-of-a-kind event design. That can only happen when you stay true to what you want and not go with everything you have seen done already. Someone else’s design in your color scheme is not enough for my brides. If you can describe it, we can make it happen.
In honor of that young girl, and my faithful Barbie brigade, today I am going to listen to some of my old favorites. Those memories always make me smile. And once in a while, I still use some of my early design ideas. They still work, because at my core, I haven’t really changed. And I can still spend hours at a time creating a world, a look, a scene to the soundtrack of my life. What songs will define your moment? Let’s start building your soundtrack today.
When you begin wedding planning and enter the bridal zone, one of the first things you learn is that there are many, many, many shades of white to choose from. When you go gown shopping, the key is to find the style of dress that you like and then choose the shade of white that works best with your complexion… or pink. Your wedding gown is a key starting point for planning…after the groom, of course. But, after you have chosen all of the finishing touches for the bridesmaids, the invitations, centerpieces, programs, music and menu, you realize that the main attraction is still… well, you. And today is the one day that you get to step out in all of your glory from head…to toe. So, if none of the infinite shades of white shoes speak to you, step out on your own.
The bride’s shoes used to be one of the last details chosen, mostly as an element of necessity, not necessarily style. In fact, when I look at my parents’ wedding pictures and my grandparents’ before them, I can’t even see the bride’s shoes. As I planned my own wedding in 1996, I remember searching for “wedding shoes” that didn’t look like the white shoes I refused to wear, which screamed, “EASTER!” I settled for a pair of white on white silk, damask heels that I actually liked. However, I also remember being more interested in the satin slippers I changed into as soon as the last formal picture was taken. The shoes were pretty…uncomfortable. Today’s brides are far more fortunate than generations before. Choices in gown design, color, style and length are limited only by their imagination and budget. Happily, bridal footwear is following suit.
Shoe designers now carry lines dedicated solely to brides (couldn’t resist). They have obviously paid attention to the number of wedding photos of not just the bride, but her shoes. How smart to design a shoe worthy of its own portrait so girlfriends will ask, “Girl, where did you get those shoes?”
So what should you consider when shoe shopping for your once-in-a-lifetime day? We have some tips:
1. Decide on the Style of Shoe You Want - I encourage my brides to go with their first or gut instinct on (just about) everything. 99.8 % of the time that is the right answer. If you want to wear red shoes, but your wedding colors are peach and plum, go for it. Don’t settle. Try on shoes that you like, even if you don’t know why. Being open minded gives you options and those options help you make the best choice. Just as you looked through magazines for gown ideas, do the same for shoes. Do not limit yourself with fabrics unless there is real cause for concern. Suede may not be the best choice for a beach wedding
2. Keep Local Vendors in Mind – In the Atlanta area, brides are fortunate to have access to many fashion havens. If you live close by, check out Ann Roth Shoes Studio & Showroom, in Buckhead, at The Paisley Umbrella or online at www.annrothshoes.com. Like Ann, quality, local vendors may afford you the luxury of having custom shoes crafted to be exactly what you want. Bridal salons often carry shoes too, so you can actually see what they will look like paired with your dress before you buy
3. Shop the Internet…Wisely – One thing I love about the Internet is that it is boundless. If I can come up with the right Google combo for what I have in mind, it can be found. However, I also have learned that everything on the internet is not as it may appear, so be careful. With that in mind, roam to and fro as you like in search of the most beautiful shoes. One site we have had repeated success with is www.MyGlassSlipper.com. Be sure to do your research on shoes and fit (another reason to include local shops in your search). Most important, leave yourself enough time to receive and/or exchange your shoes before the first fitting of your gown. The hem should be adjusted according to your heel height
4. Think About What You Want the Shoes to Say and Do – Your shoe statement will be as unique as you are. So, only you know what it should be. For example, I tend to lean toward old, Hollywood, glamour. So the shoes I am most drawn to sparkle in candlelight, have high drama design, but are just shy of being over the top...like me. One of my brides wore camouflage shoes as a tribute to her fiancé’s service to this country in the Army, which we love. Another is having custom made cowboy boots to match her gown and rustic, fall farmhouse wedding.
As part of your consideration, think about the wedding activities. If you are getting married outside, on the beach or near water, stilettos may not be the best choice. Those spiky heels love to sink into soft earth, wreaking havoc on your bridal march. If you are a dance-all-night kind of girl, then shoe comfort will be a concern. For you, there are now bridal shoes, like the Cole Haan Bridal Collection with Nike Air technology. We had a bride walk down the aisle and dance the night away in these looking fabulous!
Now that you are armed with some basic information, it is time for you to get on your feet and find your shoes. The best time of day is late afternoon when your feet are going to be more demanding about comfort. When you are trying on shoes, really try them on. Walk, jump and skip in them before you fall in love with how they look. Sometimes this may be impossible, but be strong. Nothing ruins an evening faster than your hurting feet and you don’t want that captured on the video montage.
Once you have your wedding day shoes (even if that is more than one pair), take them out and walk around in them for at least 30 minutes several times, several weeks before your wedding day. This will help them get to know your feet and become comfortable before you have to wear them for the potential 8+ hours the day requires.
A wedding is the celebration of two people becoming one. But so much of the planning requires you to accommodate others… no easy fete (last one, I promise). When it comes to your shoes for your day, only you can decide what will make your feet happy ones. Start planning your once-in-a-lifetime event by being true to your one-of-a-kind style.
