Happy Anniversary Lauren & Bill!

Lauren and Bill tied the knot on 3/1/08 at Naples Grande. It was the most amazing wedding that I had ever been involved in and the wedding that launched Chandelier Productions! I love this couple and their families. It was a blessing to be a part of this celebration!

Lauren's mom designed and had the fireplace built. It was quite the construction project that started during the day on Friday and went late unto the night (early morning). Matthew and Zoe from 50/Fifty Floral Design provided the most amazing flowers. My favorite was the "trough" of cherry blossoms with hanging tea light lanterns that was the "background" for the wedding procession and additional decor for the reception.

The ceremony was held in the Vista Ballroom. Orlando Cabrera from Summit Church officiated the ceremony and as always, did an amazing job. He had us all crying! After the wedding, guests were ushered out to the Sunset Terrace for a cocktail reception with a signature non-alcoholic pink pina colada!

Background note, the ceremony started at 5:00pm and at the same time, the pool was closed and transformed into the dinner venue - the hotel had a little over an hour to accomplish this task - they did an amazing job along with the staff from 50/Fifty!

Bill & Lauren took advantage of the hotel's beautiful surroundings and had all of their photographs taken before the ceremony along with the bridal party and family. During the cocktail reception, the wedding party dashed down to the beach for a few sunset pictures taken by Cher Hanna and her husband!

The dinner reception took place around the pool with amazing floral and table designs. Matthew also had the most unusual and beautiful decor item installed - floating 6 foot "balloons" with images of pink peonies projected on them. I'm still not sure how they did it, but it was amazing. It was a cool March evening and the bride's mother provided white shawls from Ikea for all the ladies - a great, much appreciated, detail to the evening!

During dinner, we transformed the ceremony site to a "lounge" area for the rest of the reception. We brought in furniture, an awesome band "Vintage Vinyl", set up the most beautiful candy bar that I have ever seen and changed all the lights from white to pink. Guests were directed back up to the Vista Ballroom for the remainder of the celebration.

The chef at the Naples Grande baked the cake and had words to the song that Bill wrote for his proposal to Lauren written around the sides of the cake - it was beautiful and delicious. Late in the evening, after lots of dancing, cake and more signature pina coladas the hotel staff served little hamburgers and french fries - so fun!

Frost Lighting and Draping provided additional decor for the ceremony and reception. They were amazing to work with and a lot of fun! There were so many details to this wedding. We worked two 17 hour days to coordinate this wedding - it was awesome and so memorable.

So began Chandelier Productions! Happy Anniversary Lauren & Bill, we love you! (Amateur photos - taken by me - Mary)