The Crushed Ice Blog: Photoshoot with Tim Valentino

Lindsay and I have been talking about getting new pictures taken for the website, promotional materials, etc. since my first week with Crushed Ice Events (approximately 5 weeks ago)... and putting an ad together for Sophisticated Living Magazine's Derby Edition was just the push we needed -- aka we found out Monday that we need the ad in by Friday. Commence creativity with a dash of efficiency and go!

First, Lindsay and I started by going to Old Time Pottery on Tuesday. If you've never been there, you should jump in your car right now (after you finish reading this post) and go. Talk about a caterer's/decorator's Heaven. Great prices, great products, and friendly service. We were so under budget that while walking out we considered going back in to buy more... maybe another day! :)

Our next stop was to our wonderful friends at Events, LLC. We knew we wanted some sort of table that captured the essence of Derby without being stereotypical about it, and we found this AMAZING yellow candlestick holder that we just HAD to use as a centerpiece so naturally we picked a linen that went with that one too, and of course, because of who was designing the tables, we had to put together a country chic table (don't judge -- lace linens.. come on people.. that's gorgeous!).

On Wednesday, we called Tim Valentino and rejoiced as he agreed to take our pictures that afternoon ((NOTE: If you are planning this, that might be the first thing you do rather than the last, we were purely lucky that he was able to do this for us in such short notice!)) Lindsay and I ran to Doran & Engle to pick out some gorgeous flowers, and after several meetings with prospective clients, we were off to our photoshoot! While Tim, Erica, and Brittany stayed back to take some "Derby-esque" pictures, Lindsay and I were busy putting tables together.

Lindsay making a pomander or rose ball

Our flower loot

Did you know that by trimming the stem of the flower and then placing them in hot water, it opens the bud of the flower up? NIFTY, right?! Also, since we all know that rose petals are fragile, if you hold the bud of the rose and blow into the center, it will help give the flower a fuller look. Bet ya didn't know that, huh!

Once Tim and Erica arrived, we let the creative juices flow and put together some really great table displays, while the Schnell's dogs Clara and Sophie guarded us :)

The sun couldn't make up its mind whether it wanted to stay out or go behind the clouds, but regardless, everything went really well. Our first table was "Country Chic." Lace linens, wildflowers, and mason jars.

Flowers: Doran & Engle
Linens: Events LLC
Chairs: The Ice House

Next, we put together our "Derby" table. Red rose linens, baby's breath flowers, and black vases. (You'll see pictures soon...)

Finally, it was our most challenging table. Erica suggested this beautiful courtyard area... complete with a brick wall and ivy. We knew we wanted this to be a bit of modern elegance... but how to make it all come together?! We tried several different centerpieces, and worked with whatever we found.