Sneak Video Peek: Roaring Twenties Soiree!

2012 was filled with incredible opportunities for Sterling corporate event wise and we are excited to start featuring some of them on the blog!

Exactly 8 months ago today we had the privilege of producing an extraordinary Roaring Twenties event for over 2000 guests!  With Instagram's big announcement today about video being added to one of our favorite app's, I felt it was fitting to give you a quick video teaser.  Because who doesn't love a good video right!?!?

Over the next several months we will begin to start featuring more amazing photos and details from not only this highly conceptualized corporate event but several others, we were so excited to be a part of.

In the meantime, here's a preview from the incredible Threaded Films of what I would say was one of my most favorite event's to produce in our company history!  Check out their blog post as well, where you can learn a bit more about their role in this epic event!

Sterling Engagements Featured at Urban Unveiled LA - Great Gatsby Theme Hosted at Vibiana

We (along with everyone else) are currently obsessed with all things Gatsby.  The style, the romance, the excitement of the Roaring Twenties... we can't get enough of it!  We were recently invited to participate in Urban Unveiled LA, hosted by Vibiana.  We were trilled at the opportunity to participate in this exciting high end bridal experience.  This year Urban Unveiled was Great Gatsby themed.  On May 1st, Vibiana was transformed into an Old Hollywood 1920s speakeasy.  All of the vendor's booths were decked out and oozed glitz and glamour!  Check out this video - it is a quick way to show what this event was all about!

The Gatsby era, known for its unprecedented economic prosperity, flapper culture, jazz music and glamour was the inspiration behind our design.  Our booth, which included a tablescape and lounge area, was a collaboration between Alexandra, our creative director, Shawna of Shawna Yamamoto Event Design and Amber of Amber Event Production.  We implemented the show palette of black, creams and gold; but of course had to put our own spin on it.  It was important to us that we took the style and grace of the Gatsby era but also added a modern twist and feel to it.  We accomplished this by utilizing various textures, dimension and lots of sparkle.  Calla lilies, orchids, and hydrangeas covered the table which was draped by gorgeous linens from Designer Specialty Linens.  A show stopping chandelier, gold flatware and stunning signage topped it all off.  The lounge furniture topped with luxe pillows and surrounded by gorgeous draping was enhanced by amber uplighting which created a very romantic feel.

Photos courtesy of Duke Photography

Photos courtesy of Isabel Lawrence

Photos courtesy of Duke Photography

We couldn't have been more thrilled to have been part of such an extraordinary event and are looking forward to next year!

Event Design and Production: Sterling Engagements
Event Design and Decor, Florals and Backdrop: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design
Lighting and Draping: Amber Event Production 
Linens: Designer Specialty Linens
Lounge furniture: Lounge Appeal
Photography: Isabel Lawrence and Duke Photography
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Stationary and Signage: Calligraphy Katrina

Sterling's 2012 Year-End Review

 

From our family to yours, we wish you a warm, joyful and extra special holiday as the season continues.   

Thank you for inviting us into your lives, special moments and celebrations.  Looking back on 2012, we continue to be humbled by our experiences with our loyal clients, vendors, friends and family.  It’s been an incredible year and our success could not be possible without you.  We are so grateful for all of your endless support, kindness and encouragement.   

Here are some of our favorite moments from the year!

Sarah and Matthew's Southern Wedding in Dallas, Texas!

Photo courtesy of Jessica D'Onofrio Photography

Kate and Rob's Epic Wedding at Cicada 

Photo courtesy of Von Swank Photography  

Corporate Opening Night Party for 4500 at The JW Marriott LA Live & Nokia Plaza   

Corporate After-Party for a Charity Concert featuring Diana Ross

Corporate Summit Multi-Room, Multi-Theme Closing Gala for 4500 guests

 Photos courtesy of Evoke Photography

Emily and Saul's Enchanted Wedding at The Millennium Biltmore Downtown 

 Photo courtesy of Next Exit Photography  

Mirella and Scott's Multi-Ethnic Wedding at Vibiana

 Photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography

BJ and Judie's Glamorous Old Hollywood Inspired Wedding at Majestic Halls

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

 Alexa and Evan's Rustic yet Elegant Wedding at The Bel-Air Bay Club

Photo courtesy of Ryan Phillips Photography

Jen and Marc's Modern Chic Wedding at The Bel-Air Bay Club

 Photo courtesy of Joy Marie Photography 

Jill and Jordan's Natural yet Modern Inspired Wedding at a Private Residence

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

Michelle and David's Rock Concert meets Carnival Inspired Wedding 

Video courtesy of Jennifer Ruiz

Amanda and Hal's High-Fashion Lavish yet Romantic Wedding at a Private Residence

Photo courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

 The 1st Annual Huddle Conference in Denver, CO

 Photo courtesy of Matthew Photography  

Myesha and Craig's Modern yet Whimsical Wedding at Cafe Pinot Downtown

Photo courtesy of Adrienne Gunde Photography  

Ani and Patrick's Gorgeous and Glamorous Wedding at the Natural History Museum

Photo courtesy of Kris Khan Photography  

 

Sammy's Music & Lyric Inspired Bar Mitzvah

Photo courtesy of Amber Event Production

 

Corporate Opening Party for 9000 Guests on a Rooftop in Long Beach Roaring Twenties Soiree for 2300 Guests at 

Jesse James' former West Coast Choppers Warehouse 

Photos courtesy of Callaway Gable Photography 

Daniel and Kolette's Rustic Elegant Fall Inspired Wedding 

Photo courtesy of Michael Segal Photography  

Jessica and David's Elegantly Enchanted Vibiana Wedding

Photo courtesy of Docuvitae Photography

New Hollywood Glamour Opening Dinner for 550 Guests in a Parking Structure!

Old Hollywood Glamour Opening Dinner for 950 Guests in a Parking Structure!

A Holiday Journey through Space, Land, Sea and Fantasy Party for 1500 Guests 

Photos courtesy of Photography Christopher Todd Studios

 

We look forward to all that 2013 has to offer.  We cannot wait to design, create and produce extraordinary events for you and yours! 

Warmest Wishes,

Alexandra & The Sterling Engagements Team

Sterling Buzz: Featured on Bizbash, Jet Fete and Style Me Pretty!

 We're on the front page of Bizbash and I couldn't be more thrilled!  Bizbash is one of my all time favorite weekly reads and the opportunity to have one of our events covered is so special. 

It's been quite some time since I've updated the blog with some recent press and this post happens to include some of my all time favorite buzz to date!  Having a degree in Journalism where my emphasis was in Public Relations makes any feature or spot we receive extra exciting for me. It makes me feel as though I'm putting that education to good use!

First, I'd love to share an article we were able to be a part of written by Mitra Sorrells.  I was so excited to share my opinions on Pinterest and how I've been able to use my boards in my day to day activities.  This article focused on what event pros are using this mega site for and Mitra even featured one of my boards!  So neat and such a good surprise!      

Next, I was so honored to have the opportunity to share some of the details about a massive series of corporate events we recently produced.  This project is something I'd worked on for months and months and the design truly came together to perfection.  While this article covers the final closing event, there were two additional events that week which I'll be sharing hopefully soon!

Be sure to read the beautifully detailed article written by the always amazing Alice Dubin!

Next, I was so thrilled to have our very first destination wedding featured on The Bridal Bar's Jet Fete blog.  Have you been there and seen how amazing this blog is, it's dedicated to all things destination and a favorite read of mine, especially when I'm looking to escape!  Check out Brandie and Ede's featured Parker Palm Spring's Wedding!

Last but not least, I was ecstatic when dear friend Holly Steen of Cakes and Kisses Photography had her wedding featured on another favorite blog, Style Me Pretty!  We helped Holly last year with her Dodger Stadium 4th of July Wedding and couldn't be more thrilled for her and the wonderful detailed post they did on such a special day.  Check out this Baseball Love Story!  

As you can see it's been very busy around the office and we've had so many fun and exciting projects we were honored to be a part of.  I love sharing them with you and hope to update you with more fun things in the next few weeks.  So stay tuned! 

Sterling Buzz: Featured on Hostess with the Mostess Blog!

For weeks I've been jumping out of my seat to share with you details from my own engagement party. I constantly focus on creating the most perfect of events for each and everyone of our Sterling Engagement's clients, for the first time it was my turn and I'm delighted to have Hostess with the Mostess share some of the fabulous details with you.


Here are a few of my favorite images from the night thanks to my friend Ashleigh Taylor for capturing them!

And of course, such a mama's boy!

It was so fun to work on something so personal and special to my fiance and I. Hope you enjoyed it! It took an incredible team of some of my most favorite vendors to assemble such a special evening and I thank each one of them!

Vendor Love:
Bridal Party Definition Cards: Practically Perfect Design
Bridal Tote Bags: Pink Velvet Press
Candy Buffet/Event Styling/Floral Design: Sterling Engagements
Custom Linens and Chairs: Designer Specialty Linens
Custom Name and Candy Buffet Banners: SiennaJen
Dessert Buffet: Fantasy Frostings
Event Stationary: Affectionate Digitals
Groomsman Shooter Glasses: Distinct Glass Studio
Invitation: Mujka Chic
Love Crochet Towels: Patti’s Potpourri
Napkins: For your Party
Photography: Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Salads: Epicurean Events
Signature Plate: The Heads Creation
Taco Catering: El Tapatio
Tissue Poms: Prost to the Host
Tres Chic Vintage Mirror: Shabby McFabby
Wooden Signs: Family Attic Shoppe

For more of our L-O-V-E filled details, please visit the Hostess with the Mostess Blog.

Featured Events: Herbalife's Green and White Gala PART 3 - The Incredible Menu!

As you've seen over the past couple days this event was quite the production with each and every detail. Not one was overlooked, everything had to be perfect.

One extremely important aspect was the food and beverage portion. Our absolutely amazing caterer was Joe Melillo, Executive Chef and owner, of Epicurean Events. Joe was a rockstar from start to finish with this event and it was such a pleasure to work with him.

Together, Joe and I worked vigorously to create something innovative, delicious and unique. I really wanted every aspect of this event to be memorable and give guests an experience where they left wanting more. In addition, branding for a corporate event, especially an anniversary gala was crucial. Joe executed my vision beyond words and guests loved the culinary experience he provided for them.

The style of service we designed for this large of a crowd included both heavy hor d'oeuvres, stations and a bite-size dessert buffet which I'll break down more later in this post. Our hor d'oeuvres all had a gorgeous presentation and a little american flare. As guests entered they were greeted with Honeydew and Ginger Pear juice shooters with a Cardamom Cream to compliment our Green and White concept. Tray passed items included:

Grilled Herbed BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza with Corn Relish and Fresh Cilantro
Cool Mississippi Shrimp Cocktail with a Red Pepper Chutney
Deep Fried White Truffle Cheddar Mac & Cheese Bites
Tender Braised Brisket Sandwich on a Salted Pretzel Roll
Mango Crab Salad in Philo Cups
Petit Grilled Vegetable & Pepper Jack Napoleons with Roasted Yellow Pepper Couli
Batter Dipped Sweet Potato Fries with Curried Maytag Blue Dip
Poached Tarragon Chicken on Mini Corn Cakes

Here you can see the Cool Mississippi Shrimp Cocktail and the Poached Tarragon Chicken on Mini Corn Cakes.


There were a total of 5 buffet stations throughout the event. Each one was duplicated 4 times to give us a total of 20 stations. All the buffets featured 4-6 tasty items with unique flavor combination's.

My personal favorites were the Imported Quarto Formaggio and Spinach Lasagna Roulades, Napoleon's Seafood Ceviche in Mini Martini Glasses, the Mini Beef Barbacoa Tostada Salads, the entire Gourmet Carving Station "Hollywood Style" and of course the Create-a-Crepe Station. Everything really was incredible and it was so great to watch as each of the guest's wondered from station to station experiencing the assortment of cuisines. Check out this amazing display!

Guests had so much fun at the carving stations, building their own beef and turkey gourmet sandwiches.

In addition to the fabulously catered menu, we also worked with Leslie Maynor of Fantasy Frostings, the best cake and dessert buffet designer around, to come up with a stunning green and white themed bite-size dessert buffet. Leslie went above and beyond testing various flavor combination's for weeks to come up with this top-tier menu. Guests were able to feast off of the following...

Red velvet, Chocolate and Vanilla Mini Cupcakes
Cream Puffs with Green & White Chocolate Drizzle
Kiwi Tarts
Mini Key Lime Pies
Lime Meringue Kisses
Green Tea Citrus and Vanilla Crème Shooters
Chocolate Cake Pops with Mint Chocolate Coating
White Almond Cake Pops with White Coating
Green Apple Spice Cake Pops with Green Apple Coating
Coconut macaroons
Sugar Cookies with Green Sugar
Vanilla Sweetie Pies with Honeydew Buttercream and Vanilla Buttercream
French Macaroons with Madagascar Vanilla and Pistachio







With every great menu and delightful dessert a refreshing cocktail or coffee beverage is more than necessary. Thanks to Aaron Knapp of Bar One Beverage Catering and his 30 bartenders our bars were flowing all night long.



In addition we had Ken and Julie of the ever so wonderful Cappuccino Connection brewing hot gourmet coffee drinks as well.


All in all the food and beverage for Herbalife's Green and White Gala was impeccable in every way it could be and so much more. We hope you enjoyed learning about the amazing menus and also hope we didn't make you too hungry.

All photography documented by the amazing Brian and Allie Callaway of Callaway Gable Photography.

Check back tomorrow when we highlight the decor for this gala affair.