Sterling Buzz: Happy 8th to Sterling Engagements!!!

8 years ago today I made the decision to launch my company, the Sterling Engagements journey has been nothing short of extraordinary and today I feel incredibly humbled by it all.  We are so blessed to have 8 years of incredible events, memories and experiences with both our clients, colleagues and supporters.

Photo courtesy of Vinography

As some of you may know or were able to read last year, there's a very special story that goes alongside it all.  If you haven't had the opportunity, be sure to check out last year's post.  

2013 will be a very special year as we unveil our new brand.  Get ready for an exciting new look and new website very soon!  We've been working ferociously with Jennifer Ebert of Prim and Pixie and CANNOT WAIT to share it!!!  In the meantime, here's a sneak peek!

  

Vote for us on LA's Hotlist for Best Wedding Planner!

Sterling Engagements is once again nominated for Best Wedding Planner in Los Angeles on the LA Hotlist.  Last year we made it to the Top 5, this year we hope to be #1! 

We would absolutely love your vote and support in helping us climb to the top again this year! 

Every vote counts and your participation is greatly appreciated. Please also feel free (hint-hint) to spread the word to other co-workers, family and friends!

   
          
        BEST Wedding Planner
   

CityVoter has even made the voting process easy by allowing you to login solely from your Facebook.

So please head right over to the Sterling Engagements page and vote for us today!  

Bizbash Reader's Choice Awards: Event Designer of the Year Finalist!

I'm so excited to share with you something really special today.  I've been nominated for the second year in a row for the Bizbash Reader's Choice Awards... except this year I'm a finalist for Event Designer of the Year.  

Thank you, thank you to whomever nominated me and thank you to Bizbash for including me as a finalist!  I'm in such amazing company too, it's honor just to be included with 12 other amazing event designers in our industry.  

But of course... who doesn't want to win?  Please vote for me at THIS LINK and spread the word. 

Your support is INCREDIBLY appreciated through your vote and always.  Please feel free to help spread the word via email, facebook, twitter and any capacity you'd like really.  Share this with your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and whatever distribution list you’d like to send this too as well  =)!  I promise I won’t object, I will be very grateful for all of your efforts, in fact, the more the merrier!

Voting is open to readers and is public for you to participate in once a day,  now through the 10^th of June at 11:59pm.  You may vote once every 24 hours. 

If you are not already registered on the Bizbash website, you'll need to do so before voting but it’s very easy and no fuss. Just follow the prompt once you get to the voting page.

Thank you in advance for supporting Sterling Engagements and myself in this. 

Sterling Engagements Wishes: Welcome Baby Dax!

I'm so ecstatic to share with you the newest member of the Sterling Engagements family.  Some may not have known Star was pregnant but her little bundle has finally arrived and I along with the entire Sterling team couldn't be happier for her and her husband Trever. 

Daxton Tyler Hansen was born Monday, April 16th at 8:03pm. 

 

Mommy and family are adjusting wonderfully.  Of course Star will be taking some time off while she welcomes her little one into the world.  Look back soon for her posts but in the meantime check out this beyond precious shot of her and Baby Dax. 

So amazing.  Wishing you lots of love, health and happiness as you embark together with the expansion of your family.  We'll miss you in the meantime but of course continue to send us precious photos like these...

So sweet and tiny...

Sterling Buzz: Sterling Engagements Turns 7!

Today is such a special day here at the office for myself and our entire Sterling family.  So excuse the very personal post but I do hope you understand it and maybe enjoy the background history a little.

I'm ecstatic to share that today marks the official 7th anniversary for Sterling Engagements.  I couldn't be more proud and elated with how far we have come as a company.  I'm so grateful for our incredible dream team of vendors and resources, amazing production team, and of course our supportive and loyal clients.  As we continue to grow, I look forward to sharing many more anniversaries with you! 

This photo was taken on the closing night from a series of corporate events from last month

For those of you who don't know our story, I felt compelled to share it today on such a special day.  I founded Sterling Engagements in my townhouse bedroom in college on April 18th, 2005.  It was the 3-year anniversary after I lost my father.  Thus, today is a bittersweet day for me, 10 years since my father passed away and 7 years for Sterling Engagements.

I made the decision in March of that year to start my business and I remember driving around and doodling in class for weeks with what I was going to name my company.  My Dad's nickname was Sterling and everyone called him that, including himself, so early on I knew this would be part of the name.  I remember being a broken record for weeks on end, Sterling Weddings, Sterling Events,  Sterling Occasions, Sterling Fairytales, well no, not really that one...  The process really was exhausting though, but being the perfectionist that I was, I just kept going.

Finally on this day 7 years ago, April 18, 2005, I remember driving on my way to CSUN and it just came to me.  Sterling Engagements!  Aha, magic in the air, choir sings.  It was a special moment and I loved it instantly.  What I love about it most is its uniqueness.  I'd like to say my planning and design style is versatile. We do weddings, corporate events, social affairs and beyond.  Plus, every client is different thus no two events we produce are ever the same.  However, each event we work on is consistently special, personalized and handcrafted with an abundance of love.  Most importantly though, we always engage our clients, guests and even our production team.  That magnetic energy is what I continuously try to transcend with each and every event we work on from start to finish.  And with that... Sterling Engagements was born.     

This was from our very first wedding at The Hollywood Roosevelt on March 25th, 2006.  It was an Indian Wedding and Bride Firdose and Groom Amir were also our first out of state clients!

As I celebrate Sterling Engagements today a.k.a. the second love of my life (my husband comes first of course), I also am still mourning that 10 years ago today I unexpectedly said goodbye to my father.  However it truly is bittersweet as I've reached for the stars to live on his legacy. Honoring his name in my company, I really feel I've been blessed with nothing short of extraordinary opportunities.  So cheers to my father and cheers to an infinite number of more successful years of business to come!

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 in Bride and Bloom Magazine, The Bridal Bar Blog & South Asian Bride Magazine

I'm so excited to share with you today all of the recent press we've received over an incredible photo shoot we were a part of with Shawna Yamamoto Event Design for Bride and Bloom Magazine.

The concept was built around a tribute the magazine was doing on iconic fashion designers.  We were assigned to the ever so extraordinary Alexander McQueen.  I was thrilled about this as it really opened up an amazing platform to be different and go crazy in the best way possible.

When Shawna and I collaborate, I often feel as though we are unstoppable and there is no limit.  Once we got started and discussed what color palette we'd be working with, I created these really fun inspiration boards.  Check them out along with a few of my favorite photos from each look, captured by the amazing Ashleigh Taylor of Ashleigh Taylor Photography. 

 

Fabulous Vendors who Contributed
Custom Linens & Chairs: Designer Specialty Linens
Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design 
Gold Table: FormDecor
Photographery: Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Planner: Sterling Engagements
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals  
Stationary: Prim & Pixie
Sweets: Fantasy Frostings
Venue: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

 

Fabulous Vendors who Contributed
Cake: Fantasy Frostings
Custom Linens & Chairs: Designer Specialty Linens
Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design 

Photographery: Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Planner: Sterling Engagements
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals  

Stationary: Prim & Pixie
Venue: Hilton Checkers, Downtown LA

It was such a pleasure to be a part of such an epic shoot and I'm ecstatic over some of the wonderful feedback we've received too!

We were so honored when Harmony Walton of The Bridal Bar recently blogged the Gold and Coral table.  Check out the full post on The Bridal Bar Blog.

The very next day, South Asian Bride Magazine blogged about both tables as well!  Be sure to take a visit to their website and check out the wonderful tribute post as well.  

Sterling Buzz: Hello from Star, Sterling's Newest Team Member!

Hello All!  My name is Star Hansen and I am very excited to join Sterling Engagements as the newest member of the team.  I’ll be assisting both in the office and onsite for events.  I look forward to working with you and sharing my inspiration the blog.  As the newest contributor to the Sterling blog, I thought I'd share a little bit about myself with each of you.  I look forward to many more posts to come, but for now, here's a little about me!  

I’m a born and raised southern California girl and currently live in Thousand Oaks with my husband, Trevor.  We are expecting our first child in May and couldn't be more excited!  I have a background in wedding coordinating and design, project management and have led various corporate events.  I love baking, cooking, and crafting.  I am addicted to cooking shows and subscribe to more food magazines than I care to admit to.  Experimenting with new recipes is one of my favorite things to do!

I've always enjoyed social events, entertaining and weddings in particular.  Growing up, I collected bridal magazines and wedding inspirations in anticipation for my future wedding.  My husband and I married in July 2008 at Rancho Chiquita in Malibu.  I planned everything myself and loved every minute of it!  That is when my passion for weddings really blossomed.  Since then I have assisted in planning and coordinating weddings for family, friends and friends-of-friends.  

My favorite aspect of a wedding is the details.  I believe weddings where unique details are incorporated make for the most memorable events. An avid crafter, I enjoy seeking out and trying DIY décor projects, many of which I have shared with brides I’ve worked with.  I cannot wait to share with you my wedding inspirations, DIY projects, and recipes.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share with you a few photos from my wedding day :)

Photos courtesy of Mi Belle Photography

I love all things wedding and am super excited to be joining Alex and the Sterling Engagements team.  Feel free to email me (star@sterlingengagements.com) should you be interested in contacting me.  I'm very excited for my first official post, which will be coming soon.   Be sure to keep an eye out for it and comment to let me know what you think and what you’d like to see in the future!  

Star

Sterling Buzz: Featured on Junebug Weddings, Style Me Pretty and Rock N' Roll Bride

I'm so excited to share 3 of our weddings that were recently published on some of our favorite blogs.  There's nothing we enjoy more than sharing the special details from so many of our weddings.

Nicole and Matthew were married at her father's estate in Coto de Caza.  This beautiful Orange County wedding was modern, elegant and had just the right amount of sexy.  Read all the details on the Style Me Pretty blog.

 Brandie and Ede had an amazingly sweet and eclectic wedding at the ever so gorgeous Parker Hotel in Palm Springs.  This Palm Springs wedding was such a blast to be a part of and bride Brandie was so creative with all of her special touches.  Including hand sewing the bouquets.  Read all about her design and inspiration on Rock N' Roll Bride's blog.   

I was so fortunate to work with Cricket and Casey in planning their special day and having known Casey for over 10 years it was even more special to be a part of their planning process.  Cricket had this insanely amazing vision and bringing it to life with them was magical.  I'm thrilled that Junebug Weddings featured this lovely garden wedding and all of it's fun details.  

 
Stay tuned for more of our 2011 weddings to be featured soon as well.  Including a lovely Bacara Resort Wedding and uber sweet Temescal Gateway Park wedding.

Sterling Buzz: We're Nominated for Social Planner of the Year!

I'm so thrilled to share with you that I'm a finalist in my favorite event trade publication's Reader's Choice Awards! Bizbash is seriously one of my all time favorite magazines to read. I love getting their email news and love even more each time the magazine arrives in the mail and I have my regular routine of coffee and a full read.

Which is why I'm so honored to be featured as a finalist in their first ever Reader's Choice Awards. When I received the call from Bizbash President, Richard Aaron, asking me to accept my nomination I was elated! It's such an honor and privilege to be in such good company and be recognized for hard work and true passion for what I do and truly love!


There are 5 days left for you to vote and I would love each of your support, daily if you like, afterall each vote counts! Please head over to the online polls and cast your vote today!


Also, when you place your vote, please vote for our industry friends and colleagues! Nahchey Storer of Dash Entertainment is nominated for DJ of the Year! Lighting designer James Schipper of Kinetic Lighting is nominated for Lighting Designer of the Year! Margaret Launzel-Pennes of Herbalife, one of our corporate clients, is nominated for Corporate Planner of the Year! Chef Joe Melillo of Epicurean Events is also nominated for Caterer of the year! Lastly, Christina Scion of the California Science Center is nominated for Venue Manager of the Year. Each of these industry pros deserves this award and recognition as they are truly fabulous!

Winners will be announced at the Annual Bizbash Expo & Awards on June 14th at the Pasadena Convention Center. If you'd like to attend, please feel free to email us and we can offer you a discount code!


Happy Voting!