2015 ISES Star Awards

Hello everyone,

Wow! It has been a very busy past few days and I have some exciting news to share! I've had clients in from California to do some marathon planning, and I had the pleasure of attending the 2015 International Special Events Society Star Awards.

ISES is an international organization that provides support, education and networking opportunities to event professionals. Each year, chapters across the nation host the Star Awards to honor outstanding professionals in several different categories. Everything from event lighting to best catering.

I'm so thrilled to announce that I was nominated this year for an award in the "Best Wedding under $50,000" category! It feels so great to be recognized and appreciated by top notch professionals in the industry.

Of course, I had some stiff competition - The Wedding Guys and Rosetree Events. The talented Wedding Guys won the award for their work on "Falon & Paul's Wedding."
As you may know, Falon is a popular radio personality on KDWB. I have to give it up to her and the Wedding Guys, it was definitely a fantabulous affair! A hearty congratulations to them. Still, I will try again in 2016, and I have some really great clients that I'm keeping in mind for next years' submission. :D

The 2015 Star Awards was held at the glamorous Aria in downtown Minneapolis. It was such a night to remember! The theme for the awards ceremony was "Storytellers." If you think about it, that fits perfectly because as event professionals we are tasked with telling the story of our clients through event design, entertainment, cuisine and logistical support. Events are a living story!

The event design was remarkable. Not only was it held at arguably the hippest venue in the Twin Cities, there were so many interesting elements to look at. As you entered, there was a large book case that held teal escort cards in the shape of a feather. A vintage globe and several books were support props for the "quill" seating arrangements.

Book pages were hung from the ceiling in the cocktail reception area to emphasize the theme. Coupled with the beautiful crystal chandeliers and show stopping ice bar that offered craft beer, it was a sight to see! The table centerpieces were a neat mix of books, candles and golden antlers encased in glass. It was pretty magical.

 The very talented Fabulous Catering offered a mouth watering Charcuterie of a variety of meat and cheeses. Crave Catering offered small bites of different dishes such as mini-Cubans (YUM) and vegetarian sushi rolls. Of course, that was just during cocktail hour! We were treated to a 5 course plated dinner, with wine and champagne for toasting the nominees.

After the award ceremony, we all enjoyed a dance with a DJ provided by Enticing Entertainment. It was fun to get out onto the dance floor and let loose with my hubby under the spell of colorful lights and great tunes.

All in all, it was a very majestic evening. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so many talented professionals and get a date night with my hubby. Many thanks to this year's Director of the Star Awards, Gretchen Culver of Rocket Science Weddings. She did a phenomenal job planning this event!

I know everyone always says, "It was an honor just to be nominated," but I really mean it! It  was an honor to be recognized and I'm so thankful. I've got my work cut out for me next year, so I'd better get back to business.

Happy planning,

PHOTO CREDITS: WONDERFUL DAY WEDDINGS LLC


INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS: ARIA (VENUE), CRAVE CATERING (PASSED APPETIZERS), CREATE CATERING (CRAFT BEER), ENTICING ENTERTAINMENT (DJ & DANCE TROUPE) FABULOUS CATERING (CHARCUTERIE), INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS SOCIETY (MPLS/ST. PAUL CHAPTER), ROCKET SCIENCE WEDDINGS (GRETCHEN CULVER, DIRECTOR OF STAR AWARDS), ROSETREE EVENTS (NOMINEE), THE WEDDING GUYS (2015 STAR AWARD WINNER), WONDERFUL DAY WEDDINGS LLC (NOMINEE)