Engage!11 at The Grand del Mar, San Diego – Part II, The Sketches

If you missed my first Engage recap earlier this week, take a look here but now, onto the sketches!  This was my 6th Engage experience and if you have followed along over the years you know, that I take notes in sketches.  Armed with sketchbook, my trusted Sharpie pen and watercolor pencils, I embrace each session with my eyes and ears.  As the sessions evolve I am intently moving from sketch to written notes, back and forth to create a crazy collection of information that I refer to again and again long after Engage has passed.  I must thank the lovely speakers for not only sharing their stellar smarts but for also being so darn fashionable, aka, awesome to sketch!

Grand Floral crafted the sweetest arrangements for the main session tables.  This burgundy peony was resting right in front of me for the entire day, I couldn’t resist!

Rebecca Grinnals always looks lovely and this time around was no exception.  Emerging topics, the infusion of which our couples will appreciate, were storytelling, multi-generational thinking and flawless execution.  Your art is not just in the flowers design you create or the timelines you perfect, it is in the way you listen, interpret and foretell for a couple.  I tell our brides that “your story is art, painted beautifully” and every day is dedicated to making that art come to life with them as narrator.

Todd Fiscus say’s “I’m not scared of anything” and every ounce of his presence speaks to that fact.  A reminder to not let anything get in the way of a good party resonates with me even as a stationer and has implications in our process long before the party even occurs.  Thanks for keeping me thinking Todd!

When Marcy Blum approached the stage, I couldn’t get my pen in hand fast enough.  Not only is Marcy so fun to sketch but always has something fabulous to say.  This time around being Inspiration BORED was her plight and looking to life and far beyond weddings for creative fuel was her passion.

Cindy Novotny always gets the room on their feet with her soaring message and quick wit.  “Go crazy, everyday”, were her words that morning; bold, brazen and simply beautiful.  She encouraged us to create a love mark for our clients, stamping their experience with meaning, emotion and an incomparable sincerity.

We all love Mindy Weiss.  Down to earth advice and kindness are what she is all about, period.  Reverly Event Design created massive Sculpted Paper roses to flank the stage and Mindy looked lovely standing near.

More of me indulging in flower loveliness!

Sylvia Weinstock making art with a cake, what else can I say? 

Karen Tran’s sculpture of blooms drew me right it.  Sneaking away during registration to savor a moment with my pen and her creation was unavoidable

Millie Bratten interviewed wedding fashion icon Monique Lhuillier and I am pretty sure time stopped if just for only a moment.  To hear Monique speak of her brand’s growth in such an unassuming tone was endearing to say the least.

Thanks so much everyone for following along!  Until next time! XOXO

Engage!10 Recap Part II – The Sketches

The Engage Symposiums are mindfully crafted to never be short on style or detail.  This year was no different.  To put into words my appreciation for Rebecca and Kathryn, is difficult…thank you just doesn’t seem to cut it.  Our industry is brighter, more savvy and stylish, stronger and more ready to face shift (thank you Simon T. Bailey) than ever before….and it is in large part due to the work of these two women.  I just had to take a moment to say…

The quote penciled in this sketch: “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

My sketching habit at Engage reached epic proportions this year…I couldn’t stop.
Joanne and her team from Celebrations Ltd. in the Caymans provided unending inspiration for my eyes with each beautifully designed room and event.

A casual conversation on stage between Millie Bratten, Sylvia Weinstock and Marcy Blum was both filled with laughs and invaluable information.
Sylvia encouraged us to “know you are the best” while Millie reminded us “you have to show up”.  Well said.

Last but not least, Colin Cowie and Carley Roney!