Mad Men at Work

Now is your chance to meet our award winning designer, Steve Bales! This Thursday we will be taking part in an evening of wedding planning, inspiration and fun at the Atlanta Wedding Loft. This will be a spectacular event for the bride and groom alike as there will be several activities to keep you inspired throughout the evening. Our fellow Wedding Loft vendors will be on hand to teach you how to add some extra "oomph" by incorporating a theme into your big day. A few activities of note: cigar rolling, champagne, 60's inspired make-overs, a brief speech on themed design by Mr. Bales and lessons on style by Susan Graham. Our theme of choice: Mad Men, of course!

Please click the link for more information and registration details! http://mim.io/785d3

Hello My Name is… Steve Bales

For those of you who have never had an opportunity to spend time with Steve, you should definitely put it on your “to-do” list. Throughout his life, he has participated in and supported the performing arts and theatre. In addition, his floral experience goes back to his teens as he worked in a greenhouse throughout his school years. Because of his lifelong love of the arts and floral design, Steve brings an amazing and experienced creative eye to any event.

Steve serves as the Creative Director for Bold American and was the creator of our Event Design and Production division in 2003. Prior to coming to Bold, Steve worked in the events industry for United Way in Atlanta and Indianapolis. He has produced the closing ceremonies for the Special Olympics Summer Games, the Indianapolis Colts 10th anniversary celebration, two season premier parties for NBC, the Simply Red Gala for the Warrick Dunn Foundation and the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Annual Ball, as well as chairing the Jerusalem House Halloween Ball and the 2007 Allie Awards. Steve is the recipient of 14 Allie awards including best table top décor, best buffet design, best event décor, best social event and Best Team Effort.

Now for a little one-on-one with Mr. Bales!

Q: What is your favorite “event” moment?
A: “When a client walks into the fully-designed room for the first time where we have spent hours making their dream come to life. Watching them take in the look and knowing that we have created this experience for them is amazing.”

Q: What is the most important element to a corporate and/or social event?
A: “LIGHTING. I cannot say it enough. Lighting can take any budget and make it look like a million bucks. For weddings particularly, pin spotting is a must. The way it enhances a set table or a beautifully displayed buffet is indescribable.”

Q: Can a client ever be “too creative”?
A: “All ideas are good ideas! I always like to hear all ideas and concentrate on a few to really make an impact. You have to know the balancing act of when to refrain from doing too much.”

Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: “Everywhere. Magazines are very important for me: design, vacation, home, garden, décor, lifestyle and fashion (and of course the Bold American Design blog). I love window shopping- it is both inspiring and relaxing. I also enjoy visiting gardens when traveling but I must say the Atlanta Botanical Garden is my favorite.”

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: “I don’t have one anymore. I am always inspired by new combinations. I think I have a favorite of the week. This week is blue. We did a fabulous blue wedding last week and I am still smiling about it.”

With that being said, we will have these BLUE pictures to share with you soon! Happy Friday to everyone!

Black, White and Yellow (+ Green) - Round #2

One of our favorite looks, as you can tell! The bride, this time around, was in the interior design business and takes pride in her eclectic, funky look. Similar to our post a few weeks back, we faced the same dilemma in that this wedding and reception took place at the elegant, traditional and gorgeous St. Regis, yet the look we wanted was contemporary. We want to show everyone out there that this look can be accomplished… in a very stunning manor!

The wedding ceremony took place on the terrace at the St. Regis. If you have not visited this spot- it is a must see! Four three foot tall mirrored vases with topiaries were positioned at the corners of the lawn while the bride and groom were married under a chuppa created from four columns and yellow fabric. The aisle was lined with the same fabric “ribbons” which blew in the breeze throughout the processional and ceremony.




The dinner reception consisted of four different table designs.

One 16’ estate table with rounded ends complete with white and black Moroccan linen, acrylic chairs, black banquette seating, two lemon trees rising from the table and a collection of gold vessels holding stylized arrangements of green and yellow blooms.




Two estate tables with coordinating black and white linen centered with arrangements of glass cylinders with wheatgrass, orchids and callas holding a suspended globe with votive candle. Various sizes of square yellow ceramic containers with fresh wheat grass created a perfect, clean garden down the center of the table.




Eight round tables dressed in coordinating subtle black pattern were centered with arrangements of bright yellow fuji mums accented with rhinestones and fresh greenery in a low black pedestal bowl.


Three square tables dressed in white satin with black and white runners were centered with towering black deco vases holding a cap of bright yellow carnations with a brim of brilliant green mums and large foliage rising out of the center.



A few additional details we loved: a custom designed cake table complete with turn table and disco ball, a three sided bar of raised white wood tables with sea monster detail and custom built stage surround to add a pop of color to the dance floor.





I would also like to point out that you should never shy away from a color scheme just because you have seen it somewhere else. There are thousands of ways to make your scheme uniquely yours!

Special Thanks To:
Design and Floral: Bold American Event Design and Production
Catering: St. Regis
Coordination: Helene + Company
Photos Courtesy of: Six of Four
Linens: I Do Linens

Allie Awards 2010

We had a BLAST last night at the Allie Awards. The venue- the newly opened Loews Hotel, the food, the entertainment, the decor and of course- the company- were all fantastic! We were in the midst of so many talented event professionals and felt honored to be in attendance. We were particularly excited to win the "Best Team Effort" Award in conjunction with Button it Up, Cloth Connection, Ice Sculptures, Inc, Tents Unlimited, Active Production and Design, Helene + Company and We Rent Atlanta. Pictures of this award winning event will follow soon! Helene really out-did herself on this one!

Biltmore Chic

Although this bride’s identity is TOP SECRET, her wedding photos are something that must be published for all to see! The ceremony and reception were to take place in the two traditional, ornate ballrooms at the Biltmore in November. The catch- the bride’s wishes: contemporary, white, clean, Jeff Leatham, Jonathan Adler. The solution: see below!

Guests entered the Imperial ballroom to a welcoming display of three tubes of masses of white hydrangea, a sea of candles and acrylic chivari chairs (which would all be repurposed to the reception).



The cocktail hour took place in the pre-function area of the Georgian Ballroom. A contemporary lounge was set up complete with lounge furniture, white pipe and drape, Jonathan Adler vases and white spandex highboys where guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and champagne.


As doors to dinner opened, guests were greeted by two identical 48’ long estate tables dressed in solid white linen and accented with towering manzanita branches dripping with crystals and hanging candles, acrylic luminaries with pillar candles and alternating vases with submerged white French tulips and white hydrangea. White square chargers complete with contemporary bird napkin rings were placed at each setting.



11 additional 72” square tables were placed between the columns and also dressed in white linen. Tall glass cylinders of 24 balanced white calla lilies centered each table. Varying heights of Monet glasses provided a warm glow.

Additional details: A custom designed wood cake table with varying heights of delectable cupcakes and a gorgeous Jonathan Adler inspired cake, 20x20 lit dancefloor to complement LA DJ FlashDance and 4x8’ mirror used for place cards. A VERY special thank you goes out to the lovely Ashley Baber for making this wedding such a success!


Special Thanks To:
Design and Floral: Bold American Event Design and Production
Catering: Bold American Events and Catering
Coordination: Ashley Baber
Lighting: Active Lighting
Photos Courtesy of: Our Labor of Love and Six of Four
Rentals: Event Rentals Unlimited, Peachtree Tents and Events

Monkeying Around

We have plenty of catching up to do in the blogging world, however, I just received these photos from an event in late February at the ever-so-chic Ventanas and couldn’t resist sharing them with you now! Our client wanted something fun, unique, eye-catching, but still very sophisticated with a lounge, club feel. Is the first thing that pops in your head when you hear this description three 36” white resin monkeys standing guard over your event? Well, maybe not, but as you can see below, the monkeys proved to be a stunning addition to the décor.



Additional design elements included 14’ hanging mirrored curtains, seating “pods” and vignettes, floral designs to include purple anthirium and monstera leaves and food stations crafted from Lucite and metro shelving.







It was very important to our client to brand the evening. Servers greeted guests with custom designed t-shirts with screens which continuously looped to logos of the event sponsors. In addition, two 8’ round decals were placed on the floor with graphics from the event signage.


And, because Ventanas has such a great view.. Enjoy!


Special Thanks To:
Design and Floral: Bold American Event Design and Production
Catering: Bold American Events and Catering
Lighting: Active Lighting
Photos Courtesy of: The Decisive Moment
Rentals: Cort Event Rental, Peachtree Tents and Events and Event Rentals Unlimited
Decals: Go Plastics LLC

Black and White and Yellow All Over

I cannot think of a better way to kick off our blog than to feature our very own Jacqui Carlyle’s stunning wedding and reception at the King Plow Arts Gallery last April. This wedding featured a contemporary mix of black, white and yellow and showcased Jacqui’s bold personality. Special details included custom designed linens, unique floral designs to each dinner table and several elements hanging from the ceiling.

Many of you have probably seen these photographs as this occasion was featured in Weddings Unveiled, http://weddingsunveiledblog.blogspot.com/, Brides Atlanta, Atlantan Brides, www.stylemepretty.com and www.brides.com, but believe me, they NEVER get old. Take a look…

Jacqui carried a bouquet of yellow garden roses, eucharist lily, pincushion protea and lilac


Black art deco vases exploded with forsythia branches to accent the ceremony in the round


Guests made their way to the seated dinner through an umbrella garden and retrieved their place cards from a lit arbor


A few detailed shots of the dinner tables:






Lounge seating


Who doesn’t want their cake hanging from the ceiling?


And, the Pièce de Résistance, the upside down tulip chandelier!


You have a year to give a wedding gift so why not wait a year to blog about it? From now on, we will not wait so long and we look forward to blogging about many more events, ideas and inspirations!

Special Thanks To:
Design and Floral: Bold American Event Design and Production
Catering: Bold American Events and Catering
Coordination: Magnolia Events and Planning
Photos Courtesy of: Our Labor of Love (#1-3, 5-7, 9) and Drew Newman (#4,8)
Linens: I Do Linens
Rentals: Peachtree Tents and Events and Event Rentals Unlimited
Lighting: Active Lighting
Cake: Frosted Pumpkin
Invitations, Place Cards, Printed Material: Inviting Ideas