When "Identity Theft" is a Good Thing...

I believe I have mentioned that I love dancing, especially when there is live music. So, when I actually get the pleasure of experiencing this at one of my events, it is even better. These world collided for me in February at the T&P Building at the Wedding Reception of Chris and Mandi (blog article to come soon) with the band, "Identity Theft."

Identity Theft is a Dallas Cover Band that is quickly becoming one of the most sought after entertainment acts in the North Texas event industry. Their musical range and their sound coupled with their age makes them the perfect band for most twenty-something (and beyond) weddings.  They know the music that will make the guests want to listen and dance the night away.

I must put a special "shout-out" to Ashley Austin, whose lead vocals are amazing. And, we all love her sense of "shoe-style."

Jared, band member and manager, was kind enough to give us a brief interview and let us see a little inside the heart of the band.

PasP: Jared, how long has Identity Theft been together?

Jared: We have technically been together since about August of 2009. 

PasP: I know you have worked a lot of weddings during that time, what is your favorite part of the reception?

Jared: We love the last dance set of the night, after all the fancy stuff is out of the way and everyone is ready to let their hair down and dance like Michael Jackson. 

PasP: We love that part too! So then, what was your most memorable event?

Jared: We've had a few memorable experiences, such as playing at American Airlines Center, or having a strange man dressed as Gumby jump on stage with us. There was one wedding that for the Father/Daughter dance, we played a mash up of My Little Girl, Boot Scootin' Boogie, The Way You Look Tonight, Por Una Cabeza, and the Cupid Shuffle. Dad and Bride had a choreographed dance for the whole thing. : )

PasP: Do you have words you live by?
Jared: When I wake up in the morning, I always remember what my mom used to say to me: "You better mow the lawn today or we are giving you back to the gypsies." 

Thanks Jared for sharing with us! We cannot wait to see you at the next gig!

Mandi and Chris' Delightful Day

Chris and Mandi are two of the busiest people I have ever met. Their schedules rival my own, but Mandi knew what she wanted when she saw it which made the planning quite simple.  They are also completely wonderful which made the planning fun.

This very special rainy day began at Saint Barnabas United Methodist Church (which incidentally suffered some damage in the recent storm/tornado). Mandi and her bridesmaids looked lovely in the platinum with the yellow flowers.

 The gentlemen looked equally handsome in their gray tuxedos.  Everything was ready to start right on cue.

 After the ceremony, guests headed to the historic T&P Station in Fort Worth where Tastefully Yours Catering had prepared a dip station for all to enjoy until dinner service.

 Once the wedding party arrived, it was time for a very special first dance, followed by a welcome, and then DINNER!

 After dinner, it was that favorite moment of mine...cake cutting!  And who else could have created such wonderful cakes but Jamie at Creme de la Creme.

 The guests stopped by the sign in table throughout the night to place their print on the artwork below. What a great way to keep a memory of who had attended.

And of course, guests rocked out to the music by Identity Theft. Thanks to Jared, Ashley, and the gang, the dance floor was hopping all night!

 Finally, it was time to say goodbye and send of the newlyweds with a bit of a "light show."

Special thanks to Rasy Ran Photography for the great photos!!!

DJ Ed, Rock their Socks Off!

DJ Ed Petty of LeForce Entertainment has been in the industry entertaining crowds at almost every type of event for years.  He has a style that is all his own, and he is able to take a crowd from passive observers to active dancers with ease.

Ed was first referred to me by the amazing Michelle Peyronet Jones of Peyronet Photography. Michelle loves Ed's work so much, she had hired him to DJ her own wedding.  Michelle raves about not only her wedding, but of the many events they have worked together over the years.

Having seen Ed in action, I now understand why Michelle raves about him.  He is the consummate professional who arrives in plenty of time to be set-up, sound-checked, clothes-changed, and music-started before the first guest arrives. Ed ensures that everything is in place and handles both ceremony and reception music brilliantly.

In addition, we have all see events where the guests are happy just to be chatting and drinking,events where the dance floor remains barren.  However, it is the gifted DJ who can play (and MIX!) the right combination of songs to get the dance floor packed and keep it there until the last song of the night (leaving the guests begging for more). It was great to witness Ed's ability to do just this while combining Country, Classic Rock, and Current Pop hits without using "The Cupid Shuffle" to do the job (not that there is anything wrong with that). :)

Ed was kind enough to answer a few questions for us, here are his answers...

PasP: How long have you been in business?

Ed: I've been a DJ for over 25 years, a wedding DJ/MC for the last 13 years.

PasP: Did you plan to be in the wedding industry or did it just “happen”? 

Ed: In 1999 I was asked by a friend to do their daughter's wedding reception. I had never done a wedding reception, much less any type of mobile DJ event. I just read the crowd and did what comes naturally. I had 6 people come up and ask for a business card. As they say, the rest is history.

PasP: What is your favorite part of the wedding process? 

Ed: The actually event. Seeing everybody having fun, watching a bride's dreams come true. It's an honor and privilege to be a part in their special day!

PasP: What is something that makes you unique in the industry? 

Ed: Some people are great disc jockey's, and some are great master's of ceremonies; the rare ones are those that can do both. And do them effectively. I believe God has blessed me with a talent to read a crowd and play whatever type of music it takes to get them up and going. I have the musical knowledge and skills to mix it up on the one's and two's! I also believe God has blessed me with a voice that people will remember. To captivate and entertain audience's no matter what the occasion.

PasP: What is your most memorable event? 

Ed: That's a tough one, they are all memorable and unique in their own way. But if I had to pick one, it would be one that is next month. My widower father is remarrying on May 12, 2012. He has ask me to not only stand with him in the ceremony but be their Master of Ceremonies & Disc Jockey for the reception.

PasP: What are your words to live by?

Ed: "I did it all with $20 headphones!" LOL!! Just kidding! (Sorry friends, this is an inside joke!).  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Thank you, Ed. We appreciate what you do, and cannot wait to work with you again in the future.  Want more information on Ed, you can also check out his website at DJEdPetty.com

Heather and Garrett's Big Day

 Rainy days are supposed to be a blessing on a wedding day.  That is exactly how Heather and Garrett saw it. The rain fell as preparations began at Ridglea Country Club in Fort Worth. The ladies, all twelve bridesmaids, the two mothers and Heather, had the opportunity to get ready in their leisure in a very quiet club.

Once everyone had their hair and make up done, it was time to head over to Christ Chapel and prepare for the ceremony.

As the families were all lined up, but Heather and her dad shared a brief smile before heading down the aisle.

And the two became one...

 Then it was time to head back to Ridglea CC for the reception that was waiting for the guests, with amazing details. Heather had enlisted Lucy Walling, of A Rose in Bloom, with the task of creating her perfect party atmosphere.  From the delicate centerpieces to the elaborate linens, Lucy and her crew took care to make sure everything was just as Heather had imagined it.

And, Garrett's touches could be found throughout the event as well.  Rather than a groom's cake, Garrett hired a cigar roller who was quite fabulous. We hope to see him again soon!

 After they were introduced, Heather and Garrett shared their first dance...

 After which, the party began in earnest, with the band, Icehouse

 And continued until the very end of the night...

A Big THANK YOU to Amy Herfurth for her fabulous photography. Thank you for capturing the day so perfectly!!!

Fabulous Florals in Fort Worth!

Kelly Norvell of Bridal Blooms is an artist when it comes to event decor.  She is fun and thinks out of the box to come up with designs that are fresh whether the client is looking for traditional or modern.  She has a warehouse full of glassware and other decor items.  I have often said that I love to just spend time in there coming up with all sorts of ideas. If there is something that she doesn't have, which does not often happen, she goes and finds it so that her clients have the exact right look for their special day.

Whether their style is traditional with a modern twist...

Or a sweet sixteen with sophistication

  Or even, the perfect "English Garden"

All the way to Ultra Modern...

I had the opportunity to ask Kelly a few questions, and she was kind enough to give us the following answers:

PasP: Kelly, how long have you been in business?
Kelly:  have been in business since 1989.  Started part time while I was working for a full service floral and gift basket business.  I loved weddings and at that time there was no one servicing them.  My first wedding weekend was May 20 and I booked two weddings that weekend.


PasP: So, did you plan to be in the wedding industry, or did it "just happen"?
Kelly: I did not plan on being in the wedding industry at all.  I have a BBA in finance with a minor in horticulture but the horticulture came after 3 ½ years of college. I discovered the floral department at Texas A&M and was too far along to change my major. A&M is one of the few schools that has a floriculture department by the way.  Only endowed chair of floral design in the world.  I still keep up with my college professor and have sat on several committees with him involving the state floral association and education matter.  Quick little plug for A&M.

I really thought I was going into banking and investments.  What I ended up discovering about the finance and accounting part of the business is that I love the psychology of money and how people think about money…not the actual investment part.  In short, I love working with people and helping them achieve whatever it is they want to achieve.  Isn’t this what we do in the wedding industry? .  Already had a strong art and design background and grew up with a very talented artist and architect.  So the transition was easy and natural.  Just didn’t know it was going to be my livelihood!

PasP: I love that you love weddings! What is your favorite part of the wedding?

Kelly: My favorite part of the wedding process is being with the bride in the planning stages when she is very excited and is open to having me work our design magic to make her visions come true.  All brides have a vision…it is my job to figure out what that is and make it work.

PasP: What is something that makes you "unique" in this industry?

Kelly: There are so many people in the industry that do what I do now.  When I started it was just me, so I was very busy back then.  Now, there are more doing what I do but there is plenty of business for everyone and I think it ultimately ends up a personality match.   What I hear from bridal clients and other vendors is that I am very easy to work with, very flexible in design styles to fit the occasion and that I can work magic with budgets. The brides tell me they enjoyed working with me because I didn’t try to force my ideas on them.  Within the business, my employees tell me I have a great design eye with regards to mixing colors and textures and that I am a FAST moneymaking machine!

PasP: What would you say is your most memorable event?

Kelly: I have many memorable events and several very funny ones that should end up in a book someday.  Some of the more notable are of a huge wedding within a TV ministries, a Dallas cowboy wedding with the entire press and police force there (delivery was a challenge that day)  A Fort Worth ballerina and that crew and working with the former mayor (Kay Granger( while she was busy in office and planning her  son’s wedding.  Then there was the year of the chefs…Tim Love, Jon Bonnell, etc. They all knew each other, all had worked together at one time or another and were each other’s weddings.  There  was GREAT food at these events!  There have been many many others.  Sometimes the events you can’t get a clear vision on come out the most beautiful. The best weddings however or those with brides and families where you can feel the love and support….love the small intimate events in peoples home too!  An especially sweet story if of the bride who had lost her Father about 8 months before the wedding. Three years later I designed flowers for her Mother and her Mothers new husband who she met at her daughter’s wedding!. 

PasP: What words do you live by?

Kelly: “If you think something is too much trouble, you probably didn’t charge enough”  People in the industry will get that one. I think I have a bunch that I don’t even realize I use. 

On a more serious note however I do live by the Serenity Prayer every day and especially in times of high stress or uncomfortable situations.

Today I still do what I did in 1989 only with a lot more details and a lot more bling!  I see the same colors coming back around but with a twist somehow.  I read a lot of shelter and design magazines, color and design trend reviews and I have  a lot of interior design friends.  I still go to continuing education events and am involved in the state and national floral associations.  If I wasn’t doing this I would be designing landscapes or teaching design or both!    I go to the gym a lot so that I can lift those heavy iron candelabra from the delivery van to the altar and back again. I work on balance today too by doing things I love outside of work.  Hiking with Steve, cooking, reading and going to the gym are all high on my list. 

I can be a workaholic so I have to reign myself in at times. So happy to be among the next generation of wedding vendors that also love what they do and are very generous to the industry.

The Party Never Stops - With Time Machine...

Time Machine is one of the most versatile bands in the metroplex.  They play a mix of music that includes everything from pop, funk, rap, rock and even country from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today. They are high energy and extremely talented. The band as a whole is phenomenal, but I especially like Shonna Bonds, lead vocals, who has such range and personality along side Michael Lee on the keyboards and lead vocals who is simply amazing. I can listen to them and dance the night away with the rest of the audience.

Shonna was kind enough to answer a few of our questions:


PasP: How long has your band been together?
SB: Time Machine has been a band for 6 years now. 

PasP: What is your favorite part of the reception?

SB: Favorite part of the reception is after all the formalities are over and everyone cuts loose and parties. It's even better when everyone has had one to many toasts

PasP: Shonna, was was your most memorable event?
SB: Our most memorable event was last year when one of our you tube videos went viral all thanks to two of our most devoted fans dancing in front of the camera. It was featured on CNN, Bravo, Entertainment Weekly, Tosh.0, YouTube, RudeTube and tons of blog spots and websites. It currently has 816,513 views... 
http://youtu.be/eiOH6EcvW0c


PasP: That is awesome! Can you tell us what words you live by?
SB: Keep on keepin' on!

Thanks, Shonna, we look forward to spending a bit more time at the front of the stage! You can check them out at Sherlock's in Dallas every Monday night, Sherlock's in Addison every Wednesday night, or any of the multitude of public venues listed on their calendar.

MMMmmm-Cupcakes! The Cupcakery

The Cupcakery is a sweet shop with locations both in Dallas, shown in the picture at the right, and now in Fort Worth as well as Houston and three shops in Las Vegas.

They specialize in from scratch gourmet flavors such as the "Trip to Memphis" shown above, and the designs are clearly aesthetically pleasing. Yes, that is bacon mingled on top of a banana cupcake. Even more important, the cupcakes are just the right amount sweetness for the amount of frosting included. Guests can be sure they are in for a sweet treat, as well a unique experience.  

Sharing a cupcake, like the Strawberry Shortcake at the left,  is the perfect idea for brides who just spent the day shopping and need a little pick-me-up.  The Dallas location offers a “wine bar” to enjoy the cupcakes (served on china with a silver fork) as they also enjoy a glass of wine, port, or even a bit of champagne. 

by Alex Heath