Trendsetter Awards

Erin SchulteExclusive Events, Inc.St. Louis, Mo.www.ExclusiveEventsInc.comAnnual weddings: 175ON INSPIRATION/DESIGN: “Inspiration comes easiest after a good night’s rest. Then, it means opening up your eyes and ears to your surroundings. Coming from a background in theater arts, I had an amazing professor who really taught me how to channel a character by placing myself into the person by imagining how she would walk, how she would speak, all the way to what kind of food she would like. Inspiration for a design is much like this. By letting yourself out of your own head and thoughts and putting yourself into others’ thoughts and desires, the ideas flow.”Recommendation: “[Erin] is such a wonderful and professional person to work with. She is always understanding and creative about every event no matter the size. She puts everything she has into every project, and it is portrayed in her work. She surrounds herself with reliable people that work hard, just like her. She and her company are always top on my list when referring to clients because I know that any event that includes her is going to be 10 times better!” - Shayna Laiderman, St. Louis Wedding Consultants, LLC---Christine TerezakisDreamday Weddings & EventsPalm City, Fla.www.DreamdayCelebrations.comAnnual weddings: 10-14On inspiration/design: “The couple—their personal love story, experiences, style, and things they love. I focus greatly on the way they want the atmosphere of their wedding to feel. My travels—I pay attention to details of architecture, I especially love doorways/entryways; regional styles and trends; food; music; and cultural significances. My reads—I’m always researching weddings, home décor, cooking, travel, fashion, pop culture. Everyday finds—store windows and displays, nature, interesting color combinations. I take pictures and save for future design reference. Challenging design locations—unattractive rooms, an empty tent. I’m inspired by spaces requiring total transformation.”Recommendation: “[Christine] is an amazing wedding planner and event designer and I am thrilled whenever I have the opportunity to work with her, knowing everything is going to look perfect and run smooth as silk. Her sense of creativity and good taste are always right on point with her bride’s vision of her special day. Her work exudes professionalism and class. She is a credit to her profession.” - Sarah Schnitzius, Giordanos Floral Creations---Brian JoyceFlourish Floral Productions, Inc.Orlando, Fla.www.FlourishProductions.comAnnual weddings: 55On inspiration/design: “Beauty. Luxury has always been synonymous with the notion of beauty, and nothing is more inspirational than a client that will allow me to substantiate their vision into a beautiful, capsulized moment in time.”Recommendation:  “I have worked with Brian at Flourish Productions for 80 weddings and counting. His attention to detail and ability to pull the client’s vision from their imagination is a truly unique quality. His work has always exceeded any expectations placed upon him from all parties involved.” - Susie Weiss, Wonderful Weddings---Aviva SamuelsKiss the Planner, Inc.Delray Beach, Fla.www.KissThePlanner.comAnnual weddings: 10-20On inspiration/design: “Inspiration begins with my client—to be sure that the client’s desires and personality are reflected in the wedding design. That information is my mental filter, while I look to websites, blogs, and publications within the wedding industry, the fashion, and the interior design industry. Sometimes, a particular photograph or movie can even be the inspiration for the wedding. I also use fabric swatches from linen rental companies and other sources. Fabric provides a great palette of pattern, texture, and color to play off of.”Recommendation: “Aviva is a consummate professional. We worked together on many weddings. She is highly organized and very creative.” – Jacqueline Goldman, J. Morgan Flowers---Jeannine KennedyFAVOR Events, LLC, dba Honeysuckle 
Weddings CompanyDallas, Ga.www.HoneysuckleWeddingsCompany.comAnnual weddings: 10On inspiration/design: “I am inspired by the couples that I work with. I like hearing where they grew up and their fondest childhood memories. I like to hear what things they have in common, and what they do in their careers. I ask them to tell me what their friends and family are like, and I ask them to describe their ideal wedding day to me. I appreciate when couples bring magazine clippings or start a Pinterest board of things they like.”Recommendation: “One of the best in the biz.” - Joey Bowers, DejaBlue Grass Band---Edna Dratch-Parker, PBC™EFD Creative – Event Planning & DesignBoston, Mass.www.EFDCreative-Events.comAnnual weddings: 15On inspiration/design: “I approach design from two perspectives. The first is drawn from my artistic background and education with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. The other comes from my years as a business entrepreneur, which calls upon my ability to understand people and their emotions. Both are important. Good design is more than just creating a stunning visual, it evokes emotion and connects people with their desires. A wedding perfectly merges these worlds.”Recommendation: “[Edna] is well known in the Boston events market. Her reputation is one of a creative go-getter who is passionate about her work and loves the creative, collaborative process. I recommend her often to my clients when they are looking for planners...she has wonderful ideas and trusts her vendors to take her concepts and ‘run with them.’ This collaborative process allows for a fun and exciting design experience for her vendors and delightful outcomes for her clients.” – Jeri Solomon, Jeri Solomon Floral Design