~ creating joy: elegant decay #22 ~

Good afternoon my dears!  So are you having fun on this Elegant Decay scavenger hunt?  Well I sure hope so...as I have so enjoyed being part of it!  In case you missed it earlier, here is a note from the masterminds behind this amazing adventure:

We're Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. and we're so excited to partner with some of our most favorite blogosphere friends for this Blog Around the World: Elegant Decay post! Today you're invited to a worldwide scavenger hunt on these awesome blogs where you'll find snippets of our Elegant Decay photo shoot, designed to show off the after effects of a celebration: fun! We all spend so long putting together amazing designs and table scapes for our couples, and this shows off the end result {and the most important element}: enjoyment. We hope you enjoy this - thank you to all of our friends for participating and be sure to visit these other fabulous blogs for more photos, ideas, tips, and fun!

I am also excited to be close to the end of this world wide hunt, as the photo I have is a reminder of one of the most important elements of any event - joy!  Isn't this what we all strive for for our guests?  I think so.

My main focus when entertaining is always my guests!  The first question I always ask myself is:  "What can I do to make this special and memorable for them?"  I want my guests to feel welcomed, to know that I want them there and that I sincerely appreciate them coming.  So for me it's all about the details.  Details that are created with not only the event, but with the guests in mind too.  Details that in some way bring joy to my guests.  Details such as this JOY card...

It is an easy DIY project that you can create for your guests.  A card with JOY printed or stamped on the front, a menu, drink list, or "thank you for coming" written inside, and finished with a velvet ribbon wrapped around...viola...a homemade detail that I am sure will bring your guests joy!  Also, I always send them home with something, it doesn't have to be big...a simple flower will do...just make sure they leave with a reminder of the event.  It's great for them to wake up and see it the next day!

 There are so many ways to bring details into an event, just take some time to think about the little things that make you happy and go from there.  And if you are ever stuck...contact me, as my head is almost always spinning with them!

I do have to add that I wish my and Mr. Big's first names began with an E and a N!  I would LOVE to have the theme of an event be E + N = JOY!!!! Seriously, how cute is that?!?!?!  Hmmm, maybe we'll have to change our first names.  Hehe...

P.S. - If you are ever wondering whether you guests enjoyed themselves, just take a look around at the end of the night and I am sure you will see your answer.  The messier it is the better, in my book!

The adventure continues:
1: Steph Durant, Bubble Rock: 11:00 AM EST @stephbubble
2: Magnolia Rouge: 11:15 AM EST @rubyandwillow
3: Cap Classique: 11:30 AM EST @capclassique
4: Brancoprata: 11:45 AM EST @brancoprata
5: The Demoiselle: 12:00 PM EST The_Demoiselle
6: Engaged + Inspired: 12:15 PM EST @EngagedInspired
7: Postcards and Pretties : 12:30 PM EST @postcrdsprettie
8: Paper Garland: 12:45 PM EST @papergarland
9: Sparkle and Hay: 1:00 PM EST @sparkleandhay
10: Superburbs: 1:15 PM EST @superburbs
11: Every Last Detail: 1:30 PM EST @ELD_Lauren
12: Brenda's Wedding Blog: 1:45 PM EST @weddingsites
13: Niche White: 2:00 PM EST @NicheWhite
14: Simply and Forever: 2:15 PM EST KatieSaeger
15: Bride Goggles: 2:30 PM EST @BrideGoggles
16: Landlocked Bride: 2:45 PM EST @LandlockedBride
17: Forget Me Knot Weddings: 3:00 PM EST @forgetmeknotwed
18: Fabulously Wed: 3:15 PM EST @fabulouslywed
19: The Bride Suite: 3:30 PM EST @thebridesuite
20: Enchanted Dreams Wedding & Affairs: 3:45 PM EST @NaomiVGoodman
21: Marry You Me: 4:00 PM EST @MarryYouMe
22: Luna and Chloe Weddings: 4:15 PM EST @lunaandchloe
23: La Petite Coquin: 4:30 PM EST @lapetitecoquin
24: Glamour and Grace Weddings: 5:00 PM EST @GlamandGraceWed

Credits:
Design + styling and JOY cards: Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. http://www.valleyandco.com/
Photography: Jeremy Leffel: www.jeremyleffel.com
Floral design: Anne Bradfield of Floressence: http://www.floressencedesign.com/
Crystal and marble decorative candle accents: vintage pieces from Nick's mom
Venue, dessert, and drinks: Palace Ballroom by Tom Douglas: www.tomdouglas.com
Linens: Choice Linens: http://www.choicelinens.com/
Chairs, silverware, and china: AA Party Rentals: www.aapartyrents.com