megan's batmitzvah - september 2010

I was so honoured when I was asked by Mike & Sue to help organise Megans Batmitzvah.

Not only have I seen Megan grow up but it was my first Batmitzvah and my first event in Cape Town.

Megan is such a dynamic, unbelievable, intelligent, unique, special and caring girl who I really learnt a lot from whilst organising her special day. Because of the person that she is she wanted her Batty to be eco-friendly and she wanted to give back.

So with much thought and consideration to the environment we created Megans “Green Batmitzvah”.

Firstly the venue “THE CENTRE FOR THE BOOK” what an amazing and appropriate venue for Megan as she loves to read; and as for the architecture, WOW, it was unbelievable so it did not need much decor.
So we kept it simple and meaningful but beautiful too...

It was like a forest as you walked in with the big trees surrounding the room, the white chairs detailed with ivy garlands and mobiles hanging from the incredible chandelier in the centre of the room.

Instead of using cut flower as the centre pieces we used the Spekboom, (an indigenous plant known as “elephant’s food”, which mops up the excess CO2 responsible for climate change) which we decorated with recycled paper cut outs, raffia, crystals and tea lights.

My favourite part was the gift table, we had a bird cage we decorated for the gift envelopes and instead of getting a guest book we made a “WISHING TREE” with tags we put on ribbons for all her guests to write their wishes for Megan and hang on the tree. At the end of the night the tree was blooming with butterflies, birds & leaves. It really is a fun and different idea.

The food was presented on the surrounding book cabinets and each table was a different food station, from burgers, schwarmers, tuna, salmon, vegetables & salads, pasta and the most popular of them all...the chocolate fountain with fresh fruit, marshmallows, nougat & all things nice.

The evening was filled with special people, wonderful speeches, lots and lots of dancing and overall it was a very special and enjoyable Batmitzvah.

This was definitely one of my best functions to co-ordinate & style!

THANK YOU! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

P.S: All the plants were distributed to various crèches, Shuls, and shelters and the leftover food was given to a nearby shelter in Cape Town.

net#work bbdo - spring day - august 2010

Net#work BBDO always celebrate spring day as its the start of a new season & a time for renewal , revival, re-invention and they also wish to achieve some form of giving back / helping others. So the whole agency gets a day out of the office to do something great as an Agency.

This year, Mike & Keith decided they wanted to do something in order to educate and uplift children and once we investigated a couple of options we came across an article written by George Bizo's that says that "only 8% of schools in South Africa have functioning libraries"...very sad!

So this year, Net#work BBDO launched the M.A.L project.
Make A Library!
We will be building a library at the MC Weiler Primary School in Alexandra. We have one year to complete this and will open the doors on the 1st September 2011.

We gathered all the Net#work staff for a presentation and some inspiration on the whole project and then they were taken to Bushwillow Tented Camp out in Muldersdrift to go and picnic whilst brainstorming ideas on how to raise funds, create a functional space, and general thoughts on the library. We then all gathered at sunset for the extremely entertaining presentations which where absolutely fantastic and then we celebrated.

If you wish to find out more about this project and how you can help, please contact: lauren@mi-amor.co.za

net#work bbdo - may#day party: vegas nights - may 2010

Net#work BBDO approached me to organise their 16th Birthday which is on the 1st May, hence the name "may#day". We came up with the Casino Royal / Vegas Theme which was an absolute hit with the guests, and as you can see everyone had such a great time.

VEGAS NIGHTS (http://www.vegasnights.co.za/) made our ideas a reality with their casino tables & croupiers and it truly was run like a Vegas Casino. The venue was an in2structures (http://www.in2structures.co.za/) creation, this permanent dome structure at Constitution Hill which was of ample size for our function and we used Event & Decor Solutions (011 226 8700) to decorate the room accordingly with stretch playing card panels and gigantic sized dice red carpets and everything casino and to finish it off, Pristine Moods (http://www.pristinemoods.co.za/) did the sound & lighting.

The catering was done by Maple Drive Catering (http://www.mapledrive.co.za/) and we wanted some finger foods, but with a difference, so we had a variety of canapes followed by mini stir-fries, chicken & veg curries and little gourmet burgers...hmmmm delicious!

It really is a great theme for a function as everyone gets involved and you are playing with "funny money" so you don't go home with an empty wallet.

brandon & michelle's wedding - september 2009

Brandon & Michelle said their vow's on the 18th September 2009 and became Mr & Mrs van Scheltema.

I was so privileged and honoured not only to be a part of their wedding day but also because I was asked to organise their whole wedding for them.

Michelle is such a dynamic, striking, beautiful lady so that is exactly what her wedding was going to be like! She likes things done differently, hence walking down the isle in the most beautiful, exquisite RED dress made by Iris Fuller (80 year old Granny) and Sharon Freeman (Mother) accompanied by her 3 Pageboys and 3 Bridesmaids in black & white polka dot dresses to Nat King Cole played by Gary Sletcher (http://www.sletcher.co.za/) on his saxophone. Michelle & Brandon have always wanted a classic, but different wedding and it was without a doubt going to have a red colour theme.

They decided on Memoires Wedding Venue (http://www.memoire.co.za). Memoires is nestled next to the Cradle of Humankind on the tranquil banks of the Crocodile River. It really is such a stunning wedding venue! Very different and modern with beautifully landscaped gardens and to make it even more superior it was topped of with a very helpful team and delicious food.

The table settings where classic and simple, with beautiful silver candelabras with red and white hanging crystals hanging from them finished off with a beautiful flower arrangement made of red roses which was created by Tasha from Cafe Fleur (http://www.cafefleur.co.za/) The venue was decorated with beautiful white draping and fairy lights hanging from the chandelier which just finished off the venue and created an intimate feeling. The uncover patio & bar area really is an added bonus as it allows you the fresh air as well a the beautiful view of the venue and with cocktail tables scattered around creates a more casual area.

Overall it was such a beautiful and perfect day. The ceremony was so special and it was so amazing to be surround by all our family and friends...and wow it turned out to be quite a party!

Thank you to everyone who helped make Michelle & Brandons Day so special and memorable!

It really is the most fulfilling, amazing, overwhelming and rewarding feeling when you see all your months of planning and preparation come together to create your perfect function, this is the reason I am so passionate and love doing what I do.

michelle's bridal brunch - september 2009

I thought I would post some of my previous functions that I have organised, one being Michelle's Bridal Brunch with the help of Tacy & Charlene.

We decided to do a brunch as Michelle is definitely not into the strippers or drinking copious amounts of alcohol so this was perfect for her...but don't think that she got away that easy.

We had lots of Champagne & Sangria that was served to us by Bare Butt Butlers whilst we listened and giggled and learnt a lot from a very fun and entertaining presentation of adult toys and lingerie.

It was a very naught & nice day and exactly what Michelle had hoped that her Bachelorette would be.

Here are some pics of the table settings, decor, food etc

BEGINNINGS

My name is Lauren and for as long as I can remember I have always loved to organise parties, events and anything and everything that has to do with them.

So after many years of dreaming of having my own events company, I have finally taken the first steps to making my dreams a reality.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting me and helping me make my dream a possibility.

So please follow me on my blog as I begin this new exciting, eventful, memorable chapter in my life... "Mi Amor"