Please say Hello to Destiny Sund and Paul Verano of The Confectional!  At The Confectional, they make individual-serving artisan cheesecakes in more than 12 flavors.  They started after a friend offered to pay Paul for one of his amazing cheesecakes, and have been serving Seattle since opening their first store in 2006!  This was their second time participating in Get Hitched, Give Hope -- they donated 400 Über Mini Raspberry White Chocolate cheesecakes for our big event in October.  We ate them all!! What do you love about your work? We love putting a smile on people’s faces with not only our fabulous dessert but also our joyful atmosphere.  

  What inspires you? Chocolate… um… lots of chocolate.  Chocolate inspired Paul’s famous Confectional quote: “Forgive me, chocolate, for I have sinned. I have not yet had my daily confection.”  

    What makes your business stand out? The Confectional is the only dessert store in Seattle that offers individual-serving cheesecakes in a large variety of flavors, no slices! So, a customer can come in and pick out a variety pack for parties, dinners, all types of events. We also offer Cheesecake Truffles: our cheesecake baked, rolled, and then dunked in rich dark chocolate. We are serious about our cheesecake products. We serve everything with a smile, and never ever judge a second helping of dessert! How can we stay in touch? www.theconfectional.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Confectional/209549335729502

 

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Did you see the amazing floral decor at Get Hitched Give Hope?  We want to extend a big "thank you" to July Floral Designfor helping to make our event this year look absolutely fabulous!  Owner of July Floral Design, Tess Kelbaugh, worked hard crafting some showstopping pieces - let's take a moment to learn more about her company...  

  Tess, tell us a little about your company and why you are a floral designer...   I am delighted to be a floral designer in my hometown of Seattle. I find it empowering to have my own business, and to work with fresh flowers, illumination, fabrics and interesting containers! I was drawn to the scale of working with flowers- whether it’s the intimate beauty of a single blossom, or the breathtaking effect flowers bring to an event. After working in several shops in Portland, Oregon, I realized that this world was right for me.   What do you love most about your work?   The creative possibilities are endless. I love working personally with my clients, listening to their inspirations, and creating work that encapsulates that. The expressions of surprise and satisfaction on my client’s faces are deeply rewarding. We have such a fabulous diversity of flowers and plants that grow in the Northwest, and I love to incorporate what is in season as much as possible.  

  Why did you get involved with Get Hitched Give Hope?   I think it’s important to give back to this community. While I haven’t lost any family members to a terminal illness, I have helped friends through their losses. I am excited to be part of such a fulfilling cause.   What designs did you create for Get Hitched Give Hope this year?   I worked with the flowers and décor team to create a dazzling evening! I was particularly excited to design in a large-scale capacity. I created original designs to bring two 14 ft. tall metal trees to life using Orchids, feathers, and votives among other whimsical items! Guests enjoyed these trees while bidding on items in the ballroom.  

  Tess, thank you for all your help with our event!  How can we stay in touch? Check out my website: www.julyfloraldesign.com      

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  We love DJ Leslie and Seattle Parties!!  They have been great and generous supporters of GHGH in the past, and this year was no exception.  At last year's auction, Leslie met Trae and Kym, an engaged couple facing a diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer.  Moved by their story, Leslie offered to donate her services to their June 2011 wedding, which they very gratefully accepted.  Also at the event, photographer Rick Takagi offered to donate his services, and here are a few photos from their big day!  

For this year, Seattle Parties not only donated a fabulous $2,500 DJ and lighting package to our auction, they also provided their services to our Preview Party in August.  Thank you so much!!

We asked Leslie what she loves about her work...

“When I meet with my clients I really like to get a feel for them musically.  If they are like me, music has dotted my “lifeline” and I want to implement memory songs into the course of the evening, thus enhancing the happiness of the bride and groom on their wedding day. I have a play list of about 10 thousand songs for them to look through, with about 30 thousand songs in my total laptop library. For cocktail hour and dinner I like to play Mood Music--Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, World  Music, Love Songs, Down tempo, mellow stuff from bands they both like. Then I can play anything their heart [or crowd] desires for dancing! I have an extensive collection from the turn of the last century to the present [ Scott Joplin to Lady Gaga!]  I like to meet the couple over coffee to fine tune the musical selections and to get a sense of "who they are" so I can better custom tailor the event musically. There we go over [or create] the time line and special musical selections [first dance, bouquet toss, cake cutting--anything else they'd like to implement] - as well as discuss their definite "No's" for the evening [ i.e.: bands/ songs they dislike] I'm also a pro at making announcements and working with the photographer and catering staff to make sure the time-line is running smoothly it. [i.e.: Well, folks--get those cameras ready because we will be cutting the cake in about 5 minutes" sort of thing] I've been doing this for so long I'm not ego-driven when it comes to weddings, I'm here for the client to play what they like and  wonderful at reading a crowd and working the room. I am gracious when it comes to taking requests from  the crowd as well. Every client is different, and that's what keeps it interesting for me! It's like I walk in with a blank canvas and leave with a picture that has been painted by the client and their guests. It really is an art!"

How can we stay in touch?

www.seattleparties.com

206.533.8284

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  If you attended our soiree last week, you got to see our biggest event yet!  And that included our most ambitious decor, entertainment, treats, and drinks to date!!  We would like to enthusiastically thank all of our event sponsors of the night!!  Here, along with gorgeous photos from La Vie Photography, is the impressive list of businesses who made our party fabulous!

La Vie Photography

  The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle provided our incomparable venue, delicious food, and signature cocktails again for the second year!!  Wine and beer were generously provided by Girly Girl Wines and Fish Tale Ale.

La Vie Photography

    No one's sweet tooth was left unsatisfied!  Tallant House provided a beautiful (and yummy) French macaroon tower.  The Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. brought scrumptious cupcakes, and The Confectional treated us to heavenly mini-cheesecakes!

La Vie Photography

    Decor was definitely a team effort!  Everything from draping to illuminated bars, huge birdcages to massive metal trees, plush gold chairs to crystal curtains were provided and installed by PJ Hummel & Company!!  Chairs and tables were provided by AA Party Rentals, and the luxurious linens came from Aria Style.  The metal trees from PJ Hummel were decorated with moss, feathers, crystals, and fresh flowers by July Floral Design and The Flower Suite.  July Floral Design also created the hanging GHGH logo of fresh flowers for our registration area!  The Flower Suite additionally provided the sweet floral centerpieces for cocktail tables in the live auction area.  Christopher Flowers created large arrangements for the buffets, and Lilies & Lemon Drops provided a beautiful centerpiece for our overflowing dessert table (pictured above.)

La Vie Photography

Luminous votives for all of the cocktail and Vendor tables provided by glassybaby gave the room a rosy glow.  Clara French Ceramics supplied the beautifully elegant platforms for the dessert table.  Dolce Design created our auction program and signage again this year!  Heathoriginal designed custom paper labels and decor to highlight the contributions of our sponsors and adorable props for the photobooth by 321 Foto.  Cake Envy, the Four Seasons, and New Renaissance Cakes provided lovely display cakes to tantalize and inspire.

La Vie Photography

Flipped Out Productions once again entertained guests by letting them create their own flipbook, complete with props and signs!  Watch a video collage here.  321 Foto also returned again this year to let everyone create a photo memory of the night in their fantastic photo booth!

La Vie Photography

Six gorgeous models walked the rooms and the stage, beautifully done up by Erin Skipley Makeup & Hair, displaying couture gowns supplied by La Belle Reve for the live auction!  The Porcelain Veil supplied hair accessories and veils.  Caruh Salon made the GHGH team members look fabulous for our big night.

La Vie Photography

Our favorite jazz ensemble, The Jason Parker Quartet, played for all who strolled into the fabulous lounge.  Austin Beaver Experience provided the tunes to keep the energy going in the main auction room, and Swank Audio Visual made everything look and sound fantastic, including the two huge video screens displaying our sponsors' logos, auction highlights, and a moving story about one of the thousands of people who have had a dream fulfilled by Dream Foundation, our primary beneficiary this year.  Videography of the night's events was captured by Cabfare Productions.  Representatives of our other benefitting charity, Young Survival Coalition Seattle, were also there to mingle and celebrate!

La Vie Photography

Last, but certainly not least, our auction itself was produced by Stokes Auction Group and hosted with humor, compassion, and great energy by Brooke & Jubal from Movin' 92.5!  We love them!

La Vie Photography

A huge thank-you again to all of our sponsors, from the 2011 Get Hitched Give Hope officers and team!!!  Stay tuned for even more updates, news, and stories -- we're already planning for 2012!

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  So many hard-working volunteers. So many wonderful guests. So many generous sponsors.   It was truly a community effort and it paid off... we surpassed our goal and raised $85,000!!!  This money will mean so much happiness and support for many many people living with life-limiting illness.   Thank you, thank you!   As we recover and gather in all the details, stay tuned for a full recap of the night with gorgeous photos from La Vie Photography. Whew.  We're gonna rest our tired feet for a minute, but we'll be right back!  

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  It's here!  Our 2011 auction is tonight!!  Come on down and help us reach our goal of $75,000 to support Dream Foundation and Young Survival Coalition Seattle.

Four Seasons Hotel Seattle

6:00pm - 10:00pm

  As you slip on those fabulous new shoes (and your favorite party dress!!) here are a few things to remember: -  If you purchased one of our amazing Swag Bags, you'll need to pick it up tonight during the event.  We won't be able to hold it for later pickup. -  Bring your small electronics (used or new) for our fundraiser with BuyMyTronics.com -- they'll send back a portion of the recycling proceeds for our charities!! -  Receipts for your purchases tonight will be emailed to you. -  The Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed this week and traffic may be a little different from usual.   We can't wait to see you there! Let's party!!!  

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  We are excited to introduce another of our wonderful sponsors,  A Princess Bride Couture Bridal Salon.  A Princess Bride caters to brides from all over the Northwest as well as the world to find them their dream gown for the biggest day of the their life!  They’ve been in business for 20 years, working with a passion for design and fashion, starting with veils designed and created by the owner, Kathy, which they still have in the store.  They have expanded to provide everything a bride would need for a gorgeous bridal gown, from accessories to alterations. What do you love about your work? Everyday we get to help women pick out the most important item she will ever wear. A wedding dress is so much more than that. It is a reflection of the couple, their personalities, who they are together and individiually, and it sets the tone for their entire big day. Being a part of something that special is amazing and fulfilling.   What drew you to Get Hitched, Give Hope? Everyone has their moments where they forget how lucky they are to be blessed with everything life has given them. Being able to give back in such a big way is something that each and every vendor should feel lucky to be a part of. Creating excitement for the charity, love for the brides and all others, and drive to make a change is such a huge thing and GHGH does it in such an amazing way!   How are you participating in GHGH this year? We will be donating a gorgeous Pronovias ball gown to be auctioned off at GHGH. Pronovias is an amazing bridal company with exquisite attention to detail and every dress makes a bride feel like a queen. It is truly a statement making gown. Being able to wear a Pronovias on your wedding day really is amazing. They fit so well, make you feel amazing, and give that kind of jaw dropping reaction every bride is looking for. It truly is simple elegance. We will also be donating coupons to the swag bags so brides can have a chance to save some extra money on the bridal gown purchase. We know that this purchase is one of the biggest purchases they may ever make and we like to make it just a little easier however we possibly can.

What inspires you? The brides we work with every day inspire all of us. Each and every story they have to tell is different and special in it’s own way and seeing all of the love in the world is inspiring. It makes us all want to help and give that bride that key piece of her wedding that makes it HERS.   Why do clients choose your services/products? We have been around for 20 years and pride ourselves in being experienced in all different facets of bridal planning. We can give opinions on vendors, venues, and more. We specialize in giving a complete bridal experience for each and every bride from her one-on-one consultation when she first comes into the store, to giving her a personalized timeline of her gown as well as her bridesmaids and anything else she may have ordered. We know that when you order a gown, it’s more than that. You will be spending the next 9 months to a year with us and we love creating and keeping strong friendships with each and every bride we have.   If you could pass on your advice to an engaged couple, what three tips would you give? 1. Remember that everything else is just “fluff”. The most important thing about that day is it’s about you and celebrating the love you share. No one will remember the chairs, but they will all remember the love you share. 2. Don’t put off the small stuff. When it builds up to the last minute, you will be too stressed during the final days to actually ENJOY them. 3. At the end of the every day, no matter how stressful, say I love you to each other.   Thank you!! How can we stay in touch? www.princessbridecouture.com www.princessbridecouture.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/princessbridewa www.facebook.com/A-Princess-Bride-Couture-Bridal-Salon

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