Render to Real Life

We recently did a New York themed Bar Mitzvah, and our client was having a hard time visualizing the New York facades we were proposing to create for their event. Below is an example of a 3D rendering I created, and then followed by a picture of the actual facade at the event.

3D render


actual pic from event



By Tom Kemp

Industry Wedding

We recently had the honor of planning the wedding of two great friends, Monica Vidal and Jack Hartzman. One very important detail that one must first divulge is that both the bride and groom are photographers for Washington Talent, Photo and Video. Well-loved by many events professionals, the happy couple has been in the event industry for over fifteen years. From the moment they got engaged, we knew that their wedding was going to be one for the books! Both Jack and Monica allowed us a great deal of creative freedom in planning their wedding. We worked with an incredible team of vendors, and with our combined creativity we were able to design and execute a fabulous and memorable wedding.
One truly unique aspect of their wedding was the dinner-theatre style ceremony. Upon arrival, guests were immediately directed to their respective tables. Once each guest was seated, the bridal party emerged from the back of the ballroom and walked through a free formed aisle to “Feeling Good” preformed by George Jamison of Spectrum, from Washington Talent. The bride was sung down aisle to “Power of Love” preformed by Ginny of Onyx, another Washington Talent band. A gold satin draped Chuppah placed in the middle of the dance floor awaited the bride and groom. The couple was surrounded by over 200 of their closest industry friends and members of their family as they exchanged vows. This unique ceremony was only one of many memorable moments from the evening. It was truly a magical evening not only for the bride and groom but also for all of the event professionals that assisted us in creating this fabulous wedding.

It's SNO big deal!

It’s beginning to feel a bit like spring but it was just a few weeks ago we were buried up to our knees in snow! The weekend of February 6, 2010 is not one anyone at Gala will soon forget. With record breaking amounts of snow, closed roads, freezing temperatures and some fabulous vendors we all survived the ‘snowpocalypse’ of 2010 and our bride and groom JoAnn and Daniel were still able to have their wedding. Knowing early in the week what Mother Nature might have in store, we set off for Annapolis not knowing quite what to expect except that the show must go on!
Despite the harsh reality check we all awoke to on Saturday morning JoAnn and Daniel proved to everyone that there was nothing that could stand in the way of their wedding. We were having a wedding, minus about 300 guests. What we faced that weekend is truly a testament to who we are in this business and what we can do when faced with adversity- even if a tree falls through the roof of the tent! When you have a team of exceptional vendors who all are truly invested in making this the best event possible-regardless of the conditions. We definitely gave this couple an experience they will never forget.
Special thanks to all of the vendors who helped us all keep everything together-
Blue Sky Films, Occasions Caterers, MBK and Associates, Frost Lighting, and Crow Entertainment DJs.


*Special thanks to Blue Sky films for the above video.

Acrylic Mandap

A MUST HAVE for your next event is our Acrylic Mandap. It is a 10ft x 10ft clear Lucite structure and can really be used for any occasion. It was last used for an Indian wedding where it was adorned with hanging orchids and votive candles. It also can be used in a club decor design and really for most any theme you can think of. It will be set up in the Gala Events Design Center throughout October so come in today and work with one of our event planners to see how it can be worked into your next event.

by Tom Kemp

Fashion's Night Out

When asked how we should help stimulate our economy you might answer with more jobs, tax cuts or increased aid to struggling localities. Well, how about with events?

Fashion's Night Out is a worldwide event that strives to boost the global economy through the fashion industry. U.S. and International editors of Vogue coordinated celebrations in their respective fashion capitals in hopes to aid customers lacking confidence in the fashion and retail industries. On September 10th, over 700 retailers and designers across the five boroughs of New York City participated in the event. Neither tickets nor invitations were required to attend any of the Fashion's Night Out activities. Retailers implemented creative ideas in order to promote the fun in shopping once again. For example, shops in Brooklyn surprised customers with a pop-up block party and cook-off. Celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Blake Lively, and Victoria Beckham made guest appearances at stores throughout Manhattan. In addition to encouraging retail shopping, proceeds from Fashion's Night Out t-shirt and tote bag sales went to a charity benefiting a 9/11 rehabilitation project.

Hopefully worldwide events like Fashion’s Night Out will become a means of breaking out of our current economic recession, while having a lot of fun at the same time!

by Jessica Marzelli

Say Cheese, Please!

Who doesn’t have fond memories of those black and white photo strips that we posed for in booths at fairs, on boardwalks, and in malls? Maybe you were being silly with your best friends or smooching with your ‘honey.’ You might still have one of those strips (faded and yellowed, no doubt) tucked into the corner of your bedroom mirror. Well… those ‘old fashioned’ booths have become popular at parties of all kinds, of recent.
Take a look at the very modern and eye catching photo booth pictured above. This is sure to wow any and all of your guests at the next party you throw. This very high tech, digital, partially inflatable, and artistic version of the old boardwalk push button model, was designed by two Melbourne- based photographers. Why not invite your guests to document your event with fun photos that they can either leave behind in a guest book for the host, or to take with them to remember all the fun they had? Grab your fifteen minutes (or seconds!) of fame and say cheese, please!
Julie Pike

(photo via photobooth.com.au)

Fall Events

Fall is my absolute favorite season. Autumn colors and the season's overall crispness inspire me to redecorate my home each October. I pull out my favorite spice scented candle, my wool pillow shams, and my fluffy down throws. I head to the basement to bring up my boxes of pine cones, faux cranberries, autumnal wreathes, and my favorite fall inspired table runners. I unwrap each piece lovingly while becoming increasingly excited about the arrival of three months of cooler days, leaf filled sidewalks, and wreath strewn doors. This fall, I am especially excited because I am planning my first autumn inspired wedding. The inspiration for my design is organic and will feature brightly colored leaves, wheat, berries, sunflowers, and pops of brilliant persimmon. I hope that the design will inspire the guests and get them as excited as I am about this special season.

by Laura Miller