A Very Happy Birthday

To Gala Events, Inc. President Jaime Greenwald! Here is to a year even more fabulous than the last! Cheers!

Up next at Gala Events

Hello Friends!

Hope you are staying cool in this sweltering heat! I recommend an icy margarita - perfect way to beat the heat!

It's been a busy summer for Gala Events! and you can expect much more to come!

Starting latter this month - we will begin filming a fun video series bringing all my tips and trends from the blog to the screen; showing you easy and artful ways to entertain. You can also expect some big announcements about services and our client's events - all the things that make Gala, great!

We always appreciate your feedback and thank you for following our blog! Don't forget you can also find us on Twitter @Galaplanner !

xxx's

Tips for a Fabulous Fourth!

Read on for tricks and trends from

Gala Events, Inc. President, Jaime Greenwald

on how to ensure your 4th of July

is fun and fabulous!

I love the Fourth! Fantastic weather, sunset at 9 pm, family and fireworks - now THAT is a party! As I am getting ready for our annual bonfire, I wanted to share some of my top quick tips to put the entertain in entertaining!

One of my favorite desserts to serve around the 4th of July bonfire is a sweet creation I call Bannana Boats!

Take one whole bannana and slit open the skin. In the opening add mini marshmellows and chocolate chips. Wrap in tin foil and place in firepit so that it can warm. Wait about 15 minutes and serve with a spoon. Its yummy delicious, interactive and easy to eat without a plate! How easy and fantastic is that?!?

As a cool treat for our guests, I love to take white wash clothes ( I buy them in bulk at costco) wet them and put them in baggies in the freezers. Let them chill then pass around the fire. This is a great way to clean up and cool down on those hot summer nights.

For extra refreshment, I

always keep pitchers of infused water in the fridge at our beach house. It's tasty, easy, and just what you need on a balmy evening!

Some of my favorites are:

Lemon and basil

A pitcher of water with 2 whole lemons sliced and eight fresh basil leaves

I also love Lime and peppermint

A pitcher of water with two limes sliced and 4 freash mint leaves.

It's easy to combine any of your favorite citrus or herb favorites to please a crowd of any size! Get creative and show off your own personal taste!

Until next time, enjoy our Independence Day, happy entertaining!

-Jaime

Gala Gets Kudos in the New Issue of Capitol File Magazine!

Gala got a lot of love in the new issue of Capitol File Magazine, available on newsstands now! In addition to coverage of the WHCD Afterparty we produced for the mag at the Reagan Building - you can find a great profile on Gala Events, Inc.'s president (femme fatale and fearless leader) Jaime Greenwald (twitter @galaplanner) in the SCOPE section. Check out the article below then click through for some great party pics!

Five Royal Trends

In a little more than two weeks, the eyes of America will be focused across the pond
to watch one of the most anticipated events of the century. We just can’t resist the
appeal of a Royal wedding! The gown, the jewels, the horse drawn carriage – it’s
every girl’s princess fantasy come true! In a culture already heavily influenced by
the latest celeb trends you can expect this years wedding season to follow suit –
here are our top 5 spring wedding trends influenced by the future King and Queen…

Sleek and Chic

While we don’t yet know what the soon to be Princess Catherine will don as she
walks down the aisle – we do know not to expect Diana the sequel. However, it has
been rumored that she has over three dresses in the works in case one possibly gets
leaked to the press. Kate’s style: polished, clean, and classic with a stylish edge will
certainly mean a more streamlined look – creating a true modern day princess.

Lace, lace, lace

We are seeing lace pop up everywhere from dramatic dress details to floral
arrangements and bouquet wraps, cake embellishments and even on invitations!
Lace details are it this season.

Tradition

There is no escaping the pomp, circumstance and ceremony that go with royal
nuptials. Expect this side of the pond to follow suit with more emphasis on the role
family plays in the ceremony – an elevated position for the mother and longer more
traditional services rich in family and religious traditions.

Tiaras

Diamonds and jewels-oh my! The more bling the better and while I wouldn’t suggest
donning a crown sized jewel – sparkly combs, tiny tiaras and a bejeweled veil are
back in a big way.

Arrivals

While most brides will not arrive to their big day in a carriage drawn by 10 white
horses, expect to see more of an emphasis on the big ‘reveal’. Classic cars, horse and
buggy, a vintage motorcycle – these are just some of the ways American brides are
making their entrance in a true princess fashion.

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.