Meet the Wedding Pros: John Ryan

This is the first in a series of posts where we spotlight wedding professionals in the Philadelphia PA/NJ/DE areas.

I recently met John Ryan at J&J Studios, a photography/videography company based in Philadelphia, after he liked & followed Trilogy Event Design on IG. He slid into my DMs (calm down… it was 100% professional) to invite me to be featured on his blog. I suggested we schedule time to chat and become familiar with one another first… because I don’t align Trilogy Event Design with random people I don’t actually know.

So we scheduled time to talk and I was immediately impressed by this young man’s passion for photography and business savvy that has led this company to see significant growth. On his website, John says, “I love wedding photography. I get to be a product, portrait, lifestyle, glamour, boudoir, family, and documentary photographer all in the space of 10 minutes.”

During our conversation, I mentioned that I was working with Open Aire Affairs and Joshua’s Catering to design & coordinate a styled shoot and open house at Ridgeland Mansion. (more about that event later) Since John was unfamiliar with the venue, I invited him to come out to see this beautiful hidden Philadelphia gem.

Not only did John show up but he also captured some images of me and the other participating wedding/event professionals. I even got a cute new headshot!

John is a pretty cool guy and we look forward to opportunities to work with him in the future. But don’t take my word for it, contact him to see for yourself. (Email info@jjstudiosphiladelphia.com)

Until next time… I leave you with Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses!

Wedding Planning: A guide to planning a wedding during the Coronavirus pandemic

Before I begin listing things, I should probably introduce myself. I’ve been a planner ever since I was a little girl. I used to plan elaborate tea parties and invite all of my favorite dolls and stuffed animals. Now, of course I plan real parties for you know, real people but I still have the same attitude. I love creating beautiful spaces with Trilogy Event Design! I guess my parents were sort of clairvoyant because they named me, Jubilee. They must have known that I would love to celebrate!

So, you get engaged and it’s probably the best moment of your life! You’re so excited to begin planning your wedding and share this special moment with the people in your life. Then, wham! A global pandemic strikes the world and everyone’s life comes to a crashing halt. Around the globe, peoples’ lives have changed and the every day things that used to be so normal are suddenly strenuous and grueling. You’re working from home or you’ve been laid off. You’re engaged, but is there going to be a wedding? You wanted a huge, magnificent wedding, but what planning can you do from your home? Well, it turns out, A LOT!

Planning a wedding is stressful in the best of times. During this health scare, it has become daunting and some would say, unrealistic. Never fear! I have worked up a guide for the At Home Wedding Planner. There are so many things that a bride or groom to be can do to be proactive during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am here to help you!

1. Wedding Cake

A chocolate cake with chocolate espresso frosting I made over the weekend

 I am a certified pastry chef and choosing a wedding cake is probably my favorite part of the whole wedding planning process! I have spoken with a couple of bakeries and companies who make wedding cakes. They have informed me that they are still able to do wedding cake tastings BUT you have to plan waaaaaay ahead, at least a month. Because the bakeries are not open to the public during this time, they are scheduling everything one customer at a time. This may seem onerous and foreboding, but it’s actually responsible and safe. Plus, you will have the whole place to yourself! Whether you schedule online or just make a phone call, making an appointment gives you something to look forward to and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to a couple hours to just eat cake?!

2. Wedding Dress or Suit Shopping

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings

Even as a little girl, I pictured what my wedding dress would look like. And yes, I definitely wanted a fairy tale dress with a poufy skirt and ALL the frills and lace! I mean I have come to my senses…sorta. I still want a fairy tale wedding, but my idea of what a fairy tale wedding actually looks like has changed. Of course, you can order magazines online and there are a TON of different websites to cruise when checking out new styles, but if you, like me, actually have to SEE the dress on you before you know if it’s the one, then you will be happy to know that most wedding dress stores are still available to peruse. Bridal shops, like bakeries, are now appointment only. So, here’s what I recommend. Pick a day when you and MAYBE one other person can spend the day looking at dresses. I would make an appointment at three different places in one day and spend your time trying on dresses and getting feedback on what you like. You don’t necessarily have to buy one, although if you put on that one perfect dress, get it! While you are at the store, if you need to schedule fittings or tailoring for your dress, do it. If you don’t find the perfect dress, schedule an appointment with three other bridal shops. You get the picture.

3. Invitations and Photographers

Invitation by Penned by Pink; Photo by Sheronda Seawright Photography

These two are pretty simple because most paper source stores have all of their samples online. Also, most stores have waived their shipping cost now, so this would be a perfect time to order samples of the invitations you would like to see and feel. There might be a small fee if you want the sample invitations personalized, but it shouldn’t cost a ton.

Photographers are also pretty simple. All photographers have websites where you can look at their different galleries and find a style that you like. Next, email them and schedule a time to talk.

4. Social Media

Photo from fivechannels.com

I think that social media is hands down the best tool to use during this pandemic! Even if you don’t have a Facebook or Instagram account (or Tik Tok, Twitter, etc) YOU SHOULD START ONE NOW! Create a page specifically for your wedding and start posting. Invite the people who are in your wedding party, family members, friends, anyone who you know is going to be at your wedding. Ask questions; look for ideas, ask your friends to post links of people or companies they have used for their wedding or other events. I guarantee people will begin to suggest things that hadn’t event crossed your mind! Your network of friends and family is your greatest resource! Use them. If at some point in the planning process, you feel like you are getting overwhelmed with everything, give the task of maintaining your page to the Maid of Honor or one of the groomsmen. But the great thing about social media is the accessibility. Facebook and Instagram are accessible from everywhere! You never have to feel alone in the wedding planning process. Your friends will help you!

5. Vows

This suggestion is only for the people who are writing out their own vows versus using the traditional vows. During the next couple months, you will probably get reallllly close with your fiancé. Being closed up with one particular person (even if you don’t live with that person) is hard, at least for me! Their little idiosyncrasies will begin to annoy you and the little habits that were once cute will begin to eat away at your sanity. Having said that, if you guys survive this whole Covid-19 thing, you can probably make it through anything! So keeping that in mind, you may want to consider writing your own vows. You definitely have the time to think of all the things that you love about your partner. And even if you don’t ever read them in front of a crowd of people, it’s still great to look back on a piece of paper from a time before you were married when you were very much in love.

I hope this short list helps you out. Planning a wedding should be fun! If you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, we are here to help you. Trilogy Event Design is offering FREE 30-minute phone consultations to talk through your concerns concerning Coronavirus delays and other wedding planning details. Schedule your appointment today!

Happy Planning!

Bastille Day Inspired Wedding Shoot

A few years ago, Tanti Lina, owner of Papertini — a floral design company located in Philadelphia —approached Trilogy Event Design with a vision for a styled wedding photo shoot based upon Bastille Day. We created designed the stationery and coordinated the day. Meanwhile, Inna Spivakova from Peach Plum Pear Photography worked to capture all the creativity on display.

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To set the stage for the main tablescape, Papertini designed floral arrangements that would stick to the chosen color palette. Selecting foods that matched the theme was easy enough, but Tanti went so far as to come up with a new spin on a signature cocktail — The French Kiss.  

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The delicious red velvet cake added the perfect touch to the table (and all of the professionals were able to enjoy all of it’s yummy goodness after the shoot was finished).

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For the wedding stationery system that we created for the day, our graphic designer chose a striking font, with clean lines and open space that allowed the colors to pop.  She also designed the menus, table numbers, and cards.

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The wedding invitation suite was expertly letterpress printed by local family-owned printers, The Paravano Company.

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The wedding invitation suite was completed with hand-lettering on the envelopes by Lynda Asprinio of Write Away for You Calligraphy. 

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And, you can't have a wedding without someone getting married. Playing the part of the bride was model Lindsay Marie whose make-up was done by C.E. Facial Artistry. 

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We were happy to be part of the coordination and design of Papertini's vision, and even happier to see our work featured on Storyboard Wedding, a popular inspirational blog for couples planning their wedding. 

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Trilogy Event Design is available to help plan, design, and coordinate your wedding or event. For an initial meeting, please contact us by emailing info@trilogyeventdesign.com or visiting our online calendar.  

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Featured Vendors

Venue: Abington Art Center
Photographer: Peach Plum Pear Photo
Floral Design/Concept: Papertini
Make-up: C.E. Facial Artistry
Calligraphy: Write Away for You Calligraphy
Letterpress Printing: Paravano Company
Dresses: Page Six
Event Coordination/Stationery & Design: Trilogy Event Design