Tina LaMorte
Oh So Fabulous,
Maywood
ohsofab.com

Location you can transform into anything: Nothing is more exciting than walking into a space and totally making it your own. We recently did a wedding at a synagogue, and the couple wanted us to transform it into a club in South Beach! It was a real challenge but we pulled it off with gorgeous lighting, custom linens, lots of submerged flowers, and an all-white lounge.

Your go-to location: The Venetian in Garfield, where the staff is phenomenal. We’ve done several really huge events there where we brought in draping, lighting, and furniture rentals, and they were always so accommodating.

Favorite custom touch: The place-card table. I’m a little psychotic about the design and try to outdo myself every event. My favorite table was when we incorporated the bride’s family’s desire to include jordan almonds, paying homage to the traditional Italian custom of giving five to each guest. We created amazing silk fabric-wrapped containers that served not only as place cards but also doubled as a way to house the almonds as an extra treat when guests arrived.

Expert you count on the most: Robin Kornett of Robin K Design (robinkdesign.com). I can imagine the most obscure and ridiculous color scheme or invitation concept, and she will come up with the most exquisite and complementary design for my idea.

Favor that never fails to impress: Champagne. It’s the perfect chic favor that never fails to say “we love you for coming to the wedding, we’re fabulous, here’s some champagne. Sip it and think of us!”
Favorite online source: Papermart.com. We get so many great ideas for favor packaging there. I also love
weddingthings.com and beau-coup.com.

Where you would get married if you had to do it all over again: On an island. Twenty people max. Lots of champagne. Did I mention I loved champagne?

Biggest mistake you see brides about to make (and hopefully talk them out of!): A cocktail reception, with no assigned seating for dinner. It’s a classic mistake I see so many people make, and it makes me cringe! A structured sit-down dinner may seem cliché and boring, but when guests are forced to sit and eat at certain times during the night it helps to keep the flow of the night moving and it causes anticipation and excitement to get up and dance in between courses.