By: Sheri Stallsmith, Special Events Manager
*Sheri Stallsmith will be writing a blog post about special events at the Akron Art Museum.
On January 6, 2013, I participated in my first bridal show as an employee of the Akron Art Museum. Sarah Burris and I worked a booth at the Today’s Bride Bridal Show at the John S. Knight Center.
Sarah is a renaissance employee of the Akron Art Museum. She volunteers in the library, is working on her practicum with Digital Archivist Coordinator Keith Freund, occasionally helps the preparators and can be found behind the Visitor Services desk in our lobby. She was the perfect fit because not only is she knowledgeable about the museum and our events, but often Visitor Services staff field questions from prospective brides who are visiting the museum.
It was so much fun to talk with brides and their entourages. We met fiancées, mothers, bridesmaids, aunts, friends, grandmothers and the occasional father.
Our booth was a collaboration of museum staff and local vendors. Lost Tribe Media, the museum’s preferred vendor for lighting and all audio/visual needs provided the television monitor. House of Plants, one of the museum’s favorite florists, provided the gorgeous arrangement for the booth.
Don’t you love the details in these flowers? Each one has a sparkly gem in the middle and the hearts made from the Bells of Ireland are adorable without being kitschy.
The two pedestals were built by Joe Walton, the museum’s chief preparator, and Assistant Preparator Chris Ross. The pedestals they designed are the shape of the Newman Elevator that graces the museum’s McDowell Grand Lobby. Creating the design and layout of the bridal show was my first opportunity to work with Joe and Chris and I have to say that their creativity and talent blew me away. They would make great special event designers, but I don’t think that falls within their job descriptions.
Of course, we wanted our booth to reflect art. Some colorful books and sculptural toys from the museum’s gift shop were the perfect touch. These little elements added dimension, color and texture to our overall display.
Our booth was filled with amazing photographs provided by area photographers including Carman and Pugh Photography, Ken Love Photography, Linczak Photography, Rentham Creative, Spencer Photography, Studio Elle Photography and Todd Hunter Carlson.
In addition to our booth, we decorated a table for the Gallery of Tables. A big thank you to Sitting Pretty Linens for providing us with gorgeous table linens and Miller’s Party Rental Center for providing the table, chairs, china and glassware.
The chairs are Chiavari chairs with a white spandex cover. A black and white print table runner was draped over the back of the chairs and then tied with a ruby sash. The table runners were the perfect length to drape over the Chiavari chairs. The effect this created is simple, elegant and striking.
Ruby napkins accented the chair sashes and centerpiece. And speaking of the centerpiece – isn’t it gorgeous? It was provided by the florists at House of Plants. I provided them with colors, a brief description (“something with height”) and ask that it be “artsy” to reflect the fact that we are an art museum. I was so happy with the results and we had numerous bridal show attendees comment on this gorgeous centerpiece.
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know if you were at the bridal show and let us know what you think of our booth and our table.
Want to learn more about weddings and events at the Akron Art Museum? Visit www.AkronArtMuseum.org/rentals or email Special Events@AkronArtMuseum.org.