fresh ideas - Eventful Designing

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SUMMER 2007
THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO WEDDINGS WITH STYLE
GLAM GOWNS
FLORAL ACCENTS
SHORT SKIRTS
228
FRESH
IDEAS
&
BRIDESMAIDS
FROM REAL WEDDINGS
89
RECEPTION
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STYLE
invitations, table design
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SHARIFA ADHAM & EDUARDO BURILLO
JUNE 3, 2006 BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIMONE AND MARTIN
It’ s a small world
As professionals with international travel schedules,
Sharifa Adham and Eduardo Burillo had crossed
paths several times in different countries before
they “officially” met. The first time was in Marbella,
Spain, which neither of them remembered until
years later when Sharifa was re-introduced to
Eduardo via the exclusive networking Web site,
aSmallWorld.net. She was seeking business advice
from Eduardo, and the two realized just how parallel
their lives had been. Their professional relationship
turned romantic after two months of emails and
phone conversations, and when Sharifa discovered
that she and Eduardo would both be back in
Marbella during the same week, she invited him and
his cousins to stay with her. Four months later,
Eduardo proposed.
They were married aboard her family’s yacht off
the coast of Spain in a very intimate ceremony
with only fifteen guests in attendance. With many
more people in their lives with whom to share
their happiness, Sharifa and Eduardo decided to
hold a second wedding at her parents’ home in
Beverly Hills. “I always thought that my family
home would be the most meaningful place to host
our wedding reception,” says the bride. But it
would require that the property undergo an
extreme makeover (thanks to the event designer
Linda Pittelli of the Los Angeles company Eventful)
to accommodate 200 guests in luxurious style. “Just
when we thought we had experienced the most
memorable moment of our lives,” explains the bride,
referring to their European nuptials, “we returned to
Los Angeles to see our home transformed into a
place that seemed suspended in the stars.”
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Beauty
Bernard, Privé Salon, hair
Jeanine, Nick Chavez Salon, makeup
Bridal Designer
Emanuel Ungaro
Bridal Salon
Pronovias, Spain
Cake
The Bees Knees Bakery
Caterer
Gai Klass for Wolfgang Puck
Consultant & Event Designer
Linda Pittelli, Eventful
Entertainment
Arpeggio String Quartet, Bossa Nova Experience,
DJ Juan Pereira, and CeCe Peniston
Floral Design
Tic Toc Couture Florals
Formalwear
Jenni Kayne, groom
Honeymoon
Soneva Gili & Six Senses Spa, Maldives
Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
Ice Sculpture
That’s Cool Events
Invitations
Lehr & Black
Jewelry
XIV Karats, Beverly Hills
Cartier
Lighting & Sound Design
Images by Lighting, Ultrasound
Mothers’ Gowns
John Galliano
Photographer
Simone and Martin Photography
Registries
Linens Et Al, Los Angeles
Rehearsal Dinner
Chinois on Main, Santa Monica
Rentals & Linens
Revelry, Classic Party Rentals
Event Construction Specialists, Tabella
Eventful
Shoes
Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin
Transportation
California Parking Services, valet
Venue
Adham Residence, Beverly Hills, CA
Videographer
Envision Productions
Wedding Night Hotel
The Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills
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When they arrived at the wedding, guests who had been to the home before were in complete awe
of the changes. The already elegant and spacious house was brought to a new level, exuding romance
from every corner. Special flooring, yards of draped fabric, and custom embroidered linens transported
guests from a home in Southern California to a “French bistro overlooking the countryside.” And
that was only the indoor space. In order to hold an outdoor cocktail hour, the pool was covered in
panels of Lucite to create more floor space, and lounge-like furniture was brought for a relaxed yet
chic environment. Ambient lighting was also directed up through the clear flooring and was accented
by the natural illumination of the city view.
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The home’s simple and rustic deck housed the dinner tables, and after the redesign was
complete, the former structure was barely recognizable. It was entirely tented, wisteria vines were
hung from the tent’s columns and ceilings, and its floor of wood planks was recovered in creamy
carpeting. Antique furnishings like mirrors and end tables were added to make the deck seem like
a seamless extension of the home’s interior design. Ivory and peach roses, hydrangea, peonies,
and more wisteria were arranged in tall hand-blown glass vases above the tables, which were
topped with menus hand-painted with flowering vines. As everyone dined, toast upon beautiful
toast was given in honor of Sharifa and Eduardo. The bride’s mother also wrote a touching poem
about the pair and printed it on cards along with baby pictures of the bride and groom for every
guest to enjoy as a remembrance of the special event.
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The intricately decorated wedding cake was
inspired by the same embroidered design found
on the table linens, and after it was served, Sharifa
and Eduardo’s favorite deejay (who was flown in
especially for the event) took over the festivities.
Guests danced, enjoyed hand-rolled cigars, and
sipped pink champagne until sunrise. Each person
also left with a picture frame embellished with
semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals – a
final, thoughtful detail to top off the experience.
And even with the incredible amount of effort
that was made to ensure that every design element
– from flowers to lighting treatments to the golden
color of the peach bellinis – was coordinated
harmoniously, the newlyweds agree that the true
success of the event was due entirely to the warm
and loving atmosphere. “It was the friends and family
who made the evening for us, because without
them,” asserts Sharifa, “it would have been nothing.”
JACQUELYN KISKER
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