Atlantic City Weddings - Professional Portrait

How did you get started in business specializing in decorating for weddings and theme parties?

	Anna: I have 20 years experience in the party business. I worked in a casino as a Catering Director. We did all kinds of functions: weddings, conventions, holiday parties, Halloween parties, Valentine's, New Year's Eve. We also did special High Roller Parties with every theme imaginable including Fifties, Beach, Under the Sea, Fire and Ice, Mardi Gras and Western. Starting a business in this field was a natural transition for me. It's what I know best. Stacey: I started decorating in High School. I was always on the Prom Committee; I was always decorating something. All my relatives call me to decorate for all our family events, every bridal shower or baby shower and to help with wedding plans. I just enjoy doing creative things. Also, I had a retail store in Hamilton Mall, which gave me a lot of experience in display and window decor and merchandising.

If a couple wanted to get married in a fire hall or lodge, what are some of the more interesting ways to decorate and make the hall look elegant?

	I learned from some of the best decorators in the business and all you really need to transform any room, whether it be a banquet room or fire hall, is roman columns, topped with fresh ferns or flowers, some pieces of balustrade around the dance floor area and some specialty fabric swagged, stapled or draped, depending on the room constraints, along with some chair covers, to create an elegant atmosphere.

For a reception site such as a country club, what might be a few ideas for additional decorations?

	For weddings the most popular item is chair covers. If you do not have much of a decor budget, your best investment is chair covers. You can transform the whole room with chair covers.

What was one of the more interesting or unusual jobs you've done for a wedding?

	A wedding theme that we are in the process of planning right now is quite different from most weddings. The bride's them is Castles and Dragons. Some of our ideas to transform the reception site (Ram's Head Inn) include a Knight in Shining Armor who would greet the guests at the entrance; King and Queen Chairs (high back velvet chairs with gold adornments) and a life size white horse, with gold bridle and saddle. This will be a great place for pictures. Behind the head table we would like to incorporate a castle backdrop and hanging from the ceiling we would do some pennants. Antique white chair covers with lilac bows, will complete the look.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

	If you are a creative person you like to create! When we meet with a bride and listen to her ideas for her wedding and we are able to create that vision that she has and make her day special, it makes our day as well. Recently we did a job at Mays Landing Country Club - it was a Christmas wedding. We were in early to decorate and did not get to see the bride and groom. When we returned to pick up our decor we were able to talk with the Catering Manager, Julie Forrest. She said when the bride walked in and looked around the room she started crying. She just loved the way everything looked and especially the chair covers. It is that kind of feedback that makes it special for us as well.

Is there anything else you would like to add about your work?

		I guess the other thing about our work that we would like people to know is that we also do other decorating, not just weddings. We can provide decor for any type of party or function and all our props can be moved anywhere. No matter where you are planning a function we will be able to create something special for you.

For more information visit Finishing Touch Design's page in our services section Email: stacey@thefinishingtouchdesigns.com Website: thefinishingtouchdesigns.com or call (856) 794-5639
Did you miss our last Professional Portrait John Gowdy Sand Sculptor Questions, answers and photos about the unique sand sculpture of John Gowdy plus photos of his work from local weddings.