The then bride to be….the now Mrs. Gums!

Getting ready for the night’s festivities

Congratulations to Katie and Luke who were married on July 15th, 2011 in La Jolla, California! Stay tuned for photos from their beautiful wedding day!

Feel free to email me with your thoughts and comments! I’d love to hear from you! angelica@greenorchidevents.com

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Round About Cupcake Sleeves were so much fun to look at. They are cupcake sleeves that make the cupcake look like something other than a cupcake! They have a huge collection of sleeves for any event and holiday including a couture line.

La Tavola Linen had an eye catching booth with their vibrant linens. What a great setting these would be for a wedding!

Edibles By Jack had a fun concept on the spoons we normally see at a cocktail hour. These are spoons you can eat! You won’t have to worry about finding a server to take your plate. I personally love this concept because I have a hard time balancing a plate of food, a wine glass, and my purse at a wedding! They come in a variety of flavors from Poppy Seed to Coconut Curry.

Name: Jessica Wallace (formerly Jessica Hurley/HURLeYgirl), Mrs. Wallace, Jess, the Red Menace, currently: GirlWhoDrewYou

Location: I work out of Las Vegas and Southern California–but I’m originally from Boston, Massachusetts.

Number of Years in Business: I have been doing caricatures professionally since 1989, both independently and for other companies.  But this past April, I finally ventured out completely on my own. I figured after 21 years, it was time to work for myself.   But it all began in Faneuil Hall, Boston, with a wonderful company called FUN Enterprises.  They were kind enough to take me in and make me the artist and business woman I am today.  From there I went to Las Vegas, where I drew at the Excalibur and the MGM Grand.  Next, I moved to Southern California, where I drew at Six Flags, Magic Mountain and eventually Universal Studios, Hollywood–for almost a decade.  After that, I returned to Las Vegas to draw at the Top Of The World, at the Stratosphere and lastly, in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.  I have drawn many interesting people, some of the more memorable–Steven Tyler of Aerosmith; Akihito, the Emperor of Japan and Kat Von D of L.A. INK.

Website: So, recently I launched my caricature website and on-line store. There you can see several samples of my work.  And read about all the different ways caricatures can enhance your wedding or event.

Blog: I do not currently write a blog on a regular basis.  But I do have an on-line clothing store: cafepress.com/girlwhodrewyou .  There you can buy everything from baby clothes to reusable shopping bags, all with my original illustrated designs.

Facebook: I have a fan page on Facebook: Girl Who Drew You .  I would love to have everyone who reads this “like” it; just because it’s the easiest place for me to let you guys know what events are coming up and about any specials that I’m offering.  But if you’d like to “friend” me, you can find me under Jessica Wallace.

What did you do prior to this? Not really prior–more like simultaneously.  I was an ice cream server, grocery bagger, supermarket cashier.   Concession stand, box office and usher at a movie theater.  Musicland employee, collection agent, vault manager.  Babysitter, nanny, Sunday school teacher.  Gift personalizer in a children’s boutique, sign painter, shower door etching designer.  Disc Jockey, florist, party planner.  Cartoon kiosk manager, cookie shop manager, photography studio manager. Henna tattoo artist, face painter, antique photographer.  Caricature kiosk owner, t-shirt designer, sneaker designer.  Video store manager, secret shopper, apartment building manager.  Baker, cake decorator, ice cream truck painter.  House painter, set builder, theater prop designer.  Graphic designer, childrens’ book illustrator, logo designer.  Comic book artist, special effects make up artist and personal assistant.  But through it ALL, I have been a caricature artist.

If you didn’t do caricatures for a living what would you be doing instead? If I didn’t have to work, I would live in Waikiki, Los Angeles and Boston–four months a year each; with a vacation home in Las Vegas.  I would still be doing caricatures–but for free.  And I would do a lot more swimming and jet skiing.  I would definitely travel more, attend more Halloween conventions and probably write a few books.  If I did have to continue working at something other than caricatures, I would want to work for SWATCH or URBAN DECAY as a designer.  Or on horror films as a special effects make up artist.

What are some of your hobbies? I love taking photographs.  At least 25 a day.  And on a special day, up to a thousand.  I love going to the movies; and I am very sad about the demise of 35mm film and the changeover to digital projection.  It’s just not the same.  I have many collections including a bat collection, a vintage lingerie collection and a collection of antique Polaroid cameras.  I also enjoy going to the drive-in, drawing pin-up girls, and designing/creating costumes.  Halloween is my favorite day of the year (I begin preparation in early September) and also my wedding anniversary. And if I could live in the water, I would–I love swimming!

What is the craziest wedding experience you’ve ever had? My own!  Even though I had wonderful friends from Boston and Los Angeles here to help me with all the last minute tasks–I insisted on making almost everything for my wedding myself.  I made all the linen napkins by hand, all the favors and most of the decor.  The morning of the wedding, at 4am, I was decorating the 50 person banquet table with movie stills.  And an hour before leaving for the chapel, my best friend and I were still sculpting the cake topper!

What is the best wedding experience you’ve ever had? The best was the very first one I ever did.  It was at the top of the Prudential building in Boston.  I was asked to sit next to the bar at the wedding reception and draw the wedding guests.  Everyone enjoyed my work, tipped me and the groom gave me $50 for a cab!  At sixteen, you think to yourself, “This is the life! This is the job for me.”  I will never forget it.

What is your inspiration? When I was in high school, in the 1980s, I couldn’t get over my teachers’ haircuts.  That is what made me start doing caricatures.  Once I began I couldn’t stop.  A two hour train ride to college each day gave me all the faces I needed to practice and eventually feel confident.  Personally, I am inspired by my husband and my friends…I draw all of them, every spare minute I have.  Professionally, my inspirations are Al Hirschfeld, Doug Sneyd and Glen Barr.  I strive to make my work as recognizable, beautiful and unique as theirs.  My goal in life is to make people happy with my drawings.  There is no better feeling than giving someone one of my caricatures or comics and seeing them smile.

Name an exotic location you’d like to visit soon. Although I don’t know much about any of them–I would have to say Fiji, Bali and Bermuda.  More realistically, Hawaii is next.  In 1997, I won a special effects make up contest; the prize was a trip to Waikiki.  I’ve been dying to go back ever since.

Why do your clients choose you over some of your competitors?

Many artists I’ve worked with over the years are super talented, but truly resent drawing for other people as their job.  I am the complete opposite.  I LOVE drawing for people.  I love the wedding reception/event/celebratory environment.  Drawing to the music, seeing everyone dancing, happy, celebrating their special day, all inspires me to do the best drawings I can possibly produce.

Also, there is a certain trust brides have in me once I’ve told them I have twenty-one years of experience.  I am versatile in style and medium–I can caricature in marker, airbrush and pastels.  I am very outgoing, hard-working, professional and reliable.  All of that adds up to satisfied clients and in turn, happy brides.

Who or What was your favorite drawing of? When I was three years old, I was in a downtown restaurant with my mother.  It was in the early seventies, when cocktail napkins were still made out of stiff, red and white checkered paper.  Just before we were about to leave, an older man approached us, and handed me a napkin with a ball point pen caricature of me on it.  I think that was it.  The moment it was decided that this is what I would do.  To have someone, in minutes be able to capture my personality in a few minutes, on paper, forever (or at least the two decades it hung on my grandfather’s bedroom wall)– was amazing.  For him to be able to make me feel special, pretty and worthy of his time, seemed to me, an amazing gift to give people.  It wasn’t so much the drawing, but more the way HE saw me.  And I can say in all honesty, that every drawing I’ve loved in my entire life, has reflected that…an honest portrayal of personality.

What is the best piece of advice you can offer a bride and groom on their wedding day? Don’t try to do everything yourself.  Use your budget wisely–hire an event planner.  Make sure that they make sure that everything is COMPLETELY finished the day before your wedding.  Relax.  Have a spa day.  Write yourself a letter (or an email) about your last day being single.  Enjoy the people who traveled to be with you for your important day.  And most of all–remember that no matter what happens during the wedding, YOU WILL BE MARRIED TO EACH OTHER.  And at the end of the day, that is all that matters.

Anything else interesting you’d like to share? I recruit a lot of people to sit for me.  After I talk to them and show them their drawing, they are always surprised at how lovely they look.  I think it’s important that brides who are thinking of hiring a caricature artist know that I realize that this is your wedding.  These are not goofy, buck teeth, double chin, unflattering, theme park caricatures.

These are drawings that will capture the beauty and happiness of your special day.  And a memorable wedding favor that your guests will treasure forever.  For more information and to read testimonials from my actual clients, please check out my new website at: girlwhodrewyou.com

Caricature of Juliet and Angelica done by Jessica Wallace at the Wish Upon a Wedding Las Vegas Launch Party.

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website * Email: angelica@greenorchidevents.com

If you enjoyed this post, we’d love to read your comment! Also, please consider subscribing to the feed or receiving our articles in your email!

website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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Madame Tussauds

You can add some humor to your date by taking photos with an abundance of celebrity wax figures in Madame Tussauds Wax Museum located inside The Venetian Resort. A few of these wax figures are interactive as well. Who knows? You might even see a real celebrity there!

Red Square

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Mount Charleston

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Ethel’s Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden

This date is perfect for chocolate lovers. Ethel’s has a 3 acre Cactus Garden and they are transforming it to become a “Lover’s Lane” event. You and your valentine can walk  and enjoy the lit up garden as it leads to a gazebo, perfect for a photo to capture the night. Once you are done with the magical tour you can go indulge yourself with a variety of chocolates.

Rhumbar

Nestled inside of The Mirage, Rhumbar is a fun atmosphere with delicious drinks. Throughout the month of February they are offering a great and hilarious special. You get to cuddle on their outside patio with a Rhumbar embroidered Snuggie (yes I said Snuggie) and drink their S’mooches and S’mores cocktail which consists of  cayenne pepper infused hot cocoa mix, vanilla Schnapps and, of course, rum, garnished with a marshmallow, graham cracker triangle and hot fudge.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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website * Email: angelica@greenorchidevents.com

If you haven’t been able to make it out to Las Vegas to catch Bette Midler in action, you now have until January 31st of 2010 to do it! “The Showgirl Must Go On” has been one of the most popular Las Vegas shows on the Strip for the last two years thanks to Ms. Midler’s incredible knack for singing, dancing and comedy. Located at the legendary Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Bette Midler’s show is a combination of the glitz and glamour of Vegas with the singing and dancing of Broadway. Not only do people love Ms. Midler from her Hollywood days in movies like The Stepford Wives, The First Wives Club, Hocus Pocus, and Beaches, they also love the native Hawaiian from her Broadway stints on classic shows like Fiddler on the Roof.

On the official website for “The Showgirl Must Go On” Bette Midler wrote a personal message to her fans letting them know that if the President of the United States can make it out to Las Vegas to see her, then so can you! You can expect a lot of glitter and plenty of glam during this show as Bette surrounds herself with amazing showgirls wearing traditional costumes that she dons herself—you wouldn’t believe she’s 64 years old! Along with singing her own songs, Bette Midler performs as her trademark characters including Soph, the oldest Las Vegas showgirl. Throughout the ninety-minute show you will find yourself laughing, singing and reminiscing not only about Bette Midler’s successful career, but her great run on the Las Vegas stage. She even took to her website to give a funny farewell to all of her fans.

“For all of you who made the trek to Sin City, to see me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were the best audiences ever and I had a great time. I begin my closing month on December 29th and play through January 31st, when the curtain will come down on the Showgirl for the last time. I’m getting a little misty-eyed just thinking about it — applying for unemployment is such a pain in the ass.”

If you would like to see Bette Midler’s amazing show, “The Showgirl Must Go On,” make sure you head to Sin City soon.

If you enjoyed this post, we’d love to read your comment! Also, please consider subscribing to the feed or receiving our articles in your email!

website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

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We started their August wedding day at Planet Hollywood Resort and they were married in the wedding chapel. Following the ceremony, the party enjoyed a cocktail reception in their panorama suite with entertainment provided by an acoustic singer and guitarist.  After that, we all boarded a party bus to Dos Caminos at Palazzo for a delicious dinner.   The party then went on all night going from some Las Vegas hot spots such as the Fremont Street Experience to the Las Vegas sign where we happened to run into an Elvis impersonator!

Congratulations Sara and Kevin on your new life together in Chicago!

Wedding Planner: Green Orchid Events
Ceremony & Cocktail Reception: Planet Hollywood
Wedding Dinner: Dos Caminos
Hair & Makeup: Storybook Brides
Photographer: Digs Studio
Acoustic Guitarist/Singer: Marketing Revolution
Transportation: Celebrity Coaches

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One of my favorite photos:

The Vegas Vandals:

No Las Vegas wedding is complete without a visit to the Neon Museum/Boneyard:

Wedding Planner: Juliet Douglas of Green Orchid Events
Venue: Planet Hollywood
Hair & Makeup: Glamsquad
Officiant: Rabbi Mel Hecht
Photographer: Denise Hoogland
Videographer: Cashman
DJ & Shadow Box Dancers: Sight and Sound Events
Bouquets and Chuppah: Naakiti Floral
Centerpieces and Linen: Courtney Smith of LTeventions & CCS Designer Events
Gelato Bar: Gelato Cafe
Elvis Impersonator: Harry Shahoian
Gwen Stefani & Rod Stewart Impersonators: RNRH Entertainment

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The theme was a red carpet Las Vegas celebration and this group knew how to party!  Their wedding included an Elvis impersonator during the wedding ceremony, a red carpet and paparazzi entrance into the reception, Gwen Stefani and Rod Stewart impersonators during dancing, a gelato bar,  shadow dancers, club style DJs, and plenty of dancing! It was definitely a great party! The reception ended at 2:00 am and threatened to continue until 3:00 or 4:00 am!

Rob and Michelle honeymooned all over Asia for over a month. Congratulations to Rob and Michelle!

Many thanks to the wonderful vendors:

Wedding Planner: Juliet Douglas of Green Orchid Events
Venue: Planet Hollywood
Hair & Makeup: Glamsquad
Officiant: Rabbi Mel Hecht
Photographer: Denise Hoogland
Videographer: Cashman
DJ & Shadow Box Dancers: Sight and Sound Events
Bouquets and Chuppah: Naakiti Floral
Centerpieces and Linen: Courtney Smith of LTeventions & CCS Designer Events
Gelato Bar: Gelato Cafe
Elvis Impersonator: Harry Shahoian
Gwen Stefani & Rod Stewart Impersonators: RNRH Entertainment

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How cool are these escort cards??  Shay and Jermaine bought these old fashioned lollipops to act as their “escort cards”.  Jermaine built the box, wrapped it with chocolate pintuck linen to match their decor, placed floral foam inside, gumballs on top, and we stuck the lollipops on top after placing the red stickers on them with their guests’ names and table numbers!

Their lucky guests were treated to both a candy buffet station AND a popcorn bar!

Flip flops in the wedding colors for dancing!

Photobooth:

Passport style programs and sandlewood fans:

Very HOT hot pink shoes and fun garter:

Wedding Planner: Green Orchid Events

Venue/Catering/Cake: Cili at Bali Hai Golf Club

Passport Programs & Boarding Pass Invitations: Ana de Roux

Floral Designer: Flora Couture by Floral 2000, partnered by Tivoli.

Lounge Furniture/Lighting/Specialty Linen: Courtney Smith

Photography: Sheer Elegance Photography

Photo Booth: Plan It Interactive

DJ: DJ Tech

Makeup: Pampered Brides

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