We had the privilege of attending the Engage! Summit at Nemacolin last week and WOW! That’s all we can say—wow. It was truly an unforgettable experience. For those who don’t know, Engage! is an ultra-luxury wedding summit known for bringing together the most creative minds in the wedding industry. Founded by Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce, each Engage! event is a collaboration between amazing wedding vendors. This summer’s event in Nemacolin was creatively directed by Ed Libby & Co. Events and branded by TPD Design House. It featured breathtaking installations, luxury experiences, and a surprise performance by the iconic DIANA ROSS (nuff said), making it one of the best Engage! events we’ve ever attended.
One of my favorite reasons for attending Engage! year after year, is that I get a a first hand look into in the upcoming trends in weddings and events. That being said, having attended 10 Engage! events now, I really thought I had maxed out on my “wows” and couldn’t be blown away again. Boy, was I wrong. This event pulled out all the stops. A lesson I also learned, for all our engaged couples out there, is this: When a venue is just as invested in the success of your event, magic happens. Nemacolin and its entire staff met the Engage! energy and really made us feel magical. This collaboration was 10/10.
SO, with all of that being said. How about we show you a few pictures AND share how you can incorporate some of the ideas into YOUR wedding?
Here are 10 wedding and event ideas we LOVED from Engage! Nemacolin:
1. Denim Jacket Bar: This was such a cool way to start the Engage! Nemacolin experience. In the gifting suite, attendees received a denim jacket and selected patches that were ironed on right in front of them. DOPE right? This is a fantastic favor/activity idea for any event.
2. Floral Reception Decor: Y’all this was one of my favorite moments of the week. This LUNCH featured decor by Ed Libby & Co that could rival any wedding reception out there. The abundance of flowers, the violinists (by Elan Artists), the menus by TPD Design House, everything was a breathtaking and immersive experience. Definitely a steal-worthy moment.
3. Show-stopping “Glass” Tent: This tent! A tent! This architectural marvel provided a stunning venue option, perfect for a wedding or high-end event. This tent even made rain look sexy at one point. It was just perfect and should definitely be a staple in events moving forward.
4. Black, White, and Silver Wedding: This Engage Nemacolin gala was top two for me. So freaking chic! The palette was “Dramatic Blacks, Whites and Silver”and the mission was definitely accomplished. The clean, elevated decor with statement backdrops and show-stopping chandeliers created an elegant and timeless atmosphere.
5. Picnic Welcome Bag: For a unique welcome bag idea, consider a picnic-themed bag filled with gourmet snacks and essentials for an outdoor adventure.
6. Tea Party themed Wedding Brunch: Inspired by one of the morning breaks at Engage!, this chic tea party theme is perfect for a stylish and intimate post-wedding brunch.
7. Glam Portraits instead of Traditional Photo-booths: Glam portraits are here to stay, with options like black and white glam by 888 Photography or high-fashion backdrops by Banga Booth, offering a unique and stylish alternative to traditional photobooths.
8. Surprise Headliner Entertainment: Expect to see more headliner entertainment at luxury weddings. At Engage!, we had unforgettable performances by Kesha at the Welcome Event and THE Diana Ross for the Gala finale, creating core memories for all attendees.
9. Drone “Fireworks” Show: Want to WOW your guests at the end of the night? Consider a drone show. On the first night Engage! had a mesmerizing drone display (by @skyelementsdrones)that mimicked the beauty of fireworks but with a modern twist. Just imagine- the night sky lit up with synchronized lights creating- it wad perfect! In fact, they used it to announce the arrival of one of the headliners. So perfect!
10. Bowling After Party: After parties are all the rage at weddings now. After the traditional wedding reception is done, the FUN happens with a banging DJ, lots of dancing and yummy finger foods. Engage! had a cool bowling after party with all these things. I loved the extra element of casual, competitive fun. There was a DJ, burgers, fries in a fun and relaxed atmosphere for winding down. Do this guys, do this!
See what we mean? Amazing right? We honestly cannot wait to do this again! Shoutout to the DREAM team (linked below) for this truly excellent Summit. Engage! is truly an amazing way to get insight into what’s possible in the wedding industry, and we’re excited to see how these trends will influence weddings in the coming year.
Vendors that made the MAGIC happen.
Host Property: @nemacolin | Creative Director, Event Design & Floral: @edlibbyevents | Live Entertainment / Immersive / Dancers / BoyBand / DJ: @ElanArtists | Art Direction, Branding, Gifting Curation & Paper: @tpddesignhouse | Event Planning: @le.feast | Headliner Procurement & Production: @TheSOPHouse | Mixology: @the_cup_bearer | Gala Linens: @nuagedesignsinc | AV & Production: @seehearpro | Tabletop Rentals: @maisondecarine | Furniture Rentals: @luxeeventrentals | Photos: @paulmorseweddings @boshimphoto @corbingurkin @afrikarmando @joelandjustyna @kyleeyeephoto @ryangreenleaf | Drone Show: @skyelementsdrones | Short-Form Social Media Videos: @sculptingwithtime | Long-Form Event Video: @danielshackleford | Caviar: @calvisiuscaviarusa | Industry Collaborations: WIPA + @mintedweddings | Social Media Director: @SamanthaRoberts |Graphic Design & Show Director: @TrishaHay | Hair & Team Engage!: @shawnleech | Photo Styling: @_shiramisu | Linens: @partymosaic| Stylized Photo Booth Nights 1 and 3: @BangaBooth |Stylized Photo Booth Night 2: The @888portraitexperience | Custom Napkins: @mydrap_northamerica | Speaker Hair & Makeup + Gala Makeup Lounge: @thatswhatgsaid | Rebecca & Kathryn Stylist: @thestylishbride | Conference Emcee: @djbrianbofficial | Custom Event App: @odacreative | Headshots: @denniskwanphoto | Weather Reporting: @IronicReports | Espresso: @espressoguys
