An Illuminating Book From Bentley Meeker; Light X Design: 20 Years Of Lighting

If you didn't think that lighting and staging can completely alter one's experience, you haven't seen the extraordinary work and talents of Bentley Meeker. The lighting designer to the stars transforms events, personal nuptials, dinner parties and more into enchanted, elegant and magical venues.







above: from weddings to corporate events, Meeker's designs completely transform a room



Lighting is as important a design element in creating an atmosphere as the choice in furniture, flowers or architectural space. If you don't believe me, Bentley Meeker's work, which is showcased in the hardcover coffee table book from Glitterati, Light X Design: 20 Years of Lighting, will prove it.









An eye-popping list of clients which include the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Billy Joel, Chelsea Clinton, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, Clive Davis, HBO, Versace, Hermes, Cartier, Tiffany, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Ford, Infiniti, Cadillac, ABC, NBC, PBS, Diffa, Harvard Business School, New York City Ballet, The Whitney, The Guggenheim and MoMA have used Bentley Meeker's extraordinary eye to turn simple sites into lavish affairs. Meeker is even ranked amongst New York's Daily News' Fashion's 50 most powerful.

















The finest and most memorable weddings, fundraisers, charitable dinners, Grammy parties, fashion shows, movie premieres, museum spaces and more are transformed by the technical and inspirational talents of the New York based company.



































The stunning 160 page over-sized book is like having a portfolio filled with eye candy. With a foreward by preeminent event designer Preston Bailey, the photo-filled tome serves as inspiration for anyone planning a party or wedding as much as it is a treat for those who like admiring beauty. Spaces shown as before and after images, a peek at some very famous weddings, images indoors and outdoors and a look at everything from simple tabletop candle treatments to breathtaking projections of shadow and light are featured.















The text of the book is as much instructional as it is inspirational. Helpful references, style tips and more can illuminate both the amateur and expert event planner or room designer.



Buy Bentley Meeker Light X Design: 20 Years of Lighting here

UPDATED AGAIN*: Kate Goes With Sarah Burton For Alexander McQueen With Cartier Tiara & Matching Earrings.

*UPDATED PICS now include the cakes, the reception dresses, the ugliest hat and more.

The dress was by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. She donned the Cartier “halo” tiara, which was made in 1936 and given to the Queen as an 18th birthday present. And she's got the wave down cold.



Her earrings were custom-made by Robinson Pelham to match her tiara and were a present from her parents. Kate's wedding ring, which seemed to have given William a bit of difficulty in the slipping on, is a band of Welsh gold by Wartski.

The Cartier "halo" tiara:

As previously worn by the monarchy members before her:


The earrings made to match the tiara by Robinson Pelham:


No doubt, Kate Middleton, now being referred to as "Catherine," looked every bit like Royalty as she walked down the aisle.





People keep comparing Kate's dress to that of Princess Grace's, but they really were quite different except for the lace long sleeves:







above: Her bouquet consisted of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth.















And, of course, the kiss:



Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge:

And they drove off in an Aston Martin:

The Cake, made by Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns :


the chocolate McVitrine's cake for the recption:


The Sarah Burton for Alexader McQueen reception dress for Kate:

and sister Pippa's reception dress:


I would be remiss if I did not include a photo of the most talked about hat (it even has it's own haters facebook page) at the event, worn by Beatrice:

images courtesy of Getty, The BBC, The AP, The PA and The British Monarchy