Diann Valentine, world renowned wedding planner, creates lavish one of a kind events for her discerning clientele. Whether it’s a luxurious wedding at an upscale hotel, or a posh dinner party, Diann infuses style, glamour and beautiful color combinations into her work to create an event that’s a one of a kind, personalized celebration.

Diann was nice enough to answer some questions for me about colors, her style, and her favorite events she has designed!

Zenadia Design: Your color combinations are simply stunning! Do you have a favorite color you like to work with?

Diann Valentine: My favorite color has been pink for as long as I remember and I tend to love deep Fuschia or Magenta because I love strong jewel-tone colors.  However, when it comes to my work I love to work with all of the colors of the rainbow.  I pry my clients and listen to their hearts and study their lifestyle characteristics to show me the colors that move them the most.  Once I have discovered this on my own, I tend to take that color as my inspiration for the entire project.  At some point during the design process I will share my thoughts and instincts about the color choice and why.  I have been correct at least 90% of the time because I don’t necessarily listen to what my clients tell me but rather I watch their actions and listen for the design hints that are shared in simple conversations.

ZD: What are you noticing as far as color trends go this year?

DV: Purple seems to be the color of the year by far.  So many brides are going for shades of purple and lavender.  I have worked with purple a few times this year but I always mix it up and look for design elements that will allow me to create a palette of color that features purple but does not overpower the design direction.  For example, some of my favorite palettes include aubergine, plum, deep blood red and grape as well as aubergine, eggplant, sapphire blue, midnight blue and azure.

ZD: Your event are so lavish with incredible details! What inspires you as you are working on each event?

DV: My clients are my biggest inspiration.  I know that may sound like a cliché; however, one consistent remark about my work over the years is that all of my events look so different and that is because I have always designed for my clients and not for myself.  Now I certainly have an eclectic edge and style to my work but the distinctive differences can only be seen if you have known my clients as intimately as I have.  My brides have always been strong, independent Fashionistas with a flair for luxury living and I have worked hard to tap into the sides of their lives that are not scene on the big screen but only revealed in the privacy of their own homes.

ZD: Do you have a favorite event you have worked on?

DV: I cannot name only one because there has always been a piece of Diann Valentine’s heart that went into each one.  Some element or design detail that was just as much a part of my heart as it was my clients.  For example, for Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman it was the fish tank dance floor.  For Toni Braxton, it was the immense use of crystals that hung over each of her guest tables long before crystals became such a popular design element for weddings and events and for Kelis and Nas it was the Mediterranean Villa that I scoured the entire state of Georgia to find and then negotiated, bribed and even some days begged the owner to allow us to use it to be the anchor for their lavish celebration.  And for some of my not so famous clients, it was Janelle and Nyk from TNT’s Wedding Day that I hosted last year.  Their wedding and reception took place on Belle Isle in Detroit and I worked tirelessly with the lighting designer to design a pattern and slight intelligent movement against the solarium that served as the backdrop for their fairytale ceremony and brought the entire garden to life.

Thanks so much, Diann, for sharing your talents with us today! Your work is beautiful and completely inspiring!!