New Year's Eve Bash

After numerous requests, Zen has finally decided to throw a rather large New Year's Eve Party! And could it be any better? Live music, no cover charge, food, and drinks in the heart of the West End! Dress your best and slide into your dancing shoes. This opportunity you won't want to miss!

We Tied The Knot!

We are now on TheKnot.com!! Make sure to check us out! The website is a great tool for brides that are planning their own wedding. They also have a sister site, PartySpot.com, that can help you plan any event. So, now there is no excuse to NOT have a party!

Photo courtesy of Scott Holloway Photography

Photographer Coupon!

Getz Creative is running a special with clients that book with us! When you book a wedding reception at Zen, you will get $400 off their day of wedding package. That is a huge savings from one of the best photographers in town. No need to shop around anymore! Book now and save more....without loosing quality. Call Zen for more details about this special offer.

Public Party at Zen

Come and celebrate the opening of New Moon at the Twilight Ball. The Twilight Ball will be an exciting evening of bloodsucking entertainment. The evening will consist of hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing, prizes and giveaways, and of course…. birthday cake. Come dressed to impress in costume (no jeans please) or simply in appropriate evening attire. Tickets for opening night of New Moon will be provided for all guests who attend.

A Portion of the Proceeds will be used to purchase books and literary material for the Pendleton Place Children’s Shelter.

www.twilightball.com

Bridal Portrait

Getz Creative recently used Zen as a back drop for a "Beyond Bridal" Session. Here are two of my favorites:

Masquerade on Main at Zen

Join us on Friday, October 23rd at ZEN in downtown Greenville and enjoy an evening of elegance and magic! Throughout the evening, you will be entertained and amazed by strolling magicians and magical stage shows. Guests can listen to music and admire artwork displayed by local artists, while enjoying appetizers from some of the Greenville’s finest restaurants, top shelf liquors, and a premium wine bar. The evening will conclude with the third annual Golden Spatula Award for the best dessert in the Upstate, a unique and original dessert competition between top local chefs (nominated by members of the community).

Tickets are $75 individual and $125 couple. However, if you mention you are a Zen friend, tickets are buy one get one free. To purchase tickets, please contact Lauren Scoggins at 864-467-3650 or lscoggins@pendletonplace.org . Thanks for your support!

Euphoria VIP Party

Zen was honored to host the annual VIP Party for Euphoria on September 19th. The invite only party was for ticket holders that purchased the three day pass and also for sponsors. There was about 300 people in the Studio throughout the evening and it ran smoothly.
Credits:
Photography: Keith J Carson
Event Design: cb events
Leather Furniture & Chandelier: cb events
Lighting: Jester Co.
Ice bar/curtain: Ice Age
Truss holding Ice Curtain: Audio Solutions
Flowers: Twigs
Caterer: Performance Food Group
Dance floor: Classic Rentals (Charlotte)

Ceremony Alternative

Ceremonies do not necessarily have to be in churches. We have a lot of brides that are using the outdoor garden or one of our rooms as an alternative. It makes it really easy for guests because they do not have to drive to a different location. This seems to be a new trend in the industry. We are seeing it more and more.

This picture if of an 80 person wedding in the Lounge. It looked very elegant. The other pictures are of an outdoor wedding this weekend. This was an small and intimate wedding of forty guests.

Lounge Style Wedding

This was a beautiful wedding this past May. The reception was traditional with a contemporary flair. They had over 300 guests and used the whole space. It worked out really well. All the food and sit down tables/chairs were in the Lounge and the band, lounge furniture was in the Studio. Everyone, of course, ended up in this room by the end of the night. I am sure you can see why. The colors, furniture and layout was very inviting.


It is always great to see how every event is completely different. This reception proves that the space can be truly transformed.

Curly Willow Designs- Furniture, layout, flowers
Ric Standridge/Linsday Powers- Event Planners

Networking Event with the Mayor

A new networking group in Greenville, Linking the Upstate, made Zen their home Thursday, June 18th. The organization meets every other month to create awareness of other local groups and clubs. This past event had quite a crowd....including the mayor, Knox White! He had a question and answer session that you can watch here: http://vimeo.com/5399246
Hope you all can make it to the next one at Zen Thursday, October 15th!

Zen Grand Opening Party

May 27th of this year, Zen had an official grand opening party. We had been open for almost three months at that point, but we wanted a true opening party to invite the public in to see the space. The idea was to make guests feel like they were walking into a private party. The Studio was set up like a mock wedding reception while the Lounge was more of a hip business meeting with a milling fashion show mixed in.



We had a HUGE turn out and hope to have another Zen produced event in the future. The vendors that contributed were amazing to work with and I personally look forward to working with them again soon.

Event Planner: Christine Faust Events
Photography: Studio 12 Photography
Event Rentals: Professional Party Rentals
Lounge Furniture: Mayme Baker Studio
Wine: Kennett Distributing
Audio/Visual: Jester Co.
Programs: Weddings and Events with Style

STUDIO:
Flowers/Design: Renee Burroughs Design
Caterer: Saffrons
Bridal Gowns: The Bridal Gallery
Wedding Cake: Holly's Cakes
Chair Massages: Actual Massage

LOUNGE:
Flowers: Dahlia's
Caterer: Two Chefs
Desserts: Holly's Cakes
Cupcakes: Cupcake Couture
Fashion Show: Campaign

Garden:
Acoustic Music: Steven Waddell Project

Benefit for Tron

Thursday, March 19th Zen hosted a benefit for Tron, an 8 year old with cancer. Three blues bands played and Bucky's barbeque was served. Around 100 people attended the event. Tron was in great spirits and even played his guitar for the guests. We wish the very best to him and his sweet family.

First Event!

After a lot of hard work and dedication from staff, contractors, friends, family and the City of Greenville, Zen's doors opened to welcome our first guests! Last week the space went from a buzzing construction site to a serene and elegant atmosphere. The transformation blew us all away. The event was a wedding reception for a friend that hosted a seated dinner for almost 300 people in the Studio. Take a look!

We are excited to see how future clients will interpret our space. So far we have heard a lot of creative ideas. Keep a look out for posts next week from a speaking event and a fundraiser.

Hello Greenville!

Welcome to Zen’s first blog! We are the new alternative for your next party, meeting, reception, art showing, concert, fashion show, or whatever event you can dream up! Zen will allow you the freedom to choose your own caterer, décor, and entertainment. We are very close to opening our doors to Greenville and will quickly become an asset to the community. We will use this blog to keep you up to date on our events and also the newest event trends! Zen is anxious to hear your thoughts as well. If you have any requests or ideas, please share them. We hope this blog will help Greenville residents make their dream events a reality!