conceptBAIT can always be counted on for trendsetting, extraordinary events. Their inspiring work has appeared in multiple issues of Weddings Unveiled and appears regularly here on Completely Unveiled. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, conceptBAIT specializes in one-of-a-kind spectacular events. Owners and event designers Frank Clemente and Lynn McGhee, along with their fabulous in-house creative staff of floral, color and lighting designers, offer custom experiences that push the imagination to the limit. Known for their unique style, conceptBAIT seamlessly combines lighting, florals, extravagant fabric draping, fine linens, furniture and lounge pieces and their signature stretched spandex decor elements into a cohesive, breathtaking design. Read on to learn more about Frank and Lynn, the masterminds behind conceptBAIT.conceptBAIT is based in St. Petersburg, FL. To contact conceptBAIT, visit the company website or call 727.321.5350.Weddings Unveiled: Tell us a bit about conceptBAIT.Lynn and Frank: conceptBAIT, which literally means “the idea of luring you in...” is a hands-on, full-service “couture floral and event design” house specializing in the most minute of details. Everything is designed, manufactured and produced in- house. Attention to detail is second to none and of the highest quality. We love that we are best known for running free with our imagination and that when allowed to fully engage it, we know no bounds. Anything is possible!WU: How did you become floral and event designers? When and how did you begin conceptBAIT?L & F: Necessity. Coming from successful fashion and interior design disciplines, we were beginning to experience more frequent requests to pull together parties for our clients. We couldn’t find anything out there that met our creative standards, so we began doing things ourselves. A vivid imagination and dreaming in Technicolor are the true culprits - LOL! conceptBAIT was born in 2001 after a successful run on Miami’s fashionable South Beach under the name of “Lynn’s Custom Creations.” One day, Frank had the crazy notion of seeing if lightning would strike twice. Moving operations to Tampa Bay [ the lightning capital of North America] created the perfect climate. Here we would be a big fish [ pun intended ] in a small pond. Beautiful St. Petersburg is where we both settled and assembled the most incredible team of designers, producers and event techs. We also experienced a new-found passion for over-the-top extravagance. Lightning not only struck but propelled us to another level. We've been here almost ten years now and we're fortunate to have played a great part in bringing the industry something fresh.WU: Tell us how you work with engaged couples, whether as a team or individually.L & F: First off, if in the prescreening, prior to our first meeting, it is determined that verbal expression is somewhat of a challenge, we encourage the client to do a little homework and bring in specific examples of what is desired. Alexis Machin [ our award-winning Bridal Events Producer ] meets initially with the bride to be or couple. They typically come in with or without a planner and formalities are quickly done away with when Lynn joins in. We all do a lot of chit-chatting about things that have nothing to do with the event... Any good foundation for a solid relationship begins with a sincere appreciation of one's journey. The better you communicate at the beginning, the easier it is to be real and in the moment. The ice is broken [ usually when Lynn tells one of his many off-color jokes ] and laughter fills the air! We quickly begin to encourage the vivid vision. At this point the creativity begins to flow and sparks fly. The process is very casual and down to Earth, yet highly energetic.WU: Describe your wedding style?L & F: Our “Signature,” for which we are best known, translates fluently into “simple elegance where classic romance is interwoven seamlessly with technology and cutting-edge sexy style.”WU: What inspires you?L & F: This is a wonderful question because when a client asks, our reply inevitably garners “I never would have thought of that!” Our main sources of inspiration come from the world of fashion, nature’s many wonders and history’s architecture. In fashion, past as well as present-day designers have always driven Lynn and the manner in which he works with fabrics, textures and colors. Frank’s strengths are evident in the ways he translates nature. His speciality is color and lighting and there he finds endless inspiration to experiment with. Then there’s history’s architecture where we find a lack of vibrancy or a feel for hues that are darker or monotone in style. For us, this is a great base and where our canvas begins.WU: How do you keep your ideas fresh?L & F: At conceptBAIT we live by the words that “you’re only as good as your last party.” We realize that every time someone walks in through our Studio door we are given one great opportunity [ and entrusted with the responsibility ] of expressing someone’s vision in a completely custom and unique manner. Also, magic is possible when you encourage and accept your team’s creative input. Fresh is all around us here.WU: What was your favorite wedding and why?Lynn: My favorite by far is one which was featured on WEtv’s “Platinum Weddings”. We were given complete reigns on creativity. On this project we merged our South Beach whimsical side with Fifth Avenue chic. We successfully brought “bling” and tension fabrics to a new level of sophistication. Until then, stretched shapes weren’t considered either formal or romantic. The use of 75-thousand fresh water pearls and more than 1,000 glass diamonds in varying shapes were just the right amount of edge and the show’s producers couldn’t agree more.Frank: Mine was actually one produced by Alexis [ our Bridal Events Producer ] where I was able to work closely with our floral team. The client was from out of state and completely in love with the romance and history of John and Mable Ringling’s historic waterfront Cà d’Zan Mansion in Sarasota. With cues taken from the Still Life Masterworks displayed within the famed Ringling Museum of Art, conceptBAIT created a floral masterpiece of our own. In this case our “still life” was translated in brilliant jewel tones. Each eggplant table featured a different design atop golden vessels of varying shapes and sizes. Magic came to life that day and as night fell you could almost feel the ghosts of John and Mable smiling down on the celebration.We owe a huge “thank you” to the many discerning planners that entrust us to design for their engaged couples and in these two instances in particular, Shannon Wilson of Table Six Productions, and Lisa Konecny of E Events for allowing us to color outside the lines and play in their sandbox ...two activities we completely Love!WU: What makes conceptBAIT different from other floral and event designers?L & F: Through the years we have honed our craft to such an extent that conceptBAIT can design events from the simplest to the most extravagant and truly deliver a seamless environment where every last detail has been carefully placed so as to make our work a photographers dream scenario. When our clients come to us they know they can dream big. Because of our vast inventories, we are truly a design house where with one visit your dreams are closer to reality. We are certainly not afraid to be over the top and we will deliver attention-grabbing WOW for any event.WU: What would be your ideal wedding assignment or dream wedding to design?L & F: Anything in Dubai where fantasy is not only encouraged but expected, similar to how we think here at conceptBAIT.WU: Tell us three things you can’t live without.L & F: Family, freedom of expression and passion.WU: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?L & F: “If you want to be on top, good enough just isn’t.”WU: What is the best advice you can give to an engaged couple?L & F: You have to have fun in this process because it’s all about the expression of your love. Make it fun by taking on small tasks and then coming together on “date nights” to discuss the details. Remember, discovering something new together always makes for the best memories.images courtesy of Limelight Photography.
