DIY Essentials

Do-it-yourself projects are a great way to really personalize your wedding, as well as saving a few bucks. However, the task of creating 200 individual favors or 150 escort cards with hand-written calligraphy can seem quite daunting. Well we are here to help! With our DIY tricks of the trade, you will be able to confidently achieve the projects you have always envisioned for your wedding.

 Tool Kit:
-scissors
-hot glue gun
-x-acto knife
-hole punch
-good quality fine-point
 black permanent marker/pen


 Tips:
 -Make sure you have enough time to complete your project. The best handmade projects are those that aren't rushed. If you allot yourself enough time and energy for a project, you will find that the end result is much greater.
-Ask for help! If your project is taking longer than you thought it would, don't be afraid to ask for an extra pair of hands.
-Going back to the first tip, start early. Do as much as you can in advance. That way, it's something you can check off your list, and not worry about the days leading up to your wedding.

-Test out your project. You may have concocted a great idea in your head, but then when you put your idea on paper, it doesn't exactly work out the way you planned. Purchase only enough materials to create one of your projects, and use it as a crash-test dummy of sorts. If it works out, great! If not, then you didn't waste time and money on something you're never going to end up using. 

-Be confident! Have faith that you can create exactly what you envisioned, and chances are that you will do just that. 

We hope this helps all DIY brides out there, and inspire those who weren't exactly planning on doing anything themselves. Not really the creative type? Let The Events Company help!  

Linen Pick of the Week: Garden Toile

Garden Toile is the pick of the week. This beautiful fabric caught my eye immediately, with it's intricate detailing and gorgeous floral pattern. For this storyboard, I chose to accent this linen with a coral lamour. This fabric allows the client to use almost any other linen to accompany it, as it is simply black and white. Coral is one of my favorite colors and a very popular one for this summer. I also chose a sheer pewter fabric and a classic ivory alongside the coral to add texture and dimension.

For this simulation client, I decided to use the coral color to adorn the other design elements of this wedding. This can be seen in the invitations, escort cards, cake, and floral bouquet, all coming together to achieve a successful color scheme. I also decided to choose a pewter place setting to accent the sheer fabric mentioned earlier. The slight sheen from the plate replicates the same effect of the sheer pewter linen.

Do you have a specific color in mind for your wedding? Need some help making a final decision? Let The Events Company help with your linen choice, and any other design elements.      

"We've Got an App for That"

Weddings today are much different from what they were years ago, including how to plan for them. There is no doubt that we are living in a technology age, and there seems to be an application for everything. As we embrace these advancements, we can take advantage of what has become available to us, including wedding planning apps. Below you will find our top five wedding apps to ease what can be a very hectic time!

If technology is not your cup of tea, or you prefer to interact with people instead of a screen, you can rely on The Events Company for help with all of your planning needs. 

Fall 2011 Wedding Color Combinations

Want a wedding that "WOW"s and is unlike any of the others you have been to? Then stay hip to the changing trends in color combinations and detailing of your big day.

Purples made a big 'splash' into the wedding world this past year.  With the same color vibrancy as fuchsia, cerise and hot pink, which made their appearance at plenty of parties last year, we are seeing a trend with shades of purple to create distinct visions.   Antique violet mixed in with peacock blues and silvers create a romantic, vintage feel.

Clayton Opera House, Photo by Bert Pohl

  Eggplant lighting is a great way to add a contemporary and edgy feel.

Clayton Opera House, Photo by Bert Pohl

Green combinations have also made a lush and fresh comeback to the fashion industry. Popping muted olive greens with fresh and silky champagnes will make any event the sophisticated event of the year!

Whichever color combination fits your wedding, stop by a Design and Production House in your area, like The Events Company showroom in Syracuse, New York, to meet with an event designer and play with colors, linens and endless possibilities to make your vision perfection!

Here is to Wonderful Wedding Planning!

Shannon Marie Lach

Wedding & Social Event Director

The Events Company

Syracuse, New York

Linen Pick of the Week: Giverny

This week's linen pick is Giverny. This beautiful watercolor-inspired fabric features a bold floral pattern with an indigo and green print. When working with such a bold linen, it's important to keep other decor elements slightly more subdued. 

As you can see, for this mock client, we would suggest using lush cream-colored flowers, as well as a simple place setting, in the same color scheme. We would then be inspired by the decorative floral pattern in the linen and translate that design to the invitations, as well as the wedding cake. This creates a sense of consistency throughout your entire event that will become apparent to your guests. 

Are floral patterns not exactly what you're looking for? Check out The Events Company for other options regarding linens, and much more!

 

Creative Favors - we know how!

Ok, so everyone knows about the traditional bubbles, disposable cameras and candy as wedding favors, can we say boring? Think outside the box and give your guests something to remember your special day by!  Doing searches on the web on sites such as Favoraffair.com  and Elegantfavorideas.com are a great starting point.  We always tell our brides three points when selecting favors:

1: Reflect you and your fiance's relationship (your first date was apple picking - use potted apple cuttings in ornate and customized pots)

2: It is not something that only makes sense in pairs; candle and shot glasses have come and gone and unless you have a collection started, they look a little unfinished sitting on a shelf alone, if they make it that far...

3: You cannot please everyone. Don't stress out wondering if everyone is going to love it.  Even if you spent $490 a favor on a diamond shaving encrusted picture frame - there will be a handful of people who find it useless or will give it away.

You cannot make everyone happy but be sure to be proud of your choice!

In Lieu of donations are another great, simple way to give honor and meaning to your wedding while having your guests be part of a great cause.  Then each year you can continue donating and send cards to your guests annually thanking them for being part of your life and up-to-date status on the donations.

When your wedding has come and gone, your guests will be left with one thing and one thing alone, a memory. Help them to create the best one for years to come!

Here is to Wonderful Wedding Planning!

Shannon Marie Lach

Wedding & Social Event Director

The Events Company

Syracuse, New York

Couture Invitations and Stationery Suites - Wedding Studio Partner Feature

There is one thing most stationers can agree on: it is never too early to start shopping for your invitations. Start collecting invitation ideas, visual inspiration, and creating a look for your stationery suite as soon as you get engaged. This process will not only help you decide on invitations, but drive your color choices, linen options, bridesmaids dresses, floral arrangements and so much more.  

Decor Design by The Events Company, Invitations by Bride Design, Photos by Bert Pohl Photography

Your overall vision or theme for your wedding will be shared with guests when they receive the ‘save the date.'  It can then be incorporated into your 'Stationery Suite'.  A complete Stationery Suite would include:

• save the date cards
• invitations 
• ceremony programs
• guest sign in cards
• escort cards 
• table numbers
• place cards
• food descriptions
• menu cards
• thank you cards

 

Stationery Suite created and produced by Bride Design, Photography by Meghan Thomas Photography, Wedding Design and Planning by The Events Company

Working with your stationery provider and wedding designer together they can help you continue the theme into various décor elements. For example, with the peacock invitations, there are dozens of linen options and combinations we can use for guest tables and accent tables to bring in the vibrant blues, greens and purples.  There are elegant and effortless ways to bring in the peacock feather as an accent on your table - part of the favor, placed in your floral centerpiece or simply adding it to the bow on your chair.  Creative ideas for creating a personalized wedding day and wedding invitation are endless.  Always contact an expert for options and feasibility of your vision and leave it to us to make it come to life!

Chair Covers: What kind to choose?

There are three areas of décor most brides are concerned about when they walk into a raw venue: the color of the rug, walls and chairs. Walls and floors can be altered and muted with lighting and other décor designs, but chair covers are the element you can have the most fun with. There are hundreds of color combination ideas available, in various linen fabrics and styles, and dozens of design concepts - it is impossible to keep up sometimes!

Here are some chair cover options available at The Events Company in Syracuse, New York.

  

Celedon Lamour Chair Cover and Ivory Lamour Chair Tie
Photo by Lisa Walsh @ Hotel Syracuse

Maize Spandex Chair Cover with Maize Lamour Chair Tie
Photo by Meghan Thomas Photography @ Turning Stone

White Lamour Chair Wrap 
Photo by Genevieve Fridley Photogrpahy @ Traditions at the Links

No matter what your vision, chair covers for your wedding should be a fun decision.  If you are struggling with ideas, be sure to get in touch with an event designer in your area.

Here is to Wonderful Wedding Planning!

Shannon Marie Lach

Wedding & Social Event Director

The Events Company

Syracuse, New York

Entertainment – DJ and Band, can use both!

 

Is your personalized playlist better than a live band?  With so many different tastes in music these days, it can be hard to choose a sound that will be engaging for all of your guests.

 

Be sure to pick whatever musical style you think will ensure your guests have a great time!
Photo by Lisa Walsh Photography

Creating the perfect atmosphere for your big day is highly dependent on your choice in music. Will it be with Soft strings or a toe tapping big swing band?  Would your guests enjoy an evening of elegance or a "can't stay in your seat" dance party?  Here are some questions to consider before making the choice:

Budget: It is a common misconception that bands are ridiculously more expensive than a DJ - do not assume!  A respected DJ in the upstate New York area can range from $1500 - $2500 and live bands can range between $2000-$3000.  Making sure the price difference is enough to deter your decision is a personal preference.  Before you make a decision, find out how much each costs.

Interaction & Guest Enjoyment:  A live band is able to engage and entice the crowd to participate in songs, bring them on stage or wander out on the dance floor among guests.  DJs can interact via the microphone and dance out in the crowd but can have less involvement in the actual songs unless you have karaoke at your event.

Who will show up?: Regardless of live band or DJ be sure you know the entertainers who will be there the day of your wedding.  Some 'cost-saving' DJs hire out their talent so you don't know exactly who will show up at your wedding.  Always, ALWAYS preview the entertainer's work before you book them and be sure it is written in the contract who is going to show up.  If you go to a wedding and Tom is the DJ, and the day of your wedding Bob shows up, the experience could be quite different.  Ormond Entertainment is a DJ Entertainment Company who has two individual DJs who are the personalities you hire when you hire the company, no surprises.

Also always make sure the contract has a section pertaining to smoking and drinking at the event.  This may seem logical, but is not a given.  I personally do not like to see the entertainment smoking outside or consuming alcoholic drinks during the event (you might not mind, but be sure to think about it). Ask the venue for a green room where the band can put their food and beverages out of the way of guests. Do provide water to the entertainers, particularly for musicians.

Song Selection:  Some bands will only play the set list they are accustomed to.  They will say when you hire "The Band" you hire "The Experience" of the band.  Great bands like DeSantis Band and Orchestra will work with you and plan a customized playlist, including and adding to their repertoire. DJs make it easier to pick modern, trendy exact songs you want to hear.

Highlighting a DJ on stage, like at the Clayton Opera House, is a great way to add "WOW" to your Wedding.
Photo by Bert Pohl

Remember - it is the entertainer's profession to understand the guests, so though you may select songs you want to hear, if the DJ or band is not getting a solid response from the crowd, they will take the liberty of trying different music until they engage the guests.

The choice doesn't have to be so difficult, maybe you'll have both live and a DJ.  The industry is seeing a new trend of live bands for dinner and beginning of dancing, then switching to a DJ throughout the night.



No matter what you choose, picking the music for your special day should always be fun!

Here is to Wonderful Wedding Planning!

Shannon Marie Lach

Wedding & Social Event Director

The Events Company

Syracuse, New York

Centerpieces beyond Floral

If you are a bride-to-be who likes to step outside of tradition, or wants to step ‘outside of the box,’ using non-floral centerpieces is a great place to start!  This doesn’t just mean using silk flowers.  There are fabulous structural pieces, containers, pedestals and creative ways to bring life to your table beyond only floral, or embellishing it.

Photography by Bert Pohl Photography, Design by The Events Company at The Clayton Opera House

One of my favorite new trends in non floral centerpieces are silver mosaic lamps paired with personalized frames and votive candles.  Some brides use the frame on each table to designate a table number, others use the display to tell an intimate story about the couple and some will display photos.

Centerpieces by The Events Company, Syracuse New York.  Photo by Bert Pohl Photography.

Working with an event designer, like The Events Company, you will have access hundreds of options for creative centerpiece options to customize your wedding.  Be sure as always to make it fit your personal style and overall vision.  Thinking 'outside of the box' does not mean the room will look like chaos - just a decision to do things a little differently than previously expected.

Best Wedding Wishes!

Shannon Lach 

2011 Summer Color Combinations

The color combinations available for your wedding are endless.  With over a dozen shades of purple and varying intensities of yellow, it can be easy to get lost in the color wheel.  Following the fashion trends this year, weddings are exploding with vibrant hues of purple, apple green, gunmetal gray and peacock blues.

Choosing unexpected color combinations will keep your guests in intrigued and entertained by your wedding! Photos by Kelly Stremmel

With a vibrant season ahead of us, be sure to  reflect your personality and style in your decor elements.  If you are going for the vintage feel, instead of going with white, gray and apple green, swap the white for ivory and incorporate a muted tone of eggplant to 'mellow' out the overall pallet.  Little touches such as customized menu cards and table numbers are another great and easy way to incorporate the vibrant colors without being overbearing.

Whatever your color vision is, talk to a designer about the latest fashions and trends in wedding décor.  From linens to chair covers to lighting, colors can enhance your space.  Explore the hundreds of possibilities and ways you can make your guests say “WOW” when they enter the room!

Adding color lighting is a great way to make your wedding vibrant and 'hip'.  .Photos by Lisa Walsh, Ed Guarente, Bert Phol

Chair Covers: Colors, Styles, Bows and more!

There are three design features most brides are concerned about when they walk into a raw venue: the color of the rug, the color of the walls and the chairs. Floors disappear when the tables are in place, walls can be altered and muted with ambient lighting and/or fabric draping. Chair covers are the element you can have the most fun with and will impact the look of the room most. There are hundreds of color combination ideas available, in various fabrics and styles - it is impossible to keep up sometimes!

The chair cover options are endless. See an event designer for all your options!

Here are some important tips to remember when creating a vision including chair covers:

• The size of the sash/tie: Some venues might offer only 4” wide ties, while design firms, such as the Events Company, have a standard 12” wide sashes. The look each kind gives varies greatly, so be sure to see what each option looks like and how it reflects your overall look. 12” sashes look fuller and can be tied in various ways, adding more visual interest to the table setting.

• Consider the table as a WHOLE: When meeting with a designer about chair covers, be sure to ask to see how it will look with your linen choice, napkin choice and place setting. Also consider what your centerpiece will include in terms of color and shape.

• See it yourself: Ask to see a mock table set up in the way you envision your table to look. I have countless brides who do a complete 180 when choosing chair covers after I work with them on the entire table design. That's OK! We want you to be thrilled and confident in your choices before the big day, so there are no surprises.

Ivory Spandex Chair Cover with Maize Sash. Photo by Meghan Thomas Photography

• Ask to see photos from previous events: A great chair cover (installed properly) should fit the chair, no legs showing, tight sash, no sagging fabric, and uniformity around an entire table. The last thing you want is your guests' chair covers to look disheveled before dinner ends.

Ivory and Celedon Chair Cover with sash. Photos on the left by Lisa Walsh Photography

No matter what your venue of vision, chair covers for your wedding should be a fun decision. If you are struggling with ideas, be sure to get in touch with an event designer in your area.

Best Wedding Wishes!
Shannon M. Lach

Add Life to the Party with LIGHTING!

When flipping through magazines or online albums, many of the venue photos that catch your eye have extensive lighting and various spotlighting to accentuate architectural elements or mask imperfections.  Lighting is a décor designer’s trick to making all your guests say “WOW” in any venue.

Lighting can range from simple uplighting using par cans around the perimeter of the space to elaborate treatments using intelligent lighting. Whichever you choose, you will have instant ambiance. 

Lighting can be used to accentuate wonderful architectural elements or hide a less than desirable wall color.

Brides love seeing their monogram on the dance floor - just know that once the dance floor is full of people it becomes a really bright light on bodies. If you want to have the monogram, use it for the walk-in Wow! and then turn it off or find another location to project that won't get 'interference.'

We've transitioned to LED lighting, which draws less power (which is better for the venues), offers unlimited color choices, and the ability to change colors through the course of the event. Gobos are used for projecting patterns and are great in adding texture to walls and floors.

Beauty & the Backdrop

With all eyes on you for an entire day, you want to look your best while sitting at your head table or maybe you're doing an intimate sweetheart table.  

Unfortunately, some venues have pre-placed wall art, service doors, or lighting fixtures right behind your head table distracting from the night’s beautiful focal point – which is you! The Solution; a sophisticated backdrop behind any head table will give the illusion of a customized room and the touch of elegance you deserve.

Come into our showroom and we will help you create a backdrop that is sure to make your guests say “WOW!” when they walk into your reception. It's YOUR day and a backdrop keeps YOU front and center.

The Gourmet Bride

Food is an important element of any event and today's bridal couples are putting food in the limelight. Whether you're adding a touch of whimsy, going for comfort, keeping it local, or tantalizing with exotic flavors, developing your menu can add to the experience of the celebration.

 Cotton Candy is showing up in unique ways not only for a fun dessert but in  hors d'oeuvres and entrees.

Comfort foods with a twist are a huge hit as well. One of my personal favorites is Lobster Mac n Cheese with truffle oil. Presentation can really make this special: on a small square plate, in a bit size portion on a ceramic spoon, or served in a martini glass.

Locally Grown is becoming a more common request. Think about serving it 'family style.' Bringing sustainable items into your centerpieces is a great way to continue the theme.

Maybe you have a favorite culinary destination or want to incorporate your family ethnicity. Introducing your guests to exotic flavors can create lasting memories.

Put it on a stick - you can put just about any food item on a stick and it suddenly turns into a great presentation and fun to eat.

The Wedding Planner - The movie has some things right!

I needed some relaxing inspiration the other day. I had read through all the new Bride magazines, read all the new information on The Knot, but needed something fun. So I popped in The Wedding Planner and enjoyed some Kettle Corn popcorn and realized, parts of the movie actually reflected our profession right!

So here are a few things from The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez I think are interesting and important notes to remember when hiring a Wedding Planner:

1. Hire us BEFORE you select your venue or any other providers,really.
2. A planner is prepared for most anything; although we don't typically store it around our waist.
3. We feed the best man his toast. No,that's not true, although I suppose we could if really needed, but We prefer the spontaneity of the moment.

OK, so maybe not too many parts of the movie, but it's still a good watch for a chick flick and who doesn't love Matthew McConnauhey?

Bridal Show Bliss!

Newly engaged bride? Feeling the excitement you are getting married this year Bride? Any type of Bride is welcome to come see The Events Company and all other creative, talented wedding professionals of the Wedding Studio @ 224 at this year's Driver's Village Bridal Show January 16, 2011 12-5pm!


Premiering for the first time, all of the partners will be represented and ready to show you what it means to create your perfect wedding!


We are seriously excited about being part of this monumental wedding moment in New York, and excited to meet all the bustling brides! So whether you need a wedding planner, limo, band, invitations, videographer, tents, DJ, photographer or flowers make sure you stop by the Wedding Studio lounge tomorrow 12-5pm.


ps: we will be 'announcing for the first time' our Wedding Studio booklet...be the first to see it!

Happy Planning!

Details Details

Wedding Planning is all about details, but more specifically YOUR details. Be sure to include character and flavor to your special day that reflects who you and your fiance are.

One of our Korean brides incorporated authentic Korean linens and Ukrainian food dishes to honor her and her fiances heritage.

Another bride went strawberry picking with her fiance the season before their wedding and froze the strawberries. For their reception, instead of the traditional cake, they had personal short bread cake for each person at the table and a bowl of the strawberries they picked together. A note was placed next to the bowl telling the story of their 'strawberry picking day' and guests loved the personal touch!

Whether it is grandmother's soup recipe, your aunts antique glass bottle collection or hand picked fruit, it is the little, personal touches guests appreciate and make your wedding unique!


Happy Wedding Planning!
(Photo by Maybn Ludke Photography)

Commandments for all Wedding Planners to Live by

Over the past 14 years of being in the event industry I've run into a number of prospective clients and vendors who cringe at the thought of an event planner or wedding planner. Based on past experience with a "planner" who didn't have a clue. The idea of being an 'event planner' seems fun and glamorous - but it's so much more than picking out pretty linens and centerpieces. 

Here's a great article from the National Conference Center blog  that every client looking for a great event professional should read. I couldn't agree more.

Heather Walrath, recent newlywed and featured blogger for Get Married, Weddzilla, WedAlert and The DC Ladies, as well as through her own blog, Bicoastal Bride describes what the ideal planner is for most brides.
She explains that choosing an ideal wedding planner will vary depending upon a bride’s vision for her day and what types of services she seeks. For example, does she seek a full-service designer to craft a specific look and feel for her event? Does she seek a day-of coordinator to manage the organizational and logistical aspects of her day? Here are the five commandments of an ideal planner from Heather’s perspective:

• Problem-Solver – Thou shall be a logical and practical thinker. The ideal wedding planner is a creative problem-solver, able to think and act quickly and rationally in the face of mishaps. She should assess risks and potential pitfalls well ahead of the big day, preparing backup plans and being well-prepared to confidently step in should anything go wrong, from weather snafus to snarky relatives.

• Firm Understanding – Thou shall get to know the client and handle the small details. The ideal wedding planner is detail-oriented yet also aware of the big picture. In addition to having a clear understanding of a couple’s theme and vibe for the day, she must be able to seamlessly track both large and small details, including vendor arrival times and setup needs, the placement of wedding items, seating arrangements, food allergies, VIP relatives, and so much more.

• Selfless Visions – Thou shall still allow the client to make their own decisions. The ideal wedding planner is patient and calm. She should listen and offer honest advice, while remembering that she is bringing the couple’s vision to life, rather than her own. Some brides come out of planning their weddings thinking they will also love planning weddings for others, often finding out after the fact that this is not the case. Advising another bride is very different than implementing your own desires.

• Are You “Connected?” – Thou shall already be active in the industry and community. The ideal wedding planner is well-connected and involved with the wedding community. She knows how to find the best resources and vendors, and is up to speed about the latest industry news and trends.
• Give It Your All – Thou shall remember to handle an event as you would want others to handle your own. The ideal wedding planner is positive and enthusiastic. A wedding day, and the months leading up it, often comprise the most exciting time of a couple’s life. A planner should share in their joy and truly go above and beyond, ensuring their day will be incredible from start to finish. 

 The Events Company team lives by all of these commandments.

How to Avoid Wedding Stress

Avoiding Day-Of Snafus

With any brilliant plan, there are some things that happen the day of at your wedding that are unavoidable – bridesmaids dress tears a seam, you get make up on your gloves; someone cuts their finger on a pin, headaches! But never fear, we are here to give you some tricks of the trade to avoid those little disasters on your wedding day:

-Bride Survive Kit – any great wedding planner should have one automatically onsite, but to calm your fears, be sure to bring one yourself so you can add items you might like, such as Excedrin vs. Advil, specific feminine products or a favorite lotion! A few must haves: Mints, Pain Reliever, Nail Polish Remover, Facial Tissues, Deodorant, Tampons, Adhesive Bandages, Sewing Kit, Bobby Pins, Scissors, Safety Pins, Stain Remover, Double-Sided Hem Tape and Earring Backs.

-Having a wedding planner will deter any stress you might have that you will forget an important item, but to ease your stress make a personal checklist of everything you need and want to have on the big day. Be sure to share this list with your wedding planner who should in-turn present to anyone it affects, such as photographer, dj or caterer. An important item to remember: have your signed marriage license at your rehearsal!

-Let go of unrealistic expectations. Just like with your future husband, you have to decide to accept the good with the bad on your wedding day. A perfect wedding is exactly what you are going to get, no matter if it is executed in the EXACT way you had planned. The most important point is that you enjoy yourself, and be sure your guests are entertained! Practice prior to your wedding dealing with situations that do not completely go your way, or as you planned. Learn how to manage your stress and really take on the attitude if something goes wrong, “well there is nothing we can do about it now, no need to stress.”

-Unmet expectations from vendors. Always have a list of your vendors on hand. Your florist promises you red roses and delivers you white roses. This is where the wedding planner has expertise and an understanding of how to communicate directly with that vendor to trouble shoot every issue as it arises day of. Do not try to handle this situation yourself. Designate a bridesmaid to contact the vendor and express your disappointment as soon as you recognize it. Insist that vendor make every effort to right the wrong before the beginning of the event – and that is what you are expecting. Now is the hard part: If a problem cannot be solved immediately, forget about it. Well at least until the next business day after your wedding. So do not stress the day of your wedding or let the first words out of your mouth to guests be “the florist messed up”. Don’t even mention it. Enjoy your day.

Remember you are beautiful and everyone in that single room has gathered with their loved ones to see the joining of someone they care about and the person they love.