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.      

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!

 

Linen Pick of the Week: Adele Lamour

Our pick of the week is an eye-catching adele lamour. This floral design features deep purple and cerise accent colors, leading to the use of these tones throughout your wedding decor. When using such a detailed linen, it's important to keep the other design elements simple, as you want to avoid overwhelming the space.    


 

If a client chose this linen for their event, we would suggest using the deep purple and cerise highlighted in the flowers of the fabric to complete the design of the decor. You can see how these colors would then inspire the choice of flowers and centerpieces, as well as the cake.  By looking closely at the linen, you can also see how we would select the style of the invitations and escort cards to replicate the intricate black floral design that accompanies the colored flowers on the fabric.

A beautiful linen can inspire your entire wedding decor, from the save the date cards to the thank you notes. All it takes is a close eye and attention to detail, and you can successfully create the space you envisioned! Need help making your ideas come to fruition? Contact The Events Company for assistance regarding linens, color schemes, and much more.  

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

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

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.

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!

Here Vendor Vendor!!

Getting the Most out of your Vendors

Choosing your vendors is a daunting task. How do you know they will fit your wedding vision? Consulting with your wedding planner first is the best way to find out which vendors will fit your personality and needs. Local wedding planners have access to endless providers and can recommend the best in the wedding biz. Vendors can make a wedding come alive- and we’ve got some tips for figuring out a way to get the most out of your selected vendors.

Build a relationship with your vendor:

The greatest thing about vendors is most of them have been in the business a long time, and have built their own professional relationships. If you have already worked with your wedding planner to select an incredible caterer, ask them for referrals to a florist. The wedding business is a small, small world- and the pros can tell you who to rely on- and who to avoid.

Determine their scope of services:

Some people are surprised to know that The Events Company does Fun Photo services as well as full service wedding planning. Make sure to ask your vendor exactly what their scope of services are, so that you don’t miss out on any awesome perks. Wedding planners are able to tell you which venues will even help set up place cards for you- or do a variety of miscellaneous tasks.

Figure out where your money is going:

Remember that you are hiring the best because they know how to spend your budget correctly to execute your dream wedding. One place brides try to save money is on their DJ – some services consist of hiring the company, not a specific individual. If you saw a DJ you liked at a friend wedding, get their company name and individual name and be request that specific person. Be sure to know EXACTLY who and WHAT is going on at your wedding.

Your wedding planner should provide you with a list of the day’s events and expectations. If you notice something is not to your liking, approach your wedding planner first to diffuse the situation. Be strong in what you want – there are vendors out there who will give you exactly what you envisioned!

Some of the best vendors in the industry book 2 years out, so be sure to contact them as soon as you think you might be interested. Your wedding planner should set up a meet and greet and if you like them, go for it! It will be a sense of relief to know you have crossed off something on your “Wedding To Do!”

Look for a future post for an entire “Wedding To Do!” list.

Happy Holidays!

Shannon

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.

Shout out in the Newspaper!

STAPLES/KINSELLA

Published in Syracuse Post Standard on 12/12/2010

Planning Panic!

The Planning Panic

All brides have had one. It can hit you at any moment- in a million ways. You feel panicked, stressed and you can almost feel yourself morphing into …Bridezilla! It’s in these moments, before you destruct anything in your path where one point becomes painfully obvious: You need an Event Planner.

We are a wedding planning/décor company and we believe in what our business can do to bring a vision of a perfect wedding to life! We also want what is best for our brides, regardless; So whether you are a potential new client or just perusing the website for fun, we want to offer you up some helpful hints from our wedding pros.

What to look forward to this week:

-Some valuable lessons in time management as a bride

-A quick rundown of what may go wrong on the big day- and how to avoid it!

-A list of hassle-free services that your vendors will provide

-And as always, some fabulous pictures of our past events

We look forward to hearing your feedback, and more importantly your wedding day stories! Brides and their weddings will be featured each week on our blog, so please submit wedding day pictures to marrymeNY@gmail.com if you feel your wedding day was the perfect vision brought to life!

Happy reading!

Shannon Lach

Wedding Director/Decor Designer

The Events Company

We do it all for the brides!

Hi Shannon

The last of the wedding company left on the train this morning....so, now I can finally get to some of the after wedding duties...like thanking you and your staff.  We were so happy with everything that we ordered and got to finally see come all together.  The cocktail and reception room looked beautiful and the bride was so in aww of the lovely view from her sweetheart table...if we had to do it all over again, we would not change one thing. You and your staff kept the day running to smooth. We loved, loved, loved the first floor dance party...the tables and chairs looked great, the candy table  looked fantastic and thanks for moving the flowers downstairs...they added a nice touch, loved the lighting also.   We have had so many family and friends call to tell us that this was the best wedding that they have ever been to...it was beautiful and sooo much fun. So, Thank you soo much Shannon for all that you did, on that day and for the many many meetings  you had with us prior to the wedding...I will spread the word on what a great job you and your staff would provide for an event and I would call you again in a minute.  I am so glad that we went with less decorations on the stage and listened to you and kept the ambient lighting...beautiful...just beautiful.  Knowing that you and your girls were only a shout away the whole weekend made me feel at ease...All I can say is Thank You...THANK YOU!!!!  We had such a great Wedding Day!!

Mother of the Bride