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!

 

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!

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.

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.

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

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

Planning Your Wedding Decor: The Tables

Yesterday we wrote about your overall room ambiance. Today we write about the tables...

The Table – treat the entire table; chairs or chair covers, the linen, the napkin, the centerpiece, stemware, china, and flatware. You don’t need a $100+ centerpiece when you make the entire table look attractive.

Specialty Tables – here is where you can add a color pop and personality with designer linens. (cake table, escort card table, and gift table)

Planning Your Wedding Decor: Room Ambiance

Creating the ambiance for your wedding reception is more than just the guest tables. If you treat the entire space as a whole, you'll create a better overall look and feel. You may be thinking, 'but this is going to cost me more money.' Not necessarily true... you can always spend more money (that's easy) but using a holistic approach can offer you an alternative to spending so much money on the guest tables (we'll talk about those tomorrow).

Venue – does the room represent your style or do you need to totally transform? When selecting your venue your style should be taken into consideration. A non-traditional venue may be better suited to your needs. You may need to pay a venue rental charge, but if the venue fits your style, then you have less need for the 'total room transformation.' This is why so many bridal couples are looking for unique venues.

 Lighting –  ambient lighting softens hard edges, hides ‘not so nice’ walls and can highlight wonderful architectural features.

 

Fabric Draping – Fabric can create a focal point, intimate spaces, and hide ‘ugliness.’ Use it for head table backdrops, canopies over the dance floor, or to reveal surprises during the night like a lounge area or candy bar.

 

 

Ceiling Treatments  - can help lower a really high (or ugly) ceiling and create ambiance.

 

Your Wedding Decor Planning Timeline

Once the man of your dreams on bended knee asks for your hand in marriage:

• First thing you want to do is select the time of year you want to celebrate your nuptials.
• Discuss finances with all parties contributing to the ‘cause’ to develop how much you are able to spend.
• Select the venue that reflects your overall vision.
• Start shopping for your gown. Your final decision will influence your overall vision more than you think.
• Select the color and style of your bridesmaids dresses. The color will influence your décor color story.
• Select your team of professionals (florist, decorator, caterer, photographer, videographer, music, etc.).
• Determine what the needs are to establish the preliminary costs of all items. Don’t worry about the minute details just enough to know what your look will be and the estimated costs. The details will come later.

You’ve rounded the corner and the date is now 6 months away:

• Meet with the caterer to finalize your menu.
• Meet with your florist and decorator (preferably The Events Company) to discuss the overall look. Together they will help you build a plan, including the layout of the room. Don’t be afraid to ask to see a sample of the guest table set-up with the elements you’ve selected.

• Flowers and décor for ceremony (look at what can be reused for the reception)
• Flowers and décor for Cocktail area
• Room ambiance: lighting, fabric draping, emphasizing focal points
• Treat the table as a whole unit: linens, chairs or chair covers, centerpiece, charger, napkins, stemware, china, flatware
• Specialty Tables: escort card table, gift table, cake table, head table or sweetheart table

The big details are finalized, now you can focus on the little details that will bring out your personalities (3 months out):

• Ceremony: the grand exit (bubbles, flower petals, balloons, etc)
• Cocktails: signature cocktail greet, ice sculpture, photo booth, strolling entertainment (hand illusionist)
• Reception: Toasts, How to get the newlyweds to kiss, Monogram on dance floor, sparklers as bridal couple departs reception, etc.

Ready, Set, Go!

Opera House Love

Just a little view of the lovely couple Brittney and Eric from last weekend. Truly was a magical wedding, can't believe it is over already! Bert Pohl Photography did an amazing job, lovely to work with, and I can not wait to see all the pictures and post them!

White Wedding - Tented Perfection

Chivari Chairs are a great way to add the WOW factor to your wedding. As wedding designers and planners, we are able to best help you understand how to incorporate the theme, color and feel you are looking for on your big day. Simply using white chivari chairs without considering every other aspect of your decor options could have ended in a tragic white blizzard rather than a white wedding to be talked about for years.

The wedding vision and theme are a product of you, the bride, and a lifetime of personal experience and love; as a wedding designer it is my job to be sure your special day reflects every aspect of that. From the chairs, to the napkins even the silverware and lighting, it all should be reflection of you and your fiance. Once you see the parts put together, I can promise you your breathe will be taken away, like the day your he proposed.







Lisa and Steve celebrated their lovely day at the Aurora Inn, NY. These photos from Larrisa Cleveland Photography capture exactly how magical your wedding day can be with the perfect blend of friends, family, great venue and exceptional decor items, like the Chivari chairs from The Events Company.

Clayton Opera House - Brittney & Eric

So I just received a text message from my bride this weekend.

"Hey Shannon. We haven't stopped smiling from our big day! You made our day perfect. It was beautiful...thanks again :)

Brittney and Eric were AMAZING to work with at the Clayton Opera House. A multi-level event using the stage, main floor and event space we were able to give guests a surprise every room they turned into.

Now, I must say, it was the first wedding I have managed onsite that seemed easy...right?!! Well lets back up...not claiming it was and I was not running around with a high pony tail and a bottle of water attached to my hip tracking down the groomsmen in either the balcony, stage, foyer, hallway basement or behind stage. There were a lot of places those guys could hide! But for the first time, I realized...I can do this, I am getting the hang of every aspect of a wedding...and I smiled at that moment. I tell ya, I haven't stopped smiling.

Not only do I owe this wave of calmness to our wonderful The Events Company staff who carried 170 chivari chairs up 3 flights of stairs and rolled 3 dozen tables from back stage, so I didn't have to, but I have to thank the stunning and grateful bride and groom. Without them and their equally as genuine family, this wedding would not have been as grand as it was.

People danced the night away for 5 hours....straight and kept going! Which is such a indication of how close and fun this family was.

I can honestly say, I hope Brittney and Eric remain friends of mine for a lifetime, the world needs more people like them.

Now back to planning the next one!!

Shannon