Thursday, June 11, 2015

Will you choose a Florist or an Event Designer?

Flowers and decor can be the next highest ticket item for a wedding following the venue and food & beverage.  Aside from floral centerpieces, if one wants to truly create a stunning wedding, there are selections such as linens, lighting, chairs, lounge furniture, bellowing fabric, illumination boxes and etc.....  If the budget allows you to "Pimp Up" your big day, the most common question is should I choose a Florist or an Event Designer.

Florist

These can be neighbor hood shops that have been part of the community for years.  They cater to "foot traffic" and create arrangements that are geared more towards the personal flowers.  Some florists have taken on the additional business of weddings.  However, they can be limited in their resources and inventory.  They may tend to be less "hands-on".  They will not be a one stop shop if you want to add linen, lighting, etc... to your event.  You will work individually with different vendors and connect the dots so to speak.

Price:  Value to Middle

 
Event Designers
 
An Event Designer will create an overall design concept and ensure that the visual details are cohesive with the color story and floral palette.  A Creative Director will select products from many resources and are not limited to inventory, color or design.  They will spend time with each client in creating a unique wedding day story.  It will reflect the couple's personal style and brand the event with layering of visual astonishment.  A Design Studio can offer a complete look for your event including linens, furnishings, fabrics, up-lighting, covered dance floor, custom products etc....





An Event Designer will have more flexibility on time.  Service and products will be the highest priority.  They will have a trained crew to produce the event as it has been envisioned.  Even if the company had partnered up to provide certain elements of the event, it is the Creative Director that will connect all the dots for a stunning wedding. 

Price:  Middle to High

As I always tell my newly engaged brides, inform yourself on the limitations of your wedding team.  This will allow you to create a cohesive picture of your big day.  The more you are vested with your vendors and they are vested with you, there won't be any surprises as you walk down the aisle.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now)

Olivia

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Enhancing Your Event with Linens


The feeling of glitz, glamour, luxuriousness and elegance can all be brought to life with the use of linens on your wedding day.   From the wide selection of fabrics, colors, and patterns to choose from, there will be something that matches the tone you are trying to set.  There are many different ways linens can be used to enhance your venue in a whimsical and romantic way.  Here are some helpful tips of advice on what linens would be a perfect match and how to incorporate them on your wedding day. 

Finding Your Perfect Linen

1.      Research

When searching for inspiration for your lavish linens, be sure to research everything from colors to the material.  Every aspect is important and everything will determine the look and feel of your venue space.  Always consider what you have envisioned and get advice from the experts and from your family and friends.  Both will help you come up with what would be perfect for the atmosphere you are trying to portray. 

2.      Color Considerations

Even though bright colors are trending this year, the use of ivories and whites for table clothes and chair covers are more popular than ever.  Here are a few reasons as to why you should consider ivory or white for your linen choices. 

·        Plain and simple, white and ivory are the easiest to decorate with because it matches just about everything.  It is very good against splashes of colors from your table napkins and your centerpieces. 

·        White and Ivory also look absolutely breathtaking with up lighting because it will somewhat turn the color of your room without blending into the backdrop.  Either of these two colors shimmers against the lighting. 

·        If you are looking to save money and you are lucky enough to have this, most venues can only provide white or ivory linens when it is a part of their wedding package. 

Even though there are many different benefits to having white and ivory linens, the use of colored linens can also look just as magnificent.  It may be a little more tough to mix and match and get the lighting right, but we have seen some exquisite venue spaces with colored linens before.  Be creative and follow your heart on what you believe fits your personality and your vision. 

3.      Other Ways to Use Fabric Besides a Table Cover

Chair Covers: The use of fabric to cover a chair can turn a fabulous chair into a spectacular piece of art that flows with the scenery.  Sure we have seen couples choose to use the venues chairs without a cover or order specialty chairs that match the décor, but the use of a cover and possibly a wrap around of another color, really pulls the whole room together. 

Backdrop:  A very unique way of incorporating fabrics into your wedding day is by using a backdrop made of all linen.  Although this might be an expensive way to incorporate linens because of all the yards it will require, you could use this backdrop at both the ceremony and the reception.  The below picture shows a backdrop that we did in the past that incorporates two different colors and if you look close enough you will see that it has elements of crystal curtains throughout. 
 
 

Aisle: Flowing fabric aisles definitely gives off a romantic and flowing feel to a ceremony space.  Although it may be tough to keep everyone off of it before you walk down the aisle, it will be well worth it.  We have seen some beautiful aisles that are made of linen and are topped with flower pedals going all the way down to the alter or the Mandap.  Below is a picture from one of the weddings we did the décor for that has a breathtaking fabric aisle with floral elements. 
 

 
Mandap and Stage: At Oliveaire we specialize in South Asian weddings.  With the above picture, you can see a gorgeous fabric Mandap made out of all linens with a hint of floral elements.  The stage is also covered with a beautiful soft white fabric.  This luxurious way of decorating a Mandap looks absolutely romantic and the lighting brings out the beautiful pink color.    

4.      Steps You Should Take

1.      Research information and size of tables, chairs and other measurements where you might be incorporating linens.  This information includes if your venue space provides linens or areas close to you that can provide you the linens you want.

2.      Find out Costs.  Call around to many different places and compare costs on the amount of fabric you will need and their services to deliver and possibly set up. 

3.      Consider the costs and envision the best possible outcomes that stay within your budget.

4.      Before ordering, make sure this fabric brings to life the look and feel you have been dreaming about.

5.      Once you are sure, make an order with the company and make sure before your big day that they will be ready on time and that they have everything you ordered. 

               Linen simply adds pure elegance and pulls your dream décor all together.   When choosing your extraordinary linens, make sure to gain as much knowledge as possible, brainstorm and get advice from your close family and friends.  Having all of this information can only help and it will make choosing a lot easier and a lot more fun.  Follow your vision and nothing can go wrong!   
BBFN
Olivia