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

Blending Cultures

So what is this fixation upon Bollywood-style and other exotic weddings?  First and foremost it is the opportunity to do something different and daring.  The rituals, Indian music, vibrant shades of orange and red, beautiful saris and the tradition of henna-painted hands, etc. add an element of spice to a well-worn formula, a bit like ethnic food and music would to our daily lives.  Chicago has always been ahead of the times when it comes to a cultural twist on events.  Take a stroll down Devon St. and see all the beautiful
Indian & Pakistani Influences.

Here are some style tips if you would like to add a cultural Indian influence to your wedding event:

Style Tip 1       
Using Metallics in your invitation adds unexpected sparkle, and sets the tone for your magical day.

Style Tip 2
Get creative with your centerpieces.  Cultural weddings are amazingly colorful events.  A floral elephant is a work of art that people will be talking about for months.

Style Tip 3
Use crystal and jeweled accents in your décor to instantly add glam to any room and transport your guests to a faraway place.

Style Tip 4
Pick a colorful sari if you are comfortable wearing one, the colors are limitless.  If not embellishments such as a colored sash, or ruffles and flowers on your traditional wedding dress count can really add an exciting element to your event.

Style Tip 5
Snake jewelry is not only a must-have fashion trend, but also worn for good luck and good health. 
Perhaps, there is an underlying myth that these culturally rich marriages are more stable because non-western cultures have superior family values.  In any case Bollywood inspired weddings have enormous crossover appeal into our western society, and it is easy to add an element of rich culture to your wedding if you desire.  

The most important element to remember; a Bollywood theme has one aim and objective, and that is fun! Find some great entertainment and go out there and have fun with your culturally infused ideas.  

Bridal Bliss For Now (BBFN),
Olivia

The Color to Inspire All Our 2013 Brides

To All the Newly Engaged Couples!

Congratulations! Now it is time to stop looking at your beautiful ring on your finger, and start planning! The wedding planning literally process starts at yes…

Now I know that as a young girl, or from attending the vast amount of friends and family weddings you've given yourself a foundation of how you might want your wedding to be - but we all know that as we grow older that image we all have been so focused on changes as style, colors, and fashion continue to be recycled and influence our daily life. That being said, as we wind up the summer weddings, we begin to look at whats to come next year. 

I am pleased to announce that next years color is….MINT! And it is as cool as a scoop of gelato and can be mixed with brighter or softer colors to make a wedding event truly memorable. According to the Head of our Design Studio here at Oliveaire - softer palettes from bridesmaid dresses to wedding decor is what all brides are asking for. Matching it with a beautiful bright orange can brighten the palette with jewelry, lip stick or even floral decor and wedding invitations. Soften the palette with a deeper purple or rose gold and a soft beautiful pink can make and enhance the night away in the same way. 

Source: Greenweddingshoes.com

Source: Bowtieandbliss.com

Source: Thebridesguide.com

There is so much you can do with your focus on this color to make it a fresh hint of just everything to tie your wedding together - even by making a signature drink out of it. As the fashion industry recycles, you’ll find the vintage trend become the trend to keep your eye out for. Color can truly define the atmosphere of your wedding, but choose a color that is you and one that is versatile...maybe that color will be mint. Anything you choose will be beautiful, because that day is all about you, my brides. 

BBFN,
Olivia

Color of the Year

Our design studio team is busy working away on designs for brides throughout 2012. Our head designer takes time with each and every couple to truly bring their vision to life. Luckily, she took time from her busy schedule to sit down with me and talk the trends she’s seeing for 2012.


Color
The color of 2012 is… Purple! In every shade from lilac to plum to violet our brides can’t get enough purple. There are so many blooms that come in amazing shades of purple. Here are a few of our favorites:

We were somewhat surprised to learn that shamrock/kelly green has been sneaking its way into event design this year as well. We are using more green linen than ever before, and using green more often in lighting design as well. We have also been incorporating some green blooms into centerpieces and bouquets.

Moving Forward
Each year Pantone releases their color of the year, and in the past few years the release of that color has been making the news. However, it typically takes a couple of years for that color to filter it’s way into wedding and event design (thank you for pointing this out to us Sasha Souza). So while Pantone has said that Tangerine Tango is the color of the year 2012, we think it’ll be a year or two before we see requests for orange dresses, bouquets and linen.

We’re anticipating seeing lots of pink as we move into 2013.

What colors are you using in your wedding design?

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wedding Trends for 2011

It’s the time of year when all of us in the business begin to predict what the biggest trends in weddings will be for the year.

There is no denying that the most anticipated wedding of 2011is the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. This celebration will affect the wedding trends of 2011, and based on past royal weddings, probably weddings for many years to come. What will Kate wear? What will the color scheme be? What will the design elements be? These are some of the questions that the public and wedding industry professionals are all asking. This is to be a fairy-tale wedding in real-life.

Our team of planners, with a combined 50 years of experience, have done some research on the growing trends. Here is what we are predicting, based on what we are hearing from clients and other professionals, as the 2011 wedding trends:

Most popular months:
June is no longer the month when most brides wed, it has been replaced by May, July, September and October. Couples are booking their event close to their wedding day, and gravitating towards long weekends or holidays.

Themes & Decor:
‘Green’ weddings have been a growing trend in the industry, but this year’s events will go beyond green and become naturalistic. Natural fibers, textures and colors will replace shiny glitz. As far as event décor is concerned, chocolate brown and natural woods will be the stars of the show. Accents of orange, gold and cream will give a modern, sophisticated palette for your events.

Reduce, reuse, recycle are on your minds. Couples are becoming more and more environmentally sensitive in their planning with vintage dresses, recycled paper invites, and using food and floral from local producers.

Food & Drink:
Food & drink have always been trendy with many different cultures and cuisines being introduced each year. Keeping with the growing ‘Green’ trend food trends will continue to move toward locally grown comfort foods. A new sense of shared community will be exemplified by venues and caterers partnerships with boutique brands, artisanal purveyors, and local distilleries. Cold weather trends include spiked hot chocolate and miniature spiced doughnuts with warm weather treats featuring white lychee sangria with lemon sorbet pops.


Venues:
Although hotels will always be popular, and the most requested venue sites, the search continues for unique venue locations. Topping the list are Estates, old warehouses and art galleries. Private bars and unique, private hidden places that offer exclusive handcrafted cocktails and secret back bars are becoming more popular for events.

Invitations:
Invitations are taking on new life, becoming much more creative in the electronic sense. Letterpress still stands out, but over-the-top electronic in the form of video is replacing it. The “Green” trend will carry over to invitations and paper as well. Couples will explore online wedding invitation and save-the-date options, as well as 100% recycled paper. With a decline in excess, there is an increase in giving back. Donation cards to a charity close to the couple and gift bags with a cause will become more prevalent in 2011.

Colors:
Pantone has announced the color of the year which is “Honeysuckle”. The color is a blend of pinks and can be mixed with soft creamy yellows and pair it with robin’s egg blue.


Honeysuckle shows up on the catwalk of Badgley-Mischka for their spring 2011 collection modeled during Fashion Week in New York. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)

Other colors that also look to be popular in 2011, based upon the catwalks in New York and Paris, are slightly muted fuchsia, aqua, teal, apple green, loganberry (magenta and wine together) and light citrus yellow with light avocado tones as a neutral for the spring and summer of 2011. Also, grey has replaced black as the new neutral for weddings. Pairing grey with vibrant hues will be sure to make those colors pop. And while grey remains the talk of the town for 2011, Prince William’s upcoming royal wedding has put navy, sapphire, and royal blue back on the map

The folks over at OneWed put together their predictions as well and we could not agree more with these predictions:

Sophisticated Elegance Returns
According to the team over at OneWed “It’s back to basics with elegant, sophisticated style in 2011. Wedding decor will be understated with modern design elements trumping DIY touches. Scripted calligraphy, custom monograms and classic wedding cakes embody this trend. Brides will wear pearls and grooms will ditch the Converse in favor of more tasteful wedding day kicks.” In addition, be prepared for luxurious textures, “Textured linens, embroidered and beaded chair covers, and branch-like centerpieces will captivate wedding guests.”


Gowns:
Big Ball Gowns are Back. Again, according to OneWed “Wedding dress designers draped, ruched, and layered clouds of tulle, power netting and chiffon to fashion whimsical wedding dresses with limitless volume. What is going to be the outcome? Fairytale-inspired bridal style and whimsical wedding dresses for 2011 I Dos.” One shoulder gowns, sheer and peekaboo necklines will gain attention by allowing brides to be fashionistas with flair.

Ethnic Influences, Cultural Wedding Details
”Whether it’s a religious wedding ceremony ritual, traditional wedding day garb, cultural cuisine infused throughout the reception dinner, or wedding decor with bold, ethnic prints, you can’t help but embrace the unique cultures and ethnicities of couples in 2011.”

The important thing to remember is these are only the forecasted trends for 2011. If this isn’t your idea of the perfect event, be bold and adventurous and create your own trend.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Design watch 2011

Today we have Katie Gutierrez, Event Architect, chatting with you about the color scheme of your wedding. She has some great insights, enjoy!

“Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” Oscar Wilde

This is a great quote. You start off with a blank canvas. You are the artist who brings to life your celebration. You create the mood; you create the personality. You are designing the moment of a lifetime.


Color trends for weddings are like fashion trends. The change in trends signifies the new season. They are always changing, constantly evolving, and being more and more about personal expression vs. tradition.

FALL/WINTER 2010/2011: BOLD/VINTAGE!!

The colors are saturated, daring, and very BOLD. Rich Purples, Reds, Chocolate Browns, Coral, Turquoise, Sage. Try taking your choice of these colors and splashing them with accents of orange, gray, fuchsias, yellows and metallics. This adds that creative glamour. I have been seeing “out of the box” color combinations, which evokes personality!


And of course, there’s the ever-timeless Black. Black is always in season. It provides that simplicity, that striking-ness and the elegance.

TRY Monochromatic! By taking one color and using several shades of the same spectrum you will create a textured, dramatic, yet graceful look.


With any color trend you are able have a MODERN & BOLD wedding or a CLASSIC & TRADITIONAL wedding. It’s all about how you pair your colors, and the details.

Embrace color and just be inspired. Some of you, I’m sure, have known what your color scheme would be before you were even engaged and have your heart set on that. That is wonderful! Paint on your canvas! Some of you have no clue where to begin, which may be daunting since the choice you make will have a part in every aspect of the wedding.

Just take a look at you and your groom. Think about your personality, your lifestyle and what you enjoy. If a color had to express that, what would it be? Or, if you want your guests to walk into a room to feel a certain way, what way would you want them to feel? What colors will help create that feeling?

Remember, whatever colors you choose, whether it’s a part of the season's trends or something you've chosen on your own, it speaks to the soul, touches your emotions and will create the most magical feel to your special day.

~Katie

Hope you are all feeling inspired to design your canvas!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia