Oliveaire Design Studio Showcase: Lurain & Alvarado Wedding: Simplistic Elegance

This wedding was gorgeous simply because of the location, when you have your event at the University Club, there are so many things that a decorator is able to accomplish, as there are many things that can be decorated. This event was very simple, with the little accent decor for each area of the room to add to the over all look! Family oriented, it made everyone feel as if they were at home celebrating! 

Scissors, Cell Phone and Inspiration

Have you ever seen a Bride’s notebook?  I have, and it has notes, doodles, and vendor interviews, but most importantly, it has bridal magazine clippings of her dream wedding.  In the notebook you will find a picture of her perfect dress, her bouquet, colors that she loves and flowers that she has fallen in love with.  For a floral designer, nothing produces a successful meeting more than seeing what the bride’s vision entails.  It may seem that your choices are disparate, but sorting through pictures to find your style can transform your wedding day into a personalized, branded, event. 

Fairy tale weddings can only be reigned in by a budget.  Drama of tall centerpieces, mood set with specialty lighting, lounge furniture by the bar and graceful linens, they do add up.  The second largest slice of the budget, after the venue, is definitely given to the floral and décor expense.  The impact of a $20,000 floral budget will not be the same as $7,000 budget, but how you maximize it will certainly define your event.  Instead of creating $200 centerpieces mix and match the room with some high centerpieces and some low centerpieces.  Linens are the least expensive option to add impact to the event design.   If you work with a full service event studio the threads of your vision can be presented to you with a complete visual sampling.

So I say to the Brides, find a good pair of scissors and cut out as many pictures as you can of centerpieces. If attending a wedding, take pictures with your cell phone of things that you like, but also of things that you do not want at your wedding.  Be Blissful, Be Inspired, Be an Artists Palette.

BBFN

Olivia

Bridal Show

You’ve got the ring, you’ve called your family and friends to share your good news, and now, you are registered to attend a Bridal Expo to start the journey of planning your big day.

Depending on where you live, and the time of year, you will most likely find a wide variety of expos, trunk shows, boutique events and Bridal seminars to attend, all geared to helping you plan the perfect day. Each show has its own unique, creative format for providing this information.  Feeling overwhelmed as to which showcase(s) to attend? 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you figure out which shows are best for you to attend:

Define your expectation of the show

What are you looking to get from the show? If you are looking to gather information and special offers from a large number of vendors about their services, then one of the larger shows is a great place to start. If you are looking for design inspiration, be sure to look for a show that is being hosted by a décor company. Wanting a better idea on how to start planning your wedding? Look for a show that features a wedding planner to help point you in the right direction.

Decide how much you are willing to spend on a ticket?

There is a wide variance in the cost of these events, some are free and some can cost upwards of $100. One factor in cost is what kind of food and beverage, if any, is being served. Another consideration is what you, as the bride, will take away from the event. Will you get a Swag Bag full of goodies? Some of these events are hosted as fundraisers for different not-for-profit organizations as well.

Are you looking for an intimate experience or a large crowd?

Some events will draw hundreds of brides and their friends and families. Some smaller shows will only have 10 – 20 brides in attendance and will offer a more intimate experience for the attendees.

What shows are your already selected vendors participating in?

If you have already selected a venue, florist, photographer or some other vendors for your big day you will want to find out what shows they are participating in. It is likely that the vendors they work with will also be in attendance. This is a great opportunity to meet those vendors in person and set-up appointments to discuss their services.

No matter which show(s) you decide to attend you will surely have a good time and take away information that will help you plan your day.

Best of luck, and hope to see you at one of our events!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

A Decorators Perspective

Who lights the candle?

It is hard to be invited to a friend or family members wedding as a designer, I am always working on the weekend. On a rare occasion few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a wedding as a guest. It’s a different world when you get to be a guest, enjoying a Raspberry Lime martini and tenderloin on a crostini, with a dollop of crème fraise.

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I heard a chime signaling me up into the ballroom, and as I entered I was……… not sure what I was.

There were beautiful flowers, the lighting was just perfect and linens had set the stage for an elegant dining experience. But, the candles surrounding the centerpieces and floating in the tall cylinder were not lit. At that moment I saw the bridesmaids and the Banquet Captain approach each table to light the candles. Unfortunately not all of the wicks were to ready to be lit, so the whole process was a bit challenging. 

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This experience got me thinking about the pampering each of our Event Designers and Creative Director at Oliveaire strives to provide for our brides and grooms. We work to make each wedding a perfect day for our clients, and how this is truly an “Oliveaire experience”.  But enough about that. 

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I want to share some tips for the brides who are interviewing florists, or already working with a florist, to prevent some of the issues that may potentially arise on the day of your wedding:

1. If you have candles that are part of your centerpiece, and they are being provided by the florist, ask them who will be responsible for lighting them, and when they will be lit. You want to make sure that they are lit in your room photo shots, but are not lit so early that they burn halfway down by the time your guests enter the room.
2. The glass container that these stunning floral centerpieces reside in, are they yours to keep, or for guests to take home? Most of the time, unless written in the contract, glass containers are a rental item, and they are picked up at the end of the night.
3. Will the florist come back at the end of the wedding night to pick up all the glassware?  Your venue may dictate this policy.  They may want all vendors to clear out all items and inventory by certain time.
4. Will the boutonnière include two pins, and will there be extra pins sent? Also, will they be individually labeled with the bridal party members’ names on it?  This will avoid any confusion as to whom the flowers belong too.
5. Is a sample floral centerpiece included?  This will give you the opportunity to admire your vision, as well as make any changes to your floral design in advance.

All you brides to be, your day will be breathtaking.  At the end of the day you will have transitioned from Miss to Mrs.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

When Choosing Your Menu

In the Indian culture, food is not only an integral part during a wedding, but for every occasion as well.  And since a wedding is one of the most important days in a person’s life, they make sure the food is nothing less than delicious and grand.  Traditionally the food is chosen by the bride’s parents and sometimes with the approval of the groom’s parents as well.  There are many courses during the reception, and depending where the couple is from in India, this will determine exactly what will be served.  Also, there is many different ways to serve your food such as buffet and family serving style, and there is many ways to have it prepared including a chef or a caterer.   Whatever it may be, guests will enjoy the spices, the flavors, and most importantly the sweets on this momentous occasion.

Foods Intertwine with Location

            Depending on where you and your family are from, this affects what to serve on your big day.  Even though modern Indian brides are stretching away from these food traditions, there is still an element of where their family originated.  Here, I am going to break down the different locations in India and some suggestions on what to serve to your guests.

            North

During an Indian wedding where the couple’s families are from North India, you can expect to find luxurious options of food.  Guests are served finger foods, coffee, soups and even liquor before the main feast.  Some meals may include chicken, mixed vegetables, and Pulao which is a mixture of meat and rice.

West

Those who are from West India tend to be more on the traditional side.  The meal is usually vegetarian, which includes buttermilk, rice, paan and Kadhi.  Kadhi is a blend of rice, heavy gravy and vegetables.

East

Indian weddings that are based off of Eastern India traditions combine both the North and the West.  Guests start out with finger foods and drinks, and then are served both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.  This is also served with rice which is their main highlight.

South

Southern Indian weddings start early and end early.  The ceremony is in the morning and the main course is served during lunch hours.  They try and stay with natural foods such as rice and vegetables.  Traditionally this meal is served to guests while they are sitting on the floor, but over the years most have eliminated this tradition. 

Sweets

            I have been to many Indian weddings, and the sweet table seems to be what everyone looks forward to.  Not only are sweets absolutely delicious, but they also help to ease the spicy taste of the meal.  There are some sweets that are chosen because of the family’s heritage but, the seasonal sweets and ice cream are welcomed by all walks of life due to their universal popularity.  This year we have seen Mango ice cream and Chiroti Rava Rotti being ordered a majority of the time.  Chiroti is a flaky pastry that is wonderful served with Almond milk.  Everyone has a sweet tooth, and with any Indian dessert you decide to serve, you will be sure to make everyone satisfied. 

No matter where you and your families are from, all kinds of Indian food tastes unbelievable.  The combination of the spectacular flavors and the bold spices really make Indian food one of a kind and something everyone can enjoy.  When choosing your menu, even though it is your day, try and remember to include your family’s traditions because this will be very important to generations before you.  After everything that goes on before dinner, you can sit down, relax and have a remarkable meal that everyone will remember.    

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

For our Bride: The Balancing Act and Making Your Dream Wedding Come True

Being a bride is a balancing act in many ways. One of the toughest jobs you have is to keep all of the decision makers involved in your wedding happy. You have to establish priorities as a couple, and decide on what means the most to you. Then…

You need to figure out who else will be contributing to your wedding budget, and what spoken or unspoken expectations come with that financial contribution. Even if there are not immediately spoken expectations, they are there. Your father may be making a small contribution and seem laid back (but he assumes you want him to walk you down the aisle), your grandmother may want to pay for your gown (as long as it’s not strapless), mother may tell you that she trusts you to select a menu (as long as it doesn’t include fish), and his mother may make a passing comment that she knows a photographer (but what she is not saying is that she fully expects you to use said photographer).

Here are a few tips to help you navigate these tricky waters:

• Start the conversation early – the earlier you start to talk about each person’s vision for your wedding, the better. This gives you the most amount of time to find common ground.
• It is your day, be careful how often you assert that – everyone wants you to be happy with your wedding day. The memories will be most vivid for the two of you. BUT, you will surely earn the title of Bridezilla if you overuse that statement.
• Be prepared to make concessions – as you and your fiancé decide what is most important to you, also start to think about areas that you are willing to bend to keep people happy.
• Listen to others’ wishes – while you may be exhausted of listening to others opinions, you never know when someone will offer up a suggestion that you truly are excited about.

The old cliché is true, you can’t keep all of the people happy, all of the time. It is definitely in your best interest to figure out which people are most important for you to please, at least some of the time.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

Guest Blog: Point of View from the Mother of the Groom

Where Do I Start?

What kind of dress do you wear?

From my personal experience, picking out my dress was an easy one. It was pure luck and great timing. I didn’t know what style I was and it turned out to be a combination of modern and elegant and I narrowed down three dresses within 45 minutes. What was truly important for me is to getting my future daughter-in-law’s approval and that my dress was ultra-comfortable and I got both.

What is your style – modern, glamorous, classic, romantic, elegant, over-the-top, or are you not even sure? If you do choose a dress, it is highly advisable not to choose anything that can be considered over-the-top. Even if your son or daughter is a rock star or Lady Gaga, your dress should be just one level simpler. Your dress should not look similar to the bride’s, or the other Mom’s dress for obvious reasons, but you also do not want to clash with the bride’s vision. There are thousands of dresses to choose from so the following tips may help you narrow down your choices:

Modern – look for clean lines with a unique neckline, color should be unique and accessories do not have to match the dress. Your dress should be easily worn again at a modern art museum gala or even another wedding with simpler jewelry and accessories.

Glamorous – a toned down version of going to the Oscars is the look for you. Do not show too much skin, but explore dresses with one shoulder strap or a halter top. You need not borrow your diamonds from Tiffany or Harry Winston, but diamonds, or similar gems, should make great accessories. Again, this can be worn again at a posh event where you can lose the jacket or shawl.

Classic – this style of dress is a simple style but can be in a striking color like salmon or teal. A suit or non-trendy dress will suffice with pearls and low heels or sandals. This outfit can be worn again at a fundraiser, luncheon or a holiday party by just changing the accessories.

Romantic – Silk, chiffon and ruffles are good features to look for and you want to pull out that old broach or the earrings your hubby gave you for your first anniversary to add as sentiments. This can be worn again at a fundraising event or wedding anniversary party.

Elegant – A mixture or taffeta, silk and lace might be involved, a jacket or shawl to cover the arms, pearls and diamonds are the perfect jewelry. The skirt or bottom half may be a simple cut but the jacket or top may be slightly off the shoulder. Like the other dresses, this can worn again at special occasions with a slight change of jewelry or jackets.

If you don’t know what style looks best on you, and you have no experience being the Mom of the Groom or Bride, do what a bride does. Make an appointment at a bridal salon and try on several gowns of style and color. Do you need to buy one as soon as possible? Yes, if the wedding is less than six months away and need to be ordered. If you are shopping at a department store, you can buy it right then and there or wherever available.

If you decide to wear a shorter dress, make sure it is knee-length or below. Since your feet will show more, make sure to wear a visually appealing pair of shoes. It is also not unusual these days to have a second pair to change into for comfort after a few dances.

You can still apply the above styles even for casual beach or outdoor weddings. You may replace the material with cotton, silk or gauzy, colorful textures but keep the elegance keeping the event in mind.

This is one of the most important days of your child’s life and you should look beautiful. You want to look “presentable” but in your own style and personality. What is the big deal about the Mom’s dress? Your dress is just as important as the bridal parties’ wardrobe, and other than the bride and groom, the parents’ role is highly respected when their children are taking this huge step in their lives. This is not her basketball game or his track meet you’re going to, this is THE day.

It’s Not Just the Dress

Use professionals, if possible, to apply makeup and hair. The main reason is you want to look good for almost 12 hours straight. Professionals know what makeup or hair products to use to sustain your look for that long with minimal application from you during the festivities.

Let the florist know ahead of time what kind of corsage you prefer to have – a wrist or a pinned corsage to better suit your dress. It’s a little difficult to pin a corsage on certain dresses.

Keep the balanced look in mind. Be poised, and no slouching for the first few hours at least. Putting up your feet and relaxing in the last hour or two is very excusable. One of the worst accessories is too much drinking. It’s great to celebrate and dance the night away but no matter how beautiful you look, you will simply not look very “balanced” acting silly or passed out. Digital cameras are everywhere and you do not want that photo taken. So drink water or soda in between to keep hydrated.

Final Tip

The final tip is once you have narrowed down your choices to a few dresses, ask the bride to help you choose. It will make her feel respected and if it happens to be your future daughter-in-law, she will definitely appreciate it. If it’s your daughter, she will appreciate any time she has with you before she officially leaves your home, and that her opinion matters. If it’s your son, just show your final set of choices by showing him photos even if he has an opinion or not. He will still appreciate your enthusiasm and participation on his important day.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now), 

Adel Domingo 

(Guest Blogger)