For those hosts and hostesses whose tastes lean more towards personal, vintage and unique: we suggest choosing vintage tablecloths for each table instead of the average white linens or custom-designed ones. We adore the idea of a small, intimate wedding that features different vintage tablecloths in coordinating colors.
The idea also lends itself to using different sizes and shapes of tables which really makes your event look more personal. Check out Etsy for a good source of pretty vintage tablecloths and see below for our suggestions for an event with a red color palette. These inspirations are perfect for afternoon weddings, events taking place at a winery or small inn or anything where a personal touch will go a long way.
A fireworks display is unique idea that’s becoming more and more popular these days. We love the idea of the guests walking out of the reception after having an amazing time and being greeted with a gorgeous fireworks display.
Another option is using Chinese flying lanterns. There are many different legends behind the use of Chinese flying lanterns: a high-flying lantern brings prosperity and good luck, or it brings good fortune in the future. On thing is certain: the picture below is captivating! It’s a beautiful way to get your guests involved in your day as well by having each person send a lantern as they leave. Whether it’s fireworks, flying lanterns or something else in the sky…what a great way to send off your guests!
You may have noticed an update in the look of the Brilliant Event Planning Blog - thanks to our webmaster, Cass, for his hard work in making our blog ideas into reality! Enjoy the new updates and be sure to let me know if you see anything out of order.
Just found this on YouTube and had to share - something funny especially for those of you out there who are tearing your hair out with planning your wedding!
We’re always so honored to be a part of our clients’ events and Ann & Matt’s New York City wedding was no exception. A huge thanks goes to Mariann of Blue Daisy Weddings for her talented eye in photographing the event from start to finish. The photos are exquisite and she’s a dream to work with. Check out MORE of Ann & Matt’s pictures on Mariann’s blog: Blue Daisy Weddings Blog
One of my favorite ways to create a touch of elegance for outdoor weddings is the use of chandeliers. You can hang them in trees for the ceremony, under a rustic overhang for cocktail hour or inside a restored barn for the reception.
They add just a bit of elegance without being too stuffy, add interest to the ceiling and improve the ambiance with their soft lighting. For couples on a budget or wanting a non-traditional feel, there are all types for all price ranges, tastes and colors! For inexpensive ones try Ikea or Shop Wild Things. Here are a few pictures to inspire you…
Our guest blogger today is Mike Abbate from Skyline Orchestras - one of my favorite live-music performers! When it comes to having an amazing reception, experience is key. Read on for his Expert Opinion!
It’s no secret that a great live band puts an affair in a whole different class of its own. There is one thing that is a common occurance, no matter what type of affair. When the party is in full swing, you want your guests to be dancing!
We always want to get the party going as soon as possible with dance music. Sometimes people are shy to be the first ones up and have not had enough to drink quite yet. In my experience, when people are hesitant to get up and dance, I’ve learned that changing the pace of the music is the right choice. A very famous ballad is the key to getting guests dancing every time! When I say every time, I mean every time I’ve needed to do this we have seen instant results! It’s magic! Can you guess the name of that tune? Hmieucad loyedm (the unscrambled answer is at the bottom)
As a last piece of advice: take the time to come out and see live showcases of your band. Meet the musicians and singers, and see exactly what you’re getting so you can evaluate the group on the spot. Seeing them in person means no guess work.
…want to know what the magic song is? Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers!
If you’re planning a wedding in the New York City area, come and check out Skyline Orchestras! Not in the NYC area? Request a DVD of their performances. Visit their website at http://www.skylineorchestras.com/
A lovely trend that is coming more and more to the forefront is giving seed packets as favors! You can represent the bride/groom or new mom/dad’s heritage by giving out seeds from specific areas of the world. Irish families can use shamrock seeds, Dutch families with tulips, or the lotus flower for Chinese backgrounds. You can easily tack a sachel onto a meaningful poem printed on decorative paper for a more budget-friendly option. For those DIY brides out there: take it one step further and design your own seed packets with a photo of the happy couple. You can download a template here from Kodak
For hosts and hostesses with slightly deeper pockets, consider making your guests a small gardening pail that contains all they would need to plant your seeds. A patterned or plain silver bucket, a small trowel, some brightly colored gardening gloves and maybe a lemonade mix to keep them refreshed. Seeds are a great way to represent your family heritage to your guests!
One thing that many brides/grooms, host/hostesses forget is the amount of supplies that you’ll need to bring to the venue. Boxes of favors, programs, menus, escort cards, etc. stack up very quickly and can be a BIG hassle to transport in the busy days just before the event . Our solution? Have as many things shipped directly to your venue as possible. Be sure to check with your venue that shipping things ahead of time is ok with them and ensure that you address them as:
Jane Hostess, c/o Venue Name, 111 First Street, New York, NY
By shipping them “Care of” (c/o) the venue you’ll ensure that they know who the boxes belong to. Always confirm that your supplies are kept in a secured area where there’s no chance of them being stolen. Save yourself some time and stress by having things shipped straight to your venue!
