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Monday, September 27, 2010

A Beginner’s Guide to Linens




You have chosen your reception venue…and although you love it, you want to make the look of your reception all your own. One tool that can be used to transform a room is linens. This article will educate you on the basics of linens, so you can be ready to choose the perfect accessories for your venue!

Tablecloths
Tablecloths are the foundation of your linen choices, and will set the background palate for the other items you choose. Make sure you know the correct table size so you can order the right size tablecloths. For an elegant look, you want your tablecloths to be floor length (guests should not see the legs of your tables).

Napkins
Napkins add color to the foundation you’ve laid with your tablecloths, and are a must for a formal setting. They can be folded in a variety of ways, or can be placed neatly inside of a beverage glass or coffee cup. Check out this website that gives you step-by-step instructions on how to fold napkins in a number of different ways. http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com

Overlays
An overlay is another linen accessory that is placed on top of a tablecloth (just as the name implies, it ‘lays over’ a tablecloth). An overlay can add an additional dimension of color to your table.

Runners
A runner is another accessory that is placed on top of a tablecloth, but it is generally long and rectangular in shape. It ‘runs’ from one end of a table to another. These are ideal if you are using long tables instead of round ones for your reception.

Chair Covers
Chair covers can turn plain banquet chairs into elegant seating for your guests! When ordering your covers, be sure you know what kind of chairs will be used in your venue (banquet chair, folding chair, etc), so that you order the right size. Nothing is worse than having chair covers that are too short!

A great option that I’ve seen used a lot lately is the pillowcase chair cover (shown above). They slip around a chair, very similar to the way a pillow is placed in a pillowcase. It’s a great look!

Sashes
Sashes are an accessory that accompany chair covers, and can be coordinated with your napkins, overlays or runners. There are countless ways to tie sashes (YouTube has several videos that give you detailed instructions on tying sashes).

Chair Sleeves
A chair sleeve is an accessory that is slipped over the back of a chair (on top of your chair cover) and can be used instead of a sash. Just like the sash, it can be coordinated with your napkins, runners or overlays.

What types of material are available?
Your choices are almost endless! You can go with simple, solid linen, or you can choose organza, satin, velvet, sheers, shag, taffeta, or lace. Before you make a decision, it’s best to get a swatch of what you are considering so you can get a feel for the texture of the material.

Your Planning Assignment
Do your homework! Again I suggest ordering swatches of items you are considering. Or, if there is a reputable linen company in your area, make an appointment to see what they have to offer.

Happy Planning!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

French Bridal Veil

I really like this look...what do you think?

http://blog.ourweddingday.com/search/french+veil

Thursday, September 9, 2010

I Want An Outdoor Wedding…Where Do I Start?


Have you always dreamed of getting married outdoors? Whether it’s the beach, a farm, or a large family backyard, there are several things that must be considered when planning this type of wedding.

What time of year/season is your wedding?
One of the first things you should do is take a serious look at where you plan to marry and how the weather typically behaves around your wedding date. Are you getting married in the southern part of the US or on an island during the summer? If so, don’t forget about hurricane season! Is your wedding date in the middle of winter in the northeast? If so, don’t forget about snow storms! Yes, the weather is unpredictable, but you can expect to have a certain kind of weather during certain seasons of the year.

What are my options for keeping my guests comfortable while outdoors?
One of the best things to consider is tents. Tents can provide overhead covering only, can include curtains for an airy feeling, or can be completely enclosed with ‘windows’ around the sides and even skylights in the ceiling (a skylight is an excellent idea for evening events, so you can see the stars!) If your concern is cold or hot weather, tent heaters and fans can be rented to make the space very comfortable (in fact, they can feel so good, your guests may forget all about the weather outside!)

Things to consider when planning an outdoor event
Planning an outdoor event takes much more coordinating than an event in a banquet hall or hotel ballroom. Some of the items you will need to rent include chairs, tables, china, linen, silverware, glassware, and lighting. And depending on where you plan to set up, you may also need to rent restroom facilities for your guests. If your tent is open, don’t forget about insect repellent, so your guests are not swatting bugs away all night!

Should I have a Plan B?
Absolutely! What if a major storm is predicted to blow through your town on your wedding day? Yes you may have a tent lined up, but if the winds are too strong, it may not be an option for you. Always have a plan B in place to address the unexpected!

Your Planning Assignment
Ponder the option of an outdoor event very carefully. Because of the many details that have to be coordinated and executed, an event planner may be just the person to help you pull it all together!

Happy Planning!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010