Luxury Seating

Luxury is often a word associated with Hollywood. To translate this luxury theme it is important to pay attention to your seating. Instead of using the standard banquet chair rent elegant chiavari chairs. These classic chairs most often come in gold, silver, black, or brown. Another option to disguise the run of the mill banquet chair is to use chair covers. Today chair covers come in a variety of fabrics and colors. I suggest using a silk in ivory or white with chair sash knotted in the same tone. Finally, set up lounge seating areas with couches and chairs. Placing these groupings near the dance floor will allow your guests to rest their feet while still feeling like they can partake in the fun of your reception.

Lavishness Linens    

To achieve the Hollywood look it is important not to settle for your venue’s traditional white tablecloth. With your linens you can add style and glam. Today there are hundreds of fabrics and colors to choose from. Layer multiple fabrics, like embroidered organza with chenille or layer tablecloths with lush silks or sheer velvets.

Customized Lighting

Nothing can transform your reception like great lighting. Customized lighting can change the entire look of a space. For the Hollywood look use opulent chandeliers saturated in Swarovski crystals and accent lighting in amber or gold tones. To continue with the theme I suggest using an array of candles. Not only will your reception atmosphere glow, your guests will look even more radiant under this warm light. When it is time for the dance to start, you can create a club like atmosphere with red or blue lighting.

Bountiful Flowers

Beautiful flowers will turn any wedding into something spectacular! With a Hollywood-themed wedding, flowers are not only important, but essential. Nothing gives the feeling of lavishness and glamour than rich, bountiful blooms. To achieve the Hollywood look, I suggest using soft romantic blooms, like peonies, hydrangeas, roses, and ranunculus. Add a touch of the exotic with phalaenopsis or vanda orchids. It is important to minimize the use of filler flowers and greens to achieve the rich Hollywood theme. Finally, use a variety of centerpieces in various sizes to create tablescapes that will not only transform your reception but leave a lasting impression.

Sparkling Details

The cliché saying “it’s all in the details” is definitely true for a Hollywood-themed wedding. Hollywood does not do anything half way and neither should you. I believe it is all in the layering of the details. For example, carry metallic shimmer throughout your event by incorporating mercury glass vases, napkin rings, chargers and framed photos. Combine these items with sparkling crystals from chandeliers, candle sticks, and beaded strands. Continue layering with accents of feathers in your bouquets and centerpieces. Finally add reflective element with mirrors strategically placed throughout your reception. By layering these elements throughout your wedding you will create a magical Hollywood event that no one will soon forget.

Find all the links for the photos here

•  Bridesmaid’s dresses: Instead of choosing a bridesmaids dress from a wedding boutique, look for deals at your favorite retail stores such as Banana Republic, The Limited, or The Gap

•  Votives: Nothing sets the tone of your reception then candle light. Saturate your reception with inexpensive votives.

•  Garden Flowers: Raid your or families garden’s for flowers. Many florist will work your own grown flowers….just remember you will still need to pay for their services and floral supplies.

•  Submerged Floral: Create a striking arrangement with as little as three flowers by submerging your favorite bloom, such as, orchids or calla lilies in vases with a floating candle.

•  Vases and Jars: Instead of purchasing or renting vases create an eclectic look by gathering a mix of vases, jars, and glasses that you or loved ones may own.

•  Colored Water: Bring color to your tables by floating a candle in a vase filled with colored water. Add a submerged flower for an extra touch.

•  Rose Petals: Don’t scatter, but, create “petal piles” around candlescapes, which, gives you color for little cost. You can also fill rose petals in a hurricane vase with a candle or submerge in a vase filled with water and a floating candle.

•  Hydrangeas: Although hydrangeas are considered one of the more expensive flowers, they cover a large area. Fill a vase with one to tree hydrangeas to create a lovely, simple centerpiece.

•  Baby’s Breath: Don’t knock the baby’s breath… (Although I have been known to too) Packed tightly in arrangements or bouquets baby’s breath can mimic snow, perfect for a winter wedding.

•  Bridesmaid’s Bouquets: Create modern, inexpensive bridesmaid’s bouquets by using a few stems of one flower such as peonies or hydrangeas.

•  Paper Lanterns: Paper lanterns make an enormous visual impact whether they are lit or unlit. They are super budget friendly and tie the whole reception room together.

Recently I teamed up with Leah at Envision Wedding Studio and Grand Falls Casino Resort to host a fun filled fiesta for Novartis, a business in the area. The goal of this Mexican themed fiesta was to create a colorful, eventful party enjoyed by all. Leah took the lead on the design elements using cactus, colored and vintage vases, sombreros, maracas, piñatas, lanterns, indigenous textiles, and bright paper flowers. For the tables we combined these items with vibrant flowers. For our first table we used three colored vases filled with flowers, on the second table we used a 24” cylinder filled with cactus along with an antique vase arranged with flowers, and for the third table, a yellow lantern with small vintage vases packed with flowers. Each centerpiece was accented with a rectangle piece of indigenous fabric.

Creating fiesta themed centerpieces is nothing but enjoyable. Combining bright colors with funky flowers is an ideal pairing. For the Novartis fiesta I wanted to use a variety of textures and colors. The list of flowers I chose was: alstroemeria, stock, protea, tulips, spray roses, godetia, spider mums, acacia, wax flower, bupluerum, and monster leafs. The blend of these flowers allowed me to create unique, vibrant bouquets–no one being exactly alike. The result was a perfect marriage between the design elements and flowers creating an exciting, fun escape from the chilly winter months.

Below is a glimpse of the Mexican theme brought to life

 1. Dessert

Add color and texture to any dessert by decorating your sweet treats with blooms of flowers. Use flowers such as chamomile, daisies, violets, or pom poms either directly on your dessert or on the serving tray.

2. Candles

Take old garden pots and fill it with wet floral foam. Add a candle to the middle and fill around the edges with flowers. Try using different size pots to add interest to your table.

3. Pressed Flowers

When flowers begin to fade, don’t throw them away; press them in an old book for future projects. After they are dried frame the pressed flowers to enjoy them for years to come.

4. Tin Cans

For a simple grouping of flowers, turn used soup or coffee cans into vases for very little money. Spray paint the cans or cover them in fabric or paper to create cohesiveness among the containers.

5. Jars and Wine Bottles

Place single blooms of flowers into individual milk jars, wine bottles, or mason jars. I recommend varying the heights of your containers to add interest.

6.Place Cards

With a Sharpie write each guest’s name on greenery leafs and use them as place cards for your table.

7. Rose Petal Bubbly

Add a little extra special to your party cocktails by floating rose petals in the bubbly. (Don’t worry roses are edible!) Roses come in numerous shades, which allow you to coordinate the petals with your cocktail.

8. Napkins

Add an extra pop of color to your table by tucking cut flowers into your guests folded napkins. To keep the blooms from wilting, wrap floral tape around the cut stem. To fold the napkin, lay it on a flat surface, and fold in half widthwise so the folded edge is near you. Fold the top layer back down halfway. Turn the napkin over, and fold the edges into the center. Finish by folding the napkin in half.

9. Votives

Use candle votives (minus the candle) and place singular stems in each. Groupings work great on party tables or place one on a bathroom vanity or kitchen counter.

10. Submerged

Fill water to the top of your miscellaneous vases and submerged single stems or bunches of the same flower. A trick to keep the buoyant flowers in place is to use a floating candle; which also adds ambient lighting.

11. Ice Cubes

Freeze edible flowers with water in ice-cube tray, then adding the colorful cubes to signature cocktails.

Whatever direction you choose to go with there are endless orange options for your wedding or event. From light apricot to bright tangerine flower choices abound. Some of my favorite orange flowers are dahlias, tulips, roses, orchids, and calla lilies. In centerpieces I even have utilized orange fruit either whole or sliced to add a unique touch.

Below is an inspiration board to show you just how effective orange can be for your event. This color is truly unique in its ability to add a bright, cheery feel while at the same time adding warmth and coziness

All links for photos can be found here.

Leah and I were given free rein to come up with a unique, eye-catching table. We began brainstorming ideas, looking through bridal magazines for color inspirations. It was important to come up with a color scheme that was unique and had not been used in the past. Bold hues were our immediate direction. As the ideas started flowing we soon created a color palate of deep raspberries, burgundies, pinks, gold, and bright orange tones.

As I sought out to create the bouquet for the centerpiece, I remembered reading a fashion article about the infusion of color blocking in the spring lines of 2012. This trend can be spotted everywhere. From dresses to skirts, to shoes and bags fashionistas can’t get enough of this look. I knew the marriage between our bold color palate and the color blocking style would be perfect for the event.

In the bouquet I used deep purple and raspberry carnations (I know the dreaded “C” word) however, packed tightly in a bouquet these often ridiculed flowers work great! Along with the carnations, deep pink hydrangeas, fuchsia orchids, pink stock, burgundy roses, and orange spray roses were arranged in a color blocking pattern to make a packed round bouquet. The result was a modern, eye-catching bouquet. Paired with a fuchsia linen, gold chargers, burgundy napkins, and clear and gold votive candles, the table came together beautifully. By drawing inspiration from fashion, we were able to create a memorable, stunning display.

Most commonly peonies come in shades of pink, white and cream. However, on a rare occasion they may be found in a rich red. Whatever the shade, the wonderful thing about peonies is they are so versatile. These large “fluffy” flowers work wonderful in a variety of bouquets and are extremely popular during the summer wedding season months. Combining peonies with flowers such as roses, stock, hydrangeas, and calla lilies, creates a truly breathtaking bride’s bouquet. If you want something to brighten up the kitchen countertop or lonely windowsill, design a charming look by using a glass container such as a wine or milk bottle with a single cut peony. As you can see, the options are truly endless for peonies!

When purchasing fresh cut peonies, select peonies that have big, colorful buds. If he buds are too tight they might not open. The care for peonies is similar to many flowers. It is important to remove most of the leaves of the peony and cut about 1 inch off the stem at an angle to make certain they will drink properly. Peonies tend to be a thirsty flower so make sure you keep an eye on the water level and re-cut the stems every few days to ensure the longest life possible for this stunning blossom. Finally, the last step, and the most important, is for you enjoy the beauty and fragrance this spectacular flower.

And I’m not the only one celebrating the beauty of peonies this time of year. I found a charming photo shoot put together by Ritzybee and Open Air Photography for The Bride’s Cafe. Enjoy!

Unique Textures
Pairing soft, romantic blooms with textural elements will give any bouquet an unexpected twist. In 2011, natural stems such as pods, succulents, and herbs are emerging as a fast growing trend. These organic stems bring dimension and interest to any bouquet. Pairing these elements with grasses, birch bark, and moss can also create a soft, ethereal vibe for your decor.

Below is a perfect example which I found at signatureweddings.asia which was photographed by Meg Baisden.

Muted Color Palettes
Another emerging trend for 2011 is tones that are more neutral. Brides are opting for earthy shades and blush hues for their color schemes. Pairing taupes or grays with contrasting soft pinks and mauves will reflect this year’s style. Another concept is using a single color in multiple shades to create a truly unique look. Whatever your color palette, remember this year it is about keeping it simple.

Here is a sneak peek of a perfect example of a simple, yet elegant muted color palette from The Sweetest Occasion, which you have take a look at their whole Pretty + Understated Wedding Luxury post.

Creative Embellishments
To complete the 2011 wedding trends it is important to remember it is all about the details. This year, brides are opting to add embellishments such as buttons and vintage broaches to their bouquets to give it an extra creative element. Wrapping the floral stems in satin is always a timeless choice, but, using a piece from your mother’s wedding gown can add a personal touch. The use of embellishments will give your bouquet an extra finishing touch, creating a lasting memory for your big day.  Below is a perfect example of this when a recent bride of mine chose to incorporate feathers, crystals and pearls into her bridal bouquet.  How fun is that!

Vintage Charm
The classic vintage look has arrived this season in full force. The vintage style can range from whimsical arrangements created in old watering cans to a more elegant look showed off in a mercury apothecary jar. Whatever the container, this nostalgic look can be achieved by incorporating romantic blooms such as, hydrangea, peonies, roses, lisianthus, or ranunculus. Adding a touch of dusty miller or seeded eucalyptus will add the finishing vintage touch to any bouquet. When choosing your vintage color palate remember it is all about washed out colors that look aged. While there are many options to achieve this stylish nostalgic look the use of soft pastels with undertones of gray are perfect for this design.

Picture from: http://www.lifetimemoms.com

Soft, Romantic Blooms
Nothing could accompany the vintage look better then the use of soft, romantic blooms such as peonies or hydrangeas. Along with these trend setting stems lisianthus, ranunculus, and roses will also be among the list of popular flowers used this wedding season. These gentle blooms are timeless and classic, which will give your event a romantic and opulent look.

Make sure to check back next week when I talk about more 2011 wedding trends for flowers including the use of unique textures, muted color palettes, and creative embellishments.