La Tavola - 2009 Collection Event (they give good table)

My good friend, Betsy Stone, owner of La Tavola Fine Linen Rental had her 2009 Linen Collection's "Coming Out Party" and she did not disappoint.  La Tavola is now celebrating their one year anniversary and while it may sound like they haven't been around a long time, Miss Betsy has been around the linen rental block having owned two previous rental companies. 

Check out the new finds from La Tavola!

La Tavola has napkins in numerous styles and every color of the rainbow...

We recently used this same topper for an upcoming issue of The Knot, but in an amazing deep coral.  glamorous, sexy & sparkly.  Three of my favorite things.

I love Betsy's eye for style and what a well dressed table looks like.  It doesn't have to be matchy, matchy to be chic and trendsetting!

The chair covers Betsy has created are ASTOUNDING with sweet fluted bottoms, buttons and piping, the attention to detail is never lost in exchange for style.

I love this kiosk table topper and full tulle skirt - like a wedding gown for the table.  Lovely.

And it comes in black for the new color trend of black & white weddings!

If you have not visited the website, sorted the linens by color and ordered your Sally Spicer design bag, you're missin' it for the best in linen rentals.  Miss Betsy & her wonderful, attentive and hardwroking team will take good care of you!

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

A few years back we did a great event for our clients Becca & Drew.  For their wedding, we created a memory lane in an apple orchard that led to the lavender field where their ceremony took place.  Down that lane were photographs of their childhoods, friends and family.  Landmarks of thier lives separately and together.  Guests were encouraged to take an umbrella and stroll down the lane looking at the images and listening to the windchimes along the way. 

That made me wonder recently of all the different ways you can do a memory lane -- so I turned to the lovely internet to inspire some other images of memory lane and came across some wonderful and creative examples. 

I loved the top image which was a lot of vintage cake toppers displayed with gorgeous old books and family photos.  The second image is our apple orchard with Becca and Drew.  The third image is reflective of an image found on Kim Vallee with family photos on twine hanging from an old fence post. 

The second row the images are illuminated from inside on a lamp which could be placed around the room.  The images on the tree is really amazing -- just make sure your venue will let you poke holes in their oak trees.  The ribbon board seemed to be very easy to achieve with items purchased from Michael's crafts. 

The bottom row on the left is my new favorite :) - I love old doors, and this is a door with the panes removed and images installed.  Divine!  Graphic Designer Crystal Barlow created this wonderful backdrop with old photos which could be really amazing.

Top: Flickr ,Sherman Chu/Sasha Souza Events, At Home with Kim Vallee

Middle  Flickr, Union Photography, Flickr

Bottom:  WeddingBee, Crystal Barlow

Emergency Kit 101

A wedding planner is as good as the emergency kit she carries -- ok, well, maybe not. But it sounded good.  In any event, for every wedding, we drag along a rockin' copper colored emergency kit with flashy light up wheels & a metal frame that's seen action from the Bahamas to Mexico to Wisconsin.

It has things in it that I often wonder why we carry them around.  Until I think back about experiences where I was looking for just the right thing.  Although, Mellysa did once fashion a shoe heel tap out of a pencil eraser for Oprah's producer's wedding when it fell off and we didn't want her to ruin her gorgeous Christian Louboutin mules.   Being a little bit MacGuyver is pretty necessary to do this job!

This Sparkliatti Guide doesn't contain everything we have in our kit but can help you get started developing one for your wedding day.  Download it and use the handy checklist to find the items you need.  You can find trial sizes of almost everything you need - and some nice to haves at Minimus. 

We also found some great items at ShopIntuition.

Now that you have all the schtuff, where do you put the schtuff?  We found these versatile bags from The Container Store on line.  They're all reusable also, after the wedding.

Download emergencykitguide.pdf

Cool as a Coaster

Back when I first started out, I sold wedding invitations & accessories as part of my business.  And let me tell you -- it's not as easy as it looks to design a beautiful invitation, make sure it's all correct and get them out the door.  Anyway... in the back of these behemoth wedding invitation books were all the knick knacks of the wedding world.  Cake knives, toasting flutes, match books, napkins and coasters.  I've always had an affinity for the coaster.  Couples never understood why I wanted them to get the coasters because honestly, they weren't *that* cool. 

The best coaster we had done was for a couple who were married in San Francisco and the bride's sister had passed in a car accident a few years before and she was her "maid of honor" -- the spot for her at the ceremony was left open, the seat next to the bride was left open and we had her favorite drink made at the bar.  Then on the back of the coasters which had the couple's monogram on the front -- we put the drink recipe on the back.  It was great for people to take the coaster home and make "the Pink Lindsay" at home. 

preprinted coasters by 101gear.com & pubdecor.com

Anyway, with the resurgence of custom letterpress and design your own offset printing on-line, the options now for very cool, very slick coasters is again in my sites.  I found these beautiful coasters from a variety of companies on-line.  You can find coasters through Sesame Letterpress and myownlabels.com.  Drink up!

   

Map Maker, Map Maker, Make Me A Map

How many of us have been to a party where the initial topic of discussion centers around everybody became lost driving there? Or have you ever been an hour late getting to an event because you missed an exit and ended up driving 15 extra miles before the next exit?  How many have missed the wedding ceremony because we were lost or stuck in terrible traffic without knowing that it would take 2 hours from the hotel which is only 15 miles away?  Sure, many have a GPS in their cars, but sometimes, it takes the driver the L-O-N-G way around. 

While the wedding map seems like an extra add on to the stationery suite, it’s actually a practical and important part of providing enough information to your guests to make them comfortable and timely.  I am also a HUGE proponent of not only providing a map but also backup written directions because there are many people who do not know how to follow a map.  I went out searching for different types of maps recently and found some really great examples of fun and interesting maps available today. 

Lastly, make sure you double check the directions given on the map from the map company if you didn’t provide them.  I had a party once where the couple did not check the directions and there was no left turn from the main road onto one of the streets on the direction and the map company refused to refund their money because they didn’t double check the information. 

I really enjoyed the maps of Pier Gustafson which are featured in the first set of maps.  He's a master calligrapher and hs a really unique and beautiful take on designing the maps - his designing fees start at around $400 for the design and printing is extra, but you can see what a unique piece of art he creates.. 

You can also have topographical maps produced or use Weddingmapper.com by Google to

create more realistic looking maps:

Traditional style maps are nice, but don't add as much cost to the budget.

I love these kitchy style maps, personally.  They're super fun and would be great in guest gift baskets.

Regardless of how the information is presented, make sure you provide information on where the ceremony & reception will be held and directions to each as well as information on any other events taking place that weekend.  It's also important that the map is something that people can easily take with them by putting it into the smaller purse of a woman or the pocket of the gentlemen. 

 

Men's Ring Makeover

Men's wedding rings have received a much needed makeover!  From the plain gold/white gold/platinum bands of just a few years ago, grooms are now opting for much more interesting finger fashion.  Rings are now made from metals not traditional to weddings including tungsten carbide, titanium and stainless steel. 

While women still enjoy thier platinum and diamond rings -- men are the adventurous bunch, having rings crafted using old world techniques such as Makume Gane -- the ancient art of Japanese sword making -- which fuses metals together to make an interesting and unique pattern.  Two rings will never be the same using this technique. 

Encourge your man to step out to the wild side in his most important jewelry purchase!  Rawr.   

Felt, Yes, I Said Felt...

I've never been a crafty person -- so don't look to me to make scrapbooks chronicling my life or sew you a handmade gift for the holidays.  I buy gifts for people -- it's easier that way -- and they're happier than receiving some unrecognizable attempt at a gift.  Oh, I can visualize what I want and even tell people how to make it, but my hands don't work that way. 

So, I have MUCHO respect for people who have the talent to create really unique things.  I came across a super cute set of wool felt place cards and then my obsession began.  I found all things felt -- from wonderful thank you notes and ring bearer pillows to huge hair pieces.  If you're lookin' for some fun and funk in your party -- felt may be just the ticket.

Pretty Seats

It's easy to forget the chair your guest sits in...I mean, they're just a place to rest your weary tush, right?  Is it AS important as the rest of the table?   Well, duh... do you want to put your rump on a seat made of plastic in the hot summer sun?  While the chiavari chair has become the workhorse of the events industry, it's starting to get a much needed makeover.  The chair is as much part of the design as the tabletop itself...but it's the most often misunderstood part of the table decor.   Enjoy the very creative tables below which showcase the most beautiful in chair decor.

Photos above from brides.com, resourceone.info, wildflowerlinen.com, chameleonchair.com and bbjlinen.com

White Paper Parasols... blech.

White paper parasols are nothing new to weddings -- we've seen 'em in magazine layouts and at events we've been to.  But!  And there's always a But! at Sparkliatti... these parasols are made to be a major focal point of the party.  They are offered in many colors and patterns

top:   eparasols.com, dragonflydesignstudio.com

bottom:  jedicreations.com, jedicreations.com

Do you know how easy it is to paint a parasol?  All you need is spray paint and some rubber gloves to keep your french manicure in tact.  You can sponge and batik a parasol all by your little self.  Make it FABULOUS -- if it's one for you for pictures or paint them in coordinating wedding colors for the guests.  You can start with a colored or white parasol depending on the color you want it to come out.  Super easy!  Try it!

On a side note, make sure you know the SIZE of the parasol you're purchasing.  Not all of them are 24" - 30" wide -- some are as small at 10", can you imagine a guest trying to stay shaded under a parasol no bigger than a cocktail drink umbrella? 

We had a bride who provided her own parasols once -- It's pretty funny to watch the guests open the umbrellas and wonder where the rest of the umbrella went!

Eleven Most Useful Wedding Books - EVER!

We all know that there's a million and one wedding books out there...but what are the books that the event planners use?  Well, I'm here to tell ya...we have a lot of books -- probably more than 250 in our office -- everything about weddings, decor, home, food and anything else I can get my hands on.  I couldn't pick just TEN books... so I'm giving you eleven. 

These are the books we refer to time and again, some are brand new and fabulous like Style your Dream Wedding & the Modern Bride Suvival Guide (by Antonia van der Meer - love her) below.  Others have been around a while but don't seem to get stale and  have lots of ideas that can be updated for your event. 

Take a look around, you may find your inspiration...

Fascinated by the Fascinator

What's smaller than a  hat and bigger than a barrette?  A fascinator. 

It's a headpiece, veil and super chic trend in bridal hair fashion.  The fascinator is commonly made with feathers, flowers and/or beads and attaches to the hair by a comb, headband or clip.  It's a great alternative to a bridal veil, especially if you're getting married outside where wind can be a factor. 

Facinators NYC has many from bridal fascinators to those for kids in a headband style-- so cute for flower girl  hair instead of a garland. 

DIY Directions can be found here at Corvus Tristis

1) Etsy  2)FascinatorsNYC   3)Etsy   4)Etsy  5)brides.com

Something Blue?

Something old, something new, something borrowed and a garter?  Who says your something blue has to be a garter?

1)  Leigh-Anne McCague Tiaras, 2) Judith Leber Inspired Bags, 3) Tiger Lily Jewelry, 4) Faye Cullen Jewelry, 5)  Zappos.com, 6)  La Perla, 7)  Filigree Monograms, 8)  Brooch on Ebay, 9)Filigree Monograms, 10) Beadssss' Shop on Etsy, 11)  Moschino at Zappos, 12) Brides.com

Ring bearer Pillows

Ring bearer pillows have come a long way since their satin & lace predecessors -- now they're made of everything from woven reeds or moss all the way to small boxes filled with fresh flowers.  Check out these super-cute ring bearer pillow ideas we scavenged from the internet.

Internet Crack

Nuf Said...

Nuveaux Vintage Cake Toppers

With the renaissance of everything vintage, it makes sense that the cake topper is making a comeback of it's own.  Cake toppers have traditionally been really ugly plastic pieces with a bride & groom on top when have NO RESEMBLANCE to the couple (except the plastic hair color) and isn't something you would want to keep (or even display) in your home for years to come.

We found some really great cake toppers on Etsy -- handmade by real people -- and I think you should check them out.  Just do a search for Wedding Cake Toppers (beware of the strange) and have a great time!!

 

Food Idea...Popcorn!

I don't know about you, but I loves me some popcorn.  All kinds of popcorn -- sweet, salty, chocolately, cheesy and I like it as individual flavors or mixed together in weird combinations (which is odd because it grosses me out when somebody dips their fries in their milkshake -- but oh well).  I was at a conference in January and I had some nummy popcorn in great flavors by Dale and Thomas'. 

Dale & Thomas' Popcorn provides popcorn "bars" all over the country -- will ship you the product and you can DIY a popcorn bar or have it staffed by your caterer or just go whole hog and let people pack their own (and make a HUGE mess in the process).  How fun is that?   

What a great time in the lounge after dinner & dancing, guests carrying around custom takeout boxes full of popcorn in flavors like "Buffalo Dale's Hot Wing or White Cheddar and Black Peppercorn.  And!  The carryout containers could be so fun...you can use chinese takeout boxes, old fashioned popcorn boxes, lunch bags stamped with your monogram and ribbon - the DIY possibilities are ENDLESS...bwah hahaha!  They even have a spiffy little truck.  Which I think would be a hoot at weddings...