2015 Wedding Design and Decor Trends

This week I'm looking forward to presenting wedding design and decor trends to the Catering/Sales team for the Charlotte Marriott City Center. Here are my 7 trends for 2015. 

1.      CUSTOMIZATION/BRANDING A WEDDING 

Branding is no longer a concept reserved for corporate events and marketing, couples more than ever are looking to make their wedding more unique and reflective of them and I’m not just talking about a wedding logo or monogram on the dance floor. 

2.      METALLICS

Gold has been making a comeback for the past couple of years, but it is now back and full in effect

with its metallic counterparts: bronze, copper, metallic silver, gold foil.  

3.      MODERN LUXE

In 2015 we will see a more sophisticated interpretation of romance. Brides who covet sleek style are

gravitating more toward clean and neutral color palettes with bolder accents. 

4.      RE-IMAGINES CLASSIC CUISINE & COCKTAILS

Wedding food is ranking higher in priorities for couples, as they are looking for ways to show their

personality through food.  Couples are moving towards more formal dinner service, versus the 

cocktail style standing reception.  

Couples that are still embracing food stations and buffets are wanting an elevated experience, as food 

presentation is just as important visually to brides as the flowers on the tables. Couples are looking

towards family style dinner service and food displays that are cohesive with the entire wedding design. 

Many couples are also opting for beer and wine only, but asking that venues or caterers

serve only local labels from their home states or favorite vacation getaways. Think local craft beers

and wineries. 

5.      CEILING TREATMENTS 

Couples want to show an impact from above. Gone are the days of white ceiling drape. Couples are

infusing color draping/fabric, hanging lights, ribbons and chandeliers in indoor event spaces.  

   

6.      COOL CHAIRS

Brides are beginning to get excited about interesting chairs! "If you think about it, there is

nothing of larger quantity at a wedding. You can have hundreds of chairs at a wedding, and what an

incredible way to make a huge impact with an interesting dining chair," says Shealyn Angus, event

designer from Bliss Events in Toronto.  

7.      UNEXPECTED COLOR PALETTES

This year we will see unexpected color combos of lights mixed with brights and then rich, warm and

highly pigmented colors like fern, eggplant and the 2015 Pantone Color of Year “Marsala”, which is

a rich burgundy. We will also continue to see prints infused in the wedding style.  

Sources: Biz Bash and Bridal Guide

Full of Thanks!!!

Image - Euclid Street

I am thankful for an amazing 2014 event year!!! I always say this, but I absolutely have the best clients and creative partners!!! THANK YOU!! 

Have a wonderFULL Thanksgiving Holiday!!! 

Etsy Find - Custom Bottle Opener Keychains

These custom bottle opener keychains from Big Yellow Dog Designs on Etsy are great party favors!

Menguin - Revolutionizing the Tuxedo Rental

One of my favorite business blogs is Sage Wedding Pros  and last week they interviewed the owners of Menguin. Menguin, a different type of tuxedo rental company, allows the groom in just 10 minutes the ability to customize a tuxedo and get measured all online.  

As a wedding planner, I absolutely love this concept! Often times, I accompany my couples when shopping for the groom and groomsmen attire and it's never a simple task, although it should be. Service is never consistent with the big box stores. Some days they're awesome and other days not so much. 

I love the idea of being able to offer my couples another option for tuxedo rentals!

Check-out the interview with Justin Delaney, Menguin CEO on Sage Wedding Pros.   

Etsy Find - Accessory Junkie

I'm just a little obsessed with Etsy, so each month I'll provide you with a few of my fave Etsy finds!

Today I have more than one find because I am an accessory junkie and I LOVE these jewelry pieces that I found on Etsy.

20 Week Blog Challenge!!!

This summer I worked on a brand refresh with Saffron Avenue and I must say Angela is very talented. She absolutely nailed my new logo! It's been five years since the start of Style Perfect Weddings and Events and my business has evolved, so I really wanted a clean and modern look that would take the business into the next five years, but still embrace the earlier fun and vibrant Style Perfect because we'll always be FUN and VIBRANT!!! 

The new website and blog will be ready in January/February, but why wait... I'm going to kick off a 20 week blog challenge to give you a sneak peek of what's to come in our new blog! Make sure to check in once a week for new blog posts. We'll be blogging here until the new year!!!

What do you think of our brand re-fresh? We LOVE it!

Be Inspired - Watercolors

Last week I went to The Special Events Conference in Nashville. This was my third year attending this conference and I truly enjoyed myself. As a professional event planner, it is important to attend conferences, classes and workshops as a way to continue your education, learn the latest trends and see the hottest new products and services.

One of the classes I attended while at the conference was the "Influence of Color on Wedding Design" by top Wisconsin wedding planner David Caruso. This class was one of my favorites at the conference as David not only spoke on the use of color while designing your client's wedding, but he also touched on trends. One trend that is emerging is the use of the brush stroke pattern or watercolor look.

Happy Planning!

Etsy Find - This find is for my Planner "Girlfriends"

If you're not familiar with the website Etsy, it's a must as a new bride!

Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to buy and sell unique goods. You will find tons of great items and inspiration for your wedding, party or household on Etsy.

This find is for my wedding planner "girlfriends". As a wedding planner you juggle many items on the wedding day, so how cute is this ruffle fanny pack! You can be organized and fashionable.  LOVE!

To all my fellow wedding planners, what do you use on wedding day to stay organized?

Charlotte Wedding Magazine Inspiration Shoot - Foundation for the Carolinas

Planning a summer wedding, check out the shoot we designed and styled for the Winter 2013 issue of Charlotte Wedding Magazine! Photography by The Beautiful Mess. Venue is the Foundation for the Carolinas.

Fabulous Local Store Find - Gold Rimmed Glass Tumblers

It's been a while since my last Fabulous Local Store Find post, but I must share this great holiday entertaining find.

My hubby and I are new homeowners and we're hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year! I'm so excited!!!! My father-in-law's entire side of the family is coming up to to Charlotte...so we're talking 30+ family members that we'll be hosting. Luckily I have enough formal china and flatware, but I don't have enough water glasses until now!

The Dollar Tree has gold rimmed glass tumblers! Perfection. My mother-in-law spotted them last week and I just scored 2 dozen glasses.

You can also purchase them online!

Dollar Tree

Table 8 Designs

Table 8 Designs - The Charleston

This past Thursday at the Soiree bridal event at the Foundation for the Carolinas, we launched a new service offering for brides, Table 8 Designs!

Table 8 Designs is a collection of luxury tablescape designs for weddings and special events. Each collection includes an inspiration/style board, specialty table linen and napkins, fresh floral centerpiece, unique table number, place cards and customizable décor.

We unveiled "The Charleston"  look from our Carolinas Design Collection.

The Carolinas Design Collection features 8 distinct tablescape looks and styles for brides who want a unique wedding that's styled to perfection. Each tablescape look is designed for a table of 8 guests and you can make the decision on how many tables you need styled!

If you saw our tablescape at the Soiree bridal event and would like more information on Table 8 Designs or how to customize "The Charleston" look for your wedding, please give us a call at 704-975-9941.

Happy Planning!

Fabulous Local Store Find - Lollipop Shot Glass

While at Michaels yesterday I spotted this fun Lollipop shot glass from Melville Candy Company. How fun! They are only $2.99.

Super Bowl Party Games

Super Bowl is on Sunday! Who's throwing a party?

My husband and I will be heading over to his parents house to watch the Super Bowl with family.  I'm not really into football, but I love a good party and Super Bowl festivities are always a lot of fun, so when I saw this cute party game on Facebook I immediately thought that I must make this for Sunday. Super Bowl party games involve both football enthusiasts, fans and party-goers!

Check-out these great Super Bowl games and downloads!

Rate the Commercials - Studio DIY
 









Super Bowl Bingo - Studio DIY












Commercial Bingo - Style Me Pretty

 

Game Day Bingo - She Know's



The Etiquette of Engagement Parties

The Engagement Party!

Who throws it? Who do you invite? When should we have it?

The Host
Traditionally the engagement party is hosted by the bride's parents, but can also be given by friends of the bride and groom, or other relatives. Yes, you can have two or more parties; one for relatives and family friends, for instance, and another for your own friends.

Type of Party
An engagement party is the start to building the bridge between families and friends, so the host should consider a setting that is comfortable and engaging. There are no hard fast rules for the style or theme, so have fun! A cocktail party, casual barbecue or formal dinner are all great options.

Guest List
The traditional rules of etiquette suggest that guests invited to the engagement party should also be invited to the wedding; however, many couples are having smaller weddings or holding their ceremonies far from friends and sometimes even from family, so the engagement party, in those instance includes people who may not be invited to the wedding. 

Both families should be invited to the engagement party. 

Timeline
The engagement party should take place 2-4 months after the engagement if you are planning a long engagement and for shorter engagements it can be held any time more than 6 months before the wedding. 

At the Party
Guests will want to congratulate the newly engaged couple, so greet guests at the beginning of the party and create a space where the bride and groom, and their respective parents, can comfortably welcome guests as they arrive.  

Toast to the marriage and wedding! At an engagement party hosted by the bride's parents, the bride's father proposes a toast to the bride and groom, followed by the groom toasting his bride-to-be and her parents and his own parents. At a more informal affair hosted by friends, anyone can make a toast at anytime. The engaged couple should toast the host.

Gift Giving
Gifts are not expected at an engagement party, but one rule of thumb is to always register before the first wedding event, like an engagement party or bridal shower, as gift giving is part of the celebratory nature of weddings and parties and you want to provide your guests with some guidance. Make sure the host and parents of bride and groom knows where the couple has registered. 

Recipes! - Pot Roast

You may know, from previous posts, that I'm a self-proclaimed foodie and "Semi-homemade by Sandra Lee" chef! Many of my best ideas for recipes come from eating out...so "yes", there is hope for those who prefer to order take-out or make reservations.

Eating out actually educates you on flavors and helps you understand what tastes good when paired together, so in 2013 I would like to share with you a few fun recipes that are either classics in the Eustache household or new, as I've been experimenting a lot lately in the kitchen.

The first recipe is a classic, it's my mom's pot roast and a staple at every holiday dinner! This recipe will allow you to have mouth watering pot roast every time and the steps are very simple.

What you need:
Chuck Roast (1 package - 2.5-3lbs, serves 4-6 people)
Lipton's Onion Soup Mix (1 packet)
Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup (1 - 10 3/4 oz can)
Baby Carrots (1 small bag, use about 20 carrots)
New Potatoes (1 small bag, use 12 potatoes)
Green Bell Pepper (1 large pepper)
Yellow Onion (1 medium onion)
Black pepper
Season Salt
Hot Sauce (I added hot sauce to the recipe. ;-) My husband loves hot sauce, so I now add a few drops of hot sauce in almost everything I cook, it adds so much flavor!)

Time to cook!:
1. Rinse and cut bell pepper and onion into strips.
2. Rinse new potatoes and carrots.
3. Season chuck roast with Lipton's Onion Soup Mix, black pepper (2-3 pinches) and hot sauce (5 drops).
4. Add the strips of bell pepper and onion, carrots and potatoes to the dish and let sit overnight in the fridge.
5. The next day, pre-heat the oven to 375.
6. Sprinkle 2-3 pinches of season salt on the roast and vegetables.
7. Add can of Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup to the dish and make sure it coats the roast and vegetables.
8. Add water to the empty soup can and pour 1/2 can of water to the dish to make sure the dish does not burn, while cooking.
9. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let the roast cook for 4 hours on 375 and check it at the 3 hour mark to make sure that there is till enough liquid in the dish, so it does not burn.

Bon appetit! What is your favorite dish from your mom?

Inspiring Design - Purple

                                                        

Image: Please do not repost or publish

Photography credit: Various sources

 

View more inspiration for a Purple Wedding on our Pinterest board, "Plum Perfect"! 

Back to the Basics!

In 2013, we are kicking our blog into high gear! Posting weekly, we will feature:

- Real Weddings

- Charlotte Wedding Vendors 

- Inspiration/Style Boards to help guide your wedding/party design

- Wedding/Party advice

- Fabulous Local Store Finds (for our DIY and Crafty readers)

- and MUCH MORE!

Cheers to a FABULOUS and STYLISH 2013!

XOXO,
Carla - Style Perfect Events

How to Make a DIY Scratch-Off?

I've seen many fun scratch-off invites and save the dates on the web lately and while reading my Better Homes and Gardens magazine last night I stumbled upon the recipe for making your own scratch-off. How exciting! I can't wait to try it.


Source: Better Homes and Garden


Source: Calligraphy Etc.


Source: Shelterrific.com

Click here for the instructions on how to make a scratch-off.

Foodie Inspiration!

Source: A Season to Celebrate

When planning your event you should not only evoke site, you should entice all the 5 senses especially TASTE! Check-out this great blog by Marletha Booker, A Season to Celebrate | The Ultimate Food Guide For Celebratory Events. I LOVE it! The site is a great resource for foodie inspiration and will guide you in planning your event menu and more.

Today's post talks about the ever so popular dessert table favorite, macaroons, and what they cost.

Happy Planning!

We Love our Clients!

In March, Style Perfect Events, we'll celebrate 3 years as a wedding and event planning company in Charlotte. Our business is built on supportive and encouraging vendors and trusting clients who allow us to come in and bring their wedding or event vision to life. We are so thankful for our clients and vendors and wanted to celebrate them with a Client Appreciation "Date Night"!

This was our first client appreciation event, so we wanted to go all out for our 2011brides and grooms and corporate clients. We hosted a fun sushi making class and wine pairing at Silk Lounge at Enso Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar and brought in Katie Crawley from Global Wines to pair wine and Saki with our sushi. We also brought in yummy cupcakes from the Cornelius bakery SweetCakes Bakery for dessert.

Check-out a few pictures from the event taken by Lucy Parker of Smitten and Hooked, one of our favorite vendors, on her blog!

I can't wait to start planning for our next event celebrating our 2012 clients!