Branching Out...

Times are tough - and one must "branch out" and use their resources to continue to create fabulous events with much less budget. One way to do that is to get creative with your florals. Manzanita and Birch branches are a high-impact, low-cost solution for today's event budgets.

Branches can be used for all types of events. We've been seeing branches as wedding centerpieces for years, but branches can do much more than be a decorative accent. Branches can be an interactive element such as a wishing tree or serve as logistical help in the form of a place card holder. These recent trends has been spotted being used as:

• a check-in table at a Chicago financial firm's holiday party. Each guest found their name on a personalized luggage tag hanging from a manzanita tree.
• at a outdoor art festival, attendees could write a wish on a piece of paper and tie it to a branch.
• at the Absolut Mango launch party in Chicago, orange ribbons and fake dollar bills hung from a money tree to represent prosperity.
• at a company showcase event, guests could write comments on paper tags and hang them on a tree. {Source: BizBash Chicago; May/June 2009}

{Photo Credits - top: rentalstore.com; Vintage Design Company; Michele Rago. bottom - Flowers R Us; Vintage Design Company}

Rustic Candlesticks

"A pair of marvelous candlesticks transforms any table"

-Carolyne Roehm

The tablescape above is styled by Carolyne Roehm for an autumn lunch. The candlesticks complete the rustic, autumnal look and give great texture and complexity to the setting.

(Picture Source: House Beautiful, November 2008)

Ballard Design offers the following antler candlesticks. Set of 2 Antler Candlesticks
Largest: 12"H x 9"W x 8"D :: Purchase at http://www.ballarddesigns.com/

Happy Easter

Inspiration for your Easter table. I love the robin's egg blue with accents of petal pink, white and spring green. The smart mixture of patterns (gingham, strips, solids) and texture (glass, porcelain, linen) ensure a luxurious look.

All images from Carolyne Roehm.

A fabulous Easter Feast from Rachael Ray:

French Onion Crostini - Sugar Snap Peas with Frizzled Mushrooms - Rosemary-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Roasted Fennel and Red Onion - Lemon-Berry Trifle - Prosecco-Berry Sparkler

Rustic Chic

Michelle Rago is a guru and I am a big fan. I find her to be an inspiration to me and many others in the industry. I thought of Michelle today and specifically of a wedding she styled in Vermont. Her use of theme and material is perfect and not over-whelming.

The reason this outdoor, rustic wedding popped into my head was because I was working with a very fun and fabulous bride today who is having her own rustic chic wedding at The Fearrington House near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We styled a fabulous Dauphine Press invitation on Crane Lettra paper with espresso ink, a champagne colored pocketfold, espresso satin belly band and gold leaf tag accent. The invitation is comleted by a foliate design in opposing corners and a small acorn between the ceremony and reception information. I can't wait to see the result - and the accompanying accessories! The layout will be similar to the sample below:

Palm Beach Pink and Green

As aforementioned in my last post, I was recently in the Palm Beach, Florida area. I love that area and wanted to use it as inspiration for one more post. Pink and green are colors synonymous with Palm Beach. So, I thought I would use the Palm Beach landmark, the Breakers, and the "official" colors of the city for a Pink and Green Wedding Inspiration Board.

I must give a special note to the fabulous bridesmaid dress model. That's my sister {and bridesmaid} Meg at my wedding!

Photo Credits: Top(L-R): My sister Meg!; Webshots.net; Brides.com.

Second Row (L-R) Brides.com; The Breakers.

Bottom (L-R) Brides.com; Dauphine Press; Monique Lhuillier.

Green and Gorgeous!

Not to discredit Kermit, but it’s getting easier to be green these days. Organic foods, environmentally friendly paper, and eco-friendly flowers are all ways to ensure your next gathering is green. The quality and selection of green products has expanded and ensure you do not sacrifice style to be environmentally conscious. (Personal note: I am a huge fan of local Farmers Markets!)

Here are some ideas of how to throw an ecologically sound event:

Location, Location, Location:
-Consider an outdoor area such as a park or your own backyard that gives your event a natural sensibility
-Pick a unique local spot--like an art gallery, nonprofit space, organic restaurant or farm, or a botanical garden -For a wedding, have the ceremony and reception at the same location to avoid having your guests drive between the two. If you must use shuttles, use buses that run on biodiesel fuel.

Get the Word Out:
-Buy 100% PCW recycled invitations that are processed without chlorine and printed with vegetable or soy-based ink(s).
-Use tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, kenaf, or organic cotton

Setting the Scene:
-Use real glasses, flatware and tableware. If you must use disposable, use biodegradable dishes and flatware made from cornstarch, sugar cane, or tropical leaves.
-Find a florist that uses flowers from local and/or organic farms or find a grower are your local farmers market and hire them to create bouquets and table arrangements. Don’t have one in your area? Check out: http://www.organicbouquet.com/
-Decorate with branches, dried grasses, grains, greens, berries, or live plants
-Use potted plants (perhaps use in place of cut flowers for centerpieces) that can be given as gifts or enjoyed in your home.
-Use beeswax or soy-based candles

Organic Fare: Design a seasonal, organic menu and use organic wines and beer

Look the Part:
-Wear a vintage outfit
-Pick clothes made from hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton or silk (check out http://www.etsy.com/)
-Borrow from a friend or ensure you purchase something you will wear again.
-If you’re a one-time wearer, make sure to donate your clothing after the event.

Photo credits: Top (L-R): Brides.com; vivaterra.com; goodonpaperdesigns.com; Middle: organicvintners.com; Bottom (L-R): vivaterra.com; vivaterra.com; goodpaperdesigns.com.