Easy Layout Idea For Your Outdoor Event

Making sure everything will fit perfectly is key to avoiding mishaps on the actual wedding day- especially if you'll be having a tent! It can be daunting to start a layout from scratch on a private residence property. But when armed with a few tricks and tools of the trade, you'll be sure to have accurately accounted for your space.

A large part of my background is in mortgages and residential lending. With more and more of my weddings becoming blank-canvas, private property parties, I knew I needed to find fast, efficient ways to create layouts. I do have great resource programs that will create room layouts to scale in a matter of minutes, but I found that I still needed an overhead view of the property to make sure I had the lot accurately portrayed. Enter the County Assessor. By going to the website, you can enter the address, retrieve a picture of the house and then view an interactive sky view map. You can create a pdf of the map to email, or even just print it out as-is.



While you'll still have to take measurements of your property, this map will at least serve as a starting point for your layout and a great visual aid to key vendors such as your party rental manager. Google your county assessor's webpage for help with property addresses in each county. Be sure to take note if there have been any major additions or changes to the lot, however, as the assessor will not always have the most up to date lot and parcel information.

~Happy Planning!

Event Planning 101: Your Tented Wedding Part II

Lance Hill from Event Rent continues our series on preparing for a tented wedding or party for us:



What are some ways a bride can customize their tent? What types of costs & charges should brides anticipate?

When ordering a canopy the customer will be getting the frame and the top fabric the cost of the labor for setting the canopy should be covered in the price of the canopy and delivery fee. There additions available to customize your canopy.

Sidewall is available for all types of canopies. This normally comes in 10’-20’ sections and the customer can choose to fully or partially enclose their canopy. Sidewall is available in solid, windowed and clear styles.

Flooring can be put under all canopies. There are many options for adding flooring to your canopy. Some flooring options include a wood sub-flooring, carpeting, dance floor or porta floor(plastic flooring). Any of these options can be used by themselves or together to accommodate the type of flooring effect you would like.

Liners are available on all types of canopies other than tension tents. A liner is fabric made to fit under the top of the canopy to hide the poles and make the canopy look more elegant. Leg covers are also available in the same material to cover the legs of the canopies. Leg covers will also hide water weights in most cases and only if there are no sidewalls.

Clear top fabric is also available on some canopies.

Lighting is also an addition to consider for evening or night events. Lighting options range from twinkle lights (mini lights on a string) attached to the frame of the canopy to chandeliers to lanterns hanging from the frame to up-lighting used to accentuate the canopy. Lighting options may vary depending on the type of canopy used.


Heating and cooling is also available to provide temperature control to your outside event.



For timeline purposes, what should brides expect for set up time?

When planning an event with a canopy it is important to consider the amount of time it will take to set up.

Some average set up times are:

10x10- around 20 minutes for Tension and California styles.
20x20- 25 minutes for Tension and California styles.
30x30- 30 minutes for Tension and 45 minutes for California.
40x40- 45 minutes for Tension and 90 minutes for California.
40x80- 1.5 hours for Tension and 2.5 for California.

These example times are for setting the canopy only- these do not include time to set up any of the additional items available. Some variables that may effect set up time include: weather, guys on hand, what is used to anchor the canopy, liner, water barrels, ect.

It is always best to check with the company that will be setting up your canopy on their time frames.



{Note: See Lance's previous post for explanations on the styles of tents mentioned here}



{Event Rent is located at 600 N Eagle Rd in Meridian, ID}

Event Planning 101: Your Tented Wedding Part 1

Dreaming of a tented reception? It will be gorgeous- after all, it's a blank canvas for you to work with! Before you start the planning process, take a look at these tips and facts about tents and all that goes into preparing for a tented event. Today's post is written by and features Lance Hill from Event Rent, and will hopefully arm you with the information you need for everything from preparing a realistic timeline to choosing the canopy that best suits your needs and budget.

Can you tell us a little bit about the different (or more popular) styles of canopies to choose from? Are there any restrictions or advantages to certain types?

There are 4 main types of canopies to choose from, but for the sake of simplicity we'll talk about two of the more common types:

Tension Canopies are built with poles and ropes only. This would be more of the “circus style” canopy with the poles holding up the center. These canopies may only be staked (water weights are not an option) with ropes pulling out from the canopy.

Some of the advantages to this style of canopy are:

* These are probably the least expensive canopies available.
* They take the shortest amount of time for the rental companies to set up.
* Sometimes available for “do it yourself” rental where the customer sets themselves.

Some of the disadvantages to this style of canopy are:

* The larger canopies tend to be less sturdy in wind than other types of canopies.
* These canopies must be staked with “out guy” rope (ropes pulling out from the perimeter of the canopy to between 4’ and 7’ out from the base of the pole).
* No place in top of canopy to hang chandeliers or any other large decorations.
* This type of canopy requires 2 to 3 times as many stakes as other types of canopies.

California Style Canopies are the most common type of canopies. These are a frame style of canopy.

Some of the advantages to this style of canopy are:

* This type of canopy tends to be the next to least expensive.
* Since this type of canopy is the most common it is easy to find matching parts if one place is out of them.
* This type of canopy can be either staked down or tied to water weights for support.

Some of the disadvantages to this style of canopy are:

* The canopies must be staked with “outguy” ropes (ropes pulling out from the perimeter of the canopy to between 8” and 18” out from the base of the pole).

{ We'll have more from Lance later today- stay tuned for ways to customize your tent, timeline help and more!}

{Event Rent is located at 600 N Eagle Rd in Meridian, ID }

Event Planning 101: Tips For Creating a Dreamy Wedding Day Look

Today's post is written by and features Camilla Orosco, owner of Breathtaking By Camilla. Camilla offers a luxury, cuture experience for the bride.

What are some mistakes to avoid with the wedding day makeup?

Makeup is such an important part of the wedding look. It is a wonderful detail that can really set the look apart from your everyday appearance. Some brides really want to glam it up on their wedding day while others really want to go with something more natural looking. Either choice can be amazing. I am always inspired by the brides natural beauty and try to enhance her most striking feature. Going with a look that competes too much with your natural beauty on your wedding is definitely a big mistake. I always start with creating glowing skin, subtle rosy cheeks, and then choose a focus area like the eye-makeup, or a great bold lip color. When it comes down to it, your groom wants to see the girl he fell in love with.

What are some tips you can provide for wedding day photographs?

Photos from your wedding are really the only tangible thing you have to truly remember your wedding day. They should capture the most important and memorable parts of your wedding, or remind you of intimate moments that were the most special. Your hair and makeup in the photos should come across beautifully. The camera really doesn't lie, so any sloppy bobby pins or unblended makeup will show up in a photo. It is ideal to have a photo session after the test run of your hair and makeup to make sure that everything looks right in the photos. It is a great chance to pick up on changes that will need to be made for the final look. I always provide the option of hair and makeup touchups to any bride that wants to make sure that she looks flawless in her wedding photos.

Any tips for making sure makeup will last?

I use a lot of techniques as a makeup artist that help the makeup stay looking great all day. It is really worth the money to hire a proffessional to do your makeup. But if you do choose to have a makeup artist create your look, make sure to do a test run of the makeup close to the time of your wedding. I also always suggest that the bride order touchups with her hair and makeup package. Even if you use very high quality makeup and the best techniques, some detail in the makeup can be lost if you are out in the hot weather, eating, enjoying a glass of champagne before the ceremony, etc. When I do touchups I usually go on location, bring my makeup kit with the products I have used on the bride that day, and touch up before pictures and the ceremony.

Any products you can recommend?

I have used Mirabella makeup for several years and just switched to Youngblood Mineral Makeup. I love both makeup lines and still use some of my favorite products from Mirabella. I like the Youngblood because most of the products are waterproof, which definitely helps for wedding day makeup. I also love the mineral eyeshadows because I can mix them to create custom colors and they have a very high pigment. One of my favorite products from Mirabella is the creme blush. I use it everyday on my own makeup and have one in my makeup kit to use whenever a bride wants a really beautiful natural glow.

~ Camilla

{ Camilla will be joining us again in the coming weeks to offer tips on creating special looks for your day- Stay tuned! Camilla is currently located at Carrita Salon in Downtown Boise on 8th & Bannock. You can reach her at 208-342-6760 ext. 11 or by emailing her at camillaorosco@hotmail.com}

Event Planning 101: Creating Your Custom Stationery Suite

Personalizing your wedding or event should always include your stationery and paper products. Your invitations will give your guests an idea of what to expect from your event, and other custom paper products, like table cards, favor tags, labels, and the like will further the continuity and personal feel of your wedding.

If you're like many, however, creating something from scratch can be a little daunting, even when you do work with a professional graphic designer or company.

Shanna Chuma, owner of Envy Design Studios, is the resident graphic designer for Soiree (and is the fabulousness behind many of the custom paper products you'll see in a Soiree wedding); she has graciously put together some common questions brides and clients have when designing their stationery, and should help you to know what to expect when creating your dream suite!

Colors

Wedding colors are important. They set the mood and tone of your big day. It is important to
think about what colors you would like to see on your invitation because the more colors you
use, the more expensive it will cost to print them. In printing, there are one, two, and four color
printing processes. The more colors you use, the more expensive it will cost to print them. Most
wedding invitations have two colors. If you would like to have more than two colors in your
wedding, a good way to break up the colors is to use them on each of the different invitation
pieces. For example, use your main color on the actual invitation itself, then the complimentary
colors on the RSVP and reception cards. You could also throw another color in by using a
colored envelope.

Design

Having an overall design idea and theme in mind for your invitation will help the design
process tremendously. If you have an idea in mind, but are having troubles putting it together,
your graphic designer will help you make your idea come to life by asking you questions, and creating a process of elimination through pictures and portfolio designs- helping you both determine what you like and don't. By having a basic idea of the design you'll want to create, it will also help in providing an accurate quote for the job.

Wording

Wedding invitation wording is also important, there are many etiquette rules behind the wording
of the wedding invitation. Your graphic designer will be able to help you along with this process. To start it is helpful for you to send me a list of names (bride, groom, and parents of both), a list of locations and addresses for the wedding & reception sites is also helpful.

Charge

Most graphic design companies and freelance designers will charge a per-hour rate. Normally, at the initial consultation, your graphic designer will take all of the details that will need to be included in your stationery, plus the designs you've discussed, and they will provide you a quote based on the estimated time to complete the project. By having an idea in mind for the suggestions above, you'll be provided the most accurate quote possible.

Important Questions To Ask Before You Hire:

* Will you handle the printing for me?

Most graphic design firms will handle the entire project from start to finish, including the printing process. Some may provide this service as an A La Carte service, so it's best to ask.

* What is your hourly rate?

*How many proofs am I allowed?

* May I see your portfolio?

Happy Planning!

{Have other stationery questions for Shanna? Email them to blog@weddingsbysoiree.com and we'll feature them in a future post}

Event Planning 101 Series

Will continue again next week....stay tuned for great content from the Pros on topics such as having a tented occasion, wedding day beauty, and a guide to creating a custom stationery suite.

Happy Monday, and Happy Planning!

Special Event Lighting 101

If you're looking for a way to wow your guests, create a totally new atmosphere, and transform a room, then look no further than special lighting for your event. Unfortunately, one of the myths of including lighting into your plans and budget is that it is way too expensive. Another common misconception is that it is a frivilous or unnecessary addition to your event.

In reality, lighting is actually one of the first things you should look at. The effects of well-planned lighting will create more of an impact than spending thousands of dollars on decorations will any day. Sure, elaborate decorations and huge floral arrangements will of course only add to the beauty, but if you're on a limited budget, I really recommend you look at lighting as a major part of your decorating scheme. Here are just a few key tips and some vocabulary to know when starting your event lighting extravaganza:

Uplighting- This is the main "hub" of event lighting. This is what you're looking at when you see a wall in a room that is a completely different color. Or a building that is suddenly uplit in a soft pink. Basically, this is the part of the lighting that is used to turn your average hotel ballroom into the sweet, sexy club atmosphere you're planning.

How do they do it? The colors are produced by using gels, or colored pieces that go over a normal white light. Event lighting specialists will often use a combination of several gels to create a multi dimensional look. You can also use stencil-like pieces to produce shapes and other designs on the wall, such as stars and leaves for a fall wedding.

Pin Spotting- Looking to show off the centerpiece you've been pouring over for months? Pin spotting is essentially a spotlight directed at a specific area or object, such as the centerpieces on a table. For such a little light, the art of pin spotting will make your centerpiece or tablescape go from pretty to wow.

Tip: If you'll be including pin spotting, do not forget to provide your lighting specialist a layout that will be exact and to scale, as the pin lights will need to be placed and aimed according to where the tables will be on the floor. Have a wedding planner? No worries, then- they will do this for you!

Gobo- No, this is not some strange gargoyle-style creature that will make an appearance at your wedding. Instead, this is the custom monogram or other personalized object (shape) you've most likely seen in pictures or other weddings. Have a monogram or crest that has appeared throughout the details of your wedding? Consider a gobo for your dance floor or a wall in the ballroom. It's just a nice touch and a way to further personalize your day.

Happy Planning!

Linens 101 Part II- Seven Popular Fabric Choices

Pintuck? Dupioni? Bengaline? What style of linen will you choose for your table? If you're lost in the sea of linen choices, you're not alone. The first step is to decide on the look you're after for your event and table design:

Texture:

If you're looking to add a little texture to your table design, try one of these popular fabrics:

Pintuck- Great for formal weddings, adds a little extra pop to your table without being too wild or over the top. One con: you'll have to choose glassware with wider bases, as the tucking on the fabric makes it difficult for things to balance well.



Bichon- This fabric style boasts a "crushed" look, and therefore is often referred to as crushed linens at party rental stores.



Dupioni (also know as Shatung Silk)- a style of silk that has a subtle sheen and irregularities and 'slubs' (cross between a snag and a raised piece of the weave in the fabric). It's a beautiful fabric, and is especially nice to touch. Many bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses are also made of this fabric.



{ Throw-back from Textile & Design class in college: for those that want to get technical with the definition of dupioni silk: The word dupioni is derived from the Italian word "doppio" or double. Dupioni silk is different from it's cousin silk counterpart because two silkworms spin a single cocoon. The thread produced by the two silkworms are uneven in texture and thickness, and no two silks will be alike, hence the reason for the 'slubs' you see in the finished product. }

Sheen:

If you're looking for a little shine in your event, try these popular fabrics:

Lame (Lam- A) and Lamour-Both very shiny fabrics, with lame taking the cake in the sheen department. Lamour is more recommended for an event of the wedding variety.


(Lame)


(Lamour)

Bengaline- also boasts a sheen in the fabric, this is made of synthetic fibers and has a subtle cross-wise ribbed effect, so it's not just a flat piece of fabric.



Sheer

If you're looking for a soft effect, or need an overlay on top of a bottom (or fitted linen, as industry professionals will call it), Organza or chiffon fabrics are the most popular.




~Happy Planning!

Linens 101, Part 1

There are so many styles and fabrics to choose from, and then you've got the headache of deciding what sizes you'll need...and no matter how small or big your event is, you'll need to have several different sizes and shapes.



Below are some of the more common table sizes and linen sizes used to cover them (all sizes are those that will touch the floor):

BBJ Linen also has a great chart that will advise you on other less common table sizes. There are also many tricks you can use with linens to dress up or personalize your tables, but more on that in part 2 next week, so stay tuned!

{In the meantime...do you have specific questions regarding linens or other party rentals? Let us know! Send an email to contact@weddingsbysoiree.com with Rentals in the subject line and we'll do our best to address it here.}

Everything You Wanted To Know: Event Planning 101

Even if you've just started to embark on the wonderful world of event planning, you've undoubtedly already noticed that there is more to it than just picking out pretty flowers and grazing wedding magazines. Pretty much everything you do will have a logistical or technical side to it- and we {your vendors} don't expect you to know anything about it- after all, that's what you hired us for! But even when armed with a team of stellar vendors, it still always pays to be an informed client- it will help you in making money decisions, creating a realistic budget, a timeline that will work, and will ultimately save you precious time (so you can go back to grazing wedding magazines!).

So I've been working to create a series of posts filled with information on what it will take to put your wedding or event together. From linens to tents, flowers to beauty, by the time this series is over you should feel comfortable in making educated decisions, and feel a little less overwhelmed by the process.

Some posts will be presented by Yours Truly, and others will be posted by other industry professionals so that you're getting the best information possible. Stay tuned each Monday for a new post packed with valuable information!

Stay tuned as well for the first post of the series, later today.

{ A note to industry professionals: Have some great advice you'd like to contribute? Email us at contact@weddingsbysoiree.com with Event Planning 101 in the subject line for consideration!}

{Brides: Have a question you'd like to see answered about anything related to planning your event? Email us at contact@weddingsbysoiree.com with Questions in the subject line and we'll do our best to get it answered here!}