Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2021

There are no rules when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts and we are here to help you find a special one of a kind present that your partner will love. Look past the champagne and roses to find the perfect gift. We are wishing you a wonderful day filled with love and happiness!

For the cook

Frog Hollow, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Few ingredients are as versatile as great olive oil. From dipping bread, to pasta with garlic and olive oil, or a classic salad with balsamic and olive oil, there is a reason why olive oil is a staple in kitchens around the world. Frog Hollow’s organic extra virgin olive oil is made with four varieties of olives, Frantoio, Leccino, Maurino, and Pendolino, that are handpicked and cold pressed. The result is a buttery, bright, slightly peppery olive oil with a truly silken texture. It is sure to wow everyone, even cooks with the pickiest of palates! 

https://www.froghollow.com/collections/olive-oil/products/organic-extra-virgin-olive-oil

For the Hugge fan

Vancouver Candle Co., Diffusers

The perfect scent can make your winter hide out complete! Vancouver Candle Co. diffusers are one of our favorite options for scent lovers. If you are looking for the perfect present for a college student, I remember those no open flame days, or someone with active pets and children, I have seen cats swipe at candles many times, these diffusers are sure to impress! They create an amazing enveloping scent in your space. To complete your winter wonderland vibes, we recommend The North Diffuser, featuring notes of Amber, Arctic Heather, and Moss.

https://www.vancouvercandleco.com/collections/all-diffusers

For the chocoholic

Dandelion Chocolate, Chocolate Breakfast Granola

The true chocolate lovers in my life would eat chocolate for every meal if they could and this granola is the sophisticated cousin of all of their childhood chocolate dreams. This delicious breakfast treat features Camino Verde, Ecuador 70% chocolate and Costa Esmeraldas cacao nibs blended with whole grain oats, puffed quinoa, hazelnuts, maple syrup, dried Michigan cherries, flaky toasted coconut, and a hint of maple syrup and sea salt. Who wouldn’t want to eat their “dessert” for breakfast?

https://store.dandelionchocolate.com/products/chocolate-breakfast-granola

For the writer

Graphic Image, Refillable Notebooks

Journaling has taken off this past year as a great way to explore your creative side, relieve stress, and practice self-reflection. The bourgeoning writer, the gratitude journal fan, the to-do list lover, and everyone in between will love these refillable notebooks with gold-edged premium lined paper and replaceable spiral inserts, so you can write as much as you like. The luxurious leather covers are available in metallics, bright cheery colors, and traditional neutrals.

https://www.graphicimage.com/collections/refillable-notebooks

For the self-care enthusiast

Villa Floriani, Olive Oil Satin Body Spray

Winter makes us think of snow, cold weather, hot cocoa, ice skating, and, unfortunately, dry winter air. It is the perfect time of year for Villa Floriani’s luxurious olive oil satin body spray. It is truly lotion 2.0. The spray absorbs into your skin almost immediately, leaving a light, almost floral scent that Villa Floriani describes as the scent of an Italian Olive Grove. Not only will it quickly become the replacement for every body lotion you have, but it can also be lightly misted over your hair to add moisture and shine.

https://villafloriani.com/collections/olive-oil-range/products/olive-oil-satin-body-spray

The gifts above are all from inspiring small businesses that continue to use their creativity and passion to thrive in these difficult times. Your gift is sure to be a hit and make a huge difference to these amazing businesses!  

P.S.- If you get engaged this Valentine’s Day, you know where to find us and we would love to help you make your wedding the day you’ve always dreamed of!

Do You Know the History of Groundhog Day?

We love a great party and we never think the occasion is too small to celebrate! Throughout my life, friends and family have celebrated a wide variety of milestones, holidays, and events. One of my mom’s closest friends throws a squirrel themed party every fall primarily because she just loves squirrels and, like us, loves a good excuse to throw a party. It’s no surprise that we love all holidays and occasions, even Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Day began as an official holiday in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania when a local newspaper editor declared Phil, their weather predicting groundhog, America’s only groundhog fit to predict the coming of spring. While other cities have their own local clairvoyant groundhogs, Punxsutawney remains the center of Groundhog Day and annually tens of thousands of people travel to Pennsylvania for a three day celebration and Phil’s prediction.

While the line of famous Phils dates back to 1887, the Groundhog Day tradition has far older roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas which marked the midpoint between the winter solstice and summer equinox. During Candlemas, the clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. Tradition held that if Candlemas was fair and bright winter was still in store, but if it had clouds and rain winter would soon be over. In Germany the tradition evolved to include a hedgehog. Superstition said if the sun appeared and the hedgehog had a shadow, there would be six more weeks of cold weather.

While most people now look to a groundhog, not a hedgehog, the tradition lives on and, because Phil saw his shadow this morning, we might just be in for six more weeks of winter.

The Groom's Cake

My first memory of a groom’s cake is from the fantastic late 80’s movie, Steel Magnolias. I grew up in love with weddings, constantly planning all of my friend’s dresses, décor, and themes. This was probably the first hint of my event planning career to come. The wedding in Steel Magnolias was one of my favorite pieces of bridal inspiration and I loved almost everything, aside from the groom’s armadillo cake. You read that right. If you have never seen the movie, the groom’s cake is an anatomically correct (at least to the untrained eye) armadillo that is red inside, from red velvet cake. While the armadillo may be a beloved mascot of Texas for some, it was not a hit with elementary school aged me. I did, however, love the idea of a groom’s cake.

Groom’s cakes, while typically found at southern weddings, have roots in Victorian England. Victorian weddings featured three distinct cakes, one for the guests, one for the bridesmaids, and one for the groomsmen. Today, groom’s cakes frequently take on a lighter and less traditional tone than the main wedding cake and feature designs that highlight the groom’s interests, everything from their alma matter to their hobbies or favorite pets. It can also be a wonderful way to offer complementary dessert flavors. While many brides prefer the wedding cake feature lighter, more traditional flavors like vanilla, fruit, or citrus, groom’s cakes are often red velvet, deep chocolate, or flavored with generous amounts of liquor like bourbon or whiskey. 

You certainly don’t need to be southern, or British, to embrace the wit and excitement of a themed groom’s cake.

Small Business Gift Guide 2020

It’s the holiday season…

I love this time of year! Christmas carols on the radio, glittering snow, houses decked out in lights, and, most important of all, the feelings of joy and generosity.

This past year has been filled with challenges, especially for the event industry and small businesses. I am endlessly inspired by our industry friends and colleagues who have adapted, worked harder than ever, and achieved great successes at such a difficult time. Small businesses continue to need your support! Not only will you get high-quality special gifts for you or your loved ones, but you can know that each purchase truly matters to a small creator or shop owner. I am sharing a few of our favorite small business gifts below. Shop small and make a big difference!

Bauble Stockings

Spring Dreams Stocking

Photo courtesy of Bauble Stockings. Stocking design by artist Sarah Watson, photo by Kathryn McCrary, styled by Ginny Branch

Bauble Stockings are hand stitched stunning small stockings backed with luxurious velvet. They are sure to be the star of your tree or mantle.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kate, the creator of Bauble Stockings, a few years ago and fell in love with her story. At Christmas, Kate’s mom would receive her last special gift in a needlepoint stocking hung on their family Christmas tree. Her dad called this a bauble stocking and, on a good year, it was filled with a special piece of jewelry. When Kate got engaged, and learned bauble stockings were only a tradition shared by her family, she set out to make them for us all.

What is truly so special about Kate and Bauble Stockings is their commitment to making a difference. Every gorgeous stocking is hand stitched and finished by a community of moms in Haiti and this partnership has also allowed the community to build a school for over 120 children. Kate also donates 5% of the stocking profits to the Atlanta Children’s Center. Kate is one of my many talented Kappa Alpha Theta sisters. The gorgeous Theta pansy inspired stocking shown here also benefits Theta’s charitable partner, with 10% of profits donated to CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates. A bauble stocking will grace your home for years while giving much needed support to others.

https://www.baublestockings.com

Deborah Nadel By Hand

2021 Desk Calendar

Photo courtesy of Deborah Nadel

One of my favorite parts of every new year is putting out Deborah Nadel’s new desk calendar. Deborah is one of my most talented industry friends and her calligraphy is astoundingly gorgeous. Her calendar will be the star of your desk with its gold frame and shimmering gold numbers and lettering. Trust me, you have never had this much fun keeping track of the date! All of Deborah’s cards and calendars feature her captivating calligraphy on beautiful high-quality paper. If you have a paper lover or a stationery fiend in your life, these are the gifts for you!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DeborahNadelByHand

Belle Fleur

Box of Blooms

Photos courtesy of Belle Fleur

I am always overjoyed to receive flowers. They brighten my space and my mood. Talented NYC florist Belle Fleur has made the joy of flowers even more fun. With their Box of Blooms program, your gift recipient will receive breathtaking flowers along with access to an instructional video from talented founder Meredith Waga Perez who will guide them through every step of enjoying their gorgeous blooms, from unpacking and conditioning to design suggestions.  

Boxes of Blooms come in three configurations and current boxes feature striated red Amaryllis, red berry Ilex Verticillata branches, and snowy white Ranunculus. These red and white beauties are sure to be the centerpiece of your (or their) holiday décor! Belle Fleur offers a new set of boxes approximately every month, so you can continue to gift your loved ones the best flowers the season has to offer. I cannot think of a more fantastic gift for a flower lover!

https://bouquets.bellefleurny.com/products/box-of-blooms

Vancouver Candle Co.

Yorkville Candle

Photo courtesy of Vancouver Candle Co.

I love the cozy warm glow of candles, especially in the winter! One of my favorite small businesses and candle brands is Vancouver Candle Co. Each of their artisanal candles and diffusers are handmade and hand poured in their Vancouver studio and feature premium soy wax, pure cotton wicks, natural essential oils, and perfume grade fine fragrance.

I could buy dozens upon dozens of Vancouver Candle Co. candles and my favorite fragrance will always be Yorkville. Part of their Neighborhood collection, Yorkville is the perfect mix of woody, herbal, and sweet notes featuring notes of amber, sandalwood, and vanilla.

https://www.vancouvercandleco.com

Bon Vivant New York

Assorted Petit Cakes

Photo courtesy of Bon Vivant

I have loved petit cakes since I was a small child and my grandmother used to take us to afternoon tea. Petit cakes are the perfect fanciful snack. They are bite size, delicious, and beautifully decorated. I feel the same joy from my childhood when I see Bon Vivant Petit Cakes. Each delicate cake is topped with the finest almond marzipan, dipped in a deliciously smooth fondant icing, and perfectly decorated. This is not just a feast for the eyes. Cakes come in a variety of delectable flavors including Bourbon Vanilla, Lemon Zest, Coffee Cream, and many more. While all of their baked goods are delicious, the petit cakes are the true standout! If you are looking for a gift for a special someone with a sweet tooth, look no further!

https://bonvivantnewyork.com

I hope you love gifting the small business goodies shared above. Don’t forget, you need a holiday present too and there is nothing wrong with a present given from you to you, especially in 2020! Please shop small and have a very, very happy holiday!

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Facts

Very few holiday traditions are as grand as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watched by over 22 million viewers last year alone, many families consider the parade a key part of their Thanksgiving festivities and the arrival of Santa to be one of the first moments of Christmas. In fact, the parade started in 1924 as a much smaller Christmas parade organized by store employees featuring animals from the Central Park Zoo. Large scale balloons replaced animals in 1926 and paved the way for the parade we all know and love.

While the parade may look different this year, we have so many fond memories of the balloons, floats, and performances and look forward to it returning to its full glory again. Kick off your celebration with a few of our fun facts about one of the best Thanksgiving traditions, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Finders fee

Until 1933, Macy’s intentionally released balloons after the parade and allowed them to float, sometimes for days, before landing. The balloons had return labels and rewards were given upon their return.

War Efforts

The parade was not held from 1942-1944 due to helium and rubber shortages caused by WWII. Macy’s donated existing balloons, totaling 650 pounds of spare rubber, to the US military.

Flying High

Today, Macy’s is the second largest consumer of helium in the world using over 300,000 cubic feet per year. That’s three and a half Olympic sized swimming pools worth of helium totaling more than $500,000.

The Peanuts

Snoopy has been on display as a star balloon since 1968 and the parade has featured seven versions of the character including Flying Ace Snoopy in his pilot’s hat and Moon Landing Snoopy. This makes Snoopy the character with the most versions in the parade’s history.

Picture Perfect

In order to avoid cracks, new balloons are painted only after they are inflated. The balloons then undergo indoor and outdoor flight tests as well as leak testing. This lengthy process costs at least $190,000 for new balloons and $90,000 annually for the maintenance of existing balloons.

Wedding Second Line Parade

The first tradition in our Tradition Tuesday series is one of my all-time favorites, the second line parade.

If you have ever spent time in New Orleans, you know New Orleans loves a parade. Is there a Saints game? Throw a parade. Is it a holiday? Throw a parade. If it’s the month leading up to Mardi Gras, throw a month of parades. My first day in New Orleans, there was a parade just outside of my hotel and it wasn’t even a holiday. I still don’t know what that parade was for, but I loved it. Naturally, when it comes time to celebrate your wedding, yes, throw a parade.

Wedding parades in the United States trace back to 19th century New Orleans jazz funerals and have evolved into a tradition that is embraced for many of life’s milestones. In New Orleans, wedding second lines kick off the party and often travel from the ceremony location to the reception space. A brass band and the couple, the first line, lead their guests, the second line, through the streets all while dancing, celebrating, and reveling in the music. The couple often carry a set of embellished umbrellas and hand out decorated handkerchiefs to their guests. If you have ever turned the corner of a narrow French Quarter street, to see a couple waving umbrellas in the air, guests swinging handkerchiefs to the beat of the music, and a brass band leading a throng of partygoers, you know how special a second line truly is. It perfectly involves your guests and sets the tone for an unforgettable night to come. Whether your second line winds through the streets of New Orleans or circles a New York City ballroom floor, it is sure to be one of your favorite wedding memories.

Event Décor: Painted Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a fall staple in pie and on your mantle. We often have clients who want to embrace autumn and incorporate pumpkins into their fall party décor, but they also want to push the envelope. What do we do when a client wants to decorate with an all red theme? What if the client just doesn’t like orange? What if pumpkins seem too plain? Our perfect answer is painted pumpkins.

When designing this year’s pumpkins, we took inspiration from mixed materials. We wanted to create pumpkins that could appear like they were made of ceramic, covered in gold, and crafted from glass. We also wanted to use a color not traditionally associated with fall or Halloween décor. We hope you enjoy our 2020 collection of blue pumpkins!

Metallic Pumpkin

We have fond memories of decorating the table for Thanksgiving dinner. We channeled our love of gold accented china to create a pumpkin that would feel at home in the center of your table surrounded by your holiday best.  

-Using a wide acrylic brush, apply the first coat of paint. We used a mixture of satin, pearl, and metallic paints to create depth and shimmer.

-Allow this coat to fully dry.

-Apply a second coat and be careful to blend out any brushstrokes.

-Using a small brush, apply the gilding adhesive to the area at the top of the pumpkin/base of the stem. You will want to work in small sections. Apply a small amount of adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry for 1 to 2 minutes until tacky. Then, apply the gold leafing. We used a gilding sheet. In order to create a varied texture, rip the gilding into small shard like pieces and apply them by hand or with a tweezer. You will want to tap them gently into place with your finger or the back of a brush to ensure they are affixed.

-When you have finished gilding, take a fan brush and lightly go over the gilding with a dusting or sweeping motion. This will ensure that any gilding that is not dried down is removed.

-Allow the gilded area to dry overnight and be careful whenever moving to hold the pumpkin from the non-gilded area to avoid any damage.

Glass Pumpkin

Inspired by mesmerizing glass hand blown pumpkins we found at Les Trois Corbeaux in Quebec City, we wanted this pumpkin to shine like glass.

-Using a wide acrylic brush, apply an even layer of satin acrylic paint.

- Allow paint to dry fully before applying a second layer.

-On the second layer, attempt to get as few visible brush strokes as possible. If your paint is too thin, stroke marks and bald spots will be visible.

-Let the color coats dry very thoroughly, at least 1 hour before glazing.  

-Using a medium acrylic brush, apply a medium to thick coat of acrylic glaze. Use more glaze if your dried paint has a rough texture. Be sure to apply the glaze in single strokes moving upwards. This will allow any extra glaze to gather by the stem. Blot any excess using a cotton swab and then smooth the area with your brush.

-Allow glaze to dry for 2 to 3 hours. If your first coat is not fully dry, the glaze will bead and pill when you attempt to apply the next coat.

-Prior to application of your second coat, check for any noticeable drips or areas where the glaze has pooled. You will want to smooth these before applying a second coat. Use your brush to tap these areas down flat and smooth any edges.

-Apply a second (thinner) coat of glaze. Pay extra attention to rough areas, including the stem, to ensure that the entire pumpkin will have a shiny glass-like appearance.

-Allow the pumpkin to dry overnight. Do not attempt to move the pumpkin now as touching the surface will disturb the glaze and the paint underneath.

Ceramic Pumpkin

We love the viral videos where decorators turn glass vases into faux-terracotta pottery. We used baking soda to create our own take on the terracotta trend, terracotta pumpkins.

-To create your faux-terracotta mixture, combine a half cup of satin acrylic paint with approximately 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix thoroughly. The paint will begin to react with the baking soda and puff up. If this reaction does not occur, add more baking soda. We recommend starting with the ratio above and adjusting the overall amount of paint based on the size of your pumpkin(s).

-Test your paint mixture on a piece of computer paper. If you do not notice a thick textured appearance, add more baking soda.

-Using an acrylic bristle brush, apply a thick layer of the paint ensuring all strokes are in the same direction.

-Allow the paint to dry very well. Your pumpkin will need at least an extra 30 minutes after it appears to have dried.

-Mix up more of the faux-terracotta blend and apply a second coat. Do not attempt to blend out your brush stokes as you want to create a noticeable texture that will mimic terracotta.

Metallic, glass, and terracotta textures

Materials

Pumpkins

Acrylic paint (metallic, satin, pearl)

White printer paper

Disposable cups (for mixing)

Cotton swab

Large wide acrylic brush

Small wide acrylic brush

Small narrow acrylic brush

Fan acrylic brush

Gilding adhesive

Gold gilding sheets/gold leaf

Baking soda

High gloss acrylic glaze

These pumpkins are perfect for a larger party or for a smaller 2020 Halloween night in. Embracing the holidays, getting into the fun, and making memories is what we enjoy most. Decorating for the holiday sets the mood for an unforgettable celebration!

We would love to see your take on pumpkin décor! If you recreate any of the pumpkins above or if you have creative pumpkin designs of your own, share them with us by tagging us on Instagram @leseventsnyc.

Event Décor: Pumpkins

“Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch …”

-Charles M. Schulz, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

If you love all things fall, there is no doubt that you, like us, love pumpkin décor. Halloween is over, but that doesn’t mean pumpkins are out of season. Pumpkins are the perfect décor accents all fall long.

Even if you love pumpkins, you might be one of the many people who feel bright orange is too bright for the perfect fall décor. Maybe plain pumpkins aren’t enough to make your guests ooh and ahh. Below are a few of our favorite pumpkin decorating techniques that are sure to impress.

Materials

Pumpkins (varieties below)

Acrylic paint (metallic and satin finish)

Chalk paint

Water in a disposable cup

Disposable plate

White printer paper

Large wide acrylic brush

Small wide acrylic brush

Acrylic fan brush

Foam sponge brush

Chalk pen

Metallic Pumpkin

Inspired by dry brushing and a love for metallics, we used rose gold and copper paint to upgrade a wide New England Cheddar pumpkin.

-Load a large wide dry acrylic brush with rose gold paint.

-With firm strokes, pull the paint upwards towards the stem.

-Focus on covering the bottom half of the pumpkin thoroughly and tapering off as you reach the top.

-As the brush is dry, you will see lines and texture in the paint. Do not blend these out.

-When you have completely covered the pumpkin with rose gold, repeat the same technique in the ridges of the pumpkin using the copper paint and the smaller wide brush.

-Once all of the copper is in place, wipe off your small brush. Go over the ridges with the dry brush, blending the edges of the copper into the rose gold.

Splatter Pumpkin

Dark and spooky can also be chic and impactful. Using Martha Stewart satin acrylic paints in Chipotle and Habanero, we created a splatter inspired Crystal Star pumpkin.

-Mix paints to create your preferred deep or bright shade of red.

-Using a disposable plate, add drops of water to your mixed paint until it is loose enough to drip easily.

-Start with ten drops and add water as needed.

-Dip the edges of the fan brush in the paint. Be careful to not fully coat the brush.

-Test the paint consistency using the paper. Hold the brush handle with one hand close to the bristles/brush head and use the other hand to tap the brush handle at it’s midpoint.

-If your brush will not sprinkle or splatter paint, your paint is too thick.

-If your paint runs and does not create distinct spots, add more paint as the mixture is too thin.

-Now that you have the paint consistency where you want it, repeat the tapping technique around the entire pumpkin.

-When your brush becomes too thoroughly coated in paint, wash the brush off and re-dip the tips of the bristles.

Chalk Paint Pumpkin

Chalk paint, our easiest and most child friendly technique, packs a major color punch.

-Use a foam sponge brush to add a thick coat of chalk paint in your preferred color. Do not worry if the first coat does not go on evenly.

-Let the first coat dry very thoroughly. If you do not wait, the paint will move around when you apply the second coat.

-Apply a second coat of paint.

-When the pumpkin is dry, you can customize the pumpkin with chalk pens.

We would love to see your pumpkins! If you recreate any of the pumpkins above or if you have creative pumpkin designs of your own, share them with us by tagging us on Instagram @leseventsnyc.

Flower Focus: Dahlias

With that familiar fall chill in the air comes one of our favorite times of year, dahlia season. While dahlias first become available in mid to late summer, their popularity surges every autumn. Dahlias are found in a wide variety of colors and bloom shapes and have one of the longest seasons as they are available until the first frost. As brides, celebrants, and corporate clients turn their focus from light, airy, ethereal flowers to arrangements full of structure and texture, it is dahlias’ time to shine.

Before asking for a bouquet full of dahlias, read about a few of our favorites shapes and varieties below.

Cactus Dahlias

Cactus dahlias are known for their quill-like petals that create a spike appearance, like that of a cactus needle. Their blooms come in a variety of sizes and are most notable for their star-like heads. The cactus dahlias’ starburst blooms can be found in a number of colors including vivid hues, like the bright red Doris Day, as well as pastels, like the pale lemon yellow Weston Miss.

Kiwi Gloria Cactus Dahlia

Decorative Dahlias

Decorative dahlias feature broad flat-tipped petals which can be spaced evenly, in the case of formal decorative dahlias, or spaced irregularly, in the case of informal decorative dahlias. For bouquets and arrangements, we recommend the perfectly spaced and densely packed formal decorative dahlias. Some of our favorite decorative varieties include the apricot hued David Howard, the Eveline dahlia with its creamy white petals and soft lilac center and tips, and the yellow Kelvin Floodlight. The Kelvin Floodlight is considered one of the largest dahlias which makes it a beloved dinnerplate dahlia, but more about that later.

Foxy Lady Decorative Dahlia

Ball and Pompon Dahlias

True to their names, ball and pompon dahlias have distinctive globe-shaped blooms. Their petals are blunt or slightly rounded at the tips and are arranged in a mesmerizing swirl pattern. Stunning ball and pompon dahlias include the rounded lushly packed blooms of the pale salmon-pink Jowey Winnie, the flatter soft lavender Megan Dean, and moody Dark Spirit. Dark Spirit dahlias are a dark, almost black, burgundy and are perfect for fall inspired arrangements.

Purple Ball Dahlia

Single Dahlias

Single, Collarette, Anemone, and Mignon dahlias are all considered single flower varieties. They feature a single row of petals which can be flat or slightly cupped. These dahlias are incredibly stunning and impactful. Their large eye catching petals can be found in gorgeous color combinations including the Happy Single First Love with its apricot-pink petals and vibrant red ring around deep brown centers, the Mystic Spirit with soft creamy blush peach petals and dark mahogany centers, and the crisp white Twyning’s After Eight with warm yellow-orange centers.

Jolly Fellows Single Dahlia

Dinnerplate Dahlias

Dinnerplate dahlias are our favorite of all the stunning dahlias. They are named for their impressive luxe plate-sized blooms. These showstopping flowers are not an official class of dahlias. They are a collection of varieties notable for their size and impact. Some dinnerplate blossoms have the traditional cupped petal shape like the pale pink Café au Lait and deep purple-red Thomas Edison. Café au Lait dahlias are the most beloved and requested bridal dahlia. Their massive creamy pinky beige blooms fit perfectly into bridal bouquets, reception centerpieces, and ceremony flowers. They are the ideal combination of traditional light bridal colors and lush mesmerizing texture. Other dinnerplate dahlias have more exotic petals like the twisted petals of the Taihejo dahlia, the quilled Avignon, and the twisted shaggy Penhill Dark Monarch dahlia. Dinnerplate dahlias have unmatched impact and beauty.

Café Au Lait Dinnerplate Dahlia

Fall 2018 Wedding Trends

Spring and summer may be considered the height of wedding season, but fall is quickly becoming one of the most popular times of year to get married.  With autumn wedding season right around the corner, now is the time to finalize all of the details that will make your wedding one of a kind.

This fall guests can look forward to innovative wedding trends that feature new color palettes, exciting décor, and exceptional food. Here’s a look at fall 2018 wedding trends and tips about how to showcase them at your upcoming wedding.

Pops of color

All white weddings can be breathtaking, but dramatic uses of color have been growing in popularity. Bright hues add excitement to any summer wedding, but for fall the focus will be on darker décor, highlighting colors like burgundy, burnt orange, mauve, and eggplant. Expect to see wood tones, matte black ceramic vases, and bridesmaids in navy.

Bring the outdoors indoors

Lush greenery and plants allow couples to be married in their own secret garden. Greenery can be used for table runners, to decorate the venue, draped across doorways, columns, the bar, and winding up staircases.  Couples are pushing boundaries by creating unexpected greenery displays like tropical wedding arches made of palmetto leaves and suspended greenery installations made of winding ivy.

Translucence

Couples looking to create wow moments for their guests are embracing translucent materials like glass and acrylic that show off embellishments while allowing the space to feel light and airy. Acrylic wedding arches, glass cake tables, and clear tents are a few favorites. Complement glass and acrylics with scores of candles, lush florals, and over the top design elements. Make a statement with gorgeously flourished calligraphy on acrylic place cards or seating charts.  

Unexpected invitations

New shapes and unconventional materials are turning traditional cream wedding invitations on their head. Couples aren’t just personalizing their wedding day; they are embracing innovative invitations that give guests a hint of the one of a kind celebration to come. Those looking to explore this trend while maintaining a classic feel should consider a custom envelope liner with a map drawn of their wedding location or an interestingly shaped die cut invitation in classic white or ecru. For couples who want to push the boundaries further, move past paper invitations. Custom invitations can be printed on wood, etched on mirrors, or incorporate nontraditional materials like fabric or stone.

Custom envelope liner- Hadley Suite - Dolce Press Weddings

Giving back

Weddings are the perfect time to shower the special couple with love and attention. Grateful couples are paying it forward by incorporating giving back into their big day. More couples are asking for donations to their favorite charities in lieu of gifts, hiring nonprofit music and dance performance groups, and taking volunteer honeymoons. Couples are also giving back at the end of their wedding day by arranging for extra reception meals to be donated to Second Harvest or by donating their wedding flowers to local hospitals and shelters using a service like Repeat Roses.  

Food favorites

Couples are embracing custom menus that move beyond his and hers cocktails. The wedding menu has become a new and exciting way for couples to share their love story with their guests. Couples who met in New England might feature mini lobster and crab rolls as passed hors d'oeuvres while couples who vacation every year in Spain might include classic tapas offerings. Couples are also exploring their cultural heritage when it comes to menu planning. Unique menus intrigue guests and allow couples to share special memories and traditions with their friends and loved ones.