Fashion Forward Friday: Bridesmaid Edition

Shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses has never been so fun. With so many new styles, bold colors and alluring embellishments to choose from, this season’s bridal line-up is sure to make a statement.

[Photo credit: Cynthia Rowley | BHLDN ]

Check out our top 5 favorite trends that are sure to take the cake this wedding season:

1. Color-Me-Pretty: Don’t be afraid to explore your colorful side. Tangerine may be the color of the year, but sunshine yellow, hot pink and electric blue follow closely behind. With so many beautiful bright colors to choose from, your wedding is bound to make a bold statement.

2. Style Throwback: While the calendar may say 2012, the runway screams 1950. From sea-foam green and pillbox hats to lace detailing and swing-style dresses, classic trends have resurfaced and are making their way into your bridal lineup.

3. Trendy InterMix: Why choose one bridesmaids’ dress style when mixing it up is way more fun. Play around with different hemlines, fabrics, colors, and even shoes. This intermix of style options creates a distinctive yet cohesive looks. Our trendsetting tip? Try a canary yellow dress with a beautiful teal shoe.

4. Adore Your Adornments: Sashes, broaches and embellished belts are all the rage, and brides will have it easy this season as the details are already in the design. When looking for the perfect bridesmaids’ dress, don’t just think about the color; think about the detailing that will make your girls shine.

5. Individual Glam: Every girl has a different style and body type – why not let their dresses reflect their personality? Try giving your bridesmaids an option within three styles, such as off the shoulder, strapless and v-neck; your bridesmaids will thank you knowing that they will be comfortable and confident in the dress that best suits their figure.

However you choose to mix-and-match, bridesmaids are sure to stand out at any “I Do” celebration.

[photo credit: Nina Ricci ]

D.I.F.Y. = Do It For Yourself – Bridal Pampering

We will be featuring HAIR by Andrew Marke Salon – stylists will spend an hour with you to create your perfect look. Bring photos of what you love and hate in hair designs. We will also feature Crowning Glory Bridal Accessories, and special guest Liv Hart, designer of  Enchanted Atelier, who will be showing her newest collection of bridal accessories for your hands-on and in-hair viewing.

A Carbotti Love Story

Our new friends at Perfect Surroundings, Inc. inspire this week’s love story. We came across this family owned company at the CORT Lounge 22 event at the Four Seasons last week and immediately fell in love. We were truly inspired by their philosophy and work process because it coincides perfectly with the values that Something Fabulous hold true. For nearly thirty years, Perfect Surroundings, Inc. has integrated two-dimensional visual, interior, and graphic design to produce spectacular events internationally, bringing the company to the forefront of elite special event design firms (being design partners with CORT is just the tip of the iceberg). However, the Carbotti family at Perfect surroundings, Inc. understands that it’s more than just creating a pretty event; it’s about creating a life-long memory. Something Fabulous has always believed that life’s celebrations are what make any event special and it was so encouraging to meet a like-minded company. We love making our clients visions come true and giving them a day they will always cherish.

Quick tip: When finding a vendor for your event, it’s important to keep in mind that although a vendor may be in your price range and have the ability to produce what you are looking for, it’s important to meet and talk with whomever you may hire to make sure that your personality and values coincide. It’s not just about the end result but the entire event-planning experience.

Fashion Forward Friday: Mix & Match

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different patterns this season. The combination of damask, polka dots and florals can easily add texture and dimension to your event space. Try incorporating different materials and colors that compliment each other. For instance, mixing monochromatic colors with metallic accents.

[Event Design: Something Fabulous] [Photo Credit: Michael Bennet Kress]

from the Gypsy – Fabulously UNPLUGGED!

I unplugged today. For a WHOLE twenty minutes, I loosened the grip of my hand on my Android, replaced the ear buds of my headset to their resting spot, folded my laptop into it’s home in the computer bag and went out into the sunshine for a walk around our neighborhood park.

A  younger me would have first seen the shadows cast through the trees and the shimmers of sunlight peeking through them – an entry for my light journal. The more still me would have immediately noticed the folds of the bark on those trees and the texture of the elm leaves against the marvelously blue sky. But this me, the me I am today, first wondered if leaving my daughter 50 yards away with the parks and rec girl was a safe thing to do and then quietly marveled that I had just done something that everyone should do… and then began thinking about this post.

EXPERIENCES… how many do we miss every day because we are so connected that we aren’t present. Combine that reality of everyday with the emotional reality of life celebrations and the family dynamics that those celebrations can stir and you have a recipe for stress. So what is a person to do?

Cue the sunshine and bird song…

Unplug and get back to the process of your celebration, in our world that experience begins with the end in mind. Answer the following four questions, we have our customers write the answers down or we write them out in our Experiences Summary. Refer to the answers every time you start to feel overwhelmed or offtrack.

1. What is/are your objective(s) – This is the vision or memory of your day. What are you and/or your guests talking about the day after the celebration. “ That was a really great party, WOW, the food (band, dj, décor…) was AMAZING, “the bride’s dress was fabulous and the design was so different”, “that was the most intimate gathering of family and friends” What is YOUR vision/objective?

2.What do you require? The answer to this could be a game changer for the date, time, location of your celebration.

3. What are your preferences? Chivari chairs or ghost chairs, roses or peonies, satin or lace, etc. This is your wish list and it can grow and grow, so it’s good to know in the beginning what is important and how it matches up with question

4.Budget – everyone has one, what is yours? If you started with “I don’t know”, then the answers you come up with are going to help you figure one out. You might be over, you might be under and you might be surprised if you don’t answer this question.

Objectives, Requirements, Preferences, Budget will help you define and design your EXPERIENCE…

If you are planning with someone, be sure you understand the answers of your partner in planning. And, for the bride’s out there. It’s a good idea to do this FIRST before you begin dreaming about flowers and place settings. This way if you and your fiance are writing the checks you’ll understand what’s ahead of you, and if parents are helping no one will be caught in a surprise.

So, I dare you to UNPLUG… turn off the computer, dock your iPhone, stash your headset, iPod, magazines and party day-planner.

I guarantee it will be uncomfortable at first. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, being present for the whole process of your celebration is worth a thousand memories.

Top Tent Tips for Your Next Great Outdoor Party

No matter the season or the occasion you can always celebrate with a tent party! Check out our expert tips below to get you started on planning your next tent event.

Photo by Michael Bennett Kress Photography

1. Selecting the right tent. There are many different style tents so when selecting your tent option keep in mind the atmosphere you are trying to create as well as the number of  guests you will be accommodating. Work with your tent vendor to provide you with a diagram for your space. Often tent rental companies will provide diagrams of how many people each size tent will seat. These diagrams will make sure that you don’t end up with an empty or crowded space.

2. Spray for bugs at least three weeks prior to your event. You want your guests to be buzzing about your event not the uninvited guests. Most pest control companies now have an organic option. Whether you choose to do it on your own or hire a pest control specialist MTB Pest Control. Spraying is always a good idea!

3.  Make sure you have adequate means of controlling the temperature. If your event is in the colder months you should look into heaters. If your hosting a summer event make sure to have plenty of fans or air-conditioning units. In addition to keeping your guests cool fans will also help keep bugs away. Classic Party Rentals is located in Metro DC and have these items available for rent.

4. Lighting a tent is absolutely crucial to any tent party and can be key to creating an inviting atmosphere. Overhead lighting is a fun and interesting way to add personality to your tent event, keep in mind when adding lighting from above you’re also increasing your budget.  However, there are many clever ways and great options for lighting these days. From lanterns to LED’s, lighting adds to the atmosphere of an event space and guests will appreciate the extra illumination as the evening progresses.

Photos by Arising Images Photography

5. Try decorating the perimeter and interior of the tent.  Overhead lighting or decor can be labor intensive and therefore costly if you don’t have the right equipment.  String lights or ribbons around a tents perimeter can add a fanciful feel and are easy to connect to power cords.  Decorating in and around the tent can save time and money.  Focus on the details by adding interesting linens and chairs that fit your personal style or furniture and lamps for a little extra effect.

6.  Finally, don’t forget the sidewalls.  Not every tent rental includes sidewalls and not every tent company will remind you of this, but we think it’s a crucial item to have on hand.  Whether you are blocking wind, rain or trying to keep the air or heat in.  The few extra bucks you may be charged will make the few bucks you’ve already spent go a little further in keeping your event space exactly how you want it. Dry, comfortable and fabulous!

We would love to hear about your last event! Send us your favorite snapshots from your last tent party!