the Vintage Vibe @ Festivities!

Have you noticed that the vintage look is so IN?  It is soooo Southern and you know from my drawl that I'm no yankee. 

I have had the pleasure of collaborating on some vintage inspired soirees lately and I am in love.  Now the look is EVERYWHERE.  It is showing up in home decor, apparel, and event design.

To get a feel of this look, visit the fabulous Style Me Pretty site.  You will be blown away with all of the fresh and unique looks like this...

and this...

and this...

I have come to the conclusion that this look is gaining strength as we all long for simpler days.  The days when the wedding reception consisted of what flowers you could cut from your own garden.  The days when the decor was found inside your grandma's house. 

The days when the linens were borrowed from all of the church ladies. 

There is something about this eclectic mix of things that is familiar, comforting and pleasing.


Festivities is thrilled to introduce our new line of rentals called Vintage Vibe.  We just launched them at Signed, Sealed, Delivered's bridal event this past Saturday.  The addition of a few choice pieces can truly separate your wedding from the rest.  Take a peek at some of our new items...

Distressed gray table...perfect for a cake table or a couple's table. 

Don't miss the personalized burlap runner.  Festivities can custom design your keepsake linen in at least a gillion colors and fabrics.

Great assortment of vintage cake stands.  Check out the milk glass, jadeite, and crystal.

Fun vintage chalk board perfect for giving directions.

Don't you love this funky little table?  It has a distressed wrought iron base and chunky wood top.

  What a personality boost!

Ya'll come see us.  Ya hear?

What's Your Wedding VIBE? Workshop

Calling all brides...

When: Saturday, April 1st, 1:00 PM
Where:  Signed, Sealed, Delivered
              3301 Market Street, Rogers
             (across from the Embassy Suites)
Who:  Lori Bova, Festivities
What: An interactive workshop to determine your weddingVIBE

If you are newly engaged and have no idea on how to get started planning your special day, this is the workshop for you.  You are guaranteed to leave armed with an arsenal of tools to get your wedding VIBE pulled together.  There is no charge to attend.

Take the time upfront to determine your VIBE and all of the details will fall perfectly into place.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Is a chair just a chair?

Have you ever put much thought into a chair? One may think that a chair is simply a functional piece of event furniture. I, however, know that a chair can be a dramatic design element at your event.

**Disclaimer -EVERYTHING in an event is a function of the BUDGET.**

Event professionals will be glad to help you prioritize your spending to get the biggest bang for your buck, and accomplish the aesthetic that you desire.


Let’s start on the low end of the spectrum.

The classic plastic folding chair

We can all agree that these old faithfuls have their place. A casual, outdoor shindig is the perfect spot. You would pair these with basic linens for a simple look.

Next, we progress up the range.

The wooden garden chair

While these are still very reasonably priced, they have a nice solid look and feel to them. They work great for a garden party or tented event. They make perfect outdoor ceremony chairs. While still somewhat casual, these chairs can begin to upgrade the décor of your event.

Let’s move onto a more upscale option...the ballroom chair.

Chiavaris

Chateaus

These beauties can add some drama to your décor. Offered in ranges of shiny metallics to deep wood tones, these chairs become a real focal point at your tables. No sophisticated affair would be complete without a ballroom chair. With the addition of a chair pad, chair cap, or sash, the custom options with these chairs are endless.

At the top of the scale are some exclusive, statement chairs.

Ghost

Chameleon

These are somewhat difficult to find in small markets, but can always be trucked in from more metro areas. These add that “over-the-top” look to any event.  I am chomping at the bit to bring that rouched-back model into town.  Any takers? 

Chairs can be as important as linens, florals, and other decor.  Be sure to allocate your budget accordingly so that you do not compromise the overall vibe of your event.

Next time you enter a large event, see what the chairs are telling you.  It may surprise you!

Happy sitting,

Lori

Here Comes the Bride 2010...Whimsical twist on fall reception decor

Call me crazy, but I LOVE bridal fairs.  They are the time when the creative juices can flow freely.  The sky is the limit.  This show Festivities paired up with the fantabulous Signed, Sealed, Delivered crew for a whimsical twist on fall reception decor at the annual Here Comes the Bride Bridal Experience.  Anyone else tired of the long "head table"?  Check out our unique twist...a couple's table flanked by two sepentines attached to two larger rounds for the bridal party.  I'm thinking this is a winner.  Bye bye Mister Head Table.  It's been nice knowin' ya!

When you pair a rustic centerpiece (compliments of SSD) with burlap, moss shimmer crush, cranberry lamour, and great tabletop accents, what do you get?  Scrumptiousness.  Is is fall yet?  There were even custom placecard holders for George Clooney and the likes thanks to SSD!

This couple's table is my favorite yet.  The flocked taffeta linen was TO. DIE. FOR.  I loved the custom place card holders from SSD and the moss covered container for the florals.  Can you say PERFECT?

I love ceiling treatments.  I saw some inspiration on the web and the gals at Signed, Sealed, Delivered translated it perfectly.  It created the perfect chandelier for our couple.  Love is in the air.  Literally!

The giant urns connecting our head table added major drama.  They towered around 10' tall.  The layered look of the linens created a touch of elegance.  Texture and color were key to this overall design.

The Festivities' bunch would love to help you come up with your one-of-a-kind reception design.  Call them today to set up your very own VIBEconsult at 479.750-8981.  They have everything you need to pull off your dream look.  The talented team at Signed, Sealed, Delivered can add lots of exciting touches from paper to florals.  Check them out too.

I know that Spring is springing...but Fall will follow.  Enjoy the view!

Lori Bova

What's Your Vibe?

This post is directed to brides, but could easily be applied to any event.

Well ladies, he popped the question and you said “YES.” Now what? The wedding planning process may seem a little overwhelming at first glance. However, there is one key to pulling off the wedding of your dreams without a hitch. You must first decide what your VIBE is.


Your VIBE will set the mood, style, and tone for your entire celebration. VIBE is not only about color, but also about special touches that will make your day uniquely yours. If you can clearly define your VIBE up front, it will flow flawlessly throughout your event. Your VIBE begins with the invitation and continues on to flowers, wedding party attire, and reception décor. All design details should be carefully selected to create a custom look.

Color is the primary key to setting your VIBE. The internet has endless resources to help find just the right inspiration. Visit any one of these websites to get dozens of fabulous ideas: stylemepretty.com, projectwedding.com, flickr.com. VIBE can most easily be communicated through color. Some companies offer consultation services to help you determine what best suits you and how to pull it all together. If you don’t have access to a planner, make you own VIBEboard using fabric, ribbon, and clipped photos from magazines or the web.

Other considerations to determining your VIBE is season, time of day, venue, and formality. Are you a sultry, formal, evening type where dark colors and candlelight prevail? Or are you a whimsical, casual, afternoon girl that loves bright colors and the outdoors? You can see how determining your personal style will make the selection of each element much easier.

It’s all in the details! After you have nailed down your VIBE, focus on the little touches. This attention to detail is what separates the truly fabulous designs from the boring and uninspired ones. If you are into shabby chic, start collecting flea market finds for your centerpieces. Are you a DIYer? Buy some great textured cardstock and a custom stamp to create your own place cards. Is “sentimental” your middle name? Display your mother’s and grandmother’s wedding gowns with their photos. These are the things that your guests will remember for years to come.

At the end of the day, your wedding can be the truest expression of yourself. Take time planning upfront to insure that you create a cohesive look that is just your VIBE. If you see something that just doesn’t feel right…it probably isn’t. Define your VIBE and stick with it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.