Real Wedding – Steven & Sharon
Steven and Sharon
I got a frantic call about six weeks before the nuptials for this Real Wedding couple Steven and Sharon. The groom called me while I was directing a wedding rehearsal saying that he needed help quickly for his beloved fiance who was at the end of her sanity and he didn’t know what he was going to do. I met Sharon the next week. I assured her that I could take everything off her hands and she could begin to refocus on what was important about her special day. It was a pleasure to actually watch this lovely young woman exhale right in front of my eyes!
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Steven Devore and Enjoy Beauty!
Wedding Photography by Dimagery Photography
Ceremony Decor by Rene’John Designs
These ushers taught me a thing or two! The photographer caught them in action.
Event Lighting
Most people don’t like a cake without the frosting. Well I say if you leave out lighting at your event, you have definitely left the frosting off of the cake!
Lighting in an event adds ambience, brings attention to and creates the ultimate WOW factor that we are all looking for. Lighting is definitely a must have, especially when most receptions are held during the evening.
Event lighting should be added to your floral budget. Many times lighting can be used in place of flowers, such as loads of candlelight which always adds ambience. Or add lighting to your floral arrangements to bring attention to the arrangements. It doesn’t make sense to have a beautiful floral arrangement and you can’t see it in a dimly lit room!
When we refer to lighting we are not speaking of just flooding a room with brightness. We want to manipulate the colors and intensity of the lighting to highlight what we want seen and to hide what we don’t want to see.
There are several ways to do this.
Colorwashing – When colorwashing a room, we want to add color(s) around the circumrence of the room and/or from the ceiling. This can be done with uplighting from the floor and lighting from above. The lighting from above is usually done by attaching lighting to existing fixtures on the ceiling.
Pin-Spotting – To highlight your table centerpieces, have your lighting technician add a pin-spot from the ceiling on each of your reception tables. Pin-spot the cake table, bars, and buffet arrangements as well. And let’s not forget the band!
Gobos – Gobos are made with gobo projectors that project light in specific designs. For example you can get a gobo image in a monogram for the dance floor or a focal wall at your reception. Many lighting companies have hundreds of gobo designs already in stock that they can offer or you can get your own custom gobo to make your event unique.
You need to be very careful as to the color of lighting that is directed at people. Use people friendly colors such as pink, lavender, and amber. Do not aim colors such as blues, greens or yellows at people.
Here is a beautiful example of event lighting, courtesy of Scott Brown Media Group.
Cheryl and Company
Sweets play a major role in any wedding. No longer are wedding cakes the main dessert. During cocktail hours and wedding receptions across the country, we are seeing sweet stations with candy buffets, cookie buffets, and cheesecake bars. I know of one bride that had a small room as her “Dessert Cafe” that was filled with all kinds of candy, cakes, cookies and fine pastries for her guest to enjoy!
With this being said I would like to introduce you to Cheryl and Company. This company makes gourmet brownies, cakes, and fancy cookies with a signature buttercream icing that will make you think you have died and gone to heaven! The cookies with buttercream frosting are so fresh. It’s as if they have just been baked and frosted. I wonder how they do it!
You can order cookie baskets as gifts or get a variety of cookies and brownies for the rehearsal dinner. Also, their delicious cookies can be ordered as individually wrapped favors for your guest. This is one favor that won’t be thrown away!
Disclaimer: Rene’John Designs is not responsible for the amount of calories ingested or weight gained in said client’s pursuit in the acquisition of Cheryl and Company baked goods. LOL!! No, really, I’m very serious!
Check out Cheryl and Company and Enjoy Beauty!
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How To Save On Your Wedding Flowers
When planning a wedding you should make it your business to do your research on the price of flowers. If you choose flowers to be part of your wedding day, which most people getting married do, you will need flowers for yourself and your partner, your attendants, ceremony and reception sites. This can be very costly depending on the types and volume of your flowers, and also on the style/design of flowers. The price can range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Here are some of my recommendations on how to save on your wedding flowers!
1. Purchase your flowers in season. Even though many flowers can be found year around because of our global floral market, your choices will still be cheaper in season.
Here is a list of flowers and the seasons of their availability:
SPRING – Lilac, Lily-of-the-valley, Peony, Queen Anne’s Lace, Scabiosa
SUMMER – Cockscomb, Cornflower, Dahlia, Daisy, Hydrangea, Lady’s Mantle, Phlox, Queen Anne’s Lace, Scabiosa, Sunflower, Tuberose, Zinnia
FALL – Camellia, Hydrangea, Lady’s Mantle, Sunflower, Tuberose
WINTER and SPRING – Amaryllis, Anemone, Camellia, Daffodil, Grape Hyacinth, Hyacinth, Ranunculus, Tulip, Sweet Pea, Viburnum
YEAR-ROUND – Alstroemeria, Aster, Bouvardia, Calla Lily, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Delphinium, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Gloriosa Lily, Iris, Larkspur, Lily, Lisianthus, Orchid, Rose, Stephanotis, Stock, Veronica
2. Don’t use flowers for everything. For example, if it’s an evening ceremony or an evening reception, use lots and lots of votives and candles of all sizes. Candles are the least expensive way I know to add lots of ambience without the price.
3. Transfer your ceremony flowers to your reception venue if applicable. As a florist I must point out that this option has to be one that is feasible with your venue locations. Many brides today are getting married and having their receptions at the same venue which makes it convenient for everyone. But if your ceremony venue is an hour from your reception venue, this suggestion may not work well for you or your florist!
4. Use inexpensive flowers. My suggestions are carnations and chrysanthemums. They come in many colors. And chrysanthemums come in many varietals. Also use a lot of greenery in combination with the flowers.
5. Use one to three color palettes. This will allow your florist to order in bulk which cost less. And one or two types of flowers. Simple arrangements often make the biggest impact.
Happy Floral Designing!
Designer Chameleon Chairs
As an event designer there are some elements that I use to create a WOW factor that everyone will be talking about. One of my favorite design elements is the chameleon chair from the “Chameleon Chair® Collection”. I absolutely adore these chairs. The chairs are made for reception tables as well as bar stools for cocktail tables.
When designing a tablescape for my clients, I often begin with the style and size of table. Then we recommend linens, floral elements, lighting, china, and chair style with or without chair adornments such as covers, sleeves, chair pads, etc. It is a total package. The chair selection can be the icing on the cake.
A very easy way to achieve a designer look is to add these chairs to your event!
Feast your eyes on the following pictures displaying some of the many styles of the “Chameleon Chair® Collection”. The “Chameleon Chair® Collection” can be found at Classic Party Rentals.
The pictures shown are courtesy of www.classicpartyrentals.com and www.chameleonchair.com. Please visit these websites for additional styles, colors, custom fabrics and more! Also, while visiting www.chameleonchair.com , check out their BLOG for pictures of events using their chairs.
Enjoy Beauty!
Olive Taffeta Petals Topper and Cushion on Brown Legs
Chloe White Stretch Knit Topper & Cushion & Skirt
Chloe Silver Stretch Knit Topper & Cushion with Silver Legs
Chloe Black Stretch Knit Topper & Cushion & Skirt
Gold Fanfare with Lime Satin Cushion
Bella Fleur Mahogany with Zebra Leatherette Cushion
Gold Lace with Chloe Skirt
Champagne Dupioni with Champagne Bengaline Cushion
Silver Fanfare with Cranberry Cushion
Chloe Red Stretch Knit Topper & Cushion with Silver Legs
Chloe Silver Stretch Knit Topper & Cushion & Skirt
About
University Hilton - Charlotte, NC
My name is Rene’ Davenport and I have been in the business of weddings in some form or the other for over 10 years. Whether I am planning a wedding, styling a wedding or both, I love anything and everything that has to do with weddings and the beauty connected to them. For me to create something beautiful is to breathe in and out. I need it, I feel it. To create something beautiful makes me feel alive and useful. I get so excited when signing a new client! It’s like a blank slate. And to see the finished product is better than cheesecake!
So when I say I love what I do, that is an understatement. It is a privilege and blessing to help you make that special day all that you ever dreamed it could be. Call me! Oh, and remember…………Enjoy Beauty! (That’s you)
Rene'
Rene'John Designs 