Friday, October 28, 2011

Inspiration Board- Happy Halloween! {A Spooky Soiree`}

This board is for all of you who are getting married this Halloween! In my design, I incorporated all of the fun Halloween motifs.  



Image Credit: Williams-Sonoma, milanoo.com; Google images; azcentral.com



Happy Planning
DeVonda
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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Guide to Reception Chairs

If there is one component that can make or break your wedding decor aesthetic, it is the chairs you choose. Nothing is worse than having a beautifully dressed table surrounded by some ugly chairs.  Fortunately, there are a variety of seating options and solutions available for rentals these days. Here are four of the more common ones with price points: (Price points are based on North Carolina market)

PADDED FOLDING CHAIR
The wooden (or resin) padded folding chairs are a popular option for outdoor ceremonies and are usually the most cost-effective at about $2.50-$3.50 per chair, or $250-$350 per 100 guests. You can dress these chairs up with a chair tie or ribbon to better coordinate with overall event design. If you’re having a very formal event, these chairs may be too casual for a five-course meal in a ballroom.
The available colors for these chairs are white (most popular), black, natural wood, and walnut wood.





               

BANQUET CHAIRS
Banquet chairs are most likely the standard that comes with your hotel and venue packages. They are usually not the most appealing due to the fabric design as well as the carpet design.  If you are using banquet chairs, you can always opt to use chair covers to dress them up. I’ve seen some dreadful ones in my day. Chair covers can range from $3-$4, or $300 - $400 per 100 guests.




Banquet chairs with chair cover and sash


CHIAVARI CHAIRS
Chiavari chairs (pronounced shih-vahr-ee), are the classic, ever-present wedding chairs that many brides long for. They are a very popular option for wedding reception seating. Please note that Chiavari chairs are typically an upgrade and are not included with your venue’s wedding package.  If you’re shown photos of the venue and it features Chiavari chairs, you should definitely inquire if they are standard chairs or if you’ll need to pay more. Chiavari chairs come in many colors, such as black, gold, natural, silver, mahogany, and clear Chiavari ice. These chairs are on average $8-$10 or $800-$1000 per 100 guests.





 Reception Decor with Chavari Chairs



GHOST CHAIRS
Bye Bye Chiavari and say hello to a new chair, The Louis Ghost Chairs, also known as the Mirage Chair. They are beautiful as they are completely clear and translucent. Ghost chairs are sleek, contemporary and perfect for a modern event. They have no cushions and there is only one color available… clear, hence the name “ghost”. They don’t obstruct the line of view, and it draws maximum attention to the table and reception designs. I think it definitely brings a lot of glam to any event design. You can even put your monogram in the back of these.  Ghost chairs are becoming more popular, and more and more rental companies are adding them to their inventories, however they are still not quite
mainstream. I will be honest, they are not the most comfortable chairs around but they do look pretty!  The Louis Ghost Chairs average around $50 per chair, so be sure to budget about $5000 per 100 guests.


Monogrammed Ghost Chair




Ceremony use of Ghost Chair




Which do you think is the most glamorous for an event, the ever popular Chiavari Chair or Louis  Ghost chair?

Image Credits: theKnot, American Furniture Rental, Chavari Chairs, Google Images, Classic Party Rentals

Happy Planning
DeVonda
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

REAL WEDDING WEDNESDAY: Chris Paul & Jada Crawley

 The details have finally arrived! Courtesy of Essence.com

Today’s Real Wedding Wednesday features NBA Player, Chris Paul and his college sweetheart Jada Crawley.  Their lavish dream wedding took place in their home state of North Carolina (my home state too!) at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge in Charlotte, on September 10, 2011. That’s right, 9-10-11. Can’t forget that anniversary. The couple tied the knot before God and 300 of their closest family and friends. It was a star-studded night to remember. Singer Robin Thicke serenaded the bride on her way down the aisle, and fellow NBA player LeBron James was a groomsman. Check out their exclusive wedding album & be sure to watch their wedding video below as well.
Enjoy the view!

The lovely couple strike a pose with their 2-year old son Chris II
aka Lil' Chris. The couple’s wedding program included this sweet message to their baby boy. “We never knew it was possible to love someone as much as we love each other until you came into our lives.”




Bride's bridal gown gifted to her by famed wedding dress designer, Vera Wang


Both Big Chris and Lil’ Chris strutted their stuff in custom made Ralph Lauren Black Label tuxedos.



Jada looks simply gorgeous!

Father & Son looking rather dapper



The venue is also home to a world-famous golf course



The bridal party  wore strapless dresses by Watters.

Jada’s bridal party consisted of cherished childhood pals and more recent friends like Savannah Brinson, (far left) longtime girlfriend of LeBron James.



The fellas in the bridal party show a blushing Jada some love


Chris posing with older brother and best man, CJ


Jada with her lovely parents, Mr. and Mrs. Crawley, who've been married for 27 years

The bride and groom pose with Chris’ proud parents and brother.


Love this pic: Chris sneaks in a pic with the precious flower girls of the day, Dasia and Khloe who are daughters of Jada’s bridesmaids



The entire bridal party poses for a playful shot.
  

Hearthrob Robin Thicke performed “Angel” live for the couple’s processional. Gospel great BeBe Winans was also on hand to deliver “For the Rest of My Life” later in the ceremony.


A lot of Chris's friends were on attendance to support him on his big day.



Jada entering the breathtaking ceremony space with her father. The tent where her nuptials took place were filled with over 10,000 carefully selected white buds including roses, orchids and hydrangea.



An anxious Chris holds back the tears as he waits for his future wife to join him at the altar.



The couple with their officiant Pastor Samuel Blakes of New Orleans says, “The wedding is pretty but marriage isn’t always pretty. My hope for Jada and Chris is a wealthy life. By wealth I mean peace, joy and the intangible things money can’t buy.”



Jada and Chris carefully light their unity candle


Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Chris Paul! The excited newlyweds, who wed on 9.10.11, exited their ceremony to the sounds of “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.


For their first official dance as husband and wife, the couple chose, “The Sweetest Love” by Robin Thicke.

Hip-Hop pioneer, MC Lyte and DJ Dano provided soul ful tunes for the night.
This six-tier wedding cake contains the couple’s custom crest which appeared throughout their invitation suite. Guests were also treated to adorable individual mini cakes. All pastry was created by Charm City Cakes of Baltimore and the hit show Ace of Cakes

A candid shot of Gabrielle and her beau Dwayne surrounded by gorgeous purple and orange buds. Wedding planner David Tutera used 50,000 flowers and 600 candles to transform the space!



LaLa Vasquez Anthony & Gabrielle Union

NBA Player, Carmelo Anthony showing off his dancing skills
Chris with good pal, Rapper Ludacris

The Anthony's (Carmelo  & LaLa)

NBA player, Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle getting in on the fun.


Now I love a good line dance. Mama Paul (Chris’s mother, far right) gets a crash course on The Wobble during the reception.


The happy couple made a grand exit from their reception in this classy Excalibur.


 Image Credit: Essence
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Happy Planning
DeVonda
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