When planning decorations (or decor) for an event, it really does not have to be over the top, expensive or complicated. The great thing about decor is that there are so many objects to choose from to really dress up a room or table. It can be as simple as lighting or table centerpieces to something elaborate as perimeter decor or specialty linens.
A safe starting point when planning decor is to consider the theme, color scheme or ambiance you are trying to evoke from your room. Is this an event during the holiday or season? Or maybe one that should be fun and festive? Or are is this a high profile group that you are trying to keep the room elegant and sophisticated? Still can't think of a theme? How about bringing in a theme based on the menu you are offering, such as a Southwestern, Italian or Asian theme? Try gearing your event around the age group and have that play a part in selecting decor. If your event is a birthday celebration, maybe theme the event around the era the celebrant was born.
Consider making the decor yourself, rather then outsourcing it. Sounds like a lot of work, but decor can be simple and easy to make, but still make a statement. Fabric and craft stores offer resonably priced ideas, supplies and fabric to dress up any room. Some of our favorites include: "Joanne Fabrics & Crafts," "Hancock Fabrics," and "Michaels." Visit clearance sections for great deals on items that are out of season or being taken out of inventory. You may even want to check out their websites as well. Often times items on-line will not be on sale in the stores. If you are planning in advance, find out when new shipments come in because this usually means current items are moving to the clearance section. Pay attention to store advertisements and the dates sale items are available. From this you can gauge when the date of the next sale starts and be the first to find the quantity of items you're looking for. Look for wholesale florists in your area for great prices on fresh flowers and vases.
Here are 4 great ideas to decorate any room or table...and some inexpensive ways to do this:
CENTERPIECES
The table is the first thing your guests look at, so when the center is bare the table looks unfinished. Centerpieces can be as simple as a single bud vase with a rose or orchid stem to maybe a clear square vase, filled at the bottom with river rocks or glass beads and float a single orchid, gerber daisy or candle. Going with a season theme? Use items such as sand & sea shells, beach balls, or a fisherman's net for a summer theme. Try a tray of wheat grass with fake butterflies for spring and for winter? How about rock salt as snow poured strategically around candles and glitter covered pine cones. Place items directly on the table, in a clear tall vase or in a seasonal basket or crate. Celebrating a holiday? How about empty gift wrapped boxes or a cornicopia basket overflowing with fresh pumpkins, gords, dried corn on the cob, mini pine cones and various colored maple leaves to bring the feeling of a the season? There are so many creative ways to add decor to any table and not cost a bundle.
LINEN
This can be anything from Table Linens, Overlays, Table Runners, Chair Covers, Chair Ties/Sashes and Napkins. Before you begin your hunt for linen, ask the venue what options they offer complimentary. Most stick with white or black, but you'll be surprised how many venues actually have other color options. If you have white table linens, try adding chair covers in a different color to make your tables "pop." You can also keep your costs down by adding a touch of color with a simple sash around each chair and a matching napkin. Or maybe a simple runner along the center of the table to add color. These can be easily made by sewing the edges of a retangle piece of fabric.
PERIMETER
If your budget does not allow for centerpieces or linen on each table, focus on the room itself. Uplighting can add ambience to the perimeter of a room. Whether it's just the front wall washed in a themed lighting color or accent uplights in the four corners of the room. If the room is small enough, try a simple tree light or two with various color patterns on the wall. Have a custom gobo made in the company logo, your bridal couples initials or even the celebrants photo. This adds a more personalized decor element to the room that will be admired by all the guests. You can also bring in live potted plants and trees to warm up the room. Creatively shaped topiary tree, palm trees, ficus trees or ferns give a more visual appeal to otherwise bare walls. Space out your trees and add twinkle lights for added charater. Live plants as opposed to lighting would eliminate "overtime" labor cost that some lighting rental companies apply if their setup time is after normal business hours or on the weekends.
FOCAL POINT
A central focal point for your decor is a great way to eliminate exorbinant costs. If the ceilings in your space permits, stack a couple of tables to give added height to your focal point. Ceilings too low? Try long calla lily stems, dried curly willow branches, bamboo or pussy willow branches to gain height. Dried curly willow is a wonderful start to your focal point. Hang candles, flowers, lanterns or long crystals to make the room festive or romantic. Use items that give width to your focal point such ostrich or peacock feathers. Get creative with tall glass cylinders or trumpet vases filled with fruit, floating candles or submerged floral stems. Keep costs down with monochromatic groups of inexpensive flowers or objects.
On a final note, always check with the restaurant or venue on what restrictions they have on bringing in decor. It's best to keep them informed of what you plan on bringing in instead of finding out the day of the event that the decor you spent weeks planning isn't permitted.
Have any final decor ideas on a budget? Our fans at Event Dining Connections would love to hear them! 10/03/10
The table is the first thing your guests look at, so when the center is bare the table looks unfinished. Centerpieces can be as simple as a single bud vase with a rose or orchid stem to maybe a clear square vase, filled at the bottom with river rocks or glass beads and float a single orchid, gerber daisy or candle. Going with a season theme? Use items such as sand & sea shells, beach balls, or a fisherman's net for a summer theme. Try a tray of wheat grass with fake butterflies for spring and for winter? How about rock salt as snow poured strategically around candles and glitter covered pine cones. Place items directly on the table, in a clear tall vase or in a seasonal basket or crate. Celebrating a holiday? How about empty gift wrapped boxes or a cornicopia basket overflowing with fresh pumpkins, gords, dried corn on the cob, mini pine cones and various colored maple leaves to bring the feeling of a the season? There are so many creative ways to add decor to any table and not cost a bundle.
LINEN
This can be anything from Table Linens, Overlays, Table Runners, Chair Covers, Chair Ties/Sashes and Napkins. Before you begin your hunt for linen, ask the venue what options they offer complimentary. Most stick with white or black, but you'll be surprised how many venues actually have other color options. If you have white table linens, try adding chair covers in a different color to make your tables "pop." You can also keep your costs down by adding a touch of color with a simple sash around each chair and a matching napkin. Or maybe a simple runner along the center of the table to add color. These can be easily made by sewing the edges of a retangle piece of fabric.
PERIMETER
If your budget does not allow for centerpieces or linen on each table, focus on the room itself. Uplighting can add ambience to the perimeter of a room. Whether it's just the front wall washed in a themed lighting color or accent uplights in the four corners of the room. If the room is small enough, try a simple tree light or two with various color patterns on the wall. Have a custom gobo made in the company logo, your bridal couples initials or even the celebrants photo. This adds a more personalized decor element to the room that will be admired by all the guests. You can also bring in live potted plants and trees to warm up the room. Creatively shaped topiary tree, palm trees, ficus trees or ferns give a more visual appeal to otherwise bare walls. Space out your trees and add twinkle lights for added charater. Live plants as opposed to lighting would eliminate "overtime" labor cost that some lighting rental companies apply if their setup time is after normal business hours or on the weekends.
FOCAL POINT
A central focal point for your decor is a great way to eliminate exorbinant costs. If the ceilings in your space permits, stack a couple of tables to give added height to your focal point. Ceilings too low? Try long calla lily stems, dried curly willow branches, bamboo or pussy willow branches to gain height. Dried curly willow is a wonderful start to your focal point. Hang candles, flowers, lanterns or long crystals to make the room festive or romantic. Use items that give width to your focal point such ostrich or peacock feathers. Get creative with tall glass cylinders or trumpet vases filled with fruit, floating candles or submerged floral stems. Keep costs down with monochromatic groups of inexpensive flowers or objects.
On a final note, always check with the restaurant or venue on what restrictions they have on bringing in decor. It's best to keep them informed of what you plan on bringing in instead of finding out the day of the event that the decor you spent weeks planning isn't permitted.
Have any final decor ideas on a budget? Our fans at Event Dining Connections would love to hear them! 10/03/10
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