Brilliant Blog

Platinum for Pennies: Draping Done Easy

May 4, 2009

When it comes to event decor, I’m a huge fan of ceiling features like draping. For those DIY hosts/brides out there who have their hearts set on indoor or outdoor draping, check out your local Ikea for an amazing, budget friendly option with these shade sails.  

The Dyning shade costs $25 and you get a great triangular shade that comes complete with hooks and cord to hang it. For an indoor wedding, pick up a few super strong magnets with a built-in hook from Northern Tool at $3 each and clip to the ceiling.  For outdoor decor, string the shade up between trees or lamp posts. It’s the perfect touch of drama and really makes the space your own…and all for less than $50!

 Photo courtesy of Shaded Nation

More Non-Floral Centerpieces

April 27, 2009

Here are some more non-floral centerpieces for the hosts that want a show-stopping centerpiece without flowers!  The button jars really lend a vintage-y detailed look – perfect for a casual affair like a baby shower or bridal shower.  The book centerpieces are more old-world and lend themselves more toward a semi-formal event such as a cocktail reception or networking event.

Photo Credits: It’sLove, It’sAllRelative, SpeakQuietly, 2000dollarwedding.com

Inexpensive Glass Vases

February 19, 2009

If you’ve been trolling the internet day and night for beautiful glass vases that don’t bust your budget – troll no more!  Check out CYS Excel.  Yes, their website looks a little shady, but you get great customer service, prompt delivery and good quality products.  

They have all types of glass vases from tower vases to huge cylinder vases to giant glass jars for your candy bar at really really great prices.  It’s a bargain hunter’s (and event planner’s) dream!  One last tip – many times their website will say they’re sold out of an item…try giving them a call directly to see if they do have it in stock.  Chances are they have it and the website just hasn’t been updated yet!

Kid Kits for your Little Guests

November 14, 2008

Will kids be invited to your event?  Keep them busy with a kid kit!A kid kit can include a coloring book, crayons, books, blowing bubbles, stickers and even a snack!  Their parents will thank you and you’ll thank yourself when there aren’t any screaming kids pulling your beloved guests away from the fun.

Hangover Helpers

October 23, 2008

The day after your party, your guests are bound to be feeling a little under the weather.  

Treat them to a Hangover Helper gift tote to help ease their pain.  For those DIY Hosts: use a charming retro ice bag like the ones from Gal Pal below and fill it with things like: a packet of Excedrin, a bottle of water, a pretty sleeping mask, a package of crackers, sunglasses, coffee sachet or even bloody mary mix.  

Don’t want to DIY?  Check out the hangover kits at Home Wet Bar.  Have your hotel deliver these while the reception is in full swing so your guests have it when they wake up the next morning! 

Not Your Average Tablecloth

September 5, 2008

For those hosts and hostesses whose tastes lean more towards personal, vintage and unique: we suggest choosing vintage tablecloths for each table instead of the average white linens or custom-designed ones.  We adore the idea of a small, intimate wedding that features different vintage tablecloths in coordinating colors. 

The idea also lends itself to using different sizes and shapes of tables which really makes your event look more personal.  Check out Etsy for a good source of pretty vintage tablecloths and see below for our suggestions for an event with a red color palette.  These inspirations are perfect for afternoon weddings, events taking place at a winery or small inn or anything where a personal touch will go a long way.

"Growing" in Popularity: Wedding Favors & Baby Announcements

August 7, 2008

A lovely trend that is coming more and more to the forefront is giving seed packets as favors!  You can represent the bride/groom or new mom/dad’s heritage by giving out seeds from specific areas of the world.  Irish families can use shamrock seeds, Dutch families with tulips, or the lotus flower for Chinese backgrounds.  You can easily tack a sachel onto a meaningful poem printed on decorative paper for a more budget-friendly option.  For those DIY brides out there: take it one step further and design your own seed packets with a photo of the happy couple.  You can download a template here from Kodak

For hosts and hostesses with slightly deeper pockets, consider making your guests a small gardening pail that contains all they would need to plant your seeds.  A patterned or plain silver bucket, a small trowel, some brightly colored gardening gloves and maybe a lemonade mix to keep them refreshed.   Seeds are a great way to represent your family heritage to your guests! 

Save Yourself Some Heavy Lifting

August 6, 2008

One thing that many brides/grooms, host/hostesses forget is the amount of supplies that you’ll need to bring to the venue.  Boxes of favors, programs, menus, escort cards, etc. stack up very quickly and can be a BIG hassle to transport in the busy days just before the event .  Our solution?  Have as many things shipped directly to your venue as possible.  Be sure to check with your venue that shipping things ahead of time is ok with them and ensure that you address them as: 

Jane Hostess, c/o Venue Name, 111 First Street, New York, NY

 By shipping them “Care of” (c/o) the venue you’ll ensure that they know who the boxes belong to.  Always confirm that your supplies are kept in a secured area where there’s no chance of them being stolen.  Save yourself some time and stress by having things shipped straight to your venue!

Non-Floral Centerpieces that Impress

August 5, 2008

A few inspirations for the DIY-party throwers and those on a budget:  instead of spending your hard-earned dollars on expensive flower centerpieces that will be thrown away after a few hours, try using other materials.  The ones below are showstoppers, pocketbook-friendly and easy to create.  Just a little sampling to get your brainstorm going…

Easy Baby Shower Decor

July 30, 2008

One of my favorite ways to decorate for a baby shower is both inexpensive and helpful!  All you need is a few packages of onesies, some pretty clothespins and some decorative rope (on the thicker side).  Take the rope and drape it on the walls or from the ceiling of the party area.  Ensure it’s stable and then clothespin on the onesies all over the room!  It creates a fantastic and appropriate decoration for the festivities and afterwards the mother-to-be can pack the onesies away until the baby is born!  You can also mix in infant t-shirts, socks, etc. and it works for indoor and outdoor showers!