Advice for the Newly Engaged!

Are you recently engaged? Congrats! Wondering "what's next?" Start by watching my new podcast for the David's Bridal Style Council for great tips on how to plan an affordable wedding without the stress. I share ideas for getting started and trends on everything from decor to accessories!

It's All Here in Black and White!

One of my favorite party color trends this year is a fresh resurgence of black and white.

These vintage ribbons in black and white stripes, plaids

and toile are divine! from http://www.hymanhendler.com/

Use them to wrap bouquets, vases, or as elegant napkin

accents...

Check out these Pattern Victoria chairs with varying black botanical prints over sleek lucite. The effect: bohemian chic with a modern twist!from

http://www.taylorcreativeprops.com/

Below, CB2.com offers fabulous (and affordable) black and white cotton

print napkins that are perfect for home entertaining.

If you start with black and white as a foundation for your color story,

you can keep it sleek with mirrored accents and white candles/flowers

or you can hit it with a pop of color, such as red roses or hot pink peonies!

Taylor Creative also offers these elegant upholstered black armchairs (above), which are perfect for a lounge seating area or as a dramatic touch at a head table.

And they've recently added modern cube pedestal tables for cocktails or displays...

Elementally speaking

For me, the inspiration for creating a party comes first from the chosen setting. From there I can bring the desired mood to life with color, texture, and details. In this natural environment, with its backdrop of green hills and trees, I focused on combining lights and darks in a neutral palette, adding pops of vibrant seasonal blossoms.





Dark rustic charger plates were accented with hand lettered river stones bearing each guest's name. Those served two purposes--a wonderful personal touch and a weight to keep linen napkins from blowing away in the breeze.





More than 100 windchimes hung from an arbor of willow we created at the tent entrance--the sound was so pretty in the breeze, as guests walked down to dinner from cocktails up at the house. Each windchime had a card with a guest's name and table number attached, and the chimes were offered as favors, since the honoree was a serious music lover.

At night the tent glowed with silk lamps we hung over every table, to give the space a more intimate feeling...

When you're thinking about your own party, consider the mood you want to create, and choose a setting that has at least hints of your desired ambiance. Then accent with color, texture, and a few surprises to delight the invited. Why wait? Let's celebrate!

I love long tables!

This feast table was set in a tent in the summertime. Duppioni silk tablecloth, a modular centerpiece of greens, deep burgundies and chocolates, and a giant green chrysanthemum at every place setting.

I designed this vibrant, crisp Thanksgiving scene for Food & Wine magazine...

A loft wedding in NYC where every guest sat at the head table, which was nearly 100 feet long!

So many people tell me that for a party, they think round tables are better than long rectangles for conversation. I don't agree. In fact, whereas a standard round table for 8-10 people in a banquet or party facility is generally 60" or so in diameter, a long table might be only 36" wide, bringing you 2 feet closer to the folks you like. Unless you'd rather be farther away...hmmmm.