While most of your budget and attention should be spent on your guest table centerpieces, a stunning focal piece will make a dramatic and breathtaking first impression for your guests.  A wonderful place to do this is on your escort card table during the cocktail hour.  Since this area will mainly consist of a bar and some cocktail tables, a lush and creative piece will really make an impact.

Why not have your cocktail hour decor different from your reception decor?  This is a fun way to kind of throw your guests off and keep them guessing all evening.  One of my favorite weddings had a hot pink and lime green cocktail hour, only to move to a “preppy” navy and yellow reception.  Don’t be afraid to get creative!  Or if you are, give AGD a call and we can help!

For many brides, the first time “lighting design” has ever entered their vocabulary is upon beginning planning of their special day.  It’s important to get an idea of some of the lighting basics that can truly make a statement on your wedding day.

Lighting is something that creates a mood and an ambiance.  Lighting can make everything look better- your floral, your cake, your venue and even your guests!  Here are a few basic terms to help you when considering different lighting options:

Pinspots- A pinspot is a focused beam of light that shines directly on your centerpieces, your cake, etc.  Pinspotting is very important when choosing darker colored linens or floral for your centerpieces.  Since darker colors recede in ballroom or dinner lighting, it’s important to highlight the floral or linens with pinspotting.  You chose eggplant or navy to be your colors for a reason, don’t lose that rich color, highlight it!  Pinspotting is also helpful if your venue has soaring ceilings.  It helps keep the focus of your event on your beautiful table decor.

Gobos- A gobo is a circular stencil that is put over a light to project a design or pattern.  A neat way to personalize your wedding is to project your monogram and wedding date onto the dance floor with a gobo.

Uplighting- Uplighting is a blanket of color that is washed up the walls to change the tone of the room.  Choose your colors wisely!  Green might be too much, whereas amber warms the room and looks great on all skin tones.

LED- Short for light-emitting diodes.  This type of lighting is currently popular for weddings because it uses much less electricity and do not get hot, unlike regular, incandescent lights.  This type of lighting is great for color changes and vibrant colors.

Again, these are just some of the basics in lighting design.  We would love to consult with you and offer more specific suggestions for your event!

Now that the 2009 wedding season is drawing to a close, its time to look ahead to some fresh trends in floral and decor for next spring!

For the “organic” bride, think lots of textures and containers composed of natural materials such as moss and leaf covered vessels.  Branches will continue to be a trend for spring 2010 as a great way to get that added height on the tables.  With lots of different branch options, such as curly willow, birch, dragonwood, manzaneta and mitsumata, there are lots of different looks to choose from.  For early spring weddings, take advantage of blooming branches, such as forsythia and cherry blossom.

For the bold and bright bride, a hot color combination for spring is tiffany blue and yellow.  Choose a bright tiffany blue linen and finish the tables with lush arrangements of all yellow floral, such as fully bloomed roses, oncidium orchids, tulips, gerbera daisies and billy buttons.  With such a vivid color combination, you will be sure to make your guests smile!

Vintage is in!  Choose antiqued tones of roses and spray roses for a neutral, yet interesting color palatte- beige, champage, cafe au lait, camel, cream and taupe just to name a few.  Go through grandma’s jewlery box and play up your bouquets with vintage brooches or lace.  This will take care of your “something old” too!  Add in some sweet peas and peonies and you have the perfect mix of traditonal with a modern twist.

Check back for more ideas soon!  Happy planning!