I recently had the
opportunity to visit All Occasion Party Rentals. Linens, centerpieces,
lighting, chairs, tableware, serving equipment, accessories, everything is
available for rent. I spoke with Kelli
Kline, who has worked at All Occasion for most of its 28 years of operation,
and I was so impressed with her knowledge of Fort Wayne trends, venues, and
vendors that I would recommend that ALL of my brides visit this store and check
out their large design showroom when they start planning their Big Day.
The “shabby chic” look is still going strong for local
weddings. Think distressed wood, things appearing homemade or vintage, and
textiles like burlap. (Personally, I despise burlap; it itches, it never lays
right, and it SMELLS! But luckily, linen companies have caught on and have created
a synthetic burlap material that has all of the benefits without those icky side
effects.)
Trend reports for upcoming
seasons are predicting that weddings will have a return to elegance; more
formality and pomp, with spotlights on shades like blush pink and ivory. All
Occasion Party Rentals has their finger on the pulse, with these trends
on display in their showroom, as well as currently popular bold colors like
royal blue and emerald, and my very favorite look, black and white.
We all know that budgets are still tight these days. Kline
has several ideas for creating great events for less. If you can’t afford to
decorate your entire event space they way it looks on the pages you have pulled
out of magazines or “pinned” online, try creating a “focal point” in the room.
For the biggest effect, use the head table, which is where eyes will be for most
of the night. Up-lighting can create a great ambiance, but the cost can add up to
light an entire ballroom, so instead you can focus on the area behind and
around your head table. Creating a stunning backdrop with draping, lights, or
even something more out of the box like lanterns, will add that wow factor you
are looking for.
Kline explained that the single biggest way you can create a
dramatic look at your event is with LINENS! (I couldn’t agree more!) Walking in
to a room full of vibrant, coordinating table linens has a huge impact on the
eye. If you don’t have room in the budget for fancy table cloths on every
table, consider using table runners and save the standout linens for your head
table. Chairs also can add to your overall look, but they can certainly add up
in cost. Throwing a chair cover and tie on the existing chairs will cost less
than a chivari chair, but for that look there is no substitute.
To create an event like the ones everyone is ogling on
Pinterest, Kelli insists that you should have your event outdoors. Renting a
tent will ensure that weather won’t be a deterrent. Tents provide a great blank
slate for decorating and themes; there is no bold ballroom carpet to coordinate
with, or ugly chandeliers to distract from your décor. It may cost more up
front than a traditional location, but you can save money on your food and
drinks by being able to shop around, as opposed to being locked in to your venue
menu. (Go ahead, say it out loud, “venue menu!”)
Truly, what sets All Occasion apart is their service; Kline
said, “We help them come up with the overall look they want to achieve.” They
are primarily a rental company, but can also be hired as full service
decorators. However, as a cost saving consideration, they can teach you how to
do your own set up. (Obvious side note: this is a great reason to hire a
planner with One of a Kind Events – you’ll never have to worry about any set up
between having your hair done and getting in your dress. Besides, who wants to
risk a nail on their wedding day.)
Look for both All Occasion Party Rentals and One of a Kind
Events at the upcoming Fort Wayne Bridal Extravaganza at the Grand Wayne Convention
Center on Sunday, February 24th .
Visit All Occasion Party Rentals online at: http://www.alloccasionpartyrentals.com/index.html
All the best!Jori Nye
Event Designer, One of a Kind Events
Event Designer, One of a Kind Events
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