Dinner with Ben in Franklin Square

Downtown Syracuse has lots of unique outdoor space that make for great settings for an event. We had some fun and created an intimate evening with Ben (Franklin) in Franklin Square. This is a beautiful urban setting with a sense of history and nostalgia.

Our inspiration (besides the space) was the Apple Garden Toile Linen, which we popped with Coral Lamour.

Our centerpiece was a tablescape of old books, topiaries, and globes. Each place setting had a terry cloth apple green napkin, granny smith apple, and a pair of Ben Franklin sunglasses to add whimsey to the party. 

 This beautiful stationery suite highlighted the colors found in the linens and tablescapes. They added the perfect touch of class and elegance to the event.

 By adding white fabric panels to frame the pergola and filigree containers with votives hanging from the pergola, we made the space more intimate and framed the party.

 No party is complete without the people. That's truly what makes an event come to life.

 

The little touches and attention to detail are what make an event special. Franklin Square has a 'Secret Garden' feel to it and we used our special touches to draw the eye in and appreciate the uniqueness of this space. We added pretty pillows, books, and draped linens to the benches and lanterns and votives where Ben Franklin quotes were carved into stone.

Event Team:  

Design and Planning:  The Events Company

Floral Design:  Backyard Garden Florist

Photography:  Meghan Thomas Photography

Stationery: Bride Design

Inspiration: Fabric

The linen you choose for your wedding can serve as an inspiration for many other elements. Your invitations, place settings, and floral arrangements can all stem from your fabric choice. Also included in these elements is one of the main focal points of your wedding day: the cake! Using fabric swatches,I researched cakes that could be correlated with them. As you can see, the cake doesn't have to be an exact replica of your linen choice, but it is apparent where the design originated from. The blog Atypical Type A featured a similar post where the cakes were directly related with a mod fabric choice.  
By choosing to be inspired by a linen, your wedding cake can become an eye-catching work of art that is quite out of the ordinary. Although these types of cakes aren't for everyone, they can definitely serve as a source of inspiration for many brides. Stuck on where to find these types of linens? Contact The Events Company for assistance 

Make a Wish!

On your wedding day, your guests want to wish you the best of luck for your new life ahead of you. Inspire your friends and family to give their best wishes with something slightly different than the traditional guest book.

Featured in the June issue of Brides Magazine, these screen-printed wish tags from Etsy.com are sure to urge your guests to send you a thoughtful and creative message. Written similarly to a Mad Lib, these tags bring a witty twist to an old tradition.

After these wish tags are completed by each guest, they can be affixed to a wish tree that is decorated to fit your wedding decor. They can be as simple or ornate as you'd like, and are guaranteed to quickly become an eye-catching focal point.

The wedding wish tree was inspired by Yoko Ono's wish trees which were created around 1981. With the intentions of encapsulating the millions of wishes collected around the world in the Imagine Peace Tower, this global project has not only inspired peace, but also just as insightful wedding wishes for new couples.   

Another alternative to the traditional guest book is the "Make-a-Wish, Take-a-Wish" bowls created by Erin of Bride Design. This idea features two bowls or vases, one filled with wishes from the bride and groom for their guests, and the other to be filled with wishes for the newlyweds from their friends and family. This interactive keepsake can be customized to fit your wedding decor, and is a great way to cherish the special wishes and pieces of advice from your big day. 
 

Although the traditional guest book is a classic piece to any wedding, be sure to scope out all of your other options that are sure to further enhance your wedding decor. Looking for other non-traditional pieces for your wedding? Visit  The Events Company for more creative ideas.  

Rental Items from A to Z

The world of rental items has come leaps and bounds from where it used to be. If you have not checked out the incredible amount of rentals available from companies such as Hank Parker's Party and Tent Rentals, then I strongly suggest you do! Even if you are not planning an event in the upcoming months, Hank Parker is a great resource to have in the back of your mind. They offer everything from flooring and lighting, to chair covers and outdoor games. They even have baby and guest needs! You name it, Hank Parker most likely rents it. With such a diverse selection, you are guaranteed to find what you're looking for, or be inspired to have an event in the future. Visit their showroom at The Events Company today!

Sample Gourmet Foods and help stop hunger!

The Events Company is excited to share with you an awesome event -Savor Syracuse. This is the premier gourmet tasting gala to benefit the Food Bank of Central New York. During the event, guests will be able to enjoy delicious tastings from more than 46 of the region’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries.

SavorSyracuse helps the Food Bank raise community awareness about their hunger-relief mission, and to raise funds in support of our programs and services. Last year, SavorSyracuse raised more than $54,000 in net proceeds and welcomed more than 800 attendees. This year, as we deal with the harsh reality of our troubled economic climate, your support could not be more important!

It’s a win-win situation: Buy a ticket to SavorSyracuse on Thursday (April 28th) and you A) graze for two and a half hours on a gourmet buffet of sample-size servings and B) support the mission and programs of the Food Bank of Central New York.

The food: Tasting stations showcase some of Central New York’s most interesting restaurants, including Zabroso (Spanish-Latin American cuisine), Kabuki (sushi/Japanese) and Mai Lan (Vietnamese). Newcomers this year include Francesca’s Cucina and Peppino’s Restaurant and Catering.
Several CNY-based food producers will also be offering samples, including C’s Cheese (cheese balls) and Ramona’s Dressings.

The beverages: A selection of Finger Lakes wineries will be offering pours (Heron Hill, Fulkerson, Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars and others, etc.) as will brewers like F.X. Matt (Saranac) and Ithaca Beer Co. Need a little pick-me-up? Sample some Paul de Lima and Starbucks coffee.

The chefs challenge: A panel of top chefs representing participating restaurants will try their creations on a panel of judges (myself included), who will decide a favorite. The winner takes home a flat-screen TV plus a table top item from Oneida Limited.

The details: Savor Syracuse takes place 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Holiday Inn, Electronics Parkway, Liverpool. Tickets cost $70 (a portion is tax-deductible) and can be purchased online in advance or at the door.

Do I really need the support of a wedding planner?

This is a question many brides ask themselves as they debate the investment verses DIY.

Hiring a wedding planner is a personal decision that only you can make. There have been more than a few weddings where a professional planner was not involved and the day went just fine. And yours will probably go fine, too. But at what expense to your nerves, your relationship with your mother, groom, bridesmaids, family, co-workers...

The investment you make hiring a professional is an intangible and the true value is not realized until the last song is played. We (professional wedding planners) are there to ensure you hire the wedding vendors who fit your needs, personality, and budget. We are there to ensure no detail is forgotten. We are there to ensure your day unfolds flawlessly. But most importantly we are there to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with planning such a personally momentous occasion.

We offer customized support that fits your needs. Maybe you want someone to be by your side throughout the entire process or perhaps you just want support the final month and day of or just someone to run ideas and questions by. No matter the need, a true professional will not try to fit you into a "package."

Example: We (The Events Company) met with a bride a couple months ago who felt she wanted day of support. We reviewed her needs, expectations, concerns, and overall wedding plan and submitted a proposal. This was a bride who was used to having full control and doing everything herself, so making the decision was difficult. The event more difficult decision was selecting between 2 the companies she interviewed; the challenge was she liked us better but we were more expensive. After much personal debate she opted to hire The Events Company. Yes, we were more expensive, however she felt more comfortable with the personalities of our team and the level of service we would provide. Now, we WOW! her.