Tents are easily our favorite spaces to design! It’s always an exciting process to see how the decor in the tent comes to life. From lighting, to draping, hanging florals and unique customized pieces — we’ve done it all. One element we love is classic wedding tent decor using draping and lighting. Trust us when we say there is not a chandelier or swag of fabric that does not have our heart! So, we put together 3 draping ideas to spruce up your wedding tent decor.

3 Ways to Spruce Up Your Wedding Tent Decor Using Draping

Photo: Ali + Julie   Tent Decor: Drape Art Designs

 

Wedding Tent Decor: Texture

Play with textures. For Alicia & Corey’s wedding at a private home in Connecticut, we decked out a Sperry Tent with alternating fabrics, bringing texture to the ceiling. Speak with your planner or tent decor company about other fabrics and textures that can be introduced into your design to heighten your aesthetic!

Photo: Carla Ten Eyck Photography   Tent Decor: Drape Art Designs

 

Wedding Tent Decor: Use of Color

Bring in a touch of color! We said we love classic draping, but you don’t have to limit yourself to a white or ivory fabric. For Kara & Victor’s tented wedding at The Branford House, we brought in their color palette with beautiful mauve and blush draping. Draw inspiration from your own color palette, stretching this to every aspect of your design, making your wedding day look complete.

Photo: Armor + Martel   Tent Decor: Ryan Designs

 

Wedding Tent Decor: Patterns & Styling

 Pattern your fabric! Your guests will look up to revel in your romantic decor as soon as they enter the tent. Add a bit of intrigue and impact by weaving your fabric between the center poles, allowing this aspect to shine a bit more! We love this look that we created for Amy & Scott’s tented wedding at the Eisenhower House. The weaved fabric is unexpected, and added A LOT of drama to the ceiling of this magical tent!

Want to see more of our Connecticut tented weddings?

As designers, it’s our job to think up creative ways to enhance a space. We aim to make each wedding that we produce feel very different from the last, and one of the tricks we’re known for is dreaming up unique decor ideas for your Connecticut Wedding. We’ve put together 3 unique ways for you to dress up your wedding design!

Here are a few hints: we want you to look up, use fabric in new and purposeful ways, and bring in some ribbon!

3 Unique Decor Ideas for your Connecticut Wedding

 

Photography by Gina Francesca

1. Lighting: Look up! Rethink your lighting installations and consider using something off-beat, like these chandeliers that were created for our clients tented wedding. They were created using branches from palm trees, painted, and we suspended a single Edison bulb from each.

2. Fabric: Fabric can make a big impact. For Vanessa and Lauren’s ceremony, they wanted to soften the walls at The Barn at Walnut Hill. Rather than doing draping, we decided to hang these large fabric banners with meaningful quotes on them! They were impactful and very personal.

3. Ribbon: Ribbon installations are a great way to bring color and texture to an area of interest. This couple’s wedding day fell on “May Day” and as an homage to the first day of May, our florist created this May Day Pole for the escort card table.

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Our clients always give special attention and care to the way their ceremony looks and feels. It’s the part of your wedding day everyone is here to witness, so putting some thought into the backdrop of where you’ll exchange vows is important!

For outdoor wedding ceremonies in Connecticut, there are a variety of fun and unique options for backdrops. Always consider your surroundings and why you chose the location. That will help to guide you in making decor decisions to enhance the feeling and atmosphere. Here are 3 stunning outdoor ceremony backdrop ideas for your Connecticut wedding:

3 Stunning Outdoor Ceremony Backdrop Ideas for Your Connecticut Wedding

Photography by Jasmine for Carla Ten Eyck

Family Tree: Stella and Brian created a family tree by hanging family wedding photos on a beautiful oak where they would say, “I do.” They hung one empty frame and during the ceremony snapped a Polaroid picture of themselves to add to the tree. We’ve seen this look inspire so many other couples over the years!  We love that people reuse the idea for their ceremony! Want to see more from Stella & Brian’s big day? Check out their blog post!

Photography by Justin & Mary

Orchard Blooms: Steve and Lauren Ann’s wedding took place in April, several weeks before the orchard they were set to say their vows in would be in bloom. So they created their own. The couple asked Hana Floral Design to decorate a bare tree with bright pink blooms, bringing to vibrancy and life to their early spring ceremony. Want to see more of Lauren Ann and Steve’s Spring wedding? Check out their blog post!

Photography by Carla Ten Eyck

Fabric or Paper Backdrop: When Vanessa, owner of Two Paper Dolls (TPD Design House) wed Lauren, she chose several inspiring quotes about love and printed them on over-sized pieces of fabric. They selected their favorite to stand in front of while they exchanged their vows to each other.

Is there anything more fun than a themed party? Well, maybe planning one! We recently had the opportunity to design a gem-themed bash for the latest issue of Bliss Celebrations. Picking a theme was the easy part—I spotted a bright, multi-colored Kate Spade statement necklace that was quite literally calling my name. From there I looked to the places guests would have the most interaction with at the party—from tangible things like food and paper items to bold visual installations that catch the eye. Remember, no detail is too small to be overlooked when it comes to designing. Read on for four thoughtful ways you can bring your theme to life.

Photography by Carla Ten Eyck

1. The Menu. Food and drink is one of the most important elements of any party, so naturally it’s a perfect place to include your theme. Cakes are the perfect blank canvas and ours, designed by Erica OBrien, became an edible version of the Kate Spade necklace we so lusted after. Consider signature cocktails, too! We spotlighted the Diamond Fizz, the Ruby Cooler and the Topaz Twist to really let guests drink it all in!

2. The Dress Code. Invite guests to dress the part! Make a playful suggestion on your invite. Something like “Sequins and Sparkles Encouraged,” is sure to inspire. Or consider providing a small accessory for partygoers upon arrival. Our gals, styled by Beth Chapman of The White Dress by the Shore, sported solid-colored cocktail dresses in bright gem tones from LulaKate, and our party host added the actual gems—in lieu of a favor everyone was invited to select a piece of jewelry from the Bauble Bar.

3. Invites. Your theme should be evident from the moment the invites arrive in mailboxes. Bring elements of your design onto the inner and outer portions of the envelope to let guests know what they can expect from your event as soon as they pick it up. I love how Nichole of Coral Pheasant Stationery added faceted envelope liners and custom ring stamps for the RSVP card. Selecting lavender envelopes also helped introduce our bright and girly color story from the get-go.

4. Custom Decor. If your budget allows, look into installing some eye-catching décor or lighting over your dinner table that echo the event’s theme. We turned to our friends at Ryan Designs for their help and they responded with five custom painted gem-colored chandeliers. After all, a party designed around a statement necklace deserves its own statement lighting!

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Breakfast on Christmas morning is always a treat! Growing up we would take a break from opening presents to eat warm cinnamon rolls and sip egg nog in fancy glasses. My mom and dad drank coffee from gold rimmed holiday mugs, and everyone wore their pajamas! I still love to savor Christmas mornings with special breakfast treats, especially as my family continues to grow! In fact, I look forward to Christmas morning more and more each year!

Why not channel that special feeling into a party for your friends and loved ones! Picture this: Heaping mounds of pancakes dripping with syrup and butter; warm mugs of spiked hot cocoa and lots of cozy plaid! Rather than wearing it in the form of pajamas, I love incorporating this classic holiday pattern into a tablescape through napkins, runners or chair covers. You can go big by hosting a brunch for your extended friends and family or arrange a smaller gathering in a sunny breakfast nook. Either way, don’t forget about these adorable gingerbread drink toppers! I think they are the perfect embellishment for mugs at a hot cocoa bar. Yum!

1. via Tobi Fairley 2. via Southern Living 3. via Pinterest 4. via Not Martha 5. via The Party Dress

Sure the food is always amazing, but one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is setting the table. Why not make dinner interactive with kraft paper placemats guests can write on? Or go super chic with calligraphy and gold leaf place cards. And don’t you think these little walnut place cards are adorable?!

Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO

1. via Oh My Deer 2. via Occasions 3. via Country Living 4. via oncewed 5. via Martha Stewart

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. I love dressing up so a holiday centered around costumes is right up my alley. Since I’ve long outgrown the ritual of trick-or-treating, I like to plan and host Halloween parties. Thinking up a clever costume is only half of what goes into throwing an amazing party. Here are some other important element:

1. Mood lighting: Is there anything better than candle light? The effect of these candle is so spooky-perfect for a Halloween party. Visit SMP Living for the wine bottle candle DIY, shot by Rebecca Hansen.

2. Treats: Candy is a given at any Halloween event, so why not dress it up in an adorable candy cracker likes these from Martha Stewart.

3. Table settings: I’m smitten with the Day of the Dead collection at Pottery Barn.

4. Cocktails: These little vials of blood orange shots from Martha Stewart sound equal parts creepy and delicious.

5. Pumpkins: Instead of carving scary faces, turn your pumpkin into something useful-a drink cooler. Martha Stewart does it again!

Happy Halloween, everyone! XOXO

 

I’ve always considered balloons your standard, go-to birthday party decoration, but recently I’ve been seeing them used in exciting new ways. When done right, balloon decor can be very sophisticated and fresh. For example, by changing their size you can create a whole new look. Don’t you think miniature versions are darling on top of a cake?

Make a statement with metallic mylar letter balloons, tie them up with festive ribbon or streamers or fix them to a wall to create a backdrop. Balloons are also an easy way to add color and texture to your event. Go glam with clear balloons tied with gold ribbon, or sophisticated with a simple black and white design. I think the effect can be very uplifting!

1. via Jenloveskev.com 2. via One and Only Paris Photography 3. via Martha Stewart 4. via Pinterest 5. via Martha Stewart

We spent a lot of time thinking about weddings, but we absolutely love an opportunity to plan one of the exciting events that takes place leading up to the big day—the bridal shower! When it comes to showers there are so many different directions you can go in. Why not plan something a little unexpected? These are our five favorite ideas for fun and refreshing summer bridal shower.

1. Wine Tasting Brunch (Photos by Alyse French Photography) Thinking about a wine-themed shower? Kick it up a notch by adding in a surprise tasting for the bride and her guests. Serve small flights of local wines, including my personal favorite, Stone Table Red from Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington.
2. Lingerie Shopping Night (Photo by Sarah Yates) Put a new spin on the traditional lingerie shower by inviting the bride to a night out at one of her favorite lingerie boutiques. Treat the guest of honor to a little something lacy, and while you’re at it pick out something for yourself! Check into Sugar Cookies in NYC and Beneath The Gown in Clinton, CT.
3. Backyard Lobster Bake (Photo via Pinterest) It’s practically a sin to live in New England and not indulge in rich, buttery seafood every chance you get! The laid back atmosphere at this shower will bring guests together and get everyone excited for wedding day festivities.
4. Retro Cocktail Party (Photo by Raw Photo Design) Who says showers must be limited to the ladies? Invite couples to a swinging cocktail party that mimics the age when skirts were fuller and Manhattans were the cocktail du jour.
5. Summer Pool Party (Photo by Aaron Pinkston) Channel your inner kid at a pool party honoring the bride-to-be. Spend the afternoon sipping frozen cocktails and working on your wedding day tan. Essentials: Extra SPF and these adorable floating flamingo drink holders!