Winter Wedding Decor Ideas

'Tis the season to plan a winter wedding. Unlike the other seasons, there is something very unique about a winter wedding.  Having an elegant yet warm and cozy feel, winter weddings can be the most fascinating events to decorate as there are many options available. Here are several tips to to help you make your winter wedding decor a splash. Pour a mug of hot chocolate and get ready to plan your winter wedding decor.


Birch and Trees
Give your wedding the "wow" effect by turning your venue into a winter wonderland by using birch trees. Having multiple uses, birch trees can be placed in a vase and used as centerpieces or spray painted to decorate an aisle or head table. Add a touch of glamour to your birch trees by hanging candles or strands of crystals from the branches.

Natural Colors
Winter event decor used to be synonymous with colors such as red, green and blue. Currently, natural colors are very popular for winter events. Colors such as tan, ivory, and gold are making appearances at winter weddings. Compliment the colors with fabrics such as burlap and twill to create a rustic winter atmosphere.

Ornament Centerpieces
Save yourself a ton of money by using ornaments as centerpieces. Typically, floral arrangements are used at weddings which can be very pricey. Ornaments are creative ways to save money and to enhance your winter theme. Ornaments comes in a variety colors that you can add to an elegant vase to make your table decorations stand out.

Lighting Design
Compliment your winter wonderland theme with lighting design. Use lighting to bring out your color scheme or to highlight certain features of your venue. Uplight elements such as birch trees or pinspot your ornament centerpieces.

Warm Winter Drinks

Before the night ends, send your guests home with a sip of your favorite winter drink. Eggnog, hot cider, hot chocolate, lattes etc. served in a nice mug or glass is a great way to accent your decor and to top off your winter wedding night. 

Le Fabuleux Events and Party Rentals: Visit our website: www.lefabuleux.com. Contact us 703-224-8815.

7 Unique Wedding Ideas

As the 2011 wedding season is in full swing, I have had the opportunity to decorate many weddings and special events. During the planning process, many of my clients have asked, "can you give me some unique ideas for my reception?" Many people want to plan an event that stands out from the other events that their guests have attended. The fact is that unique ideas will keep guests talking about the event from months to come.  Here are seven unique ideas that you can implement in your wedding or next special event.

1. Signature Cocktails
At any wedding, the food and alcohol are always key features. Surprise your guests by serving a swanky signature cocktail. A signature drink can be a favorite beverage of the of the couple, a drink that holds sentimental value, or one that happens to match the color scheme of the event.  This small detail makes a wonderful addition to any event.

2. Photo Backdrops
Allow your guests to be stars at your wedding! A photo backdrop is a fun addition to your wedding photography. Purchase a backdrop in your monogram and watch your guests take pics on the red carpet. It also makes everyone feel apart of the big day!

3. Alternating Colors
Have fun with your decor by alternating between colors. Instead of the conventional means of using the same color for each item, shock your guests by alternating the colors. This can be done with table linens, lighting or favors. This eye catching detail will keep your guests talking.

4. Professional Belly Dancers.
Keep your guests entertained by hiring a professional belly dancer. A belly dancer can be a compliment to your Arabian nights themed wedding or can add an exotic twist to your reception entertainment.

5. Decorate with Draping and Fabrics
Draping and fabrics are a very elegant and transformational approach to decor. Coming in a variety of textures and an array of colors, fabrics can be used to make your event as glamorous as you want or to implement your theme. Draping can also be used to hide certain features in a room or to enhance a specific area.

6. Crystals

They used to say diamonds are a girls best friend but now its crystals. Crystals are now a huge hit at weddings. They can add elegance and sophistication to event decor. From hanging crystal chandeliers from the ceilings to using crystal trees as centerpieces, crystals can be seen at the most upscale events. If implemented properly, crystals have the ability to take the event to another dimension in elegance.  Add lighting to add even more drama to the already elite crystal details.

7. Designer Table Linens:
Nothing has the impact on event decor the way specialty table linens does. Gone are the days of using basic standard table linens. Offered in a variety of textures and an array of colors, linens are the key features of any event decor. Specialty linens such as pinched wheel taffeta, pintuck and satin are in huge demand.

Contact us with questions or for a price quote: Le Fabuleux Events and Party Rentals-serving the Washington, Dc, Northern Virginia and Baltimore areas.  www.lefabuleux.com, info@lefabuleux.com,

703-224-8815.



Rockville Rooftop and Arts Center Wedding Show

We were honored to have some of our linens dsiplayed at the Rockville Rooftop Wedding Show. Here are some of the pics.

Pink Wedding Details

There isn't any other color out there that is as much fun as pink. Each shade comes with its own set of characteristics that are sure to make a splash at any wedding. Check out some pink ideas for your wedding:

Pink Bouquets & Flowers







Pink Decor

Pink Lighting and Lanterns

Pink Cakes and Cupcakes

A Fab Bridal Shower: Several Ways to Spice up Your Shower

So you are the maid of honor and now have the daunting task of planning the bridal shower. However, the bride wants something a bit different and is not interested in the standard games which typically accompanies your traditional bridal shower. What to do? What to do? Here are a few ideas to create a fab bridal shower without the boredom. So grab the bridesmaids and get ready to start planning

1. Pick a theme or color scheme: In planning a bridal shower, you want to start with a theme or color scheme. This will be your focal point for decor, invitations, gifts and favors. As you are deciding on the theme , you should consider the bride's personality and tastes so that you incorporate them into your theme. Several examples of fun bridal shower themes for brides with various preferences are:

• Tea party- This is perfect for the bride that enjoys a more formal fare. Typically a tea party can be held on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Guests may want to dress a little more formal for this event. Tea cups, saucers and porcelain kettles decorate the tables accompanied by delicious tarts and finger sandwiches served on tiered trays. This event can be held at any location from a tea room, garden or home.
• Cocktail Party: A cocktail party is perfect for the bride that wants to chat and mingle with her guests without spending a lot of time doing the typical bridal shower activities i.e playing the traditional shower games. This event can be held almost anywhere. The bride's favorite cocktail can be served on cocktail tables dressed in colored linens that can be spread sporadically throughout the venue. You can even make it more "trendy" by making the cocktail shower a coed event.
• Desserts Shower: Imagine a room full of desserts, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, tarts, fudge etc. Imagine the centerpieces are cupcakes in various fun filled flavors or cakes in the shape of items commonly found at a wedding such as a tiera, chapel etc decorating each table. The decor features candy filled containers to match the linens and color scheme. The bride's favorite dessert is packaged to go and sent home as favors. This can be a fun way to shower the bride that has a sweet tooth. A desserts shower may also be less expensive than a shower with the traditional fare and a fun event to plan.
• Spa Day: I call this one martinis and manicures or mimosas and manicures depending on the time of day. If the bride is genuinely bored of the typical bridal shower and she enjoys the occasional pampering then you may want to book a room at a spa for the shower. The bride will have a blast as she opens her gifts while getting a relaxing facial or a pedicure. This makes for great girl time chatter. Ask your spa if they will supply food or if you can bring your own finger sandwiches and drinks.
• Open House: If you have a bride that does not enjoy being the center of attention and prefers something a bit more low key, an open house maybe just the thing. Invite guests to come and chit chat with the bride. You can specify a specific time frame in which guests can come out and shower the bride. This is a very casual event that does not require a lot of fuss, just a few hor' dourves and the bride.

3. Games: There are a ton of games out there for bridal showers. you may want to select games that focus the attention on the bride and really get the guests to laugh. We have asked several brides to share with us games that were a hit at their shower. Here is what they said:

• Newlywed Game Show: If you are throwing a coed shower you can play a version of the newlywed game. To play the game, you ask the women questions about their partner and vice versa. As each couple enters the shower, each partner is given cards with questions. For example, a question that could be asked is "What would you say your husband is most like: a roaring lion, a cuddly teddy bear, a devoted dog or a funny monkey?" The questions can be funny or serious but have a mixture so it doesn't get repetitious. The partner writes the answer of the question on the card. during the game, the other partner has to guess what the partner wrote. The couple with the most correct answers wins a prize.
• Gifts on Timer: Very simple game but can be a lot of fun. During the opening of gifts, a timer is set. Every time the timer goes off the person whose gift is being opened wins a prize.
  
• Naughty Toys: For mature audiences, buy several pieces of naughty toys such as a teddy, a feather boa or a whip. As guests enter the shower they will each pick a number from a hat. The number is then placed into another hat as the guest has to remember the number they selected. During the shower numbers are picked according to the number of naughty toys purchased. The guests with the selected numbers has to demonstrate with the naughty toy what the bride should do with it on her honeymoon.
• Another suggestion for adult audiences is a pole dance lesson. There are also many other exotic classes that may make for bridal shower fun (strip tease, fellatio lessons etc.). Please consider the bride and the guests prior to planning. However, these will be sure to give the bride and her guests a shower they will never forget.

3. Divide the Tasks: Don't stress yourself with handling all of the details. You may want to divide the tasks between yourself and the bridesmaids. For example, someone should find the venue, another person can be the leader of the games, someone else may want to send out the invitations, etc. You can even get the hostesses involved. It's much easier to have everyone pitch in then all of the responsibilities being placed on one person.
Assure that you keep the bride at the center of your plans. Have fun and I'm sure she will have an awesome shower! For questions about any of these ideas or to provide us with feedback feel free to email us at: askus@lefabuleux.com

Make Your Party Resemble a Grand Event on a Small Budget

Many people and businesses have a need to throw a party, gala or some form of festive event. Others simply enjoy entertaining. Nowadays it is difficult to do in a gloomy economy. Even though you may be fiscally challenged, you can still throw a lavish event with a lean budget. Here are several simple tips to help you plan a fab event without breaking the bank:

1. Selecting a Venue: Instead of choosing the traditional venue that may cost you big bucks (such as a hotel, restaurant or ballroom) search for non traditional venues such as a museum, park, or city recreational facility that you can rent. A college within your town may also have space that you can rent at a reasonable rate. You can also check your local newspaper want ads for commercial space. Due to the economy, there are many commercial realtors that may be renting space in various buildings by the day to cover the mortgage. These venues may save money and offer you more flexibility.

2. Hiring a Caterer: Instead of hiring a catering company, contact a friend or relative that has a desire to become a chef or caterer. Allow them to cater your event in exchange for a reference. All you may need to purchase is the food. This is a great way for your event to have the look of professional chef and for your friend/relative to gain some exposure and experience.

3. Food: Instead of serving a three to four course meal, serve appetizers and finger foods that can be eaten throughout the event. Serve less expensive foods like chicken, wraps, and mini sandwiches instead of seafood and beef which can be pricey. Stores such as Costco and Sam's Club sell prepackaged frozen hors d'oeuvres at a very inexpensive rate. Once they are heated and placed on a nice serving tray your guests will think they were freshly prepared.

4. Hiring Staff: All grand events have staff but you do not need to pay a fortune for a professional serving company. Post an add on craigslist or a flyer at a local college for servers. Once you make a decision on who will work for you at your event, ask them to wear something simple like black slacks and a white top and provide them detailed instructions for the event. Set a small fee to be paid at the end of the night. Adding staff will allow you time to mingle with your guests and give a glamorous appearance.

5. Bartender: Can't afford a bartender? Create a signature cocktail, premake them prior to your guests arrivals and arrange them neatly around the room. Not only will this save you dollars from purchasing tons of alcohol for various mixed drinks but they also make for a beautiful arrangement. In addition to your signature cocktail you can also serve beer and wine as well.

6. Music: Many local high schools or colleges have ensembles that will play for a small fee or for practice. If you can't find the local college ensemble, you may also download some good tunes to your ipod and let it play all night.

These tips will allow you to have the party and atmosphere that you want. They may also save you tons of dollars while making your guests think you spent a fortune.