For this spread, Lo McShay of Cambridge’s LoLo Event Design updated one of her favorite creations from the fall wedding season. “We were inspired by the vibrant color combinations of the venue,” McShay says, “which lead us to a Royal Tenenbaums meets Bordeaux design approach—or as I nicknamed it, ‘eclectic preppy.’”
– “We always recommend finding an element you can mix and match to make the design more approachable. The emerald-green wine glass and purple wine goblet add to the color of the table, while the gold-rimmed Champagne flute keeps the right level of formality.”
– “The candelabras add a level of formality to the table and create height within the space. We painted them powder blue and finished with gold candles for a whimsical touch.”
– “This menu card design is a modern take on a toile concept. We commissioned a toile designer to create a custom pattern to tell the love story of our bride and groom. Local stationer Lynn Graham brought the design to life.” As for the gold goodies? “We’ve been eyeing this modern brushed gold flatware,” says McShay, whose rental partner, Peterson Party Center, recently added the style to the inventory.
Lolo Event Design (617-838-5921) loloevents.net
Peterson Party Center (781-729-4000) petersonpartycenter.com
Lynn Graham Designs (857-350-3176) lynngrahamdesigns.com
Table Toppers (617-558-0008) ttnewton.com
Setting the Tone and the Table
Local event pros share their favorite tips and trends.
By Nicole Popma | Photo Credit: Adam Detour | Oct. 24, 2014
Rustic Romance
New England Country Rentals got its start four years ago, when owners Kelly and Matej Ucen were preparing for their big day. They wanted a family-style reception, but couldn’t find the long farm tables they had in mind—so they built 22 of their own. Now the company offers a range of rentals, from furniture and flatware to linens and even a mobile kitchen. And it’s grown to include marketing director Courtney Hurley, who gave us the deets on this design.
– “Don’t be afraid to mix styles, like we did here!” Hurley says of this setting, which mixes gold and silver, modern and rustic, inviting Mother Nature to the table with a faux grass runner. “Many of our items, including the 8-foot ellipse table we chose, are handcrafted in-house.”
– “Louis square-back chairs are perfect to add a touch of vintage flair.”
New England Country Rentals (781-990-6000) newenglandcountryrentals.com
By Nicole Popma | Photo Credit: Adam Detour
Take the Fall
“I love love, and I have a passion for simple, organic design,” says Lauren Wells, who left a career in advertising last year to found South Boston design and styling company Lauren Wells Events. Here, with help from Roslindale’s Pollen Floral Design, she plays with fall’s lush hues. “Paler palettes have been popular over the past few seasons, but I love to embrace the richer, more jewel-toned colors as well, especially in the colder seasons.”
– “Taper candles are such an elegant detail, if the venue allows. If not, be sure to use votive or tealights instead. Candlelight is so important for creating warmth around the table.”
– “Using fresh fruit in arrangements and cocktails is an easy way to bring in some seasonal flavors and textures.”
Lauren Wells Events (781-789-9014) laurenwellsevents.com
Pollen Floral Design (617-942-1286) bostonpollen.com
By Nicole Popma | Photo Credit: Adam Detour
White Hot
Having founded Tangorra Wedding Planning more than a decade ago, Linnea Tangorra has worked her magic on many varied venues—so here, she chose to stake out neutral territory. “I wanted to stay neutral so that the style and ideas would not only be aesthetically pleasing to a lot of viewers, but translate well in most venues,” she explains. Working from her studios on Newbury Street and in Newburyport, she tapped Newton’s Table Toppers for linens and chairs and Boston’s Spruce Floral for flowers, creating a design with modern lines and inviting textures.
– “The idea behind the whole design was to try to ‘marry’ two very different looks into one tablescape,” Tangorra explains. “So many of our couples define themselves as either swaying toward a textural and ‘fluffy’ look or toward a modern, clean-lined look. Rarely do we see these two looks together. I wanted to show people that it is possible to use a lush, fluffy linen with clean, modern flowers.”
– “White is a very popular color for floral right now, combined with pops of silver and sparkle.”
– “Mercury glass is something that is very popular and lends itself so well to a variety of designs…. It also reflects beautiful candlelight.”
Tangorra Wedding Planning (978-809-0275) linneatangorra.com
Table Toppers (617-558-0008) ttnewton.com
Spruce Floral (617-989-1910) sprucefloral.com
By Nicole Popma | Photo Credit: Adam Detour
Prep Schooled
For this spread, Lo McShay of Cambridge’s LoLo Event Design updated one of her favorite creations from the fall wedding season. “We were inspired by the vibrant color combinations of the venue,” McShay says, “which lead us to a Royal Tenenbaums meets Bordeaux design approach—or as I nicknamed it, ‘eclectic preppy.’”
– “We always recommend finding an element you can mix and match to make the design more approachable. The emerald-green wine glass and purple wine goblet add to the color of the table, while the gold-rimmed Champagne flute keeps the right level of formality.”
– “The candelabras add a level of formality to the table and create height within the space. We painted them powder blue and finished with gold candles for a whimsical touch.”
– “This menu card design is a modern take on a toile concept. We commissioned a toile designer to create a custom pattern to tell the love story of our bride and groom. Local stationer Lynn Graham brought the design to life.” As for the gold goodies? “We’ve been eyeing this modern brushed gold flatware,” says McShay, whose rental partner, Peterson Party Center, recently added the style to the inventory.
Lolo Event Design (617-838-5921) loloevents.net
Peterson Party Center (781-729-4000) petersonpartycenter.com
Lynn Graham Designs (857-350-3176) lynngrahamdesigns.com
Table Toppers (617-558-0008) ttnewton.com
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