CSW: Wedding Splurges That Are Worth It

There are some details of wedding planning that you don't want to skip.  I completely understand the need to stay on task and within your budget when deciding on details for your ceremony and reception.  Chicago Style Weddings invited me to give some advice on splurges to make in creating your fabulous wedding day.  Take a look:

"Don't leave the cake table naked, " says Desiree' Moore Dent of Dejanae Events. "Dress it up with elaborate linens, candles, flowers and a cake stand -- because the wedding cake is the focal point of the reception."

Why is lighting so important? "It can truly transform almost any ceremony or reception space, " says Dent.

You can view the entire article and others in Chicago Style Weddings eMagazine at http://www.chicagostyleweddings.com/emagazine.aspx.

Until next time...WEDologize!

Wedding Lighting Basics

Specialty lighting and draping during your reception can truly transform a space, but you MUST include it in the wedding budget.  I had the opportunity to attend a lecture at the Association of Bridal Consultants - Illinois monthly meeting last week and Jay Sims, owner of Elegant Event Lighting, truly gave the attendees some useful information we can pass along to clients.

Stunning draping, hanging crystals and up lighting by Elegant Event Lighting

When it comes to lighting, if you are dealing with a limited budget, add up lights to the focal point within the venue which tends to be the head table or sweetheart table.  Then consider adding some lush draping behind the area to really enhance the space.  Then when your guests enter into to the room, their eye is not only drawn to the tablescapes, but to the focal point you have now created.

Then as your budget "climbs" consider adding some up lights around the perimeter of the space or use pin spots (beans of light that shine directly on an object) on the table centerpieces or wedding cake.  Then if you really want that WOW FACTOR, bring in some lounge furniture, drape the entryway, create a white dance floor and/or add some patterned lighting or draping to the ceiling.  And last, when it comes to wanting that candlelite glow throughout the room, select amber-colored lighting.

Showcasing up lighting and pin spots by Elegant Event Lighting

Also check our our other blog posts RE: lighting, draping and adding that WOW FACTOR to your wedding reception at:
Light Up My Night
From Top To Bottom


Until next time...WEDologize!

Small Business Saturday 11.24.12

I started Dejanae Events in 2000, a small wedding and event planning business named after the special little lady in my life.  Well I have had the honor and privilege of working with some of the best vendors in the Chicagoland area and I want to share and show my support for Small Business Saturday by introducing a few of them to you.  Please check them out for your wedding and event planning needs.

Photography and Videography

Rush Event Photography & Video Productions - www.rushphotovideo.com

Image Makers Photography - www.imphoto.net

LAD4 Creations - www.lad4creations.com

Invitations and Day-Of Stationery

CT Designs, Inc. - www.ct-designs.com

Adorable Designs by Candice - www.adorablebycandice.com

Carol Woldhuis Designs - www.carolwoldhuisdesigns.com

DJ Services

JAM Music - www.jammusic.org

Windy City - www.windycitymix.com

Lighting and Design

Art of Imagination - www.artofimagination.com

Make-Up Services

Kelli Kolors - www.kellikolors.com

Wedding and Social Cakes

Sharon Custom Cakes - www.sharonscakes.com

Karen Scobbie Cake Design - www.kscakedesign.com

Floral Design

Rosemary's Garden - www.rosemarysgardenbridal.com

Fleur du Jour - www.fleurdujourchicago.com

Photo Booth

ShutterBooth Chicago - www.shutterbooth.com

Yummy Favors
Nticing Ngredients - www.nticingngredients.com 
Katherine Anne Confections - www.katherine-anne.com 

 

Wedding Magazines

Wedding Guide Chicago - www.weddingguidechicago.com

Pretty Pear Bride - www.prettypearbride.com

Until next time...SHOP SMALL and WEDologize!

(photo credit - American Express)

The Wedding Planners Debut Episode!

The Wedding Planners celebrate the first epsiode

 
TODAY IS THE DAY!!!  Today is the debut of The Wedding Planners Talk Show on www.thewedplanners.com!!!  I'm so excited to share with you that I'm one of three co-hosts for this awesome new talk show that discusses "all things weddings"!  Anthony Navarro (Liven It Up Events and Stand-Up), Claudia Antony Zompa (As You Wish Events and theBrideScoop), and me...Desiree Dent (Dejanae Events and WEDology Notebook) have over 20-years of combined experience and we want to share all the tips and tricks when it comes to planning a wedding.


Check out this inaugural episode as we discuss the current wedding trends, lighting and design and share some D.I.Y. projects from my former bride.

Follow the link to watch the show and "Watch the talk unfold. We are The Wedding Planners!"

www.TheWedPlanners.com 

Until next time...WATCH The Wedding Planners and WEDologize!!!

For The Love of Chandeliers

I just finished a stylized photo shoot using chandeliers and I was so overwhelmed with their physical beauty and how they put the icing on the cake of this shoot!  I just couldn't resist doing a post on these crystal beauties and how you can incorporate them into your wedding design.  Chandeliers can certainly add a sophisticated, elegant and/or vintage feel to any environment.

Chandelier earrings could add that finishing touch to any bridal gown

For a chandelier-themed wedding, adding the look to the invitation, program
and guest favor would be a great way to tie the sophisticated design all together

What a stunning chandelier to have in the middle of a ballroom space

I love the idea of incorporating chandeliers above this dessert station

Chandeliers make these brick walls talk!

I love the shape of these gorgeous chandeliers!

And, who said chandeliers had to made from crystals?

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: earrings - www.ederajewelry.com; votive and program - www.squidoo.com; invitation - www.weddingpaperdivas.com; dessert station - www.swizzleevents.com; chandeliers - www.beautifulblooms.com, www.onewed.com, www.heatherparker.com, www.jonathoncampbell.com; Floral chandelier - http://inspirations.prestonbailey.com)

...I Found It...You Pin It, Friday!

Lighting can make any wedding ceremony and reception even MORE spectacular!  And with the popularity of chandeliers being added to the wedding design, I couldn't help but ((scream)) when I saw this pic!  See, it's not even about the beautiful crystal chandelier, but the florals used to cover the chain from which the chandelier hangs!!!  In total love with the March 16, 2012 Pin It Pic!!!

Until next time...PIN IT and WEDologize!

(photo credit: weddingstylemagazine.com)

You Light Up My Night!

You have probably heard this before..."Lighting, one of the most forgotten design elements of the reception, can transform your space from ordinary to extraordinary". Well I just want to reiterate that point by saying...it's sooooooo TRUE!!!

Uplighting can enhance the atmosphere of any given space. It involves placing lighting fixtures on the ground and focusing them upward and is one of the easiest ways to dress up an event space. It can add color to a neutral surface and can be used to make the room appear taller by accenting any existing vertical lines, and creating new ones. Another function of uplighting is to highlight architectural features of the room such as columns and alcoves.

Personalize your room by having a customized gobo shine. Gobos can range from monograms to personalized design elements that you have personally created. The image can shine on the dance floor or on a backdrop for a more dramatic effect.

Pinspoting is focusing a spotlight directly on your individual table centerpieces or even better, shine a light on the wedding cake or dessert buffet.

Should you not be able to afford a specialty lighting company for your special day, below are a few ways to enhance your space:

• Tons and tons of candles in vases, hurricanes, votive or pillar holders
• Submergeable LED lights that can be placed in water-filled vases
• Clear icicle lights around potted plants, trees or columns, but please use in moderation...you don't want your transformation to be tacky

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - google.com)