Event Design Trends for 2011

Everyone who is an event professional needs to stay on top of trends in weddings and event design.   Why? Because whether you are an Entertainer, Planner, Florist, Rental Specialist, Caterer, Cake Designer, etc.., the more you know about current event trends, the more your customers will trust that they are going to have the best event possible since it is in your hands. This is the currency of our service.

So here it goes. I spend hours researching trends and talking to leaders in the industry and here is what I am seeing for 2011:

Color trends are one of my favorites. Here is what you will see this year!

Spring/Summer 2011 Colors:   Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Peapod, Beeswax, Silver Peony, Russet, Regatta, Blue Curacao, Lavender, and Silver Cloud.

Fall/Winter 2011/2012 Colors: Bamboo, Emberglow, Honeysuckle, Phlox, Cedar, Deep Teal, Coffee, Nougat, Orchid, Hush, and Quarry.

When it comes to fabrics, think TEXTURE! Be on the look-out for Dupioni fabric (it’s a polyester version of raw silk). Rosette fabrics are a must have for brides this year (look for Rosette fabric on clothing, purses, wedding dresses, decorative pillows, and tabletop design all over the place this year). BOLD Pucci style prints are hot! And the classic Embroidered Sheer fabrics are always a favorite among brides.

Every customer has their own ideas about design, but there are certain looks that tend to be consistent throughout the year.

Here are my picks on 2011 Design Trends:

Eco Chic – Many brides want to be ecologically friendly. They are using recycled papers for invitations, second-hand or vintage dresses, food from local farms, etc. Although some events are extravagant in their “eco” friendly theme, many want to create the look, without being excessive. Touches of burlap fabric (i.e. using a table runner) can do the job and look great paired with elegant fabrics.

Shabby Chic- SO FUN! Don’t be afraid to mix and match textures and prints. It can create a fabulous look.

Simple Chic – This look can be created by simply using color. Try ivory, tan or mocha colored linens mixed with turquoise blue Chiavari Chairs. Adding in some beautiful dish and glassware can really create an amazing look.

Color Chic - Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Here are a few colors that are fun to pair:

Teal & Papaya   /   Purple & Ice Blue   /   Gray & Yellow   /   Tangerine & Fuschia

How can you learn more about trends?

Visit the pantone website (www.pantone.com/spring2011), read trade publications (i.e. Special Events Magazine, Catersource Magazine, Event Solutions Magazine), watch HGTV (great design trends on Extreme Home Makeover), review the front cover of Fashion Magazines (for color trends), or visit the websites of the national bridal stores or www.theknotbiz.com.

Most of all use NACE. That’s what we’re here for.

A number of NACE members throughout the country have great blog sites about trends as well. Use NACE as a source for great information to stay on top of the industry trends.

The Art of Expansion

How to Grow Your Business in 2011

Is your resolution for 2011 to exceed your revenue forecasts? Mine is! After many years of learning how to grow Creative Coverings into a national presence (which includes a banner year in 2010), I’ve figured out the recipe – and I’m here to share it with you!

To grow your business and get ahead of your competitors, you must have three key components: passion, effective selling and an “A” team. Once these components are in place, you will grow leaps and bounds!

SELLING CORRECTLY

In order to sell correctly, there are four key areas: networking, follow-up, marketing and public relations. In order to do any of these well, you need one thing, PASSION! Like Donald Trump said, “...if you don’t have passion, you have no energy, and if you don’t have energy, you have NOTHING.”

Once you find your passion, use it! Here is the key to successful networking, “You’ve got to start with a friendship and work backwards towards the sale, not the other way around.” This is why NACE is a great tool. All the new industry friends you get to know at a meeting will lead you to more business! Remember…having your name on a chapter roster isn’t the tool. The tool is going to the meetings, getting involved and developing friendships by not talking about your business. Make your sales call after the NACE meeting to talk business.

FOLLOW-UP IS CRUCIAL

Take notes about your contacts (after the networking event), so you have something to talk about during your “follow-up” call. Making phone calls and staying in touch is the name of the game! Schedule phone calls to prospective and current customers every week! If you stay fresh in peoples’ minds, they will call you first when they need your services.

Many people (myself included) don’t give enough attention to marketing and public relations, but during the past year I’ve come to discover that it is as important as “selling”. Your company needs to be in front of people on many levels! Sending a monthly newsletter is great (and inexpensive), have a blog with it! BE CONSISTENT in updating them and sending them out! Facebook is a great tool (and FREE) if you are careful and regular about your postings. Advertising is expensive, so pick carefully. One ad in a magazine can be far more expensive then a one year membership in NACE.

The art of public relations is beautiful, here’s why. When people read an ad they know it’s paid for, but people generally trust the press. Journalists are ALWAYS looking for stories. Think of a press release as FREE advertising. Make sure your press releases are not self-indulgent. Write about something the readers will care about. Partnering with a charity is always a great way for press coverage.

IF YOU ARE A ONE-MAN SHOW

Here is my last bit of advice…think about the things you do that make your company the most money! If you don’t have enough time to do those things, hire a part-time sub-contractor to do the things that don’t make the company money. Concentrate on making the sale! If you are a multi-person show, put the right personalities in the right positions. A great sales person doesn’t always make the best customer service person. A great marketing person may not be a great logistics person. Put your team into positions where they will succeed, and you will see your business grow.

 

 

 

Trend Forecast 2011: Warm Colors, Bold Prints & Textures

Pair New Colors for Exciting Contrasts

Curious what the upcoming season’s linen trends will be? Wondering what popular fabric colors and textures will be a hit at your next special event or wedding? We have the inside scoop and this season is looking unexpected and expressive for table and chair coverings!

 

Taking a Cue from the Pantone Report

The Pantone Fashion Color Report for fall/winter 2011 is reporting "The Art of Color - Sensible and Spirited" with warm and deep color hues, such as Bamboo, Emberglow, Honeysuckle, Phlox (deep purple) and Deep Teal.  Even though the Pantone Fashion Color Report is compiled based on fashion and apparel trends, these color trends move into linens, décor, and home furnishings as well.

Inside Secrets to Knowing What's Trendy

Check out any of your favorite magazines for fashion, weddings, or home décor and see how closely the colors and textures associate from season to season!  Watch the latest runway shows at www.style.com to see what's hot with colors, textures, and patterns as well!

Look for Combinations and Layering

Color combinations will be popular but the monochromatic Sepia tones of Old Hollywood will be a classy décor trend this year. Patterns such as damask (our black and white baroque and waltz lines), Pucci-inspired retro prints or even animal prints (zebra and leopard) and faux furs are making a comeback.  Glitzy fabrics with sequins, metallic trims and liquid 80’s inspired lame fabrics will be hot for special events and theme parties! From simple chic to shabby chic; mixing and matching odd color or design combinations will be a fun way to surprise your guests.  If clients are looking for that organic look, faux silks, such as Dupioni fabrics or denim can be paired with burlap or jute fabrics for a beautiful, yet minimalistic feel. 

Layering linens with overlays or runners can be a budget-conscious solution to add pizzazz to a table. And, while Chiavari chairs are fabulous, it may still be budget beneficial to rent chair covers and sashes to coordinate with the table linens.  Finally, volume and depth with textures, such as ruffles, rosettes, embroidered sheer overlays or crinkle taffeta fabrics will be a popular trend that will create movement in any event space and add an appealing aesthetic to the overall event theme.

So, the look and feel for fall/winter 2011 is a mixture of warm and bright hues, along with bold prints and textures – something we can all look forward to for creative inspiration for dynamic event design solutions!

 

 

Table Linen Trends

Tabletops - the Hottest for 2011

by Nancy Stoltz

We all want - and in the industry, need - to keep up with the latest trends. Our customers expect it, and some of the greatest value we deliver is that expert insight into what's happening, what's the latest, and what's going to be the hot new thing when their event takes place.

Event Planning

I love this part of the business. As an event planner and special events designer in Nevada, I've been in the frontlines of banquet production. It gets frenzied and exciting in its final moments as we see all of our tablecloth, napkin, overlays and chaircover decisions coming to fruition.

Latest Fabric Trends for 2011

I think I share this love of the industry with Creative Coverings president, Robin Brocklesby. We're planning a fast-paced 2011 -- We'll be bringing you new fabrics, and we'll be letting you in on everything we discover as we travel the nation and check in with other industry leaders on trends.

We want your customers to know what we know: what's hot for 2011!