Drape It Beautiful

You have hired the planner, booked the caterer and florists and rented all your tables and chairs. but what about the Reception Hall? What happens when, due to a tight budget, a large number of guests or "No availability" the hall you booked has more "Lack" than "Lustre"?  We are talking about orange walls, green carpets and exposed brick in the wrong places. Ok, maybe it's not that bad but it's NOT the venue of your dreams.

PhotoCredit: TheKnot.com

The reception hall is very vital to any wedding. After all, this is where you will entertain guests with food, music and dancing, and the ever present high table speeches (lol). Apart from the ceremony snapshots, most of your wedding day memories will be captured during the reception and who wants those gorgeous photos marred by an unflattering backdrop. I can tell you...There is hope.


The Solution? DRAPING AND LIGHTING.
With the right lighting and wall coverings, even the darkest room can rival the lounges in a five-star hotel.
That last line was kind of cheesy but its true. Look at these Before and After Photos of a Real Reception held in a church hall courtesy of Mybridestory.com (Blog)

Ordinary Church Hall...

Ordinary Church Hall Transformed  

Here are a few more draping inspirations...

PhotoCredit:  Midway Party Rental

PhotoCredit:  Midway Party Rental

Can you tell that this is an indoor basketball court? I couldn't either ;-)

PhotoCredit: Royal Receptions UTAH

PhotoCredit: NES Weddings

Obviously, this is not a drape but it's a beautiful decor idea to cover an unsightly wall ;-)

PhotoCredit: TheKnot.com

 
PhotoCredit: TheKnot.com

Quick Tip: Cut the cost of having a florist in half by using drapes and lighting to make a statement in your decor

Have you considered (or used) draping for your Special day?! 

Leave a comment below. We would love to hear your experiences!

Vendor Highlight: Paosin Photography

This week we had the opportunity to interview the fresh and gifted photographer Femi Osinowo. Femi is the man behind the Nikon camera of Paosin Photography.  It is late evening, but the mood for the interview is still live and chipper. We go through casual pleasantries and settle into the flow of our interview.

What is your Company name?

Paosin Photography

That’s an interesting name. Where did it come from?

Well, Paosin was a nickname I received while I was in the university. When deciding on a name for my business, I needed something short and memorable and Paosin fit perfectly.

That is awesome. Now let’s get to know the person behind the camera. Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Femi Osinowo and I am from Ogun State, Nigeria. I spent my growing years in Nigeria and obtained by BSc (Computer Engineering) at Lagos State University before moving to the U.S. at the age of 29.

So what do you do in your freetime?

At one point in time, I was really into soccer games on the computer/Playstation. I also like movies and playing my guitar.  Now, I spend more of my leisure time honing my skill as a photographer.

Where are you located?

I live and cover events throughout Maryland, the U.S. and Internationally.

Please give us a description on your company

The purpose of my company is to help couples immortalize the love, friendship and emotional moments of their special day. I take photos that will tell the story of  their union even without needing words.

Getting back to the business side of things, we want to know, Why this profession? What is the story behind Paosin Photography?

Everything started a little over two years ago while experimenting with my cousin’s digital camera. I took the camera to a friend’s graduation party and after the first shot I could not stop snapping. The crowd was having such a great time and being able to capture those candid moments was such an indescribable thrill. A month later, I received my first DSLR, continued shooting and upgrading my equipment from there.

What are your creative influences?

My creative influence comes from the work of other seasoned photographers. I really admire their work and use it as fuel to continue developing my craft. My long-term goal is to shoot Weddings/engagements exclusively.

What is the most interesting event you have covered this year?

I recently covered an Asian engagement ceremony/party. It was quite interesting and unlike any event I had previously covered.

We ended the interview on a much lighter and random note with this question: What is your Favorite anything?

With a laugh he answers, “Taking pictures and currently, Pina Colada Slurpees”

Writer’s Comments:

Femi Osinowo is a photographer dedicated to his art (and his camera).  One of the traits that make his work so unique is his use of angles and lighting to produce pictures that are not only beautiful and fun but allow the viewer to see a single event from multiple perspectives. He is also a proven perfectionist who does not stop until he has THE EXACT image/moment he set out to capture. 

For more information or to book  Paosin Photography for your next event contact Femi at:

Phone: 410-504-3311

Email: femi@paosin.com

Website: www.paosin.com

All Images courtesy of Paosin Photography

Music: Live Band vs Disc Jockey

Battle of the Bands and DJ’s

It’s finally the end of the week and like most of you out there, we’re counting the hours until we can trade our overloaded desks for a night (or weekend) on the town. Yes, the weekend has plenty of social events to attend; weddings, engagements, baby showers, cookouts, etc. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, be sure that one thing these events will have in

common is… Music! In one form, or another, music will be in the air and this definitely ha

s us thinking about weddings.

OK, this is a wedding blog so we are ALWAYS thinking about weddings *insert laugh*. Today, we are looking at music in respect to the reception. At a wedding music is provided either Live (A band) or recorded (Disc Jockey). While both methods can be entertaining there are also a number of things t

o consider when deciding whether to go with a band or DJ (in no particular order):

ATMOSPHERE

Music has a large influence on the ambience of a room, s

o think about your theme for the reception. What vibe do you want to have in the room, relaxed and easygoing or energetic and upbeat? Most African bands are high energy and guest engaging so that is a sure fire way to get your guests excited. If your looking for a classic and relaxed atmosphere, a DJ who can play slower more contemporary songs to keep the mood light and airy is best suited for the occasion.

VARIETY/GUESTS

The two go hand in hand. Why? Because the music is not j

ust there to fill silence, its there to entertain YOU & YOUR GUESTS. If you and your spouse-to-be love music from across the genres, a DJ would have the array of songs needed to incorporate these genres into the reception. When considering the guests, it’s often safe to cater towards the majority. Younger guests are generally more receptive of what’s current (AND wedding appropriate) i.e. Top 40, R&B, Rock, Hip-Hop etc. Which would of course be better provided by a DJ. Older guests are more appreciative of traditional

African music and the custom of “spraying” which a live band would be more suited for the job.

SPACE

Sometimes, this is not as simple as we think but you must consider the size of the venue. Will the hall comfortably hold your guests, decor, d

ance floor AND a band? If Size is not on your side, the beautiful thing about a DJ is that (s)he will not require the amount of room needed by a band and If you were hoping to dance the night away in your Traditional wear to the beat of your cultural drum, look for a DJ who will have such songs in his collection.

BUDGET

Usually, having a DJ costs less than a Live Band. This is because the larger the band the more people to pay. For the Bride on a Budget, this does not mean that you cannot have that band.

A few pointers:

1. Look for a band with fewer members (But DO NOT sacrifice quality).

2. Ask friends and family if they know anyone willing to work with their budget.

3. Instead of hiring a band for the whole day, hire them for a later time e.g. in the second half of the wedding i.e. the time couple change into their Traditional. With the right sound system, and lengthy preselected play-list, a close friend can easily stand-in, as DJ ‘til the band is ready to play.

Remember, whatever your decision, be sure to check references and ask unbiased family and friends for an opinion. There is nothing worse than hiring a terrible DJ or Band for a time you will remember for the rest of your life.

Ultimately the goal is to have fun dancing with your New Husband surrounded by loved ones.

Photos Courtesy of:

Cunningham Photography

FindalVideo

The Bridesmaids Dress Revamped

A few years ago, if you were asked to be a bridesmaid, a few things you would expect are:

1. To wear an unflattering dress.

2. To wear an unflattering dress, in an unflattering color.

3. To wear that unflattering dress, in that unflattering color, at an UNFLATTERING PRICE and

4.To do all these afore mentioned things with 3-10 other ladies.

Thankfully, times have changed. Now bridesmaids’ dresses come in an array of colors, designs AND price ranges. These dresses are ordered off-the-rack in department stores, boutiques and bridal shops. We love the fact that brides and bridesmaids are daring to say NO to these traditions and letting their creative side see some sunshine.

Bridesmaids are trading in their usual satin ball-gown dresses for lace and traditional (African) materials (e.g. Ankara, Brocade, aso-oke). It’s the BM dress revamped.

Another trend making waves, customized dresses. This is where the bride picks/approves the basic dress design and her BM’s are allowed to make certain alterations to make each dress unique to each person. This idea works well because now BMs can alter their dresses to a more flattering fit or style.

Here are a few tips to make it work:

1. Pick a basic length, fit and style of the top or skirt. This is what cannot be changed e.g. bubble skirt, a-line, mini etc.

2. Allow BMs to add elements that are unique to their style and personality e.g. a bow, puffy sleeves, extra fabric, buttons etc. Use pictures from magazines or online for inspiration.

3. Make sure that the additions are not overwhelming and match the theme and/or season of the wedding.

4. Once you have decided on your styles find a seamstress that will be able to bring the designs to life. This should be done months in advanced so that the seamstress has enough time to work.Don’t forget your example photos.

5. As a bride, be open minded to whatever styles your BMs pick. Remember happy BMs make your day even more special. Who wants to see a frown in their wedding album and

6. Just have fun with it.

ALTERNATIVE: If you don't have adequate time for custom sewn dresses, BMs can wear off-the-rack dresses that are in the same material and color group. The Twist is that Bridesmaids choose their different styles. This trend works best if the differences in the dresses are more subtle i.e length, sleeves bows etc.

Photos Courtesy of

Deji OkeOwo Photography

& Rebecca Davidson

Classic Cake Spins

When you think of a wedding reception what’s the next thing that comes to your mind? After the glow of the newly wed couple, the fashion and the dancing I think about the cake. YES the CAKE, crown of all things sweet. The wedding cake is one of the most crucial décor pieces of any reception and one of the theme and style of the Wedding cake.

Traditionally, wedding cakes were tiered, white or cream colored and personalized with a bride and groom cake topper.

Over the years wedding cakes have evolved from just desserts to awe-inspiring works of art. A lot of effort goes into making sure everything from the taste to the design are perfect for the Big Day. Apart from décor, couples are now using the cake to share, their memories, hobbies and hope for things to come.

Here are cakes that present a new take on the older model:

This damask inspired tiered cake matches the room’s décor without blending in. I love how the design pops out of the cake.

This tier wedding cake is so pretty with it’s delicate sugar/ fondant flowers. Bye bye cream color cakes!

Another springtime, nature inspiration. The chocolate branching and realistic sugar flowers give the cake an earthy feel. The couples are most definitely nature lovers.

I loved this cake with its gold and pearls... Everything but the dragonflies are edible... I almost would not want to eat it.

This cake is a far cry from Traditional. In fact its indescribable.

Pictures courtesy of

www.marthastewartweddings.com

www.pinkcakebox.com

www.raeleytham.net

Keeping The Flowers and Your Budget

Flowers come in a wide array of shapes, colors, sizes and fragrance. We love them because they add beauty and depth to every event/venue. In a wedding, flowers can be seen from any angle; with the bride (and bridal train), during the ceremony, as centerpieces at reception and in some instances as part of the cake.

According to a survey conducted by TheKnot.com, in 2010, flowers made up close to 10% of the average wedding budget in the US. This comes out to about $2000-$3000 and with the shrinking economy (and increased cost of living) this has lead many brides to wonder if the flowery feat is accomplishable…

It is indeed quite possible to have beautiful flowers on any budget and here are a few tips to help

1.    Avoid flowers that will be out of season at the time of the wedding. These tend to cost a lot more and do not last as long because they must be shipped.  If you must have these flowers think “Less is more”

2.     As a follow up, opt for flowers (and Florists) that are locally grown.  Florists are a lot more flexible with pricing and assistance when it comes to local weddings. 

Traditional roses can be found almost everywhere

3.    D.I.Y. – With a few hours of research and a steady hand you can create your very own beautiful bouquets, boutonnières and centerpieces. The money saved on hiring a florist can easily go into having more flowers for the day or into other areas of the wedding.

Simple and Gorgeous

4.    Mixing Flowers and other aesthetic elements. Instead of a bouquet made purely of flowers. Try using half the amount of flowers and adding beautiful elements such as Greenery, jewels, sculpted branches etc.

These arrangements are not only beautiful, they are far less expensive

5.    An alternative to real (and more expensive) flowers is to use silk/artificial flowers. Look out for our future article on the pros, cons and how-to’s of using them.

Can you tell if these are silk flowers? 

With so many options, the possibilities are endless. Have fun with a little research and let your imagination run free. No matter the size, budget or theme of the wedding the most important rule is to JUST BE CREATIVE.

Happy searching

Fashion Afrique: OCO BAGS

OCO BAGS was founded by Cynthia Osueke. She had the idea of creating durable handbags that combine Ankara with modern materials as she purchased fabric handbags from local vendors alongside a coastal resort in Mozambique. Though delighted by her purchases, she was later disappointed when the handbags fell apart after short usage. She took the concept of making durable bags to a bag maker in Nigeria who produced the first round. Upon returning to the USA, Cynthia shared her products and the news spread.

Cynthia holds a Bachelors degree in Government with an African Studies Certificate from Georgetown University. She is currently pursing a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Maryland with hopes of pursing a career in International Development with a focus on poverty eradication in Africa. Her parents immigrated from eastern Nigeria. She is native of Houston and a lover of all things fruit.

OCO BAGS combine beautiful African Ankara fabrics with modern materials to create distinctive handbags. All of our products are custom made. No two of our bags are exactly the same. No one else has these exact products. Our array of products are constantly changing and evolving. Many of our styles will not repeated. OCO BAGS brings affordable, custom made, top quality handbags to the world. It takes a tradition material, reshapes it and reinvents its usages.

OCO BAGS is more than simply another retailer of handbags. We hope to futher the appreciation of Africa around hte world while positively impacting lives of people in Africa as a course of business.

To that end, OCO BAGS are produced by small scale artisans in West Africa. Everything from the Ankara fabrics to the zippers is bought in African markets. The involvement of Africans in the creation of our products and supply chain directly ties our business to small businesses in Africa. Thus, we hope to provide additional streams of income from these African ventures.

Additionally, a portion of our proceeds will be donated to charities benefiting vulnerable children operating in Africa. Our first line of charities will be Operation Bobby Bear in Durban, South Africa, Children of Fire in Johannesburg, South Africa and Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy in Abia State, Nigeria.

Be part of the journey. Witness the artistry and allure of Africa.