Guest Post #1: Flaire Weddings

Hi Everyone, Today is going to be a Guest Post from a lovely lady named Cassandra from Flaire Weddings. Enjoy!….

When Danielle asked me to do a guest post for her blog, I wanted to think of a topic that would be both helpful to other brides, as well as relate to the planning we’re currently doing for Danielle’s event. Well, this week, our focus is on designing a lounge space for her reception. I won’t give away too many details, but it will be a sleek outdoor lounge near the dance area for couples to cool off and take a break from all that dancing. Here are some of my tips if you’re considering a lounge for your own event.

• Trend How-to: Creating a Lounge Space for your Wedding
  

Glance through any bridal book or magazine, and chances are you’ll see more than one posh “lounge” area. Lounges have been all the rage for the past few years or so, and with good reason. They give your guests an area to kick back, relax, and enjoy the show so to speak. They are a way you can truly provide your guests with all the comforts of home.

The following five tips are some general guidelines to creating a fabulous lounge space at any event!

1. Choose the physical space.
   

   For some reception venues, this may be easier than others. Perhaps your venue already has a separate little enclave that would be perfect for a tucked-away lounge space. But if you’re dealing with an enormous ballroom, you’ll have to get a little bit creative. Try using pipe and drape to delineate a separate area for your lounge. Or group your dinner tables in one section, and place your lounge area in its own corner of the ballroom.
   

   For reception venues with outdoor space, this is the perfect place to put a lounge, provided the weather will be comfortable. The comfortable furnishings and outdoor breezes will definitely inspire your guests to put your lounge area to good use!
   

2. Select your furnishings.
   

   Your furniture is the foundation for the entire look of the lounge. Typical lounge furniture items include sofas, loveseats, benches, and ottomans. You can mix and match these items to create a customized space all your own. Most major metropolitan areas have a rental company that provides these items, so try googling “wedding lounge furniture” and see what you find. Your event planner should have connections as well, and may even be able to offer you a discount!
   

   Some tips for your furniture: I love to keep the furnishings all one color. This way you can create a neutral base for your accessories, which helps them really pop. I also like to match the stylings of your furniture to the overall feel of the event. For example, for a shabby-chic wedding I would choose Victorian-looking furniture with curved backs, rolled arms, and carved wooden feet. For a modern wedding, try all-white leather, and geometrically shaped pieces.
   

3. Pick your pillows.
   

   Almost every successful lounge area uses pillows to create “pops” of color and to customize the space. Depending on your overall look, you could get away with just a few pillows, or you could use tons of them. Typically, your rental company has these; but you can also find great pillows at home-décor stores, often at prices comparable to or less than rental prices. Use your pillows to tie the space to other areas of your reception, and to incorporate your wedding colors. Look for pillows with unique textures and embellishments. You may also consider pillows made of luxe fabrics, such as dupioni silk or tucked taffeta.
   

4. Accessorize the space.
   

   Don’t forget the little touches that add character and personality to your space! Think residential elements: carpets, lamps, candles, floral arrangements. Incorporate the unexpected. If your lounge space is outdoors, don’t neglect your overhead space. Can you string lights or paper lanterns above? If your space is near a tree, think pomander balls or votive lanterns hanging from the branches.
   

   One caveat when adding accessories: keep it simple. You don’t want your sleek space to become cluttered.
   

5. Light up your lounge.
   

   Last but not least, add lighting! It may be as simple as groupings of votives or pillar candles on “coffee tables.” Or you may want to rent elaborate par can lighting. For those going for the modern look, some rental companies are offering LED “glow cubes” and benches. For a beachy theme, the tiki torch really sets a mood. You want your guests to bask in a sultry glow in your lounge space. Leave the lighting low enough to be romantic, but don’t leave your guests in the dark!
   

~Cassandra

Flaire Weddings and Events
 

Image credits: Glass Slipper Gourmet, Isnt She Lovely, Bellissima Vita Weddings, Nashan Photographers, Stillwagon, HGTV