Image by Jen Kroll Photography

There is nothing more magical than entering an event space and seeing a glittering chandelier floating in the air. These luxurious fixtures can be elevated further by adding floral embellishment. Suspended floral designs add visual interest to a space and they are truly breathtaking! The image above is from one of our favorite reception designs (you can see more in our event gallery here). The floral chandeliers were truly show-stopping and left guests awe-struck by their beauty. The following images contain some of our favorite suspended floral applications. We assure your obsession will be in full bloom after taking a peek!

Image on Left by KT Merry, Center Image by Greer G Photography, Image on Right by Finch & Oak

Floral chandeliers can be used to define a space. For instance, you might anchor one above your ceremony altar where you exchange “I Do’s” with your groom or perhaps you place a breathtaking chandelier directly above your dance floor where you share your first dance! A chandelier dressed in stunning blooms will serve as the perfect focal point!

Image on Left by Paige Winn Photo, Center Image by Austin Gros,  Image on Right by Brooke Courtney Photography

By taking a gorgeous wrought iron or crystal chandelier and adorning it with greenery or floral varieties, you have the ability to transform a space and create the environment you envision for your celebration. For a classic look you might embellish your fixture with feminine blooms like peonies and hydrangeas, whereas cascading vines and natural elements will create a more rustic tone.

Image by Jeremy Harwell

At this particular lakeside reception (the full gallery can be viewed here!), three oversized chandeliers were adorned with seasonal birch branches, moss, and smilax vine. It set the tone for this wedding that was centered upon effortless, natural beauty.  Whichever style you envision for your special day, you might consider consulting with your floral designer about incorporating some of these stunning suspended floral fixtures. They are sure to be a hit and keep your guests talking and lovingly reminiscing for years to come!

When designing a space for a client, we put a lot of thought into the “big three”- draping, linens and lighting. These three things alone can be the most transformative to a space and also provide the biggest impact and wow factor if done just right. When looking at lighting specifically, we like to classify lighting into the following categories: Perimeter, Spot, Task and Overhead.

Image via Jen Kroll Photography, Event Design by A Day in May Events

Perimeter Lighting– Simply put, these are lights that are placed around the perimeter of a tent or interior space. For most of our events, we use perimeter lighting to provide a soft, ambient glow in the room. As the sun sets on the event at an outdoor, tented location, the perimeter lighting brightness is slowly increased, enveloping the room in warmth. Colored gels (thin sheets of polycarbonate or polyester, placed in front of a lighting fixture in the path of the beam; thanks Wikipedia) can be added to the fixtures to coordinate with the overall event décor and soften the glow even further.

Image by Jose Villa, Event Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants

Spot Lighting– We’re all familiar with spot lighting from a theatrical or on-stage application, but we’re here to tell you that we also use spot lights for the majority of our events (albeit the beam is a bit smaller and doesn’t follow the target). These static fixtures are placed appropriately to illuminate the centers of tables. If used correctly, spot lighting fixtures enhance the centerpiece décor and make the table appear to be illuminated from within. Spot lighting can also be used to draw attention to important accent pieces- menu boards, wall décor, shelving displays, etc.

Photo by Jen Kroll Photography, Event Design by A Day in May Events

Task Lighting– You guessed it; task lighting is used and needed to complete a task. In your home, think of the lamp on your end table that helps you to read your favorite book or magazine. In an event application, task lighting often applies to food and beverage staff and the “back of house” areas. You wouldn’t be expected to work without the appropriate lighting, so why would your vendors? Task lighting isn’t pretty- most of the time it’s placed in areas that are not visible to guests- but it’s necessary. After all, I don’t think you’d be pleased if the red pepper coulis- prepared to accompany your pan seared trout- and the fresh summer strawberry sauce- created for your miniature cheesecakes- got mixed up in the kitchen all because the caterer did not have enough lighting to properly perform the task at hand.

Image by Tec Petaja, Event Design by Calder Clark

Overhead Lighting– Looking to make an impact or provide a fun, decorative accent? Then you’ll love incorporating overhead lighting into your event space. There are so many products available that the options are truly endless. From nautical inspired, rope wrapped chandeliers to traditional, stately gold metal chandeliers, there is sure to be an overhead lighting option that suits your event style. Perhaps you’re having trouble finding exactly what you’re looking for; big box stores like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, World Market and other online sources like Etsy and Wayfair host a treasure-trove of lighting pieces.

Image by Jen Kroll Photography, Event Design by A Day in May Events

The different types of lighting each have a purpose. When combined together at an event, lighting can transform the space from drab to fab by further enhancing and drawing attention to all of the beautiful details that are so important to you (amazingly beautiful, moody photos are an added perk!).

In case you missed them, you might find our posts on the fundamentals of interior design and selecting an event venue helpful as well! Happy Planning!

March Madness is a real state of madness in our house and it has everything to do with NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. See, my husband Kyle is a big college basketball fan and Michigan State alumni. Early in the tournament (we won’t say how early for those of you novice ‘bracket-eers”) but early enough, the madness ended in our house. Michigan State University has one of the most successful Men’s Basketball programs in college hoops. Thanks to the incredible leadership by Coach Tom Izzo, they have won a NCAA Championship, 7 Big Ten Regular Season Championships and 4 Big Ten Tournament Championships. Under Izzo, the have made it to 2 National Championships games and appeared in 7 Final Fours, 9 Eight Eights and 13 Sweet Sixteens. This year, MSU was favored to be another success in the Tournament. Perhaps not the champion but hey, it’s sports and anything can happen…

And that anything did. On March 18 in St. Louis, Missouri, one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history happened. (Or, at least that’s what the sports casters said.) MSU, a No. 2 seed, lost to Middle Tennessee, a No. 15 seed. This wasn’t supposed to happen! Even myself, a Wolverine and closest rival to the MSU Spartan’s, knew this was not how this story was supposed to end. The Spartans were supposed to play a good game, size up the Blue Raiders, and then waltz into the next round of the Big Dance. You see, Middle Tennessee was a speed bump. They were like a construction zone on the highway- unavoidable but you still have to drive through it to get to your destination.

Now I am not a basketball fan per say but I do have a lot of respect for college athletics and those involved in their programs and having got my start in event production via the University of Michigan Athletic Department, you could say it’s some what a part of me. Michigan State wasn’t supposed to loose that game. They were supposed to win, advance to the next round, and the next and the next.  If this was the biggest upset in Tournament history I doubt Vegas saw this coming. Statisticians, analysts, sports casters, coaches, players, fans alike all had them winning… all except the Middle Tennessee team and fans.

But you see, no matter how good of odds or how impressive the MSU starting line was, they were only the “assumed winners.” A game is a game. There is a winner and a loser and you cannot determine this outcome until the game is played and the winner has been decided. Even though they were favored to win, they didn’t. Maybe you have just sent a proposal to a client you are certain you will get only to find out they have not chosen you and selected someone else. Or, perhaps your realtor told you there is an offer about to come in on your house that’s for sale that will for sure go through but come to discover they passed on your house and found something different. Whatever it might be, no matter how good the odds are, they are still just odds. So next time you loose a bid or get passed on, just remember you can’t win them all but the ones you will win, are the ones you are supposed to win. Now, get back in the game, sport!

Stats via MSU Athletic Department.

In honor of this weekend’s Easter holiday, we’re taking time to be with our families and reflect on the wonder and awe of the life surrounding us; including the miracles we aren’t always looking for. Just as the seasons change and spring ushers in anew, we are filled with faith, hope and love for what’s to come. Blessings to you and yours.

There’s nothing that says ‘spring is here’ more than the buds pushing on the trees and the floral shoots popping up from the ground. As the great Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party!” If these colorful peonies don’t make you want to celebrate the season, we don’t know what will. From the soft and classic Sarah Bernhardt Peony to the vivid Hawaiian Coral Peony that reminds us of a tropical sunset, these are the top 9 peony varieties that we adore! A big thanks to our dearest of friends at Mood Events in Birmingham, Michigan and Dawn Owen Design in Royal Oak, for this happy image of a most “inspiring” event they planned and designed one spring- why a Gospel Brunch birthday party?! We say, why not?! Not to mention, these pretty blooms are the perfect distraction from the snowstorm we are currently in the midst of in Northern Michigan!

Photos via Mood Events LLC, Dawn Owen Luxury Design, Sunset Magazine, Wayside Gardens, Blaine Siesser Photography.