Most receptions seem to format the space the same way, guests seated around large, round tables. It started off slowly, with a bride occasionally asking to “mix up” her reception format and set the tables differently. Let me tell you, it makes all the difference in the world. With a variation in table styles, you have the opportunity to introduce variety. Variety in tables means varied linens and centerpieces. Guests will surely be wowed when they take in the sights of your big day.
Long Tables
Also known as family style seating and banquet seating; these tables are becoming more popular. Total Events stocks a custom table we refer to as our Emperor table. This table is a standard 8’ long, but holds an extra 12” in width to accommodate comfortable table settings and centerpiece arrangements. These tables are perfect for family style catering service, rustic barn receptions and can be mixed in with round tables and square tables for dimension in your reception space.
Square Tables
A square table is a bold move. When we first purchased these stylish tables, brides didn’t know what to make of them. They have gained popularity over the years with our “fashion forward” clients. These tables seat 8 guests and fill a room nicely. They offer ample space for centerpiece arrangements and add a sense of drama to the room with their clean lines.
Cocktail Seating
Many brides opt to not have a sit down dinner and to rather focus on mingling. A cocktail style reception is host of a variety of seating options including tall cocktail tables, short cocktail tables, smaller rounds and even lounge installations. In these situations we like to create intimate seating areas for guests to converge in. They can mill about the event without having to commit to a table for the entire evening and feel free to get up, eat, dance and then find a new nook to settle into.
No matter what your reception style is, Total Events has the tables, chairs and linens to fit your needs. Creating custom seating layouts is so easy with the right equipment, and it is all right here for you to enjoy!
This time of year and everyone is looking for ways to save money. With the Holidays fast approaching it is clear that the long, laid back days of summer are behind us. We understand how important it is to stay on budget and Total Events is here to help you! From a corporate holiday party to a winter wedding, we can help you design the perfect look. We introduce to you, Lucky 13 savings this November 2012-February 2013.
13% Savings On:
Chiavari Chairs
Chiavari chairs are one of our most popular rental items primarily because hey instantly transform a boring room into something amazing. Total Events offers them in 5 finishes (Gold, Silver, Black, White & Fruitwood) with your choice of chair pad (Black, White or Ivory). Customize your wedding with a fantastic price on these go-to chairs!
Specialty Linen
Total Events has a massive selection of in stock specialty linens and overlays. We offer a variety of colors, fabrics, styles and sizes to fit your specific needs. Looking for something unique? No problem! Total Events has collections of linens that don't exist anywhere else, because we created them for our inventory only. Make your table top shine this winter with in stock linen at out of this world prices!
Charger Plates
We made some major investments in inventory in 2012 and charger plates were one of them. This is the place for Glass and Acrylic chargers! We stock Clear glass with beaded edge and Hammered Glass with Gold edge. Our acrylic inventory has Deep Red, Lavender, Purple, Chocolate, Silver and Gold. At this season’s lucky price, you can afford to add extra special details to your table top without breaking the bank.
Chair Covers
A traditional wedding ceremony and reception needs that extra layer of elegance, and a chair cover can help to get you there. Total Events has 3 styles in stock and carries Black, White and Ivory options for you to select from. The best part is that you can pick up a sample and try it on your chair of choice to ensure that it is the perfect fit. Stop worrying about shipping, fabric quality from internet sources and use the best cover available for your event.
Ceremony Drapery
We are the ceremony experts! From custom arches, chuppah's and madap's, Total Events can help you create the ceremony of your dreams. Working with you to design the ideal affect for your ceremony, Total Events brides walk away with custom designs for their special day.
Lighting
Lighting makes one of the biggest transformations in any room. We offer a wide variety of lighting options including par lights, LED color changing lights, monogram spotlights and star gazer ceiling effect lights. Add drama to your evening for less this winter!
Specialty Drapery
When clients want to transform a well known space into something different, we always use drapery to help up achieve a brand new look. Our drapery ranges from 8' to 24'. Our White and Ivory Chiffon drapery makes the prefect backdrop for winter weddings and ceremonies. Consider pairing drapery with accent swag fabric or up lighting for a truly one of a kind look.
Lounge Packages
We've saved the very best for last, the lounge! Our favorite use of lounge furniture is when it's saved for a special guest surprise at the end of a reception. Plan for a jazz band, dessert display or gourmet hot chocolate bar to accompany the chic lounge and watch your guests' jaws drop. Our new curved lounge is sure to satisfy!
There it is! The best ways to save this winter is with Total Events & Lucky 13! Call Total Events today for rules, restrictions and availability! Lucky 13 is available for events November 1st, 2012-February 28th, 2013!
It's never too early to dive into the details of your big day
We have quite a few 2013 weddings already on the books, which reminds us that it is never too early to start settling on the details of your big day. While some people are from the school of thought that you have months to "figure it out" the reality is that hundreds of other brides are probably looking at your preferred colors, venue, photographer, chairs and more for the exact same day. Booking in advance will save you the headache, heartache and sticker shock of rounding up your selections at the last minute.
In our opinion, once you have your venue booked, settle on the rest of the details of the reception as soon as possible. While the location is fresh in your mind, decide what colors, style and items you would want in the space. Once you decide, put it in writing! There is a limited supply of everything, so booking your choices early will only help you in the end. We talk to disappointed brides everyday who can't find the chair they want or their tent size isn't available. Especially if you are looking for a specialty item like a White dance floor or lounge furniture it's a good idea to get out ahead of the pack.
Brides generally book their rentals 6-12 months in advance of their date. In order to officially be ahead of the game, you would be making your calls 12+ months before your weddings. That may sound early to you, but in actuality, it's really not. May, June, September and October have become the most popular months for wedding rentals in recent years. Generally, weekends are shut down at least a month in advance for these prime dates. July, August and December are close seconds for the Event industry and should probably have the same early booking disclaimer. While some brides hesitate to book early because their guest county may change, it's nothing to worry about. We expect your county to fluctuate and ask for your final numbers a week before your event date. A good rule is to book early with your worst case scenario and begin to cut the numbers down as you get closer to the date.
There are a lot of bonus features of early booking for your wedding date. The best is that you know your expenses and can have a clear plan on how to spread them out and make payments over time. Another fantastic reason to book early is that you can concentrate on dress fittings, seating arrangements and other month/week of details without overwhelming yourself. You can relax knowing that you have everything on your to do list checked off, paid for and confirmed so that the month before your wedding is smooth sailing!
We are honored to be mentioned on the Style Me Pretty website! The Sagamore Resort is one of our favorite venues to work in, and transforming the inside the Conference Center Ballroom was a big job. We were so excited to "wow" the bride and her family with a room fiully lined in White Chiffon fabric, specialty uplighting, Gold Chiavari chairs and Gold Crush linens. A special thank you to Tracey Buyce Photography for these beautiful images and the wonderful couple and their families for being such a joy to work with!
Okay, so maybe it’s not cold outside…yet. Winter weddings can pose a set of unique dilemmas that prevent many brides from selecting a wedding date in the chilly months. Navigating the holiday and the potentially crummy weather makes setting a winter date more difficult. The brave brides who do choose a winter date are often rewarded with gorgeous photos, discounted prices and fabulous décor options.
Spring, summer and fall brides tend to be the real gamblers. It seems like everyone wants a perfect day, and outdoor ceremony and ideal landscape. Our winter brides don’t worry about any of this, because they know everything will happen inside and so a swing in temperature or a smattering of precipitation doesn’t throw their plans off. A winter bride already has her indoor ceremony planned to perfection. A beautiful winter evening makes the perfect backdrop for a candle lit ceremony in front of a roaring fire.
It’s a colossal misconception that the winter bride has limited color choices. Yes, the predictable choices would be winter whites and in some cases a more holiday inspired palette with red and green. We are seeing the winter weddings take a whole new spin in the color department. Silver, slate blue and brown seem to be leading the pack this season. Lending to the natural wood elements of a barn, the silver and slate blue contract nicely with a warm wood tone and give a contemporary but earthy balance. Grey and Blush are also a hit this season. The soft, feminine pink palette set off with a masculine and neutral grey make a snowy backdrop stunning. Our edgier brides have set it off with a ruby red and aqua scheme. Depending on the boldness of the shades, the wedding can be high octane or mildly vintage.
Who doesn’t love some comfort food? Winter is the best time of year to indulge in those favorite yummy goodies like White hot chocolate, mulled cider, mini pot pies, mini grilled cheese bites with a tomato soup shooter and on and on the list can go. Greeting your guests with something that gives them the warm and fuzzies is sure to set the tone for a memorable evening.
No matter what style wedding you are after, Total Events has the equipment and know how to get you there. Planning a wedding anywhere in the Upstate New York area means you can count on Total Events to provide you with quality service, rentals and experience. From Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, Oneonta, Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and in between, we travel to meet your needs! Check out our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
We are very lucky in the Capital District of New York. There is a seemingly endless amount of quality wedding vendors in the area who are capable of making dream weddings come true. Here is a short list of some of our favorite wedding themes.
The Barn Wedding
We do a lot of barn weddings, and like to think we have perfected the art of casual-chic. Our antiqued, natural wood barn chairs seem to be the perfect rustic fit for this style wedding. Our Emperor tables provide an ideal place for family style dining. These extra wide tables have plenty of space for a beautiful table arrangement and adorned with our raw Burlap runners, look like they were designed especially for this style event. Our antique bulb street fair lights hung high throughout the barn canopy give a romantic glow, while still having an industrial edge. Additional lighting can be designed with our par theatrical lighting and illuminated paper lanterns can add color and ambiance to any barn interior. We love to soften hard spaces with a touch of Ivory Chiffon drapery, adding a pinch of ultra feminine detail to this style wedding brings the right amount of detail and interest. If you are looking for a barn wedding, consider a few of our favorite places; The Old Tater Barn, Maybee Farms, The Shaker Heritage Barn, Pat's Barn and The Pruyn House.
The Best of Outdoors
During the summer and early autumn, people love to embrace the beauty of Upstate New York and the Adirondack region. A favorite venue for the indoor/outdoor blend event is The Sagamore in Bolton Landing, New York. The Shelving Rock Terrace is a wonderful balance between indoor amenities and gorgeous outdoor views. We have seen some spectacular weddings in this space, using our extensive ceiling swag expertise, we can transform the ceiling in the matter of a few hours. Chiavari chairs, lighting, Black and White dance floors all enhance the beauty of the beautiful resort space. The National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York is another excellent space to blend a stunning building with outdoor elements. Ceremony and cocktail hour inside the Museum transitions into dinner and dancing outside in a gloriously appointed tent in the courtyard. The convenience of the downtown Saratoga area and picturesque Saratoga State Park make this venue a proven winner.
A Formal Ballroom
There is no lack of truly amazing indoor space in the Capital District. Traditional weddings are proven winners, and Total Events has all of tricks to make them custom. Chair Cover rentals, specialty linens, personalized monogram, lounge furniture and exceptional accessories will make your next event stand out from all the others. One of the many benefits of the indoor event is that weather will never get in your way. The dead of winter and the blazing hot days of summer will never bring you down inside. No rain, snow or even a hurricane can ruin your plans, and that my friends is a great insurance policy to have. Also, a vast majority of these venues are associated with hotels, which make getting ready and housing out of town guests a breeze. Almost every major hotel in the area boasts an impressive ballroom, and assorted singular ballroom facilities in the area partner with them for ease of planning.
Tented Bliss
Our bread and butter is the tent wedding. Our inventory of tents can be outfitted from modest to glamorous and everywhere in between. A tent wedding offers tremendous flexibility and complete customization; it is the "blank slate" of venues for you to do with what you will. Tented events are particularly fabulous when they are on gorgeous grounds. Many times our couples want to showcase a beautiful backyard or family estate and bring the tent into the mix. Even still, we have created some of our most outrageous weddings in parking lots and empty fields which demonstrates that no matter where the tent goes, the inside can be a whole other world.
No matter what style wedding you are after, Total Events has the equipment and know how to get you there. Planning a wedding anywhere in the Upstate New York area means you can count on Total Events to provide you with quality service, rentals and experience. From Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, Oneonta, Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and in between, we travel to meet your needs! Check out our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
If you have never heard of Clark + Walker, I suggest you check them out. Their photography and videography are outstanding, and here is a little taste. This trailer is from Meenakashi+Rohit wedding at The Sagamore is amazing. What a great team we had to work with!
The return of warm weather means the beginning of another great outdoor party season. Here are some reasons to host your next Event inside a Total Events tent.
#1 Convenience
When you have a tent event, the party goes wherever you want. It is certainly convenient to host a large gathering in the comfort of your own backyard, especially when the bulk of your guests are bound to be friends, family and neighbors. Total Events makes backyard gatherings like a Graduation party easy by providing you with all the options to show your school spirit like specialty table linens in a variety of colors, balloon decor and colorful lighting.
#2 Budget
Hosting a backyard event can be an economical solution to a tight budget gathering. Controlling your food costs by preparing the spread yourself will make the burden of hosting 100 people a bit less expensive.
#3 Options
Designing your own event from the ground up (literally!) give you the flexibility to create the day however you want! Weather you want a casual brunch, an easy lunch, a late night crowd or an all day open house a Total Events tent event accommodates it all. There are never any reasons to worry about what window of time your guests will arrive, because you have the opportunity to set your own rules! A Total Events tent is usually set up at least 24 hours in advance to ensure that you have the time you need for your special day.
#4 Design
The first rule of tent events is there are no rules for tent events. No matter what the size or theme, a tent can transform into the venue of your dreams. From a petite 20x20 tent all the way up to a 60 X 140, tents come in all sizes and shapes. If an all white canvas isn't your scene we have a multitude fabric available to drape the interior of your canopy. From the ceiling to the floor, Total Events offers custom options for any need or want.
#5 Flexibility
It doesn't matter if you want to BBQ yourself or have a talented catering company take care of the food; the choice is up to you! Our area is lucky to have some of the very best off premise catering companies available for all types of events. Having a tent event gives you the flexibility to select from dozens of talented vendors to create the perfect combination of Event professionals.
Total Events offers a wide range of products for a variety of different events, from the largest wedding to small festivities. Total Events provides specialty items, décor linens, china and glassware, catering equipment, furniture, tables, chairs, lighting accessories and more. For more information, visit www.totaleventsny.com
Navigating your way through the beginning of planning
Recently, one of my best friends became engaged. She's a successful TV personality who has also managed to be in at least a dozen bridal parties. K does her duties well. She purchases the questionable dress, throws the pre-wedding functions and smiles at the camera through hours of grueling group shots. Now it is her turn to cash in. Being as I owe her one (she was decked out in an Eggplant, Melissa Sweet bridesmaid dress for my big day) she called me to get the ball rolling on her planning.
Being a part of the Event industry for several years, the basics all seemed elementary to me and I forgot how overwhelming this process can be to a novice, such as K. Her first question was "What the heck is a wedding theme?" It occurred to me at that moment what a broad expression that is, and how it may be confusing to some people. It seems that K took this idea of theme very literally, and was left wondering if she had to select from a Wild West or Mardi Gras themed reception (I kid, I kid). For most brides, the theme is more of less the color scheme. If they are basing their design elements around a particular era (Victorian or retro) or feeling (glamorous or country), some people consider this the theme of the event. I advised K to start with the colors she liked for the Event, and we would move forward from there. If we picked up an element that we wanted to repeat during the process (monogram or insignia of some style) that we would incorporate that into the design from start to finish.
Her next question was a very valid one, where do I start? The truth is, there are a million different components to a successful event and looking at the to-do list can be daunting. My first order of business is always to select the venue. The location of the event (and subsequently also the date) will dictate every other decision that you make from the dress to the availability of the other wedding vendors. The location of your reception is the beginning of your design inspiration, and it is important to carefully select a location that lends to your personal style and reception expectations. I always guide people to select a venue that works with their taste, rather than against it. It is far easier to enhance a space that is half way there, then to re-decorate a room that clashes with your colors.
The finale of my advice is more a general motto for all events... go with your gut. This is your wedding; hopefully it will be an Event that is put together in a way that you will remember it always as one of the best days of your life. Take this opportunity to select the things that make you feel special, happy and that represent who you are as a couple. If you have always loved the woods and they are a big part of your life, plan your day at a beautiful location inside the Adirondack Park. If you are a member of the military and want your service uniform to be represented, then have an elegant White glove evening inside a picturesque ballroom. No matter what, take some time to evaluate what is really important to you and make sure it is represented well.
Good luck to K and all of the upcoming Total Events brides on planning the day that describes YOU!
Total Events has all of the specialty décor, custom Event rental options and wedding accents you design the day of your dreams. Visit our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
Finding the correct service provider for your vendor of choice
After you find the right space to hold your event, the next step is finding the right people to help you design your vision. By reading this article, you have done just that. Total Events has worked in just about every venue in the Capital Region and its surrounding areas. Because of our knowledge of these spaces, our knowledgeable staff can be even more helpful to you!
There are many options available to you in terms of dressing up a space. The top 5 problems and solutions are as follows:
1. I’m having my ceremony in the same space as the reception, how can I make it look different?
A: Drapery! We have a large selection of drapery for you to choose from that will properly punctuate your ceremony space without breaking the bank. Some venues, such as the Hall of Springs in Saratoga require some extra tall drapery to accent the dramatic columns inside the ballroom. We have custom cut drapery to accommodate specific rooms. We also create custom fabric arches, chuppahs and mandup's that are sure to please.
2. My reception is inside a tent and I need to dress it up.
A: Easy! Total Events specializes in both tent swags (fabric drapery panels hung through the inside of a tent) and tent liners (complete tent ceiling coverage option). For venues such as The Sagamore’s Shelving Rock Terrace, we have perfected the art of ceiling swags. We have a variety of options available so that each bride can have a custom look for an incredibly reasonable cost. The best value is that we have done this type of décor for so long that the process has become faster, easier and more affordable then ever before!
3. The chairs at my venue don’t go with my wedding décor, what are my options?
A: The first option is to use a chair cover. Total Events has a variety of chair cover options to suite a variety of reception styles and colors. Our chair covers can be easily installed and removed by our staff or yours and will transform the look of almost any banquet chair. The next option would be to rent another chair that better accents your décor choices. We offer Chiavari chairs in 5 of the most popular finishes along as well as a large variety of folding chairs.
4. How can I make my wedding look different from the others that have been hosted at the same venue?
A: Linens and Lighting make a huge impact inside a room. Changing your linens from a blank White or Ivory to specialty linen will immediately change the look of the room. Adding some texture, color or sheen to a table top works magic. Lighting is the other big impact item. This feature will enhance the architecture in the space, set the mood and create ambiance. For instance, deep red lighting portrays a romantic and dramatic effect while an amber glow conveys subtle warmth and softness. We can create a lighting package for any room!
5. How far do you travel for events?
A: The majority of our weddings are in Saratoga Springs, Lake George and the Albany area. However, we routinely travel to the Hudson Valley, the Cooperstown area and all the way up to Lake Placid for events. We don’t have a predetermined service area, and would be happy to provide a quote for any bride in need of services.
Total Events has all of the specialty décor, custom event rental options and wedding accents you design the day of your dreams. Visit our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
