hello lions,

i love to party. right now i’m considering hosting a dress up party for some friends just because i want to. halloween is too far away.

if you want to have a rockin fete or dance-all-night reception, focus on these three things:

- music- whether it’s an ipod, dj or 10-piece swing band, put someone in charge of what’s being played. you don’t always love what comes up on your ipod on random- you really won’t love it when people are energized and dancing and then…. norah jones comes on. there should be some structure, ebb and flow to the evening. there are tons of suggested playlists out there for things like dinner, dancing and winding down the evening.

- lighting- this is just as important as the music because it has the same impact. think about it, when was the last time you felt like partying in your office under those hideous florescent lights? right. now think about the way you want people to feel- sexy? hyped? chill? use lighting to reflect that. draw ideas from your favorite clubs or restaurants. plus, everyone looks better when the lights are low and soft. if you make subtle shifts to the glare as the night wears on you can watch people relax more because they’re comfortable in their skin.

summer party time! (c) meredith norwood

- space- i don’t mean appropriate size but that’s a part of it. what is the bathroom situation like? are there elevators for non-ambulatory guests? is there parking available? pay attention to how it looks too, not just the price tag. for the wrong room, you could be paying much more to decorate and hide flaws instead of accenting the right room, which could save you money- and will definitely save you a headache!- in the end.

my last suggestion: if partying is a priority, make sure that’s reflected in your budget.

if you build it- your friends will enjoy it!

love to all,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions!
for our local friday feature, i want to talk about thistle farms. they have products handmade with love + a mission that will touch your heart.

the magdalene house is a place where women can recover from lives of prostitution, substance abuse, violence and imprisonment. the products of thistle farms- made by members of the magdalene house- help support their 2-year rehabilitation program.

we encourage you to be involved in their wednesday morning meditation and also to volunteer. there are other ways to help their program, too! you can purchase thistle farms products at several local stores, including the green wagon, the frothy monkey and on their website!

we believe in women’s rights- including a right to wholeness and happiness- so this is a cause we feel very strongly about. as such, we are proud to sponsor thistle farms product parties! you can arrange for a member of the magdalene house to speak at your bridal shower or bachelorette party, enjoy their products and have an at-home spa party! another bachelorette party idea: go as a group and volunteer to work in the thistle farms shop. it is the perfect way to do good and creates a wonderful bonding opportunity for you + your maids. you can also purchase gifts for your attendants – a luxurious product with a true message. it will be an indulgence your maids will love, with all proceeds going back into the program. they also offer small sachets of lovely lavender, which you could give to your guests to toss after the ceremony, scattered by a flower girl or tucked into your gown in a blue bag- a very meaningful ’something blue’! my favorite idea is to forgo favors- which i know many of you are doing already- and instead make a donation to the magdalene house project.

we love thistle farms and know you will, too! what creative ideas do you have for incorporating their products into your wedding?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

hello lions,
lighting is everything.

consider this when looking at venues. i would say it is one of the highest priorities, up there with size accomodation and handicap access. things like a kitchen, dance floor or stage can be created, purchased, modified or rented. it can be costly- estimated 5-10% of budget- to add lighting to a venue, but it will make a huge impact at first sight, remaining a part of the overall impression and memory of the event and how it is implanted in your guest’s brains. among the many reasons why it’s a good idea to recruit professional help, lighting knowledge- who to work with and what the room needs- is an important aspect of room design.

types of common lighting options:

–candlelight: i have become a huge advocate of amber glass. even if it doesn’t coordinate with your color scheme, it will make the tiny flame look like an orb of warmth. amazing effect. if your venue doesn’t allow fire, then electric candles- in the right holder- can also create a cozy glow.

–string lights: could be large, small, led, multi-colored, or rope-style.

–up-lighting: we recently sent amber light up the pillars at the parthenon. it changes the dynamics of a room!

–spotlights and backdrops: there are several ways to accent or disguise areas using light.

when designing your event space, large or small, be sure to use numerous sizes of objects- it creates depth, interest and glow. with lighting, this could mean different length strands hung from the ceiling, varied levels of votives and candelabra for a centerpiece, or using different colored lights, gels or glass. what other ideas do you have to add visual interest using lighting?

with love,

lindsey

idea + planning lioness

say hi: lindsey@dandylionevents.com