it’s fun to be creative with blank spaces! i empathize with marcy blum’s distaste for venue managers who tell me things like “this is what we usually do/ how we usually set up in this room”. we always want to do it differently.

so how do you create or transform a space or tent? we asked local nashville company blue nova designs for help. they are experts at creating a magical realm using drapery and/or props. they have a background in theater draping + stage design. so they have all sorts of tools to fabricate custom pieces that incorporate metal, fabric and lighting! they love custom pieces + would be glad to talk to you about your design ideas. the picasso pictured above was a client request- they liked it so much they made a few more + added it to their inventory!

each of these cubes are 2′ x2′ – so some of these colorful pillars are 8 feet tall!

they have a helpful, friendly + knowledgeable staff who work hard to make the most of your budget. they offer creative fabric solutions  + multi-purpose use of materials.

what do you think? what do you want the overall initial impact to feel like? do you intend to use drapery of any sort?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

i had a friend ask me about vintage dresses in nashville, so i did some searching! these are very colorful- i didn’t want to do white or black again.

first stop was out at 100 oaks at the gaslamp antique mall. it wasn’t easy to get there (hidden behind home depot) but it was worth it! parlour held so many treats for us!

1. pale blue with dots + sash- $20

(c) elle sea photography

2. blue shift with bird- $ unknown

(c) elle sea photography

3. green long gown- $ unknown

(c) elle sea photography

4. orange- $45

(c) elle sea photography

we moved on to pre-to-post modern. love this pink mini!

5. pink mini- $65

(c) elle sea photography

6. red- $26

(c) elle sea photography

this last one is my favorite, i admit! it’s so ridiculous + special. i helped with a really cool wedding last year + you could’ve worn this, seriously!

tell me, which one is your favorite? and which vintage shops do you love to visit?

with love,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

ongoing entertainment during parties + receptions is becoming more commonplace, and for good reason- it’s lots more fun! strolling tables of nashville can add an exciting & surprising element to your event with their glamorous tables decked out with live models!

(c) la photographie nashville

instead of having a waiter amble around with a tray or push a cart, your hors d’oeuvres or desserts can waltz around the room designed in a theme of your choice.

(c) la photographie nashville

the tables can hold food and/or beverages and promenade throughout the venue.  they’re also useful for name badges, candy, programs, party favors + gift bags. they can even stroll effortlessly throughout the room collecting bids on silent auction items for a charity event. the tables are fully mobile-allowing them to move to your guests. i would love to see these at the end of the night with candles, bells or other items for the sendoff.

they offer other performances for your event including burlesque/cabaret dancers, aerialists and variety acts. they have models for hire as greeters or roaming entertainment. so cool!

be sure to check out their video to see these gals in action! they glide so effortlessly. it sounds hilarious, but it looks really cool! you can contact them at info [at] strollingtablesofnashville [dot] com.

what theme would you want to see? and what would you put on the table?

love to all,

lindsey

say hello: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

if you want an eco-friendly option for your wedding or event be sure to check out iHOSPITALITY, a nashville company whose tableware helps you have a fun event and make the earth happy, too. ashley currie, the brains behind iHOSPITALITY, recognized the need for  a local supplier after client requests.

iHOSPITALITY can provide you with plates, serving platters and cutlery  made from plant-based sources such as bamboo, sugar, corn and grass. they also offer packaging like custom-sized boxes which you could use for favors and/or cake! they are 100% compostable + biodegradable. they look great too-here’s a closer look at the sugar plates:
ashley senses that there is a large level of interest in the nashville area for eco-conscious products and that the desire will continue to rise. she feels good about her products and supplying them in a timely manner through a local warehouse.

is reducing the impact of your event important to you? what other eco ideas do you have?

love to all,

lindsey

say hi: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

check out this ball of grass! it’s love at first site, no?

Orb from 360see

i was so struck by this product and it’s potential:

-carnival/candyland- perhaps on a stick in the ground forming an aisle? like giant poofs of green furry cotton candy!

- gothic lolita

- steampunk

- disco- imitates a fro, and it’s lively and colorful

- day of the dead- symbolizing rebirth

- child’s party- has a yo gabba gabba quality to it. or DINOSAURS!

- with lots of purple

- minimalist thanksgiving decor

- obvious- with moss, natural rustic wonderland

what do you think? what would you do with unlimited balls of grass?

love to all,

lindsey

say hi: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

happy to be bringing back local feature friday- nashville is such a wonderful place to live!  there is so much to do and see. and hear.

white table is a linen company focused on transformations and individual service. they have showrooms in knoxville and chatanooga, but twitterer + representative rachel says they’re in nashville often. they don’t offer you swatches and books when you come in- they’ll actually pull different items and dress a table for you so you can see all of the different elements come together. very helpful tool, especially if your decor is eclectic. they also make custom items if you’re looking to make your event very personal and memorable!

one of rachel’s favorites: hand stitched burlap runners

one of my favorites: pink feather boa chair covers!

many thanks to rachel for sharing her passion about transforming spaces. they certainly have some cool options!

for more local resources, check out these lists that tn buy local put together for planners, rentals and shops.

love to all,

lindsey

meow? lindsey@dandylionevents.com

i try to look at the things that inspire me- you know, the things that work, and the things that don’t. right now i’m inspired by tv. i know, it’s evil, alright? and bridal tv is sickening. but two things on ifc have recently made me really happy.

the first is freaks and geeks. i have siblings, and friends with siblings, who are currently experiencing the hell known as highschool. i wouldn’t go back for 1 million ruppees but it’s nice to know that some things- like social awkwardness, family drama/changes in dynamics and the name lindsay are universal regardless of the decade.

the second is FOOD PARTY. if you ever wondered what it’s like inside my head, it’s this. i can’t explain how awesome, random and bizarre this show is- you just have to see it for yourself. it comes on tuesdays at 10pm so be sure to tune in- for as long as you can handle it. for instance: face mask made from avocado, honey, olive oil and just 1 drop of satan’s blood? don’t mind if i do!

lastly, if you really want to know what’s inside my head…(makes more sense if you listen to this)

what’s in your head today?

love to all,

lindsey

i’d love to hear from you: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

(c) la photographie nashville

(c) la photographie nashville

a dandyBride is independent, interesting and fearless. she knows what she likes and her wedding reflects that! she wants people to know who she is instead of hiding behind traditional conventions.

are you a dandyBride?

many thanks to all who made this happen: lovely model darla, stephanie at la photographie nashville, eryk datura of datura glamour, shana taylor of no limits salon and katy k’s ranch dressing

ps- for more pics, check out la photographie’s blog!

love,

lindsey

give us a roar: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

preston bailey encouraged his blog readers to work on an inspiring concept for a design- and this image from oh joy! has really stuck with me. i don’t think i’ll do them in order, but i want to create different event designs based on each of these elegant creatures.

so I wanted a tablecloth with polka dots that increase in density- haven’t found it yet. i like this as an alternative though:

if i find some fabric i might ask white table to create linens just for me. they do custom work- more on them at a later date!

here are my original thoughts when i was first struck with the image- it was like i couldn’t breathe. i love how the body pillar is silvery, almost crystal looking. i would play that up big time in a spacious venue!

some of it didn’t come through because it’s in pencil. some of it doesn’t make sense + some of it sucks. for instance, the density of the polka dots at the bottom of the linens would probably not make the strong visual impression that i want it to have because it will be covered most of the time by chairs and people’s bodies or feet.

the draped chair cover idea also didn’t look as cool in reality as it does in my head but i like this fluffy one from wildflower linen as an alternative:

what do you see when you look at that first butterfly? and what are you dreaming about or creating today?

love to all,

lindsey

say hi: lindsey@dandylionevents.com

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