Something Blue

We all know how when we were little kids and believed in fairy tales, we often daydreamed of what our lives would be like. These day dreams often centered around ones fairy tale wedding. The white dress, prince charming and of course ‘something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.’ Eventually we all grew up and that fairy tale for the most part disappeared. However the old something blue adage is something many brides still try to incorporate into their wedding day- whether it be for luck, in honor of a family tradition, or sometimes to simply please ones mother! Upon closer examination it turns out there is a lot of history to back up this adage. “In ancient Rome brides wore blue to symbolize love, fidelity, and modesty. Christianity has historically dressed the Virgin Mary in blue as a symbol of purity, and before the late 19th century blue was a popular wedding gown color because wearing blue on your wedding day was thought to bring your good luck.” Today the possibilities are endless; there truly are so many ways to incorporate something blue into your wedding day. It is just a matter of adding that something blue that suits your personal style. Whether it is hiding from view or seen boldly by others- the secret is you will know that you are wearing your blue for good luck!

Julie Pike

*Historical references from Kate Spade Occasions and MSW
*Images from Manolo Blahnik and MSW

Eco-Conscious Event Planning

Let’s face it events, although usually joyous, generate waste, overuse natural resources, and produce emissions. Extra transportation miles are clocked by attendees travel and deliveries. To supply enough tableware and save efforts in post-event clean-up, disposable items, made from paper and plastic are commonly used. Other packaging containers like glass and plastic bottles,
plastic bags, cardboard, and aluminum and steel cans all add to increased waste, especially if recycling receptacles are not provided.

To be eco-conscious your planner can appropriately plan and execute certain
guidelines:

• Provide carpooling and alternative transportation to and from the event

• Correctly estimate the amount of reusable, recyclable or compostable tableware needed

• Educate guests about their role in composting and recycling waste by providing instructional signage.

With thorough planning and forethought, a zero-waste event is possible, and the resulting clear conscience is a nice bonus!

by Howard Radis

Vintage Stamps

The first real impression your guests will have of your wedding will be from your invitation, most likely. Why not set the mood before they even open the envelope? Let’s face it; in this global age where most communication is done through cyberspace or satellites, it is a treat to get ‘real’ old-fashioned mail. And if that mail is pleasing to the eye from the outside, it will make your friends and family that much more interested in what is on the inside. Set the stage, reflect your personality, or simply make it pretty. Vintage stamps can be used to lay the foundation and to beautify those many envelopes your guests will be receiving. It may take some time, but vintage stamps that haven’t been cancelled can be found and purchased and then a beautiful combination of those stamps can be used to amount to the correct postage for your invitations. Do you love camping, or did you meet your fiancé when you were backpacking? Maybe some wildlife stamps would start to tell your story. Are you having a beautiful garden wedding in the spring or summer? Vintage flowers and garden scenes can grace your lovely invitations. Or maybe you want to reflect the adventurer in you…did you meet your special someone abroad, or do you have dreams of traveling the world with him? Whatever you want your message to be, vintage stamps may add just the right touch. And, yes, it is all in the details!

by Julie Pike

Bubbles!!

Our newest, coolest decor item here at Gala Events is our light-up bubble tubes. We currently have 2, 6' tall x 4' wide machines, but we can custom design these for you at different heights and different colors (water and case colors). You can also have custom signage on these if you want. Stop by our Special Events Design Center today in Rockville, MD to see them in person!

Hangin' with my Gnomies

Gnomes- You know the ones those tiny, mythical creatures, topped in pointy hats, undoubtedly always up to mischief. They peek around flower stems and garden rocks, their rosy cheeks glowing. I’ve always had a thing for gnomes. A few years ago at a friend’s birthday dinner, I brought some gnomes out of the garden and on top of the dinner table, creating a fun and festive tablescape. That night, we chose a small wine bar in our quaint college town of Granville, Ohio. Not surprisingly, I was greeted with nervous and suspecting glances from the restaurant staff when I arrived early at 3pm with six gnomes gathered in my arms. We used a long strip of sod as a table runner and strategically placed the gnomes in playful positions: hiding behind wine glasses, peeping out from around the bread baskets. Each little gnome has his own personality, and the figures added a uniquely fun and silly flair to what would have otherwise been a plain, unexciting table. By the end of our dinner, all the gnomes had been named and adopted by a new caretaker.
Tablescapes, like my scene of gnomes, are a fantastic way to make a dinner party instantly more exciting. Pick a color, pick a theme…you can create a tablescape out of virtually anything. But if you choose gnomes, be sure to keep one eye on your salt and pepper shakers—those little guys can be quite the trouble-makers!

by Jessica Marzelli

10 weeks of interning- 25 things we’ve learned

1) The history of Gala…always do your homework
2) How to “figure it out” yourself
3) 4 p.m. Starbucks is a MUST
4) Learning how to sew for the first time
5) How to design a table…but never actually putting it together
6) How to make cold calls…and being rejected
7) NEVER drive in Tala’s space shuttle when it’s missing a side view mirror
8) Looking for pink boxes that don’t exist
9) Lighting is KEY
10) How to properly clean and organize a warehouse
11) Blogging
12) How to BLING
13) How to stuff and dress Build-a-Bears
14) Linens should always hit the floor
15) Tory Burch is a MUST in our office
16) What goes into designing an event
17) How to make a necessity basket
18) Always order extras
19) How to arrange and set up cocktail tables at an event
20) Always bring white out…Howard
21) Lunch is an important factor in the day
22) It’s better to have a small dance floor that’s full than a big dance floor that’s empty
23) Always have one item of animal print in a room
24) Cake is required for every occasion
25) We’ve had the best time working here this summer!

Xoxo,
The Interns (Jess, Anna, and Jenna)
…you know you’re gonna miss us!