The color of 2012

The color of 2012
In 2010 it was turquoise, 2011 was honeysuckle and what will next year be? The Pantone Color Institute has named “Tangerine Tango,” a blend of red and orange, as the “it” color for 2012.

I am a huge fan! The orange tone makes this such a fun, bright color that can easily bring out all the energy of an event, yet keep it feeling warm and cozy with the red like tones. It is a color that you can easily see in the longer, sun filled days of the summer, but still make a room feel comfortable through the shorter days of winter. Many people have to opt out of the darker colors in the summer because the sun’s rays last longer, but this hue will definitely allow guests to see it more easily, earlier in the event.

I am hoping to see a lot of this color in the floral! Lighting beautiful centerpieces just makes for an incredible room and shows the time and attention to detail that the client wants to portray to their guests. I am also interested to see what the florist’s pair with this color to make it pop even more.

Our friend Leigh at La Petite Fluer says that she is encouraged by this color selection. “We love it because it’s a color that can be interpreted for many styles and seasons. For Spring- tangerine, yellow and gray would be amazing. For Summer, we like a citrus blend- tangerine, yellow and lime. And for Fall, grape, tangerine and mocha is rich and sophisticated.”

When it comes to lighting, this would be a great color for up lighting, break up patterns for walls or ceilings, but not so much for a dance floor wash. While this color is in the skin tone family, I think this would most likely end up being too orange and make people look a bit strange, especially in photographs and video. Sticking to a lighter amber or lighter pink is still best for the dance floor.

The ladies over at Proud to Plan also like this selection. Owner Erin Proud said, “It is time for this vibrant and fun color to take center stage! The reddish-orange shade makes it a great choice for bridesmaid attire because it beautifully compliments most skin tones. Try combining textured tangerine linens, with lush ivory floral, lots of gold candles, all washed in gorgeous amber lighting and you'll create a warm and inviting setting your guests won’t soon forget!”

And our friend Tanya Gersh, of Tanya Gersh Wedding Design, based in Montana, said, "Tangerine is the new pink. It is bold, edgy and sexy. The perfect description of today's modern, confident bride!" I think Tanya is spot on!

I am really excited about seeing this color and hope our designer friends come up with creative ways to show it off!

For information on this color and the Pantone Color Institute, go here.

The color of 2010

The color of 2011

-Jason

A Sugar and Sparkle Soiree- Guest post from Leigh at La Petite Fleur

What’s in a name? Well, for this Bat Mitzvah … inspiration for decadent decorations and spirited atmosphere.

Lovingly nicknamed “Carkly Sparkly” by her family, Carly’s penchant for confections (and fashion) is almost as big as her fun-loving personality.

Seizing this creative cue, the La Petite Fleur Design Team — led by owner and creative director Leigh Karsch— produced a “Sugar and Sparkle Soiree,” which beckoned guests to celebrate in style with Carly and her family (just like they were kids in a candy boutique). The event’s playful palette boasted metallic golds and, of course, pink in all its most fabulous shades — from raspberry and fuchsia, to a pale iridescent.

The LPF Design Team went on to transform Congregation Beth Am, which played host to this sweetest of soirees, into a fanciful representation of all that Carly loves — from family and friends, to confections and fashion.

Warm lighting filled the reception room, courtesy of our beloved buds at Synergetic Sound and Lighting, while Carly’s name (in lights nonetheless!) beamed at party-goers from the stage. Gold chiviarri chairs wrapped excitedly around the tables. Adult tables were topped with towering glass trumpets filled with crystallized pink water and adorned with die-cut, shimmering gold-metallic table numbers, some were dressed with tall, gold rectangular vases filled with bouquets of pink rock candy and others were filled with perky fuchsia gerbera daisies. The teens’ tables featured a collection of beribboned candy counter jars filled with adorably-tempting — color-palette-perfect — sweets. Pinspotting by Synergetic highlighted all of the sparkly details.

For more detail on this event, visit La Petite Fleur's blog, Inspired Aisle, or their website.

Images from La Petite Fleur, courtesy of Lori Gail Photography.

Flower Tips from La Petite Fleur

We asked our friend Leigh Karsch and the staff of La Petite Fleur to share some tips and advice with us regarding flowers and flower choices for weddings. For more information on La Petite Fleur and to see some of their beautiful work, check out their blog.

1. Go for Inner-Beauty
Particularly when doing tall centerpieces, what’s going on inside the vase or cylinder is just as important as what’s coming out of it. Ask your florist about filling containers with colored water, loops of tall grasses, a strand of suspended blooms, or a layer of natural rocks (just fill the bottom quarter of the vase).

2. Design a Doppelganger
Love the look of hydrangea, but can’t invest in this pricey bloom for 20 centerpieces? Talk with your florist about designing a doppelganger. Carnations are lovely, accessible, inexpensive flowers that, when bundled, can mimic the ethereal, garden look of a hydrangea.

3. Turn Over a New Leaf
Take a page out of the La Petite Fleur idea book, and grow with a wishing tree in lieu of a standard guest book. Rather than a series of autographs, give your guests the opportunity to offer sage sentiments and advice with a Wishing Tree. This interactive element engages guests, makes things more personal, and results in a sentimental keepsake. Guests hang hand-written notes on a tabletop tree, and at the end of the affair, leaves are plucked from the tree and placed in a scrapbook.


4. Draw from your Relationship, or Just Draw

Accessories provide opportunity to personalize and further engage your guests in the festivities. Consider wine bottles as table numbers, embellished with custom labels designed by you. Or, get personal, and name your tables after members of your bridal party, and offer fun, "did you know" facts on each card.

5. Put on the PrettyConsider accessorizing the containers in your centerpieces - the right accessory can “finish” the pretty, unique look you're envisioning - ao ask your florist about embellishing the outside of a clear vase or cube with leaves, branches, or even paper that’s secured with long strips of grass, ribbon, or depending upon your event’s style, colored coils.

Thanks so much to Leigh and the staff at La Petite Fleur for sharing those tips with us!
-Becky

Danielle and Devin at Trust

We recently did a lighting and production job at Trust for our friend Leigh of La Petite Fleur.

Here's more about the event straight from Leigh.

What a couple! What a venue! What a wedding!

Danielle and Devin’s big day at TRUST in historic Philadelphia was filled with romance, style and, of course, great lighting!

Synergetic’s Dan and Ed teamed-up with myself and the design team from La Petite Fleur, weddings and special events, to create a stunning atmosphere for this July wedding. White draping enhanced the entryway and added dimension to the ceremony, lounge and dancefloor, while lemon-yellow up lighting gave the space a warm glow. Pin spotting played its part — perfectly complementing La Petite Fleur’s cocktail lounge décor and reception tablescapes, which included soft melon and lime linens and unique centerpieces.

Whether you were upstairs or down at this grand location, the look of the event was amazing (as you’ll see below courtesy of SAS Becker Creative Photography for La Petite Fleur). Thank you to all the great professionals we partnered with on this elegant event.

Best wishes Danielle and Devin!

Thanks so much Leigh! Sounds like it was a wonderful event and we're so glad to have been a part of it!

-Becky