FLEUR DE LIS EVENTS & DESIGN
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7:29PM 
SBC spoke with Paul Latham and Alex Hunnicutt, owners of Fleur de Lis Events & Design, for a brief ten question interview. Fleur de Lis Events & Design is Louisville's premier event and floral design company. If you are looking for a design team that can make you dream wedding a reality please visit Fleur de Lis Event & Design's website and contact Paul and Alex to schedule a consultation.
SBC: What is the difference between a wedding planner and an event designer?
From the words of my favorite event designer … “The event planner is involved in every aspect of the logistical project management of the planning process and the event itself; however, it is the event designer that designs the event details from top to bottom including the design surrounding the activities that make an event come to life. In many cases it is the designer that extracts the emotional and personal elements of a client and weaves it into the event design as an expression of who they are.” – Preston Bailey. I don’t think I could have said it better!
SBC: Can a couple afford an event designer?
Yes, many times an event designer can save you money because they are a one-stop-shop for everything décor. This can include floral, linens, rentals, lighting, and other special items; which, in the simplest form, cuts the total delivery cost – one company’s delivery fee versus six companies’ fees. You do the math!
Event designers can also assume the role of event coordinators, if you ask them or if it is a service they offer. In this way they can help you plan the entire event, from choosing the right caterer to making sure the limo shows up at the end of the reception. And since they work with other wedding professionals on a regular basis they may receive discounts that can be passed along to you. This again can save you money; so, many times you almost cannot not afford to not have an event designer.
SBC: What questions do you suggest brides and grooms to ask when they are interviewing a potential event designer?
A few questions that you should ask are 1) What experience do you have designing weddings? 2) What is you design esthetic for weddings? 3) Why is it important we hire an event designer, particularly you?
While there are not really right or wrong answers to any of these question you want to make sure that you are comfortable with that event designer and that they fit your style and your wedding’s style. Plus, you have to build a relationship with them since you are entrusting them with one of the most exciting days of your life; not to mention, one of the most expensive.
SBC: What are a few trends in reception décor for the upcoming year?
Focus on the Chairs – Many people forget that there are just as many chairs at a wedding as there are people so they are a big part of the design. One popular tend is moving away from the traditional chair cover and sash and focusing on spandex chair covers and spandex bands. This is a modern, clean looking chair that does not have the fuss of a bunch of fabric. Another option is to bring in different chairs. A lot of times renting chairs is cheaper than chair covers and there are now companies that offer classic ballroom chairs for less than a chair cover and sash!
Let the Round and Rectangular Coincide – Mixing round tables with rectangular tables is a great way to add texture and depth to any reception. This also lends itself to using different centerpieces on each type of table which can create an amazing affect at a reception and make the room feel more modern and unique. Different size tables can also help in planning a seating chart. Have a lot of people you want to seat together? Then place them at a grand sixteen foot long table (that’s just two eight foot tables, of course)!
Cocktail Reception – This is a trend that can help you save money. With this trend couples are offer their guest an option of heavy appetizers at the reception instead of a buffet or plated meal. The key in do this is perfect timing – have an afternoon wedding that is between lunch and dinner or have a late wedding (after the dinner hour) that will focus on the late night party. Also think about creating a lounge for the reception and possibly not have a set seat for each guest, let them mix and mingle.
SBC: What color palettes are popular with your brides right now?
Popular colors include shades of purple and jewel tones to create peacock theme weddings. The purple weddings are using multiple shades of purple – from lavender to aubergine to create many different feelings such as elegance, timelessness, and romance. A perfect purple pairing for any wedding includes silver, gray, white and deep purple. This is classy and sophisticated while being modern and edgy.
Peacock weddings are fun and whimsical but also very modern and can even be romantic. Pairing dark purples with bits of bright blue, different shades of green, and a metallic gold sets the stage for a grand wedding. And when doing a peacock wedding you cannot forget the feathers, place accents in the bouquets, boutonniere and have them exploding out of the top of the centerpieces is a great way to incorporate them but not over doing it!
Picture courtesy of Karen Trans Floral.
SBC: What are some elements besides florals that brides can incorporate into their reception theme?
Candles and feathers! These are the two most popular non-floral items used at weddings today. Various size glasses vases filled with water and different size candles can create a stunning centerpiece that is elegant and cost effective. Whether it is peacock feathers or ostrich feathers, feathers add a whimsy to any wedding. They can take an event from 2010 to the glamorous 1920’s or add that unexpected touch that guests will love.
Jennifer McMenamin Photography
Red Tree Photography
Zimmerman Photgraphy
SBC: What is one of the hottest trend for wedding receptions?
One of the most popular trends for wedding receptions today is creating a lounge or club feeling at the reception. There are many ways to create a lounge area that fit the theme and budget of your wedding. The hottest option right now involves using white leather furniture, the clean lines and hard corners allow a couple to create an ultra-modern club at their reception. Another option is to use wicker furniture which plays up a garden/outdoor theme wedding perfectly. One key in arranging a lounge is to create intimate areas within the lounge that give guests the ability to converse together in groups. Place a couple of couches facing each other with a coffee table in the center or place a couple of side chairs near a tall cocktail table so guest sitting feel they can interact with guest that are standing nearby. A final component of a lounge is lighting. With lighting you are able to create a different feeling or atmosphere in the lounge area that separates the space visually from the reception but ties everything together with color.
- What are some of your favorite flowers for arrangements?
My favorite flowers to use in arrangements are orchids. This can be just about any orchid from dendrobium to cymbidium from phalaenopsis to catyalla and vandas. While many people believe that orchids are super expensive, using them a properly will maximize the visual impact and minimizing the expense, layer the orchids over top of less expensive flowers such as carnations or roses will give the illusion there are many more orchids than there really are!
Megan Biddle
James Calvert Photography
Tony Matkey
- What is the one “must have” that brides should include in their event décor to wow guests?
Lighting! I am not talking about “DJ lighting” that is just on the dance floor; I am talking about lighting throughout the entire room that creates a complete transformation of the space. This can be up lighting along the walls that change throughout the evening to evoke different feelings and emotions. Or simply provide an ample amount of lighting so that the over-bearing florescent lights can be turned off. You will be surprised at what a little light can do for the reception and for your photographs.
Lighting His World Photography
Red Tree Photography
Tony Matkey Photography
Zimmerman Photography
SBC: Describe your most memorable wedding of 2010?
The most memorable wedding would have to be Joy and Eric’s wedding at White Hall on June 12. It was our responsibility to turn a tent into an enchanted forest, so between the fifteen foot tall curly willow trees accented with hanging amaranths, eleven foot tall tree centerpieces covered in fresh flowers, lush arrangements of pink floral with moss covered tables, and street lamps that look like they have been in a forest for years, a tent had never look so enchanted. But I would say while the place was breath-taking just by the looks of it, it was also breath-taking because of the heat! It had to be the hottest day on record for the year; and when you’re outside from 7AM to 3AM in that intense heat, it is definitely a day you won’t forget.
Jason Coobs Photography