The Soiree Blog

Trending | Banana Leaf and Palm Print

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 16:58:00 +0000

I'm admittedly a pattern girl. Give me a pile of fabric with complimentary (yet contrasting) patterns, I'm smitten. But as patterns, prints and trends come and go, there are a few that have continually stood the test of time, and one of those happen to be the ever lovely palm leaf (or banana leaf) print. It's one of those elements that can morph itself into any design inspiration- from natural, to glam (Hollywood Regency, anyone?), to boho- this leafy maven has us covered. Laurel and Wolf, the iconic online interior design firm, inspired me to share my thoughts on how to introduce the print into whatever you happen to be styling.

Interiors + Living Space

I tend to lean toward the philosophy of grounding with neutrals and adding patterns, color, or unexpected elements in smaller doses (or in specified areas) for a beautifully layered effect.

Right: via | Left via My Domaine

Via Elements of Style

Each of these spaces have mostly white, tan, gold and black accents, layered with the leafy pattern.

Via Project Nursery

However, the print is also amazing at grounding a busier space, too, like this crazy adorable nursery.

Weddings + Parties

Using the palm leaf as part of your wedding design and/or party decor is less about becoming tropical and more about adding a fresh + modern accent to your event. And while the leaf definitely lives in harmony with a Hawaiian vibe, it can also be super stylish with even the most romantic or playful design.

Right via Camille Styles | Left via Laurel and Wolf

I love turning traditional things into unexpected surprises, like penning a menu on a large palm leaf (or insert any object de nature, here), and a wedding lounge would be so sophisticated and on point with a pairing of graphic patterns, complimentary colors, and the palm print.

Left via The Sweetest Occasion | Right via We are Scout

And of course, for the more fun-loving social parties, this print is perfect on decorations or as a live centerpiece to your table.

All in all, this print is one of those you just can't go wrong with. All of this inspiration has me rethinking our outdoor lounge at home, too- just might need to pick up some of these banana leaf pillows for a little touch of sophisticated nature to our backyard. Would love to know- what are your favorite inspirations or ways to use the print?

Don't forget to check out Laurel + Wolf for even more inspo on all things style and decorating, via their website, blog, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Xo,

Brandi

Styling a Coffee Table with Chairish

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 13:47:00 +0000

When it comes to styling my home, I tend to be a bit of a minimalist- in both color (neutral always wins it for me) and accessories. And when I do buy trinkets and decor, it has to be something I really love to look at. But I do love putting together areas of my living space that pop a little more, and give the entire room a nice balance of visual interest. One of the places I love to do this is with a coffee table, so when Chairish approached me about my take on styling one of their gorgeous vintage coffee tables, I was all in.

Chairish is an online resource, and basically a design lovers solution to buying and selling vintage furniture across the country. The company features beautifully curated pieces, and includes everything from art to decor to rugs and lighting too. I was asked to share my tips on styling, using one of the gorgeous vintage coffee tables available in their shop right now. My heart jumped a little when I saw this four drawer black lacquer lovely, and it was so fun to put together a collection of accessories and must-haves that would make this gem shine.

I started with the necessities: the items that would ground the entire look, while also keeping everything together. This white hexagon tray is dainty and functional, and I thought it provided a nice juxtaposition to the masculine lines of the table.

My next go-to is books. I love switching out really great coffee table books periodically because they are constant conversation starters, and tend to be lovely to look at too. I have both of these books- Erin Gates’ Elements of Style and Coco Chanel by Lisa Chaney- and both of their black and white covers are the perfect amount of neutral yet stylish for this table. I also love mixing in other trade style books, whether they be for entertaining or even just photo books. My biggest requirement for a really great coffee table design is that it’s both functional and beautiful.

From there I will always have a candle and flowers. I love finding soft, floral scents that aren’t too strong for the room, and it’s always a bonus for pretty containers too. This Cucumber Pop candle would be a great way for a subtle addition of color in the mix, and I love how the rim is in gold, pulling it together with the neutrals too.

Finally, we can’t forget ‘les objets’- the accessories that really speak to your personality and finish off the entire look. I loved this lacquer box (perfect for the functional purpose of concealing anything from remotes to the small items that have no place to go) and this vintage brass wishbone for style and luck.

It was so fun to find pieces to style this beautiful table; Be sure to check out their entire collection of coffee tables here.

Favorite Fall Wedding Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 20:45:00 +0000

If I had to choose one favorite wedding season, it would be fall. It might have something to do with the crisp cool temperatures, aromas (pumpkin spice anyone??), or my slight obsession with textures (and the pairing of them):

Colors: My go-to colors that are inspiring me right now are jewel tones with a touch of neutral + light pink. I think it keeps it ethereal while still adding the right amount of bold elements.

Textures: Fall is your ticket to using all sorts of textures and patterns without anything looking or feeling too busy. Along with the more expected (warm) textiles like fur, I love the idea of incorporating other elements like stone or crystal to mix it up and keep it interesting.

Gold: Need I say more? Gold goes with everything. Use it.

Comfort Food: The fastest way to your guests' hearts is through their tummies. Take advantage of the cooler weather and serve both sweet and savory comfort food. Now is the time to get a little decadent and experiment with a menu that touches all of their taste buds. {And hot toddies are never a bad idea either}

Flowers + Foliage: Whimsical, natural, and textural. This amazing centerpiece by my friend Jacin Fitzgerald says it all.

Beaded Wrap: Bhldn | Peaked Lapel Tuxedo: The Black Tux | Gold + Pearl Cufflinks: The Black Tux | Rockstud Ivory Pumps: Valentino

A fall wedding is also the opportunity to get jazzy with your look for the day. Statement pieces and bold accessories are such a beautiful addition.

For her: Boleros and caplets are all great additions (both for style and comfort), but how about this stunning beaded wrap? And imagine, some killer shoes and a classic, ethereal gown.

For Him: Who can go wrong with a black tux? This classic look is both dramatic and stunning at the same time. While suits became the norm of summer weddings, I'm looking forward to seeing more of this iconic look this fall season. Pair it with some eye-catching cuff links and I'd say this couple is camera-ready. I recently came across The Black Tux, an online tuxedo rental company, and was so excited to see quality, well-fitted tux, suit, and accessory rentals available to men wherever they're located. If you haven't discovered it yet, take a peek- you'll be glad you did!

What are your current favorite trends or ideas for fall weddings?

Xo,

Brandi

What to Wear to the Wedding {Dress Codes De-Coded}

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:57:00 +0000

As we continue into the most popular season for weddings, it’s inevitable that you have received at least one invitation to attend a wedding celebration. And depending on the location and timing of the event, you’ve probably also had at least one moment of panic as you wonder what you are going to wear.

With so many things to consider- tradition to climate to formality to terrain- it’s no wonder the etiquette for wedding guest attire has gone cloudy for most. So when the men’s clothier Paul Fredrick contacted us to weigh in on the subject we jumped at the opportunity to join in the conversation!

This infographic is a handy reference guide Paul Fredrick put together in conjunction with a team of stylists, wedding specialists, and the like. At first glance you can see how the formality progresses as the day goes along.

We thought we could elaborate on this even further by discussing the fine line between tradition and our thoughts on how to dress your best for every style of wedding- for both men and women.

Formal- After 6p

Wedding ceremonies beginning at 6p or later call for your most polished duds- and even more so if the invitation indicates Black Tie. A tux will always be the way to go in either of these situations, polished black shoes, and we agree with this graphic that the traditional bow tie (ala Bond) is the only way to go (and besides, ladies do you not agree the men look so dapper in a bow tie?).

Sara + Dylan Photography

Ladies you’ll want to pick out a dress, tea-length to floor length (black tie), to really seal the deal at a formal wedding. If you have straps, bring a shawl or bolero to cover your shoulders if the ceremony is held at a church. And let’s weigh in on the debate over whether you can wear white or black to this affair. In short, we think black is chic and is completely acceptable. White? Though times have changed a bit and traditions have loosened we still agree with etiquette and say let the bride be the only one shining in white.

Semi Formal- Before 6p

Ceremonies beginning at 5:30p or earlier call for a less formal look, though by no means casual. Guys look cool and polished in a dark suit- think dark navy or gray. A slim tie or vest (with a jacket over top) is acceptable in this situation too.

Ampersand Studios

Ladies will look for what we call cocktail attire for this style of event. With the exception of a floor length gown, you can often intermix the attire requirements for a formal and semi formal event. One rule we live by- for cocktail attire, keep the hemline at the knee, longest at the calf. We are not clubbing so let’s leave the super short dresses at home, ok?

Casual- Before 6p

If the wedding invitation clearly states a casual celebration, don’t overdress for the occasion. Men can look to lighter fabrics like khaki, poplin, or seersucker (tradition holds this to Memorial day through Labor day only if you’re really by the book). A sport coat would be the way to go here, though guys can even get by with a nice dress shirt, tie, and slacks sans the jacket (Paul Fredrick has a great selection of looks here), loafers or other less formal dress shoe, and a smile. And by no means are you allowed to wear jeans to a wedding.

Ampersand Studios

A more casual wedding can also be considered “garden party” attire for the ladies. Think summery fabrics (cotton, linen, light silks), and getting a little more colorful in patterns is acceptable (and don’t worry- it doesn’t have to be florals). The most important issue to note here is the terrain. Most of our garden party or casual weddings have included grass or other nature to contend with, so consider wearing flats or wedges to avoid sinking or other ankle rolling debacles.

Resort Chic- Anytime

With more and more destination weddings becoming the go-to celebration, we’ve found a lot of would-be guests struggling to find the right seaside look. Unless Black Tie or other formality is indicated, much lighter fabrics and styles of dresses (ie: we would find the maxi dress totally acceptable in this situation) are the norm. Depending on the locale, men would even be good to go in flat-front khaki shorts and a button down shirt with loafers.

And there you have it- the complete thought list on what we think your guests should be wearing. We would love to have you weigh in on the discussion- what are your thoughts on wedding attire and formality?

{Featured} Real Soiree- Sarah + Laura's Garden Valley Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:31:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday! So excited to be able to finally share this intimate, sweet wedding with you. Featured on Wedding Chicks today, do head over to take a peek at the whole spread- and get some great ideas on how to really personalize your wedding. We'll be back tomorrow with more photos from this mountain destination wedding, so stay tuned!

Xo,

Brandi

On Copying Vs. Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 17:45:00 +0000

I know what you're thinking- I get back on the blogging train after a few months hiatus and after a few lighthearted posts I go straight into a serious one. But in reality, it's been on my and some of my industry friends' minds lately. And when I saw an Instagram post from Kathryn at Creme Brands (@kathrynduckett) the other day, which lead me to the source of the conversation, I decided I wanted to join in on the conversation too.

Let me preface all of this by saying that I believe it's extremely hard to define the fine line between copying and simply being influenced by someone else's work. After all, everywhere we turn there are beautiful pictures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook...everyday someone is perfectly styling a table in the right light for the perfect 'sneak peek'. I think it's natural to want to hold yourself to a standard, or to admire what someone else is doing. I find this especially hard if you're a perfectionist, like me. I mentioned yesterday that I realized I only have four posts on Instagram in the month of October- and I completely realize it's because most of the photos never made it off my iphone because I just didn't think they were good enough.

But perfectionism aside, I do agree with these ladies that way too much gray area is being taken advantage of. It almost seems the days of "how can I create something different" are replaced with "how can I recreate that". I think being inspired by someone or something is a beautiful launching pad for something even better. I've come to realize over the years that everyone has to find their own way of doing things. Jacin Fitzgerald of Lovely Little Details (@lovelydetails) even mentioned once that she never looks on Pinterest anymore because no matter what it seems everyone has already done "your great new idea".

So with that, I propose that we have a little tunnel vision. Put your head down and respect your strengths and weaknesses in business, social media, and how you find inspiration. Now I understand why almost all of the wedding designers I've had the opportunity to speak with almost always say they never read wedding blogs- they don't want to become swayed, even subconsciously. It's like the saying goes- be aware of what's going on (trends, competition, etc), but don't become obsessed. For me, I'm realizing that while I still read wedding blogs, I've also added in a copious amount of interior design and home reads....it still keeps me in the creative, and most of all it inspires me to find ways to incorporate those style elements into my work.

I'd love to hear...what have your experiences been with copying, or seeing so much of the same things in your industry on social media? How have you dealt with it?

Xo,

Brandi

October Insta-Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:51:00 +0000

October was a big month for the Soirettes- we had a myriad of projects and weddings to tend to- who ever said wedding season ended in September?? Looking back through all of the photos, a few things became obvious to me: 1) I really need to be posting on Instagram more. Seriously, 4 posts in October? Not good. 2) Kim is much better at posting on Instagram than I am, and therefore most of these photos are from her account (good job Kimmy!) 3) October was a busy month, and no wonder I'm tired. Here are a few photos from our adventures in October-and now that I've admitted to the world that I'm not so great at publicly documenting things, please check my Instagram for what will be a crazy amount of posts this month!

We started this month off with the sweetest private ranch wedding, ever. Dubbed the "fancy farm wedding", our bride wore a gorgeous pink dress, and lots of gold and sparkle made way into the farm setting. It was also one of the most torrential wind storms ever, too- back up plan in the barn worked well in a split second change of weather!

Baby Hudson is a star.

Our most favorite project to date- an amazing collaboration with so many great vendors. Our "Come Away With Me" photo shoot introduced a brand new venue in McCall and had so much fall and winter inspiration included- can't wait to share more of this one! And no, those were not Moscow Mules in our cups, but rather warm coffee as we were freezing!

The three musketeers at our last wedding in October

And bonus: this one is actually not on Instagram (surprise), but on my iphone, so I included it anyways. A snapshot of the fall-inspired table we designed for Paperie and Pen's grand opening at the Village at Meridian....it was actually quite a challenge to take the ideas of one design and change it up a bit. Fun nonetheless, and hope you've been able to stop by their amazing new store!

Happy Wednesday!

Xo,

Brandi

Office Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 18:52:00 +0000

We've been in our office space for a little over a year now (same building since about 2011, but last September we moved into the basement level), and once the whirlwind of wedding season came to a close this year for us, we realized that we haven't done one thing with our office since our holiday party last December. As creatives, that's sad. When we moved downstairs, we were originally faced with two main problems: 1) the lime green and orange walls (thanks, Ampersand Girls! Muah!) and 2) the added space and the fact that we had exactly one desk, 2 ottomans, and a conference table. The space we moved from was in the ballpark of about 200 sq ft (gotta start somewhere!), and our studio is now likely more in the 1000 sq ft range. We had a lot of ground to cover. So between September and early December of last year, we went on a buying spree to purchase as much as we realistically could (thank you, slow season) to at least make it look less like a 25,000 sq ft warehouse and more like a stylish wedding planning office.

Well fast forward to the end of October 2014 and I've decided it's time to start really personalizing this space. It was such a roller coaster season that styling the office was just the last thing on the list. In fact, I don't think it even made the list. So as I've gotten more in the office planning mood, I've already seen so many inspiring images that maybe one day our studio will grow into, and here are some favorites so far. Happy Monday!

xo,

Brandi

Via Cedarhillfarmhouse.com and Pinterest

Loving the reclaimed or vintage doors hung barn-style. Would love to do something like this to our extra-wide doorway leading into the main room of our office.

Via Domaine

Let's talk about all the beauty oozing out of Lauren Conrad's newest Paper Crown office make over. It's the perfect marriage of eclectic and sophistication- this is exactly what we are aiming for in our office. Bring on the personality and style!

via breakfastattoast.com and Style Me Pretty

With our great room being so expansive, and well, great, we are doing a little space planning on how to lay it out better. Considering moving all of our work stations into the great room with shared desk spaces to make better use of the area. And the chalkboard from designer Erin Gate's studio? That was totally the inspiration for our giant gold-framed chalkboard. We need to use it now, though...it's so pretty we never want to mark it up!

via Praise Wedding

Definitely loving the mix of textures and patterns in this one!

I'll be on a pinning spree over the next few months- feel free to check more inspiration out on our pinterest pages too!

Friday Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:48:00 +0000

Happy Friday, lovelies!

I've been on a quest for more "me" in my life...and all of these things just spoke to me this week. Here are five of my favorites...what new finds or loves do you have this week? Happy weekend!

Xo,

Brandi

1. Julep Wedding Nails. Loving these shades for a big day | 2. Just feeling a little smitten with this gold pattern by Saffron Avenue | 3. These monogram cups are perfect for the cup of joe in the morning...Soirette Stephanie actually bought me one last year for my baby shower and it has become my favorite cup since | 4. Loving the newest patterns and palettes from Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN | These candles from Anthropologie are equal parts cheery and chic.

An August Soiree

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:00:00 +0000

{Sometimes, in the midst of planning weddings and parties, we find a spare moment to dream up our own perfect iconic wedding. Here is a look for an August bride I'd love to see....}

The August Soirette.....

Is elegant and cool in a form-fitting back-see gown perfect for the garden
Loves a succulent over a peony any day
Sips on a Watermelon Sangria
Isn't afraid to show her soft and daring side with a mix of gold and diamonds....and a little blue for hue
Knows that gold heels can be worn after the wedding, too

What are your current favorites for August?

A Beauty Concierge Program By Soiree

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:00:00 +0000

In over 8 years of planning weddings, four of which have been primarily focused on full planning with our clients, a few things have popped up that either scream "it's working", or "this is not working". One of the areas in planning that has always seemed just off to me- both to the client and to us as planners- has been hair and makeup services. In fact, if I've ever seen a bride cry or become frustrated, it's over this- and looking back over the years, managing hair and makeup has been one of the more frustrating areas for us too. After analyzing wedding after wedding, I realized the process tends to breakdown at the point of communication and vision through the beauty team. Most hair and makeup artists are freelancers, so they each have their own process, rates, style and preferred ways of communication. Brides hiring their own beauty pros either rely on referrals or use someone they know- even if they are not necessarily experienced in the unique timeline of a wedding day or managing a large bridal party. On our end, we found we were sometimes working with someone new near every wedding, and it was often like reinventing the wheel every time. It was only when we were working with artists we know and love that the process became seamless and the experience was at its highest for the bride. So we decided we were on to something.

I met with Camilla from Deco Hair and Makeup Design to go over this new idea, and over our many cocktails and conversations, the idea evolved first into creating a network of hand-selected artists, then into an actual concierge program offering a full experience to be pampered as a bride. We wanted a bride to be able to trust immediately that she was in expert hands and most of all we wanted her to be pampered and to be able to create some really great memories on her wedding day. Part of making this happen was ensuring that the process would be painless..no more interviewing several artists, but rather being paired up with the artist that best fit their needs and look for the day. No more comparing rates because each bride would be offered a customized day-rate package that would include her beauty team, travel, and any additional services requested as an easy to understand bundle. And best of all, our brides could rest easy knowing they were working with the best of the best for their day.

So now that we have been talking about this new program, releasing little sneak peeks here and there (we even hinted about it all the way back at our holiday party in December!), we are finally ready (and so thrilled) to officially launch it and offer it to our brides. The artists have been interviewed and selected, and include some of Boise's best such as Deco Hair and Makeup Design, Jamie Verner (Blush By Jamie Rose), and Gabby Marcantonio for Bobbi Brown. As the program progresses we intend to offer other types of services to even further enhance the wedding day or weekend experience, such as spa and nail services.

Currently the beauty concierge program is offered exclusively to Soiree brides as an add-on to your services, and is included in our full planning levels. While these amazing artists are already on our referral list, the program offers an entire wedding day experience with next to no planning on your part (and if all goes well, we may begin offering it as a stand-alone service too..stay tuned!). And we can't wait to hear how you like it! So many thanks to Tana Photography for spending the day with us to snap photos of these beauty pros in action. For more information please contact Soiree at contact@weddingsbysoiree.com.

Xo,

Brandi

A Soiree Birthday | Happy Birthday Brandi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 May 2014 14:00:00 +0000

As we've mentioned before, around here we celebrate birthday months, because we love them that much! So today we wish a very happy birthday to Brandi. (The queen of birthday months!) Here's to a day as classy, fun and fabulous as you are!

xoxo,

The Soiree Team

{Featured} Whitney + Brian's Winter McCall Wedding on Style Me Pretty!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:12:00 +0000

Happy Monday morning lovelies! There's nothing much better than waking up on a Monday morning to an amazing spread on Style Me Pretty- and we're thrilled to see one of our winter McCall weddings featured today.

Whitney and Brian planned their wedding with us in a short 7 months- his season as a race car driver left them only a few months to choose for a wedding- and before we knew it, January came and the wedding weekend went off without a hitch.

The look for the wedding was vintage shabby chic, matched with feminine blush and gold. Oh and chandeliers- we often joked that this bride would be the happiest girl on the planet if all she could have were chandeliers and her man.

The ceremony was held in the upper pavilion of Shore Lodge. White chiavari chairs were paired with two vintage church pews for an eclectic, shabby look, and all 17 of the chandeliers were filled with white flowers and draped pearls for an immediate romantic feel in the room. From there guests were shuttled over to Whitetail Club for a cocktail hour and dinner. From the outside, the building looked like any normal building. But from the inside- a tent dripping with chandeliers.

One of the shabby chic winter lounge areas...

...And one of our gold magnolia leaf bars

And we can't not put in the most gorgeous wedding video we've ever seen, to date, by PenWeddings:

Whitney + Brian | McCall, Idaho wedding film from Sarah Pendergraft on Vimeo.

For the full feature please do hop on over to Style Me Pretty, and be sure to check back here as we'll be adding a few more detail shots and talking a little more shop about the wedding. Thanks to Dylan and Sara Photography for the lovely photos, and we hope you enjoy!

Xo,

Brandi

Inspiration | Forest Destination Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:30:00 +0000

I think I'm officially inspired by all of the fun vacations I want to take this summer. I immediately thought of all the amazing destinations for a wedding. I was brought to a warm, sunny place with pine trees and rustic surroundings. Of course, I'm still a lover of those tropical sunsets and warm beaches, but the warm vintage feel, and soft earthy colors of a forest, make it my favorite destination of the season! The rich greens mixed with soft color pallets, wooden textures and a variety of whimsical flowers, sure is dreamy huh?

sources 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Enjoy & happy day!

Kim

Real Soiree | Michelle + Jonathan's Boise Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 May 2014 15:18:00 +0000

We're finally getting back into the swing of things and we've been giddy as we receive more and more photos from some of our weddings back in 2013 and early 2014. This one holds a particular sweet spot in our hearts- it was the beginning of us literally joining a family. Michelle and Jonathan celebrated their sweet, intimate wedding in mid October at her parents' home here in Boise, and little did we know that within a 6 month period the other two siblings would also be getting married with us too.

Michelle's mom came to us just a few months before the wedding, a little overwhelmed with the planning and kind of on her own with Michelle living in Los Angeles. This would be the first wedding in their family (Michelle's parents eloped), and the whole soiree would be held at their house no less.

Both Michelle and Jonathan were literature buffs so the entire design began with their favorite books- and as we got to know the couple more and more, we were able to infuse it with some whimsical details that really reflected their personalities. A few of our favorites from our leading ladies at Ampersand Studios:

Michelle fell in love with one of our "love grows" favors that we had fashioned for one of our styled shoots, and it was such a sweet touch to see a potted succulent in cute mini-hat boxes at each place setting. The wedding party was made up of only family and very close friends- resulting in a guest list that maxed out at an intimate 75- so we were able to have Paperie and Pen hand letter the escort cards...love.

Favorite books and quotes made up table names and decor, along with gorgeous white and yellow fall floral arrangements by Matt at The Florist At Edwards. And the linens? Those were our favorite- they took on almost a wood effect yet with just enough sheen to keep it from getting too rustic.

The ceremony backdrop. Let's talk about that. Michelle and Jonathan got married in the front yard, with towering trees as their backdrop. We hung a variety of vintage birdcages in different sizes and ranging from teak wood to metal, and had them filled with flowers. We all stood back and just kind of stared for a second- the result, along with the bright flowers against the green trees, was equal parts whimsical and magical. This was our favorite ceremony altar from the year.

And why shouldn't a couple getting married feel like they're standing in a field of growing freesia and ranunculus?

Michelle's brother married the couple..

And her bouquet held a very special heirloom locket.

The welcome to Idaho welcome gifts were a hit.

The clear top tent was actually an addition on the morning of the wedding. With chances of rain increasing to near 40%, and much against what Michelle wanted we went ahead with a tent. But because it was October we were able to bring one with a clear top and string it with patio lights; it turned out better than anyone imagined and still gave Michelle her dinner party under the stars, even though it never rained.

All in all, the entire day was lovely. October is a beautiful month to be married in!

Xo,

Brandi

Happy Birthday Kim!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 14:40:00 +0000

We take birthdays pretty seriously around here- the only one that doesn't book her birthday party out at least 2 months in advance is Annie, but we're working on her.

Today is Kim's birthday and we can't wait to celebrate the entire day like all good friends and sisters do. Happy happy birthday and hope it's a fabulous day little sister!

Xo,

Brandi

Throw Back Thursday | Our Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:18:00 +0000

I'm just now getting on to the wagon with the whole #tbt thing. The problem is, I always forget and by the time I remember it's Friday. Should I start a #tbf? In honor of this particular Thursday, thought it would be fun to go back through time and pick out some of our favorite moments in wedding planning and design over the years. Sometimes there's just that one element or memory of an event that just has us giddy. Some were super out of the box and others were just amazingly sweet and sentimental. And others just had us clapping because some ideas just turn out with smashing success, if we do say so ourselves.

Via Instagram and Ampersand Studios

The first time we put a giant tent and created an entirely different room, inside an indoor tennis pavilion at Whitetail Club in McCall.

Via Tana Photography

And it's not very often you'll see a Vera Wang on a diving board. Still can't believe she was brave enough to do this!

Via Instagram

Getting to see our work with Tana Photography printed and published for Shore Lodge's marketing materials!

Via Tana Photography

This wedding, from several years ago, ended up in unfinished office space with nary any power. After having to move the wedding three times due to unfortunate circumstances, the third time was a charm.

Via Tana Photography

This bride. That dress. This bouquet. Everything about this.

Courtesy Anna Weaver

Another oldie but goodie....A winding table for 80 in a Northend Boise back yard.

Via Tana Photography

Still our favorite spring wedding of all time. From the "garden" escort display to the whimsical details start to finish- this was definitely one of our most branded events to date!

And that's just a snippet of some of our favorites...I had fun going through the archives...maybe we'll have to drum some more up for another #tbt?

Happy Thursday!

Xo,

Brandi

Pinterest Inspiration | Patterns & Pastels

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:30:00 +0000

A mixture of patterns and pastels, need I say more? I'm in love! I'm all about the mixing and the matching of stripes, polka dots, and of course, colors. I also think it's safe to say that I'm slightly obsessed with floral print these days... Do you love these combinations as much as I do?

Images via | Pinterest

You can find these images on my Pinterest boards, Wedding Decor Favorites, Wedding Attire Favorites, and Any Party is a Good Party. Check out what we are all are pinning these days, some pretty fabulous inspiration if I do say so myself! Brandi's pins, Michelle's pins, Annie's pins, and of course the Soiree board. Enjoy!

Here's to staying inspired!
Kim

Inspiring Photo No. 76 | Stephen Covey

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 15:00:00 +0000

You might notice that things are looking a little different these days- bare with us as our blog goes through some much-needed TLC over the next few weeks! Have a very inspired Monday~

Xo,

Brandi

Introducing.....E-Design Services

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 15:00:00 +0000

Hi Lovelies,

Today is the day that we are totally embracing the space outside of our comfort zones and launching something that has been in my brain for a while. And by a while, we're talking years. I'll bring you up to speed with a little background on this project: Ever since its first humble day of operation in January of 2006, I've been working to create a core for Soiree that would mainly involve design services (more affectionately coined experience and lifestyle design), event planning services that would marry the design and logistics, and styling. Even though we started out with event planning only, I've always known that one day Soiree would be recognized for design first, with the planning playing a necessary supporting role for an amazing experience. We've since evolved into a very (blessed) design-heavy business with an emphasis on lifestyle and our planning services have developed (lovingly) into being tailored for our out of town and destination clients; the ones that need a specially niche set of services.

With the complexity of our events increasing, more traveling, and less events we're able to accept each year, we really wanted to create programs and products that might be able to offer a different type of assistance, no matter where in the country our clients might be. Enter our newest Soiree baby:
E-Design services!

Centerpiece by Lovely Little Details

One day I literally woke up and decided that we were just going to launch it. Ask my girls, too. I walked into the office with a vengeance and we got to work. So what is this e-design? It means that anyone- no matter the budget, whether they live on the East coast, West coast, here in Boise or somewhere in between, or just simply need a little design direction so that they can diy to their hearts content- can work with us to bring your vision to life.

{Please contact us for sources}

Here's how it works: We'll send out an extremely detailed questionnaire to get the process started. We'll also ask a lot of questions based on your venue, party, or details you're interested in. From there we'll collaborate with you over email to create a visual design board and a full purchase/rental list with real ideas and items you can put into place for your wedding or event.

Organic cake photo via White Magazine

In short, we'll be walking you through a similar design process that we use for our weddings, to provide you with a fool-proof blueprint to accessing the wedding or party of your dreams.

I've been sitting on this idea for years, because I wasn't sure how to offer it, or how it would work. But then I realized that what we do for our clients on an everyday basis- connecting them and their weddings with creative companies and products all over the country- has already put us in a position to offer design help virtually.

Example of a tabletop only design board: Metal hang tags- BHLDN | Charger/Plate + Amber glasses- Frances Lane | Gold graphic paper- Paper Source | Linen + Napkin swatch- La Tavola Fine Linen | Wood Cake Stand- Williams Sonoma

When we design a wedding for a client, we have set up our relationships across the country- from industry and trade only accounts to retail options that we can't live without (hello, Home Goods, West Elm and Pottery Barn to name a few)- so that we can layer our events with attainable, unique items that aren't all rental or all purchase. This is how we are able to create a comfortable, inviting environment that everyone can relate to, while keeping it completely personalized and different. By using this mix of suppliers and resources, not only do even diy clients have access to amazing options they normally wouldn't unless using a planner or designer, we are also able to offer a custom design experience without the custom price tag attached.

Example of a Lounge-Only design board: 1. & 2. Nuage Designs | 3. Ikea | 4. & 5. Safavieh coffee table + Honeycomb side table, Target

Clients will be able to choose single elements of the wedding (tabletop design, lounge area), specific areas or portions of the party (ceremony, cocktail hour, reception or after party), or choose to have us create a design for the entire event for maximum cohesiveness. Each design board will come with a full to-buy/rental list with links, and each design board will take into account the location of the event or client to ensure accessibility. Clients will also have the option to include trade-only items with their blueprint (in which we would obtain) or to have their boards include only retail ideas (from either chain/online stores available or rental companies located in their town) they can implement completely on their own.

We think it's a win-win for everyone, and would love to see it take off. The whole process will take 4-6 weeks, after which you should be on your way to easily put together an amazing wedding without all of the heartache. We'll be offering special launch pricing for a limited time, and as we do with all of our events, we'll be limiting the amount of e-design projects we take on-so please contact us for more details! contact@weddingsbysoiree.com

We're so excited for this new venture and hope you are too. Would love to hear your thoughts or questions in the comments section!

Xo,

Brandi

Soiree Feature | Ties.com

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 14:30:00 +0000

When Ties.com emailed us, we were ecstatic! We're always looking for ways to include the menfolk and to make sure he's feeling just as dapper on the big day. Ties.com is a perfect site for a whole assortment of colorful, unique ties. They have a talented team of designers, and with over 35 colors and 10 styles, you are sure to find the perfect match for that wedding day attire!

My favorite part? How To Tie A Tie, now we will all know how! Not just how to tie one tie either, a handful of ties to tie! There are so many to look at on the site, be prepared to have trouble picking a favorite, but I think I narrowed mine down to a page... Polka Dot Ties. But their entire line of Wedding Ties is perfect for those summer time nuptials. Here's a little line from their site,

To entice you even more, Ties.com is offering our readers an exclusive offer to receive 15% off your entire purchase- just enter WEDDINGSBYSOIREE at checkout! I hope to see some swanky neckwear on all those gentlemen this wedding season!

Happy day,

Kim

Inspiring Photo No. 75

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:00:00 +0000

Happy Spring Monday, Lovelies!

This photo just spoke to me- the lush, freshly-picked style bouquet, and stunning blush pink wedding dress. More and more of our brides are choosing gowns with a hue this year- how about you? What are your thoughts on a non-white dress?

Me and Michelle are off to McCall this morning for an August wedding site visit and a lunch date. Feel free to follow along on our travel adventures via instagram!

Photo via Easton Events

Xo,

Brandi

Happy Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:13:00 +0000

Hello Lovelies, happy Friday! Isn't it funny how much we all look forward to a Friday each week. For me Fridays are my favorite day because I usually get the most done, ironically. It's a day that most of my vendor team is out on weddings or other jobs, my clients are focused on closing out their week, and it leaves the inbox gleefully silent and the phone quiet. So Fridays tend to be project and design days for us. My girls come in, we get prepared for the upcoming week, blast Pandora, and we typically work the afternoon away in our own projects. Oh, and can't forget Whole Foods sushi and cakelets (walk in on us and you might find us indulging in mid-afternoon dessert, what can we say?). All in all, Fridays are the best. Here's to a relaxing weekend, and hopefully filled with sun, wherever you are. I'll leave you with one of our favorite spring bouquets of all time, from our friends at Boise At Its Best and photo by the lovely Tana Photography. Colorful and filled with some of my most coveted bridal flowers like anenomes, freesia, and hydrangea. Happy weekend!

Xo,

March In Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:00:00 +0000

Well, maybe we should call the title of this post "Marchish" because we weren't amazing with our photography skills during March. So there are a few from February that made this list too, and we're going with it. Here are just a few snapshots of Soiree goings-on in the last month, and feature a winter wedding, a first birthday, and some serious cuteness. Oh and a little bit of wine too.

In February we officially ended our winter wedding season with this gorgeous Adelmann Event Center wedding. Our favorite part about this one? It was the second bride from the same family that we had the honor of planning with.

Another favorite part of the wedding was the style. This was definitely an organic-meets-vintage and sophistication. Our bride, Audrey, was all of that and more, too.

In March I attended an event planner tour and tasting with Telaya Winery. This was the first time I'd been to what has affectionately become Boise's urban wine district and loved it. I think I see some serious wine club memberships in my near future.

A certain very cute little guy celebrated his first birthday, with a My Lucky Charm party. It was a subtle nod to the holiday, without everything becoming all about the clover. Can't wait to share photos of the super cute party!

And this post wouldn't be complete without the little big man himself. Here's to April and spring (now if the rain would only go away..) and more photos for next month- Until then come over and say hi on Instagram!

Xo,

The Turning Point

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:00:00 +0000

You read and hear so often about those people that have “made it”. You see their accolades and their gorgeous creations. Their businesses seem to be well-oiled machines running a mile a minute all the while the key person stays in the spotlight, smiling and groomed to perfection. It’s this perception that I think makes so many up and comers stop coming up. Maybe it’s intimidation, lack of confidence or belief in themselves, or a combination of all of the above. Maybe even jealousy or envy?

What I’m realizing, especially in the last few years of business, is that most times what we’re not seeing is the journey leading up to the “made it”. Or, the turning point if you will. I’m learning that in order to be successful, you have to hit the turning point. The exact moment when you decide to succeed and create the definite plan to do so.

For me, I’m in the midst of the turning point. I’ve experienced a lot of growth and new clients in the past couple of years, and with that comes a whole new set of trials and tribulations! My team has been tested and my own personal confidence has definitely been tested to the max. It’s hard when you realize that something that is supposed to work (either by watching it work for others or having “the rules” ingrained in your head)….just isn’t. For you, that is. So this is my personal turning point- in business and in life. I’m finally accepting that I have to do things in a way that works for me- my creativity, my lifestyle, me. And any other way will do nothing but break me down because it’s not me.

So with that , my new goal is to simply live and breathe my business for me. Life is too short- my little bubby just turned one and I just can’t believe how fast it flies by- and if what I’m doing doesn’t make me happy, it’s just not worth it.

Have you hit your turning point yet? Or do you feel the tug like it’s coming up around the bend? If so I bet it’s getting close. Would love to hear about your turning point! Here’s to the happiest you and me!

Oh and PS: Stay tuned for a super exciting announcement this week....you won't want to miss this!

Xo,