Results for design tips Tag

planning the perfect wedding

THE SECRET FORMULA FOR CREATING A MEMORABLE WEDDING OR EVENT

(Image via becca.peterson26) No matter how carefully I plan and design my weddings and events, something always goes wrong. It’s inevitable. However, some things are very much IN your control. Here’s my list of the 10 things that can and should be perfect at every wedding and event: 1. Wedding and Event Invitations. On this, I [...]

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wedding and event planning design inspiration

My Top Tips for Finding Inspiration

(Image via Cimexus) The weather here in New York appears to have finally turned a corner. It’s gorgeous outside. I love the warm weather and the way the city comes alive on nice days. Everyone lingers outdoors and there’s a festive, practically jubilant mood. But it can wreck havoc on your schedule: it’s almost impossible [...]

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wedding decoration candles

REMINDER: TOP 10 WAYS TO CREATE AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENT

(Image via Arghya a.k.a Orgho) When I ask my clients to describe the most unique weddings they’ve ever attended, I’m  always surprised that they can usually think of no more than one or two. Here’s my top 10 list on how to create a unique wedding or event using a few key reception ideas: 1. [...]

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Questionmark

FAQs: REQUEST FOR QUESTIONS

(Image via ePi.longo ) Last week, many of you posted some great questions. This week, I’ll start answering them. First up is, Lia, who is planning her own wedding. Congratulations, Lia! She wants to know the best way to cut down on flower costs, particularly the gorgeous calla lily. Dear Lia, Thanks for your question! [...]

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taper candles, decorations

FAQs: How do I use candles without getting wax everywhere? (Best of 2010)

The short answer: I don’t use real candles. For the long answer, keep reading… The one thing almost 100% of my clients love is candlelight. A beautifully candlelit room can immediately evoke the feeling of romance. I think it reminds us of looking up into the magic and mystery of the skies. Also, the biggest [...]

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celebrations, floral arrangements, table setting, chairs, tablecloths, candles,white, small centerpieces

Candles: Are they worth the wax trouble? (Best of 2010)

Candles bring a certain ambience that just can’t be reproduced with other types of lighting. Here are a few of my favorite ways to decorate with candles: Everyone loves candles but how do you avoid those messy wax accidents in your design? Find out in tomorrow’s post… But first, I have a question for you. There [...]

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Chair covers, floral centerpieces,orchids, pink,purple, shiny fabric, table setting, celebration, napkins holders, name cards

FAQs: Should I go with my chairs & tables covered or naked? (Best of 2010)

I still wonder, even today, why it is that most venues have the worst tablecloths and the ugliest chairs. At times, the tablecloths do not even go all the way to the floor. They’re usually in the most basic colors (think white), and the chairs are soiled or just plain ugly. When I first started, [...]

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Celebrations,flower centerpieces, Ceremony, Ballroom, draping, chandeliers, candles, glasses, table setting, curtains,gray,tree branches, hyacinths, lilacs

What’s In or Out? Color Trends (Best of 2010)

For this week between Christmas and New Year’s, I thought it’d be great to re-post some of the most popular blog posts from 2010. I’ll post one each day and resume normal blogging on Monday, January 3rd. Have a great New Year all! Today’s post is all about Color Trends from 2010. From this survey, [...]

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Christmas, celebrations, candy centerpieces, candy balls, ribbons, beads,table settings, draping, green, red, striped candy

Holiday Table Inspiration

We created these holiday tables for a segment I just did on the Today Show all about using candy and wrapping paper as decor items. I wanted to share some behind the scenes images of the tables as well as a few tips. These candy towers were made using peppermint candies (the small mints, as [...]

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transformation, after, event, chandeliers, centerpieces, table settings, pink,lighting, dance floor,flowers, balconies, ballroom hall

FAQs: Transformations

Someone recently asked me, “You always talk about transforming a space, but how did you get started in transformations?” I think of transformations as magic. For one day, you get to create a space that is going to live on only in your clients (and their guests) memory for a lifetime. I started doing event [...]

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Christmas accents, Christmas ornaments, fuchia, centerpieces, chandeliers, innovative decor

To Do: The Holidays

Let’s start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas… Okay, I know you’re probably thinking, “Preston, it’s way to soon for that.” Well, maybe. However, I’ll give you a few reasons why it’s not. For those of you looking for any kind of publicity or mention in magazines, TV or blogs, this is exactly the right time [...]

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design_like_a_fashionista

To Do: Design Like a Fashionista: Step 2

In our To do list last week I suggested that, like fashion designers, it’s a great practice for us to come up with at least one completely new design or completely new way of giving great service. This will help us position ourselves in becoming trend setters and also help us have the cutting edge [...]

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versatile, color, flower, event, centerpiece,wedding ceremony, chandeliers

Common Mistakes: Not Being Versatile (?)

It’s always incredibly flattering when someone sees my work and they’re able to say, “That’s a Preston Bailey design.” Mostly because they know what to expect: maybe something that’s a bit over the top, with luscious flowers and dramatic spaces. Years ago, I had a huge aha moment, while standing out in a field of [...]

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john-galliano-haute-couture-300x211

To Do: Design Like a Fashionista: Step 1

(Image via) It’s time to get ready for the new season, so let’s take a page out of a fashion designer’s book. Every season they need to come up with a brand new idea for their fashion collection. In most cases, this means designing at least four complete new looks every year. I find this [...]

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Common Mistakes: More Bloopers

I wanted to continue the series of showing you some of my old work and “bloopers’” I made. Mostly I’m sharing these to express my hope that as designers you should never be fearful of taking risks. I also hope that your future “tries” end up working out better than some of mine. Tents, circa [...]

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Frequently Asked Questions: Is it better to rent decor elements or design and build them from scratch?

An example of one of my original designs. That’s a great question. Here are some pros and cons for each scenario. Pros for creating your own design (including tablecloths, vases, chandeliers, chair covers, structures, furniture, etc…): It’s only yours, so the event always looks fresh and new. If you use the designs of different elements [...]

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What’s Your Color Story?

I also want to let you know that we’ve just launched a new tool on my site called: What’s Your Color Story? We created this to help brides, planners and event designers find just the right color palette for their next event. Click here to find your color story. Let me know what you think [...]

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Is It Better To Go Naked Or Covered?

I’m talking about chair covers and table cloths, of course. What were you thinking? Here are some images that may help you make a decision… Me setting up the chairs above at the table Chair cover detail Bride & groom chairs & table–covered to stand out from the rest Another example of a bride & [...]

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Frequently Asked Questions: How do you secure those gravity defying centerpieces?

Floral Centerpieces (Photo via). Okay, I think it’s confession time. Around 1995, I did an amazing wedding in New York. My client was over-the-moon happy and, as in some cases, she invited me to be a guest for her event. (Though all of us in the event business can probably understand how exhausting installing an [...]

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Common Mistakes: Centerpieces Table

Common Mistakes: Centerpieces

I wanted to start a new series of blog posts called Common Mistakes. I’ve found that what being an “expert” means is making 30 years worth of mistakes and learning from them. Everyone will make a mistake now and then (of course, we’re only human) and the thing you have to do is try to [...]

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