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Shannon Collins is the owner of Chair Flair – Linen Rentals and Event Décor , which was the winner of the 2017 Calgary Event Awards category of Best Supplier , Event Décor . Chair Flair is a linen rental company , specializing in wedding and corporate events . Shannon has been in business for about twelve years and does roughly 500 events a year , ranging from small events for 50 people to large events for 2,500 people .
Tell us what is currently trending in décor , and what we can expect to see in 2018 . People are starting to play more with texture , so we are seeing more flower walls , more crystals , and more embroidered and textured tablecloths . Still going strong is anything with a rustic elegant type of feel , so blushes and champagnes are still a real trend-setter this year . We ’ re also starting to see some great colour pops of regal colours like hunter green , navy , and marsala – colours we haven ’ t seen in a few years that are really beautiful accent colours . These regals are most effective when combined with a base of champagne or gold . I think these trends will be strong for another year for sure … I think you ’ ll see different variations of it like champage with hunter green .
DIY Décor is becoming more popular , particularly with the help of online platforms like Pinterest . What are the advantages of hiring a professional to handle the décor ? Definitely the fact that you don ’ t realize how long things take to set up if you ’ re not trained to do it . People severely underestimate the amount of work that it costs them the week of their wedding , especially the day of . You don ’ t necessarily know how long you have access to your venue or how long you have for setup – it can take hours to set up décor for a professional company , never mind if you ’ re not used to it . It ’ s also a little bit of a liability – you don ’ t want your friends and family who have been drinking climbing up on ladders taking down décor at 1 am … that ’ s not safe for anyone . This is something that everyone should take a bit more seriously because if someone were to fall , that could be a liability . Another huge advantage is consistency in
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Make sure that those little touches that bring out their personality and character are elements in their décor . |
décor – you can ’ t get mad at Grandma or your Aunt if they don ’ t put something out the way that you want it , whereas if you ’ re hiring a professional , you ’ re hiring someone you trust and someone who is accountable .
What questions would you recommend asking before hiring a décor company , both for planners and individuals ? I would ask how long they ’ ve been in business , and follow them on Instagram and Facebook .
Make sure to check out what venues recommend them – testimonials from venues and clients go a long way . Make sure that you do your due diligence – look at the reviews online and see what people have said about them . It won ’ t be 100 % positive because stuff happens , but you want to know that you ’ re hiring a company who will do the services that you hired them for , and if anything comes up will handle it in a professional manner . Also make sure the linens and their products are cared for properly … having linen that is dry cleaned or professionally laundered is really important . You want to make sure you ’ re not bringing in linen that has been laundered in someone ’ s basement , or not laundered at all . Those are just quality things – typically you get what you pay for .
Décor is one of the items that costs can sneak up on – it can nickel and dime you right out of your budget . What do you recommend to keep costs low ? I would say that you want to focus on the key elements that are important to you . Things like backdrops or head table décor are what are going to be in your pictures , so I would recommend putting a little bit of money into those things . Does it really matter if you have guest favours ? No , not really . Nobody is going to come into your wedding and comment that they didn ’ t get one , or that the centerpiece wasn ’ t $ 100 . They ’ re not going to remember those things . Focus on the key pieces and make sure that those are done really well . I also tell all my clients that their weddings should be a reflection of them , so be creative and make sure that those little touches that bring out their personality and character are elements in their décor . If they like to travel , find a way
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