Monthly Archives: March 2012

Tents For Events and More

Weather can be unpredictable, especially in our Alberta climate and can be an irritating issue when trying to plan an outdoor event. As different events demand various styles of tents we have acquired many diverse types of tents to insure we have what you need for your next outdoor event!

Special Event Rentals Pop-up Shelter

If you are looking for a light cover to protect you against the summer sun the 10’x10’ Pop-up Shelter might be exactly what you require! This light-weight shelter is designed for quick and easy set up and provides light protection, as they do not come with walls.

Special Event Rentals Canopy TentSpecial Event Rentals Canopy with Window Walls

Need a little more protection and would like to do the installation yourself? We carry three sizes of Canopies, 20’X20’, 20’X30’ and 20’X40’, to accommodate an assortment of small party sizes for an outdoor wedding ceremony, reunion or any other event. This is the perfect tent to install on grass in your backyard, with or without walls. We currently have a canopy promotion, for details on this promotion click here.

Special Event Rentals Frame TentSpecial Event Rentals Frame Tents

If installing a tent yourself doesn’t sound appealing and you have a group between 10 – 200 people a Frame Tent will fit your needs perfectly. Frame tents can be set up on grass or asphalt and come with window walls that can slide to allow for easy access to the outdoors. However, if you have a location with an unattractive view you can opt to have solid walls to hide the view from your guests.

Special Event Rentals Frame Tent With Clear Top and WallsSpecial Event Rentals Clear Frame Tent

Have you ever dreamed about hosting an event under the starry night sky? We currently have a selection of clear walls and tops for our frame tents to bring your dreams to life!

Special Event Rentals Pole Tent

Require a larger size of tent to accommodate 100 – 2000 people? If so a pole tent will suite your needs perfectly. One thing to keep in mind when choosing a tent for your event is the extra space you will require for bars, DJs, dance floor, staging and buffet tables. As well, when deciding the area of space needed for your event you need to plan for the fact that all of our Pole Tents have poles every 20’ in the interior for structure stability.  Our inventory of frame and pole tents all have an 8’ wall. This is a foot higher than our competition and helps to create a more open atmosphere at your event.

Special Event Rentals Clearspan TentSpecial Event Rentals Clearspan Tent WIth Clear TopSpecial Event Rentals Clearspan Tent

The Clearspan Structures are the newest addition to our tent family here at Special Event Rentals and have a unique structural design. A clearspan tent can accommodate a large group of people just like our pole tents but are designed without any obstruction inside the space. This style of tent allows a larger open space then both our frame and pole tents with a higher peak and 10’ walls. And just like the frame tent you can request clear walls and a clear top to allow you and your guests to dance under the stars.

Special Event Rentals Pole Tent With Ceiling TreatmentSpecial Event Rentals Clearspan Tent with Ceiling Treatment and Clear TopSpecial Event Rentals Clearspan Tent WIth Ceiling Treatment

Our ceiling treatment is created with voile fabric, which is also commonly used to create a romantic Backdrop and when used on the inside of a tent it can transform the interior into a luxurious atmosphere. Ceiling treatment can be installed inside any of our frame, pole and clearspan tents.

To view our tent rental guide for more information on picking the proper tent for your next event click here. If you are still unsure of what style and size of tent you will need for your event contact one of our representatives who can assist you with picking a tent as well as creating a CAD diagram of your event.

D.I.Y. Bollywood Style

Today’s Do It Yourself project incorporates items that could be found in abundance in your home. Jenelle Jamani from Event Planning Headquarters, division of Special Event Rentals, created a breathtaking Bollywood inspired table with the help of a sari’s, salwar kameez suits and bangles.

Orange Gold Dazzle tablecloth was used as the base to complement the pink salwar kameez suit that is draped on top to create creative colour blocking. Additional colour was added into the table with the help of blue goblets, Amethyst Napkins and adorable mini orange and pink lanterns that were found at Dollarama! To ground all the diverse colours together, gold was brought into the mix with Gold Ruffled Charger Plates, Paradise Gold Dinnerware, Gold Rim Goblets, Gold Chiavari’s and of course the gold candelabra.

DIY Bollywood Style TablescapeDIY Bollywood Style - DecorDIY Bollywood Style CentrepieceDIY Bollywood Style CandelabraDIY Bollywood Style Place SettingDIY Bollywood Style Gold ChiavariDIY Bollywood Style Table NumberDIY Bollywood Style Purple Rose BallDIY Bollywood Style Pink and Orange Candle HoldersDIY Bollywood Style - Blue GlassesDIY Bollywood Style Mini ElephantDIY Bollywood Style Place Card

Using extra bangles from home Jenelle was able to incorporate extra colour and texture for a unique and exquisite Candelabra. The bangles consisted of gold, pink, orange and blue, which were dispersed randomly on each peg light stand. Using the same colour pallet in the bangles was a key piece in joining everything together.

An ordinary white Backdrop was transformed into an extravagant backdrop with the addition of a sari and lighting. The sari has beautiful beading overtop the margining pink and blue colour which made the perfect centre point piece for the white backdrop.

Incorporating so many bold colours into one table can be intimidating but with the help of a professional all the colours can merge together to create a breathtaking display.

Do It Yourself Custom Backdrop

DIY Bollywood Style Backdrop

What you will need:

  • A sari
  • Backdrop

Step 1: Set up your backdrop

Step 2: Drape the sari over the top of your backdrop and adjust until you see fit.

Do It Yourself Tablerunner

DIY Bollywood Style - Table Decor

What you will need:

  • Table
  • Salwar kameez suit
  • Full length tablecloth

Step 1: Place the large tablecloth over your table.

Step 2: Drape the salwar kameez suit overtop the tablecloth and allow it to gather in varies spots for some added texture

Do It Yourself Custom Candelabra Centrepiece

DIY Bollywood Style Bangles

What you will need:

  • Bangles
  • Candelabra
  • Rose ball

Step 1: Gather your items together and insure that your bangles will fit and stay overtop of the candelabra arm.

Step 2: Take a handful of bangles and place them on the arm of the candelabra. If they don’t stay put tape inside of the bangles so they don’t move around.

Step 3: Place your rose ball in the middle, light your candles and step away to admire your work!

Special Event Rentals Receives the 2012 WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award!

WeddingWire is an online directory and resource for Brides across Canada looking for that perfect dress, florist, and venue…the list goes on! As the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals.

Every year WeddingWire recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements and local bride’s recommendation throughout the past year. Their esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, WeddingWire’s awards are selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Special Event Rentals is proud to announce that we have received the 2012 WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award in the Event Rentals category. We would like to thank our past and current clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire, for it is because of their positive feedback we were able to receive this reward! We value the relationships we have made with past clients and look forward to making new ones with new clients.

WeddingWire Bride's 2012 Choice Award

For more information on this award, or to visit our storefront please CLICK HERE.

Métis Urban Housing Ground Breaking

Metis Urban Housing - Ground Breaking

Our team had the pleasure of working with Métis Urban Housing for the Boyle Renaissance ground breaking on March 27, 2012.

The Boyle Renaissance Project Phase II is a 90-unit affordable seniors and barrier-free residential complex, which features the latest in green design. The Métis Capital Housing Corporation along with its partners, which includes home-construction expert Mike Holmes, is planning to welcome residents in November 2013.

Metis Urban Housing - Elm Cafe BreakfastMetis Urban Housing - Clearspan tentMetis Urban Housing - Entrance

This event was made possible with the help of Brian Hetherington & Associates who organized this event, Clark Builders who leveled the ground so the event could be held on site, and elm café who supplied a delightful light breakfast.

With the recent 10cm snowfall in Edmonton prior to the set up of the event our crew had to remove all the snow on site prior to setting up the Clearspan Tent. Removing the snow was necessary to create stable flooring, which was created to have an open space in order to provide comfort and shelter form the elements during the ground breaking.

For more information on Boyle Renaissance Project Phase II click here.

Something for the Guys – Boutonnieres

When it comes to your wedding day every aspect should resemble the important things to you and your bride to be. What you guys like to do, what’s important to you, your own unique style should be shown off to truly make this day your own. And while the bride gets to express herself with the style of the white dress and what makes her bouquet, show off your style with a unique boutonniere.

Boutonnieres don’t just have to match the Bride’s bouquet anymore. More and more groom’s are showing off their own style in these unique additions to the lapels of their nicely cut suits. These classic details can be custom made, or handcrafted by you or your bride if you don’t trust yourself with the glue gun and scissors. Easy to make, take a look at a few of these homemade boutonnieres:

With a love for film this groom cut up some old camera film crafting it together in place for their boutonniere. Artistic yourself? Why not try to re-create one of these other details such as a mini violin, mini vinyl records, or with a love for literature a few flower heads crafted out of printed pages.

Poptastic Bride - Filmstrip BoutonniereShannon Eileen - Music BoutonniereYou Say Too - Vinyl BoutonniereOff Beat Bride - Script Paper Flower Boutonniere

With so many ways to show off your unique style to match either your personality or the theme of your wedding the inspiration is endless.

A Bizzy Bride - Scrabble BoutonniereDeviantart - Steampunk BoutonniereI Really Like Weddings - Puzzle Piece BoutonniereWednesday Wedding Crafts - Button BoutonniereRuffles and Rouge - Skull BoutonniereHindsight Bride - Old Photo BoutonniereLove and Lavender - Heart Boutonniere

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for a post that is just for the guys. Know a guy who would be interested in this post? Love this idea and want to share it with your groom to be? Pass it on!

Credits:

Poptastic Bride, Love and Lavender, Shannon Eileen Blog, Hindsight Bride, I Really Like Weddings, A Bizzy Bride, Off Beat Bride, Ruffles and Rouge, Deviant Art, You Say Too & Wednesday Wedding Crafts.

CALGARY Planner of the Month – March

On March 1st Mary Swaffield President, Designer and lead Planner of Calgary based Lavish created a beautiful setting that she describes as “Champagne Romance” with hints of vintage and romantic touches. Though the look is quite soft, the textures really give it a luxurious feel overall. She says that this table is meant to be in a room with soft chiffon draping and warm golden up lighting.

Lavish describes themselves as a Wedding Planning and Design company that offers luxurious and modern wedding designs combined with creative and detailed wedding planning. Their mission statement is “Creating unforgettable weddings for unforgettable couples”.

Special Event Rentals Calgary - TablescapeSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - Lavish Centrepiece Close upSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - Lavish Dessert TableSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - Lavish Table NumberSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - Lavish TablesettingSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - Chairs TiesSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - TableSpecial Event Rentals Calgary - Lavish Centrepiece

When Mary was asked what one of her most memorable moments was she replied with “the Bride was just moments away from walking down the aisle with her dad. The music had started, and we were about to open the doors for her, when she stopped, turned around and gave me the biggest hug. She whispered, “I don’t know what I would have done without you.” As soon as she went through those doors, I bawled! Well – I always cry during the ceremony, but this time it was the ugly cry! We do end up becoming really close to our brides – the relationship we have with our bride’s is really important to us. Most of our former clients are now friends. A few of them even end up coming to work for us”.

Lavish loves the sense of relief that their Brides and Grooms feel when they know that they have someone advocating for them. They love the process of creating a design that really speaks to the couples personality and love story.

Mary from Lavish Weddings

Mary finds her inspiration in everyday life – bedspreads, vases, dinnerware, and of course nature. In her words – really looking at the colours and palettes that occur naturally.

To learn more about Calgary based Lavish and their team, check out www.lavisheventdesign.com!

Themed Weddings – Real dreams brought to reality…

There is always something to be said for the classic wedding; the traditional white dress, soft hues and elegant details. And while these weddings will always be adored, this year the spotlight is on themed weddings. Fairytales, Films, previous decades, you name it! Brides across the globe are taking their wedding to the next level and truly making it their own unique celebration involving bits and pieces of their and their significant other’s personality.

Films

Is there a film you had to watch over and over growing up? Or still have to watch it every now and again because you know all the lines? Films are always a huge part of people’s lives. We spend time on the weekends going to them, we talk about them, watch our favourites over and over again, they become a part of our personality included with our favourite colour, or favourite food. With such an attachment to our favourite films, it only makes sense why this category would be the top for themed weddings.

With such a huge phenomenon as Harry Potter, it is no wonder this particular theme is popping up everywhere. With so many ways to re-create this theme, the ideas are never ending on how to incorporate owls, magic wands and hints of butter beer. This couple took the sorting hat as their inspiration for their place card table and the Hogwarts houses as their table names.

Harry Potter TablescapeGreen Wedding Shoes - Harry Potter Table Signs

Theme Weddings are also a great way to get your guests working together. Have your guests dress up as certain characters, or give each guest their house pin and hold contests to compete against the other “house’s” during the reception to win a prize, it gets your guests mingling and having fun!

Incorporate your theme into your dress to make it truly unique and wonderfully memorable. Not only will your dress tie into the theme, but it will be the finishing touch to truly making your dream a reality, if only for one day! Check out this gorgeous replica of Fleur’s wedding dress from Harry Potter.

Project Wedding - Harry Potter Fleur Wedding Dress

Fantasy and Fairytales

Which little girl has never grown up wanting to be a princess for a day? And with your wedding being your day, why not make your dream wedding, actually, your dream wedding? With such fairytales as Alice in Wonderland and Twilight there are endless possibilities on how you really can be that princess for a day.

Kristina McAnally from Event Planning Headquarters, a division of Special Event Rentals, has put together a gorgeous Alice in Wonderland themed tablescape. With bright colours, beautiful butterflies and a gorgeous tea party backdrop, add in some very-merry-unbirthday games and you have a perfect wedding in wonderland. Feeling a little more like a queen than a princess? Why not have a Queen of Hearts wonderfully red reception instead?

Special Event Rentals - Alice in Wonderland Inspired TablescapeSpecial Event Rentals - Alice in Wonderland WeddingRecycled Bride - Queen of Hearts TablescapeRecycled Bride - Queen of Hearts Favor

And with themed weddings becoming so prominent, more and more designers have started to incorporate these themes into their contemporary wedding gowns. Take a look at these beautifully crafted Alice In Wonderland wedding dresses from two amazing European designers.

Half Penny London Alice in Wonderland Wedding DressQueen of HeartsAtelier Aimee Wedding Dress

Jenelle Jamani of Event Planning Headquarters, a division of Special Event Rentals, took her themed wedding inspiration from the Twilight Fairytale. With earth tones, neutrals, baby’s breath, and a wonderful tree background, this tablescape is worthy of Bella and Edward. Pair this reception with Bella’s wedding dress and all you need is your own Edward.

Special Event Rentals Twilight Inspired Wedding TableSpecial Event Rentals Twilight Inspired Tablescape

Periods and Decades

Last but not least re-creating previous decades and periods may be part of this upcoming trend, but this theme will continue to stand the test of time. We all wish we could have lived in a different time, whether it have been to say we went to Woodstock, be a part of the roaring 20’s, or to be a real princess in the 1600s.

Medieval weddings are perfect for a themed wedding. With such a wide range of possibilities from simple ornate details to full on costume for your bridal party and guests, the inspiration is never ending.

If you’ve wanted to be a medieval princess and live in Edmonton, Edmonton is a great resource for this theme. With metal makers, Celtic halls, and sword smiths, you can have as many or as little details as you want for your special day.

For your reception, a Celtic hall is great to give you the starting atmosphere for your chosen decade, add in a long reception table and some homemade mead and you have the perfect setting for your medieval feast. And as for the dress, these were the original royalty dresses. With so many cuts, and colours, and crinoline not only will your dress be unique it will leave your guests in awe.

Medieval WeddingMedieval Bridal Fashions - Medieval Wedding Dress

Resources

Planning your big day can be intimidating, especially if you want a themed wedding. With so many ways to go about it, where do you start? An inspiration board is a great starting point. Pull pictures from magazines, brochures, and the internet to pull your “look” together. Check around for locations that will suit your style, such as Celtic halls for your medieval wedding. Can’t find a dress that suits what you’re looking for? Have it custom made. There are lots of local vendors ready to make custom designs, and sometimes cheaper than what it would have cost to buy it in store.  Don’t forget to check costume shops and costumiers they are a great untapped resource for custom gowns and themed weddings.

Credits:

Green Wedding Shoes, Halfpenny London, Recycled Bride, Project Wedding, Atelier Amie Bridal Couture & Medieval Bridal Fashions

Special Event Rentals Open for DIY Submissions!

We would like to open the floor to anyone and everyone with a great do-it-yourself project for weddings, events and/or parties!

Have a great centrepiece idea you’d love to share? Know how to make any event chair go from drab to fab? Fun projects for the kids at a birthday party? What about invitations, have a cost effective way to make your “save the dates” but at the same time look like a million bucks?

Send in your Do-It-Yourself submission to Ashley Miller, Social Media Coordinator for Special Event Rentals for a chance to be featured on our blog!  Email her at: ashley@specialeventrentals.com

Special Event Rentals DIY Cotton CandySpecial Event Rentals DIY Bird CentrepieceSpecial Event Rentals DIY Ribbon Backdrop

In order to submit your project for a chance to be featured please supply the following:

1) A write up of what the DIY project is, and how you completed it
2) A few web safe (1000px) images outlining the steps you took to complete the project

If selected we will contact you with the date your submission will go up! Until then, be sure to check out our blog every Thursday for a new DIY project!

Spring Promotions

Starting Saturday March 24, 2012 our spring promotions will come into effect.

Wedding backdrops and lighting are a must have for weddings today, making the lighted pillars the perfect addition to any backdrop.  Pillar backdrops are elegant and beautiful especially when paired with a sheer voile fabric.

The lighted pillars can be used in two unique ways. The first and simpler set up is to use a rod to connect two pillars, which will allow the fabric to flow creating a romantic setting. The second and more dramatic way to incorporate the lighted pillars into your backdrop is to use a variety of different size pillars, which will allow you to create scalloped swoops between each pillar giving an enchanting look.

Choose from white, black, ivory, brown and pewter pillars to create the perfect backdrop for your wedding. These lighted pillars will be 25% OFF for a limited time with Special Event Rentals.

Special Event Rentals Three Lighted Pillar Wedding BackdropSpecial Event Rentals Three Tier Lighted Pillar Wedding BackdropSpecial Event Rentals Two Lighted Pillar Wedding Backdrop

Edmonton Wedding & Party Centre, a division of Special Event Rentals, will be joining us in our spring celebration by offering 20% OFF on all bridal party gifts. This includes items such as cosmetic bags, mugs, flasks and money clips.  Hurry in before Friday April 6, 2012 to catch this deal!

*Some conditions apply on promotions, see in store for details.

Edmonton Wedding & Party Centre Bag1Edmonton Wedding & Party Centre Engraved FlasksEdmonton Wedding & Party Centre BagEdmonton Wedding & Party Centre Shot Glasses

To view our other rental promotions on chair covers, runners, glam candelabras, canopies and other items please click here.

Unique Wedding Venues

Finding the perfect venue to fit your theme and style can be a tricky and time-consuming task. The first step in finding the right venue for your ceremony and reception is to make a commitment on the theme or atmosphere you want your event to have. Once that decision has been made proceeding to find the right venue to heighten your ideas will become an easier task.

Looking for a real unique venue idea? This couple found an old mine cave to host their wedding reception. However suitable and safe caves are few and far between. More people have access to a ranch or acreage, which can become the perfect backdrop for a homey and rural atmosphere. This type of venue is best for a down to earth couple who love the country and outdoors.

Green Wedding Shoes - Cave ReceptionGreen Wedding Shoes - Cave Reception1Nodica Photography - Country WeddingNodica Photography - Country Wedding1

If you don’t have access to a suitable cave or country field, one of the following options might be a more suitable and attainable venue.

If you crave a rustic feel for your wedding, a venue with wood panels and a view of the wilderness can be a great asset in adding and complementing the décor. Local vender Snow Valley or Sunridge Ski Area have a rustic country charm with its wood accents, stone fireplaces and large windows overlooking the park, which makes it a perfect place for a rustic themed event.

Ceremony at Snow ValleyReception at Snow Valley

Want to obtain an old 1950’s flare? If so the Hanger at the Fort Edmonton Park might be the perfect venue for you. With a large plane mural, potential renters must appreciate and welcome it. It also adds personality and a perfect vintage feel to the large space.

Wedding Reception at The Hanger

 If rustic and vintage isn’t your thing, wanting your theme to be glamorous and modern, a venue like Latitude 53 might be the perfect fit for your ideas to come alive. An art gallery screams sophistication and with a roof accessible for use which allows for additional downtown chic.

Tent on the Roof of Latitude53Ceremony on the Roof of Latitude 53

Dream of a destination wedding without the travel time? A venue like the Muttart Conservatory can provide you with gorgeous and lush scenery for your ceremony. Birds and a flowing river will be heard throughout the ceremony taking you and your guests into a serene destination without the cost of a plane ticket.

Kelsey Huget Photography - Muttart Conservatory Wedding CeremonyKelsey Huget Photography - Muttart Conservatory Wedding Ceremony1

Finding a venue that has all the attributes you are looking for can be time consuming and sometimes frustrating. Wedding planners work with a variety of venues and can help you find the one that suites your needs. Whether you hire an event planner in order to find the perfect venue or find it on your own we hope you have a wonderful event!

Credits:

Nordica Photography / Green Wedding Shoes / Kelsey Huget Photography / Event Planning Headquarters