As the adage goes, April showers bring May flowers and we’re looking ahead to all things spring. Whether you’re planning your wedding shower, rehearsal dinner or the big day, there are plenty of fresh new trends in our forecast we’re excited to share.
Build a One-Of-A-Kind Venue
One of the most fundamental, important pieces to consider as you start planning your event is where it’s going to take place. While we love hosting at venues that already exist, building custom tented spaces reeeeally excites us! "A tent provides our clients with a blank slate, offering countless options when it comes to introducing décor and design elements, which makes it great for creating a dream space, especially for a wedding," says Senior Project Manager Ryan Leary who specializes in creating some of the region’s most elaborate tent builds.
Desiring a modern aesthetic? Our Frame and Structure tents offer a clean and minimalist style, giving you the creative license to design a space to your event’s specifications. With no center poles obstructing the view of the room, the options are limitless as to how you decorate these customizable event spaces. Want to upgrade your tent and create a chic wow-factor? We now offer our Frame and Structure Tents with Black Framing.
Keri Ketterer Walter of Always Your Events, predicts an uptick of this sleek tent style this season. “I definitely see an emphasis on black structures and tent frames,” she says. “The black clear top tent has become a game-changer for the wedding world. A major benefit of this tent style is that the color makes it more of a chameleon, which allows the tent to blend seamlessly into the tree line and surroundings of the private estate or venue, making it feel more natural in the environment. This reduces distraction and allows for the implemented design to come into focus and fully shine.” She adds, “Once the sun sets, the tent disappears even further, there is no longer a distinguishable difference between the sky and the clear top vinyl, and guests do feel as if they are completely outside.”
Another reason to try a Structure Tent? One word: customizations. Whether you’re hosting a welcome or after-party, or your wedding ceremony, these tents can be completely tailored in size and configuration and outfitted with any style décor depending on your event theme. Planning a more classically styled fête? Our Sailcloth Tents offers the perfect setting for a coastal-inspired celebration by the water, or a rustic-themed bash in your backyard. With translucent sailcloth tops that allow beautiful light in during the day and warm glow when lit in the evening, these tents offer a quintessential and timeless New England vibe that never goes out of style.
Try a Theme or Unique Color Scheme
When it comes to color trends this season, Phoebe Allen of AE Events says it’s all about bold, bright, and unexpected colors combos, adding that you don’t need to follow the seasons when choosing your color palette. “I am a big believer in this!” she says. “Just because you are having a winter wedding does not mean you have to have white and green only.” Integrate color throughout your event by way of table linens, floral arrangements, menu cards and stationery, lounge pieces and more!
As predicted by Pantone, pink, crimson and purple tones, like Viva Magenta are taking events by storm in 2023. Feel daring? Rent one of our bold solid linens, like our Shalimar Fuschia, Bengaline Cerise, or Cotton Raspberry, or incorporate this striking color with one of our printed linens, like Zoey Coral or Ziggy Plum.
Looking less for a pop of color and more for hushed hints of pink and purple? Opt for our Westerly Dusty Rose Linen, available as a full tablecloth or as napkins, our Velvet Blush Linens and Napkins, or our Callie Dusty Rose Napkins and Runners, which add a perfect pink pop to Farm Tables.
2023 is also all about embracing unique themes, especially at welcome or after-parties. Liz Pruitt of Mavinhouse Events shares her top themes: “Think disco-party, 90s house party, apres ski, western, and red carpet,” she says.
Embrace a disco theme and shine the spotlight on you and your guests by creating the ultimate party atmosphere with the seasons must-have sparkly accent: disco balls. (Pro tip: affix disco balls to the ceilings of our tents, which can facilitate even the most elaborate décor and lighting setups). Yellowstone fans? Host a western-themed welcome party complete with rentals and accent pieces befitting a rustic ranch.
Pattern Play
When it comes to dressing up your tables this season, think playful patterns. From striking floral prints in bright bold tones to patterns in metallics, there are a variety of ways to make your tables the star of the show. For a look befitting a quintessential spring garden party, use our new Evelyn Grey Linen, which features a multi-color floral print that can easily be mixed and matched with solid linens, including our new Seagrass Aloe Linen or any of our favorite Ibizas. Want a linen that combines bold colors with luxe texture? Our Bouquet Lapis and Garden Linens, are a popular pick among designers like Kelly Soule of Kelly Elizabeth Events. “We’ve seen watercolor as a standout trend this spring in linens,” she says noting patterns like Silver Birch and Bouquet as a popular pick among her clients. “The blend of colors and soft pattern add a beautiful accent to the overall design plan without being too harsh or distracting,” she says.
For a more coastal, charming feel, try our new Marilla Marine Linen (coming soon!), which features a beautiful blue paisley-inspired print against a crisp white background. A favorite since last season, our Westerly Ocean & Dusty Rose Linens, (available in both napkins and full tablecloths) feature an understated, yet elegant floral and damask-style print on a stonewashed fabric.
Want to create a little drama and interest with your event design? Try the mix-and-match trend with your linens. Why do we love mixing-and-matching so much? It’s a simple, yet impactful way to bring visual interest and variety to your overall design, allowing you to create two (or three or four..) different table looks at the same event.
Petite Florals & Luxe Layerings
This upcoming event season, we’re anticipating more couples foregoing elaborate floral installations in favor or more petite centerpieces and thoughtful, layered table décor. “Lots of clients [are] moving away from more traditional baby’s breath and hydrangea and moving towards more single, round, lush blooms like ranunculus and garden roses,” says Kelly Soule of Kelly Elizabeth Events. Her recommendation to make sure your florals don’t look too minimalist? Incorporate bolder and brighter colors into the bridal bouquets or centerpieces, like fuchsias and magentas.
With couples and clients dimming down floral centerpieces, we’ll see an uptick in table setting layering – layering china, chargers, thoughtful stationery (menu cards, escort cards), and other details that make a visual impact.
Upgraded Cocktail Hours
It's no secret that the bar is the most popular spot for guests to visit during an event, so why not make it a key part of your overall design? When it comes to creating a statement cocktail bar at your upcoming spring event, think bold and bespoke bar rentals, accent shelving and stylish glassware guaranteed to make this high-traffic service station one to stop at this season.
It’s important to make sure guests have a drink in hand at the start of your cocktail hour. Our Champagne Hedge Walls not only provide a statement piece but also cut down the lines at the bar if your guests are looking for a quick and easy refreshment.
And when it comes to designing your bar. Think BIG. “Intentionally designed statement bars had a moment in 2022, but I think they will have an even bigger moment in 2023,” says Keri Ketterer Walter of Always Yours Events. “Most couples will say that a big pet peeve is ‘long bar lines that keep guests off the dance floor,’ and one way to prevent this is with larger statement bars with more bartenders servicing guests throughout the night. Think 12'-16' bars instead of 6-8' bars with 4-6 bartenders servicing. And due to the size of these bars, they can become a focal point within a design as well by adding large scale florals, back bar shelves, custom bar signage and candle installations.” Our Madison Bars (now available with a Curved configuration) is a great option for those looking to build a larger bar or custom design thanks to its modular pieces, including pedestals, perfect to use for floral or glassware displays.
For those desiring a custom cocktail setup, try our Morph and Versa Bars. From boxwood hedge inserts and specialty textiles (available on Versa only) to unique personalization like monograms, logos, wedding crests and even photos, the sky’s the limit when it comes to making these bars your own.
Another way to enhance your cocktail hour style? Try linenless cocktail tables. Our Mod Edge Console Tables are a versatile table option, pairing with our modern Au or Alloy Barstools as well as our rustic Napa Antique Barstools. Want cocktail table that evokes a charming coastal feel? Try our new Cane Cocktail Tables for a low seating option or use our Colette Wood Pedestal Table paired with our Calypso Barstool.
Reach for Rattan Accents
Rattan was all the rage last year and we expect to see plenty of this organic accent popping up at events this year as well – on tables, in lounges, and even on bar fronts.
Our newest rattan rental obsession? Our new Margaux Black with Rattan Seat Chair which blends a chic and modern silhouette with this cool, coastal and bohemian material. Pair this new statement seat with our Winnie Natural Charger and new Natural or Black Cane Low Cocktail Tables (both coming soon!). Want to upgrade your lounge area with rattan décor? Use our Lani or Ellie Side Tables with our Delilah Sofa, Side Chairs or Daybed for an easy breezy boho feel, or use a few of our new favorite accent chairs like Marella Woven Side Chair, Otto Side Chair, Ingrid Wicker Side Chair and Nautilus Woven Side Chair which offer a stylish place for guests to sit at outdoor events.
If you’re hosting a wedding, you already know your ceremony is an event in and of itself. When it comes to design, think outside the box of traditional folding chairs and try the mix-and-match seating trend by bringing in more residential-style options like sofas and side chairs. Position our Chippendale White Sofas beside Astor Chairs or Hourglass Chairs, or pair our Windsor Benches or with Margaux Chairs. Trust us, your guests will love having multiple chair options to choose from.
Grand Gateaux
Cakes are growing (literally) this season. “Grand, eye-catching cake displays will serve as an extension of the floral design,” says Kristina Kuusik of Mavinhouse. One way to enhance your confectionery display? Opt for a statement linen or try a linenless table, like our new Cane Cocktail Tables, to add a separate design vignette at your event.