Inspiration From Colin Cowie

Colin Cowie said on Today this morning, 'Style doesn't have to cost a lot of money.' I couldn't agree more. As he is one of the world's most respected event designers, I always love Colin's segments. Click play, and allow your mind to wander. Below the clip you'll find my Top 10 Notes of Inspiration that I jotted down while watching...

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Top 10 Notes of Inspiration:

1. Buying Clearance: Now's the time to buy up table decor for your wedding. You may have to go to several store's locations to get enough of what you're looking for, but in the end the savings will be worth it. Check out places like Ikea, Pottery Barn, Target, and Crate and Barrel.
2. Sea Salt: Something as simple as sea salt can add a lot of pop. FYI: salt can easily be dyed to match your color scheme.
3. Candles, Candles, Candles: Can't say it enough, candlelight can add elegance to any room. Just remember, don't use scented candles around food. Lastly, invest in long burning candles. You don't want the twinkle to burn out during your celebration.
4. Flowers: I absolutely love flowers. So much so, I grew my own flower garden as a kid. However, when you're thinking centerpieces, don't think you necessarily have to include flowers. Unless you can afford lavish arrangements, your flowers might not add the punch you're looking for. Another bonus - you don't have tor worry about wilting if you forgo flowers on each table. Lastly, you can add dimension to the room by trading off centerpieces - every other table with flowers, and another (nonliving) centerpiece for the rest. Just make sure to tie the room together with some sort of consistent element throughout all the tables (i.e. candles, color scheme...)
5. Ribbon and Accents: As I always say, the littlest of details can make the biggest impact.
6. Fresh Fruit: If you're looking to add warmth to the room, fresh fruit is always a great choice. You can leave it whole, but you can also use pieces to dress things up. For one anniversary party we took round lemon slices to fill the outer edge of a vase. Then we filled the center with daisies.
7. Fabric: You have to be careful when picking boldly colored linens for your table. If you're not careful, color can become obnoxious. However, fabric accents are a great way to dress up more subtle linens without going over the top.
8. Carnations: I love time and time again when Colin uses carnations. This centerpiece he did only cost $25 and adds a lot of pop. Not to mention, carnations are a very hardy flower.
9. Less Is More: Keep it simple, and never be afraid to take away elements from your design. You can always save those ideas to use elsewhere.
10. Stay True To Your Budget and Yourself: Set your budget before buying anything. As you can see, with some careful planning you can get a fabulous look for less. And who doesn't love saving money? No matter what, always stay true to your desires and personality. That is what truly makes your event great.