What's in a Theme?

What’s in a Theme?

You have picked the location and the menu, you have decided on what sort of feel you want to have.  Whether it be elegant, a casual party, or a formal affair, there is always room to add in a theme to add flair and panache.  Create a visual intrigue to transport your guests to another place

Where to draw influences from:

• Popular Culture – a night in Vegas, revisit the big hair of the 80s, or get groovy with Austin Powers
• History – play on the gunslinging days of the Wild West, the beauty of the Victorian Era, or the swing of the Roaring 20s
• The Arts – pick a famous Monet, an memorable piece literature like Harry Potter, or an epic film like Casablanca
• Colours – you might not want a full out theme, but why not choose a colour scheme to blend in corporate colours, or colours of the season. 

Make sure your theme really weaves throughout your event by incorporating elements into the food and menu, furniture, costumed staff, table décor as well as the music.  Make sure there are no parts of your event that contradict the theme and leave your guests confused. 

Top 5 'Something Blue'

For years at everything wedding the traditional items are: something new, something used and something blue. As the tradition stayed, the creative ways to incorporate ‘something blue’ have continued. Below are my favourite choices to have something blue.....

1. Blue Socks & Shoes – this is the perfect way to incorporate tradition! What better way than to wear a classic peep toe shoe, but blue! Then have your hubby-to-be in the matching blue socks!

2. Blue Garter – this sassy item incorporates two traditions, why not kill two birds with one stone? A silk made garter, accented with your taste and blue to boot. Job done.

3. Signature Blue Drink – everybody like to create their own drink and have their name put on it. Create a drink with your favourite ingredients, garnishes and make it blue!

Check out these great BLUE cocktail recipes we found!

4. Blue Nail Polish – women are notorious for loving pedicures and fun nail polish. Take your bridal party for a pre-wedding thank you and take get pedicures together. The catch… everyone needs to rock your signature blue on their toes!

5. Blue Ribbon – if you don’t want to splash blue around in your décor plan, this is a great option. Accenting the bridal bouquets with a satin blue ribbon, just simple wrapped around the stem. Simple. Elegant. Beautiful.

Do you have a favourite 'something blue'? Tell us what your favourite is!

~ Jenna

Trendiest Bars for 2011

At every event there needs to be something memorable about the food, something that makes it different than every other buffet or passed canapé. Why not a food martini bar? These non-booze filled bars, filled with culinary delights are sure to set you apart and create a buzz in the room. The possibilities with these are truly endless and are extremely cost effective; here are some of our favourites! 

Potatoe Bar – who doesn’t love potatoes? Mashed, boiled or sautéed – take your favourite kind and top them with whatever your heart desires at that moment. A comfort food favourite. 

Sundae Bar – we all scream for ice cream! These are sure to be a hit with any crowd. No can turn down the chance to create their own dessert masterpiece topped with all the candy & sprinkles that their mom never let them have. Just remember to have a lactose free option!

Yogurt Bar – having a morning meeting, but want to spice it up a bit and keep it simple at the same time? Why not a yogurt bar to get the creative juices flowing in the room first thing. Balkan, Greek and Swizz yogurt placed in bright coloured bowls topped with a mint leaf insignia.......then a spread of granola and fruits to top it all off! Yogurt. Always healthy. Always trendy. 

Candy Bar – everyone loves to have some candy to snack on in a meeting or as dessert buffet at an event. Candy bars can be the most versatile out of the bunch. You can go with just your company logo colours, favourite sports team colours or just have an all out celebration with everything you have ever wanted!
I hope you enjoy. Cheers!
~ Jenna

The Finer Details Event Planning Team

Deborah Wallace - President The Finer Details is managed and owned by Deborah Wallace. Event planning is in her nature, and this inborn talent is in constant demand. Before opening this Vancouver-based event planning business, she spent seven years dedicated to coordinating an assortment of events within the non-profit sector. Expert management of evening receptions, sports tournaments and training workshops, and numerous other celebrations have proven her commitment to superior client services as well as confidence and organization while event planning. Since 2007 Deborah has been instructing at The Art Institute of Vancouver in the Event Managment Program.  This is where she shares her wealth of expertise with the next generation of event industry professionals!  Deborah is also the current President of CSES, The Canadian Special Event Society.
Jenna Bayuk, EVC - Event Coordinator   Jenna has been with The Finer Details since Fall 2009, and has worked with a variety of non-profit and corporate clients. Jenna's passion lays in creating strong supplier relationships, unique events and extraordinary client and guest experiences.  She believes strongly is industry education and accreditation; she has been nationally certified as an Event Coordinator through Emerit Tourism, as well as, a diploma in Event Management from the Art Institute where she studied all aspects of event management & coordination.   Jenna has a strong background in food and beverage management, which has given her great success in food and beverage execution, presentation and quality. Her passion for events is evident in her work ethic, client & industry relationships and her desire to always be better.
Nicole Slezak - Event Assistant Nicole began working with The Finer Details as a practicum student while completing her Diploma in Business Administration & Hospitality Management at Eton College.  Following graduation, her knowledge of the event planning industry continued to mature through exposure to a variety of events, including: charitable fundraisers, award ceremonies, summer BBQ’s, and business and media conferences. During the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Nicole had the opportunity to work with Jet Set Sports as part of the Food & Beverage and Hotel Operations Department.  Her experience included working with some of Vancouver’s premier hotels and restaurants on a daily basis.  This collaboration supplied insight into the challenges of providing high quality service to substantial groups of people during a world-class event.  With her combination of scholastic background, in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience and passion for excellence, Nicole strives to continue her history of valuable contributions to the Hospitality and Events industry of the Metro Vancouver Area.
Shae Fowler - Wedding Coordinator Shae is one of The Finer Details Wedding Planning Team. Equipped with a diploma in Event Management and an extreme passion for the events industry, she works hard to make sure that no detail goes unnoticed. Shae’s primary focus in the special events industry is in weddings; however her experience ranges through all different types of events from fundraiser to galas and everything in between. She strives to make sure your event is a huge success while keeping a smile on her face and delivering the highest levels of customer service possible.
Skye Davies - Wedding Coordinator Skye has been part of The Finer Details team since November 2008, planning and executing a wide variety of events including non-profit galas, conferences, weddings and networking events. Most recently, Skye has finished a year and a half long stint with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games. Skye has a diverse background in Event Management, Logistics, Hospitality Services, Hotel Management and Administration.   She has a Bachelor of Business in Event Management and Marketing and many years of experience serving her clients and really listening to what they want. To each event, Skye brings her creative design skills, enthusiasm, experience, attention to detail, and her calm, confident and even temperament make her an ideal choice for your wedding day.

Welcome to our Blog

Everybody knows that planning an event can be hard, stressful and overwhelming.  In 2011, The Finer Details is pleased to launch our blog.  A way to stay connect with clients, old, new and future - as well as to share a few tips and tricks about planning any sort of event!
If you are looking for a spectacular wedding, a functional fundraiser or a corporate event that will leave your guests with a sense of WOW...we have specialists who can help you with all of your event planning needs.
Don't forget, you can RELAX and leave the details to us!!