Melissa Paul

We all know it to be true. Lighting is the fairy dust at events, the invisible element that transforms a room from boring to beautiful. The most stunning centerpieces, table linens, menu cards and product displays are all for naught if the party space itself is poorly lit. Especially for evening events, lighting is critical. Brian Toner, owner of Eventions Productions in Philadelphia, says that a lighting designer is equal parts artist, electrician, installer and troubleshooter. I spoke with Brian to better understand how lighting design sets the mood for tented events.

{Melissa Paul}: How important is event lighting in tents?

{Brian Toner}: The saying “it’s all about the lighting” is 100 percent accurate. Inadequate lighting means you lose the subtlety and beauty of the decoration or the power of drama. But lighting is also about utility and safe egress. It all starts with a proper lighting plan, which incorporates food preparation and cooking areas, and stage and performance spaces, especially if there are video cameras or digital backdrops involved. One of the most important elements to light correctly is dinner tables. Nothing makes great food look worse than the wrong color light. Would you want to eat a green steak?

Inadequate lighting means you lose the subtlety and beauty of the decoration or the power of drama,” says Brian Toner.

Is lighting part of the event fabric these days, or is it still a struggle to justify in terms of budgets and planning priorities?

Five years ago, very few end clients were knowledgeable about event lighting. Due to publications, blogs and social media, times have changed. As a result, a new challenge has arisen. Many event professionals such as entertainment companies, DJs, venues, photographers, etc., have seen the increase and now sell lighting services. Nine out of 10 times this ends up being a disservice to the overall look of the event. Imagine a winter white wedding and then a DJ bringing in spinning red and purple lights, ruining the look of the entire space carefully crafted by the event designer.

With other event professionals such as entertainment companies selling lighting, how does your approach as a lighting designer bring something more to the table?

A lighting designer brings a wealth of knowledge to an event. The designers in our company have architectural, theater or event design backgrounds.  We also understand how proper lighting affects the photography and videography of an event. We design not just for the look of the event on the actual day, but also for the proper lighting for the client’s images, which will last forever.

How do you assess an outdoor or tented space for the appropriate lighting?

A tented lighting design typically starts with seeing the drawing and/or plans of the tent(s) as well as the surrounding spaces. I need to know what the event is, timing of the event, as well as arrival and departure of guests. Parking and back of house areas are also important. An assessment of the electrical needs of the event, including catering, entertainment, sanitary and lavatory needs are all taken into consideration. The next step is to ascertain the power that is currently available onsite and the total electrical needs of the event.

What are your favorite light fixtures for tents?

There are great battery-powered LED fixtures that illuminate a big tent without any cabling or electrical needs. This cuts installation cost and time dramatically. I also love to work with lighting textures as well as video elements on traditional pole tents, especially on the newer sailcloth tents. Sailcloth tents can be especially beautiful and yet challenging because the fabric is translucent. It’s a challenge I relish.

What lighting trends are you seeing in 2013?

Vintage fixtures popular in residential interior design really inspire me. We have an extensive collection of vintage light bulbs, fixtures and cords that will appear at this summer’s tented parties. I have also been designing tents where no light is used in the tent top at all, but instead all lights are focused down onto the event floor. This simple technique brings an intimacy to the space that many clients find ideal.

What are the practical concerns with installing lighting fixtures outside and inside tents?

Safety is always number one. Concerns such as mounting fixtures in/on a tent that is frequently moving is always a physical challenge to staff; making sure wiring and electrical distribution are up to code as well as protected from the elements; and ensuring all connections are protected from water and shock hazards.

Thank you so much Brian!  If you’d like to see more stunning photos of Brian’s lighting design work, or simply want to learn more about his wedding lighting and event production services, please visit Eventions Productions.

When I discovered the work of Russian art photographer Petrova Julian my mouth literally dropped open. She takes the most incredibly soft and romantic images, and her use of light is just plain dreamy. Don’t you think these pictures would be perfect for a bridal editorial feature? There’s such a stunning, ethereal quality to them that simply transcends time and place. What she does to them before, during and after the shot is taken doesn’t matter. The ending result is just LOVELY.

{Stunning images by Petrova Julian}

The statement sandal you’ve been searching for for Spring and Summer, Rockstud Patent Leather Sandals from Valentino. The pyramids give the shoe a jewelry-like decadence and the multipe straps bring a whole new dimension to the trendy T-Strap. But it’s those kitten heels that grab my girlie attention… to be uber comfortable AND tres chic?  That”s just too good to be true!

Available in several color combinations to make this your go-to sassy shoe for the season, such as hot pink and nude or the always smart “fully nude” to go with everything. But it’s the black and nude that will land in my closet.

{Images by Valentino via Neiman-Marcus}

For whatever reason, on yet another busy day where projects, meeting and events are stacked high, this particular quote came to mind. And, I know you can relate to it. Everyone can.

I first saw the quote posted to a wall in an always-crazed, but very well-regarded stationery store in Philadelphia. The staff had posted the quote in BIG BOLD LETTERS on the wall as a statement of solidarity as many of their clients would breeze in lathered down with panic only to blast everyone with their frustration over invitation orders and printing schedules. What else could the staff do but remind and educate their clients that timing, organization and planning were essential.

But what really seems to resonate with me today is the idea of keeping your own focus while others may spin like the Tazmanian Devil around you. Just because someone else, whether a client, a prospective client or a professional colleague, is unorganized, uncommunicative or a world-class procrastinator doesn’t mean it is my job (OR YOURS) to stop everything and pick up their pieces. Even as professional wedding planners and event designers. No, really, there is a limit to the miracles you can work.

Nor is it in a business owner, supervisor or manager’s best interests to keep their employees, clients or professional partners in a constant state of suspense as to what is needed or expected. A well-organized and one-step ahead manager who is aware of their staff’s responsibilities is able to prioritize and communicate effectively; thus building a unified and dedicated team of loyal workers. Keeping it all in and not communicating only leads to resentment and dissatisfaction as the dump truck unloads at the last hour.

But back to me, an independent small business owner. I find that keeping control over my own calendar of projects is essential for balanced living, even if that means keeping myself out of the frenzy of someone else’s lack of planning.  Which, I’ll admit, can be challenging at times because I want to help others. Luckily, as often as I can, I whip out the “Let me get back to you” line as often as possible to avoid over-commitment. Those six little words are a Godsend at times. It is just TOO DAMN EASY, as the habitual problem-solver that I know myself to be, to allow others to mess with my carefully constructed world. And when that world crumbles because I let someone else interject their mis-management into mine, I hurt my other clients’ projects, which only hurts me in the long run. 

Many years ago, my mother-in-law introduced me to her favorite place to “fall into” on a Saturday afternoon, The Tomato Factory in Hopewell, New Jersey. Known for its unbelievable collection of antiques  and collectibles, I remember how blown away I was by the sheer quantity of quality antique dealers gathered under one roof.

Ten years later, on my visit to the Factory just yesterday, I am happy to report that the co-op is still rockin’ my world. It’s here, in these crowded rooms and charmingly cluttered spaces that I completely lose myself, much like my dear mother-in-law did time and time again.

Particularly when I stumble into “shops” like Fritz’s American Wonder where shelf after shelf, table after table is artfully overflowing with collections of English ironstone, luster and transfer wares, enamel wares and Pyrex; McCoy, Stangl, Brush McCoy and other novelty potteries; stacks of silver flatware in endless patterns; bookends, salt & pepper shakers and piles of vintage Christmas ornaments; vibrant kitchen textiles, potholders, dishtowels and tablecloths; and my absolute favorites, Jadite, Fireking, Bakelite and colorful depression glass.

Trust me, and I know you will once you gaze on these images, The Tomato Factory is the place to forage for Americana… {and Fritz’s American Wonder is just ONE dealer out of many must-see collections you should visit}.

The Tomato Factory is located in historic Hopewell, New Jersey, just a hop, skip and short jump from the villages of Princeton and Lambertville in New Jersey and New Hope, Pennsylvania.

{All photos by your truly, Melissa Paul}

These lusciously over-the-top flower girl dresses from Lebanese designer Krikor Jabotian are for those brides who want their high fashion fetish to flourish right down to the littlest fashionista. Frilly, layered tulle, gathered bows and feminine lace for every little princess!

Although I don’t usually fall under the spell of DIY wedding craft inspiration {some of us are craft impaired}, these paper wedding garlands from Lille Syster are just too delightful to pass over. Particularly because someone ELSE is making them! The lovelies at Lille Syster make each flower by hand and then attaches them to braided hemp rope in various lengths, allowing the garlands to be strung in all kinds of creative ways. Fantastic, right?

These delicate beauties are perfect for a Spring garden party or Summer bridal shower. You can even purchase matching loose paper flowers for use on gift bags, place settings, centerpieces and more. Love it!

{All photos courtesy of Lille Syster - head over to their shop on Etsy}

These pretty little Daisy Boots from Manolo Blahnik may be the sweetest Spring shoe I’ve seen in a long time. Practical? Hell no. But when you’re running around in a BLUR in flats and sneakers most of the time, squeezing into a pair of perky booties once in awhile is {almost} a  fashionista must! White leather blooms, white mesh and sunny yellow heels? Yeah, ’tis too much.

These happy Margolotta Daisy Boots are guaranteed to put a little Spring in your step…

{Photo courtesy of Manolo Blahnik}

Party planners and event designers tend to move from one event to another without taking a moment to step back and savor what they’ve created. I know this, because I did it. Over and over again. For years. No sooner had I finished one event than I was neck deep in another for the following week. For some fellow event professionals, they’re fluttering from event to event in one day!

Sure, as event professionals we’re fully able to juggle multiple events at one time, jumping from one wedding to the next with ease. Most of the time. But as each complicated wedding comes to pass it’s too easy to get caught up in the minutiae of the small details rather than keeping an eye on the big picture. Namely, that all the pieces carefully designed, shaped or produced have successfully come together to create an amazing event! When the event planning takes months or years to bring a event to fruition, speeding past the resulting party itself seems self-destructive. Doesn’t it?

So, instead of moving right on to the next wedding, or complaining about how busy you are, why not STOP and take a moment to be grateful. Why not pause to admire the end result, whether it’s good or bad. Why not learn a lesson, review alternatives, or acknowledge a misjudgment. Why not make an effort to congratulate yourself, your team and your collaborators on a job well done.

Take a look around and be inspired by what YOU created.

Sometimes you just have to slow down, take a breath and enjoy the moment. Trust me, that glorious moment is going to help you muster the moxie to reset for the next challenging party that lies just ahead. Tomorrow.

{Graphic Design by Elise’s Pieces}

Starting off the day with an hour or two of reading from a variety of books beginning with spirituality, recovery and inspiration before moving on to design and nature. It’s my favorite way to start the day, the ONLY way, and with titles such as The Serenity Runes, An Unquiet Mind, Today I Will Do One Thing and Fashion Illustration… how could I not start the day from this centered, peaceful place?

{Photo by Melissa Paul}