Colors

Hey everyone! Its Marie again, writing to you about some great event ideas. This week’s blog I thought I would discuss colors you can use for an event based on the season. Each season is filled with different colors that are not only appropriate for the event but serve as a muse for everything from the invitation to linens. No matter what season you choose, colors are by far the easiest way to decide how to dress up an event.

Fall
This is my personal favorite when it comes to event time. I vowed to get married in the fall just to use the rich earthy tones the fall brings. You can use these colors for linens, fun table numbers/names, invitations and so much more. For invites many fall designs have leaves and pumpkins just to add that extra “umf” the fall has. Have fun with your theme! Having the fall colors is your inspiration opens the door for so many fun fall accents. When I think of fall here are the colors I suggest…
• Brown
• Burnt Orange
• Gold
• Deep Reds

Winter
The Winter Wonderland theme is so common for December/winter events. If you’re lucky enough to have snowfall the white acts as yet another accessory for your big day. If you’re a glitzy girl like me the winter is a great time to add crystals and “bling”. The crystals act as icicles! Indoor snow without the snow…pretty cool! For the winter time snowflakes are very popular in invitations and cake décor but if you don’t want to take the winter time too literally try using an abundant amount of candles for your tables. The give the room such a glow it’ like a log cabin except in a beautiful hall. It hives the room a very romantic wintry look. Paired with red r white floral you will have a very romantic and winter appropriate piece. For the winter I recommend the following colors…
• Whites
• Ivory
• Black/White
• Metallics
• Deep Reds
• Winter Greens

Spring
This is the time of year when we Northerners dance in the streets and welcome the warm weather! The spring time is the prelude to summer with the great pastel colors and warm weather, what a better time of year for a lovely event. In the spring many flowers become available so if you are looking for things like pianese and tulips, go for the spring. Pastels and florals are most commonly used in the spring time with the Easter season and sun being out past 5 PM. If you aren’t keen for the spring color palate but are looking to have an event in the spring try using my favorite color combo, brown and pastels. Brown paired with lavenders and pinks is so classic and photographs beautifully. For the spring time I recommend the following…
• Pastels
• Lavender
• Ivory/White
• Floral Patterns

Summer
Sweet Summer! With the hot weather during this time of year it is very common to use bold bright colors for any type of summer event. My rule is this, with the summer there are none. You can use black, white, green, pink, blue, etc all throughout the summer season. Because the summer is nice and hot I recommend bright colors but I’ve seen my share of black and brown in the summer months and guess what? It looks just as beautiful as the yellows and pinks. My recommendation is if your venue allows for outdoor space, take it. Yes, the either can be tricky but you want your guests to enjoy the weather if it’s a possibility. Take a beautiful July day; no one wants to be stuck inside! Try a cocktail hour outside so your guest can have a nice relaxing hour for great food/drinks and then enjoy the rest of the event inside. The summer time is a great time for beach events so try a space that is on/near the water, it allows for great pictures and fun décor (try adding cute flips flops, beach umbrellas, and sea shells for fun!)

No matter what the event using color as your inspiration allows for endless opportunities. Remember to always keep the event about having a great time and no stress. Whether you choose dark colors or sweet pastel tones the event is for you and your guests. You need to enjoy your own event! Leave the stresses at the door and have a great time! If you’d like any advice in regard to your event please feel free to contact me at mferreira@pentaevents.com. I’ve seen so many events that I am full of great ideas so don’t be shy!

Happy Planning!
-Marie

Click this link to enjoy a Penta Jib Jab. http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/alHCuqxepHOo1uhX

Hey all! It’s Marie and Alyssa together again writing about the upcoming holiday known as St. Patrick’s Day. To many people, ourselves included, we associate the holiday with wearing green and drinking Guinness. We stumbled across this article in the Metro News that gave us some insight on what St. Patrick’s Day is really about.

It turns out the real Saint Patrick was not even Irish, he was born in Britain. His real name is Maewyn and at age 16 he was kidnapped and sent to Ireland. He was sold into slavery and worked as a Shepard. During this time he began to have religious visions to join the priesthood and preach Christianity to the people. Although these visions moved him, Maewyn didn’t feel worthy of returning to Ireland since he was a non-believer. So, he journeyed to France where he entered a monastery and began studying for the priesthood. At this time he changed his name to Patrick.

It was only after finding his true spiritual self that Patrick felt he could answer the call to return to Ireland. He returned as a bishop around 432 A.D., traveled throughout Ireland spreading the word of God, and built churches and schools. Eventually he made his headquarters at Armagh, which is in Northern Ireland. By the time of his death on March 17 between 461 A.D. and 490 A.D., Ireland was almost entirely Christian. St. Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint. Who knew this festive holiday had such a deeper meaning then just local parades and pub crawls!?! We hope you all have a fun, safe and happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

“May the leprechauns be near you
To spread luck along your way.
And may all the Irish angels
Smile upon you St. Patrick’s Day.”

-Marie and Alyssa

http://www.acehotel.com/newyork

On Monday night Penta was invited to an event at The Ace Hotel (20 West 29^th Street) to view a new reovated space called Liberty Hall. This was my first time at an event planner showcase and this venue so I was really excited. Once we got to the hotel I was in love with the “dark” décor of the hotel. The lobby had 6 huge white pillars through the center and was filled with people enjoying each other’s company. To the right was a huge sign in lights that read “excelsior,” which is the name of the reception area. The staff greeted us kindly and directed us to the space of the party. We were directed down to the lower level where we were met with cocktails and smiles by staff of Élan Artists Events, http://www.elanartists.com/.

For lack of a better word, “trendy” is what this room aimed for. The walls were a dark chocolate brown with what looked like Mexican inspired swirl designs. There were two bars on opposite sides of the room and in the middle was a stage for the musical performances. Many industry professionals were there relaxing after work and viewing the space. Immediately we were offered yummy hors d’oeuvres. The first was a beef and blue cheese empanada…amazing. As the night progressed the food got a bit more interesting. I was offered what looked like a cracker with a cheese spread but to my surprise it was chicken liver. If you like liver, more power to you, but it was defiantly not for me! Cheese croquettes, salmon mousse, and steak tartar were also on the guest list of food for the evening and by the looks of the guests, they were greatly welcomed!

The night started off with a quartet of women, dressed in all white flapper costumes, playing the violin.  This made the space feel very “speakeasy-esque.” The music then turned into a large band who played a mix of classics and modern music. The last performers were so full of energy they had all the guests dancing. I thought to myself that these artists would fit so well at any event in lieu of a DJ because just the feel and presentation of a live band I think is so fun and elegant. Granted, a band is quite pricey and sometimes unattainable, but if you have the funds, I say go for it!

As the night went on we chatted and mingled with others in the event planning industry and spoke about how we can see an event in the room. The room fits about 200 guests for a cocktail reception and would be ideal for a birthday party or an after work gathering with colleagues. The space was big enough to fit 200 but small enough that you wouldn’t loose the intimacy of your guests. Because the walls were so dark, bringing in an outside vendor to provide up lighting would look stunning. Up lighting is when a light is placed on the floor with the light shining upwards on the wall. Many times you see this at social functions where the falls are illuminated by different colors. It’s a fantastic way to add color to a room without spending a ton on colored floral pieces. I would definitely recommend this room to any client looking for something social yet intimate for any special event.

Being an intern, it was great to see how industry professionals come together to discuss ideas and network with each other. I hope to attend many more of these events during my time at Penta. As always feel free to contact me at mferreira@pentaevents.com if you have any questions regarding this event or anything having to do with planning an event! I’d love to share my experiences and ideas with you!

Happy Planning!

-Marie

Penta here with another venue spotlight! This extravagant event space is located next to Bryant Park, at 135 West 41^st Street.  Arena has multi levels, 20’ ceilings and one of New York’s largest programmable L.E.D. lighting systems.  They have 20 x 10’ High Definition projection screens – perfect for corporate branding, film screenings and viewing art.  For concerts, live performances and presentations Arena has a 20’ wide stage, a third projection screen for back drops and concert visuals and a 30’ runway for fashion shows.

There are many additional entertainment and décor options you can bring into the space to make your event memorable.  Dancers, fire eaters, ice sculptors, flowers, and a red carpet are all acceptable outside items allowed to be brought into the space.  As for catering, they have an on site caterer but also permit outside catering.  Standing cocktail reception headcounts can range as little as 150 to 600 people.  A buffet dinner can have 100 to 400 people and a seated dinner could accommodate 60 to150 people.

No matter how large or small your event is, Arena is happy to make your event special.  Seventeen magazine has done photo shoots here and this is the site of previous Victoria’s Secret Fashion shows.  Bar/Bat Mitzvahs or Sweet Sixteens are very often planned here due to their large dance floor.  The possibilities are endless.  The employees at Arena are always ready to plan the next big event and help you execute a successful event.

If interested in planning your next event at Arena please contact me, Alyssa, and I will put you in touch with the correct contact person at Arena.

www.arenanyc.net

In today’s special occasion scene (whether it be a wedding, social, or corporate event) more than likely you will be given some sort of parting gift. For weddings it’s usually a candle you’ll never use or a salt and pepper shaker in the shape of leaves…exciting. For corporate events, maybe a pen or a nifty note pad holder will make you feel better for attending the event. Who needs these items? Since a party favor is the last bit of your event that your guests experience, why not make it something memorable?

A new and fun trend popping up at events is the Food Truck. Remember those trucks from the carnival as a kid that you couldn’t wait to grab some cotton candy or a funnel cake from? Yep, those! These trucks are conveniently waiting outside towards the end of events so guests are hit with one last surprise.

Imagine.  It is the end of a not-so-thrilling corporate event.  You act like you know the random guy who continues to say hello to you and hold back laughter for the old woman who won’t stop hitting the bar.   Already relieved that the event is almost over, you step out of the venue and BAM!  A Free Food Truck Surprise.  Prearranged by the event’s coordinator, Food Trucks are available to provide a take home gift to your attendees at no cost to your guest.  White Castle is one of the many vendors now taking part of the food truck craze hitting events all over the country. Granted, the mini burgers and chicken rings aren’t the healthiest option but after a night of business networking, a little grease can’t hurt.

How about at the end of a wedding or a sweet 16 party a cupcake truck greets you as you exit the event? An old fashioned automobile filled with warm donuts, cotton candy, chocolate desserts, and delectable drinks like hot cocoa and cider is the perfect ending to a fun event.  Since the night was filled with love, why not end it with treats you love?

To incorporate the company, wedding couple, or guest of honor  of the event is to have a sign placed on the truck with the name of the business or individual honorees. If you want to do something more subtle, try having personalized napkins handed out with each treat. For example, the napkin could say “Thank You for celebrating our special day!” or “Surprise! Love, Chris & Stephanie”.  Having goodies for your guests is much better than receiving a paper weight or heart shaped wine cork.

Visit this site, http://newyorkstreetfood.com/12865/nysf-featured-vendor-profile-mexicue/, to search for gourmet food trucks in your area and contact for a private event. They range from high-class cuisine to simple pleasures.  What ever tickles your taste buds, there is a food cart for you!

If you need any help contacting a vendor feel free to contact me, mferreira@pentaevents.com, and I’d be more than happy to help!

m, and I’d be more than happy to help!