The Wichita Center for The Arts

Holiday Tables

November 7-9, 2013

 

For the past three years Events and Design by Ashley has been honored to participate in the annual Holiday Table event that helps raise money for the Wichita Center for the Arts.

 

"Each year in November, The Wichita Center for the Arts volunteer group, Designing Women, transforms the galleries into a show of elaborately decorated tables designed by individuals, business professionals and designers. This year’s theme is "The art of the table." Don’t miss the opportunity to view the tables, enjoy lunch and your chance to buy a variety of delectable goodies and unique holiday decorations at the Holiday Tables Bake Sale and Boutique."

 

We love being able to take part and do what we love most; DESIGN! For our theme this year we went with

"Glitz and a Little Glam"

 

To start the design, I knew that I wanted to incorporate the up and coming black and white stripe runner down the center. After solidifying that little detail, I cheated and went on Pinterest for a more inspiration. After choosing a few different colors palettes I decided I needed a little more help narrowing it down to just one! So I enlisted the help of our fans and clients....and the WINNER was......

 After this little number won, the rest of my design was easy to pull together. I love the striking gold against the black and the clean white accents that make it all come together.  

 

I spent a little time one Sunday afternoon making the chandelier you will see pictured below. It was pretty easy to make and made for a fun few hours of mindless crafting. I asked my friend Shannon to help me think of something different to hang above her table and something similar to this concept was her idea. I made the pearl strands, which took the longest while I was watching a movie and unknowingly kept losing pearls off of the end from a broken string. 
 Oh Dear.

One of the things I love most about this event is the fact that the items I display are brought in from

all different walks of life.

The votive holders were borrowed from Faith, owner of Bel Amour Events. Chairs and black linen from Bowman Linen and Company, chalk boards from Ruffles and Rust, and the gorgeous orchids from a dear friend and florist; Jessica Self, owner of Magnolia Floral Studio. The black curio cabinet was borrowed from one of my best friends; Emily, and the black and white runner was made by my friend BrieLynn Wallace. She introduced me to the best invention EVER: Fabric tape. The rest of the items were things I have in my stash of décor or things I found for very little cost. I feel blessed to be surrounded by so many great friends and vendors and I am thankful for their willingness to help make what's in my mind a reality.

 

Now, I have to say that I started this design with TWO gold chairs. My dear, helpful husband lost one out of the back of his truck on his way to deliver them to the Center. Thankfully there was laughter instead of tears and maybe a little bargaining for new chairs!

 

 

Design By Ashley

"Decorating"

Since I was a little girl I loved taking my momma's décor and moving it around the house to position it just right. I would sit on the floor in my bedroom and push my dresser with my legs because it was too heavy to push with my arms. My room was ALWAYS changing as I played around with the trinkets and such that adorned my little girl room. As a married adult, this still takes place; although it does not always thrill my dear husband.

For two and half years now, I have spent many hours designing and decorating for weddings, fundraisers, showers, etc. I am expanding my skills to help assist homeowners in decorating their homes to reflect those that dwell inside. I want to help create beauty and a place of comfort for all who live inside.

I would love the opportunity to provide such services for you and your family! Design by Ashley offers competitive prices. Please visit: http://www.myeventbyashley.com/design-ashley

Design in Mind

 

A love for designing unique events and weddings was a primary impetus when launching Events By Ashley. With this in mind we've chosen to dedicate extended time collaborating with clients to design and implement a vision for their dream wedding or event. We guarantee creative solutions and striking results that fit your budget.

 With the impending arrival of Fall and Christmas festivities, we offer design and decorating services for business, home, and special events.

 

For more information and to view our gallery click here.

 

A Designer's Dream: FREE REIGN!

 

The Holiday Table Event at the Wichita Center for the Arts is one of the events that I have been excited for all year. I love my job, the clients, the thrills, perks, challenges, etc...but nothing gets me more excited than the opportunities I get to create something beautiful from scratch; just me and my imagination. The Holiday Table event allows me to do just that. This year's design centered around "Holiday Table Dressings"

This year my inspiration came from Moore Flowers Designer, Kathleen Baker. A couple of bridal shows ago, she made the most gorgeous burlap panels and table linen. I immediately fell in love with the concept and design and knew that I would wanted them to be the focal point of my display at HT. The next task was to come up with color palette. This was not hard....Burlap, whites and cremes, with an accent of turquoise. There were several other contributors that helped in bringing the complete design together, which I am TRULY thankful for! Ashley Owen; owner of Ruffles and Rust, Brandi Winger, Danielle Hoover, Gayla Kaufman, and Erin Hutton. Could not have pulled it off without their time and willingness to help, especially being 9 months pregnant!:)

 

 

 

 

Some of my favorite tables from other designers:

 

 

 

Symbolic Wreath Ceremony

"Use as an alternative to the unity candle, sand pouring or even your bridal bouquet!"

One of our brides this early fall got married in the Dominican Republic with a small group of people that included family and friends. Upon their return, they had prepared a great reception for their family and friends that were unable to attend the D.R. wedding. As a result, the bride wanted to make those guests feel that they were a part of the actual wedding ceremony, so we planned for them to have a mini ceremony in front of their guests at their celebration reception.

 

The bride spent much time trying to come up with something that would signify their union that took place in the D.R. and came across a "Symbolic Wreath" ceremony online. I encouraged her to take it a step further and use the wreath as her "bouquet" instead of a floral bouquet. We also determined prior to their departure to the Domincan that the bride and groom would each choose something while there, that they felt signified their love for each other. They would then bring back their little tokens and that is what they would pin to the wreath during that portion of the little ceremony back in the states. I was very excited to see what they brought back....the groom had written the bride a very special note while in the D.R. and the bride brought back a rose from her bridal bouquet she carried at her beach ceremony in the Dominican.

 

The bride and the wreath arrived to the ceremony in style! The bride purchased an ol' truck that the groom had been wanting as a surprise to him. After months of planning, worrying and wondering if it would all be pulled off, the groom was especially surprised and definitely taken back by the sweet arrival of his bride and new truck. I tied the wreath to the front of the truck and the bride's father drove the truck with the bride in the passenger seat to where the groom was waiting. It was a wonderful moment for not only the bride's father, bride and groom, but also for me to see it all come together so perfectly!

I have to say, that this entire project turned out GREAT. The wreath was very special, not only for the couple but for the guests as they were able to feel just a little part of their D.R. ceremony. Pastor Aaron Wallace officiated the mini ceremony that was held at Cowtown, in Wichita.

 

 I love D.I.Y. projects and offered to make the wreath for the couple. We made a bunch of pinwheels and paper fans as part of the reception decor as the bride wanted to incorporate some aspects of the summery, beach theme, and so I incorporated those elements as well as some of the other table centerpiece elements we used, into the wreath. I loved how it turned out and I have to say it will be one of the most special projects I have had the pleasure of making as this is something they will hang on to for a lifetime.

 

I've included some pictures of the centerpieces that I put together as well, so you can see how we incorporated  some of those elements into the wreath! The entire reception was stunning and so many people worked very hard for it to turn out just perfect for the bride and groom!

 What an honor it was to be a part of this special celebration! Congratulations to you Chris and RaeAnn! May you be blessed in your marriage for years to come!