SIMPLY INSPIRATION: Ceremony, Photobooth + Dessert Backdrops AND a 10% Discount!

Boy do I got a treat for ya'll today! The LA Shop contacted me a few weeks ago about doing a review on one of their products, which also comes along with a great discount for products from their online store (more on that later in the post)!!! So anyway, of course I said yes because they have some awesome stuff!! A few days ago I received the product in the mail + so now for my review... but first... here is what I received...

Now if you know me at all you know one of my absolute favorite things ever is hanging things. Anything. Really doesn't matter what I'm hanging: could be paper flowers, tissue poms, garlands, fabric, real flowers, gold dipped feathers, antlers, toy dinosaurs... I mean seriously. Anything. I will gladly hang it. So when they wanted me to do a review on this I was beyond excited because now I have this thing and I can hang stuff from it all day. Anyday. Everyday. Anything. It's the perfect piece to have to use for backdrops for ceremony backdrops, dessert tables, photo booths... you name it. I mean I could seriously have some fun with this thing at our wedding in Palm Springs. Hmm... wonder how much extra the airplanes charge for bringing aboard something like this?? Do you see where I'm going with this!? It is seriously perfect for weddings. Keep reading for some awesome inspiration.

So... begin my review here. I opened the box... well no rewind a little... Tigger, our cat, tried to open the box. No literally... he chewed and chewed and there were scraps of cardboard all over our entryway where he had tried to open the box. He seriously chewed open one entire side of the box. So, back to the review, we opened the box. I pulled out the bag which looks exactly as seen above. Inside are all the pieces wrapped up in different compartments of the bag, which is nice that they're not all just squished in there together. That would obviously lead to some seriously metal clanking while carrying it around. In total there were 6 parts. Now, before I describe my one and only criticism with this product I feel the need to note that there is disclaimer below. So I pulled out the 6 parts. I easily put together the 2 side parts that are the stands. Then I looked at the other 4 pieces, which are 4 poles, and I tried really hard to figure out how in the world I get them to be the top part of this stand. And I looked some more... and I tried attaching Pole A to Pole B, etc. And well, I could not figure it out. I looked in the bag but there were no instructions. I gave up. [Disclaimer: My fiance came home + I said "figure that thing out?" and he figured it out in less than 30 seconds.] So... my one criticism I would say may or may not be valid... and is pretty much dependent on whether or not you are good at figuring stuff out or not without instructions. I obviously am not.

Once he put it together the ideas began streaming through my head, the countless possibilities. Play day anyone? So here are 3 ways I think this portable arch could be utilized at a wedding. 

#1: A ceremony arch!? These are my favorite. I know a lot of people say being outdoors you just don't need a backdrop or anything because it's so pretty and the nature is the pretty part, but I personally am a sucker for a.) anything hanging; b.) decor that is part of your wedding theme/personality/experience! It makes your wedding more unique and more you. Plus then your wedding is different from other couples who got married in that same spot, because how many people can say they had dead animal skulls for their ceremony backdrop??? Just saying. Here are some examples of ceremony backdrops that could easily be put together using this photography backdrop arch! 

#2: Makeshift photo booths with funky backdrops are probably one of my other favorite things we've been seeing at weddings these days! Not that I don't love the traditional photo booths... but the ones with the tripod and the bright crazy backdrops are so fun too! Here is some of my favorite inspiration:

#3: Or how about a dessert table backdrop??? Ehhhh!? Who doesn't love a beautifully styled dessert table? And then add an amazing backdrop and ta da! Amazing treats surrounded by amazingness that will surely wow your guests in more ways than one. And again... here is a way to make your wedding an experience and not just an ordinary event. 

Now any of the seen-above pictures of ceremony backdrops could easily be made on this photography stand... The stand is sturdy and also adjustable. There are 4 pieces that can be put in the middle to create a very long stand or you can use as little as one for a shorter length. The only problem I see for using this at weddings would be the tripod feet; however, I don't think this is necessarily a huge problem since they could easily be covered using fabric or large flower arrangements. Just have to get creative! 

Now for the discount code for The LA Shop. No wait... first here are some things on my wish list from The LA Shop!!

[1] Floor Stand Pop-up Projector Screen for a secret surprise video during the reception!?

[2] Disco balls for the dance floor?? yes please. 

[3] Twinkly lights for perimeter lighting makes spaces romantic!

[4] Why not bring your cat to the wedding?! Oh.. your cat is an indoor cat? No worries... you can get a metal crate for your cat when you don't want to walk it on a leash! ;) Chris + I would love to bring Tigger the monster to our wedding... may not be a bad idea... I could seriously see Tigs loving that hammock.

Okay okay... so The LA Shop specializes more in business supplies, so for those of you out there who might need some equipment for a trade show or industry event, photographers in need of new flashes, lighting equipment, and backdrops, or salon and makeup artists in need of new airbrush equipment... then this is the right website for you to check out. Or if you're like me and really want your cat to be at your wedding and be able to simultaneously relax in a hammock... then it's also the place to shop. 

Get your 10% off discount with the code: "BLOGGERS" 

Shop away ya'll!

Thank you to The LA Shop for choosing me to do a review! 

Xoxo, Nicole Rene

{Shopping Credits} Portable Photography Backdrop Stand // Floor Stand Pop-up Projector Screen // Christmas Lighting LED Rope Light 150ft // Cat Crate {Photo Credits} [Ceremony Arch] Couple Kissing via Ruffled, photography by Sunday Romance // Striped Fabric Arch via Ruffled, photography by Danielle Capito // Greenery Arch via Georgeous AU, photography by Sarah Wood // Skull Arch via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Alec Vanderboom // Tinsel Garland Backdrop via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Sloan Photographers [Photo Booth Backdrop] Fringe backdrop via Ruffled // Photo Booth with Tripod via Style Me Pretty, photography by Drew & Megan // Wallpaper backdrop with Vintage Chair via CAMP, photography by Elizabeth Messina // Bride and Groom via Style Me Pretty, photography by Jess + Nate Studios // Guy via Smile Booth // Colorful backdrop via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Studio Castillero [Dessert Tables] Ruffled Ombre Fabric backdrop via Style Me Pretty, photography by One Love // Ribbon Streamer backdrop via Ruffled, photography by Stacey Hedman // Pink & Orange Streamer backdrop via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by N Barrett // Fabric backdrop with Heart Light via Style Me Pretty, photography by Jose Villa // Pinwheel backdrop via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Brooke Aliceon // Streamers and Chevron backdrop via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Sarah Culver // 

SIMPLY YOU: Let's Get Married in 2013!

So... you're engaged and you're getting married in 2013 eh? And you don't have a wedding planner yet? Are you pulling your hair out yet? If so... e-mail me here. Even if you are not pulling hair out, well still... e-mail me here. We want to be a part of your big day! And we will do our very best to make sure you do not pull your hair out ever. Because who wants to get married with hair chunks missing? I know I sure don't... So anyway, I have been spending the last 5 or so hours prepping some budget analyses for some clients, and doing some pinning for some decor inspiration, and contacting lots and lots of vendors, and the list goes on... I am guessing the majority of you brides out there don't have hours a day to do this stuff because you probably have a job and work and I am guessing it is not super easy to find time to contact vendors and get quotes and compare prices, etc.? Well, that's where we help out! We do all the hard nitty gritty work so that you can lay back, relax, enjoy your engagement while we do the research for you. What better way to plan a wedding than only focus on the fun stuff... (i.e. pinning hundreds of hundreds of pictures for your event designer to look through, choosing your flowers, having a bachelorette party and bridal shower, cake tastings, heck yes....!) Anyway, we would love to hear from you today! We have several package options and are always willing to customize our packages + prices to better fit your needs. And we do offer flower services for smaller weddings as well!!

Anyway, now to the pretty part of today's blog post... here are some wedding trends I am crushing over right now & am eagerly hoping to see at some of our 2013 weddings!!!

1. Sparkles, sparkles, more sparkles, sparkles on your bridesmaid's dresses?! Yes please. There is nothing I don't love about this look. And I am not going to lie, I would not mind being your bridesmaid if you let me rock one of these dresses... so friends out there who get engaged soon... take note.

2. Unique backdrops. I love photobooths but what I love even more are the makeshift photobooths with a tripod & a camera timer that have lovely fun backdrops in your color palette that we can and will gladly make for you using fabric, sequins, etc. Or how about a lovely backdrop for a dessert table? The possibilities are endless + Simply Savannah Events wants to make one or two or maybe even four of these for you because after the event I will probably be found decorating my entire house with them...

3. Who needs a tiara when you can have a sparkly fun tiara? I want one...

4. Lights = soft + romantic ambience. I think this is something that can really add gorgeous ambience to a wedding. Especially since most venues only have overhead lighting, which let's be real... is not the most romantic. I also think cafe lighting is gorgeous outside. Think... dancing under the stars but the stars are 347239852 miles closer. (Note: that is not a scientifically accurate number.)

5. This picture kills 2 birds with 1 stone. Glitter/sequins/sparkle + dessert tables. There is just something about glitter/sequins/sparkle that mesmerizes me. I love it. The more the better. And I don't think you can get anymore glittery than having a glitter tablecloth. Also, dessert tables. I love this too. Probably because I love sweets + desserts so much. But also because they are just so pretty. And I like pretty things. If I didn't love desserts so much then I would say it is painful to watch them get destroyed by people eating every last bite. But fortunately the sugar high makes it all better.

6. Glorified lounge areas at the reception that are cooler than my living room will ever be but only because my man insists on having a ceiling fan instead of a chandelier. But really, how neat are these lounge areas? Such a nice way to set up a reception space that will encourage guests to spend more time mingling and less time sitting at their seats eating next to people they have never met before.

7. This isn't a trend, just something I know I will see at all my weddings this year... and that is a whole lot of love. Forget the stress because you've hired me & that's what I do, I take care of the stressful stuff so that you don't have to. So, on your wedding day you better focus on your hot hunk of a man at your wedding... oh yeah and don't forget all your friends + family that flew miles and miles to see you get married to the love of your life. ;)

Alright, so who's ready? Let's get married ladies + gents! Contact me for today for more information on our wedding packages!  

{Photo Credits} 'Let's Get Married' by Nicole Rene // Bridesmaids Dresses via Wedding Chicks, photography by Jemma Keech // Backdrop via Style Me Pretty, photography by Valo Photography // Tiara via Kiss the Groom // Cafe Lighting via Ruffled Blog, photography by Joe+Kathrina // Dessert Table via Style Me Pretty, photography by Haley Sheffield // Groom with Heart via unknown (could only find Tumblr links... if you have link please send to me at simplysavannahevents@yahoo.com!)