You might recall a few weeks ago I posted about an event I was taking part in called Bubbles & Bling. It turned out to be a super fun, intimate evening with some great area vendors, brides-to-be, yummy champagne at Solas and to die for bridal fashion from TreBella Bridal. I was flattered to be asked to style the private dining room at Solas into a chic, modern rehearsal dinner space. Thanks to the fab Martha Manning, the whole thing was captured to share with you today.
The evening started out on Solas’ new, retractable roof covered deck (so awesome…now you can have cocktails up there all winter long!) Some of TreBella’s new dresses were on full display as the models weaved their way in and out of the roof top cabanas. I loved this set up. It let you get right up close to the dresses and even touch them if you wanted. So much better than looking longingly from afar like at most fashion shows.
After some yummy champagne cocktails and dress gawking, the party moved downstairs where Bailey’s Jewelry had a gorgeous display of bling for everyone to “oooo” and “aaaah” over. Cinda’s Creative Cakes provided an equally bejeweled and delicious cake. A few more models floated through the party, even stopping for a minute to pose in the rehearsal dinner space your’s truly pulled together for the event.
In keeping with the very modern aesthetic of the space, I really wanted the room be pretty, not overly “done” and utilizing as much of Solas’ existing inventory as possible. Anyone can design an over the top space using all rented pieces but since the goal of the event was to display the space to brides-to-be as a chic alternative for your private dining events, I wanted to use as much of what they already had on hand as possible. Two long 12′ tables provided seating for 24 guests with plenty of room left over for a loungey seating area. You could easily nix this area in exchange for more tables if your party required more seating. To work with the existing black, white and red colors in the room, I decided to make jewel toned purple my main inspiration. Simple white satin linens, crystal beaded chargers and purple napkins were all provided by CE Rentals. I love the pop of color that the purple napkins give the table. Everything else was provided by Solas and available for use at any event you host there.
I collaborated with TreBella Flowers on the floral elements of the table design. Simple white and purple orbs of the ever budget friendly carnation look modern and chic in this setting, adding just the right amount of texture. I added a bit more “bling” with some crystal-encrusted tea light and candle holders throughout.
This was such a fun event! A huge thank you to the folks at Solas for letting me get involved and to the lovely ladies at TreBella for pulling me into the mix. I loved meeting so many brides-to-be and hearing first hand what they’re looking for, what challenges they’re running into, etc. Writing the blog is great but actually talking to you ladies is 100x better!
And of course, this whole post wouldn’t exist without the phenomenal work of Martha Manning. Not only is she super talented but she’s honestly so stinkin’ nice, it hurts. If you are still on the hunt for a photographer or have just recently gotten engaged, do yourself a favor and call Martha. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Hey Dina! These pics are amazing and I LOVE seeing the space transformed. (I never would have guessed carnations could look so chic!) We are considering Solas for both our wedding and reception – there’s no space quite like it and we’ve really enjoyed working with Amanda, the private dining director. I was wondering if you could recommend an alternate accent color (instead of the purple) for a September wedding given Solas as the venue. I love the purple…but not sure my man would go for it. I love your design sense, desire to play off the space as much as possible (and use I’d love their existing inventory as much as possible. I’d love your thoughts!
Hi Jonell!
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials! Solas is such a great and unique space in Raleigh and I think you and your guests will be totally delighted with the result. The food is yummy, the staff is attendant and the space is phenomenal for a modern affair. Yay you!
While I love the overall aesthetic, I do agree that it can be a little challenging to coming up with a color scheme that doesn’t compete with the already strong and bold look the club has going on. Particularly on that second floor (where I assume is where your event will be taking place), the black & white patterns with big touches of red thrown in can leave you feeling stuck on a black/white/red color palette.
My recommendation is to pick a complimentary accent color that is as strong in saturation as the already used colors and stays in the jewel tone family. That was my strategy in picking the purple for the Bubbles & Bling event. I wanted something just as strong as that deep red and that wouldn’t get lost or look like an after thought. So if your fiance isn’t feeling purple (though I think in a deep color it can be less girly and very sexy…perfect for that setting!), what about a deep, sapphire blue or really saturated, mustardy gold? I think both would make a killer accent color in that setting and work perfectly with the season as well. I can already see it! It will be gorgeous!
Keep us posted, would love to see the end result!
Thanks so much Dina! I can’t tell you how excited I am.
Thank you so much!
I actually had a thought, and would love your opinion. I haven’t spent a lot of time (yet) in the Solas space. For some reason I have fallen in love with chartreuse. I did a quick color mood board and would love to know what you think.
Do you think it might look Christmas-y? If so, I think I’d give the saturated mustardy gold a try. I honestly don’t think I’d put a ton of the green in there, just find ways for a pop of color here and there. I would like to keep the table centerpieces very simple – maybe a single white calla lily (or some other white flower) with a sprig of the green hypericum berries. And maybe do something more dramatic for the buffet table. (I love those pears too…with both the red and the chartreuse-y color. ) Love to hear your initial impression. Thank you sooooo much for your ideas!
oh yeah…wanted to share…my fiance is a University of Kentucky grad…so when I mentioned to him that you recommended a sapphire blue, he was SO excited (GO UK!). I’m just having trouble envisioning flowers for the blue accent. I know the LED lights they have are that beautiful blue (that seem to also have hues of purple). so that has definitely thrown me…I don’t quite feel on my color game.
As a note, we’re probably going to have the ceremony on the rooftop and then move on down to the lounge (bow-chica-bow-bow) for the reception.
YAY for weddings!!
I love that bright green but I think you’ll need to be prepared with a lot of it in order to really pop it in that very strong b&w space. But if you used chartreuse linens on everything that would definitely do it! On the sapphire front, again, don’t think about the accent in terms of flowers but as other large, impactful pieces + accents (linens, fabric wrapped vases, etc).
woot. thanks.