Blog

Summer Entertaining Essentials

Raise your hand (and margarita) if you are jumping for joy that it’s officially SUMMER! Our team is always looking for reasons to throw an amazing party, and so can you with our summer entertaining tips and picks!

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

We are LOVING this marble and wood pineapple cheese board! Carefully curate a gourmet charcuterie display using this Style Me Pretty how-to.

Marble & Acacia Cheese Board

Anthropologie | $68.00

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

Whether you are entertaining at your dining room table or al fresco, these tumblers serve as the perfect pop of color!

Granada Tumbler Set

Anthropologie | $48.00

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

Cloth napkins have the ability to take your event to the next level, with linen always being a summer fabric favorite!

Ivory Linen Napkin

Crate and Barrel | $7.95

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

Sangria or lemonade? The best thing about stackable drink dispensers (aside from being so pretty) is than you can serve all of your favorite summer refreshments!

Double Glass Beverage Dispenser

Williams-Sonoma | $109.95

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

If tiki-chic was a thing, these tassel and bamboo place mats would be IT!

Fex Tassel Placemat

Furbish | $10.00

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

Have we mentioned how much we love pineapples?

Pineapples Paper Straws

Revel & Co. | $5.00

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

Bring on the lobster rolls and clam chowder, this chic tea towel will transport you to a beach-front restaurant in Nantucket.

Pure Linen Tea Towel

Von Walter & Funk | $28.00

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

Lugging all of your glassware outside isn’t exactly fun. This gorgeous brass caddy is the logistical equivalent of having 6 hands.

Brass Wire & Rattan Caddy

Von Walter & Funk | $48.00

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

We love a good tray! Serve cocktails, hors d’oeuvres or even a variety of desserts on this shabby chic look from West Elm!

Ash + Steel Round Serving Tray

West Elm | $79.99

 

Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party Summer Entertaining Picks | The Event Group Blog | Summer Party

The table is set, the champagne is chilling and all that is left is YOU! Keep your hostessing look simple and clean, like this gorgeous textured look from No. 14 Boutique in Lawrenceville.

White Scalloped Dress

No. 14 | $78.00

Fresh + Modern Bridal Shower featured on Style Me Pretty

When Style Me Pretty approached us to do a Facebook Live video with them, we knew that a simple Q+A just wouldn’t do. After some creative brainstorming sessions, we decided to (literally) spice things up and create a fresh and modern bridal shower theme, inspired by one of our favorite things: FOOD! Taking on inspiration from the classic “The French Laundry” cookbook, our “Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife” bridal shower concept quickly transformed into the styled shoot of our event planning dreams! Our color palette was simple: black and white, accompanied by lush greens and hints of marble, courtesy of our local Crate and Barrel. Serving up some stunning florals, Allison McGeary created a low, herb-inspired centerpiece for our tablescape in addition to a whimsical bouquet bar. We all know that an invitation sets the tone for an event, so More Than Words designed a chic stationery set, featuring a unique script font that the whole team adored. With dessert always on our mind, we thought a cake decorating demonstration would be a “sweet” activity and favor for guests to enjoy. Our friends at Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique constructed adorable buttercream flowers, a technique that will totally be trending in 2016. Lastly, crisp white linens (from Mosaic), feminine chairs and black glassware (from Event Source) added some french flair to this sweet and spicy soiree. We would like to thank all of the vendors involved in this gorgeous collaboration, especially Lauren Renee for the AMAZING photos featured both below and on the Style Me Pretty post! See our Facebook Live video and more photos here.

Florist | Allison McGeary Floral & Event Design
Invitation and Menu | More Than Words Pittsburgh
Cakes | Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique
Linens | Mosaic Inc.
Rentals | Event Source
Marble Chargers | Crate and Barrel
Spices | Penzeys Spices
Venue | The Union Hall
Cookbook Favors | The French Laundry

Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs Sugar and Spice for the Soon to be Wife | Style Me Pretty | The Event Group | Pittsburgh | Black and White | Bridal Shower | Event Design | Wedding Planner | Lauren Renee Designs

Q + A with Hannah Conard

Hannah Conard Beauty | The Event Group | Bridal Beauty Blog Q & A | Mandy Fierens Photography

Mandy Fierens Photography

This month, The Event Group had the pleasure of talking one-on-one with Hannah Conard, founder of Hannah Conard Beauty! Armed with magical makeup brushes and a sunny disposition, Hannah specializes in enhancing a bride’s natural beauty, giving her that “I woke up like this” glow (ah, the glow!). Covering everything from hair and makeup trends to foundation preferences, Hannah leaves no beauty secrets behind for you soon-to-be blushing brides! What does your everyday beauty and makeup routine consist of? 
It’s pretty basic! SPF is a must for me so I always put on a tinted moisturizer or CC cream and fill in my brows at a minimum. I feel naked without either of them.

What prompted you to start your own company? 
I worked in salons for years but it just wasn’t the right fit. I have been doing hair and makeup for events since I was in High School and it was always what I loved most. I finally had an epiphany and realized if that’s what I love, that’s what I need to focus my energy on doing. I quit both of my jobs and devoted myself to getting my business started

Are you forecasting any trends for bridal makeup and hair for 2016? 
Braids are huge right now. Brides have moved away from anything too formal or contrived. Soft, romantic, effortless even messy! That is what brides want and lucky for me is what I love and really specialize in!

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have 1 beauty product, what would it be? 
Anything with SPF in it! If you want to have great skin you have to protect it!

Do you have any tips for brides planning out their getting ready timeline for their wedding day? 
Schedule lots of fudge room! No matter how hard you try, things just tend to run behind. You will feel so much better and relaxed if you allow your self extra time.

Is there anything you recommend brides to incorporate into their beauty routine before the wedding? 
If you are going to make any big changes do it at least 4-6 months before to give your skin time to adjust and for the results to really show. Other than drink lots of water and exfoliate, your skin and makeup artist will love you for it.

Airbrush, liquid or powder foundation? Ready, go! 
The never ending debate! I have never been a big fan of powder foundation, particarly not for special events or woman over 40. There are a lot of differences between Airbrush vs Traditional both are great options.The most notable difference is Airbrush is lightweight and waterproof while Traditional is more dimensional and versatile. There isn’t a best option it’s just about finding the right fit for you!

Hannah Conard Beauty | The Event Group | Bridal Beauty Blog Q & A | Veronica Varos Photography

Veronica Varos Photography