COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR CHAIRS WITH FLAIR

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This season is a little different for us and everyone in the event industry, as we try to navigate the unfamiliar territory of working under a pandemic. We are currently in the “50 people or less” phase of the reopening plan and as such, we are starting to decorate events again, yay! With that in mind, we have our own safety protocol that our team follows to ensure the we and our clients stay safe.  Please click the link below to view these measures.

Thank-you and we are very excited to continue making all your events beautiful!

Petroula, Chairs with Flair

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Renting Vs. Buying – A Cheaper, More Reliable Option

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We have heard a lot about our gatherings being much smaller this year than ever (under 50 people). While a 50 person limit on our event seems like a challenge, it doesn’t have to be a lesser affair. On the contrary, an intimate event can be just as exquisite as a larger more elaborate one. It might even allow you the flexibility to spend more than you would have otherwise on your decor. Some brides, however, might decide to spend less since not that many people will be witnessing their decor efforts.

It might also be tempting for many brides planning a smaller event to feel like they would be better off doing the entire event themselves because of the smaller scale. However, just because the guest count is lower, the event itself should not be treated differently than a larger one and it should be just as precisely executed with all the elements properly and professionally created. Actually, it’s easier to camouflage flaws during bigger events whereas in a more boutique setting, everything is visible and there is no room for errors.

It might be very appealing to some to purchase their own decor elements, especially chair covers, to create their desired look but there are many draw backs to this:

1. not all chairs are standard and as such, the covers you are purchasing will very likely be the wrong fit for your venue which will result in a bad look or in a bad purchase….both of which will require a re do of some sort.

2. you will have to depend on family and friends to help you install them, remove and package them…adding more stress to your wedding day.

3. if the covers work out for your event, you will then have to clean them, repair them and try to resell them, which all takes time and more of your money.

4. a “do-it-yourself” rental would cost you about $2 per chair, whereas, purchasing brand new chair covers is usually around $3 USD and up (plus shipping). Used chair covers are a lot less to purchase but you would still have to consider repairing them and cleaning them before use IF they end up being the correct size for your venue’s chairs.

If you are a “do-it-yourself” enthusiast, you might be drawn to purchasing your own decor but the reality is, you would spend less money on a DIY rental than you would on purchasing these items, without having to deal with the above problems.

It is important that your wedding day, regardless of size, be treated with the same respect you would have given it prior to the pandemic. Do not feel cheated out the day you have always dreamed of. When in doubt, ask a professional. They will have all the necessary elements to create your dream at very affordable rates.

In our case, we can offer chair cover rentals starting at $1.95 ea for DIY. We can also offer the “do-it-yourself” bride aisle runners, pew markers and table linen at very reasonable rates. All you have to do is ask us!

Add Extra Flair with Specialty Spandex Covers!

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Spandex Covers with built in sash, plain and with added bling rings

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Spandex chair covers with a twist! From rushed sides to built in sashes, these spandex covers offer the versatility and structure of a spandex cover with built in texture and design.

No accents necessary but sashes and accents can be used to compliment your theme.

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Spandex covers with rushed sides, with spandex bands and with sashes

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A Sash is a Sash…Until it’s a Tie!

Kimono tie

Kimono tie

Double bows

Double bows

 

Ascot tie

Ascot tie

Double knot tie

Double knot tie

Complimenting your wedding chair decor with a sash is brilliant. Not only does the chair instantly create an added element to your wedding but also it reflects your wedding’s theme in many ways: colour, fabric and of course, style.

Colour:

You can choose a sash colour that matches your overall decor or you can choose to work with a palette that directly compliments your overall theme and adds dimension to your wedding venue.

Fabric:

Sashes come in organza (sheer), taffeta (crisp solid), or satin (soft solid). The fabric you select is completely up to you. There is no right or wrong answer, contrary to popular belief. Our recommendation? Use the season as your guide. If you are getting married during a warmer season (spring or summer), opt for the organza. The sheerness of the fabric lightens up your room regardless of the colour you select. Likewise, if you are hosting a fall or winter event, taffeta or satin make a great choice as the heaviness of the solid fabric relects the need for a warmer, cozier feel when the weather is cooler. Between the solid fabrics, we prefer to work with taffeta as it is a crispier fabric and holds up better when tying into bows.

Style:

Again, there is no right or wrong answer her. It’s up to you but if you are hosting a more traditional event, perhaps bows are great choice. If you are opting for a more modern look, perhaps a kimono or ascot tie would work best. Select a tie style that compliments your overall theme but more importantly one that speaks to you as well. Perhaps a bow on an ultra modern set up will create an added element of interest to your decor?

There are lots of sash tie options. What is your sash style? Bows, kimonos, ascot, double knots, rosettes or flowers?

To Cover or Not to Cover

Well, the answer to that is an easy one….COVER! Chair covers are the ultimate decor element. They uniform the room, they allow you to add colour as needed and they’re look can be personalized to suit your wedding or event theme. Plus, since they add lots of decor at eye level, they really are the only decor necessary aside from a nice centrepiece. Everything else is just fluff.

Here are some true life examples from some real weddings before and after the chair cover effect. No words required.

Chiavari Chairs vs. Chair Covers

Deep red taffeta bows are the perfect compliment to this heritage building @heritagehallvancouver

Deep red taffeta bows are the perfect compliment to this heritage building @heritagehallvancouver

Vancouver's Hellenic Centre looking stunning with gold chiavari chairs and specialty decor by "Only the Best"

Vancouver’s Hellenic Centre with painted gold chiavari style chairs and specialty decor by “Only the Best”

The idea behind using the chairs at your venue as a decor focal point has been around for decades now. Heck, we’ve been in the industry for more than two decades ourselves! And although chair covers have been the default, more and more weddings are opting to go with chiavari chairs instead. Why? Here are some pros and cons for both chiavari chairs and chair covers:

Chiavari chairs look very elegant and are light and easy to move around. That’s basically where the pros end. Now for the cons: chiavari chairs are EXPENSIVE. The venue’s own chairs have to be moved out in order to bring the chiavaris in and they require more labour to truck, stack and place than just decorating the chairs already provided by the venue. Also, they don’t suit all venues. Some spaces are inexpensive to rent, like gyms for example. This is great for the consumer, but they are cheap for a reason and simply adding the really expensive chiavari chairs, makes them look completely out of place. Lastly, chiavari chairs are PLASTIC! Don’t be fooled; they look gold or silver or white but that is just paint over PLASTIC. Also, because they are a PLASTIC chair, more associated decor costs result to “fill” the emptiness of the sparse looking chairs. They are not substantial enough to carry the entire decor, like covered chairs do.

Chair covers on the other hand are the less expensive option. As a result, they don’t offer that WOW factor when people see them in comparison to gold chiavari chairs but that is also one of their major pros. They are AFFORDABLE! When fitted to your venue’s chairs, they look amazing and you can dress them up to suit any wedding colour theme. You can make them look more expensive by simply choosing richer colours or fabrics for your chair cover accents and voila! Add a nice centrepiece and no other decor is needed.

When compared side by side, chiavari chairs offer the WOW factor but nothing more. Chair covers can offer a WOW factor by choosing the appropriate colour and fabric. They are affordable and easy to install and remove (either by DIY or by professionals).

Our opinion? Well, in some cases, chiavaris look amazing but we love the look and feel of luxurious fabric. The flexibility to change your decor look with elegant sash colours or specialty ties by far exceeds the rigidity of the one look chiavari. Save your $ and play with fabric instead.

We’re Hiring!

b2ap3_large_Picture1At “Chairs with Flair”, we pride ourselves on our prompt, reliable, friendly service.  Thanks to all the great people on our team, we plan on continuing that excellence for years to come.

That’s where you come in!

Are you creative?  Do you enjoy working as part of a team as well as independently?  Can you stand for several hours a day?  Can you work weekends and late nights?  Do you know the difference between a bow and knot?  Do you own your own vehicle?

If you answered yes to all these questions, let’s talk!

We are looking for casual (on call) part timer employees.  Our work is mainly on weekends with the occasional weekday set up as well.  Shifts are assigned a few days before each event and your compensation is on a per event basis.

If you are interested, please contact us at 604-319-5228.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Head Tables – Add the Flair without the Price!

20170910_13555120170910_135425After years of being asked to provide decor as well as chair covers, we have finally listened!  What we love most about our job is being creative; so, when we were asked recently to do “something” to the head table of these weddings, we put our best foot forward and got creative.  The results were all slightly different and each reflected the style of each wedding;  the brides were all happy and we were encouraged enough to add a little decor component to our repertoire.

We are now pleased to offer decor packages that include your chair covers (sashes), table overlays or runners, non floral centrepieces and draping of the head table.  Prices start at $3000 for weddings up to 200 guests.

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Sunny Yellow 18th Birthday Bash at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport

yellow_birthday_sheraton   How did you celebrate your 18th birthday?

The great thing about our job is that we are always at someone’s wedding or at someone’s birthday; so, it feels like we are always celebrating a milestone too!  This past July we had the honour of providing chair covers for one lucky young lady whose parents gave her a huge birthday bash at one of our favourite Lower Mainland venues, the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond.

Formerly the Richmond Inn, the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel is a property unlike any new hotel in Vancouver.  It’s sprawling layout, ample parking, and secluded outdoor pool is reminiscent of the 1960′s and 1970′s.  Although its decor is completely modern, the feel of this expansive venue is something both rare and appealing in a retro fashion. The addition of the their new ultra modern Convention and Conference Centre adjacent to the existing hotel, adds even more party and meeting space to this already massive property!

However, that retro feel of the original property was not lost on our birthday girl who decked out her birthday bash in a sunny yellow.  From her ballgown to the balloons, yellow was the word of the day!yellown

 

The birthday girl continued her yellow theme by choosing ivory banquet chair covers adorned with yellow sparkle organza sashes with …… you guessed it, yellow daisy floral inserts!

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Good job on sticking to your theme… Happy Birthday Erin Marie!  And thanks to Eric-g-Carlos for the great pics!!!

 

 

 

 

Beyond the Sea – A Royal Vancouver Yacht Club Wedding

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If you live in Vancouver, you either love the mountains or you love the sea or even both but you don’t have to be a skier to love the mountains or a sailor to love the ocean.

So, when our bride, Louise, called to talk weddings, she made it very clear that she is not a sailor nor a club member but that she wanted her wedding to mean something and having it with both the ocean and the mountains as a backdrop meant something.  So, the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club fit that bill to a “tee”!

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With beautiful wood and brass adornments throughout the dining room and windows that look out to an “only in Vancouver” scene, we set out to find the perfect chair cover and sash combination that would speak to this very special first time bride.

After much time and deliberation, our bride made the perfect choice….one that spoke to her, complimented the venue and addressed the view.  And, the result was, well, just as the view itself, breathtaking!

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Louise ended up choosing white banquet chair covers with apple green taffeta sashes tied in a double twist side tie ending in a knot.  An intricate tie that was made to resemble the rise and fall of the ocean’s waves.  She was absolutely thrilled with the result!

Thank-you Louise for letting us play with the sashes until we got it just right.  Congratulations!

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