Diva Glam Experience (Houston, TX)

While we love our brides, there's something special about creating a day to remember for our younger clients.  We were hired to create a DIVA Glam experience for this little 9 year old beauty.   She was transitioning from a little princess, to what she called a "pre pre teen."  LOL

At Kennique, we believe that celebrations should have a minimum of two unique experiences.  This Diva Glam experience actually had three!  The day begin with an kid approved Italian brunch with her closes friends and family. The birthday girl and her guests were then swepted away in their very own limo to the Tinkled Pink Party Palace dress-up, tea and of course a Diva fashion show.  The evening concluded with a "bestie" slept-over. 

And, Kennique was there every step of the way.  From the Save-The-Date magnet keepsakes created for guests and family to the last little diva left the following morning.

Here are a few pics from Kristion's Diva Glam experience...



Magnet Save The Date mailed to family and friends.

Invitations were designed as tickets
(Address modified for this sharing)

Table set for the little DIVA's brunch.

 




Table set with our flocking damask and custom chargers.



No Diva is complete without her chariot - A limo took the birthday girl and her
guests to the Tickled Pink Party Palace for dress-up, a fashion show and tea.

The birthday girl having a blast...isn't she lovely!

Dress up and fashion show.

Can't have a Diva Glam experience without tea time.
Tinkled Pink Party Palace in Spring.

Dress-up at the Tinkled Pink Party Palace

Our princess is now a DIVA!

Cake incorporated zebra print with matching
cupcakes.

 

KENNIQUE LINENS RECEIVES THE WEDDINGWIRE BRIDE’S CHOICE AWARD, AGAIN!

DALLAS, TX – January 13, 2013 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading online wedding marketplace, is thrilled to announce that Kennique Linens has been selected, for the second year in a row, as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 for Linen Rentals in Dallas, TX. 

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism.

Kennique Linen’s selection as a Bride’s Choice Award 2013 winner was selected based on the positive experiences expressed by past clients on WeddingWire, the world’s largest wedding review site with over one million reviews.  While many industry awards are given by the host organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Kennique Linens.

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2013 are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on professional achievements from the previous year. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.  As a Bride’s Choice Awards winner, Kennique Linens is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

“Each year, WeddingWire looks forward to celebrating the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Now in its fifth year, the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program continues to recognize the elite wedding professionals who exemplify a commitment to quality, service and professionalism. These businesses were chosen by our bridal community for their responsiveness and dedication to their clients over the past year. We are honored to recognize Kennique Linens for their impressive achievements within the wedding industry.”

“Kennique Linens is thrilled to be one of the top linen rentals in Dallas, TX in the WeddingWire Network of sites, which include leading wedding sites such as WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire.  We value all of our clients and truly appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2013,”
 said Mesha Kennerson, Partner/Lead Linen Consultant.  

For more information about Kennique Linens, please visit www.KenniqueLinens.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.

WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge.  For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

About Kennique Linens

At Kennique Linens we provide fine linen rentals for weddings, banquets and special events. This includes table linens, specialty wedding linens, table overlays, table runners, chair covers, napkins and sashes. Our table linens are made from some of the finest cotton, satin, organza and taffeta fabrics on the market, and our mission is to help our clients create a unique atmosphere that fits their style and budget.  We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service and a convenient inquiry and order process that saves our clients time and money when selecting table linens and other event linen décor. To learn more about Kennique Linens, visit www.kenniquelinens.com or call 214-699-7320.

 

What Do Men Really Think About Weddings

So, I’m sitting in a consultation with my clients, a beautiful couple deciding on linens for their Winter Wonderland wedding.  As much as the groom tried, and boy did he try, he just couldn’t get into it all.  As the bride pawned over the different shades of white and ivory, she’d look to her hubby-to-be, his head would snap to attention and out of it a swift “sure babe,” “looks good” and on occasion “as long as you love it.”  She’d smile, roll her eyes and move on to the next shade.   

As the meeting progressed, with colors and linens confirmed, I provided the itemized invoice and what do you know, phone down, eyes squared we’ve officially got his attention.  I know it sounds cliché, but is it true?  That when it comes to weddings men are only concerned about one thing – not the theme, location, colors or even the date – they only care about the COST? 

What better way to find out then to ask, and that’s exactly what we did.  We called a few of our close clients, as well as two of our future grooms, and asked the million dollar question. 

The reality is, yes, cost is king for men.  However, they also care about the look of the wedding.  However, in most cases while their bride will lose sleep over the latter, they’re not as dedicated to the former and that’s where the groom comes in.  “Of course I want it to be nice because it’s a reflection of both of us; however in my case my wife had the design under control.  The only thing out of control was the cost” M. Hansen, 2008 Groom.

“Weddings are an important moment in two people’s lives.  The wedding is not the problem, it’s when ‘the moments’ cost too much and the importance of it is over inflated,” –D. Logan, Future groom.  “Girls see all the bride shows and want what they see, which for most couples is not realistic, and then they turn all Bridezilla.  No man wants to deal with that.”  “You’ve got couples literally going into major debt to live up to the commercialization of weddings.  Going in debt over a wedding should never be an option or considered.”

And there you have it.  When we take a step back, while the role the groom plays in the whole wedding thing is different, it’s necessary.  In most cases, he’s the realist.  He sees beyond right now and into the future.  Yes, he wants it to be nice, but nice can happen without breaking the bank. 

Okay fine, guys!  We can accept that ;)

Happy Planning!

Celebrating Erica Campbell’s Baby Zaya

On Thursday night we got a sneak peek at Grammy recording artist Erica Campbell’s baby shower on the reality show MaryMary.  This show follows the beautiful and dynamic sister gospel duo Tina and Erica Campbell.  (They both married men with the same last night…so cool!) 

I’m totally in love with the theme and design of the shower.  Who says all the tables have to be the same.  The carousel theme features an array of beautiful table designs and fabulous linens in various shades of pink.   The pink and champagne color inspiration was perfect for the intimate and heartfelt event that included only their closes family and friends.  My fav table design was definitely the guest of honor table where the beautiful Erica and her hubby Warren Campbell, Grammy Award winning Producer, embraced the love.  Their table was draped in a Champagne Rosette overlay.

As if the beautiful décor wasn’t enough, what really stole the show was an amazing game played that allowed guest to form groups and write a song about baby Zaya Monique.  Among the contestants was the one and only Grammy Award Winner Jill Scott.  Of course, she won, and rightfully so.  The song she wrote was absolutely amazing…I guess that will be why she has a Grammy ;)  Check out the video below. 

The Campbells welcomed baby Zaya Monique into the world on January 25, 2012.   

What Type of Wedding Reception is Right For You?

When it comes to wedding receptions, one size doesn't have to fit all.  Let About.com help you find the reception that works best for you.  They provide a very helpful guide, in addition to the pros and cons of different reception ideas. 

"When envisioning your wedding reception, do you see the beauty of early morning light dancing through the trees or an all night, all-out party? There are so many different types of wedding receptions, there's going to be one right for your style, AND your budget."

Read more from About.com Guide.

Be Inspired

The world of table/wedding linens have come a long way.  From the chic taffetas to the traditional matte satins, there really is something for everyone and every budget. 

Here's a little video that our Office Manager put together to show a few simple designs.  From Damask runners to elastic pintucks.  All doable, afforable and beautiful.  Many are also what we call "venue friendly".  Here's what we mean - if budget is an option, try to enhance your venue's table linens, as opposed to replacing them.  For example, if your venue provides white poly table linens, enhance the design with a cool speciality runner (i.e. Pintuck or Damask) and sash. 

Take a look and be inspired.



About Kennique Linens

At Kennique Linens we provide fine linen rentals for weddings, banquets and special events. This includes table linens, specialty wedding linens, table overlays, table runners, chair covers, napkins and sashes. Our table linens are made from some of the finest cotton, satin, organza and taffeta fabrics on the market, and our mission is to help our clients create a unique atmosphere that fits their style and budget.  We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service and a convenient inquiry and order process that saves our clients time and money when selecting table linens and other event linen décor. To learn more about Kennique Linens, visit www.kenniquelinens.com or call 832-499-7511.

OMG, We Have to Pay for This!

Tips for Planning a Wedding on a Budget

So you’ve said “Yes,” hugged and cried with all your friends, selected your big day and then you realize something – Yikes – how are we going to pay for this?

Unless, you’re part of the “lucky sperm club” you realize pretty quickly the need for a plan and budget.  First things first, sit with your fiancé and set expectations.  How much can you REALLY afford and what are the “must haves” and top priorities?

Be realistic.  Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life; however it’s only the beginning.  With that in mind, think post wedding when it comes to setting your budget and do your best to stay AWAY from debt.  I hate to use the “D” and “S” words, but it’s a must.  Smart brides learn EARLY to practice discipline and self-control. 

Here are a few additional tips…

·         Paper please.  I’m a digital person myself, however I’ve found, and heard from others, that it’s better to use an actual notebook for your planning.  Add pockets for each budget category.  Below are a few examples of sections categorized to compliment how the bride’s budget will be divided.  You don’t want to get to granular, however to macro will make it difficult to cut or reallocate funds if needed.  

o   Wardrobe

o   Location (i.e. your venue research and selection)

o   Transportation

o   Reception décor (i.e. table linens, chair cover swatches and pricing)

o   Food (i.e. catering information)

·         Plan.  In all my years of schooling (18.5 years to be exact), the most effective and helpful class was an elective that I completed my second year in college – Project Management, what the professor defined as “the art of EFFECTIVELY managing many things with minimal time.”  I’d like to add for budget brides “…and minimal money.” Create a plan that includes a timeline for all key tasks and decisions that must be made.   Plan.

·         Embrace the formula.  The formula is simple, the more people you invite, the more it’s going to cost.  Really consider this when creating your guest list. 

·         Lay-away please. Consider vendors that will allow you to pay out your balance.  For example, if they require a 25% deposit, budget to pay a certain amount each month.  Don’t just consider this for the big stuff (i.e. your venue, cake, etc), adopt for things like your table linens and chair covers.   A few vendors, Kennique Linens included, allow clients to set-up reoccurring payments.  Take advantage of this.

·         Work your people and/or resources.  While this can be tricky because you don’t want to end up with a video full of nothing important or photographs that rival those taken by my 7 year old niece, if you do have access to a professional (or hobbyist) that you can use for photographer, videographer, creating invitations, etc. that will reduce your outlay.

·         No Saturday.  Most brides get hip to this one pretty quickly.  Everything is more expensive on Saturday (wedding or no wedding).  If it’s possible to select a different day, this could save you hundreds even THOUSANDS. 

·         Do your research, but don’t miss great deals.  As a vendor, I can’t tell you how many clients miss out on great deals and specials waiting for great deals and specials.  Allocate time for research and shopping and then after that time has expired, make a decision! 

·         No Procrastination.  Your wedding is not the time to practice procrastination.  Stick to your plan and avoid waiting to the last minute to place orders or purchase items.  It may cost you in the end (either money or what you want because it’s no longer available).

Budget doesn’t mean cheap looking.  It’s being smart about what’s in your control and allocating your money in a way that will maximize your hoped-for-outcome (there’s a SAT definition for you LOL).  Seriously, it is possible to have a beautiful and fabulous wedding on a tight and meager budget.  Brides do it all the time.  Just remember - Budget.  Plan.  Enjoy.

About Kennique Linens

At Kennique Linens we provide fine linen rentals for weddings, banquets and special events. This includes table linens, specialty wedding linens, table overlays, chair covers, napkins and sashes. Our table linens are made from some of the finest cotton, satin, organza and taffeta fabrics on the market, and our mission is to help our clients create a unique atmosphere that fits their style and budget.  We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service and a convenient inquiry and order process that saves our clients time and money when selecting table linens and other event linen décor. To learn more about Kennique Linens, visit http://www.kenniquelinens.com/ or call 832-499-7511.

Kim K Embraces the Beautiful Black Rosette

Well I’m not sure if you can call it the wedding of the year, after all there was the Prince and Kate; however it was absolutely beautiful - starting with her bridal shower.  If there’s one thing you can’t deny Ms. Kim (or should I say Mrs. Humphries), it’s that the chick has style.  I’m so in love with her linen selection for her bridal shower, the Black Rosette.  Now, while this is not the most cost effective linen option (clearly), believe it or not it’s within your grasp.  And here’s the beautiful thing – you can even keep your first born LOL :)  

View our Linen Closet to request a quote.  If you’re not absolutely sold on it for all your tables, but would love to incorporate this bundle of fabulousness into your event design, consider using it for your cake, sweetheart table or even your gift table.  Be Inspired!

Wedding Themes, Oh Wedding Themes, How Do I Select the Perfect Wedding Theme...

So you’d like to adopt a theme for your wedding, however you’re not sure where to start.  Or, here’s another extreme, you’ve got a head full of ideas and are having a difficult time selecting one – because unless you’re going for the circus theme,  incorporating them all is out of the question.

Don’t panic!  There is a perfect theme out there for you.   A great place to start is with what you DO know.   You’ve undoubtedly secured at least one of these wedding elements: wedding color(s), wedding venues and/or your wedding date.  You can actually start here, let what you have confirmed lead the way!  Here are a few thoughts from a guest writer. 

Wedding Color

Wedding colors are a great jumping off point for choosing wedding themes. Going with popular images and themes associated with a certain color, your wedding theme will be easy-breezy to incorporate along with all other wedding elements. Different shades for just one color is more than enough. For example, there are many shades of blue. Dark blue is associated with navy; pair it with red and white, ropes and sailboats for a lovely navy-themed wedding. Royal blue is, well, royal; combined with silver it is perfect for an elegant, royal affair. Light blue evokes images of sunny skies and clear waters–ideal with a destination wedding.

Wedding Venue

Wedding venues with strong identifying points can inspire great wedding theme ideas. Holding your reception at a ranch is perfect for a romantic country wedding with DIY touches here and there. A museum hall is great for a quirky yet formal affair. A school yard or hall is just the place for a school-themed wedding (and is perfect for couple who met at a school, too).

Wedding Date

Be inspired with the season. Having spring, summer, fall or winter theme weddings is a classic choice. It makes the most of Mother Nature’s free backdrop. And everything is cheaper when it is in season–you just might be surprised at how much lower your flowers will cost when you choose flowers in season.

July's Kennique Fav

The Forest Taffeta Linen Collection

Avacado

This beautiful taffeta is absolutely stunning.  It's unique, elegant and really creates an atmosphere that will damand attention.  Makes a great overlay if your venue offers an underlay. 






Chocolate











Plum





White



Black





Gold



Ivory



Champagne



Selecting the Right Linens for Your Wedding/Event

Lamour Satin, Bridal Satin, Solid Taffeta, Crushed Taffeta, Pintuck, Mirror Organza, Sparkle Sheer Organza, Bombay Pattern, Ribbon Swirl…and the list goes on and on.

The table linens you choose for your special event or wedding can greatly enhance the look of your event space.  While selecting table linens can be over-whelming, it doesn’t have to be.  Start first by considering the following. What is your theme? What are your colors?   Are you a fan of designs and patterns?  Do you prefer shiny, sheer or a more matted (less shiny more natural) look?  What’s your budget?  If cost is a concern and your venue provides basic linens, consider going with an overlay as they are less costly and can provide an interesting contrast. Get napkins and maybe a chair tie to compliment the table linen. 

Also, when making your selection, consider your event space décor.  You want a table design that works with other aspects of the room such as the wall decorations and even the flooring. 

See Your Selection in Action
It’s really difficult to capture the true essence of a table design with a swatch.  Therefore, require that your linen rental company set-up a display at their office.  At Kennique, we also provide an opportunity for our clients to request a display at their actual event venue – which gives more of a complete picture of how it all will come together.  While this is not standard for all linen rental companies, you should be able to request it.

So embrace the variety, but don’t let it overwhelm you.  Rely on your linen rental company, and let them help you navigate throughout the beautiful world of fine linens. 

Happy Planning!

Hold The Bridal Sheen Please

More and more brides are becoming anti-shiny, and even the more matte satins, such as Lamour, are not making the cut.   If that’s you, have no fear because Solid Taffeta is here.  This two-toned fabric embodies the formal elegance of traditional satin, but with a modern and more simplistic twist.  It’s by far one of our Kennique Favs because of its versatility, and (you'll love this) it’s one of the most cost effective specialty linens on the market*.   You’ve got to love variety.

Happy Planning!

*Prices of course vary by company.

There's an app for that...

We know firsthand that planning events can be as time consuming and vexing as they are rewarding and exciting.  However, no fear, a new wedding app is here. 

There are several out there, however today @TheKnot announced their new app on CNN.  Some of the features – schedule, share ideas, collaborate with others across the US, manage your budget, access resources and so much more.  Gotta love it - http://t.co/PXlPZh9

The Knot Market Intelligence: Trends for Summer 2011, as seen at The Wedding Sal...

The Knot Market Intelligence: Trends for Summer 2011, as seen at The Wedding Sal...: "On April 27th, amidst the week of the Royal Wedding, The Wedding Salon brought brides' fantasy weddings to life at The Manhattan Center. Th..."

All About the LLC

"Ah that's so cute and it goes with my theme?  I'll work it in."  Okay, so let's be honest, how many times have you said that when planning an event and walking by yet another little "trinket" that would "go perfectly" with your theme?  It's a battle that even the best of us struggle with.  Here's the reality, there's definitely a place for the gifts, trinkets and cutesy table accents, however that's not the place to start and they will not have the greatest impact. 

So, it's simple.  When planning events remember it’s all about the LLC.  LOCATION.  LINENS.  CENTERPIECE.   These three elements will have the greatest impact.

LOCATION. Think about it… it's a lot easier to transform a nice location into something amazing then it is an "it will do" place that has no character or spunk.  It most cases, budgets have a great deal to do with where you have your event, however choose your location wisely.  It can actually save you a few bucks in the end. 

LINENS.  No event graduates to the ranks of “sheer fabulosity” without a deliberate focus on linens.  From your table linens to the dressings you select for your chairs – they are all key elements in the LLC equation.  The world of linens has changed drastically since the days of the traditional shiny Bridal Satin, so explore your options.  The biggest misconception is that specialty linens are very expensive.  With the right linen company, that’s not true, not true at all. 

CENTERPIECES.  I think this speaks for itself; it’s the “center” piece that brings it all together!  It gives depth to the room and brings the event décor to life.  Here’s the thing, work with a florist or planner that can help you select the best centerpiece for your space.  

Once you've covered the basics, then begin to layer. 

Events do not have to cost you an arm, leg and your first born ;)  Just use your funds wisely, start with the LLC and have fun.   

Happy Planning!