One of the keys to throwing a successful holiday party (and not throwing your sanity out of the window) is proper preparation. If you’ve ever hosted a holiday party before, you probably had lists upon lists of all the things you needed to do to get ready. And many times, you may still feel like you’re scrambling trying to get things done at the last minute.

The truth is, it is completely possible to host a stress-free holiday party. And we’re talking about anything from an intimate holiday dinner to a large formal gala. Check out our tips below for holiday party must-haves. And to download our entire Holiday Party Checklist, head here.

Holiday Luncheon

If you’re hosting a holiday luncheon, chances are you’ll be inviting co-workers, peers, and people you may want to network with. That’s why you’ll want the event to feel approachable, yet still have a formal holiday vibe. In order to achieve this, you’ll want to have coordinating linens such as our Champagne Sequin Linen, Chafing Dishes, and Copper Beverage Service that to give your holiday party a festive feel.

Festive Gala

The holidays are a great time to celebrate in a big way and a grand gala is just the way to thank VIP clients or your team for all they contribute to your company’s success. If you’re hosting a large and formal company holiday party, there are a few items you’ll want to make sure you include. A red carpet entrance area sets the scene (we can do any color carpet!) and cocktail & bistro tables are a must for mingling. We also recommend having formal place settings with china, chargers and plenty of glassware for toasting the year past and ahead.

At Home Soriee

Cozy home holiday parties are a wonderful and intimate way to share the seasonal good tidings with family and friends. But these gatherings can stretch the limits of anyone’s kitchen. Whether you need extra plates or forks, serving dishes & platters, or flutes for toasting, we have all the home holiday party rentals in stock and available for delivery or easy pick-up at our Franklin warehouse.

If you’re hosting a holiday party, we’d love to help! Send us a message at info@southerneventsonline.com.

Many of us spend our days inside, hunched over a computer. Throwing outdoor parties makes for a welcome change of pace. Imagine an event in Nashville, TN under the night sky… music playing, refreshing cocktails, and ambiance everywhere. Yep, that sounds like a Nashville-themed outdoor party to us! If this has you feeling inspired, keep reading for a curated list of outdoor party rentals for your Music City gathering!

Indoor/Outdoor Spaces

Fall in Nashville can never make up its mind. It’s cool. And then it’s hot. You shouldn’t have to make up your mind, either! Many Nashville venues boast indoor and outdoor spaces.  Utilizing both spaces will allow your event to breathe a bit. Setting up lounge spaces with our Sutton Lounge Collection, and rugs such as our Navy Rug, along with other rentals, will allow guests to feel comfortable and free to mingle.

Drinks

We all know that a good Tennessee party will most likely include refreshing cocktails. And in Nashville, you’ll most definitely find bourbon. Having the right outdoor bar set up that is both functional and stylish is vital for a successful outdoor party. Our Tin Lizzie Bar and Bar Cart will get you there.

Metal Accents

A Nashville-themed party is full Southern influence and a whole lot of music. A great way to incorporate that honky-tonk + rockstar feel into your outdoor Nashville party is by using metal accents like our Urban Metal Coffee Table and Urban Metal Bench.

Fire Pits

Fire pits just burn with ambiance! Guests love to gather around our Stone Round Fire Pit. Oh, and speaking of ambiance, our Black Lanterns look cozy and cool placed near lounging areas and tables. And both of these provide extra lights to keep guests safe.

www.erinleeallender.com

www.erinleeallender.com

Ready to plan a Nashville-themed party under the stars? Send us a message at info@southerneventsonline.com.

Outdoor wedding ceremonies in Nashville, TN come in all shapes and sizes. Couples may opt for an open-air feel for a variety of reasons – one being the sheer beauty and novelty of exchanging vows with Mother Earth as a front-row guest. Many brides and grooms have envisioned an outdoor wedding ceremony for as long as they can remember. We adore being part of wedding celebrations outdoors, and get giddy with excitement when we see it all come together!

An outdoor wedding ceremony does not always mean the wedding is taking place on some form of a lawn. You could use a rooftop or a venue that offers concrete area. If a couple is looking to take it to the next level, Dura-Trac Flooring is the perfect option in terms of creating flooring outdoors. Otherwise, with nature as the backdrop, the sky is certainly the limit in terms of what kind of look one can achieve for an open-air wedding ceremony. Boho, elegant, rustic, intimate, grand – we’ve seen it all. In order to achieve the look you desire, all that is needed is creativity, a plan, and the perfect outdoor wedding ceremony rentals.

Boho Outdoor Weddings

For a boho-themed outdoor wedding ceremony, we love using rentals such as our Rustic Bench for seating. For texture, Cowhide Rugs draped over benches and over the ground are used. This adds warmth, color, and fun! Our Metal Ceremony Ring would fit perfectly here as well.

 Photo by The Photographix   

Traditional Outdoor Weddings

For a more traditional outdoor wedding ceremony, Folding Chairs in black, natural wood, or white and our Walnut Ceremony Doors create a streamlined, classic look. The combination of natural wood, green grass, and a blue sky come together for a memorable and gorgeous day!

Photo by Jenna Henderson

Photo by Mary Rosenbaum Photography

Modern  Outdoor Weddings

If a couple is desiring a modern vibe at their wedding ceremony, Acrylic Chairs look absolutely gorgeous – they are the perfect modern approach to seating at an outdoor wedding. Pairing an outdoor setting with modern materials creates an upscale, yet approachable feel.

Photo by Honey and Bee Photography

If you’re wanting to get hitched outdoors, we’d love to help! Send us a message at info@southerneventsonline.com.

A well-outfitted bar is the sign of a well-planned event. Part of your event planning list, if you’re including alcohol, will include “Get items for the bar”. Let’s get that item checked off your list. First things first – what’s your theme? Are you going for a rustic or bohemian theme? Or an upscale, Southern look? How about an elegant, sophisticated look?

If you’re going for a rustic or bohemian theme, check out our Specialty Bars:

Tin Lizzie Metal Bar

Bond Bar

White Wash Miller Bar

Miller Bar

Caldwell Bar

If you’re looking for a more Southern belle + upscale theme, you can choose between our Franklin Bar and our Harpeth Bar. The Harpeth Bar comes with curved inserts so that you can customize it. Another great option for bars at events is our Franklin Mini Bar. These are perfect bars for spacing around your event and allowing lines to not get too long, or creating fun, specialty drink stations.

Harpeth Bar

Franklin Mini Bar

Franklin Bar

Bar Accessories + Decor

After you’ve chosen your ideal bar, it’s time to stock up on storage space (Avenue Bar Back Shelf – available in gold or silver), fun decorations and backdrops (Boxwood Wall), and bar essentials like beverage tubs and ice scoops. Oh, and don’t forget the glass carafes for fun drinks like mimosas or sangrias.

If you’re serving libations at your next event, we’d love to help find the perfect rentals for your bar. Send us an email at info@southerneventsonline.com to get started!

Nashville Baby Guide Launch ~ The Lodge in Franklin

Kid-friendly spaces at events help children feel special while allowing for overall seamless event design. When creating and designing events for clients, we see no reason why the little ones can’t also have adorable areas to sit and eat! From whimsical pink and white chairs to adorably sophisticated cross-back chairs and beyond, we believe matching the kid areas with the rest of the event is a wonderful way to say “ultimate chic”. Check out this previous post for some of our favorite kid-friendly wedding reception rentals.

We recently created a few kid-approved looks for the Nashville Baby Guide Launch Party. If you’re here for sweet pink, charming blue, and trendy flamingos, then you’re in the right place! Pairing our Pink Chiavari Children’s Chair with our classy Fruitwood Children’s Farm Table, we designed inviting spaces for kids to enjoy oops-free meals on our Melamine Dinnerware. The kids’ areas coordinated beautifully with sophisticated adult areas. Hob Nob Glassware and Fuschia Etched Velvet Linens helped hold the playful vibe while staying “grown-up” and chic.

Pro tip: Simple activities such as adorable coloring areas help keep children busy while moms enjoy their “Mom-osas”

Gorgeous photos by Jenna Henderson Photography.

If you’re wanting to create an area for the pint-sized ones at your next event, we’d love to help you! Email our team to book your personal showroom tour at info@southerneventsonline.com to get started!

Americana decor and style is made up of industrial lines, vintage pieces, and other nods to star-spangled pride. The theme is nostalgic, classic, and versatile. It’s typically a combination of laid-back pieces, farmhouse vibes, history, and patriotism, and is a great feel for a corporate meeting or party on or near July 4th, or a casual summer party. This style is iconic and effortless and is sure to facilitate many memories, conversations, and good times.

From furniture to vintage accent pieces, Southern Events has a multitude of in-stock event rentals for your Americana-style event. When it comes to furniture, our Bennett Sofa and Urban Furniture can help set the scene–creating a laid-back, rustic feel. Our Blue and Red Rug brings warmth and a bit of modern style to the Americana theme. We adore how this rug has patriotic vibes while remaining trendy and stylish. You could also bring in a Cow Hide Rug for layering or to help create cozy spaces.  Is an Americana event complete without a bar for toasting and celebrating? Absolutely not! The Caldwell Bar is equal parts laid-back and vintage. Hob Nob Glassware or Recycled Glassware comes in for great vintage and classic touches, and paired with the Artisan China, creates a relaxed look. You can finish off the look with a few items from our Vintage Props. It just takes the right combination of classic American colors, vintage pieces, and contemporary lines to create an Americana-inspired event that is welcoming and beautiful.

If you’re wanting to create a star-spangled vibe at your next event, we’d love to help you! Email our team to book your personal showroom tour at info@southerneventsonline.com to get started!

Friends, say “goodbye” to the days of worrying about the wear and tear of floors or grass at your event or having limited options on finishes and design. And say “hello” to durable, portable and stylish flooring!

Made for the event industry by special event flooring experts, Dura-Trac flooring is an easy-to-install flooring system designed to protect your existing space and stand up to the wear and tear of any event. Dura-Trac’s interlocking panel system is the perfect way to protect your space and your guests.

• Ideal for festivals, concerts, graduation, tented parties, tradeshows and more!
• Can be installed over grass, dirt, mud and other uneven surfaces
• Use on slick tiles or antique floors for added protection and durability – plus the surface doubles as a great dance floor!

Download all flooring details HERE.

Dura-Trac also offers endless potential for customization literally on-top of its amazing performance. Like rolling out the red carpet, we can cover Dura-Trac with premium vinyl flooring in pattern and wood finishes – making it a stylish statement for your event!

With the a wide range of design possibilities and the unparalleled durability of this brand new flooring, we are thrilled to use it at events this year!

If you’ve been looking for event rentals that are functional and gorgeous, we’re your people. Send us an email at info@southerneventsonline.com.

Cocktail hour on your wedding day. It’s a fancy happy hour – with all of your closest family and friends. Along with planning your favorite signature drinks for your guests (and yummy hors d’oeuvres), you’ll also want to create a comfortable space that’s perfect for conversation and mingling. Cocktail hour is for moving around as your guests meet new people and connect with each other. With that in mind, barstools and cocktail tables are ideal for these types of settings.

Southern Events has several unique cocktail tables and bar stools to fit your wedding reception theme or vibe. Going for a modern theme? We love the Loren Gold Bistro Table and Acrylic Barstools. Do you love farmhouse-inspired style? The Farm Bistro Tables and Crossback Barstools look gorgeous together. If you’re into the clean lines of mid-century modern, our Mid-Century Bistro Table & Barstools will fit perfectly into your theme.  How about an industrial look? Our Jackson and Remington Bistro Tables definitely fit the bill. We love how these items can be mixed and matched to create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

If you’re ready to get started planning your upcoming cocktail hour, we’d love to help! Send us a message at info@southerneventsonline.com.

2019’s Pantone Color of the Year is Living Coral, and we have all the heart-eyes for this color! There are tons of ways to go about incorporating Living Coral: sweet, feminine, classy, Southern…the ideas go on and on. Here, we are in love with how the spunky color combination of teal and coral can evoke both glam as well as fun vibes. If you’re looking to incorporate 2019’s Pantone Color of the Year – Living Coral – we think this is a fabulous way to do it. We adore how the color pops up in a myriad of ways at this Spring Tasting Event at CJs off the Square (even down to the adorable cocktail).

This glam and fun theme incorporates gold, mismatched and detailed dinnerware, and our swoon-worthy Farrah Teal Velvet Chair. The teal color woven through the theme takes the coral to a new level. The Tessa Tufted Beige Loveseat just had to be part of this look, with the glam and fun lines on the piece calling out to be included in this Coral shin-dig.

Poppies and other coral floral designs–along with coral linens–accented the event, assisting the teal and coral theme in adding to the glam and fun vibes.

Beautiful images by Jenna Henderson Photographer.

Catching our coral vibes and want to see this color in your next event? Send us a message at info@southerneventsonline.com.

Graduation party season is upon us! It’s sentimental, nostalgic, and cheerful… all at once. As you get ready to plan a graduation party for your senior, there’s a lot to consider. Will it be outside? How many people will you invite? What should you serve? Where will the guests sit? Southern Events has plenty of in-stock graduation party rentals to allow you to create a memorable and fun event for your grad.

Set the Scene

First, let’s set the scene. If your graduation party is going to be outside, consider one of our Tent Pop-Up Packages. You can coordinate the linens that come with your package to match school colors for added festiveness! The Sutton Collection or Barnwood Furniture and our Hammered Rectangle Fire Pit will be the perfect additions for added warmth and comfort. AstroTurf is great for graduation parties, and you could use our Boxwood Wall to create spaces or use as a backdrop!

Food and Such

At your graduation party, chances are – you’ll have some sort of food and drink (those seniors sure get cranky when they aren’t fed!), so you’ll want to think about how you’ll serve the food. Our Brushed Copper Flatware looks amazing with the Hob Nob Glassware. Both are fun and trendy and bring both modern and class to an event. Melamine Platters are perfect for your outdoor celebrations. Oh! And let’s definitely not forget the cake (that would result in extra cranky seniors), and we love serving cake on our Windsor Gold Cake Stands.

Graduation parties should create and instill memories and be a moment of celebration for all you and your grad have done over the past 18 years. Pat both of yourselves on the back. You did it!

Planning a graduation party and need help with rentals? We’d love to help! Email our team to book your personal showroom tour at info@southerneventsonline.com to get started!