Oliveaire - South Asian Events


Oliveaire provides the hospitality industry a channel to explore the ethnic event market influenced with culture and tradition. Clients are able to depend upon our knowledge and understanding of the unique needs of the customs, meal preferences, and accommodations generated by these events. Our team, with its ethnic background, has been our cornerstone in provding our clientele the best service in the wedding and special event market.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Linen Logistics

Many of you have never given a thought to table linen prior to preparing for your wedding. It is one of the many decisions you need to make when putting together the vision of your big day. Your planner, florist or linen stylist can help you make the right color and texture choices to complete your look. Today, I want to share some facts with you that will help you in planning your linen order.

Beware the price that is too good to be true. The costs add up quickly when planning a wedding, and it pays to shop around and make sure you are getting a fair price. However, remember the old adage, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. Google “Wedding Linen Rental” and a plethora of linen companies will come up. Many of these companies are “online” companies, some of them perfectly reputable, some of them not so much. Before you sign on the dotted line be sure that you see a sample of your selection, in your hand, not just on the computer screen. A better option may be to work with a local company, who can get you samples quickly and easily. Be sure to compare the complete cost of your linen. This means you will have to speak to your reception venue to see when the linen can be dropped off, when it needs to be picked up and if you will have to pay additional fees to the reception venue or linen company to have them set it up.


Know your fabrics: A poly-blend/classic linen will be the less expensive option for dressing your tables. It is often available in a variety of colors, depending on the company you chose. Satin Lamour is the most used fabric for weddings. It has an elegant shine, and is available in many many colors, especially from companies that primarily serve wedding customers. There are many other options, that are striking, Bichons have an elegant crinkle to the fabric, a Pintuck gives the look of clean lines and a Twist adds amazing depth to a table.


Specialty tables: Of course you want to make sure that you have table linen, napkins, chair covers and ties for each of your guest dining tables. Do not forget about all of the other tables in the room. This list includes your head table, the cake, placecard, gift, cocktail, highboy and favor tables. Are you serving your food on a buffet? You will want to give thought to dressing those tables.


Sizing: You will want to ask the manager at the venue you are working with what size tables your guests will be seated at. They will typically answer a 60”, 66” or 72” round table. This will require a 120” (for the 60” table) or 132” (for the 66” or 72” table) round tablecloth. If you are using any rectangular tables you will need a specially sized cloth for those tables. If you are looking to have square dining tables for your guests, know that there are not tablecloths that fit those tables easily so you will need to order two 132” round cloths for each square table.

Any reputable linen company you order from should be able to help you pick the right sizes for your tables, and make sure you have all of your tables covered. Linen professionals will also help you work with your venues to tie all of the pieces together. Your linen selections will tie together the look of your day, so spend some time making sure you've got it just the way you want it.

Happy Planning!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

How Will You Make Your Exit?

I know you hate to think about it being over, but trust me, your wedding day will fly by in the blink of an eye. Be sure to take time throughout the day to look around, take it all in and have fun. After all you have been waiting for this moment your whole life.

Have you thought about how you will exit your party? Will you party until the last guest leaves? Arrange an elaborate sendoff for all to see? You have put together every detail of your celebration. Be sure to give your guests something to remember on your way out!


Whatever you decide, it is important for you to also have a plan for the end of the night details, and I don’t mean in your honeymoon suite.

Transportation: Is your reception being held in the hotel where your room is booked? If not, how are you getting to your bed? One of my favorite cautionary tales is of the bride and groom who needed a cab to their downtown condo at the end of the night, but did not have cash, a credit card or a debit card on them. Luckily their Oliveaire Wedding Planner saw them on her way out of the hotel, and gave them $20 to get home.

Overnight Accommodations: My advice, have someone check you into your hotel room, and give you the room key before you go. Also, think through how you will be getting to that honeymoon suite. Be sure to have some cash, a credit/debit card and your cell phone (with the important phone numbers programmed in) delivered to you at the end of the night by someone you trust (probably the same person who checks you into your hotel room). If you are party hardy couple, don’t drink and drive. Arrange for a car to pick you up or have a designated driver.

Gifts: How are your gifts being taken care of? Make sure to assign a close family member the responsibility of attending to your gifts. It will then be that person’s responsibility to secure the envelopes and move boxes of gifts. Your reception venue may have a safety deposit box you can keep them in until the end of the reception, but then it is your responsibility to make sure they are picked up. Have a plan for where you will take those generous gifts the next day. The sooner you get that money in the bank, the better, especially if you plan on catching a plane soon.


The Morning After: Headed to the airport the next morning? Make sure that your luggage is packed, and that your tickets and documentation are all easily accessible and ready to go! Nothing puts a damper on a honeymoon like forgotten passports or lost luggage (or a hangover FYI).

Not catching a plane quite yet? Be sure to have a ride home arranged!

None of this will take too much work, just a little bit of forethought on your part. Enjoy that beautiful and monumental day in your life. Happy Honeymoon!