A popular time for trips to the beach and long lazy days lakeside, Memorial Day is a great reason to take the festivities outdoors – all you need are some cozy lounge chairs, a good book, nautical-themed towels and of course some delicious food for the grill!

Whether you’re having a large gathering or a small get together, just remember a little red, white and blue decor will go a long way. Try incorporating bright, bold colors (neons are really in this year!) and sit back, relax and enjoy! Check out our inspiration board below for more ideas:

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Want help styling your next social or corporate event?
Contact our event design and decor team in Charlotte at
(704) 469-5993 // Kristen@SterlingByDesign.com or in the Triangle/Charleston at
(919) 228-6458 // Jan@SterlingEvents.com to get started today!

The smell of saltwater in the warm air…

The taste of spiked sweet tea and freshly shucked oysters and crabs…

The sounds of toe-tapping bluegrass being played…

The feeling of cool sea breezes and the warmth of a sunset glow….

This is our Charleston.

And earlier this month we were delighted to share her charm with our new client visiting from out of state.

On the second night of this three-day leadership conference for the top executives of an international food company, our client asked that we take the group out of the city for some destination low country fun. We ultimately selected the beautiful setting of Boone Hall Plantation, with the event planned for the property’s Cotton Dock on the creek.

photo courtesy of event detective

{Anybody recognize this locale from the wedding of Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively last fall?}

The space offers a basic rustic shell with stunning sunset views. When designing this event we knew that we wanted to keep the décor simple and organic to stay within budget and also to afford us the opportunity to bring energetic interaction into the space.

We also wanted to make sure we drew guests outside to take in the gorgeous views.

Ultimately the goal was to relax and reenergize our client’s group.

On that perfect Spring evening, guests arrived by bus down the 269-year old Avenue of Oaks which led to over 300 years of history and grace.

There, they were met for a tour of the restored plantation home and grounds, and then casually meandered down to the Cotton Dock on the winding creek.

 As they walked through the wooden doors they were met with a cold Mason jar filled with the night’s signature drink made with locally distilled Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

Live sounds of harmonious bluegrass music filled the room.  The sun kissed glow across the room pulled them outdoors to our oyster shucking table where the could post up and had easy access to all of the favorite pairings we had on hand.

Eager guests dove right in shucking and slurping and generally relaxing after a long day of meeting indoors. Also outside was our dear friend, Miss Lynn the charismatic crab lady herself, who shared colorful stories from the creek and taught guests how to best crack and utilize every inch of those local crabs.

She also shared tastes of fresh crabmeat right out of the shell and crackers to taste-test her delicious signature crab dip.

Back indoors, guests could continue the fun with foosball, air hockey and southern favorite, corn hole which we sourced for the night.

Before dinner, they also had the chance to visit with a lovely sweet grass basket artisan whose craft stems from local Gullah tradition dating back to the 18^th century. Guests were able to purchase souvenirs if they pleased right onsite.

All in all, it was a lively but easygoing night that gave our client the space to enjoy some relaxing time with their domestic and international guests. That night guests left with their belly’s full, their spirits high, their minds expanded and ultimately just as the client hoped, recharged for the following day’s agenda full of important educational events.

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For more information about creating your own Charleston event experience, contact Jan Levine at jan@sterlingevents.com

Our friends over at Yadkin Valley Bank contacted us back in December for help putting on their annual ‘Spring Town Hall and Family Social’, and this year, they had big plans in store! We took their vision and created a custom carnival themed event, complete with a Bluegrass band, Merry-Go-Round, Ferris wheel, games, prizes, and of course lots of carnival food…

We brought our carnival theme to life immediately, creating a custom email invitation that went out to all employees:

Welcome to Yadkin Valley Bank’s Spring Town Hall & Family Social! Balloon columns provided by Sterling By Design:

With all of the colors, you couldn’t miss it:

The perfectly-themed tablecloths and centerpieces

Signage throughout welcomed guests and gave some insight into the day's activities.

Lovely centerpieces provided by our Sterling By Design team!

Sterling’s Audio Visual team provided Wii and Xbox games and TV monitors:

Yadkin Valley Bank's employees mingled out front...

While the younger ones enjoyed a train ride around the property

Our carnival theme wouldn’t be complete without a Ferris Wheel and a Merry-Go-Round:

Carnival games for all ages:

Our Pirate balloon artist!

Food trucks with cotton candy, popcorn, candy apples and sno cones were brought in, while Sterling By Design provided tented lounge areas for guests to sit and relax.

The Rockford Express Bluegrass Band provided music for the day:

And now, for the highlight of the event (and the reason for the big excitement this year!) … drumroll, please … During the executive meeting in the Loft, the announcement was made that the multiple banking and financial services divisions would be re-branded under a unified identity, ’Yadkin Bank’. Read more about the changes here. As we switched out all of our themed signage to reflect the new identity, the new Yadkin Bank logo was unfurled.

A special thanks to our Sterling Audio Visual team, who provided the PA system for the front parking lot, screens, monitors, video, and sound for the Loft, and the capability to watch the Masters on the Loft screens. What an amazing event! Thank you Yadkin Bank for letting us be a part of this monumental day!

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For more information on booking your next event or corporate meeting at WinMock at Kinderton, please contact Angela Carleton at angelac@winmock.com or 336.397.2010.

The ceremony took place downstairs in the gallery. We softened the modern looking space with a white fabric backdrop and blush uplighting (that gave off a gorgeous glow through the crystal sculptures in front!). Flowers from the Cellar added to the romantic look with hanging white orchids draped in front of the backdrop:

The Silverman Pavilion was the perfect location for the intimate indoor reception area. Our rich amber colored uplighting and gold chiavari chairs with ivory cushions from Party Reflections added a touch of romance and glamor.

The rest the reception was held on the rooftop terraces, with amazing views and plenty of space for dancing! Our white lounge furniture brought the inside out and provided chic and comfortable seating areas for guests:

An added bonus – wedding themed pillows, some of our newest decor additions! Pillows monogrammed with the bride’s new initials were added for a custom look.

In true Big Easy style (the groom is from New Orleans!), the newlyweds and their guests were lead by a jazz band from the reception to the after-party at the Ritz Carlton. Cheers!

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To learn more about any of the wedding design or decor elements featured in this post, contact Sterling’s Event Designer, Kristen Prestwood at kristen@sterlingbydesign.com

A special thanks to these amazing vendors! Photography: Tommy McCart Photography | Florals: Flowers from the Cellar | Catering: La-Tea-Da’s Catering

Flowers are an easy and beautiful way to add refreshing color, and displaying them in varying heights adds dimension to your décor. For a green color scheme, stick with whites and creams and bring in green hydrangeas and lots of greenery! Dusty miller, vines, Bells of Ireland and Eucalyptus are some of our favorites:

brides.com | Photo: Corbin Gurkin

pitcherandpearl.com

If you’re planning a seated lunch or dinner, spice up your seating cards with a punch of emerald or teal green. Or, incorporate the color in a different way – using apples as the card holder or arranging your cards in a bed of green moss.

Photography By volatilephoto.com | Styling By lovelylittledetails

mywedding.com

And of course, it wouldn’t be a party without food and drinks! Think green cookies, key lime tarts, mint mojitos, Irish beer and anything you can add some food coloring to! – Cheers!

Photography: Love by Serena Floral Design: Floral & Bloom Designs

gimmesomeoven.com

Photography: Love by Serena

viezine.com

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Want help styling your next special event?
Contact our event design and decor team in Charlotte at
(704) 469-5993 // Kristen@SterlingByDesign.com or in the Triangle/Charleston at
(919) 228-6458 // Jan@SterlingEvents.com to get started today!

March 20th, 2013 (Winston-Salem, NC) – Sterling Events Group is pleased to announce that Sarah Sapp, Senior Hotel and Registration Coordinator, has been promoted to Director of Guest Services for Sterling Events Group.

Sapp began with Sterling in their Destination Management Division in 2005 and moved to the Meetings Division in 2007. She has served a variety of positions in Guest Services, most recently heading up hotel and meeting registration activities.

“I’m thrilled to begin this new responsibility with Sterling,” commented Sapp. “It gives me a chance to work more closely with our clients and with our Guest Services team to provide the ‘Sterling Touch’ to each of our guests.”

“We are excited for Sarah and for her new role with Sterling,” shared Wayne Thomas, President of Sterling Events Group. “This function is the core of who we are as a company and we look forward to her contribution to our leadership team.”

Sapp will serve Sterling clients through their offices in Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Charlotte and Charleston, SC.

About Sterling Events Group
Sterling Events Group, headquartered in Clemmons, NC outside of Winston-Salem, with additional offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and Charleston, SC has provided travel, event planning and design services for clients nationwide since 1985. The organization offers clients a full-range of specialized support services including budget development and planning; registration & housing management; destination management; group travel; special event planning; event staffing; ground transportation/meet & greet services; audio visual equipment rental; event décor & style; meeting technologies; and event branding and marketing. Additionally, Sterling Events Group now owns and manages WinMock at Kinderton, a historic barn turned special event and conference center in Bermuda Run, NC.

Media Contact
Meredith Bell
(336) 391-7888
meredith@sterlingevents.com

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February 4th, 2013 (Charlotte, NC) – Sterling Events Group is pleased to announce that Christa Hovis, the award winning event designer and proprietor behind Christa Hovis Special Events, LLC is joining forces with Sterling’s event planning and destination management team in Charlotte.

Hovis served as an advisor to the formation of the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and has served seven years on the board in addition to being the Immediate Past President of the Greater Charlotte Chapter of ISES. She has built a loyal following for her innovative work in designing, planning and producing exceptional corporate and social events. Prior to forming Christa Hovis Special Events, LLC almost ten years ago, Hovis held top management positions where she was responsible for planning and deploying large scale projects as well as managing multiple departments including program management, industrial engineering, training, quality, meetings and events. These credentials are further enhanced by her multiple certifications in project management, training, facilitation, ISO 9000, Lean/Six Sigma and process engineering.

On joining Sterling, she stated “I look forward to expanding Sterling’s reputation for excellence and working with Sterling’s talented team”.

Sterling and Hovis have already built a successful partnership, producing high-end corporate and social events over the past few years. Moving forward, Hovis will relocate back to her home state of North Carolina to operate under the Sterling Events Group banner.

“We are thrilled to have Christa on our team,” shared Wayne Thomas, President of Sterling Events Group. “She brings great creative direction, thoughtful planning skills and most importantly shares our passion for creating ‘Sterling’ events for each and every one of our clients.”

Alyse Meyers, Sterling – Charlotte’s Managing Director adds, “2013 is going to be a big year for Sterling Events Group. Our team is very excited about Christa’s new role with Sterling and our new capabilities for event design and production.”

About Sterling Events Group
Sterling Events Group, headquartered in Clemmons, NC outside of Winston-Salem, with additional offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and Charleston, SC has provided travel, event planning and design services for clients nationwide since 1985. The organization offers clients a full-range of specialized support services including budget development and planning; registration & housing management; destination management; group travel; special event planning; event staffing; ground transportation/meet & greet services; audio visual equipment rental; event décor & style; meeting technologies; and event branding and marketing. Additionally, Sterling Events Group now owns and manages WinMock at Kinderton, a historic barn turned special event and conference center in Bermuda Run, NC.

Media Contact
Meredith Bell
336.391.7888
meredith@sterlingevents.com 

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It doesn’t take much, but in order to create the impact you’re after, entrust in a professional who knows how to do it right! A red carpet, lush vegetation, fabric drapes and the right lighting can add all the drama and pizzazz you need.

A red carpet, larger-than-life decor and mood-setting uplighting made our Casino Night entrance a hit!

Along with setting the tone for your event, the motive for your entrance is to build anticipation and foreshadow the interior design and décor – therefor the entrance should mimic the rest of your theme. Think outside the box and get a little creative – a sneak peak of what’s inside is what makes an entrance so exciting!

Elegant white drape, sleek soft lounge furniture, dimly lit lanterns, dangling ice blue ornaments, snowflakes and white birch trees were carefully set for this winter wonderland grand entrance.

To see more, follow Sterling By Design on facebook, follow Sterling Events Group on facebook, or simply subscribe to our blog (on this page, up there to your right!).
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Want an entrance that ‘Wows’ at your next special event? Contact our event design and decor team in Charlotte at (704) 469-5993 // Kristen@SterlingByDesign.com or in the Triangle/Charleston at (919) 228-6458 // Jan@SterlingEvents.com to get started today!

Increased Efficiency with Event Technology // It’s no surprise that this was a major prediction for our industry; technology use increased in 2012 and we’re seeing the use of technology to promote and support meetings on a continuous rise into 2013 and beyond. Last year it was all about engaging on-site, but this year it’s imperative for companies to integrate technology before, during and after an event. Mobile-friendly websites are crucial as mobile devices become the most common tools for web access in the near future, and Apps and QR codes will see more versatility in allowing attendees to navigate an exhibit or conference in real-time with updated maps and schedules. We’ll start seeing more technology that allows users to connect to attendees and speakers, and get timely, relevant information quickly.

We think attendees will also use mobile devices to share more and more of their experiences via social media sites (during and after events), making greater use of Facebook and Instagram – but look for Pinterest and Check-in Apps to become big players, too! Overall, we are continuing to move toward sustainable meetings and real-time technology solutions.

Focus on ‘Green’ Events // With an increased use of technology comes a focus on sustainability and ‘green’ events – gone are the days of binders full of paper; now attendees need only their mobile devices, complete with their conference App, a QR code reader and pre-downloaded schedules, maps, and event information. This shift toward electronic information will also includes displays, signage, and all the printed materials that come with a corporate event.

Sterling predicts a bigger focus on locally-sourced products as well. Think local food & beverage (craft beers, home-grown farm-to-table experiences) and staying locally or in the same hotel as your conference.

Décor & Design Trends // In the décor world, don’t expect overly crafty events to disappear quite yet. With Pinterest on the rise, DIY events will still be big, but we expect to see a back-to-basics approach as well. Staying in line with ‘green’ events and locally-sourced products, we’re predicting a more natural look with décor using organic materials – weathered wood, concrete, natural fabrics, metals, etc. Mixing these with bright, rich colors (Emerald Green, anyone?) and crisp, bold patterns (think chevron, stripes, ikats) will create a clean look while still feeling natural and refined.

What trends do you predict will transform our industry in the year ahead?

The lantern lined walkway of the Horace Williams House, pre-Hurricane Sandy

The weather forced our ‘Farm to Table Carolina BBQ Dinner’ with “locavore cuisine” to be moved from outdoors under a tent to indoors in a very small gallery. We decided our casual dinner would take on a little different feel as we set up the buffet on the antique dining room table. Our team ended up rearranging the entire gallery (which sometimes cannot be done so easily with antiques in a historical preserved venue), but with a little patience and a solid back-up plan, we managed!

Rather than have one space for dinner and drinks, we repositioned the bar at the foyer of the house while setting up for dinner in the gallery. The dinner started at 6:00pm, featuring our signature salad – mason jar mixed greens that guests turn over onto their plate. Out comes the salad and the dressing is drizzled over top!

That night the wind chill factor was 38 degrees, and as wind whipped through the front lawn of the house you could hear the one-hundred-year-old pecan tree dropping pecans everywhere … it was NUTS (no pun intended!).

Although it’s not ideal, Plan B must always be in place and ready to go in case things don’t go exactly as planned (and they rarely do!)

A note from Allison Essen, Site Manager for the Horace Williams House:

Dear Jan,

Thank you for hosting you recent dinner at the HWH.  In spite of the inclement weather, it seemed that everyone had a wonderful time!  On another note, I would like to congratulate you on overcoming the numerous challenges for this event. The event was very elegant inside the home and you really pulled something out of the hat with only a few days to go.  Your professional organization and catering partner provided one of the better meals that I’ve experienced at the HWH.  And lastly the décor with all the pumpkins, flowers, lanterns and candle lighting provided just the right ambience for your dinner.  You made all these decisions seamlessly and without fuss.  It is great working with such a professional.

Thank you again, and we hope to see you again soon.

Sincerely,
Allison Essen
Site Manager