Felicia Events sat down with Kate Patay of Creative Coverings
to talk about how the company got started, 2015 trends, and the sustainability of renting linens.
Felicia Events: Tell us a little bit about Creative Coverings. What inspired you to start the company?
Kate Patay: Creative Coverings is a national special event linen wholesaler. We rent and sell gorgeous tablecloths, chair covers, napkins, sashes, pillows, and more for weddings. We strive to make the ordering process as simple as possible for our clients and have hundreds of gorgeous options for your special day.
FE: What can a couple expect when they decide to work with Creative Coverings?
KP: Couples can expect great service, quality products, and price points to fit every budget. We are constantly analyzing new trends in fabrics, prints, and textures, so there are always unique options being added to our inventory. Should you want [them], custom linen options are available.
FE: What wedding trends are you seeing for 2015?
KP: Some of the biggest trends are complete personalization of the event. Choosing colors that contrast what the attendants are wearing, instead of matching them exactly, is quite popular. Lots of blues are on the horizon, but romantic blush tones still reign supreme. Sequins are gorgeous as well, and they are not going away anytime soon! Glamour is always appropriate.
FE: What are your most popular themes?
KP: Sequins and sparkle are the most popular themes right now, but we see so many romantic themes…think blushes, nudes, lace, and rosettes. Adding the bit of sequin into what used to be an eclectic chic look now makes it modern chic. Nautical looks have been popular, as well as 50s inspired events from shows like Mad Men and movies like The Great Gatsby. Garden chic is also a popular theme and the options for that are endless! I've even seen a re-emergence of Breakfast at Tiffany's tea parties for events. You can add black in place of ivory with the Tiffany for an evening event.
FE: What can you offer a bride who has no idea what direction she wants her wedding to go?
KP: We have thousands of photos of design and inspiration on our website and our Pinterest boards. If you're not sure what you like, I suggest starting a "mood board" and adding all of the looks you like. You'll start to see a pattern in a specific look and can then begin to determine what style is best for you. There are so many ideas out there…I suggest you find a planner who fits with the same style you are leaning toward and letting them help design your perfect day. Having a professional with you every step of the way is priceless and they can help make the decision process easier on you. This is your day — you should enjoy it! Not stress out over deliveries, setups, timing, and all the little details. Show up, enjoy a glass of champagne, and soak in every magical detail.
FE: Creative Coverings has an Emerald Green Certification. What does that mean and how did you earn it?
KP: Creative Coverings has developed and implemented several sustainable components within its manufacturing, shipping, and laundry departments in an effort to create a positive effect on the environment. We are proud to be the only Certified Emerald Green Linen Rental & Sales Company.
Renting linens is much “greener” than using a disposable table covering; it saves room in our nation’s landfills. Waste of fabric is always considered during the manufacturing process so minimal amounts of scrap remain post-production. Each rental linen is used to its full potential, even after being damaged so we dispose a minimal amount of scrap. Some of the ways these linens have been used are:
Recycling
Create alternate size table covering or table accent
Client swatch samples & custom gifts
Art projects for local children’s charities
Custom window coverings for the Northern Nevada Habitat for Humanity program & to help refurnish homes of families struck by Hurricane Katrina tragedy
Production of couture handbags to help raise funds for cerebral palsy research
A Green Solution to an Age-Old Problem
In addition to recycling fabric, we offer the following environmentally friendly business practices:
Custom-made canvas shipping bags for clients to return dirty linens, each saving approximately 600 cardboard boxes a year from being circulated.
Participation in the optional UPS Carbon Neutral program where every order shipped supports projects that offset the emissions of the shipments transport.
Invoices & proposals are sent electronically in an effort to reduce paper waste.
Product lines for our laundering processes are environmentally preferable and readily biodegradable, inhibiting any problems with wastewater treatment. This system was built around the core principals of both the Green Seal & U.S. EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program.
We are thrilled to help reduce our impact on the environment and pleased we can give our clients the comfort of knowing they are renting from a company that believes in sustainable business practices. If you have any ideas or feedback, please email info@creativecoverings.com
FE: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
KP: There are so many resources available for brides. Always use trusted, reputable vendors and event professionals. I highly suggest looking to an organization like the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE) to find the best event professionals around. There are 48 chapters around the country and their vendors have incredibly high standards. You can find members of the Reno-Tahoe Chapter at www.renotahoeNACE.net
Congratulations on your engagement!
