2. Set the Table
Photographed by Silas Fallstich
Written by Elena Tico
Design & Concept by Rani Hoover, Inspired
Weddings & Events
Holiday season is upon
us! Rani Hoover of Rani Hoover
Inspired Weddings & Events,
chats with me about her modern
take on seasonal events and her
favorite hosting ideas.
Coast 2 Coast Collections Settings & Frames
Renae’s Bouquets Candlesticks and Centerpiece
La Tavola Linens
Elan Event Rentals Table & Reindeer
SBLIFEANDSTYLE.COM | 4140 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
3. Tell me about your experience with planning events!
I plan large weddings and nonprofit and corporate events on the regular, but I’m partial to smaller events because I get
to be more creative. I enjoy enhancing beautiful homes, meeting new people and picking up on their unique ideas. I
love the design aspects—the scale, texture, color, and floral. My favorite part of my job is creating the small details with
my clients.
What are some holiday event planning tips that you give your clients?
The bigger the celebration, the earlier you have to book to get the first pick and therefore, the best fit. Also, be open to
possibilities, for example, using a new space. There usually is an outdoor setting or another part of the house that we
could transform for a dinner party.
I am always in favor of having specialty drinks at an event, like a warm cocktail or mulled wine. A lot can be done with
garnish to dress up a simple recipe. I always go with the client’s favorites and design based on that. For example, say
they have lemon trees we’ll create a lemon drink with rosemary and fresh cranberries. Or if they have a garden it’s fun
to drop flowers into Champagne.
What trends are you working with right now?
This year I am focusing on family tradition and color. Often we get stuck in the expected for holiday--red, green and
white. I am going in a more modern direction with a monochromatic color base.
For this setting, I designed a tonal gray palette, with a hint of evergreen to touch on the holidays. I arranged a
centerpiece with gorgeous high-end, silver frames containing whimsical and sweet family photos. Pictures from all
generations honor family tradition both old and new. I added special touches at each setting, including dark chocolate
candied rings and family brooches with silk ribbons as napkin ties. I love the idea of bringing back a cherished family
recipe like strawberry rhubarb pie and creating a “favorite memory from holidays past” box to read, share and laugh
about over dessert.
Deux Bakery Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Perfect Fete Hand Calligraphy & Paper
Elan Event Rentals Table
Perfect Fete Hand Calligraphy & Paper
Coast 2 Coast Collections Box
Elan Event Rentals Table
Rani Hoover, Inspired Weddings
& Events
805-245-8199
ranihoover.com
What are a couple tips that clients often forget to include?
Small touches in table décor make a huge difference.
And lighting at three levels is important—light from
below, table height light, and then light from above.
What should a hostess do to ensure a successful holiday
event?
Start with a warm welcome and serve delicious food. A
big trend now is adding a twist to traditional comfort
foods. Homey nostalgia-inducing dishes are key for a
successful holiday event, so take an old recipe and add
a fresh ingredient.
I also recommend giving a sweet take away. It doesn’t
have to be something over the top. It can be as simple
as an ornament. Or it can be extraordinary. One client
I had found a stack of family recipes in an old hutch
and wanted to gift them in a beautiful way, so she gave
silk tied bundles of the recipes, rewritten on Italian
paper, in high-end boxes.
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SBLIFEANDSTYLE.COM | 4342 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
