From the catwalk to the church aisle, Fern Almeida knows how to spot the next big thing in design. Keeping up with trends in colour, fabric and style, the owner of Cloydon Dreamdecor has a runway vision for your wedding.

Fern and her design crew say they're committed to creating an impressive visual impact in a timeless style and at a price you can afford. Offering hands-on service, creativity, and attention to detail, they want to work with you to transform your wedding into a sophisticated affair marked by fashion and flair. Using a couture approach to design, Cloydon Dreamdecor can put your wedding on the best dressed list!

Styling your ceremony

A Cloydon wedding is no ordinary affair. It can be filled with gorgeous florals, crystal chandeliers, majestic columns, candle lit fountains and even (at some events) statues. Depending on what you're dreaming of, lattices of vines, vases, glassware, fine table linen, and sparkling lights can all be used to make your wedding venue shimmer.

Using fabric treatments for ceilings and walls in combination with centrepieces, distinctive backdrops and props, Fern and the Cloydon team seem to cover all of your design angles, giving everything a luxurious and modern feel.

The designers say they're flexible and can work creatively with any space you've got. "We don't fight the space, we work with it," explains Fern. They can play up the features you like and play down the features you don't. "Effective display can accentuate architectural features, imitate pattern and style, herald the seasons and bring a decorative scheme to life." Fern says she's always had a knack for how to relate to a space. "I'm always inspired by the possibilities of a room."

Added elements for high style

The Cloydon Dreamdecor style is modern and dramatic. And the decorating choices are endless. Fern is always thinking about the next creative twist to bring to your wedding, "I'm always in search for the unforgettable. What can I use as a vessel for holding florals? What can gather a napkin in an elegant fold? What can we use to dress a table?"

Cloydon decorated the church and two halls at the Marconi Club for Sophia Sorrenti Teixeira's June 2009 wedding. Fern did the signing table, cake table, memory table, birdcage, head table, backdrop, centrepieces, accent linens and archway, which Sophia says went way beyond her expectations. She also told us that "Fern was very easy to work with. She is patient, pleasant, kind and doesn't shut down any ideas." She adds that she felt that her and Fern were working on the same team to achieve the same result. "She was always available to meet with me when I needed her and flexible with her schedule to accommodate me. She was very quick to return emails and answer any questions I had throughout the process. She was open-minded and able to modify plans that we had previously made."

The hallmark of Cloydon Dreamdecor is the attention to detail and the texture of each table design featuring hand sewn, touchable velvets and silks. Table tops are another Cloydon specialty. When designing table tops they check for traffic flow, smooth meal delivery and visibility. Fabulous glassware makes a striking centrepiece, to dress your guest tables, or as an entrance table showcase.

Cloydon decorated the church and reception for Sabrina Brockett's May 2009 wedding. At the reception, Sabrina says Fern did "just about everything that could be done to the room, from the head table to the guest tables and the memory table (which blew us away) to the sign-in table." She says she loved working with Fern and her team, "We hit it off right from the beginning… Fern is very good at what she does and I would recommend this company to anyone and everyone." Sabrina confirms Fern's attention to detail as she says that Fern thought out each detail of her wedding. "The day of the wedding she even threw in a few extras that made the room look like it was worth a million bucks! She is passionate about what she does and I believe Fern and her team are the best out there."

Fern says she likes to focus on table tops for a wow factor because it's the thing that your guests spend the most time looking at, so it’s the best budget tip there is. "Anything on eye level will give you more bang (and bling) for your buck," says Fern. "Linens can completely change a room, so start here." Then, Fern suggests that favours can double as place cards, place cards can be part of the table top décor and candy stations can have table numbers and a seating chart.

To Fern, lighting is super important and most often neglected in venue planning. She can help design lighting to make the room gleam and get the most from your photos "Avoid icicle lighting if possible," says Fern. Instead she recommends choosing pin lighting, up lighting, chandeliers, candles or a mix of these for a warm, romantic glow.

Your ultimate style will be on display with the help of Cloydon. Decorating your wedding is not just about table cloths and chair covers. To Fern, it's a celebration of you and your love for your soul mate. Keeping that as the priority, Cloydon offers design aspects that reflect their couples. Think about your favourite things and see if they're a fit for the design scheme of your wedding. Fern always asks her clients, "What's important to you and how can we use it?" They want your guests to see your décor and say, "This is so Jessica and Aaron." The day is always about the couple, so Fern says they try to incorporate the fun side of their personalities, in a tasteful way."

"I felt like Fern was really focused on me, my needs and my requests for my wedding," says Sophia. "She plain and simple asked me what I wanted, and on the wedding day it all came to life… Everything was jaw dropping!"

Sabrina says she chose Cloydon Dreamdecor because they were different. "They didn't have the same thing everyone else had… Fern had amazing ideas right from the beginning and seemed excited about the opportunity to do this for us… You can tell the team loves what they do and it shows in their work." Sabrina adds that Cloydon's style is very modern and elegant. "They can make anything look like a classy place."

Style tips

For Fern, it's not just about choosing colour, but pairing colours as well. "Designs that are straight off of next season's fashion runway: I take a couture approach to atmospheric décor design." Her team approaches venue styling with ideas to complement colour, mood, style, and of course, the hall. Beautiful table tops and luxurious settings are a Cloydon trademark.

As far as colour pairing goes, Fern says "don’t just pick one colour. Pick a colour then work in all the colours that bring out and enhance that colour." She also says that you shouldn't be afraid to let black back into your colour plan. "Despite the popularity of brown, black is still classic elegance," she told The Ring.

Fern keeps on top of trends and says crystal and bling are still popular this season - in every part of the décor. She adds that materials are rich, textured and have more patterns on them. "Opulent weddings and surroundings, but smaller numbers of guests are in, too," says Fern. "Brides don’t want to compromise on their dreams. They’ll just have fewer people there."

Fresh ideas, different, beautiful linens and crystals hanging from the ceiling were just some things that Sophia got from Cloydon and feels she wouldn't have found elsewhere. "Fern at Cloydon Dreamdecor is far better than other decorators because her sense of style is on a different level," says Sophia. "She keeps herself up-to-date by having the latest fashion and décor magazines and books available."

Cloydon often adds flair to ceremonies with a few well placed design items, such as pew markers, arches and pillars. They also use fresh flowers wherever they can. If a sandy beach styled wedding is your dream, "Consider large stands and vases to create an exotic beach scene."

A stunning backdrop for your wedding reception is also a Cloydon Dreamdecor specialty. They tell their brides not to ignore the walls and ceiling. Instead, consider them to be an important part of the whole look. "Rich, layered fabrics draping the wall and bathed in soft lighting can really make the room a stand-out." Fern says they use the architectural features of the space at hand in all of their designs so that everything ties together perfectly.

Fern also says that there are great ways to remember relatives and friends that you have lost. "A memory table devoted to photos of them with candles and other accents" is one example of how you can incorporate this into your wedding. "Charms for bouquets with their names and/or photos" is another. Fern also suggests "small, tasteful signs on the memory table, donations in their memory in lieu of favours or a photo tree with photos of all the family and friends that you have lost."

Packages & prices

Cloydon Dreamdecor knows that the budget can be intimidating for some brides. The philosophy at Cloydon is that a luxury look should not be just a privilege and quality should be affordable. Fern suggests you think about the value of having your décor done professionally and never let it be the last item on your to-do list.

After going through everything that Sophia wanted for her wedding day décor, Fern gave her a price. Then, Fern worked backwards from her budget to maintain the 'wow factor' Sophia wanted within her price range. "After seeing the decorating that Fern and her crew did, I feel like I got way more than what I paid for," says Sophia. "Everyone that attended the wedding said they had never seen the Marconi Club look so beautiful! … and she left a really good impression with the Marconi Management and staff as well."

The décor team breaks costs down into easy-to-grasp sections; ceremony, head table, guest tables, and entrance with add-ons available from there. They can do more in one area and less in another based on your wish list.

"Cloydon's prices were very fair and within reason," says Sabrina. "I believe the value of what we got went above and beyond what the actual price was."

Cloydon Dreamdecor offers custom packages, priced according to your wedding's design. That said, all costs are included and itemized for you so that you know exactly what you're getting for the value. Fern says many brides spend about $1500 for a package that would typically include a backdrop, head table, cake table, signing and receiving table, gift table and all linens for guest tables. That said, they've worked with $5000 design budgets as well - a range that shows flexibility.

Booking your décor

Your first meeting with Cloydon Dreamdecor runs about two hours. That's when you'll chat with Fern so she gets a chance to find out about you, your aspirations, your style and then begin to come up with some design ideas. One of Fern's first questions gets to the heart of the matter, "Describe your ideal wedding in five words or less." Fern says that there are "no cookie cutter designs at Cloydon" and that everything they do is tailored to the bride and groom.

Also at your meeting, you'll discuss budget, needs, logistics, the vision and what's important to you. Fern often offers a storyboard of your event to see what the space can become with the Cloydon touch. "We've also created vignettes of décor for custom designs to show clients how everything will look," says Fern. Just to be sure everything is on track, Fern meets with her couples again, one week before the wedding, just to go over final details and numbers one more time.

BE SMART WITH YOUR SPACE
Choose an event space that is attractive on its own, then create the right flow—that’s the key to getting plenty of wow without plenty of money.
THE FUTURE: “Instead of dressing a room to death, Cloydon Dreamdecor designers continue to use a ‘guerrilla’ mentality. Creating a strong entrance and a fantastic central focal point that makes for a huge impact for lesser budgets. The trend of ‘smarter designing’ is here to stay. Don't get me wrong — a beautiful room will never be out of style. At Cloydon Dreamdecor It's just done with a lot more precision!

Details, details, details

• Book 6 to 12 months in advance, or even earlier for popular Saturday wedding dates.
• Set-up and take down are included in the package prices.
• A 50% deposit is due at booking. You can make payments for the balance up until one week before the balance due date.
• The final balance is due one week before your wedding day.
• If you prefer to take on the job of decorating your own wedding, renting decorating items from Cloydon is also an option. Ask Fern for more details.

In other words...

"You not only surpassed our expectations - you surprised us with unexpected delights both at the ceremony and the reception. Your team was worth every penny spent." - Connie Eststratoudakis, Mother of the Bride

"We hired you because we believed you to be the best and your team did not disappoint. Thank you for making my dream into a reality." - Angela Almeida

"I just wanted to make sure I wrote something about Fern because I loved what she did for my wedding. I would recommend her to anyone who asks. She is knowledgeable, professional, personable, responsible, generous, and very kind-hearted. It was a pleasure working with such a great person! I actually feel that I got more in value than what I paid for! Fern surprised me with extras on the wedding day. My favourite memory would have to be walking in to the reception hall to do some last minute things the day before the wedding. Fern and her team were busy decorating the stage and my mouth literally dropped to the floor. I was in such awe of what she had done. Then she told me she wasn't even finished yet. I couldn't stop looking at the stage and the head table. I fell in love with the work they did. The fabrics, the chandelier, the soft lighting... everything was absolutely stunning. I couldn't stop hugging her I was so ecstatic!!" - July 2007 bride interviewed by The Wedding Ring (name withheld)

"...I have to say both Scott and I were so happy and so pleased with our wedding day -- even with the rain, it was one of the most beautiful and happiest of our lives -- and you and Lisa had so much to do with that! ...When I saw our reception and our ceremony, I was overwhelmed. It was all so beautiful, elegant and better than I had even imagined it would be. I adored the backdrop behind our head table -- it was GORGEOUS! I loved how we incorporated the twigs -- it looked just perfect! You were so 'on' with what I had in mind and what we had discussed! Thank you so very much for all of your hard work and expertise..." - Jaime Vannoord

"Thank you for the amazing work you did decorating the church and the hall... I was very pleased and thankful to know that I was counting on someone as professional and creative as you, you deliver wonderfully and everyone, not just me, were talking and making comments on how beautiful everything looked. Once again thank you because you made my day all that more special!!" - Tatiana

"It not only surprised us, it took our breath away. It was truly beautiful and our guests are still bragging about the evening they experienced in such beautiful surroundings." - Diana Plarina

"Fern, Thank you. Yes everything went well for the wedding. The place looked wonderful. I want you to know your work was greatly appreciated and if I could do it over again I would have hired you again." - Jamie

"Lisa, I absolutely LOVED everything! And had SO many compliments! Thank you so much for making our vision for the wedding come true!! Again, thanks so so so much!" - Stephanie