How to Bring the Drama With Draping | By Fitz the Occasion
Hello SJE followers! My name is Kim and I’m the woman behind Fitz the Occasion. I’m a wedding designer and decorator who specializes in fabric draping. If you are considering fabric draping for your wedding or event, I’m here to walk you through all the details. And if you weren’t thinking of draping, I think I’ll have you convinced to add it to your event design by the end of this blog. Because if you want to add some drama to your wedding, there is no better way then incorporating draping. Draping can help cover and soften the harsh edges of a room all while introducing a big wow factor.
If you have never heard of draping or are just exploring your options, it is important to understand the different types of draping styles. As you will see, draping is incredibly versatile and can be used in a tent, room, or as a backdrop. Let’s get into the details.
Partial Drape
With a partial drape, we use multiple hang points and swag the fabric out. As the name implies this isn’t full coverage. Partial draping can be done in any tent or room. But we most often use it in tents to hide some of the industrial look. You will still see some parts of the tent but it helps divert attention from some of the big beams and structures. It creates a soft and romantic look.
Partial Wedding Drape at Hyde Park Country Club | Photographer: Kortnee Kate Photography | Wedding Planner: Elegant Events by Elisa | Florals: Ford-Ellington Floral and Event Design | Lighting: CLEAR Lighting
Full Drape
The full drape covers everything. Again, this is most popular with our brides who are having a tent wedding or reception. Because of the draping, it does require a structure or frame tent to really be successful. With the full drape, you won’t see any of the tent structure. It softens all those harsh edges and covers the metal beams normally visible in a tent.
The great thing about using a full drape versus something like a tent liner are the options for customization. We can make the pleats tighter or looser to achieve the look you want and incorporate whatever colors you have in mind. There are a million ways to get creative. We have even done an ombre look! But full drapes aren’t limited to tents. We are able to do them inside venues with the right ceiling height.
Full Wedding Drape at GreenAcres | Photographer: Amber Bridges Studios | Wedding Planner: Lindsey Baer Company | Florals: Robin Wood Flowers
Backdrop Draping
Here the options really are endless. I’m lucky to work with a great seamstress who can sew whatever I need. If you can dream it up, we can probably do it. Draping creates the perfect backdrop for the ceremony and can add softness to any venue. You can use draping to cover an unsightly wall that you otherwise wouldn’t think about getting married in front of or to dress up a huppah. If you have a venue that is too large for your guest space, draping can be a beautiful way to mask room dividers. Like I said, endless options!
Ceremony Backdrop Wedding Draping | Florals: Marti Heard Designs
So now that you understand a little bit about draping, why consider it for your event? There really is no better way to transform a room. When guests walk into a reception, I guarantee the first they will notice is an elegant draping all across the ceiling. Draping can completely transform a room. Your guests have likely been to a lot of weddings, maybe even multiple at your venue, draping will make your event something to remember.
Full Drape at the Taft Museum of Art | Photographer: Cassandra Zetta Photographer | Florals: Marti Heard Designs
Draping is also a great way to incorporate color. We do a lot of white ceiling drapes and they are beautiful. But if you are brave enough to play with color, the payout will be huge. Many brides I talk to are nervous that color will make the room feel small, but we are working with very high ceilings. They can handle color. Plus, color doesn’t cost more. Why not play? Soft coppers, charcoal, blues to mimic the sky - get creative!
Full Wedding Drape in Ombre | Wedding Planner: I Do Wedding and Events | Florals: Ford-Ellington Floral and Event Design
If you are planning on draping for your event, do be prepared for it to be a larger budget item. Remember, we will do everything completely custom for your event. Each piece of fabric is cut and draped just for you. However, investing in draping can also help you scale back a bit on other elements of the design because the impact is so huge. Draping is a great way to make an event design investment for a high impact. If you are looking for a way to bring a little upscale drama to an event, we would love to talk to you!
Fitz the Occasion is a wedding designer and decorator who specializes in fabric draping to further customize the look and feel of your event. Though they are based in Cincinnati, OH, Fitz the Occasion has done events all over the country both large-scale and intimate. With an impressive catalog of publication inclusions, Fitz the Occasion is well-known and loved in the tristate and has worked at many venues throughout the area.
The team at Fitz the Occasion has lived and breathed the events industry with experience spanning over 30 years. The owner, Kim Fitzpatrick, started Fitz the Occasion over 15 years ago when she saw the impact draping and decorating brought to individual events to make them even more special and even more customized.
While much of their work can be found in tented weddings across the area, their talent and creativity doesn’t stop there. They have worked in many brick and mortar venues across the region and can truly customize any space.
Whether you have a tented wedding in mind or have found the perfect venue for your special day, Fitz the Occasion can help bring your event full-circle to truly encompass the look and feel you had in mind.
