Today on our Industry Friends, we present the two beauties of Make Merry Events, Jillian Demmons (left) and Krista Comeau (right). These two crafty ladies recently started their event rental business here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and we are so excited for them. We had the chance to work with Jillian and Krista, this past summer on our lavender, gold and lace styled shoot.  They provided all of the tables, dishes, flatware and other details for the shoot, and it was featured in WeddingBells!  See the original blog post of the shoot HERE, and the WeddingBells feature HERE.

We had so much fun in the studio shooting and playing dress up with Oh Dina! hats and flower crowns.

To all you newly engaged couples, if you are thinking of incorporating some beautiful details into your wedding day, but don’t want the expense of buying everything, then why not rent it from Make Merry!  Not only do Jillian and Krista have almost everything you would need to add a personal touch, they are really helpful with styling and design ideas of how to incorporate their pieces into your wedding day theme. Head over to their amazing website HERE to take a look at some of the wonderful items they have for you to rent for your special day. Check out their BLOG, and also be sure to click the social media links to follow Make Merry Events on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER & their amazing boards on PINTEREST.

Scroll through the photos to get to the full Make Merry Events story below, and to see their interview with us on how they can help you put the finishing touches on your wedding day decor.

Give us a little history about yourselves, and what made you choose to start this lovely business? How did Make Merry Events get started?
My business partner Krista Comeau and I have been good friends for many years, perhaps in part because we’re both treasure hunters, collectors, and salvagers of beautiful things.

I’ve done a lot of this and that—hospitality, horticulture, research, philosophy, religious studies, and healthcare, and have a wide range of interests besides, including sweet puppy dogs, literature, dinner parties, interior design, and home renovation.

Krista is a talented artist and free-lance photographer who has worked for many publications, and was a co-founder of the former, popular maritime street-style blog Fashion East. Krista has an affinity for all old things and daydreams about treasure hunting at local book and thrift shops.

I was lured into the world of weddings, because the table settings, meals, and garments are always so lavish and lovely. Many of the whimsical wedding decorations I found online weren’t available to rent in Halifax, which set my entrepreneurial mind to thinking.

When I starting thinking about opening an event rental business, Krista was my natural partner. Krista and I started Make Merry Events because it was the best sort of job that we could imagine. Running Make Merry is a dream job, as it allows us to find, revive, and share beautiful things.

What are some of the rental items that you offer for wedding day decor?
Make Merry offers a unique array of high quality, new and used event décor and specialty rentals that have a vintage flair, as well as used or “upcycled” inventory (second-hand objects that have been re-worked or “re-purposed”). Some highlights of our collection include gold flatware, mismatched china and tea service, mercury glass, cake stands, bunting, string lights, milk glass vases, and chalkboard signs. Make Merry’s collections are designed to add personal and historical character to a wide range of special occasions, and provide an eco-friendly alternative to the event rental inventory currently available in Atlantic Canada.

Where do you draw your inspiration from when it comes to curating your rental collections?
We take cues from past and present: Victorian literature, where high tea and dinner are served with flourish; the year we spent throwing weekly dinner parties with close friends; the elegant and minimalist tablescapes of Kinfolk Magazine and French food photography; and, my domestic idol Martha Stewart. We also find inspiration online. We have many boards full of beautiful things on Pinterest. We follow many lovely vintage rental companies, photographers, florists, and dress designers on Instagram. We find beauty in the world around us.

What are your favourite wedding trends, colours and themes for the upcoming 2015 season?
The Pantone Color of the year is marsala, and we’re loving it! A color scheme of marsala (or oxblood) with blush tones looks beautiful paired with gold, brass and mercury glass, rich, sensual fruit, and berry-stained lips. This look is perfectly suited for a fall wedding in Nova Scotia. We also have a weakness for the wild, natural, and understated weddings that have become popular the past few years; we love outdoor ceremonies, washed out colors, messy bouquets, and outdoor picnics that take advantage of the beauty of our great province.

What are some “golden rules” you believe every couple should follow when thinking about how to incorporate statement pieces into their wedding day decor?
When considering incorporating a statement piece it is important to think about whether the statement will be meaningful or appropriate for you and/or your guests.

It is also important to consider whether the statement will have an enduring quality that you will feel good about in the future. This being said—since styles are apt to change, looking back on the wedding photos ten or twenty years later, no doubt there will be many unintended statements that you will have a good laugh at, and that’s ok too. It’s good for us all to laugh at ourselves sometimes.

What are some things that couples can have ready for their consultation with you?
When couples come to see us it helps knowing where their wedding will be held, and what sort of style, feel, and colour palate they would like to use, as this helps us to recommend ideas and inventory that compliment their venue and support their vision. It also helps to have a sense of how many guests will be invited to the wedding, so that we can determine whether we have or can source enough inventory to suit the occasion.

Do you service other parts of the Maritimes?
Our beautiful things can go as far as people want to take them. While we are Halifax-based, we are also web based, which means that people throughout the Maritimes can access images and information about our inventory on our website and Facebook page, and can book rentals via email or telephone. While we don’t offer a delivery service at this time, couples from away are welcome to arrange for their own transportation, or twist the arm of a guest who lives in Halifax to bring the goods along with them!

Do you provide rental services events other than weddings?
We provide vintage rentals for a variety of special occasions. Beyond weddings these include birthdays, holiday parties, charity events, showers, film sets, home staging, or a picnic in the park.

How can people find you?
Make Merry Events is located in north end of Halifax. Inventory can be viewed in person by appointment, as well as on our website and Facebook page.

2720 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS, B3K 3C7
902-809-2266