Behind the Design: Arabian Nights

We were delighted to be brought in for Event & Floral Design Services during Friday nigh's Moroccan theme event in Virginia Beach, Virginia at The Cavalier Hotel Hotel's Beach Club.  The event was hosted by Liberty Tax and managed by our friends at Astro DJ Entertainment and yes, it was EPIC!!  


 Here are a few "UNOFFICIAL PICS"... enjoy!

BEFORE  DESIGN & INSTALLATION WORK

Before - Concept Illustration

After - Final Design 

Before - Concept Illustration

After - Final Design 

Stage Draping and Theme Accents

We were so delighted to be part of a fabulous team of local vendors including: 
Astro Entertainment
AFR Furniture Rental
Stage Right Lighting


We anxiously awaiting to share the "OFFICIAL" pictures from the event which featured DJ, live band, and a simply amazing cirque de-sole style performance be Magical Solutions Inc. ...Cheers!!

Fabulous Fun & Fun with Terebinth & Lizzi London

What fun!!  This weekend we had a wonderful time participating in an event at "Terebinth, A Sweet Retreat" in Virginia as they hosted the simply delightful design "Lizzi London".  Yes, her real name London... yes, she is from London... and yes, this fabulous presentation of her newest collection was part of Terebinth's Pre-Prom Party.  Many of the styles ranged from edgy to sophisticated to avant guarde fantasy.  

It was our pleasure to create Runway Decor, Event Staging, and Floral Designs for the event.  Guests of the event were entertained prior to the fashion show with our signature "On-the-spot" Event Caricature Services (drawn in just 3 minutes) and by other participating vendors such as Shutter Booth Photo Booth.  Courious?  Take a sneak peek inside Saturday's event with these "Unofficial pics"... enjoy!!

Here's a little "Fun".... and yep, this guest loooooved her Caricature as much as we looooved drawing it. 

 

Here's a little "Fabulous".... We loved designing, staging and creating these fanciful room-scape almost as fabulous as Lizzi London's . 

"...and you do what?": Part I (of 4)

Planner, Coordinator, Designer, Consultant... it all means the same thing right? 

Not so fast.  So often when meeting with Brides and Grooms (or Event Hosts) who are just becoming acquainted with the events and weddings industry we(Wedding Pros) find ourselves clarifying a few misnomers about the roles, responsibilities and the generally "who does what"s in the planning and production process.  That's why I wanted to do this short (4 part) series entitled "...and you do what?".  In it, I'll clarify some of what certain Event Professionals (such as Planners, Coordinators, and Designers) do.

Before diving into our first installment I'd like to ask you a questions.  If a little kid asked you, "What does a Mechanic do?", would you feel comfortable describing the basics idea behind their job?  Now, most of you probably just answered, "Yes, of course".  And no surprise there, most adults have had to take a car to one (and for most of us probably more than once). We know what Mechanics and Repair People do because we see them somewhat regularly basis.  They are services that fit into and we use throughout our everyday personal and professional lives. 

We may not know each exact process, technique, training, tools, skills and so on involved in what they do but we do have an expectation of what will be done.  We have a general understand of what their job entails, trust them to know what they are doing and to do it correctly.  We do this so regularly in fact that we often just take what we know about their duties (such as which ones to go for which needs, who specializes in what, etc.) for granted.  The same can be said about other professions like Hair Stylists, Food Service, Clothing Boutiques, etc.  We run into these service providers hundreds of times in life.  And although these services are far, far more customized, elaborate, specialized, and usually complex for a wedding we still have some idea of what these Professionals will be doing. 

Ever been to a concert or a dance club before?  Then you have some idea of the type of services a DJ or a Band may provide.  Sure, it's more than just playing music, it's transitioning between activities, facilitating and communicating with your guests throughout the evening however, you also understand that it will be very different for a wedding environment and you will have to trust their expertise.  And if you've ever had a "Bad Picture" taken at the DMV, in a class picture, or in a candid photo with some friends then you know what a "Great Photographer" could do for you.  Again, you also know their services may require different equipment, assistants, and skills for capturing those "once in a lifetime" moments on camera.

So, maybe it's because large, structured events like weddings just don't happen every day.  For most people wedding planning requires working with professionals and processes they've seldom deal on a daily basis.  And with so many different professional titles like Wedding Planner, Consultant, Coordinator and Designer (all of which have slightly different responsibilities) there's often some misunderstandings about "who does what", who may provide the right service for the right needs, and confusion about their specific training, skills, duties, processes, techniques, etc.

Yes, most people may not run into Planning Professionals every day... or so you think.  I believe it's the various "titles" and the romanticized idea of Parties and Weddings that are misleading.  Say words "Wedding Planner" and images of glamorous parties, television shows, and funny little movie characters pop into most heads.  However say, "Project Manager" and you'd have quite a different image (more in the next post).  The truth is, these are two jobs that have similar duties and responsibilities but because of event industry terminology and the fact that weddings are (let's face it) such a fun occasion for the Client, the newly engaged may not see the similarities at first.

Next up we'll bust some myths, define the some roles, outline responsibilities, and help you start to identify which Event Pro may be the right fit for your needs when it comes to planning services starting with one of the most misunderstood... the "Day of Coordinator".

Oh, I'd like to leave you with a question...

"What do you think of when you think 'Day of Coordinator'?"

Feel free to leave your "Comments" below... cheers!

So, why do "Wedding Flowers" cost... so... much??

You walk into a local Florist's or Event Designer's shop.  You glace around and find yourself surrounded by selves and tables adorned with dozens of lovely vases, props and charming decorative accents.  Along one of the walls or perhaps nestled in the back of the room you may see a large display case... a cooler filled with an assortment of beautifully designed floral arrangements; sweet little round arrangements, classic red roses in 10" vase, happy little daisies in a fun, bright container, and so on.  And you wonder, "So why do 'wedding' (or special event) flowers cost so much?"  Unfortunately the common thought among consumers is that a business hears the word "wedding" and just automatically charge more... well, not exactly.  While it's true that arrangements for weddings are more than "Everyday flowers" (more on that later) I'd like to share just a little insight as to what makes flowers for weddings and special events more expensive. 

It's the same reason why you can go to one of your favorite restaurants, order a meal of Chicken Marsala with salad and drinks and pay anywhere from $20 to $30 per person (give or take) however, such a meal being catered for a reception could cost $50, $80 or more per person.

So, what ARE you really paying with Wedding and Event Flowers?

Let's consider that "dinner" we just talked about, better yet, think about that last time YOU cooked a big dinner for your family.  How many people did you cook for?  3, 4 or maybe 5 people?  Think about when you planned out the meal, looked up the recipes, and created ingredients and shopping lists.  Think of the preparation time (peeling, chopping, etc), and actual cooking and baking time.  Then, let's just assume you "go all out" and serve your family, you know, actually plate each meal and bring them to the table (no self-service).  Now think about the clean-up after, not just the dinner dishes but all the prep dishes, pots, pans, and work areas including counter tops and the floors.

Ok, now, image cooking for 14 people instead of 4 or 5.  How about 40, 140 or even 440 people...whew!  What would you need to pull that off?  How much extra help would you need to cook all those perfect meals as well as serve them impeccably and clean up afterwards?  What type of equipment would you need?  What if you were at a strange kitchen or a place that didn't have a kitchen?  What would you have to prepare before heading to the location?  How would you transport everything?  Think of the cost of not just the actual food but the materials (including warming trays, plates, glasses, linens, etc.), special equipment, extra staff, transportation, and, of course, your own precious hard work and time... what would be the cost?  The truth is things tend to become more complicated when done in large quantity and the more complicated things get, the more costly they become - especially if its to be done exceptionally well.

So, back to that Florist shop you walked into earlier.  Those flowers you saw in the cooler?  Those were more than likely "Everyday Flowers", the type of flowers you walk in off the street and pick-up on a whim.  Most standard florist shops will aways have some kind of Everyday, Seasonal or Occasion Flowers... you know, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, etc on display. Seeing those flowers can be a little misleading.  You only saw one maybe two of a single "Everyday" Floral Design sitting in those cases.  Just keep in mind those arrangements may have been...

• Made and sold in the shop one at a time
• Made to order in the shop with available staff and blooms
• Made to order in the shop with available staff and special ordered blooms
• Made days (and days) ago and kept in a cooler for walk-in customers

These Everyday Flowers tend to be pretty standard designs and a little different than the specialty floral designs typically seen in weddings or special events which often uses different structural materials and event rental items.  When you are ordering custom-made Bridal Flowers, Ceremony Flowers (Alter Arrangements, Aisle or Pew Markers, etc), Cocktail/Reception Flowers, and more you are actually ordering and paying for more than just a standard product - you are hiring some very specialized services for your event. 

Here are just a few (5) reasons why a floral or event design business may charge what they do for Wedding or Event Flowers:

1. Product and Materials: 

Yes, this refers to the actual flowers but it also includes professional floral chemicals, tools, rented pieces, and production equipment (not including operations equipment like Flower Coolers).  Many of these materials are used in the flower care and processing stages (things I discussed in an earlier blog post "It's Alive").  I personally like to think of flowers as a "living Art medium" and the beauty can quickly fade if they become sick or mistreated.  And what happens if a supplier can't provide the right flowers, Customs damages them during import at the airport, they pick-up a fungus or they are delayed in transit to the Florist and die?  Your Floral Designer finds solutions, fixes the problem and fulfills service... plain and simple.

2. Mass Production and Labor:

Prepping flowers and making dozens of custom floral design such as bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, arrangements, etc. for a designated production schedule is very different from completing a single design order.  Many Floral Designers have professional training and/or years of experience so they can handle event production however, there may be situation where they have other projects, events, or operate a store front with daily walk-in customers and in such cases bringing in the proper staffing  may be essential for producing designs for your event.

3. Storage and Transportation:

After those exquisite flowers arrive, have been processed or have been placed into lovely floral designs they will need to be properly stored (typically in cool, control temperature environments) and then transported.  And in the case of weddings that may mean scheduling and delivery to multiple locations; bouquets brought to the Bride's and Bridesmaids' location, boutonnieres to the Groom's and Groomsmen's location, arrangements and aisle decor at the ceremony site and, of course, centerpieces and other decor to the reception site.

4. Installation:

Once delivered (depending on how elaborate) rentals and floral design items may need to be assembled on-site or set-up on alters, pews, hallways, guest tables, cake tables, etc.  Later the Floral Designer or their staff will work with the venue(s) to schedule their breakdown and removal.

5. Hobby vs. Job:

It's not lost on me that I (and others like me) are extremely blessed to love what we do and do what we love.  But I'll also be the first to tell you we are not here by accident.  Sure, I may have started off my career in Fine Art, Museums, Entertainment, Tourism, Communications, and Marketing but I fell in love with and have committed myself to this work.  We (Event & Floral Designers) have dedicated ourselves to hundreds of hours of study, training, and experience all to craft our skills, abilities and knowledge into an Art (no pun intended).  I value each and every one of our Clients. Their events are immensely important me and I fully understand what this (a moment they may never relive again) is to them.  It's that "scene of importance" that is why they have hired a Professional.  And yes, we are Professionals.  This is my job, a job I love but it is still my job.  It is how we have chosen to make a living - how we pay our mortgages, feed our children, pay our bills, and so on.  We work hard and, just like anyone who works, we expect to be paid for our time and hard work.

Now there are more reasons why Wedding Flowers may cost what they do but the bottom line is as Professionals we do indeed take your event (and what we do) very seriously and provide all the necessary elements required to create your designs with amazing "living materials".  I know the Clients who hire us value us - they value me, my staff, and the quality of the work we do.

Are you worried about your wedding flowers and decorations costs?  Be sure to ask your Wedding Planner, Consultant, Event Designer or Florist for their opinion on options to get the most out of your budget range.  They understand your budget is important and are there to help you.

  

Behind the Design: Focal Faux Pas

Here's a little insight in our design philosophy.  Event Design is not just about centerpieces or even tabletop design but the entire environment and visual experience your guests will have in relation to the event's (or Bride & Groom's) theme, style, and personality.  Now, don't worry, I don't plan on going into details like proportion, balance, line of sight, harmonies, or integrated formal design styles. That being said, I'd like to talk a very common aspect many people don't think about when it comes to a reception. Often people spend so much time on what goes on the middle of the table that they forget to simply step back from table. Remember, your guests will not spend the whole evening looking at the middle of the table. Consider the room's layout and area's that will draw guest's attention.

Think of it this way, you spent a good about of time tasting and selecting just the right cake. You've chosen the perfect cake topper or have asked your florist to provide some exquisite fresh blooms to decorate your cake. Soon the big moment arrives. The entire crowd gathers and photographers (both professional and amateur) are poised for the exciting moment. This is no longer just a table... this area has become a "Focal Point" and it's a flashpoint of the evening. You do not want this stunning cake plopped on a plain, stark white table cloth or (as one of our Vendor Colleagues shared with me about another wedding) the Bride & Groom cutting their cake with a circuit box in full view behind them. Not the best photo op.

(Above image - Preston Bailey )

Areas like the Cake Table can quickly become areas to engage your guests or key photo opportunities throughout the evening. These "Focal Points" could effect the overall look, feel, flow and design of the room. I personally love chatting with Clients about these Focal Points - it's a wonderful chance to create a memorable experience (and maybe give guests a little extra "WOW") with just a little creativity. Even if a Client's design budget is tight or if they've only opted to have runners or inexpensive overlays on their table top I always bring different Focal Point options to their attention. Sometimes it's as simple as considering the investment of just a few beautiful Specialty Linens like Pintuck, Crushed Taffeta, Sequin, Damask, Beaded, Ribbon, Brocade, etc. to add visual emphasis to the tables or area's design.

Also consider a "Statement Display" such as Larger Floral Arrangement, Floral Sculpture, Ice Sculpture, Wish Tree, Backdrops, Props, etc.  We recommend the following key tables as possible Focal Point areas:

• Cake Table
• Gift Table
• Escort Card Table
• Head or Sweetheart Table
• Specialty Services Table (ie: Candy Buffet or Dessert Bar)

Dressing up these 3 to 5 tables (or those custom designated areas) transforms them into Focal Points that will heighten the experience and add to the design of the room.

Focal Points are not limited to tables.  They may also include Lounge Areas, Entertainment Areas (ex: Photobooths), Food Stations (like the newly popular gourmet "food truck" or street food-style cuisine), or any variety of creative and interactive activities you'd like to have your guests experience during your event.  Remember, in the end, when it comes to your event's design it's all about everyone (yourself included) emerging into the world and memories your are creating.


"What other Focal Points or Interactive Areas that you considered creating for quests?"

Leave a comment below... cheers!

Behind the Design: Are you into the group thing?

Have you considered the "grouping thing" for your event? Um, no, I mean Grouped Centerpiece Designs. Grouped Centerpieces or “Groupings” are a little different from "Trio Centerpieces" (which we talked about in one of our much earlier blogs) where 3 of the same designs are repeated on a signal table. Groupings are two, three or more small, minimalist design, or individual designs (usually in varying heights) placed together very closely (as one) on a table.

Groupings work well on different table shape (like the center of a square table, a round table, or down the middle of a long table) and complement a number of design styles. For example, groupings can be created out of a whimsical eclectic collection of different decorative pieces or a quaint cozy group of rustic "take-away" arrangements for guests or a robust, dramatic group of glamorous over-the-top elements.

What makes a Grouping such an interesting design? Variety! Instead one shape at a signal height to focus on, your eye is forced to move across the Grouping – with its multiple shapes and/or at varying heights. But not repeating the same elements over and over again does not create a successful Grouping design. The key to a good Grouping is “unifying all the design elements”. The items of the Grouping should have something in common, something that makes them look as if they "belong together", complement each other, or must be comprised of a least one of the same elements (ie: color, texture, material, style, theme, etc.). Take a look at some of these following Groupings. Notice what the elements of the designs have in common (color, theme, type, etc.) and how they differ… enjoy!

 

Art Comes to Life: Old Dominion University Wedding, Part I

Where did you meet the "love of your life"? Where did you fall in love? For one of your recent Bridal Couple, Sharron & Christopher (who now live in Washington, DC), they first met and fell in love on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. So it was important for them to make this location a part of their special day. They thought it would be a unique idea to come back down to the Hampton Roads area and have the ceremony on the University's campus.

During our first meeting they told me that they wanted to use black, white and a touch of mint in their colors. They also liked Calla Lilly, Damask, and Branches but wasn't exactly sure how to put it all together. Of course this was not a problem, after all, this is one of the many reasons to hire a professional Event Designer. We helped to cohesively create a vision and bring it to life.

I asked them one of my personal favorite questions, "If you had to pick a movie, book or television show that represents you or your style what would it be?" The response? The Bride said, "Sex & The City" while the Groom said, "Ocean's 11". A few more creative questions we were able to identify their personalities, likes, dislikes, possible themes and style.

We later developed a few custom designed concept illustrations and (for their convenience) compiled them into a slideshow which we emailed to them for their review... THEY LOVED WHAT WE CAME UP WITH! Below are the original concept illustrations of the Ceremony Design and pictures showing the execution of this couple exchanging their vows at ODU... Congratulations Sharron & Christopher!

Damask & Calla Lilly Wedding - Part I

Bridal Bouquet & Groom's Boutonniere Concept Illustration

Oh we just have to share this one. The venue (while the Ladies were getting dressed) had to evacuate due to a fire alarm so our Bride & Bridesmaids had a little fun... and yes, we made sure everything still ran smoothly with now worries. It's just another reason to consider having a Professional Wedding Design and Coordinating Services Company to keep everything rolling!!

Old Dominion University Wedding -

Ceremony Concept Illustraiton

Special thanks to Debonair Photography for the images.

We'll post "Part II" which will feature more images of the fun, glamorous, unique and simply fabulous "Red Carpet" Reception at the Virginia Beach Convention Center soon... Cheers!!

Peak inside our process: Style vs. Theme

So, while remarking on the gown worn by the newly wedded Duchess of Cambridge (a.k.a. Kate Middleton) someone said, "I thought it [the gown] was going to be a little more glamorous". Now considering that the Queen of England (her new Mother-in-law) is the head of the Church of England, the etiquette and the style of the occasion (a formal, high-noon church wedding) the drama, flash and bling of a "Glamorous" look just wouldn't have been appropriate. This got me thinking about the roles that "Style and Theme" play in the Wedding or Special Event Design process.

There are a lot of my favorite Planner/Designer colleagues who know how to design beautifully. They know how to create a flawless, consistent and streamline look for their Clients. Their skills and experience come through in every event they create. When I conduct a Design Consultation with a Client I like to take them through a few exercises that I've developed to help us both understand their "Style" as well as any "theme" that may come into play.

Unfortunately, it seems like there's a number of Planners/Designers out there that don't practice this step or have any kind of design structure that takes these concepts in mind. I've noticed a few mis-matched styles desperately (and usually randomly) tossed together with the Theme being the only thing in common. This is done in hopes that the "Theme" would somehow tie everything together. More often than not the result is a slightly off to overwhelmingly disjointed look. An interesting look but lacking a since of linear flow and visual consistency.

Here's the problem.

If you create an overall event design look with a theme but do not take the time to identify and develop a structure involving the actual style, the look is usually not cohesive. With lost of interesting but varying components, the overall look is as if several different parties (with a lot of nice elements) just "crashed together". A bit of a visual mess.

The solution...

Develop an event design and concept using your Theme and Style in mind. Let's start by understanding what a Theme is and then identifying Style.

What is Theme? Well, Theme is easy - It's the broad concept, message or idea of the event. In Event Design, Theme is the "message" or "idea" that will be carried throughout the look and feel of the event. It may be a signal topic, season, element, destination, Holiday, etc. Themes can range from subtle to over the top and there are literally hundreds of Themes to choose from; Winter Wonderland, Alice in Wonderland, Beach or Tropical, Hollywood Glamour, English Garden, so on and so on.

Now for Style. Funny, Style is one of those words that almost everyone has used but very few understand a formal definition of. Style is the artistic category, prevailing mode, aestheic value and/or structural composition in which an idea is carried. It can also refer to the phystical techniques used. It's what I consider to be one of the key developmental steps that some miss during the event design process. Style is the vehicle in which your theme will be delivered. The type of materials, flowers, accents, fabrics colors, etc. can all reflect the Style. In Design there are generally 7 distinct Styles. The type of materials, flowers, fabrics, accents, etc used can all create convey a specific "Style" as it presents a theme. Depending on the type of event, like that of a wedding, we may have to merge more than one style. Here are just a few examples of the same "Theme" (Tropical) reflected in a few different "Styles" ranging from Modern to Eclectic.

Behind the Design / Design 101: Color Harmonies - Monochromantic

Greetings to you. Over the last few weekends this blog has been more about updates and Bridal events. And although we are delighted to post such fun and information happenings I feel it's time to share some more creative, constructive and design-worthy knowledge. Today I'm going back to basics, back to my expertise and back to what I love... Art and Design.

So often I speak with Brides who immediately say upon meeting for a Design Consultation "my colors are ______ and white" or "______ & silver". Now, if you have colors, themes, or ideas in mind by all means let us (your Designer or Planner) know. I have to admit when I hear these words, from a design perspective, what the Client is really saying is "I've chosen one color and a neutral". And there's nothing wrong with that. I usually then find myself helping them dig a little deeper to identify"Why?"

Most people don't think of Color as a science. Sure they recall the colors of the rainbow, the acronym "Roy G. Biv" from science class or the image of the Colorwheel but "Color Theory" is an actual artistic discipline based in both science and psychology. "But Janel", you say, "I really like Purple and Silver" or "Blue and White". And if that's what you want you will definitely have it but as we move forward with your Event or Floral Design I also want us to consider the psychology of design and look at the "Purple" as being presented well with the silver (a variation in the gray family) which is a neutral.

Sometimes Brides confess they chose the "Color" because it's one of their favorites and the neutral because they just want it to "Match". Ok, now being afraid of "mis-matching" or only trying to "match" colors with a neutral is one of the big mistakes I see. Carrying swatches around and trying to make sure every flower, linen, and accessory matches that color exactly can often result in a flat look and limited color spectrum (even if you use satin or shimmer materials). Remember, the slightest variation in color can make subtle yet alluring impact.

So, here's the trick to creating a rich, compelling color using "_______ and a neutral" or only one color with no neutral (a personal favorite). The key is not to worry about "Matching a Color", the key is to "Match Hues, Tints & Tones". I pull out my colorwheel and happily share with the eager Bride one of the simplest and most effective color harmonies... Monochromatic. Simply put, you select a signal color and then add white to make it lighter (this is known as tint) and/or add black to it to make the color darker (a darker shade or tone of the same color). It is the exact same color, just different versions of it. Be careful not to use a different or similar colors to your design (this is something different that I'll touch on another time) but the same color in different tints and tones along with a neutral. This will create a single color used with a range of depth, brightness and an unforgettable feel.

Questions about color theroy? Want to learn more about the science of color? More posts to come!