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!

Reflections... 10 years ago today

One of our core philosophies at Vivid Expressions LLC is "Celebrating the blessings of love, marriage, family, and friendship in all of life's occasions." It is not lost on us how precious these values are today as our nation remembers the 10 Anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Life is always in a state of change - sometimes growth, others pain, other times peace and even joy. So many lives were changed that day.

My story? Like many, I watched and in awe and uncertainty. Wondering what was going on, what to do and later how I could help. My life is much different today. A world away from those days of holding down more than one job. Freelance Fine Arts, Animation and Marketing work on the sides and a full-time Trainer for a contractor for (at the time) the nation's largest telecommunications in their high-speed technologies division. I and the other members of our Training time was responsible to distributing updated training to the sales floor of nearly 300 representatives that day when the news unfolded throughout the morning. I remained (as usual) positive, encouraging, energetic and focused on the task at hand to our reps however, inside I was felt the same disbelief and worry that we all did. My heart when out to those in New York. I wondered about the plane that went down in Pennsylvania and I thought about, prayed about and worried about family and friends in DC. I, like everyone else that day, know our world had changed forever.

Today I recognize how blessed I am and how strong we are as a nation. I'm grateful, proud and will never forget the loss and the heroes of that day.

Today I'd like to do a little something different...

I'd like to invite you to join us in our philosophy today. Please share your own love, remembrance, pride, and gratitude with us as we open this post to the "Comments" section below.

God blessed America.

Blessed wishes to you all,

Janel

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

In a recent post we shared a few highlights from the fabulous wedding for our "Old Dominion University" couple. Yep, this DC couple wanted to exchange their vows at the same college campus where they met and fell in love. We were hired to plan, design and coordinate their fantastic ceremony and "glam-tastic"wedding reception. In the earlier post (Part I) we shared images from the university's campus ceremony.

Immediately following the ceremony the reception took place at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. For the reception the Bride & Groom did something we love, they just told us what things that they liked and gave us creative license to "make something beautiful"... and so we did! The Bride requested damask, crystals, branches, and calla lily so we presented design sketches (and emailed them to them in a slide format). From a fun contemporary room layout to custom designed lounge area with dozens of floating glass orbs with candles and more... we custom created flowers and decor. The final results were beyond their expectations! Enjoy these images for what I like to call "Part II... the Reception!"

Rough Draft Concept Illustration:

Final Design... First Dance

Special thank you to Debonair Photography for most of the images above

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!

 

Revisiting: How your event can to survive a Hurricane!

With all the talk about Hurricane Irene approaching the East Coast this weekend I, like many others, are thinking about all the events scheduled this weekend. Personally, I find myself thinking of how I felt during those days leading up to my own wedding which took place just 2 days after Hurricane Isabel devastated our area. It was Thursday, September 18, 2003 when Isabel swept through the Virginia and by Friday morning 2/3 the state had no power, finding an operational gas station was difficult, businesses like the Tux shop, hair salons and reception venues were damaged or even closed, communications with family, friends and vendors became a challenge, and so on. Yet, with all these obstacles I was still able to have a simply lovely wedding day.

Now I can't help but think about all the Brides & Grooms getting married this weekend and how the normal butterflies in your stomach may be rapidly multiplying with the anticipation of this storm. So, How to have a fabulous wedding when the Governor issues a "State of Emergency"? Let me share our top 3 tips to a successful wedding despite the challenges... maybe even a Hurricane:

1.) Review and Re-Organize:

Sit down with your Wedding Consultant or Coordinator and review all of your Vendor Contracts for Cancellation, Refund, "Rain call" (the last possible day/hour you may change site set-up), "Acts of God" and other contract service fulfilment policies. Odds are your Pro will have already considered all of these factors as well as Contingency Plans for your "Big Day" and will more than likely have an Action Plan in the works for your review. If you don't have a professional Coordinator or are relying on the Venue's Coordinator for your wedding then you'll have to review all the policy deals of each Vendor's Contract. Remember, it's vital for you to be aware of is all these details as well as updating all Contingency Plans, Contact Lists, Checklists, and Timeline. If you'll be handling vendor management for your wedding make copies of all these materials and keep them on hand for the days to come.

2.) Perfect Professionals:

No mater how well you plan and try to foresee potential problems new concerns always pop up and that’s o.k. - that's why you've hired professionals! This is why you spent the time and money to research and bring in true wedding industry professionals and there is a reason why your Wedding Pros ARE PROS! You've already hired the perfect team of Professionals to meet your wedding needs so trust them. They have the resource, skills, experience and knowledge to think "outside the box" and offer solutions in a pinch. Keep an open-mind, don't be afraid to ask questions, be open to change and look to the expertise of your Wedding Professionals to offer options and solutions if problems arise no mater how big or small.

3.) Calm and Communication:

Having great communication will be key to all the hundreds of pieces of your event coming together seamlessly to create a wonderful experience. Part of your Wedding Coordinator's duties will be contacting, communicating, and facilitating the logistics of vendor services so you don't have to but what about your Bridal Party, Family and Friends? If there are last minute chances it may also be helpful for you and your Bridal Party (or maybe even your Coordinator depending on the type of service you have with them) to reach out to others. In cases of an emergency having an updated Phone Lists of your Wedding Party Members, Wedding Guests and Vendors available to forward to your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen may be useful just in case you need to start a phone tree.

Bonus Tip!! Positivity and Prescriptive:

Forget the old saying "What can go wrong, will go wrong." Instead, be positive. You can’t control everything so just trust that "What can go right, will go right". Know that your Friends, Family and Professionals will do what ever they can to create a successful day for you. Remember to have a good sense of humor, be thankful for your support team, trust the Pros you’ve chosen to work with, and remember what’s really important... At the end of the day you are marrying the one you love! Everything else is just icing on the wedding cake!

Now keep in mind these are just 3 tips and are not the only things you'll need to turn "disaster into delight" but there are sooo many more keep steps to "surviving disaster" during your special event. If have any questions you'd like to share don't hesitate to drop us a line!

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!!

Bridal Event: Bridal Inspiration & Maritime Romance

Join us (and many other fine local Wedding Vendors) for maritime romance at the unique and exquisite Mariners' Museum as we "Sail into Weddings Bridal Expo". This Bridal Expo gives Brides & Grooms an opportunity to gather ideas, book services, and spend a few hours discovering many of the elements they'd need to create their special day. See the latest in bridal and tuxedo fashions, demonstrations, wedding ideas, and more!

Vivid Expressions LLC will be giving away a Special Custom Designed Gift Favor (valued at over $5 each) to the 1st 100 visitors of this event. Bridal Expo Tickets will also includes admission to the Mariner's Museum... it's a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Be sure to stop by our display and say "Hi" - We look forward to seeing you there!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

2pm - 5pm

The Mariners' Museum

100 Museum Drive

Newport News, VA 23606

For special discounts or to purchase your tickets online at: http://082111-efbevent.eventbrite.com/