Saturday, June......something, 2010

So, today the new office started to come together. Got the email and Blackberry "in sync." The desk is put together and printer hooked up. Now, this is going to sound crazy, but at the age of 31, shopping for office supplies never gets boring. For some crazy reason there is something exciting about buying new pens, brightly-colored post-it notes, and file folders. Why is that?? Is it because the thought of being all organized is quite rewarding??? I am not sure, but of course, when I bought the stapler "Office Space" came to mind! I felt the need to build a basement (and, of course, paint it red).

So, for the next few days, "real-life" is taking over the creative side of me. The new office should be fnished tomorrow. Then, well, let's roll!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Ahhh.....where to begin!! Moving offices is one of the craziest things in the world to do. New blackberry...check. Setting up new email server (who knew that a Principal Designer and Managing Partner / short blonde girl could do that), but.......check. Moving furniture and getting organized......well...........sort of. We have set a goal to be RACING through the world by the end of next week. Do-able? Well, for those of you that know me, CLEARLY do-able. For those that don't........

Hi. I am the Principal Designer and Managing Partner of a company that I was proud to build. I do my best designing working out and drinking wine (no, not at the same time). I tend to push the limits, but play by the rules (Fire Marshall's rules, that is). I can look at a 33,000-square-foot ballroom and mentally fill it in five minutes. I guess in one word I'm.......humble.

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Our design team has started putting together one of the larger events we have ever done and, in the "dreaming" aspect, the size of our venue HAS to be taken into consideration. Ironically, I can dream a BIG dream, but if I can't make it happen, what good does it do me?? Unfortunately for all of us, there are rules and regulations to event planning. Fire marshall, safety measures that have to be in place...boring (and oftentimes not pretty) stuff. But, all do respect, if I do my job right, I should be able to "shrink" my dream down into a size that will fit the venue it is going into.

In like most things...........um............size matters!

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

The past few days I have been contemplating what aspects make up a truly "special" event, and each event I recall had incredible lighting. Just like draping, lighting will transform the environment of an event into something extraordinary. Now, don't get me wrong...I am not talking about bright white, Stadium-like lighting (let's face it...NO ONE looks good in that lighting). I am talking about golds, ambers, no color pinks...beautiful colored-lights. Uplights will mask the most bland airwall and turn it into something with pizzazz. Moving gobos will not only given people something to watch...it will also give the drunk ones something to focus on!! Either way, don't think that linens and florals alone will get the job done. If the lights aren't on, who will see them? And the worst part of it all, not even the best digital cameras will do lighting justice. Until "they" make one, this random thought will have to go without a picture!!

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Chocolate. I thought I only loved the taste, but recently I fell in love with the actual color. A few nights ago we did an event built on the color palette of chicolate, lavender, and cream. So soft and elegant...I was quite proud of the way it looked. It is almost as ifevents are taking bold colors and "diluting them" down to a soft, elegant feel. During the summer it is easy to stay with bold, bright colors...I guess that was what set our event apart from the expected. Add candles, an amazing menu, and a few libations and voila...a good time was had by all!

Oh, and the craziest part...chocolate wasn't even on the menu! Who does that!?!?!

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Paper lanterns. Ahhh.....summer. Paper lanterns can make any event special. The soft glow from above can add ambience to any event. Tonight's event, while 112 degrees outside, has a cool, soft glow like none other. A soft breeze blowing through. "Greenday" coming from the strings in the background......

How sad is it that this was a corporate event?? @#$%!!

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Draping. Ahhh...such a versatile way to transform a room! To me, a Ballroom is a blank canvas for any event. Floor to ceiling draping can add the dramatic "wow" factor to a room that is like no other. Yesterday I was able to watch the reaction as a bride walked into a room with floor-to-ceiling draping. She became breathless. Her groom speechless. Don't get me wrong, the flowers and the lighting aided in the overall beauty of what they saw; however, they admitted that the one thing that "had to happen" was the draping. Champagne silk covering the walls. Soft lighting highlighted its' sheen. After yesterday I know that it will be the event of their lives.

Now, I just have to get through the next three months of bridal craziness and get her down the aisle and I can take a breath! Yay wedding!

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

A very close friend to WHE has watched us in action for years. As she begins the next chapter of her life "as a Southern Belle" she described us in action in the following:

I have always used the analogy of a swan to describe an event. On the surface the swan looks graceful gliding across the water - this is the image our clients and their guests see as they enjoy their event. But if you peek below the surface you see the swan's little feet paddling to maintain the flow. Those paddling feet are the crew setting up and tearing down as well as the staff during the event. Elements you and your guests never really notice if they have done our job.

WHE has some amazing "feet" ready to glide in to plan your event.

To my darling friend...I hope your "feet" carry you to happiness. Good luck!

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The "less is more" theory RARELY applies to event production. These days, I find myself using less "flowers" for centerpieces than more. A single stem, placed in a clear glass vase, is a clean look...compared to a huge arrangement of a mix of flowers. Maybe it is the dawn of summer...maybe it is just the fact that I prefer for events to made up of clean lines...for guests to see the details. Stunning linens, breathtaking florals, lighting to add that "sparkle" to the room. I want people to remember those details...when the "whole picture" is too much, add some alcohol and they won't remember much!

Simple and stunning. I think that is my new flavor of the month.