Tree Tables

Once again we have managed to outdo ourselves with our latest and greatest decor; our tree tables. These are an original creation we made for an "Enchanted Forest" event and look absolutely amazing-not to mention incredibly realistic! The tables have hand wrapped and painted tree trunk bases topped with giant 5 foot round high-gloss top that looks like you took a slice out of an enormous tree. Come in to our Special Events Design Center in Rockville to see them in person!

Be Our Guest

To promote our planners’ effectiveness and necessity in helping plan and produce special events, we often say that our staff will be on site to ensure that our clients are guests at their own parties. It’s not something that all people immediately understand when they are considering whether or not to hire a planner for their event. Without professional help on site, hosts are often presented with issues or difficulties as they arise throughout the duration of their event. Dealing with or worrying about problems during such important affairs can sap the enjoyment and fun out of any occasion.

I was witness to a small example of this effect this past weekend. I attended the wedding of two dear friends that was sure to be a wonderful time for all involved. The bride and groom had staff from the venue to help them facilitate the proceedings. It was a beautiful wedding and all joy abounded. When I spoke to the bride the following day at brunch, she mentioned that her only regret was having to worry and deal with a few electrical shortage issues. It was nothing major, but lights and music went out several times during the cocktail hour and then other house lights failed during the dancing. None of the guests minded and most probably didn’t notice (I can’t help but see these things at events I attend, due to the nature of my job), but that was the one low point of an otherwise dream wedding. And it was something that could have been avoided with an on-site, dedicated day-of wedding planner.

A good wedding planner anticipates those types of issues before they crop up, bringing in the extra generator, for example, and knows how to deal with them before the host or hostess is even aware of a problem. Having a professional guide the event from start to finish should be a very comforting feeling for a host. We will allow you to be a guest and fully enjoy the experience from beginning to end. It’s something you may not have considered before, but we always do.

Something Blue

We all know how when we were little kids and believed in fairy tales, we often daydreamed of what our lives would be like. These day dreams often centered around ones fairy tale wedding. The white dress, prince charming and of course ‘something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.’ Eventually we all grew up and that fairy tale for the most part disappeared. However the old something blue adage is something many brides still try to incorporate into their wedding day- whether it be for luck, in honor of a family tradition, or sometimes to simply please ones mother! Upon closer examination it turns out there is a lot of history to back up this adage. “In ancient Rome brides wore blue to symbolize love, fidelity, and modesty. Christianity has historically dressed the Virgin Mary in blue as a symbol of purity, and before the late 19th century blue was a popular wedding gown color because wearing blue on your wedding day was thought to bring your good luck.” Today the possibilities are endless; there truly are so many ways to incorporate something blue into your wedding day. It is just a matter of adding that something blue that suits your personal style. Whether it is hiding from view or seen boldly by others- the secret is you will know that you are wearing your blue for good luck!

Julie Pike

*Historical references from Kate Spade Occasions and MSW
*Images from Manolo Blahnik and MSW

Eco-Conscious Event Planning

Let’s face it events, although usually joyous, generate waste, overuse natural resources, and produce emissions. Extra transportation miles are clocked by attendees travel and deliveries. To supply enough tableware and save efforts in post-event clean-up, disposable items, made from paper and plastic are commonly used. Other packaging containers like glass and plastic bottles,
plastic bags, cardboard, and aluminum and steel cans all add to increased waste, especially if recycling receptacles are not provided.

To be eco-conscious your planner can appropriately plan and execute certain
guidelines:

• Provide carpooling and alternative transportation to and from the event

• Correctly estimate the amount of reusable, recyclable or compostable tableware needed

• Educate guests about their role in composting and recycling waste by providing instructional signage.

With thorough planning and forethought, a zero-waste event is possible, and the resulting clear conscience is a nice bonus!

by Howard Radis

Asian Theme decor

Jaime Greenwald recently designed an Asian themed event at the Mandarin Oriental. As a result, Gala Events, Inc. now has a lot of magnificent Asian themed decor including a 16ft long red bar and back bar set that is truly stunning. The front of the bar lights up, the bar top is made from reflective plexiglass, bamboo shoots up from the sides and it has a Torii backbar. Contact an event planner for inquires about using this bar or any Asian decor for your next event!

by Tom Kemp

The Week before your event

Let’s talk about how the week before your event should feel

It should be exciting

All the I’s should be dotted
All the T’s should be crossed

All the strings should be released
The event planner should be ready to roll

All the seating charts should be finalized
All the escort cards are ready to print
All the hotel baskets are being completed and are almost ready to bring to the hotel
All the billing is settled
All décor is almost finished

No more worries

Floor Plans are done
Lighting and draping are set to go
Venders are contacted, time lined and ready to go

It is time to breathe- It is time to enjoy what’s ahead

Remember this is a party that everyone has been working on for quite some time

It is time to enjoy

This is an exciting time
Enjoy what’s now
And what’s ahead

by Nancy Radin

Themes

Theme (noun) - a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.

I often am asked by prospective clients as they plan the decorative elements of their event whether a theme is necessary. My response is generally that, while not “necessary”, it is something that helps turn a run-of-the-mill party into an event - at least from a visual perspective. At a properly decorated party, one’s eye should dance over the individual decorative elements and be marveled by the array of related designs. A theme helps achieve that kind of effect.

A theme should be relevant to the party and once one has been chosen, the individual elements involved in the party become cohesive and unified. This cohesiveness makes for a visually pleasing room or event space and enjoyment among partygoers as guests discover more and more elements that are designed using the theme in mind. It is fun to see ordinary event elements like bars, buffets and entrances creatively tied into the theme of the event.

Colors can be used as a motif. Different colored fabric, ribbons, paper, linens, chargers and more can be used to reinforce that type of motif throughout the event space. This usually results in a sophisticated look, uncomplicated by theme-y kinds of images and representations.

For most parties, however, a theme provides an overarching concept that makes planning and designing the individual elements much easier. It helps bring an event vision to life and give guests an atmosphere in which to enjoy themselves. And that’s the idea, right?

by Noah Steurer