Design is in the Details
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Do you remember the last wedding reception you attended? What do you recall: The food? The entertainment? The “look” or “feel” of the room? Just close your eyes and reflect for a moment; try to think of the things that were most memorable and pleasing.
Aha! I bet the pleasing part makes it a bit harder. No doubt that more than a few of you thought about the wedding with the DJ who thought he was Elvis, or the event with the cash bar (surprise!) – and you forgot your wallet.
The more events I do, the more I remember only what is remarkable. Remarkable can be fun, outstanding, unexpected and impressive. Remarkable can also be uncomfortable, annoying, disappointing and catastrophic. As your wedding and event planner, my goal is to make your event memorable for all the right reasons.
In terms of decor, remarkable doesn’t necessarily translate into expensive. Details that are well thought out can be seamlessly incorporated into event decor and the table top design thereby creating a look that is remarkable in a visual and textural sense. (If you’re wondering what I mean about ‘well thought out details” try to imagine a table top with so many tchotchkes – bells, cameras, scrolls, bags of chocolate kisses, etc. – it looks like the favor catalog threw up; and, yes, for some bizarre reason, people still do this.)
Decor and design are most remarkable when they draw you in, and you experience the vibe as it was intended to be: exciting, chic and sexy, warm and inviting, or modern. The best designs are not limited to what can be seen; incorporating smells, tastes, physical contact, sights and sounds into the design actually creates a more memorable experience. In other words, the five senses overlap and influence each other, and combined, they create the overall impression, which in turn becomes your memory of the experience.
This is why we ask our clients to describe their vision of the event. Even if they insist that they have no idea about what they want, they truly do… We ask them to imagine what it looks like - including colors and lighting, what time of day it is, how many people are present, how the space feels (intimate, modern, elegant, indoors or outdoors) and then we begin to design an event based on their preferences and our interpretation of their style.
I must admit, sometimes the finer details do not become crystal clear until the very end. It really is an organic process. And it’s a challenge we face with every event: How do you know how far to go? Sometimes less is more, sometimes more is more.
Feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance with fine-tuning your wedding or event design. Call 214.500.1210 or email William: will {at} bar10events.com
Keeping it Under Control
“I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.”
Abraham Lincoln
Of course, Abraham Lincoln was referring to world events and not parties, but this statement still applies.
How many times have you been knee deep in planning an event and thought to yourself, “Why did I start this anyway?”
You are the victim of a runaway event. How do you know if your event has run away from you?
Here are some clues:
- Your guest/attendees list is out of control.
- You have no idea who is coming and who isn’t.
- Your bank balance is getting smaller by the second.
How can you get your event back on track and under your control?
- The first step is to get your guest list under control. Your guest list controls everything that effects your budget. It determines how many invitations you need, the amount of food and drink, etc. This is the most common cause of runaway events. Like that infomercial says, set it and forget it! Set the number for your event and stick to it.
- Next, make sure that those who are on the list, understand who is included in the invitation. Can guests bring more guests? For a work related event, are spouses and children included as well? Be clear or you will end up with more people than you bargained for.
- Finally, keeping your guest list under control will do a lot to keep your budget in check. You also need to be realistic about what you can afford. Many of us have champagne dreams but beer budgets. Remember, its best to keep it simple. A simple event can still be an elegant event.
If you have any problem implementing things, call in Bar10 Events to help you get everything under control. That way, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the party.
HRC Federal Club Holiday Party
On December 4, we had a blast working for the DFW Federal Club. We provided costumed service staff (Elves and Gifts) as well as Sexy Santa & Ms. Claus models to take pictures with the guests. The staff and models were a hit!
Paper Lanterns
People love paper lanterns. They make a space feel festive, intimate and fun. However, how you use them properly is the tricky part. Here is my advice for using them for your own event.
1) Paper Lanterns create an “outdoor” feel. They don’t make sense in a refined ballroom/ space. I tend to use them outdoors, in a tent or a venue that conveys an outdoor vibe (think loft for example).
2) Use lanterns that are color “natural” with the “irregular ribbed” pattern. For a relatively inexpensive item, these look luxurious when lit. The white and regular ribbed tend to look cheap.
3) Bigger is better. When hanging lanterns in an event space, smaller ones get lost and look tiny. I use 24″ diameter and up.
4) How you hang them is key. Cluster the lanterns so they are touching slightly and hang at varying heights. The bottom of the lanterns should be at least 8 feet off the ground.
5) For evening event, they need to be lit properly, either externally or internally. Talk to a lighting person about how to do this.
5) I love to hang them over the dance floor or target a designated area for them to hang.
There are many places online that sell paper lanters but one of my favorite sources is
http://www.paperlanternstore.com/nairriropala.html
Press Release
Event Staffing Company expands into Full Service Event Planning, Design and Marketing Company in the DFW Metroplex
Bar10 Events creates memorable experiences – Exceptional Events – Concept to Completion
Dallas, TX, December 7, 2009 – The most sought out premier Event Staffing company in the DFW Metroplex (Bar10) is pleased to announce the expansion of the services they provide. Bar10 Events can now provide clients services for any event including concept development, site selection, booking requirements, entertainment, venue design and ambiance, staffing, catering, publicity, promotion and security and final execution of the production or event.
Founder William Lanier and Principle Rick Gantley, with their extensive experience in Event Planning, with both Corporate and Social events, bring a flare for quality and upscale style to large and intimate dinner parties, holiday gatherings, corporate outings and functions, large or small ensuring their clients next event is truly memorable. Bar10 Events is able to handle every detail, visible or not as specialists in all aspects of Event Design from Entertainers and Models, total Catering menu design and supplies, to centerpieces and budget crunching to event T-shirts. They have established partnerships with a number of vendors that are highly recommend but not limited to using including great venues.
Bar10 has been staffing social and corporate events in the Dallas market for over 3 years. They have participated in events ranging from theme-specific and corporate team building to weddings and holiday parties. Their clients have included Gucci, Macy’s, Zazza Media Strategies, Cooper Smith Agency, HRC, DIFFA and Samsung.
Visit the new website at www.bar10events.com and email info@bar10events.com for your next event.
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