As we enter the holiday season I am reminded of how overused the red-green-white color combinations are.Each color in this classic holiday color scheme is lovely, but I cannot help but think that these colors best represent only Christmas.What about colors that would represent everyone?
Here are some of my custom-created color palettes that I feel better represent how everyone can feel during the holidays…cheery!
Planning the perfect event often starts-off innocently enough and seems like a welcomed challenge. Happily, you dream-up the event theme, and you immediately scratch-out a list of the persons who will just absolutely have to attend. You look online for the perfect venue, and you are secretly starting to spend time shopping for your party attire during your lunch break. In fact, your minds-eye may already have you drinking a perfect glass of wine while picking into some exotic snacks.
While the design-phase of an event is rather enjoyable, many will soon find that the day-to-day details appear to become a little more complicated than first expected. With vendors, timelines, budgets, contracts, rentals, entertainment, food and beverage to attend to, some begin to feel the slow-building panic set-in. Oh, no…stress!
Stop and breathe.
The moment you realize that you may in fact be in over your head, consider calling an event planner. The sad fact remains that many of us are out of time, most of the time. The precision that planning an event requires is widely considered an art form. You might be asking yourself, “are you saying that I can’t do it on my own? I am pretty organized and I am a qualified bargain-hunting party veteran.”
The major differences between an event planner and someone who wants to plan their event are: time, expertise, vendor relationships, budgeting and cost-containment [tools]. Anyone with the gumption and enough time can design and plan an event; especially the brave souls who are reading this article. But the point is, do you really want to, or can you afford to spend the necessary time and energy on the design, planning, full execution and follow-up of your event? Why should you when – if you hire an event planner – you can be going about your day as required, or relaxing and daydreaming of your LBD (little black dress)?
If you need to impress your boss or some important clients, taking the path of least resistence seems like a very safe bet. By using impressive phrases like “our event planner has it covered”, you will be well on your way to a more sophisticated and well-adjusted you.
Your in event planning,
Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott
(Forgive me for this quick post…lots to do today!)
Hello, again! Welcome back. Let’s get right into choosing your perfect candlestick (AKA candleholder). Finding your perfect piece is truly an art form. 🙂
There are six (6) factors that will impact your candlestick decision:
Usage – why are you using a candlestick? For function, or for fabulous?
Space requirements – Does this candlestick need to fill a small, moderate or large space?
The Wow Factor – Is this candlestick supposed to blend-in, or is it supposed to be a focal point?
Budget – How much do you have to spend, and how many candlesticks will you require?
Your Time/Energy reserve – how much time/energy do you have to spend?
The Kid Factor – are your pieces going to be placed up high or in the reach of the kids? If you have kids that can reach the pieces, it is often easier to get less breakable items OR easily replaceable items. Make sure that your candlesticks (flame!) are out of reach of the kiddos.
TIME TO RESEARCH
Now that you have evaluated your candlestick needs, move right into your research phase. The research phase will include how you plan to get your pieces, where you plan to make your purchases, and determine what accompanying pieces you may also need to purchase (i.e., candles, ribbons, trays, etc.)
How will you find your pieces?
If you have decided that you have a high Time/Energy reserve you are most likely excited to piece together your candlestick project; that is to say that you are likely a D.I.Y.’er.
You will likely find the main pieces of your future piece at a thrift shop.
Another GREAT idea is to shop online. No store in the known Universe can provide the selection that your local “www” will.
Where will you be shopping?
If you are going the opposite route (there is no shame in store bought) you should still always shop for the sale.
If you are a D.I.Y.’er, check out your local thrift stores, including my favorite, Goodwill. Did you know that every other Saturday they have 50% EVERYTHING?
What other items will you also need?
What are you going to set your candlestick on? Slick surfaces may require a tray or a mat so that you do not scratch your furniture.
Will you be needing ribbon or other trinkets to decorate the outside of your candlestick with?
Online Resource:
NOTE: I am only listing ONE online candlestick resource because in my opinion if you cannot find something here then you probably did not need a candlestick in the first place. 🙂
My name is Alisha Forrester Scott. As the owner of event planning firm, La Ruche, I have the extraordinary opportunity to make a living from researching and creating new and exciting ways to design and decorate event space. I truly enjoy my work and desire to educate would-be hostesses and hosts alike with the best ways to save time and money, and to create better ways to wow yourself (and your guests).
I have planned events for eight years and my trademark (literally) is “Event Unique is the new Chic!“. The intention behind sharing my wealth of information will be to inspire you to be creative in the approach you take with your event. The information I share applies both to the D.I.Y.’ers (Do-It-Yourself’ers) and to those that have taken the initiative to hire a qualified event planner.
One last mention before I get into my first blog topic (Candlelight). Should you hire a qualified event planner you will likely make a new friend. As with most other qualified event planners (I keep saying “qualified” for a reason), our service actually pays for itself. To date there has not been one event ($10K budget or more) where we have not been able to save our clients at least $3K (which is a lot of money!). If you have any doubts as to whether a qualified event planner can save you time and stress (and possibly a lot of money), wonder no more. Trust me…I would not lie to you! 🙂
Now, for Design & Decor 101: Candlelight
This blog is intended for those that are using candlelight at their upcoming event. For those having an event outside of their home or another property which they own, using candlelight often comes with a fee. For example, due to fire danger many indoor venues have completely banned candlelight (bummer!). The venues that do allow candlelight may charge for having the local fire department on call, may charge for additional fire insurance, or may only allow the candlelight outdoors. Typical costs for local fire department on-call support will range from $150 – $300. Additional fire insurance costs will vary based upon the location of the venue and may need to be purchased directly from the venue.
Moving on, there are three big reasons why you may wish to consider using candlelight:
General lighting requirements
Ambiance (setting the mood), or
Décor support (in the background, not the forefront of your event décor plan)
It is important to identify why you want to use candlelight as it will directly impact your budget. If you’d like, use the following guide when selecting your candlelight usage to avoid planning problems or accidents.
Floor Lighting:
Often used for Ambiance or Décor support (Budget Impact: Moderate)
You may consider using floor lighting for lighting walkways, creating faux pathways, or for general décor. If you plan to use floor lighting, consider placing the flame in more-protected areas to avoid stumbling guests, long dresses, and the wonderment of a small child’s curiosity.
Elevated Lighting (i.e., used on tables, columns, etc.):
Often used for Ambiance or Décor Support (Budget Impact: Low-Moderate)
Using elevated lighting is an easy way to create eye-popping and high-impact visuals. Candlelight at or just below eye-level is dazzling! (Remember how captivating camp fires were as a child?)
Overhead Lighting:
Often used for General lighting requirements or Ambiance (Budget Impact: Moderate-High)
Using candlelight for overhead lighting or way-finding often goes unnoticed unless the candlestick holders or enclosures are large or dramatic. Using several larger pieces (with more dense, consolidated candlelight) is often times less expensive than using many smaller pieces (with less dense, more scattered candlelight).
I hope that I was able to educate you a little more. My next blog will be Event Design and Décor 101: Choosing your perfect unique (high-impact) candlestick.If you have questions about this blog you are invited to contact me directly at: studio@enterlaruche.com.
Yours in planning,
Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott, Owner
La Ruche. event design studio.
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