Let’s face it…it’s hard to hear the truth. When you have something set in your mind and you believe that you know the right way to do it and how much it should cost, you do not want to be told something else. That said, if that something else could make for a better outcome, a more valuable end result and one that caused far less stress than the alternative, who amongst us wouldn’t trust the expert?

When considering hiring a planner and designer, consider that you are doing so because if you could go it alone you would have in the first place. Go in knowing that you are looking for someone who is knowledgeable, well connected, honest and transparent. Know that the person you choose should have earned your trust at the first meeting and the reason you signed on the dotted line was because you felt at ease.

Remember, there are planners and designers out there by the dozen. Look for the ones who will tell you your jeans look too tight (but not in those words, of course) and not feel badly about it. That makes for the kind of honesty you will treasure in the end. Trust me.

lindsay piram

event designer

We have clients who look forward to Halloween for 364 days and literally store hundreds of props, cob-webs and life-sized mannequins year round in anticipation of October 31st. This year, turn your Boo Bash in to something “spooktacular” with these tips and tricks:

Get creative when inviting your guests. At your local craft store or online, purchase fake blood and fill a vile half way; include a fake rubber finger or eyeball and attach your invite with butcher’s string. Suggested wording: Come if you dare and be prepared not to stare! If you do, BEWARE.

Purchase dry ice and place in a cauldron that can be reused year after year. Five minutes before guest arrival, prepare the dry ice and place haunted music near it to welcome guests and set the tone for surprise and intrigue.

Serve foods that can be renamed or styled in a way that may disgust and delight all at once. I love these pizza mummies for kids or carrot soup shooters for adults. While “Blood and Guts” may not be the best way to sell your spaghetti, the signage looks great and adds to the decor of the party.

For kids, a game such as the Mummy Wrap is always a tried and true favorite. Have the kids break off in to groups of two, three or four and provide them with rolls of toilet paper, spooky props and fun accessories. Play Monster Mash and give them five minutes to create the funniest, spookiest, craziest mummy at the party.

Make sure your adult Halloween party includes a costume contest and for prizes consider giving away a box filled with classic Halloween movies, gourmet popcorn and red wine. 

For dessert, anything goes…kids will enjoy everything from witch cupcakes to cake pops, while adults love an excuse to eat Mud and Bugs (chocolate pudding, crushed oreos and gummy worms).

When the party is over, use leftover Halloween candy to make delicious baked treats with the extra goodies. Peanut butter cup cookies, M-N-M Krispie Bars and frozen Snickers on-a-stick are all easy ways to keep the sugar rush lasting for days.

Here’s to a night filled with ghouls, goblins and gore! Happy Halloween!

 * it is true, venues book quickly.  especially in a city like ours.  however, you will spend a lot of money changing a venue into what you want it to be versus simply accenting a venue you innately love.  if you have not given a thought yet to decor + theme, guest count or budget, booking a venue is a bad idea.

 * things change.  while purple is the new black this season, it might just be “been there, done that” next season.  locking into bridesmaids dresses and table linens 15 months out in shades of lavender, might have you seeing red.

 * budget drives decisions, it has to.  no matter how much or how little you have to spend on your big day, hiring vendors that fit within your overall budget is important.  if you book a venue with a large room rental and food + beverage minimum and a fabulous photographer in one day, you may have just swallowed your entire wedding budget.  without being mindful of all budget line items (dress, floral, invitations, etc.) you could be eating into their portions before planning even begins. looking at vendors and their costs side by side allow you to see the bigger picture.

 * when working with a planner and or designer, they will guide you to the vendors that work for your look, budget and style.  vendors are not one size fits all.  photographers can be whimsical, artful, avant garde, photo journalistic, romantic.  you should pick one that best fits who you and your fiance are as people.  florists are similar.  while many can cross boundaries, most have an innate style where they shine most brightly.  if working without a planner or designer, take the time to interview your vendors.  look closely at their work but also if you feel good around them as they will be a part of your life for a year or more!

 we know planning a wedding is exciting (that is why we do it!), but it pays to slow down and hire the vendors that make the most sense overall.  rome, and weddings, just are not built in a day.

lindsay piram

event designer

today, i would like to share with you an incredible video of what took place BEFORE the big day.  from erecting the tent and laying the floor to styling the space and creating floral centerpieces.  so many people worked so hard to make this event happen and we are thrilled to share their hard work with you.

thanks to matt brue of capture studios for putting together this behind-the-scenes video!

http://vimeo.com/28426583

lindsay piram

event designer

The bride chose a pineapple to incorporate throughout her accessories along with an inviting color combination of turquoise, yellow and royal blue. As explained on the postcard, the pineapple is known as the universal symbol of a warm welcome, good cheer and hospitality.  It certainly sets the tone for her guests.

Stay tuned for the wedding invitation. It’s sure to have their guests packing their bags with excitement in anticipation for the big day!

Vanessa Kimball

Graphic Designer

this wedding took place in june, on the missouri river which separates iowa and nebraska.  so, the ceremony was in one state and the reception in another.  from the beginning, the plan was to erect a tent to hold their 300+ guests.  along the river was our ideal spot, but the summer flood of 2011 had different plans.  a week before the big day, the rising waters forced us to move our tent to an alternative location.  the venue and all vendors rose to the challenge and created what became a magical event.

off the bat, our bride and groom asked for a pink and silver room, with lots of sparkle.  they loved tall centerpieces with lots of impact.  blooming branches were featured on the invitation and were also featured as one of two centerpiece looks as well as the custom dance floor graphic.  our bride and groom, whose love is so true and palpable, allowed us to create for them a fairytale experience for their guests.  from the champagne + fuchsia cocktail reception to the glittering main tent for dinner and dancing, no detail was overlooked and we aimed to wow at every turn.

the photos by kacey luvi photography do the event more justice than any words can….with that, enjoy!

please also go to http://vimeo.com/27437953 to watch the beautiful highlight video created by capture studios.

i would like to thank all those who participated in creating this masterpiece!

floral:  richfield flowers & events
bridal bouquet:  petal pusher too
linens + tabletop:  linen effects
tent:  apres party & tent rental
photography:  kacey luvi photography
videography:  capture studios
musical entertainment:  starlight orchestra
cake:  raspberry’s bistro
lighting and audio + visual:  avex
dancefloor:  holowalls with custom graphics created by amy zaroff events + design
fireworks:  lantis fireworks

stay tuned as i will continue to feature our other spring + summer soirees in the weeks ahead….

lindsay piram

event designer

A new Bar and Bat Mitzvah album has just arrived with what we believe are the most trendy and clever looks. As the gals from Luscious Verde explain it, this is “a line of fashion driven colors and patterns with subtle hints of glitz and glamour.”

Here’s a sneak peek of just one of the great Bat Mitzvah invitation suites.

This contemporary circle invitation is unique in so many ways.  I love how the three sections link together to allow the invitation to unfold and reveal multiple colors and details.  It’s like a story the way it leads you through.  Starting with a monogram and leading you through the invitation all the way to the party card, all of the details are carried through.

Not only do the circles layer onto one another, but I love the way circle patterns are layered on top of one another.

And for Bar Mitzvah boy we have the always fashionable neon and black motif.

Luscious Verde is known for their laser cut pieces. This is a dynamic look focusing on the name in multiple types of font with the cut out to reveal the neon green invitation inside. I also love how the name  on the back of the envelope uses a very large font that carries over to the front.

Luscious Verde also works wonders with complete customization.  This youthful look can be switched to almost any color scheme.

Come in and check out the album. This line of invitations are sure to set the tone with your upcoming mitzvah.

Vanessa Kimball

Graphic Designer

INSPIRATION	REALITY

We decided to create a modern take on a traditional pattern to add some drama and visual interest. We always say, “the invitation sets the tone for the event.”  This client not only wanted to incorporate her wedding colors into her invitation, but set the tone for the formal affair.

The invitation had a pocket on the back to hold all the details for the wedding. In the pocket we decided to have the design continue on each piece as they stacked on one another. That way all pieces interact with one another.

For the wedding accessories we carried the design onto the program and also created custom place cards with hockey pucks. This is a perfect detail that the guests really enjoyed, especially since the groom is a former collegiate hockey player!

Photography by Kimberly Williams Photography

Vanessa Kimball

Graphic Designer

Were you treated with respect the first time you contacted our company?
Were you made to feel that you are important and your business matters to us?
Were you pleased with the process you experienced; and, if not, did you voice your concerns?
Were your concerns acknowledged?
Did your event go as planned?
Was the attention to detail noticed?
Did you feel that the follow up afterwards was efficient?
Were you pleased with the total experience?

There are so many questions to be asked and answered, and, through it all, one simple thing remains true: we are in a people business to serve other people and the people who we serve are the same people who will tell other people that we are the people they should work with. (Try saying that ten times fast!)

Seriously, though, when you think about it, the power of word of mouth, or as Seth Godin calls it: First, Ten makes us all want to do better, be better, act better and stay better every day in all of the tasks we complete. Godin says: find ten people who want what you have to sell. If they love it, they’ll each find you ten more people and if they hate it you will have to try again with something new. Sounds simple, right?

Well, we are all human and we all make mistakes in business. Through those mistakes we become better and more prepared to handle anything that may come our way. The best advertising any of us can hope for is word of mouth. Word of mouth from our clients, our colleagues, our vendors and our friends.

When tempted on a daily basis to simply spread the word through blogs, Facebook posts, Tweets and You Tube, we must remember that a coffee with a potential client or a tried and true vendor or a lunch with a former client you worked with years ago are all the best ways to be remembered for who you are. Sure, you will get “likes” and “retweets” when you spread your daily news, but will you get the next big job or be the brand that rolls off people’s tongues? I bet you will when you have just looked them in the eye and reminded them why they like you so much. Oh, yeah…it’s because they remember your sincerity, your smile and your human side.

That kind of word of mouth will be priceless.