>Here are some more pictures from the Memory Lane Open House, courtesy of Rojo Pictures: http://www.RojoPictures.com

>By: Diane Lyerly
Guest Blog #3

In the event industry, as in society in general, hot trends pop up seemingly overnight and take the industry by storm. The reasons for hot trends are myriad: political, environmental, current events or any one of many other reasons. These trends become all the rage. Everyone wants to incorporate them in their events. These hot trends morph in one of two ways: either they die a spectacularly fast death or they go from being a trend to being a staple in business.

One example of the latter, is the green movement. Two years ago, every event was trying to be green (think environmentally clean, not the color). Every industry wide meeting was about being green. By last year, the individual event holders had jumped on the band wagon and they wanted their events to be green. This translated in many ways. In the rental industry it was a boon for the tabletop products because people wanted dishes that would be used again. (think recycle!) In linens, brides began requesting neutral colors such as soft brown, ivory & sage green. They wanted linens with texture similar to burlap. Never mind that none of these linens is “green”. This was just how the brides interpreted the green movement. Now “green” is not really a trend. It has worked its way into being a basic, or staple way of doing business. The event holders now expect that every “green” way of creating the event is being utilized by their planner, caterer, rental company, etc.

Some other examples of hot trends that became basics after the furor for them died down are turquoise jewelry in the mid-first decade of the 21st century, mini skirts in the late 1960’s and exercise & personal training after Dr Kenneth Cooper’s books finally fell off of the bestseller lists. All of these formerly hot trends are now regular part of the fabric of our society.

Examples of trends that skyrocket to success and then disappear just as fast as they appeared are Pet Rocks, fat-free diets, & The Religious Right.

A very hot trend right now is social networking. Event holders can find out so much information by logging onto sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Social networking offers a plethora of free information to create any event. It also is a quick way to get personal reviews of businesses the event holder may be planning to hire.

Current hot trends in events are flaming desserts, s’mores bars, and the colors purple & silver. Colors themselves often follow fashion and are usually a year or two behind fashion. Looking at women’s fashions right now, it would be easy to predict that in the next year or so yellow, blue & green will all be popular colors for brides.

Event trends that are no longer trendy and need to be retired are Candy Bars & Bling. These have been done over and over and it is time to move on.

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Memory Lane Event Center (venue and planning)
Royal Fig Catering (catering, planning and design)
Premiere Party Central (rentals)
Wild Bunches (floral)
Stardust Pastry (dessert bar)
Winery on the Gruene (wines)
Dragonfly Designs (Invitations, menu cards, gift bags, and more!)
J Harpist
Austin Massage Studio

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Photos by: Andrew Sterling, Sterling Images: http://www.sterlingimagesonline.com/

Venue: Rough Hollow Yacht Club: http://www.RoughHollowLakeway.com

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By: Diane Lyerly, Guest Blog #2

In the ever expanding party & event industry, the need for rentals continues to grow. There is virtually no event that is not dependent on rentals to fulfill need, style & mood. The event rental consultant is usually the client’s first contact when deciding on the look of the event. And because of this, we are more than just a rental company, we are co-designers/planners of all of our clients’ events.

The simplest questions for event rental consultants are table size, linen size& chair style. Answering these basic rental questions is just the start of what we do for our clients. When we answer these questions and ask questions of our own to determine the needs for the event, we are becoming partners with each of our clients. We work with them for the best results for their event. We are the “go to” people for answers. We CAD layouts to make sure that what is needed will fit in the space allowed. In doing this we ask them to envision the event-what type of tables, chairs, linens do they want? What kind of mood or theme are they trying to create? Who is catering and what are the catering needs? When the client starts sharing this information with us, we can then suggest the right linens, dishes, stemware, flatware & other accessories that fit in with the style of the event. We are also educators because it is our responsibility to explain to each client how the product works, operational details, safety issues with products, installation issues and more.

We have two distinct clients: the individual event holder who has never done an event before, may likely never do one again and has no idea of all the things it takes to pull off the event. This type of client has to be guided through the entire event process by the rental consultant. It is that consultant’s responsibility to ask the right questions and make sure that all the client’s rental needs are met, even if the client is not aware of those needs. These clients typically take a lot of time. The second type is the industry professional such as an event planner, caterer, florist, or venue. They are more familiar with rental needs than the individual event holder, but they still aren’t experts at rental equipment and need our guidance.

Rental companies/consultants become partners with other event professionals by helping to make their jobs easier in the rental process, by creating computer aided design (CAD) layouts for them, by introducing them to new products, placing special orders for them & their clients and recommending other industry resources that they may not know about to make their event even more special.

It is this resource guide that helps to make us so important in planning events. As industry professionals, we attend many industry related conferences & conventions. We do so to further our knowledge of ever changing trends in this fast-paced industry and to increase our knowledge of the event industry in general. We also regularly attend meetings of industry related organizations such as ISES & NACE. We collect business cards & information on just about every aspect of the event industry and we pass this information on to both our individual clients and our professional-partner-clients. Individuals frequently ask for suggestions for caterers & florists. We try to steer them towards those businesses whose price & product fit their needs. Industry professionals also call us with challenging questions such as where to find 36” tall vases, a blow up pink gorilla, or natural linen that has the feel & look of burlap.

Because of all the things rental consultants have to know to be successful, we basically become party planners ourselves. Should we decide to branch away from rentals we already have much of the knowledge necessary to plan events and start our own businesses. But should we decide to make event rental a career path, we will become more & more knowledgeable and more & more important to our professional clients. We become the person every planner or caterer wants to talk to because we can do or find anything that they need. The planners realize that we can design the event for them. This not only helps us grow as professionals, but helps our company grow as more planners turn the majority of their events over to us.

>Re-posted from http://www.ParaTiNovia.com

Top Wedding Do’s:
Do create a complete and accurate guest list before you start looking for a venue. You don’t want to book a venue, realize it’s to small for your count and have to cut down on your guest list.

Do set a realistic wedding budget beforehand. Weddings are expensive—if you have a small budget don’t invite 300 people. Typically weddings run at least $100/per person and this cost doesn’t include your dress or location.

Do plan on booking your wedding venue / location a year out. You’ll have your pick of a variety of locations and you may even get your ideal date.

Do get a wedding planner, at the least a “day of” coordinator (though “month of” is a more accurate term). You don’t want your mom chasing down the bridal party for photos instead of seeing you put on your wedding dress.

Do pick your battles with family members. If flowers, cake, whatever, isn’t that important to you, let it go. Everyone will have an opinion on something. Fight for what’s important to you and don’t stress about the small stuff.

Do take a honeymoon. I know with the economy being with the way it is a lot of couples are pushing they’re honeymoon for a later date. Even if you can’t go on a big trip, take at least a few days at a nice bed and breakfast to enjoy some time alone, eat well, and sleep in.

Do take a step back a gigantic wedding step back. With all the details in planning your wedding, it can be easy to get absorbed in the microscopic details. Never forget the big picture—that this day is about sharing the love you’ve found with your mate and celebrating it with your family and friends. It’s really not about a certain shade of peach.

Do plan for your guests. As much as this day is about you two, there about 100+ people there that need to be taken care of. Signage, welcome drinks (doesn’t need to be alcoholic), ample heaters for an outdoor wedding, starting the ceremony relatively on time, delicious, hot food are the things that matter to your guests. They won’t notice the flowers per say, but they will notice if the servers never filled their wine glass, if they’re freezing (they will go home early) and if they have to wait around for a hour for the ceremony to start on a hot day.

Do pick your music at least a month before the wedding. Finding the right song for the processional/recession, first dance, parent dances etc, takes time. Provide a clear list to the DJ/band. If you need help ask them, they do weddings all the time and they might have the perfect song for your first dance.

Top Wedding Don’ts:
Don’t forget your groom. He has opinions and this is his wedding too. Somehow I don’t think he envisioned wearing a pink polka dot bow tie for his wedding day. Respect his ideas. The wedding should be about the couple, not just the bride.

Don’t take a brigade of people with you when you try on wedding dresses. They’re opinions will confuse you and cause you much more stress (you know what looks best on you and what feels best). If anything, I suggest going at least 2 times to look at dresses by yourself. After you’ve figured out the style your looking for or have a couple of strong contenders bring your mom or your maid of honor to make the final decision.

Don’t wait until the last minute to do the seating chart. It will take you a lot longer than you think.

Don’t attempt to do your flowers. It’s a project that has to be done right before your wedding and flowers are finicky. It will also take you way longer than you think.

Don’t incorporate a tradition just because its “tradition.” If you don’t like cake, and don’t like the wedding cake sentiment, skip it. I’ve done sundae cuttings, peach cobbler cuttings or no cutting at all. It’s your wedding, don’t be pushed into doing anything that doesn’t resonate with you and your fiancé.

View the original posting at: http://paratinovia.com/wedding-dos-donts

>A Guest Blog by Diane Lyerly

Trends in weddings appear to be in sync with the new, leaner economy and the renewed idea of downsizing prevalent with the American public. Couples want to create an event with style, without appearing to be ostentatious. Also, known as “approachable design,” this trend approaches the wedding with want vs. need. People want to feel good, but they want it at a price. Some of the ideas that work in approachable design are tied to the past, family, & other emotional connections. Color plays easily into this mix. Colorful linens make the biggest impact at a wedding reception. Economy linens, which come in over 50 colors, can be rented from your local rental company and matched with hand me down lace overlays, old hankerchiefs, grandma’s china and other flea market or Craig’s List finds. One bride we know of, recently bid for over 100 old hankies on ebay and is using them as place mats at her guest tables. Every one is unique, many are made in Europe, and they take us back to a memory from childhood.

Connecting with memories is a trend going forward. For brides & grooms to achieve this connection, an inspiration board will come in handy. They should tear pages out of magazines, use favorite photos, fabric swatches, and attempt to create the mood they want to set for their wedding. Inspiration boards can help the couple narrow their focus and decide what they need vs. what they want. Wedding planners often ask their couples to create an inspiration board, so that they can successfully portray who they are and what is important to them. Some of the trends that keep popping up with today’s couples are Rustic, Romantic, Vintage, Sparkle, Fun, & Whimsical. These trends incorporate lace, wood, iron, mismatched items, & shiny baubbles purchased from the hobby store or found at garage sales.

Color trends are really changing too. Today there is no wrong combination of colors. Combinations of multiple colors are trending strong. The color trends start in fashion and then reach over to home décor and then party design. To get an idea of what colors are at the forefront of a new trend check current Pantones. Right now grey & yellow used together are strong as is teal (or pool) paired with copper & a touch of blue. Don’t be afraid to use more than 2 colors. Violet, bronze & orange making a stunning threesome. Predictions for 2011 color: teal & yellow.

>In case you need a guide, here are some general dancefloor sizes based on the apporximate number of guests dancing at any given point:

12′ x 12′ : 32 people or 144 square feet
12′ x 20′ : 52 people or 240 square feet
16′ x 16′ : 56 people or 256 square feet
18′ x 18′ : 72 people or 324 square feet
16′ x 24′ : 85 people or 384 square feet
20′ x 20′ : 88 people or 400 square feet
16′ x 28′ : 100 people or 448 square feet
18′ x 26′ : 104 people or 468 square feet
24′ x 24′ : 128 people or 576 square feet
26′ x 26′ : 150 people or 676 square feet
20′ x 40′ : 178 people or 800 square feet
30′ x 30′ : 200 people or 900 square feet
36′ x 36′ : 288 people or 1,296 square feet
40′ x 40′ : 355 people or 1,600 square feet

***REMEMBER! The best way to calculate how many square feet you will need is take the total number of guests, divide by 2 (because only 1/2 the people will dance at one time), and multiply by 4.5 square feet per person. This gives you the approximate square footage you will need for dancing, and then use this chart to pick the dimensions closest to that number.

Example: 200 guests/2 = 100 people * 4.5 sq ft = 450 sq ft.

***Photo courtesy of Ginny B Photography and Keri Wootton with Leave the Details to Me***
http://www.GinnyBPhotography.com
http://www.LeaveTheDetails2Me.com

>Here are some pictures from the B’nai Mitzvah show last Sunday! Enjoy!

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After reading an article in “Real Simple Weddings,” I was inspired to spotlight some of the best tips and information I read, along with some of my own advice (as an industry professional.)

1) Figure out who is paying, and for what.
While it used to be that traditionally, the parents of the bride would pay for everything wedding related, the times have changed. More and more couples are not only contributing to the total bill themselves, but in many cases are footing the entire thing. In fact, in 2008 about 60% of the final cost of the wedding was paid for by the couples themselves. Something to keep in mind when deciding who pays for what: while traditionally there are certain items that parents pay for, this is your wedding, and however you and your fiancee and the respective families decide to split up the cost is always the “correct” way to do it. Sorry, Emily Post!

2) Figure out how much you are willing to spend.
The best way to figure this out, is to start big and then narrow it down. Sit down with your fiancee and make a list of everything you would like included in the wedding if the budget was limitless. Then, use something called “the three-strikes rule.” This gives you and your fiancee the opportunity to “strike-out” three things from your lists that they think are unnecessary, too lavish, or what have you. BUT, it is important to give reasons. “Because I said so” is not usually an acceptable excuse. This bridges the gap between what your visions are for the wedding, and gives you the chance to talk about compromise and negotiate. Afterall, now is as good of a chance as any to begin compromise! Once this has been accomplished, you are able to start pricing out what certain items will cost. But, a word of caution: almost all weddings end of being 10%-15% more expensive because of unexpected costs associated with certain aspects of the wedding. A good rule of thumb? Set your budget 10%-15% below what you really want to end up spending at the end of the day.

3) How will this be paid for?
Start saving! You can never underestimate the value of saving early. Every little bit helps when those unexpected costs pop up out of nowhere! Open a seperate bank account with a high interest rate for your wedding and put away what you can, when you can. ING Direct is a good one (www.INGDirect.com). If you put away 10%-20% of your paycheck towards this account a year ahead of time, that can turn into quite a little something!

4) Know the industry.
There are several ways to budget for those pesky little “unforeseen” costs when it comes to weddings. I have listed some below:

a) There is tax on everything. Budget for it.
b) Stamps! Depending on how many people you invite, between save-the-date
cards and invitations, a 150-person wedding would cost more than $132 in stamps!
c) Corkage fees: Ask your caterer or bartending service about this. It varies.
d) Cake-cutting fees: $1.00-$3.00 per person.
e) Never underestimate the value of a planner! Often times they already have established relationships with vendors in the area, and may be able to offer discounts.

5) Shameless Money Savings Tips
a) Plan your wedding on a Friday or Sunday, and ask for “off season” dates. If you are flexible about this, you could save thousands!
b) Forego open bar, and opt for one or two specialty drinks, or beer and wine only. On that note, forego champagne toasts, also. People will generally toast with whatever they are already drinking.
c) Inquire about referrals from each vendor you choose. It never hurts to ask!

There are several good websites out there to assist with pre-wedding budgeting issues. I have listed a few below:

1) http://www.CostOfWedding.com – This website shows you what the average cost of a wedding is in your area

2) http://www.TheKnot.com – Sign up (it’s free) to use thier online budgeting tracker

3) http://www.Craigslist.com – Allows you to search by keyword for items in your area…many are free from other couples who do not have a need for thier leftover wedding items! But be warned: if you see something you want, ACT FAST! Many of the people sell to the first person to inquire. Also, most deal only in cash. This is where that Wedding Bank Account could come in handy!

For more budgeting questions, go to http://www.RealSimple.com/MoneyTalk or http://www.RealSimple.com/WeddingTab. That’s where I got my inspiration!

Thanks everyone!

Kristi Hargis
Premiere Party Central