Top Ten Things to Know About Event Design: #8

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

I love architecture. Half the magazines I read for inspiration are either about contemporary architecture or about their interior design. In fact, many architects today follow the masters and often design the furniture that goes into their buildings so the end result is a beautiful, cohesive environment, inside and out.

Think Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry. And before them, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who was famous for his sayings "Less is more" and "God is in the details." I used to change this and say that the devil is in the details, but then I realized that although they can be overwhelming, it's the details that inspire us, make us work harder, and rise up to be our best.

So I've amended this. To me, the details are the elements that bring a good event to greatness.

Which brings us to No. 8 on my list of The Top Ten Things Thing to Know about Event Design. Every great event designer should know that...

Details are not to be feared, but revered.

Here are a few illustrations of details that have come up in my recent event design experiences.

For the UPCI Hillman Cancer Center Fundraiser in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, it seemed that every detail was there to be mastered since we began with a venue that offered no clue of direction.

Here we have it -- a blank page waiting to be filled by a big picture (and a lot of details)!

Making the big picture come alive with details.

Entertainment is one long list of details waiting to be addressed. You need to be aware of the audience, the objectives of the event, the budget, the logistics, the lighting and sound, and more, more, more! Having the lovely and amazing Kristin Chenoweth for your featured entertainment does make it all easier, though, I will admit!

Final details. remember what guests see, feel and experience as they leave. This was actually a last-minute addition to the event. It was a projection of the custom logo of the event and a simple thank you. It turned out to be a bigger hit than the star-studded night and special design details we created. Everyone saw this as they left and the committee received the most comments on it. It goes to show, you just never know.
Never overlook an opportunity to add a detail!

This next event was the rehearsal dinner for a destination wedding produced by Total Event Resources out of Chicago at the Montage in Laguna Beach. We worked with them on design, creating a Texas-Style barbecue for the bride who was from that state. We were proud of this event but it was the little touches that Cathy Miller, owner of Total Event Resources, added that made this extra special.

An overview of guest tables on the Pacific Ocean. Even with this dramatic setting, the details that Cathy added made this event go from good to great -- it just won this the 2012 ISES Esprit Award for Best Wedding.

The menus on the buffets were handwritten on chalkboards framed with a rope finish.

Each table was named after a country music star. Placecards were horseshoes. Table names and numbers were written on small chalkboards on each table.

Cathy added Texas Longhorn salt and pepper shaker sets into the decor on every table. You know that you've done your job right and connected with the guests when at the end of the night, not a single salt and pepper shaker set is left!