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!

GUEST BLOG by Therese Cole-Hubbs

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

by Therese Cole-Hubbs, Electric Karma International

An elephant in the middle of the room is hard not to notice and in the event industry, that pachyderm is Indian design. It’s impossible to miss the bright colors, lush textures and of course, beautiful traditions, that have made this design style a true crossover star as today both Indian and non Indian events are made richer with an infusion of these elements.

I have been doing Indian weddings and events for many years now but it’s only recently that this design style has become a widespread “trend” for lack of a better word. It didn’t hurt that the wedding of Katy Perry and Russell Brand actually took place in India and paid homage to all the beauty of the country. But I think the main reasons Indian design is gaining momentum is the second- and third-generation American-born brides and grooms have been influenced by American wedding magazines. They are hiring hire outside planners more and thus getting more media coverage for their more professionally produced and photographed events.

In turn, those same couples are adding more America traditions such as cake cutting...

... and a first dance.

But even with the fusion of cultures, Indian wedding traditions remain strong during the mehndi – the henna ceremony for the bride – and the ceremony itself – which continues to take place under structures called mandaps and follow the structure of the couples region or religious sect.

But when it comes to the sangeet – the rehearsal dinner -- and the reception, all bets are off! Themes, décor, entertainment and unique venues are part of today’s multiple-day Indian wedding making these particular events resemble their American counterparts.

But I know that when Dave asked me to write this, he really wanted me to show you more of the beauty of Indian weddings and some of the customs.

Baraat

The baraat is the groom's entrance. In this photo, you see a groom and his family being welcomed at the entrance to the ceremony by the bride's family. This was a beautiful wedding with a very traditional entrance for the groom and ceremony. In India, where elephants are plentiful, many of the grooms arrive in this bigger-than-life manner (as you see in the very first photo of this blog). But in the U.S. many opt for a horse, which is just as impressive, or a Rolls Royce or limo.

Mandaps

Mandaps are the chuppah or altar of an Indian wedding and they can vary from traditional to contemporary in style. But most will be based on a four or eight column design on a stage and reflect the region or religion of the couple. Red, white and gold are very auspicious colors in the Indian wedding and you can see a lot of that in these mandaps.

An al fresco mandap is more unusual. For this couple, we allowed it to be open on all the sides to take in the beauty of the surroundings.

A more traditional mandap, although it does play with colors and a "lace" like pattern to the column design.

Traditional, yet the fabric used is lighter than the more traditional lush textiles of Indian weddings, signaling a trend toward a more updated look.

The Ceremony

As I've said before there are many different ceremonies within India and its varied regions. They are usually several hours long and often include a snack!

They all incorporate beautiful details such as a garland exchange, a sacred fire, palm leaves and other actions that involve not only the bride and groom but the family. One of these ceremonial action is that of the "reveal" of the bride and groom to one another, captured in the photo below.

To me, there is something so timeless about an Indian wedding ceremony. It's not as though there is a "retro" movement within the design as the fashion and the customs of the ceremony never went away! Perhaps it is this sense of history, family unity, and the passing on of heritage that draws us to Indian ceremonies and their color, pageantry and design today.

About Therese Cole-Hubbs

In her 27 years of experience as an event professional, Therese Cole-Hubbs has produced more than 2,000 weddings and more than 500 high-end Indian weddings and celebrations. The latter has earned her a reputation as one of the nation’s leading Indian wedding coordinators. In 2010 Therese formed Electric Karma International. As a division of her company, ASC Event Services, a full-service catering and design firm, Electric Karma gives Therese and her team an even higher profile as a top designer and caterer of Indian weddings and events nationally and internationally. Most recently she was named one of the nation’s Top 11 Wedding Innovators at Engage 11, the premier luxury wedding summit.

As a Founding Member of the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA), Therese serves on the Board as Director of Professional Development. She is also Advisory Board Member for The International School of Hospitality (TISOH) Wedding Coordination and Design Program and a proud member of International Catering Association (ICA).

Decor by
Prashe Decor
Mandap Creations
Darryl & Co

Photos by Poser Image, J. Cogliandro

Celebrating the Spirit of Events!

Esprit ... it means spirit or wit; having a lively intelligence.

I love that word because this is the attitude with which our team at AOO Events approaches event design and production.

So it was such an honor for us to have just received two Esprit Awards presented by the International Special Events Society (ISES) at EventWorld this past weekend. And doubly so because these are the association's international awards -- meaning our work was viewed and judged to be worthy alongside many amazing contenders from all over the world.

Needless to say, our esprit de corps couldn't be higher this week!!

Winner:
Best Event for a Nonprofit Organization

We were awarded for our work on the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's annual fundraiser. This year, the theme was Celebrate and hot colors were a main design component. And the best part ... Gladys Knight performed! For more on this event, click here.

Winner:
Best Wedding

We are especially proud of this award because we only produce the rare wedding these days. And this was one of those -- a multi-day destination wedding that we produced jointly with Total Event Resources from Chicago.

It took place at The Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, California, and included a rehearsal dinner, wedding, after party (photo below), brunch, kid's activities and more. For the full story on this event, read the guest blog by Total Event Resources' owner, Kathy Miller, by clicking here.

Fire Starters

"If you want to start a fire,
find someone who is HOT."


This was the beginning of Special Events magazine's July/August cover story by Lisa Hurley. I'm proud to say that I was one of those listed as being someone who is not only "hot," but who has influenced others, sparking a creative fire in them.

A lot of first-rate event professionals made the list, and I'm thrilled to be in such illustrious company!

Check out the entire article by clicking here: HOT STUFF!

The online version