Events Honoring the Achievements of Others!

It is always nice, when by design or default; one can be a part of an event that honors the well deserved achievements of others. In 2009, Taylor Nicole Events did just that! We had the wonderful opportunity on two separate occasions to provide events services for the Jackie Robinson Foundation in New York City. The JRF is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting minority youth with college scholarships. The organization’s effort does not end with financial assistance; students are mentored by professionals throughout their partnership with the foundation and every effort is given to ensure their individual success. Taylor Nicole Events provided design, rentals, setup and breakdown as well as staffing for each event; consisting of a light reception, lunch and a short program followed by dessert. We provided floor plans and an inventory management service which included, rental order creation based on menu and guest count, order placement, order receipt and confirmation. This service alone provides a large measure of relief for event hosts who are not familiar with the items and/or quantities to order. Order receipt alone can encompass a few hours depending on the size of the order. Our staff arrived early to set up the event space including tables, chairs, linens, napkin folds, buffet and food as well as beverage service. Our staff worked throughout the events to ensure that the food remained the proper temperature, replenishing food, serving guests and clearing refuse. At the end of each event our staff wrapped the remaining food, broke down the tables, chairs and buffet and ensured the event space was clean. It is always great to know that the host and their guests are happy with the service that Taylor Nicole Events provides but especially great to provide an exceptional service for a host honoring guests who deserve praise for their achievements. Thank you for allowing Taylor Nicole Events to be a part of your Event!

Don’t Count on the Flake List!

Whether you are planning a grand event such as a wedding or something on a much smaller scale…don’t count on the flake list! The most important criteria to establish when planning an event are the budget and the guest list. After these are defined, they will influence countless decisions to come which include the event venue size and type, dinner menu selections, beverage service, rentals, entertainment and even dinner service. So you may be asking yourself, “What is the flake list?” and “How is it connected to these very important decisions?” The flake list is the term lovingly applied to the group of invitees that you’ve already assumed will decline. Most people comfortably embrace the idea that 10-20% of invited guests will decline with regrets due to a variety of reasons such as previous obligations or location. I believe that it is safe to expect that a flake list will begin to establish itself soon after the invitations have been mailed. However, it is extremely important not to make costly decisions based on a “flake” list overestimation. At the end of the planning journey and the commencing of an event, as the host, it would be very stressful to be forced to make last minute changes, if possible, and if not last minute bank runs as a result of decisions made based on a “flake” list overestimation. Be sure to have an open dialogue with your event planner regarding your “flake” list estimates, details such as holidays and travel costs do and will have an affect on the number of guests that respond with pleasure or decline regret. Plan smart and efficiently and don’t count on the flake list to make decisions that you couldn’t otherwise afford.

What is Dinner amongst friends?

Aside from planning great events for a living, my fiancé and I enjoy hosting affairs, large and small, at our home. For our last party of the year, we decided to host an intimate gathering for couples by creating a warm setting with one communal table for our guests. Drawing from my interior design background, I measured the room and laid out a floor plan to scale which included tables and chairs. I chose a color palette for my table design which accented my favorite colors as well as the walls in the room; a chocolate table cloth with an ivory overlay, chocolate napkins with a complimentary custom menu design. Chivari chairs with a custom pad helped tie it all together and during our last course we replaced the overhead lighting with amber to blue up lighting emitting from the corners of the room. To find out what we served during the four course dinner, check out the pictures! Our Chef and server for the evening were awesome and the design of our house created a restaurant open kitchen atmosphere. My fiancé created a dinner music mix which encompassed some soul, R&B, swing and jazz and one of our friends was gracious enough to give a vodka demonstration….it was awesome! I created the centerpieces using cymbidium orchids and greens floated in water. I also incorporated lots of votive lighting and lighting using floating candles!!! But the key to the success of the entire evening was OUR FRIENDS. When you have friends as great as ours any dinner party can be a success but to have the knowledge and experience to create a room as beautiful as the people who fill it is a huge compliment.