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!

What is your Wedding Style – Ways to save your Décor Budget?

There must be Tulips! The bride wants tulips which are on the pricier side of the flower spectrum and are even more expensive when they are out of season and must be imported. How can you deliver the bride’s floral vision while saving her décor budget? First, the ability to understand that the bride has chosen a modern minimalist approach to flowers will allow you to make the right suggestions. Tulips alone make beautiful hand tied bouquets as well as beautiful arrangements in any shape vase; square, cylinder, rectangular or oval. The same is true of the following floral suggestions; they also compliment or can be complimented by an accent of tulips. They are available in a wide array of colors but also look great in a monochromatic palette and for the most part the prices range from inexpensive to moderately priced. Most important, they are all available when tulips are harder to get. As your wedding planner, I can work with you and your florist to facilitate the flow and vision of your big day.

• Giant Begonia
• Calla Lilly
• Dahlia
• Easter Lilly
• Cyclamen
• Amaryllis Belladonna
• Lisianthus
• Chrysanthemums

What is your Wedding Style – Floral Decor?

When planning your big event, at what point should you seek the assistance of a wedding professional? The answer is... at every juncture necessary. A wedding planner can help avoid costly decisions during the planning process; likewise, hiring a professional photographer or videographer provides additional assurance that the day will be documented perfectly. The same holds true if you are looking for a wedding cake, a wedding band/DJ or a florist.

What if your wedding budget doesn’t allow for a particular wedding professional? Turn to your wedding planner for assistance. Often, planners have lists of professionals that can accommodate your budget. Also you, as a client, can be proactive by hiring a planner trained in a particular field. The planner can then serve in that capacity, in addition to planning, to help salvage your budget. Floral design is one such example.

Above are photos of prototypes that I created for a lovely couple on a budget. Professional training to understand floral design allows me to assist my clients with their floral designs and/or match them with a complimentary wedding florist. For couples on a budget, I can serve as their florist. In addition to the altar arrangements and centerpieces, I will create all of the bouquets and boutonnieres. As always, the couples’ wedding colors, reception venue, wedding style and budget were taken into account when I created these prototypes. Best of all the couple salvaged their floral and décor budget. The point is that although you may be on a budget, fresh flower décor is still attainable…just ask your wedding planner for suggestions.

Love the Reception Space; Hate the Hideous Carpeting?

Okay, you absolutely love your reception space, the grounds are beautiful, the views are gorgeous and the chandelier is exquisite but the carpet is hideous? The carpet does not match your wedding color scheme in addition to a hideous print pattern. At this point changing the reception location isn’t an option, either due to timing or cost. How do you ensure that your guests will focus on the pleasurable aspects of your wedding reception and hardly notice that hideous carpet? Here are three simple suggestions; as your wedding planner I will give a list of distraction options that work well with your budget and show you how to take these suggestions up a notch.

• Utilize uplighting in the reception space.
• Have a candlelight reception.
• Use tall, full centerpieces on the guest tables.

Every Detail Counts…Sardines vs. Wedding Guest!

Have you ever attended a wedding and felt more like a packaged Sardine rather than a wedding guest? Getting to the restroom, bar or dance floor entailed strategic maneuvers aimed at protecting yourself and causing your fellow wedding guests the least amount of stress possible. If you’ve been in this situation you surely wouldn’t want to repeat the same mistakes at your wedding. When planning a wedding reception, the comfort, pleasure and sensory experience of your guests is always top of mind. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind throughout the planning process.

• Choose the “right” size reception space - Guest lose the feeling of intimacy in a space too large and gain an inappropriate level of intimacy in a space too small
• Guest Tables should have at least 6’ space between them
• Guest Seating spacing should be 2-3’, use an adult arms length as a gauge
• Remember that tables come in various shapes and sizes….in spaces where it is difficult to achieve proper spacing with oblong or rectangular tables, try using round tables.
• Below is a standard seats per table guideline to keep in mind when creating your seating chart

6' Rectangular, 6-8 seats/8' Rectangular, 8-10 seats/48" Square, 8 seats/60" Square, 10 seats/60" Round, 8 seats/66" Round, 8-10 seats/72" Round, 10-12 seats

· Additional flare can be added to your reception space by using a variety of tables; try mixing square tables and round tables in the same space To avoid the dreaded Sardines vs. Wedding Guests syndrome contact a wedding planner…we can help!