One of the most common questions I get as a florist and bouquet designer is some variation of: "why are some flowers so expensive and others so cheap?" As someone who is obsessed with knowing where things come from and how they got here (my food, my clothing, etc.), I enjoy educating my customers as to where their flowers came from and what goes into the price. I thought I'd share the same information with my readers today, along with some interesting facts about the floral industry.
It also gave me an excuse to create an info-graphic :) Enjoy!
Gracie K.
**Correction: I realize Africa is a continent, not a country, and I apologize for the error in the infographic. I meant to say "South Africa" and must have gotten a little too excited as I typed...be gentle, readers!
Event Planner with a Passion for Floral Design and All Things Pretty
Friday, November 8, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Your Instagram Wedding: Save Money with Instagram
I don't know about you guys, but I love Instagram. You can take a picture of literally anything and turn it into a personal work of art in - hey!- an instant.
But did you know you could use Instagram to save a ton of money on wedding photos?
Obviously, formal wedding portraits and photos are important; the bride walking down the aisle, the groom's face, the big kiss. Family and wedding party photos are also a must.
But do you really want to pay a photographer to stay all the way through your reception, too? That could get really pricey, really fast.
Enter our friend Instagram. This trend has been brewing for a year or so now, but almost every wedding I coordinated this summer had a sign similar to this one.
Here's how it works. Say Joe Johnson is marrying Hannah Jones on July 19, 2014. They have the money for a photographer for the important parts of their ceremony, but not for the whole reception. However, all of their friends and most of their family have smartphones, and most of them have Instagram (if not, they can download it from the App Store for free in about 2 minutes).
A week before the wedding, Joe and Hannah create the hashtag #Johnson719 on Instagram. Their married last name + wedding date; it's almost guaranteed that the hashtag won't be taken.
When someone creates a hashtag on Instagram or Twitter, they create a link. If you click on the hashtag, you are taken to a page of everything that has ever been tagged with the same hashtag, in this case, #Johnson719.
Here's a visual example of a Twitter search I just did of #unidigadv, our class blog page:
Notice the hashtags are all circled in red; regardless of whether or not I follow these people, I can see exactly what they tweeted about #unidigadv.
So now that Joe and Hannah have their hashtag, they create a couple of signs to go around their reception hall, asking their guests to please take photos and tag them with #Johnson719. Maybe they also send out a tweet with the same hashtag a couple of days before, so their guests can program it into their phones (hashtagging can be hard after a few champagne toasts, after all).
This not only allows the bride and groom to get free access to hundreds of pictures of their reception, but it allows everyone who attended to see everyone else's pictures of the night as well.
THAT'S NOT ALL, FOLKS!
Once your big day is over, you're going to want prints of your favorite pictures from the night. The first dance, the cutting of the cake, and so on. How can you get them?
Printstagram (I'm not joking, click it!) is a photo printing website specifically for Instagram photos. Since Instagram takes square photos (4x4 instead of 4x6), developing them at Walgreen's isn't an option unless you want cut off shots of your friends and family.
With Printstagram, you can print your Instagram shots as regular photos, greeting cards (perfect for thank you notes), posters, photo books, and so much more. The process is similar to Walgreens: upload your photos, get them exactly how you want them, and click OK! They'll ship the photos directly to you.
You can see more of what Printstagram is all about in this short video:
Not only is this a great way to really personalize your photos, but it's much cheaper than hiring a photographer for the entire day and night. Some weddings that I saw did keep the professional photographer around for the big moments listed above (first dance, cake cutting) just in case, but I never saw one stay through the whole reception if there was an Instagram option.
What do you think? Would you use Instagram for your wedding photos? Sound off in the comments! And you can follow ME on Instagram @graciedracie .
Til next time,
Gracie K.
Instagram photo: http://dayloveevent.com/wp-content/plugins/php-image-cache/image.php?path=/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/instagram-and-your-wedding-L-VFpxue.jpeg
THAT'S NOT ALL, FOLKS!
Once your big day is over, you're going to want prints of your favorite pictures from the night. The first dance, the cutting of the cake, and so on. How can you get them?
Printstagram (I'm not joking, click it!) is a photo printing website specifically for Instagram photos. Since Instagram takes square photos (4x4 instead of 4x6), developing them at Walgreen's isn't an option unless you want cut off shots of your friends and family.
With Printstagram, you can print your Instagram shots as regular photos, greeting cards (perfect for thank you notes), posters, photo books, and so much more. The process is similar to Walgreens: upload your photos, get them exactly how you want them, and click OK! They'll ship the photos directly to you.
You can see more of what Printstagram is all about in this short video:
Not only is this a great way to really personalize your photos, but it's much cheaper than hiring a photographer for the entire day and night. Some weddings that I saw did keep the professional photographer around for the big moments listed above (first dance, cake cutting) just in case, but I never saw one stay through the whole reception if there was an Instagram option.
What do you think? Would you use Instagram for your wedding photos? Sound off in the comments! And you can follow ME on Instagram @graciedracie .
Til next time,
Gracie K.
Instagram photo: http://dayloveevent.com/wp-content/plugins/php-image-cache/image.php?path=/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/instagram-and-your-wedding-L-VFpxue.jpeg
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Spook-tacular Halloween Treats!
Ok...sorry for the cheesy title. But how fun is Halloween! It's like a kickoff to all the fun parties that come from now til December 31. Whether you're hosting or attending, food is a big part of any gathering, so without further ado, here are some of my favorite spooky treats!
By far the most time consuming, but also the most fun, are these Strawberry Ghosts, pictured to the left. Just dip strawberries in melted white chocolate (or almond bark), refrigerate til hardened, then draw on ghoul-ish faces with melted chocolate and a toothpick. Have your kids help for some creative family fun. The best part? They're only about 50 calories a piece, so you won't feel bad about snacking on more than one!
Here's the recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/strawberry-ghosts
While you've still got your almond bark and chocolate melted, put together some of these spider web snacks, made of pretzels, almond bark, chocolate, and raisins.
These are great for kids to create, especially when it comes to the web: they can make each web unique, or practice making spirals, etc. These also require refrigeration, so some forethought is required!
Check out the recipe here: http://www.momendeavors.com/2010/10/spider-web-snacks.html
Finally, for the grown-ups: Loaded Apple Cider. I tried this last week and it was delicious. Use one bottle of Woodchuck Hard Cider (or your hard cider of choice), and drop in a shot of Fireball Whiskey. But be careful-it's strong!
Other variations include non-alcoholic apple cider with Hot Damn! Cinnamon Schnapps (thanks for that one, mom!) or with a caramel flavored whiskey stirred in.
Just make sure to keep some regular cider on hand for the little ones!
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Gracie K.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Carnation Inspiration: Give Carnations a Chance!
This afternoon, event designer extraordinaire Preston Bailey (http://www.prestonbailey.com/) tweeted the following:
Do You Love or Hate #Carnations? Read Preston's #tips on incorporating carnations into an #event. Click for more: http://t.co/Gr8WDH5cZX
— Preston Bailey (@prestonrbailey) October 15, 2013
A MOB (Mother-of-the-Bride) had written in because she was upset that her daughter didn't want to incorporate carnations (MOB's wedding flowers) into her own wedding. Carnations are either loved or hated (usually hated), and the MOB was looking for solutions. Mr. Bailey's response included a gorgeous centerpiece his floral expert had designed, and reminded the mother that the flowers should be the bride's preference.
One picture isn't quite enough for me, and I wanted to share some options for people who haven't seen carnations reach their full potential.
Meet the Carnation:
Personally, I love em. They're inexpensive, they come in a huge range of colors, and they have such a great texture! Plus, they last for weeks! The average carnation costs 99 cents. The average rose? $3.00. Your choice!
I know that's not enough to convince carnation haters, so what about these adorable carnation balls for your Kissing Balls for the ends of your aisles?
Or for your tables...
Or the ceiling?
Not only do these look great on their own, carnations can also add much needed fluff and texture to arrangements for not a lot of money. This gorgeous centerpiece looks like it's all orchids, but to cover the entire base would cost hundreds of dollars and wouldn't be as airy or dramatic at finish. The designer instead placed white carnations at the base of the arrangement to cut down on cost and to provide that airy, free look of the orchids as they branch out.
I could go on for days about my love affair with carnations. In short, they're not just the "cheap" flower you bought for your date's jacket at prom in the 70's. Today's designers have created hundreds of beautiful designs utilizing carnations, either on their own or as part of a highly textured bouquet.
Will you use carnations in the future? In case you want to experiment on your own, I've included a tutorial for the Kissing Ball that I found on YouTube. If you need any help with it, you know where to find me!
Til next time,
Gracie K.
Carnation Sphere Tutorial via Debi Lilly at A Perfect Event in Chicago, IL
(all photos gleaned from a Pinterest search)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The Best Resources for the DIY Bride
Weddings today are expensive. In 2012, the average couple spent around $27,000 on their special day.
Have sticker shock yet?
The good news is, it doesn't have to be that way. Weddings, to me, seem to have become a bit of a production in the past 10 years or so-more so than in the past. While events are my industry and my business, I'm admittedly a bit of a purist when it comes to weddings. This is a day to celebrate the fact that you get to spend forever with the person you love; you shouldn't go broke doing it! Yes, you'll have to pay for a photographer, venue, and flowers if you choose, but there are ways to cut costs and save yourself from the stress of dropping big bucks for your day.
Listed below are some of my favorite sites for DIY Brides, full of party favors, room decor, and anything else you could possibly need for your day. Click the site names to be taken directly to each page!
The DIY Network
Yes, the same Network that gave us "Vanilla Ice Goes Amish". Hear me out! These guys know what they're doing when it comes to creating personalized items on a budget. From centerpiece ideas and wedding favors to food and drink recipes, they have it all in one spot. The directions on this site aren't as clear as I'd like, but they do provide links to sites that can give you directions or offer help.
DIY Bride
Not only does DIY Bride have awesome tutorials that range from making felt flowers to sewing your own wedding gown, they also have a blog and inspiration boards that give brides a starting point and a guide to follow as they plan and personalize their day. They also offer a gallery of real weddings to pull inspiration from, vendor guides if you decide you do need a little help, and planning resources for everything that goes on behind-the-scenes.
Style Me Pretty
By far my favorite wedding site, Style Me Pretty has their DIY section perfected. Projects are categorized (Flowers, Favors, etc.), and each category shows a picture plus a few of the most recent links. To make things easier, the newest links and projects of the day are listed prominently at the top of the DIY page. All of their projects list every material needed, and include pictures, detailed explanations, and sometimes even videos showing you step by step exactly what you need to do.
The best part about Style Me Pretty is that it's not just weddings. They have a blog called "SMP Living", which includes DIY projects for every day. My current favorite? Linen Painted Chargers. I might have to try them for Thanksgiving!
Have sticker shock yet?
The good news is, it doesn't have to be that way. Weddings, to me, seem to have become a bit of a production in the past 10 years or so-more so than in the past. While events are my industry and my business, I'm admittedly a bit of a purist when it comes to weddings. This is a day to celebrate the fact that you get to spend forever with the person you love; you shouldn't go broke doing it! Yes, you'll have to pay for a photographer, venue, and flowers if you choose, but there are ways to cut costs and save yourself from the stress of dropping big bucks for your day.
Listed below are some of my favorite sites for DIY Brides, full of party favors, room decor, and anything else you could possibly need for your day. Click the site names to be taken directly to each page!
The DIY Network
Yes, the same Network that gave us "Vanilla Ice Goes Amish". Hear me out! These guys know what they're doing when it comes to creating personalized items on a budget. From centerpiece ideas and wedding favors to food and drink recipes, they have it all in one spot. The directions on this site aren't as clear as I'd like, but they do provide links to sites that can give you directions or offer help.
DIY Bride
Not only does DIY Bride have awesome tutorials that range from making felt flowers to sewing your own wedding gown, they also have a blog and inspiration boards that give brides a starting point and a guide to follow as they plan and personalize their day. They also offer a gallery of real weddings to pull inspiration from, vendor guides if you decide you do need a little help, and planning resources for everything that goes on behind-the-scenes.
Style Me Pretty
By far my favorite wedding site, Style Me Pretty has their DIY section perfected. Projects are categorized (Flowers, Favors, etc.), and each category shows a picture plus a few of the most recent links. To make things easier, the newest links and projects of the day are listed prominently at the top of the DIY page. All of their projects list every material needed, and include pictures, detailed explanations, and sometimes even videos showing you step by step exactly what you need to do.
The best part about Style Me Pretty is that it's not just weddings. They have a blog called "SMP Living", which includes DIY projects for every day. My current favorite? Linen Painted Chargers. I might have to try them for Thanksgiving!
Do you have a favorite site that isn't listed here? Married ladies, is there any DIY advice you'd offer to current brides-to-be? Sound off in the comments. And don't forget, if you need help with any of your projects or ideas, Gracie K. Events is here to help!
Happy planning!
Gracie K.
Monday, September 30, 2013
The Effortless Host: Make Your Next Hosting Adventure a Stress-Free One
Does just the thought of throwing a perfect party send you into a minor anxiety attack? Don't let it. By following a couple simple "do's and don't's", you can pull off a classy event without breaking a sweat.
DO
Get Organized
Lists are a beautiful thing. Make a master timeline of how you want your event to go from setup til the last guest leaves. Include the amount of time it will take for you to set up and decorate, prepare food, when guests are supposed to arrive (and remember that the first guests generally show up about 10 minutes early), when dinner will be served, and so on. Create a grocery list of everything you need to cook your meal, as well as appetizers, drinks, and so on. Make a playlist on your iPod of appropriate music for all party guests (Kanye might not be appropriate for small children or your grandma to hear), and make sure the playlist length is at least an hour longer than you expect your party to last, as guests tend to mingle a while after dinner ends. Create a seating chart for your party and lay name cards down the day of to keep your guests organized as well.
Send Out Invites
Prepare Food Ahead of Time
Choose entrees that can be prepared days in advance, frozen, and then easily reheated the day of the event. Pasta sauces are a perfect example; you can make a beautiful sauce on a Wednesday and freeze it. Put together a big salad on Thursday night and store it in the fridge with a damp paper towel in the container to prevent browning. When it's time for your party on Friday, all you have to do is reheat the sauce on the stove (NO microwaving!!), cook your noodles, throw some bread in the oven to warm, dress your salad, and pop open the wine. That whole process probably takes about 45 minutes, and can be done shortly before guests begin to show up.
Keep it Simple
You don't need to serve a 5 course meal or have silk tablecloths to pull off a classy event. A couple varieties of appetizers, one entree, two or three drink options (as well as good ol' water), and a single dessert are more than enough to keep your guests satisfied. Same goes for decorations: a pretty tablecloth, cloth napkins, sweet name cards and a simple centerpiece with some candles strewn along the center of the tables is elegant and inexpensive (you can use tablecloths/napkins you have, borrow, or purchase inexpensive but pretty ones at Target or TJMaxx).
Make Time For Yourself
Even with the best planning, hosting a party is stressful. Make sure you cut out time for yourself the day of the event (maybe while your food is simmering and guests are about 30 minutes from arriving) to quietly sit down, enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of hot coffee, and unwind before it's time to play host. Being relaxed makes all the difference to your guests, and allows you to have more fun with everyone during the actual event.
DON'T
Invite People Who Make You Nervous or Jealous
Your dinner party should not be a competition or a time to prove yourself, it should be an intimate evening with people you love and who make each other happy. If you're looking to impress a new boss or lure in a client, take them out for dinner or drinks instead; that puts the prep-work stress off you (hosting-wise, anyways), and allows a neutral environment for whatever business you're taking care of. You should never feel nervous or jealous in your own home!
Spend Too Much Money
Create a budget, then stick with it. As stated above, a dinner party with people you love and care about should be about the people, not the objects. Your friends and family won't care how much money you spend, they just want to enjoy a fun, relaxing evening with you.
Make Something You've Never Made Before
Always, ALWAYS practice a recipe before you serve it to guests the first time. By doing a trial run, you can get an estimate of how long the recipe actually takes to prepare, how hard it is to make, what could go wrong, how it tastes, and how well it reheats. Avoid last minute kitchen disasters and give it a practice test two weeks before so you know what to expect.
Get Drunk
If your guests do, that's their choice. As the host, you should always be in control of the situation, which includes being able to get your guests home safely. Furthermore, it comes off as rude if you're popped and your guests aren't, and they're forced to take care of you! That's not to say you can't enjoy a glass of wine or a beer, just keep it under control for the evening!
Point Out Flaws
As the planner and host of the party, you will notice every little thing that doesn't go according to plan. The beautiful thing is: your guests won't! They won't notice (or likely care) if tables have an uneven number of candles or if you accidentally missed a spot when you swept the floor. Pointing out flaws kills the happy mood of a party, and it only stresses you out. Keep your mood positive, focus on your guests and spending time with them, and don't worry about the little things you can't change!
Do you have any additional tips for throwing a perfect party? Add your comments below!
Happy Hosting!
DO
Get Organized
Lists are a beautiful thing. Make a master timeline of how you want your event to go from setup til the last guest leaves. Include the amount of time it will take for you to set up and decorate, prepare food, when guests are supposed to arrive (and remember that the first guests generally show up about 10 minutes early), when dinner will be served, and so on. Create a grocery list of everything you need to cook your meal, as well as appetizers, drinks, and so on. Make a playlist on your iPod of appropriate music for all party guests (Kanye might not be appropriate for small children or your grandma to hear), and make sure the playlist length is at least an hour longer than you expect your party to last, as guests tend to mingle a while after dinner ends. Create a seating chart for your party and lay name cards down the day of to keep your guests organized as well.
Send Out Invites
Sending a formal invitation with an RSVP date will guarantee that you have enough food and place settings for your guests (although it is wise to prepare a little extra in case people forget to RSVP, or change their minds last minute). Set your RSVP date for at least a week before the wedding; this will make the next tip easier.
Choose entrees that can be prepared days in advance, frozen, and then easily reheated the day of the event. Pasta sauces are a perfect example; you can make a beautiful sauce on a Wednesday and freeze it. Put together a big salad on Thursday night and store it in the fridge with a damp paper towel in the container to prevent browning. When it's time for your party on Friday, all you have to do is reheat the sauce on the stove (NO microwaving!!), cook your noodles, throw some bread in the oven to warm, dress your salad, and pop open the wine. That whole process probably takes about 45 minutes, and can be done shortly before guests begin to show up.
Keep it Simple
You don't need to serve a 5 course meal or have silk tablecloths to pull off a classy event. A couple varieties of appetizers, one entree, two or three drink options (as well as good ol' water), and a single dessert are more than enough to keep your guests satisfied. Same goes for decorations: a pretty tablecloth, cloth napkins, sweet name cards and a simple centerpiece with some candles strewn along the center of the tables is elegant and inexpensive (you can use tablecloths/napkins you have, borrow, or purchase inexpensive but pretty ones at Target or TJMaxx).
Even with the best planning, hosting a party is stressful. Make sure you cut out time for yourself the day of the event (maybe while your food is simmering and guests are about 30 minutes from arriving) to quietly sit down, enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of hot coffee, and unwind before it's time to play host. Being relaxed makes all the difference to your guests, and allows you to have more fun with everyone during the actual event.
DON'T
Invite People Who Make You Nervous or Jealous
Your dinner party should not be a competition or a time to prove yourself, it should be an intimate evening with people you love and who make each other happy. If you're looking to impress a new boss or lure in a client, take them out for dinner or drinks instead; that puts the prep-work stress off you (hosting-wise, anyways), and allows a neutral environment for whatever business you're taking care of. You should never feel nervous or jealous in your own home!
Spend Too Much Money
Create a budget, then stick with it. As stated above, a dinner party with people you love and care about should be about the people, not the objects. Your friends and family won't care how much money you spend, they just want to enjoy a fun, relaxing evening with you.
Always, ALWAYS practice a recipe before you serve it to guests the first time. By doing a trial run, you can get an estimate of how long the recipe actually takes to prepare, how hard it is to make, what could go wrong, how it tastes, and how well it reheats. Avoid last minute kitchen disasters and give it a practice test two weeks before so you know what to expect.
Get Drunk
If your guests do, that's their choice. As the host, you should always be in control of the situation, which includes being able to get your guests home safely. Furthermore, it comes off as rude if you're popped and your guests aren't, and they're forced to take care of you! That's not to say you can't enjoy a glass of wine or a beer, just keep it under control for the evening!
Point Out Flaws
As the planner and host of the party, you will notice every little thing that doesn't go according to plan. The beautiful thing is: your guests won't! They won't notice (or likely care) if tables have an uneven number of candles or if you accidentally missed a spot when you swept the floor. Pointing out flaws kills the happy mood of a party, and it only stresses you out. Keep your mood positive, focus on your guests and spending time with them, and don't worry about the little things you can't change!
Do you have any additional tips for throwing a perfect party? Add your comments below!
Happy Hosting!
Gracie K.
Monday, September 23, 2013
LPGA in Des Moines: The Solheim Cup is Coming our Way
It's official: the Des Moines Golf & Country Club is hosting the 2017 Solheim Cup! For those of you who don't know, the Solheim Cup is an LPGA event similar to the PGA's Ryder Cup. It is a biennial competition between teams from the United States and Europe. This year's Cup was held in Colorado, 2015 will be held in Germany, and then it's our turn! This is exciting news for an golf lover and Des Moines native.
So, what goes in to planning a large scale event like a nationally (if not globally) televised, heavily attended tournament featuring some of the best and most talented female golfers in the world?
-no pressure-
Planning an event like this is much more long term than planning a wedding; DMGCC has been hinting at this since last year, and were probably heavily involved with getting their course in the running a few years ago. Now that it's official, event professionals for the course will be in full planning mode. Teams will be formed to handle Marketing & Public Relations, Volunteer Coordination, Day Of Staffing, Media Coordinators, etc.
Event managers for the country club will be tasked with finding accommodations for players, coaches, trainers, and everyone else involved with the LPGA that will be attending. They will set meticulous timelines delegating player arrivals, warm-ups, tee times, and estimated finish times. Food and beverage options will be planned, budgeted, and approved; same goes for merchandise and souvenirs.
Photo courtesy: dmgcc.org
So, what goes in to planning a large scale event like a nationally (if not globally) televised, heavily attended tournament featuring some of the best and most talented female golfers in the world?
-no pressure-
Planning an event like this is much more long term than planning a wedding; DMGCC has been hinting at this since last year, and were probably heavily involved with getting their course in the running a few years ago. Now that it's official, event professionals for the course will be in full planning mode. Teams will be formed to handle Marketing & Public Relations, Volunteer Coordination, Day Of Staffing, Media Coordinators, etc.
Event managers for the country club will be tasked with finding accommodations for players, coaches, trainers, and everyone else involved with the LPGA that will be attending. They will set meticulous timelines delegating player arrivals, warm-ups, tee times, and estimated finish times. Food and beverage options will be planned, budgeted, and approved; same goes for merchandise and souvenirs.
Ticket prices and spectator dress codes will be set, detailed estimations of public attendance submitted, and volunteers will be recruited for crowd control (think: the guys that hold up the huge "silence please" signs while players are putting).
As the day nears, timelines will be finalized, weather reports scoured, food, drinks, apparel, and merchandise ordered, staff schedules set, and so on. The course will be mowed, watered, and picked over with a fine-tooth comb. Everything will be as perfect as possible when the first swing of the day is broadcast to millions around the world.
Obviously this is a very streamlined, succinct summary of the huge task (and huge honor!) this is for the Des Moines Golf & Country Club, but I hope this gives you a slight idea of what all goes into planning for a large sporting event like the Solheim Cup!
It's great to see Des Moines getting global attention! I am so excited for this event, and I hope I'll be able to attend. Go USA!
www.lpga.com
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