The Five Senses | Despina Craig Events

 THE MAGIC IS IN THE DETAILS & COMES FROM APPEALING TO ALL THE SENSES!

Your very own five senses can guide you in forming and customizing the perfect special event. If anyone needs a reminder, these five senses include the following:

SEE | HEAR| SMELL|TASTE |FEEL

Vision:

What do you desire for your guests to see? How do you envision your wedding (or alternate special gathering)? Everyone can agree that how the venue looks is very important to most hosts and guests. From choosing the venue, to customizing the lighting, to desired minor details and unique decor- make sure that you and your guests have a pleasant visual experience. 

TIP: Enhance the visual experience through details such as the proper floral arrangements, notable lighting, or even unique cake toppers as shown below! See more on lighting at Lighten Up! , and more on unique cake toppers at Buzzfeed.com. 

Hearing:

What do you want to hear on your special day? What do you want your guests to hear? This most commonly refers to music. Music has the ability to influence our moods and emotions; use this to your advantage! 

Smell:

What scent(s) do you want to fill your venue? Smell can be easily forgotten, but is very important. Anything too strong or unpleasant can negatively affect your guests' experiences at your event. Be selective when choosing specific scents or items with bold scents for your venue. 

TIP: Candles can be an elegant and romantic addition to your special event, and, of course, positively contribute to the aroma!

Tasting:

What do you want your guests to eat? Do you have a particular meal that will enhance your special day? Even if food is not at the top of your priority list, feed yourself and your guests well! No one has a fun time on an empty stomach. Amazing food choices can make your event very memorable for your guests. 

Feeling:

How do you want your guests to feel? This sense has two parts within it: physical feeling and emotional or internal feeling. Physical feeling can involve specific texture and fabric choices for your event (see intricate table cloth below). This sounds like minor detailing, which it may be, but that does not change its importance. Concrete and physical memories can be very influential to someone. As for emotional feelings, the other four senses very much determine this one. If you customize what your guests see, hear, smell, and taste- you can assume that they will feel great at your special event! 

Use your five senses to your advantage when planning your special event. You and your guests can see, hear, smell, taste, and feel whatever and however you desire!

Lighten Up | Despina Craig Events

Lighten Up!

Weddings include investments in many things- some essential, and some just desired. One might debate which category Lighting falls into, and this post is to clarify: Lighting is an essential investment when it comes to special events! By investing in quality lighting for a wedding (or any special event), the bride and groom have complete control over their special day. Lighting can dramatically influence how the venue looks, the atmosphere of the event, and even the mood of the hosts and guests. Learn how to brighten up your event!

Color: 
A venue can be drastically transformed through a tinted glow, or even multiple tinted glows. Colors can enhance, hide, or completely change various parts of the room as well as the items or people in it. 

These photos, courtesy of Hartmann Studios, exemplify Amber Glow. The different shades of amber accented throughout these venues have created an elegant and joyful atmosphere. 

TIP: An Amber Glow is also known for enhancing how guests look as well!

Uplighting:
      Uplighting is a technique that can control how the dimensions of a room appear by dramatically projecting light that begins at the bottom and aims upward. The combination of uplighting with the right colors, textures, and structures can be very powerful.

Various forms of uplighting exemplified by Luminous Designs (top) and Augie Chang Photography (bottom).

Patterns:

     Proper lighting has the ability to project specific patterns on walls, floors, ceilings, or other surfaces in a venue. This is referred to as Pattern Wash. This can make a plain surface far more complex and interesting, as well as draw peoples’ attention to certain spots of a room. This same idea is available through Monogram Logo Projection, where a specific icon, name, or logo can be projected onto the desired surface.

In the photo on the top, the dance floor is beautifully highlighted thanks to a classy and notable pattern being projected through lighting. On the bottom you’ll see a hotel’s logo being projected on their rooftop restaurant for all guests and customers to see.

Accent Lighting: Pin Spotting

It’s all in the name! Pin spotting can accent very specific parts of a venue, from seating cards, to small pieces of décor. Pin spotting will draw all eyes on your wedding cake, impressive centerpieces, or anything else you might desire!

     The difference is astonishing between a centerpiece with and without pin spotting! Pin spotting is an important form of lighting because if a bride, groom, or any special events host wants to invest in detail oriented items, he or she needs to invest in lighting as well in order for these details to be recognized and appreciated.  (Photo on the left: SEK Wedding Lighting)

Many brides feel their wedding cake is a very important part of their special day. If that is you, make sure to enhance and draw attention to your fabulous cake through pin spotting or some sort of accent lighting!

So now- you know! Lighting should not be considered optional for your special day. Although it can be a big investment, lighting is a vital component in customizing your event. These tips and ideas will aid in creating the perfect atmosphere for your special event!

TIP: See opportunities for uplighting rentals at www.rentuplights.com. (Nationwide service!)

Do's & Don'ts of Wedding Planning | Despina Craig Events

DON’T’S…

TRADITIONS

• DON’T follow tradition just because you feel obligated. Create something personalized and magical. It’s your day, your event, your style. There are no rules!

TRENDS

• DON’T follow trends unless something resonates with you, try to express your uniqueness as a couple and incorporate that personal distinctive style into your wedding. Your Wedding should be a reflection of you! 

CASH BAR

• DON’T ever have a cash bar – that is a major no-no. If funds are an issue, than serve only beer and wine and incorporate one or two signature cocktails. 

SPEECHES

•  DON’T let your wedding become an open mic night. It is important to determine who is making speeches in advance and suggests a time limit for their toasts. Five minutes is a good rule of thumb to follow. Your guests will thank you!

NEW WEDDING SHOES

•  DON’T wear brand new shoes on your wedding day. The last thing you want is for your feet to be sore, achy and uncomfortable. Break them in; wear them around the house for a few days. 

EATING

• DON’T forget to eat throughout the day. It can be easy to forget with all the excitement. Having some snacks close by will ensure that the bridal party has enough energy to make it to the last dance.

SOMETHING GOING WRONG

• DON’T worry about the small stuff! Something will almost always not go as exactly planned, so be prepared. Whatever it is, you will look back on it and laugh, so enjoy this special time, no one will notice.

DO’s...

TRADITIONS

•  DO bring in new and existing traditions that are meaningful and important to you and your family. These traditions define who you are, and incorporating them into your wedding is significant in expressing you as a couple on your wedding day.

VENDORS

• DO advise your vendors in writing about what you do and don’t want at your wedding. For example, provide a “A do not play list” to your DJ or Band and “A must take list” for your photographer.

WEDDING CONTACT LIST

• DO create a contact list of all your vendor /service providers to have at the wedding and delegate someone to oversee the list in-case of an emergency.

WEDDING DAY EMERGENCY KIT

•  DO put together a wedding day emergency kit. View list here-> DIY The Brides Emergency Kit 

WEDDING PLANNER

• DO build into your budget and hire a trained full-service wedding planner or at the very least secure the “The Month of Wedding Service”.  There is a wealth of information online today on how to plan a wedding but until you actually do it, you will be surprised at the amount of work and details that are involved and it can be overwhelming. Your wedding day is one of the most important days that you will remember for the rest of your life. Hiring a wedding planner that will oversee all the details and make sure your event is executed flawlessly, will leave you stress free while you enjoy this magical and memorable day. 

Tip: Client connection must be present, you must completely like and trust your wedding planner.

Junior Prom Event

Junior prom| craneway pavilion

The Craneway Pavilion is a big giant white canvas, this waterfront warehouse located in the historic Ford Assembly Plant. A true "hidden gem"! The open warehouse-like building was the perfect place for the TL Junior Prom Dance which was held in the "Craneway Skyway Center" located on the second floor.

 One hundred and ninety six guests walked the white carpet and stopped to have their picture taken in-front of the step & repeat banner with their prom date or friends, prior to proceeding into the event.

Once the photos were taken, students proceeded down the white carpet and were greeted with a champagne flute glass, filled with lemonade and topped with cotton candy. 

The signature drink called the  "TL Twister" was served with pink or blue cotton candy, once the cotton candy hit the lemonade the color of the drink changed.

We hung large latex balloons from ceiling beams over the dance area, and surrounded the perimeter of the dance floor area with white leather sofas, ottomans, tables and added magenta colored pillows for a pop of color. Each table had battery operated wax candles that illuminated different colors by a remote control

Cocktail tables draped in white satin linen with battery operated votive's and two refreshment lighted stations where setup.

A customized fabric banner sign hung over the appetizer and dessert station.

To add a little personalization the schools logo the "Trojan" was edible and placed on short bread cookies.

To entertain students not dancing an air hockey and pool table was available for their entertainment.

Pink Shutters spacious and modern photo booth dressed in black and white offered props for some fun shots. Photos where printed instantly and accessible online.  A great way for all students to remember this amazing and memorable event.

View video advertisement from Pink Shutters Photo Booth!

The evening look with all the up -lights .

Vendor Credits

Rentals:   Big4PartyRentals, Encore Event Rentals , Hertz Equipment Rentals

Photographer:  Henley Photography

Pink Shutter Photo Booth:Pink Shutter Photo Booth

Transportation:California Wine Tours

Banners: www.stickersbanners.com

Carpet Runner:RugStreet

Location: Craneway Pavilion

Swanky Chic 40th Celebration

40th Celebration  | Feb 7th, 2015

by Despina Craig Events

A super chic and elegant event to celebrate the studio owners 40th birthday was a smashing success. Rich colors of satin red and black fabric, swanky chandeliers and  sexy flower arrangements created this "bougy" club feeling.

A custom designed Step and Repeat banner was the perfect backdrop for guests to take a photo and remember the evenings celebrations.

One hundred and fifty guests were welcomed at the entrance with an amazing champagne cocktail. 

The studio owners signature drink is Hennessy and in honor of his celebration the Hennessy bar  served special Hennessy cocktails.

 A custom designed sign hung above the bar.

The owners passion during his limited down time is Chess, therefore we incorporated some chess pieces through out the event to reflect him in a subtle manner.

Each cocktail table had a beautiful red rose flower arrangement surrounded by votive's, all tables were draped in black satin. 

The twelve foot translucent bar had a red satin backdrop with a black and white abstract fabric draped down the center. Two fabric chandeliers hung in the center over the bar. The bar was anchored by two tall translucent towers that were illuminated and used to house the glassware.

The flower arrangements consisted of glass cylinders filled with pearl black and white gels and two beautiful  bouquets of red roses wrapped in rhinestone fabric and a cluster of calla lilies draped down the center creating a contemporary romantic and sexy look.

In the center of the room, a beautiful black and white dance floor was visible from all the seating vignettes, with red up lights and palm trees surrounding the perimeter of the room. 

Darius McCrary, Flavor Flav and DJ Yoshe entertained the guest all night long!

Surprise for the evening for the guest of honor was the gorgeous burlesque dancer from 

"Tease If You Please" who entertained the guest.

Beautiful red roses in various containers were the perfect arrangement for cocktail tables surrounded by mercury and glass votive candles.

The food station had various Mediterranean  appetizers.

Vendor Credits

Rentals:   www.townandcountryeventrentals.com

Banners | Signs: www.stickersbanners.com

Event Décor & Flowers: www.despinacraigevents.com

Location: Film City Studios, Canoga Park  CA