Sweet 16’s are back in action and bigger than ever!
The popular show “My Super Sweet
Sixteen” showcases the economic anomaly that is the uber wealthy
family throwing a party of epic proportions for their adolescent
offspring. To refer to these events as a party is on par with
referring to a diamond as a rock; it is just so much more than that.
Professional stylists, celebrity performers, guest counts in the
hundreds and in most cases, a new sports car to drive home are some
of the many highlights to these affairs. Here in the Capital Region
of New York, we are seeing the Sweet 16 industry begin to blossom as
a fresh event perspective without all the hype shown on TV.
Just last weekend, Total Events had the
pleasure of working on two very special Sweet 16’s. The first
event was Las Vegas themed, complete with casino tables and the glitz
of the strip. The second event transported guests back to the days
of disco balls, bell bottoms and light-up dance floors. What we’re
seeing is the dawn of a new era of party people, kids. Some of the
most detail oriented events we have worked on involve 1st birthdays,
Sweet 16’s, Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s, Proms and Graduations. It stands
to reason that as these youngsters grow up; their expectations for
their wedding will be exceptionally more grandiose than the previous
generation. Picking from package A, B or C is beginning to seem
about as old school as having your milk delivered to your front door
each morning.
Down economy or not, parents are still
shelling out the money for over the top events. Unlike a wedding,
these bashes are always paid for by the family. Celebrating our
children’s achievements and special occasions has become a top
priority and keeping up with the Jones’ is harder and harder to do.
What is perhaps the best part is that the details and importance of
the event are there without a lot of the pressure and jitters of the
client, you typically see at a wedding. Emotions are of pure,
unadulterated excitement without the cold feet and runaway bride
scenarios everyone in the industry cringes at the idea of.
The typical Sweet 16 includes a party
planner and professional photographer, caterer, hair & make-up,
décor and entertainment. The goal is always the same; make your
friends jealous while appearing effortlessly nonchalant about the
details. With event professionals working to diversify their client
base, venue’s trying to fill their space each weekend and everyone
looking to expand the market, it seems that the Sweet 16’s trend
has matured at just the right time.
Everyone has a budget, even Donald Trump. Regardless of how much
money you have to spend on a special occasion, there is a limit for us
all. Most people find themselves struggling with what they want and
what they can pay for. The battle between what we can afford and what
we have envisioned is many times a tough pill to swallow and sticker
shock is something that most people can relate to in the planning
process.
Tip #1: Book during the off-season
For Upstate New York, the event season slows down significantly
between November through February. During these months, vendors are
more flexible with pricing and in many cases will offer cost saving
promotions. Avoiding the summer months and early fall may be less than
ideal, but you will be glad you did when you reflect on the savings. If
you do choose this time of year, Friday’s and Sunday’s can often be a
negotiation for savings. Stay away from (most) Holiday weekends as
well. Labor Day weekend, Columbus Day weekend, New Year’s Eve,
Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day weekend and the 4th of July are all
incredibly busy dates. Ironically, Easter weekend and Thanksgiving
weekend are generally fairly quiet and may offer you some flexability on
price.
Tip #2: Go to the source
While sometimes it may be tempting to let others secure items or
services for you, you might be spending un-necessary money. When a
vendor secures a service for you through another company, they often
inflate the cost of it to cover their time.
Tip #3: Book in advance
Waiting until the last minute to sign on the dotted line is a
dangerous game that I don’t advise anyone to play. While some may think
that they can secure a reduced rate for the service if it is still
available, you are taking a huge risk which is not worth the reward. In
many cases, booking early may entitle you to added discounts. At the
very least, you will be better able to access your budget once you have
everything set in stone with signatures and deposits.
While compromise is something that many of us avoid like plague,
it is often a necessary beast in the war against overspending. In the
end, following these three simple steps will help you to better afford
the Event you have been tirelessly planning for so long. Getting things
out of the way early will certainly help you gain some peace of mind
and lift much of the pressure off of your plate that tends to appear as
the Event draws closer.
They’re referred to by many names; conventions, trade shows, expos
but they all have the same goals and objectives in mind – to build
relationships and expand business. In todays down economy, Total
Events has heard many clients complain that their attendee numbers have
declined and their vendors are dissatisfied. Total Events has the
solution to help cure your turnout woes and create the wow factor on
your show floor.
Tip #1: Update the look of the space Especially for guests attending an annual conference, seeing
the same design and color scheme year after year becomes mundane and
easy to pass up. By designating an interesting theme with activities
and décor to overhaul the appearance of the booths and the room you can
spark some additional interest and help to encourage their presence
again next year.
Tip #2: Plan fun activities for vendors and show goers to look forward to outside of the scheduled business events This is particularly important for events that have guests
coming from out of town. It doesn’t take much to throw together an
exciting after hours mixer, a stimulating evening dinner or a relaxing
lounge for guests to unwind in. Traveling today has become
increasingly more stressful and may discourage some individuals from
making a lengthy trek to an event. However, if you can build the
reputation of an entertaining, dynamic and professionally lucrative
business opportunity; the value of participating in the event will
increase exponentially.
Tip #3: Keep you’re costs down, and pay it forward Utilizing a full service special events company like Total
Events will offer you increased flexibility and added cost savings.
Packaging booths, vendor orders, Event décor, after party rentals,
reception linens and centerpieces together from a single source will
ensure that you get the most competitive pricing with the added bonus
of one stop shopping. The additional benefit of passing cost savings
down to your exhibitors will ensure that everyone walks away with a
smile on their face.
Total Events professional services are available to you throughout
most of New York State as well as in many parts of Massachusetts,
Connecticut and Vermont. While the average convention sets up inside a
convention center or hotel ballroom, we also offer you the ability to
build your event outside in one of our spacious tents. Designing an
expo inside a tent at the location of your choosing is a great way to
enjoy an uncommon venue, nice weather and offer yourself a refreshing
change of pace!
Every year at this time we find ourselves starting at one Holiday
party invitation after another. Between end of the year deadlines,
shopping for gifts, inclement weather and the rest of the details that
keep our days filled to the brim it becomes difficult to commit to every
bash. To ensure attendance to your upcoming occasion, punch up the
volume a bit with some key elements that will make any gathering a
success.
Problem: You’re guests are in desperate need of some relaxation.
Solution: Create a Lounge!
Rather than a traditional sit down dinner or a cocktail party with
limited seating, rent some lounge furniture. Your guests will
appreciate that they are encouraged to sit back and unwind in a stylish
atmosphere. Often sit down dinners can feel a bit stuffy and are a lot
of work for the hosts; a lounge style cocktail party eliminates both
dilemmas. A well designed buffet featuring finger foods and smaller
portioned items will keep guests full and appeal to even the pickiest
eater. The hosts can feel free to join in on the party rather than
slaving away in the kitchen all night.
Problem: My space is too small.
Solution: Turn your ordinary garage, basement or sunroom into the place to be!
Pipe and drape can turn any space into something spectacular! With a
large selection of specialty drape in a variety of colors and heights,
Total Events can customize any room into a chic space ready for a crowd.
Need to cover up a ceiling? That’s no problem either. Fabric swags
can be hung from almost any ceiling to soften the appearance of an
unattractive ceiling. A complete room drapery can be polished off with
uplighting to make the space seem rich, inviting and finished.
Problem: The plastic table toppers and paper confetti centerpieces are not going to cut it this year.
Solution: Rent something fabulous!
A local rental company like Total Events is virtually a one stop
shop for this kind of dilemma. From upscale linen selections, custom
arranged centerpieces, decorative candle votives, inexpensive charger
plates and elegant china we can fix any ordinary table setting into
something really special. If the metal folding chairs you store in the
garage have seen their better days, rent yourself some Chiavari’s to add
that extra bit of style to the room. Keep in mind that upgrading these
items is relatively inexpensive when you consider what it would cost to
purchase all of the bits and pieces, especially when they may only be
used once a year at most. Renting is the way to secure exactly what you
want at a fair price!
Problem: Guests leave early because they’re bored.
Solution: Let us entertain you!
Sometimes sitting around your living room can get a little dull
which is why mixing it up become so important. Encouraging guests to
interact together, especially when the crowd is a group of people who
may not necessarily know each other is key to a good time. With the
addition of Casino gaming you can transform the theme, feel and energy
of your party with one simple call to Total Events. We bring the
tables, gaming chips, cards and dealers. Adding some unique elements to
your event will ensure people will be talking about your party until
next year!
Don’t get lumped into the category of “boring house party” that we
see so many of this time of year. Spicing things up has never been
easier and more affordable. No matter what your budget it, there is a
way to pump up the volume of your next gathering!
For most brides and their wedding posse, attending bridal shows is one
of many highlights in the planning process. Entering a space that has
been designed to cater to your specific needs and filled with vendors
eager for your business is exciting and often overwhelming. In many
cases, after speaking with more than 50 different businesses it becomes
hard to keep names and faces straight. Here are some tips to making
the most out of your bridal show experience.
#1 Have a Game Plan
When you walk into the show, know what vendors you are
seeking out. If the priority for the day is finding specialty linens
and a killer DJ, visit those booths first. You will find that the
businesses attending the show are interested in having a conversation
with you regarding your event to find out how they can best service
you. These conversations can sometimes become lengthy, but are
critical in determining your feelings about moving forward in the
booking process. Being able to meet with and speak to certified
representatives is a very valuable resource that should be taken
advantage of by any bride.
#2 Become Close Friends with Your Budget
You and your budget should know each other’s secrets by
now. You should know what your bottom line is, where you intend to
splurge and where you need to save. Most bridal shows have vendors
from all different price points exhibiting and it helps to focus on
those who are within your resources. Without a doubt you will see many
displays that appeal to you. Most companies bring displays that are
designed to knock your socks off and a lot of times these displays are
only viable for 10% of bridal clients. Keep in mind that while the
$500 centerpiece that was displayed at the show was beautiful, it won’t
even closely resemble the $100 centerpieces that are more closely
suited to your budget. While some vendors specialize in high end
weddings, there are others who are more suited to the moderate and cost
effective brides.
#3 Take Advantage of Show Specials
The goal for any vendor at a bridal show is to book
business. To entice you to make a decision sooner rather than later,
many companies offer show specials for that day. You may see that a
vendor is willing to add some value into the package at no charge or
even discount your order by a specific percentage. Sometimes these
gestures may seem small in terms of the grand amount you are spending,
but they do add up. As my Mother always told me, a dollar saved is a
dollar earned. If you know that you love a particular florist’s work
and see that they are running a show special, do yourself a favor and
book it! You are only committing to doing business with them and
locking in your special rate, all of your decisions and designs are
still able to be altered and agreed upon. It is always better to book
your vendors earlier rather than later to take advantage of current
pricing and to ensure that the vendors you want will be available for
your date.
#4 Bring Inspiration
If you have a photo of something specific you are looking
for, bring it with you! A picture is worth 1,000 words and is very
helpful for any vendor. A company can tell you almost immediately if
they have in stock or can get what it is that you are looking for.
Someone at the show will know exactly who to refer you to for a
specialty product.
#5 Entourage Not Necessary
Bridal shows are packed houses. When you are traveling
through a show with multiple people, you will find that each and every
one of them wants your attention on 5 different things at once. It is
best to bring your mom, your fiancé or your maid of honor and keep the
group small. Going with less people will provide you with more time to
speak with vendors, less guilt about not entertaining everyone and
will allow you to really hone in on the reason you are there. The
opinions that truly matter most at the end of the day are the bride and
the groom’s.
And with these 5 simple tips, I send you off into bridal
show season. May you enjoy plentiful cake samples, extravagant
displays and free samples until you burst out of your skinny jeans!
A Down Economy Spurs Creative Thought and Custom Design.
The event industry has taken a serious hit over the past few years.
With the suffering economy, there has been a major decline in the
quantity of social functions and certainly the amount spent on those
that did survive. However the Capital Region has remained strong and
steadfast during this economic uncertainty and in some ways has breathed
new life into the industry.
While corporate functions have slowed down, social events like
weddings have remained the bread and butter for most of the Event and
Hospitality industry. Brides are immersed with setting their day apart
from the rest. The era of customization is upon us. The days of
selecting your wedding package from package A, B or C are officially
over. The wedding industry is seeing an influx of clients who want
custom monograms, intelligent lighting systems, upgraded linens and
chairs as well as signature cocktails and off the menu entrée elections.
Clients no longer want what everyone is offered; they want to create
their own options. Likening someone’s wedding day to anything less than
a celebrity is an offense punishable by death in most bridal circles.
Tent weddings have seen a strong resurgence during the 2010 peak
wedding season. Celebrity brides like Chelsea Clinton even chose to
customize their day from the literal ground up. The addition of high
end restroom trailers, air condition units, flooring and generators have
made these types of events more common than many would expect. Total
Events in Schenectady, NY specializes in creating this type of custom
event. With their ability to service literally every aspect of the
event and décor rentals, clients have come to rely on their expertise as
well as the convenience that this type of company offers. In few
places can you secure your wedding venue, silverware, table linen,
centerpieces, lighting and restroom facilities from one just business.
The next time you are at a wedding, take a good look around to soak
in your atmosphere. Pay close attention to the details, which have
undoubtedly been carefully selected and orchestrated to impress you.
Today it is not as much about how much you spend; it is about how you
spend it. While the brides of yesterday were happy to dine at tables
adorned in the facilities White table linen and uncovered banquet
chairs, today’s bride covets a Mocha bengaline underlay accented by a
Caramel rosette dimensional runner set off by a room filled with
Fruitwood Chiavari Ballroom chairs. Companies like Total Events have
expanded their inventory to accommodate the growth of event design as
well as to keep their skill set apart from the rest of the areas. The
bottom line comes down more to style than money today.
