Most receptions seem to format the space the same way, guests seated around large, round tables. It started off slowly, with a bride occasionally asking to “mix up” her reception format and set the tables differently. Let me tell you, it makes all the difference in the world. With a variation in table styles, you have the opportunity to introduce variety. Variety in tables means varied linens and centerpieces. Guests will surely be wowed when they take in the sights of your big day.
Long Tables
Also known as family style seating and banquet seating; these tables are becoming more popular. Total Events stocks a custom table we refer to as our Emperor table. This table is a standard 8’ long, but holds an extra 12” in width to accommodate comfortable table settings and centerpiece arrangements. These tables are perfect for family style catering service, rustic barn receptions and can be mixed in with round tables and square tables for dimension in your reception space.
Square Tables
A square table is a bold move. When we first purchased these stylish tables, brides didn’t know what to make of them. They have gained popularity over the years with our “fashion forward” clients. These tables seat 8 guests and fill a room nicely. They offer ample space for centerpiece arrangements and add a sense of drama to the room with their clean lines.
Cocktail Seating
Many brides opt to not have a sit down dinner and to rather focus on mingling. A cocktail style reception is host of a variety of seating options including tall cocktail tables, short cocktail tables, smaller rounds and even lounge installations. In these situations we like to create intimate seating areas for guests to converge in. They can mill about the event without having to commit to a table for the entire evening and feel free to get up, eat, dance and then find a new nook to settle into.
No matter what your reception style is, Total Events has the tables, chairs and linens to fit your needs. Creating custom seating layouts is so easy with the right equipment, and it is all right here for you to enjoy!
People call it a mixer, others a networking event and some even dare refer to it as a reception but no matter what you name it, it’s a party. Parties are fun, an occasion to look forward to and a great way to socialize. Why wouldn't you want to include one after your conference or trade show?
We’ve all seen it. As the clock starts to click towards “closing time” at the show, vendors begin closing up shop. As the show floor beings to clear we can’t help but wonder if it’s the chicken or the egg principal… did the exhibitors back up because the traffic is gone, or is the traffic gone because the exhibitors backed up (the jury is still out on this one folks). I have just the remedy to cure these woes, and that is what Total Events does better than anyone else, PARTY.
Creating an after show reception/mixer/event is a great way to ensure that your exhibitors stick around. It gives people the opportunity to mingle and chat about the business they may be able to do with or bring to each other. Get crazy, even invite show goers to stay and vote on best booth, most compelling sales person, top product and more.
Worried about the cost of hosting this party? Don’t be! Exhibitors will often sponsor the after party in exchange for having their company promoted. Offer signature drinks named after sponsors, or give away goodie bags with the sponsor products inside. There are a million ways to sneak in some marketing for your after party sponsors and you should be taking advantage of every one of them!
The next trade show you attend, push for an after reception. Total Events has the theme décor and rentals to make your finish with a powerful bang that attendees will not forget!
This time of year and everyone is looking for ways to save money. With the Holidays fast approaching it is clear that the long, laid back days of summer are behind us. We understand how important it is to stay on budget and Total Events is here to help you! From a corporate holiday party to a winter wedding, we can help you design the perfect look. We introduce to you, Lucky 13 savings this November 2012-February 2013.
13% Savings On:
Chiavari Chairs
Chiavari chairs are one of our most popular rental items primarily because hey instantly transform a boring room into something amazing. Total Events offers them in 5 finishes (Gold, Silver, Black, White & Fruitwood) with your choice of chair pad (Black, White or Ivory). Customize your wedding with a fantastic price on these go-to chairs!
Specialty Linen
Total Events has a massive selection of in stock specialty linens and overlays. We offer a variety of colors, fabrics, styles and sizes to fit your specific needs. Looking for something unique? No problem! Total Events has collections of linens that don't exist anywhere else, because we created them for our inventory only. Make your table top shine this winter with in stock linen at out of this world prices!
Charger Plates
We made some major investments in inventory in 2012 and charger plates were one of them. This is the place for Glass and Acrylic chargers! We stock Clear glass with beaded edge and Hammered Glass with Gold edge. Our acrylic inventory has Deep Red, Lavender, Purple, Chocolate, Silver and Gold. At this season’s lucky price, you can afford to add extra special details to your table top without breaking the bank.
Chair Covers
A traditional wedding ceremony and reception needs that extra layer of elegance, and a chair cover can help to get you there. Total Events has 3 styles in stock and carries Black, White and Ivory options for you to select from. The best part is that you can pick up a sample and try it on your chair of choice to ensure that it is the perfect fit. Stop worrying about shipping, fabric quality from internet sources and use the best cover available for your event.
Ceremony Drapery
We are the ceremony experts! From custom arches, chuppah's and madap's, Total Events can help you create the ceremony of your dreams. Working with you to design the ideal affect for your ceremony, Total Events brides walk away with custom designs for their special day.
Lighting
Lighting makes one of the biggest transformations in any room. We offer a wide variety of lighting options including par lights, LED color changing lights, monogram spotlights and star gazer ceiling effect lights. Add drama to your evening for less this winter!
Specialty Drapery
When clients want to transform a well known space into something different, we always use drapery to help up achieve a brand new look. Our drapery ranges from 8' to 24'. Our White and Ivory Chiffon drapery makes the prefect backdrop for winter weddings and ceremonies. Consider pairing drapery with accent swag fabric or up lighting for a truly one of a kind look.
Lounge Packages
We've saved the very best for last, the lounge! Our favorite use of lounge furniture is when it's saved for a special guest surprise at the end of a reception. Plan for a jazz band, dessert display or gourmet hot chocolate bar to accompany the chic lounge and watch your guests' jaws drop. Our new curved lounge is sure to satisfy!
There it is! The best ways to save this winter is with Total Events & Lucky 13! Call Total Events today for rules, restrictions and availability! Lucky 13 is available for events November 1st, 2012-February 28th, 2013!
It's never too early to dive into the details of your big day
We have quite a few 2013 weddings already on the books, which reminds us that it is never too early to start settling on the details of your big day. While some people are from the school of thought that you have months to "figure it out" the reality is that hundreds of other brides are probably looking at your preferred colors, venue, photographer, chairs and more for the exact same day. Booking in advance will save you the headache, heartache and sticker shock of rounding up your selections at the last minute.
In our opinion, once you have your venue booked, settle on the rest of the details of the reception as soon as possible. While the location is fresh in your mind, decide what colors, style and items you would want in the space. Once you decide, put it in writing! There is a limited supply of everything, so booking your choices early will only help you in the end. We talk to disappointed brides everyday who can't find the chair they want or their tent size isn't available. Especially if you are looking for a specialty item like a White dance floor or lounge furniture it's a good idea to get out ahead of the pack.
Brides generally book their rentals 6-12 months in advance of their date. In order to officially be ahead of the game, you would be making your calls 12+ months before your weddings. That may sound early to you, but in actuality, it's really not. May, June, September and October have become the most popular months for wedding rentals in recent years. Generally, weekends are shut down at least a month in advance for these prime dates. July, August and December are close seconds for the Event industry and should probably have the same early booking disclaimer. While some brides hesitate to book early because their guest county may change, it's nothing to worry about. We expect your county to fluctuate and ask for your final numbers a week before your event date. A good rule is to book early with your worst case scenario and begin to cut the numbers down as you get closer to the date.
There are a lot of bonus features of early booking for your wedding date. The best is that you know your expenses and can have a clear plan on how to spread them out and make payments over time. Another fantastic reason to book early is that you can concentrate on dress fittings, seating arrangements and other month/week of details without overwhelming yourself. You can relax knowing that you have everything on your to do list checked off, paid for and confirmed so that the month before your wedding is smooth sailing!
No matter how you slice it, trade shows are meant to generate new business. While it's wonderful to speak with the public and see how your product or service is perceived by the public, it's largely driven by the goal to increase sales and revenue. Total Events Convention & Expo Services handles a large volume of trade shows annually and has some tips and tricks for helping you succeed this next season!
1. Expand your region and begin to attend shows outside of your immediate market.
2. Attend shows outside of your market to discover how similar businesses present themselves.
3. Do a raffle or giveaway to track the attendance of your booth. It will give you the opportunity to reach out to the people you met after the show.
4. Request a larger (double) booth in an area that will see a majority of traffic, such as on a corner.
5. Be bold and cutting edge with your booth design to draw attendees in 6. Sometimes with decor, less is more. Showing fewer items but with more impact will help you focus on what you are trying to display. You do not want clutter.
7. Research your target market at the show and design your booth around exactly what they would want to see (IE: Don't push honeymoon travel for a Baby Boomer Show)
8. Remember to re-vamp your booth space and marketing material annually - especially if you attend the same shows every year.
9. Invest in something that sets you apart from the best of the booths such as a different color drape, tall signage or lighting - you don't want to look like everyone else there.
10. Send out e-mails and social media reminders about the show to encourage attendance of your target market.
11. Create a QR Code for your website to track how many people are visiting you from the show.
12. Unveil a new product or service at the show to encourage interest and promote attendance.
13. Offer a free goodie with your logo or website on it for guests to take with them.
14. Make your booth interactive with a game, giveaway or service. If people are going to stop to partake in your special activity you have a better opportunity to talk with them.
15. Use video to show what services and products you provide. If you are speaking to someone else you won't miss the opportunity to educate the other visitors to your booth.
16. Become a sponsor for the registration or after show reception. This is a great way to continue to get your logo on trade show material and at the event.
17. Offer a show special or discount for attendees.
18. Have at least 2 people at your booth. This will ensure that even if you need to take a break, someone is there to handle traffic.
19. Don't sit down! The best way to attract attention is to be engaged and at eye level to your crowd.
20. Collect cards! It is just as important to collect the information from your potential client as it is to hand out your own. Following up after the show is a great way to keep the dialogue going!
The things I have learned over the years about trade shows
#1. Don't have them on holiday weekends
While many people think that it's a good idea of have a trade show/convention over a holiday weekend, it generally isn't. Yes, people maybe have an extra day off but they generally will spend that time going for a short trip or spending time with family. The last thing anyone wants to do it A. work and B. fight crowds in a busy expo center. From a business perspective, holiday weekends are also very busy for the venues and companies hosting your show and installing your equipment. You may be paying a premium for this sort of date.
#2. After Work Hours Are Not Appealing
Sometimes we see "after hours" mixers and shows come through. Generally, this is a lot of activity cramped into a small amount of time. After spending 8+ hours at work, a lot of people have a hard time committing to more work. Even if cocktails are involved, you are going to loose a lot of your target market to parental responsibilities, later hours and personal matters.
#3. The Best Shows are Unique
We have all been to the standard "X” show. Whether that “X” is bridal, chamber, business professional etc, it doesn't matter. Just gathering a group of people who are similar doesn't make for a great event. Have a reason for people to want to be there. Make people feel entertained and pampered. So much of our day is spent catering to everyone else, make your guests AND your exhibitors feel like their presence will be rewarding and fun.
#4. Move away from the same old boring "booth" concept.
Everyone has been to a trade show, but maybe they haven't been to a wedding pro speed dating session, or a Chamber wine tasting. You can still accomplish the same goal of networking and relationship building without the label of "show". Add some tall cocktail tables, lounge furniture and unique activities for people to engage in rather than the same old format. You will be surprised with the result!
#5. Everyone wants to win.
Vendors want to feel like they are capturing quality leads and attendees want to feel like they have gained something for their time. Do a give away for both! Promote and encourage people to vote on the best booth or presentation. Have guests walk away with something for offering their feedback and opinions. The way to their heart is through goodies!
We are honored to be mentioned on the Style Me Pretty website! The Sagamore Resort is one of our favorite venues to work in, and transforming the inside the Conference Center Ballroom was a big job. We were so excited to "wow" the bride and her family with a room fiully lined in White Chiffon fabric, specialty uplighting, Gold Chiavari chairs and Gold Crush linens. A special thank you to Tracey Buyce Photography for these beautiful images and the wonderful couple and their families for being such a joy to work with!
Okay, so maybe it’s not cold outside…yet. Winter weddings can pose a set of unique dilemmas that prevent many brides from selecting a wedding date in the chilly months. Navigating the holiday and the potentially crummy weather makes setting a winter date more difficult. The brave brides who do choose a winter date are often rewarded with gorgeous photos, discounted prices and fabulous décor options.
Spring, summer and fall brides tend to be the real gamblers. It seems like everyone wants a perfect day, and outdoor ceremony and ideal landscape. Our winter brides don’t worry about any of this, because they know everything will happen inside and so a swing in temperature or a smattering of precipitation doesn’t throw their plans off. A winter bride already has her indoor ceremony planned to perfection. A beautiful winter evening makes the perfect backdrop for a candle lit ceremony in front of a roaring fire.
It’s a colossal misconception that the winter bride has limited color choices. Yes, the predictable choices would be winter whites and in some cases a more holiday inspired palette with red and green. We are seeing the winter weddings take a whole new spin in the color department. Silver, slate blue and brown seem to be leading the pack this season. Lending to the natural wood elements of a barn, the silver and slate blue contract nicely with a warm wood tone and give a contemporary but earthy balance. Grey and Blush are also a hit this season. The soft, feminine pink palette set off with a masculine and neutral grey make a snowy backdrop stunning. Our edgier brides have set it off with a ruby red and aqua scheme. Depending on the boldness of the shades, the wedding can be high octane or mildly vintage.
Who doesn’t love some comfort food? Winter is the best time of year to indulge in those favorite yummy goodies like White hot chocolate, mulled cider, mini pot pies, mini grilled cheese bites with a tomato soup shooter and on and on the list can go. Greeting your guests with something that gives them the warm and fuzzies is sure to set the tone for a memorable evening.
No matter what style wedding you are after, Total Events has the equipment and know how to get you there. Planning a wedding anywhere in the Upstate New York area means you can count on Total Events to provide you with quality service, rentals and experience. From Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, Oneonta, Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and in between, we travel to meet your needs! Check out our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
Whether you are just starting to exhibit or you are a trade show veteran, understanding the basics is crucial to your success.Let Total Events walk you the basics if you are a trade show novice or provide a few tips to veteran exhibitors to make planning for your trade show events an easier venture.
What is your booth exactly?
A general booth space is typically an 8'X10' Pipe and Draped structure with a skirted table, (2) chairs, wastebasket and Vendor Identification sign.Depending on your venue, you may have items such as: carpet, electrical drops or internet. Make sure you are aware of what any “extras” are and use them to your advantage when you are able! These items can help shave off hundreds of extra dollars from your trade show costs, and the best part is you are already paying for them!
Where are you going?
Are you facing an aisle?Is there a column in your booth?Are you next door to a direct competitor?Ask questions!Waiting until a month before the show to ask to be moved can be tricky business as many materials for shows (like show books and exhibitor maps) are already in production.Making changes too late in the game can mean you miss out on potential clients, solely because they didn’t know where to find you!Knowing details about your booth can help you and your exhibit house determine the best way to take advantage of your space AND your trade show assets like hanging rings, video monitors and table/seating placement.
Who is you Show Decorator?
After you have secured your trade show display space, one of your first steps is to contact the Show Management and determine who the show decorator is.The Show Coordinator typically books business like Total Events as a first step in their event process.The decorator is the company that provides services such as:carpet, A/V, material handling, etc.Knowing who your decorator is will help you troubleshoot any issues you may have in the planning of your event.
Have you filled out your Exhibitor Kit?
Once you have determined who your decorator is you will want to request a Show/Exhibitor Kit.Show kits are invaluable assets on virtually everything to do with your show.The Exhibitor packet is a summary of all the essential show information on one page:discount deadlines, shipping dates, move in and out dates, show hall hours, etc. Keep this document handy!This document will help keep you organized at a glance.This single document has a majority of the information needed to help keep you on budget and on schedule.Make sure to double check all deadlines listed on forms.
Gathering the information and items above early in your trade show planning process will help ensure the long term success of your event. Knowing this information will help lower costs, reduce frustration, and keep you organized.If you have questions about an upcoming trade show or convention, contact the experts at Total Events, the leader is Upstate Expo services!Visit our website at www.conventionexposervices.com.
We are very lucky in the Capital District of New York. There is a seemingly endless amount of quality wedding vendors in the area who are capable of making dream weddings come true. Here is a short list of some of our favorite wedding themes.
The Barn Wedding
We do a lot of barn weddings, and like to think we have perfected the art of casual-chic. Our antiqued, natural wood barn chairs seem to be the perfect rustic fit for this style wedding. Our Emperor tables provide an ideal place for family style dining. These extra wide tables have plenty of space for a beautiful table arrangement and adorned with our raw Burlap runners, look like they were designed especially for this style event. Our antique bulb street fair lights hung high throughout the barn canopy give a romantic glow, while still having an industrial edge. Additional lighting can be designed with our par theatrical lighting and illuminated paper lanterns can add color and ambiance to any barn interior. We love to soften hard spaces with a touch of Ivory Chiffon drapery, adding a pinch of ultra feminine detail to this style wedding brings the right amount of detail and interest. If you are looking for a barn wedding, consider a few of our favorite places; The Old Tater Barn, Maybee Farms, The Shaker Heritage Barn, Pat's Barn and The Pruyn House.
The Best of Outdoors
During the summer and early autumn, people love to embrace the beauty of Upstate New York and the Adirondack region. A favorite venue for the indoor/outdoor blend event is The Sagamore in Bolton Landing, New York. The Shelving Rock Terrace is a wonderful balance between indoor amenities and gorgeous outdoor views. We have seen some spectacular weddings in this space, using our extensive ceiling swag expertise, we can transform the ceiling in the matter of a few hours. Chiavari chairs, lighting, Black and White dance floors all enhance the beauty of the beautiful resort space. The National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York is another excellent space to blend a stunning building with outdoor elements. Ceremony and cocktail hour inside the Museum transitions into dinner and dancing outside in a gloriously appointed tent in the courtyard. The convenience of the downtown Saratoga area and picturesque Saratoga State Park make this venue a proven winner.
A Formal Ballroom
There is no lack of truly amazing indoor space in the Capital District. Traditional weddings are proven winners, and Total Events has all of tricks to make them custom. Chair Cover rentals, specialty linens, personalized monogram, lounge furniture and exceptional accessories will make your next event stand out from all the others. One of the many benefits of the indoor event is that weather will never get in your way. The dead of winter and the blazing hot days of summer will never bring you down inside. No rain, snow or even a hurricane can ruin your plans, and that my friends is a great insurance policy to have. Also, a vast majority of these venues are associated with hotels, which make getting ready and housing out of town guests a breeze. Almost every major hotel in the area boasts an impressive ballroom, and assorted singular ballroom facilities in the area partner with them for ease of planning.
Tented Bliss
Our bread and butter is the tent wedding. Our inventory of tents can be outfitted from modest to glamorous and everywhere in between. A tent wedding offers tremendous flexibility and complete customization; it is the "blank slate" of venues for you to do with what you will. Tented events are particularly fabulous when they are on gorgeous grounds. Many times our couples want to showcase a beautiful backyard or family estate and bring the tent into the mix. Even still, we have created some of our most outrageous weddings in parking lots and empty fields which demonstrates that no matter where the tent goes, the inside can be a whole other world.
No matter what style wedding you are after, Total Events has the equipment and know how to get you there. Planning a wedding anywhere in the Upstate New York area means you can count on Total Events to provide you with quality service, rentals and experience. From Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Hudson, Oneonta, Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and in between, we travel to meet your needs! Check out our website at www.totaleventsny.com for photos and ideas!
