Real Wedding: Sneak Preview

Yet another great wedding captured by another great Bay Area Photographer. This time, I'm honored to feature the work of my good friends, Lara and Geoff White of Geoff White Photography.

Lara and Geoff are my VFF - vendor friends forever. I love that they like white dogs(*which I like as well), movies(which I love their theater style family room), food(which I obsess over), and all things wedding.

Lara White will join KC(Kevin Chin) on Sunday for The Wedding University at Four Seasons Silicon Valley.

I don't think it's too late to go, so please come out and support all of us.

Ask Nancy: Budget

Dear Nancy

My fiance and I are planning a wedding. I follow your blog religiously so that we could better estimate for our wedding reception decor and florals. We've fallen in love with a particular reception decor/idea that we were hoping you would be able to give at least a ballpark estimate on. (Nancy removed the link which was added to this email). The decor mostly in a shadow box is the ideal for our wedding reception, it's urban and chic. If we budgeted roughly $xxxxx(Nancy removed the details) for about 10 tables (like those in the link), do you think it is feasible. Also I wanted your expert opinion on how to find a cheaper and less expensive way of accomplishing this work.

Thanks!

Elizabeth

_________________________________________

So Elizabeth...This is my advice to you and many others.

If you have an inspiration idea. If you have a design in mind. That's a great start. After you've found something you want, go do some research and find at least 3(hopefully, not that many more) floral designers in your area to get quotes from. It's probably best to get a quote from an expert in your area then to have a floral designer like myself give you opinions because my practice is so different from others and I'm in SF.

Because, my executed advice is typically geared toward OUR clients, I can give you general tips on this and that it. However, I want to know why you haven't asked a professional in your area? You have to eventually, right? Please, all brides and clients - learn to trust and let someone in your area give you some of their ideas. I cannot tell you how much I admire other floral designers. I think as a whole, this is a highly creative bunch. Let them give you real solutions. Of course, I can say, "use cheaper vases, rent vases from your florist, use more foliage in the centerpiece, skip pew decorations....but what would this really mean to you? Not much, if someone cannot execute it.

Bottom line: Until you get a quote, a budget is just a number. It's impossible to tell if $1000 in flowers will get you the wedding of your dreams or $10000 in flowers will get you the wedding of your dreams unless you actually go get a quote in your AREA.

What a floral designer prices in San Francisco may not be the same as in Portland, Oregon?

What a high end, designer studio would charge might be different from an inexperienced newer designer?

A Tuesday affair in November might be less expensive then a Saturday event during Labor Day weekend?

There just simply are too many factors when it comes to a floral budget.

Sure, I can give you tips but what good would that be if your local professionals cannot execute. In addition, it's so hard for anyone to just say, sure, you can cut $ from your budget by doing that when all they see is an inspiration photo. There are too many components in the equation for it to be as simple as do X, Y Z.

Components include

1) Imported or local flowers

2) Seasonality and availability issues in flowers

3) Size of the floral designer studio

4) Location and Area

5) Venue location

6) Production and setup

7) Delivery

8) Containers

9) Experience of designer

10) Over head

Too many factors! And I'm sure there are many more!

So back to the topic at hand...I say, find floral designers to interview. Let them come up with tangible ideas to get you to your budget. After all, any good designer should be able to do that.

If you are having a hard time finding a designer, here's some good tips.

1) Ask friends who recently got married for advice. Ask those who had weddings that are in the style that best reflects your own. Do not ask a friend who did a grand wedding at a Five 5 ballroom, if you plan on a low key, quiet, understated afternoon brunch at your parent's house. Pick friends, even colleagues that had a wedding that best reflected what you want to do. If you are having a ballroom, black tie, evening event, look for someone that had a similar event. Ask for their recommendations.

2) Ask the venue. Many venues have a preferred list. It's not easy to get on a preferred list so ask the catering manager. Ask about the floral designer that can best do what you want. If you want glam, luxe, then ask the catering manager which designer can handle large affairs.

3) Magazines, blogs, and wedding resources. There are so many resources on line. If you want to hire top vendors. Find a magazine that supports that. For example, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style is very specific to a certain type of clientele. If you are having a large, grand affair with lots of details, much more a gala event then a typically simple wedding, then you might want to check out their Platinum list. If you like pretty, understated, vintage chic, perhaps you should go the Style Me Pretty's list. The bottom line is - there are so many resources. Utilize them.

4) Other Vendors. Ask vendors that you trust and that you have hired for recommendations.

After all, vendors see other vendors work more than anyone else. I am so serious. Other vendors can sometimes give you a heads up on who is doing a consistently great job.

Good luck Elizabeth. I'm sure your wedding will be beautiful.

Real Weddngs: Sneak Preview

Up to this year, I rarely have had a busy winter schedule. January and February were typically quiet months around the studio. We would paint, clean the carpets, and work on new client proposals. Well, this January, things were a bit different. We have had one busy month with a few weddings. One particular wedding stood out.

Two weeks ago ago I got the chance to work with Anne Kuperberg and Patty Lee of 8 events on a grand Stone Pine Estate wedding - a very special wedding indeed.

Me being a big fan of Anna's, it was a delight to get a sneak preview of the wedding images from Joyce and James' wedding. This particular image blew me away. I love the bride's serious and focused expression that matches the starkness of the bare branches. It takes my breath away. Both the bride and the background - equally beautiful.

Thank you Anna....it's simply - ethereal, beautiful, and artistic.

About Nancy: What I did on Vacation

A while back KC and I went to Maui and we took a day to do a photo shoot with Evonne and Darren Wong of Events by Evonne. I also took one afternoon picking flowers to make boutonnieres and a bouquet and a few days to find props.



Here's the result of the photoshoot which included invites by Amy Hayson and Anne Millett. Photography by Kevin Chin(KC).

The photoshoot took place at the Haiku Sugar Mill which Evonne Wong picked up. Great choice - so vintage.

Thought you might also like to check out KC's new blog - it's so well done and I'm quite proud of him for doing it. To read the entire article, please go to Kevin Chin's new blog.

Ask Nancy: Delivery and Setup

Dear Nancy

Recently a few clients have been questioning my delivery charges because they have informed me that other floral companies aren't charge for delivery and setup. I've been charging delivery on proposals but it seems like clients are challenging this. Can you tell me in your experience -- is it normal to charge?

Frustrated in the Bay Area

(this question was rephrased to cover the identity of this reader.)

_________________________________

Dear Frustrated

I can only speak for the Bay Area so I hope those outside the Bay Area will jump in to answer the question in their area so that we can be more informed.

I do think that many experienced, quality floral designers do charge for Delivery, Setup and other transportation related charges.

Where it gets tricky is that it is possible that many floral studios and companies "hide" this in their overall charges so it doesn't look like there is a separate delivery fee on their proposal.

How you write your proposal is your own thing. If you prefer to add a line item, so that your customers can see the delivery cost, it's your choice. There's once again, no right or wrong.

If I may be so persumptuous, I think what your client is questioning is the value of delivery. In order for a client to accept this charge, they must understand the importance of why you should "handle" the flowers till the end. It's not just about ordering, designing, and delivery, do you make sure that you "wipe" the container so that water doesn't drip on the linens? Do you make sure to pin the boutonnieres on the groom? Do you stay till the reception is almost near to "light" the candles that you provided? Do you add little touches during delivery when you notice that the bathroom needs a little "sprucing up"?

Give your clients a reason why it's not only a good idea to have you setup their flowers but also to have your team there to place arrangements and review the details. You have to show your clients that it makes a difference. What do you do to make the day of worthy of a setup fee?

Also, it's equally keep to educate clients on what is involved in delivery and transportation costs.

So that many of you know, let's just take a look at delivery costs. Here is an example from my bill from last week.

For one mini van rental, the cost for one day was $49.95. To add liability, $11.95. You can also do additional supplemental and collision as well. The gas to refuel the mini van was $47.50. And SF tax was 9.5%. Total spent on 1 mini van rental =

$119.79

A minivan was able to hold the following:

4 large arrangements - About 30 inches in diameter

7 medium arrangements - About 16 inches in diameter

6 large 36 inch vases

1 bucket of flowers

1 black utility cart

2 large floral sprays

1 20 ft garland

7 footed glass

1 box of 11 inch glass cylinders

6 large 18 inch wreaths

1 box of floating candles

We also took 2 additional SUV's that held the rest of the floral supplies and personal flowers.
In total, 1 wedding around $6 - $7K took 4 assistants and 3 cars. Total hours on the road 5.5 hours x 4 assistants. Total setup time with 4 assistants(not including myself) plus the drive time back and forth = 44 hours(11 per assistant who worked from 9 am to 7pm at night - breakdown of hours - 1 load out, 5.5 driving, .5 reload and repacking, 3.5 setup of ceremony, cocktail, and reception), not including clean up and breakdown.

Assuming that set up assistants are paid above minimum wage(which is sometimes higher for more experienced designers) at $15.00, then the set up labor charge was

$668.00

So you see, if I didn't charge the client delivery and setup, NLCD would have been out of pocket easily $1028.00 for just setup and delivery for this event. (assume 3 mini van/suv for this size event, $120/per auto x 3 = 360 + $668 for labor = $1028)

(For those of you, who have events that do not require a long 5.5 hour drive back and forth, of course your setup might be less - it all depends on how elaborate the setup, how many assistants you need and how long you will actually be at the setup of your event. This setup was fast but the drive was long but sometimes the setup can be 5 to 6 hours long!)

Now what if you had to go back that night to breakdown? You can see where I am going, right?

Bottom Line: Yes, delivery, vehicle rentals, and setup labor are part of the cost of wedding decorations.

You should share the value of having flowers and decor setup by a team instead of just "dropped" off.

Tell your clients what you do that makes the event different when your team sets up an event. They have to see the VALUE.

Ps: How funny is that image of a truck carrying that large load of flowers?

Real Weddings: Love Birds in Tahoe

Thank you Janie of The Bride's Cafe who featured Jenny and Kevin's wedding on her blog this week. It's always wonderful to get our couple's wedding featured and this one was one of our true favs. Blogger, Janie Medley, seems to have a knack for picking special and sweetly, wonderful real weddings that aren't just one style or one theme. Her blog is one of the best in the business and given her discerning tastes, I'm so honored that Jenny and Kevin's wedding was selected.

You saw the sneak peak image that I published earlier of the little boy running down the aisle - so here's the follow up with a few more images.



Many thanks to my team of great designers(and my husband) who trekked up to Tahoe with me. Despite many obstacles, we did it and had a minute to spare. I could not have done it without KC, Laura, Anne Millett, and Kathy Newby's help. And of course, we have to thank Albert Lewis and his wonderful assistant photographer from Mulberry Photography for the beautiful images.











Thank you again for Janie and Albert Lewis!

My Wedding Heroes #6: Lewis

Recently, I got my issue of Brides magazine(Feb 2010) issue. In the issue the magazine polled several floral designer(including yours truly) to give tips to brides and grooms. When I got to the part where LMD's Lewis Miller gave his tip, I caught myself laughing because he said what I feel many of us wanted to say.

Though I have never met Lewis, I feel drawn to his work because he respects the craft of floral arranging and he is a master at showing the best that a flower can be. We have to respect flowers in this business and designing a piece where each flower counts for something is important. Showing off a design that pairs a flower with other textural elements and foliage that enhances the beauty of the flowers is a rare gift. To me, Lewis shows a very mature understanding of the art of design as well as certain respect for nature. Often when a design is done so carelessly I feel a certain sadness that we didn't respect the flower's beauty.



All of LMD's arrangements feel like a Dutch master painting - rich, vibrant, authentic, and luxurious without being glamorous. None of his beautifully styled arrangement feel over worked or contrived. They are simply delicious, divine, and organically lush. Isn't it?



By creating such beautiful works of design, Lewis is paying homage to those who came before us. It connects us to the past. It honors all those who also call themselves floral designers as well. And frankly, when I see someone do something with flowers so well, it gives me immense pleasure and it thrills me.



Thank you Lewis....you can take flowers and transform them into an artful design.

Here's a few of my favorite images from his studio in New York which I completely am dying over. Anne Millett of Mira Aster did a write up on Lewis Miller and I feel horrible that I let it "sit" in my inbox for months so I thank Anne for bringing Lewis' loft and studio to me in a real and meaningful way.









Lewis is my hero because he embodies craftsmanship...

Inspirations: Ultra Supper Club

I'd like to thank my intern, Michelle Chang, for helping on the creation of this beautiful inspiration board that serves as the road map for my "Ultra Supper Club" themed table and room decor for the upcoming Academy for Planners + Designers at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco.

When Jubilee Lau and Jean Marks asked me to be one of the four amazing designers, I was very honored. It's a privilege to be next to Tara Guerard from Soiree Charleston. I've learned so much from her that I cannot wait to be next to her beautiful, Southern charming designed room. Two other San Francisco floral designers(Grant & Co and Asiel) will also be participating in the Designer Showcase and you can find out more about the agenda at the Wedding360 website.

The Academy(TAPD) is going to be a tremendous experience for those in the wedding planning and design world. From the Designer Showcase to the many social events to the many wonderful guest lecturers, there will be so much eye candy, networing and inspirational mesasges.

Hope that this preview will make you want to come see it. The table decor is all things sophisticated yet understated. I'm just so crazy about circles, liquid, bubbles, waterfalls, backlight and micro lights. The overall feel should be a cross between an Ice Hotel and an ultra cool Supperclub. Colors might possible include Avatar blues and electric Violets. In the back of my mind when I wanted to do this table, I kept thinking of a modern, urban couple who want something soothing and a reception where people could lounge, eat and genuinely be lazy.

If you want to see my design, you'll have to meet me in SF. For more information on registering for the Academy, please go to The Wedding360 website.

Inspirations: Gold Bar

In honor of the Golden Globes on Sunday, here's a Vintage 70's Gold Inspired Board. Think Gold leaves, gold bars, sunburst, Jimmy Choos, and Nina Ricci!

About Nancy: Food Crazy

Just a reminder that Dine About Town is back! Lunch and Dinner courses are available at select restaurants. A few of the restaurants participating this includes

The Big 4
Fifth Floor
Foreign Cinema
Spruce

And many many more. Check the Only in San Francisco website for more information and details. Where will you dine?

Behind the Scenes: Setting up for Spirograph Shoot

Do you recall a month ago, I wrote about the Spirography table that was featured on Design Sponge and One Wed?
Ever wonder what goes on behind and before the shoot is finished.
These are just a few images that I took while Gloria Wong, Jen Curtis, Anne Millett and I were setting up the table.



This is Anne getting on the ladder to hang the garland that Gloria Wong made from cutting the graphics and stringing them together.





Once again Anne makes it look easy but I remember that we had to "measure", "remeasure" so many times. If we had to do it for a real wedding, we would need to start the night before.

For a photoshoot, we scrutinize every little detail to make sure things look the best. Here we were trying to figure out, "shall we do grey or hot pink?".

Hope you enjoyed a little behind the scenes.

Press: Real Wedding at Four Seasons Palo Alto

Thank you Augie Chang and the wonderful team at Style Unveiled. I love this wedding and it was one of our favorites. Branches and crystals have been done before yet I never get tired of it. Plus - who doesn't love blush and peach. Everything at the reception could not be more perfect. If you missed my earlier post or don't have time to read the full article, the venue is the chic Four Season Silicon Valley. The coordinator was Jubilee Lau and the lighting was by John Woods of Enhanced Lighting.

On January 31, John and I along with Gloria Wong will be part ofthe decor team who will be part of the Wedding University(presented by Jubilee Lau and Jean marks) at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley so come see us turn the room into a fantasy just like Sharon and Lawrence's ballroom.

Inspirations: Trends #3 White Bouquets Part II

Do you remember when I said last week that I was in love with white bridal bouquets. Well, I sent out a twitter message to ask our followers if they had an images to share with you. The response was terrific. I've put together some classic and romantic white bridal bouquets. Thank you all for help and contributions. Stay tuned. I am far from done.

Top image: from Utah Bride & Groom Magazine. Flowers, Stella Posy

2nd Pair: Courtesy of Martha Stewart, NLCD

3rd Pair: Tara Arrowood Photography, NLCD, JL Designs & Events

4th Pair: Cliff Brunk Photography, NLCD, Bella Signature Designs

5th Pair: JL Designs & Events