Floral Inspirations: Luxury Eco Chic

It's been quiet in the office as wedding season has finally ended(yippee!) We are now prepping for the 2011 season which usually means working on proposals and meeting with clients.

In between we worked on an open house for the Shattuck Hotel in Berkeley. They recently remodeled their ballroom and we were asked to help create floral and table designs for their open house.Photographer Chung Li generously took some fantastic detail shots of the tablescapes that we did. Here is one of them that I call Luxury Eco Chic.

Loving the sand blasted manzanita combined with white orchids.  Single blooms of green succulent in glass bowls and submerged white Calla lilies finish the table design. For a bit of holiday cheer, we added silver candlesticks and votives.

All the wonderful rentals were from Hartmann Studios including that fabulous "no linen required" table and ghost chairs.

Behind the Scenes: Writing a Blog

Dear Fans of Nancy's Brown Bag...

I'm taking to my blog today to share with you why the last 3 posts have been without images.  We are having some technical difficulties with posting images.  Thus, the delay of many posts and to be honest, without the images they seem flat.

We definitely don't want our fans to get frustrated but we are frustrated too!  Hang with us.

Happy Friday.

Press: Thank you Grace

I have a confession to make.  I'm behind on my books to read which includes Grace Ormonde's Wedding Book.

I have not gotten a copy of Grace Ormonde's Book that came out in August which evidently I so so need to do. Though I glanced at it briefly during her book signing in the Bay Area this past summer I feel so embarrassed that I haven't personally thanked Grace or encouraged any of you to go get the most fabulous, over the top, elaborate wedding art book...ever!

So, please support Grace and everything that she stands. Bravo to her

{Side note:  if you are wondering why there is no photo....we have had some major issues with the "uploading" of images.  So instead of delaying this post for another week, I went ahead and posted it without the image! }

Lessons: Instead of No

It's difficult to say the word, "no" to potential clients.   It's nearly impossible to do that during a time of economic hardship.

Truly, I've made hundreds of mistakes by turning down business.  I know I have closed many doors.  And I'm not surprised that I've offended excited brides and grooms when I simply told them that I'm not available.  I deserve all the criticisms for doing these things and yet sometimes I have to say no.

But I'm starting to realize that the way I deliver a "no" can turn it into a positive.  Of course there is the "no" as in never again, not possible, etc. And there are those alarming red flags that will tell you that somethings aren't meant to be so you "gracious" decline. ( Don't ignore that! )  But there is a different "no" when what you mean is some parts of the request you cannot do but others you might be able to do.

This week, I could have said no to a client who simply asked me if I could do their wedding at xxxx budget.  Given that I was preoccupied this week with WFA(wedding floral academy), my initial impulse was to write a quick note to tell the client that I could not take on the project but then I gave it some thought.

What if I didn't just say, "no thank you" as I have done many many times in the past.  This time I wrote the client a long note explaining areas in which I could help, others I couldn't, and engaged the client in a health dialogue never saying flat out that I couldn't do it but more importantly that if I were to do it within a tight budget, I would have to compromise on a few of the "must haves".  

The end result was that we decided to roll the dice.  I am taking a chance on her.  And she is taking a chance on NLCD.  It might not work out but I haven't changed my marketing or business strategy for this.  I'm sticking to the course but giving the client a chance to see what NLCD can do.  Through educating the client, it's become a more active process.

To be honest, I'm very hopeful.  Because a client willing to take the journey with me is already "involved" and flexible.  As a small business owner, I find that this is indeed a "smart" market future where those willing to make an effort to understand business needs and concepts will get the customization, attention and the creative solutions that they deserve.

Bottom line:  Don't give up too soon.  Turn a No into a Maybe.

About Nancy: A Wish

Wedding planning can be stressful. We know that.

Our clients have a laundry list of concerns and issues ranging from the budget to the guest list to traditions and so on.  It is not uncommon for people to stress over the details. Beyond that there are emotions running wild. Choices are endless, right?  Between finding the right colors, the perfect concept, the ideal location, gee, it's no wonder that wedding planning can take up to hundreds of hours.

But for a lot of people, planning a wedding isn't possible because they aren't worried about tying bows, addressing invitations, picking flowers, they are trying to cope with a terminal or serious life-altering illness. They can't worry about details, they can't afford to spend time on checklists because they are worried about surviving.

Last night I was very touched and humbled that I got to attend the Wish Upon A Wedding Gala in Northern California. To know that there is an organization that grants and provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation is a beautiful thing. I applaud them.

If you are a vendor who is equally touched as much as I am, I ask and implore you to visit Wish Upon A Wedding and spread the good news.

For brides and grooms curious about this organization, I especially ask that you help too. You don't have to be a vendor to see something beautiful at work.

Real Wedding: Wedding of the Year #6

There is nothing as sweet as getting a peck on the cheek. This image of our clients, Christine and Edward is beautiful in that sweet and wholesome way.

I love Edward's grin - an instant favorite.

More fabulous image from my neighbor, the talented and avant garde wedding photographer, Angie Silvy to come.  {PS:  It's no wonder my girl, Angie Silvy, is a celebrity photog...she's just so good.....}

Inspirations: Orange & Black Forever

If you ever spend time with me and my husband, KC, you will know that we are true fans of the San Francisco Giants. I cried my heart out in 2002 when we lost Game 6. I was there when Barry(Bonds) hit his famous Homerun #756. We were at Game 2 of the World Series this year when Cain pitched a shut out.  Yup, even my dog Chin Chin has been to a Giant's game.  We bleed Orange and Black.

Now....after 50+ years of heartbreak and disappointments, the Giants of 2010 have brought home a World Series to this City. For the past week, City Hall has been aglow in Orange. Many high rise buildings have honored the Giants by uplighting their buildings in orange as well.

Even yesterday, I made Market and Montgomery my office as I waited 3 hours + for the Homecoming and Victory parade to start. It was a day I will never forget.

To honor my beautiful, talented, amazing San Francisco Giants, I've "borrowed" one of Kathryn's Snippet and Ink's Halloween board which is perfectly orange and black. I'm hoping that Kathryn shares my love for all things Giants....

Thank you, Giants for a sweet victory. You are inspiring in so many ways!

Press: Style Unveiled Real Wedding - Villa Modern

A venue often defines the story, stiuation and style which then becomes the overall event concept.  Villa Montalvo has been a favorite venue of mine for years.  The first time I saw it with my friend, Forrett, I remember thinking, I'd love to get married here.  Since that day, we've been lucky to do several weddings in this romantic venue.  So it's no surprise that Style Unveiled featured it this week on their Real Wedding section.  The images by Geoff White Photographers were terrific and told a lovely story of our couple EJ and Linh.

Congratulations and thank you Style Unveiled for the love.