Susan Orlean follows the lives of orchid hunters who go to great lengths to add to their orchid collection, including that of the infamous orchid thief, John Laroche.  These hunters trek deep into the jungles of South America, Asia, and the Everglades to seek out their treasures.

For those who can’t travel that far, the New York Botanical Garden is offering to orchid afficionados the annual Orchid Show in their Haupt Conservatory.

There are over 60,000 different species of orchids and even more of  hybrids.  The main types of orchids are vandas; paphiopedilums, popularly known as slipper orchids; dendrobiums; cymbidiums; cattleyas; and moth orchids, also known as phalaenopsis orchids. On our cover is from the popular cattleya species and appropriately called Love Passion-Island Romance.

The Orchid Show is taking place now through April 11, 2010.

Below is an example of a dendrobium called the Purple Haze Jimmie Hendrix.  The yellow burst is the Dancing Lady, an oncidium orchid.

The pendulous beauty is a paphiopedilum, better known as a slipper orchid for its shape. Next to it is a vanda called Blue Ben.

Yummy!

Cakes, sweets and pastries, in some way shape or form are typically a part of most weddings. As recent trends have seen, this can take the form of cupcakes or mini individual cakes for your guests - and lately even pies have made an appearance on the wedding dessert scene! Although ordering a cake may seem quite cut and dry, there are a few things to note as listed below. The process does not have to be complicated or stressful and I do not recommend you having your client ask all of the below. If possible, try to get the bulk of the logistical issues (e.g. delivery process, time and contingency for mishaps, etc.) straightened out with the baker, so that your client is able to enjoy the fun stuff!!!

1.  Do you customize cakes, or are there a set number or specific designs clients can choose from?

2. What flavors and fillings are available? What ingredients do you typically use? What kind of icing do you use?

3. What about dietary restrictions — can you make cakes that are kosher, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free?

4. How far in advance do they need to order the cake?

5. Who will make the cake? How long does it take to make a cake?
(The closer to the wedding that the cake is prepared, the better it will taste. But due to the complicated nature of wedding cakes, they usually take between two and five days)

6. How many wedding cakes does the baker make each weekend, on average?

7. What is the cost per slice?

8. Are there different prices depending on the design of the cake or the flavors? How adaptable are wedding cake designs, especially due to budget concerns?

9. How much of a deposit will need to be left?

10. When and in what form of payment is the balance due?

11. How will the baker deliver the cake and is there any extra charge for delivery? Will the delivery person be able to make emergency frosting or decoration repairs and arrange the cake table if a problem were to occur in transit?

12. Will the baker preserve the top tier for first anniversary tradition?

13. Does the baker have a license to make cakes?

14. Do you have a portfolio of previous wedding cakes you’ve made that we can look at?

15. Does the baker offer a cake tasting session? Is there a charge? How many people can come to the tasting?

16. If the client is not getting married in the same town, will the baker ship the cake to the wedding destination?

17. Will the baker use real or sugar flowers?

18. Will the baker speak with the florist to make sure their details match?

19. Will the baker supply a cake topper if needed?

20. Will the baker supply a cake stand, cake knife and server? Are there extra charges for these items?

21. Can you supply references?

xx,
Belle

The Sheffield School has been educating students in Interior Design now for 25 years.  More recently, we’ve added our Feng Shui Course and our Wedding and Event Planning Course.  And this march, we are officially kicking off the 25th Anniversary Celebration with a brand new edition of Designer Monthly.

In this month’s list of articles, we’ve included a great history of the school.  This history discusses the school’s founding, and how much has changed in the past 25 years.  Read the History of the Sheffield School here.

If you are not currently subscribed to receive our monthly newsletter, you can sign up by filling out the form located here.

Below is a list of the other articles featured in this month’s issue that can be found on the website.

• Special Report: Sheffield School Dean Thomas Saxon looks back at 25 years of Interior Design
• Color of the Month: Silver
• The Art of Redesign
• Small Spaces
• 80’s Style Decor
• 25 years of Green Design
• Feng Shui Student Profile
• Wedding Anniversaries
• Sheffield Forum: Our Virtual Campus
• Special Feature: Preston Bailey Celebrations

I ADORE flowers!! While there are many brides and grooms who choose not to make flowers a part of their big day, you will likely find that most do – and in a very big way. The right flowers have a wonderful way of evoking the theme your clients are channeling for their event. Whether crisp, minimal & modern, or vintage & shabby chic, a beautifully designed floral arrangement can make all the difference in the world and truly transform a space. In your research you will most likely find that there are tons of florists out there, and to the untrained eye it can be quite difficult to distinguish amongst them. Below is the list of questions that I use to interview potential florists I would like to add to my trusted vendor network…

**Please note that there have been a few comments to my posts since we have begun and also a few questions. We will be wrapping this vendor interview series in another 2-3 weeks, at which point I plan to do a post answering all of your questions. If by chance I cannot provide an answer, I will point you in the direction of a source that can. Please take a moment in the next few weeks to propose any questions or comments on topics we have covered thus far, and also please feel free to let me know any specific topics you would like to know more about in the future. I will do my best to address the information you seek and share the knowledge I have utilized and continue to utilize as I build my wedding & event planning business.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A WEDDING FLORIST:

1. How long have you been making wedding arrangements?

2. What style do you specialize in — modern, traditional, romantic, vintage, etc.?

3. Can we see a portfolio of your work?

4. Are you familiar with various ceremony and reception locations in the area? Would you be willing to do a site visit before the event?

5. How do you charge for their services — a flat fee or per-item fee? (most charge per-item)

6. What is the cost of each item: bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, etc.?

7. Can the florist also provide an aisle runner, candles, candlesticks/holders, trellises, potted plants, etc.?

8. Can you work within various budgets?

9. How far in advance will you create the bouquet and centerpieces?

10. Will you make a sample bouquet and centerpiece for me to see?

11. When will the flowers be delivered? Is there a delivery fee if we have some items go to the hotel, some to the church and some to the reception site?

12. What time will your staff return to pick up any rentals?

13. Will you make a tossing bouquet for the bride if she chooses to throw the bouquet during her reception? Is there a fee for it?

14. Do you provide bouquet preservation services? If not, can explain how to preserve my bouquet?

15. How many weddings do you typically accept a weekend?

16. Will you be able to recommend seasonal flowers to assist brides that want a certain look but have a limited budget?

17. Do you have creative and original ideas? If a bride sees an arrangement she absolutely loves in a magazine, will you be open to and able to recreate an arrangement?

18. How much is the required deposit?

19. When is the balance due?

20. How far in advance of the wedding would my client need to give you the final table count for centerpieces?

xx,
Belle

The exhibit examines the iconic objects that helped shape the modern age starting with the Art Nouveau age in 1880s up to 1990.  On our cover is a 1964 chaise lounge from Olivier Mourgue.  The Djinn Chaise is made of foam, steel, and nylon. The Djinn is named after the supernatural genie in Islamic culture.

Also in the exhibit is a Bauhaus object from the famous school in Germany. Marianne Brandt designed her teapot from nickel silver and ebony in 1924, but its geometric proportions still look fresh and current.

Over 300 works of art will be part of the ongoing display at the MOMA.

Olivier Mourgue Djinn chaise

Marianne Brandt teapot

A truly popular trend, however, will resonate beyond itself and - perhaps oddly - mustaches and beards have done just that. As Offbeat Bride noticed, mustaches became all the rage at weddings for funny photo ops a couple of years ago, and have stayed hot. I still see this popular motif on bridal blogs nearly every day.

Now all kinds of funky and fun design pieces are inspired by the swirls of a simple ’stache. A quick round-up of some of my favorites below excellently illustrates this point.

Firstly, the adorable, hilarious standard for weddings, parties, or anytime mustachioed fun, from originators somethings hiding in here:

For fun with your beverages, an etched glass tumbler and pint glass from Bread & Badger:

A handy handlebar key holder and pencils for twirling, chewing on, or simply disguising yourself from The Curiosity Shoppe:

Vibrant mustache cards from Brinner:

And finally,  an “obligatory” mustache garland from Paper Acorn - perfect for any party, and a mustache monocle - just for fun, and so beautiful from Idle Hands Designs:

]]> http://blog.sheffield.edu/2010/03/mustachioed-for-all-seasons/feed/ http://blog.sheffield.edu/2010/02/start-me-up-part-12/ http://blog.sheffield.edu/2010/02/start-me-up-part-12/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:15:45 +0000 Wedding Belle http://blog.sheffield.edu/?p=1624

So far we have addressed questions related to Venues, Caterers & Photographers. We are rounding the corner on this mini-series, just a few key vendors left to go! So let’s do a fun one today, DJ’s & Bands! There are many weddings that choose to have neither a DJ nor a band, but many typically do. Music can be a very, very important element to an event such as this. Some of your clients will want their guests up and dancing their shoes off! Others may be looking for a more subdued vibe for their event.  You will have to feel your client out a bit to get a sense of what their style and preference will be, but you may be surprised when you actually ask them what their music preference is.

Plus let’s not forget that there is the familial element: if parents are footing the bill for a large portion or all of the wedding, chances are they may want a say in many decisions, including the music. In addition, you may have guests that span different age groups, if that is the case, be sure to inquire if the band has a particular style of music they specialize in. For the DJ, make sure he is aware of your need for a variety of music, and confirm that this is something they can provide. Those questions and more below…

Don’t forget, you are an advocate for your clients. Be sure to arm yourself with as much information as you to advise them on important decisions they may need to make.

1. How long has the band or deejay been in business?

2. What is their fee structure — a flat fee, per musician, hourly, etc.?

3. Is there an overtime charge?

4. Can I see a video of one of their performances?

5. Are they performing at a bridal showcase where I can see them live?

6. Does the band specialize in a particular type of music?

7. How many musicians do they recommend for the event?

8. Who will act as the emcee?

9. Do they have a specific routine or order of events that they recommend for the reception?

10. Can we give them a playlist and a “Do Not Play” list?

11. What area wedding locations have they worked before?

12. How much time do they need to set up?

13. Do they need access to special electrical outlets?

14. Do they have substitute musicians in case someone gets sick?

15. How much deposit will they need to hold the date?

16. When is the balance due?

17. How many breaks will the band or deejay need? Will they provide live or taped music during their break?

18. Do we need to provide food for the musicians or deejay?

19. Will they take requests from guests?

20. How many hours of playing are usually included for a wedding?

21. How many genres of music can they play?

22. Will they learn a special song if asked?

23. Will they bring backup equipment?

24. What will they be wearing?

25. Can they play music for the ceremony and music during the cocktail hour?

26. Do they have a list of recommended songs for the ceremony? For the first dance? For the parents’ dances?

xx,
Belle

Many familiar vendors are there, including Ethan Allen, Kreiss, and Robert Allen.  The LVDC hosts bi-annual home furnishings trade shows as well as First Fridays - special seminars from top designers - held every month.

Besides LVDC, Vegas recently opened City Center, co-designed by several star architects such as Frank Gehry, Rafael Vinoly, Pelli Architects, the Rockwell Group, and Norman Foster.  City Center is comprised of several hotels including the Mandarin Oriental and Aria plus a retail complex called the Crystals - pictured below.

Inside the Crystals is a spectacular restaurant called the Mastro’s Ocean Club.  The restaurant is suspended over the central atrium area and open to onlookers.

The Crystals; courtesy of WWD

Mastro's Ocean Club

You want to be sure you have a good selection of competent photographers to offer your clients in their price range and preferred style of photography (photojournalistic, formal, etc). Additionally, personality is a very important element here as the photographer will be privy to and responsible for capturing very intimate moments. Chemistry between the photographer and your client will be key as you want your clients to feel 100% comfortable with allowing this person to play such a vital role in their special day. There is nothing wrong with making a mental note or two should you encounter a vendor that has an especially jovial personality – perhaps they may not be the best suited to work with your client who is quite solemn and serious by nature.

Here are some questions and issues to consider as you  get to know the photographers in your area.

1. What is the photographer’s style — Posed and formal, relaxed, photojournalistic, creative, artistic, candid, traditional?

2. Does the photographer shoot in mostly color, black and white, or both?

3. Do you shoot in a digital format that can create both color and b/w versions of the same picture?

4. How many rolls/approximate number of images does he or she expect to shoot?

5. Will he or she have an assistant at the wedding? Will the assistant shoot, too?

6. Can we give the photographer a list of shots that we want?

7. Are we meeting with the person who will be taking photos at the wedding? If not, will we/they have the opportunity to meet with the photographer assigned to my wedding?

8. How long has the photographer been shooting weddings?

9. How many weddings does the photographer shoot in a day?

10. What kind of equipment will you bring with you? How intrusive will lighting, tripods, other equipment or assistants be?

11. How long will it take to get the client’s proofs?

12. Can they keep the negatives or can they buy them?

13. Are full-resolution digital files included? Can they make their own prints from these files?

14. What is the photographer’s rate?

15. What time will the photographer arrive and how long will he or she stay?

16. Is there an overtime fee?

17. What will the photographer and assistant wear?

18. Is the wedding album included in the fee? Are parents’ albums included?

19. Approximately how many photos are included in an album, and what layout will be used?

20. Can I look at a complete wedding album the photographer has shot?

xx,
Belle

On our cover, is the tongue-in-cheek Human chair, also made from recycled hardwoods and ebonized to a dark finish. Much of Tucker Robbins designs have a primitive look but with a sophisticated edge.

Below is the Tokuro armoire made by natives of the Philippines. Its doors are made from sustainable rattan and bamboo and its frame from recycled mountain pine.  The natural coffee table with its unfinished edges is made from salvaged tropical hardwoods such as kumbuk.

Take a look at his site for more furniture at Tucker Robbins.