Cultivating a Colorful Event

It was in the garden, taking advantage of this cool and rainy start to summer, that this article began to take form. Splitting and moving perennials is something all gardeners must do. More novice gardeners have to do it more often than those who have the skill and forethought to plant things correctly. The same is true of party planning.

If you spend any time looking through gardening magazines or talking with accomplished gardeners, one important lesson you will glean from them is that in order to make an impact on your landscape — plant for impact.

Rather than scattering multiple varieties singly throughout your garden, it is much more effective to plant fewer varieties in larger quantities. Plant the flowers you love the most. Try to make a splash with vibrant colors and interesting contrasts. Use this rule as a foundation for your garden. If you end up with a little extra money in your budget, a little extra time in your schedule, or a little extra space in your garden, you can leisurely fill in those gaps or not as you wish.

The same is true when planning events of any size. It is rare to have a client with an unlimited budget, so guidelines and priorities must be set. It is also rare to have unlimited time to spend planning, so streamlining and simplifying are critical. Lastly, there is only so much “space” in any event you are planning. Like a garden, you must give the details “room to flourish.”

Trying to fit too much into one party will cause the details to “crowd each other out.” Trying to focus on too many details becomes costly, time consuming, stressful. Often, you will end up with a frenetic event. 

Plan your party like a Master Gardener. Decide what pieces are important to you and focus your time and budget on those first. Generally the top three areas to spotlight are food, music and décor.

If food is your thing, you will want to direct more of your time and money on the menu planning. Concentrate on the latest food trends to impress your guests or reflect your families’ heritages through ethnic choices. If you are a wine snob, well then, wine choices will take center stage.

If you are a more visual person. The table linens and floral arrangements will be critical. Perhaps chair covers will create the impact you desire. These will be pricey, but the look is amazing! 

If music and dancing take priority, start there. Spend your energy researching local, or even not so local, bands. This can be a fun exercise for some — spending Friday nights “researching” the music! A great band can be worth the cost if it’s what matters to you.

Putting your favorites first does not mean you should exhaust your budget entirely in those areas. The idea is to plan an event that allows your guests to feel comfortable and well fed, but displays the color and contrasts that are unique to you. If you plant all your favorites, your party will surely blossom!