So, you’ve decided to plan your own wedding, or maybe you were the brave soul who raised their hand when an executive asked if anyone wanted to plan an upcoming corporate event. We know planning for any event, no matter how big or small, can be tough!
Luckily, you aren’t alone. Taking on such huge responsibilities shouldn’t have to be put on your shoulders without a little help along the way. That’s why we whipped up a list of some tips to consider while you’re crossing off some things on your checklist!
While you’re in the planning mode, be sure to consider farm-fresh blooms from The Bouqs Co. when you go to buy bulk flowers for your event.
Planning for an Event or Party
Here are some tips and ideas to help you plan the perfect party or event. After the event, be sure to donate old event bouquets to help reduce waste.
Start as Early as Possible
You might think you have enough time to create a successful event, especially if you’re given a heads-up months and months in advance, but event planning is serious business! There’s so much that goes into making sure everything goes according to plan, which is why it’s so important to start mapping things out as soon as you can.
Setting Goals
Ask yourself, “What’s the purpose of this event?” or why it’s being held in the first place. Then you can begin to decide who would be attending.
You don’t necessarily have to start creating a cohesive guest list, but depending on what kind of event you’re planning, it’s good to get a general idea of who to invite. Start by writing down your go-to people; if you’re planning a wedding, you’re most definitely inviting family and close friends over anyone else.
Budget
Now, this is where spreadsheets will be your best friend! But first, decide what you’re spending on – venue, catering, décor, guest speakers/performances, bartenders, etc. Then in the spreadsheet, make different columns for what you’re spending on, how much you have in your budget to spend on it (or “budgeted expense” for short), and the actual expense of what you’re spending on.
Venue
Choosing a venue is what people deem the most stressful part of the planning process, but before you dive right into it, take a moment to breathe and narrow down your choices.
Does the venue have Wi-Fi? What about accessible parking for your guests? Will it fit the expected number of people attending? Does it come equipped with seating? Does the venue come with any helpful staff members?
When you’ve managed to answer some of these questions, this will help narrow down your choices to a lucky few. Once you decide on one, it’s important to check on the venue occasionally before the event to ensure that there aren’t any complications – because nothing’s worse than when your venue is accidentally double-booked!
Atmosphere
At last, the fun part – deciding on a theme! If you’re planning a wedding, this is where you can get more creative, but if you’re planning a corporate event, then it’s best to keep things more professional. Whatever you choose, just remember to set the right atmosphere for your guests.
And of course, building the right atmosphere means picking out the right décor to match! Decide if you need any nice floral centerpieces to accompany the occasion, and if that’s the case, partner with some local florists to get some sweet deals on wholesale flowers.
Prepare for Unplanned Emergencies
Sometimes, no matter how meticulously you plan these events, there could be some last-minute emergencies that arise. Maybe your bartender’s stuck in traffic or your guest speaker came down with the flu.
We know this can all be overwhelming, especially when you worked so hard to make sure everything is in order, but the most important thing is not to panic when these issues do come up. Instead, be prepared for any emergency situations ahead of time.
Make a list of backup bartenders, speakers, performances, and more. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it also won’t disrupt the overall flow of the event if someone were to play hooky!
Catering
Catering is always important for satisfying your hungry guests, and trust us, no one wants to sit through an event on an empty stomach!
If you want to ensure that the goods arrive safely and on time, try ordering locally to make sure that it comes to you fresh. Plus, there’s less chance of delays if the business is close to the venue! Be sure to get a written confirmation of the order, just in case there are any hiccups that need to be fixed or reimbursed for.
Types of Flowers for Events
Flowers can be used in a variety of ways for events. From centerpieces and basket arrangements for a corporate event to bouquets, corsages, or even a flower-covered arch for a wedding, here are some types of flowers used in events.
Bouquets
Whether they’re being held by a bride or artfully arranged in vases, bouquets are a must-have type of flower for any event. Bouquets can be arranged in a multitude of different ways depending on how they’re being displayed.
Round, posy, and hand-tied bouquets look excellent when being held; pomander bouquets can be hung to brighten up any space; and crescent, fan, and vertical arrangements look great as display pieces.
Table Centerpieces
Regardless of event type, you can’t go wrong with floral centerpieces on each table. Make sure to pay attention to the size and shape of each centerpiece in relation to the table it’s on.
Make sure to factor in each table’s size and purpose before choosing its centerpiece. Tall arrangements won’t take up as much space on the table, but they could block the view of people sitting there. Horizontal arrangements open up everybody’s view, but they might take up too much space at a dining table filled with plates and glasses.
Basket Arrangements
Since you can make them look as plain or as fancy as you like, basket arrangements can suit nearly any type of event. Basket arrangements can go on any surface: gracing a sign-in table, adorning a buffet table, or even sitting on the ground or a small pedestal if the arrangement is tall enough.
Flower Arches
Flower arches make for truly stunning wedding day photos. From simple to spectacular, you can find – or create – the perfect flower arch for any wedding. The base of a flower arch may be either metal or wood, and you can use as much or as little flowers and greenery as you like. Some flower arches also incorporate fabric for a more dramatic look.
Corsages
Weddings, proms, and certain other black tie events call for corsages. Whether pinned to a suit or tied around a wrist, a corsage is a small bouquet of flowers or a single focal bloom to dress up an outfit to suit the occasion. Corsages commonly match the color theme of the wedding or event.
Up Your Party Game With Flowers
Whether you’re having a small housewarming party at home, a big birthday bash at a park, or a huge anniversary celebration at a rented hall, floral arrangements and flower-themed items can make any party better. Here are some unique ways to add blooms to your celebration.
Edible Flowers
After falling out of favor for a while, garnishing and cooking with edible flowers are back in style again. Whether you use them in cocktails or desserts or simply to garnish a stunning meal, here are a few flowers that are safe to eat:
- Tuberous begonias
- English daisies
- Bee balm
- Violets
- Waxed begonias
- Pansies
- Lemon verbena
- Fuschia
- Impatiens
- Safflower
- Clover
- Bachelors button (cornflower)
- Nasturtiums
- Garden sorrel
- Fennel
- Yucca petals
- Carnations
- Marigolds (calendula)
- Lilacs
- Hollyhock
- Radish flowers
- Gladiolus
- Dandelions
- Primrose (cowslip)
- Ginger
- Roses
- Chrysanthemums
- Marigolds
- Scented geraniums (except Citronelle variety)
- Sunflowers
- Lavender
- Hibiscus
Note: Make sure no pesticides were used on the flowers you intend to eat, be 100% sure you have identified the flower species correctly, and use edible flowers sparingly since they can cause digestive issues in large quantities.
Flower Balloons
Perfect for a birthday bash or a gender reveal party, these easy-to-make flower balloons are a unique way to decorate using artificial flowers and helium balloons. Keep in mind that using too many flowers will weigh the balloons down – 3 or fewer flowers per balloon is best.
Floral Cupcake Topper
If baking isn’t your strong suit, you can stick adorable flower toppers on desserts to add a sweet floral theme to your party. If you are a baker at heart, try your hand at making icing flowers on your cupcakes, cookies, or cakes to really wow your guests.
Flower Monogram Letter
Really, you can decorate any shape in the world with flowers and floral foam bricks, but we especially love these DIY flower monogram letters. They’d be ideal for an engagement party, birthday celebration, or anniversary event.
Flower-Themed Cocktails
A mai tai may be the first drink you think of when you picture flower-themed cocktails, but why stop there? Consider serving wild rose petal sangria, golden jasmine martinis, hibiscus champagne cocktails, rose martinis, or chamomile-infused wine. Floral cocktails are an especially big hit at holiday parties, when people start dreaming about tropical vacations.
Choose Farm-Fresh Bouqs
There you have it: our quick tips on how to plan for a big event! You’re one step closer to becoming an efficient event planner, and we’re here to provide your venue with the much-needed pop it needs.
Whether your event is a professional corporate event or a whimsical outdoor wedding, The Bouqs Co. has got you covered with the best farm-fresh blooms for any and every occasion.
If you fall in love with party planning and intend to host festivities on a regular basis, you’ll adore the money savings you’ll get from a flower subscription from The Bouqs Co.
Time to mark off “centerpieces” in your event planning checklist – check out our growing collection today!
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