Floral Designs by Meta: Tips for Finding a Great Venue...Just for You

Floral Designs by Meta: Tips for Finding a Great Venue...Just for You

Tips for Finding a Great Venue...Just for You

Piazza in the Village-Colleyville, Tx.

Hello to all of you newly engaged brides/grooms.  You are embarking on a very momentous time in your life, the trip down the aisle to become husband and wife.  After the initial shock, you realize that there are things that have to be taken care of before the big day. First and foremost you have to find the perfect place in which to have your ceremony.  I have compiled a list of a few things that might be helpful in finding the place that is right for you.  Finding the right venue is just one of a thousand things that will take place before you tie the knot, so let's get started with some pointers to get you going in the right direction.

TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT VENUE!

1. PUT EVERYTHING OUT THERE TO START THE PROCESS

Start with the major three: date, time, # of guests. Don't forget to inquire about a separate space for  the ceremony, if having both wedding and reception at the same location.  Does the venue provide for rehearsal? When?  All of these questions and any others that you come up with on your own will help you to decide if this is the right space for you.

2. DID I MENTION  DETAILS?

So you think  that the space is a possibility, ask for and do a walk through before signing any documents.  If you have a planner, verify that there are no  contractual items that might prevent her from providing the services for which you are paying from being  performed in this particular venue; some venues/churches have in-house planners.  Pay close attention during your walk through, verify  all  items included in the contract. In addition look at things such as the bathrooms,  dressing spaces that you might be using; are they  clean, are there smudges on the walls, are the mirrors clean and shiny.  If there is, staff are they appropriately dressed.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Take notes!!  After all, these are the things that you and your guests will see on your wedding day.

3. TAKE A MOMENT TO STOP AND BREATHE  BEFORE YOU WALK

Bass Performance Hall Foyer-Ft. Worth

When visiting the venue try not rush in, shake hands and start walking. It is to your advantage to stand still  for just a few minutes.  When you stop, it will give you an opportunity to see what your guests will see when they walk into the entryway, room, or foyer. Your guests won't rush in they will more than likely meander in talking and visiting before being seated.

4. CHECK IT OUT

Try to see all of the items you deem important during the tour.  Remember to bring a camera or video device,  this  helps because once you leave you won’t remember all of the details of what you saw.  Photos or video are also important when discussing or making decisions about your décor and set up with your other vendors.

  

5. MAKE A LIST

Control  your visit.  Make a list of what's important, know what are you are looking for in  the perfect venue. In addition to looking for all of your must-haves, you should   be open to  any unexpected WOW factors. Make note of what impresses you and also any turn offs.

6. TALK ABOUT $$$ UPFRONT.  DON'T KEEP THEM GUESSING

Talk about costs upfront; food and beverage minimums,  costs of parking, AV equipment, or any other facility fees; know the included  items, cost and what's extra. It’s always good to know if it fits your budget early on  rather than later.  Ask about setup and tear down times and access to the space.  Are there extra  charges if any additional time is needed, either on the front end or back end of the event. Do you pay for thins such as security? DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING- ASK!

Fairmont Hotel-Dallas, Tx

8. DOES IT FIT YOUR NEEDS.

Ask specifics about what is included, right down to the linens and amenities. Ask if you can see a set up of a table, for instance if you are having a plated meal, prior to the event.  Ask about tastings, if there is in-house catering.

9.WHAT TO DO AFTER THE WALKTHROUGH

To prevent the phone ringing off the hook and a barrage of email, make sure everyone understands your decision-making process and time frames. 

Almeta Smith

Owner/Principal Designer

Floral Designs by Meta                      

Floral and Event Designers

(972)617-2473

Ruthe Jackson Center-Grand Prairie, Tx.

5 Reasons Why You Wouldn't Need a Wedding Planner

There's lots of conversation about wedding planners out there today, pros and cons as to whether you might want to hire one.  I've listed a number of reasons that will let you know that you don't need a wedding coordinator.

1.  If you have unlimited minions.  You have people at you beck and call that will take care of all of the hundreds of  minute details that tend to come along with a wedding.

Minions

2.  Your minions will be able to complete all  necessary tasks without direction from you.
Your minions will have access to a list of the best and most appropriate vendors that you could possibly  need.

3.  If you have a group of family members that will have the time and will provide the effort to come hours
 before the wedding to make sure that all of the tables are set properly, that the reception flowers are delivered and set up, the bar is stocked, favors are placed, cake is delivered and decorated properly, etc etc.

4.  The minions will be adept at pinning corsages and boutonnieres, finding members of wedding party and lining them up for both rehearsal and the big day.

5.  And lastly, said family members/friends will be willing to stay late to pack up all of the left over favors, pick up the containers, linens, and generally put the room back in order.  This will entail  missing any  after wedding festivities that have been planned,  not to mention that the family/friends partied at the rehearsal dinner, got  up at the crack of dawn (to help set up) and have danced and drank for hours and they are still willing to help with tear down.

If you have a faithful group willing to do all  these things for you, then you really don't need a wedding planner.
 Good luck and have fun with your wonderful event.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving is always a magical time of the year for me.  I try to be grateeful throughout the year, but there is something very special about sitting around the table with the people who make me who I am. Be they family or friends, they all contribute to me being Meta or Almeta or Miss Almeta.  We have a tradition of standing around the table before the meal and each member of the group saying out loud what they are most thankful for at that moment or that they have been grateful for during the year.  It is moving to hear what the people close to me are grateful for, sometimes things that I am aware of and then there are things that I had no idea about.  It is warm and magical to have all of the love and turkey in one place.
I love the interactions between the adults and children and the in-betweens (not old enough to hang out with the adults, but wayyyyto old to be with the children.)  I see a lot of me in my childhood in those moments.
I am grateful for my family and loving friends.  I am thankful for the love and happiness and the not so great things that cuase us to pull together and hold on tight to each other.  I love and am thankful for the strength that I draw from the conversations that I have throughout the year with both friends and family.  I don't get to spend enough time with my family or friends but it does not stop the love and the gratitude that you are a part of me, that they  have touched or are touching me in ways that keep me strong and moving forward.
I wish these feelings for you and your family and friends.  From the bottom of my heart I want to wish you the best Thanksgiving yet.
 Happy Thankgiving from me and mine to you and yours!

Floral Perfection??

Headtable
D'Lacy Photogrpahy

 Perfection

I work in an industry (wedding/party) where it is easy to get caught up in the infinite web of perfection. For me, to be truly creative I have to willing to relinquish the idea of a perfect product.  I can create something that is  spectacular and  it not be perfect.  If I get overly critical of what I am doing then I can't go forward with the design process. So for all of you creative sorts out there, create to your heart's content but stay away from trying to make it perfect.   No perfection in any of the floral arrangements here, but each was a work of art in it's own right.

Black/Deep Purple Calla Bouquet
Photography-Floral Designs by Meta

                           Majestic Calla and White Orchid Arrangement
                                       Lucid Eyes Photography

What To Ask The Florist

It is a daunting task to assemble, interview and hire all of your wedding vendors.  I thought that I would make one portion of this process easier by giving you a list of questions that you can ask your potential florist. I have taken the liberty of answering the question for my company, but you can use this for a florist any place that you happen to be.  Get answers that are satisfactory to you and most of all make sure you have a connection with person you hire.  You want to make sure that they understand and capture your vision of what you want before saying yes and paying a deposit.  

FAQs To Ask A Potential  Florist

•Are you available on my wedding date? We verify that we have a slot available on your date before we start any  conversation about your wedding.

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•Do you specialize in weddings? Our specialty is weddings!  We love them and  the creative and decorating  process surrounding the wedding day.

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•Are you doing other weddings on the same day as mine? We typically schedule no more than 3 weddings in one day depending on the size.  We can do 2 small events and one large or 2 large events.

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•What education/credentials do you have?  I have on the job training from work in a flower shop and I have college level training in  floral design.  I keep up to date by attending continuing  education classes annually.

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•How many years of experience do you have? I have 16+ years of experience and training.

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•How many weddings have you done? We have done 100s of weddings.

•Will you personally design my bouquet and floral arrangements?  Yes, I am the principal floral designer.  I create the bridal bouquets and design the centerpieces and there are others that make the small pieces and duplicate my designs for the centerpieces.

•What is your philosophy about designing floral arrangements and bouquets?  My philosophy  about design of any kind is that it should reflect the personality and desires of the clients.  I don’t want to just sell you something, I strive to create something that is unique to you.

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•Can I see a portfolio of your work?  Yes we have a gallery of our work on our website www.metasflowers.com and on our face book page www.facebook.com/floral.designs.by.meta.  We also have a blog www.metasflowers.blogspot

Can I see a sample arrangement of my bridal bouquet? If you purchase a bridal portrait bouquet, we use that as the sample, if you are not having a bridal portrait, we will create one for additional cost.

•Will you make me a toss bouquet? Yes we will make a toss bouquet and it is  complimentary.

•Will you make the reception table centerpieces? Yes we create any and all floral pieces associated with weddings; centerpieces, aisle décor, ceremony pieces, buffet pieces etc.

•Do you deliver the flowers? Is there a delivery charge?  We deliver and there is a charge. The charge  is based on the amount of set up necessary in order to insure that all arrangements a placed as requested and distance to the  venue.

•Do you provide other items like candles, trellises, potted plants, etc.?  We provide any number of items associated with decorating for weddings: candles, lighting, draping,  linens, china, stemware, and other props.

•How do you charge for services? Our charges are based on an itemized estimate, which includes taxes and delivery and set up charges.

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•Do you have payment plans?  Our policy is 1/3 of balance is due at contract signing and the remaining balance is due 3 weeks (21) days prior to the event.  If you choose to divide the remaining balance into payments, that is acceptable, but should be requested at the time of contract signing so that a payment schedule can be set up.

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•How do you handle deposits?  See statement above.

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•When is the balance due?  See statement above.

•What is your refund/cancellation policy? Because all orders are custom, if all payments are not made by final due date, the contract is cancelled and all payments are forfeited.  We also understand that sometimes there are circumstances beyond our control, with that in mind, the following applies and is stated in the contract:  Cancellations made 30 days prior to the event will receive a refund of monies paid minus  non refundable fee, cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the event  will receive no refunds.

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