Mondays - Soliciting Donations

I am the first to admit, soliciting a company, people, your friends and family for donations whether it be straight cash or a fabulous auction item can be a little daunting, however, there are a couple of key points and steps to take that can make the process a little less difficult. And, perhaps even fun!



1. Who are you?
Are you a non-profit with a registered 501 (c)(3) or 501 (c)(4)? If so, always have your Tax ID number. This is one of the most important pieces when asking for a donation, whether it is cash or item donation.

Are you a volunteer or participant in a fundraising event or raising money for a cause? If so, have the companies Tax ID number ready. The organization should have a document ready for you to present to people when soliciting for donations, whether it be cash or item.

PS, Having this Tax ID number and professional paperwork explaining what you are asking for and where the money is going makes you legitimate.

2. Timing?
When soliciting for anything make sure you are asking at the right time. Not only do people need time to think about what they want to give, but when it is right for them. Additionally, if you are soliciting a company, do your research, companies usually have a giving process that needs to be reviewed and is not always reviewed on a regular basis but at very specific times of the year. Maybe quarterly or even once a year. Also, keep in mind the companies fiscal year, it may not be the calendar year.

3. What are you asking for?
Are you asking for a cash donation, sponsorship, auction item? Know exactly what you are asking for and want from the person you are asking. Be extremely specific. Do your research and know what the person and/or company can give. Research, ask questions and make a specific ask.

4. Who are you asking?
Research, research, research. Just like you knew how much your parents could give when doing the school jog-a-thon, research and find out what companies can give and like to give. For most large companies they post their giving parameters on their websites these days. They give to very specific areas, review asks at specific times, and like to be asked in specific ways whether it is an email, letter request, etc.

5. Who is making the ask?
Especially when soliciting for large auction items, sponsorships, large capital cash donations who makes the ask is key. Remember, you may not always be the best person to make the ask. This is not a time to be selfish and really evaluate who you are in the grand scheme of things. It may be you, but it may be a Vice President, Board member, powerful Alumni, etc.

Raising money for a cause can be a very rewarding experience. Whether it is for a school booster club, local nonprofit doing amazing things for your community, sick child in need, there are simple steps to take to help you reach your goal.

Message us if you ever need ideas, help, and/or have questions on creative ways to help raise funds. It is all about research, thinking outside the box, and making an impact!

Incredible Ranch Wedding

Over the weekend while catching up on some blog reading (no, not the newspaper, blogs people, besides twitter the only real sources of information) I stumbled on this gorgeous wedding captured in all its fabulousness by The Knotty Bride.

I really have no words when it comes to rustic wedding perfection. Its all in the pictures AND the amazing table numbers, succulents, place cards and seed packets.

PS, so many of these ideas are really affordable and easy to create yourself. Also, Etsy is always a great place to start when looking for any event decor.

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

DIY Burlap Wreath

Though not really an event piece, more so a home decor piece, however this burlap wreath was so easy to create I hope it inspires you to DIY your own burlap event decor. Goodness knows I die over it!

Super simple and quite affordable. The one thing that kept me from completing this sooner was the fact that my darling fuzzy lover Lancelot seemed to LUUUUUVVVVEEEE the burlap wreath. And, with all my confessing, when using a hot glue gun you cannot actually burn yourself (!!!!!!!!), remember the glue can seep through the burlap and give you second degree burns - dang my serious accident-proneness.

First, get all your supplies together.

The padded wreath and burlap ribbon I purchased at Michael's.
The ribbon I found at Anthropologie.

PS, after Christmas you can score incredible deals at craft stores. Additionally, check your newspaper and more importantly online for weekly coupons! They can really save you money on more expensive craft store purchases.

Then I plugged in the ever scary glue gun and started wrapping the burlap around the wreath. (Before I started to glue I did a test wrap to make sure I would have enough fabric to cover the entire wreath twice.) I did not take off the plastic covering on the wreath because I felt like it stabilized the shape.

Covered Wreath!

I decided to leave the access burlap attached and create a flower out of it, enter-twining the gorgeous thick mustard yarn I had.

He loved it!

At first I was going to possibly wrap the ribbon around the wreath and maybe add the butterflies, but in the end I decided to leave it simple and gorgeous.

Perfect Spring Door Decor!

Have you made a Burlap Wreath?

Please, Share!

Dessert Bar

I love the idea of a dessert bar for an event. Whether it is a wedding, baby shower, corporate event, or even an intimate cocktail party, it always is a focal point and talked about for weeks after.

PS, It can be an extremely affordable way to create a great display. If you don't have the display pieces on-hand, plain colored and glass rentals are very affordable. Bulk candy and some cupcakes, one color of flowers in some vases and some candles would totally be amazing!

First, get yourself at least a 6 foot table. I like to keep all my serving wear the same color and use glass containers, like apothecary jars. This let's your dessert and candy really be the star of the table.

When designing your table also consider flowers, lighting, simple props and what is going to be above/behind the table. Also, where is this going to be located in your space? It should be a focal point and used to move people. It does not necessarily have to be located near the exit, but it should make sense in the flow of your party. If people can't move or get to where they are going they will leave and/or be super uncomfortable the entire time. Neither is a good thing.

Now the fun part, start with a great linen (always, start with a great base) and build from there. Think multi-level, but within reach of people. You don't want people to have to plunge themselves over a cake just to get to the jelly-bellies. Think color theme and gorgeous accents.



The neutral colors here really work.




Wouldn't this be a really fun child's party?
So simple, so affordable and the pendant banner you can DIY!




I love the pom-poms!




Wedding bliss!




Love the blues and whites!
You could make the white branches - Michael's has great branches that you can spray paint.




Black, white, and copper!




Great Mod table!




A little burlap has to sneak-in. Fab baby shower design. I love the mirror!

Have you done a dessert bar? What did you include?

Happy Thursday Lovelies!

Go to Fabric?

What is your Go to Fabric right now? What are you loving, cannot get enough of, DIY/blog stocking? Dying to plan an event just to so you can use this most-sought-after-fabric?
Burlap
It should not come as a shock to anyone who has been around me for the last year, but I am dying over burlap. I even purchased some amazing bags at Architectural Salvage, Aurora, Oregon a couple of months ago and have been lusting after every DIY burlap guide I can find.

Its Rustic Elegance to Perfection and I am Head-Over Heals for it.

PS, you can usually purchase burlap at a craft or fabric store for fairly inexpensive. Additionally, most drape and linen companies now have quite a selection of different weights, colors, and styles. I have even found awesome prices on Etsy and Ebay.

Here are some of my favorites:



Gorgeous Outdoor Space




Drape Burlap Over Lighting for a Warm Glow




Perfect Space!




Burlap and White *Twinkle Lights*




Anyone Looking for a Perfect Way to Wrap Xmas Gifts? What about favors?




You can find this on Etsy!




Burlap and Peonies



More Burlap Curtains used as a defining element of a space.



So simple!

 What's your Go to Fabric?

Wedding Perfection

I hope this dear gorgeous bride does not mind, but I am awe-inspired by the Jamie and Xavier Wedding.

Not only is the dress, wellies, bouquet, location, absolutely rustic elegance to perfection, but you know these two lovers will be together for many more glorious life adventures.

Here is the blogger at her best and a link to the photographs taken by the amazing Jenny Hill Photography.

PS, just a little sneak peak:

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Beverage Guide - It can be tricky

Are you planning a shin-dig for the holidays? Or, at least having family over for dinner? You have the amount of food figured out, but ever find that planning for the right amount of beverages can sometimes be a little tricky. And, if your family is anything like mine, running out of booze is not an option...

In my head I have my own beverage calculator depending on the group I am planning the party for. When I meet with people to plan an event for the first time, when figuring out catering I ask them about their guests - not just do they like steak or salmon (PS unless you are planning an event for fisherman, stay away from salmon, there are other less controversial choices), but you should always ask these:

• Are these people drinkers?
• What are their drinks of choice?
• Would beer and wine suffice or should some hard-alcohol options be available? (Will someone be loudly offended if the party does not have their preferred 7 year malt scotch?)

Remember, you do not have to break the bank when it comes to beverages if you plan smartly. I often find that if you can bring in your own alcohol and just pay the corkage that will usually save you some dollars. Additionally, you do not need to have a knock-down-all-incompasing-full-bar (plus, this encourages over consumption). Some basic mid-level selections with chosen mixers is most often perfect. You can even go the route of Signature Cocktails for the party - especially if these have creative names, people really respond to these. Another thing to consider is bubbly - chances are if you have this as an option people will drink this (especially the ladies) over anything else.

For those of you planning an event and are bottle-count stumped there are incredible website calculators out there that will help you figure out the amount lickity-split. (PS if you are hiring a caterer they should also be able to tell you - if they cannot, I would be a little weary, wink * wink * )

Here is one of my favorites and really user friendly, its from Table & Vine.

Table & Vine Party Planning Calculator

Let me know if you ever have any questions and/or get stuck - it is a tricky thing, this thing called booze.

Cheers!

BHLDN

I was debating whether to post this post here or on my other blog, arthurandlancelot.blogspot.com. I have blogged about my love affair with BHLDN, the amazing bridal store created by Anthropologie, on it a number of times, however since creating this little lover of an event planning blog I agreed with myself that this should go here. (Good Decision!)

Not only amazing for weddings, this site is incredible for holiday party planning, event dress, every day fab decor for your home! I particularly have been waiting for them to have a sale. In pure DIY, let's save some mulla fashion, I have been site stocking it to have a sale section since its inception and low and behold today I discovered those all guiding words:

Sale

Here are a some of my favs from the Sale selection:



These D'Orsay pumps are gorgeous!




Bright Plum and Brown Suede




Garland Pom Poms!




Birch Napkin Rings



Suspender Pitcher! This would be amazing with flowers for a centerpiece!



Hat Pin...so classic, so elegant!




This Tinsel Flutter Sleeve Dress I have been dying over. May just have to get this for this year's Holiday Party Season!




So clean and rustic. Just my style!


What are you lusting after from this site?

What have you already purchased? (P.S. Seriously jealous!)

Twinkle Lights

It may sound completely cheap and unchic to use twinkle lights at an event, however, if they are used in the correct way I think they can incredibly enhance the decor and mood of an event. Besides, doesn't everyone look better in a dimmed setting with flickering light bouncing off their faces?! It hides things you don't want to be seen!

Twinkle lights do not have to be the old green lights you put up on your Christmas tree. They can be gorgeously strung AND, they now make one's that are strings of white or black wire.

PS They now make twinkle lights and candles that are battery powered. No more hiding ugly wiring and needing electrical outlets. And, the candles actually look stunningly real!

There are many names for twinkle lights, they are different sizes and offer a different feel:

v  Globes

v  Candles

v  Chandeliers

v  Cafe Lights

v  Mini Lights

v  Market String Lights

Cost is usually per foot if they are a string of lights and per item if they are singular. If you have the budget, I recommend having the rental company install the lights. There is a rhyme and reason for how they are installed and it will save you much stress.

Here are some incredible uses of twinkle lights!

What do you think?

Table Linens

Here is the thing about table linens, in general they seem way more pricey than you would think, and usually, I say usually, for a couple of additional dollars you can get a linen that can really take your table to the next level.

Always start with a fabulous base - just like when you get dressed you usually start with your favorite piece, like a great skirt or wonderful shoes, think of your table decor in the same fashion.

Let's use a 60 inch round table as our base. A 60 inch round can comfortably sit 8 - 10 people depending on your chairs. You will need a 120 inch round linen to cover it to the floor. (A 132 inch round linen will cover to the floor and billow at your guests feet.) Blacks versatile, so we will use that.

You could spend about $20 on this black linen, which you will have to spend even more on the centerpiece, chairs, and perhaps a charger to get the look you are wanting.

Or, you could spend about $28 on this pin-tucked version with a sheen and use a simple one color floral arrangement or floating candle *twinkle* with plain black wood chairs. FAB-U-LOUS!

PS... Another detail to keep in mind when choosing linens is the length. Remember, most rentals, like tables and especially bistro tables, are not incredibly pleasing without a cover. The bases sometimes are a scratched up ugly silver. Unless I know what the table looks like, I always request linens to the floor.

If you are still stumped on the size of linens you will be needing. Here is a helpful chart to get you started.

Table Linen Size Chart

Sizes based on a standard 30" table height

Table	Seats	Linen	Drop
6'x30" Rectangular	6-8	60"x120"	15" Drop
		90"x132"	To Floor
8'x30" Rectangular	8-10	60"x120"	15" Drop
		90"x156"	To Floor
8'x42" Rectangular	8- 10	102"x156"	To Floor
30" Round	2	90" Round	To Floor
36" Round	4	90" Round	27" Drop
48" Round	6- 8	90" Round	21" Drop
		108" Round	To Floor
60" Round	8-10	90" Round	15" Drop
		120" Round	To Floor
72" Round	10-12	90" Round	9" Drop
		108" Round	18" Drop
		120" Round	24" Drop
		132" Round	To Floor
48"x48" Square	8	120" Round	To Floor
60"x60" Square	10	132" Round	To Floor
72"x72" Square	12	132" Round	To Floor

This is not by any means the end all to Table Linen sizing, so if you ever have questions, don't hesitate to ask!