Art of the Event: Complete Guide to Designing and Decorating Special Events

THE WILEY EVENT MANAGEMENT SERIES

The essential guide to making your eventsextraordinary

Practical strategies for designing and decorating specialevents

Event planners need professional–caliber information thatexplains how to decorate a venue for a special event fromassessing the client′s decor needs and objectives to staying withina budget. Art of the Event serves as the ultimate guide todesigning and decorating events and celebrations, from eight to8,000 guests.

Written by James C. Monroe, a Certified Meeting Professional(CMP) and Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) with decadesof experience in special event design and decoration, Art of theEvent is divided into three comprehensive parts to help readersredefine the modern profession of event design:

Principles, Processes, and Practices: examines aesthetics, thedesign process, and professional practices The Decorative Elements: describes the various decorativeelements that are used in special events and discusses how to usethem in practical and specific ways The Universe of Special Events: describes various types ofevents that the designer is asked to create and discusses thedifferent requirements of each, including nonprofit events,corporate events, social events, weddings, fairs, and parades

THE WILEY EVENT MANAGEMENT SERIES Series Editor, Dr. JoeGoldblatt, CSEP

THE WILEY EVENT MANAGEMENT SERIES provides professionals withthe essential knowledge and cutting–edge tools they need to excelin one of the most exciting and rapidly growing sectors of thehospitality and tourism industry. Written by recognized experts inthe field, the volumes in the series cover the research, design,planning, coordination, and evaluation methods as well asspecialized areas of event management.

PREFACE.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

INTRODUCTION: EVENT DESIGN BECOMES A PROFESSION.

Part One: PRINCIPLES, PROCESSES, AND PRACTICES.

Chapter 1: PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN.

Design and Decoration in Events.

Basic Event Design.

Basic Aesthetic Principles.

Practical Aesthetic Principles.

Design and Global Event Management.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 2: DESIGN AND DECORATION PRACTICES.

Research.

Creative Techniques.

Developing the Design.

Communicating the Design.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 3: VENUE.

Physical Requirements.

Budgetary Requirements.

Aesthetic Requirements.

Site Research.

Conducting the Site Inspection.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 4: RESOURCES.

Financial Resources.

Human Resources and Stakeholders.

Knowledge and Education Resources.

Technical and Physical Resources.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 5: PROFIT AND LOSS.

Profit.

Pricing.

Job Costs.

Accounting and Bookkeeping.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Part Two: THE DECORATIVE ELEMENTS.

Chapter 6: BACKDROPS AND PROPS.

Designing with Backdrops and Props.

Decorating with Backdrops.

Decorating with Props.

Staging.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 7: DECORATING WITH FLOWERS.

Basic Flower Décor.

Architectural Flowers.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 8: FABULOUS FABRIC DÉCOR.

Special Event Fabrics.

Wall Treatment.

Ceiling Treatment.

Table Linens.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 9: BALLOONS IN BLOOM.

Designing with Balloons.

Decorating with Balloons.

Ceilings and Walls.

Advanced Balloon Design.

Balloon–Related Products.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 10: THE ART OF LIGHT.

Design and Direction.

Lighting Events.

Aesthetics.

Lighting Equipment.

Risk Management.

Changing Technology.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 11: UNIQUE DECORATIVE ELEMENTS.

Entertainment/Living Décor.

Decorative Signage.

Food for the Eye.

Decorative Lighting Effects.

Candles.

The Magic of Ice.

Pyrotechnics.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Part Three: THE UNIVERSE OF SPECIAL EVENTS.

Chapter 12: NONPROFIT AND CHARITY EVENTS.

Designing for Nonprofit Event Goals.

Decorating Different Types of Nonprofit Events.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 13: CORPORATE CELEBRATIONS AND CEREMONIES.

Designing External Events (Marketing).

Designing Internal Events (Operations).

Decorating Advertising Events.

Receptions.

Decorating Public Relations Events.

Decorating Human Relations Events.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 14: MILESTONE AND SOCIAL EVENTS.

Party Design.

Life–Cycle Events.

Personal Social Events.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 15: WONDERFUL WEDDINGS.

Nuptial Goals and Objectives.

Ceremony.

Style.

Themes.

Receptions.

Related Events.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Chapter 16: FESTIVALS, FAIRS, PARADES, ANDSPECTACLES.

Festivals.

Fairs.

Parades.

Spectacles.

Finishing Touches.

Design Vocabulary.

Studio Work.

Recommended Readings and Research Sites.

Part Four: APPENDIXES.

APPENDIX 1: TYPICAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.

APPENDIX 2: CONTACT SHEET.

APPENDIX 3: EVENT THEMES.

APPENDIX 4: TYPICAL EVENT PROPOSAL.

APPENDIX 5: SPECIAL EVENT SITE INSPECTION CHECKLIST.

APPENDIX 6: ELECTRICAL FORMULA.

APPENDIX 7: BALLOON CHARTS.

APPENDIX 8: LABOR RATE CALCULATION: CHARGE–OUT RATES FORLABOR.

APPENDIX 9: DISPLAYING THE UNITED STATES FLAG.

APPENDIX 10: LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND VOCABULARY.

APPENDIX 11: WEDDING CHECKLIST.

INDEX.

JAMES C. MONROE, CMP, CSEP, owns James C. Monroe and Associates: Special Event Design and Production, in Dallas, Texas. He has been involved in special events design and decoration for thirty years.