17 Things NOT To Do At An Event

I wish that I would have written this great post - 17 Things NOT To Do At An Event. 

But alas,  it was written by Michael Broome - a motivational speaker with Premiere Speakers Bureau.  There's a LOT of truth in this humorous, dead-on article.

AEP's Read & Learn!

Today with the AEP

Today, I helped setup for a banquet sponsored by Nashville's "Operation Andrew Group".  OAG is a community ministry organization made up of influential volunteers from a wide range of Nashville businesses.  They sponsor the annual "National Day of Prayer", "Nashville Community Thanksgiving Service"  and other large events. This event was their annual "Honor Banquet" for area pastors and their wives.  

As I've alluded to in previous posts, ministries never have budget to do fancy setups, so we had to get creative and resourceful for our decorations - and spend under $5.00 per table! 

The banquet theme was "Harvest" - SO - I suggested we do small shocks of wheat in some form for each table.  

Janet Slayden (pictured) from Operation Andrew put feet to the idea and rounded up stalks of of wheat to bundle with a ribbon and standup in a flower pot filled with sand.  A dowel rod inserted in the sand kept the stalks standing upright.  As simple as this was, it looked great when we got 28 tables set with them. We finished the simple setup by standing the programs like table tents at each place setting.  The caterer was going to pre-set salads and desserts. (filling in more table space).  If we would have had more $$$ and time, I would have painted the clay pots and added a few votive candles.  

I share this so very simple idea because the Accidental Event Planner knows that most planners have to make something from nothing more often than not.  This is an idea you can put in your "mental blender" for later!

AEP Tip:  When your budget is low and you have to use simple items for setup, keep in mind that when you multiply the item in the room, it gains "visual strength".  

This is kind of like choosing paint shades for your wall. I've learned to choose the color chip that I want the wall to most look like when completed,  and then go 1 shade lighter.  Why? - Because when you multiply the color and fill the entire room with it, it intensifies. 

Today with the AEP

Today, I'm setting up a men's dinner event for my church.  I'm guessing that you may often get "drafted" to do similar things.  As usual, since it's an event for the church, there's little budget.  (I don't know what it is with God's people, but why are they so constantly cheap!)

We expect about 200 men and I'm setting tables to seat 8.  Since it's a men's dinner, I didn't want to go with flowers and "pretty" colors.  But on the other hand, I didn't want to go with cammo & moose heads either. SO - Time to go shopping and see what's on hand to solve this scenario, all for under $200.  

AN AEP TIP:  I learned long ago to simply go and see what was available and on-hand, rather than dreaming up something and then NOT being able to find it, or having to make it. Save yourself the stress & time by using "off-the-shelf" items!

I had to go to a store that would have enough items to cover my 25 tables, plus a little extra for my under $200.00 budget... I chose HOBBY LOBBY for this time as they often have great 50% off sales.  

Budget dictated using plastic table covers. Wanting more masculine colors, I passed on all the neon bright (plastic) table cloths I saw and instead chose a mix of shades of brown, tan & purple.

I remembered reading along time ago somewhere that brown relates to purple somehow (who knew!) I found a napkin printed with a brown & white "batik" type pattern.  Really pulls together the mix of table cloth colors.

ANOTHER AEP TIP;  MOCK-IT UP! It helps if you'll layout your items so you can get an idea of how they'll all look together.  Sometimes, I've done this on the floor of the store!  This time, I was able to mock-it up in my shopping cart.

Tables covers are set! Now - what for a centerpiece?  I had thought about using some little potted fall cabbage plants (purple, white & green) but found something totally different while walking the Hobby Lobby aisles.  TWIG BALLS!  A big variety of balls made out of wound-up twigs and sponge-y stuff.  All in the browns & creams that would work with my setup.  AND - They were 50% off!!!  I AM BLESSED!  I'm adding a few cheap votive candles to finish out the setup.

I'm posting a photo of the elements I'm using for the setup.  

Maybe you have a men's event or family dinner for a man that you need to setup.  I hoping these colors and ideas might help you out.

What do you think?  What setups have you done for men's events?