"What should I bring to a consultation?"

I posted this on the old blog a while ago, and for the first time yesterday, I had a client come in for a meeting having followed the suggestions exactly.  I was SO excited.  I thought it was worth reposting!

"What should I bring to a consultation?"  I love being asked this question because it means the client wants to be actively involved in designing her event. The following list of things are great props to bring to a meeting or interview with an event designer.  They allow that designer to get a great indication of your style and personality!

1. Color Swatches: While wanting to match exactly to a swatch is never a good idea, it is very helpful to have a swatch of the dress color or the colors you would like to incorporate. It certainly helps in the overall design and allows the designer to make suggestions on complimentary colors and materials. 

2. A Sample Invitation/Save the Date ( if they are already picked out): Because much of what an event designer does involves paper, it is great to incorporate the colors, fonts, and images that the invitation has established. If invitations or save the dates are already chosen, make sure to bring them to the consultation. 3. Non-floral materials that might be incorporated: Think outside flowers. Maybe on your first hike together your groom-to-be found a feather that you have kept ever since. Perhaps you have saved all of the wine corks from dinners for years. Or there is a book the two of you are completely inspired by. Event designers love these kinds of details and love even more to incorporate them into an event!! Bring things that have significance to you as a couple. 4. Magazine Clippings: Although wedding magazines can be helpful, it often becomes tempting to mimic ideas, rather than develop a style that is inspired by the clipping. When a client brings a clipping and says "I want this exactly," there is little room for a designer to create something custom for the client. I recommend that clients look outside bridal magazines for inspiration-- home decor, gardening, and architecture magazines are great sources of inspiration and give the designer a great sense of your style and tastes. Plus, it allows the designer plenty of room to make an event that is custom tailored to you. 5. A Sense of Your Own Style: While a designer can help you to define your style and choose the right items to create an event that represents you, it works best when you have a sense of your own style. If you don't really know what your style is, consider the following questions and even consider bringing your answers to the consultation.

• Which decor/furniture stores do you or would you like to purchase your furnishings from? (i.e. Pottery Barn, Ethan Allen, an antique store, Ikea, flea market, etc.)
• Have you been in a restaurant or club lately that you thought had a great visual atmosphere?
• What colors are most prominent in your closet? How about in your fiance's closet?
• Which season is your favorite and why?
• In what environment do you feel most comfortable(at the beach house, in the garden, out to dinner with friends, at home, in the woods, etc)?
• Do you envision an event that is laid-back, casual, rustic, formal, elegant, chic, modern?  (These words can be overwhelming to someone who is not sure of her style.  Architecture and Interior Design magazines are great for this!  Cut out what appeals to you!)
• What objects or heirlooms have significance to you?
• What activities/interests do you and your fiance share? Are you interested in including those in some way in your wedding?
• Other than your house and work, where do you spend the majority of your time?
• What are some of your best memories/ moments with your fiance?
• Are there any quirks or interesting things about you as a couple?