Need an idea or two

[arspringfield]

Hey guys,

I need a brainstorm. Every year, I do flowers for a charity event called "Corks for Kids" sponsored by a winery in town. I have 1 buffet table that is about 18 feet long 4 wide (what ever is standard). Some (like 20) little tall bar tables and a reception desk. In years past I've done arrangements for each of these little tables and 2 pieces for the buffet. This year money is ... you know. So we are going half and half. I have an ok budget and thats no problem.

Last year I kinda over did it a bit. Now I'm stuck in a corner as such. So I have to back down a bit. Every year is something different. Last year was all wow factor. Pictures are at the bottom.

Back to the table... They cram that sucker full of food. We end up having about a square foot to work inside. Up is not a problem. Depending on the bottom width of the container/whatever, I could possibly do more than one arrangement on the table. Here is the kicker... its a wine tasting. I'm petrified that some lush is going to run into the table and knock the flowers down! This wasn't a problem last year because the arrangement was so heavy and physics were with me. Table sits in the center of the room roughly 30ish feet from the doors so can't do the smart thing and use something behind it or to the sides.

I haven't decided if I want anything on the bar tables, it would be just a touch, throw together last minute sort of thing. They never know how many they need of those until the have the room set up anyway. And the tables get crowded with empty wine glasses. As for the reception desk, I'll just follow whatever style/colors gets decided.

The colors are Orange, hot pink, red, navy blue and sky blue. The girl just said bright. Ok there! Wimsy is going to be on the menu this year but, hell, I don't even know what direction to go.

Oh yeah, this is Sept 12th too...

This is causing me a blond moment and a brain cramp all at the same time. I *think* thats everything, lemme know if more info is needed... Hit me with some ideas like only you guys can!

Thanks!
Alicia

 

[OB1]

OK. How about this.
Loved what you did last year, so if we use that as a jumping off point...
Take a 40" length of 5" pvc pipe, set it in a shallow tray of concrete to stablize it. Cover the pipe with cork sheeting.(available from art supply stores to make bulleten boards.) Cover the concrete base with moss, or whatever. Corks would look cool. Drill 4 tiny holes in the top of the pipe, about 1" from the top.
Now take a six foot manzanita branch, lay it across the pipe, and secure it by tying it to the pipe in the 4 spots. Note: balance is the king here!
From here, it's easy. Just hang 30 or so blooms in your required colours from the branch, using decorative wire. You could also add 30 or so corks on dancing wires...you can get these from a wine making store.
For the long table you probably should have three of these.
I really think you should repeat the theme on the little cocktail tables, even if it is a wine bottle with steel grass and a single gerbera in each.
I quickly costed this out, and even here, where my costs are higher, including all the supplies, I figure 250.00 maximum wholesale.
It will look like $3000. You can bring the bases back after the event, and rent them to someone else, or sell the manzanita in the shop, even cutting it up into smaller peices if need be.
Hope this helps.
JP

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I wanna know...."corks for kids"? como?

And good luck with your design, I'm sure it will be beautiful

 

[arspringfield]

I donno how or why the winery got together with the Children Hospital and put corks together with kids. In my case, kids = drinking.

OB1, I was thinking about doing trees but didn't know how to build them. Thanks for the explanation. To the wholesale phone!

 

[RWK]

Another cool idea.......for your bar tables - Bar designs

A large wine/water goblet, filled with wet lime green powder oasis to almost the top.....top off with the white/creme oasis cut into a circle that sits on top of the powder, flush with the top of the glass, and just fits inside the rim.

On top of that......one cymbdium.....1 or 2 galax......couple faux straws.......and beside the glass....an EMPTY wine bottle with beargrass from the bottle to the glass....and a few corks on the table.

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