Okay, I think it’s confession time. Around 1995, I did an amazing wedding in New York. My client was over-the-moon happy and, as in some cases, she invited me to be a guest for her event. (Though all of us in the event business can probably understand how exhausting installing an event can be. Most of the time after finishing the set-up I just want to go home and soak my hurting feet.)

I had designed these 6 foot tall arrangements for most of the tables. It was with great horror (seriously, it was like being in a bad movie) that I sat in this beautiful room and watched in slow motion as one of the arrangements fell and hit a gorgeous lady on her head! Needless to say, she was not a very good sport about it. This is what I’d call my ultimate floral nightmare moment, and one that I’ll never forget as long as I live. Not only was it humbling, but I swore never to repeat the mistake that caused this accident.

I do think that centerpieces can be a great deal of fun to create. I have always tried to create my own version of an art sculpture on each table (I have not always been successful but I do keep trying). I love when guests sit down and wonder, “How the hell did he do this?” or, “I hope this does not fall on my head” (just kidding).

So, these are my suggestions for creating a secure tall centerpiece:

1) Create a very secure base as an anchor. In order to do this, I usually plant this base in cement. (This gives it no chance to fall.) To cover the cement, you can do something as simple as covering it with moss or extra flowers. See the picture above

2) Most of the tables and tablecloths are rented. I usually screw metal bases into the table (yes, a bit time-consuming but very secure) .

3) There is a fool proof test I do in my office to make sure the centerpieces are secure. Try bumping your body into the table with force. If nothing crashes, it’s working.

4) As you arrange your flowers, make sure your centerpiece is not side heavy or top heavy. The weight of the flowers need to be evenly distributed all around.

If you have no other decor in your event, strategically placed centerpieces could create the magic you’re looking for. Just please, make sure there are no casualties.

I’m sure this might be a little difficult, but could you share with me any “nightmare moments” you had that you learned from?

What could be more dramatic than a centerpiece that’s almost 6 feet tall? For your inspiration, here are a few of my favorite gravity-defying centerpieces:

How do we keep these centerpieces from falling? The answer to that will need to wait for tomorrow…

But tell me, which do you prefer? Tall or low centerpieces?

People always ask me if I can predict whether a marriage will work out or not, and I always answer by saying that I never think that way. What I concentrate on is the joy the bride and the groom have in that moment. Having had experience in being in so many relationships myself, I have to say that each relationship is a learning lesson.

As Melissa commented on the last Bride Spotlight I wrote, “Even if something ends, it does not mean that you did not wait for ‘the one.’ Romance is often a much deeper thing than what we think when we first start out.”

I wanted to feature this wonderful bride today because it had to be the most fun wedding I’ve ever worked on. (I even got to meet the best man, Michael Jackson).

This was also, by far, one of the most publicized weddings I’ve ever worked on. I had worked with Liza previously so I had some experience with what she wanted.

What’s the biggest learning lesson you’ve ever had from a previous relationship? I’d love to know.

This is perhaps the mother of all mistakes I made years ago. And, if I had written this same entry two years ago, I would have definitely advised you to NEVER lower your prices to get a job. However, because of the dire place of the economy in the past year, I have learned to have a different point of view on this matter.

Years ago when I first started, I kept lowering my prices to get a job. I did it over and over again, until I realized that I was actually losing money, not even breaking even. So here it is: if you find yourself in the position of lowering your prices to get a job and you are still able to make a profit –then BRAVO.

Here are different examples of common price structures:
1) Flat fee. If you charge a flat fee for your services and lower it, this could be a place you get hit hard. Most likely you have a hard time explaining the value of your services to your clients. Explore ways you can be more effective in your presentation and your sales pitch.

2) Charging by the hour for your services. Also another place you might get hit hard if you lower your fees. (Same reason as above.)

3) Mark-up system. This could be the most damaging one. If you lower your prices, either your product is going to suffer or you are going to make less profit and lose money.

4) Creating a package. This could be the least dangerous one if you manage to sell it properly.

I also think the economy’s downfall has created a mentality in me and most clients (really, the overall culture) where we’ve started believing that we actually DO NOT NEED TO PAY FULL PRICE FOR ANYTHING (I tried asking for a discount for a Gucci shirt at a store and they laughed at me).

Be wary of the following statements:

• “These are difficult times and I can get cheaper prices from your competitor.” (Most likely they are saying the same thing to your competitors.)
• “I want it to be beautiful, but I don’t want it to look like I am spending a lot of money.” (This is a reasonable request as long as they are paying for whatever they are getting.)

If you lower your prices to get a job, and you can actually do it without jeopardizing the quality of your work, go ahead. In my opinion I find that next to impossible so I strongly recommend against it.

What do you think? Let me know.

One of my goals is trying to be present in every single moment of my life. One of my favorites book is by the brilliant spiritual teacher Mr. Eckhart Tolle called The Power of Now. This book talks about the beauty of constantly being present in “the now.” I often practice this powerful tool every time I meet a new client or a potential new business situation.

For me, being in “the now” is gauging all the different types of feelings that come up at that moment. In these series of blog posts, I’ll try to describe, in a humorous way, what goes on in my head during various moments in meetings with my clients.

I’ll call this client Mrs Smith:
As soon as they walk in, I think, oh my god these women are gorgeous.
Mrs. Smith and Daughter: Good morning Mr. Bailey. I’ve heard so much about you. This is my daughter Jane Smith.
Me: (Thinking, “Wow, look at those outfits.”) Mrs. Smith, great to meet you both.

Fall colors in a spring wedding

Mrs. Smith: My daughter is getting married in the fall and I am trying to convince her to do it in the the spring.
Me: (I get it, she wants me to help her convince her daughter) Well, both times of the year are great for a wedding.
Daughter speaking for the first time: I happen to like the wonderful fall colors.

Winter colors in a summer wedding

Me: (Oh my DOUBLE GOD, LOOK AT THAT EXQUISITE RING. How does her tiny finger hold up that huge rock?) Well, at times, it’s kind of fun to use fall colors in the spring and spring colors in the fall.
Mother: (She looks at me as if I just asked her to spill red paint all over her Louis Vuitton bags) Mr. Bailey, in our community, that is simply not done.
Daughter: (Showing great excitement for the first time) Mom, this is my wedding and I can have any colors I want.

Winter colors in a spring wedding

Me: (You tell her girl!) Mrs. Smith, the wonderful part about weddings today is that you can use any colors you like at any time. Of course, my job is to make it work.
Mrs. Smith: (She is still not happy with this answer but has decided to move forward) Thanks Mr. Bailey, let’s see what you can do.


QUESTION: Are you a bride who’s ever disagreed with your mom on what you should and shouldn’t do for your wedding? How did you handle it?