Being a ‘creative’ researcher will ensure you produce more unique events. Here at Workshop Events, we don't always use the same suppliers or engage the first company that comes up in a Google search.
Here's how WE find event 'stuff'!
STYLING – How to make an event look good!
1) Use social media networks... there are two ways that social media can be helpful. If you need something you can make a call out for ideas and recommendations. It goes along the lines of this… “Hi, I need 200 x this item or I need someone that can provide this service.” Generally people in your personal or business social network are unlikely to recommend products or services that aren’t reliable or high quality.
Alternatively, follow groups that might offer recommendations. I'm in a local community Mum's Facebook group and when I noticed a call out for a wedding florist I searched through all the recommendations. I selected the most talented florist with a style that would suit our corporate events and private events. I've been happily working with her for years now.
Ikebana style floral arrangement for a contemporary supper club theme wedding… my Facebook sourced florist is fantastic at following a creative brief.
2) Ebay and gumtree are a good source of both new and second hand items. With some listings on ebay it’s possible to trace the actual business and deal with them direct which can make communication easier and also offer access to more products.
I had success last year on Gumtree finding ‘vases’ for a German themed event… rather than buying 30 cheap new German beer mugs from Amazon, I found a man selling his Dad's vintage collection as a bundle lot. It was cheaper, better for the environment and more authentic! They’ve also been donated back to a charity now so they can be recycled yet again.
Ebay led me to a Russian supplier of these authentic shirts for a troupe of Cossack inspired dancers. Unable to find pants and belts in the right colour online, they were custom made by a local tailor in Sydney.
3) Charity shops... this does require a little more leg work but it can be lots of fun. For a Havana theme event a few years ago, I collected over 100 vintage ceramic vases for a dinner, making each dining table totally unique. The event needed to feel like it was a private dinner in the host’s home. Matching vases on each table would have felt more like a wedding.
One of my other favourite finds was a vintage sleeveless denim jacket with a USA flag on the back, perfect for the costume for a Bruce Springsteen character I was piecing together. It was only $10!
Eclectic ceramic vases for a colourful Cuban 80th birthday dinner… complete with faux butterflies.
4) Outlet shops like The Reject Shop... you can really find some unique things at these retailers that are well priced... if you look hard enough (ie. past the junk!). Do consider the environment when looking at these options. Where will the items go after the event? Will they have another life? No one wants the props from an event to go straight to landfill.
5) Specialist shops... if you are working with a theme that involves a specific country, head to the cultural hub within your city and buy direct. You can gain an additional cultural insight and ideas from someone that has actually lived in that country by speaking to the supplier/shopkeepers. Similarly if you wanted to create a specific theme with plants, seek out the wholesaler that supplies the nurseries for better selection and quality.
Hundreds of Asian hanging lanterns were installed for this event. Based on the quantity it made sense to source direct from China. For smaller quantities, a quick trip to Chinatown is always successful (and enjoyable).
6) Hire from retailers... event hire props aren’t always in the best nick so it’s possible sometimes to arrange a hire fee to ‘borrow’ furniture or props from a retail store. High quality authentic Persian rugs are an item not generally available from hire companies. I hired a whole marquee full of rugs once to create an authentic space for our guests. These items are usually charged at a percentage of their sale price and be prepared to pay a bond until they are returned (undamaged) that can be up to 100% of the value of the items.
Cloak room entrance for a vintage circus theme. Vintage costumes sourced from a costume hire shop and ebay. The collection of mirrors were either hired from an antique warehouse or purchased from an auction house.
For tips and tricks on sourcing fantastic entertainment and activities for your event, Keep an eye on our Socials next week for Part 2 of ‘How to find stuff FOR YOUR EVENT’.
Part One of ‘How to find stuff’ by Alexandra Cowie, Senior Event Producer, Workshop Events (Corporate Event Management Sydney)
Workshop Events can assist with your event sourcing, design, management and production, whether it’s LIVE OR ONLINE - www.workshopevents.com.au
Charity shop collection of vintage lamps for a quirky Alice In Wonderland garden entrance… make sure an electrician tests and tags any second hand electrical items before they are used at your event.
Colourful glass Middle Eastern lanterns were hired from a homeware store.
Food serving platters hired from a Moroccan restaurant for authentic presentation.
Authentic German beer mugs completed the ‘German’ tables at this “European Vacation” themed event.