Join Me In Turks & Caicos - 5th Annual Wedding Professionals Conference

I'm so excited to announce I will be the Keynote Speaker at the 5th Annual Wedding Professionals Conference taking place at Beaches on Turks & Caicos.  This amazing conference runs from November 14th through November 18th, 2009, and has great speakers and education.

I'm honored to be asked to Keynote with such an amazing group of people including Andy Ebon {Wedding Marketing Network}, Ciara Daykin {Rockstar Wedding Planner}, Simon Daykin {Gutsy Groom}, Jo-Ann Brown {Celebrations, Ltd.}  Guaranteed you won't be disappointed!

It is selling out so if you think you can join us in paradise, run...don't walk...to the registration online.  Only 15 rooms left!

See you in Paradise!

Sponsors:

 

Check it Out. We're on Broke Ass Bride!

So excited my fabu friend, Dana who is the Broke-Ass Bride asked us to be a guest on her fab blog: Broke Ass Bride.  Check it Yo! 

Eventology 2010 - Can't Wait!!!

Are you ready to take your wedding business to the next level?

Are you looking for ways to leverage your brand and increase your company's reach?
Do you want your business to thrive?

Eventology is an intimate, collaborative and intensive business conference designed especially for wedding plrofessionals brought to you by K Sherrie and Company Planning Atelier. This conference will bring you real-life, applicable marketing and business information to use to enhance your wedding business.

Learn the science behind running a successful wedding business, as the reality is if you're not running a profitable business, it's just one big expensive hobby.  We're packing more valuable information into the next conference!  The following topics will be presented by five dynamic and cutting edge, international wedding professionals at this unique conference:

Building Your Team:  From Interns to Associates
Priced to Sell!  Cultivating Your Service Offerings
The Art of Wedding Design:  Innovative Designs and Trends
Geek is Chic:  Tech Tools for Your Wedding Business
Brand Success! Brand Building and Brand Strategy

This is an educational and networking opportunity not to be missed!

Check out the Eventology Blog for up-to-the-minute chats with the speakers and sponsors of this exciting conference.

How Not to Ask For A Discount...

Team IDo! Join us!

We are gearing up for our next Team IDo phone conference call taking place in the next two weeks!! 

We're excited to let you know that we've got a lot of great people and great content coming up but are having to now limit the size of our team because - it's wedding season!

So, if you're looking to upgrade your business, learn something new or are starting a new business.  Drop me an email and we can chat about how we can work together to build stronger better businesses!

Gearing Up For Team IDo

Our first group call is a week and a half away -- and we can't be more excited for those that have chosen to join our Team!  We're working with a lot of great people who are looking to jump start their businesses, get some new ideas or set themselves apart from the crowd.  There isn't a better time to learn how to make yourself shine and put your business at the forefront!

Email me at sasha {at} sparkliatti {dot} com for more information on how to join the Team!

Keep America Meeting....

I have to stand on my soapbox for a few minutes...if you work in this industry, you should read this and think about what you can do to keep yourself in business and working in the career you love and adore. 

I work in an industry that has many different factions, communities and people who need a livelihood.  Senator Kerry's plan would put tens of thousands of servers, hotel workers, event planners, catering managers, floral designers and other independent hard working people out of business. 

But you're not in the meetings or events industry...why should you care?  Because these hardworking people spend the money they earn.  They spend it in industries where you might work.  If they are not making money, you may not be making money.  Remember it's cyclical and trickle down.  If they don't make money they won't spend it and you could be out of a job as a wedding planner, photographer, sales person at any retail outlet, graphic designer, real estate agent.,...the list goes on.  If you want to know how much the meetings industry contributes to the economy, just read this letter by the City of Las Vegas.  And that is just one city...imagine all the money going into the economy in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York and every other major city in America.

Meetings keep people connected, they inspire and give a renewed vitality to employees.  At times like these, it's important that employees stay energized, upbeat and positive to gain the most from them on a daily basis.  To remove this small perk from the employees can create a set of individuals who are stagnant and unmotivated.  Therefore, I bring you this message originally posted by Joella Hopkins of Simply Mumtaz:

URGENT CALL: Senator Kerry's direct attack on the Meetings & Events Industry

Our industry continues to be under fire, and we each need to take a more active role in ensuring that our local communities and elected officials are more educated on the true role and impact of our industry on the economy. This is a time of partnership and alliances!

Meeting Professionals International and the National Business Travel Association and their respective leaderships have been working behind the scenes with fellow industry associations to thoughtfully respond to many inaccurate assertions unfairly attached to our industry. Now, we need your help to reinforce these responses in your local communities and to reach out to your elected officials. Here's a list of links that you should sign up on and investigate further!!!

1) Write to government representatives TODAY! Please view the many tools and updates available on the MPI International Website @ www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org. Here you will find your government representatives and sample letters that can be written. I urge you to write today!

2) Sign the Keep America Meeting petition www.keepamericameeting.org

3) View the Convention Industry Council's (CIC) news release. Carry our industry's message to mainstream America. http://www.conventionindustry.org/documents/CIC_Members_Endorse_Guidelines_for_Meetings.pdf

4) National Business Travel Association - Action Alert http://capwiz.com/nbta/issues/alert/?alertid=12773376

New Team IDo Accelerated Program!

We've received amazing feedback & signups on our business coaching program and we added a more accelerated program for those looking to jump start their business in three months or less!

If you would like the updated information or new info email me at sasha {at} sparkliatti {dot} com

Can't wait to work from you!

Join us for Team IDo - coming soon to teamido.com

Our coaching program is now live and ready for sign ups!  We've emailed out a bunch of them already and would love you to join us for Team IDo!  Email for more info sasha {@} sparkliatti {dot} com and we'll get it out to you ASAP.  You'll join our "team" of like minded wedding & event planners for an amazing adventure into streamlining your business model and taking yourself to the next level.  With four different options and pay over time we can definitely fit you into our newest concept and we're SOOOO excited to have you!

How Much Is That? Brilliance from the Brown Bag Blog by Nancy Liu Chin

 

{image source} & how to make a $ rose

Ihave been an avid reader of the very talented Nancy Liu Chin'sBlog | The Brown Bagfor a very long time and when I saw this post yesterday, I knew I had to "borrow" it with her permission.  I think it brilliantly outlines the differences between a florist shop and a floral designer.  Because THERE ARE DIFFERENCES.  Good Job Nancy!!!  Thanks for letting me share this info!

The Price Is Right

This entry is a response to many of our potential clients and vendors who ask the proverbial question...

{"Can you give me a price list for flowers for my wedding?"}

Or….

{"What should I budget for wedding flowers?"}

These are the most frequently asked questions and I'm not at all surprised because information is not as easy to find as you might think.

-          Why aren't many wedding floral designers and florist able to provide a price sheet on their website?

-          Why is it so hard to determine how to budget for wedding flowers?

The answer is not so simple as we discovery. As consumers, we are accustomed to seeing flowers at our local grocery stores like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, or Safeways(Vons). We often see "bucket shops" with pre-made flowers with clear pricing. We can buy flowers at BULK warehouses like Costco. However, in those instances, flowers are sold as COMMODITIES or PRODUCTs not as a custom designed ARRANGEMENT.  A floral arrangement is a hand crafted, custom product and it varies in price.

What are the components in pricing wedding flowers?

-          Creativity

-          Quantity and Quality

-          Seasonality of flowers

-          Color of the flowers

-          Holidays - supply of certain flowers during peak holidays increase

-          Fixed Costs of a Business

-          Labor and Design Costs

-          Delivery and Setup

-          Materials

-          Props, Rentals, Containers, Supplies

-          - Customer Service

-          - Exclusivity of a Designer

-          - Travel Costs

-          - Location

I'm sure I've missed a few but in general you get the message...right?

What is the salesperson at a floral shop thinking when you ask how much wedding flowers costs?

1)     When is the wedding? i.e. Weekday? Holidays weekend?

2)     What color is the wedding?

3)     How many floral pieces do they need? i.e. Ceremony? Reception? Bouquets? Boutonnieres? Food Stations?

4)     What containers? What props? What rental items do they need?

5)     What is their style? i.e. Modern? Simple relaxed? Country rustic? Formal, Black Tie?

6)     Is this a complex setup? How many floral installers will it take? What is the distance between ceremony site and reception site?

7)     What flowers do they like? Is there additional cost to import? Can we source locally?

8)     When is the breakdown of this event?

9)     How much lead time will we have to create this wedding?

 

Do you see why it's a very difficult question to ask any floral designer or florist

about pricing? It is almost as general as asking how much is a car? (Do you want a

sports car? A sedan? What are the options? A/C, navigation, leather seats? Do you

want a luxury brand? Is it a 2 door, 4 door? What year? What make?)

BOTTOM LINE: There are many options for wedding flowers. What is important is to do some INDEPENDENT research. We are so lucky that we have great online floral delivery services at our finger tips.

Websites like bbrooks.com, ftd.com,1800flowers.com, teleflora.com can give us GENERIC pricing on a range of pre-made, pre-designed flowers. If you have designer tastes, you know that you will have to pay above such prices.

There are many quality vendors who do show pricing on floral arrangements through their websites. One of the best in LA is Eric Buterbaugh who has a fabulous collection of flowers.

Remember, when you research, these are single arrangement and all floral have added delivery costs so DO NOT be surprised that for wedding flowers, you too should also expect DELIVERY, SETUP, BREAKDOWN, DESIGN costs. This is industry standards and completely justified.

- DO YOUR HOMEWORK - research is important.

-          Be Specific with your questions. AVOID sending lengthy emails. If you ask a generic question, you will probably get a very general answer back

-          Pick up the phone. Make a floral consultation. Make a connection.

-          Review the vendor's website and see if they address your questions.

-          Go to wedding related websites for general PRICING answers but do not expect that it will fit to your wedding needs.

-          Ask if your vendors have a minimum.

 

 

Drumroll Please! Sasha Souza Presents....

Do you want to stand out in your field amongst all the others planners?  Are you looking to try to make yourself an individual or get more into design?  Do you need an ear to listen to your hardest & most troubling issues with your clients and give you sound, non biased advice?

Then guess what?  Today is your lucky day!

After an amazing Special Event Show in San Diego, we were encouraged about two dozen times to either conduct a business coaching seminar or a group of seminars. 

We have been giving advice on everything from business collateral design to sticky situations to other event related businesses who we are close to for years.  But I think it's time that we offer a structured program in addition to our super popular Apprentice Program. 

If you are interested in details, please contact me at sasha {@} sparkliatti {dot} com and we'll send off the business coaching outline when they are finalized on Friday 02/13/09 (great day to start a new venture!). 

We'll offer advice and coaching on everything from:  blogging, building your brand, PR, reviewing your business materials & collateral, and design advice for your hardest color conundrums!  

I have built a very strong company from scratch and we are lucky to be considered to be one of the best in the industry by our peers, magazines, tv production companies, marketing companies and our brides & grooms.  We're not just good because we are good bloggers and spend a lot of time on twitter.  We're good because we plan amazing events every single day. 

But wait...there's more!  We'll also give a SIGNIFICANT discount on our Apprentice Program if you are a current coaching client.   Email me for more info and I'll happily send you the packet of information including pricing, payment options and all that cool stuff. 

Believe it or not...

(source)

I do write my own blogs :)

I've probably had at least a dozen people ask me this week if I actually write Sparkliatti or if I pay somebody else to do it for me.

1.  Why would I pay a blogger when I'm actually this funny? (kidding, really...)

2.  Why would I pay a blogger when the whole idea is to showcase your own voice & personality?

3.  Why would I even have a blog if I paid somebody else to do it?  That's what a website is for.

So...there ya go.  I write it and I manage it - typos, poor grammar and all.  Rest assured if it's ever not me -- you'll know because it will be indicated that there is a "Guest Blogger" in my place.

Enjoy reading it because I'm having a great time writing it.

The Special Event Show 2009 - Important Information

Are you joining us for The Special Event Show 2009 in San Diego?  You should!  It's always an amazing week and we've been attending for years.  There are some special things for you to know about, though!

• Registration opens in September.  Buy your tickets EARLY or get left behind
• Always buy tickets for the parties.  It may seem expensive but they sell out and often the best decor/design you'll see is at the showcase events such as the Gala, Wedding Lunch and Opening Night Party.
• Don't worry if you don't know anybody!  You can sign up for the Hands on Hundred Work/Study Program and help work the events, get a discount on your education package and meet tons friends!

Come See Us Speak!

Our speaking engagement is confirmed for the VERY FIRST DAY - FIRST THING!  Join us from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2009.  Colour Couture: Part Deux Fashioning Today's Colours into the Perfect Party Palette. 

This time, though, we're taking it to another level and there will be more info to come on that.   

Last time, this seminar had people standing & sitting in the aisles and standing in the hallway outside.  (Hopefully they'll give me a bigger room this time)

SEARCH Foundation Cabaret Fundraiser!

We're producing the SEARCH Foundation fundraiser in San Diego.  Join us for an amazing night of cabaret entertainment, silent and live auction lots and guaranteed drinking and dancing.  We're currently looking for people who can round out our committee.  If you live in or near the San Diego area and want to participate by donating goods we would love to have you help this very worthwhile cause.

We are looking for silent and live auction items to benefit the SEARCH Foundation.  Even if you think you have nothing to "give" you would be surprised at how much you can help.  Please contact me at sasha {at} sparkliatti {dot} com to get on our committee and to help us locate auction items.  We're looking for a variety of goods and services from around the country including but not limited to:

hotel stays, spa, both costume and genuine stone/gold jewelry, attire, gift baskets, wine, tech toys, airline tickets, meal certificates from restaurants or restaurant groups, sports tickets and memorabilia, excursions & experiences, services which are valuable to those in the events industry, etc... basically if you think we can use it, we probably can!

Please do me a favor and check out the SEARCH Foundation -- it's mission is to those in the events industry faced with catastrophic loss.  It could easily happen to any one of us one day and regardless of your affiliation, location or need -- the SEARCH Foundation is available to help. 

Won't you join us?

Speaking Again at The Special Event Show: Event Verve

We will be speaking again at The Special Event Show which will be in San Diego in January 2009.  We're speaking about our always popular Colour Couture Part Deux:  Fashioning Today's Colours into the Perfect Party Palette.

The last time we gave this class in Los Angeles in 2007 it was standing room only...we filled the room top to bottom.  It was a great time and I'm hoping we can do the same in San Diego! 

If you're in the events industry and don't attend The Special Event Show, it's time to join the crowd.  Over 8000 special events people with tons of seminars and you CANNOT miss the parties.  They sell out every year. 

We hosted the Wedding Lunch in 2005 in Miami and had over 800 event planners just for lunch!  Every party sells out every year, so buy early!  And don't forget to attend the SEARCH Caberet!  We're chairing events committee & producing the event. 

WWSD? Asked by Mimsy

I received a comment on our post about Colorspotting:  Peacock Blue & Teal Green from Mimsy who wanted to know what I would do with her flowers using the color palette of Peacock Blue & Teal Green...:

"Ooh, finally I see the palette I have been working with for my own wedding! Sadly, there are no floral photos with this. I am stumped.

White flowers don't pop enough for me. Purple could work beautifully, so would fuchsia, burgundy and red would contrast nicely as well. Then there is Orange, my favorite color. *sigh* Too many options. What Would Sasha Do?"

Well...I'll show you.  A few years ago, we were asked by KABC in Los Angeles to show them some upcoming color trends in events and created the table below for the TV shoot...it's peacock blue, tea green and the flowers?  Orange and Fuchsia accented with green.  Hope this helps ya, Mimsy...

Ask Sasha: I Know You're Busy, But...How Do I Become An Event Planner?

Today's Ask Sasha is absolutely THE single most asked question that I get via email.  Easily, I receive around 10 of these emails per week asking for everything from advice to full time/part time/paid and unpaid internships with our company.  I also receive about a half dozen unsolicited resumes from newly graduated men and women looking for a job in the event field. 

TPitts writes:

"I want to start a business similar to yours.  I  have a dramatic mind for parties and love to go over the top. I recently did my daughter's wedding in a red/orange/gold morrocan theme.  I don't live in a huge city, but weddings are popular.  I live in the South.   What steps are important to start?  For instance, do you need a floral class?  How do you get contacts  and suppliers to work with?  Do you own the items like vases, or rent them?   I know you are super busy, but I hope you can find a minute to help me out.  Any direction would be greatly appreciated!"

Being a wedding planner is such an intense business and most people think it is a lot of fun, all the time.  Don't get me wrong, we have a GREAT time doing this job, but every day is not a party.  If you want to start a business or become a wedding planner, the best thing for you to do is to get an eduction, take an at home course or a couse offered by a university or independent study program such as the Association of Bridal Consultants.  There are also yearly event conferences such as The Special Event Show held each January where you can go to classes in tracks such as food service/decor/business mattters, etc.  There are a variety of levels of instruction from Novice to Professional...plus FANTASTIC parties to attend each night. 

This will help you learn the nuts and bolts of being a wedding consultant, starting a business and learning the etiquette surrounding weddings.  We offer a two day apprenticeship program through our company (that we charge for) which allows those who have gone through some type of training to apprentice on our weddings.  The reason we charge for this is because it is a lot of work for us to manage an event and an inexperienced intern on a job and it's for the benefit of the intern so that they can learn a very professional way to handle a party and say that they have worked as an Apprentice at Sasha Souza Events.

You will also have to decide what type of a wedding coordinator you want to be.  Are you a consultant?  A wedding coordinator/planner?  An Event Designer?  There are so many different ways you can structure your business.   Here is a brief description of each (as I see them - I'm sure that everybody has an opinion on this).   You can also find a link on our main website to the different roles that church coordinators/site coordinators offer. 

A Wedding Consultant/Bridal Consultant:  Provides resources to the bride for an hourly fee and consults with the bride on all matters of her etiquette, vendors and budget.  Will often be at the event to ensure it's running smoothly. 

A Wedding Coordinator/Planner:  Plans the entire event with the couple, refers to select vendors on their preferred list.  This person typically works for a flat fee and can also work on partial service basis.  They are at the event to ensure it's running smoothly. 

An Event/Wedding Designer:  Designs the event, does the decor and design of the room layout, floral, linens and has the overall vision of the event.  This is often the most confusing role as some will call themselves a designer, but they don't design any portion of the event...but the title sounds good :)  Some designers manage the event and others do not, this is a personal choice as to if you want to be on site for 13 hours or go home after 5. 

If you're going to do all your own floral and decor and not work with a trained floral designer, you should then be trained in floral design.  I would suggest contacting the AIFD to find AIFD certified event floral designers in your area who may be willing to let you work with them.  Managing the floral and decor and running the party are two separate and distinct services so make sure you've mastered one before you try your hand at the other.

Finding suppliers for hardgoods and products and whether you choose to rent, build or buy is a completely personal decision based on what you can afford.  Finding vendors to work with will depend on where you are located and your clients' budgets.  Using people who are members of similar professional associations is a good place to start.  ISES / ICA and NACE all have people thoughout the country who work in the events industry on all levels and have committed to a standard of excellence and professionalilsm. 

Bottom line is that what has worked for us, may not work for you.  You need to set your own path, decide what you want to do and who you want to be and not try to emulate another persons' success...you can only be you and you can't be Martha Stewart...there's only one of those :) 

I believe with hard work and dedication comes rewards, some are monetary, some are not but you have to have a passion and love for the wedding industry in order to make a career of it.  Dabbling here and there and providing "services" in an unprofessional manner will never help anybody including you.  This is not a job for a hobbiest but is really best for those who are a little bit wacky, really creative, can think on their feet, put out fires, settle rattled nerves, deal with multiple personalities at the same time, are multi-taskers and being a Virgo doesn't hurt either :)

I hope this helps you decide on your path and if you choose to join the ranks of those in the industry -- we welcome you and hope to see you at a conference down the road. 

If you want to watch behind the scenes videos of our events, please visit SashaSouza.tv

Ask Sasha: PSA - For Event Planners...

This isn't really an ASK Sasha, but it sort of fits.  A friend of mine asked that I post this email to Sparkliatti so others can learn from it.  She's a popular & talented event planner in her area asked that I provide a quick PSA regarding scams that have hit the wedding planners in the last few years.  I, until now, have not personally known anybody who has been scammed.  Just read here and be careful when working with anybody..

I received a very well written email asking or should I say requesting information about my services... this was a couple writing me from London & planning to relocate to (my city) due to a job opportunity so they wanted to plan a wedding ceremony & reception here in (my city) on July 26. they said 50 guests with a budget of $ 25,000.US.; saying that a friend of theirs in Spain had heard of me in Chicago & they were busy making plans for their big move...asking me for my pricing...so I sent them a Letter of Agreement, they signed it, scanned it and sent it back to me...after a few emails back & forth to further discuss arranging for vendors ( venue,photographer, florist, etc), they asked if I would accept via UPS a cashier's check to cover my deposit and the majority sent via Western Union wire transfer money to their band in France... so I received the cashier's check, cashed it out against my money market account and walked it into the Western Union office as requested..got notification that it was received on the other end...I'm feeling good at this point ..so after a few more emails, they asked again if I would accept a second cashier's check to send the same way to the same band leader for money to be used for their flights & hotel rooms...so I did...about an hour after the second transaction, I get a call from the manager of the Western Union facility suggesting that I put A HOLD ON THIS SECOND WIRE TRANSFER BECAUSE SHE BECAME SUSPICIOUS...AT THIS POINT........I KNEW THAT I WAS SCAMMED!!!!!!...then I get a call from Europe from this person asking me why there was a freeze on receiving the money..and could I get them to release the freeze....he called two times and then I NEVER heard from him again............I was so lucky that this manager gave me a heads up and I listened to her!!!!! 

So I caught the second transaction in time BUT the first wire transfer now becomes MY responsibility!!!!!!!!Sasha, everytime I think about it I start crying.... because I feel so violated....I considered myself a pretty savvy person until then....so, I guess that I want you to send out a RED FLAG to fellow professionals sharing this information because if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE spread this horrific scenario through your newsletter...warning, especially the newer planners NOT to respond to ANY request before thoroughly checking it out through reliable sources....

Here is what I'd like to add...you should ALWAYS only take money from overseas dealings by wire transfer.  If you don't know your wire transfer instructions, call your bank or visit your branch - they can give them to you and you can rest assured that you do not need to take a check, wait for it to clear and put your own money on the line.   Furthermore, anybody who tells you that they want you to take money for them and provide money to another vendor with it before the vendor provides services or if the vendor is in another country...it's better to say no and lose a potential client than to really make yourself sick over being stuck with the bill. 

As most event planners can tell you, most of us are not getting rich doing this job -- we do it for the love of it, for the drama behind it and for the thank you from a bride at the end of a successful event.  Something keeps bringing us back to do it over and over again.  If it were the most stressful job in the world, I can guarantee there wouldn't be as many wedding planners out there now.   So learn from my friend and protect yourself from scams and people looking to take advantage. 

Ask Sasha...5/16

We got quite a few interesting questions for our first "Ask Sasha" and I chose this one to answer from lhandle27 - it has to do with my favoritest thing in the whole wide world -- C.O.L.O.R:

lhandle27 writes:

"I am getting married at a hotel in my hometown in Texas and I want to have a beautiful wedding that's not white.  All of my family wants to use the white linen that comes from the hotel with plain white flowers.  It's not my style, I wear a lot of purple and black and I chose purple bridesmaids dresses.  I also want the linen to be purple and they are trying to convince me to use white linen with purple flowers.  To make matters worse, the chair is black and I can't afford to replace them.  THEN the carpet is orange and purple and pink.  Can you help me figure out what I should do?"

Ok, this should be fun....sounds like you have quite the mess of colors going on.  Ignore the carpet, if you have enough tables on the floor you won't even see it.  If you can afford lighting also, it will change the colors in the room anyway -- so just don't look down ;)

Second lesson of the day is that you should have the colors you like the best.  Even if your family is paying for the wedding.  If you don't want an all white wedding why don't you do this.  Have your purple linens and put beautiful white flowers on top which will contrast your linen and really POP off the tables.  I will give you an example of a table we did where we used green linen with white flowers and a white chair.

I think that you could potentially find a beautiful linen that's dark enough to work with the chairs -- like this one from LaTavola Linen in California.  It's a beautiful dark purple color with a dark pattern which will go very well with your chair and make them disappear ALMOST.  I would strongly suggest that you try to find it in the budget to change your chair if you can -- or if you're doing lighting that could help by not accentuating the chair.  Chair covers are sometimes an option, but I would strongly suggest against it if they are white satin.

Check out these linens as examples of beautiful purples that can work really well for your wedding.  They are all from LaTavola Linen which run in the range of less than $40 per 134" round which fits a table up to 72" around.  You can also use all white candles and china throughout the event which will play nicely off the purple in the linens.

We hope this helps you with the colors to use for your wedding and how to use the white & purple.  Use your imagination and have a great time planning your wedding!

Ask Sasha...

Time to get out your thinking caps and ask Sasha anything about wedding design, color choices, etiquette and anything in between....questions will be answered weekly and the featured question will receive a fun gift!

email your questions to asksasha@sparkliatti.com

Questions will be chosen by originality of the question, importance to the readers and if it's not redundant based on other answers. Sasha reserves the right to answer questions she chooses and not all questions will be answered.  Answers will be posted on the following Friday.