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Special Events Blog
Fabrice Orlando

Finding Event Design Inspiration Above and Beyond

Orlando_FabriceWe all love wedding blogs and magazines. They’re filled with gorgeous shots of every wedding aspect you can think of, from table runners to hairstyles.

Allow me to let you in on a little secret, though: If you really want to tap into your creativity and find some fresh inspiration, you have to look above and beyond the numerous wedding details on the screens in front of you. You need to study other industries and involve yourself in new experiences to really get your creative juices flowing.

Once you know this secret, the world will begin to change around you. I personally love walking through artisan markets and taking in all of the details, asking myself how I can adapt certain things into an elaborate event design. I pull in ideas from watching movies and reading books about anything from fashion design to architecture. Some days, I’ll even go for a walk in the city or take my car for a drive simply to take in all of the inspiration around me.

It’s not just for me, though. Anything you see can be inspiration--from art galleries to furniture stores. You may be surprised at how much is around you when you really open your eyes. If you’re browsing a store and find something that looks interesting but is cheap, take a picture and find a way to create a luxury version. The possibilities are endless! I once went to a gallery in New York and planned to stay for five minutes. Three hours later, I left with my mind full of inspiration for a “Mad Max” themed party.

You can also find inspiration by talking with some of the clients that you’ve worked with in the past. How would they have changed the event? What did they wish there was more of? Chances are these answers may help you identify certain aspects that can be worked on for all future events.

Keep in mind that everyone has different preferences for their ideal creative environment. For me, I can be alone but there needs to be some hustle and bustle around me to get my brain working. Some may prefer to be in nature, while others may prefer to confine themselves to a home office. You may even find inspiration in looking at things that you don’t want. Whatever your method is, the only way to really find your inspiration outlet is to get out there and start trying different things.

One of my best suggestions is to invest in a durable notebook that can go everywhere with you, whether you’re sitting down with a couple or heading to brunch in the city. It doesn’t have to be large; you just need to be able to jot down your ideas when they hit you unexpectedly. Write down everything – even if it doesn’t make sense. As you mull over the ideas, more inspiration may start to form and you may even start to work out some of the logistics.

Once you reach the point that you’re ready to put things into motion, you can get with the head of decoration and provide them with all of your thoughts. Share your ideas and the type of vibe you feel from your design and let them help hammer out the details of turning the inspiration into a reality.

So, the real question is – what are you waiting for? Grab a notebook, take a walk and start looking at the world through different eyes.

Fabrice Orlando is CEO of Cocoon Events Group, a luxury event planning company based in Marrakech, Morocco, that specializes in high-end weddings and special events worldwide.

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