I watched Flowers Uncut on TLC again last night and while it wasn't as drama-filled and exciting as last week, Jeff Leatham again proved himself a professional. Again I saw situations I could identify with...

I've been at this over 30 years and I've done every one of these and more! I'm just waiting for the episode when he has to hoist an employee up to climb in a high skinny open window to "break-in" the church because the venue staff was all "to busy" to come unlock the doors so we could set up the event.

Here's what we identified with last night;
*Trying to keep flowers from wilting while producing an outdoor event.
*Last minute unexpected (& unplanned for) clean-up of fingerprints on containers.
*Expensive and vital vases breaking on-site,
*Having to fill those same humongous vases with tons of heavy water.
*Again, having to invent a Plan-B on the fly
*Totally amazing our clients when they see what we've done for them (my FAVORITE part of the job)

...and last weeks identifying moments;
*Product not arriving or arriving wrong color,
*Last minute schedule/time-line changes that throw all pre-planning out the window,
*Having to schlep designs into slow cramped elevators and down "miles" of tight hallways to event site,
*Adding a last minute job to an already tight schedule then figuring out how I'm going to do it,... Read More
*Getting stressed and becoming hyper-critical to staff,
*Having supposedly "professional" temp-help that couldn't design their way out of a paper bag ...and
*Having to invent a Plan B on the fly.

I applaud his nerve in allowing a camera crew to follow him around and film every unflattering thing he does. I sure wouldn't want it! Have I always cut flowers the exact "proper" way? Hell no! If I'd had the deadline of an event that size suddenly change & become 2 hours sooner than planned I'm sure I would have broken flowers over my knee if I could have.

Truth folks, good bad or indifferent, I think the exposure that he's giving us as an industry will only help. The guy does pretty work...period. Doesn't matter how many times he does the same thing, if it looks good the public will like it and therefore like us.

Thanksgiving flowers

This one if for our non-florist friends. Follow the link above for the chance to win free flowers for your Thanksgiving table. We all know everything is better with flowers so pass this along to all your friends. It's simple and easy.

Have a great day, even if it is rainy outside, it doesn't have to be rainy inside your head!
Janet

Flowers Uncut

Watched the first show last night of Flowers Uncut with uber designer Jeff Leatham. If you missed it be sure to catch it on rerun, TLC channel. Great show.

What hooked me was how even with his budgets of $80,000 he still dealt with the exact same issues I do with a considerably smaller budget. Namely; flowers not arriving as planned, flowers coming in the wrong colors, debating whether to add on that last minute extra job (and wondering if we can handle it), getting stressed and becoming hyper critical with staff, having staff that doesn't produce the quality work I expected, dealing with deadlines that suddenly change without notice (the absolute worst stress), expensive vases getting broken, having to schlep designs from some distant workspace into a slow cramped elevator down long winding hallways to the event setting and trying to invent a Plan B on the fly....not that us at Enchanted Florist Asheville would ever do any of that (wink-wink).

I think all wedding and event professionals deal with all the same issues whatever our budgets. The difference between a PROFESSIONAL and someone with little experience is that the professional IS able to handle the problems and create something of beauty in spite of them and sometimes beyond what was planned.

This is something you may want to think about when your friend or neighbor offers to help by doing your flowers. Your wedding day is much too important to trust with anyone other than a professional. In future posts I'll talk about what to look for when choosing a florist and what information you need when going into your consultations.

From the ashes

Just got the word from Joe Lasher about plans to rebuild the barn at Claxton Farm. His message follows...
"We are all saddened by the loss of our historic Barn at Claxton Farm. As you may or may not know, M7 Event Solutions was essentially formed on that Flat Top lawn in front of that old barn in February of 1996 when Martha Ann Claxton and I met to discuss possibilities. Over the last 14 years, we’ve grown into the company that we are today. The barn evolved with our company over the years with the addition of lights, then restrooms, then stage and bar area modifications. After that came beverage equipment, refrigeration equipment and more storage. A new roof was added and more electricity to accommodate the growing demand. We modified and modified the old barn, always trying to keep the rustic simplicity and charm. It is tragic to lose all of the history and effort that went into making the barn what it was in the end.

I was out of town when the fire occurred Monday evening and cut my trip short. As I drove across NC, I thought of all the personal events that have happened for me in that old barn. My son’s first birthday party; my grandparents 50th anniversary; my sister’s wedding; my tenth anniversary celebration; and countless other personal moments. I did not know what emotions would flow when I saw the charred remains of the building. As I rounded the curve and turned into the gravel drive leading up the barn site, my spirits were lifted. Yes, the barn was gone, but the view and setting were more clear and more majestic than I’d ever seen. I realized that I was experiencing Claxton Farm like I did the FIRST time I met Martha Ann in the winter of 2006. My heart and mind were flooded with possibility!

Shortly after I arrived at the site and had spoken with the investigators, I moved to the side of the Flat Top to reflect on the situation. Porter Claxton drove up and exited his vehicle. We met on the Flat Top lawn like we have 1000 times before, but in this new setting. His first comment was “Joe, this has opportunity written all over it”. He doesn’t know it, but he got the words out before I could.

Folks, I want you to know that the plan is DEFINITELY to regroup and rebuild. And, although the old barn is a tragic loss, we have the opportunity to recreate all that was GREAT about the barn….the charm and simplicity of design….and put it into a fully functional event venue that will allow us to introduce even more people to our mountains and the majesty of Claxton Farm through events held well into the future. We are meeting and discussing this immediately and regularly and will continue to do so until the plans are in place and construction has begun.

Please forward this letter to all past, present and future Claxton Farm Clients. The need to know that we have set up a BLOG at www.claxtonfarm.blogspot.com that they can visit for updates and to share their comments and stories. I strongly encourage anyone that is considering their event at Claxton Farm in 2010 to go forward with securing their date now. Plans will be unveiled over the coming weeks. If they are dissatisfied with the direction we are going, then deposits will be refunded. I truly believe that we are taking a huge step to reassure the community and our industry partners that Claxton Farm will REMAIN a premier event destination long into the future.

Thank you so much for your work and efforts during this time!

With much appreciation,
Joe
Joe Lasher, President

M7 Event Solutions & Catering

Claxton Farm burns

In shock this morning upon hearing of the overnight fire that totally destroyed the barn at Claxton Farm. Feels like an old friend has died. We were among the firsts to provide florals for weddings up there. I think it's been about 12 years now...

Claxton was one of our favorite venues with its beautiful hilltop setting, aged wood tobacco barn and glorious vistas. It provided a unique venue to brides want to immerse themselves and their guests in the mountain experience.

Claxton farm was/is a favorite venue of weddings with families and children. The Llamas, goats and miniature ponies as well as the pond for fishing provided hours of entertainment for little-ones.

I spoke to Amy Dewey with M-7 and she thinks they will probably rebuild, hopefully this winter to be ready for next season's events. Can't wait to see the new structure that will arise form the ashes...reckon we'll have to call it Phoenix Farm!

Time to Relax, ahhhhhhhh.....

Ah, oh blessed day! As much as I dearly love weddings and enjoy my work with brides, I always look forward to this day each season. Today is the first day since April that I don't have another wedding or event immediately upcoming. I have a whole 5 weeks before my next round of winter holiday parties & weddings begins.

So what do I plan for this break you may ask? One thing is to get out and cut small trees to decorate the Crest Pavilion for the "Winter Wonderland" theme they're offering bride's this winter. Beautiful bare branched trees covered with twinkle lights with votive candles suspended from the branches. Should be so pretty with all the natural rock-work in the Pavilion.

I bet you thought I was going to say I planned on putting my feet up and doing nothing for a month or so, now didn't you?