REAL WEDDING | NEVADA

Planner: Archel Rolwing, Archel Rolwing Events, Las Vegas, www.archelrolwingevents.com, archel@arevents.coYears in industry: 6Photography: Gin and Sake ProductionsBusinesses: MEET Las Vegas (venue), Soundfusion (DJ/MC), All Events Productions (videography), Peachy Keen Unions (officiant), Superior Events (catering), Events with a Twist (bar), Next Level Events (rentals), Girl Who Drew You (caricaturist), Frankie’s Ice Cream (ice cream truck)Wedding date: May 20, 2015Guest count: 120The couple: This fun-loving couple was dedicated to wedding DIY projects and committed to creating a unique wedding design. Although they envisioned a creative event design concept, they still took suggestions from their professional vendors, namely their coordinator and venue. The trust between the client and us helped the creative details come to life.Involvement: Wedding-day coordinationInspiration: This wedding had circus and carnival elements—with a classy, live theater-style flair.“Aha” moment: When first reviewing the design details with the client, it seemed too elaborate—and too difficult to pull together. Even the bride was a little worried. When I was at the clients’ home looking through the items she put together, seeing her completed projects, vintage items, and signage, I could see how everything was going to come together. It became a clear vision and was really exciting! Most unique design elements: Reception centerpieces were a mismatched mix of simple floral and pinwheels in various metallic gold vases and vintage tin cans; gold frames in various sizes with photos of the couple from childhood to now; metallic gold animal figurines; rolls of carnival ride tickets; red metal hearts with marquee lights; and oversized dice. The client also rented our large chalkboard with marquee lights and hired the artist to draw an intricate design. The artist surprised the couple with a colorful portrait of them in their wedding attire on which guests signed their well wishes. Color palette: Jewel tones, metallic gold, black, and redBudget: $15,000Staff hours: 15-20 hours with 10-12 hours on the event dayPlanning time: The client invested countless hours over five to six months planning.Meeting hours with client: ThreeSet up/strike details: We had a long inventory of items to set up and strike. We made certain the clients reviewed and approved our set up list. Two assistants worked with me in the hours leading up to the event, including meeting the vendor deliveries. Because MEET Las Vegas is a large space, there was plenty of room in their empty showroom (the wedding took place outdoors) to spread out and group all items. And, since the venue was available, they were amazing enough to allow us to store all items in there until the couple could come back in the following days to pick up. Not many venues allow this.Revenue breakdown: 100% day-of coordinationBiggest challenge: The biggest challenge was handling the many details and ensuring everything was placed exactly where indicated. Hindsight: The floral was scheduled for only one delivery location (the bride’s hotel, across the street from the venue), so we were tasked with picking up the reception floral there since the bride and bridesmaids needed their personal bouquets for detail photos and pre-ceremony shots. Although it was only across the street, it proved complicated to transport the floral (in our SUV and using a small handcart). We learned it’s best to invest in proper deliveries.Learnings: Don’t be afraid to do what’s different! It makes an event memorable for the couple, their guests, and the vendors. Also, I learned that “non-traditional” doesn’t mean it has to be less elegant or classy. You can incorporate non-traditional elements without compromising the elegance and charm. WPM