Your average corporate client is very different from your average engaged couple. One plans branded events with purposes like fundraising and awarding, typically on a regular basis. On the other hand, couples are planning a one-time celebration to signify a life-changing moment — one that is steeped in sentimentality and emotion.
As different as the two may be, that’s not to say that you cannot still gather inspiration from corporate work to weave into your wedding celebrations. Let’s dig into corporate events a bit more and how you can use them to produce extraordinary weddings as well.
Corporate Events: Not so stuffy
When you think about corporate events, you may think of boxed lunches and endless rows of folding chairs. They have a reputation for being boring and uninspired, but that is simply not the case. In fact, corporate events are what you make them. Each one is unique and brings different needs to the table, from registration and attendance to setup and guest experience. An industry conference doesn’t need to be boring—if it is, then you’ve already lost your audience and are not serving your client what they need.
Think of corporate events as another branch in your event businesses. You can work with the same vendors that you do for weddings, so take some time to learn the products and services they can provide for business clients. In reality, it’s just as fun as any wedding. It may be more challenging at first, but the more you learn, the more business you can handle.
Finding wedding inspiration
When you understand that corporate events aren’t supposed to be stuffy and formal affairs, you start to see how certain aspects can translate over into your weddings.
For example, consider the entertainment factor. We are always looking for different entertainment and one of our favorite things is using famous dancers from Dancing With The Stars. At a corporate event, they can put on an incredible themed dance composition. At a wedding, they can blend in seamlessly to a couple’s first dance, complementing but not detracting from the moment. It’s the same mode of entertainment, but in different environments with different purposes.
The same idea goes for experiential design, innovative catering styles, creative lighting, and so on. The conceptual gap between weddings and corporate events is blurring and it’s time we start letting the inspiration overlap.
Both corporate and wedding trends come and go with the time, so always be mindful of the latest styles that are splashed on magazines and in storefront displays. Keep an open mind as you work with corporate clients to discover fresh and innovative ideas for your weddings; you’ll be surprised at what you come up with. For what it’s worth, it goes the other way too — so don’t hesitate to assess your weddings for new corporate ideas!
Oleta Collins is the owner of Flourishing Art Design Studio, a premier florist and design studio in Bakersfield, California, that specializes in luxury weddings and events. She is also a Certified Floral Designer and an accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers.