Christmas wishes

Biggest Christmas Special ever!

 

 

ECTA Creative Solutions have an amazing special running for Cape Town over the Christmas Season.

We are running a month long course in Somerset West for all of our 8 courses. Wedding planning, Draping Foundation, Draping Advance, Event Design foundation, Event Design Advance, Kids party planning, Table setting and centre pieces, Protocol and Etiquette.

These courses will take place at the Bay Christian Family Church – Gants Centre – Somerset West from the 28^th of January to the 22^nd of February 2013 from Monday to Saturday  -  8am – 5pm.

The normal price for our courses is R25 380.00 BUT for this amazing special you will only pay R5000.00 for all 8 courses. We can only accommodate 5 students at this price.

Terms and Conditions apply for the special.

Contact us for more info. www.electtrainingacademy.co.za or look at our video that explains our courses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWlkIz5E7Q&feature=plcp

Give the gift of Knowledge

 

Give the gift of knowledge

Education is a gift that inspires greatness, creates opportunities, and opens doors. 

Give the gift of knowledge and motivate the one you love to follow their passion in the event planning industry. 

LWPI's Certification Courses are offered through and recognized by over 2,000 Accredited Colleges and Universities around the world.  This means  LWPI's courses have been reviewed and approved for complying with internationally recognized academic standards.

Contact us for more info! www.electtrainingacademy.co.za

Firsts... What a way to end of 2012!

 

Firsts – a new way of ending the year with!

ECTA Creative Solutions is proud to announce a few first things that we are ending the year of 2012 with.

Elect Training Academy decided to change its name to ECTA Creative Solutions and you are the FIRST to know it! From January 2013 we will officially be known as ECTA and not Elect.

That will not change anything to our existing courses – only a few new added on courses that will start in January 2013. We stay the same…. Elect is a way and mean for us to equip you to be the best YOU that you can be. You where created and chosen for success… and we are there to help you to be all that you can be!

You are also the FIRST ones to know that we do have a new partner in the business – Jacques Greyling. Welcome to the business! Jacques will be handling all the website issues, the online courses and the IT of the company!

You are the FIRST to know that our new website will be launched in January 2013 with a lot of new courses and product added onto our already exiting list of courses and products! We will start from next year to sell the Lovegivity Wedding Planning Institute – Certified Wedding and Events Planner online course! Look out for our specials to start of the year!

We also have some online courses that will be available from the end of January 2013!! Watch this space….

You are the FIRST to know that we will launch our online prop shop in the beginning of January 2013. Exiting props for fairy parties, Mexican parties etc will be on sale at this shop. The added benefit to buying your stock from our online store is the fact that these products is all hand made by our sewing job creation projects!

The most exiting parts of all the FIRSTS is the fact that I just came back from presenting our FIRST ever course in East Africa – Nairobi – Kenya.

It is a time of new beginnings!

We had 10 Kenya ladies, 1 Nigerian lady and 1 Mozambique lady on our course. We learned a lot from them and they learned a lot from us. All in all it was a huge success.

Our courses in Kenya are being presented as part of the curriculum that Devine Schools of Africa have. For more info on our Kenya courses pls contact ECTA - www.electtrainingacademy.co.za or Devine Schools Africa - www.divineschools.com

Wedding trends 2013 - Animal Shadow

 

Animal Shadow - Blush pink and grey

We can call this color combination a lot of different things: Animal Shadow, Blackened Tones, Blush and Shadow, Blush and Grey etc. Pink is normally a color for fairy tales and all girls loves pink when they are dreaming about things like ballet, weddings, parties. Then all of a sudden they realize that there are more to life than pinks, bubble gum and ballet.
Brides tends to shy away from using pink in their wedding but there is nothing more elegant and beautiful than a mixture of color – using a soft shade of pink combined with a soft green or a grey. With this  mood board we show you the muted pink, called blush, combined with different grey’s. If you combine blush with an elegant silver or grey – you will immediately manage to create a more elegant, fairytale atmosphere to your wedding.
If you look at sites from Vera Wang, Alitha Graham and Monique Lhuillier  - (http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2011/05/top-3-wedding-dresses-of-the-w-21.html) you will see how popular blush wedding dresses is for 2012 and 2013. The dresses are all very modern, elegant and feminine.
When you decide to bring in another color to your wedding it is best to start with the accessories. Your bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, handbag, the tie of the groom and then lastly your flowers.
Remember that a color is also a theme for a wedding. When you decide on a theme for your wedding start of with your invitations and take the theme through to your thank you gifts for the guests. Please look on the websites where we got the photo’s for this mood board for more ideas on this color scheme.

Photo’s for this mood board is from the following websites:

• Style me pretty blog
• http://ruffledblog.com/wedding-ideas/?gallerytag=pink&image=/wedding-ideas/?gallerytag=pink&nggpage=6&pid=5082
• weddingbee - http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/best-long-lasting-lipstick
• http://www.momentaldesigns.com/2012/11/16/kellie-w/
• http://www.cherryjojo.co.uk/organza-rose-evening-bag-grey-1
• http://www.weddingdesigns.ca/invitations/boxed-princess-pearl.html

Hot chocolate bar for your wedding?

These days it is very much in fashion to have different bars at your wedding. You get coffee bars, hot chocolate bars, Champagne bars, Ice Cream bars, Sweets buffets etc. Today we look at a few possibilities for a Hot Chocolate bar and how you can set it up yourself with out breaking the budget. Remember that the chocolate spoons can also be used as wedding favors! Check out this awesome site about Hot Chocolate Bars!

http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/hot-cocoa-bar-for-your-winter-wedding/

How to make your own chocolate spoons

Gather the following:

*           Baking tray

*           Wax paper

*           Spoons of choice

*           Chocolate chips or melting chocolates

Step 1

Cover the baking tray with Wax paper

Step 2

Put the chocolate chips into a microwave container

Step 3

Microwave the chocolate chips in the microwave at 50% for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir. Continue this until the chocolate is almost melted. Then stir until the chocolate is smooth.

Step 4

There are two methods:

1                    You can either dip the spoons into the chocolate a few times – give a few seconds between every dip and place onto the baking tray.

2                    Place the spoon straight onto the baking tray – put folded paper onto the handle of the spoon so that the spoon will be straight. Pour the chocolate into the spoon. Decorate the chocolate before it set

Step 5

Put your spoons in plastic bags and decorate.

Photos of the hot chocolate spoons are from the following sites: theweddingcommunityblog.com, itsabrideslife.com, giverslog.com, svpply.com, mywedding.com,   blog.modcloth.com, grahamschocolate.com, weddingsoeasy.com

Wedding trends for 2013

Persian Softness – Wedding color for stylish couples.

One of the many wedding trends for 2013 is the Persian Softness colours. According to Lenzings this color palette consist out of 3 shades of blue. Metallic Porcelain, Bluish Cat and Blue Wolf. Softness is the key appearance of this romantic trend. Anyone that would like to go with this soft romantic, stylish look can know that their wedding will be something to remember for a long time to come.

Our mood board photo’s is from the following sites: Wedding dress - weddingpartywire.com, Bridesmaid dress - engageology.wordpress.com, wedding cake – cakesforwedding.net, ring – rothemcollection.com, shoe – weddingwindow.com, wedding favors – weddingbycolor.com, hair accessory – weddingbee.com, Flowers – diyweddingdecorations.org, sweets – weddingbycolor.com,  color palette from Lenzing colors trends.

Winter Warmer Special

Winter Warmer Special – Our next draping foundation course is going at the special price of R2000.00*

Johannesburg:       13 – 16 August 2012         

Evening Classes   

Between 18:00 and 21:00

Frame 24 building, Randburg

307 Vine Avenue

Durban:                    23 – 25 August 2012         

Evening and Day Classes  

Between18:00 and 21:00 in the week and 9:00 and 15:00 on Saturday

International Hotel School, Westville Hotel, Westville, Durban

             

Cape Town:            4 – 7 September 2012       

Evening Classes 

Between 18:00 and 21:00

Dynamic Learning Solutions – Tygervalley

Pretoria:                    14  - 15 August 2012 

Day Classes

Between 8:00 and 15:00

Drumbeat Academy – Groenkloof - Pretoria

Call us now for more info: 0824416394 or 0218560163 or email us at info@electtrainingacademy.co.za

·                    Special valid until end of September 2012.

Clover Mama Africa Training

This past week Elect Consulting and Training Academy was part of an Amazing project! Clover Mama Africa asked us to come and do a Basic start up events course with four woman in Ashbury - Montagu. It was absolutely awesome to be part of such a life changing project. Clover Mama Africa is doing amazing work in South Africa and the woman of Ashbury is a delight to work with. They did an amazing job with decorating their community hall and the opening function was terrific.

For more info - pls go to the Clover Mama Africa facebook site. https://www.facebook.com/CloverMamaAfrika

Your Personal Best

I received this morning this amazing newsletter from one of the guru’s in the events industry—Preston Bailey. I just felt that I want to share it with you all.

Friday is the start of the 2012 Olympic Games. Each and every athlete is in London to win a gold medal—but at the end of the day  -  if they come home with a bronze but they know that they’ve done their personal best  - In my eyes they are a winner!

What does it mean to be your very best?

Does it mean that you look for solutions instead of complaining about obstacles? Does it mean you choose to show compassion instead of tossing out another criticism?  Is it training to find the balance between hard work and rest?

There is a winner in all of us.  There are always opportunities to rise up to a challenge and to seize your moment.  Remember that we are a team.  There is no "them". The only competition we face is ourselves.

We must focus outdoing what we have done before.

Let us inspire our peers while being inspired by their unique gifts. Let us give our clients the best work by giving ourselves the freedom to learn, the flexibility to change and the dedication to giving your all, every day.

Allow yourself to rest.  Push yourself through challenges.  Face down fear and stand up to self doubt.

You've already won.

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8442edf00893a87dd78fedd1b&id=6026ec0cec&e=3cab48fc84

Special of a Lifetime!!

THE SPECIAL OF A LIFETIME

BOOK AND PAY YOUR DRAPING FOUNDATION COURSE TODAY OR TOMORROW (27 + 28 JUNE 2012) AND GET YOUR COURSE FOR R 2 000.00 AND ANOTHER DRAPING FOUNDATION COURSE FOR A FRIEND FOR ONLY R 750.00!!

 OFFER LASTS ONLY FOR TWO DAYS SO HURRY, TIME AND SPACE IS RUNNING OUT!!

DURBAN:                            29 – 30 JUNE 2012             Day Classes

CAPE TOWN:                      26 – 28 JULY 2012              Evening Classes
KEMPTON PARK:               30 – 02 JULY 2012              Evening Classes
PRETORIA:                          03 – 04 AUGUST 2012       Day Classes

 SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? BOOK NOW!!

Terms and Conditions Apply

Chair covers and Chair decorations? Do I really need them?

Is it really necessary to spend so much money on chair covers and the chair decorations?

Although not a necessity chair covers can make a significant difference to a decorated room. It is like the cherry on top. You may encounter a few problems if you don’t use chair covers. Your colour scheme might be pink and white and the venue has orange chairs or you want to create a soft romantic feeling for your wedding and you are stuck with dark blue chairs. It can ruin the whole atmosphere that you want to create. You do not need to put chair draping over a chair cover but it depends on the type of function. If it is a business breakfast – keep away from chair draping. If it is a wedding or corporate event then you can decide if you want to drape each chair or every second chair.

Firstly you must make sure that you know what type of chairs the venue is using. It is very embarrassing and costly if you get to the venue and the chair covers that you hired don’t fit the chairs.

Remember to iron or steam out chair covers (especially the loose chair covers) before using them. There is nothing worse than entering a beautifully decorated room, but all the chair covers and table cloths are creased. Believe me – it shows up on the photographs as well. Tiebacks can simply be tied or secured with an elastic band if the fabric will be pulled out in a “rose” or “knot” or if a flower will be added to hide the elastic band.

The main thing is – you don’t have to go the normal chair cover root for your function or wedding – let your imagination go – and think out of the box. You can use many things that will not cost you a lot of money to decorate a chair with!

Chair decoration photo’s from these sites.

http://blog.tgkdesigns.com/2011/11/17/wheat

http://www.agirlwhomakes.com/2012/02/happy-valentines-day-from-laura-parke.html

http://www.weddingbycolor.com/ourrenewalsagain/page/2

http://www.sasiwedding.co.uk/wedding-reception/2213-red-christmas-wedding-theme-chair-covers-and-decorations.html

http://getmarriedideas.com/wedding-chair-decoration-ideas/

http://mackburry.com/wedding-trends/upcoming-2012-wedding-trends-for-the-extraordinary-scene/attachment/upcoming-2012-wedding-trends5

Candy Stations

LIFE IS SHORT…….EAT CANDY!

Are you looking for something edible, something sweet, or to give your guests something tasty to eat? Then this could be the perfect thing for you!

Candy dates way back to the ancient times when caveman roamed the earth where they used to snack on sweet honey straight from the bee hives. The first candy confections can be dated back 3500 years ago when the ancient Egyptians used fruit and nuts to combine with honey to make their own form of candy. However, on the other hand the cocoa bean, which is used for making chocolate, was prized by the Mayans and Aztecs but was re-discovered in 1519 by Spanish explorers in Mexico.

With candy stations becoming the highlight of most events and weddings it becomes very important for you to display it beautifully, to be creative, and to think outside of the box as much as possible so that your guests want to rush over to that table.

To make your table eye catching you will need different types of vases and sizes, containers and trays, bulk candy, and boxes to create different heights. When you set the station make sure it is a round table rather than a rectangle as your guests can approach it more easily from all over. What comes in handy and is a must at any station are little packets, any of your choice, so that the guests can have something to put the sweets into and as take-aways. You could even have a box or basket, filled with your choice of packets, ribbon, and a pen or labeling so that the guests can create their own packaging and so they can also feel involved in something. Whatever you decide it is bound to be fun!

Something you should watch out for when having a candy station present is to always have a designated person who can keep an eye on the station and to refill it when needed, depending on the quantity of sweets you have. 

Candy stations are taking the events and weddings to a whole new level –forget old, traditional ways, It’s time to sweeten up your special day!

Let’s make every moment a sweet mouthfulJ

Floral Fantasy

FLORAL FANTASTY

“Not just the memories will last a lifetime”

It has been said that the bouquet at a wedding says a lot about a bride – behind every bouquet  lies an abundance of special memories or meanings held dear to the heart.

Today, the bouquet is one of the most necessary elements of the day. As the world’s trends change rapidly so do the creative and inspiring ideas of wedding trends.  Bouquet alternatives are becoming more and more popular with more brides sharing their own versions of bouquet arrangements for their special day. Not only does this alternative save or cut down on some of the costs but it also creates a more intimate setting as you get to witness the bride’s personality, her taste, and also the significance behind her choice of bouquet.  

Interestingly enough, in ancient times real floral bouquets were non-existent. Bride’s would carry aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs and spices that were thought to have mystical powers to ward off evil spirits.  However, in ancient Greek and Roman times the bride and groom wore a garland (a wreath of flowers or leaves) around their necks which symbolized new life, fertility, and hope.  It was only in the Victorian era when they replaced the herbs and spices with flowers, especially marigolds. Dill was also included in the bouquet and was eaten by the bride, groom and wedding guests at the reception because it was thought to increase sexual desire.  It was in this time that flowers became the secret messages of love as each one had its own meaning.

So whether it be a barbie doll, a bunch of shells, origami’s, beads, buttons, paper flowers, feathers, butterflies, pomanders or whatever your heart desires – this unique alternative can also create a lifetime of significance and  memories.

The History of the Wedding Garter Toss

In light of our Wedding Planning Course coming up in Gordon's Bay on the 19th of March, I thought we can look at a old and famous tradition, still being practised today...The garter toss.

The origin of the garter toss ritual dates back in history as a well known tradition that differs somewhat today in its practices, meanings and sentimental notions. Both the garter itself and the garter toss ritual have been deep-rooted as a pivotal element within wedding festivities for centuries. Although changes and improvements have been made over time, the basics of the bride wearing a garter and it being tossed to single men has remained the same and stood the test of time.

The Origin of the Wedding Garter Toss Ritual

The garter toss is one of the oldest customs surviving wedding rituals. The garter toss became common at weddings in the 1500s in France.Originally, it was related to the concept of consummation of the marriage.

The bridal party would approach the bride and groom’s bedroom for proof that the deed was accomplished. They would then take an item of the bride’s clothing for good luck. This was often the garter used to hold up the bride’s stockings. The groomsman who retrieved the garter would then wear it in his hat for the remainder of the wedding celebration.

During the nineteenth century, as brides and grooms became uncomfortable with visitors in their chambers, the tradition evolved to that of the bride tossing her garter to the groomsmen before the end of the reception.
However, the men would often become violent competing for the garter and would sometimes tear at the bride’s dress or even flip her upside down to take the garter off before she had a chance.

Finally, the ritual changed to include the groom gaining full rights to the garter removal.This protected the bride from potential injury and put the onus on the groom to declare consummation of the marriage.

Even though the wedding garter toss ritual has changed somewhat over time, for some couples the tradition of wearing and tossing the garter is still one of the most anticipated events at a wedding. Conversely, for others who feel this tradition has become outdated, there are other alternatives available.

Unlimited Possibilities in the Events Industry

2012 is the year of GREAT opportunities for those who dare to believe.

What is it that you believe for this year? More business, bigger contracts, happiness in your personal life…. The list can go on and on. Each one of us wish and believe that this year is going to be better than the previous year!

If we look around in the word then we see a glooming picture of the word economy. What can you as an events coordinator do to counter act this gloomy picture the world is living by.

By having 100% blind faith, period. But as we all know, faith without action is nothing. Before I go further in answering this question, I’d like to point out that you’d have to be living under a rock or another planet not to be affected by the world’s bad economy. We can say and proclaim that we will not be affected by the global economy …but because we are in the are in the entertaining business, if given the choice of putting a roof over your head or giving a party, shelter and eating will win out every time.

I strongly believe that if you love what you do for a living and you find that there is nothing else you’d
be happy doing, then you are an artist, without a question and you would be able to find a way to do what you love and still make money out of it.

It took me years (and I’m still busy trying to learn these principles) that part of the artistry is your ability to take your passion and turn it into cash. Yes – you can maybe have a good product but now you need to a financial artist and for some one that is creative it is some times the most difficult part! Some one once said to me to stop trying to be everything. If you can not deal with the books – get someone in that would be able to deal with the books. Remember just one thing: At the end of the day it is your business and you need to know what is going on in the finances.

Making money is an art form. I’m giving you a few tips on what I learn can not work in business and what can work in business.

• The number one reason why you would not make money is the fact that you don’t know how to quote and how to charge enough for your flowers, work, designs, props etc in order to make a profit.
• Second reason is that if you have to pay out a commission to suppliers (this is a hot subject that will be discussed at a later stage) are you going to pay it from your profit, are you going to give the client less product? You can easily loose a lot of money on this.
•  I used to not worry about what the props or the flowers cost me – as long as the design is beautiful. Big mistake because this practice can eat up your profit very quickly.
• Even I my clients could not afford the best – I would always try and give them the best and that something extra special. At the end of the day – I had to pay for it out of my pocket.
•  I was not in the least aware of what my companies overheads was. To truly understand how much money you would need to run a successful business - this is a vital piece of information.
• Try not to discuss pricing with your clients. If you are the designer – use someone else in the company to be the bad person and to discuss finances.
• Try and bring in the love that you have for your décor and events into creating ways to sell them. As an example: Be the first events coordinator in your area that will actually do mock tables for your clients with more that one choice for a centre piece. Although it will cost you a little bit – it will help to sell your product or company if you are willing to walk an extra mile.
• Above all – if you do something for a client - you do it in excellence or just leave it. Word travels fast in any industry!

I think part of being a good artist and business owners is being properly compensated for all your talent and creativity. I encourage you all to make this switch, and start looking at making money as an art form. (It’s much more fun to think of it this way.)

Are you charging enough for your services? How did you establish your worth? Are you in the habit of giving away your products? If so, has it paid off?

Some of the info in this article comes from the Preston Bailey blog.