Our 2013 Wedding Planning Winners!

CONGRATULATIONS

A very big congratulations to our 2 winners, each winning a Wedding Planning Correspondence course! 

Our two winners are:

Thato Matlou from Pretoria

Candice Winter from Somerset West

Well done! And another thank you to everyone that entered our competition!

Make sure to subscribe and keep a look out for other amazing specials and competitions!

Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy New Year!

Christmas time!

2014... Year of great opportunities!

As we enter the last bit of 2013 we want to make a few BIG announcements for 2014!

First of all... Our accreditation with the Services Seta's will be finished the end of January 2014.

2014 is our year of celebration! ECTA Creative Solutions will be 5 years old! For that reason we decided to run huge specials on all our courses! For more information pls contact Adel at 0218560163 or info@ectaint.com.

We are SO excited to announce the fact that ECTA Creative Solutions will have their very own Events Management course that we can sell from January 2014! Contact our office for more info!

Win a Wedding Planning Correspondence Course!

*Win 1 of 2 Wedding Planning 

Correspondence Courses

Ever wanted to join the exciting world of Weddings? This is your chance to become a Certified Wedding Planner! It's easy to enter, so why wait? Competition is open for anyone over the age of 16 and residing in South Africa and Africa (just as long as you have a postal address)

How to enter:

1. "Like" our page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ECTA-Creative-Solutions/327567101838

2. "Share" this competition with your friends on Facebook

3. Add ECTA as a friend: https://www.facebook.com/ecta.creativesolutions

4. Send ECTA Creative Solutions a message with your name, where you live and your email address

So what are you waiting for!

Competition closes 10 December 2013, winners will be announced 13 December 2013

* Terms and Condition Apply

2014 Wedding trends - part one - examples

Some examples of wedding mood boards for the Majestic Wedding color scheme. 

Wedding Attire in the Majolica Blue, Boysen Berry, Petal pink and Buckthorn Brown color scheme.

Wedding trend number one for the Winter of 2014!

Wedding Decor in the Majolica Blue, Boysen Berry, Petal pink and Buckthorn Brown color scheme.

Wedding trend number one for the Winter of 2014!

For more info on this wedding trend - feel free to read our other blogs about this exiting wedding trend for 2014 or go to our website www.ectaint.com - also be on the lookout for our free youtube tutorial!

http://electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com/2013/05/2014-wedding-trends-part-one.html

http://electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com/2013/05/2014-wedding-trends-part-one-continuing.html

Photo credits for mood boards:

www.shefinds.com

www.askandyaboutclothes.com

www.etsy.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26089831@N03/8262834010/

www.temptalia.com

weddinginvitations4u.net

www.puresilks.us

http://florafaunaweddings.blogspot.com

weddingawker.com

blog.yourethebride.com

www.bowtiesandbliss.com

2014 wedding trends - part one - continuing

In our previous article we had a chat about the Majestic wedding trends for 2014. I just want to elaborate a little about the majestic elements.

First of all it is necessary that you realize that you don’t have to use all the elements discussed above into one wedding. The majestic trend consist of 7 different colour pantones – please have a look at the Lenzing trends photo below - http://www.lenzing.com/fasern/service/trends/trends-autumn-winter-20132014.html

For the purpose of the mood board I decided to use 4 of the 7 colours. I added photos of a bride dressed in a brocade wedding dress, groom dressed in Jacquard material, invitations with a ikat pattern and Boysen berry colored bridesmaid dresses just to mention a few.

Important points to remember:

• When you are deciding on your wedding colours and theme I would suggest that you make use of 2 to 4 of the above colours – not more than that. Decide which one of the above materials you would like to use and then bring it across in all your dresses and décor.
• If you are extremely adventures you can use the ikat patterns together with the brocade however you will have to be careful on how you carry the theme through your wedding. Don’t try and use too many elements in the wedding décor.
• If you want to use the two patterns – rather use ikat on your wedding invitations and then you do the rest in brocade.
• Another thing that you need to keep in mind is that ikat tends to be very overpowering – it is a pattern that makes you think back to the hippy era. So be careful not to use it as the primary décor trend – rather find places here and there where you can bring it in without it taking over for example: Use a plain type of material or even a brocade table cloth but bring the ikat pattern in on your serviette ring.
• You can use the ikat patterns and the Fil coupe materials successfully in a themed wedding – just think about a 1960’s wedding theme.

For more info on this wedding trend you can go to our other blog articles:

http://electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com/2013/05/2014-wedding-trends-part-one.html

http://electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com/2013/05/2014-wedding-trends-part-one-examples.html

2014 Wedding Trends - Part one

This is going to be a very interesting series on wedding trend for 2014. After hours of research on the internet - reading and studying the pantones, Interior design sites, Fashion forecast sites etc I noticed that their are a few color palettes that came up on every site. 

Every year the event and wedding industry looks to the above industries and take their lead on color schemes. I decided that I will do a series on the wedding trends for 2014. Enjoy!

One of the top ten Pantone colors for 2014 is Majolica blue as shown on the picture. Majolica blue might strike you as a little dull, but it is a good base color and well as a good add on color. Majolica blue is actually a deep, mysterious teal blue - it has more vibrancy than the good old navy blue and it definitely brings in an exotic flair to this color scheme.

Boysen berry is a dark red blackberry like fruit. To get this color into your color scheme youcan make use of the plum color calla lily, dark red/pink orchids or even dahliahs. Mix the boysen berry color with a soft petal pink and you have a winner. 

A suggestion is to look for a petal pink brocade material to use as a base material at your wedding. Part of the Majestic trend is the use of brocade materials, Jacquard materials, ikat materials and patterns and even Fil coupe materials. 

Choose a wedding dress made from brocade materials, plait your hair and use antique vintage jewelery and you will for sure have on Majestic One in a Kind Wedding! Enjoy the planning and remember - watch out for our free youtube tutorials on a regular basis or contact us if you are interested in receiving our newsletters.

www.ectaint.com

Brocade material

Jacquard material

Ikat material

Fil coupe material

For more info on our Majestic color scheme go and read the following blog articles:

http://electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com/2013/05/2014-wedding-trends-part-one-examples.html

http://electtrainingacademy.blogspot.com/2013/05/2014-wedding-trends-part-one-continuing.html

Photo credit: 
http://www.etsy.com

willowchicboutique.typepad.com

vlwedding.blogspot.com

http://teapots-and-tulle.blogspot.com

www.cbazaar.com

www.niteowlstudio.ca

Draping course

Join us in our next draping courses in South Africa!

Dates of our next courses in Johannesburg

Draping Foundation              20-21 + 25 May 2013                       2 evenings and 1 day

Draping Advance                  22 – 25 May 2013                             3 evenings and 1 day

Dates of our next courses in Pretoria

Kids Party Planning              11 - 13 July 2013                              3 Day classes

Draping Foundation              9 – 10 July 2013                                2 day classes

Dates of our next courses Durban

Draping Foundation              24 – 25 + 29 June 2013                   2 evenings and 1 day

Draping Advance                  26 – 29 June 2013                            3 evenings and 1 day

Are you the best in the events industry?

Being the best in the Events Industry

I believe Kenya has not yet even touched the basics of the multi million Ksh business of the events industry. With all the large companies opening their businesses up in Kenya it is a Gold Mine that is waiting for the events coordinators in Kenya to be mined.

But… not everyone that starts out in the events industry will succeed. What do I need to not only succeed but also to excel in the industry?

With looming deadlines, fires that need putting out, the strain of constant travel and all the little details that need to be taken care of are just a few reasons why working in the meetings industry is so challenging.  

A few point that any prospective events coordinator needs to know:

·                     Understand the basics of the business around you and always be curious about it. It is important to be an expert in your field but it is also important to know about all the different events genres – things like the use of Lights, the use of soft décor – draping, the right materials, the use of the 5 senses to make an event successful etc.

·                     Stay current! Are you following the trends of the wedding and events industry in Kenya or are you setting the trends in Kenya?

·                     Stick with what you do best and become a master at it BUT see to it that you get yourself more than one stream of income! It is good to organize events but there is nothing wrong to do some of the décor for the event as well and in the quite times you can even organize kid’s parties for an extra income.

·                     Aim higher… Dream bigger. People want to experience something new and meaningful if they attend an event. Can you produce that?

·                     Michelle Bergstein Fontanez said once: Do this well and your event audience will no longer budgets for you – they invest in you!

·                     You need to differentiate yourself in the events industry – anticipate the trends, issues and challenges that will continue to reshape the events industry.

·                     NEVER STOP LEARNING! By leaving yourself open to new ideas, new knowledge you will be a more valuable team player and more creative: Great ideas breeds even greater ideas

·                     Take the opportunity NOW to enroll in our Practical Skills courses and become the best in the Events Industry in Kenya!

Levi year end function

Loreal Paris product launch

Sanral year end function

Dates of our next Practical Events Courses at Divine Schools Africa:

Event Draping – Day classes

Dates:                         6^th – 17^th May 2013

Time:                          8:30 to 13:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

Event Draping Evening Classes

Dates:                         6^th – 17^th May 2013

Time:                          18:00 – 21:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

Centre pieces course

Date:                           25^th May 2013

Time:                          8:00 – 16:00

Extra:                          Manual to buy

                                    Students will receive a list of things that they need to bring to the course.

Kids Party Planning

Dates:                         20^th – 31^st May 2013

Time:                          8:30 to 13:00

Practical exam:         Children’s party – each student needs to bring one child to the party

Extra:                          Manual to buy

                                    Students will receive a list of things that they need to bring to the course

Country style buttonhole - DIY

ECTA Creative Solutions have just release another Wedding Buttonhole tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPYrFQTr7G4

This one we will show you how to put together a beautiful country inspired buttonhole. It's simple, rustic and yet seems complicated all at once. We love these rough textures in the buttonhole, setting it apart from the stiff everyday traditional buttonholes we find so often.

I decided to go and have a look at where the tradition from a buttonhole and an corsage comes from. According to eHow  - A corsage is worn by a woman, either on the left side of the dress or on the wrist, and the boutonniere is worn by the man on his left lapel. The colors and designs of the flowers either match or accent each other and unify the couple for the occasion.

Read more: The Difference Between a Corsage & Boutonniere | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6658993_difference-between-corsage-boutonniere.html#ixzz2PbEKRWko

Buttonholes must normally not be bigger than a golf ball. If it is – it will tend to drop down during the wedding and that can really look very sloppy. Another thing to remember when you are making your own buttonholes is that it is normally better to use on big flower with some smaller ones to fill it up – if you want to use more than one flower it is best to use an unequal amount of flowers. Three flowers is normally a good number.

When you are making a “Country feel” buttonhole – it is best to use flowers that almost look as if it was pick in a garden or a while walking in the country side. Flowers like lavender, sticks, pods etc can be used for this type of buttonhole.

One of the biggest differences between a corsage and a buttonhole is the fact that when you pin the buttonhole to a man’s suit jacket the flowers must face upwards. If you pin the same flowers to a woman’s dress the flowers must face downwards.

Here are a few other samples of country style buttonholes. Photo’s are from the following website: http://thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk/blog/2010/06/beautiful-buttonholes-part-two/

For info on our courses go to www.ectaint.com

10 Universal laws for success!

Last night I went to my son’s graduation ceremony. I was absolutely inspired by the speaker Seton Bailey – FILMSA – www.filmsa.co.za. Seton is very much part of the film industry of SA but also heads up the Non Profit organization F.I.L.M.

His speech was about the film industry and newcomers (like this young graduates) to the film industry but while he was talking I just saw all the faces of our young students before me. Students with dreams to become a Wedding Planner or an Events Planner.

Just like the film industry – the events/wedding industry is extremely competitive, and extremely difficult for a newcomer to make a success in. BUT – all things are possible for him who believes!

In the next few blogs I’m going to start going into more detail on each of the points that he gave us that evening. Seton called it:

10 Universal Laws you may choose to use – or lose – in the real world.

1.                  Flexibility and adaptability are absolutely key out there in the real world.

2.                  Work from the inside out

3.                  Take small achievable steps

4.                  Don’t reinvent the wheel

5.                  Look, Listen and Learn

6.                  Talk is cheap

7.                  The decisions and choices you make along the way will break or make your future and your product

8.                  Never, ever forget the foundation stones or if you like – the four pillars:

a.       Professionalism

b.      Attitude

c.       Creativity

d.      Entrepreneurial or business savvy

9                    Don’t give up… ever. Try and try again – nothing is impossible – impossible just takes longer to achieve

10                Believe in yourself and your vision and mission in life – if you don’t nobody else will.

SO WHAT’S STOPPING YOU? THERE’S NO PLACE FOR EXCUSES IN THE REAL WORLD. THEY JUST GET IN THE WAY OF ACTION!

JUST DO IT!

GO OUT THERE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Rustic wedding of Lize Collett

Elegant, Rustic Burlap, Vintage is all word that comes to mind when I think about the wedding of Lize and Raymond Collett. I had the privilege of being a guest at this wedding that took place at Allesverloren in Riebeeck Wes - http://www.allesverloren-fcv.co.za

According to http://www.squidoo.com/rustic-wedding-burlap#module159003044 a “rustic wedding are basically a wedding that moves away from the traditional weddings and substitutes a more earthy atmosphere for the standard wedding theme. There are a wide range of rustic weddings, from simply changing the locale to a rustic venue (such as a barn) all the way to a full-on rustic wedding with burlap tablecloths, napkins and invitations.

If you are a very traditional bride, rustic weddings are probably not up your alley. Rustic weddings are ideal for a bride that wants to differ slightly from the mainstream in order to reflect her individuality, to make the wedding night unique and to connect with an earthier atmosphere. Some even plan rustic events so that their guests feel more relaxed, as it is less formal than the traditional wedding setup.”

Let’s go back to Lize’s wedding. First of all – the wedding took place in a fairy tale forest. Guest walk on a little walkway deeper into the wood – just to be surprised with this beautiful wedding ceremony setup. 

What made it special were all the little details that you saw between the trees.

The cutest little boys and girls came walking out of the forest as part of the wedding procession followed by the bridesmaids and THE BRIDE! 

She looked lovely in an awesome dress from www.elizabethweddinggowns.co.za. Again – it is the little touches that made the biggest impact. The way her hair was done – the beautiful hair come that she had in and the unexpected inlays in the dress in a milo colour - Vintage, Royal, and Elegant.

The ceremony was done between the tall blue gum trees under a rustic wooden gazebo.

The rustic, vintage elegance flowed over to the reception. The décor was planned and made by Helene Uys – the mother and Gabby Labushcagne did the flowers. The arrangements were made out of tortured willow, South African fynbos and roses. A beautiful combination of flowers. Again the little touches of the small birds and crystals where amazing.

The wedding cake was the best - or the first time ever I saw a "rice crispies" wedding cake! It not only looked delicious- it tasted better than most wedding cakes I've ever had.