Hosting an event and sending the proceeds to your favorite charity is not a new concept. It’s hardly a new trend. But in the last decade a new trend has emerged where if you do have a charity sponsor, then more guests are willing, and wanting, to come dine, play, or dance their way through your event.

This generation is starting to be known as the social justice generation. This generation not only sees social injustices in their own networks (like poverty, sex trafficking, homelessness, and so many others), but they are also being compelled to make a change, and in turn every other generation is being compelled to stop and consider thier part in altering this “status quo”. So how does will this generation affect your event planning?

Here are a couple tips on how to build your attendance base through a socially aware generation:

1. Pick a charity that you like. The key to getting others to care about something is to care about it yourself. This might seem like common sense, but when picking a non-profit for your event if others see your genuine desire to help this particular need, then they will join you in your excitement and be more likely to join you at your special event.
2. Don’t charity hop. If people know that you always support a particular charity, they won’t look to send their money elsewhere. Not only will they already have a base knowledge about the cause, but they will already feel an investment in the organization/lives that they’ve given to in the past, thus being more willing to come to your events again and again.
3. Don’t charity hop. Sound familiar? On another note, people in our culture are now skeptics! There are too many scams, and ploys, and fake Ambassador who need their help! Take the skepticism out by being consistent with your organizations.
4. Try choosing an organization that fits your theme. I know, I know, I just said (twice) not to charity hop. But this may be the one exception. It makes sense to others, and hopefully to you as well, that your event would be themed around the charity (or vise versa). If you’re having a baby shower, you can also ask your guests to bring a new born blanket to donate to the local hospital or if you’re having food tasting, you could raise money for a local food bank. There are so many fun options!
5. You DON’T have to pick something popular. As long as you have good information available to your guests (links, info, brochures, websites, organization embassadors, presentations, etc) feel free to not pick a well known non-profit. Remeer, the number one way to make your event successful with this socially aware generation, is to be socially aware yourself.

If you’re passionate and want to make change, others will want to join you!

Tags: charity events, event ideas, social justice generation

As the stylist trend is make its way into the wedding market, we thought it would be the perfect time to share our  featured article in Ceremony Magazine. Plus, we love seeing our hot air balloon photos from Caroline Tran again! In the article Wedding Style, couples are advised the best ways to utilize a stylist, why they are advantageous to any photo shoot, and specific examples of the innovative outcome of a stylist’s touch through pictures of my own anniversary shoot.

Wedding Style By: Rachel Anderson & Ngoc Nguyen Lay

When planning, anticipating, or even daydreaming about your wedding, you look at thousands of pictures to see exactly what your big day might someday look. Yet have you ever wondered how brides know to choose the perfect photographer who thinks of all these beautiful ideas? Or perhaps how brides seem to have time to orchestrate such elaborate photo shoots, executed flawlessly down to the last detail? Chances are, they didn’t.

One burgeoning trend in wedding and engagement photography is the use of a stylist: someone who “creates a cohesive look (through fashion and props) that will tell the client’s love story,” says Wilmarose Orlanes, a Stylist who recently partnered with Photographer, Caroline Tran and special event planner, Ngoc Nguyen Lay to create a one-year anniversary shoot for Ngoc and her husband. This hot-air balloon shoot illustrated how a stylist is essential to a creative and cohesive photo shoot.

“Anyone can go shopping and pull together a bunch of things they like. It’s making the styling look effortless that takes skill,” says Caroline. Because this type of shoot takes so much time and effort, it requires couples to thrive in creativity, attention to detail, and time (something often lacking in the wedding planning process). This is where a stylist is the perfect addition to your wedding planning team.

“Sometimes it takes only one thing to inspire an entire shoot,” said Wilmarose. “Small details, like finding out that Ngoc loved kids books… all sparked a fire that was as powerful and bright as the one that fueled our hot air balloon ride.” This is the role of a stylist, to contribute stylistically and conceptually to a photo shoot beforehand, pulling together props, ideas, the couple’s personality, and sometimes even locations to make the photo shoot; and the photographer, tell the couples story.

To be “hands on” during the shoot is also essential for the stylist, as an extra eye for every detail. Some couples worry that with a stylist, it becomes less “spontaneous” and thus less romantic. Yet the result should be the exact opposite.

“What’s romantic is the story that goes with the shoot,” said Ngoc, “if you can look at a picture and know something about a couple that you don’t actually know, that’s a good photograph. And that’s what the stylist helps do.” They create stories.

photographer: Caroline Tran // event planner: Skybox Event Productions // stylist: Lovely Jubilee // book design + illustration: Jen Simpson Design // jewelry: Leanna Lin Jewelry // hair + makeup artist: Muse

Tags: Caroline Tran, ceremony magazine, hot air balloon ride, wedding featured article

We are featuring a new service, Private Dining Affairs, stylized and produced just for you!  Our chef will work together with you to find a menu that best suits the needs of your event while our staff will style and glam your dining engagement. Below are a few examples of the menus that we can produce for your next delicious engagement.

A Hearty Brunch to feed a Bunch:

Honey Lavender Waffles with Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Broccoli and Red Cabbage slaw

Twice cooked fluffed potatoes

Orange Mint Mimosas

Lemon Cranberry Spritzers

Per Person: $35 – $50 minimum party of 8

Private Afternoon Tea to spend with Thee:

Cucumber Mint Sandwiches

Salmon & Tarragon Triangles

Cheddar & Scallion Scones

Lemon Blueberry Scones

Mini Fruit Tarts

Your Choice of Tea: Indian Masala Chai, Lavender Earl Grey, Toasted Rice Green Tea, Classic English Breakfast.

Per Person: $30 – $45 minimum party of 8

These two menus can be used to host a wide assortment of private engagements; your baby shower, a graduation, or even a reunion with old friends.  The food is elegant and delicious while still familiar and at home.

A Sultry Dinner that will make you a Winner:

Steak au Poivre with a peppercorn cream sauce

Dijon Grilled Chicken with a wild mushroom sauce

Tri-color roasted potatoes

Lemon Garlic Asparagus (Or Green beans, whichever is in season)

Chocolate Lava cakes with a dark chocolate raspberry center

Apple Cranberry Crumble with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Per Person: $45 – $65 minimum party of 8

This menu is really great when you have important company coming over or if you want to feel like a million bucks.  Looks great, tastes great, and won’t hurt your pocket as much as those fancy steakhouses. 

Prices are inclusive of food, service, design, flatware and cutlery. Accommodations for dietary restrictions will be made at no extra cost. Any additional rentals or requests are subject to a rental fee.  For more information or to schedule a consultation; please email or call: info@skyboxeventproductions.com (626)327-2100

Photo Credit: Sarina Love Photography

Tags: dining with skybox, private dinner parties, private party