I am often asked if I have made any mistakes along the way and my answer is that I have made enough to write a book called Preston Bailey Bloopers.
Looking back recently through my archive of work, I have found many I’d like to share with you in hopes that you do not make the same design mistakes. However, as I’ve heard, if you make enough errors you might just eventually become an expert.
So, here are a few of my bloopers:
My idea for chair covers circa 1988.
I thought I was being so clever by taking all the additional tablecloths and wrapping them around each chair to create my own version of chair covers.
Blooper: They became undone during the party and folks started tripping over them. Oops! Also, is it just me or does this look a little bit like a wake?
Circa 2002
In this Harry Potter themed event, I used invisible wire to hang all LED candles from the ceiling.
Blooper: There were a few candles that fell around the guest’s heads. (Thank God for my great client who thought it was funny.)
Circa 1992
This was my first attempt at draping fabric in tent walls. Also my first attempt at decorating with trees.
Bloopers:
- Back wall poorly draped with exposed air conditioning vents.
- Have you ever seen sadder trees?
- I was soooo proud of my hand painted ceiling.
Okay, we are being very candid with each other–do you have the guts to tell me a few of your design or service bloopers? And hey, always keep in mind my old mantra, “The best way to improve is by learning from our mistakes.”
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Vivian's Decor & Designs
July 22, 2010
Oh Preston….Those tablecloths as chair covers….PRICELESS! As much as you’re hailed as a “god” in the industry, it’s good to see that you started out like me…LOL…You rawk!
Ashley Troyer
July 22, 2010
Ha! Good to know that I am not the only one victim to falling ceiliing props! My second wedding ever… I decided to hang 2 racks of beads “behind” the bridal party table for a little glitz. HORRIBLE MISTAKE! The groom pulled on one of the strings because he was like 6’5″ and couldn’t get around it and it fell… during dinner… on him. I was mortified and I am sure I was all kinds of red!!! Lesson learned. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! Since that day, I take into consideration the height of the guests (since I am 5’3″) and placement! Thanks for sharing! =)
G.E. Masana NY Photographer
July 22, 2010
It’s rather cool that you don’t mind the world knowing about these pimples in your career.
I suppose my question would be, how did you recover after making these bloopers?
Kim Hoskinson
July 22, 2010
Thanks for sharing– It seems that alot of bloopers come along with attachment isssues. Attach once– then twice a different way.
Alexandra Jusino
July 22, 2010
LOL. Preston what were you thinking with those chair covers?! It’s good to know that you started in the same place as the rest of us…. Learning from your mistakes. Thank you for sharing these!
Rosalba Fasan-Buffat
July 22, 2010
Thank you for sharing Preston!!
About 4 years ago my sister got married and I made these large ceremony alter pieces (approx 350-400) red roses and being that I had never made anything like that didn’t think to cage the oasis-I got the Church and my friend, a designer that was helping me, was pale and said that one of the pieces was literally crumbling. We managed fake it so it looked similar but all through the service I prayed that the bridesmaids wouldn’t touch it sending it crashing to the ground. We got it to the shop and completely re-did it for the reception but that was one of the worst feelings ever but a lesson WELL learned!
PLC
July 22, 2010
OMG, your are human after all.
Ashley
July 22, 2010
Bloopers happen, especially when thinking outside the box. I like to think of them as creative experiments gone awry (the key word being “creative”!)
I’ve never designed for an event, but my room has gone through many re-designs over the years, including the JTT, Hanson, and ‘NSync eras (respectively) during which my walls and ceiling were COMPLETELY covered with posters. Things almost took a turn for the worse when my aunt bought me an entire set of inflatable furniture for my birthday–right down to the trash can. Thankfully, even as a pre-teen I had enough sense to opt for pieces that weren’t mostly made of air.
Ale
July 22, 2010
Dear Preston,
I´ve learned so much from my mistakes that I have indeed two specialized blogs just to talk about them.
I studied graphic design, and I named my blog after a mexican design slang: “Bomberazo” Which states for the kind of projects from one night to another, “to extinguish fires” so to speak.
The second one, is about my passion: Floral Design.
I write a column in my school´s blog named “Chronicles of a beginner florist”, and I share all the unforseen situations I´ve been through, how I survived them and most important what to learn from that.
I don´t know if you can read spanish, but I leave you the link just in case:
http://www.artesdecorativas.com.mx/blog/cfp-2-mi-boda/
Congrats and receive all my love and thanks for sharing your brilliance.
Kristi Podsiadlo
July 23, 2010
Your bloopers really emphasize the point: “If you aren’t pushing yourself, you aren’t growing.” I had bloopers ALL of the time, in the first years of business, and now, I see that I haven’t had many, lately, which makes me realize, I’m not getting outside of my comfort zone enough! I either need to start planning my tombstone, or start living. Thanks for the wake up call.
Elements of the Heart
July 23, 2010
Thank you so much Preston for sharing some of your OOOPSIES! It’s good to know that even the best can make mistakes, it is what I am so terrified of. You are absolutely right, we do have to admit our mistakes to learn from them. You have just made me want to spread my wings and fly. Thank you once again!
abha
July 24, 2010
Great work, well done.
kisha
July 24, 2010
Great post! Cosign on the “OMG you are human after all.” comment. Lol! Well, I had a grand idea for an “Old School” birthday party where I hung REAL vinyl records from the 50s-80s around the perimeter. They made for great conversation, laughs and nostalgia (Patti Labelle, Gloria Gaynor, Midnight Starr, The Emotions, etc). However, It got really hot and all the records started curling up from the heat. Luckily, I was among family and friends and the warped records stirred up memories and laughs as well. Otherwise, I would have wanted to crawl under a table. LOL
Erik H.
July 28, 2010
I can’t wait for your Preston Baileys Event Design Course!!
I know I won’t be dissapointed! Thanx PB!
Erik H.
Minneapolis
YOUR NAME
August 26, 2010
Yes we do learn from our mistakes,,,all of them,,Thank you Preston,,,,God bless you.