Welcome To The Chaos Calculator

One of the most difficult details of any event is figuring out the cost. Hidden under our desire to throw a truly amazing party or wedding is a finite budget to accomplish it with. Usually, those looking to throw a party start their search online, to get a sense of what their event may cost.

The problem with turning online is that almost every event vendor keeps their pricing private, unless you contact them for a quote. This is completely understandable as it is difficult to generalize the price of certain requests when so many details have to be taken into consideration. With this  in mind, we at Organized Chaos have created a tool to help you get a ballpark estimation for your event – The Instant Planner.

SF Symphony Centennial Gala Dinner and Afterparty

The Glamour Girls attending the gala at the 100th Annv or the San Francisco Symphony.
Leticia Heading Janli Degenhardt Constance Adamopoulos of Organized Chaos Events.

How To: Developing an Event Schedule

This may seem like an obvious step, but by carefully putting together this simple document your event will run 10 times smoother, keep everyone on the same page and create responsibility/ownership for day-of-event details and tasks. 

How To: Holding a Silent Auction

The art of hosting a silent auction is simple in design but requires a considerable amount of planning to be pulled off correctly. Gathering items for donation, getting volunteers to staff the tables and putting on an event to draw a crowd; these are the building blocks to hosting a silent auction. These fundraisers have an excellent ability to raise money for your organization or cause and with some tips from Organized Chaos your next auction is geared for success:

Happy Pride 2011 San Francisco!

In honor of this weekend being the 41st annual Pride celebration in San Francisco, we at Organized Chaos Events want to wish everyone a happy Pride. Here is a picture from last years VIP party that we planned, as we celebrate the community I urge everyone to have as much fun as possible and to please be careful!

Top 10: Cocktails to Order at Your Next Event

There is a certain point in your life where a vodka cranberry becomes boring. Where is the life, the class in that order. When you no longer drink like you did in your college days and instead want a libation that you can sip, experience and give life to. A signature cocktail is that class. James Bond was a martini man, shaken not stirred. Carrie Bradshaw was a cosmopolitan kind of girl. And you are? If you haven’t found your signature cocktail, try one of these 10 classic cocktails.

How To: Evaluating a Venue

You’re in a pinch. Your planning your next event, but before you can get into the details of catering, decor, etc. you need to pick a venue. With so many options in San Francisco alone, this can be a daunting task. While it will always be easier to contact an event planner at this point (for reasons such as their knowledge of the existing venue choices, costs associated and vendor relationships for added discounts) here are some things to consider when evaluating a venue for your needs:

How To: Tips for the Perfect Dinner Party

Dinner Parties can be an amazing evening with friends, in the comfort of your own home, allowing for connections not easily attained in a restaurant and no conversations later on how to handle the bill. Why has this divine evening been so easily replaced by a night on the town? A few things have scared people away from hosting a dinner party, such as the amount of work to get your home ready to have guests, the prep work it takes to get a diner for 10-15 ready and the idea of handling the clean-up.

But have no fear, Madamopoulos is here with some tips and tricks to have you up and hosting in no time.

1. Home Decor. First things first, take pride in your house or Apartment. Chances are you have some pretty unique things in your home that you enjoy, showcase them! there is nothing a friend or guest likes more than coming to your house and seeing that it isn’t an ikea showroom.
2. Cheap lights, big results. Want to make a dramatic impact on the lighting in your home? Buy some simple uplight’s from Home depot, about $10 a pop and pick up some gel from a local lighting supply company or online, again about $10 a sheet. Cut the gels and place over the uplights to add an instant boost to the way your house is lit. Another tip, amber and pink lighting make everyone look better. This one time investment, can have results for years to come.
3. Cook with your guests. Don’t worry about having everything cooked ahead of time. Have a cocktail with your friends while you finish up dishes with them. One of my tricks is to have everyone bring over a semi-prepared dish and then have them explain to everyone what’s in it and how to make it as they finish cooking it. This keeps prep and costs down while also sharing recipes with your friends.
4. Have plenty of wine. The key to a good dinner party really is the wine. Try having a few, also try and have a port to serve with dessert or switch things up a bit by serving Pisco.
5. Don’t set an end time. As much as you think this is necessary, don’t. Putting an end time on your dinner party isnt necessary, your guests will not stay all night and when the time is right they will leave.
6. Clean up tomorrow. Don’t worry about cleaning up that night, it wont hurt to let the mess sit over night, and after a great party the last thing you want to do is clean all night. Take the time to relax instead and then in the morning it wont seem like such a hassle.

Plan your event one sensory detail at a time.

In the world of event planning we are only limited by our imaginations. We can transform any space into whatever we dream up. Warehouse venues can become Parisian Ballrooms and mansions can become outdoor indian markets. Through decor, lighting and food anything is possible. But what about that little something extra. That small detail that can really transform an event into an experience, the sense of smell.

What is your events Scent Story?

2011, The year of the Culinary Cocktail

Be prepared to put your go-to cocktail order on hold; restaurants, caterers and event planners are catching on to the idea of Culinary Cocktails. Welcome to the land of egg whites, honey and gin; culinary Cocktails were one of the top 10 trends to watch in 2011 reports the National Restaurants’ Associations annual survey of chefs.

What is a culinary cocktail? If you haven’t had one yet, get out from under your rock and check out some of our favorites listed below. But, a culinary cocktail is really a work of art; blending fresh ingredients such as basil, exotic mushrooms, cucumbers, cilantro and jalapeno with spirits like bourbon, gin and vodka. Long gone are the days of creamy super sweet drinks such as the tired Cosmo, being replaced by new heavy hitters such as Pepper and Basil infused gin gimlets.

Specialty designed cocktails for your event offer another level of luxury at the same cost as a general open bar, they also allow you to bring your personality or brand to the mix. Think about it, if every time a guest is ordering a drink and it happens to be a specialty cocktail prepared for and named after your company, they’re going to remember it.  Think this is just a fad? Try telling that to Best Beverage Catering, who has on staff Mixologists who do just that,  they do it very well too.

Give this recipe a try or check out some of the venues below and get on board before your left out:

Balsamic Strawberry Mojito:

Handful of mint leaves

2 medium-sized strawberries

1 tablespoons brown sugar

3 lime wedges

1 shot of quality rum, we recommend 10 Cane

6 ounces Sparkling water

1/2 teaspoon aged balsamic vinegar

In a mixing glass muddle the mint leaves, strawberries, lime wedges and brown sugar. Stir in the rum, sparkling water and balsamic vinegar. Add Ice and enjoy!

Bourbon and Branch Interior

Bourbon and Branch

501 Jones

Located in an old speakeasy, this venue is not only and amazing experience but the cocktails are fantastic, I recommend the cucumber gimlet, you can’t go wrong.

Alembic Interior

Alembic

1725 Haight Street

A beautiful venue with great lighting and strong drinks, I recommend either the blue steel or the promissory note.

Blackbird Interior

Blackbird

2124 Market Street

Well priced with a hip old school vibe to the place, try the leather-bound book to get you in the mood and the Northern Star to get you home.