If you are planning an event, you may have reached a level of anxiety that should have an entry in the Physicians' Desk Reference. The pressure can be palpable and In all likelihood you have longed for that perfect design formula that will dazzle your guests, impress your patrons, and ensure an ease to the flow of the party, so that mingling is uncomplicated and everyone’s enjoyment is effortless.

We all know that the success or failure of any event hinges on the enjoyment of it’s guests. From a private birthday party to a large wedding or fund-raiser, all special occasions have the same principle intent—for a superb time to be had by all. Event planers often agonize over how to elicit such a response from guests. How do you quantify a mood? How do you create an environment where a diverse group of people can feel that their individual enjoyment has been the focus of the event, even if they are not consciously aware of it? With a holistic design philosophy that puts you and your guests at the center of the equation.

Traditional feng shui is a multi-disciplinary methodology that encompasses all aspects of the design process. It is a synthesis of person, place, purpose and time. There is no other design method that has been used so successfully for so long. Today, the breadth of feng shui has expanded to include architecture, urban planning, geography, landscape design, interior design, environmental psychology, real estate, personal development and now, event planning.

Feng shui is a holistic approach to planning an event, that has the comfort of the individual as its first priority. We then follow a centuries old formula, which allows the specific landscape, its orientation, and the dynamics of the particular time of the event, to guide our design decisions.

The result is always a beautiful space that psychologically “feels” good. This is what makes applying feng shui essential for any event planner who wants to remove the risk and fear involved in planning an event. Feng shui adds greater comfort and peace of mind; as well as impeccable design, all of which are well appreciated standards here in the Wine Country.

The focus of feng shui is always on how an individual will respond to a given environment. As such, the style of feng shui is one of uncomplicated elegance and hospitality. Timeless and distinct. This is the same aesthetic that is so appealing in the Wine Country.

Feng shui is a marvelous guide to achieving the style of relaxed elegance and refined simplicity that the Wine Country is known for. Feng shui has an advantage in cultivating a sense of comfort and congeniality because it is centered on the enjoyment of the person in relationship to the place. Like the aesthetic of the Wine Country, feng shui is covert. It does not overstate it’s intention, there is no need to do so. One can feel that their enjoyment has been the focus of the design, weather they are conscious of it or not.

Wine Country Party’s innovative application of feng shui in event planning has had record breaking results for fund raisers, even in this tempestuous economic climate. In todays competitive world, a corporate event or fund raiser needs to differentiate itself. Feng shui can tip the financial scale in favor of those with the forethought to invest in their success.

Feng shui seeks to help people feel comfortable and supported at a party, so that they can relax into the space around them and fully enjoy themselves. This translates into greater success for charity auctions and corporate events; less pressure and more enjoyment for weddings and a greater sense of ease among guests at any party. That’s a recipe for success for everyone.

Feng shui is taking event planning in a new direction. One away from extravagantly themed ornamentation and toward elegant, human-centered design. Wine Country Party and Events is now seamlessly integrating feng shui principles and sustainable event design to create a focused aesthetic that embodies the ease and elegance of the Wine Country; the beauty and character of which, will leave lasting impressions on your guests.

The field of environmental science has shown that people prefer to spend time in places where they feel confident and secure; where they can make sense of their surroundings and respond in an empowered way. This notion of preferred environments has far reaching implications, including health related issues.

Research in environmental psychology has expanded the theory of preferred environments to include the notion of coherence within a space. Coherence is a term, which refers to having a sense that all of the parts in a given environment are contextually appropriate and inherently fit together. In other words, a coherent space is one that psychologically “feels right.” These comprehensive environments are restorative and evidence has shown that we, as humans, instinctively seek them out.

If you have ever been to a restaurant or a store that gave you an uneasy feeling, so much so that you were aware of being uncomfortable although you couldn’t figure out why; chances are that your instincts were reacting to an incoherent environment. We are so influenced by our surroundings that we have built-in monitoring systems which identify when something is amiss, and once we feel the discord our instincts prompt us to move on.

It seems that an affinity for well designed settings goes beyond preference, and is vital to human health. Research has further shown promising advances based on a subjects prolonged exposure to coherent verses incoherent environments. “Preserving, restoring and creating a preferred environment is thought to increase sense of well being and behavioral effectiveness in humans.”— De Young, R. (1999) Environmental Psychology.  In D. E. Alexander and R. W. Fairbridge [Eds] Encyclopedia of Environmental Science. Hingham, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Results Included physical illnesses if environmental stressors, such as incoherence were ongoing.

Environmental science is discovering more and more about the interconnections between human behavior and our surroundings. Like environmental physiology, feng shui is a multi-disciplinary study of human-centric design. It is a holistic system that quantifies everything from form and movement, to orientation, time and place, as well as light, color and most of all, comfort. Knowing how your guests will respond to the air of your gathering, and then shaping that atmosphere to elicit a desired response is like finding the holy grail for an event planner. Luckily, feng shui offers a step by step guide to getting you there.

In keeping with our commitment to excellence, Wine Country Party and Events now has a certified feng shui consultant to provide you with expert advice in creating enduring memories and lasting impressions with feng shui. We believe that the design of an event is more than just a setting. It is a conversation that you have with your guests and a rapport that you develop with your benefactors. As Steve Jobs said of design— “in most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains and sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.”— What kind of impression would you like to have “express itself” on your behalf?

When you choose to apply feng shui principles to your planning process you can look forward to saving time as well as money and rest assured, your guests will leave with a flattering impression of your event. Our commitment is to provide you with expert advice and service that exceeds your expectations. With our innovative approach and proven process we know what is needed and we will tailor our findings to fit within your style and your budget.

Any event can be planned with the holistic principles of feng shui, from start to finish. We are your expert guide to beautiful and supportive environments, where your guests will not only find enjoyment, but engage the environment of your event in the same way that art engages the observer. And as such, your guests will come away with a memorable impression of having been a part of something spectacular, your simply excellent event.