Welcome to the Lab
This is where Margaret Place comes alive. Here we showcase new capabilities to push forward the art of partying. On one end, that’s about tech like the transducer-driven dance floor that would be absolutely cutting edge and unique. On the tail end, that’s about moving extant capabilities from the fringe into the mainstream. With this initiative, we’re truly working to set higher expectations for the whole industry. What we ask in return is an understanding that none of these capabilities are guaranteed nor available for every type of event, nor can we deliver too many at once. This is essentially a partnership where clients are able to access the cutting edge at tremendous values but it’s only “For Those Who Know”.
Current Projects
Projection Array v1.5, with DMX Light Integration
Status: Beta, generally stable except in high winds or rain.
Cost: $1,000 standalone (this was a $40k system - we're well below cost)
(Or less if you also book a VJ familiar with Resolume such as Brendan Pechon of Dohm Collective)
Our signature capability at the moment, three 6000 lumen projectors emerge from the soffit to create a 70’ x 18’ audio-reactive visuals powered by Resolume and Synesthesia. Further, these visuals then influence the corresponding DMX lights beneath the projection, allowing the whole space to pulse with the beat. Despite the power of the system, the intention is actually subtlety - since we’re projecting on brick it’s not so suitable for photos but rather for enlivening the whole space and connecting it to the music.
We’ve been using Adobe Project Firefly to create monograms and word marks for couples who didn’t otherwise provide them. Our next step is to integrate the system with TouchOSC to allow Trent or another operator to control it via iPad from within the space.
Production Rentals
Status: Beta, no issues yet but relies on Trent for setup
We have connections and inventory to get gear for below market, particularly useful for setting the DJ up in the parlor, garden, gazebo, or stage. Remember that we already include a great Sound System and lighting - this is just to facilitate atypical or otherwise creative setups.
$100 each - JBL SRX835P 15" Three-Way Bass Reflex Self-Powered Speakers
(We really like using just a single one mono sideways, particularly in the parlor where it rumbles the floor, be we have two)
$300 for pair - Chauvet GigBAR Move + ILS, all-in-one light show.
(These are great because their automatic programs are actually really good and they come with a footswitch for your performer(s) to change or blackout the fixture intuitively)
$100 for pair - Chauvet Hurricane 1600 hazer with wired timer remote.
(Needed to make the lights look great)
- The above is frequently bundled together -
$100 - Denon Prime 4+ 4 Channel DJ Mixer
(Compatible with Rekordbox, more compact, less expensive, and substantially easier to setup than CDJs. It's Jen's personal mixer so it also has Tidal already setup and is covered in cute stickers)
$200 - Sony VPL-PHZ10 5000 Lumen projector and stand
$500 - 24"+ disco ball with rigging and lighting
Hybrid Catering - Extended service for drop-off caterers
Status: Early alpha, we've done three events already, but every quote is custom, and we haven't developed economies of scale yet.
This has been brewing for a long time. It's in the original business plan from 2015, it's how I did my own wedding, and it's really important to our overriding "mission" of making luxurious events work for more people and more of the city. The idea is simple: instead of hiring a full-service caterer, you shop a "drop-off" caterer and then we handle the order, delivery, service (any model: seated, family style, buffet, or - my favorite - passed), serviceware, and presentation.
We love working with smaller vendors. Your order might make all the difference in the world to some of these restaurants. You can find many local options on EZ Cater such as Boswell's Jamaican, 14 Parishes, Addis NOLA, Tal's Hummus, Stein's Deli, Rock N Roll, Banh Mi Boys, The Simple Greek, and even full-service caterers like Pigeon. Off of EZ Cater, we love NOLA Crawfish King, Tumeric Indian, Nell's Catering, & 9 Roses for Vietnamese. We've found that most local operators, particularly Vietnamese, Thai, Hispanic, BBQ, and Indian are beyond excited for a huge drop-off order so don't feel limited to our list or EZ Cater's.
Lastly, we're also looking to do some high-impact high-labor low-portability options in-house such as grand charcuterie platters, whole hog, and the like. However, that's further off still.
If you're interested, our current pricing is: 20% of the total for the ordering, consulting, storage, and bulk handling, plus $50 per staff per hour.
Group Purchase: 8' "Farmhouse" Tables and Ghost Side Chairs
Status: Funding, Expecting to order September, 2024
We love the functionality and vibe of the 8' farmhouse tables from various vendors like YUR, Element, Distressed, and Lovegood. It makes our venue perfect for a seated dinner of up to 180. Historically, seated dinners have been the least common type of event but 2024 and 2025 have enough booked that there's an opportunity for us to save our existing clients some money and expand our capabilities for new clients.
Like our other group purchases, the individual commitment is much cheaper than it would be through a rental company, $75 per table with no additional fees, but the risk is that we'll only move forward if we get enough clients to commit. If you're already a client just reach out by email and let us know that you want to participate.
We're also interested in swapping our folding chairs for more attractive Ghost Side chairs. Compared to the folding chairs, they are less functional and take up much more storage space, but I can't deny that they look a ton nicer. Only Element carries them and they want $10/chair before fees. We're looking for $7.50 per chair. As with all these group purchases, once we have enough clients commit they become free for everyone after! Wholesale we can get them for $60/chair so that's only 8 clients. We want to get 120 chairs (12 stacks of 10) at max but they'll mix great with our existing 42 ghost chairs that have arms. You could do the first two or three rows of ceremony seating with the arms or line the aisle. Another benefit is that they are ~3 inches less wide than the folding chairs so you can either fit more seating or make the same amount of seating appear more spread out and luxurious.
Multi-Cam Livestreaming
Status: Client Request - Some experience. Test runs planned for non-wedding events in Fall 2024
I already shoot multi-cam videos both for my own amusement and for some local musicians and I was the technical side of the short lived "Live Guys" venture where we livestreamed the St. Patrick's day parade. What's more, we have a fleet of three Lumix S5 full frame 4k cameras, Dante distributed audio, and a beefy media server already.
What we still need to figure out is 1) HDMI to IP infrastructure (I've previously used HDMI switchers and those are too limiting), 2) Automation in OBS (to keep costs down, ideally this will be an unattended setup), 3) Ad-free endpoints (imagine a youtube or twitch ad coming up right in the middle of the ceremony... not the look we're going for).
For a basic livestream, I hope we can get the cost down to something like $200 (most of which is platform fees for intermediaries like reastream.io) but we're asking for a not-to-exceed budget of $500. We'll write to SD simultaneously and so clients will get the full resolution 4k/60 video as well. I'd also like to use a wireless transmitter, my gimbal, and an operator to affordably be able to offer a more dynamic multi-cam livestream that will do some of what more documentary-style videographers are able to do. As with any of these, just let us know if you are interested.
Archived Projects
Group Purchase: 20x50 Tent
Status: Completed
Our first group purchase. Renting a tent for the space used to be $1,500 from several companies and all was good. Then we started hearing from clients that the all-in price had jumped to ~$3,200. So we got together with all of our upcoming clients and pooled together to achieve the original $1,500 price point, saving them more than 50% and allowing for a tent that was more customized to the space. Now we own the tent and are pleased to be able to offer it for no additional cost so that it's one less thing you have to worry about.
There are other advantages that come with having our own tent as well. Typical rental companies wanted a commitment a week ahead of time so they could staff labor whereas we only need 72 hours or less. Typical rental tents also need an ugly 55 gallon drum next to each leg to anchor them into the courtyard whereas our tent is anchored directly into receptacles in the concrete. We're also able to mount heaters and other accessories directly on to the tent frame. Finally, we have both clear and white covers so that we can switch last minute in case of a hot day.
We're working on further improvements as well: custom sized leg extensions to level the canopy to the slightly sloped courtyard and an extension to cover the pool deck over the stage.
Audio Guest Books
Status: Abandoned
Audio guestbooks services like After the Tone (~$375) and FeteFone (~$200-400) are having a moment but they're all just renting you the same dressed up mp3 recorder you can find for $75 to $150 from Alibaba. It seemed easy for us to just purchase one and let clients uses it for free but after a few rounds of back and forth we discovered that everyone has a very different and strong opinion of what a vintage/retro phone looks like and we didn't exactly want to store a fleet of options. Besides that, they are (even After the Tone's) kind of flimsy and we couldn't imagine having those messages lost because it decided not to work.
So if you're interested we'd recommend that you just buy your own (don't forget a sign) in exactly the style you'd like and test it at home before your wedding. It will be easy to sell it after the wedding (or give it away like a modern bouquet to your next friend getting married).