Eventfully Yours

Upcoming Event

If you happen to be in Cleveland, Ohio this weekend, come hang out with the staff of Signature Soirees for a weekend of events to help others in the name of a legendary R&B star.

 

Kiana & George - Real Wedding Sneak Peek

I spent the last week getting all the final details in place for Kiana and George's wedding.  I just wanted to show a few photos, before I get the real deal photos from the photographer of the day Mr. Ron Page of Ron Page Photography.  Ron and his team got pictures of every moment of this wonderful wedding and I can't wait to see the final results!

I also got an opportunity to work with other wonderful local vendors.  I have to give kudos to the food and beverage staff of the Sheraton of Independence.  They definitely went above and beyond on this wedding, even when a few issues threatened to throw a monkey wrench into the plan.  Tim, Karen and Sara, you guys rock!  Tracy of The Petal Parlor provided the beautiful corsages, boutonnieres, and bouquets.  DJ Ricky Ruckkus kept the guests dancing into the night after eating the delicious cake by Baraona's bakery.

Enjoy this little sneak peek, courtesy of my iPhone!

Outdoor Events - What You Shoud Know

It is all that you have ever wanted. You and your beloved exchanging vows as the sun sets in the distance.  Or maybe you just want to have a beach party for your graduation.  Whatever the occasion, you must be aware of the costs that come along with an outdoor event.

Even if you are planning to just have the event in your own backyard, you must take the following into account:

1.  The size of your guest list:  Can your home handle the amount of guests you are inviting?  Do you have adequate restrooms, seating and table space to accommodate your guests?

2.  The size and state of your kitchen: If your event is going to be catered onsite, can your kitchen handle the demands of a full catering staff?  Meaning, is there enough cooking or counter space?

3.  Consider any electrical needs:  If you are having a DJ, live band, lighting or any other electrical needs, make sure that your home can handle it.  Nothing can be worse than blowing a circuit and then the party is over!

What if you decide to have your event else where at a beach or park?  Remember that you most likely will have to bring everything in.  Meaning tables, chairs, catering equipment, tents (which we will discuss in detail next week), etc.  As the list continues to grow, the cost also continues to grow. 

But outdoor events can be so doggone beautiful.  Check out a few pictures from one of my favorite planners, Tara Guerard.  Through her company, Soiree, Tara creates some of the most breath taking outdoor events, I've ever seen.  Here are a couple photos from one of Soiree's recent weddings with 1200 guests!  To read all about it visit the Soiree blog by clicking here.

The Cocktail Hour - Soiree by Tara Guerard

This is just the restroom tent - Soiree by Tara Guerard

Friday Find! - Part 2

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I love the work done by Fete New York!  I really missed seeing Jung Lee and her team on Whose Wedding is it Anyway, so I am so excited that starting tonight on TLC at 10:00pm EST, she will have her own show, Wedded to Perfection.  Set that TiVo or just tune in! The above video is from the Today Show where Jung and her husband share some great money saving tips for decor.

FYI: I have not been paid for this endorsement, I just really love her work!

Friday Find! - Cards and Pockets

If you are new to this blog, you have missed how much I love paper.  And not just plain paper, I am obsessed with cardstocks, envelopes, metallics, etc.  One of my fabulous clients, just introduced me to a new website that will surely take up plenty of my money and time.

Head on over to www.cardsandpockets.com.  It is a DIYer's dream!  Pocketfolds for as little as 28 cents each!  They also offer gateway folds, zig zags and more.  Need custom cut papers for your insert cards?  They have those too!  They even carry one of my favorite brands of paper.  Yes, I have a favorite brand of paper.

I always say that invitations set the tone.  This website will help you accomplish that finished and elegant look.  As my youngest likes to say, GO SHOPPING! GO SHOPPING!

Celebrity Wedding Style You Can Steal

associated press

By now, everyone has seen the one beautiful photo of Salma Hayek and her husband, Francois-Henry Pinault.  I always like to look at celebrity wedding photos and see how I can assist my clients with recreating the look or coming as close as possible without the big budget.

The first thing that stands out in the photo are the large glass cylinders with the submerged flowers.  You can recreate that look easy, but beware that the larger the glass cylinder, the more expensive they become.  You can have smaller ones as centerpieces on your tables, the place card table, you name it. 

The other element that struck a cord with me was the mirror on the side of the groom.  Using mirrors along the walls of your reception or ceremony venue will create the illusion of more space, especially if your space is small.  It is also adds to your lighting.  Please note that I'm talking about the floor length  mirrors with the ornate frames.  Be sure that the mirror you use matches your decor.  If you are having a more casual affair, then mirrors may not be for you.  The use of mirrors will add an elegant simple touch to your affair.

 

Wordless Wednesday - Rosey Place Card Holders

Photo: www.liweddings.com

Not Your Mama's Bridal Shower

Dazzling Diamond Invite ($117.60 for 100)

It's that time of year, when your mailbox contains at least two invitations to somebody's bridal shower.  For me, this is the time of year that bridesmaids are pumping me for information about what to do for their bride to be.  My reply is to make it fun and remember who the party is for.  More often than not, bridal showers seem to turn into to a boring tea party.  It is like everyone is working from the some bridal shower planning list: Food (check), Drink (check), Purse Game (check)...

Before you even think about giving someone 15 points for that can of aerosol hair spray in their purse, here are a few bridal shower party ideas to consider:

I love the color pink and found this great party theme over at one of my favorite blogs, Hostess with the Mostess:

To read all the juicy details, click here.

Cocktail

My favorite idea is the cocktail party bridal shower.  Not only is this a great idea for the party girl bride to be, it can also be a cost saving party as well.  Serve appetizers that you purchase from your local wholesale club, like Sam's Club or Costco.  To save on alcohol, create a signature drink to pay homage to the guest of honor.  Don't worry, for your non drinking guests, create a non alcoholic alternative but still use the fancy stemware.  There is just something about having a drink in a fancy glass that really says party!

Now you're thinking what kind of games can you play at a cocktail party?!  That my friend is a post for next week!  Stay tuned!

Communicate. Clearly.

Right now, I am very confused.  Let me correct that.  I am about a quarter past confused and about an hour into completely lost.  I am a very active volunteer at my kids' school and tomorrow is one of their big events.  Mind you, this is not the first year of this event, this is an annual occurrence.  Which is what is making me feel so lost and confused.  When the volunteer sheet came home it expressed the need for volunteers to sign up for multiple jobs.  Multiple jobs that it explained would be timed so there would be time between each assignment.

So imagine my surprise when the assignment sheet came back and I was assigned not 2 but 3 jobs, which any person could see would be impossible for me to cover.  As I pondered the notion that the school must be in possession of the Kandice clone that I dream of, it occurred to me that the problem here was a lack of communication.  With the event quickly approaching (this morning by the time you read this) I was lacking pertinent information.  The time I needed to be at my first assignment, how I should get there, the length of time I needed to be there, etc....  Then I thought this would make for a great blog post.

When it comes to events such as weddings or corporate events, I am under the belief that you can't communicate enough!  Even things that to you may seem to be common sense or common place may not be to others.  When you communicate, put it writing.  In the interest of saving trees, put it on recycled paper or in an email.  Not only do you make sure that everyone is on the same page, but if something goes awry, you have something to refer back to and say, this was what should have happened.  At the end of the day, your primary aim should be that you don't have any lost or confused people out there thinking that a clone of them exists.  Although, it could happen....

Stop Dissing the Carnation!

I know, I know the title was a bit much, but I wanted to grab your attention.  Let's face it!  When you think of wedding flowers, the last one you think of if you think of it at all.  But, don't count it out.  The carnation can be just as sophisticated as the calla lilly or elegant as a rose.

Granted, a lone carnation is not saying or doing much, but a gang of carnations... Now, that is saying something.  Take a look at the following creation by Eddie Ross, simply using carnations, an Oasis floral foam sphere and a candlestick.

 

How awesome will that be in the middle of a place card table!  Check out the rest of Eddie's post about carnations, Beauty In Numbers and see what other magic he worked.

Carnations come in a wide variety of colors and also take well to floral paints.  The price of the carnation is also quite economical compared to some others.  Taking all that into account, during your next meeting with your florist toss out the notion of using some carnations in the floral design.  Depending on your florist, after their initial shock, show them Eddie's post and go from there!