Eventfully Yours

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

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....

Postal Rate Changing Soon

The clock is ticking...  In exactly one week, on Monday, May 11, 2009, it will cost you more money to mail those fabulous invitations.  The rate change is as follows:

Letters – first ounce		$0.44
Large envelopes – first ounce		$0.88
Parcels – first ounce		$1.22
Additional ounces		$0.17
Postcard		$0.28
Stamped Card		$0.31
Stamped Envelope		$0.54

Visit the United States Postal Service website for a more detailed list of the price increases.

Going off topic:  For all you Simpsons fans out there (like me) there are now Simpsons stamps available for sale!

Aren't they cute?!

Back on topic:  Be sure to add a little more into your budget for postage!

Getting Married in this Economy

We all hear about it on the news.  Even experiencing it in their daily lives.  What am I referring to?  I’m talking about the current economic crisis. 

The current unemployment rate is at 8%, the highest it has been since the mid 1980’s.  According to the Wedding Report, a wedding statistics and market researcher for the wedding industry, the national average spending for weddings has dropped from $21, 814 in 2008 to a predicted $20,398 for 2009.  Things are looking grim.  For those who are planning to wed amidst this troubled economic climate, you are probably facing a budget crisis of your own. 

Before you cancel everything entirely, here are five tips to keep your wedding on track and save some money:

1.    Hire a professional planner - A professional planner will have connections with various vendors and direct you to the ones that will fit your budget.  They can also provide you with cost saving ideas and decorating tips.

2.    Revisit the guest list - The cost of invitations, food, drink, favors and decorations are greatly influenced by the number of your guests.  Keep the guest list small and you can very well keep your costs low.

3.    Get a wedding website - Save money on invitations, save the dates and most of all, postage.  If you know that most of your guests are computer savvy, take advantage of it.  You can post all the information about your wedding, including locations, maps and hotel information on the website.  Guests can RSVP, email you and also get your registry information.  Signature Soirees can help you get one set up.  Contact us today.

4.    Recycle and reuse - Ask a friend that has recently gotten married or had a party if you can use some of their items.  Vases, votive holders or linens can all be used again.  Add your own special touches to them with ribbon or paper will breath new life into old items.

5.    Saturday isn’t the only day for weddings - Schedule your wedding on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon.  Friday evening weddings can help you cut costs because the shortened length of time decreases costs for drinking.  You can also have the ceremony and reception at the same venue.  The same goes for a wedding on a Sunday afternoon.  Additional cost savings here can be opting for an alcohol free reception or just serving a signature drink like a mimosa.

For help to plan a cost effective wedding in this economy, contact Signature Soirees’ Principal Consultant, Kandice Brooks at 866-880-7902 or visit our website.

Great Post by a Fellow Planner

Sometimes there are blog posts that need to be shared.  The following is one of them.  A couple times a week, I find that I am trying to prove the worth of a professional planner.  A truly professional planner is the glue that keeps it all together.  The captain that keeps the ship from sinking.  You get the idea.  Unfortunately, the bride in this following post (like so many others), did not see the value in hiring a planner and paid the price on one of the most memorable days of her life.

Thank you to Jeannie Ward of Wedding Jean in Southern California for writing the post.  Hopefully, she will save many more brides to be from experiencing a wedding day disaster like this:

"My blog is a place where brides and grooms can come for good advice with a smile. Normally, I wouldn’t post anything with a negative tone, but I’m compelled to warn you about what can happen when you don’t hire an experienced wedding planner.

Recently a bride called me inquiring about hiring me. I was already booked for her day, but referred her to another planner that I know and trust. Her wedding was 45 days away and she still didn’t have a DJ. Even though I wasn’t her planner I referred a great DJ to her, and she hired him. 

Monday after the wedding, I heard from my valued DJ. The bride decided not to hire a planner because she didn’t want to pay the fee, and she was confident that her family members would take care of the details. Unfortunately they didn’t, and her wedding was not all she was wishing for. Here is a list of what went wrong, and how it could have been avoided."

To read more click here

 

Navy Blue and Cotton Candy Inspiration Board

As promised, this week begins the start of my navy blue inspiration boards.  This week my companion color is cotton candy (or pink). I usually try to name colors, it makes them (and me) seem more interesting.

photo credits: Wreath-Rebecca Thuss, Invitation-Custom Programs, Bouquet-Bloomery Weddings, Cake-The Knot, Dress-Elizabeth Anne Designs

If you have a navy blue inspired board out in the blogosphere, please comment and share a link!

 

It is Time for a {Color} Change

Disclaimer:  The following post does not in any way shape or form indicate my unwillingness to work with certain colors.  I love the entire color spectrum and only wish for equality for all colors!

Remember the first time that you saw chocolate brown paired with (insert your favorite color here)?  It seemed as if the heavens opened up and blessed us with the most amazing color companion ever.  I plugged chocolate brown whenever I could.  "Have you seen it with lime, pumpkin. . . ?"  The combinations that I suggested were endless!  But, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Don't despair!  I have found  a suitable replacement that exudes elegance and compliments a wide array of colors.  Get ready, here it comes...

NAVY

Yes, Navy Blue!  Over the next few weeks I will share some navy blue inspired boards to help get your creative juices flowing.  In the meantime, head over to two of my favorite blogs, Snippet and Ink and Style Me Pretty.  Do a search for navy blue and check all the great ideas.

Notes from Day 3 of The Special Event

My fun has come to an end.  I am returning home today but going home energized with new ideas and ready to serve my clients!

I'm sharing this photo because I love table caps.  Instead of an overlay, a table cap adds a more customized look to your tablescape.

Here is a must see website directed at to my wedding industry readers (if I have any)
1. WIPA - Wedding Industry Professionals Association:  A much needed organization for the wedding industry dedicated to raising the standard of ethics and services through education and more.

Notes from Day 1 of The Special Event

Getting away from the snow. $250.00.  Luxury hotel for 4 nights $550.00.  Being immersed in all things events for 4 days straight.  Priceless!  I know somewhat dramatic and cheesy, but after just one day here at TSE, I can't believe that I waited so long to finally attend!

My first class was on color trends taught by Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events.  I had to share one of her recommendations that I thought was so cool.  Here is an inspiration board created by Snippet and Ink, a must add to your daily wedding blogs.  It is definitely one of my new favorites!

Color Trend - Aqua and Poppy

Top row from left: photo by Eclectic Images, centerpiece by Nancy Liu Chin, yogurt berry popsicles via Dessert First, chandelier photo by Michele M. Waite via Married & More with Michelle
Row 2: photo by Gentl & Hyers, signature cocktails from Soiree, photo from Nancy Liu Chin, cake by Ron Ben-Israel for InStyle Weddings
Row 3: table from Martha Stewart Weddings, confetti packet photo by Our Labor of Love, photobooth save-the-date by Amber and Jimmy via Being Social, favor box from Rebecca Thuss
Row 4: cake photo by Liz Banfield from Southern Accents, turquoise votives from Brides (photo by Dasha Wright), red peony nosegay by Ariella Chezar, invitation by BellaBliss Design

Why do I love this color combo so much?  People tend to shy away from red colors because they can be somewhat overpowering in certain settings.  The use of the aqua here, softens the red or poppy color, but still allows it to pop!  The decor possibilities are endless! 

I also run into some fellow Clevelanders, like Alina of Party Decor and my Event Source buddies.  Can't wait until tomorrow!