Eventures Premier Wedding and Event Specialists

Just Engaged! Is His Mom a Monster-In-Law

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

How would you choose to handle this situation?

You’re visiting with your future in laws. Having a great time. You go into the kitchen to help your“mom-to-be” and she turns to you, puts her hand on your arm, looks you straightin the eye and says:

“I am glad we have this minute alone as I have somethingweighing on my mind. You are a really sweet girl and I am very happy for youboth. I am not sure you realize that my son is a free spirit. He may not always put you first and heis going to do what he wants without cause and concern for your feelings. I am worried because I see you sittingat home alone at night, while he is out with his friends. I fear for you. It can get very lonely and I am worriedthat you will end up being a noose around my son’s neck.”

Would you:

1. Run out of the house and never look back

2. Smack her in the face and cause a scene

3. Tell your fiancé and hope that he stands up foryou

4. Would you have the courage to lean in andrecognize that she was having a hard time giving up her son

Dear Reader, I would truly like to hear what you would do if faced with this situation. Do you have a wonderfulfuture mother-in-law or is she a “Monster-in-law”? How do you deal with her? How does your fiancé deal with her is an even betterquestion? Does she make you wantto rethink your engagement? Writein. Leave your comments. I amcurious to know how you are coping.

If you found this article helpful or interesting pleaseleave a comment. Let me know yourthoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like tosee me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a commentbelow you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.netor simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.Subscribe to our list for your free ebook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guideto Personalize Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Stressed Out! Easy Fixes to Get You Through the Final Stages

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

You are fighting with your husband because you are spendingway too much on your child’s Mitzvah. He just doesn’t understand why you need to have 50 vendors and acelebrity entertainer. All themoney you had hidden in your sock draw has now been used to pay for some of theextras that you just had to have. Itis getting closer to the date and all the final payments are due instead oflying awake at night waiting for the shoe to drop try:

Going to the gym. It will release the positive endorphins which will provide a sense ofcalm and put a smile back on your face. And an even bigger plus, you get toshow up at your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah with a new and improved body. Everyone will be talking.

Try a meditation class. I know it is hard to sit with your mind silent, especially sinceyou have carpools to drive, favors to buy, guest seating to finish; but withouttaking time for yourself all your planning and hard work will not be enjoyed byyou or your guests. Planning yourchild’s Mitzvah is more than a party it is a journey for you and your family.

Hire a planner to finish the job. A good planner will take over and help you sort through allchaos. Speak with all the vendors,finalize and complete all the details and most of all give you time to prepare,relax and support your child.

Dear Reader, Areyou feeling stressed? Where areyou stuck? Let me know we would love to help.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Wedding Planners Facts or Myths You Decide

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

When I got married, on Long Island, the “wedding planner”was the person at the catering hall, or as my husband called it, “the weddingfactory” that actually booked and sold us on the dream of the perfect wedding. Once we were sold he then took ourdeposit and gave us a list of the vendors they wanted us to use. When the final balance was due we metwith him for maybe the 3^rd time to finalize our menu and give himthe name of our florist, photographer and band.

So simple and easy. Not really. He did not holdmy hand during the process and help me make important decisions or decipher thecontracts and promises of my vendors. It was an impersonal business transactionand half way thru the process he quit and I got a substitute, who was notprivee to the conversations and promises I had received. Talk about un-needed stress.

Today, you too can use the “wedding planner” at the banquetfacility. But you should be awarethat their experience in planning events is limited to the space that they arecurrently working in. They are notout in the world of events planning parties and weddings at an assortment ofvenues. Furthermore, they willprobably have a minimum of between 2-4 weddings or special events booked for eachand every weekend of the year. Inaddition, they work for the venue. Their loyalty lies with the venue. Yes they want you to have a wonderful and memorable celebration withthem but at what cost? Will thisplanner set up meetings for you with other venues? Translate contracts and proposals from the differentvenues.? Take your call when you are having a stressful day? Look at your invitations to make surethe wording is correct and there are no spelling errors? Answer 40 emails a day with care andconcern? Will they go with you to the dress fittings or makeup consultations?Will they be available to meet with the photographer and videographer? Willthey spend countless hours on the phone and in person with your florist, designerand lighting specialist? Will theyhelp you patch up the fights you are having with your fiancée? Will they lend a compassionate ear whenyou are upset with your mother? Will they get the cake lady to call you back or answer your emails?

Most importantly will they allow you to create the weddingyou always dreamed about. Offeringa myriad of possibilities and insights or will they just give you what theygive to each and every bride that walks into their space? An independentplanner will always have your best interest at heart. First and foremost theywill always work in your best interest. They will serve as your guide, your coach, your therapist andfriend during this entire process. They will execute your dream day with perfection the way you envision itand want it to occur. They willtrouble shoot and spin a magical web for you to spend your day in joy andhappiness.

Your independent wedding planner will do more than make 5phone calls and give a list of preferred vendors. He/she will pool her resources and connect you with theright people for your personality, style and budget. He/she will provide you with innovation and the latesttrends. She will encourage you tothink beyond the pictures you see in the magazines to help your style andpersonality come through- not the venues. Planners do not have an agenda- they have a passion. There is no sales quota that they needto meet. At the end of the daythey get their comfort and satisfaction in your joy.

Dear Reader, What is the biggest fear you have about yourwedding?

If you found this article helpful or interesting pleaseleave a comment. Let me know yourthoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like tosee me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a commentbelow you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.netor simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.Subscribe to our list for your free eBook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guideto Personalize Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Mitzvah Themes: What Really Works

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

We have all been to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah where too muchemphasis is spent show- casing a talented child. This is a great time for yourchild to stand up, proud and be welcomed and recognized by theircommunity. It is important his/herpersonality to come through because the more you can infuse this into thecelebration the more connected your guests will feel. But, when is too much toomuch? How do you showcase your child without coming off like a showoff?

Find one of his/her interests or passions or just somethingthat is interesting about your child and do something creative with it.

I had a child who was interested in rock and roll music andhis mom was obsessed with albums. So we showcased her son by superimposing hisimage onto his favorite album covers. We then created laminated placemats from the covers and used them on thetables in place of table names or numbers. At the end of the evening guests were grabbing them up assouvenirs.

For another child, a very talented musician we created a Renaissancefair as the cocktail hour and along with other artists, interactive booths,food and strolling talent the Bat Mitzvah performed a piece. Her performancewas scheduled and the time and location was listed the program that we handedout at the guest arrival.

Another Bar Mitzvah boy’s passion was skateboarding andanything “street”. So we used his grand entrance as a way for him to expresshis talent; we laid down ramps, roped off a specific area and came in on askateboard, did a 1 minute routine and the party started.

Dear Reader, Is there something you want to showcase in yourchild but you don’t know how? Writein what you need help with. I would love to hear about it and help.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Busted! 3 Money Saving Wedding Tips

2012-01-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

Have you already started to plan your wedding? Are yousuffering from sticker shock because your perfect venue will leave you no moneyfor anything else?

Maybe it is time to go outside of the box and be open tohaving your wedding at a different time of year. Choose a different month or time of year to get married. Callyour favorite venue and ask them what is their slowest month, or maybe what itnormally their slowest weekend. Moving your dream day into an off peak season could end up saving youthousands of dollars.

Have to get married during a specific time of year; thenmaybe a daytime wedding is the perfect compromise. Don’t wantyour wedding to end at 5:00pm then perhaps you can have a simple after partyback at your hotel or in a local restaurant.

A daytime wedding is just not an option; maybe you pick a holiday weekend so that your guests can relax and say your vows on a Sunday evening. Or look into a week night to say "I do". Search the calendar for a Thursday night thatprecedes a long holiday weekend.

Dear Reader, What do you think about the new trend inwedding dress colors? I would love to know if you are the traditional all whiteor are you willing to step out of the box in one of the new floral or blushtone dresses?

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

3 Mitzvah Projects that will Change Your Life

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

Let’s face it Tzedekah is a huge part of the Jewishexperience and it is something we should be modeling to our children. So why is it that when the Bar Mitzvahis required to have a Mitzvah project as part of his/her experience do we beginto feel a bit sick inside and break out in a cold sweat? As a mother of two living in a citylike LA where everything requires a car, being required to add one more thingto the already large “to do” list can send anyone into overload. However, giving back is the backbone ofour religion and incorporating it into your child’s experience can be easy andvery rewarding.

Let me help you get started. Contact any one of these 3 organizations for help and ideasto make this part of the process meaningful:

Add meaning to your service by having your child connectwith a child from the Holocaust through: RememberUs The Holocaust B’Nai Mitzvah Project. Their website is www.remember-us.org

Help a child with cancer at Chai Lifeline www.chailifeline.org

Contact the Make it Count Project and have them help youincorporate a fun interactive community service project into your cocktail hourat www.makeitcountproject.com

Dear Readers, Did you find this information helpful? Let me know. I would love to hear fromyou. Please feel free to contactme directly or chime in by leaving your comments below.

If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can alwaysemail me: Julia@eventuresinc.net orsimply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.Subscribe to our list for your free ebook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guideto Personalize Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Kosher Wedding- 3 Cost Effective Options

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

You found your dream wedding venue. You can picture yourselfsaying your vows in this perfect setting. It has everything you always dreamed about, till you talk to your parents and they request that you have a kosher wedding reception. Oh no! Now what?

A lot of venues either have an alliance with a Kosher Catereror they will allow you to bring in an outside kosher caterer of your choice andyou then pay a rental fee for the use of the venue. If you go this route you may find yourself doubling your costs.

However, if your heart is set on this perfect, one of a kind dream venue but your pocket book is shy the extra money it may cost for kosher food consider exploring these options:

Offer a Kosher style wedding and if serving meat make sureyou serve enough vegetarian and/or fish options.

Create a vegetarian/pescetarian menu. Make sure you do not include non-kosherfish items such as shrimp, lobster and swordfish. Or serve a breakfast for dinner. In addition to it being a novel idea everyone loves breakfastfoods.

Order Kosher meals to be delivered for your guests withdietary restrictions.

Dear Readers, What weddingdecisions are you struggling with right now? Let me know. Iwould love to help!

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning

Animal House Bar Mitzvah

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

For this Bar Mitzvah my client came to me wanting to recreate the movie animal house as it was her son's favorite movie. Hillcrest Country Club in Beverly Hills was the perfect place to execute this theme. We decided to recreate a "college" campus and for cocktails created a "student center" for the party the adults sat in the "Dean's" special restaurant and the kids area was turned into a "Frat House".

Tiny Pine Press created a custom logo that was derived from all of the child's interests and hobbies. The logo was carried throughout the night to brand the event on plastic serving trays, mugs, seat cushions and all signage. Additionally we created a map of the "campus" where our frat house was to live using the names of all the members of the Bar Mitzvah Boys family.We had seat cushions made to match the custom insignia of the frat. The table names were different fraternities from around the country and we used each fraternities flag to identify the tables. The Bar Mitzvah boys grandfather built a "death mobile" which we used for the grand entrance.The windows of the country club were covered in silhouettes to replicate the sorority sister scene of the girls having a pillow fight. Togas were handed out during the music dance set of the song "shout". We also set the dessert buffet table as a giant edible parade.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah that you would like me to answer? Let me know. I would be happy to help.

If you found this article helpful or interesting pleaseleave a comment. Let me know yourthoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to seeme write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can alwaysemail me: Julia@eventuresinc.net orsimply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.Subscribe to our list for your free ebook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guideto Personalize Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Eventures Premier Wedding and Event Specialists: Design Ideas for Every Budget

2012-01-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Eventures Premier Wedding and Event Specialists: Design Ideas for Every Budget: If you are the do it yourself kind of bride and you just spent all your money on the band, the photographer and your dress a...

Design Ideas for Every Budget

2012-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

If you are the do it yourself kind of bride and you justspent all your money on the band, the photographer and your dress and you don’tknow what to do at your reception, try one or all of these easy and affordable ideas:

Candles are my favorite decorating tool. Nothing makes a room look more invitingand warm then candlelight. Buy tons of different size and height candles andfill your tables with them. For an extra pop place a mirror on thetable and then place the candles on top of the mirror. The warm glow and sparklefrom the candles will put everyone in a beautiful light for photography.

Love flowers and got to have them – fill different sizevases with water and float 1 flower in each vase. Alternate your vases by using both floating candles andflowers. Choose different shapesand heights for more drama.

Chairs are the first thing your eye sees when you step into yourreception room. If the banquet chairs at your venue are ugly, worn out or justdon’t fit your dream then either change them by renting chairs or cover themwith chair covers.

What are you struggling with most regarding your weddingplanning? Let me know. I wouldlove to help.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Ideas for Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Theme

2011-12-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

Having trouble deciding on a theme for your child’s Bar orBat Mitzvah? Don’t know where tolook? Is everyone you know doing a “club” and you want something different?

The easiest place to begin looking for ideas is with your child. Getting him or her involved is as easy as asking them what they want orlike. Sometimes it may feel like a fishingexpedition, however, with the right questions, you can get a lot of information. An easy way into your child's mind can be as simple as a discussion about their hobbies, the books they like to read, afavorite TV show or movie. Use theseas great jumping off points to spark interest, thought and even a conversation. Maybe it is something the two of you share or enjoy doing together as a family.

When my son was becoming a Bar Mitzvah I knew he loved to read HarryPotter and science fiction books. So I casually asked him what he thought about having a Harry Potter theme event? His face lit up and I got my answer. I began to read all the Harry Potter books. I got tons of ideas from them and a giant plus was we then had the books in common which gave ussomething to talk about and bond over. 9 years later when a new Harry movie hits the theaters my son waits to go see it with me.

When it came time for my daughter we decided to go with one of my favorite movies, The Wizard of Oz. We ran to the video store and purchased the movie and spent hours watching it together discussing all the possibilities. She put her own stamp on the event in many ways but her biggest idea was to make a modern day Oz. So ask your child what would Oz looklike in the year 2012?

Get them involved from the beginning. Once you tap into your child’s passions and imagination the doors begin to open and the possibilities for something unique can become endless.

What are you thinking to do for your Child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Do you need some help coming up with how to execute your ideas? Let me know, I would love to help.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Venue Shopping for Your Wedding: 13 Must Ask Questions

2011-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for the perfect venue that fits your budget can bestressful. There are so many venueoptions available to you and it can just be overwhelming. The best thing to do is to start with aclear idea of what kind of wedding you want and then proceed to look for alocation that will accommodate your needs. Here are some questions to ask when looking for that perfectplace to tie the knot:

· Is there a minimum amount of money that I needto spend to have my wedding here on a Saturday night? What is that amount?

· Does this number include the service charge andtax?

· Can I offer my guests a choice with regards toentrée? Do you need to have thisinformation beforehand?

· How many bartenders and waiters will I haveworking at my event?

· Is there an additional charge for bartenders?

· Is there a cake-cutting fee?

· Is the cake included in the price per person ordo I have to bring one in?

· Is there a ceremony set up fee or is thisincluded in the food cost?

· Is there a venue rental fee?

· How many hours do I have the space for?

· What time can I load in? What about load out?

· What are the overtime charges?

· Are there any sound restrictions?

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Real Bar Mitzvah Celebration

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

For this Bar Mitzvah celebration my client's child wanted us to replicate his sleep away camp experience while maintaining a certain "elegance" to co-join with the "rustic". For the adult seating, and to reduce some costs, we created 2 different but complimentary centerpieces; consisting of large tree branches, lanterns and orchids. The linens from Classic Party Rentals were orange floor length with a burlap overlay. The tables were set with metal chargers and in staying with the theme we rented padded wooden chairs. The feeling in the room was "rustic elegant." For the kids area we used picnic tables interspersed with lounges using Adirondack furniture for the rustic feel of a campground. In addition we added all things that kids at sleep away camp like to receive such as magazines, kosher candies and care packages. The care packages were created with different foods that would later be donated to the Sova Food Pantry.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

De Mystifying the ++ in Wedding Planning

2011-12-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

I see a lot of confusion regarding the “++” for Brides andBar/Bat Mitzvah families when they are faced with planning their own Weddingsand Mitzvahs. When researchingvenues and caterers the ++ seems to roll right off of the tongue of the skilledbanquet manager as he mentions it and then deftly moves onto other subjects andinformation.

I have discovered that the ++ is the single, largest hidden charge that you aregoing to have to deal with when planning your wedding or special event; and theonly reason it is “hidden” is because no one wants to ask what it stands for so itgets ignored until you have to pay your bill.

The ++ stands for tax and service charge. Here’s where it gets confusing: there is no standard when it comes to the service charge, and tax is regulatedby the state or city in which your event takes place. The typical range for aservice charge is 18-22% of the costof goods sold.

Therefore, when you fall in love with the perfect weddingvenue and their Saturday night minimum charge is $40,000.00 you need to ask ifthis includes the ++ and if it isn't included, you can count adding approximately $12,000.00 in fees.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

9 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Decisions to Make Now

2011-12-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

As you get ready to plan your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvahcelebration there are some very important questions you need to ask yourself beforeyou find or choose a venue and put down a deposit. These 7 important questions will help you get started andgive you a direction so that you can pick a space that fits your needs andvision for this once in a lifetime day.

1. What kind of a party do you want to have: a “kidonly” or “Mixed Generation”?

2. At your reception are you planning to have thekids and adults together in the same room?

3. Do you know how many people you are inviting?What is the break down between adults and kids?

4. Where are you in the circuit?

5. What would be best suited for your child basedon his/her personality and time of the year?

6. Do you want to separate the kids and adults andhave two simultaneous parties happening at the same venue?

7. Were you planning on a morning service orHavdallah?

8. Were you planning on having bus transportationfor the children if you are having a Havdallah service? Will you provide a bus in bothdirections?

9. Are you inviting the entire class/grade at yourchild’s school?

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Wedding Budget Blues- 5 Money Saving Tips to Try Now

2011-12-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

You just got engaged! You are so excited till you start to look at wedding venues – thensuddenly you find yourself in a panic. Everything costs so much! You want a fabulous, beautiful wedding like theones you see on TV; but you don’t know how you are going to pay for it all.

Try these money saving strategies:

Give yourself a long engagement.

Set up a separate bank account – call it the wedding fundand each week put in a minimum of $100.

Everyday before you go to bed empty your change purse into ajar or piggy bank. Include all the 1 dollar bills that you have in yourwallet. Do not touch this moneytill you are ready to count it out.

Every Friday evening take whatever money from your pursethat you did not spend and put it in an envelope marked wedding fund. Then put the envelope in a place youwill forget about. Do this everysingle week, without fail.

Apply for credit card that gives you mileage and use it tohelp pay for your wedding. Themileage you accrue can be put towards airfare or hotel for your honeymoon.

Set up a pay schedule with your wedding vendors. They will be happy to get their moneyin advance and you will not be hit with a large bill in the week prior to yourbig day.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Lighting: DJ vs Lighting Designer?

2011-12-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

You are planning your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah and you feel like you are spending endless amounts of money on giant centerpieces to match your theme, linens for your tables, furniture for lounges and just when you think you are done someone says what about the lighting. You think to yourself, well the event space will take care of that. What and why do I need to spend money on the lighting for? Or my favorite: the DJ will provide it, it is part of their package.

In my opinion, properly lighting your room is the mostimportant décor element. It will set the mood for your entire event. Good lighting will highlight what youwant the eye to see. Pin spots on your centerpieces will allow them topop. So when your guests walk intothe room they will actually see them. Lighting adds texture and layers to your event space. You can use lighting to create a feelingof warm and fuzzy, or you can light for energy, or cold for a winterwonderland. The possibilities areendless.

Traditionally a DJ’s lighting package will provide lightingfor the dance floor and only the dance-floor. While he may have some cool intelligent lights that willcreate some shapes that can move around the room, chances are there will not beenough instruments in the package to be impactful. Furthermore, your DJ’s lighting willnot set a tone, mood or highlight anything else in the room.

A lighting company is going to work closely with your eventplanner, decorator, florist and/or venue to create an ambiance for yourroom. He will also speak to theproperty engineer to make sure you have enough power at the venue to provideelectricity for lighting, music, and anything else that needs an electriccurrent. He will ensure you havethe proper power drops, in the room to handle your vendor stations, blendersand coffee makers. Furthermore, hewill create custom shapes (gobos) that you can use to further brand your event.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Whose Wedding Is It? 3 Stay Calm Tips

2011-12-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed because your parents don’tseem to care about what you want? Are you not sleeping at night because you wanted a small wedding and nowhis Mom just gave you a list for 200 people and she isn’t even paying? Are you surrounded by people who seemto be whining about your wedding instead of supporting and helping you?

It just isn’t fair! It’s your wedding and everyone thinks they have a say in it.

It is time to take back your wedding, your dreams and yoursanity.

Begin writing in a journal. Make it part of your morning routine. Keep it next to yourbed and every morning before you get out of bed start your day by writing 3pages. Write whatever comes toyour mind and do not filter your thoughts or feelings. This is for you and you alone, so donot let anyone else read it. Usethis journal to explore your wedding dreams and fantasies, use it to writeabout who you are mad at, disappointed in. Express yourself, journal about your fears. Use these pagesto get out all your anger, confusion and frustration. You will want to finishthese pages with a gratitude list; even if you are not feeling grateful writethe list anyway. Keep this journal going till your wedding day. And remember always,have 1 page or 1 paragraph to focus on what you love and what you are gratefulfor.

Get clear on the wedding you want and the number of peopleyou want to have. Your morningjournaling will help you find the clarity. Write down your wedding dreams- your likes, dislikes, your vision. Again Do Not Edit yourself. This is your place to become clear.Write about your money fears and concerns, your fiancee, your parents, hisparents, your grand ma. Create a vision board of pictures thatexpress who you are and what you want your wedding to be like. If you are clear in your vision, dreamsand wish list it will become easier for you to filter and deflect all thechatter.

Schedule a sit down with your particular “crazy maker” andhave a calm discussion about your wedding. Do it someplace local, like your favorite café orrestaurant. Do not have thisconversation at home, it will be too easy to have tempers fly and doorsslam. Thank this person for alltheir help, input and amazing ideas. Let them know that you have heard their request and would love to honorit but here is where you are stuck. If it is monetary ask them, calmly if they can contribute. If it is about inviting 100 people younever met find out why this list is so important and who is a “must haveinvitee and why”. Then be preparedto compromise. Your wedding is oneday in your life and chances are your “crazy maker” is someone you have anongoing relationship with. Make itclear to this person that you would be more than happy to include them in yourwedding, however, they need to schedule time with you to have theseconversations.

Choose the path that will make you the happiest and bringyou the most amount of joy. It isso easy to be right, but that does not always bring us happiness and joy. Choose happy, it is infectious and willgive you a healthier life.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Bar Mitzvah Planning- 5 Must Know Secrets to Choosing Your DJ

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

So you just received the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date of your firstchild. How exciting! After you call your husband andannounce the date to the family you sit back and suddenly you are hit with: “Nowwhat?!”

When you begin to plan yourchild’s Mitzvah I think one of the first things to do is look into

a DJ. Some of the more “popular” MC’s canbook up to two years in advance. While this

might seem a bit crazy it doeshappen. Here are some things tothink about when choosing your

DJ/MC:

Before committing to any one DJyou should consider the school your children attend.

You do not want to hire the same MC that all the other kidsin the class are using.

Have your child sit in on themeeting with the MC. If your childconnects to this person go for it.

If he/she thinks this person is cool and fun then you have won half thebattle.

Also, consider the personalityof the person you are meeting. Ifhe/she is boring and quiet,

just remember this will be the person who will berunning your party.

Do not get caught up in the DJ’spitch to up sell you on his lighting package or “vendor

cocktail options” you have time to think about thesethings, they will still be available at

a later date.

Don’t get caught up with hiring5-10 dancers/party motivators. Therule of thumb is roughly

1 for every 50 guests. If you have too many on your dance floor in can be just asintimidating

as an empty dance floor.

If you found this article helpful or interesting pleaseleave a comment. Let me know your

thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like tosee me write

about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a commentbelow

you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.netor simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.Subscribe to our list for your free ebook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guideto Personalize

Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

How to De-Stress When Planning Your Wedding

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

As Thanksgiving approached this year I noticed that suddenlyeveryone around me started talking about gratitude. The yoga instructors were all reading quotes and writings ongratitude during meditation, however, for me their words began to feelinauthentic. And it became clearto me to write this weeks post on Gratitude.

With your busy schedule, the economy tanking and all that youare juggling, especially now that you have a wedding to plan, it is easy toloose sight of the joy. Beinggrateful and happy is a conscious choice. It is your choice to feel happy andchoose to be happy instead of getting caught up in what is missing or wrongwith your situation.

So, what if you woke up today and decided to play a gamewith yourself and all day, you choose to see what is right with a situation,person or place instead of going to what you think is wrong or missing.

What if instead of complaining that your fiancé does notwant to be involved in the wedding plans you choose to be grateful that youhave this amazing man in your life. A man who has chosen to be with you “forbetter or worse till death do you part.”

I know your Mom is getting on your nerves. She thinks it is her wedding and keepstelling you what to do. So, what if you realized how lucky you are because youstill have your Mom with you to help you plan your wedding and be there, byyour side when you say your vows.

It is really hard to scale back on the things that you knowyou want to have at your wedding to make it special, amazing and unforgettable-so what if you choose to see that the most important elements of your weddingare you, your fiancée an Officiator and a few close friends and family. The rest is just the icing on the cake.

Choosing to live your life from a place of joy and gratitudeis a practice. Every morning when I wake up, before I get out of bed I write agratitude list in my journal. Then I continue to write a paragraph about whatis right in my life. It makes all the difference in how I go about my day. Soas you embark on this journey try to remember why you said “yes” and practiceletting go of what you think is not right. Embrace and cherish what you dohave, right in front of you and I promise you will start to receive miracles.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Wedding Day Makeup What You Should Know

2011-11-22T07:34:00.000-08:00

Makeup is probably the most important wedding day accessory. Done correctly it will compliment your features and allow them to be more prominent in yourphotos and film. However, whenchoosing your makeup artist make sure that they get who you are and canhighlight your features and have you looking like yourself instead of applying layers of cakey makeup so that inthe end you don’t really recognize yourself.

If makeup is not your thing and you do not wear it daily letthem know. Clear communication isthe key. If you think you want smokey eyes then try it prior to your weddingday. With the clock ticking thelast thing you will want to do is wash your face and start over.

On your wedding day have your photographer present when youare having your makeup applied. Throughhis digital lens you will be able to see yourself instantly and know if yourmakeup has been blended well. Remember, high resolution cameras are going to pick up and highlightevery imperfection-

When you do your trial run prior to your wedding day bring apicture of your dress, bouquet and hair accessories.

Unless your makeup artist is your best friend or an invitedguest purchase the lipstick you decide to use on your wedding day. You will need it throughout the day fortouch ups.

Make up is here to enhance your beauty not hide it. It isyour wedding be comfortable with how you look so you can relax and enjoy yourspecial day.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Wedding Day Hair: 5 Things to Know

2011-11-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

Maya's Wedding-Mark Turner for Salon True

Choosing the right person to do you hair on your wedding dayis monumental. It is important that you choose someone you can talk to and feelcomfortable with. This may or maynot be the person you normally use to cut your hair. Every stylist has an expertise so if you do not like howyour stylist blow dries your hair and you are not comfortable letting him/herknow this than chances are you are not going to love what they may do for yourwedding day.

Choose someone who has experience doing hair for photoshoots, TV, film or theater. Theyunderstand what is necessary for those glamorous photos that will showcase yourbeauty.

When you go for your pre-wedding consultation bring with youa picture of both the front and back of your wedding dress.

Make sure to have with you the jewelry you intend to wear toyour wedding.

If your wedding dress is sleeveless try to come dressed in asleeveless top so you can get a better idea of how you may look on your day.

If you want an up do it is important for the hairstylist toknow how tall your fiancee is in addition to the height of your wedding dayshoe: so if you own them already bring them with you to your styling session.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Credits: Hair and Makeup Mark Turner for Salon True

Photography by: Jen Renee Photography

Real Wedding of Maya and Tommy Primeau

2011-11-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

I recently had the privelage to help an amazing couple plan their wedding. Maya and Tommy first came to my office last October knowing that they wanted a summer wedding at the beach.

Maya, a horse trainer and Tommy who works as a stuntman wanted a beach wedding that would reflect their outgoing personalities and sense of adventure and fun.

After previewing many beach front settings they decided to have their wedding at Shutters on the Beach an upscale venue with a cozy New England vibe. Even though our catering director Michael Kossart would not let the groom set himself on fire or rappel himself from the roof of the hotel into his ceremony we thoroughly enjoyed our experience working with him

Since Maya is Japanese we infused her ceremony and cocktail hour with the rich sound of a Koto Harp

Maya wanted an elegant wedding with a casual rustic feel. To create this we brought in wood tables and created naturally flowing table scapes using candles and white florals in different shapes and sized containers that ran down the middle of each table. We incorporated the beach by accenting each centerpiece with coral, seashells and sand. We also incorporated Maya's love of horses by using old horseshoes as table numbers. In addition, Holly and Becky accented the head table and fireplace with ceramic and glass horse heads. Keeping with the rustic, casual feel we also used multi sized lanterns with florals.

Glass Horses Head

Because the beach brings out the child in all of us when we happened upon these wonderful towels wrapped like lollipops we decided to place them inside sandboxes and use them as both escort cards and party favors.

Maya's mom brought some great Japanese candy to the party which we used on the cake table to create a dessert bar.

Wedding Planning and Design: Julia Hewitt/ Eventures

Floral Design: Holly Flora

Lighting Design: The Lighter Side

Tables: Classic Party Rentals

Wedding Cake: Epicurean Umbrella

DJ: Rory Pollinger

Venue: Shutters on The Beach

Escort Cards: Marlene Miller

Photography by: Renee Cascia Photography and Jen Renee Photography

Live Music: Transglobal Entertainment

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Newly Engaged! 3 Things To Do Now

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

You just got engaged and now what? First things first you just have to pick up the phone andtell everyone the news. Once the screaming and joy dies down do not let thefear in. If you do the feelingswill overwhelm you and you will find that you cannot move forward with planningthis big day.

The first thing you really need to know before you startplanning your wedding is how much money do you intend to spend. It’s time tomake an appointment with both of your parents and ask them how much are they willingto invest so you can have the wedding of your dreams.

Head out to your nearest Barnes and Noble or news stand and buyall the wedding magazines you can find. Take them home get a cup of coffee andstart thumbing through them. Pullout the pictures that speak to you. Use these photos as inspiration. They will help you become clear on yourwedding vision.

Now that you are beginning to get an idea of the style ofyour wedding you will be able to begin your search for the perfect weddingvenue/location. Some things tothink about when choosing your perfect venue: do you want the ceremony at thesame place as the reception? Doyou want to be inside, outside, in a tent, at a hotel or country club or inyour parent’s backyard? Create a spreadsheet with all the important informationthat you gather from the venues that interest you. This will help you be able to compare them to determinewhich is the best fit.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Eventures Premier Wedding and Event Specialists: 5 Tips to Avoid Wedding Day Disaster

2011-10-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Eventures Premier Wedding and Event Specialists: 5 Tips to Avoid Wedding Day Disaster: With the proper pre-planning you should be able to avoid some wedding day disasters that could easily turn your perfect wedding and yo...

5 Tips to Avoid Wedding Day Disaster

2011-10-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

With the proper pre-planning you should be able to avoid somewedding day disasters that could easily turn your perfect wedding and you into anemotional mess.

1. A good time line will help keep your guests present, excitedand engaged in your big day.

2. An accurate, alphabetical, list of attendees with their seatassignment will help to avoid major chaos when one of your guests shows up toyour reception with an uninvited partner.

3. Finalize with all your vendors the week before yourwedding. Make sure to touch basevia phone, at least once during this time. Do not assume that because you sentan email they received it. If you do decide to do your confirmations by emailask for a confirmation receipt from each vendor. Make doubly certain that each of your vendors has the rightdate, event start time and location.

4. If you have a complicated bustle on your Wedding dressdesignate a reliable person to be responsible for bustling your dress afteryour service. Prior to the weddingday have that person practice doing this a few times so you know how much timeyou need to get it done.

5. You must walk in the shoes that you plan to wear at yourceremony and reception prior to the big day. You want to ensure that the soles are really scuffed -flower petals and carpets can become a sliding pond for new shoes.

Here is an extra one for good luck- In the Jewish faithtraditionally the groom breaks a glass wrapped in a napkin to symbolize thedestruction of the Temple. Makesure to use a light bulb and not a real wine glass, because with an actual wine glass you run therisk of the glass puncturing through hisshoe ending up embedded in his foot. OUCH!

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

The #1 Secret to Slashing Your Wedding Costs

2011-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

You just got engaged! You are so excited and of course younow want everyone you know to be come and share in your special day. After all, this is the happiest time ofyour life.

You begin to make your guest list and suddenly you find thatyou have over 200 people that you must invite to your wedding. Seriously, how would you live withyourself if don’t invite the girls you went to High School with or yourMother’s bridge group; they came to your house every week for years. Notinviting them would be unthinkable. Then there is aunt Sally, who moved out ofstate when you were 10 and she has 5 kids and those 5 kids are now all marriedand they each have their own families and…… The list can be endless! Where do you draw the line?

Of course, if you have an unlimited budget and all the moneyin the world to spend on your wedding then who you include in your day is not reallya problem. But, if you are like most people, you do have to pay attention tothe cost the cost of your wedding and therefore, managing your guest list andwho you do invite is the single thing that you can do to help you stay within yourbudget. It is important to realizethat you will be providing food, beverage and seating for each person whoattends your wedding. It is likelythat you will want to have a centerpiece on every table, an escort card and invitation foreach couple or person, a party favor, a slice of wedding cake and….. All these costscan add up; before you know it you are spending double what you wanted tospend. What might seem like only afew people more can end up costing thousands more than you are prepared tospend.

It is a fine line to draw and oftentimes a very difficultdecision, however if you truly want to stay within a budget the best and mostimportant cost effective, money saving tip would be to have a smaller wedding.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net. Subscribe to our list for your free ebook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guide to Personalize Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

3 Foolproof Ways to Your Mother In Laws Heart

2011-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Relationships are work. There are no two ways about it. We come into our engagements with a lot of excitement and expectation. But once you become engaged you now get to have 2 families and often times even more than 1 mother. All families have their own internal way of communicating and living with each other, dealing with life's ups and downs. Sometimes a well intentioned future Mother-In-Law can feel like a huge smack in the face. Here are some ways of managing yours so you can have a calm and peaceful relationship.

1. Keep an open line of communication with yourfuture Mother-In-Law. Years agowhen I was marrying my husband I was so shy and too fear full to share my opinionsor speak my mind whenever my Mother In Law was around. Especially when I had adifferent opinion. I was too uncomfortable with speaking my truth to her. I was afraid she wouldn’tlike me. I usually deferred the tricky situations to my husband and had him speak for me"thinking" this would make it OK. WRONG!!! All this did was set up years ofhurt and miscommunication. Itactually created a huge rift between his Mom and me. It was not fun and I do not recommendthis line of action.

2. Genuine honesty is your friend when dealing with your fiancee's mother. She knows when you are not telling the truth or hiding. She will be able to sense it. And furthermore, not telling your truth will create the exact situation you are trying to avoid. What I have recently discovered is that we don’t realize that when we are uncomfortableor not authentic other people can feel it. We all think we are great at pretending or acting like we fit; but thetruth is if you are uncomfortable in any way people really do sense it. Especially “Moms”. We have a sense about other peopleespecially when they are going to be marrying our son. Therefore, if you don’tlike or agree with something she says have an open, honest conversation, withher. Do not run to your fiancée screaming about his Mom hoping he will rescueyou like Snow White. Remember, Snow White lived in a Fairy tale.

3. Setsome clear boundaries from the very beginning with your fiancee on how the twoof you want to deal with each others parents. If you and he are on the same page then sharing with his Momcan be something that is effortless. After all, you both have the same goal and ultimate interest. Her son’s happiness.

Every family has their own unique rhythm and way of communicating. It is OK. You have to learn as you grow with your fiancee in this journey to pick and choose your battles; when to stand your ground and when to givein. Life together is not about whowins or who is right it is about choosing happy. The choice is up to you. Whenfaced with the choice between right and happy- think really hard about which one willultimately give you a better life.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

3 Reasons Why Having a Guest List Will Save You Money

2011-10-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Having a clear idea of how many guests you intend toinvite to your wedding should be your number one priority after you getengaged. This one simple task cansave you a lot of money, heartbreak and unnecessary stress.

Reason #1

Prior to the search for your perfect wedding location create a rough head count of your wedding guests. Make sure to not only put down you and your fiancee's friends and family make sure to check in with both sets of parents and have them begin to assemble their guest lists.

I can’t begin to tell you how many brides fall in love withtheir “perfect” venue and immediately sign a contract and put down a depositonly to find out later that the room is too small to accommodate the guest count. Or you find out once the invites have mailed that you were wrong about how many people would be able to attend and now you are left with a space that is too large. So before you have to go through all the aggravation and heartache of cutting your list, finding a new venue and/or losing your deposit make a guest list spreadsheet. Detail it as much as possible with a column for the out of town people, have a column for children, spouses, significant others and decide if you are going to offer your single friends to bring a friends.

Reason #2

Most of your wedding costs are going to be based upon yourguest count. In order toaccurately create a budget you really have to know how many people you are inviting and then how many you think will actually attend. This way when you find that perfect location you will be able to determine cost for food and beverage based on your head count since most venues will charge per person.

Reason # 3

Ordering too few or too many invitations is a sure fire wayto wreak havoc on your budget in addition to adding unnecessary chaos and stress.Having a very detailed spreadsheet listing all your guests, their families, partners and significant others will determine the number of invitations you will needto order.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

3 “Must Do” Wedding Trends

2011-09-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

When beginning to plan your wedding think about the party orreception that you want to have. Do you want an intimate dinner where your guests remain seated dining onfabulous food? Or are you the kind of person that enjoys trying a lot ofdifferent foods and prefers a lively party with guests primarily on the dancefloor?

If you chose the 2^nd option then you may want toconsider serving small bites, tray passed and fork friendly food to yourguests. Personally I am a huge fan of this current trend that seems to havesprouted wings over the last few years. This kind of option not only allows your guests to enjoy a huge array offoods it also sets the stage for great casual conversation.

Since the increase in Social Media and texting our attentionspans have become used to short brief spurts of information on a continualbasis. Playing just sound bites or the “chorus” of popular songs is another bigtrend at weddings and a surefire way of keeping your dance floor packed.

Lounge seating has definitely taken over in the wedding industry.Tables are almost a thing of the past. Your guests may prefer socializing insmall intimate spaces. If you have a large array of ages a great way toaccommodate their different needs would be to mix your lounges with cocktailtables allowing for an interesting look as well as accommodating your older guests who may enjoy sitting ata table. This kind of seating option lends itself well to a menu of smallbites.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

A Wizard of Oz Theme Wedding

2011-09-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Want to use the Wizard of Oz theme for your wedding. Why not. If you are a child at heart and believe in the magic of “Somewhereover the rainbow…dreams really do come true” then off to Kansas and Oz is aperfect way to start your new life and your new journey together.

Afterall, the Wizard of Oz is truly amovie based on magic, transformations and moving through obstacles to discoverthat it lies within you and your heart at all times so as long as you stay trueto yourself you can have everything you have ever dreamed of because it isalready here.

So, for this Wizard of Oz event we created giant poppypeople to drop petals onto the heads of our guests as they entered into thereception. We turned the yellowbrick road into a dance floor and we even had flying monkeys and the witchsforest. We created an emerald green lounge and even incorporated flying monkeys

If you found this article helpful or interesting pleaseleave a comment. Let me know yourthoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like tosee me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a commentbelow you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.netor simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.Subscribe to our list for your FREE ebook “Make it Your Own! The Ultimate Guideto Personalize Your Day”

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

5 Must Ask Questions For Interviewing a Photographer

2011-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

When you hire a photographer for your wedding you areassuming that they clearly know their job and that when the wedding day comesthey will just take care of getting all the right photos, collecting all theguests for the formal shots, knowing how much time they will need to do this….The list is endless.

I would like to think that this is always the case.

The last thing you want on your wedding day is yourphotographer standing around waiting for you to take charge and direct thephoto session. After all this isyour day!

So when interviewingyour photographer ask them these 5 things:

How many assistants they will provide?

What is their method for gathering the guests for formalportraits?

How many shooters will they provide?

How much time do they need for the pre-wedding photos?

Will they have enough time to shoot the room before guestsenter?

If you found this article helpful or interesting please letme know. Leave comments as I love reading what you have to say. Still confused,overwhelmed and stressed you don’t need to be; I am here to be of service andhelp you have the wedding you have always dreamed of. If you have any questionsor need any information or would like information on a particular topic justlet me know. If you don’t want toleave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visitour website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

3 Must Know Tips When Shopping for Your Wedding Gown

2011-09-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Shopping for your wedding gown can be so exciting. In fact, once the ring gets slipped on your finger you may just want to run to the nearest bridal shop and start looking for your perfect wedding dress. As with any kind of shopping half of the fun is in thebrowsing or “window shopping.” No matter how many pictures you cut andpaste or articles you read you just want to get out and see for yourself howmuch your perfect dress will cost. Try some things on to see what compliments your body, before you committo the “one” perfect gown that makes you feel like a princess.

So, before you pack your car with your family and friendsremember to:

1. Call and schedule an appointment. Bridal shops are very busy hubs of activity and purchasingyour Wedding dress is such a significant and special time. A lot of BridalShops will not even let your through the doors without having anappointment. While this may seemrude, especially when the store is open and appears to be empty; however it canmake a world of difference for you to have an experienced wedding professional helpyou determine what may work best for your body and your budget. Besides, wedding gowns are extremelyheavy and hard to navigate alone. Most bridal shops offer knowledgeable staff tohelp you with this important decision.

2. After you commit to your perfect dress and you plunk downall that money make sure you understand what comes with this purchase; ie:alterations and fittings. If the store does not offer fittings and suggests youcall an outside seamstress then I suggest you run and look elsewhere. You wantto have all your fittings and alterations done at the shop in which youpurchase your gown. They should have, on staff a professional seamstress whosemain job is fitting and altering wedding gowns.

3. Do not take your dress home too soon. Have your final fitting as close to thewedding date as possible. You donot want to end up with a dress that does not fit when you walk down the aisle.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Some Easy Tips that Will Relieve Wedding Day Stress

2011-08-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Having your wedding pre-planned and pre thought out really allows for a less stressful wedding day. Meticulous week of / month of planning can take a minimum of 24 hours for a seasoned professional. I know you may think- wow, that is a lot of time and who has 20+ hours to spare? When do I get time to relax?

One of the secrets to less stress on the day of is detail, detail and when you thought you were done with the details- detail some more. What does this mean, exactly? Here are some suggestions:

Have a clear and concise timeline for your wedding day. You want to make sure you have one for your installation team: floral, rentals, lighting, cake, entertainment, etc….
Create a spreadsheet, with the following information: your vendors, their emergency contact info, specialty or service provided, time of arrival and date you last confirmed.
Create a spreadsheet with your guest list.
Have a master spreadsheet by last name sorted alphabetically. On this list you should have the name of each guest, their table number/name, their food choice and how many people are in that party.
Also, sort this same spreadsheet by table number. So you have a list of all guests seated at table 1, 2, 3 etc so if one of your guests at table 5 decided to bring a last minute (uninvited) friend to the event you can have the maitre ‘d logically figure out why the table appears to be set incorrectly and then quietly correct and adjust the table quickly without disrupting the entire event.
If renting tables and chairs make sure you have back up as there is ALWAYS someone who decides to show up at the last moment or bring additional guests.

When getting ready for your wedding you need to prepare for every scenario under the sun and then roll with it on the day of. Weddings are a lot like the ocean the waves come in and go you can choose to ride with the wave and breath or fight it and … You can also hire a professional planner so you can relax and be in joy throughout this entire process and especially on your Wedding day.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

De-Stress The Week Of Your Wedding

2011-08-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

With one week left until your wedding here are some of the things you can do to achieve serenity:

Everyday-

Practice walking in your wedding shoes. And make extra sure that you scuff up the bottoms. The last thing you want to do is slip and slide down the aisle.
Meditate if you know how.
Exercise- if you do yoga this will help to ground you during this stressful time- if not take long walks or run.

Sunday-

Use this day and take some quiet time to organize your week. Write lists of all outstanding ideas, thoughts and information. Get clear and make a timeline for your week and your event.
Wrap your Bridal Party Gifts

Monday -

Finalize all your last minute seating
Pick up your Wedding Gown
Pay anyone who still needs to be paid
Get a facial

Tuesday -

Follow up with all your vendors and make sure they have the correct date and time of your wedding.
Speak to your venue
Coordinate and finalize times with your photographer and videographer
Give them a checklist of shots you absolutely must have and people you want captured- let them know where these guests are seated at the reception
Make sure the florist knows what time you need to have your flowers for photography
Give your entertainment your music wish list and your “do not play list”

Wednesday -

Pack a bag with all your wedding day essentials and leave it at the front door to your house. Have a checklist of every thing you think you need or want and mark it off. Do not go by memory- No matter how good yours is.
Pack for your Honeymoon if you are taking one.

Thursday-

Have a massage and get a spray tan if you need to even out any tan lines.

Friday-

Have a mani-pedi and spend the day with anyone who does not stress you out.

Remember to get plenty of sleep during this last week and it is very important to hydrate.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

10 Wedding Tips to Ease Your Stress

2011-08-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

The final days before your wedding can be extremely stressful. It feels like there is so much to do, so much to confirm and everyone seems to want your attention. You have no more time to think- just act and/or react.

Here are 10 ways to ease the stress prior to your big day:

1. Create a guest list spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel with only the important details as your column header, ie: last name, table #, food choice and hotel info

2. It is important to create a separate column for each guest by last name so you can sort alphabetically

3. Make a vendor list and be sure to include their emergency contact info on this list. Include their category and the date of your final confirmation

4. Actually speak, in person or by phone with each vendor at least once during this time and definitely do a follow up email the week prior to your wedding

5. Assign your tables as soon as you have your guest responses. I like to put each guest, or couple on a separate “post it” tab so I can easily move them around when creating seating assignments

6. Keep track of seating alphabetically and by table

7. Allow your calligrapher at least 10 days to complete your escort cards

8. Keep a box of everything that has to go to the wedding at your front door- Have a checklist and mark off each item as you put it by the front door

9. Finalize your floral and décor elements as soon as you assign everyone to where they will be seating

10 Create a timeline of how you would like your event to flow- make sure you calculate how much time you need on the day of to get ready. Then leave yourself extra time

Take a deep breath, get a massage, have a facial and really take care of yourself during this time.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Your Wedding at a Theater

2011-08-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Interested in having your Wedding at an out of the box location? Why not consider a theater? I know the beach is a perfect backdrop and seems so romantic. But, what happens when the sound of the ocean drowns out the sound of your vows, then there is the sand, humidity and don’t forget the wind and that relentless California sun. Besides everyone has their wedding at the beach. Try something different and head on over to the El Rey Theater on Wilshire Blvd.

I know, get married in a theater? You only think of theaters for your favorite play or concert, but I am here to let you know that a theater lends itself perfectly to being transformed. At the El Rey you have the staging, lighting, a fabulous acoustic environment, so even Grandma can sit in the room and not feel like her head is exploding from the music being too loud; and many different areas to stage different elements of your party.

If you like Art Deco- this is the place. The El Rey Theater is a fabulous venue for your wedding reception. The main room of the theater is quite dramatic with it’s 3 enormous crystal chandeliers and sunk in dance floor.

The balcony is a perfect place to host your cocktail reception

or even use it for the ceremony. This place transforms wonderfully and the staff at the El Rey is some of the best in town. They are easy to work with and very accommodating. You cannot go wrong having your wedding at this venue.

The pictures posted here are just a sampling of the fabulous transformations possible at this venue. I chose before and after shots so that you can see that the possibilities are endless.

I would love to hear your thoughts on having your wedding at a theater.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning

Ideas to Make your Wedding Totally You

2011-08-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

A great way to make your Wedding more personal is by “branding” it. What does it mean to Brand something? Branding is basically a stamp that let’s the world know where something came from; i.e. a label in your clothing, or even a style of pockets on your jeans. When you go shopping you can easily tell a pair of Joe’s jeans from a pair of Levis. That is because they have their own style and look and personality.

So why not infuse your event with your style, personality and unique signature. It is easy to create something that is unique to you and your fiancé, whether it is your initials done as a monogram or a design element such as a crystal or beading or maybe you love an image or pattern of wallpaper. You can certainly use one or all of the above to create a unique logo that you can incorporate into your event.

The key to branding is to have this object, pattern or design repeat itself in all or most facets of your wedding. Such as using it in the design of your invitation, place it on the escort card; use it on the dance-floor with either light or a custom dance floor sticker. Strategically placed throughout your room this can be the element that makes your design stand out and separate you from the wedding your friends went to the week before.

The options are endless. Get creative. Have fun, and make sure it works with everything that you are doing. The idea is for it to tie all the elements of your wedding together to create beauty, elegance and inspire your guests to feel closer to knowing you, your style and your tastes.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning

Feathers for Your Wedding

2011-07-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

I love using feathers and masks when designing parties. In addition to being dramatic they add great texture and dimension and are just plain fun.

Consider having a boa bar at your next party. Have lots of great colors and offer each guest a boa to wear that will match or compliment their outfits.

You could also use them as a décor element by draping them on your chairs for visual interest.

Try creating some drama in your room by adding feathers to your centerpieces, suspend them from the ceiling or add them into your bridal bouquet. Another great way to incorporate feathers is to have them in your hair.

A great way lower inhibitions on a dance floor without breaking the bank is to pass out masks to the guests during one of the dance sets. People tend to be more free when they think no one can see them. I like to buy several different mask styles so that you are sure to find one that you like.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning

Harry Potter Themed Event Ideas

2011-07-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

With the final Harry Potter movie currently in theaters a lot of people may be thinking that a Harry Potter themed Wedding or Mitzvah could be a lot of fun.

My son is a huge Harry Potter fan and 8 years ago, when the 2^nd Harry Potter movie first hit the theaters it was that magical time in the life of a Jewish child known as a Bar Mitzvah. Knowing his passion for reading and all things Harry we decided to create a Harry Potter themed Bar Mitzvah.

In preparation for the planning of this event I too, read all the books and completely immersed myself into all things Harry.

Here are some fun ideas and ways to incorporate Harry Potter into your next celebration:

Instead of having escort cards why don’t you have a costume designer create a life sized sorting hat costume and actually place a person inside to interact with your guests and help them discover where they will be seated.

We actually used stuffed owls that were miniature replicas of Harry’s owl, Hedwig as the actual escort card along with the life sized sorting hat. We then offered our guests the option of keeping the owl for placing them in provided baskets which we intended for donation to a Battered Women’s shelter.

Another idea is to suspend 200 battery operated, flickering candles from the ceiling of the banquet hall.

You can also make your own snitch and flying broom to use in the room as added décor.

Consider offering your guests a specialty drink that sits in a cauldron at the bar. Fill the bottom of the caldron with dry ice for the smoky fog effect or simply hire a molecular mixologist for your event to mix up some mystical potion.

Hire a psychic or a fortune-teller to interact with your guests as part of the entertainment.

Infusing your event with a theme based on a movie like Harry Potter offers so much creative possibility. The ideas are endless. Let your imagination go and have fun.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Private Caterer for your Wedding part 2

2011-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love being able to use a private caterer for your wedding day food. As a real foodie I know that it will ensure that your wedding has the food and service that you desire. With a wedding menu designed exclusively for you. Usually there are no minimums and/or limitations with what you can request.

I lean towards the boutique companies as I find they have fresh, new and creative ideas and they typically prepare most items on the menu from scratch using the freshest of ingredients. They tend to shop using local farms and food suppliers and a lot of them like to buy organic and usually hit the markets within 1 to 2 days prior your event to ensure only the finest and freshest ingredients are being used.

It take a lot of hours to prepare and cook food for a party so typically your caterer will have a kitchen that they prep all the food in prior to your wedding day.

Once on the job site they then go to work cooking and finishing your food. If the job site has no kitchen one has to be built. While building an offsite kitchen is not a big deal, it does however cost some money. And you cannot assume that the cost of the kitchen is something that is paid for by the caterer. On the contrary, it is a cost paid for by the client. In addition, a lot of caterers may need to rent platters and serving utensils. Again, this is a cost passed onto the client.

Often times venues such as private homes, mansions, beaches, warehouse spaces require that you bring in a private caterer and most likely you should assume that you are at a space that is pretty much a blank slate which means you, the client get to bring in the dishes, forks, knives, glassware and just about everything else that you need to feed and service your guests. Your caterer can arrange for all this if you choose the go that route. They typically charge you the cost of each item plus 20% for arranging the rentals. You can have your wedding planner arrange the rentals or you can try and do it yourself. We will discuss rentals at a later date.

If you found this article helpful or interesting please leave a comment. Let me know your thoughts, If you have any questions or need any information or would like to see me write about a topic you need help on let me know. If you don’t want to leave a comment below you can always email me: Julia@eventuresinc.net or simply visit our website at www.eventuresinc.net.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Hiring a Caterer to Cook for Your Wedding?

2011-07-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Before you decide to have your wedding at a private venue or your home I think it is very important to understand how caterer’s charge.

Typically, private caterers break down the cost of the meal as follows: food per person, and an hourly fee for their staff inclusive of: head chef, assistant chefs, scullery, managers, waiters and bartenders.

The size of the event and the scope of the menu will usually determine how large a staff is required to service your event. In general most catering and staffing companies require a 5-hour minimum per party. In addition to the food and labor fees you can expect to see a tax and a service charge on your bill.

Generally the per person food charge will cover the cost of the food and the initial food prep at the caterer’s own kitchen. The hourly fees kick in once the caterer arrives on site at the venue where the wedding or party will take place. Typically, your caterer will base their estimate on the following: average event is 5 hours which consists of 1 hour for cocktails, and 4 hours for the reception. Additional hours may then be added for the set up/installation and clean up at your location. By and large, for a small event of 200 guests or less with a minimal amount of set up the caterer will frequently add 2 hours for installation and 1-2 hours for cleanup. These times are a guideline and may differ based on size of the wedding, the menu and the party’s overall flow of events. Furthermore, if you have a killer party that goes into overtime expect to pay additional sums of money to the staff.

Additionally, when choosing to work with a caterer at a private venue or home you should be aware that you will have to rent everything that will be used for your event to take place. It is a good idea, especially if you choose to not work with a planner, to schedule a walk-thru of the venue space with the caterer, prior to your wedding. This will allow the caterer to scope out the site and know how best to use the space. They will also be able to help you create a rental list of items that they may need to best execute the menu.

I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or need any help please feel free to contact me or leave comments. I look forward to helping you have a stress free event.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Has your mom turned into a Momzilla?

2011-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

So you get engaged and the first person you thought to call was your Mom. At first she is filled with joy and so excited, she sets out making plans in her head, some of which she decides to discuss with you. She calls all her friends and family, you start to begin planning the wedding, looking for venues, discovering likes, dislikes and cost of goods. You discuss the guest list and how to divide up the number of gueasts each family should be able to invite. Then, suddenly you notice a change in her behavior or maybe even mood swings around the subject of your wedding.

This is totally normal! Unexpected and unpleasant but, definitely a part of the process. When I got engaged my Mom, went a little nuts, too. Suddenly this woman that raised me and taught me to be generous and inclusive started to get territorial and petty. I heard comments like “why do they get to invite their friends? Why are they getting the same number of guests when I am paying?”…I was devastated to hear my Mom speak this way. It was not how she raised me. I felt so uncomfortable and couldn’t understand what was wrong. I even stopped speaking to her for a week.

Today, after working with countless brides and their mothers I can safely say that this behavior is common. Your Mom just needs some time to get used to the idea of sharing her baby with a whole new family. At first she feels very threatened by the attention you are getting from your “family to be” namely the future “Mother in law.” It is unsettling in many ways and the one thing I have learned over the years is that what provokes this behavior is that when you get engaged, you already know your family of origin and what makes them tick. However, your future husband’s family is a whole different experience. The allure and intrigue of the future in-laws enticing. They seem to be so different than your family and so much more normal and sort of hip and their relationship with you feels almost magical. They are still new and somewhat of a mystery; you don’t really know them yet, they seem gracious and welcoming and after all they raised the man you fell in love with- so they have to be pretty darn special. Right? So why wouldn’t you have instant love and closeness with them. You are marrying their son.

Give it time- You need to get to know your future husbands family without feeling guilty and your Mom just needs to settle in and realize that you are still going to be her daughter. She has to feel that she will still be a part of your life. And as you learn more about his family the excitement will begin to fade. After all- every family has their baggage. Once the mystery is gone you will be back to normal with your Mom. Allow her this time and don’t expect it to be different. Embrace this period and have room for her to get used to the idea of sharing you, her baby, the one she gave birth too, raised and loved.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Shopping for the Perfect Wedding Venue

2011-06-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

So you just got engaged and you think to yourself I need to find a place to get married. You begin to surf the internet for venues, feverishly making calls and you begin to feel overwhelmed. After what seems like a gazillion appointments and endless salespeople, beautiful presentation folders with prices and menus and preferred vendors you think to yourself; how do I interpret all this? It can all be so overwhelming.

Time to hit the pause button. Take a deep breath and make yourself a cup of coffee. Then sit quietly and list the pros and cons of each of the venues that you visited. Then create a cost comparison spreadsheet. When comparing locations it helps if you compare apples to apples, meaning; if the “really cheap” venue is offering 2 appetizers and the really great venue (the one you think you can’t afford but love) is offering 6 appetizers in their package see what the cost would be to upgrade to 6 tray passed appetizers at the inexpensive location. If the great place offers valet in their package price see what the valet would be at the less expensive location and write it down. How many courses are each of the places providing. Which one will let you choose a cake vendor, which one charges for the ceremony and what is the charge for an on site ceremony. Once you have your prices for each of these venues listed out by category simply add up each column and see if the less expensive place is still less expensive.

If something seems too good to be true that is because it usually is too good to be true. Be weary of the places that hide their costs and break them down and spread them around their presentation folder. I know when I look at a proposal my eye automatically goes to the largest numbers on the page or the final number/total at the bottom; afterwards, I pause to see what do all these costs really mean and stand for. Then, I too do a cost analysis. So, do yourself a favor and take the time to actually understand what you are getting and what it is going to cost before you commit. These few minutes can save you a lot of tears.

If you liked this post or found this information helpful, please let me know. I am here to help and guide you. Any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.

It's Your Wedding Day Choose to be Happy

2011-06-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Be Happy It is Your Wedding Day!

Letting go of your fear has got to be the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I remember as a bride I was petrified to walk down the aisle. I thought I wanted to be the center of attention, and was upset with my husband’s mother and sister because they weren’t welcoming the arriving guests. Instead they thought that they should have a “Grand Entrance” too. When the moment came for me to finally walk down the aisle I thought I would die, all those people looking at me- and the only thing I could do was obsess over the fluff of my dress, and worry about my hair—All that angst on what is supposed to be the most amazing day of my life

Then, I spent the entire day worrying about whether or not my guests were having fun. I was so anxious and worried about everything and everyone and what they thought that I don’t think I had fun. I just remember that when the day was done, and as I got out of my gown I felt every muscle in my upper body let go and begin to relax. It was not pleasant and took a few hours for the pain to subside.

Crazy! Right?

Now 24+ years later I can certainly tell you walking down the aisle was the easy part. Today my youngest child takes her driving test. Letting go of the fear that surrounds this is probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. We give birth, raise and protect and nurture these wonderful little beings into adult hood only to let them fly away with wings that we helped to grow. So many things can happen or go wrong when you drive. Today, I realize there are so many more important things to obsess over than a fluffy wedding dress- or the perfect centerpiece.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not telling you that your wedding day should be anything less than perfect and that you shouldn’t want to look and feel your very best. What I am saying is that you should ENJOY your wedding day- it is yours, created especially for you, the bride. It is the only day when the world actually stops, and focuses on you and your wishes. So what if it doesn’t go as planned. Nothing ever does! Furthermore, no one at your party knows that the centerpieces were supposed to be yellow roses not pink, or that you picked Chilean Sea bass not salmon. No one knows what you planned! They only know what is presented to them. Your guests take their cues from you. So, be present, be gracious and be grateful and most of all be happy! Paste a great big smile on your face and let the good times begin! It is one day and there are no do overs. Choose the joy that you so very much want. It is all up to you and how you choose to see and be on your wedding day.

I hope this was interesting and helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me 818 673 2961. Shoot me an email or leave some comments. I would love to hear what you are interested in learning about.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning

Your Dream Wedding

2011-06-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

When you get engaged and start planning for your wedding the world of creativity opens up and there is so much possibility just waiting for you to walk through its door. Sit back, close your eyes and just fantasize for a few minutes. Picture yourself in your Wedding gown walking into your reception - what colors come to mind- What does the guest seating look like; do you see your guests seated at a table- should the tables be round, square rectangular? Do you want your guests on chairs, ottomans or banquets? Are the tables coffee table height, standard or high top? Or are you nixing tables and providing all lounges or maybe a combination of the above?

Imagine the atmosphere you want to create. This is where you get to think about lighting and what that will bring to the party.

Try to step outside of your comfort zone when you plan your wedding. I know it is hard to imagine something that you haven’t seen in pictures and magazines but it can be so rewarding if you begin to let go of all your fear and learn to play and use your imagination.

The room you create does not need to be about the flowers and centerpieces and linen color. Take it a step further and really spend time thinking about how you want the party to move and flow. The rest will fall into place.

No one says you need to be traditional unless that is what you want. Remember, there are no rules; and if there are, just remember the old saying that states:“rules are meant to be broken.” There may be some religious or cultural traditions to follow but they are also open to interpretation. They exist as a guide for you to use and customize to fit with your life, style and personal preferences

This is your wedding! The planning should be fun! Let go and play!

Please let me know if you liked this post. Write back and tell me your thoughts. I would love to hear from you and help in anyway I can.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Wedding Planning Jitters?

2011-05-31T10:36:00.000-07:00

One thing I find exists in all my clients is that element of fear. You can’t wait to get engaged. When you meet that certain someone you dream about it for days, weeks and even months- maybe sometimes years. Then he finally proposes. You jump around the room, for 10 minutes screaming you hug you kiss and then…

Once the ring is on and all the calls are made you either go for it full throttle and plan your wedding in a whirlwind or you sit back and wait and then you wait some more. For me, when I got engaged all those years ago I was afraid to make those first phone calls- who do I call, where do I start? Back then Wedding planners were the people in the banquet halls and hotels. We didn’t have the internet.

Today, the world is so different; with the internet, twitter, facebook, etc… the influx of wedding stimuli to your inbox can be so overwhelming. Then you have to deal with all your fears about spending too much money, the fear of finally finding out what things costs, not having a vision or worse yet having an idea that you can’t fulfill because you don’t know how or can’t afford to.

I just find it so interesting that as women we all have that little girl inside us that screams look at me! Till you start to plan your wedding and then that little girl goes- Uh Oh! And wants to just shrink away and run away and hide.

So, to start, I am going to suggest for you to just jump. That’s right take the plunge and just start. Waiting is only going to increase the tension and anxiety. You want to get married right? You want to have a wedding? So what are you waiting for?

“Leap and the net will appear”.

If this was helpful or interesting to you please let me know. Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you and please know I am here to be of service.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Why Hiring a Wedding Planner is a Good Idea

2011-05-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

This post is based on a true event.

Last weekend my neighbor’s son got married. The wedding took place at his parent’s home. This is just a taste of what we got to experience as their neighbor.

Saturday afternoon I arrived home to my cul de sac at around 3pm to be greeted by massive chaos on my street. There were cars and trucks parked everywhere; making it difficult to drive down the street.

No big deal, right? People have parties, do construction create chaos and mess all the time. You just get used to it, take a deep breath and move on. Especially in a city like Los Angeles.

Around 6pm my husband and I leave to meet with friends, my son is off to Santa Barbara and my poor daughter, a junior in High school is home studying for finals. We get back home at around 10pm. The street is still crazy, music is still blaring. Wow, 7 hours later- must be a great party!

We go into our house and get ready for bed- around 10:30 the music dies down and as we are drifting off to sleep we are shocked awake by footsteps coming up our back deck stairs and in a flash there is a giant shadow of a man standing in our bedroom window. We both scream and jump out of bed, I have seriously never been so scared in my entire life and am shocked that I was able to pick up the phone to call the police.

We soon discover that the large male intruder, the one who scared us awake, worked for the DJ company that ran or played at the wedding next door. Apparently he got drunk and managed to get lost and ended up in my backyard- which is completely enclosed with a wrap around wooden fence… In addition, the next day- my husband lets me know that our backyard was covered in beer bottles.

You are probably wondering how this relates to my topic of why you should hire a Wedding Planner for your wedding?

Because, when you hire a planner you are going to have qualified, professional vendors with work policies regarding how their employees are allowed to behave at your party. I know, our work is fun- we create atmosphere and energy for your event. But, the key word is we are working! We are there to provide a service, not party like a guest.

Furthermore, I absolutely know that at the end of one of my parties or weddings my vendors will not be wandering the neighborhood casing out the homes and opening you (the client) up to a possible lawsuit. When the party ends they will be loading their stuff into their trucks and leaving- and they are leaving your home and your neighbors homes the way they found them- no one’s lawn will be strewn with beer cans or empty wine bottles. I think a little peace of mind and tranquility for all are wise choices when it comes to planning your next home wedding.

If you found this useful, helpful or interesting, please let me know. I would love your feedback. If there is something you want to learn about just let me know. I would be more than happy to oblige.

Grace, Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Wedding Planner- Why you want one!

2011-05-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

In my opinion one of the many reasons you would hire a wedding planner is to help you create and execute a vision for your wedding that will make it different than everyone else’s wedding.

I don’t know about you but I love to look at wedding pictures and photos from other special events. I can do this for hours and never get bored. They are a great source for inspiration and ideas.

However, I think it is my job to listen to my bride and actually hear her, get inside her head and then help her find just the right location for her dream wedding. Then when we find that magical location it is up to me to show my bride the possibility of what she can have. I inspire my bride to see the room in a different way then the venue may be used to doing it.

Why have everyone else’s wedding? Why stay inside the “box”? You hired a wedding planner. It is up to us to help you dream and create and to show you how to see what isn’t or hasn’t been seen or done yet. An experienced wedding coordinator should be able to see the space in a different way. They should be able to have a vision and know the right people to hire to execute that vision. After all, if you could do it yourself then why would you hire us? If you could create your own unique style and party and celebration then why would you hire an experienced wedding professional? I think it is so important to understand that a true wedding coordinator should be able to take your ideas wish list and thoughts and spin it into something that stands out. - If you want cookie cutter than have the venue do the party. They are more than happy to tell you how they do it week after week, month after month and year after year.

Get Inspired! This is your special day! It is amazing to see what you can have and receive! Just be willing to play and have some fun!

Top 5 Alternatives to the Traditional Guest Book

2011-05-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Alternatives to the Traditional Guest Book

Where to Begin When Planning Your Wedding

2011-05-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

So you just got engaged. The excitement wears off and you think to yourself: Now what? Where do you begin when you first start planning your wedding? Do you begin by getting your venue? Do you begin to plan your wedding by picking a date? What is that first step?

Personally, I think that one of the first places to start with when planning your wedding is your budget. I know, it isn’t the most fun place to begin but it is the most important place to start.

Dreams, ideas and images of the perfect day are great. They are important- but they all cost money. So start with the nuts and bolts and learn how to move your money around and you just may end up with everything you ever wanted.

Wedding budgets are like a giant jigsaw puzzle with a hundred or more little pieces. The number of pieces to this puzzle depends upon the level of detail that you want or must have at your wedding ceremony and reception. So, before you get started you have to really think about a lot of factors such as: what you must have in order for the day to be perfect in your mind. These are the things, no matter how small, that if missing on your day will cause you to think that your wedding is not going to be perfect.

So, I suggest you make a list, have your fiancé make a list, have your parents and his parents make a list. That’s right, the parents get to make a list and yes both sets of parents should make their own list. Especially, if they are helping to pay; cause you know that if they are paying they are going to want to have a say.

Then when all your lists are done, sit down together and discuss them as calmly as possible. I know you have been dreaming about this day since you were a little girl, but don’t forget, your Mother and his Mother have also been dreaming all that time and maybe even longer. If you are afraid of this meeting turning into a screaming match then come up with a plan. Either meet in a restaurant where you have to maintain some level of calm or hire a coach to help you sort through these lists in a calm and neutral way. No matter what- you have to know what you must have at your wedding in order for it to be perfect. In order for your dream to come to fruition. You may have to make some compromises along the way, but, you may just get it all.

Has this been helpful? I would love to know. What are your concerns or fears in planning your wedding. Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Grace and Gratitude and Happy Planning!

Your Wedding day Countdown

2011-05-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Are you obsessing over all the details that go into planning your wedding?

Are you worried that your party won’t be fun?

Are you stressed out and taking it out on everyone around you?

Does this sound like you?

Believe you me I know how stressful it is to plan your own wedding. You stay up at night thinking about all the things that could go wrong. When you wake up the next day instead of being fresh you are anxious and worried and exhausted. Your nerves are frayed and you can’t stop crying.

Well you need to stop this behavior and you need to stop it now. All this fear and craze is not good for you, your fiancée your family or the energy of your party.

On the day of your wedding your guests will pick up on your energy and feed off of it. They take their cues from you the Bride! So if you are experiencing worry your guests will feel it the minute they walk through the door. Trust me this is a huge energy drain on your day for both you and your party.

No one chooses to be around pain and suffering. In fact, one reason to attend a party in the first place is to escape your own life; similar to going to the movies, reading a good book or taking a vacation. Your wedding reception should be engaging and fun.

So, practice being “in joy” in the final days leading up to your wedding day. Do things that make you feel happy and relaxed. Get a massage, do your nails, run a bath with candlelight and soft music. Shut off your phone. Remember, things do go wrong but that is not what you or your friends and family care about. They are there for you. They want to embrace you and celebrate and share in you and your happiness, love and joy. As long as you are happy they will be happy and they will not notice what is wrong unless you point it out.

So, remember happiness is infectious. Embrace your day and don’t pay attention to what went wrong only focus on what is right. You get to walk down the aisle and say “I do” to the man of your dreams. The one you have been waiting for!

The Power of Intent

2011-04-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

Know your intent. If you are planning a party know what you want. Be clear with why you are having it. Is it to celebrate another persons life, is it an open house, is it a Wedding, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?

Personally, I think parties are about joy and celebration for milestones, achievements and life changing moments.

The most important outcome for a party, any party is fun. I think as a host it is part of your job to think about your guests and their comfort. Happy guests means happy party.

In my opinion one of the best ways to inspire your guests to share and participate is to make them feel welcome:

If parking is a problem hire a valet.

If it is cold have heaters or shawls.

Greet your guests at the door with a specialty cocktail to help them settle in.

Remember, the purpose of your party is to celebrate. Welcome your guests into the party and let them know how happy it makes you to have them there with you. They will reciprocate in kind. Happy guest mean a party that has a packed dance floor. What more could you ask for?

Hiring the right MC

2010-03-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

How important is having a Master of Ceremonies (MC) for your party? And should that person be in addition to the DJ and or Band leader.

In my opinion a good MC is the most important person you hire. He will after all be running the party. One of the things to look for in your MC is the ability to multi task – kind of like a catcher in a baseball game. He has to be aware of the group and read them quickly. Within the first 20 minutes of the party this person should know your party and what music to play throughout. If you go with a band he can be the Band “Leader” if you decide on a DJ hire one that offers you a separate MC as these are 2 very distinct jobs with distinct functions and the last thing you want is someone running back and forth between dance floor and his equipment or worse yet, someone who stays put behind a table all night.

Make sure your MC is good at public speaking and that you like his voice cause you will be hearing it all night long. He should be able to have the ability to memorize well. A personal grievance of mine is when the MC has the mic in one hand and his cheat sheet in the other standing on the edge of the dance floor reading his notes. He should not be reading them he should know them! If you were at a play would you want to see the actors reading their lines from the script?

Your MC should be able to interface and communicate with the banquet manager and your planner. He should be able to watch the event and know when the food is finished being served, where people are in their meal and when to turn up and down on the heat.

Most importantly he should also make sure that before announcing the first dance he has the bride and groom in the room and that he has both the photographer and videographer present. You do not want to have to repeat the first dance because the photographer was in the bathroom. – The same principle should be applied to all the formalities of the day. I find it completely frustrating when I am at an event and something gets announced and then the guests have to go on a scavenger hunt looking for a bride or groom, parent, grandparent …. It is really important for the MC to be on top of his game and communicate with all necessary parties prior to announcements. And if there is a planner involved he needs to communicate with them and they will make sure all people necessary are present.

Have a relationship with your MC beforehand. Make sure he knows you and your family. Meet him a few times- email him your favorite songs and the things you do not want to hear. Let him know if he should take requests from the crowd. Communication before hand is so very crucial. Make this person your friend- but please respect their boundaries. I know you may want to call him at midnight, every night leading up to your party, but stop and think for a minute- would you want someone calling you at this time of day/night? How you guys relate prior will make all the difference to the energy of the night. Now on the day of- leave him do his job! Micromanaging him never makes the party better!!!

USE A VISION BOARD TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR WEDDING

2010-03-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

So you just got engaged, how exciting!? When I got engaged I remember the first thing I did was pick up the phone to call my mother screaming. I think today’s bride is no different. It is such an exciting moment until the fear hits. Now what? How do I plan a wedding? What do you do first? How do you choose a date? Where do you start looking? Of course you may turn to your soon to be husband, unfortunately this is probably not a good first place to go. He may want to help but let’s face it, most men are perfectly happy just showing up. The thing that makes a man happiest, is when his wife is happy and leaving him to watch sports. (It has taken me at least 21 of 22 years of marriage to figure this out).

So, after you finishing calling, texting and emailing all your family and friends take a deep breath. The fun is about to begin. Today it is even easier – look to your computer. If you aren’t that familiar with the internet then make friends as this methods of research will make a lot of good resources readily available.

Now, to do it the old fashioned way- for me much easier- head over to Barnes and Noble or your favorite news stand and stock up on all your favorite and not so favorite bridal magazines. And start clipping, tearing or bookmarking everything that you like. You may want to start a vision board so you have all your ideas and favorites in one handy place available at a glance. To create a vision board all you need is an 11 x 17 or larger poster board, glue and/or tape scissors magazines and your time. You may want to create a binder and put all the images in sleeves and carry around the binder. The thing I like about the vision boards is first all your favs are right out in front of you in 1 spot without having to search thru pages- You may want to make a few boards until you narrow down your exact dream.

Good luck, have fun and get creative. After all it is your day!

Venue Shopping

2009-11-08T10:22:00.000-08:00

Back in the day, when I got married choosing where to have my wedding seemed like a daunting task. Where to go, what to look for, what questions to ask, will my flowers make it into the right room? All of this seemed like we were climbing a mountain and how could we ever get to the top?

Today, the task is even harder. 20 years ago everyone got married in a hotel, temple or “wedding factory” (venue that has more then 1 event going at a time). I remember when we finally picked the Crest hollow Country Club for our big day my boss looked at me and said- “I got married there. Make sure you get your flowers because mine went to a different wedding and the ones we got were awful.” Hah- 22 years ago all you had to worry about when planning a wedding were the flowers and the music- today there is so much more.

I just started in the planning process for a wedding that will take place in New York. I have not done an event in NY since my husband moved us to LA 16 years ago. So for the past 2 weeks the Internet and I have become best friends. It brings me my coffee first thing in the morning and snuggles next to me at night.

It really is truly amazing what is available to learn out in cyberspace. I was quite proud of myself at being able to link into some of the most incredible venues. While I am very familiar with the event spaces and opportunities in Los Angeles, I was unaware of how things had changed and developed in NY.

When I lived in NY, Long Island city was a place that you went to only if you had to. And I had to every day for about 2 years, as I worked for a clock importer back then. When I was going to meet with my perspective employers I was told don’t get too nervous when you walk here as most of the scary people you are going to see on the street work for us. That was then and this is now and Long Island City has become quite a little hub of old buildings that have been restored to now be rented out as event spaces.

Then there is Brooklyn. When I lived in Brooklyn it was the least cool place of all the suburbs that you could be, but that is not the case anymore. The Williamsburg area and it’s neighboring uber chic DUMBO have made the heights seem boring. In exploring I came across some of the most incredible spaces. Amazing what changes can occur in and over time. As I was born in Brooklyn, I can truly say that I am proud that it has seen a resurgence in glamour and style. It has always had the most amount of character in my book.

2009-11-04T15:24:00.001-08:00

First, let me start by saying this is really my first time blogging and since I am new to this realm of communication I not really sure how it works. I do hope you enjoy or continue to read what I have to say and if anyone has any questions or responses please let me know.

So, after just stepping off of a plane flying round trip from Los Angeles to Virginia twice in one week I had the opportunity to experience 2 profoundly different events.

We buried my Father In Law on Monday in Virginia, 2 years after discovering he had cancer. He put up a good fight but in the end the cancer won. Unfortunately, he died exactly 1 week before his grandson was to become a Bar Mitzvah. While this may seem like a very bad and unfortunate stroke of luck for the Bar Mitzvah I have to say what a true stroke of brilliance it was for all who attended. In light of a recent passing we were all present in a way that may not have occurred had my Father In Law held on those extra few days. Everyone connected, travelled the roundtrip to Virginia twice in 1 short week as there was seriously 4 days between the closure of one life and the stepping into manhood of another. My family and I flew in from Los Angeles, my son from his studies at Syracuse University, Aunts and Uncles and cousins arrived from Boston, NY, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Did I mention that both of my kids were smack in the middle of midterms- (Nothing like adding a bit more stress into the mix).

My poor sister- in - law agonized before the funeral about whether people would show up for her son. Then she tortured herself regarding having a celebration when her father would not be there. As the voice of possibility I kept reminding her that her father would be present in everyones’ heart. Furthermore, he was present in her and her brother and his 4 grandchildren. I reminded her that he had lived a very long and fulfilled life so of course we would be able to celebrate. With that said, the Jewish faith says that you are not supposed to cancel a Simcha (Joyous occasion of celebration) that is already on the calendar when a relative dies, even a Grandfather. So in the true spirit of Judaism the celebration was going to take place. So after 3 days of funeral arrangements and shiva everyone re-boarded their planes and arrived in Virginia for the 2^nd time in 1 very short and jet lagged week to celebrate this young boy.

My Father in laws untimely passing created many miracles. As an event planner I know that the key to an amazing party is to invite the people that most want to be present. I have to acknowledge that all the guests at this Bar Mitzvah were present in both body and spirit. Each one of us was happy to be there. Everyone knew that it was important to make this boy feel the love and the joy and the true reason and meaning of why we have a Bar Mitzvah.

Everyone always asks me how can I make my child’s B’nai Mitzvah better then his/her friends. My answer is that the best parties are the ones in which the community truly comes together in joy to support the young man/woman on the next phase of their journey.

Eventures Wins Best Booth At The Wedding Salon!

2009-10-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Below are images of Eventures, Inc.'s booth and table designs at the 2009 Wedding Salon, held in September at the London West Hollywood. As always, Eventures combines a flair for the dramatic with romantic details that never fail to entertain the eye while capturing your breath.