WEDnesday Love: Determining Your Wedding Style (Guest Post)

The most unique and creative weddings are a true marriage of the bride and groom’s personal tastes and cultural backgrounds.After you have set YES! The next important step is to determine your wedding style.

Set aside some time when you and your fiancée can sit down, relax and visualize the most romantic awe-inspiring wedding that the two of you can imagine. Perhaps it takes place in the sunny Caribbean, in an enchanted garden or in the epic center of Paris.
 

In the process of dreaming big, you will start to identify the thematic framework that shapes every creative decision along the way. You’ll start to identify a unifying theme as simply as a color or a flower, or as a complex as a period of time, a particular culture, or even a favorite place.

Think about the big picture and capture an overall vision for your celebration. You’ll be able to weave a thread of style throughout your wedding; from the designs of the invitations, flowers, and the decoration of the cake, to the type of music that the band or DJ plays during the ceremony and the celebration that follows.
 

Understand what you both like and dislike about the weddings that you have attended. Eventually you will begin to paint a detailed verbal picture for all of the wedding event vendors youwill meet down the road.

 

To help both of you define your sense of style and really dream big, have fun with the following list of questions that I ask my clients. Your answers will offer helpful clues to the kind of celebration that is right for the two of you.

Questions to Help Determine Your Statement of Style

• Describe what you like about your favorite restaurants and their atmosphere, food presentation, and décor.
• What types of food do you love and hate? And how do you prefer or dislike them prepared?
• What sort of party do you like to attend? A formal sit-down dinner? A cocktail party with passed hors d’ oeuvres? Or a buffet where you pick and choose? Do you prefer casual or formal dining?
• List your favorite drinks, wine, beer, soft drinks, sparkling waters, favorite cocktails or liquors.
• Where do you like to spend your vacation and why? Is it moderate, fast paced or relaxed? Cosmopolitan or Rustic? Cultural? Beach? Urban? Mountains, the Lake or Countryside?
• Do you have a childhood wedding fantasy? Or a contemporary one?
• Do you see your wedding as a single event, or a series of events over a few days?
• What are your favorite books or stories? What mood do they create? Imagine how you would integrate this element into your ceremony or celebration.
• What are your favorite or lease favorite flowers? If you don’t know how their specific names, describe which flowers, colors, shapes and sizes appeal to you.
• What is your favorite movie? And why do you like it? Are there scenes from any movie that whisk you away? Mine is the scene from Pretty Woman where Julia Robert's character experiences the Opera for the first time. It immediately touches her soul and she falls in love with.
• What are your favorite and least favorite colors? Imagine how your favorites translate to flowers and fabrics for your wedding day attire and room décor. Look for other color samples around your home.
• Does a particular time of day or season of the year inspire you? Do you love sunsets? Do you love the cozy feeling of being indoors after a winter snowfall? Do you love long summer evenings outdoors? How might you translate this into your wedding?
• What kind of music do you find romantic? List your favorite writers/composers and their works and individual bands, or artists and their songs.
• What are your favorite photography styles? Black and white, color or sepia? Still or live action? Photo Journalism or portrait?
• Do you have a hobby or collection that you want to incorporate in some way?
• Who are your favorite clothing designers? What specifically about their designs appeal to you? Is it the line or use of color? Is there a fabric you are particularly fond of, a trim you’ve always admired, or a silhouette you love?
• When it’s all up to you, how do you spend the day? Pampering at the spa? Hiking in the mountains? Camping in the wood?  How can you imagine translating the special magic of your favorite past-times into your wedding day celebration?

 

Now that you are armed with a list of questions, grab a pad, relax with one another and let’s have some fun determining your wedding style.

Whatever you decide make sure that it reflects you and don’t allow others decide what your wedding style needs to be. It’s your day and all about you and should be a reflection of who you both are individually and collectively.
 

Happy Planning!

Karen Moore, is the Founder and Creative Director of Re Defining Moments http://redefiningmoments.com

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Guest Post: Hosting A Simply Perfect Wine Tasting Event

As a professional wedding and events planner at SPPE, I enjoy sharing ideas about a variety of events that can be fun and out of the ordinary.  Below is a guest post from Joyce Cunningham of Pthirty1 that fits right into the scheme of things - Enjoy!

A couple of years ago, my sister and I hosted a wine tasting for our business, Selah Events. The event was so much fun, but A LOT of work! So much work, we’ve been planning another one for 2 years now :D!

 

Although our event was for public pleasure, you can host your own wine tasting with less stress. Not a wine connoisseur? So what…who cares?!?! Grab a variety of whites and reds and set a date to explore with your closest friends! Here’s how to pull it off:

 

1.       It Starts with Wine: If you already know what wines you like, you’re halfway there. You are more likely to host with ease when promoting a brand you believe in. So plan to include some of your favorite wines in the tasting. If you haven’t a clue when it comes to the brew, hit your favorite grocer or wine store and ask for recommendations. Read the labels and pick a few that’s interesting.

A great place to explore various wines without breaking the bank is Aldi…my sister hooked me on that tip some years ago and I haven’t been disappointed yet. ;)

 

2.       Fickle Foodie Facts: Have you ever been in a nice restaurant and opted for the recommended wine pairings? Did it make you wonder how some wines go so well with certain foods? I found that even wines I didn’t care for tasted better when paired with a dish I loved. Whether it be heavy appetizers, light dinner or just snacks offered at your wine tasting, choose your food carefully.

You will most definitely need good breads and cheeses. Fresh fruit is also a good idea if you’re keeping it light. Chocolates go well with anything. And just about anything French will work for your wine tasting menu. Oui Oui?

  

3.       Make it Fun: When I was younger, I always had an image of wine lovers as distinguished prudes. I gradually became a wine lover as I approached (and entered) my 30’s. That’s when I discovered those old movies with the 70 year old guy smoking a cigar and holding a glass of wine while wearing his pajamas and murmuring about his golf handicap while barely opening his mouth was just dead wrong! Wine is for everyone…that makes us all distinguished :D!

Make your party less about “sip and chat” and more about exploration and discovery. Draft wine scorecards for each guest to rate their wines. Later, mix it up a bit and blindfold guests having them guess a wine by scent or flavor. Or have each guest bring their favorite wine and play a game of “guess who” by asking each guest to guess who brought what wine (this game is a hoot if your guests are all close friends).

 

4.       Gift it Away: Gatherings are always most memorable when there’s gifting involved. I believe giving is way more rewarding for the giver than for the receiver. You don’t have to spend lots of money to make each of your guests feel special. Of course, you can be as extravagant in giving as you like, but small tokens like wine bags, cork stoppers, chocolates or even personalized wine labels will go a long way in the hearts of your attendees.  Be creative and have fun with it!

For more information and tips check out PThirty1.com

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Goodwill Among Your Vendors

Juanita Gaynor of Ellegant Affairs by Juanita, Inc continues her tips on building good vendor relationships.

Creating Goodwill among Your Vendors

Your goal is to develop a healthy and profitable relationship with a vendor; you have to make a conscious effort to show your appreciation. Below are some suggestions that you can use to create goodwill and cultivate your vendor relationships.

·         Offer a beverage to your delivery people. Keep coffee, sodas, and bottled water on hand for company drivers. They do not always get to stop and grab something; they get thirsty to.

·         Provide vendor meals. Remember your staff is not the only people working to set up an event;  but there are always several vendors who may be working to set up an event. This simple act encourages staff relationships and builds a sense of community.

·         Have a volunteer day. Choose a charity and get your company, vendors, and staff involved.

·         Invite vendors to events. When it is appropriate, put your vendors on the guest list of an event your company is hosting.

·         Offer your services. If your wine representative is planning his wife's 50^th birthday party, offer to plan it at no charge.

·         Extend an invitation to company parties. Holiday staff parties are a great way to integrate vendors into your company.

·         Don't forget the special touches. Event planners often receive perks such as concert tickets from clients, so remember your vendors if you cannot use the tickets yourself.

Vendors represent your business to customers in various regions nationally and internationally. Therefore, it is important and critical that you maintain a good relationship with them. More than that, a good vendor relationship will see you through in a bad situation. The goodwill the vendor has for you will translate to business growth, as the vendor will work hard to attain your business goals.

Author’s Bio
Juanita founded Ellegant Affairs by Juanita, Inc.  in 1995 age the age of twenty-one when she was looking for career where she could work closely with her clients, make an impact in their lives, feel relatively quickly the sense of accomplishment when all your hard work has come together. Juanita has brought her considerable talents to product launches, nonprofit gala events, fashion shows, corporate events and high-end social events, such as weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs. To each event she produces, Juanita brings her own unique sense of style, and her knowledge of the latest industry trends, plus a great team of youthful and dynamic employees to make her clients' dreams a reality.

She is a certified wedding planner that holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern Nazarene College and is currently working on a Bachelors degree in Global Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

She is currently working on her first book and working to expand her company globally. She credits her business success to her sensitivity to her client's needs and her desire to make every event an unforgettable experience.

-----------------------------------------------------
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Good Vendor Relationships

Establishing Good Vendor Relations

By Juanita E. Gaynor

Having a solid relationship with your vendors can make you more efficient as an event planner. Imagine not having to take the time to choose floral arrangements because your floral designer is always spot on in her creations. Picture a relationship with your caterer in which you can choose a menu without scheduling a tasting because his cuisine is always magnificent. Developing your vendor relations will save you stress and time, both of which you can save for planning more events.

The Vendor Cast of Characters

Your vendor list will vary depending on your field of event planning that you specialize in. When shopping for a vendor, ask your colleagues and other event planners for their recommendations. You can also ask the company for referrals from other clients in the industry. Be sure to fully vet and qualify your prospective vendor before you decide to hire them. As with event planners, vendors rely heavily on their reputations to be successful. The following vendors are staples to have within you arsenal when you begin your career and as you continue in your career.

• Caterer

• Florist (Floral Designer)

• Baker (Specialty & Custom Designs)

• Purveyors (companies selling produce, seafood, meat products, and beverages)

• Wine and beer companies

• Liquor distributors

• Labor companies (electricians, general contractors, carpenters, and painters)

• Photographers

• Videographer

• Graphic & Web Designer

• Specialty stationery designer and/or printing company

Up Next?  How to create goodwill among your vendors

Author’s Bio
Juanita founded Ellegant Affairs by Juanita, Inc. in 1995 age the age of twenty-one when she was looking for career where she could work closely with her clients, make an impact in their lives, feel relatively quickly the sense of accomplishment when all your hard work has come together. Juanita has brought her considerable talents to product launches, nonprofit gala events, fashion shows, corporate events and high-end social events, such as weddings, birthdays and bar mitzvahs. To each event she produces, Juanita brings her own unique sense of style, and her knowledge of the latest industry trends, plus a great team of youthful and dynamic employees to make her clients' dreams a reality.

She is a certified wedding planner that holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Eastern Nazarene College and is currently working on a Bachelors degree in Global Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

She is currently working on her first book and working to expand her company globally. She credits her business success to her sensitivity to her client's needs and her desire to make every event an unforgettable experience.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.