Event Jolie - Wedding & Event Planning TIPS & InSIGHT

The Perfect Wedding Guide... Wedding Party Time!

I went to a Perfect Wedding Guide event on Wednesday in Delray Beach... SUCH a fun night and I met some great people and incredible vendors for all of my upcoming wedding planning needs.  I'm quickly learning the BEST in the industry in 'these parts' and it's making me sleep better already.... ahhhhhh....

So, the event was at Taverna Eros.  It's a Mediterranean Grill & Lounge... Super cool spot, and I highly recommend it for dinner, girls night out, parties...  They just built an outdoor garden area that is chic and cozy at the same time, and I hear they are breaking down a wall of the building so the bar is open to the garden.  Very cool setting and I imagine it's a scene when it's warm out.  For all of you brides seeking a bachelorette party restaurant, etc... you've got to check it out: Taverna Eros.  Tracy Mendy is in charge of their special events - super great, easy and FUN to work with, so you'll be guaranteed a great party there.  Tracy is also a fashion photographer; she has beautiful work: Tracy Mendy Photography.

I also met a ton of great vendors that I'm so excited about... all members of NAWP (National Association of Wedding Professionals), which is a huge bonus.  DJs, Photographers, Travel Agents... you name it, they were there.  The Perfect Wedding Guide sure knows how to throw a party and bring on great vendors.  I HAVE to give PWG props on their business cards, too - BEST ones I've ever seen and one day I will copy it: CHOCOLATE BUSINESS CARDS.  It was a first for me... Bad thing is, I don't have anyone's number since I ate them.  Ha!

This is an older Perfect Wedding Guide cover... Funny thing is, the bride in this picture is my girlfriend Patti Dunn with Brushworx On Location Hair & Makeup.  I love that girl - so funny that her face just popped up on my computer, too.  :)

Planning 101 - Start Your Notebook

For all of you brides and friends out there planning your upcoming wedding or event, there is ONE WAY to save a bunch of headaches: BE ORGANIZED.  Event planning CAN be stressful when the details overwhelm the overall event.  Those details can either work in perfect harmony, creating a perfect event and lasting impression for all guests, OR they can quickly destroy an evening that a ton of time and money went into.  Forget to confirm the car service or the floral delivery?  Anything can be worked around, BUT why risk it when it can be avoided with ORGANIZATION?  (A little inside know-how and experience can help, too.)  Outside of that, we all know there will be a few headaches, bumps and bruises along the way with budgeting, but we'll get into that later....

I know, I know, you've all heard this a billion times over and if you're a Bride to Be, you've received those wedding planner notebooks from your sister, mom or best friend already.  Well, the best way to get started planning is to USE IT... or you can create your own. 

My preference?  I like a 3-ring binder with colored tabs, folder pockets and a bunch of clear pocket pages for fabric swatches, paper samples, photos, etc...  Fill with some loose leaf paper and keep a three hole punch nearby (they even have the type that goes IN a binder) and you are all set.  This way, since a binder can keep expanding, you won't "outgrow" your notebook (I have seen this many times in pre-made notebooks).  PLUS, you have EVERYTHING all together, from notes to swatches to magazine tears to contracts and photographs of you or your MOH in your top 3 bridesmaid dresses.  PLUS, you can be organized how YOU like to be organized - by event (rehearsal, ceremony, reception, after party, day after brunch, honeymoon, etc...) OR by vendor (venue(s), coordinator, caterer, florist, baker, linens, etc...) OR whatever works for you.  To top it off, add a photo of you and Your Sweetie in the clear front pocket of the binder to look at after a disagreement on selecting a BAND versus a DJ.  Trust me, that last little addition will help.  ;)

If you're not a bride but are planning an upcoming party or corporate event, same goes... get a notebook and get ORGANIZED.  There are JUST as many details in planning a corporate affair or 50th anniversary and the details can make or break you! 

Now that you've got your binder or planner all set, start pulling ideas... rip apart a handful of magazines with images of your dress, color scheme, flowers, hairstyles, bridesmaids gowns.... and if you've hired a Wedding Planner, review these ideas with her or him.  BTW- even if you have hired a Wedding Planner, YOU STILL NEED A NOTEBOOK.  This is YOUR wedding (or event) and it should be unique to YOU- reflecting your style and preferences.  Wedding Planners can help in the creative arena and with all details, logistics, follow-up, stress relief, etc... but we can't read your mind and your idea of "blush" and "bashful" may just be a little different than your Planner's.  PLUS, your notebook will double as an incredible keepsake years later.  I have mine and I still look through it for inspiration or for memory's sake...    

High on Life

Man OH man... I've gone from a 6am runners high to a 10am CAFFEINE high.... So, I am dedicating this BLOG to my good old buddy, Genya Garrett with VUE photography. 

For those who know Genya, she is an amazing artist and photographer (note her gorgeous work above)... and she is SO much fun to have a "Cup of Joe" with or go on a run with and rattle off ideas.  Of course, she's a creative genius, so I certainly love hearing her spin on everything!

That said, this is a motivational moment where I encourage all you brides and clients planning your upcoming event to have a "Cup of Joe" with your best friend or go on a run... get your blood flowing and your mind SPINNING, then sit down with a pen and a pad of paper and go to town with your own creative minds.  For me (and I know for Genya, too) sometimes this is when the best, most creative and unique work gets done.  Here's to natural highs (coffee is natural, right????) and simply being high on life!  Now, get to jogging or sipping or whatever gets you going....

You're my BEST FRIEND!

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Okay, so we're set up in Palm Beach now (physically), but on to the fun stuff.... I get to meet all of my new favorite vendors and event planning friends.  In the event planning business, your vendors become your best friends because they are who you lean on and trust to be their best every time.  Without my vendors, I am NOTHING..... a little scary starting from scratch, but I've already got a bundle of great leads and am meeting with as many people as possible in the coming weeks.  It's an exciting time, NO DOUBT!  

There are a couple of upcoming bridal shows that I'm excited to attend.  You can find endless resources at these events.  There is one right around the corner from me that I may just have to check out... It's the Brides 2 Be Extravaganza in PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.  The hosting venue is amazingly beautiful and apparently the club just dumped millions into it to make it ever so spectacular.  I'm excited to see the venue if nothing else!!!

I've also been researching photographers like a CRAZY WOMAN.... I can't help it that I'm a little partial to these vendors.  I love photography and for me personally it was on the top of MY list when planning my wedding.  When all the cake is eaten and our skin starts to sag, every bride and groom will appreciate the only things left of all the work they dumped into their wedding day.  For my corporate and charity clients, there is no better resource for marketing!  A strong photographer at a live event will more than pay for itself if used appropriately to bring in business or attract another set of eyes to an important cause.  The photographers I've spoken with here so far have been fabulous and I can't WAIT to build a long working relationship with them!

SOOOOO much work to do and this is a critical time... I've gotta find the best and brightest out there in every category and get them on MY team!!!  If anyone has any leads, please send them my way!!!  Thanks everyone!

Ahhhh...... palm trees on my porch

I bet you're wondering why there hasn't been a  peep out of event jolie in a long time... WELL, we've MOVED to South Florida and BOY has it been hectic with weddings and holidays and packing and unpacking.  BUT here we are, in Palm Beach, FL and serving all of South Florida and Atlanta still.  We're set up in our new office and ready to ROCK and ROLL in 2009...  The fun never ends.  Lucky me, I've even got Palm Trees on my porch now...

Stay tuned for more....