Event Planning 101

My goal for this week's blog is to help our readers and clients keep their budgets on track, along with tips to help create a wonderful wedding or special event.

XO

Here is a sneak peek at Rachel and Marcus' wedding at the Casa Del Mar.

Gianna's Picks of the Week -

Love the dress. 

Glitter. 

Sexy.

Gorgeous!

Peonies. XO 

Romantic.

A barn with the chandeliers:)


For the groom.

Gianna's Tips of the Week -

1. Cocktail Hour:

Please keep the cocktail hour to one hour. Please remember it takes 10-15 minutes to move your guests from the cocktail hour to the reception area (unless they are both located in the same area).

After approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, some of your guests will probably become uncomfortable especially if they are older and want to sit down, even if you are serving delicious hors d'oeuvres with top shelf liqour.

Please remember this tip when taking those magic hour shots at the beach - make sure that you have someone watch the time - hopefully your photographer's assistant.

2. Alcohol:

Prior to your event, please give us a heads up if one of your relatives has drinking problem. We want to make sure that we alert the venue and/or captain to avoid any problems or embarrassing situations. XO

3. Budgeting:

Before you start signing agreements, make sure to prepare a budget to make sure that you are going in the right direction. Event planners can provide this service for you at a reasonable fee.

4. Tipping and / or Thank You Notes:

I have learned that the event industry is a service industry.

Here is a well known fact - the nicer the client, the more the vendors are willing to help them. xo

Many event professionals create proposals based on a client's event description.

However, things can get complicated during the planning process and/or a client can unknowingly under estimate the scope of their event.

Here are a few examples - 

The bathroom attendant(s) who has to clean up the driveway after one of bridal party drinks a little too much.

Vendors who don't follow the transportation schedule and block driveways and/or streets and the transportation coordinator or valet company who has to rectify the situation.

The list goes on - your event is live and there are no retakes and great event professionals understand this rule and have to make it work the first time around.

Please ask your event planner for a recommendation list for gratuities and/or thank you notes.

If you are tipping your event professionals, please label and seal the envelopes, so they can be handed out to the service providers prior to your event.

5. Weather:

If you are planning an event, please make sure that you have a rain contingency plan.

6. Things to bring to your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner:

Your ribbon bouquet from your bridal shower to the practice.

Copies of the readings and vows just in case.

Gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen and anyone else you want to say thank you!

Special gift for the groom - you may wish to wait until later...

Processional and Recessional list - if you have a coordinator, he or she will bring it. XO

For more information about planning a wedding or special event, please call our office at 818.246.2288.

Yours truly, Gianna

Have a great weekend!

Gianna