weddings and special events and private estates: The Work-Out Update and Why and How to Hire an Event Planner, Plus Our Picks of the Week

Friday, August 15, 2014

The Work-Out Update and Why and How to Hire an Event Planner, Plus Our Picks of the Week

As event planners, we constantly talk with and listen to prospective clients about event-planning and the services we offer, and the perfect vision and desired outcome of the client's event.

I truly believe that there is a planning service for everyone. Event planners take on many roles - from designers and logistic coordinators, to talent managers, vendor brokers, financial advisers, agreement advisers, and even, yes, bridal therapists.

Here are a few reasons to hire an event planner:

1. You have a heavy work or school schedule and you have little or no time to plan your wedding or special event.

2. You are planning an event from a great distance from your venue, or you will have more than 200 guests attending.

3. You are not a "detail person" and need assistance with the logistics and the development and creation of your vision.

4. You are getting hitched in less than a year.

5. You are on a strict budget, and need to make sure that you don't make costly mistakes.

Different package options - these are estimates only. We customize each package to work with our clients' budgets and needs.

1. Full Service Planning: A skilled planner will handle everything from venue recommendations, design, logistics, transportation, vendor recommendations/selections, communication with vendors, RSVPs, arranging the weekend activities, rehearsal practice and dinner, and event-day support from start to finish. This package is not needed by everyone, but can be helpful for busy individuals who have a destination wedding or large event with little or no time to plan. Packages are $10,000 and up and you can rest and be assured that ALL details are covered.

2. Medium Packages - The planner handles the logistics, vendor recommendations, transportation, design, hotel-room blocks, appointment-setting, RSVPs, phone and email support, communication with vendors, logistical and design walk-through meetings, conducting the wedding rehearsal, creating the save-the-date, and invite logistic / design for review with event-day support. Packages start at $5000 and up.

3. Day-of Coordinating - typically starts a month before your wedding or special event. The planner reviews all of your agreements, creates a timeline, ensures that she or he attends your logistical walk-through and that everything is in order, gives you phone and email support, confirms your vendors for final payments, and other timeline details. Prices start around $2300 and up.

Work-out update:

So here is my "before" photo - I am honestly truly terrified to post this photo, but promised my work-out trainer Danielle at Pasadena Elite Fitness (so amazing and dedicated) that I would do it so we can track my journey. I am at my heaviest, but very excited to keep training with Danielle and to get into fighting shape. Stay tuned ! XO