Getting Published in Your Favorite Magazine

Some of our brides plan their weddings with the hopes of getting published.

There is no real trick or secret in getting published, however, I have noticed a few things that I think may help shed some light on the process.

Do you see any of your service provider's work regularly showcased in your favorite magazine or web site? Please note, it does not need to be all of them. xo

An event planner bummer story to follow -

A few years ago, I produced a gorgeous high end wedding that had a very cool theme.
The bride and groom were gorgeous and the bride's two couture dresses were stunning, along with her shoes and the list goes on....

The mother and daughter interviewed and hired all of the vendors including our company, but unfortunately none of the service providers were connected to the bride's favorite high end magazine.

This being said, we did not get picked up in any of the bride's top choices, except for a high end web site.

Even though the web site mention was amazing, it was not good news for the bride since she really wanted the magazine. :(

Another angle to consider are your choices for wedding decor and couture -

If a bride has unique taste, it doesn't matter how much money she spends on her wedding.  The editors will target their choices on the style of their advertisers and readers.

I want to be careful with this guideline, since it is important for our clients to express their creativity and don't want to dissuade anyone from following their dream.

If you are interested in any of our shopping services, please call our office for more information.

XO, GP

A Sneak Peak at Katy and Matt's Wedding -

Gianna's Pick's of the Week -




Clara Kasavina

Oscar de la Renta

Gianna 's Tips of the Week -

Choosing the right photographer -
Once you find a photographer's work that you really love, then determine your priorities.
Do you feel comfortable around him or her?  This is super important since you will be spending a lot of time with that person on your wedding day.
Do you want engagement photos? Maybe for the save the date?
Do you want the rehearsal dinner covered?
On Your wedding day - will there be a second shooter and do you like his or her work?
Will you want an album or digital negatives and is this an option with the photographer?

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Avoid hiring an event planner for the "day of". This is a very misleading term in the event planning industry, since reputable planners could never just show up on the wedding day and try and pull off someone's wedding.  This would be career suicide, since the planner would be spending all his or her time putting out fires.  Normally, when a client wants a smaller package, the planner is hired about a month before the wedding, so we have time to review the contracts, ongoing projects, do a walk through at the venue or venues to verify logistics with you and your service providers, plus create a timeline that reflects your wedding day wishes.



___________

Choosing the right venue -


Would you like to have your reception in a barn or by the ocean or
in a meadow, or maybe at a ranch?
How late do you want your reception to go until with music?
Are there any sound restrictions?
What costs are associated with the venue and which services come with the venue - such as catering, rentals, trash removal, clean up or is it only the venue included in the fee?
Do you have to use their service providers or can you bring in your own?
Will the cost of your venue work with your budget?
Will your maximum guest count work with the venue?
Ask your wedding planner to run through the numbers with you before you sign on the dotted line to make sure that this fits within your budget and the style of your party.

Our company works with private estates and mansions where our clients may use their own licensed and insured vendors or we can provide great service provider recommendations.


That is all I have for this week's blog. Have a wonderful week!

XO Gianna

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

Anne and Trevor's Wedding

Happy Friday!

A few weeks ago, we produced Anne and Trevor's wedding at one of our private estates in Malibu (estate 8208).  I enjoyed working with Anne and Trevor over the last two years planning their destination wedding - they live and work in Canada.  Anne and Trevor are a very thoughtful and caring couple.  I will miss them and look forward to keeping in touch. 


Here is a sneak peek of their wedding! 

xo

Exquisite. 

Wine Cellar. XO

The Cabana. 

Authentic Danish Cake.  

Gianna's Picks of the Week - 

Stunning. 

Gown by Pepe Botella.

 Love these shoes. 

Moet Champagne for the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. 

Delicate. 

Cute save the date. 

Details, details, details. 

Vendor of the Week -

Ned Shapiro is a second generation native Angeleno.   He grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA with a degree in history.  He served with the U.S. Peace Corps in Kenya, East Africa and still speaks passable Swahili (in case you have a destination event going there).  After he returned to America, he entered the graduate program in journalism at USC, but left after one year left to join KNX Newsradio as a news writer.   From there, he went on to KNXT, Ch. 2 (now KCBS) to spend the next seven years as a field producer in the news and public affairs department.  Ned left radio and spent over 30 years in the motion picture and television industry as a location manager. His experience as a location manager, in both local and distant locations is where he acquired the skills and contacts he uses as a support service for the events industry.  Ned's logistical and permitting challenges were on the daily menu.  His long list of vendors and craft vendors make him uniquely qualified to help out with any event, large or small. Ned is a proud member of ISES.  

Ned's company offers the following services -
Trash haul and recycle bins - he noticed that there is a lot of plastic water bottles at events.
Furniture moving with insurance - his numerous contacts in the movie business is invaluable.
Providing layout boards to protect floors and the driveways.
Securing parking lots.
Arriving on site first.
Site rep.
Provide security.

I started working with Ned almost two years ago when he wanted to transition into the event industry from the motion picture industry. Ned secured a key parking lot for one of our larger events at a great rate, so we could run the vendor and guest shuttles to and from the private estate, plus he made sure that trucks were parked correctly on the private driveway during setup and strike.  

For me, having Ned first on site is invaluable.  Last month, I got stuck on the freeway due to a motorcycle fire and I am grateful that Ned was scheduled to be first onsite to make sure that the start of setup went smoothly.  


There is nothing worse than arriving on site and finding trucks blocking someone's driveway or even worse - blocking the street. 


Thank you Ned! 

Ned Shapiro

ned@atanyevent.biz
www.atanyevent.biz

310/822-4029

310/874-6141

Tips of the Week -

When trying to figure out your ceremony music, I recommend the following:

Interview the musicians.

See if you can listen to any of their performances - CD or a link on their web site.

Once you decide to hire them, ask for their agreement and review, then once you approve, sign and secure with the deposit or a retainer. 

Decide on types of music for the prelude, processional, bride's processional and recessional. 

Make sure your musicians have shade (they will not be able to perform in direct sunlight), confirm the electrical (if needed) and chairs.  If you have a planner, he or she will take care of these details for you. 

Rehearsal Dinner -

Traditionally rehearsal dinners fed the wedding party after the wedding rehearsal .  Now a days, we see the wedding party and their dates or spouses, plus out of town guests attend this dinner. Your decision on who should be included will vary depending on the budget. If this is the case and you can't invite out of town guests, consider a ice cream social or dessert bar after the dinner or wine and cheese reception. Doing this is a nice touch and great way for your loved ones to meet before the big day!

Gift Registry That is Easy on Your Guest's Wallets and Time -

Register with the larger department stores - return policies are easier and items can be purchased online.

Give your guests a variety of items that range in price.

Thank You Notes -

Wedding gifts can be everything from amazing to are you kidding me? Even if you don't like the gift, it is important to write the thank you note.

Few guidelines:

Thank the couple or person for coming to your wedding or if they could not attend the wedding, thank them for their thoughtfulness.

Describe their gift in positive words and how you plan to use it even if it is a statue of woman with a clock in her belly. Be cleaver:)

End your note on a positive, such as you are looking forward to seeing them after you return from your honeymoon, etc.


If you really don't like the gift, but you see this person quite often, you could think about storing the gift in the closet and then when they come over, you can bring it out ahead of time. 
I am just saying...

Enjoy your weekend!

Gianna