weddings and special events and private estates: Throwing a Wedding or Party

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to 2013. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Recently, I was thinking about what to write for this week's blog, and then it hit me -list all of my favorite planning tips.

I hope they help make your next event go smoothly.

If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to call our office at 818.246.2288. We are here for you over the holidays. Packages are 10% off through January.

XO, Gianna

1. Before you sign any agreements, please consider your guest count and overall budget. Once you have both numbers in place, check with an experienced event planner to make sure that your budget is realistic.

2. Make sure that the music volume is not too loud. You want your guests to be able to have a conversation without having to yell at one another.

3. Lighting - we love to see lighting where it allows the guests to feel relaxed and look great, but still be able to see what they are eating. Unfortunately, I have been to parties where the lighting was so dark, I could not see where I was walking.

4. Servers - make sure that you have enough servers, so all of your guests are eating dinner at the same time. Rule of thumb is a minimum of 1 server per 10 guests at a seated dinner, but if the budget permits, have 2 servers per 10 guests. You can always release some of the servers after the main course has been served to save money.

5. Make sure that you don't run out of alcohol, mixers and ice - this can end a party before its time.
We estimate five times the glassware per guest.

6. Speaking of alcohol - please make sure that your guests don't drive home from your party intoxicated. Consider cab vouchers, designated drivers and/or guest rooms if they have had a little too much holiday cheer. Also, we recommend, closing the bar about 45 minutes before the end of the event and serve coffee, cappuccino and espresso to your guests.

7. If you have friends that smoke, create a comfortable space for them with lighting, seating, ashtrays, tables and add heaters if the weather is chilly.

8. Bathrooms - stock up on hand towels, soap, toilet paper and scented candles. For larger parties, I prefer the ratio of one bathroom per 50 guests. For a smaller cocktail party of up to 50 persons, I like two to three bathrooms in case one of the bathrooms has a problem. When we produce events, our company always hires someone to make sure that the bathrooms are checked on the hour to ensure they are kept clean and restocked.

9. If you are having a large dinner reception, please create escort cards with your guest's dinner selection (this helps the servers) and their table number, so your guests know which table they have been assigned. Avoid having open seating and /or using a "reserve sign" on the dinner table at all costs. If you opt for open seating or reserved signs, you won't know if you are missing guest seating and it is awkward for your VIPs, since they won't know where to sit.

10. If you are having a party that goes late, add a late night snack like grilled cheese sandwiches and fries, or mac and cheese, or pigs in a blanket, plus a fun dessert and coffee bar.

11. If you have friends that don't drink, research fun and creative mocktails to your bar menu. We have found a lot of delicious recipes on the Internet. According to Natalie Bovis, the self dubbed The Liquid Muse, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves add zing to non-alcohol drinks.

12. Accessorize your party with cocktail napkins that work with your theme. Make sure you have plenty on hand, since one guest may use five or more through-out the night.

13. Party themes - Italian, Greek or Latin are a few fun ideas. As the host, you can serve the main course and ask your guests to bring a fun dish to go with the theme, then, add music, dressed servers, fun decor and there you go...a theme party. Another idea would be a 1980's party - your guests will have fun checking out the Internet to see what was popular back then - like leg warmers, big hair and padded shoulders. xo

14. Hire a reputable videographer. Many brides will say that their wedding day went by in a blur, therefore, we recommend hiring a videographer, so they can see what they missed. Many of our clients have started requesting a short video (4-8 minutes of the day's highlights to music). This short clip is a small enough file to send to family and friends.
Rates start at $2400. xo

15. Please don't skimp on the photographer. If he or she is still learning their trade or they are not very good, you could be stuck looking at bad shots since you can't redo the day.
Rates start at $2500 for off season and $3500 and up for busy season.

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