Things to Know When You are Newly Engaged.

Having produced weddings for the last ten years, I love hearing our clients describe how they envision their wedding day.

Whether they want to arrive in a 1963 vintage white Rolls Royce or a baby blue Cadillac convertible - I love the creative process. XO

Any wedding, whether it big or small has hundreds of details, and as an event planner, it is our goal to help make your wedding day run smoothly.

From time saving tricks to money saving ideas, this is what we do - help our clients navigate through the endless 'to do' lists and help them enjoy the planning process.

This week's planning tips - 

First thing out the gate, establish your budget and guest count.

Determine the location of your wedding - city, view, etc.

Start collecting inspiration photos from your favorite magazines and/or the Internet.

What type of wedding do you want - casual or formal?

Buy a binder with tabs that separate the following:

Agreements - cake, flowers, officiate, event planner, entertainment, venue, etc.

Budget breakdown

Business card holders

Inspiration photos - this will help your service provider meetings go quicker.

How to Make Your Event a Success -

Making Sure Your Service Providers are Fed a Good Meal.

When it comes to dinner, I can't emphasize how important it is to make sure that your band or DJ, photographer, event planner (yes, us) and video professionals have a decent meal.  Your professionals can't leave the venue and many of them are working long hours without a break.  If the vendor meal is bad, they have two choices - eat the meal or don't eat. Not feeding them is not a good idea, since it will make it difficult for them to perform their job.

Clients are being charged by the venues $35.00 and up for a vendor meal.  One time, we had an event at a well known hotel in Beverly Hills and all of the service providers were served sandwiches. Sandwiches would have been fine, except no one could not bite into the bread - it was too stale. As the event planner, I had to bring it to the captain's attention and he was kind enough to give everyone a different dinner. Another time, the caterer was running behind and the band was not fed until 11 pm.  This is a big no no, since their contracts state times for meals.  However, all 14 of them stuck in there for me and to this day, I don't know how I pulled that off:)

Estate Picks of the Week 

Malibu Estates

Estate 9096

Beautiful ocean views. This property can handle up to 250 guests. If your count is smaller, we can make it work. Beautiful stairway entrance for the bridal party. xo

Private Estate in Encino

Private home located behind private gates in Encino.
Perfect for a 150 - 200 person wedding with inside and outside access.

Gianna's Picks of the Week -

Love the shoulder detail. xo

Judith Leiber

or

Jimmy Choo

Stuart Weitzman

Flower walls can be fun.

DIY. xo

Back of the dress is gorgeous, plus I love the flower in her hair.

Adorable. xoxoxo

Bridesmaid gift idea.

Have a great day. Gianna

Looking for a wedding location? Important tips, plus staying stress free on your big day!

Happy New Year!

If you are searching for the right venue for your next event or wedding, our company has access to hundreds of private estates and beautiful venues.

Tips to help make the process easier

1. Your budget and guest count - Establish your maximum budget as well as your high guest count.  Once these two important factors have been determined, run the numbers by an experienced event planner to make sure your numbers hold water.  This will save you precious time and help you avoid costly mistakes.

2. Determine which date or dates that you want your event. Then, check with family and friends to make sure that there are no major conflicts before signing any agreements.

3. Location - figure out which city or cities you are open to having your wedding or special event.  We have access to estates and venues in the greater Los Angeles, Orange County and Palm Springs.

4. How late do you want your party to go until?  If you have dreamed of an estate wedding, but want the music to go until 2 pm, that can be a challenge, due to noise restrictions.  We suggest considering an estate with a ballroom or a beautiful venue that has similar characteristics to an estate.  xo

5. Check out reviews for your venue selections using Yelp and the Internet before you book. Same goes with your service providers - see what clients have to say about their services.  Our company is proud of our reviews and we have worked hard for them.

Our Yelp Reviews. xo

Gianna's Picks of the Week

Estate Wedding - a private home can make the perfect backdrop for the ceremony.

Love the tables- dark wood with the beautiful runners.

Maria Lucia Hohan

xo

Loving the look and the chandelier earrings. xo

Sweet.

Assorted cupcakes for a bridal shower. xo

Paolo Sebastian

Judith Leiber

How to Stay Stress Free on Your Wedding Day

1. Hire a wedding planner to dial in the details for your wedding day.
2. Keep the amount of people in your suite to a comfortable minimum, while you are getting ready.  Normally, you will have hair and makeup professionals, plus bridesmaids and moms. Numbers can add up fast.
3. Book a massage in the morning or schedule a work out, before you have to get ready, then have your favorite breakfast delivered to your room.
4. Book the same for the groom. xo
5. Bring your Ipod and play your favorite tunes.
6. Delegate all important questions to someone you trust and who thinks like you do, i.e. your maid or matron of honor, so you can relax.
7. Remember to remind your bridesmaids to take their personals out of your suite before the ceremony, so you won't have to after the wedding reception.

Wishing you a great weekend!
Gianna