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

Estate Pick of the Week - 1646 Beverly Hills

Beautiful home in Beverly Hills - Great for a Special Event or Wedding.

Picks of the Week -

Mercury Glass. xo

Have a great weekend! Gianna xo 

Guidelines to Renting an Estate

Every time we rent out a private estate, it occurs to me that there are several helpful tips to consider.  

1. When looking for a property for your event, estimate your guest count on the higher end to ensure that the venue is large enough to handle your event and setup.  Homeowners give us a quote based on the guest count.  Later, if our clients add more guests, we make sure that there is a maximum guest count stated in the agreement and what the additional cost is per person.

2. Make sure your event planner takes photos of the home before the event; if there are any spills or damages, this will confirm if they were pre-existing.

3. Make sure you have a walk-through during the day so you can see what the venue looks like should you want your florist to change or spruce up any flower beds.  Our company will list any requests on the location agreement so both parties are in agreement of any changes.

4. Purchase special event insurance for your event. We make it a requirement at all of our events and require that the event professionals carry it.

5.  Insist that your rental company place Astroturf or something similar under the kitchen area (this setup is usually on the driveway) to avoid any spills and to prevent paying for power washes.

6. Be prepared with decor decisions if the area you choose is windy. 

7. Confirm who will be hauling all of the trash at the end of the night. Homeowners do not want garbage left on their properties - this can attract wild animals.

8. Check the weather 10 days out to make sure that your guests and event professionals will be comfortable.

9. Verify the bathroom situation - availability and stocking up on important items. 

10. Hire a professional coordinator to handle this type of event, so you can enjoy yourself.

Here are Our Picks of the Week -

Simple but elegant. 

 I love succulents - so pretty. 

 Refreshing snack on a hot summer day. 

Have a wonderful week!  

XO, Gianna 

Playing by the Rules and How to Bend Them

We have all heard of stories about family friction or uncomfortable situations that come up while planning a wedding or special event.

In this week's blog, we try and tackle some of the more popular challenges. 

Q. Trying to plan a wedding on a firm budget and everyone has given you their guest list and now the guest list is out of control.

A. If you and your fiance are paying for the wedding, then pay for what you both can afford. There is nothing worse then starting a marriage off in debt. If the others insist on the larger guest count, then see what they are willing to contribute financially.  Please make sure that there is an understanding (I think I sound very Italian when I write the word "understanding" LOL) that the planning decisions will be up to you and your fiance before they contribute. 

Q. Your fiance wants to choose and pay for your ring. 

A. Gently show him what styles you like. You might want to avoid showing him photos of diamonds big enough to ice skate across - this could give him a heart attack.

Q. You are getting married for the second time - who should walk you down the aisle?  

A. Choose someone who plays an important role in your life - could be an uncle, brother or parents.  This is your call. 

Q. You want both of your parents to walk you down the aisle, but they are divorced and don't speak to one another.

A. Ask them if they can do this for you this one time.  If they refuse, and the situation gets sticky, then consider having someone else close to you walk you down the aisle.  

Q. You are being pressured by the groom's family to wear an heirloom ring?

A. If you love the stone, but dislike the setting, see if they are open to having the gem placed into a different setting. If that is not possible, then be honest with your fiance and let him know that you want to wear something you will love, since you will be wearing it for the rest of your life.

Here is a photo from a beautiful wedding we produced earlier this month.

Gianna's Estate Pick of the Week:

6981 Malibu

We love this private estate - great for weddings and special events. 

Private estate has a parking lot next door - great for shuttles and your event professionals. 

Cocktails or dinner by the pool. 

Lovely garden for a ceremony.  

 Guest house for the bride to get ready. 

Sports court is great for a tented dinner with ocean view. Back drop is a beautiful hillside - great for lighting. 

Gianna's Favorite Photos of the Week - 


Love it. 

Chandeliers and mercury glass. XO


Love this linen for cocktails or dinner - beautiful. 

Top 10 Planning Mistakes Every Bride Should Know

From time to time, I get together with a group of friends, who work in this business and we talk about our experiences and the latest trends.

Recently, a few of us got together and swapped stories.  I thought it would be fun to list the top planning mistakes in this week's blog.

I hope they save you time and money in the long run. Happy planning. XO

1. Read all of your agreements very carefully - please do not browse over the terms. Imagine if you overlook a detail on your wedding gown agreement and end up with the wrong color or size.

2. Don't assume that your venue comes with ample parking for your guests.

3. Don't sweat the small stuff on your wedding day. If something goes wrong, let the experts handle it and enjoy your day.

4. Don't skimp on hiring a professional photographer.  The photos are your lasting memories, so make sure that you hire someone who knows what they are doing.

5. When shopping for your dress and shoes, keep in mind that you will be in them for several hours.  Make sure that you will be comfortable, so you can have fun.

6. Have a hair and make up trial before your wedding day and make sure that both you and your stylist take photos of the final look.

7. Don't hire your event professionals until you book your venue, so you have your day confirmed.

8. Never print your wedding registry on the invite.  Most couples publish it on their wedding web site.

9. Don't start planning without a budget in place - setting a budget will help keep you on track.

Last but not least, my personal favorite -



10. Don't skimp on hiring a planner - a great one is worth every dollar.  Our packages start at $2200 and we offer a la carte services.  An event planner can handle everything from helping you plan through family drama to saving you from costly mistakes.

An Elegant Art Deco Wedding -

Gianna's Picks of the Week -



Love the style of this gown.

Speechless...


Clean and natural.

Have a great day! XO, Gianna