What to Look for When Hiring an Event Planner, Plus Is Having Your Special Event or Wedding at an Estate the Right Choice for You?

Happy New Year!

Hiring a great event planner can save you time, money and unnecessary stress. Our goal, as a planner is for our clients to enjoy the planning process.

Here are a few questions to help you find the right person.

Is the planner available on your event day? Make sure that the event planner that you have been considering is available on your event day. 

Does your event planner think that your budget is doable? Share your budget with your planner and make sure that he or she agrees that your numbers are realistic before you proceed. 

Please note:  if more than one planner advises you that the numbers are not realistic, please revisit your budget. 

Do you connect with your planner's personality and creative style?  You will be working with your planner closely and it is important that you are both on the same page and think similarly. 

What is your planner's policy for returning emails and phone calls - the same or next day? A response should be communicated the same day or within 24 hours.  Even if your planner is on another event, someone in their office should email or text you to let you know that they will follow-up as soon as possible - no one should have to wait more than a day. 

How many years of event planning experience does your event planner have and does it relate to your type of event? Ensure that your planner is not going to learn their skills at your expense. 

What are the reviews like for your planner?  Google and Yelp reviews are very helpful.  You need to know who you are hiring. 

If would like to have your wedding or special event at a private estate, consider these questions before you take the leap. 

Do you have a strict budget?
WE DON'T RECOMMEND HAVING A PRIVATE ESTATE EVENT WHEN A CLIENT IS ON A CHALLENGING BUDGET.  PLANNING AN ESTATE EVENT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, SINCE EVERYTHING FROM THE LIGHTING TO THE RENTALS MUST BE BROUGHT ONSITE.  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT SOMEONE HAS TO HAVE AN UNLIMITED BUDGET, BUT THEIR BUDGET SHOULD HAVE FLEXIBILITY.  

Are you planning a late night party (going after 11 pm or midnight) with a live band and/or DJ outdoors?
WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF BEAUTIFUL ESTATES THAT CAN GO LATER, I.E., BALLROOMS AND THEY ARE ISOLATED.  HOWEVER, GENERALLY, MOST ESTATES RECEPTIONS CAN GO UNTIL 10 PM OR 11 PM. 

Will your wedding or special event take place during the off-season?
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS GREAT WEATHER MAJORITY OF THE TIME, HOWEVER, IF YOUR EVENT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE DURING THE FALL, WINTER OR SPRING, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A WEATHER CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE. WE ALWAYS SUGGEST HAVING A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE.    

Do you have a high-guest count?
CONFIRM THAT THE ESTATE THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING CAN HANDLE YOUR GUEST COUNT. THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN TRYING TO PLAN A SIT DOWN DINNER FOR 250 GUESTS IN AN AREA THAT CAN ONLY HANDLE 150 GUESTS.  THIS CAN BE COSTLY AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR YOU AND YOUR GUESTS.   

For more information, please call our office at 818-246-2288.
XO

Estate Pick of the Week - A6981 Malibu

Our Picks of the Week - 

Love colored bottles - it would be fun to paint table numbers on each one. 

 Biodegradable confetti.  

Have a great week! XO, Gianna 

Our Top Ten Holiday Event Planning Tips, Plus Our Picks of the Week

Happy Holidays!

I thought it would be fun to highlight our favorite holiday party planning tips in this week's blog.

The holidays can be magical when you surround yourself with loved ones and what better way to enjoy them, but with great food and drink.

My husband and I love to entertain. One of my favorite ways of entertaining is creating the small touches to make it special. 

This could be anything from mistletoe above the door, to colorful votive glass or small candy canes placed on martini glasses. 




A few years ago, my husband, who loves to cook, introduced me to Epicurious.  They have great recipes, as well as a plethora of information, such as stating the start to finish time to make a recipe and little forks as their fork user ranking system.

The recipe link below is Bloody Mary Shrimp - it ranked very high on their web site and it looks delicious.


Bloody Mary Shrimp Recipe

Top Five Holiday Planning Tips -
1. Check the weather starting 10 days out - this will help you make changes to keep your guests comfortable, such as adding more heaters or creating an area to place their coats and umbrellas.
2. Plan your menu with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices that are easy to consume (I love small bites), so your guests can have a variety of selections. We recommend anywhere from 4-6 different appetizers. 
3. Hire an experienced bartender - they know how to make great drinks. Also,have the bartender arrive about an hour earlier, so he or she can set up the bar.
4. As the host or hostess, please have alternative transportation in case one of your guests has a little too much cheer. Cab vouchers are great or you can even have the phone numbers of reliable cab companies on hand should the need arise.
5. If you are having a large cocktail party, consider hiring a planner to assist with the last minute details.
6. If you want your guests to dance, hire a disc jockey. Professional disc jockeys know how to read the crowd and can play music to make your party fun!
7. I always recommend hiring wait staff (maybe one person or more depending on your guest count), who can pass appetizers and assist with clean up.
8. Create a party list and run it by your event planner to make sure you have not forgotten any important items. Last minute shopping or staff hires can be expensive.
9. Add pretty lighting to your party - it can be votive candles with LEDs or the real thing. Remember to keep the flames away from flammable items and at the end of the night, make sure everything is extinguished.  I grew up in a family with firemen (my uncles and cousins) and this has been rule number one, from day one.
10. Once your team is in place, give yourself a couple of hours to get ready before the guests arrive. Then, right before they arrive, all you need to do is dim the lights, start the music and ask your bartender to make your favorite cocktail.  
XO

Fashion Picks of the Week - Michael Kors Is Our Inspiration This Week -XO
















Wedding Dress Picks of the Week -















Wishing everyone happy holidays!  Love, Gianna 
XO

Navigating the Rules of the Road and Avoiding the Pot Holes

Hello, everyone!

Every wedding and event is unique, because every client is different and this makes my job fun and challenging at the same time.

This week's blog is a compilation of tips plus, new and old favorite things.

I hope you enjoy!

Thank you.

-Gianna

GIANNA'S TIPS OF THE WEEK - 

If you are renting an estate - please hire an experienced event planner who has done several estate events.  This person can help you to establish a realistic budget, help you find the right venue, connect you to the right service providers that will help you connect to your style.

Flip flops - provide a cute basket by the dance floor with flip flops in your wedding color or colors. At every wedding, we see the female guests take off their shoes, so they can dance and I am always concerned that someone will step on broken glass and get hurt.

DJ vs. Band - both can be great.   A DJ will cost less than a band to perform which includes saving costs on their dinners.  If your venue has sound restrictions, it may hinder the band. The DJ will be able to play music the way it was recorded.  If you are set on having a band, most will negotiate their price.

Late Night Appetizers -

Ask your hotel or caterer to serve fries or baked mac and cheese or your favorite comfort food. Late night snacks help keep the party going.

Booking your florist - check out his or her work and see if you like it. Be frank about your budget and allow your florist to give you options.  Many of our clients use Pinterest to show their florist their style.  I love this web site for inspiration meetings.

Bridesmaid Dresses -

Select your color for their dresses and let the bridesmaids choose their own style to fit the shape of their body. We love to see the dress have options, so it can transform from the ceremony to the reception.

Flower Girl Dresses -

I find it hard to find dresses for little flower girls that I love or even like.  You won't see many photos of flower girl dresses on my site since this is the one thing that I struggle with on a regular basis. I think too many dress designers try to put little girls in dresses that are made for older girls or the designs are way over the top.  :(

Guest Accommodations -

Have three choices for your out of town guests -  low, medium and high end room rates that are close to your venue.  This will help when setting up transportation for the event day.

Hair and Makeup - During your make up and hair trial session, take photos of your favorite look, so you have a record just in case. xo

GIANNA'S PICKS OF THE WEEK -

ABS Boatneck Dress

Bag It Up Boutique

Or...

Profile-JAton

I am in love with these shoes - they keep making appearances on this blog:) Go figure. xo

Bridesmaid bouquets - white hydrangea

Sugar cookies stacked to look like miniature wedding cakes.  xo