Planning Your Dream Event and Not Losing Sight of Your Budget

Having a budget in place, whether it is $50,000 or $150,000 is important.  Establishing a realistic budget will help determine how much you can spend on each line item such as the venue, attire, band and/or DJ, invites, cake, menu, decor, flowers, and the list goes on...

When you are setting your budget, first determine how much money you have for the event, and what you can realistically set aside until your event takes place.

Ask yourself - are you willing to go into debt for your event or wedding?  If so, what is the limit and can you pay it off in a reasonable amount of time? Will this affect a down payment on a new home and/ or the honeymoon?

Finally, how much will your loved ones contribute to the wedding or special event? We recommend that you don't guess when it comes to this line item, since you could get in trouble by estimating.

Be careful which budgets you use to estimate a budget.  Some of the budgets found online or in magazines are great for different parts of the country, but not here in Los Angeles.  XO

Mishaps to avoid -

Avoid doing a cash bar. We recommend having wine, beer and champagne and maybe a signature drink. Guests will spend money on your gift(s), a new outfit, travel, and if you charge for drinks, it could be a very unpopular decision.

If your budget is very specific, consider having less guests.  This way you can have a really nice event, rather than a lot of people - it comes down to quality versus quantity.

Avoid having the dance floor in a room not connected to the dinner reception because this makes it hard for your guests to know if there is a special toast or dance taking place.  If you don't have any choice in the matter, then make sure that your coordinator writes a great timeline to avoid this from happening.

Estate Picks of the Week -

Estate 3162 in Santa Monica
Panoramic ocean views, with inside and outside access, plus a screening room for an after party.

Estate 8063 in Los Feliz
Sweeping views of Los Angeles. Ideal for a smaller wedding or event.


Picks of the Week -

A memorable exit for the couple. If fireworks are not in the budget, consider sparklers for your guests as you depart. xo

Candles.

Mercury glass with peonies and ghost chairs.

Beautiful shot. xo

Personalized bridesmaid gifts.

Cute.

Late night snack or appetizers.

Vintage Rentals.

Signature drink - great for a spring event or wedding.

Orange Mint Julep
2/3 cups of sugar
1 cup snipped fresh Mint
1 teaspoon shredded orange peel
2 cups orange juice
2/3 cups lemon juice
1/3 cups of Bourbon (or Vodka)
2 cups water

Directions: Mix sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; pour over mint leaves. Stir in orange peel, orange juice and lemon juice. Cover. Let stand at room temp for one hour. Strain mixture through a mesh strainer and add liquor. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Serve over crush iced and garnish with a sprig of mint and slice of a ripe orange.



Have a great week!  XO, Gianna

Tips from The Pros - Part I - Couture & Alterations

Recently, I thought it would be a great idea to start a blog with advice from a few wedding professionals that I really respect. 


Kirstie Kelly is a wonderful and talented wedding gown designer who has created a collection from affordable to high end couture.  I have had the pleasure of working with Kirstie on several occasions and really love the way she treats her clients and the quality of her work.  I asked Kirstie a few questions about selecting a wedding dress and here are her responses:

Who to bring? Mom? Best friend?

Always bring someone whose opinion you value and will help you find the gown of your dreams.. not theirs!


What to wear to a fitting?


When shopping for your gown bring along a pair of shoes that can be substitutes for your bridal shoes. It's a little hard to envision "the look" with your sneakers sticking out, and wearing heels help give a beautiful silhouette when you wear a bridal gown.


Best time to make an appointment?


Try and make appointments for the weekdays when it's less crowded in the salon, this way you will be sure to have undivided attention by the bridal consultant. 


How many fittings should one expect?


Usually 2-3 fittings should be all you need for your gown fitting.

http://www.kirstiekelly.com/

A few of my favorite things

Spring is here and many of our clients are gearing up for their weddings.

We are always on the hunt for a unique bridesmaid gift and I think I found one at one of my favorite jewelry stores.

Give the kiss that lasts forever... with the exclusive collection of Hershey's Kiss jewelry.  Pendants, bracelets, earrings and more, all featuring that sweetly familiar Hershey's Kiss shape in sterling silver or gold, and even with diamonds!  Prices start just under $50 and go up to $2500.

Check out the web site at www.WarnerCompany.com or for more information, please call the store at 559.224.9799.

... 

When it comes to catering, I have made it known in interviews, on my blog and at speaking engagements how important I think catering is to an event...it can make it or break it.  Recently we were introduced to Feast and I must say that Chefs Marcus Baird and Harvey Slater know food and service, plus their prices are very reasonable.  

Chef Marcus Baird established feast in 1996. His 25-years cooking experience began with culinary school training in his native town of Halifax, England. Many years of extensive traveling and cooking throughout Europe and the US have allowed him to experience a wide variety of culinary styles and cooking techniques. Marcus believes that ingredients matter and chooses only the highest quality available, often from his own garden. He consistently develops innovative, exciting dishes highlighting the best fresh ingredients of each season.

Feast is committed to sustainability. Sustainable policies such as the use of organic ingredients, recycling programs, donating left-over food, use of recycled disposables and paper, and green housekeeping have been implemented for years. A “green” and “energy-conscious” attitude are second nature to the company, not a new trend. Marcus and his team are dedicated to working with their clients to produce exquisite and flawless events. Even the most demanding event can count on the company’s expertise and innovative vision to create a superb and unforgettable affair.

www.feastcatering.com

...

I love evening bags and recently found a few elegant and chic ones.  These are definitely no cheap dates, but they are beautiful and I had to show case them on my blog! 

The puffy one is Gardenia Puff for $795

The one above is Angela for $495

I love this one - Jacqueline for only $1550 - LOL

 http://www.clarakasavina.com/

Some of my favorite estates

As an event planning and location company, we have been very fortunate to represent some of the most amazing homes in Southern California.

Our company is currently creating a new web site and we have been working on the new estate section and downloading photos for our web company. 

After going through hundreds and hundreds of photos, I decided to share some of my favorite estates on my blog.

If you see something you like for your next event, please give us a call and don't forget to check out our blog on tips for renting an estate!

Here's the eye candy -

{Estate 7714 LA}

{Estate 7714 LA}

{Estate 7714 LA}

This private home is located above the Sunset Plaza and is perfect for 25 to 50 person dinner party or small wedding.  There are so many other shots that I love, but it would take four more blog postings to show you. Please check out the photos on our web site. The first time I visited this home, I was speechless, which if you know me, that is hard to do.

Here is another favorite.

 {Estate 7730 LA}

{Estate 7730 LA}

{Estate 7730 LA}

 

{Estate 7730 LA}

{Estate 7730 LA}

This lovely home was built in the 1920's.  The current homeowner bought the home and had it beautifully restored. When you step through the front doors, you feel like you are stepping back in time.  Gorgeous views of Los Angeles and great location for a wonderful party or special event.  Can be found under Beverly Hills on our current web site. 

{Estate A6981 MA}

{Estate A6981 MA}

{Estate A6981 MA}

{Estate A6981 MA}

This beautiful property is located in Malibu. The estate has panaramic ocean views, a sports court for a 100 or 200 person dinner party, a well manicured garden for a really pretty ceremony and a guest house for the bride to get ready as well as a cool game room with a flat screen TV and bar for the groom and groomsmen to hang out. The game room is ideal for an after party if you want the fun to continue. There is a large parking lot adjacent to the home for your guests and vendors and the estate is located next to a mansion (estate 8230 MA) that sleeps 16 persons if you want to have your family stay at a private estate.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Week!

For the groom

Recently, I had a great opportunity to connect with a service that caterers to the groom.

Photo by Andrena Photography

The company is called the Groom's Valet.  The Groom's Valet is about giving a little extra special treatment to the groom.  They can offer the perfect gift from the bride - a pre-wedding experience that he will remember forever!

Randy Reisman is the co-owner of The Groom's Valet.  He is one of the top custom handmade suit company's in the world.  His business partner is celebrity stylist Janice Bussing, who has been dressing people in the movie industry for over 20 years. 

When their clients need a suit or tuxedo, Randy and Janice will go to their office or home for a complimentary consultation.  This dynamic duo can create either a custom made suit or tuxedo (starting at $1000)  or a ready made suit from $200 and up.

The service is all about caring for the groom and allowing him to enjoy the process. As Randy explained to me, "the groom selects the ring, proposes, she says yes, then the planning starts." As everyone knows, the planning can be time consuming, expensive and sometimes stressful (unless you have the right coordinator) and when it comes time to choose the groom's attire, he might end up with a rented tux that other men have worn and it doesn't fit him correctly or he ends up searching for the right tux or suit in a department store.

Janice and Randy recommend that the bride selects her gown first, then at the complimentary meeting or before the meeting, they see a photo or the actual dress. This process helps them create right suit or tux for him, so the couple compliments one another on the wedding day.  I love the concept as well as their prices, plus they have beautiful fabrics from all over the world.

Here's to the groom!