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 

Smart Ideas to Make Your Wedding Unique and Stress Free

I moved to L.A. in my 20's and started working in cable TV.  A few years later, I landed a job at Sony Picture Entertainment's GSN.  My very first job assignment was taping boxes for our traveling sales team. I had no idea where this job would lead, but I knew I was working with some very talented people and this was a great opportunity.

BTW to this day - I can still tape up a box for shipping like there is no tomorrow. LOL

After a few years, I was producing live game shows and special events all over the country.

I had my dream job and it all started with the jobs that no one wanted to do.

Today, I am fortunate to be doing what I love the most - producing special events, live shows, and weddings for wonderful clients.

We are proud to announce that we have expanded our business operation to Central California.  Our senior event coordinator, Cara Vidaurri will be managing our Central California division. For more information, please call Cara at 559-301-9552 or our L.A. office at 818-246-2288. XO

Here are a few ideas sprinkled with a little creativity to help with the planning process -

1. Start a Pinterest account.
They are fun and easy and your event professionals will get great insight into your style.

2. Consider using votive candles and lighting to create the right ambiance at your dinner reception.  When the doors open and the guests enter the reception, the energy will come alive when the lighting is done correctly.

3. Set realistic goals when you decide to get into shape for your wedding day. Crash diets are dangerous.   Schedule an exam with your doctor and ask if there is a nutritionist that she or he recommends, plus check out the different workouts that are available in your area.

4. Keep your party and guests safe.  Hire only insured and licensed professionals such as the bartenders, wait staff and valet to help ensure that your party goes smoothly.  Our company hires off-duty police officers at all of our off-site events to make sure that people don't drink and drive. The extra $45.00 per hour for the officer is money well spent. Our police officers are professional and they know how to handle situations by notifying us so we can communicate with the party host.

5. Avoid asking toxic friends to be in your wedding party.  If you do this, you might be inviting unnecessary stress into your life.

6. Limit the type of bar you have at the wedding rehearsal.  There is nothing worse than a hungover bride, groom or wedding party on the wedding day.  In addition, we recommend not serving shots at the wedding. If you do this, we can almost guarantee someone will end up getting sick.

7. Tip your event professionals at the beginning of the event - it is a nice gesture.

8. Just because it is expensive, does not mean bupkis.  A few years ago, we produced a high six-figure wedding for one of our clients. Our bride spent almost $2,000 for each of the bridesmaid's dresses and they were not one of my favorites.  Even though our client spent a lot of money on her wedding (she was happy with the outcome), her wedding was turned down by all the popular publications and wedding blogs.  Moral of the story, the amount of money one spends does not have anything to do with getting published.

9. Don't do any serious procedures on your face or body close to your wedding or event date.  Please give yourself PLENTY of healing time.  Talk with professionals and only use reputable medical spas and doctors. Also, ask questions and please don't get everything done all at once.

10. Finally, if you want to save money, time and stay stress free, consider hiring a professional event planner.  XO

ESTATE PICK OF THE WEEK:

ESTATE 8536 MALIBU

This property allows inside and outside access, including sleep over options.  Perfect for a 150 person or less guest count.






















PICKS OF THE WEEK -
I love seeing beautiful votive candles (mercury is my favorite) and candelabras on dinner tables mixed with flowers.  This allows each table to be unique, but still have continuity.

















Could not resist - very popular where I am from - Central California.








Have a great day! 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.