THE NECESSITY OF WINE

When I help plan events one of the questions I will ask is what types of alcohol my clients would like served. An answer I get a lot is, “I would like to serve a white wine and a red wine”. Of course event planners don’t see wine in colors as plain as red and white. True, not everyone is a wine buff and that is one of the reasons you would hire me. I make it my job to know these things. However, if you are planning your event without a professional to guide you, then you will want to do some research. Choosing the wine for your upcoming event is an important as well as a challenging job but I would say that it is true for a lot of the decisions you have to make. You have to remember that even if you aren’t a wine buff, there may be a few at your wedding or event. You don’t want to take them or their personal taste for granted. Therefore, you definitely want to make the effort to choose wisely. Even if you don’t have a huge budget there are excellent choices at every price point. All it takes is a little research.


More than likely you will taste various foods and cake choices during the planning process. You can do the same for the wines if you so choose. Pairing the right wines with your dinner choices is an added touch that will let your guests know that you put time and effort into your decisions. Therefore, here are some of the questions I ask when I am trying to help my clients decide what types of wines they would like to choose.


Day or Evening?
One of the first things to consider in this process is what time of day will your event be held? Are you having a day affair, cocktail event or a black tie even? If your event is a daytime event, your guests may want to drink something a little lighter than they would at an evening event. They may be more interested in white wines and champagnes then they would be in the dinner wines. Of course this will change going into the evening. You will want to provide more choices the later your event. These choices will also depend on what you are serving on the menu.


Menu
If you have decided to pair your foods, you will want to pick your wines after you have decided on your menu. If you are serving roasted/grilled Beef or Veal you will probably pair them with a Merlot or Cabernet. However, you will want to provide an alternate choice just in case there are guests that want a light bodied wine. If you are preparing various types of seafood, you will want to consider a Riesling, Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. Of course you always want to have a vegetarian option for those non meat eating guests. For your vegetarian and pasta dishes, your wine choices will vary on how they are prepared. Just as long as you understand the concept of pairing and where to go to get the answers, you are off to a good start.


What’s Your Budget?
You definitely want to consider your budget when you are choosing wines. One of the things you can do is try your best to estimate the amount of wine you will need. You don’t want to overbuy but it is always better than not having enough. Then you will want to consider the options your caterer may have. They may have discounts if you buy a certain amount and they will most certainly help your budget. However, if you have your favorite wine or winery, you may consider buying in bulk from them. If you take this route, you will want to inquire at the location where you are holding your event because they may charge a corkage fee. A corkage fee is a fee charged per bottle to open and serve wines that are brought from outside the location and not from the providers own wine cellar. For the most part, this fee is usually considered a convenience charge. Yet, it is an expense and one you will want to include and consider it when planning your event budget. The more bottles you have the more expensive this fee may become.


Where is your event
Another thing to consider is the location of your event. Does it have the capability to store the various wines you will have? There are very few places that this should be an issue but it is worth considering. You want to make sure that your wines are kept at the correct temperature so your guests will enjoy them when they are served.


Forever Champagne

It is my personal opinion that every event needs champagne. If it is a wedding you are planning then you will definitely need a champagne choice for your toast. However, even if it isn’t a wedding you never know when a toast will be necessary. Not to mention there aren’t many celebrations that champagne won’t complete. So, don’t forget to choose a champagne that will make a splash.

Well, those are the basics. There are a few other things to consider but this is a great place to start. If you still have questions hiring me would answer them all and ensure that your event comes out perfect. However, there are also quite a few good guides online. If you have a favorite wine you can get information from the winery. You can also get a lot of great information from www.foodandwine.com

For now, pour yourself a glass of wine, relax and happy planning!

BRIDAL SHOPS & MY GREAT NEW FIND

Since we do events all over Southern California, I am always taking the time to do my research and form relationships with the various vendors.  The ones I would like to talk about today are that fabulous group that produce wedding gowns.  In San Diego one of my favorite bridal gown shops is Bliss Bride.  It is located in the Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar.  It is co-owned by Jennifer Sinopoli & Anne Davis and it is an adorable little shop.  However, that isn't all that makes it such a shopping experience.  They are very connected to their industry and extremely knowledgeable as well.  They take time with each bride, their family and their friends.  Having both been blissful brides themselves, they know exactly what most brides are looking for their special day.

Then I found another place that caught my eye.  On Monday May 3, 2010, I attended a bridal event at the London Hotel in West Hollywood.  This is one of the ways I stay connected to what is going on in the industry.  I try to attend these events at least a couple of times a year.  It gives me the chance to see what is new in the industry so that I can continue to deliver what my clients need and expect.  Staying connected is what helps me produce beautiful and new innovative events.  They caught my eye not because of the shop but because of the dresses.

Not only did this event give me a reason to get back to the London Hotel in West Hollywood, it gave me an opportunity to see a designer I have heard of but not experienced first hand.  I loved seeing the dresses on actual models and both of the dresses I fell in love with were all silk.  I have posted the photos of both of them here in the blog.  I was so impressed with the detail that I knew I would want to explore this shop more.

The name of the bridal studio is Jobyna's Bridal and Tuxedo.  I have not had the opportunity to actually visit the store but I plan to very soon.  I was actually able to bring home a DVD from the event so I could get more information about the designs of of Jobyna's Bridal by Ines Di Santo.

Jobyna's has quite a few trunk shows coming up and even a couple's night out in June.  As an event planner I really enjoy trunk shows and I think it is a great chance for new brides to see what is out there before they start their fittings.  In planning weddings, I sincerely enjoy educating myself about the designs and what dresses work best with what body type.  When I plan a wedding, I want to make sure I always have as much information for the couple as possible.  That information includes, wedding dresses, wedding fashions, fabrics and accessories.

If you would like more information about either shop check them out at:

Bliss Bride

2710 Via De La Valle

Del Mar, CA 92014-1910

858.847.3115

http://www.blissbride.com/

Jobyna's Bridal

3325 Verdugo Road

Glendale, CA 91208

818.248.0026

http://www.jobynasbridal.com/

THE EX FACTOR

It is interesting how being an event planner is so much more than many people imagine.  There are times when people ask my opinion about things that I would have never imagined coming into this business over a decade ago.  Having said that, brings me to my blog topic for today and that is, "should you bring your ex to an event.  Someone recently asked me just that question.  Whenever I am in that situation I usually come up with a very coherent answer.  Usually, I am concerned with how the actions of the guests may alter the mood of the event.  However, it got me thinking and as usual my answer would be "it depends".  Since this isn't your party, you want to think about what is best for the event at hand.  Honestly, I think it depends on the event, the relationship that exist between you and how prepared you will be for the questions you will get after the event.  Whenever I get that question, I usually ask them why they are considering taking their ex.  I laugh to myself when I get answers like, "we look great together in photos" or "he has such a great sense of humor".  You definitely want to take a date that will be fun, adapts to their surroundings and will be well received.  It also doesn't hurt that they will look great in photos.  At weddings, however, there are more things to consider.  Weddings are personal and they are milestone events.  Therefore, you may want to consider some facts before making a decision:

The Break-Up:

Break ups are rarely a mutually friendly affair.  What is a mutually friendly break up?  It is when neither of the parties involved have done anything to hurt the other.  They just mutually decided that they aren't right for each other and they are better off as friends.  That isn't to say that they never happen, just rarely so.  If you are the one that called it off then you may disagree, however you may never know how the other party truly feels.  Of course there are the amicable break ups.  For example, one party is ready to get married and the other isn't.  They break up because they want different things and it is the reasonable thing to do.  While it may be hard, the responsible and mature thing is to try to move on.  However, it takes a very strong person to be friends with someone they were in love with and wanted to share their life with.  Especially, when the other person didn't feel the same. Therefore if you are taking your ex, you should both be at a place where you are comfortable with the state of your relationship/friendship.

What Type of Event is it:

While you may be just friends, if you were once a great couple you may not want to take your ex to a wedding.  This also applies to wedding related events, like engagement parties or rehearsal dinners.  It is almost impossible for people to not want to marry off any fabulous couple in attendance that isn't already married.  If your ex is someone that all your friends and family love, you aren't going to get any slack. There is going to be that Aunt, family friend or maybe even your mother that will make it her personal quest in life to get you back together.  These rules may also apply for New Year's Eve parties.  I am not exactly sure why but, there has always been a certain romantic nostalgia in the air on New Year's Eve.  If you are attending a party with close friends, this rule applies even more.  It is the end of the past year of your life and the open door to the New Year of your life.  You may not want to spend it alone but do you really want to spend it with someone from your past? 

How Serious Were You:

While some couples that have been extremely serious can find the road to being strictly friends, it is a long road.  You may not want to complicate it with attending a serious event together.  It is not always easy to find friendship after having been in a serious relationship.  If you are able to find this with your ex, do you really want to jeopardize that?  Maybe it is a fundraiser for a cause you both support or networking social that is related to your ex's career.  While it isn't impossible to do without complication, it is very risky.  This is delicate territory and the longer you were together the more blurred the lines can get.  If you were once a very serious couple, there is a chance that you will somehow always be a part of each other's life.  But, you may want to make sure you have your feelings and history under control.  If you aren’t' t sure, then proceed with caution and choose wisely.

Don't Put Your Ex in a Bad Position:

So, if you are wondering if it is alright to invite your ex with the hope that it will spark their interests again, my answer is no.  While it is fine to do so, you shouldn't be taking them for that reason.  You also shouldn't be putting them in a position to feel pressure to get back together.  If it is meant to be, there will be a natural progression back to one another.  If you are manipulating your ex into getting back with you, not only will it not last but also it may remind your ex of some of the reasons you broke up.

The Aftermath:

Everyone loves a great couple.  If you are a socially fabulous couple and equally attractive, everyone will wonder why you aren't together.  Of course no one takes into account that relationships take a lot more than being a successful event team.  Yet, the questions will still come.  So, have you thought it all through?  Have you considered what it may do to your friends and family that have missed seeing you guys together?  To some, it may be hard to see you as something other than a couple.  While your life choices are your own, you may want to consider the feelings of your loved ones.  To you it may be no big deal but to the ones that love you it may inspire a personal quest to attend to your love life.  That may be a door you are not ready to open.  Therefore, think it through and make a choice based on all the facts.

In conclusion, should you take your ex to your next event?  Wedding season is here and trust me that question will come up a lot over the summer months.  Keep in mind that you are a guests and you want the event to work out well for the hostess/host.  You don't want to bring any drama to their party.   Don't forget, while he/she may look great in pictures, get along with everyone you know and tell great jokes at parties there may be more baggage there that isn't worth unpacking.   So, I hope I have given you enough of my opinion to help you make a decision that is best for you.   Take time to think about it and if you do take them, take them for the right reasons.

JUST INVITATIONS

Whenever you are planning an event, you have to decide which part of the event is the most important.  This isn't always easy to do and without a lot of thought you may not know how the absence of one thing or another may change your event.  Of course everyone has a different idea of where they should be spending the time or money on an event.  I suppose I am no different.  I do believe I pay attention to detail in a way that others may not.  I truly believe that is the key.  I think before making a choice you should really do research and figure out what the pros and cons are.  Then you can make a decision you will be comfortable with.  As, I stated, while I do this for a living the choices aren't always that easy when it comes to my own events.  Therefore, since I realize it would be hard for me to choose which area I feel is the most important; it isn't always going to be easy for someone that isn't a professional event planner.

Thinking about this makes me think about invitations. Maybe because that is the most recent incident in which I have been faced with these decisions recently. Currently, we are planning a launch party for our new website. For that reason, I was out at a stationary store recently and found myself looking at various textures of paper for invitations. Another woman that was also shopping for stationary leaned in and said "big decision?" as if to ask me a serious question. I explained my dilemma. I told her that I thought one color pattern expressed the vibe of the party and the other color pattern was consistent with our company brand. When she found out that I had deliberated this long over invitations for a party and not a wedding, she seemed confused. Her answer was, "I am sure either would work, they are just invitations." However, I couldn't disagree more.

As we further cruise into the digital age, paper stationary and invitations seem to be something that people underestimate. It is true that you can invite more people to your invite in a shorter amount of time with digital invitations. It is also true that paper invitations may not work for every type of event. So, while the way you choose to invite your guests is up to you, I think paper invitations add that detail and much needed personal touch. Not only that, the design you choose can pull many of the other design ideas together for your guests. It establishes consistency and attention to detail. Don't forget that it gives your guests something they can keep as a keepsake. If it is a personal event like a wedding that marks a big moment in someone's life, that may be something to consider.

So, while some may say that paper invitations are not necessary, I would say you don't buy them for necessity.  You buy them to give your guests that personal touch and you add the detail your event needs.  There are so many details that go into planning an event that may not be necessary but would definitely be missed if you removed them.  Don't give up on traditions of an event because it isn't the new way of doing things.  Stay true to your creativity and the inner designer in you.

As I stated in the beginning, it is up to the person putting on the event to decide what they want to make their planning priority.  Personally for me, invitations would definitely top my list.

Invitations examples are courtesy of: http://www.yourweddingdays.com/

http://www.freeweddinginvitations.com/

THE CLASSIC LITTLE BLACK DRESS

What event would be complete without your little black dress.  I am not exactly sure when The Little Black Dress made its debut as the definitive identity of chic.  I do know that it in fact has.  The Little Black Dress or as we would like to refer to as the LBD is a dress to be worn on any occasion that defines your inner Jackie O.  Depending on the dress, you can dress it up or you can dress it down.  You can make it formal or you can wear it out to dinner.  Whatever the case the LBD is not only classic, it is feminine and you can never lose when you are wearing it.

Cocktails

Every woman has something that makes her feel different the moment she puts it on.  I think the LBD is definitely one of those things for some women.  Depending on your lifestyle you may not get to wear one that often but every woman has one hiding somewhere in her closet just waiting to be worn.  The moment you zip or button the back, the femininity button has been pushed.  Whether you are channeling Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's or Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot, the light is switched on.  All you need is a cocktail in your hand and the perfect lighting because your inner diva has come alive.

Blondes

They say blondes have more fun but I believe you have the most fun in your LBD.  Once you put it on, you are ready for the next event.  As an event planner, the LBD is the best thing ever made.  My responsibilities change throughout the day and in my LBD so can my look.  In the morning, I may have a breakfast meeting.  I will wear my LBD with a cardigan a conservative necklace and a professional shoe.  As the day progresses, I may have happy hour with friends, shed the cardigan and wear a chunky necklace with a funky shoe.  If I end up at dinner, I put on a dressy necklace with a sexy shoe.  The best part is the I like fabulous and my LBD saves the day because it is so versatile.


Why Black
When deciding to blog about the LBD, I wanted to figure out how one simple style could become such a fashion staple. Then I realized I had answered my own question. It is simple beauty. A black dress, is slimming, uncomplicated and takes all of the stress out of fashion. Therefore, it makes it easier to feel beautiful. The black taunts you with its mystery and allures you. Yet, the color calms you while masking all the secrets of a woman and highlighting her classic beauty.

THE PERFECT WEDDING DRESS

There is so much advice out there on how to the choose the right wedding dress. Unfortunately, no one can really give you advice on how to find that perfect wedding dress. The only way I can describe it is by making the comparison to finding love. That may seem extreme but I think it is true. So many people will tell you how to find the love of your life. Yet, those that have found the true love of their life will tell you that there is no real formula. It takes the right person at the right time. It is a feeling. The same holds true for a wedding dress. When you put on the right dress, you will look at yourself and you will feel like a bride.

Wearing White
Wearing white on your wedding day is the traditional thing to do. White symbolizes fresh beginnings and you can never go wrong. However, if you don't want to wear white, you shouldn't feel compelled to. Based on tradition, if a couple lived together before becoming man and wife, a woman isn't supposed to wear white. Yet, we all know that they do. That means that it is your choice. It is your choice, for the dress that you choose to wear, to begin your life together and it should be your choice what color it is as well.

Short Wedding Dresses

There was a time that it was rare to see a short wedding dress at a traditional wedding. Short wedding dresses are usually reserved for beach weddings or maybe even a second wedding. Well, that isn't the case anymore as brides get more comfortable their own ideas for their wedding day, we are seeing more short dresses. Short dresses can be extremely flattering to the right bride and it is all about your personal style.

Which train is for you

If the question isn't should I have a train and the question is which train should I choose, well here is some information. There are a lot of different choices when it comes to choosing a train. Again, you have to decide how you picture yourself on your wedding day and you do want to consider where you are getting married. There are Sweeping, Chapel, Semi Cathedral, Cathedral and the train of all trains....The Monarch. It is also referred to as the Royal Train because this is what Princess Diana wore at her wedding. Of course Princess Diana wore the train because she would be come a princess but I am sure it also made her feel like a princess. Whether, you want the dress to sweep the floor or you want to arrive at the church 10 minutes before your train, it is whatever makes you happy. Just make sure you think about the logistics if you do go with a long train.

Sexy or Non Sexy

I never know how to answer this question when someone asks. I think every woman wants to feel sexy on her wedding day. Now if she displays sexy instead of just feeling sexy, that is something completely different. However, while it is different, it is still a personal choice. Most women pick a wedding dress that is somewhat close to their everyday style. I would have to agree that this is the best choice. Your wedding dress is something that you have to look back on with no regrets. Since your marriage is for life, the photo of your wedding day will be something you have to look at for days to come. Therefore, you want it to reflect who you are and the way you felt on the day you are married. Also, keep in mind you want it to be a dress you are comfortable in and you can be confident about. So, while you don't have to be completely conservative, choose wisely. Pick a dress that will make you feel sexy but still make you look like a bride.

In conclusion, I am sure that you have gathered that the overall theme of this posting is that your wedding day is your wedding day. A wedding dress is a something that makes a statement and it should be your statement. The most important thing with anything you choose on your wedding day is that you do what makes you happy and that are well informed about your decisions. Keep in mind that there may be some effort required with the dress you choose. For example if you want a Monarch train and you are getting married at the beach....there are some decisions to be made. Well, you wouldn't have to make all of those decisions because that is why you would hire me.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SONG FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT

I have always wondered how couple's arrive at the songs they choose for their wedding. From the engagement video to the first dance, there is always a surprise. As we continue to graduate from the traditional way of doing things I am always excited by what my couple's come up with. I think excited is the word I use because it is exciting to find out what songs will best communicate their feelings and tell another part of their love story.

When I first started planning weddings, I had a very traditional take on things. More than likely that was because I was a young planner and while was experienced in my field, I wasn't experienced in love. Over time, I have observed so many love stories that I sing a different tune. When a bride or couple is having a hard time choosing a song, I tell them to pick something that identifies the moment best. If it is there first dance, how do they see their first dance? If it is the ceremony song, I ask them what song is the song that you want to identify the start of your life together. If they want to make it funny, I tell them to make it funny. If they want it romantic, I tell them to make it romantic. It is always what makes them feel best about their day.

Mostly, I have always wondered what goes into the decision making process and I am sure it is different with every couple. Then this morning something interesting happened. Well, the story actually started before this morning. A few months ago my boyfriend and I were working on a project together diligently. The radio was playing in the background for most of the day. Then, the song "Amanda" by Boston came on. During most of the song there was silence. Then, just randomly, he picked an object made a microphone and proceeded to lip sync the song. I started to sing along and just like that we made an air band.

As I stated that was a couple of months ago but this morning as I was getting ready to head to the office the song came on. I don't know why but it made me stop in my tracks. Right now, he is away and the song took me back to an awesome moment between us. When I think of all the songs we have heard together I don't know why this one stood out but it made me realize that maybe this is how wedding songs are chosen. No matter how different it seems to everyone on the outside, it represents something for the couple deep inside.

As I grow and progress in my career and in love, I have learned that experience is valuable in this business. Now, when I advise a couple on the song they will choose, I don't think I will say anything much different than I have said in the past. It will be the way I say it that will change. I will tell them to choose with their heart and I will not only mean it, I will know what it feels like.