Tip Day Thursday: Finding "The One"

Finding the elusive "One" is a topic this event planner doesn't have many tips for.  I will say from my experience, he was out there.  I'm lucky enough to have an amazing husband and I think he is pretty perfect!  And today happens to be his birthday, so happy birthday Joe!  I'm feeling a little extra sentimental today I suppose.  So I do think there is someone perfect for everyone, I am sure of that actually.  If Joe found me and loves me for the true person I am, then you'll find yours too!  How exactly to find him or her?  Who knows....when it's right it will just happen, like everything else in life.  I love to plan, thus my choice of career, but there are some things that can't be planned.  So be patient and have courage.  Maybe there are some tips for finding The One from these clever kids....

    Helpful?  I love it!  I can't even pick a favorite. 

Happy Planning....or leaving it up to a higher power! 

Tip Day Thursday: Remember What's Really Important

Happy Valentine's!  I hope you all had wonderfully romantic days...and maybe even some of you got engaged!  To celebrate this romantic week, this week's blog is WEDDING related. 

So this week's tip is remember what's really important.  The beauty of a wedding isn't just in the gown, the flowers, the decor, etc.  Those are all of course amazing and so much fun to plan!  But it should be about the marriage and love the couple has for each other. 

So today I'm going to take time to share this touching story I read about this couple's special day. 

  This is their story.  And it's a tear-jerker so get the tissues ready! 

  So when planning gets overwhelming, think of how many more obstacles you could have to overcome.  And don't forget this planner is here to help with all the other details! 

Happy Planning! 

Tip Day: A day late and a dollar short...

So I've been traveling for work this week, doing a lovely and scenic tour of Massachusetts (read:  sarcasm) so my Tip Day Thursday is now today Friday.  So I was inspired by my own lateness and general hectic schedule to write about timing. 



Event planning comes down to two things essentially:  organization and timing.  Without organization no event will run smoothly.  Planning ahead for problems, keeping track of your to-do lists and having an accurate list of all vendors, their contact information and a copy of their contract are the best ways to stay organized when planning your event.  Starting a file for each event is my first step after meeting with a client, even if they haven't fully booked my services yet. 

Timing is equally as important as staying organized.  Timing will keep you on track and most importantly, save you money.  Booking vendors early, in the off season, or during off hours,  are all great tips to save money when planning an event and are all influenced by timing.  Having an event timeline to go with your to do list is essential.  Knowing what needs to be done when is the first place to start!   

Looking for some wedding specific organization and timing tips?  Email me directly here and I will send you a budget worksheet and timeline to get you started if you say you read it here.   

Thanks for reading and happy planning! 

Tip Day Thursday: Put yourself out there

Putting yourself out there is important part of any event.  Whether it's a wedding or business event, you need to let people know you're there and what is happening.  Invitations, save-the-dates, Facebook, how else do you let people know you're there?  


But this week, I'm taking a little break from tips to tell you that I have put myself out there!  Eccellenza Events has placed our first print ad.  Check it out!  

Page 28 of the current issue of the Improper Bostonian!  

Please help me spread the word about my new business!  Like our Facebook page (to the right), follow this blog, follow me on Twitter!  Tell your friends!  Any referrals I get will be much appreciated!  

Back with more tips next week....thanks for reading and of course Happy Planning!  

Tip Day Thursday! Event Inspiration

It's Thursday and it's time for Eccellenza's tip of the week!  This week is about inspiration.  Most events and especially weddings often have a theme.  An event theme is meant to tie different aspects of your event together.  Your theme might be the royal wedding, like last week's post.  Or maybe you're inspired by an era and you really want an 80's themed wedding...who knows!  Find your inspiration and run with it.  The key to a theme is not to go too far with it.  Being subtle is the key. 

This planner finds that most brides pick a color as their "theme" and run with that.  Look for inspiration not just in bridal magazines.  When I planned my own wedding, my inspiration all started with a necktie.  I spotted this gray and yellow tie at a store and turned it all into our wedding. 

So keep your eyes open!  Think your idea will never work for your wedding?  Call me and we'll design it into your perfect day!  And here is just a bit of inspiration to get you going...

Happy Planning! 

Thursday's Tip: New Year, New Trends!

A new year means new trends.  Here are a few of the trends for 2012 this planner has seen coming. 

Royal Inspiration
  With the Royal Wedding happening in 2011, Princess Kate and her fashionable sister Pippa have left a real impression on brides.  Look for lots of lace, covered buttons and regal jewel tones. 

Romance Anyone?
Of course all weddings feel romantic, but that soft romantic look is back in a big way for 2012!  Use blush tones of pink and peach and warm neutrals to get that soft romantic look.  Here's a little inspiration to get you started. 

Vintage Touches The popularity of vintage looks comes and goes in wedding trends and it's back in a big way!  With popular TV shows like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire, vintage inspiration is everywhere.  Look for more birdcage veils, dresses that show off curves and unique elements, like bouquets made of brooches.  Turn to your family members to make these touches even more special.

 DIY
With the growing popularity of a girl's favorite website - Pinterest and a less than stellar economy, DIY projects will continue to rage.  Making things not look so DIY will be key of course.  Contact your favorite planner for more tips on making your wedding luxe for less. 

2012 looks to be an amazing year for events!  Happy Planning!   

Happy Thursday! Today's Tip by request - Money Money Money

Money....it's always a sensitive subject, especially around planning an event.  Setting a budget should be one of the first things you do for your event.  Actually, it should be second!  First should be drafting a guest list - you can't even look at venues unless you have a rough number of guests.  And then set your budget. 

Unless you're lucky enough to have an unlimited budget, like Mr. Moneybags up here, these are my top 5 tips for staying on budget. 

1.  Guest List:  Unfortunately, one of the fastest ways to save the most money is to cut down your guest list, which no one wants to hear.  Food and drinks at your reception are the most costly.  So the fewer guests you have the more you can give to them and the more you can spend on other aspects of your event.  So, sad but true - one of the easiest, yet hardest, limit your guests. 

2.  "You Better Shop Around":  Like the song says....shop around!  Don't book the first person you meet with because you really like their website or they just seem so nice.  Chances are you can find another vendor that can give you the same product and quality for less money.  Really research vendors and compare prices.  My favorite tip is to look for great vendors that have their own business.  My favorite florist is an independent designer who works out of her house.  Her work is AMAZING and her prices are great because she doesn't have as much overhead as florists with a shop.  Check out this work!  



All this research sound too difficult?  Call me...I can help! 

3.  The Art of Negotiation:  One a similar note to #2, everything is negotiable.  I've mentioned this before here.  You wouldn't make such a large investment like say a house or car without talking down the price, right?  Well the same is true for weddings.  Each vendor is often a huge investment, so negotiate prices or what a package includes.  Or call me and I'll negotiate for you...it's one of my favorite hobbies...ask any Gregorio ;-)  

4.  Off-peak Events:  Another easy one, but not always something people are willing to compromise is the month, day or time of their event.  Off-peak events are called this for a reason.  Venues are slower during certain times of year or days of the week.  Because of this, they are usually willing to give bigger discounts in order to get your business.  So staying away from the summer or holiday weekend, or picking a Friday or a Sunday might allow you to NOT cut your guest list or do more with your budget.  The same is true with other vendors wanting to book business during the slow season.  

5.  DIY:  Do-It-Yourself projects doesn't always mean you have to break out your hammer or glue gun!  But there are plenty of those kind of projects that are great for weddings or other events...umm...hello Pinterest!    

DIY could also be as easy as printing ceremony programs yourself and having a family member or friend not in the wedding party pass them out.  I have an easy template for those!  Or maybe you hand address your invitations for a personal touch and save on a calligrapher.  Similarly, borrow, borrow, borrow!  Something old and something borrowed definitely still apply!  Did you love your MOH's veil, does your mom have great jewelry?  Ask if you can borrow pieces.  It's cost saving and sentimental.  Want me DIY tips....you know who to call!  

Event planning can often be about compromise.  Pick the things that are most important to you (and your groom) to make your event memorable and spend there and be more frugal on the rest.  An amazing event can be planned on any budget.  And don't think just because you don't have an unlimited budget that having Eccellenza Events help with your event is out of the question.    Like any vendor - I can work within your budget too! 

Best of luck and Happy Planning!