Not-So-Big Wedding 2010

Calling all MD, DC, VA area brides and grooms! Don’t miss out! The Second Annual Not-So-Big Wedding 2010 Challenge is here! This is a FREE event open to the public. RSVP on the Not-So-Big Wedding website for your chance to receive $500 off a venue rental. However, no RSVP is required to attend!

About the Challenge:

12 Teams comprised of up to four vendors will be working together to create a wedding for $15K or less for 65 guests. They are vying for the grand prize -- $500, media spotlight, and the Not-So-Big Wedding Challenge Winner title for 2010. If you're looking to plan a wedding on a budget, this is the event for you! Come see each team's display and gather a wealth of information for your wedding!

Each package created must include all the costs associated in the production of a wedding such as a planner, caterer, Deejay or band, florist, photographer, rentals etc. and must include the rental of one of the Montgomery Parks facilities: Rockwood Manor, Seneca Lodge, Brookside Gardens, Woodlawn Manor, or Ag Farm -- all for under $15K!

Laura Gosse, Marketing Specialist for the Montgomery County Department of Parks event centers said: "The Not-So-Big Wedding is the new reality for many brides and grooms as the effects of the recession continue to play out. However, small does not have to mean plain. The challenge teams' wedding displays will show couples how they can have a wedding day to remember without breaking the bank."

Team Carnavale has returned to defend its title. Eleven other teams will strive to take it away. Come see the results and meet Team Bijou, Team Cannon, Team Centino, Team Cinful, and Team Crazy in Love, Team Forbidden Fruit, Team Intercounty Wedding Connection, Team Jackson, Team Matrimony, Team Show, and Team Williams.

The panel of judges led by Joyce Mnkande of Events2Remember, Inc. includes Denise Thorne of In Style Caterers, Julie Upchurch of Little House of Flowers, Andrew Larris of Andy Kushner Entertainment, Janice Harrison of Occasional Cakes, LLC, Dave Fritz of CORT Event Furnishings, and Carmichael Jennings of On Que Photography. Accompanying them will be live bloggers Amy Regeti and her colleague Srinu of Regeti’s Photography.

This year’s panel of judges represents the different areas within the industry and each judge brings their knowledge and expertise in those areas. Judging criteria will be based on the creative use of given space, creative use of budget, level of elegance and most memorable display.

There will be a fashion show featuring affordable gowns, which can be purchased from St. Anthony's Bridal, a local non-profit whose mission is to help people have an affordable wedding.

So, mark your calendars, come on along, and have lots of fun, food, and refreshments!

Sunday, November 7th, 2010 from 1-4pm at

Rockwood Manor

11001 MacArthur Blvd

Potomac, MD 20854

Google Maps Directions

See you there!

Insurance Coverage: To Have, or Not to Have?

I thought that this would be a great topic to cover because Fall is officially here and old Mr. Winter will soon be popping his head out; and if this winter is anything like last years' that resulted in numerous event cancellations, you do not want be unprepared!

Whether you are in the special event industry or any other business, it is imperative to protect your business and have insurance coverage especially in today’s litigious society where lawsuits are on the rise with every dawn. We can face potential lawsuits from customers, contractors, attendees, and spectators. Even if the lawsuit is unfounded, the cost of defense will be expensive.

Although the special event planning industry appears to be a glamorous job, it is unfortunately quite the contrary; it is a very hectic, tiring, and occasionally a very trying job. God forbid if some unfortunate mishap ensues and the event planner is sued! It is therefore imperative that everyone in the event management industry carry General Liability and E&O coverage. The latter is sometimes debatable but I personally feel it is essential.

Coverage typically protects against liability claims for bodily injuries, property damage, cancellation, rescheduling, or any accidents that might occur from the set-up time, to during the event, and during the breakdown at the end of the event.

Image from www.intheiropinion.com

However, just as with other insurance policies, event insurance coverage must be carefully selected. Shop around to compare rates and plans and make sure you ask many questions, read through your policies to fully understand your coverage and read the fine print! Be sure that you are covered for the entire management process and/or tailor it to your specific needs. Apply the same steps as you would when purchasing your health insurance, life insurance and/or other benefits. If you cannot afford an annual coverage, some agencies have à la carte options. Whatever package you select, having insurance coverage will not only give you peace of mind but also protect you from setting yourself up for lawsuits that will lead you down bankruptcy lane.

Question of the Day: Posed by Sales Coach Saundra Hadley

"We all know it is important to acquire that client that will not only appreciate your services but reflect your company's brand. But we know that bills come in every month and you can't respond to your electric bill, "Sorry, my target client didn't hire me this month." So, what's a small business , fighting the poor economy and rising expenses to do?"

Her Advice:
1) First be sure you aren't lowering your "brand" standards so much that you are putting yourself and your business in jeopardy.
2) Do not work for free. Do not work for free. Do not work for free.
3) Set clear boundaries and limitations so that you will not be taken advantage of and still make a profit.
And,
4) Know that you are not alone. Not every wedding is dripping with Phalaenopsis orchids and crystals from the ceiling. But it is okay.

I totally agree with Ms. Hadley. This holds true for any event type: be it a corporate, wedding, social or private event and, is even more prevalent in today's economy as budgets are lowered but expectations are still high. So, what is the solution? This is where our expertise and creativity as Special Event Planners comes into play.

Your thoughts?

ISES iDEA Expo

Despite November 29th being a cold, rainy and dreary day, it did not deter people from attending the ISES (International Special Events Society) iDEA 2009 Expo at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. It was a great success and a lot of fun!

The event kicked off at 4:00pm with a couple of informational presentations: "The Anatomy of an Award-Winning Event" and "West Coast to East Coast trends," followed by the trade show floor opening at 6:00pm. This year’s trade show was slightly different from last years' show -- interspersed among the traditional exhibit booths were four Design Centers, which were complete destinations crafted and outfitted by a team of ISES vendors. The four centers included Cafe Paris, "On the Road" in the USA, Green Road to Cairo, and Havana Nights, and the featured products and displays of creativity made for an excellent exhibit! The Design Centers carried this year’s theme: International iDEAs, Connecting the World One Event at a Time. Here are some shots of the four centers:

It was indeed a night of fun and learning! However, I cannot end this piece without mentioning Fired Up Pizza on the Move! Again, despite Mother Nature, they had freshly baked pizzas going all night! Simply delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving gatherings are a great time for all -- filled with food, family, and fun! However, the day can often be a bit too long for the little ones. Here are some cute ways to spice up the decor and make Thanksgiving even more interesting for the kids:




Please visit the Martha Stewart website for step-by-step directions on how to make these unique centerpieces and place cards.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

November Events

1. November 3rd: I attended a showcase hosted by Heidi Berger of Room Service at the fabulous Long View Gallery Art Museum in Washington, DC. Here are some pictures of the wonderful furniture rentals off of their brand new line!

2. November 4th: I toured the new Sunset Room at the National Harbor in Washington, DC. This is a wonderful venue with some beautiful views -- perfect for a wedding!





3. November 8th: I participated in the Not-So-Big Wedding Competition! The competition was hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Parks & Recreation at the Rockwood Manor in Potomac, Maryland. The challenge was to plan a wedding on a budget -- accommodating 65 guests for less than $15,000. The judge's panel was moderated by Ellen McCarthy of the Washington Post's Wedding Section and panelist included newlyweds who have successfully planned a wedding under $15K. It was a wonderful experience for my entire team, as it was our first competition. Here are some pictures of our table:





I will post more pictures from the competition once I receive the rest from our team photographer!

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

October Events

This is another catch-up post, picking up from where I left off after the September Events post. Here's the update from all the events I coordinated and/or attended in October!

1. October 2nd: I collaborated with VMG to plan and produce Total Health Care's 40th Anniversary Fundraiser at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront (BMW). The event theme was Old Hollywood Oscar Night with all the glitz and glamor -- we had actors as paparazzi, Joan Rivers on the Red Carpet, President Obama and First Lady Michelle (complete with a Secret Service detail), and LIVE Oscar statues. It was such a successful and memorable night! The BMW is one of the premier venues in Baltimore, Maryland -- check it out for your next special event! (I'll share additional pictures once I receive them from the photographer).


2. October 6th: I went on a FAM tour to visit all the Prince George's County Parks & Rec venues. I visited Newton Mansion, The PG Ballroom, Oxon Hill Manor, and many more wonderful sites. These venues are rich in history, have beautifully manicured grounds, and are terrific alternatives to typical hotel venues in the Baltimore/Washington area.

I attended a second FAM tour to visit all the Annapolis Area & Anne Arundel County facilities as well. Again, these venues are spectacular and typically more affordable alternatives to hotel venues. They are great venues for weddings, corporate events, and more!

3. October 21st: I went to New York City for the Biz-Bash Trade Show. The event was fabulous! I was able to gain lots of interesting insights on New York venues and vendors for destination events. I also got to see the Bidpal in action -- an innovative tool for those fundraisers!

4. October 22nd: I attended the Harvest Festival Event at the Strathmore in Rockville, Maryland. This is another unique space to consider for your next event. The Mansion and the Art Center are fabulous sites!


5. October 29th: I wanted to share some pictures from my DC ISES Halloween Party. It was held at the National Crime and Punishment Museum in Washington, DC -- how appropriate a venue for the occasion! The hauted house was amazing and truly scary for those of us who scare easily. It was a blast! By the way, that's me in the jailbird costume!

6. October 30th: I attended a very emotional speaking event by motivational speaker The Scary Guy; and yes, "Scary Guy" is his legal name! His speech was absolutely phenomenal and I had to stuggle to fight back some tears. He is truly passionate about his cause -- bullying, violence, and hate crimes among youth -- which we all need to be ambassadors to. Please take a moment to visit his website: www.thescaryguy.com

7. October 31st: Halloween! Here are some family Trick-or-Treating photos I couldn't resist sharing!


Next, I'll post my events from early November and I'll have you all caught up!

9/9/09 Weddings

A couple's wedding date typically has great significance to them. Here's an interesting read from the Manolo for the Brides blog on couples who got married a couple of weeks ago on 9/9/09 and incorporated the date into their theme... to the extreme!

99-Cent Store Wedding via Manolo for the Brides blog.

Planning a Special Event on a Budget

During these tough economic times, many of my clients ask me how they can save money without sacrificing style. They all want that fabulous event without breaking the bank! Although this topic has been covered many times before by other industry bloggers, I believe that during these tough times, there is even more reason to revisit them. So, here are some budget-saving tips and suggestions to take into consideration!

1. The first and most important thing to consider is the venue. After all, the venue sets the tone for the entire event! Even more than before, I find that when I visit various venues with my clients, the following is suggested: for evening weddings and other events -- try a weeknight, as venues often offer discounted rates for these times. This also holds true for most other vendors -- caterers, DJs and/or bands, florists, etc.
   
   
2. Consider the time of your event! Go for a daytime wedding and offer a brunch or luncheon instated of a more costly traditional sit-down dinner. Venues will often have cheaper rates for say, Sunday afternoons, instead of Saturday evenings!
   
   
3. Offer a nice chicken or vegetarian dish instead of a more expensive beef or lamb dish. Many caterers now have many fancy and delicious alternatives to more expensive meats.
   
   
4. For a wedding, birthday or other social event where cake is to be served, consider cupcakes or pre-cut slices of cake so none goes to waste. A good idea is to serve the cupcakes or cake slices in a box, which can double as your favor instead of candy or almonds.
   
   
5. Instead of an open bar, offer a signature cocktail and serve sparkling wine instead of champagne.
   
   
6. In regards to entertainment, hire a DJ instead of a band.
   
   
7. For centerpieces, use small containers filled tight with inexpensive flowers like carnations and babies breath with candles in between the arrangement, or forgoe the flowers altogether!
   
   
8. Use smaller tables to seat your guests! And for cocktails, intersperse a few high boys around the room with a small candle or centerpiece for decoration.
   
   
9. DIY, DIY, DIY! -- or, "Do It Yourself!" Consider homemade inviations, putting your favors together yourself, homemade centerpieces, etc. Let your imagination and creativity guide you.

I hope these tips any many more like them will be of use to you while you plan your special event!