Countdown To Success | Event Planner Expert Tips

Countdown To Success | Event Planner Expert Tips

As we embark on a brand new year, we all adjust our goals to fit the timeline we have set up. No matter what kind of event you are planning, having a month by month countdown with achievable milestones will keep you stress-free and in line for success. Time to break out the calendar. Whether you use a pen to paper planner or rely solely on the calendar on your phone, marking specific dates to hold yourself accountable will help you A LOT in the long run.  What date is your event? What vendors have you already booked? We just saw many engagements on our Facebook over the holidays which gives you a fresh map to success. 10-12 Months Before Event Collect inspiration images and determine the budget. This is the best time to hire an event planner to keep you on track and answer any big questions if you have never planned an event before. Organize names and addresses for your guest list. 8-10 Months Before Event Time to establish goals and objectives. Your date should be chosen. Next, research and book your venue. Our last blog went over creating a budget. In that blog we detailed the big questions such as where the event is being held, how many guests are attending, and what kind of event & theme you are envisioning. Book your florist, caterer, photographer, DJ or musicians.. 6-8 Months Before Event Book additional vendors such as hair and make up and rentals. Planning a wedding? Choose your wedding dress and cake! Create a registry. Book hotel rooms and a honeymoon. The Last 6 Months...
What To Look For in 2018 Events & Weddings!

What To Look For in 2018 Events & Weddings!

Officiant Services – Starting at $175-$200 We are excited to announce our very own Deb has been ordained as a Minister! We will be offered Officiant and Premarital Counseling in North and South Carolina. The flow of your ceremony depends on your wedding officiant. We aim to offer services that relieve the stress of choosing the perfect person for this important role. Traditionally, an officiant drafts the ceremony based on your unique relationship, pulling inspiration from details on how you met, your personalities, and your core beliefs. By arriving early and preparing with you for the precessional, the overall experience of your guests and introduction of speakers of your choosing, an emotional time is made seamless. Most importantly, the signing of the marriage license is completed by your officiant. Uplighting Services – $25 Per Light (Minimum 4 Lights) Many venues remain plainly decorated with white walls so they can cater to any client’s decor. An easy way to bring your theme into fruition is by uplighting. This service allows lighting to point upwards from the floor to cover wall space with the ambiance of glowing color. Creating a mood and cohesive color scheme with lighting is a stunning way to add warmth and personality to your venue! Our service will include set up, breakdown, and travel. Vacation & Honeymoon Services via Sandals After spending so much time putting together your dream wedding day, your honeymoon should fall effortlessly into place. Every year we have so many clients ask for our advice for vacation and honeymoon planning tips we decided to offer these services via Sandals so you truly get...
Year In Review

Year In Review

With more than 17 events this year, all we can say is, 2017 was amazing! I give thanks to my awesome clients for hiring me and sharing your awesome families with us. I also give thanks to all my hubby, family, volunteers and helpers this year. You’ve done a lot and I’m grateful for all you’ve done to help me have a successful year! Special shout outs to: Sandra Burson, Crystal Patterson, Charon Pilgrim, Melissa Stitt, Stephanie Vinson, Donna Barden, Donna Gasper, Anissa Burton, Stephaine Silas, Michelle Holland, Nicole Smith and Wanda Soloman. To our fellow vendors: You have all been amazing and I look forward to our partnership in 2018! Our 2017 Events: Honorable 2017 Events (Not Pictured) Celebration of Life – November 18th Sean Grim’s Surprise 50th Bday party – Dec 9th 50th Vow Renewal Mr.& Mrs. Kearney – Dec 22nd We are excited to work with our 2018 Clients! Kayleigh & Justin April Wedding Amanda Baker’s 50th Birthday party Lake Norman Prom May Event Zakiyyah & Donovan May Wedding Haley & Steven August Wedding Jessica & Terrance Sept Wedding What an amazing year! We took a role in planning proms, business events, birthdays, socials, and of course, weddings! We love all our clients and are so grateful to be included in their special events, families, and hearts. We look forward to the upcoming year and have some great new services coming your way. Stay tuned! To inquire about your 2018 Event – complete the form...
I’m Grateful Because…

I’m Grateful Because…

This time of year has everyone buzzing with love and things to be thankful for. I’m grateful for the happiness and health of my family. I’m also grateful for my amazing business so I can help make such a big day in my client’s lives special. We want to know— what are you grateful for? Giving Thanks While we appreciate all the important things in our lives year round, this time of year is a great opportunity to point out the little things. Let your loved ones know small differences they make in your life that maybe you never get a chance to tell them. We love writing out personalized thank you cards to give out at holiday parties with a heartfelt message. Send The Love With so much distance between relatives and friends, it can be hard to let everyone know that you’re thinking of them. When all else fails, sending a message in any form is still a way to let them know you’re grateful regardless of land or sea between you. I’m grateful because around this time I get to reflect on entire year of joy and happy couples. The events and weddings I am fortunate to be a part of shine a light on so much of our lives here at Events By Deb. Thank you for being wonderful clients and allowing our creativity to make your events so special. We want to hear it! What are you grateful...
Let’s Prepare For The Holiday!

Let’s Prepare For The Holiday!

Planning the perfect holiday party? We have got you covered! Let’s prepare for the holiday with a Thanksgiving themed event that will impress all your guests! From linens to lights, it’s the details that really warm up a dinner table. How do you pull together the finished decor will leave your guests feeling the holiday spirit long after they leave. Ombre Effects Choosing those perfect Autumn shades should stick to one color palette throughout all your decor. Pairing rich reds and burnt orange with metallic touches will add a classic look to your display. We love tall, gold pillar candles among a centerpiece of fall leaves in a mixed color scheme. Having one solid or metallic color will ground the fury of autumnal hues in dishes or other decor. Festive Florals Any time we can incorporate seasonal florals into an event we jump on it! Florals are a beautiful an organic touch that amplify the decor of any party, big or small. We are especially ecstatic for the integrations of bold, orange tiger lilies and not so subtle sunflowers. Pair your arrangements with a mix of eucalyptus and branches for a crisp and bright feel. We flourish our flowers with a mixed size selection of small pumpkins and gourds for varied dimensions on our tables and countertops. Holiday Feast The focus of all our attention on the holidays is of course, the food. We pull out all the traditional comfort food and create a menu of appetizers, main dinner, and desserts that leave our guests full and happy! Our holiday favorite hors d’oeuvre makes a classic Thanksgiving staple into...
Why Selecting the Right Vendors Can Lead to Event Success or Failure!

Why Selecting the Right Vendors Can Lead to Event Success or Failure!

Every good event is a collaboration of the vendors and hours put into creating it. Each piece of the puzzle comes together to form the final product. Choosing the right team can make or break your event when it comes time to make the magic happen. How can you make sure you choose the right vendors for event success? Compare Aesthetics Look over your list of necessary vendors and put together a cohesive theme you want them all to share. This should be based on the overall theme of your event. You wouldn’t want to hire a club DJ for a baby shower, or a clown for a vintage inspired wedding. By having vendors who match your vision, you’ll be happy with the end result as a whole. Ask The Right Questions The best way to conduct a vendor interview is to be prepared to ask questions so you aren’t left wondering what to expect. What is their experience with certain situations? Do you have any specific requests you want to make sure they can fulfill? Be open and honest about your expectations so they can be candid about their ability to live up to your vision. Do Your Research Reviews matter. When customer takes the time to write up how their experience went, there was an impression that’s worth taking into consideration. Look deeper than just the star rating. With any vendor, there may be different people who represent that company such as make up teams, floral designers, and even wedding planners. Know exactly who is going to be showing up the day of and confirm their track...
Matters of the Heart: Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? When Others Take The Lead in Planning Your Wedding

Matters of the Heart: Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? When Others Take The Lead in Planning Your Wedding

Your wedding day is a special time to celebrate your love and future. So often, we see third parties taking over this big moment with their input. When your future in-laws and over-opinionated friends try to take the lead, how do you pull back to achieve your dream day – not theirs? Put Your Foot Down This is one scenario, no matter how light-footed you may be, you have to be strong! Your wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience. You cannot let others dictate details and alter your dream. Learning how to firmly say “No,” when reacting to the overbearing suggestions of others can feel negative but is very important to your planning process. Explain what your ideas are and try to find common ground. If you don’t want to wear your mother’s wedding dress, state the kind of style you are looking for and why the experience of dress shopping is important to you. If you have a relative trying to take over some of the planning, sometimes it is best to simply say you have hired someone to handle those tasks, and their attendance is all you need from them. Be Honest! Take advice with a grain of salt – or maybe a scoopful. It is okay to allow others to interject their experience and ideas for your big day. In fact, it can be beneficial to see where aspects could be improved. However, you have to be honest when dealing with friends and family who are overstepping their boundaries. Let them know you respect their desire to help but you have a professional...
Party Decor Tips – When You Don’t Know How To Decorate!

Party Decor Tips – When You Don’t Know How To Decorate!

Throwing a party is an exciting way to get creative and impress your guests! When you don’t know how to start decorating, think of these couple tips to get started! Start with colors. Choose 2-3 colors that go with your party theme. No theme? No problem! Keep it casual and go with versatile, classic options like streamers, tissue pom-poms, and hanging lanterns.  Create an ambiance with lighting and set out simple table cloths. Amp up the eatery. Choose utensils, cups, napkins, and plates that add a little extra classiness. Party stores have an amazing selection of these items that can match your color scheme or pair perfectly with a crystal-like look. Let the refreshments become decor. Put a signature beverage in a drink dispenser and let your guests serve themselves with ease. Place with a metal bucket filled with ice, bottles, and cans along side wooden cutting boards with snacks such as cheese and crackers. The visual elements of your display will add to the decor while being functional. Place a bundle of balloons and...
Labor Day Ideas For A Great Party

Labor Day Ideas For A Great Party

Labor Day marks the end of Summer, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating! When the temperature cools down our grills heat up for great Labor Day festivities. How do you throw together a great party that will leave an impression?  Red, White, & Blue Desserts! Layer blueberries, strawberries (or raspberries!) and vanilla pudding or cool whip for a totally Patriotic dessert that’s packed with fruits! It’ll be a healthy alternative for the kids and a bright addition to your meal. Speaking of food – go Potluck! Invite your friends to bright their favorite dish to share and bring the recipe to share the wealth! This will guarantee everyone, regardless of any dietary restrictions, has something to eat – and everyone will love sharing something they love! Enjoy some rays! Set up the party with an indoor and outdoor option so your guests can enjoy the end of summer but be able to duck inside if weather changes. An unexpectedly hot day or rain shower won’t ruin your...
Bringing Blended Families Together

Bringing Blended Families Together

A wedding is a magical time where a new family is created. When there are children involved, bringing two families together may take a couple extra steps and considerations. To make sure the transition goes over smoothly, it’s important to keep the children in mind during the planning process, the big day, and what to expect after the wedding. This is an exciting time for everyone! Incorporating relationship building into your planning process will ensure the family connection will be sealed by the wedding day. Enlisting a professional and attending family counseling classes is a neutral way to discuss the present and future. During the time leading up to the wedding, offer available times for activities, meals, and mutual interests to bond over. Make sure you listen to your kids! Find out how involved they want to be. Depending on their age, they may be eager to participate or would rather sit out and observe. Let them take it in strides. Inviting your children or spouse-to-be’s children into the ceremony can be a truly special time that unites everyone. On the flip side, if they choose to sit out, make sure you follow up, especially depending on living arrangements. Ask them if they would prefer some one-on-one time before or after the wedding to talk and answer any questions. They may be uncertain of what to expect and it could hold them back, or would rather wait until the celebration is over to talk about what they are feeling. Remember, this is an exciting time for you but may be confusing for them. Opening the lines of communication is...