eventi planning

Planning a party...Part Three!

2012-01-31T13:34:00.012-05:00

If you've followed parts 1 and 2 of my party planning tips, you'll know that we've covered everything from themes and invitations to centerpieces and food choices. Now that we're coming down the home stretch, with Cadence's first birthday party in less than two weeks, I've been working on the little details that'll make this party look polished and creative.

I teamed up with mlc designs again (they designed the beautiful invitations) to create labels (pics after the party!)for the various cupcake flavors that I baked with a friend a few weekends ago. I also picked out some props for the photo booth - this is a great way to keep older kids occupied, and a fun way for everyone to remember the party when they look through their pictures later. I also made a welcome sign (love these).

I ordered multi-colored polka dot straws from etsy a few days ago - perfect for the cupcake theme. Once they arrived, I thought they could use a little something extra. I found a Word template online for tags to go on the straws...and it was so easy! Once I picked out a template, I just typed in what I wanted them to say, printed them on white card stock, folded them in half and glued them to the straws. Voila....simple, cute, and perfect for any occasion! I definitely recommend doing this for your next party. Looks difficult, but it really didn't take long to do.

Now is when you want to begin going through your necessity list...you know, the essentials. Plates, napkins, flatware, ice, etc. It's better to go over everything two weeks in advance instead of at the last minute. I'm also writing thank you tags, ordering party hats, and making "wish" cards - another personal favorite of mine. Guests are going to write notes to Cadence, which I'll save for her. :)

Keep emailing me your questions about budgeting, etiquette, and decorating! Looking forward to sharing the cupcake displays and signage in a few days.

Planning a party...Part Two!

2012-01-26T10:11:00.017-05:00

This past weekend I had two focuses: centerpieces and decorations (step 6, mentioned last week), and goody bags - step 7.

So, picking up where I left off...

Step 6: Figure out decorations. I think that centerpieces can really brighten up a table and add some *flair* to your party. There are so many different things you can use as a centerpiece...flowers, candles, books, balloons, you name it.

Remember this cardinal rule...you need to be able to see over or under whatever you're placing in the middle of the table, so that guests can easily see and chat with each other! It's simple to figure out: set your elbow on a table, point your hand up and make a fist. Short centerpieces should not go above your hand; tall centerpieces should be similar in height to the picture below.

There's nothing more frustrating that having guests move a centerpiece to the floor just so they can see each other...it's such a waste!

For Cadence's party, I'm going with white roses and baby's breath in blue mason jars - something I already have in my collection. Pretty and inexpensive!

Step 7: Favors. These don't need to be expensive! People associate favors with $$$, but that's not always the case. Carryout-style boxes for leftover cake and food are cute and can cost as little as $0.10 each!

I purchased 6"x6" white boxes for Cadence's party - 100 of them for $35...total cost of only $0.35 each! Although I'm not using all 100, I can always use them in the future! I'm planning on filling them with random cupcake-related items I found on Amazon...lipgloss, rubber duckies, notepads, etc. I'm going to wrap the boxes in solid color paper and tie them with polka dot ribbons.

Anyway, more on last minute details next week. Feel free to email me with specific questions!

Planning a party...on a budget!

2012-01-17T15:33:00.014-05:00

I have to be honest...although planning weddings and experiencing the joy of different cultures and traditions is my passion, I really really love it when someone comes to me for help with planning a birthday party.

First of all, lose any assumptions you might have. Many people think it takes a lot of time and money to plan and execute a polished party, so to keep it simple they get out the paper plates and plastic flatware and tie a bunch of balloons to a chair (bo-ring).

I'm in the midst of planning my daughter Cadence's first birthday party (!!) and we're doing it on a budget. So, as I go through various planning stages, I'm going to share my tips on how to throw an awesome party - for any occasion - without breaking the bank.

Step 1: Determine your budget. It's important to figure this out ahead of time. You don't want to be two weeks from the date and realize that you've spent most of your budget on invitations, with little left over for food and drinks. I suggest allocating a percentage for each category, and then determining the actual dollar amount. That way it's really easy to figure out whether you're on track.

Step 2: Pick a date and book a venue. If possible, do it at your house - that way there's no site fee.

Step 3: My favorite step...pick a theme! I decided on a cupcake theme because they're yummy, pretty, and feminine. Perfect for my little girl's birthday.

Step 4: Choose your invitations. I knew I wanted to spend a little more here because I loooove pretty invitations. I sent out the ones for Cadence's party this week! Check them out below. They're from the talented mlc designs. I just love them!

If you'd rather focus your budget on other areas, send out personalized e-vites (that match your theme of course!) to friends and family. Greetings and Readings, along with Papyrus, has great stationary at budget-friendly prices.

Step 5: Figure out the food and drinks, and try to make most of it yourself. This is a big area for you to save! It's much less expensive to cook everything at home versus hiring a caterer for the party. You can also ask friends to bring their favorite dishes.

Since our theme is cupcakes, what better food to have at Cadence's party than cupcakes?? To save money, I baked them this past weekend with a friend. Crazy? Definitely. We made 216 cupcakes in one day, and I'm freezing them to keep them fresh for the party.

Check out the cupcake wrappers on the left. I got them from Amazon.com. Inexpensive and cute! If you're really into DIY, you could try making your own wrappers. Check out a tutorial here.

That's a lot of cupcakes!

Step 6: Choose your decorations. This is where I am right now in my planning! Still trying to decide between centerpieces, linens, etc.

More here on this next week, and on planning during the home stretch. Last-minute decorating, going through the RSVPs, and more. I'll share how my frozen cupcakes are holding up. Hoping everything will taste great and freeze well!

2011 Recap...the little things

2012-01-10T11:19:00.020-05:00

As many of you know, it's the little things that really make an event look put together and polished. From place cards and menus, to flower petals strewn down a ceremony aisle...all of these details are key to pulling off a beautiful wedding. That said, they're also easy to overlook!

Here are some of my favorite "little" details that made my 2011 weddings so beautiful.

Gillette Portrait Arts

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Chad Lippiatt Photo

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Merkle Photography

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Elizabeth Ryan Photography

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Borrowed Blue Photography

Thanks to everyone involved in all of my weddings from 2011. It was truly a memorable year!

The funky nail trend...we're lovin' it

2011-12-30T11:33:00.011-05:00

Okay ladies, this post is for the adventurous brides and bridesmaids out there: cool and creative nail designs that you can do by yourself.

I'm still a big fan of the traditional French manicure for weddings, but more and more I'm seeing fun, unique nail patterns and colors worn by brides and their maids. So I figured I'd surf the net and show you my favorite DIY nails. Even if you don't use these on your wedding day they're still fun to try for a night out!

iheartdaily.com

We at eventi planning love us some polka dots. So easy too! Just use a thin paint brush for the dots after letting the base dry.

thebeautydepartment.com

O.M.G. I am smitten. Tree lights....how awesome would this be for a wedding right around X-mas? I wish I had seen this a few weeks ago...I would have done this for a holiday party. We love thebeautydepartment.com because they have great tutorials!

howto.getmarried.com

Perfect for a vintage wedding...Apply a few coats of nude, tan, or light pink polish and then press newspaper against nails while they're still damp. Tres chic!

diynailartdesign.com.

Love how the pinky and pointer are different than the other fingers. Check out diynailartdesign.com for tons of nail ideas.

thebeautydepartment.com

Candy corn...perfect for late October weddings or parties. Thanks again to thebeautydepartment.com for this gem.

makeupalley.com.

If you're like me and not that adept with a nail brush (I'm working on it!), go with glitter polish for extra glam. All of us at eventi are in love with OPI Holiday Glow. It's a gorgeous color for fall and winter.

Send me pics of your creative nails, regardless of when you rocked 'em! We'll post them here for additional inspiration!

Happy New Year everyone!

Wedding of Rachael and Forster

2011-12-27T14:13:00.017-05:00

As the weather gets colder and the New Year approaches, I've been looking back through my archives at the beautiful summer weddings I had the privilege to be a part of in 2011. One that stood out to me was the wedding of Rachael and Forster on July 2nd. When we first met, Rachael was in her third year of medical school in New York, which is what pushed her to hire a coordinator. We hit it off and I began working as their wedding planner for the eight months leading up to their big day.

The ceremony was held at St. Elizabeth's Church in Baltimore. I hadn't worked there before but the space was gorgeous and the priest was so warm and welcoming. I would definitely suggest this church to other brides. Simple, elegant programs, pictured below, were offered to guests as they entered. My favorite moment was the way Forster looked at Rachael as she walked down the aisle with her father. Despite seeing this almost every weekend, this part never gets old to me!

Beautiful programs look great when framed after the wedding.

After the ceremony, it was off to the reception at the Frederick Douglass Museum in Baltimore. This venue has some of the best views of the harbor. Rachael's colors went perfectly with the location; vibrant shades of blue were sprinkled throughout the day: her shoes (which I coveted ALL day), the ring, and her maids. These paired well with the creams and whites of the flowers and lighting, creating an elegant ambiance.

See what I mean?

The view from the pier at the reception.

A quote from the bride: "Diana made excellent vendor recommendations for every aspect of my wedding...By the night of the rehearsal dinner, I didn't have to worry about a single wedding detail. I didn't take a single call from a vendor, worried or stressed family member, or even Diana! She took care of absolutely everything by herself."

The band Onyx got the crowd moving!

Sparkler sendoff...beautiful!

Rachael and Forster, I truly enjoyed getting to know you throughout this process. You're a beautiful couple, inside and out, and I wish you the best in your life together.

Thanks to You Go I Go We Go Photography for these stunning pictures, and the vendors who helped make this day such a success:

- Caterer: Sascha's
- Band: Onyx
- Lighting: Event Dynamics
- Florist: The Floral Studio

A few ways to make lemonade out of lemons!

2011-12-20T09:37:00.009-05:00

How to handle rain on your wedding day...

Step 1: If necessary, have an alternative location for your ceremony and reception. Aka a place where you and your guests won’t get drenched. Many venues offer indoor accommodations in case of inclement weather. Also keep in mind the décor or furniture – who’s going to rearrange it, where will it go, and how long will it take to move? If you’ve rented a tent, make sure it has removable sides. Although these are extra, they’re worth it for the peace of mind.

Step 2: Get some cute rain gear. Umbrellas, rain coats, and boots give the day a fun vibe. They show that you can roll with the punches and still look fantastic! Check out Bella Umbrella, which provides rentals at a great price. For boots, look into buying a pair from Target. They offer a wide range of rain boots for under $35, and you can get a lot of use out of them after your wedding day.

This bridal party didn’t let Hurricane Irene stop them from taking pictures in the rain!

Step 3: Consider the comfort of your guests. If you’re having the reception under a tent, offering flip flops as favors is a good way to protect guests’ shoes. (Think muddy grass and high heels.) Putting a hairdryer and hairspray in the women’s bathroom is also a thoughtful touch – your female guests will thank you.

Step 4: Talk with your photographer about working in the rain. Make sure he or she is willing to get as creative as you are, and don’t be afraid to ask for ideas. Most photographers like overcast skies – it makes for softer lighting (bright lighting can make facial features appear harsh) and unique pictures. Plus, the indoor shots you get can be just as awesome!

Look at that sky!

Step 5: Plan your hair and makeup accordingly. Waterproof mascara and eyeliner is a must. If your hair is frizz-prone, double up on hairspray and stash an extra bottle in the bathroom.

And most importantly……

Step 6: Make a commitment to remain happy and calm. This is the day you begin your life as a married couple, so have fun and celebrate! If your guests see you relaxed and content, regardless of the storm raging outside, they’re going to feel the same way and enjoy everything even more.

Special thanks to Lisa Boggs Photography for these awesome pictures!

If you want to send me your personal rainy day wedding pictures, as well as some advice for staying calm on your big day, shoot me an email and I’ll post it here on my blog!

Cake Designs and Tips

2011-12-02T06:25:00.009-05:00

After taking a short break for the holiday that involved spending time with family and eating way too much, I thought what better topic to share than more food! Wedding cakes… one of my favorite aspects of the Big Day. I loved going to cake tastings for my own wedding (as did my husband!), I think because many bakeries are so passionate about what they do. In their minds, each creation is like a work of art. Here are some awesome cakes from a few of my favorite Maryland bakeries, along with tips from me on how to have fun and make your cake fit the vibe of your wedding day.

1. Go traditional. Traditional white wedding cakes are still so popular beacuse of their timelessness and beauty. You can't go wrong here and there's enough variation in shape and decorations to make your cake unique.

2. Use some hues from your color scheme. Remember that the colors don’t always have to be an exact match – they can come from the same color palette. Side note: Be sure to talk to your bakery and compare the difference of color appearance on paper versus on a cake. They may ask you to drop off a swatch of the color you are looking for.

3. The display is almost as important as the cake itself. Cake displays can enhance and bring your wedding theme to life. Going for a rustic look? Try something like this tree stump cake stand, which could be a DIY project! OnceWed has a simple tutorial for how to create a similar display. Even just using a fancier linen for your cake table can really dress things up. Everyone takes a picture of the wedding cake!

4. Choose multiple flavor layers. Stuck between buttercream and strawberry? Go for several flavors so you can satisfy that picky eater (there’s at least one in every crowd) and your guests can have fun trying each other’s slices.

5. Coordinate with your florist. Flowers and flower petals are a classy, budget friendly way to decorate your wedding cake. This is typically less expensive than having the bakery create edible flowers, and many florists will give you their throwaway petals.

6. Be inspired by the season. Take note of your surroundings: Are the leaves going to be a beautiful mix of gold, orange, and red? Are you getting married around the holidays? Incorporating pine needles or fall leaves is a natural touch. Holiday decorations can also add something special to your cake table and display.

7. Have fun with cake toppers. Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of creativity from my brides and grooms when it comes to cake toppers. I think this is something you can really personalize. Several weeks ago one of my brides used Star Wars figures made from a shop on Etsy – they were such a hit! Some of my new favorites are animals, names, initials, and quirky figurines. Read more about unique cake toppers on Groom Sold Separately.

8. Go with what you love. Even if it doesn’t look like a wedding cake. If this makes you nervous, you could always label it the groom's cake - seriously, if you love it, go for it!

Mike & Ashley's Wedding!

2011-11-16T20:22:00.009-05:00

I want to share a wedding I coordinated this summer for a really awesome couple. Mike and Ashley were married at Federal Hill Park in downtown Baltimore, with the reception at American Visionary Art Museum. The weather was incredibly hot – sunny, a tiny bit of a breeze (but not enough to mess up Ashley’s hair!)…in other words, a typical Baltimore summer day for an outdoor ceremony. I worked with Ashley and Mike for about a year, and it really gave me insight into who they are, both individually and as a couple. They wanted their wedding to reflect the essence of Baltimore – plum and coral for colors, to represent the Ravens and the Oriole’s. They also wanted to give their guests something that they could actually use while remembering their wedding day. As Baltimore natives, what better way than with personalized crab mallets? These favors doubled as place cards, and I love it when you can get two uses out of one item (budget friendly, anyone?). I wanted to share some of my favorite shots from their wedding; ones that I think truly capture the emotion felt throughout the day - thank you www.gilletteportraitarts.com and Mike and Ashley for letting me be part of your day!

They decided to go for a “first look” picture. I love these because they allow your photographer to get up close and capture all of the emotion.

Fans helped to keep guests cool during the ceremony.

Stunning shot from above!

Classic AVAM shot - in front of the bus!

Crab mallets act as escort cards and favors!

Coral tones paired nicely with the plum color of her bridesmaids’ gowns.

The bridal party knew how to get things started on the dance floor…

…inspiring everyone to get out there and dance the night away

Yes, that’s Ashley singing - the band played for her!

Sparklers are a great way to end a July wedding. Congrats Ashley & Mike!

Wedding at The Walters

2011-04-12T09:34:00.003-04:00

I really loved working with Kellie and Derrick! Despite some venue security hiccups and last minute guests, they were able to enjoy their day. Kellie wore gorgeous gladiator sandals that allowed her to dance the night away! The pictures show just how much fun they had thanks to Maya with M.A.D. Works Photography (http://www.madworksphotography.com/). Best Wishes you two!

Bands of Gold

2011-04-05T16:04:00.005-04:00

I have been pulling some weddings out of the archives and here is one from September of last year. The bride wanted to include her groom in a special way and even though it was hard for me to do (being a Baltimore Ravens fan) we decorated everything in Steelers gold and black. Natalie and Jamie with Borrowed Blue Photography took these amazing photos. Enjoy!

Enter to Win a Wedding!

2011-01-17T10:20:00.002-05:00

Fox45 is giving away a Wedding in a Week and eventi planning is the coordinator again this year! Be sure to enter to win this amazing wedding and have the opportunity to plan your entire wedding in one week. Consider this, a year of stressful planning or just one week of it!

http://foxbaltimore.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=25835

The Knot Best of Wedding Vendors 2011

2010-12-29T10:15:00.003-05:00

We just wanted to take a second and thank all of our clients for the wonderful reviews. Thanks to you we have been selected as a Best of Wedding Vendor for 2011 for The Knot! This is a huge accomplishment and we never could have done it without your help! The official announcment will be released on January 21st and we will be featured in their June 2011 magazine. We look forward to working with our 2011 brides planning their big day!

Save $$ on Your Wedding Website

2010-05-06T11:27:00.004-04:00

We have recently teamed up with http://www.ewedding.com/. This is a great website for couples to provide their guests with all of the information they might need in order to fully enjoy the big day. Wedding websites are especially helpful for couples who are planning a destination wedding or have a lot of guests who will be traveling in order to attend the event. Fortunately for our clients, we are now able to offer a 10% discount to anyone who decides to set up a website through this service. Contact me for more details!

Emergency Kit - STAT!

2010-05-05T15:08:00.001-04:00

One of the things a wedding planner can provide is an emergency kit. People often say "I'm so glad you'll have the emergency kit!" and I wonder if they know what it includes! Target sells a cute one if you decide to forgo hiring a planner. This is a good start even though most planners have even more than this in their kit!

http://www.target.com/Wedding-Day-Survival-Kit/dp/B0009K7A2W/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton

Candy Buffet

2010-04-29T14:22:00.003-04:00

Contrary to popular belief, candy buffets aren't going anywhere! Couples still love the idea of giving their guests "options" when it comes to favor selection. Not to mention they are beautiful photo ops! I however, am trying to figure out ways to change it up a bit. I stumbled across this online and I cannot wait for my next bride to request a candy buffet!