Mr. & Mrs. Withers

In California, we never get to fully experience the Autumn season. Lucky for me, I spent my Halloween weekend in Chicago to coordinate Dawne & Mike’s wedding at the Cheney Mansion in Oak Park, Illinois. Everywhere the leaves were falling, covering the ground in vibrant colors of red, orange and yellow. This provided a perfect atmosphere for the Autumn wedding that Dawne and Mike have been endlessly preparing for!

The couple lives in Los Angeles, but since Dawne is originally from Chicago, they decided to get hitched in her hometown. We kept a close eye on the weather all last week. Dawne told me that it had to be at least 60 degrees for the ceremony to be held outdoors on the Cheney patio. At the Halloween Costume Dress Rehearsal, the sun was shining and the weather was absolutely perfect so we planned for the outdoor ceremony. Unfortunately, you never know in Chicago, and Saturday arrived with temperatures in the low 50′s. We quickly went along with “Plan B,” and the ceremony unfolded beautifully indoors.

The Cheney Mansion was decorated with Autumn floral arrangements created by Ebony Lashay Smith. I loved the Renaissance music that was provided by harpist Annette Bjorling and clarinetist Kurt Bjorling during the ceremony. Pianist Kathie Nicolet played on the grand piano for the rest of the evening. Catered by Design provided guests with a delightful buffet meal, including festive orange and black pumpkin ravioli and a mini mashed potato/mashed sweet potato bar that was heavenly! Bonnie from Catered by Design was so kind and generous to surprise the couple with the Champagne Tree, something that I have never seen before! It was definitely impressive. The “Cupcake Wedding Cake” and the Red Velvet cutting cake were ordered from Swirlz Cupcakes and were a big hit among the guests.

Congratulations, Dawne & Mike! Have a fabulous time in Antigua!

The following photos have been provided by Mike & Dawne Withers; photographed by Bella Photography.

Mr. & Mrs. Masuko

I met with Wayde, Alison, and Alison’s parents, Chris and Nancy back in June. This was the first time I had parents join the consultation meeting, and to be completely honest, I was a bit nervous! Fortunately, Chris and Nancy were wonderful and we all got along great.

It’s hard to predict Southern California weather in October. During the days leading up to the wedding, we anxiously kept our eyes on the forecast. It was bright and sunny during the dress rehearsal, but rain was predicted for the big day. Since Wayde and Alison were planning for an outdoor wedding, everyone was definitely a bit apprehensive.  Luckily, there was no rain! It was a little overcast, but as long as the raindrops weren’t falling, we were happy!

The couple were wed at the Fullerton Arboretum in Fullerton, California. The ceremony music was beautifully performed by Batavia Strings. I absolutely loved the rose ball bouquets created by Flower Allie which hung right above the bride and groom as they recited their vows.  The reception was also held outdoors, with luminaries and candlelight creating a romantic atmosphere. Wayde and Alison began the festivities by presenting lei’s to their parents and the entire bridal party. Guests enjoyed their meals from Country Garden Caterers while live music was provided by a San Diego based band  The Mar Dels throughout the entire evening.

Congratulations, Wayde and Alison! I hope you had a wonderful time in Jamaica!

Photos provided by Wayde & Alison Masuko; photographs taken by Drew B Photography.

Mr. & Mrs. Davis

I was especially looking forward to Jessica & Jason’s wedding because it would be my first wedding coordination in Chicago. Since Jessica had gotten in touch with me only six weeks prior to the big day, we tackled every last wedding detail by phone and e-mail.

The wedding took place at the beautiful Redfield Estate at The Grove in Glenview, Illinois. The venue is perfect for a small, intimate wedding. Jessica’s fabulous girlfriends arrived early to assist me with the setup. As Jessica would say, they are truly “indispensable.” Guests followed a candlelit path to the enclosed grassy area for the ceremony. Excerpts from E.E. Cummings, I Carry Your Heart With Me and Carl Sagan’s, Pale Blue Dot were read by the couple’s close friends, Anna and Ryan. As the sun began to set, guests mingled on the patio during cocktail hour. Everyone was encouraged to try the couple’s specialty drinks, which were named after their cat and dog, Ned & Lindy, respectively. So adorable!

The wedding was catered by Hel’s Kitchen. Hydrangeas, candles, and lanterns filled the place and created a warm, cozy atmosphere. Since Jessica has a gluten-free diet, the party favors were gluten-free cookies made by Whole Bakers. The wedding cake was also a flourless chocolate cake from Trader Joe’s. For everyone with a regular sweet tooth (including me!), a delicious assortment of treats was set up at the fruit and dessert station.

The couple was so sweet to send me home with a beautiful hydrangea centerpiece… Thank you, Jessica and Jason! Congratulations to you both! I hope you had a wonderful time in Italy!

The following photos have been provided by Jason Davis & Jessica Manvell; photographs taken by Michael Rastall Photography.

Mr. & Mrs. Yoon

Yong and Hee Sun were already married when I first met with them. They wed back in November 2007 but planned to have a wedding celebration with their family and friends during the upcoming summer. Hee Sun is a fellow UCI Alumni, which was exciting to learn. Go Anteaters! Zot! Zot!

The wedding took place at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. Being an Orange County resident, I have always passed this hotel driving along PCH or walking around bustling Main Street in Huntington Beach. But, I never realized just how gorgeous this venue is! Everyone from the Hyatt, including the Banquet Captain, the Catering Manager, the bartenders, and the bellman were so helpful and definitely made my job easier!

The couple integrated tons of creative ideas for their special day. Instead of a traditional guestbook, they used Yong’s guitar that guests were welcomed to sign, and would be later displayed in their home. Of course, this meant that Yong was able to buy a brand new guitar for himself, which he was very happy about! The party favors were California Lottery Scratchers sealed in gold envelopes with engraved guitar pics. The pics were used to scratch the ticket. There was even a $5.00 winner among the guests! How exciting!

Music was provided by DJ Mark from Epic Entertainment. Although it was an early afternoon wedding, he was great at encouraging the guests to get down on the dance floor. The wedding cake was created by Rockwell’s Creative Cakes and was decorated with fresh flowers by Florist Won Kim. You can reach her for more information at flortistwon@hanmail.net.

Photos provided by Yong & Hee Sun Yoon; photographs taken by Brandon Park from Kappa Photo Studio. You can contact Brandon for more information at youngleephoto@yahoo.com.

Here are some photos that I took myself…

And here is a photo of me and the lovely bride Hee Sun…

Mr. & Mrs. Zisook

I met Kerry exactly two weeks before her big day. We immediately clicked and I was able to help her crank out the final details leading up to the wedding…

Kerry and Dan’s wedding took place at the Levy Land in Carlsbad, California. The ceremony was first held on the beach, with the Pacific Ocean providing a beautiful back drop for the intimate gathering as guests stood barefoot in the sand and Dan’s father officiated.

The reception had a casual beach theme with sand dollar place cards and seashells adorning the reception tables. The party favors were margarita glasses that guests used to toast the bride and groom. The margarita added a nice touch to the delicious and authentic Mexican food catered by El Indio Catering. The cupcakes were baked by Kerry’s dear friend Emily who worked arduously in the Levy Land kitchen for the three days leading up to the wedding… now that is what you call a fabulous friend!

Music was provided throughout the evening by musician Trent Hancock. His voice was absolutely amazing! Feel free to contact him at trenthancock@gmail.com. At one point during the night, a swarm of mosquitoes came from out of nowhere… Poor Trent stayed outside and finished his performance and got bit everywhere! As for me, I got bit about five times, including two bites on my face! Ouch!

Congratulations, Kerry and Dan!

Photos provided by Kerry & Dan Zisook; photographed by Aaron Thompson at AS Photography.

And a photo of me with the newlyweds!

Gina’s Bridal Shower

Gina & I met while we studied abroad in Korea during our college years… we were actually assigned to be roommates, and she has been one of my closest friends ever since! I was so honored and excited when she asked me to be her bridesmaid! I was especially excited to begin planning for her bridal shower & bachelorette party!

Her bridal shower took place on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at her home in Redwood City, California. I arrived the night before (at midnight!) and the bridesmaids and I worked all night and early the next morning to prepare.

Guests munched on light finger foods and Sunday brunch items including egg quiche, banana nut bread, and refreshing strawberry mimosas. The ladies played a few games, one we called, “Pin the Lips on John!” We blew up a photo of her fiancee, John, and Photo shopped it onto Steve Carrell’s body from The 40-Year Old Virgin movie poster. Hilarious!

Before the bridal shower, I worked on preparing a Recipe Journal for Gina, contacting all of her guests and asking them to contribute their favorite recipes. We filled the William Sonoma Recipe Journal  with a fantastic variety of recipes, and the cover was even personalized with her soon-to-be name, Gina Kim!

Event Planning Business – Market Research

A thorough investigation of the viability of an event planning business in your geographic and specialty area will help you gain an honest sense for your business potential. Market research can even uncover information that will help you focus your business strategies and prevent costly and time-consuming mistakes.

Identify the Competition

It is important to know who you are up against. Check the yellow pages, business journals, specialty magazines, and newsletters for competitors in your area. Research the Web for event planners and take note of the marketing techniques they use. What is something unique that you can offer? Think of a way to put a spin on your company to create more interest or to create a niche market. Prepare yourself to enter this competitive business well informed.

Identify Industry Growth Potential

Research how events are treated in today’s economy. It is essential that you present your services in an appropriate way. In the nineties, budgets were created to support lavish events that represented how much people cared about the way they entertained their guests. Web site premieres and launch parties were everywhere. However, the focus shifted in the twenty-first century. Events were scaled back to reflect the prudence people were showing in their daily lives. Recognize the “whys” of an event in order to do the “hows” in an appropriate way.

Identify Potential Markets

As you begin your research for business opportunities, be aware of areas that are ripe for event services. Match this with your skills and interests. If your local business listings show an excess of wedding planners but no children’s event planner, take note. Your potential market can be based on geographic territories, types of services, types of customers, and even budget levels.

Identify and Quantify Market Share

Take an honest look at what business your competitors are receiving, and what would be left for you. Is there something different that you can provide? For example, are they handling all the hotel events, but none of the country club events? Develop a checklist of potential clients and event locations, and start doing your homework. This will help provide you with a sense for your opportunities. Remember, developing a business takes time; remain consistent and persistent with your efforts.

Consider Your Marketing Plan

It is a good idea to think about your marketing plan now. Start a database of contacts, and keep track of your initial calls and plans for follow-up. Be prepared to make efforts to develop a relationship with a client. You can drop potential clients a note in the mail periodically. It’s also a good idea to develop a personalized incentive item with your company name on it to remind people of your services.

Ten Suggestions for Event Planning Success

1. Be committed for the long haul.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. Learn to say no if you have too many responsibilities, commitments, and projects.
4. Learn to say yes when faced with a challenge that you can accomplish with success.
5. Look for opportunities of new areas to address.
6. Don’t be afraid to criticize yourself.
7. Plan the next event better than the last.
8. Say thank you.
9. Try to stay on top of your game.
10. Have fun and enjoy what you do!

Top Ten Event Planning Business Mistakes

1. Not finding a balance between your business and your personal life.
2. Not having a plan.
3. Not charging enough for your services.
4. Not being prepared to deliver what you promise.
5. Not giving clients what they ask for.
6. Not listening to what clients want.
7. Not taking all the necessary planning steps (risk assessment, contract planning, sound budget management, etc).
8. Not saying no to a project you can’t handle. (Know our limits).
9. Not saying yes to a project you can handle. (Ask for help when necessary).
10. Not setting your professional standards high enough and reaching them!

Event Planning Business Guidelines

The following list provides eight guidelines to start your own event planning business.

1. Skills and Qualifications

The ingredients of a successful event planner include an extroverted personality with high energy and great organizational skills. It is also important to have good people skills that encompass a leader, a listener, and a team player. As an event planner, you are required to organize all aspects of the event. In the initial stages, you have to be a salesperson as you write your proposal and convince the prospect to hire you. To pull the elements of the event together, you must be creative, thorough, and open to ideas. You must be assertive but also flexible enough to take advice from the professionals you hire to help produce the event. You are also responsible for requesting payment and keeping track of expenses. You must be detailed and organized so the client will be updated on any changes or additional costs during the planning process.

A degree or certification in event planning would be beneficial for your business because many prospects look for qualifications. Having previous experience in organizing events is also a plus. Being an apprentice or understudy with an event planning company can help you gain a full understanding of the overall event planning process.

2. Equipment and Supplies

Your business “starter kit” should include a telephone; answering service; fax machine; cell phone; high speed computer (preferably a laptop) with internet connection; and a color printer. A laptop allows you to make presentations to clients and handle other administrative tasks anywhere you are. You may also want to consider purchasing specialized programs such as Vivien (Cast Software) for event space design, QuickBooks (Intuit) for accounting, and Photoshop (Adobe) for managing photos of your events. Always consider the least expensive way to get your point across to clients while still maintaining the highest level of performance. Remember, you’re just starting off as an event planner, and purchases in all areas should be limited to the few basics that you will definitely need on an ongoing basis.

3. Target Market

Events can be categorized under two main market segments: social events and corporate events. The social segment includes events that celebrate life milestones such as weddings, birthdays, anniversary events, reunions, etc. The corporate segment consists of events held by private organizations, corporations, businesses, non-profit organizations, charities, and political parties. Corporate events can include company parties, meetings, trade shows, fundraisers, product launches, political rallies, etc.

It is important to select the area you could most successfully deliver event services. What do you enjoy? What are you good at? It is up to you to decide which segment you want to plan events for.

4. Research

After selecting your target market, you must research the types of events that you would be handling. It’s good to familiarize yourself with customs, etiquettes, etc. that should be followed. The theme of a bar mitzvah, for example, will need to appeal to the younger set attending but should not create an uncomfortable or inappropriate setting for the adult attendees. Creating this kind of balance is where the true value of a planner comes into play!

You also need to research and select the suppliers/vendors that you will want to include in your support team. It is also important to research about your competition. To gain a competitive edge above others, you can read up on the latest trends, take classes, or attend industry meetings that offer educational seminars to focus on the specifics of event planning.

5. Start Up Costs

The start up cost will be different for every event planner. It will mainly depend on demographics: the area in which your business is situated and the targeted market segment. You would have to invest in your equipment and technology, office supplies and event supplies, and also for business license/taxes, marketing fees and advertising material, legal advice, etc.

6. Setting up of Functions

The main steps that you, as an event planner, will need to execute are Researching, Organizing, Coordinating, and Evaluating the event. Once you have been hired, the best way to reduce risks and have a successful event is to research and understand what the client’s expectations are for the event. Then, you would organize and coordinate the event. After the event, you should get an evaluation from the client in order to determine whether the event was a success and how you can improve your services.

To grow a business requires commitment to your clients and the event industry. There is no room for halfhearted attempts; you must be prepared to carry each project from start to finish.

7. Fixing the Correct Price

There is no crystal ball to tell you what a customer will pay, or determine what your service is worth. Setting your price is based on current market trends, your experience, and your complete understanding of the scope of the project. It is important that the price you charge would cover all the costs you have endured and leave an acceptable profit for you. Pricing your services can be done by percentage, by fee for services, by the hour, or by commissionable rates/add-ons. It is up to you to decide on the most suitable pricing method for your business. Just remember, don’t be afraid to charge for your time. Time is money, and you should be compensated for it.

8. Marketing Your Service

Marketing your business must be ongoing. To keep your business dynamic, marketing should be on your “to-do” list every day. Just one phone call, one contact, or one follow-up on a lead will help maintain the cycle going for your business. Networking and word of mouth are the best marketing methods for event planners. Business cards, advertisements, brochures, websites, etc. also help to spread the word. It is also important to create a portfolio of the events you have organized and bring it for potential clients to view.