(Note from Emee: Pssst! Today's blog post was written and photographed by my awesome new collaborator and assistant, Katherine O'Brien. You'll be seeing lots more from Ms. K in the coming weeks, thanks Katherine!!)
What could be better than a cost effective, customized, and creative gift? These coffee cozies are perfect for a bridesmaid gift, thank you, or even as a favor at a bridal shower. You can also feel good about doing your part for the earth by not using the disposable cardboard version any longer. Plus who doesn't love a little sparkle in their day? Read on for the full tutorial.
Recently I've been receiving a lot of requests for info for my wedding planning business, EJP Events, and I thought it might be helpful to answer questions on the blog as well.
My assistant and I at a wedding in Boston in 2003. Many thanks to Craig Strong (yes, the Lensbaby inventor) for the photo.
Today's big question: "What are the different kinds of wedding planning services, and how much do they cost?" I can only answer this for my own business, and please know there are MANY fantastic business models out there. This is just what has worked for me for the past 14 years:
I offer three main types of planning, all with set, flat fees. After I meet with my client, I am able to create a customized proposal for them - sometimes all with one type of planning; but many times using elements of several, to get them exactly what they need.
- Hourly consulting: We meet at my office, or at a specific place (e.g., invitation store, venue tours) and work on a specific project. Typically, after the project is complete (I find them a venue, we co-create decor designs or themes), I do not work on-site at the wedding.
- Wedding month-of coordination (Also called "Day-Of Coordination"): The client leads all the planning themselves, but comes back to me about two months before the wedding and shows me all vendors booked, and explains how they would like the site to be laid out, how they want the day to flow. My assistants and I then take it from there and create/distribute the event plan communications, and coordinate at the rehearsal and at the event.
- Full planning and design: The client is in creative control, but I lead the planning process, in that I push action items to the client. (e.g. "It's time to book your caterer"; "It's time to create your overall reception design".) This is our most popular program of service.
Planner-led vs. client-led is a spectrum; ask your coordinator what options are available to you based on your preference and budget.
You can read more in detail about these planning types and get pricing information over on the business website: ejpevents.com
I hope this info is helpful to you - please leave any questions in the comments, or email me! Are you a couple who has found the perfect wedding planner? Tell us about him or her! Or - are you a wedding planner, who has found success in a different business model? I would love to hear your ideas.
We just got a reminder about a really fun-sounding event this coming week! On Saturday, May 11, Crafty Wonderland is happening again at the Oregon Convention Center. And this time, there will be a special "Wedding Wonderland" area featuring handmade and vintage items from local Portland retailers, all carefully curated by the clever folks behind Crafty Wonderland. Definitely check it out!
"We are super excited to have a special Wedding Wonderland section in our Super Colossal Spring Sale this year! What is Wedding Wonderland, you ask?! Vendors with items we thought might be of interest to folks planning a wedding have been conveniently placed together in several rows! All of our vendors have amazing goods to show you, so please be sure to visit all of the booths whether you’re planning a wedding or not!"
Even though Cinco de Mayo is a minor regional holiday in Mexico proper, its significance in the US is that of a major cultural celebration similar to St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, or Chinese Lunar New Year1.
Don't confuse Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, with Mexican Independence Day
(Sept. 16th), however. The 5th of May marks the anniversary of the
Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces defeated French invaders seeking
to install a French emperor of Mexico.
What does any of this have
to do with Portland weddings? I just want to acknowledge the
all-important Mexican-American contribution to the summer wedding menu:
the Margarita. No matter what food is on the menu, a freshly-squeezed,
hand-shaken Margarita lends an easy festivity to any wedding.
In
honor of the holiday today, I thought I would share with you one of
my favorite Margarita recipes from Texas, as well as one of my favorite
variants, the Mexican Martini. For both recipes, all your juices should
be fresh-squeezed, and the tequila should be light or Silver. (I
recommend Herradura, Patrón, Yéyo, or 123 Tequilas.)
Today's reblog comes from Bridal Guide Magazine. I happened across this blog post as I was working with a couple who, when asked about any themes that appealed to them for planning their Portland wedding, simply said they wanted a fun reception!
We talked about lawn games, photobooths, and the usual suspects, but I found this article from Bridal Guide to be helpful in reminding us to dig deeper into our own experiences and favorite things to find those activities that guests are going to make the reception really fun and not stuffy or overly formal.
More ideas: wedding Mad Libs, flip books, crafting tables, board games at cocktail hour, and just generally setting up the layout of the space to include comfort both guests who want to dance and imbibe and also those who want to have cozy conversations. Also important: working out a timeline of events that minimizes guests waiting for the bride and groom to arrive; and also keeps the flow of events moving along.
