Photo of the Week!

One of our new series, Photo of the Week, has a new award! This shot comes from one of my favorite photographers, Chris Gooden of Pittsburgh, Pa. I have worked with Chris before in a bridal photo shoot in Erie.

Check out this hot shot of a bride and groom sneaking some alone time after their wedding!

Here's one of the images from my photo shoot with Chris over the summer:



You can view Chris Gooden's website at: http://www.chrisgoodenweddings.com/

I guess I have good taste!

While watching the Oscar's last night, all I could think about was how stunning Sarah Jessica Parker looked in that fabulous Dior gown! It is my goal to try that dress on. It would probably have to be in a different size...but that's my goal nonetheless. I went on and on about it too all my friends, and fellow planners of course! I called everyone! "Are you watching???" "Yes, I'm watching!" "Did you see SJP's gown!??!". Come to find out today when reading all the juicy news stories that SJP was awarded Best Dressed! I guess I really do have good taste!

Attention Aspiring Event Planners...

Every day I get 2-3 emails or phone calls from young men and women who are aspiring wedding or event planners. They always want the scoop on how I got started, what my typical day is like, and other curious details. In efforts to answer all of those questions for everyone, I wanted to post the most recent email inquiry I received and shed light for anyone who wants to know! Please see the email below from Dominique. My answers are in *PURPLE*


Hello Kara Marie,

My name is Dominique and I am looking to pursue a career in Event Planning. After quite some "googling", I came across your' website (which I love). I think you all have done a wonderful job with your company and website. I was writing to ask for some guidance...

How did you all get started in this business? When I realized I wanted to be an event planner, it was truly all of a sudden, even though I was subconsciously heading down that path all my life. Up until my freshman year in college, I thought I wanted to be a journalist. I first started planning weddings and parties for my friends and family members, as I'm sure most planners do at the beginning. While doing this as a hobby, I was earning my first certification (More on that below). Once my first certification was completed I registered my business "From this Day Forward...". I went all in, full force without too much research on other event planning companies or how they operated. I was VERY VERY fortunate to be blessed in the industry and have a talent for what I did, because my business could have easily just flopped because I was so impulsive in starting it without proper background research. I eventually decided to try my hand with a larger event planning company down south. I moved to Florida and helped plan quite a few fabulous weddings. I returned back to the "land of the north" shortly after I had my son, Anthony, so we could be closer to our family. I picked up the business where I left off, only changing the name to "Lavish Events" as I decided that I was interested in taking on more than just weddings. Now, here I am!
How did you earn your credentials? I did a lot of research on certifications, and really could not determine what certification was the best for me, or the most recognized in the industry. I did not have any one else in the industry to ask for advice from either! I enrolled in the Penn Foster school of Bridal Consultation and completed it with flying colors within a couple of months. During that time I also decided to try another certification course that seemed like it had a little more to offer. I enrolled in the U.S. Career Institute's event planning and management course (I believe the course is called something different now). Most certifications are based online now, as only really large cities actually have schools to physically attend. So my first two certifications were under my belt while I took on any and all additional experience that I could including helping out a local florist, working part-time at a bridal boutique, and reading every event planning book ever created. I finally came across the most comprehensive course I had seen, and decided that the QC School of Event Planning would be the most beneficial and all-encompassing. If you are seeking out a good, thorough course, I recommend this one. It covers weddings and non-wedding parties, as well as the business aspect of planning on your own. This course is far more expensive than the others, but you get what you pay for! I learned SO much more than I had from my previous two certifications. However, hands-on experience is so important as well.
How long did it take you to make a name for yourself? Several years. I wish I could sugar coat this for you, but I can't. It wasn't until I returned from my even planning position in the south that I realized that I was thinking on too small of a scale. I realized that I needed to not only be an event planner, but the BEST event planner in the region. Once I realized that I had the potential to do this on a BIG CITY scale in a small town, my business took off. The events I was planning were absolutely amazing and looked like something you'd see in NYC or LA! The calls and emails were absolutely pouring in. Soon, I couldn't handle the workload on my own. I brought on a few qualified professionals to help me out. Then I had to get planners in other cities because I was getting SO many calls from other states, and I just didn't have the time or the manpower to travel to all of these different events, but what a great opportunity to spread the name of Lavish cross-country! I now have a team of over 30 fabulous miracle-workers planning Lavish Events for the style-conscious nationwide.
What does your workday consist of? That's the beauty of it...my workday consists of anything I want it to. Typically every morning I flip through my to-do list and create a plan of action for the day. I speak to a lot of great clients about color schemes, decor, menu selections, favors, etc. I contact countless vendors on their behalf to find them the best possible selection for their event based on quality and price. I do a lot of sketches and storyboards of my ideas. I take a lot of quick trips to Starbucks, the florist, and the local linen supplier, as well as a dozen trips a month to the book store where I get a lot of inspiration. My day is scheduled entirely at my discretion, though typically I will focus each day on 3 of my events, devoting 2 solid hours on each one. Later in the evening I typically spend 3-4 hours running the business-end of the business, which is not nearly as fun as cake tastings, but needs to be done nonetheless! During event season (spring, summer, and early fall) my days are much more frantic. I spend the whole week preparing, and the weekend I work about 15-18 hours a day at the event itself making sure everything runs flawlessly.
Are there any pros and cons of the field that you can share with me? Pros: You have so much creative freedom, flexibility, and job satisfaction! You get to work with great people and travel all over the place if you want to. My job is SO rewarding to me. I couldn't imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life. It just doesn't feel like work. Cons: Time is always an issue. I devote a lot of time to work, and because of the nature of the industry, I don't really have scheduled work time and scheduled relaxation time. I'm sure that I could be a little better about giving myself more "me" time, but I just can't turn it off! I do a lot of my work around my son's nap and sleep schedule so I'm not missing out on the most important thing to me. So unfortunately that leaves me up in the middle of the night and wee hours of the mornings creating custom centerpieces for my brides, working on invitation design and wording, and answering emails!

I would greatly appreciate any information your staff can provide me with. Thank you so much for your time! I hope I answered all of your questions for you! Please be sure to let me know if you, or anyone else has any other questions. I really wish that I had someone to ask for advice when I was first starting out, too! Best of luck to you!

Sincerely,
Dominique

Ask an Expert

I happened to be thumbing through the latest "the Knot" magazine (suprise, suprise!) and came across the "Ask Carly" section in which one reader in particular posed a question that I've heard so often! Read below to get the scoop!

Q: We want a small reception but don't mind having more people at the ceremony. Can we invite people to the ceremony only?

A: In a word: no. By picking and choosing who attends which event, the ceremony-only guests might assume that you invited them just for the gift. Or worse, they'll conclude that they were on the B-list and not VIP enough to celebrate with you at the reception. Whether it's a space issue or a personal preference, you should only invite the number of guests that you want to attend both events. By doing so, you'll spare everyone's feelings and avoid creating any rifts.

WELL PUT Carly!

Also, a new fad. I have seen it a couple of times, but never personally have a client utilize... PAPER FLOWERS. Interesting? Absolutely! You can get a kit from Paper Source (which is definitely saved in my internet favorites!) http://www.papersource.com/

Save-the-Date Cards....necessary or not???

The answer is no! Although they're hard to resist, save-the-date cards are not a must. A situation in which a save-the-date is considered proper etiquette would be if your wedding is something that guests will need extra notice about, for instance a destination wedding or a wedding on a holiday weekend. So unless your wedding fits into those criteria, spend the money that you would spend on save-the-dates on something more necessary. If you do opt for save-the-dates, infuse them with personality and style! Remember, they do not have to match your wedding invitations. They can be far less traditional and far more stylish!

Check out these great save-the-date ideas:

http://bellarockstudio.com/blog/

Also, Elizabeth Anne Designs has some GREAT unique Save-the-Date ideas!
Here are two…..

*Sheet Music: Buy new or vintage sheet music, and hand-write your wedding information at the top of the page, in the margins, or on the back. Use music like the Cinderella Waltz or the Wedding March.

*Do you have a favorite clothing advertisement? Try to recreate the photo, then mail as your save the date card

~Shauna Bodamer

Lavish Events, Pittsburgh

Meet the divas of Lavish Las Vegas!

A phenomenal photographer and Erie native, Jacob Andrzejczak, took the time today to snap a few shots of my Vegas planners, Erika and Kari. These girls are some of the newest additions to the Lavish Events team and I am so glad to have them on board! Unfortunately I couldn't be there for the shoot today, but I've already got plans brewing for my next trip there in April!!!

These two ladies are the creme de la creme in the planning industry--they really know how to throw a party! They'd have to being located in the center of the city that never sleeps! Be sure to contact Lavish Las Vegas to plan your bachelor/bachelorette party, wedding, or any other event you want to leave a lasting impression on your guests!

Also, be sure to pay a visit to Jacob's wedding website, http://www.jnrphotography.com or give him a shout at 702.591.8560.

New Weekly Series: Ask the Planners!

Another new series of ours will be "Ask the Planners". Each week we will post one of the hundreds of questions that pour in to us on a regular basis! Check out this week's topic!

Question: "When purchasing gifts for the bridal party, is it protocol to include the flower girls, even if they are under the age of 5?" -Question asked by Lisa Peden, Houston TX

ANSWER: It is extremely important to recognize everyone in your bridal party when selecting gifts, even the flower girls and ring bearers. These little helpers appreciate the recognition even more than the adult attendants do. A great gift idea for a flower girl would be a little tote bag filled with goodies such as a costume jewelry set to wear with her dress on the day of your wedding, a little book about the importance of being a flower girl, some coloring books and crayons to keep her occupied during her "off-duty" time, and even a personalized T-shirt with her name on it and FLOWER GIRL printed on the front or back. Anything you can do to make her feel like a special part of your wedding day will make her proud!

-Kara Marie, Lavish Events.

Lavish Events + Goodeelicious = The sweetest time of your life

Now that Lavish Events is officially a "Blog Friendly" company, we would like to start a few weekly series for our readers' pleasure. The first entry in our "Vendors We Adore" series is Goodeelicious!

Dee O'Brien followed her dream of owning her own candy and chocolate store, now known as "Goodeelicious Sweet Shoppe" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She dabbles in the exciting art of chocolate covered creations including marshmallows, apples, strawberries, chips, pears.....you name it, she'll dip it! As a preferred vendor of Lavish Events, Goodeelicious can provide your favorite candies for a 'candy buffet' at your event, a 'bride and groom' chocolate covered strawberry topper for your wedding cake, monogrammed chocolate favors, or almost anything you can imagine. Goodeelicious also offers sugar free chocolate goodies!

Guys, women love chocolate, but women love diamonds more! Lavish Events is pleased to announce that we will begin to start planning marriage proposals! GUYS, this is a lifesaver for you! Could you imagine the suprise on her face when Lavish Events plans the perfect proposal for you, including your presentation of her beautiful engagement ring in a box made of chocolate or gently placed in a chocolate covered strawberry? She wouldn't be able to say no!

-Lisa Megyesy

Lavish Events Pittsburgh

Happy Valentine's Day!

We'd like to take a moment to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to all of our fabulous Lavish Brides/Grooms/Hosts/Hostesses! You are all fabulous and we wish you a day and a lifetime of love and happiness!

I will be spending my day shopping for a new cocktail dress for a romantic evening out with my honey. Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

Also, it is my pleasure to announce that I will be extending the Valentine's Day contest until tomorrow. Entries must be submitted by 6:00pm eastern Sunday evening. We have had an overwhelming response to this year's contest, and the entries just keep getting better. I'm going to give it ONE MORE day to see what else comes in! Good Luck!

-Kara Marie

Lavish Events

Wacky Cakes!

Check out these twists on wedding cakes---using the couple's childhood favorite snack cakes! The first one is made entirely of twinkies, and the second one is a combination of all sorts of Hostess snacks! This just goes to show you that a little personality goes a long way!

And THIS one! Oh my goodness...it's taking me back. I can hear the Mario music playing now!

WIN FREE WEDDING PLANNING for Valentine's Day!

It's off to the races! This Valentine's Day, Lavish Events would like to give away a free wedding planning package to one lucky couple!!! This package will include a wedding planner and her assistant to help you pull together all the fabulous details of your big day, AND ensure that things run smoothly the entire weekend of your wedding. This is a valuable prize ladies and gentleman, so get to work on your submissions!

To enter, send us your story! We want to know all about you and your fab fiance. Tell us how you met, about the proposal, and all about what you want your wedding to be! We'll also need the date of this lovely occurrence so we can ensure we don't double book! Also, send us a picture of the two of you.

The runner up will get $300 off any planning package!

Entries should be sent to Lavish@LavishEventsOnline.com and are due NO LATER THAN Friday, February 13th at 3:00pm eastern.

GOOD LUCK!

~The Lavish Team

Valentine's Ideas from the Best!

Leave it to Martha Stewart to showcase the ultimate lineup of Valentine's Ideas. Check out these cute and simple things to do for your special someone! My favorite is the heart shaped egg!

www.MarthaStewart.com has all sorts of inspiration to offer, so take some time to browse around!

5 Question Interview Series with Craig Photography

I was honored when Elizabeth Craig of Craig Photography asked me to be a part of their 5 Question Interview Series. Check it out on their blog:

http://craigphotography.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/5-question-interview-series-with-kara-marie-from-lavish-events/