Why Use an Event Planner?

Many people may see an event planner as a waste of money; however, from my own personal wedding and party planning experience I can say a million times over that I would rather have an event planner any day than having to do it all myself for my own event that I want to be having fun at.

Now, I'm not saying all of this just because I'm starting this new business. I'm saying it because both my mother and I experienced this at my own wedding just this past May. As much planning as we did before hand and, even though I had a florist that did the table decor, there were still so many things that my mom ended up having to deal with the day of the wedding!! For example, the dance floor was late getting there, the cake lady sent a horribly ugly cake unlike what I ordered, and the day before the wedding when we should have been relaxing my mother, mother in law, and father in law spent all day putting up lights and tulle to decorate the reception area. Oh, how I wish I had just spent the money to have someone do it for me. Honestly, our time that weekend was worth way more than the little amount of money I would have paid a planner to make sure the weekend went smooth without me or my mother having to worry about it.

Event planners make life easier. That's a simple but very truthful statement. An event planner, especially me, has one priority above everything else...keep the bride, or other host of the event, as calm and stress-free as possible while we, as event planners, take care of every small detail that is bound to come up the day before and day of the event. No matter how large or how small the event there are always going to be things that don't go exactly as planned, but the less the host of the party knows and the more the event planner is able to handle these situations alone then the better. People, brides especially, do not realize all the small details that come up right before the day of the event, and I myself did not even realize until my wedding day. If I had known I had someone there that was handling every little detail while I was enjoying getting ready with my girls and mom I would have been so much happier. Having a planner and coordinator is the ONE thing me and my mom both have said we would do differently if we had the wedding to do over again.

So, even though a planner may seem expensive it is important to at least take the time to meet with one and find out what you need for an event you may have forgotten about and what type of deal you can get. It may be cheaper and more worth it than you think ;) You can always find my contact info on my profile through this blog...email: annaharris777@gmail.com

Well, that's all for today. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog over on the right hand side, and you'll get an email every time I make a new post. Also, don't forget to share with your friends...I'm always on the lookout for new clients!! :)

Much love,
Anna

What is True Elegance?

Hey everyone,

Before I start, I just want to tell everyone I now have an option on the blog to the right of the posts that allows you to subscribe. This will allow you to get emails anytime I put up a new post! So, please be sure to subscribe :)

So, just as the title of this post suggests, I want to talk about true elegance as it applies to party/wedding planning. Most everyone has a different (their own) definition of the word elegance because we base its meaning on our lifestyle and family culture. Well, although we may all see it differently in some respects, deep down elegance can be achieved no matter who you are, where your party is, how much money you have to spend, and how many guests you have to please!!

Of course, most people think that in order to achieve real elegance they have to have a lot of money to spend, but this is certainly not true at all! Can you make elegance with a big budget? OF COURSE! That is easy. However, I've seen it done, and have it done it myself, with a small budget as well. It's actually more fun to create the decor and elegance you want by spending less because you feel better knowing you didn't throw so much money away in the end for stuff you'll probably never use again. My budget for my recent wedding was small compared to what you hear those brides spend on TV, but we created an event that showed a lot of elegance, to me anyway. You have to find your personal definition of elegance and create that look using more simple objects :)

A big factor when it comes to events is the venue! The venue sets the tone for the entire event based on how it looks. There are so many ways to have an elegant event no matter what the venue. A grand ball room obviously makes you think of elegance, but a neat industrial type warehouse, decorated the right way, can show just the same amount of elegance. Some people have their events in a fancy ball room while others choose an outdoor location under trees in a field, a barn, a church, or like me, on the beach :)

I turned my wedding reception from an older looking beach house with worn wood and the laid-back "beachy" look into an elegant evening with lights, candles, and beautiful table-scapes. So no matter where your event is taking place it can always be made elegant and beautiful by bringing in pieces that reflect your personality in a simple and chic way.

For example, this picture below definitely exudes elegance in all its meanings...

photograph by Gruber Photography

That one flower ball in the background would cost more money than what this entire table could probably be re-created for on a budget!! 

I say, a cheaper and more soft elegance approach would be something like this...

Patricia Lyons Photography

Candles bring life and elegance to any event in any room. So, adding different height candles with a much smaller portion of flowers and sparkle can actually create the elegance in a more subtle manner. I think less is more anyway ;)

These are just two examples I found through Pinterest (always the best place for inspiration). These were just to give an example of what I mean when I say elegance is created when you make your event just like you want it. You definitely don't have to break the bank to create these beautiful events. Here is a photo of my own centerpieces at my wedding...

Now, this isn't the best picture with people in the background and tissues on the table (for my new hubby by the way). But, because I chose to rent my centerpieces from my florist instead of buy and didn't want many flowers (I went with more feathers, diamond pieces, sparkles, etc.) these centerpieces cost me only $15 a piece!! WOW! And I rented all the plates, cups, chargers, napkins, everything! So simple and many places offer great prices.

So, no matter how much or how little decor you want at your event or where you are having your event, the elegance can be achieved on any budget and made beautiful to match your very own personality. :) I always have tips for decorating on a budget so feel free to email me (information in my profile to the right) or schedule me for your event! :) I'll post again soon!

Much love,
Anna

Welcome to My Blog!

Hi everyone,

So, this is my first post on this new blog. I decided to start this blog because I want to launch an event coordinating / planning business. I've done a few events in the past including weddings, church media events, and even my own wedding of course!! I absolutely LOVE everything about events involving decor, lighting, food, guests, etc. And planning these events is even more exciting to me :)

I recently decided that I didn't want to just keep talking about eventually doing event planning, but that I am actually going to do something about it! Dreams can't come true without hard work right? So, this blog will help me to express my love for events and the tips I have on making any even fun and successful.

I am a senior at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw Georgia, and I'm majoring in Marketing. So, my degree goes along with this event planning passion tremendously. I would actually love to work in event marketing once I graduate, but at the same time I want to grow this new event planning/coordinating business! 

I believe I have the passion, hard work, organizational skills, dedication, and ability to work under stressful situations that it takes to plan wonderful events whether it's for a beautiful bride, a mom who wants a wonderful birthday party for their child, or a family wanting to have a huge reunion. No matter what the event, it can be made simple by using an event planner.

Well, now you know why I'm starting this blog so I would love for you to share this with your family and friends! I want to build up my clientele as much as possible! Thanks for taking the time to read, and I will post again soon with some wonderful decorating ideas :)

p.s. follow me on Pinterest "Anna Harris" to view my Event Planning/Coordinating board! It has lots of wonderful ideas that I love! :)

Much love,
Anna