The date is the thing when planning any type of event.  Before you can move forward with booking anyone or anything you need to have a date set.  But not all dates are created equal!  New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, basically any holiday weekend is at a premium.  And not just for you, the person hosting the event, but also for your guests.  If you are inviting anyone from out of town that would require a hotel room, then they will also be paying a premium for their stay if your event is in a tourist city.  Don’t get me wrong…you’re free to choose whatever date you like to host your wedding, birthday party, anniversary party, or whatever event it may be.  But you will likely be paying a higher price because of the date.  And the increased cost of airfare/hotel/car rental for your traveling guests may prohibit them from attending.  However, the payout may be worth it!

San Diego Skyline

I have been speaking with a bride who is getting married on July 4th along the San Diego Bay, and one of her deciding factors was the free fireworks display that she and her guests will enjoy during the evening.
The holiday weekend also means people have time off work.  So if they were planning a vacation or trip then they may just make the city of your event their vacation destination!
If your decor fits the holiday, then the amount of decorating you have to do will decrease.  I had a bride get married at the Prado in Balboa Park just before Christmas, and she choose to fit her color scheme to the holiday decor.  Her bridesmaids wore lovely light gold dresses and she kept the flowers simple using whites with a hint of red.  The Prado already had a decorated Christmas tree setup and some garland which just added to the scheme!

So just remember to look at the BIG picture when picking a date for your event.  It will save you from being surprised down the road!

Happy Planning!

I LOVE the love and support from my fellow planners! So when Green Orchid Events tagged me as one of their top 10 blogs I was psyched…and now its my turn!  But I am a picky blog reader and don’t subscribe to nearly as many as I could or should…so as far as faves go I only go to 8…but its quality not quantity!

This is how it works:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.

Hello all!  For those of you not as fortunate to attend the visual delight of the wedding luncheon, here are “official” photos of the shindig!

Wedding Cake Gallery

More Wedding Galleries!

Wedding Gallery

The Wedding Lunch: Black and White Themed

We have all been guilty of some cellphone faux pas at one point or another.  Just this past week I committed one while at dinner with friends (I have an internet addiction…must be dialed in at ALL times).  And while attending a conference this week I heard some serious stories about folks and their cellphones.  So lets all review together, eh!

Cellphones at:

• Dinner…it is rude to take a call, text, tweet or surf the web at the dining table.  If you MUST, then excuse yourself from the table.  Admittedly, I have been guilty of all charges.
• A Seminar…unacceptable.  You’re in a room with a crowd of people who are all intently listening to a speaker who is trying his or her best to engage said audience and then…your phone rings (or vibrates).   It happens!  But what you DON’T do is answer the darn thing…especially IN the room…while the speaker is speaking.  It happened this week…and those whispered tones you speak in so no one hears you are not whispers.
• The movies…your screen lights up when you text and people can hear you on the phone (please see above).  Its a disturbance and a distraction and ruins the experience for the folks next to you.  If you are expecting a call, then seat yourself so as to make a quick exit when it comes in.
• The checkout line…hmmm.  Imagine you are trying to speak with a client and they are not paying attention to a thing you’re saying because he or she is gabbing on the phone.  Well, that’s how the clerk probably feels.  Granted, the interaction between the two of you is not that deep, but give the person their due.  Acknowledge them and their efforts and ask your friend to hold until your finished or offer to call them back when you’re done.  The clerk and people in line behind you will appreciate the gesture.

Did I leave something off the list?  Leave a comment with your suggestion!

Happy Monday!