I met with a bride yesterday who is planning her wedding for 2010.  Like many people, she postponed her 2009 wedding because of the economy and also because she and her fiancee wanted more time to spread the spend (smart move!).

So in our conversation we got to talking about the guest list.  Her fiancee wants to invite everyone they have known throughout their lives.  She would prefer to keep the guest list to a minimum only inviting those they both know.  “I don’t know what to do!” she said.  So here was my two cents on the matter!

Make a guest list of those people you absolutely HAVE to have at your wedding.  Then make a list of those people you would LIKE to have at your wedding if budget, location, etc, make that possible!  So now you have your minimum and maximum, which is a good place to start in the planning process.

These numbers will allow you to weigh all the pros and cons of locations, caterers, florists (cause 10 centerpieces will be less than 20!), so that you can make smart decisions on the things that are important to you!  If the caterer says they can do a wedding for 150 and a wedding for 200 with the same bottom line, then maybe you do go big and invite everyone (keep in mind that the style of service and type of food would be different though).  Or perhaps you find a location you absolutely love but it only accomodates your HAVES guest list.  Then you make the decision on your priorities there.  But at least you are making those decisions together, and taking each other into consideration.

AND if you have hired a full service wedding planner then they can mock up budget scenarios and tell you how realistic your guest list combined with your budget and all the other special requests you have match up!

Happy planning!

Yummy!!

Some people think food is just food….not I!  I think that food is one of the centerpieces of nearly any event.  I look forward to seeing what kind of food is being served and what yumminess I have the pleasure of consuming!

So when it comes to planning an event I put a lot of stock in the catering.  My philosophy is that if you want your event to be memorable, make the food memorable.  And doing so does not require taking out a loan.

If you are planning a cocktails/hors d’oeuvres/dessert only type event, then advertise it as a scaled back version of what you will actually be doing.  For a wedding, on the invitation print: “Champagne and Cake Reception” but have a combination of champagne cocktails (like a Bellini!) or a beer and wine bar, do an assortment of mini pastries on display along with your cake, and have some tray passed hors d’oevures.  You will far exceed your guests expectations and they will be so pleasently surprised that your event will certainly be memorable!

For a full dinner, try some interesting sauces or variations on a classic.  Typically, the least expensive entrees are chicken but chicken does not have to be your good ol’ Rosemary Chicken or Chicken Marsala (unless that’s your personal favorite!).  I’ve been to events where a dish of chicken stuffed with jarlsberg cheese, granny smith apples and almonds was served with an apricot brandy sauce.  Can you say delicious!?  So surprise your guests with a new take on an old favorite!

Any caterer worth their salt will be able to help you create a menu that is special to you, but that does not cost an arm and a leg.

Here are some of my favorites:

Indulge Contemporary Catering - San Diego, CA
Truly Yours Catering - Los Angeles, CA
Thank Goodness It’s Sofia - O.C. and Los Angeles, Ca

Happy Planning!!

Congratulations!  You are planning a wedding / birthday party / business event / basically any type of shindig you don’t normally do.

What do you do first?  Commit to a budget!  Even if you have no idea what anything actually costs, you likely have an idea as to what amount of money you feel comfortable spending.  And that is where you start!  For most people, their first budget is a draft that allows them to prioritize and set their expectations.  Even if you have overestimated or underestimated your first budget, you will quickly find how much things actually cost, what is important to you, and what you can scale back on.  If you have underestimated (which many people do) then you may consider the following:

• Re-style your event (2 hour cocktail party instead of a 5 hour party with dinner)
• Evaluate the bar situation (beer and wine only is a classy choice - you can even add in one signature cocktail)
• Change up the entertainment (DJ instead of 10 piece band)
• Location Location Location (a venue with a natural vibe can save you $$$ on decor)
• Add in more money (which is the obvious choice, but not typically the easiest)

These are just basics to get you started!  But think of your budget as your game plan (which sometimes needs to be flexible) and then the task of planning your event won’t be so daunting.

SmartBiz.com has a great article on cost saving tips - geared mostly towards corporate style functions but there are still great ideas!

Brides.com has a great tool for all you brides and you can even modify it for a non-wedding event!

Happy Planning!!