Holiday Party Season is here!!

With the holiday season in full swing we are all, throwing, being invited too or attending a holiday party. Whether it is your company party or you are looking to spread some holiday cheer with friends here are some holiday party ideas.


- Think Theme and not just Christmas - Perhaps if you are on a budget host a dessert party. Desserts are so decadent looking and really can be décor themselves. Find a great venue where you can have a dessert cafe and offer, music, lounge furniture and desserts every where and of course specialty drinks and coffees to finish the party off.

- If you are looking to do a small gathering in your home on a budget then think of wine and cheese party Ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine. Then, purchase some artisanal cheeses, and you've got everything you need for a wine and cheese party. Dont forget some breads and fondues too!

- Perhaps holiday drinks are in order which then would be perfect for a Holiday Cocktail party with a variety of specialty drinks and appetizers to match.

- Family Holiday Game Night - Invite the family over with a variety of board games and make it a fun filled evening of scattogies, Pictionary and scrabble....Perhaps Maybe make it a tad harder and have all the games only based on the holiday appropriate answers. Don’t forget the popcorn, snacks and hot coco for the kids.




Sincerely,
Milestone Events by Kristy

My Big Fat Jewish Wedding Bridal Expo - Free Tickets for brides!

My Big Fat Jewish Wedding Expo will take place Tuesday, November 29th at the Grand Prospect Hall at 263 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn from 6 to 10 pm. It will feature vendors offering the full spectrum of Jewish wedding products and services. The Event will be 100 percent interactive and a prospective bride or groom will be able to actually try out different options. Some examples: caterers will create sample dishes for perspective clients, while florists will design custom centerpieces.

For free tickets RSVP at ecsevents.com

This year, for the first time ever, Park Slope, New York, will play host to a mega Jewish/Kosher wedding expo, an event titled 'My Big Fat Jewish Wedding.'

Ivanka Trump and Chelsea Clinton, two of America's most high profile newly-wed brides were wed in Jewish ceremonies peaking national interest in the culture, customs and traditions of the Jewish wedding ceremony. Even the wedding of the year, Will and Kate, some speculated, had strong Jewish links!!

Discover why the average Kosher wedding costs between $33,000 and $56,000 - close to double the amount a non-kosher wedding would cost. *

Some unique Jewish Wedding expenses: Personalized Yarmulkes for all the wedding guests, $3 to $44 each. The officiating Rabbi - $500 to $1500 and up. A wig for those brides who cover their hair after marriage - up to $6,000. The Ketubah wedding document. $2 to $4,000 and up.

In New York, thousand's of lavish Jewish wedding celebrations take place yearly. These Kosher affairs usually take months of preparation, including anxiety ridden trips to dozens of caterers, bands, photographer's, florists, jewelers and more in order to plan the perfect wedding. Avi Werde, president and founder of the Jewish Wedding Expo says that "This is Meshugah" and that's why he's throwing a first of it's kind interactive Jewish wedding expo in Brooklyn's Historic Grand prospect Hall.
The event will feature vendors offering the full spectrum of Jewish wedding products and services, but Mr. Werde - aged 23 who started his business career in finance at the age of 16 before moving over to kosher catering and then launching his event planning company at 21 years old - is quick to point out that this will not be your average expo fair, "the event will be 100 percent interactive, a perspective bride or groom will be able to actually try out different options, caterers will create sample dishes for perspective clients, florists will design custom centerpieces, and everything under one roof."
The expo will feature amongst other things; A wedding gown fashion show, live music by Jewish wedding bands competing for clients, photographers taking pictures of shopping lovebirds, with instant results and a resident psychologist giving tips on how to manage pre wedding stress.
"Brides and grooms will be able to build their dream wedding from the ground up, all in one evening. the interactive experience will take away the guessing, so you will know exactly what you'll be getting" said Werde.

'My Big Fat Jewish Wedding Expo' will take place on November 29th at the Grand Prospect Hall From 6:00 pm to 10:00pm
For more information,on the event visit our website at ecsevents.com

Shoe Inspiration

Now I don't know a girl who doesn't love shoes!! I saw this posted on a very chic and whimsical facebook page that always post all things pretty (Calligraphy by Jennifer) and she had this album of amazing shoes!! I just couldn't pass the opportunity up to share with all of you. A bride’s style is present in every single detail of her look hair and makeup, to the accessories, including fabulous shoes! While the wedding dress may remain in classical light and pure shades, the shoes can add a dash of color and character to the entire look! I love shoes that is in line with a wedding color scheme.

While looking at these shoes I was immediately inspired to start looking at wedding gowns then to 2nd wedding gowns that would look wonderfully paired off as you dance the night away. I started thinking how some would be good for bridesmaids and picturing their dresses. Then to the flowers, lighting and decor...Its amazing how one thing can set the spark and give you inspiration to visualize a whole event!

Happy Planning (and now day dreaming about Jimmy Choo's and Valentino's thanks to me!!)



Milestone Events by Kristy!
800-903-5713
info@milestoneeventsbykristy.com

A New Spin on Flower Girls

Now with all the hype of the Royal Wedding over everyone is looking for new inspiration and added twists for their own wedding. It seems like these days more brides are looking for unique ways to show off their bridal party and instead of the traditional bouquet flowers have some added accessories from clutches, parasols, to fans to hold walking down the aisle!

Check out this new idea for Flower Girls... Would definitely make for a great photo opt!

Updates

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Ciao!

Kristy Giardino

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Best Regards,
Kristy Giardino

United States gets a Royal Wedding

April 29th, 2011 was a day in history as the 2 billion people around the world got up early or set their DVR's to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William and his new bride Catherine Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The days the leading up to it we all patiently waiting to see the what the Royal dress would look like. I have heard both positive comments and some of those who were a bit disappointed as they were looking for something more over the top. Personally, we loved her look and dress designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. She was the essence of simply elegant and natural beauty. She brought her own style to traditions to royalty truly making her a modern day princess.

The Wedding Salon

Milestone Events by Kristy participated in our first ever bridal show and we are pleased to have joined the Wedding Salon's network. The show was this past April 27th, 2011 at the Manhattan Center in NYC. It was a packed show with approx. 3,000 brides that showed up ready to meet some of the extraordinary vendors who participated.

The month leading up to the show was crunch time for our team!! Meeting with vendors, doing research, creating marketing materials and making sure our brand imaging was done properly. We took this time to really showcase our work and the work of our vendors so that potential clients can see the total package that they would receive when hiring Milestone Events by Kristy for their next event. We put together a great marketing kit for brides to take home and read through the materials and the benefits of hiring a wedding planner. We offered some great discounts and some lucky brides went home with a $1,000 gift certificate off a full planning package!!! In addition, everyone who stopped by got to go home with some goodies and delicious cookies!!

The day started off well with only a few errands to run in the morning. When arriving to the Manhattan Center the Wedding Salon team organized unloading and registration seamlessly. As we awaited the start of the show the line of brides begin to form furiously around the block as they anxiously awaited to get started with the show. Once 4pm came and the doors open it was an influx of very excited brides who were interested in speaking to us about our services. I met many lovely ladies who loved our showcase and left us with many wonderful comments. The evening continued on with a steady pace of people and questions. I was pleasantly surprised on how well the evening went. At about 8pm it started to slow down a bit and I was able to now make my way through the show and see and network with some of the other vendors. There were a few who really stood out to me and I look forward to making some new partnerships with. One company that I can see a bright future for and one that will truly become a big trend in the near future is Newly Wish. NewlyWish is a wedding gift registry service designed to provide to-be-weds, their friends and family, with the choice, convenience, and personalization they desire in such an important and personal time in their lives.

Some other vendors that stood out to me were amazing "Cakes by Nicole", fabulous jewelry of "Designs by Febe". There were also some great new photographers some with exceptional modern day photojournalist books a specific mention to "Keylite Studio". Lastly, great music companies such as "NYC Wedding Music" which can offer large 12 and 14 piece bands. If you are looking for a smaller piece musicians there was "Karly Jurgensen" duets to quartets perfect for ceremony music. I was impressed by some new rental companies that were perfect for the modern and trendy brides looking for a sleek new look for their wedding. Lastly, a very fun company called "Before the Knot" for all your bachelorette parties and needs

If you are interested in learning more please feel free to call or email us.

1-800-903-5713

or

info@milestoneeventsbykristy.com

Invitations

We are excited to announce that we are now offering our clients invitations for all wedding and social events. We also will carry stationary from save the date cards, programs, menu cards, escort cards, thank you notes and much more wedding necessities. Our invitations come in a variety of papers, textures, designs as well different fonts including letter press. In addition to the inventory we carry, we also work with a custom designer that would be able to design unique invitations for your specific wedding vision including custom monograms.

Contact us today for your 10% discount off your total order. Mention CRAFT2011

Milestone Events By Kristy

646-248-2102

Why to hire a Wedding Planner?

1) Why do I need to hire a wedding planner?

A wedding planner was once thought to only be a luxury but over the course of this past decade wedding planners have gained popularity. A planner will bring expertise in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, they will save valuable time and money. A planner can offer discounts from their preferred vendors that are reliable to making a successful event.

2) When should I book a wedding planner?

Now that you are engaged and have shared the fabulous news with your family begin to set a date and start immediately interviewing planners. A planner is best to have from the start because they can guide you with what to expect through the planning process as well as help design your wedding concept and recommend vendors. In addition, they will help you set a budget and allocate the proper amounts to each line item.

3) How long does it take to plan a wedding?

It was quoted that it takes 250 hours to plan a wedding. Typically weddings are planned within one year of your big day. If you have your mind set on specific venue they can book up pretty far in advance. Also, certain photographers, bands and caterers require 8-10 months to be available for your date.

4) What can I expect from a wedding planner?

Wedding planners are not their to make the decisions for your big day but instead provide options and suggestions based on their experience and knowledge. With today's hectic lifestyles they are there to relive much of the stress that comes along with planning a wedding. A planner who will be working with you for the entire wedding will be sure to keep you on track with your budget and come up with creative ideas to get you the most for your money. A full time planner will also serve in areas that are least expected, such as, a mediator with opinionated family members, problem slover to a brides best friend. When working with a bride for an entire year it is only logically that you will form a close relationship.

5) What is the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator?

A wedding planner is hired for full or partial planning and assists the couple with all tasks that need to be completed from start to finish. A wedding coordinator is a less expensive option to a planner. It is best for the bride who has done the majority of the planning and just needs a coordinator to help tie up the loose ends during the final month before the wedding.

6) What is the typical pricing for a wedding planner and wedding coordinator?

A wedding planner typically cost 10% - 15% of the overall budget based on amount of wedding (location and size of the wedding would impact the cost)

Hiring a coordinator for day of services is a flat rate between $1000 -$2,000. This will normally include coordination starting the final month of your wedding.

There are also planners who charge hourly for al la carte services. This could be, venue scouting, favor assembly, welcome bag delivery, RSVP management, etc. These services can range any where from $50 to $200 per hour.

7) How do I choose the right planner?

Personally, I believe this is all about compatibility. During the first meeting you essentially know if you will work well together. In addition to this check the planners background, credentials and past referrals. A planner should show you their past work and give you specific examples on how they contributed to the wedding. Lastly, does the planners proposal reflect what your are looking for and how did they follow up with you.

Hope this was a helpful article. Please feel free to contact me for more details

Milestone Events by Kristy

646-248-2102

milestoneevents@verizon.net