Dream Big

It was uplifting to read Preston Bailey's blog and see how someone so well talented and a renouned pro in this industry still started out just like us. I thought this post from his blog would be inspirational. Article located at:
http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2010/11/16/faqs-when-did-you-get-your-first-million-dollar-job/

Last week I wrote about being in debt for over a million dollars 15 years ago. Getting a few of these high-end jobs was the only possible way I could have been able to pay back that money and stay in business.

It’s very uncomfortable for me to even write about money because this is a big, dark secret most of us hide for a few reasons:

1. We do not want to be perceived as if we are showing off.
2. We do not want our competitors to know what we are making.
3. Culturally, it’s a no-no.

The only reason I have descided to talk about this is that I have a very strong feeling that we are all in the event industry, but most of us have no clue about the time it takes to grow a business.

In order to do this, I’d like to give you a general history of how my company grew financially.

Before I do, let’s answer the question above: It took me 22 years before I was fortunate enough to do a complete transformation for the cost of 1 million dollars.

However, we all have our own journey, some faster, others slower, but ultimately it is about doing the work and having lots of faith to allow this, to happen organically.

My Time line:

• 1980 My first job doing weekly flowers. $200
• 1983 My first client’s daughter getting married lead to my first wedding for 250 $4000.
• 1985 Another milestone: a wedding for 300 people $10,000
• 1988 A corporate event for Christie’s galleries $15,000
• 1990 Job in tent in Connecticut $22,000
• 1995 Wedding for 500 people in New york $50,000
• 1996 Fashion show event for Mr. John Galliano $100,000 (I thought I died and went to heaven)
• 1997 Wedding for 1000 people $250,000
• 1998 Another wedding transformation $450,000
• 1999 First event overseas $500,000
• 2002 Complete transformation and decor $1 million

When I hit this million dollar job, it was without question a dream come true. However, this dream did not happen over night. There were many up and down prices in between the milestones, including a very bad recession in the early nineties.

Lets all remember when reading this post that businesses take time, effort and constant patience. Hope you are all wishing big and get all that you want accomplished

Summer in Little Italy

This summer I was offered the opportunity to team up with Crown Jewel Events and work with the Little Italy Merchants Associations on all of their summer events they put on for the community of Mulberry Street. The summer kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 28th, 2010 to open the Mulberry Street Pedestrian Mall. We were honored to have NY State Senate nominee, Tony Avella and NY City Council member Margaret Chin there to mark this day with us. We had the President of Little Italy Merchants Associations, Ralph Tramontana start with a few words to the public and their supporters. At this time we presented Mr. Avella with the 2010 award for all his dedication and support to Little Italy. Following this we listen to a fun selection played by Little Italy's own Red Mike Festival Band.

Take a look at some of the pictures from the day:

On Memorial Day, May 31st, 2010 we honored to plan the Wreath Laying Ceremony remember all of our fallen Veterans and also to honor our current men and women serving our country. This somber event took place in the court yard of Most Precious Blood Church where guests were greeted with a program and flower for them to place in memory of a special veteran. The American and National Anthems performed by Ms Giadi Valenti, followed by a special performance of color guard by Marine Corps. We then had a mass and the reading of the names. Closing this blessed ceremony was another performance by Italian- American singer and song writer Giada Valenti. She was truly recognized for her amazing voice and great stage presence. On this day we remember what Memorial Day should truly be about.

Its Been Awhile

Spring flew by and now we are deep into the real heat of summer and now it has been 20 months since I have started this journey into event planning world and have been enjoying every minute of it. Ok so some minutes are probably less enjoyable then others.. LOL But all in all this has been a fantastic venture.

I am proud of the accomplishments I have made. Looking back I can see a business that is growing nicely and I have made amazing contacts along the way. In this business a major key to success is networking. In order to get anywhere and to get the next client you must always be networking and getting your name out there. Here are some tips for starting out:

1) Make sure the Internet is your friend. All social networking sites are a tool to create a buzz about your business.

2) Always carry business cards with you. You never know where you will meet your next client. I have actually met people on the train and in elevators.

3) Market yourself in a way you want to be portrayed. Especially in the event planning world, everything is word a mouth so one bridge burned can turn into many more.

4) Create partnerships with other associates or vendors. I have made great partnerships with other event planning companies. Milestone Events has teamed up with Crown Jewel Events with many social and corporate clients. Milestone Events has also worked for Davi Weddings to create many spectacular weddings along side James Tramondo. I have also made great connections with vendors to have a preferred list of people to recommend. From photographers to make up, caters, dj's, lighting and stationary.

I cant wait to share with you some of the past events that I have got to create and truly allow myself to grow with in this business.

Off to bigger and better for the future!! Good Luck to everyone out there.

Milestone Events head to Florida

I got the opportunity to plan a wedding down in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Traveling for a wedding is a new experience for me but it was great to be able to travel and network with new vendors and now know which people I can turn to in the future for possible weddings I coordinate down south. A good majority of her family and friends were from NY so I felt right at home.

The venue was the Renaissance Ft Lauderdale and I would highly recommend this venue to couples looking for a budget friendly hotel but not comprising the quality at all. This can host your wedding ceremony, reception as well as a great hotel for your out town guests to stay at.

When planning a destination wedding, having your wedding at a hotel is one of the best options you can have. It will save money for all your guests who are coming and put your mind to ease not having to worry about how you will shuttle all your guests to each site. Not to mention you can cut cost by not having to include limos in your budget and instead put that money to good use elsewhere!

Working with Davi Weddings and Crown Jewel Events

This past May I got to work with James Tramondo of Davi weddings. This was a triple threat wedding as there were three event planners at the wedding! For vendors one is usually more then enough...LOL We performed day of coordination for a fellow planner and friend, Carmella Dellaporte of Crown Jewel Events. Over this past year she has worked to plan a multi heritage wedding to incorporate both Italian and Scottish traditions Carmella was so precise on every last detail of the planning and design. Carmella even worked with her florist brought in from Chicago on all the centerpieces. All of the little details such as table names from there favorite NY neighborhoods to favors and programs made this wedding perfect. I felt the it had beautiful fashion. I thought the kilted armor from groomsmen was so eclectic and looked fabulous for pictures. The ladies were just as fashionable color coordinating with the of the groomsmen.

The ceremony was beautiful and I got to learn more about Scottish traditions. One in particular that I really took note of was the ceremonial draping of the wedding sash. This is a sash made from the family's specific tartan and is draped over the bride signifying the acceptance from the family and the desire of the bride to be part of the clan.

Another interesting part of the ceremony was the "Throwing of the Coins" It is a Celtic tradition for the bride and groom to throw coins to wedding guests as they exit the ceremony site so that the couple can be blessed with good luck and prosperity.

The day was filled with fun and entertainment. The family was one of the best I have worked with. It was really great to be able help a fellow planner on her big day.

Best to Carmella and Scott!

Top 10 trends of 2010 wedding planners notice

1. Aisle: Brides are realizing that they dont want any of their guests to have a bad seat. Instead of using your traditional liner aisle, brides are choosing circular or u shaped aisle. When having your ceremony outside or not in the traditional church having an a circular shaped seating allows everyone to have a great view of the bride. Not to mention good photo opt.

2. Comfort foods: With the average couple getting married at the age of 26 years old they are apart of the new generation who wants to enjoy their youth. More couples are choosing upscale presentation of comfort foods such as mini sliders, truffle mac and cheese, chicken pot pie. I have seen these choices more from NYC caterers when preparing cocktail like receptions vs your traditional sit down dinner.. Which leads me to # THREE

3. Venue: During 2010 I think you will see the change from traditional ball room style venues to the loft wedding cocktail style receptions. Couples getting married today are sophisticated and have many friends that they want to share their special day with. I think today's bride is less interested in crystal chandeliers and more interested in seeing amazing views of the city skyline. They are looking a venue with that is hip and modern where they can create their vision exactly as they want.

4. Invitations: Top bridal designer Monique Lhuillier shares inspirations and details from her various collections: “A lot of fabric details from the dresses translate into the invitations. We use techniques of embossing to mimic textures and incorporate the same colors from the gowns into the invitations.” Look for details you would see on the runway on your wedding invitations.

5. Old, new, borrowed and cobalt blue: From hints of blue in bridal fashion to saturated color throughout the wedding décor, “blues will be the most requested color in 2010,” according to Shane Murray of The Wedding Report. Bright cobalt blue is a hot hue for 2010, offering fresh, bold and atmospheric twist on the bluesy tradition.

6. Wear-again bridesmaid dresses: The old ruffled bridesmaid dress is out and now we are seeing bridesmaid dresses that look more like cocktail dresses which can be used to wear at another party. I have had brides who had ordered their dresses from j Crew and even Macy's

7. Three-dimensional save-the-dates: Inform your friends and family of your wedding day with a twist. Three-dimensional elements on the save-the-dates, like a paper umbrella (signifying a destination wedding), adds character, humor and relevance.

8. Old Hollywood glam, for men!: A return to Cary Grant’s sense of style is making a comeback this year for grooms, looking charming and dapper in a white tuxedo with black-rimmed lapels. This cool old-school look brings back the sharp-looking vest and nostalgic pocket watch.

9. Blogger brides abound: Brides enjoy sharing snippets of surprises, ideas and images throughout their wedding planning experience. Personal blogs offer a space for brides to share, gather inspirations and explore.

10 Personalized plus: From the décor designs and inspirational invites to a great gifts and super-fab favors.

ATTN PLANNERS - SCAM ALERT

To all my fellow planners:
I want to inform of you a terrible scam that I am afraid if you find out about too late it can potentially wipe out your bank account and all your hard work.

Here is what happens:
First you will get a wedding inquiry from someone in the UK by the name Floyd Hilbert with a bride by the name of Brooke Becker. The email looks like a legit email from someone looking for your wedding services even though I have to admit the underlying tone of the email does sound a bit shady. This is the body of the email:

Hello,
I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.Seven will arrive few days before the wedding day.The wedding is expected to hold on the 11th September,2010 and about 50guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 5th September which is the final day of the booking.
You are to arrange for a Videography, Music,Entertainment,Photography, Priest & Church,cake,flowers and hall.If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us know so that another company can handle it.
Get back to me with your response as we don't have much time with us so that we can process accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.
Best Regards,Floyd.

Since I assume Mr. Hilbert didnt like my response as "Milestone Events By Kristy does not sign contracts on behalf of clients nor make third party payments to vendors" i never heard from him again.
I did some research on these scams and they are to pay you in full either via check or credit card then cancel their event prior to the date and request a refund from you to gain access to your bank account.

Please be very leery of any emails you may get that sound like this.