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

A little bit of trivia, a little bit of fun

Wedding Trivia Questions

01. In China, it is traditional for brides to wear what color?
A. White
B. Red
C. Gold

02. What is the average cost of an American wedding today?
A. $25,000
B. $9,000
C. $42,000

03. Wearing a white wedding dress was a trend started by what famous bride?
A. Queen Elizabeth
B. Mary Pickford
C. Queen Victoria

04. The song known as “Here Comes The Bride” by Wagner is actually officially titled what?
A. “Wedding March”
B. “Bridal Chorus”
C. “Champagne Trilogy”

05. The mehendi ceremony before an Indian bride’s wedding involves decorating with what?
A. Flowers
B. Silk
C. Henna

06. What is the most popular flower used in American weddings?
A. Rose
B. Carnation
C. Lily

07. What percentage of brides receive a diamond engagement ring?
A. 49%
B. 94%
C. 74%

08. The custom of carrying a bouquet started for what purpose?
A. Decoration
B. Separate bride from bridesmaids
C. Ward off evil spirits

09. Giving almonds as a wedding favor originated from where?
A. Greek legend
B. Egyptian myth
C. British royalty

10. The word “bride” means what in old English?
A. Maid
B. Cook
C. Helper

11. What is the largest diamond mining company in the world?
A. De Beers
B. Zales
C. Tiffany & Co.

12. When she married Donald Trump, supermodel Melania Knauss wore a $100,000 gown by what designer?
A. Vera Wang
B. Monique Lhullier
C. Christian Dior

13. A round, brilliant cut diamond has how many facets?
A. 108
B. 58
C. 76

14. What is the length of an average honeymoon?
A. 7 days
B. 10 days
C. 12 days

15. What is the average age for brides/grooms in the US?
A. 22 brides/25 grooms
B. 25 brides/27 grooms
C. 27 brides/29 grooms

16. What is the most popular month for weddings?
A. July
B. June
C. August

17. Where is the most popular destination wedding for US couples?
A. Hawaii
B. Las Vegas
C. Bahamas

18. About 62% of weddings have a what?
A. Flower girl
B. Buffet reception
C. Wedding cake

19. In Northern Africa, what is thrown at the married couple as a symbol of fertility?
A. Coins
B. Figs
C. Wheat

20. Wedding veils from ancient Rome were what color?
A. White B. Black C. Yellow


WEDDING TRIVIA BONUS QUESTIONS:

1. How many glasses of wine are in one case of wine? Answer

2. Gerbera daisies, lavender, hibiscus, marigold and jasmine are all popular wedding flowers that are in season when? Answer

---

Wedding Trivia Answers

01. B. Red / 02. A. $25,000 / 03. C. Queen Victoria / 04. B. “Bridal Chorus” / 05. C. Henna / 06. A. Rose / 07. C. 74% / 08. C. Ward off evil spirits / 09. A. Greek legend / 10. B. Cook / 11. A. De Beers / 12. C. Christian Dior / 13. B. 58 / 14. A. 7 days / 15. C. 27 brides/29 grooms / 16. B. June / 17. B. Las Vegas / 18. A. Flower girl / 19. B. Figs / 20. C. Yellow

Happy Holidays

Milestone Events hopes that everyone had a very happy and healthy holiday and we are wishing much success and happiness for the new year.

During this time we are all looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. What New Years Resolution's did you make?

Some of the resolutions that we think are important and most achievable this year are:

1) Spend more time with family and loved ones - We are all busy during our day to day routines that we sometimes we forget to call family for a quick hello and to make plans to visit one another (Myself included). During this upcoming year we should make a conscious effort to spend more time together because as you know our philosophy at Milestone Events by Kristy, life is short and we never know what tomorrow brings!

2) Enjoy life more - Given the hectic, stressful lives we live, especially us New Yorkers this new years resolution has become popping up on more people's list. We are always wanting bigger and better that we don't look around us and appreciate the things we have. We should all stop wishing for a different life and instead live the life we were given.

3) Get out of Debit - Want to know what causes the most stress in our lives? MONEY and DEBT. Most Americans are still climbing their way out of the debt that they have racked up these past years. As I can attest having this debt is like carrying the weight of a building on your back every day. This new year see a financial planner, or even go online and find a strategy to tackle your debt and set a budget. I plan to try out www.mint.com to start my own plan and set goals

4) Help Others - There is nothing like helping someone in need to make your feel good. A popular New Years resolution can be many forms of volunteerism. Whether you choose to spend time mentoring a child, working in your local library, helping cook in food bank or something as simple as checking in on elderly neighbors during inclement weather

5) Get Organized! - Lastly start the new year off right and organize your life, from schedules, to expenses and receipts. Go through your old mail and start shredding things that are not important. Create new files for 2011. Buy a safe for important documents. Go through your family estate and make sure the proper things are set such life insurance and a will.

Hope these tips and resolutions can bring everyone much joy! Remember, Don't wait to celebrate as life can be short and we should cherish all the milestones we have in life... Contact us today for an upcoming wedding, birthday party, school or corporate event. Milestone Events by Kristy is here to design and plan a most memorable event for you.

646-248-2102

milestoneevents@verizon.net

New Reality TV show starting on WE TV

I was contacting by the producers of a new reality show that is currently in production. The show will highlight the chronicles of a Staten Island Cake Artist. They tell us they’re looking for events such as weddings, bar / bat mitzvahs, showers, birthday parties, anniversaries, openings or any other outrageous party/celebration, in order to showcase unusual and elaborate cakes.

If you are planning an event that requires the most decorative and creative cake or cupcakes ever please contact me for more details. What a great way to be part of an upcoming show and have an amazing cake made for your event!! One more thing have crossed off your list and save some money.

The rules: Participants must be having an event or party on the Island or elsewhere in New York City, New Jersey or the Pennsylvania area, and the event should fall sometime between now and March 2011.

Milestone Events would love to help plan your next event. Call today for a consultation 646-248-2102 or email us at milestoneevents@verizon.net

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.