Showing posts with label Tips and Tricks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips and Tricks. Show all posts

Friday, May 22, 2015

Quality Communication Tips


We all know the saying “Time is money.” The most successful event professionals know how to manage time efficiently, wasting no movements, cutting down on mistakes, and eliminating otherwise wasteful uses of time.

However, when considering this tried-and-true tenet with regard to writing, one should remember that efficient use of time is not always a matter of quantity but rather of quality.

Remember: It is not how much time you spend but how you spend your time that truly matters when it comes to corresponding with your clients.

Here are a few tips when it comes to drafting emails to clients:

  • Nothing says “I don’t have the time to think of you as a human being” quite like extreme succinctness. Succinctness can be good, but not at the expense of making a connection.
  • If you exhibit no awareness of your target audience, it’s going to look like you view these clients as mere transactions and not as valued customers.
  • Don’t waste time being overly verbose. Overwrought writing can seem insincere or contrived, which makes your connection with the client seem forced and maybe even desperate.
  • Don’t be afraid to get to the point. Be sure to write enough to indicate you've put a little time into your email, but remember: nobody wants to read an email loaded with text.
  • Avoid really obvious business phraseology -- it makes you seem unoriginal and lazy, and can even possibly offend your clients.
  • Try to be as original and sincere as possible. If you’re selling something, don’t say what you think you a salesperson should say--just explain in your own words why your product or service is superior and worthwhile to the customer. They will find your candor and originality refreshing.
At this point you might be saying to yourself, “All this is well and good, but there’s no way I can sit down and write the perfect email to each and every client.”The good news is you don’t have to!

With the Inspherio.com email marketing feature, you can create email templates that target specific audiences, and read detailed reports pertaining to those emails. Be sure to visit Inspherio.com for all of your event planning needs!
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Friday, May 8, 2015

Protecting Your Intellectual Property: A Quick Guide


If you’re in the event industry, chances are you have some intellectual property worth protecting. Whether it be a logo, a motto, an image, song, or video, you have the right to ensure that your brand is not reproduced unfairly by those pesky competitors.

Copyrighting is not nearly as big an issue or process as you might think. In fact, protecting your work requires very little time, money, and effort on your part.

Here are 6 quick and basic tips about copyrights and intellectual property:

Natural Copyright. All works have a “natural” copyright. The minute you share your creation with the world it is protected by natural copyright. There is no need to register it to own the rights to it.

Public Domain. You may release your work into the public domain if you wish. Public domain works are available for users to adapt or reproduce your work in any way they see fit.

Better Safe Than Sorry. It is important to know that just because your work is protected by natural copyright doesn’t mean there isn’t the potential for confusion.

All Rights Reserved. It’s best to go ahead and indicate that your creation is copyrighted, either by the word “Copyright,” the copyright symbol, or the phrase “All Rights Reserved.”

Copyright Registration. If you’re really serious about protecting your intellectual property, you can register it with the online copyright office. This is the most surefire way to ensure that you are protected in the case that you are challenged for evidence.

Remember to check before using any media that you didn’t create -- be absolutely sure that the creator has released the media into the public domain, or has set specific permissions for sharing.

It’s just one of those little things that gets lost in the tide of more important, pressing matters. Yet it is worth knowing that with the smallest of effort you can avoid a big-time hassle down the road. Protect your information, we know it’s worth it!

And once you’re ready to get that logo, motto, song, or whatever into the marketplace, visit Inspherio.com for all of your event planning needs!

*Disclaimer: This is not official legal advice. This advice is not legally binding. If you want to know more about copyright law, visit:
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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Snow Days: Every Event Professional's Frenemy




So, you’re snowed in. You've got events to plan and this means you have contracts to get signed, clients to meet, vendors to contact, invoices to send--the list is, well, endless, and Mother Nature has put a real damper (and a frozen one, at that) on your workflow.

Snow Storms are an unwanted visitor that many have been forced to welcome and the stress of things being out of your control can be a bit overwhelming. But here’s the good news: with Inspherio, you’re still in control. This snow storm is just another obstacle on the event planning path, and it’s important to remind yourself that you WILL overcome it.

Inspherio is right there on your desktop and laptop, cell phone and tablet. It’s here and there, everywhere, just for you and your business. You have to cancel that client coffee meeting because you’re not quite sure which large lump under all that snow is your vehicle--Inspherio has your calendar, safe and sound, ready to reschedule that meeting AND send an update to your client alerting him or her of the change.

You still need to make the employee schedule for the wedding your company is in charge of next week--Inspherio has the list of your professionals and is waiting to put them where you need them.

The bride needs to sign that contract you drafted so you can get the ball rolling for her upcoming wedding, and she’ll be wanting a copy of every single invoice--Inspherio’s got you covered. Click send and you've done your part. Have your client sign contracts electronically, view and pay their invoices through their client portal, and keep their events progressing. If anything, the bride might be the only hassle you’re dealing with, because Inspherio is here to keep things nice and simple for you.

Maybe you’re all caught up on work, all events schedules are in place and clients are satisfied, and you’re still stuck inside but determined to conquer your business from your bed. Now’s the time to hop on Inspherio and set up an email marketing campaign and reach out to leads. You aren't the only one snowed in and it’s highly likely there are potential clients out there trapped like you, checking and rechecking their email hoping for something exciting to happen. Be that excitement and let them know you’re ready to plan that event they were dreading doing on their own!

Now take a deep breath and relax; we’re here to help you power through #snOMG! Check out how Inspherio can you manage your business.




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Monday, January 26, 2015

Tips From Top Professionals To Start Your Own Wedding Planning Business





If you’re organized, driven, creative, and don’t mind the occasional Bridezilla, there is no better time than right now to start your own Wedding Planning business. According to the Association of Bridal Consulting, there are 2.4 million weddings each year in the United States forming a $165 billion industry, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects planning professions to increase at a faster than average rate.

You know what that means, don’t you? If you have an extreme amount of ambition and a passion for romance, beauty, soothing down some ruffled feathers (literally and business(ly)), and you’ve been thinking of starting your own wedding business, it’s finally time and we’re here to help! With the assistance of some wonderful tips from industry professionals, here is some vital information you will need to start your own Wedding Planning business.



Learn The Ropes


Whether you’re “go for the gold” or “slow and steady,” there is a lot to be said for gaining experience by working as an on-site event coordinator for another company before starting your own. Industry professional, Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming, spoke to Entrepreneur.com and highly recommends that people intern or shadow an established event planner. Vorce says, “It’s so they can really understand the nuts and bolts of the event-planning world. It's not always as glamorous as many people think it is, so it's extremely important that prospective event producers truly understand what they're getting into.”

Learning the business while employed by a professional is a great way to gain the necessary experience in a stable environment without the added risks that would exist in owning your own business. It may even be in your best interest to take some educational programs for accreditation to learn about the various aspects of running a Wedding Planning business. (Here are some good resources: Association of Bridal Consultants, the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants,June Wedding, Inc., and Weddings Beautiful Worldwide.)


Make Your Business Legitimate and Legal

You know that attorney friend who always says, "This is not legally binding information," when you're at lunch asking for advice? Well, now it's time to get it legally bound. Consult with an Attorney that can help you structure your business type (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.) and also help you register your business correctly in the state of your choice. If you can, ask for their assistance in drafting your client Contracts and your business Terms & Conditions. It will be worth it in the long run.

Develop A Brand That Reflects You


Clients will be trusting your creativity, style, and ideas when creating their perfect day, so it is important that both you and your company's image--from its name to its logo and branding--demonstrates a style that reflects you as a business owner. Spend the time and upfront costs on branding, business cards, and a great looking website. Women’s Toolbox highly suggests, “you should always look your best and keep a composed and professional demeanor.” Vorce adds, “only associate yourself with projects that you believe in and that you'll be proud of.”

Set Your Goals, Build A Plan, Execute!

When you're your own boss, you'll need to set goals and make a plan--and see it all through. If you want your wedding planning business to grow into a successful career, it is essential that you follow the plans you set in place. "The earnings potential for wedding consultants is awesome," says Richard Martel of the Association for Wedding Professionals International. So, you might really want to start that plan now and stick to it!


Create a Marketing Plan. Advertise, list yourself on sites such as WeddingWire and social media groups, create a blog and become an industry or niche authority. Just put yourself out there.

Choose the Right Software and Technology. With plenty of options out there, it’s virtually impossible to be efficient in the wedding industry without the right technology. You just have to find the right business management tool that has every feature you’re looking for, like Inspherio, the all-in-one event business management solution.

Set a Networking Plan. Join groups, meetups, and schedule the time to meet with local vendors and create goals (ex: meet with 10 florists, 10 caterers, 10 photographers, etc, every month). Hit the pavement!


Create A Portfolio & Network

It is extremely common to give your planning services away for free, or at least heavily discounted, when you’re first starting out. This is the time to gain the experience and create the portfolio. People are trusting you so you have to work even harder; but it’s all for good reviews, word of mouth, networking, and the start of your budding career.

Here is where you create and hone your skills and niche. There are always people that are looking and willing to pay for unique and valuable services--if you can, thrive from this and you will see results. Sharon Hill, of Sharon Hill Events, suggests you “take the time to learn all that you can in your area and become an expert.”



Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

Among other things, you need to be a negotiator, a diplomat, an innovator, a concierge, a confidante, a therapist, a strategist, a problem solver, a cheerleader, a producer, a designer, a team leader, a listener, an advocate and a conductor. But, most important, you need be able to manage heightened emotions and stress, all while smiling the whole time. No matter how much planning you put into your business and weddings, plans will inevitably change, something will mess up, and you, your team, and your clients will freak out. Power through, it’s your job now. Set things right and work hard so that the day runs smoothly. Trust yourself and if you have a team, trust them, too.

“If you're going to go for it, do it for the right reasons. Be gracious and humble. Surround yourself with a quality team of vendors who share a similar philosophy and work ethic as you. Treat each event with the same amount of care and passion as if it were your own wedding or special occasion, and you'll have a great recipe for a successful event,” said Vorce.

Building your own wedding planning business can be tough, but it can also be extremely exciting. Take advantage of the resources around you, such as Inspherio, and give yourself an edge over the competition. Inspherio’s all-in-one event technology allows you to manage your leads from start to finish as well as manage your finances, receive online payments, send and sign electronic contracts, schedule employees, and so much more! See for yourself why Inspherio is the top choice for professionals in the wedding and event planning industry to manage and take charge of business.

Now, go off and make your dreams (and the bride and groom’s) come true!


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Monday, December 22, 2014

How To Stay Productive During The Holidays

It’s almost 2015, and that’s all I can think of! The Holidays are finally among us with presents to buy, parties, hosting, traveling, and those far off New Year’s resolutions - it’s all too exciting. But, but, but, but, there are still work days in the week and the day-to-day tasks that have to happen, especially in the Inspherio office! Instead of letting your work day results suffer or that of your teams, refocus and concentrate on getting everything, from business to the holidays, done in time. If you are anything like me, these tips will help you through the next few weeks!

  1. 1. Create Lists: I am a list-o-manic; it exists, I swear. Gather all the information and write down EVERYTHING you need to buy and do. Food to get, presents, wrapping paper, butter, everything, it will help. (Pro Tip: It would also help if you made separate lists of individual stores and list only everything you have to buy from there). 

  2. 2. Beat the Rush. Plan Ahead: At work, focus on work. When you are home, make your plans and schedules so you aren’t doing everything at the last minute. From Christmas to after New Years, schedule out shopping trips, holiday parties, etc, so that your business hours are devoted to actual business. 

  3. 3. Ask for Help: Yes! It’s the Holidays, it’s the time to lend a hand and ask for a hand. If you are finding yourself stressed and spending your work day thinking of everything that still needs to get done for that holiday soiree in 5 days, ask family or friends for help. 

  4. 4. Organize Your Work Day: Seriously, truly organize your work day. What HAS to happen by lunch or by the time you go home. Forget about what is a few days away in your social calendar and focus on your tasks and get to work! Morning is your most productive time, so get what’s most important done when you get in - maybe you’ll even find some time to make another Holiday list! (I’m telling you, they get addicting.) 

  5. 5. Avoid Distractions and Multitasking: As I say, “put on the blinders.” Don’t juggle personal and work-related tasks at the same time. Definitely don’t check your personal email for holiday cards or your social media to see how Tiffany from Yoga is already off and on vacation. Stay focused and in the zone. 

  6. 6. Speaking of Vacation, You’re Not on Yours Yet: I know that I get ahead of myself and start listing and packing for my New Years trip a week before Christmas, but I try to keep myself in check. Follow suit! You won’t have a vacation next year if you don’t do your work this year. 

  7. 7. Most Important, Remember What the Holidays are All About: It’s a time for family and love and a season of celebration. This should be the most joyful time of the year, so if you have to, take a deep breath, regroup, and realize what all of this is for. This time does not have to be chaotic - remember that. 

It can be tough to find that balance between work and life, and it only gets harder during the Holidays. Presents for the loved ones, cookies for the kiddos, it gets overwhelming but your job and your work tasks should be at the top of your list. Everyone shares a similar vacation schedule at the end of the year and it should be clear what needs to be accomplished before you go. So instead of working over vacation or spending Christmas Eve stuck in the office because you have projects to finish, finish the year strong! Give a gift to yourself of staying organized, focused, and you will get to enjoy your holiday season even more!

Any more tips on how you stay focused? Let me know!
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Thursday, August 14, 2014

5 Shark Week Inspirations For Your Event

Discovery Channel's Shark Week is an event the Inspherioteam looks forward to all year. We enjoy the adrenaline rush of getting up close and personal with these great ocean predators, but without the actual danger of, you know death and being eaten. If you are a fan of shark decor and all those sharky things, you can easily incorporate them into your wedding theme. Here are some great little shark details to inspire your nautical or beach-themed wedding:

Simplistic 



Give your tie an element of danger with this Shark Tie Bar Clip. Small details are a great way to incorporate some extra personality that won't overpower your classy wedding day look. photocredit: etsy.com






             


When you think cuff links, what comes to mind? A simple engraved little square perhaps? Expand your cuff link imagination as big as the open ocean with these shark cuff links. photocredit: etsy.com




                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                   




Looking for something special to give to your bridesmaids? These shark tooth earrings are not just  extremely affordable at $12, but are perfect for your bridal party. I love the sophisticated look of these earrings. photocredit: urbanoutfitters.com






Something To Sink Your Teeth Into





When it comes to cake toppers, the possibilities are endless. These customizable Shark Cake Toppers will definitely blow any ol' cake topper out of the water. They are super creative and affordable. We can't get over the cuteness of this adorable shark couple. photocredit: etsy.com

                                                                                                                                                  








An edible wedding favor will always be a big hit. These shark lollipops are great for guests, treats for the kids, or as a place card. And you know someone is going to sing the Jaws theme song when they pick this lollipop up. It's just a really fun and versatile idea. photocredit: etsy.com










Jewelry and simple shark accents on your cake or as a wedding favor are great ways to integrate your love for sharks into your event. Remember sharks are friends, not food, and we hope these ideas have sparked your imagination.


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Friday, June 20, 2014

De-Stress Hacks for Wedding Planners

destress hacks for wedding plannersWedding planners know this best of all - members of the wedding party, or even guests, are prone to sudden freak outs. We've all been there, you're checking on the caterer and you see the maid of honor in a stress fueled spiral. So you put on your therapist hat and do your best to calm her down before the reception. It takes some special wedding-planner-ninja skills to calm a stressed out member of the wedding party, here are some great hacks to calm the storm:

Chocolate
A few mini chocolate bars are great to keep on hand in your de-stress kit. Dark chocolate is best because it actually helps to better reduce levels of cortisol (main stress hormone) and will help stabilize blood sugar until the reception begins. No one want to be the person who passed out at the wedding.

If they are allergic to chocolate or just don't like the delicious goodness of the cocoa tree (gasp), there are other ways to bring down stress levels...

Gum
Any gum will do, but maybe have a few different flavors like mint and cinnamon. Numerous scientific studies show a few minutes of chewing gum greatly reduces anxiety and cortisol levels. The fresh-breath side effect isn't so bad either. 

But they might be one of those people who don't participate in the calming art of gum chewing, so what else do you have up your sleeve?

The Worry-Clip
Sometimes people just need something in there hand to distract them from themselves. You have probably heard of a worry stone, but no one wants to carry around rocks in their de-stress kit. The best alternative is a paper-clip. Simple, I know, but this little trick really works. Take a large paper-clip, pull out the center part to make a V. Tell the stressed to hold it in their palm and when they are feeling nervous to just focus on the paper-clip. Their focus will be quickly rerouted away from their nerves.

Deep Breath
An oldie but goodie, this technique is fool proof. Taking in slow deep breaths is proven to reduce anxiety. With every breathe, they will release more stress. You can even have them image a bubble filling up with all their nervousness and have them blow it away. A little childish, maybe, but it seriously works. Add the worry-clip and you will be amazed how calm you can get.

Counting Backwards
 This one is also an oldie but goodie. It has worked for me on many occasions and always chills me out. When worries, nerves, and stress combine they create one heck of an unstable emotional state. If you slowly count backwards from 10, then back up again, all those unwanted emotions will just disappear. It's all about taking focus off the stress and putting it somewhere else. It will be much more difficult to freakout about an upcoming toast, or giving away a precious bride, when you're busy trying to remember what number comes before 7.

These are just a few De-Stress tools that will definitely help you calm and member of the wedding party. Wedding Planners are the multi-tasking masters and the art of de-stress is one of the most important skills to have.

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Friday, June 13, 2014

2014 FIFA World Cup Party Food Ideas

During this epic battle of country vs. country, you are going to get hungry. To keep good luck on your team's side you want everything to be in team colors, even the food right? Well here are some great ideas from the Inspherio team for your Lucky Spread at your World Cup 2014 party.

Defense Dogs
blog.hwtm.com

Some form of a hotdog is sure to please at any World Cup Party. To double your dogs and make them more bite size, try cutting them in half. To get extra fancy have a condiment bar near by so everyone can make what they want.

Team Cookies
blog.hwtm.com

Gotta have the sweets, and these cookies are cheering for your favorite team. Ice them up in your team's colors or jerseys and enjoy. 

Play The Field Dip
spoonful.com

This is a beautiful layered dip with all kinds of deliciousness inside. It is super easy to make, and seriously how adorable is it to have your dip in the form of a soccer field. Here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Score 1 For Healthy


These little soccer players are almost too cute to eat - almost. They are perfect for snaking or even replicating the last goal scoring play.

Congratulations to all the teams that made it to World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Can't wait to see who claims ultimate glory. Share all your party ideas on our:
                 
                                                                   Facebook            Twitter            Google+
 
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Friday, June 6, 2014

How To: Keeping Kids Entertained At Your Wedding

activity kits for kidsAre you planning your wedding and suddenly you worry about kids running a muck are your beautiful event, how do you save kids from boredom? Well you can easily remedy your worries by creating fun activity bags for the kids attending your wedding. There are a lot of ideas out there of what to include in an activity bag, it's really your preference, but you can get really creative with games and things for them to do. First thing to do is determine what age group your activity bag will be for, like 3-6 and 7-11. Once you know your age group(s) you can start putting together entertaining activities to save them from boredom.

For Ages 3-6:
Snacks are always a big hit, remember your amazing catered reception might not have the most kid-friendly options. When trying to decide what snacks to include, you want to stay always from anything messy that would get all over their adorable outfits. Goldfish or Graham Crackers are staples in the world of kid snacks, and throw in a few pieces of candy, and organic is a great option to please all parents. I say a few pieces of candy because once they see that cake they will want it, and some candy might help to hold them over until its time to serve.

When creating your activity kit, a disposable camera is perfect to include so they can take pictures and you can see your wedding from their view. And you never know what you will get when the cameras are developed.

activity box
bridalmusings.com

Activity books, sketch pads, and stickers are sure to entertain. You can make custom activity books to go along with a wedding theme. Just don't forget to add pencils and crayons.

Bubbles. Always have bubbles.

For ages 7-11:

Everything mentioned above can be included, but with more challenging and age appropriate activity/sticker books. To create optimum amount of concentration, tricky metal puzzles where you have to try and get the pieces unhooked, or a rubix cube are great additions to any activity kit.

My favorite idea is to create a Scavenger Hunt for the kids. They can use their camera that you included to snapshot all the items on the list. Parents can even get in on the action too!

i spy game
bridalmusings.com

If you like to put a personal touch on everything, you can create a fun DIY Activity Book filled with puzzles, coloring pages with wedding themed images, basically what ever your heart desires. Just add crayons and your good to go.
                                                       
                                                                                                                                                           
These are only a few ideas of what you can include in an activity bag for the younger guests at your wedding. Let out your inner child when figuring out what to include, and share your ideas in the comment box below or on our Facebook and Twitter.

activity book
 bridalmusings.com

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Friday, May 2, 2014

Wedding Trends: Reception Games

It's time for the reception after that beautiful, tear jerking ceremony... but some of the guests don't look to enthused to hit the dance floor. How can you get them in a party mood? Pep up your guests with some of these fun games at your reception:

Table Games
Wedding I SPY - Not only is this fun for kids and adults alike, but it's a wonderful way to get extra photos from your wedding. Ask your guests to use their digital cameras or smartphones to capture the moments even the best photographers sometimes miss. Add a line on your 'I Spy' card with an address where guests can upload photos. Bonus: with digital cameras, you don't have to worry about wasting money developing less-than-stellar photos from disposables. photo credit: weddingvibe.com






Booklets - Come up with a question for each  table, and put a mini booklet and pens for guests to add their ideas. Some suggestions: What should we don on date nights? What should we name our first child? How should we celebrate our first anniversary? What's the secret to a happy marriage? photo credit: Captured by Aimee






Yard Games
Ring Toss - What could be more perfect for a wedding than a ring toss? Paint used bottles in your wedding colors, arrange in a wooden crate, and decorate embroidery hoops with pretty fabrics. photo credit: Two Shades of Pink 








Giant Jenga - An over-sized Jenga game is a cinch to create - all you need to do is take a trip to the hardware store for some lumber and have each cut to same length (a traditional Jenga set uses 54 blocks) photo credit: Young Hearts Photography





Group Games
The Shoe Game - This hilarious game is a great way for guests to get to know you better as you learn how much you really know about each other. Place two chairs back-to-back on the dance floor. Remove both of your shoes, then trade a shoe with your new spouse so that you're holding one of each. Then, have a designated person ask a series of questions about the two of you and your relationship (get sample questions here). After each question, hold up the shoe of the person you think has the best answer to the question. photo credit: Katelyn James Photography. 


The Kissing Game - There's always that one guest who expects the newlyweds to kiss every time he or she clink a glass. And while we know every bride and groom love smooching, kissing on command gets old - fast. Why not make it more challenging? In a fishbowl, add tasks a guest can perform to get the Just Married couple to kiss, from easy to wacky. Some suggestions - Kiss your significant other. Show Off your best moves on the dance floor. Tell a joke that'll make us laugh. Get your table to play duck-duck-goose with you. photo credit: Blue Bird Creative

While you're planning your wedding, don't forget about your guests. There are so many games and activities you can add to your reception so everyone can join in on the wedding celebration. 


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Friday, April 25, 2014

Spring Wedding Trends: Confetti

Now what wedding celebration would be complete without perfect planning from Inspherio&.....(insert drum roll) CONFETTI. Oh yes, those tiny bits of magic floating through the air are a simple addition that makes a big impact on your special day. It’s really fun to come up with ideas on how confetti will make its grand appearance at your wedding, you can really let your creativity flow. Here are some great ideas to get you started and spark your new confetti obsession…

The Confetti Cone
Presenting bright colored confetti in a cone makes it easy to grab, and make it rain confetti on the bride and groom as they make their exit. And it just looks so pretty in the basket before the ending festivities. photo credit: ruffledblog.com










The Confetti Balloon

Some places it is actually illegal to release balloons in celebration, but no one said anything about popping balloons filled with confetti. For a perfect confetti balloon send off, it is best to attach the balloon to a stick and add some streamers for a decorative touch. On one of the streamers you can add a safety pin for easy popping. Holding the balloons high, pop them when the Bride and Groom run underneath. It will make the perfect picture. photo credit: rubyrabbit.com






Flower Confetti
The Confetti-palooza continues with a big favorite among brides - Flower Confetti! It is a chic spin on the classic paper confetti. The way it flies through the air and rains little flower petals in a rainbow of colors on the Bride’s white dress makes for an amazing wedding moment, and perfect photo op. And did I mention that flower confetti is eco-friendly - bonus! photo credit: etsy.com





The Confetti Push-Pop

It's a party in a push-pop. Simple, easy, and ultra colorful. The great feature about this confetti shooter is that there is a lid on it to lock in the celebration until it’s time to party. photo credit: thimblepress.com










The Confetti Wand
The classic confetti wand, never goes out of style. These would be perfect as place cards and add color to the table setting. photo credit: etsy.com









The Confetti Bar

                                                            
Oh yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s a Confetti Bar! Why waste time mixing confetti and packaging it, when you can let your guests do all the work. Who could ever forget a wedding that provided a confetti bar…#memories. photo credit: designsponge.com

These are only a few genius ways to incorporate confetti into your wedding, or event. When it comes to confetti, the possibilities are truly endless. How are you going to reinvent the confetti send off?


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Friday, April 4, 2014

How To: Dealing With A Bridezilla

You see them on tv, you've heard their screams, you've witnessed their destruction, we're talking Bridezillas. They make for great entertainment, but dealing with them in person is far from exciting. If a bride gets out of control and goes all Godzilla on the wedding, it can destroy all the hard work planners and vendors go through to create wedding bliss. The best way to learn to tame a bridezilla is practice and a few "Keeping Your Cool" tips from "Bride gone mad? How to deal with a bridezilla":

1. Stay Calm
First things first; if the bride is freaking out, you need to stay calm. You might be feeling frustrated by her behavior (or even ready to call it quits on the whole affair), but the best way to handle a bride who has turned into a monster is to avoid succumbing to anxiety yourself. Take breaks from the planning, remember that it's OK to say no some of the time (to the particularly outrageous requests) and most importantly, breathe.

2. Nod and Smile
Dealing with a bridezilla can be tough, especially when they don't get what they want or feel like things aren't going their way (kind of like a toddler having a temper tantrum). Rather than getting caught up in the drama (over something silly like tea lights or place cards), just nod and smile. Be passively supportive without getting swept up on whatever has her in a panic. Telling her she's crazy isn't an option, nor is freaking out alongside her. A simple pat on the back and a mumbled, "oh yes, I totally agree," should do the trick.

3. Vent to those NOT involved
The last thing you want is to cause a rift among the wedding party by gossiping behind the bride's back. Rather than risk something you've said getting back to her (when she's in a bad mood), keep your thoughts to yourself while you're with the bride and her brood. Instead, vent to friends and family not associated with the event.

4. Find a balance
While you did agree to plan and create an amazing wedding event, you didn't sign up to be anyone's full-time assistant or be at their beck and call 24/7. The key is to find a balance between saying yes and sidestepping ridiculous request. If there are things you simply can't (or don't want) to do, find a gentle way to tell her.

5. Remember it's temporary
During the wedding the bride may be in full blown monster mode, but it is just one day then she will go back to her old self. Take solace in the fact that this is all temporary and in the end, for a good cause. You want her wedding day to be perfect so the months of dealing with a bridezilla will all be worth it in the end.

As a wedding planner or vendor you will deal with the dreaded Bridezilla more than you want to, but these simple tips can help you become the passive-aggressive master to tame the unruly bride.
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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Dealing with Difficult Family Members

 
Artwork credit: The Huffington Post
They are a part of every holiday event; we’re talking in-laws, relatives, and uncontrollable kids. During the holidays, rough relationships with family members cause stressful communications, hesitant gift giving, and hurt feelings. Family members can also hinder your event responsibilities if they become over-involved to the point where you lose control and they take over your event. Don’t panic over any of these tricky family situations, we have life-saving tips to avoid the dreaded family feud.

  • Keep calm. With every event or family gathering the pressure is high to perfect every detail and create a memorable event. The stress can cause you to crack under the pressure. If the event doesn’t go exactly as planned, be professional and keep a positive attitude. Remain composed and offer encouragement, whether it be to the cook who just burned the ham or uninvited guests. It will all end soon, so enjoy every moment whether good or bad. 
  • It’s not your problem to fix. Attend to the direct problem (bad pictures or a flawed menu), but remain a concerned bystander when it comes to personal issues. When a relative’s deep-seated issues are brought to attention, be an involved listener, but don’t feel responsible to fix those problems in one night, be it messy relationship issues or the attack of the gossip queens, you should stay out of it to keep a grasp on your sanity.
  • Know your limits. If kids are running around, don’t scold them unless they are your own children. Even if you have their parent’s permission to reprimand them, let the child know that they need to be on their best behavior rather than waiting for them to test their limits. 
  • Let them know your boundaries. You should respect a family’s issues, but at the same time don’t let anyone treat you in a derogatory way. As a professional, if you feel that an individual has crossed a boundary, let the host know and let them handle the outburst.
  • Cut your ties. If the situation is physically or verbally inappropriate, step away and break communication completely. If a drunk party-goer is going on a tangent, there is no need to provoke them into a more aggravated state. 
With these tips, we hope you can avoid any unnecessary, uncomfortable, family tension. Above all take this time to enjoy spending time with your family, whether they are difficult or not. Also with the many holiday events, help others celebrate with their families and enjoy this holiday season.
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Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Wedding planning tips during the holiday season

Well, we're just past Halloween, which means that retails stores are - ridiculously - in full holiday mode. It seems they completely forget about Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas...but I digress.
 
There can be a lot of perks to planning a wedding during the holiday season, possibly a few more than your clients may have thought about. Wedding and event planners, below you'll find some great ideas from various bloggers that can really help out your clients and save them some good money.

From Love & Lobster: Coastal New England Weddings 
Hit up the after-Christmas sales 
You may not think you’ll find much for your wedding amid all the discounted electronics and Christmas decorations, but great deals abound. Snag marked-down twinkle lights and candles to adorn your reception space, or food items to stuff into guest welcome bags. Look beyond the traditional red and green décor and sift for candlesticks, containers and vases in shades of white or metallics.

One warning: This isn’t the best time to create or add to a wedding registry. Inventory is chock full of seasonal items, even products with no obvious holiday theme, that stores are trying to clear out. Plus, much of retailers’ regular inventory has been removed to make room, so the usual items aren’t available. You don’t want to spend an afternoon with the scanning gun just to find out in January that many of your items are out of stock. 


From 1 Elegant Event 
Get a Deal on Bridesmaid Dresses 
Whats the difference between a designer New Years Gown and a Bridesmaids Dress? Nothing! If you have not chosen bridesmaid dresses, gather up the girls for a fun day of shopping! During this time of the year, you will find fabulous styles on sale and if you only have 2-4 Bridesmaids. 

Send out Christmas Cards! 
So you and your fiancée took some beautiful engagement pictures and it is a shame to keep them to yourself, so why not send out Save-the Date Christmas Cards. Make sure it is OK with your chosen photographer and use one of the quick and easy ways such as Shutterfly, Walgreen's Photos and many others to upload, design, print, and even mail them out! I have done this for family photo's and it takes minutes!


From About.com Weddings 
Christmas Gifts, Hostess Presents, and Wedding Favors 
If you're like most people, you've been invited to a slew of parties and open houses, and have a variety of what I call "random people" to buy presents for: work colleagues, the mailman, the kids' teachers. When you're shopping for wedding favors, keep an eye out for gifts to buy in bulk. Consider boxes of chocolates, bottles of olive oil, or bath products, or goofy gifts from Oriental Trading Company. And, if you're buying the wine for your wedding yourself, order an extra case to take as hostess presents. You'll thank me later, when you realize there's yet another party to go to! 

Hold Try-Outs 
Having people to your house or throwing a party? Now is the perfect time to try-out a wedding caterer, cake baker, or florist. If you're going the DIY route, you'll have an assembled audience to help you make sure not all 50 pieces of wedding cake go to waste. For those considering DIY flower arrangements, many online flower sellers offer a "test bunch." Order it before a big party, and hit two birds with one stone. Not only will you have inexpensive arrangements for your party, but you'll find out if you're really capable of doing your own flowers, and get some practice before the big day.


And let's not forget about your own business. Check out some great advice from our friends at BookMoreBrides.com

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Monday, October 14, 2013

Wedding Industry Legal Tips: Q&A with Rob Schenk

In the wedding industry, there are contracts upon contracts, clauses upon clauses. With contracts, inevitably, will come lawsuits. Even if you think you have done everything perfectly, if one tiny thing involved with the wedding goes wrong, the search for a scapegoat will begin.

In order to protect yourself against frivolous lawsuits, you want to have a good grasp of the law. That being said, I contacted business law attorney Rob Schenk, who represents wedding industry professionals. He was kind enough to take the time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions.
http://weddingindustrylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/p4/images/logo_1372787036.jpg
Wedding Industry Law: Rob's online resource for legal news and education about the wedding profession
What is the strangest wedding industry case you have seen? 

I love the lawsuit where the Groom sued his Wedding Photographer SIX YEARS LATER claiming that the photographer showed up late, failed to capture portions of the event, and did not have knowledge of the venue as claimed. What makes this one awesome is that the Groom demanded $48,000 to fly everyone back to NY and reenact the missing portions of the Wedding! What makes this one TOTALLY awesome is that he's now divorced! You can check out more info on the case here. 

If a contract does not explicitly say that a retainer or deposit is refundable/non-refundable, how will a court view any dispute between a vendor and their client? 

It will depend on other language in the contract, and sometimes, who the Judge believes. This is why it is extremely important that contract terms are explicit and the age old question, "What happens if I cancel the wedding X days before the wedding," should be clearly spelled out. 

Do you have any recommendations for wedding/event planners regarding injury liability? For example, say a guest gets hurt at a venue that the planner booked for the event. 

I routinely see Wedding Venue Operators requiring that the Bride/Groom acquire Event Insurance to cover these type of issues. Better safe than sorry.

Who owns the rights to wedding photos/video: bride & groom or photographers/videographers? 

This will depend on what the contract says. Generally, the person capturing the images (still or video) is the copyright owner. This means that the photographer/videographer has exclusive rights to distribute, duplicate, sell, burn, whatever. This would be the case even though the services are paid for by the Bride/Groom. Unless, as stated, the issue of copyright ownership is laid out in the contract. 

What is the top piece of advice you would give wedding professionals across the board?

Work only with a written contract. Work only with a written contract that you understand and that covers the issue of MONEY, CANCELLATION, and VENDOR DUTIES. 


We'd like to thank Rob for taking his time to provide us with some excellent legal advice. You can check out some case studies and more great advice from Rob at weddingindustrylaw.com.

About Rob:
As a business law attorney representing wedding industry professionals, Rob Schenk concentrates his practice in two areas: advocating for clients currently engaged in litigation and counseling clients on how to avoid litigation. Understanding the common disputes that arise from the ‘big day,’ Rob provides advice on a daily basis regarding contract provisions and business methods that help reduce the risk of a lawsuit with Bridezilla. 
Robert's Social Media: TwitterFacebook
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Thursday, October 3, 2013

Class Up Your Wedding Blog to Keep Readers from Fleeing

This is a guest post by Kathy DalPra at Bride Appeal.

As a seasoned wedding professional, having an engaging blog can keep visitors perusing your website longer. It gives them more time to get to know you and fall head over heels with your work. Of course, with all the time you spend maintaining your blog, the last thing you want is to set it up in a way that turns readers off or sends them on their way. So here are a few simple ways you can add some extra class to your blog and keep those readers staying longer.

1. Add a Search Bar

I know it seems simple and obvious, but I’m continually surprised at how many website themes fail to add this amazing little tool. A search bar, or search “field”, makes it effortless for your visitors to find the exact information they’re looking for by allowing them to type in any keyword.

I’d add this field to the very top of your blog sidebar, if possible, so that it can’t be missed. The quicker visitors can find what they’re looking for, the happier they’ll be and the less likely they are to abandon your blog.

2. Eliminate Distractions

Years ago, during the upswing of the social media craze, I used to recommend installing full-scale social media widgets into your blog sidebar to grow your social media following. However, after having some time to really test this approach, my tune has changed a little.

When you really think about it, the purpose of your blog isn’t to grow your social media following…it’s to attract visitors to your website where they can learn about your products and services. In fact, that’s the purpose of your social media profiles too! Because of this, these days I encourage my clients to only place simple social media buttons that are linked to their profile rather than interactive widgets. They are less distracting, but still allow readers to connect with you off of your website if they want to.

3. Reduce the File Size of Images

I realize that not everyone is a Photoshop wizard. Nonetheless, you simply can’t afford not to optimize images on your blog if you want to avoid losing traffic. The reality is that today’s millennial couple doesn’t have the patience to sit around and wait for large images to load. They’ll simply move on to the next blog.

Reducing the file size (kb, mb) of your images is easy with free tools like PicMonkey. You can still use photos with a large width and height, just reduce the actual size of the file before you upload it to your blog. I typically suggest keeping your image file size under 50-100 kilobytes, if possible. The smaller, the better. 



About the Author:
Kathy DalPra is a former bridal-preneur who unexpectedly fell in love with web design and SEO. Today she helps other wedding professionals use their website to get more traffic, leads and inquiries so they can create a thriving wedding business in any economy. Learn how to turn curious visitors into paying brides™ on her website at http://brideappeal.com


Kathy's Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
Check out more great advice from Kathy at her blog
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Four Tips for Saving Money on Event A/V

As event and wedding planners, you typically must consider audio visual components to give your event that extra wow factor. But what should you look for and what should you be aware of when choosing an A/V company? I contacted A/V professional and social media superstar Jenise Fryatt, who provided the guest blog below.
This is a guest post by Jenise Fryatt at Icon Presentations. The original article can be found here.

Understanding Objectives of In-House vs. Outside Audio Visual Companies

Going with the in-house audio visual service provider at your venue may be easy, but it won't always save you money, let alone provide you with the best bang for your buck.

In-house AV companies have to pay a significant percentage (40-50% is not uncommon) of every sale to the venue. This makes it very hard for them to give you a good deal.

Also, hotel audio visual is usually where new techs cut their teeth. So while these guys may adequately handle breakout sessions, more involved productions can be a bit of a stretch for them.

Beware of Hidden Fees

Hotels and convention centers are very motivated to get your business, so they will take measures to counteract the attractiveness of outside AV companies.

Beware of contractual fees they often slip in to make up for the loss in sales to outside AV companies. Fees for power or "required supervision" by in-house techs can be waived if you catch them BEFORE signing these agreements.

Maybe the venue is offering you a great deal on meeting rooms if you use their AV services and your breakout meetings don't require highly technical audio visual. This could certainly save you money in the long haul. However you still may wish to consider hiring an outside AV company for your general session or gala.

Remember, you are in the driver's seat at least until you sign that contract.

Think Ahead and Build Relationships

To get the best deal and help ensure the equipment and service you hire is top notch, aim to build a long-term relationship with your AV provider.

If you use the same company for all or most of your event audio visual needs throughout the year, you can sit down with them at the beginning and negotiate a screaming deal.

Knowing about your needs in advance will also allow them to plan and give you priority attention - the kind you are likely to get as a returning customer.

Consider Hiring Local Labor

Calling a local union or labor company can save you up to 20% on your audio visual labor costs. Again, make sure that you scratch out any hidden fees for bringing outside labor in before you sign that contract with your venue.

For more good advice from Jenise, check out her blog.


About the Author:
Jenise Fryatt has been involved in the event industry for more than 20 years as Co-Owner/ Marketing Director of Icon Presentations AV for events. She writes for three blogs, manages three Twitter accounts and three Facebook pages. She serves as Social Media Manager for The Conference Publishers and moderates a weekly Twitter Chat for event professionals called #eventtable. She also gives presentations on social media strategy and uses improv concepts to teach leadership and team building skills.
Jenise Fryatt Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Email Marketing Tips | Part One

Sending Email Marketing Campaigns can be a great way to stay in touch with your clients, leads, associates, etc.  In order for your email campaigns to be successful, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Be Direct
Just like you, your readers are busy people who receive many emails each day.  Email inboxes can become so overloaded that many emails receive little more than a quick glance before they are deleted.  To ensure that your message is seen, you need to make sure your subject and opening line are direct and captivating.

Make it Scannable
Thanks to smartphones & tablets, people are checking their email from anywhere.  With this in mind, it is safe to assume that you don't have their undivided attention.  Instead of writing in one large chunk, divide your content into short paragraphs with individual headings.  You could also keep your emails short & sweet by adding a "Read More" link and connecting it to your Inspherio Blog or a special page on your website.

Stay On Topic
As an event professional, your emails should further prove you to be an expert in your field.  If you stray too far from your areas of expertise, your readers will lose interest in future email correspondence.  Keep in mind that people are primarily interested in content that is Valuable & Entertaining, so keep your emails highly informative & also interesting.

Respect the Unsubscribers
If someone unsubscribes from your email marketing, or sends an email asking to be removed from your list, make sure that they are opted-out of email contact.  Continuing to send unwarranted emails to people who have requested to be unsubscribed is a violation of Anti-Spam laws.


Stay Tuned for More Email Marketing Tips & Tricks throughout the coming weeks.  
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