Always Eventful

One of the best things about my “Job” (can I really call this a job when I love it so much?!) is that I truly become friends with my “clients!”  After spending countless hours with my brides, watching them experience one of the most magical moments in their lives, we genuinely become friends.  Emails, holiday cards, dinners and baby showers aplenty….and I love it!   I love hearing from “my brides” and knowing how they are!  I love getting updates and I think they do too. 

So for my friends – my “baby” Katie turned 2 today!  How can it be that she is 2 already?!?!  We had an Elmo Birthday party with all the trimmings, and a visit from Elmo himself…what more could a little girl want!  She was thrilled and was the first one to run to him and jump in his arms!  Priceless!

Well the answer I should use is “of course, everyone needs a planner!”  But the truth of the matter is, not everyone needs a Full Service Planner!  There are many brides that love planning all the details of the day and are really very good at it. 

So who hires planners?  Many, many people – but here are a few of the biggest groups:

– people that work long hours and have little time for planning

– people that live long distance and want a little help planning the most important day of their lives

– people that just really have very little experience planning parties and events

While I do think that hiring a Full Service Wedding Planner is wonderful, I truly believe that in the very least, having someone to help you on the Day of the wedding, is just plain essential!  Hiring a Day of Wedding Coordinator can save you so much stress….it is a day of details and timing, and it is much more relaxing to know you have someone that is looking out for your details while you just simply enjoy the moment.

What a treat to help friends plan the day of their dreams!  A little Background:  I first met Bob years ago when he was my husband’s boss.  Bob lived in New Jersey and would travel here frequently for work.  About 3 years ago, he moved to Canton, Ohio and although my husband had moved on to another company by then, we remained in touch.  Bob had a girlfriend, who also lived in New Jersey…Diana!  Diana is a bundle of energy and a wealth of knowledge.  We became fast friends!  Diana moved to Canton and the wedding planning began!

Bob and Diana wanted a small, intimate wedding for their IMMEDIATE Family only!  So that is exactly what they got!  The guestlist consisted of their children and dates, and a few very close family members – 15 people in all!  We planned an intimate wedding ceremony in their living room, followed by a wine tasting cocktail hour. 

The guests then moved into a completely transformed family room for a six course meal prepared by Chef Joe Pileggi.  On the menu was a shrimp Amuse, a ravioli Appetizer, Insalata Caprese, Intermezzo Sorbet, chicken and filet entree, and of course wedding cake! 

After dinner, the party continued with a casino night! 

Everyone had a wonderful time and most importantly, Bob and Diana radiated with happiness! 

Because Bob and Diana were friends of mine, I offered to do some things that I normally don’t get my hands into – flower arrangement and photography!  I had a great time taking pictures for them…but I have a whole new respect for the photographers that I hire…that is pressure!  I think I captured some good shots though…here are a couple!

I love what I do….and I think it shows….

I am proud to announce that my company, Always Eventful, Inc., has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick. Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 magazine and check out all the listings!

I received this award in 2007 and 2008….so I am very proud to be placed among the finest again in 2009!  

Today is my 8th Wedding Anniversary!  April 21, 2001!

At the time, I was planning events in Northeast Ohio, but not specifically weddings.  I loved weddings, as I already posted previously, so planning my own was a dream.  Of course, if I had to do it again, I would make a lot of changes – especially since I am a wedding coordinator now!  I don’t necessarily think that I would change anything at the actual ceremony – I believed then and still do now, that the ceremony is the most important part of the day.  I loved my wedding ceremony:

– wonderful homily from my high school principal, Father Nuzzi

– unbelievable flowers – it was the Saturday after Easter so I had the advantage of having all of the Easter Flowers and we didn’t spend a penny!  I highly encourage brides to pick that weekend each year!

– a choir – yes, I had the entire choir at my church, St. Joseph’s in Canton, sing.  They were phenomenal!

The reception was nice, but I would change a lot if I did it again – number one thing I would add, Lighting!  What a difference lighting makes!

Anyway, Happy Anniversary Rich…thank you for encouraging me to pursue my passion and for supporting me in my dreams!