Event Managers + 2009 Event Trends

Planning a special event with a myriad of details is no easy task. It is such a relief to use the services of a professional event planner so that they can save you a lot of time and help realize the details of your event. An experienced event planner can make your event a most memorable one.
So, here are some things to expect when choosing an event planner:

Expert Consultation: An event planner should understand the clients overall vision and goal for the event. Details such as type of event, budget, guest count, theme, ensemble(for weddings; outfits for: bride & groom, accessories & bridal party), souvenirs/gifts, decor, equipment, food & drink preferences, etc should all be discussed at length.

Customization: A professional event planner should be able to effortlessly work with you through the entire process right from the proposal stage to the day of the event.

Familiarity with your venue: Established planners are familiar with popular venues and should provide great advice on what works best as well as provide cost saving alternatives.

Trusted Vendors: Your event planner should be familiar with top vendors and be able to recommend trusted and reputable vendors.

Experienced event planners will remain committed to a philosophy of value and quality by giving you the event you have envisioned at a cost that fits your budget.

Event Layout: Professional event planners will often create your event venue to scale to ensure that you are aware of what the space would look like and that everything will fit into the space before the event.

Complete Proposal: To avoid any form of confusion, your event planner makes sure you understand their fee structure with all costs predetermined and clearly defined. The best event planners pride themselves on giving you a complete quote ensuring you'll not be suprised when the final bill comes!

Details: Lastly, your event planner would go over the details of your event, gather pictures or catalogs to help you envision your event, walk you through the venue and address any final concerns you might have.


Planners often offer a wide range of services so you'll need to decide if you want your planner to provide just consulting services or play a more active role one that will include overseeing every minute detail of your event.
You should talk to several planners to determine which one you're most comfortable with and work with one who has experience with the type of event you're having.
All in all, the job of your event planner is to take the stress off you, giving you the value of receiving the undivided attention of a single collaborator.

Now on to the Event trends for 2009....
2009 will bring with it new trends and fresh ideas for memorable events, here's a sneak peak into hot trends for events in 2009....enjoy!

Colors, colors and more colors! We'll be seeing more of colors and bright, strong ones at that especially for weddings. Think orange, purples, reds, greens, shades of grey(yes thats not bright but we can't be all rainbow right?) Grey is the new brown in 2009 and it comes in different variations and hues, add a touch of purple or blue and you get lavender or pewter. The key is to coordinate it with bright colors for a toned down effect. Think outside the box and match colors you never thought would go. Here are some trendy color palettes you can cordinate for your next special event:



These personalizable flasks are great as souvenirs for your event and are in keeping with the trends, go ahead and grab some!




Combine these mini birds nests with "eggs"( wedding almonds available in a wide variety of colors in keeping with your theme), with personalized ribbons for a creative edible favor your guests will love!

See ya later "aragata" (according to my little one, lol)...Cheers!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens;
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;
Brown paper packages tied up with strings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels;
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles;
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

I was watching the sound of music this evening..this lovely classic was a staple in my house growing up. I am sure I've watched it 501 times in my life time. I couldn't help but sing along of course but had to stop half way because it reminded me of my dad so much. He really had a special relationship with me and my siblings. I remember we would sit around him and take turns singing yet another lovely song from this classic:

Edelweiss-(daddy)
Edelweiss- (kids)
Every morning you greet me
Small and white-(daddy), Small and white-(kids)
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

...and we would go on and on, just like in the movie.
Needless to say, I got emotional and wanted to put my thoughts down. I miss my dad a lot, but I've had quite a number of beautiful dreams about him, I KNOW he's in a better place. Now my dad was present at my wedding, I wish he could be here for the others after me but it's all good...God dey.

This song is dedicated to all the brides who danced and will dance with their dads on their wedding day, may your hearts be filled with gladness always.


When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad......

LOVE YOU DAD!xx

My Wedding Dress

I have had the honor of being a part of the wedding dress selection process with a couple of my friends. I was so excited, you would have thought it was my wedding; I cried (ok i exaggerate): "you look gorgeous" and yelled: "perfect! this is it, "this is THE one". Trust me, it was fun!
So, I've been thinking... if I had had a white wedding, what would I have worn? There are sooo many beautiful dresses out there that selecting the perfect wedding dress can be daunting. Here are a few tips to consider when shopping for your wedding dress:

1. Research online, cut out pictures from bridal magazines, download and print images of gowns you wish to try on.
2. Have a price range and make sure the shops you are visiting have gowns within your chosen range.
3. Be prepared to pay a deposit of at least 50% of the cost of your dress.
4. Don't set your mind on one particular dress before you go shopping, try on a couple of different styles.
5. Please take one, max two shopping companions whose opinions mean the most to you.
6. Take shoes with the same size heel you expect to wear on your wedding day.
7. Once you've found the perfect dress, immediately discuss any alterations you would like.
8. Lastly, make sure you take home a fabric swatch to help you coordinate your shoes, veil, accessories & brides maids dresses.

I wonder what style dress I would have worn?

Eeny?

Vera Wang

Meeny?

Stephen Yearick

Miny?

Manuel Mota

Mo??!!

Chei!

Ok..I'm off to Sugar! Weddings to see what the trends are for wedding dresses in 2009

Later

I am..... Glamorous, Romantic, Classic....hmnn

It is important for brides to plan and design a wedding that reflects their unique sense of style. Details of your wedding: invitations, dress, jewelry, hairstyle, accessories, decorations, cake, souvenirs, music and photography should all be in synch with your personality.
So what type of bride are you?
Do you adore the spotlight with all its glitz and glamour - do you believe "more is more"? - Glamorous bride.
Perhaps you are are a romantic bride, you've always dreamed of a fairytale ending, your prince charming that would come sweep you off your feet.
Or maybe you're just "easy like a sunday morning" ( you can tell i'm singing Lionel Richies song right?)lol... goodness gracious!, it reminds me of those days were guys would use song lines to "toast" yes! we ALL had one or two of those, abeg don't pretend...any reminders? pleasssssssse share.

Back to your bridal style...so you're easy, tasteful, do not follow trends, you believe in timeless traditions - why hello mi lady - you're a classic bride!
Whatever unique style you are, go ahead and let it shine through at your wedding.
Do YOU girl!

Best Wishes

Welcome To The Club.

Ok, so you’ve met Mr Wonderful, he's just proposed and you've shared the wonderful news with your family and friends. You're officially a member of the prestigious "Engaged Couples Club" and you're ecstatic! I remember only too well... my husband now, and then boyfriend went to pay my parents a "special visit". I had kinda warned him about my dad (God bless his soul) I said he's very blunt so be prepared for anything. Even I was not prepared when my dad asked hubby: "So, what are your intentions..... Are you in LUST or in LOVE with my daughter?"....oh my goodness! No he didn’t just say that. Well, hubby was a bit uncomfortable but held his head up, looked my dad straight in the eye and answered the question...and the rest is history. Its your turn now, you've gone through the official introduction as is the tradition in Nigeria, families have met etc. Now its time for your traditional engagement ceremony. As a lot of us know, this is probably one of the biggest planning challenges as most of the time the ball is literarily in your folks court. There are stipulated rules on how this and that should be done.....take a deep breath, relax and just do what I did, call your older siblings, heck call everyone and cry over the phone. Swear that your mum is being extremely difficult and your dad who had said invitations were fine at the last minute decides you have to redo them because: "I don’t like the wordings"....they'll eventually give in when they get 1001 phone calls!(just messing around).
Seriously though...what's your take on the process of a traditional engagement ceremony in Nigeria. It’s YOUR wedding right? Or your parents?

Seasons Greetings + Best Wishes For the New Year!

Hello!
Welcome to Elise Charles blog where we hope to keep you in the know about a convinient selection of products, practical information and resources to help reduce the stress involved in planning your next wedding, corporate event, kids themed party or other special event.
Merry Christmas everyone! I am thankful for this year that's coming to an end, all the blessings and joys this year has brought to me and my loved ones and look ahead to a brighter 2009 for everyone.
Congratulations to all the 2008 brides, here's to a "Happier Ever After". May your homes be filled with Joy and Laughter ALWAYS.
For the brides-to-be, happy planning and please share your thoughts as you plan your special day.

Thanks for stopping by...

Enjoy!