Archive for the ‘Events @ 1418’ Category
Considering hiring a wedding coordinator to help with all of the details of your big day? A good Wedding Coordinator will make getting married a breeze.
There are lots of options when it comes to choosing a wedding planner. Some are professionals and some are amateurs. You need someone you can trust. What you are looking for is a professional. Someone who has been there, seen that and earned the t-shirt.
Here are some important questions to help you find the right wedding professional.
- Are you licensed and insured?
- How long have you been a wedding coordinator?
- Are you a member of any bridal or special event associations?
- Have you worked with our selected venue?
- Can you provide a list of references? How about a portfolio?
- How many full-service weddings have you coordinated in the past six months?
- What is the largest wedding you have helped coordinate?
- What do you charge? It is an hourly rate or a flat rate?
- What are your rates and what do they cover? Phone calls? Emails? Meetings? Day of? Ceremony or reception or both?
- Is a gratuity included in your price?
- Do you charge for an initial meeting? Some planners charge a design fee up front that is credited to your wedding account if you book them.
- Do you offer any discounts?
- Will you create the overall wedding day timeline?
- Do you coordinate delivery and set up times with all of the vendors?
- Will you take a look at our vendor contracts for mistakes or hidden surprises?
- How will you (and any staff members) be dressed on the day of the wedding?
- Is there anything you will not be able to help with?
- What is your preferred method of contact? Phone, email, pigeon?
- What are your payment methods?
- Do we need to make a deposit? When is the balance due?
- What is your cancellation and refund policy?
- Are there any fees not included in your proposal that we should be aware of?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the role you will play and what you can expect from your Wedding Coordinator. Then, just relax and get ready for your fabulous day!
Introducing our Wedding Checklist Series! We are excited to offer these tips (and more to come over the next few weeks) to assist you in planning your perfect wedding. Today’s topic:
Selecting Your Venue
The answer is “Yes!” and now you both are looking forward to your big day. Once you have established your wedding date, budget and the number of wedding guests, it’s time to select your venue.
Here are some important questions to ask potential venues as you search for the perfect fit!
- Is the venue available on your wedding date? Seems obvious but it will save you time to establish this when first contacting a potential venue.
Venue: Events @ 1418
- How many people can they accommodate? If the venue is too small, your guests will feel cramped. Ask for the range of an ideal guest count for their space.
- Does the venue offer catering? If the venue does not have an in-house catering service, ask for a list of preferred caterers.
- Does the facility rental include tables, chairs and linens? Do they have vendors they can recommend for what is not provided?
- What is the liquor policy for the venue? Not all venues will allow you to bring your own adult beverages so it is best to know from the beginning. There are also liability issues when alcohol is served so ask the venue if you should purchase additional insurance.
- In additional to the facility rental fee, are there other fees to consider? Is tax and gratuity included?
- Is the venue conveniently located? Many of your wedding guests will come from out of town, so you may want a venue that is easy to find.
- Are there any other weddings on the same day? If there are, this can save you money or it can be an unwanted distraction from your big day. Make sure you understand the timeline from arrival time to expected to departure time.
- Can you get ready at the venue? Many venues will ask that you come hair and makeup ready. Is there a separate space for the bride and her entourage and the groom and his buddies? Is there an extra charge to use these spaces?
Venue: Legacy Farms, Photographer: Ace Photography
Tips for making the selection of a venue a good experience:
- Bring a camera to record the details so that you can reference them later if needed.
- Take notes of everything. There is no such thing as a stupid question so ask away.
- Don’t be forced into making a hasty decision. Give yourselves time to digest what you have learned. A good venue prefers that you are completely comfortable with your choice before booking.
The Drifters recorded Up on the Roof in 1962, reaching number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and number 4 on the U.S. R&B singles chart.
I don’t want to bore you with all of the lyrics but here is a couple of lines that I like:
Right smack dab in the middle of town
I’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof (up on the roof)
It’s almost as if the songwriters, Gerry Goffin and Carole King, were up on the roof of Events @ 1418 when they wrote this song. It’s just that kind of place.
Give us a call at 615.321.2394 or contact Kellie Bryson at kellie@maineventpro.com to schedule a tour and go up on the roof.
According to locationweddings.com, the Top 5 Fall Wedding Locations in the US are:
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Virginia
- Maryland
I have been to all of these pretty states. What is overwhelmingly apparent to me is that this list was clearly compiled prior to the opening of beautiful Legacy Farms!
Why not stay close to home and save your travel dollars for the honeymoon?
Give us a call at 615.321.2394 or contact Kellie Bryson at kellie@maineventpro.com to schedule a consultation.
Legacy Farms photo by Martin O’Connor Photography
It was a long but fulfilling day. There were so many deserving
organizations and it is a shame that only one of them will be awarded the prize of a free event at Legacy Farms. The judges scored to narrow the number of contenders to five. The attendees at the July 28th Legacy Farms Open House will be voting for their favorite and the winner will be announced that evening. (Email shelly@maineventpro.com to RSVP for the Open House.)
Our judges were: Beverly King – an event planner and owner of NetConnect Group, Robyn Ward McIsaac – a photographer and owner of Pix by Robyn, Kellie Bryson – owner of Main Event Productions (the parent company of Legacy Farms), and Amy Parman – an event planner at C J’s off the Square in Franklin.
The first organization the judges heard from was the 15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center. Deb Daugherty provided an overview of the organization and how they provide sexual above prevention education in Wilson County. She shared plans for the event at Legacy Farms – The Mint Julep Folly.
HomeSafe of Wilson County (which also services Sumner and Robertson Counties) presented the judges with information on the domestic violence educational programs of the organization. They proposed an event titled “Stepping Up, and Stepping Out” which will be a black-tie, old-style Vegas event.
Next the judges heard from Greenhouse Ministries who sponsors many programs in the Murfreesboro area, as well as providing homeless housing in the Zoe House. They hope to raise funds through an event at Legacy Farms to add a scholarship program to their offerings.
The Habitat for Humanity of Wilson County‘s presentation was lively and entertaining. The recipients of a new home (they will be cutting the ribbon in two weeks) were excited to tell the judges about their experience with Habitat. The organization hopes to continue their singer/songwriter fundraiser with “Back Porch Pickin’ with Cornbread and Chicken” at Legacy Farms.
Building a $3 million dollar facility on the York VA Medical Center campus in Murfreesboro, to house service men and women and their families while they are receiving treatment is the goal of Tennessee Fisher House Foundation. They propose to have a formal event, the Camouflage and Pearls Ball, which will feature dignitaries and service men and women as guests of honor.
The judges were treated to a visit from Scoobie, the furbaby spokesperson for Almost Home Animal Rescue of Rutherford County. The rescue not only rescues large breed dogs, they also offer the Tennessee REIN program for equine assistance. They proposed an event to raise funds, as well as thank their supporters and increase community awareness for the plight of homeless and displaced animals.
One of the founding fathers of the Mt. Juliet Help Center informed the judges about plans for a new facility as they have outgrown their current location. He shared a drawing of the layout of the building they would like to build with funds raised at their Legacy Farms event.
A passionate presentation was made by A Soldier’s Child Birthday Foundation, which provides gifts to the children of soldiers who have died serving our country. The Legacy Farms event they proposed would be a continuation of an established fundraiser as their program has grown from 40 children served in 2010 to 400 children in 2011.
You will find more photos on our Facebook page.
Stay tuned as the top five are announced. Based on the synopsis above, who do you think the top five should be?
Fall events are all about nature. The colors are changing and the crisp, cooler temperatures set a dramatic backdrop for your special day.
Catering menu ideas that work best for fall have a lot in common with the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Cranberry and walnut salad would be a great start to accompany a slice of juicy ham or a roasted turkey breast. Consider serving stuffing or a sweet potato casserole on the side. Add a modern twist by serving a deconstructed apple pie for dessert.
At A Catered Affair, we know it’s still hot outside but it’s never too soon to start planning for your special occasion when the seasons change. Give us a call at 615.321.2394 or contact Kellie Bryson at kellie@maineventpro.com to schedule a consultation.
Main Event Productions is providing an event for free to a deserving organization. The event will be hosted at Legacy Farms and will include the facility rental, tables, chairs, dinner menu, waitstaff, linens, centerpieces and parking attendants for up to 200 guests.
Ten charitable organizations will be making a presentation to the judging committee this week. They will be scored on their scope of services, financial need, creativity of presentation, and the creative plan for the event.
The Top 5 will move on to the next round of competition at the July 28th Legacy Farms Open House. Attendees at this event will be asked to cast their vote for the most deserving organization. The judges score and popular vote will be combined to determine the winner which will be announced that evening.
Without further ado, the Top 10 –
- 15th Judicial Child Advocacy Center – Providing child sexual abuse prevention education since 2004.
- A Soldier’s Child Birthday Foundation – Founded in 2008, the foundation provides a meaningful birthday gift to children who have lost a parent in a war.
- Adventure Science Center – A cultural institution dedicated to offering educational opportunities for the entire community since 1945. Their mission is to make an investment in youth and community to inspire life-long discovery in science.
- Almost Home Animal Rescue of Rutherford County – Dedicated to improving the welfare of companion animals through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, spay/neuter, education and awareness.
- Greenhouse Ministries – Providing basic human services, homeless housing and adult education to the Murfreesboro community since 1999.
- Habitat for Humanity of Wilson County – Founded in 1993, this organization has a goal to eliminate poverty housing by building simple, decent, affordable homes for deserving families in their community.
- HomeSafe of Wilson County – Provides emergency shelter, peer counseling support groups, legal advocacy, assistance with food and other personal needs, as well as community education regarding domestic violence. Founded in 1983.
- Mt. Juliet Help Center – Providing food and utility assistance to thousands in West Wilson County more almost 30 years.
- Tennessee Fisher House Foundation – Founded in 2007, this foundation provides free lodging for active duty, retired and veteran families while a loved one is hospitalized at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. They also offer a free shuttle service to the Nashville VA Hospital for those who have loved ones there.
- Wilson County CASA, Inc. – Provides volunteers to help children who have been victims of abuse.
Ahhh. Temps in the upper 90s and no relief in sight. But wait! Is that the sound of Christmas? Could it only be six short months to December? Have you already started making your list?
- Choose a date
- Select the venue
- Call the caterer
- Theme
- Consider décor
- Guest list
- Invitations
It’s not too early to start checking off these items. After you select your date, give us a call. Events @ 1418 and Legacy Farms offer great versatility for any holiday party. Once you have your date and venue, A Catered Affair and The Bake Shoppe can assist with your theme, cake, décor, and catering.
What does that leave? The guest lists and invitations. Pretty simple!
Give us a call at 615.321.2394 or contact Kellie Bryson at kellie@maineventpro.com to schedule a consultation.
It seems that everyone is going green these days. The 20-somethings are definitely talking about it, the 30-somethings want this option for their weddings, and the 40-somethings want this for their parties and family gatherings. When selecting a caterer for your next event, ask what they do to be green.
Many caterers use an extensive network of organic local farmers which give you the highest quality of products. Utilizing local foods not only supports the local economy, they travel a shorter distance from farm to plate. This means that their carbon footprint has been reduced since less fuel was used for the delivery. These food items will be fresher and more flavorful while supporting our local farmers. Choosing local farmers, dairies, and wine makers is a very green and tasty plan for your celebration.
Be sure to ask your caterer about the food containers they use for events. Requesting that your caterer use reusable platters, tableware and serving dishes will reduce waste. If there is no way around using disposables, consider biodegradable tableware made with renewable materials like bamboo, wheat, and corn.
Be creative about being green. If you are having a sit down meal for 200 guests and the caterer pours a glass of water for each guest; that is over 15 gallons of water just in the glasses. How much of that water will be poured out at the end of the night? Those glasses will use more water because now each has to be washed. Ask your caterer to have the servers offer water instead of pre-pouring. This will take a little extra time but the larger the group the more water that is being conserved.
Want to know how A Catered Affair can help you achieve your sustainable event goals? Give us a call at 615.321.2394 or contact Kellie Bryson at kellie@maineventpro.com to schedule a consultation.
Since today is Social Media Day, I thought we would discuss social media at weddings. Oh, I know what you are thinking! Why can’t people just leave their Blackberries and Facebook accounts alone during such a special moment?
Social media is about sharing and who doesn’t want to share special moments?
Some ideas for utilizing social media for weddings:
- Make a video and post on You Tube. Film the groom-to-be proposing and share it with family and friends. Let the entire world view your wedding announcement.
- Post your “save-the-date” announcement on Facebook. If this is not something you want to share with everyone on Facebook, adjust your privacy settings and make it available only to those you choose.
- Create a Twitter hashtag for your wedding. Encourage your guests to post from the ceremony so that those who cannot attend can feel like they are in on the action.
- A Twitter wall (I like twitterfountain.com) can be created for the reception whereby guests can post good luck wishes to the bride and groom.
A word of caution – don’t forget your basic manners. These social media ideas are meant to enhance, not take the place of traditional invitations and handwritten thank-you notes.
What is the most creative use of social media you have seen being used in conjunction with a wedding?
Want to find out more about Main Event Productions and how they can help with your wedding or special event? Call 615.321.2394 or contact Kellie Bryson at kellie@maineventpro.com to find out!
