May I help you find your seat???

When someone asks me what the purpose of hiring an Event Planner is I don't talk about the money saving tips, or the time I can save a bride on her big day... 

To me the most important role of the Event Planner is to figure out the little things that will make the big impression.  

 

From time to time I love to talk about the those things that are often overlooked, but that can also be the little detail which makes our Events, well, PERFECT.  

The Escort Card table at a wedding is certain one of those things - that can be easily overlooked.  

Recently as I was researching new escort card ideas for an upcoming wedding I came across some of the most unique, beautiful and exquisitely displayed form of seating people that I have ever seen.  I felt the need to share them, and have tried to include links for ordering info where I can.

Hand Painted Sand Dollars:

Perfect for a destination wedding or a tropical theme - these hand painted sand dollars can be displayed in a box of sand or hung from a tree and will make for a wonderful keepsake after the event.   

Polished Escort Stones:

Along the same lines these polished stones are great for an outdoor, natural wedding and can be easily created with a bag of polished rock and a metallic pen.  

Traditional Escort Cards:

the traditional cards are still some couple's style - however display them on a bed of stem died carnations and they take on a completely different display.  Traditional cards don't have to be white with black lettering either - there are plenty of designs out there so there is no reason for the ordinary not to be extraordinary. 

Gift Bags:

Think about the weddings that you have been to, There is never enough room on the dinner table a far as I am concerned. With 8-10 people seated in the maximum of a 6 foot space - with charger plates and multiple forks, wine glasses and the extras of a formal place setting, there is not room for favors on the table too.  So Couple's Typically resort to an escort card table at the beginning of the evening with a favor table at the end of the night.  

I think the best idea walking is to combine the two - gift your Guests a gift box or bag with their escort card attached to it. They are beautiful and it allows you to customize the favor is you want to.

Lollipops:

Weddings aren't the only time that escort cards are needed or used - Mitzvahs, and other social events often have a call for the escort card.  We recently did a "Candy Land" theme for which we used lollipops standing in gumdrops and jelly beans as the escort cards.  Not only were the children and Guests able to find their tables, but they also got a nice take home treat.  We made out lollipops ourselves, but I can't take credit for the idea, I found it here.

These are just a few example and Perfect Productions would love to come up with a custom design and display that fits your dream wedding.  For more information contact elissa@perfectprod.com.  

Remember no matter what you do - you wedding should be a night to remember not only for you, but also for your Guests - Make your little things a memory!

Happy Planning!

Elissa

How to Make Your Day-cation an event all its own!!

With the every changing economy- and the uncertanity of what tomorrow may bring - more people are staying close to home for vacation and trying to may the ordinary into something extraordinary, all while spending as little money as possible.

Day trips are in abundance no matter where you live - you can always head to the beach or a park on a sunny day - but how do you make that short drive to the place your whole family and all your friends have been before an event to remember?

Its all about the details...

Here in Connecticut, my favorite day trip is the beach. The following thoughts are based

on making an unforgettable experience out of a basic trip to the shore - but you can adapt the ideas to any place you may want to go.

Adapt a theme for the day, since we are headed to the beach, nautical seems to be the natural way to go. I chose the colors of blue, yellow and white for this purpose.

The old adage says "the more the merrier" and I believe in that - I think that day trips to locales such as the beach where you don't have to move or keep track of people are the perfect time to invite everyone you want to catch up with. Pick your date carefully and be sure to plan on weather - set a rain date because no one wants to be outside, especially at the beach, in the rain. I invited about 20 guests to my beach day.

If you are anything like me, a definate planner, I would give yourself about a month to do the planning - this way you can inform your friends and family to save the date. This works really well for some people - but you certinaly shouldn't count the whole experience out if you only have a week to plan it. Sometimes spontaneous events are the most fun.

Now that you have your Guest list and your date - you are ready to start the planning for invitations I suggest cutting out shapes that match you theme and customizing them for your guests. My friend Kristen loves lighthouses, so I am using my cricut expression (this is a scrap bookers dream - it cuts out every shape imaginable in any size), to cut her invitation in the shape of a light house, my cousin loves fish so that is what her's will be. If you don't have away to cut shapes out and you aren't comfortable with your artistic side - the local craft stores typically carry die cut shapes in ev ery color that you can use.

Be sure to include all the information you think your guests will need in order to make it to the big event. Date, Time, and place are the essentials. My beach event is going to be a pot luck - so I am going to include a request for some sort of food item on the invitation. If you are going to request your guests bring things I would try to lay out what you would like to see for food a head of time and make suggestions.

Our beach m enu is also going to carry out the theme. I have also found that a day at the beach calls for more snack and quick grab items than it does a sit down menu, so I am asking guest to bring Seaworthy snacks, Admiral's appetizers, Seaman's sandwiches, salads and sides. No matter what you decide to serve, by directing guests to a category of food, you can ensure that you have enough variety. Remember a day at the beach doesn't really allow for much cooking - if you are planning on using hibachi's or tailgating grills to cook or warm items you should check with the town to ensure that it is allowed on the beach.

As for my food contribution, I am making what we are going to call "Harbor Hummus", an inexpensive, high prot ein snack that is easy to make, and the "Captian's Daughter's Keylime Stuffed Strawberries" for dessert.

Harbor Hummus Recipe

2 Can of Canellini beans

3 Cloves of Garlic

1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice

3 Tbs Olice Oil

1 1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Ground Cumin

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, Chill and serve with pita crisps, and vegetables

Captian's Daughter's Keylime Stuffed Strawberries

2 pints of Strawberries

Philadelphia Key Lime Cheesecake Filling

Use a pealer to remove the stem and core of each strawberry - creating a hole inside

cut the pointy end off the strawberry and stand it on the tray -

save the ends to use as a garnish after they are stuffed

Use a pastry bag and pipe in the filling until the hole is full with a dallop on top

use the end of the strawberry to garnish

Now that the invitations are out and you have your menu fairly set - its time to put the finishing touches on the table.

The Beach that I am going to has a pavilion with Picnic tables - and I am planning on arriving early enough in the day to grab a few and call the space my own. Another option is to bring a small card table which you can get at a local discount store.

Again, I am going to use the Cricut expression to cut out nautical shapes which I can attach to popsicle sticks and use as identifiers in the food items to tell guests what they are eating. Since I don't know what people are bringing - I will have to hold off on writing the names of the food on them until I arrive at the beach.

Of course, as always, not using paper products gives everything a more upscale feel. The local dollar store as well as discount stores like Wal-mart and Target are always a wealth of products as far as party supplies.

I bought melamine dishes and glasses in my color scheme for people to eat and drink out of

I wanted guests to feel more important than a regular paper plate - but I didn't want to break the bank with china.

Instead of a table cloth - I opted for some fabric that matched the nautical theme and finished off the table with small glass bottles and Containers wrapped in rope that I bought at the local hardware store. These containers held the plastic silverware and napkins as well as the flowers. I also used 2 gathering jars filled with beach sand, a pillar candle and some sea shells as the main items on the table. I planned my beach outing so it carried over until after dusk - so the candles will keep the bugs away.

Since by guests were going to be at the beach for a long period of time I put together a large beach basket that was filled with items people may have forgotten and might need such as extra Towels, Bug spray, Wet Wipes

, a small First Aid Kit, SunScreen, Magazines, Balls and a Frisbee.

Big and Little Kids alike often get bored so make sure that you bring

enough activities so your guests have something to do.

My guests were loving the idea of the sandcastle contest so I am bringing extra items
that can be used to decorate, as well as a few specially purchased prizes to give out!

The most important thing about your day trip is to make it fun -
Memories always come from the fun times

As always if you would like some more ideas on how to make your trip a success

or need some help with the planning please contact
elissa@perfectprod.com.

Perfect Productions adds new stationary line

Perfect Productions has recently added Checkerboard to it's list of represented stationary lines.  The Checkerboard collection is full of unique custom invitations and announcements for every occasion.  

Stationary has never been more affordable or more unique.  The Checkerboard line is no exception offering invitations with one of a kind embellishments and loads of flair.  

Perfect Productions Award Winning Planners and Graphic Designers can work with you to choose and lay out the perfect invitation for your upcoming wedding or other social event, as well as design your save the date or unique party announcement.

Perfect Productions also represents Carlson Craft and Elite invitation and Stationary lines as well.  

Checkerboard Invitations can be viewed online at www.checkernet.com.

To make an appointment to view the line or to request samples of an invitation - please e-mail 

info@perfectprod.com or call 860-677-1655.  

  

Perfect Productions Nominated for Three ISES Big Apple Awards

Perfect Productions was recently nominated for Three ISES Big Apple awards. The Nominations were made by a Judging committee, who studied anonymous applications to determine the nominees in 17 categories. Perfect Productions was nominated for Best Multi-day event (for Work on the Ribbon Cuttings in Ft. Lauderdale and Hartford), Best Social Event with a Budget under $1000 dollars per person (For Plesantly Peacock Holiday Party), and Best Table Top Design/Decor (For "It's all about the Rat Pack" Hospital Recognition Dinner).

First Established in 2002, the ISES Big Apple Awards recognize excellence, sets the standards and recognizes the best event work the NY region as well as in the special events industry. Perfect Productions is Proud to have received 6 previous Big Apple Awards in categories such as Best Themed event, Best ISES Team Collaboration, Best Social Event over and Under $1000 dollars per person, and Best Fundraiser.

For More information on the ISES Big Apple Awards 2009, to sponsor the Gala or to purchase tickets please visit www.isesnyc.com . To see Photos of Perfect Productions Nominated events as well as their other work and services please visit www.perfectprod.com. You can also become a fan of Perfect Productions on Facebook and follow us on Twitter@perfectprod.

Create a Window to Your Destination Wedding

With destination weddings on the rise, it is becoming more and more important for couples to have a means for informing their guests of their upcoming wedding plans as well as provide recommendations for out-of-town guests.

Wedding websites allow your guests one-stop shopping when it comes time for them to arrange their travel plans as well as other details. You can be as specific as you wish and link your website directly to the hotel reservation pages that you would like to recommend to your guests.

You will find that having a website is not only a time-saver but a budget-saver as well. The multiple mailings that can sometimes become necessary to communicate with your guests can easily eat up a good portion of any wedding budget. Allowing your guests to RSVP online will also cut down on your wedding expenses. No need for RSVP cards! However, you can always order just enough for those guests who may not be web savvy.

Destination weddings have definitely become a way for couples to express their style in a less traditional way. If you choose to have your wedding in a destination location, try to make it a fun experience for you and your fiancé as well as for your guests.

Destination Wedding Tips
1. Location, Location, Location. When selecting a location, choose one that appeals to your tastes and wedding style. Keep in mind, however, that because it won't be as easy as going down the street to the local church to attend your wedding, you'll have to assume that your guest list may be smaller. You'll need to get a good sense about the number of attendees you wish to have before selecting your event facility so you can be confident that it will be appropriate for the crowd.

2. Less is More. Destination weddings can be expensive not only for those getting married, but also for those attending. Try to be mindful of that when selecting your wedding site so those who are closest to you can afford to attend. Consider having your wedding during the off-season so costs will be lower. Traditionally, accommodation expenses are covered for the bridesmaids by the bride's family and for the groomsmen by the groom's family. All other guests should be responsible for their own expenses. Most hotels will work with you to offer group discounts.

3. Assist your Guests. You may know the location that you will be flying off to for your dream wedding like the back of your hand, but most of your guests will not. Your wedding website can be a tool to help you educate your guests about the area, local attractions, accommodation ideas, the weather and directions. Making their job easier will only amount in a larger turnout at your wedding. Use your website to remind them of the things they may not consider such as a passport if required for your chosen location.

To Create you very own customizable wedding website please visit www.perfectprod.weddingwindow.com or call 860-677-1655 and one of our award winning event planners will be able to assist you.

The Special Events Industry Fights Back

Please follow this link to a blogg written by Brian McGovern on the misconceptions that are being thrown around about Special Events and the meeting industry.

The Truth needs to be told and Brian states it very well in his post when he says, "special events can be cost effective investments that attract new clients and strengthen business relationships". We need to make sure that our politicians understand the principals behind events and the difference between a well planed and executed special event that meets a goal and a special event that was derived as a frivolity.

For more information and Ideas on how to help please visit the International Special Events Society Advocacy Web page.

We need everyone to get involved. A Press Release has been written by the Convention Industry Council outlining the benefits the special events industry provides please use this link to read the press release and forward it to the mainstream media!

What's the Number one thing you look for in a Caterer???

I was hoping that all of you Event and Meeting planners might be able to help me out here...

For those of you that have been to my website you will understand how Perfect Productions has grown over the past 25 years. We Started as a small family owned Event Coordination company with roots in Connecticut and Clients all over the United States. Our vision was simple, to provide our Clients with Unique and consistent Event Opportunities that met not only their goals, but also their dreams and budgets.

Each event was a series of strategic partnerships pulled together to provide the client an event that could never be duplicated and would always be remembered.

That vision remains in tact today - and we still use a group of vendors that provide exemplary services to out clients, however i have found throughout the years that by providing as many event services as I can, under one roof, makes the planning process easier on the client in the long run.

In the Past 6 years perfect Productions has established

• Luxury Travel and Vacations - booking corporate & leisure travel as well as incentive trips.
• The Perfect Affair - Wedding and Destination Wedding Coordination Planning
  
• The Perfect Petal - a full service Floral division
  
• Perfectly Packaged - a division offering amenities from pens to gift baskets & everything in between
• The Perfect Pen - Representing 10 stationary lines and complete with a graphic designer to customize invitations and stationary from the exquisite to the all occasion.
• Perfect On-Call the social networking based event planning subscription (see previous blog)
  

And The Newest Venture is:

Perfect Productions is currently working on the Perfect Palate its newest project set to launch in the Fall of 2009.

The Perfect Palate will be a 2 phase project to include a retail space offering a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, and gourmet to go foods. The Cafe will also feature a penny candy bar, a showcase of baskets and gifts and fresh cut flowers by the dozen.

Combining the know how of 25 years in the Event Production business, with the fine cooking of our award winning Executive Chef, the project will also offer full service catering for any event large or small.

So What am I asking you for.....???

The Answer to that is a simple one - Perfect Productions has been hiring caterers for years, we pride ourselves in knowing fine food and good service and we insist upon it in for our clients - because really noting short of Perfect will do. We have taken this knowledge of what works and what does not and used it to create the new catering division - but our scope is only limited to what we have seen, done and accomplished.

So I was hoping some of you may be able to broaden our spectrum - what works for you when you hire a caterer, and what doesn't. What do you insist upon? What is the one thing you think your favorite caterer could change that would make him/her that much better. I'm looking for the things, other than taste that make or break the deal...I'd love to see some comments!!!!

Perfect On-Call - Wedding Planning help for the do it yourself bride

Perfect Productions is set to Launch a subscription based social media site for help with event and wedding planning.  

The site will be accessible for those who want the assistance of an event planner to answer questions such as how to address invitations when the wedding is being put on by divorced parents of the bride, or what the proper etiquette is for receiving line, but don't want to pay to have a coordinator on site.  It is perfect of the bride or hostess that wants to do it herself, but isn't quite sure exactly how.  

The site which is currently up and running at www.perfectoncall.ning.com will have a fee of $99.00 for 3 months of access.  Perfect Productions does have packages are available for brides and hostesses needing a longer planning period. 

Brides/hostesses will be able to sign into the site and ask a question or start a discussion.  The award winning event planners from Perfect Productions will monitor the site and answer the questions within 24-hours.  The site does have a gallery where the planners will be able to post photos as ideas or as and example and where the clients will be able to post photos of their final event.

For more information on Perfect Productions or their Perfect - on call service please contact Elissa at 860-677-1655 ext 206 or contact via e-mail at elissa@perfectprod.com. 

What Happens in Vegas....Shouldn't Stay in Vegas!

Having Just returned from the Event Solutions and Catersource Conference in Las Vegas Nevada - and having attended several educational session about social networking and marketing - I was completely taken by the idea that I needed to start a BLOG.

Jumping on the Blogging Band Wagon...But Why Now?

First thing first - We have tried to manage blogs before - but to no avail - the discipline necessary post on a blog everyday or once a week just wasn't there.  After attending the sessions and After reading quite a bit of information about the industry over the last few weeks.   I think it is important not only to give our potential clients a place to see how we operate and what our standards are, but also to unarm the myths about corporate events - the easiest way to accomplish this is to write about it giving a Producers View on everything that is Events.  

With that being said welcome to the NEW blog of Perfect Productions!

So On to the Topic At hand...What Happens is Vegas... Should NOT stay in Vegas.  

On Friday, Brian and I returned home from what I consider to be a very productive week in Las Vegas at the Catersource/Event Solutions Conference.  While some might feel spending a week in Las Vegas was a decadent move in this industry's turbulent economy - I believe exactly the opposite.   

When in war, the adage only the strong will prevail exists and in these times the same is true. To be Strong you have to be educated and to be educated you MUST participate in Education, unfortunately for the most part this is something you have to pay for.  

At almost a $1000 a person - those pinching pennies would call it an unnecessary or luxury expense.  However, with deferred payment plans and lower hotel room rates available, Event Solutions/ Catersource made it very easy to make the decision to participate in the conference this year.  And I must say that After Spending 5 days in Sin City, I could not have been happier with the results.  

From recipes and business how to,  to design and decor the conference was filled with the newest trends for Event Production. Everyone that was in attendance, was not working for their own goals, but to help each other to make the entire industry stronger.   

Conversations were everywhere - you couldn't take the elevator from your room to the lobby without someone speaking up, asking a question or just sharing a tidbit of knowledge.   

Although you can't use everything - as some information only works regionally - the theme of the week was to take what you learned an adapt it to your environment.  

Brian and I learned new ways of cooking, easy ways to transport, principals in producing GREEN events and we met new vendors with amazing products we can use to create a wow factor.  The show was exhilarating, demanding and full of techniques to help market, sell and produce or promote in this volatile time.  Proving without a doubt that WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS SHOULD NOT STAY IN VEGAS!

Applying what we learned:

At Perfect Productions we realize  that not all Event Production Companies are created equal - those that stay an active part of the ever changing industry and all that it has to offer - rise to the top and provide their Clients with a product second to none.  We pride ourselves in meeting your goals and taking your event from ordinary to extraordinary by providing a successful and unique experience for the Guests!  Our Award Winning Planners apply what they have learned through continued education, alliances and networking to our events to make memories  - because after all isn't that what it's all about? 

you can check out all of the action from Las Vegas and Read a Little bit about the conference by visiting the Event Solutions Web page at: http://www.event-solutions.com/breaking_news

Hartford Magazine Article

Elissa Fallo, President of Perfect Productions was recently featured in an article in the December issue of Hartford Magazine.  The article written by Sarah Wesley - Lamire was titled "Low Stress Holiday Entertaining", and focused on ways to "Pull together a fun and fabulous holiday get together without breaking a sweat or your budget"

You can read the whole article at www.perfectprod.com/news

Perfect Productions Works with Embraer Aircraft Holding to Produce Ribbon Cutting at Bradley International Airport

Perfect Productions assists Embraer Aircraft Holdings, Inc with the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the New Executive Jets Service Center located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.  

This center is the second of three that the company will have up and running this fall.  The new facilities are 47,700 square feet and are dedicated to provide full service support to the companies Phenom 100, Phenom 300, Legacy 450, Legacy 500 and Legacy 600 Executive Jets.

To read the full story and see more photos of the event please visit www.perfectprod.com/news