As a bride we know that we absolutely cannot forget our something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue! But there are a lot of other things we cannot forget either. Here are the top 10 things to remember and certainly not forge when planning for your big day!
10. Extra Cash and Checkbook It is always good to have extra cash on you but also some vendors arrange for a check the day of their work.
9. Gifts for your Bridesmaids Although it is not required by the bride, many brides choose to follow the tradition of giving their bridesmaids a little gift on the big day. This can be a bracelet, necklace, a funny inside joke that all the girls will always remember, anything! Just don't forget it at home!
8. Cellphone, charger, and directions to your location Obviously it is nice to be able to make calls to your coordinator, family and friends when you need help on your wedding day but there is another reason to have your phone! There will be that guest who forgets directions and only knows your number. When directions are needed over the phone ask a friend to help you out- hand them the directions and ask them to explain. It will be one less thing to stress about!
7. Babysitter A lot of the time this is overlooked. If you will be having young children in your wedding (maybe nephews or nieces who will be ring bearers or flower girls) bring along a sitter to help out! It is one less thing to worry about and will put their parents at ease during their preparation as well.
6. Marriage License An easy way to guarantee it being there is to make a quick note to yourself to give it to the coordinator because then you don't have to worry about remembering it- we got it! But, if you do decide to hold onto it and bring it to the ceremony yourself remember to treat it well and put it in a safe place where nothing can ruin it.
5. Ipod Although there will most likely be a DJ at your wedding or a live band you can't forget music for getting ready and creating memories! Make an awesome playlist of songs that you and your bridesmaids can listen to while getting ready. Think of those old school jams that you and your girls used to listen to! Think of the new songs that you love to dance to and that give you a good feeling! Be sure to also include a few songs that will put you at ease and remind you that this day is for you and your future husband- there is nobody else to please.
4. Your best shower goodies Majority of weddings are at a location other than your home. Which means that in the midst of packing it is crucial that we do not forget our good shampoo, conditioner, body wash and a new razor! The last thing we want on our wedding day is to use an unfamiliar hotel shampoo and conditioner.
3. Comfortable Shoes Although sometimes the plan is to wear those super-cute heels the entire time, that does not always happen! I repeat, that does not always happen! Be prepared and have your coordinator keep a comfortable pair of shoes or sandals handy during the ceremony and reception.
2. Everyday things We must not get completely wrapped up in packing the things only needed on our wedding day. We may have an incredible hair dresser and a flawless make-up artist coming but on every other day you are the one doing make-up and hair. Bring your daily make-up, hair styling tools, and of course clothes and medications for the your everyday use!
and the number #1 thing a bride can not afford to forget is...
1. Emergency Kit If you book with Peak Events- don't worry about it, we have a wonderfully built Emergency Kit. BUT, for those of you who would like to pack your own there are a couple things to be sure to be sure to remember. Such as: tide stick, safety pins, sewing kit, Band-Aids, snacks, gum and tampons! (look for our "How to build an emergency kit" blog post.)
Belle
October 27, 2010
October 25, 2010
Outdoor dinner parties
Oh Fall – you’re so beautiful, I just can’t get mad – even though I hate to see my summer go. I had such a fun summer – full of great work, celebrations and my favorite thing of all………. Outdoor dinner parties!!!!
If you read this blog, then you are aware that I threw a wonderful Summer Solstice party – if memory serves, I think my last blog was before that party!!!! EEEEK! The annual Summer Solstice party was a lot of fun, full of great food, great weather, great friends – oh and a forest fire! I’ll never forget getting phone calls from people wondering how they could get to our place for the party with the roads closed. See, I was on the possible evacuation list and the police were not allowing people to get into our neighborhood through the usual manner. However, those who were really dedicated came by and we partied until midnight. I will never forget all of us standing there watching the huge clouds of smoke, while a tanker dropped its load of fire retardant and all of us in unison chanting pull up, pull up, pull up! The plane flew right over the house and while I’m sure he wasn’t close, the entire house and ground shook as the plane started to gain altitude. I think I may have even ducked.
I love dinner parties. I threw a birthday party for my daughter (and business partner), and again, we had a lovely evening outside with appetizers, steak, crab and her favorite cake – chocolate ganache! Many bottles of wine were consumed that night and I have to say it is so much fun when you can have three generations of family and friends gathered around to celebrate. I am truly blessed to have such great evenings in my life.
My last dinner party of the summer was for my husband’s birthday. We invited friends we’ve known since college (for him it’s been since Jr. High), and spent a wonderful evening outside laughing and reminiscing. I’m married to a man who has a very simple palate and since we’d produced a golf tournament the day before I won’t complain. I served a grilled tri tip, with green salad from the garden, a pasta salad, grilled potatoes and his favorite chocolate cake – devils food.
I’ve put the yard to bed, so it will be a few months before I can once again throw an outdoor dinner party, but I’ll keep everyone posted on all the holiday party plans!
Debbi
If you read this blog, then you are aware that I threw a wonderful Summer Solstice party – if memory serves, I think my last blog was before that party!!!! EEEEK! The annual Summer Solstice party was a lot of fun, full of great food, great weather, great friends – oh and a forest fire! I’ll never forget getting phone calls from people wondering how they could get to our place for the party with the roads closed. See, I was on the possible evacuation list and the police were not allowing people to get into our neighborhood through the usual manner. However, those who were really dedicated came by and we partied until midnight. I will never forget all of us standing there watching the huge clouds of smoke, while a tanker dropped its load of fire retardant and all of us in unison chanting pull up, pull up, pull up! The plane flew right over the house and while I’m sure he wasn’t close, the entire house and ground shook as the plane started to gain altitude. I think I may have even ducked.
I love dinner parties. I threw a birthday party for my daughter (and business partner), and again, we had a lovely evening outside with appetizers, steak, crab and her favorite cake – chocolate ganache! Many bottles of wine were consumed that night and I have to say it is so much fun when you can have three generations of family and friends gathered around to celebrate. I am truly blessed to have such great evenings in my life.
My last dinner party of the summer was for my husband’s birthday. We invited friends we’ve known since college (for him it’s been since Jr. High), and spent a wonderful evening outside laughing and reminiscing. I’m married to a man who has a very simple palate and since we’d produced a golf tournament the day before I won’t complain. I served a grilled tri tip, with green salad from the garden, a pasta salad, grilled potatoes and his favorite chocolate cake – devils food.
I’ve put the yard to bed, so it will be a few months before I can once again throw an outdoor dinner party, but I’ll keep everyone posted on all the holiday party plans!
Debbi
October 24, 2010
10th Annual Northern Arizona University Native American Golf
On September 18, 2010 Peak Events had the pleasure of producing the 10th Annual Northern Arizona University Native American Golf Tournament. This is such a fun event and this year, the weather was spectacular, allowing golfers to enjoy Flagstaff at its best. Continental Country Club was the venue for this event and with nearly 100 golfers; the event raised $5,000 for NAU Native American Scholarships.
This was the second year Peak Events produced the golf tournament for the NAU and we enjoyed meeting all the new players as well as reconnecting with golfers from last year. This year’s tournament experienced the same challenges that many golf tournaments have experienced in the last few years. We found that while sponsorship dollars were down, the player’s enthusiasm was up and they were willing to purchase more raffle tickets in an attempt to support the NAU Scholarship Fund.
One of the things that I’ve found interesting is the number of organizations that want to hold a golf tournament because they’ve heard that tournaments make a lot of money. They have and they can, however, before deciding to put on a golf tournament there are a few things you might consider.
1. Has anyone on your committee ever put on a tournament?
Many people think that golf tournaments are a quick and easy means to raise money. First, they take a lot of planning and a lot of time. Second, you must have sponsorships. In order for a golf tournament to be profitable, you must have sponsorships covering the tee prizes, the winning prizes as well as shirts and preferably food. Without sponsorships for all of these, you will at best break even.
2. Does anyone on your committee golf?
I’m a golfer, as well as my husband. If I had to guess at the number of golf tournaments we’re asked to participate in, I’d say we could easily spend around $20,000 just in entry fees for the two of us. Look at your golfer base. If there aren’t a lot of golfers in your organization – how do you plan to get golfers to play in your tournament verses all the other tournaments they are invited to play? Golf tournaments are usually cause based and although I haven’t seen bad causes, everyone has to pick and chose where they can afford and if they have the time. As much as I’d love to support them all – in this economy, everyone is pairing down. Many golf tournaments were canceled this year or scaled back considerably because there are too few golfers to support too many tournaments.
3. Are you charging too much for the course and the type of food served?
I’ve seen some tournaments charge a stupidly high amount of money for a public course you can play any day of the week. I’ve also seen tournaments charge very low for a private course in hopes of getting more golfers. Sometimes this works, sometimes it backfires. I’d rather charge a little low and over deliver, than to charge too high and have people walk away feeling like they didn’t get their money’s worth. Golfers are picky. They will applaud and become quite loyal to a tournament they feel is loyal to them. They will turn if they feel they are being nickel and dimed or if they feel as though they are being taken advantage of in the name of fundraising.
4. Are you planning on having raffles?
Everyone loves to win, the more raffle prizes, the more raffle tickets sold. I’m torn on the silent auctions. I’ve seen them successful and then I’ve seen people put out the same old thing year after year expecting to make what they did the first year. If you’re building a loyal golfer base – give them variety. People will bid on new and exciting things, but if it’s the same old products, people will pass that up first. Silent Auctions need their own committee in my opinion. You need to be getting unique items that everyone wants to bid on.
I love golf and I enjoy tournaments (more so when I win), however, I am always cautious when groups think this will bring in big bucks year after year. A golf tournament takes a lot of time and a lot of relationship building in order to be successful. If you do decide to put on a tournament, make sure you have a lot of dedicated people working with you and remember, a tournament is only as good as the golfers are treated.
Debbi
This was the second year Peak Events produced the golf tournament for the NAU and we enjoyed meeting all the new players as well as reconnecting with golfers from last year. This year’s tournament experienced the same challenges that many golf tournaments have experienced in the last few years. We found that while sponsorship dollars were down, the player’s enthusiasm was up and they were willing to purchase more raffle tickets in an attempt to support the NAU Scholarship Fund.
One of the things that I’ve found interesting is the number of organizations that want to hold a golf tournament because they’ve heard that tournaments make a lot of money. They have and they can, however, before deciding to put on a golf tournament there are a few things you might consider.
1. Has anyone on your committee ever put on a tournament?
Many people think that golf tournaments are a quick and easy means to raise money. First, they take a lot of planning and a lot of time. Second, you must have sponsorships. In order for a golf tournament to be profitable, you must have sponsorships covering the tee prizes, the winning prizes as well as shirts and preferably food. Without sponsorships for all of these, you will at best break even.
2. Does anyone on your committee golf?
I’m a golfer, as well as my husband. If I had to guess at the number of golf tournaments we’re asked to participate in, I’d say we could easily spend around $20,000 just in entry fees for the two of us. Look at your golfer base. If there aren’t a lot of golfers in your organization – how do you plan to get golfers to play in your tournament verses all the other tournaments they are invited to play? Golf tournaments are usually cause based and although I haven’t seen bad causes, everyone has to pick and chose where they can afford and if they have the time. As much as I’d love to support them all – in this economy, everyone is pairing down. Many golf tournaments were canceled this year or scaled back considerably because there are too few golfers to support too many tournaments.
3. Are you charging too much for the course and the type of food served?
I’ve seen some tournaments charge a stupidly high amount of money for a public course you can play any day of the week. I’ve also seen tournaments charge very low for a private course in hopes of getting more golfers. Sometimes this works, sometimes it backfires. I’d rather charge a little low and over deliver, than to charge too high and have people walk away feeling like they didn’t get their money’s worth. Golfers are picky. They will applaud and become quite loyal to a tournament they feel is loyal to them. They will turn if they feel they are being nickel and dimed or if they feel as though they are being taken advantage of in the name of fundraising.
4. Are you planning on having raffles?
Everyone loves to win, the more raffle prizes, the more raffle tickets sold. I’m torn on the silent auctions. I’ve seen them successful and then I’ve seen people put out the same old thing year after year expecting to make what they did the first year. If you’re building a loyal golfer base – give them variety. People will bid on new and exciting things, but if it’s the same old products, people will pass that up first. Silent Auctions need their own committee in my opinion. You need to be getting unique items that everyone wants to bid on.
I love golf and I enjoy tournaments (more so when I win), however, I am always cautious when groups think this will bring in big bucks year after year. A golf tournament takes a lot of time and a lot of relationship building in order to be successful. If you do decide to put on a tournament, make sure you have a lot of dedicated people working with you and remember, a tournament is only as good as the golfers are treated.
Debbi
October 19, 2010
First Annual WE Fest
On August 21, 2010, Peak Events had the honor of helping to produce a festival new to Flagstaff. 2010 marked the 35th Anniversary of Aspey, Watkins and Diesel Law Firm, and instead of throwing a party for top clients, they decided to give back to the community that has given them so much.
The First Annual WE Fest was a celebration of Flagstaff and the wonderful things that make living here so special. Held in downtown Flagstaff at Heritage Square and AWD’s building, the event was free to the public and offered food, music and great information about some of our local non-profits. Everyone who attended was given an opportunity to win a pair of customized bikes by taking a tour of the booths. Local Non-profits were invited to participate and educate the public on how they work hard to improve life in Flagstaff. Well priced food and sodas along with talented local musicians rounded out the beautiful summer afternoon.
Working on a corporate celebration is just plain fun. The WE Fest gave people in Flagstaff a chance to meet the attorneys at the firm, because they all participated and were selling sodas and walking around talking to everyone. I’m pretty sure the lawyers accounted for most of the gelato sold at the festival and it was fun to watch them work together putting on this festival for a community they obviously care deeply for.
With this economy, I know a lot of companies have downsized their staff and as a result their celebrations. But while the bottom line is always important, it’s also important for people to share in celebrations and build camaraderie. Watching the AWD group pitch in and haul ice, sell sodas and clean up the park, it dawned on me: AWD wasn’t just throwing a great community festival; they were enjoying each other’s company and in doing so, strengthened their own community of employees.
Peak Events had a great time working on this event and enjoyed all the people who came out and celebrated this landmark anniversary.
Debbi
The First Annual WE Fest was a celebration of Flagstaff and the wonderful things that make living here so special. Held in downtown Flagstaff at Heritage Square and AWD’s building, the event was free to the public and offered food, music and great information about some of our local non-profits. Everyone who attended was given an opportunity to win a pair of customized bikes by taking a tour of the booths. Local Non-profits were invited to participate and educate the public on how they work hard to improve life in Flagstaff. Well priced food and sodas along with talented local musicians rounded out the beautiful summer afternoon.
Working on a corporate celebration is just plain fun. The WE Fest gave people in Flagstaff a chance to meet the attorneys at the firm, because they all participated and were selling sodas and walking around talking to everyone. I’m pretty sure the lawyers accounted for most of the gelato sold at the festival and it was fun to watch them work together putting on this festival for a community they obviously care deeply for.
With this economy, I know a lot of companies have downsized their staff and as a result their celebrations. But while the bottom line is always important, it’s also important for people to share in celebrations and build camaraderie. Watching the AWD group pitch in and haul ice, sell sodas and clean up the park, it dawned on me: AWD wasn’t just throwing a great community festival; they were enjoying each other’s company and in doing so, strengthened their own community of employees.
Peak Events had a great time working on this event and enjoyed all the people who came out and celebrated this landmark anniversary.
Event Day Vendors:
Venue: Heritage Square, Flagstaff
Event Planning: Peak Events
Event Design: KD Event Design
Photographer: Melissa Dunstan Photography
Floral: Glamorous Occasion's
Rentals/Tenting: Tri Rentals
Debbi
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