April 19, 2010

Summer Solstice Party

Hi Everyone and welcome back to the blog. Here in Flagstaff, the sun was shining all weekend and the weather was nothing short of fantastic. I got to spend all day Saturday making my front yard presentable, clearing away the leaves and cleaning up trash that obviously came in on a wind gust and was trapped for months under our 12 feet of snow. Now that the snow is melting, and the front yard is fixed up, I can concentrate all my evenings and weekends on the backyard and getting everything ready for the Summer Solstice party.



The Annual Summer Solstice Party is by far my favorite party of the year. There is nothing that brings me greater joy than bringing together all my friends and family to enjoy perfect weather, great food and a good time.


This year’s Summer Solstice Party is going to be the best one to date. (okay, I say that every year – and every year I’m right!!!) It’s only April, so I do have some time and time is one thing a planner will consider a gift. I’ve got a few months to continue with the backyard and more than likely I’ll be “redecorating” right up to the moment people arrive. So, what am I doing a few months out? Here’s my list for this week:


1. Make guest list and design invitations. I haven’t decided if I want to mail them out, use facebook, use email or a combination. My first choice is to go to About Memories and More and let Kirstin help me design the perfect invite, spend a few evenings putting them together and then mailing them out. While this is my first pick, I don’t have everyone’s address and I don’t want them to think I’m only inviting them “after the fact”. So, I either have to get everyone’s addresses and thankfully there is enough time, or email everyone.


2. I’m trying to envision how I want the party to look. Now, I’d love to have fresh cut flowers everywhere, but my gardens won’t be producing “cut” flowers until August, and I’d rather invest in perennials than flower arrangements. Last year I had a total garden theme even using terra cotta planters to hold food. BTW – if you soak the terra cotta in ice cold water for an hour before serving it will help keep your food cold. But the lining of the pots was time consuming.


3. Next I’m thinking about the menu. I’ve already gotten requests for some of the appetizers and I know Satchmos BBQ is always a hit, so food I can wait until June to work on.


4. Seating – This is always a challenge with a party. If you make sure everyone can sit and enjoy their food, then you run the risk of everyone clumping into groups. I try to have seating vignettes throughout the yard and that way people can still mingle. I’ll have to visit the budget for this one.


5. Entertainment – do we all mingle which is always fun, and I try to have some great outdoor games available and set up, but do I want to go DJ and possibly have dancing? Again, I must check the budget and make sure it’s the feel for the event.


Well, these are just a few of the things I’m working on for the party – next time I’ll bring in more things to consider.


Take care and MAKE YOUR LIFE AN EVENT!!


Debbi

April 7, 2010

Spring in Flagstaff is Here

Happy Spring! The winds are howling, the temps are hovering in the 50s and the last thing anyone wants to do is go outside. However, I’ve been stuck inside for so long I’m willing to brave the 60 MPH winds and get back to life in the yard.
While writing this blog, I thought it might be fun to kick off the outdoor entertaining season. There is no place I’d rather entertain guests than in my backyard in the summer. The beautiful flowers, the green grass and all the trees seem to form the perfect outdoor room and I only have to add a few perks at the beginning of the summer and it’s ready at a moment’s notice.
Here I am talking about summer entertaining and it’s only April. In Flagstaff, we’ve had over 140 inches of snow and my backyard isn’t up to snuff, and so April is the month I spend getting it all put back together. I stepped out on the back deck this morning and began the making a list of what I need to do to get everything ready for May.
First up…. The decks need to be power washed and if needed stained. Now my lower deck will be fine with a good scrub, but my upper deck needs to be stained. It’s been a hard winter and last year’s stain didn’t hold up as well as I’d have liked. Once the decks are cleaned and polished, I can start pulling out the furniture. I always like to take hot soapy water and a sponge and wipe down all the tables and chairs – that way if a guest shows up and wants to sit down, a family of spider webs along the bottom of your chairs won’t be a worry. I also do a good scrub to the fabric cushions. They should all be outdoor fabrics and they can handle and usually need to be cleaned.
Once your deck and furniture is cleaned – it’s time to decorate! I like to start with lighting. I’ve done everything from tiki torches to outside twinkle lights to paper lanterns to candles. Try and look at your yard as a room and throw in some up lighting by the trees, hang lights from the tree branches and then treat your actual entertaining spaces as a living room. I’ve added overhead lighting, candlelight and mood lighting where appropriate. If you’ve got outdoor outlets plug in a lamp or two.
Now that the furniture and lighting is dialed in, it’s time for the accessories. I’m a huge fan of fabric. I’ve taken something as simple as a canvas drop cloth, painted it and then used it as swags on my upper deck, then gone in the opposite direction and swaged fabric from my pergola. The effect is dramatic and also defining. When people step outside, I like to set it up as an outdoor living space – I’ve got a dining space, a conversational area and then off the master bedroom, I usually place a chaise, complete with eyelet pillows and a throw for warmth. I like to move my indoor plants outside for the muted sunlight and suddenly the upper deck goes from blah to a warm and inviting place, ready for my girlfriends to come over for an afternoon of wine and relaxation.
Get your backyard in shape and then you can entertain at the drop of a dime. Always keep a nice bottle of wine on hand a few entertaining staples and if Mother’s day finds the celebration at your house, you can smile and welcome the celebration.

March 22, 2010

What's in your bag?

Kirsten with About Memories and More posted a blog about her purse and I decided since I'm not feeling very well today that I would play along. And its another excuse for a Blog I have been meaning to write.


Here is my purse, and its my mom's. I love her purses! I enjoy purses a lot, and I like expensive ones, but I save those for boyfriends (now all ex boyfriends) to buy them for me. Its an evil plan. I am currently in search of a dark purple purse, but no luck. Well that's not true, I need a purple purse under $30.



Basic things are in my purse. A notepad and paper - because it seems I am always running from meeting to meeting. I usually have my calendar too but that's on my desk to update for the week. I have lipstick even though I wear the chapstick more. Asprin because you just never know. Trident gum. Eye Drops. Kleenex. Nail File. Comb. Powder and a brush to apply it (I get shiny throughout the day). And my dooney and Bourke Wallet - I love it. It smells like leather everytime I open it. No cash - I never carry cash. Pretty simple.

What's in your bag?

February 18, 2010

Best of Flagstaff Blog

As some of our readers may know, Peak Events was won Best Event planner this year! The readers of the Arizona Daily Sun vote in different categories on who they feel are the best in their area. Peak Events came out on top for Event Planners! Needless to say, all three of us were beyond excited! We have the newspaper insert listing us as Best Event Planners, I just need to get it framed! Now, this is the first time we’ve won Best Event Planner, might be because this was the first time we heard they even HAD a category for Best Event Planners. Well along with getting mentioned in the newspaper, we got invited to a dinner where we would pick up our award. Again, very cool! So we got all dressed up and ready to go! We show up, pick a table, which I might add we had ALL to ourselves and was in the FRONT row! We got a glass of wine, picked up some food and waited. We waited as other people were called and politely clapped. Then we looked at each other and decided that Deb should be the one to accept the award because there really was no need for all three of us to go up there. Well just when we couldn’t wait anymore, our name was FINALLY called! Mom got up, Christina and I yelled and clapped really loud. We were all so proud of ourselves. After last year, we needed this big boost! She brought it back to our table and we all took turns looking at the pretty paper that said OUR NAME! We kept it safe on a chair away from any beverages. The night continued with more presentations and then it was onto giveaways! And who doesn’t like giveaways! Well Christina won $20 to La Fonda’s, mom won a free cigar and I won the best prize EVER! ¼ page COLOR ad in the daily sun!!!!







We left that night feeling pretty proud of ourselves! Now, we just need to get that darn piece of paper FRAMED!

February 17, 2010

Findlay Volkswagen Grand Opening

Hi All,



I was going to blog about Flagstaff Blues, Brews and BBQs, however, I don’t have enough things nailed down for it to be a truly worthwhile effort – therefore I’m going to talk about our Grand Opening for Findlay Volkswagen.


On January 29th, the Findlay Family welcomed Flagstaff to a Grand Opening showcasing their wonderful Volkswagen autos. It was a fun night with Big Willie and the Polkameisters playing great German songs while people mingled around the cars and ate some wonder appetizers by Jotini’s on the Green.


Volkswagen’s colors are Blue and White and so we chose blue tablecloths on both the high tops and the tables set for people to sit and relax. Findlay Volkswagen played the perfect hosts with Robby and Sandy Findlay welcoming guests and participating in the Chicken Dance to the delight of the crowd.


To all that attended –thank you. For all that missed this fun evening stop by the showroom and test drive a Volkswagen.


Next time I should have more on Blues, Brews and BBQs.

Deb

February 8, 2010

February 2, 2010

Flagstaff Bridal Expo

Weddings and flowers and chocolate OH MY!

Jen and I had SO MUCH FUN at the Radisson Bridal Fair this weekend! It was so great to have fun and enjoy all the company and new Bride’s. What a busy expo, but what a great place for me talk, talk, talking all day!! There were so many great wedding vendors there!


Peak Events is looking forward to new weddings in new places! We were located next to Flagstaff Ranch and Melissa Dunstan Photography! Talk about LOTS of giggles! Jen and I had a few minutes to walk around and see some old and new friends! Melissa Dunstan’s booth was amazing as always; we saw many brides’ sit and relax a moment in her cozy booth. Kim with Flagstaff Ranch was busy, busy, busy, what a beautiful property! Garret Dauphers had some of our most favorite photos displayed! Jaclyn from Mormon lake Lodge had a beautiful, colorful display with yummy chocolate covered strawberries! And across from her was the amazing an talented Kirsten from About Memories and More, did you know she can do a fabulous invitation in 30 seconds!?! We made a new friend with the Photobooth, everyone took a picture! Tim from Nordic Center was there with a squirrel! Kim Duncan from KD events had the most amazing display with linens, runner and backdrops! Carrie from Carrie’s day salon had a great beauty display! We made a new friend with On Occasion from Phoenix, fantastic linens!!!




We had a great turn out with so many brides’, and man isn’t 10-10-10 a popular date! We are looking forward to meeting all of our new friends again for coffee! And we are looking forward to next year’s show with all the new ideas we have!!!

Christina Clark

I am Christina Clark, I have been with Peak Events for a year now! (Wow I can’t believe how time flies when you are having fun!) I was introduced to Debbi Grogan when I first moved to Flagstaff and instantly fell in love with her bubbly personality and BIG dreams! It didn’t take long for her to introduce me to her partner Jen Grogan, and the connection was INSTANTANIOUS, Jen and I quickly bonded forming a friendship and unique partnership. I was brought on as Peak Event’s Wedding Coordinator, and quickly discovered I had found the 2 perfect partners in not only wedding coordinating but event planning. I began planning weddings in Las Vegas, at the beautiful Lake Las Vegas. But Las Vegas could not hold a flame to the beauty of Flagstaff; I fell in love with the beauty that Flagstaff had to offer and the natural wonder of having a few of the Peaks form all angles.



I grew up in Southern California, spending every minute I had at the beach. I know when I was 10 years old that I wanted to throw parties for a living, (specifically tea parties at that age). I never got bored of throwing parties for my dolls, stuffed animals, friends, family and anyone who would come. And I had a least a wedding a week for my Barbie’s. I began community college while in highschool with University of Las Vegas Hospitality School in my sites. I excelled in school with my goal always in view. I finally got to UNLV and was quickly excepted into the Hotel College. I always knew my major would be meetings and special events. I loved school, but I loved the real life experiences more. It did not take me long to make the right contacts and begin working for the City of Las Vegas doing events for the mayor and city council. Which led me to a design company doing weddings and events and was immediately offered a position as the wedding coordinators assistant. Before long I had fallen in love with wedding planning and designing and was a natural at it.


As you will see in my “blogging” I am chatterbox. My husband Matt and all my friends, old and new, will be quick to tell you that I have the gift of gab. Sometimes I amaze myself at the amount I have to talk about sometimes. And although most people laugh at this, I think it is my blessing! I can make friends with anyone, anywhere, anytime. I am never bored, and know ALL KINDS of interesting people. After living in Flagstaff for a year, I find myself doing the same thing I teased Jen about all the time, I cannot walk into a place and not know at least someone! My husband still laughs at this, but secretly I think he loves it! I also crack myself up, and I truly think I am hilarious. In fact in the time that I have been writing this blog I have been giggling like a school girl.


I recently got married last year to my husband who is my best friend. When we first came to Flagstaff we knew it was the perfect place for us. We had been looking for a place to have our wedding and we didn’t have to say a word about how perfect of a place we had found. We are still enjoying the snow, even after all the shoveling! We have two wonderful dogs, Lucky and Penny (get it lucky penny??). They love the snow and are living the good life!


I am beyond thrilled to begin this stage of my life in Flagstaff and with Peak Events, and flagstaff’s wedding coordinator. I look forward to making many more blogs filled with giggles!

January 27, 2010

Jennifer Grogan's Welcome

Hello to our Peak Events blogging community!

I am Jennifer Grogan and I have been with Peak Events for one year. My mother started the company in 2001 and I have helped in the past with the Flagstaff Ranch Grand Opening and the Flagstaff Oktoberfest. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to go full time into Peak Events.

I grew up here in Flagstaff, went to Northern Arizona University where I majored in Public Relations with a minor in Advertising. I love Flagstaff so much that I’ve decided to continue to make it my home. My family is here, my friends and a community that I love. After graduating NAU I went to work for an online cabinet company and learned a lot about Marketing and the online world. Soon I was engulfed in the local construction industry doing marketing again for a small local engineering firm. In January 2009 I was laid off due to the lack of building and that’s when I decided it was time I joined my mother. I couldn’t let her have all the fun! I haven’t looked back since. This job is a dream! I get to plan parties, work from home and enjoy the occasional afternoon cocktail party instead of working! It really doesn’t get any better than that!

I am happy to say that despite people’s reactions my mother and I work very well together, now that’s not to say we don’t get on each other’s nerves but we manage to get the job done and have fun while doing it. Christina Clark is our wedding planner and my dear friend. She is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet and I can’t wait for the day when she is officially full time with Peak Events.

So I do have other hobbies outside of planning parties! I have 2 boxer dogs, Rocky is 6 years old and Marci is 2 years old. I’ve attached some of my favorite pictures of the two of them.









They are hilarious and bring me such joy. I really enjoy the Flagstaff winters, I have grown up on this mountain and I love the snow. I wish we got more snow! I have been skiing for years and used to even compete when I was younger. It’s a fun sport that I wish I had more time for. In the summer you can usually find me on Lake Powell! My family and I have been going to Lake Powell for over 20 years. The water is so blue and calm; the views are just breath taking. There is nothing like sitting on the beach at Lake Powell with a beer in your hand watching the scenery and of course my dogs!

I’ve grown up here in Flagstaff, I have some great friends and I love my job! You’ll soon be hearing a bit more from my mother and Christina. We thought it might be a good idea to tell all of you out there in the cyber world a little bit about who we are. So please share with us, who you are and why you are following us!

Thanks!



December 16, 2009

Peak Events Wedding Packages

The Peak Events Team has been hard at work on new wedding packages for 2010! I've listed them out below - let me know what you think.


Full Service Coordination



This package is for the bride who wants someone there every step of the way, making the process fun and enjoyable. We customize all of our packages to our clients needs. This package can include but is not limited to:


• Unlimited email and phone conversations


• Personal meetings


• Budget development, analysis and cost estimates


• Provide tips to stay within budget


• Create detailed timeline


• Locate unique ceremony and reception sites


• Arrange and attend site tours


• Locate and secure the services of wedding professionals who meet your needs


• Unlimited vendor and venue referrals


• Arrange and attend vendor meetings


• Contract and price negotiation


• Coordinate religious ceremony rite, including processionals and recessionals


• Handle accommodations & transportation for the out of town guests


• Negotiate group blocks for guests


• Stationary assistance


• Assist with last minute errands week prior to event


• Walk through ceremony and reception sites to confirm layout and details


• Prepare detailed wedding day schedules for you and your bridal party


• Wedding day coordination


• Provide Wedding Day Emergency Kit


• Gather personal possessions at end of night


• Locate site for rehearsal


• Coordinate rehearsal


• Locate site for morning after brunch


• Coordinate morning after brunch


• Assist with Thank You notes after event


• Help make your life easier and relieve stress in any way possible


• Hands on with every detail throughout the entire planning process


• There is just too much to list, but if you need it done, we make it happen



3 Month Coordination

This is for the bride who is either planning a wedding in a short period of time and needs some assistance or the bride who has begun to put plans together and needs some help organizing and putting all the plans into play. Let us take your wedding to the next level and put the finishing touches on your special day, while you enjoy the remaining of your planning stages.


• Arrange 8 meetings prior to wedding day to coordinated guest list, details and vendors


• Confirmation of booked vendors


• Seating arrangements and final touches


• Primary contact for vendors


• Overview of contracts, menu and itineraries


• Coordinate day of activities, rehearsal and morning gathering


• Design advice, putting together favors and guest baskets


• Coordinate day of ceremony and reception


• Complete checklist with Bride and Groom


• Provide day of emergency kit


• Make sure gifts and any personal belongings are gathered and delivered


• Assist with Thank you notes


• Peak Events will make sure that your wedding is Flawless!



Month of Coordination

This is for the bride who wants everyone to enjoy the big day. No stress for friends and family, and most importantly for the bride. We are there to make sure that everything runs smoothly. We recommend this to any bride. Services include:


• Arrange 3 meeting prior to the big day to go over all vendor contracts and details of the big day


• Call vendors prior to event to confirm event details


• Become Primary Contact for all vendors


• Coordinate and conduct rehearsal


• Create and provide wedding day schedule for bridal party and vendors


• Ensure ceremony and reception run smoothly


• Greet & Oversee guests throughout event


• Gather personal possessions at end of night


• Peak Events will be the only vendor you have to deal with the month of and day of the event!


• You become a guest at your own wedding!!!!






Day of Coordination

This is for the bride who wants everyone to enjoy the big day. No stress for friends and family, and most importantly for the bride. We are there to make sure that everything runs smoothly. We recommend this to any bride. Services include:


• Arrange 1 one hour meeting prior to the big day to go over all vendor contracts and details of the big day


• Call vendors prior to event for introductions


• Review wedding day schedule and distribute to bridal party and vendors


• Help ceremony and reception run smoothly


• Greet & oversee guests throughout Event


• Gather personal possessions at end of night


• 8 hours of service on day of event


• Peak Events will be the only vendor you have to deal with the day of the event!



A La Carte

This is ideal for the bride that is planning their own wedding but would like some guidance along the way. I can help answer any questions, handle any or all of your vendor coordination, provide trusted vendor referrals. Many brides have chosen to meet with a coordinator every few months to get advice on how things are moving along. This is a great way to get started with the planning process. This package is offered by the hour and by the service. Services include:


• Invitation design, wording and production


• Program & Menu Design


• Seat assignment design and production


• Planning Guides, spreadsheets and worksheets


• Guest Baskets & Delivery


• Attendant Gifts


• Scrapbook of event


• Decoration of Bridal Suite


• Guest Management Services


• All Services mentioned in the complete wedding package






Destination Weddings

Bringing together the joys of exotic travel, delicious food, fine wine and great friends, destination weddings are perhaps the ultimate event experience. They are also the most challenging events to flawlessly execute. With a trusted network of global contacts, a gift for working with local vendors, and years of experience planning and delivering world-class destination events, Christina has the know-how to make your destination wedding as spectacular as the location you choose.






Christina can help you plan your dream event anywhere in the world. To make sure that dream is realized, the Peak Events team approaches your event not as single day, but instead as a complete experience-beginning when the plane lands and concluding when the last guest departs.



Wedding Concierge

Imagine this, your guests are traveling from afar to attend your special day and they have many questions ranging from where to stay and what to do in Flagstaff. Who are they to call? Our wedding concierge! And our wedding concierge will be on call the weekend of your wedding available exclusively to your guests (would they expect anything less from you – the thoughtful bride and groom?)


A wedding concierge can assist your guests with reservations at restaurants, spas, ensure they can book a hair and makeup artist, and more. Does your aunt who is attending your wedding need a dress pressed or does your uncle/cousin forget their tie for the wedding? No problem, our concierge will pick up the dress and have it pressed in no time! And also advise on where to buy a tie or just bring one to your family member. It will be our pleasure!


Your wedding is sure to be a hit and one they will never forget. After all who else has provided this service to them?