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Monday, April 30, 2018

Designer Spotlight :: Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan-American fashion designer known for "exceptional personal style", and for dressing various First Ladies, including Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. Carolina’s thirty-five-year career has been marked by beauty and unquestionable style. This year has been dedicated to celebrating 35 years of fashion with an exceptional book and a series of breathtaking events.

Visit the House of Hererra websites to see Carolina's amazing designs and history!


Facebook :: @CarolinaHererraNY
Instagram :: @carolinahererra










Carolina Hererra's first line introduced in 1981.




Saturday, April 28, 2018

Happy Anniversary :: Loretta & Jacob

Loretta + Jacob
April 29

I had so much fun taking this couple to the candy store and shopping for everything in pink , white and black to create a candy station to match their wedding theme! Such sweethearts they were, and such a fun event! Happy anniversary Loretta + Jacob!









#SignatureSaturdays :: New York Sour



- 1.5oz whiskey

- 0.75oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- A little fruity wine

Cocktail post from Passion.Drinks





Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Planning Tips :: 5 Ways a Wedding Planner Can Save You Money $$$

I'm on a mission these days to let everyone know what a wedding planner actually does. It's not really like the movies portray, and it's not something you can do in a couple hours over the weekend. It's a lot of moving parts, a lot of vendors to coordinate, a lot of different expenses and payment schedules...it's one of the biggest events of your entire life, so why not hire the assistance of a professional? When you're selling home, you should hire in a realtor. When you need legal advice, you should hire a lawyer. When you're getting married, you should hire a planner.

While yes, there are surely brides out there who are capable in more ways than one of planning their own wedding. It's not a matter of if you're able to or not....it's a matter of having connections and experience in the industry. A planner doesn't make the decisions for you and call the shots. We simply research and present you the options that fit with your budget and needs...then you make the decision. We're not here to take over, we're here to help make the experience more pleasurable! 


Table Settings :: Borrowed Treasures and Michéll Events
Planning + Coordination :: Michéll Events
 
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1. Contracts & Hidden Fees

All venues and vendors will have you sign a contract. That's just good business. Most couples will just pay a deposit and sign on the dotted line because they love what they see. Be sure to read the fine print in each contract. I've seen sticker shock at several small details included in the contract that weren't questioned until it was too late. Here are a couple examples of things you can avoid by hiring a planner and having them oversee the details in your vendor contracts: 

~Some venues/vendors charge a cake cutting fee. I've cut a cake before for a bride who found out it would cost $150 to have it cut at the last minute. She thought it was included in what she paid, but it wasn't and they didn't add it. It was all right there in her contract, but she didn't completely read through the end and was taken by surprise when it came time to cut the cake.

~Some vendors require that you provide a meal for them while they provide services for you throughout the day/evening. Make sure you know who requires meals and who doesn't, it should all be noted in their contracts. It's never fun to scramble at the last minute to cover extra meals with the caterer and endure the extra last minute expense and stress.


Photo :: The Mamones

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2. Wholesale Accounts

I'm licensed with the state of Texas to re-sale, which means I'm eligible to shop at wholesalers and not pay sales tax. Not to mention, when you buy from a wholesaler and buy in bulk, the price is generally significantly less. Take advantage of the fact that your planner should have these accounts available to help with wedding purchases you need to make. Michéll Events can offer many products by using our accounts to help out! 


Flowers & Petals by Michéll Events

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3. Discounts With Vendors

As someone who's been in business for ten years, I've developed relationships with vendors through working with them. When we see a bride in need of each other's services, we recommend and refer them to each other. We trust the working relationship we have with each other and we appreciate working with each other. In many of these cases, vendors will offer discounts when recommending and referring clients back and forth. Take advantage of the knowledge your planner has from working with so many local vendors on a regular basis.



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4. Discounted Flowers, Linens & Décor

I know some planners offer this, but not all. At Michéll Events we include event design in our menu of services, which includes floral design and a large inventory of décor rental items. We have accounts with floral wholesalers and can buy in small amounts or in bulk for wholesale prices. This works out perfectly for the bride who's on a restricted floral budget, or for the bride who wants to DIY the flowers herself and needs a market to buy them. The same thing applies to other décor needed for a wedding. If you want linens, lanterns, candles, table cards, table numbers, favors, edible treats, backdrops, lighting....let us use our network to save you money across the board!


Centerpieces, Chargers, Candles, Linens
& Chair Sashes from Michéll Events


5. Overtime

Overtime will destroy the budget with every vendor involved. Make sure things are planned and double checked in advance so you don't have to run late on wedding day and endure additional expenses. What happens in the event of overtime should be listed in the contract for every vendor it applies to. Make a schedule for the day and have your planner/coordinator ensure things stay on schedule and avoid overtime charges.


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Keep these things in mind when debating on whether a planner is for you or not. The #1 important thing to look for when hiring a planner is how you mesh with them. We offer a free consult with every bride/couple to chat about what you want, what we can offer, and discuss your wedding details. This will give the couple a chance to see if we're on the same level. If your personalities don't vibe, it will be a difficult process after you book with them. Planning a wedding is a very personal experience, and we always like how our clients feel like family while we're working with them. A close relationship is important! Conversation should be easy, visions should be shared easily, and a planner should be able to answer your questions without hesitation.

Because we know there are so many brides planning their own weddings these days, we created this planning package just for them. The "DIY Bride's Planning Package" includes everything needed to plan your wedding from checklists, budget worksheets and tips, vendor recommendations and booking tips, sample schedules and itineraries, along with a meeting with a planner to ask questions and go over all the details beginning to end. This is our way of helping the DIY brides avoid the costly mistakes that sneak up when planning a wedding! The DIY package is currently on special for $299 (Regular $399) - click here to see the DIY package details!

Happy planning, y'all!




Sunday, April 22, 2018

About Me & What I Do ~ Event Planning, Coordination & Design

Hi y'all! It's the wee hours of the morning and of course I'm awake. As an entrepreneur and business owner, when I can't sleep....I work. I plan. I have uninterrupted quiet time to process all the ideas and projects I have swirling around in my head. The creative brain never sleeps!

One of the things that's been on my mind a lot lately is how to let folks know exactly what I do. When you say "event planner" or "event designer", most don't know all of the different aspects that entails. Over my 10 years in business my services have expanded greatly, but how do you get the word out? While I've always been an avid blogger, I'm hitting social media extra hard these days in an effort to share what I do!

I post regularly on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and participate in groups and discussions.....I'm on Honeybook to collaborate with clients and vendors. Follow me for updates on what's going on and what we currently have available! You can always drop me an email to receive our full menu of services and current list of products.

Honeybook :: www.honeybook.com




So, let's break it down....what does Michéll Events do? 


:: Event Planning ::

Our event planning packages cover everything needed to plan an event from beginning to end. Budget worksheets, checklists, vendor recommendations, contract reviews, venue tours, planning meetings and more. For those who have already partially planned their event but need help tying the loose ends, we have partial planning packages available as well.

I have of course planned a large amount of weddings, but my experience doesn't stop there. I've done weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, vow renewals, business open houses, huge bridal shows (planned and coordinated them, not just marketing at a vendor table), Baptism receptions, charity fundraisers, auctions, expos and tradeshows, baby showers, bridal showers, engagement parties....anything with a guest list, we can plan it for you! 

I want to clear up the myth about planners being "an added expense that we can't afford". In all honesty, if you select the correct planner they will save you money you wouldn't have saved otherwise. Vendors we work with regularly will pass on discounts, wholesalers we have accounts with enable us to purchase items for less than the general public, we'll help you avoid costly mistakes with bookings and contracts, and we'll have tips for keeping your budget under control throughout the whole process. Hiring a planner is an investment, not an added expense, and in our case it can definitely pay for itself! We offer a free consultation to sit and discuss the details with you, see if we mesh well, and let you know what we can offer for your needs and budget. Give me a call at (469)-475-7089 to schedule your free consult!




:: Event Coordination ::

Once your event is all planned, you'll need to make sure those plans are carried out. For larger events, there are a lot of moving parts that need to be kept on top of. It's difficult to enjoy the fabulous party you're hosting while you're on your feet back and forth making sure everything is the way it's supposed to be or handling issues that arise. That's where we come in. You enjoy the party or event, and we do whatever behind the scenes work is necessary so you can.

I've seen a lot of coordinators who say "we don't do ______" or "______ is not included". Our packages aren't that way. In my experience, the job of the coordinator is to fill in wherever it's needed. Sometimes that's cutting the wedding cake when the venue won't, which I've done before. Sometimes that's taking the trash to the dumpster at the end of the night because the venue staff didn't, which I've done before. Sometimes it's arranging last minute shuttle service because the limo broke down and there isn't a backup, which I've done before. Sometimes it's going to buy Granny some pantyhose because she got a runner, which I've done before. Our job is to pull off the perfect event for our client, whatever it takes!




:: Event Design ::

Event design covers all the details that go into making your event look the way you envision it in your mind. Some clients have their theme and ideas all laid out for us and we can replicate that..."I want a circus theme with a petting zoo and cotton candy and a live band". No problem! Some just say "I really like pink and yellow" and we take it from there. We can work with you to create your vision, or we can design the vision for you based on what you want.

Flowers, linens, lighting, lounge areas, candles, archways, signs & frames, fabrics, vases, displays, and so many other small décor details go into designing an event. We have you covered on all of them to make it look spectacular!




:: Floral Design ::

Flowers are my passion! Floral design is part of our event design service, but we do more with flowers than large events! We're like your local florist. We have accounts with floral wholesalers to buy in bulk and at a discount, only we don't have the overhead or upkeep of a storefront...which is how we're able to offer discounted prices on floral orders.

Obviously we do flowers for large events and weddings, but think of us for your smaller floral needs as well! All holidays such as Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Easter.....Birthdays, Anniversaries, Congratulations, Get Well, Graduation, Memorials, Recital or Pageant Bouquets, School Dance Boutonnieres & Corsages.....or Just Because!

Our "Just Because" Single Rose deliveries have become very popular! A rose every week for a month, just because......very romantic! (suggested by a gentleman customer of ours, and it's catching on!). Cost is $60 which includes 4 weekly deliveries of single roses, and the delivery fee included!

We have plans for floral workshops and parties in the planning stages....details coming soon!!!!

Weekly and monthly business deliveries are also available! Salons, restaurants, hotels, realtors with open houses, shops and retailers, or any other business setting that needs a floral boost! You can specify the colors and style you want, or you can leave it to us to create a new design every time. Our weekly and monthly deliveries start at $45. Contact us at (469) 475-7089 to schedule one-time, weekly or monthly floral deliveries!




:: Products Available ::

If you're throwing any type of party, gathering or get-together, we have products you'll need available for rental and purchase. Whether it's linens, flower petals, gift wrapping, setting up a photo area, candy and dessert stations, flower arrangements, dinner party setups, ambiance party lighting, prop rental for a photo shoot, and so much more... If you're throwing any sort of soiree, we have everything you need! We do have a complete rental catalog available by email, drop us a line if you'd like to receive it!

Our new line we're marketing is our PICK~A~PARTY boxes! We have options for baby showers, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, kids parties....everything you need for your party delivered in a box ready to go! Plates, glasses, plasticware, napkins, favor bags or boxes, straws, signs, banners, ...all planned out in a beautiful theme for each box! Boxes start at $89 and go up from there! Next time you have a party of function to put together, call us for a PICK~A~PARTY box to cover all the details!






There you have it! We offer a ton of different products and services for any type of event or gathering you're planning whether social, corporate, or charity....

If you have questions or want to know more, I'm always here to talk! (469) 475-7089 or info@michellevents.com.





Saturday, April 21, 2018

#SignatureSaturday :: Sex on the Farm



1.5 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
2 oz. cranberry juice
2 oz. orange juice

Shake with ice and pour into a glass over ice. Garnish with an orange wedge and a cherry.



Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Planning Tips :: 6 Tips for Budget Friendly Flowers

Talking about flowers with brides and vendors lately made me want to put this post together for the blog! We do a lot of florals and décor for weddings and events, and what I'm probably asked most often is for suggestions to keep the budget down. There are definitely a few good tips to remember, so these are the answers I always give! 


1. Choose what's in season.
Sticking with what's in season will always be your most budget friendly bet. Seasonal flowers will be readily available and abundant, which makes their cost lower. Choose your favorite flower as the main attraction, and use inexpensive seasonal fillers and greenery to finish it up.





2. Use ceremony flowers at the reception.
Lining the aisle with flowers or chair bows? Take them to the reception to line the head table along with the bridesmaids bouquets. Larger floral arrangements from the entry way or from the altar can be used at the reception as well. We've lined the aisle before with arrangements that became centerpieces at the reception. All it takes is a bridesmaid, friend, florist, or planner/coordinator to move them and set them up for you between ceremony and reception (essentially during your cocktail hour while guests are otherwise occupied).





3. Add on the greenery.
Greenery comes in larger sized bunches and is less expensive than most flowers, so giving your arrangements some oomph with greenery makes larger arrangements that won't kill the budget. You can choose from so many different textures, styles and shades of greenery, you're sure to get something amazing that's your style!





4. Fruits & Veggies
Get creative with your centerpieces using fruits like lemons, limes, strawberries, oranges, apples, grapes, pomegranates, etc... Fresh veggies have also been known to make an appearance in centerpieces and arrangements such as asparagus, artichokes, radishes...





5. Use artificial alternatives.
Seashells, feathers, paper or wood roses, brooches, or a number of other floral alternatives can be used to make bouquets, corsages boutonnieres, and accents for centerpieces. These range from very inexpensive to free, so they're great for the budget!





6. Consider an outdoor ceremony for natural beauty.
If you're set on a floral wedding but don't have the huge floral budget, consider choosing an outdoor ceremony location in a season that will give you what you want! A garden, a lakeside park, a field of wildflowers....let nature be your backdrop of florals and greenery and you'll have to do less to spruce it up!








Thursday, April 12, 2018

Open House at Sparrow Creek Ranch

Sparrow Creek Ranch hosted their first open house last weekend and it was a wonderful success! I was completely proud to be chosen as the planner/coordinator for the event! Myself, along with 18 fabulous vendors, put together an amazing day filled with beautiful, delicious, and entertaining things for brides to experience! Guests attended from all over DFW, both east and west, and even farther...we had visitors from as far as Las Vegas!






SCR is a rustic chic barn located an hour west of Fort Worth in Graham, Texas. It was built by hand with love by Kevin Fullerton. He spent evenings building it for 6 months in preparation for his daughter Kalli's wedding. It was a labor of love, and it's an incredible story! The special touches he included are priceless! Contact SCR for a tour and a first hand look at the amazing details that make this venue!

The day included some amazing touches by everyone involved! The Mini-Barn is available at SCR (also lovingly made by Kevin). We used it as a champagne bar where guests could pick up a mimosa on their way in! We organized a strolling fashion show along with two mock ceremonies and mock reception tables....and since everything was already set for the day, our photographers shot some "styled shoots" of the fashion show models in the incredible mock setups! On top of all the fun things going on, we gave away 15 prizes! Click here to see a collection of the open house photos from all of our wonderful photographers and vendors!

Thank you to each and every vendor who put their time and effort into making this day amazing for our guests, and thank you to each couple who attended with friends and family to enjoy the event!





Strolling Fashion Show :: Bridal by Maia, Providence Place Bridal
Styled Shoots :: Lucero Cervantes Photography, Whitney Bowman Photography
Music + Announcements :: DJ Platinum T
Ceremony Rentals :: Borrowed Treasures TX, Mike's Westside Rental
Reception Rentals :: Borrowed Treasures TX, Mike's Westside Rental, Michell Events
Flowers :: Joy's Flowers Graham, Audrey's Florist, Michell Events
Planning + Coordination :: Michell Events
Chalkboard Signs, Calligraphy + Stationery :: Season Hallelujah
Photo Booths :: RV&V, Mirror Magic North Texas, Texoma Photo Booths
Wedding Cakes :: Cakes by Teresa Ford, Krazy Cakes
Venue + Mini-Barn Champagne Bar :: Sparrow Creek Ranch
Gifts + Attire :: Sister & Sister / SASE Shirts, Providence Place Bridal, Double R Trading Co.




Photo by Michell Events
















Kevin Fullerton + Family :: Sparrow Creek Ranch