Designed Events Planning - Melbourne FL - Golden Fundraising

With all the hype about "gold buys", I have taken my gold parties to the next level and have started "Golden Fundraising" for any non for profit organizations.
The non for profit hosts the gold buy at their venue & we provide the man power for testing, weighing, and buying. CASH is received on the spot and we give back a percentage of the proceeds to the organization that is hosting. It is a "win, win"! Because we have been part of the Brevard Family since 1970, people feel much more comfortable than they do in a" hotel buy setting" plus we guarantee to pay higher than anyone in the area. Here's a tip: If you are looking for a unique fundraising opportunity, contact me and we will hold a "Golden Fundraiser.....not just another bake sale" for your organization! :) Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, FL - Mexican "Green"

This past weekend I had the pleasure to work with a family on their first son's bar mitzvah. The theme was a Mexican Fiesta.. It was a "Nacho Ordinary Bar Mitzvah because normally, when discussing a Mexican theme for a kid friendly party, words like pinatas, inflatables, glowsticks etc. would be mentioned; however, this particular mom was very clear on what she wanted. As part of her son's "tzedakah" (the charitable giving), she wanted all decor to be made from things that we could reuse. For instance, rather than spending hundreds on floral displays, the tables were adorned with striped blankets & baskets that were fill with beans, rice, garlic & hot chli peppers. The entrance of the venue was draped to give the appearance that the guests were walking into a Cantina which also had baskets full of produce and dried legumes. Once all the guests were gone, all of the perishable items were packed and were taken to the local soup kitchen where they would be used to feed many hungry people. As I was packing up the last of my props, I realized that this particular event would stay with me much longer than most because of the good sense of this charitable mom who instilled in her young son the beauty and true meaning of his bar mitzvah. Here's a tip...when deciding on decor, plan on using the decorations like this family did or even consider taking the flowers or centerpieces to a hospital or an elder care facility where they will bring much joy to the residents. Eventfully yours, Betsy

Designed Events Planning - Melbourne, FL - The Event Resource Center

With the help of several of my colleagues, I am happy to announce that on November 7 we will be holding a launch party for the opening of our new "Event Gallery". We are a full service event resource center offering a relaxed showroom that features all the latest trends & styles in event design. This is a great way for clients who are planning a wedding, corporate event, or bar/bat mitzvah just to name a few, to be introduced to many of Brevard County's top professionals. Included within our showroom will be everything you need to plan your next event from start to finish. Prospective clients are invited to share in a glass of wine while browsing our prescreened vendor displays and information. Here's a tip...Meet & greets & vendor showcases are a must attend! Hope to see you at "The Event Gallery". Eventfully yours, Betsy

Event Planning - Melbourne FL - Bridal Budget

The big talk this year with most of my brides (and the rest of the world) has been the lagging economy so we have had to adjust accordingly. We price our weddings per item, so brides can prioritize to fit their budget. They have the "must haves", "would really like" and "in my dreams" and can then decide with a itemized breakdown where they can spend those wedding dollars. We also have created a different payment schedule. Rather than asking for 50% deposit as in years past, we now allow our brides to "pay as they go" and require a much lower deposit. Here's a tip...when meeting with your service providers ask them if they can incorporate this "pay as you go" method. It will be easier for you, the consumer, to make monthly payments rather than one lump sum and there is nothing better than a happy bride!!! Eventfully Yours, Betsy

Event Planning - Melbourne Florida - "A Blues Wedding"

I recently was given the opportunity to help a wonderful couple design their reception site. They had initially met at a local jazz club & wanted to incorporate the "blues" vibe into their wedding and that's exactly what we did. With a little bit of creativity, we transformed the reception venue into "Miller's House of Blues". The stage was set for the evening's theme with the help of B & W Harlem Posters, lamps posts, neon signs, & fog machines...all of which gave guests the feeling of entering a club below street level of a city. Spandex chair & table covers created lounge furniture & battery operated lamps adorned the tables. Here's a tip....when planning your wedding theme incorporate elements about you as a couple much like this couple did. It certainly personalizes the event and makes it exclusively yours and totally memorable. Eventfully Yours, Betsy

Event Planning in Melbourne - "Gold Rush"

Due to the economic conditions, I have found that my Event Business is down from last year. Fortunately, many of my clients are weathering this economic storm and are booking for 2010. But in the mean time, I needed to create an event that would be a "win win" for both myself and my clients so we began hosting "Gold Rush Cocktail Parties". I am not the type to invite friends to a "tupperware" party and obligate them to spend money; however, I am one to invite friends to share in a little food, wine, & conversation and leave with some CASH! The concept is that they bring their recyclable gold (ie. broken chains, single earrrings, & class rings), have it tested, weighed, & have the opportunity to turn it in for cash on the spot. The parties are exclusively for ladies & have really been enjoyed by all. Here's a tip...If you are thinking about selling your gold beware of who you are selling to and don't fall for the gimmick "We pay 20% more!" Most of the time the buyer can't tell you the seller what that means....20% more of what?

Event Planning in Melbourne - Love at any Age

I just sat down with a lovely lady this morning and her daughter to discuss her upcoming nuptials. She is a vibrant 77 year old and her soon-to-be groom is 78. We discussed all of the normal wedding planning & decorating check list & I got to know her in the hour that we sat. After she left, I realized how lucky I was to have met this remarkable lady. In the wedding business, the majority of the brides I meet are in their twenties & some as "late" as in their thirties. Many of which are just starting out with either the prospects of a new home or a new job & the excitement of a new husband with which to share a new life. But my bride this morning brought with her a rare excitement...one of wisdom and knowledge that only living life awards us. She spoke with fondness about her prospective husband & the eagerness to blend their lives together. She didn't dwell on color selection, flower choices, or seating charts but instead focused on how they could celebrate their happiness with those that they loved. Normally I provide "tips" for my brides, but this morning my bride provided me with the most important tip of all...when planning your special day don't focus on the unimportant... keep your love in the fore front and everything else will fall into place. Thank you "Fergie" for that gentle reminder!