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May 24
Love0
symbolic blending of two different-colored sands into a single vessel. The meaning is clear: The blending of two different beings, the bride and the groom, into a single, inseparable unit that is their marriage -- the joining of their lives.

Tips If You’re Attending A Bridal Show

By Event Tips, Wedding Tips, Weddings

Bridal shows are an amazing way of saving time, saving money, and making sure you are booking the right wedding specialists for your Big Day. However, simply walking around the stands and asking one or two questions may not be enough – so it’s important for you to know how to make the most out of a bridal show attendance. 

We have gathered some tips for you – so read on and find out more. 

  • Bring a friend or two – but don’t bring your entire wedding party. You need someone with a critical eye who knows exactly what you want and what you need for your wedding and who can spot it from the myriad of vendors present at the bridal show. You need someone who is honest with you and who will tell you if someone is just not right for your style. 
  • Do your homework. Don’t just go to a bridal show not knowing what you are searching for. Make a list of the vendors you still have to hire, check out who will be present at the bridal show, and go visit them directly before you start wandering around the exhibition and losing your way. Also, remember to have a few essential questions in mind for each type of vendor you are looking for. 
  • Have your wedding details on small notes. Most wedding vendors will ask you to leave your contact and wedding details in a guestbook or notebook of some kind. To save time and make sure you don’t forget to do this, prepare self-adhesive notes you can actually stick into your chosen vendors’ notebooks. 
  • Hunt down offers. Bridal show exhibitors will frequently put out offers, discounts, and contests for visitors and if you are running on a tighter budget, these things can be real gold. Just make sure you don’t let yourself be drawn into a relationship with a vendor you don’t actually like just because they have a good discount – in the end, this might make you unhappy, and that’s the last thing you want for your wedding.

Keep your focus, and ask your friend to do the same. Bridal shows can be really fun and useful, but they can be very much of a distraction as well. Maintain your focus on the things that matter to you as a bride-to-be and you will make the most out of your visit!

Apr 14
Love3
South Beach Wedding Featured on Tacari Weddings

Love in the Time of Coronavirus: How COVID-19 Will Change Weddings

By Event Tips, Events, Wedding Tips, Weddings

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the industry that turns the fairytale wedding dreams into booked realities. Many couples, due to stay-at-home orders and executive orders limiting gatherings, had been forced to postpone or cancel their wedding celebrations. Read on below as our very own Jeff Greene discusses how COVID-19 will change the future of weddings.

Future of Weddings
Smaller weddings are here to stay for a while. It will increase eventually, but right now we will be seeing weddings that are 15-30% of their original size. What this does is present new options on wedding plans, Big banquet, fancy ballrooms, luxury hotels – these all have a high rental rate of at least $20k-$30k for just the venue fee for a full wedding day. Now, couples can take advantage of smaller weddings and they can afford certain luxury accommodations because their guest count is lower. Everything is secondary to beautiful photos. We will see couples book a small reception at those luxury hotels or hotel restaurants granting them access so they can easily take their photos on-site at those beautiful properties. This will all be cheaper than renting a venue for 150-200 for a full wedding day. We are also seeing an increase in afternoon functions. As more venues open in the marketplace, there are so many more choices for couples to choose from. In Florida specifically, we are seeing new high rises and condos are growing in South Florida – all with event spaces – in addition to new venues popping up in the Redlands that are popular for farm to table themed celebrations. Smaller weddings will be active for a while because brides can book an experience for 25-30 people at a luxury venue with magnificent view (and the photos that can be taken there) that they wouldn’t have been able to afford before.

Venue Costs

The cost of everything has gone up. So naturally, so have venue costs. You have to now consider venues are offering sanitizing stations/materials and additional staffing – which both increase costs. Costs are increasing 20-30%. While this is a good time to travel, as travel prices remain low, prices for venues and catering will rise naturally due to the rising costs of food and fuel.  Fuel alone has a higher impact on everything, which will cause additional wedding services prices to rise. The cost of delivery, the cost of catering and the cost of staffing will rise. While other industries can afford to keep the same price, with food and personal services you still have to pay for personnel as well. Think about the fact there are no buffets at the moment – avoiding guests touching food and serviceware. This means caterers need additional staff to serve guests.

Virtual Components

We will continue to see live streaming aspects becoming a part of every event. Even if you want a smaller wedding beyond COVID-19, you can include more guests at your celebration with a livestream. Another popular option is hybrid streaming – where wedding guests can interact with other guests who are not there physically. Think of this as an enhanced live Zoom or FaceTime experience. We’ve actually done quite a bit of these streamings for mitzvahs, weddings and virtual graduation ceremonies. Although we utilize familiar technology like Zoom, YouTube Live and Facebook Live that we all have access to, it’s important for couples to work with the right people who have experience providing the additional equipment technology and backups that will enhance the experience beyond what these familiar technologies typically offer. We will see virtual aspects rise beyond COVID-19 as this helps elderly, military or pregnant guests still attend if they otherwise couldn’t. 

The Future of Events

No matter where we are with regulations, a sizable percentage of people will still be wearing masks for some time.  People will still be careful at least for the next year, maybe even two. Events will be smaller because there are underlying things we just don’t know enough about. Different variants, additional waves, etc… There are still a lot of unknowns that will affect our industry. We won’t be seeing corporate events for a year, at least anything large. It takes at least one year to plan and organize a large corporate event or convention, so it will take 1-2 years for those to come back. There are a lot of people that have left the industry during this time simply because they couldn’t sustain their businesses. What that means is the cost of talent and services will also go up. Vendors can enter bidding wars and charge more simply because there are less choices available.  Already national groups are predicting that the costs of services are going to rise 30% or more – especially after years of event service rates remaining flat. 

Buyer Beware

During this free time, a lot of people have decided to become a DJ, wedding planner, photographer, etc… My advice is that clients strongly need to consider business experience when booking vendors. What COVID-19 has taught us is that real companies have the ability to stay the course and remain in business during these tough times.  I suggest working with seasoned businesses rather than independents who have recently jumped into the marketplace. We’ve seen many cases where an independent will leave brides hanging on their wedding day, causing unneeded change and stress. So work with a business that is responsible for its staff and will stand behind the company’s promise to deliver.

We are wishing our clients a summer of love! 84 West Events is here to make your wedding day dreams come true regardless of how soon your plans are for. Call 84 West Events today at 954-236-9000 or drop us an email at Celebrate@84WestEvents.com to get started today!

Apr 01
Love0
Swoon-Worthy Spring Wedding Trends

Swoon-Worthy Spring Wedding Trends

By Event Tips, Wedding Tips, Weddings

Spring is in the air and we’re celebrating by showcasing the latest wedding trends for the season!

Playful Blooms

In 2021, couples are letting tiny blooms have their time in the spotlight a bit more. Couples are loving sweet pea, tweedia, hellebore, and heuchera for the season.

Pretty, Petite Bouquets

The petite bouquet is the leading lady for trends this year. Effortless, refined, and intentional are the characteristics you should be striving for!

Vibrant Touches

This year couples are choosing to stray from traditional color palettes. Couples are ready and excited to incorporate bold, lush colors into their design.

Different Textures

Texture is being taken to a whole new level this year. Mixing dried with fresh florals will be something we see a lot of this year and beyond.

Aisle Enhancing

Whether you’re tying the knot in front of 10 or 20 of your nearest and dearest, that walk down the aisle is just as special. The idea of creating an “aisle focus” is definitely trending for 2021. This creates a way to frame the couple, along with their guests, during the ceremony.

Feb 26
Love0

Why Brides & Bridesmaids are Going Crazy Over the At Home Try-On Trend

By Event Tips, Wedding Tips, Weddings

It would be a really huge understatement to say this pandemic, and the Internet, has merely changed our lives. From the fact that you can gather all the wedding planning information in the world at no cost to the fact that you can order a million-and-one wedding elements from online shops, there’s a myriad of ways your Internet connection is helping you plan a smoother, happier, and more stress-free wedding.

Did you know you can actually try on wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses without even leaving your home? People are going crazy over the entire at home try-on process trend for brides and bridesmaids. It is the adult version of playing dress up with your best friends! There are very good reasons you should consider it too. What are the essentials to know about this big trend? Below we have all you need to know – so read on and find out more.  

In short, the at home try-on process is very similar to that of online shopping. Websites that  specialize in this will allow you to select a few designs and have them sent to your home. Different sites and brands range from the amount you can order. Once they arrive, you can try the dresses on, select the one that suits you best and place your order for it. The dresses are simply returned through the same easy process you would return any item you ordered online.

The main benefit of using this process is related to the fact that it’s a real time-saver. Instead of trying to fit in an appointment at a bridal salon into your busy schedule or even worse, trying to find a time that works with all of your bridesmaids and the bridal salon, you can simply plan a gathering at your home! This works perfectly for those out-of-state bridesmaids who are not able to be there in person while trying on dresses with the bridal party. Similar to Miranda at Slashed Beauty, she had an out of state bridesmaid, but included her just by trying on the dresses at the same time and giving each other feedback via FaceTime. The process couldn’t be any more convenient with having the dresses delivered right to your doorstep no matter what state you reside in. 

Furthermore, being at home will allow you to feel more comfortable and choose the dress you actually like, without worrying about anything else (time, sales people, others in the store, etc.).  

Also, trying your dress on at home is extremely advantageous for brides and bridesmaids who might live in remote areas and who cannot reach an actual bridal boutique. Of course, you will save money using this method with no traveling costs!

Last, but not least, this trend has grown to be very popular because it eliminated the number one fear of every bride or bridesmaid who attempts to order her dress online: not finding a good fit. Through Kennedy Blue, you can order multiple bridesmaid dress styles as well as fabric swatches and because Kennedy Blue is more than reputable, you will not have to worry about receiving a dress that’s nothing like what you imagined when you saw it online.

Of course, same as with all the other wedding decisions, it is very important to be open to the changes in the wedding industry, to always work with reputable sellers, and to enjoy the process (because, after all, it’s your wedding or a celebration you are involved in – you should be happy with every single second of the wedding planning!). 

Feb 11
Love0
woman with flowers

Important Tips For Hosting A Bridal Shower

By Event Tips, Events

Wedding and pre-wedding etiquette can be confusing for many – and it’s perfectly understandable why. Not only is wedding etiquette quite complex, but its rules have also changed a lot in the last couple of decades. So, it’s easy to see why many might get confused by it. What are the etiquette rules when it comes to planning a bridal shower (and hosting it)?

The most important rule of planning a bridal shower is that the bride is not supposed to be the one doing it. When a bride plans and hosts her own bridal shower, it is considered tacky (mainly because people associate this with her asking for gifts). However, it is perfectly acceptable for the mother of the bride, sister of the bride, or the Maid of Honor to do this.

In terms of space, most bridal showers are held at home – but this is not to say there’s a rule against planning a bridal shower elsewhere. You can even book a private dining room at a restaurant and bring together the bride’s closest friends and family members to create a small, intimate, but unforgettable event.

Generally, a bridal shower is not supposed to last for more than 3-4 hours. This allows everyone to grab a bite, to talk to the bride, and have some fun with the entertainment activities the host has included in the plan. Moreover, it allows for plenty of time for thebride to open her gifts (which is, after all, the main event of the entire bridal shower).

Who pays for the bridal shower? The person hosting it. The good news is that you do not have to cover the costs of the entire bridal shower on your own – you can ask other bridesmaids or close friends of the bride to pitch in as well. Furthermore, you don’t have to plan the entire event on your own either. On the contrary, it’s recommended that you ask others to join you in this process as well!

There is no rule as to how a bridal shower should look and feel like. More often than not, these are very intimate events – but the number of guests is not even that important. What is important, however, is for the entire party to suit the bride and her personality.

Oct 29
Love0

10 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Wedding Venue

By Event Tips, Wedding Tips

Congratulations! You said “yes” to your partner and you’re in the early stages of wedding planning. If you’ve narrowed down your list of dream wedding venues and are almost ready to sign on the dotted line, there are a few things you should consider. Your venue will be your largest expense and the decision that dictates many other details to follow. How do you narrow down your favorite wedding venues? Start by asking the right questions. Consider your answers below to these 10 important items to consider before you book your wedding venue.

1. Decide Your Wedding Budget

 

 

The average couple spends around 15-20% on a venue. It could be more if the venue includes additional services. When you meet with your venue, tell them your total budget for the venue, not your total wedding budget. 

 

2. Select Your Wedding Date & TIme

 

Before you can book your wedding venue, you need to have an idea of what month and what time you would like your wedding. Some starting points include a special date to you as a couple – the first day you met, your first date etc. The most popular, and expensive, months of the year are May, July and December. If there are important friends or family members you want there, you might want to run the dates by them to make sure there are no schedule conflicts.

 

3. Decide on Guest Count

 

Tell your venue how many guests you plan on inviting early on. It’s likely that more than 80% of your guest list will attend your wedding. The average number of wedding guests in the U.S. is about 120 people – but it is your decision if you want an intimate, average or large wedding. We recommend that you start with a list of everyone you can think of inviting and start trimming the guest list down from there. Another item to consider is if you want children at your wedding or reception and to plan accordingly.

 

4. Take a Site Visit

 

If you plan on getting married in December, but you are doing your site visits in the summer months you need to be considerate of a few items. Does the venue offer the same charm, aesthetic and lighting during your wedding month? You can always ask your site coordinator for wedding photos or do your own research to make sure you know what you’re getting.

 

5. See if the Venue Is Full Service

 

A full service wedding venue usually offers everything from table and chair rentals, to linens and catering supplies. A venue that is not full service usually offers you the space and it is up to you to fill in the rest. This means you will be responsible for booking all of the vendors for the wedding day. Either way, some venues have required vendors that they want you to work with, so that is something to figure out before you book. Working with venue-required vendors such as caters, rental companies, and event designers does not give you the option of “shopping” around and finding a quote that meets your budget. In-house vendors also usually offer very basic options for chairs, linens, etc. It may be worth the spend to impact the appearance of your wedding reception.

 

6. Decide on Wedding Theme/Style

 

Taking into account what style wedding you want will help you choose the venues you need to visit. Many couples think that they don’t need to decide on a wedding style early on, but we think it is one of the most important decisions. If you already have a venue in mind, think about colors and themes that would look good at that venue. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration for wedding themes by season, colors and more.

 

7. Think About Rainy Weather Options

 

We know all things pop up unexpectedly – including the weather. We always say plan for the worst and expect the best! It’s important to have a rain plan. Whether that means moving your ceremony indoors or calling a local tent rental to get pricing on a last minute tent, make sure you know your options ahead of time.

 

8. How Late Can the Party Last?

 

Many wedding venues have noise restrictions. A 10pm outside music curfew is the most common. If you plan to party late, be sure to inquire about an indoor after-party space or what your options are for late night music. If the venue has to give you the boot at 10pm, it may not be the place for you. Make sure you know the rules so you can plan everything accordingly.

 

9. Where Will Your Out of Town Wedding Guests Stay In Relation to the Venue?

 

If you are planning to have a lot of out-of-town guests, it might be best to look for a venue near hotels. There are many nice hotels with large banquet rooms for wedding receptions. There’s nothing worse than the family of the bride and groom being late because they got lost trying to get to the ceremony or reception. Always try to have a room block and place helpful info such as area hotels, rates, and distance from the venue on your wedding website. 

 

10. Is There Another Wedding or Event in Your Space on Your Wedding Day? 

 

 Ask the venue if they are hosting any other events that day, where they are taking place, and what the timing of those events are. In our experience, an event takes about 2-3 hours to set up prior to guest arrival. If you move forward with a venue that has multiple events taking place, make sure your florist, rental vendor, wedding planner, and most importantly your photographer know that they will have a tight time schedule to work with. Congratulations, you’re ready to book your event! If you need help with any or all of these steps above, 84 West Events is here to make your wedding day dreams come true regardless of how soon your plans are for. Call 84 West Events today at 954-236-9000 or drop us an email at Celebrate@84WestEvents.com to get started today!

Sep 17
Love0
How to Host a Virtual Event During COVID-19

How to Host a Virtual Event During COVID-19

By Event Tips, Virtual Events, Wedding Tips

The show must go on(line)! We have seen firsthand that the meeting and event industry is one that is creative and resilient. It’s why among the news of the pandemics cancelation and postponement of hundreds of events, many events have announced they’ll be going digital during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

While face-to-face interaction and networking are important, going virtual allows for keeping attendees safe, audience retention, increasing inclusivity and more. Successful virtual events take more time and energy than a standard video conference so we’ve put together these tips below to elevate your virtual event and maximize attendee engagement.

1. Find the Right Virtual Event Solution for Your Unique Needs

Just like in-person events, not all virtual events are the same. That’s why it’s important to pick a tech provider that’s right for you. You want to think about the size of your event, how many sessions you want to host, what engagement features you want and your budget. We love Zoom because it’s perfect for virtual events, educational sessions, webinars, forums, private meetings and more! 

2. Include a Hybrid of Live Streamed and Pre-Recorded Content

Even if they’re stuck at home, people may not want to sit through an entire conference day. Mix it up with live streamed and pre-recorded content. These should be available on-demand afterward so attendees can access your sessions on their time. We prefer having some session speakers pre-record their presentations, while our high-profile keynotes host a live stream each day. This helps drive excitement and engagement and keeps people coming back!

3. Be Prepared for Tech Issues

Your attendees can register, pay and be prepared for the event as best as they can, but a tech issue can ruin your entire plan. Be prepared to have a backup plan if your live stream fails, your guest speaker doesn’t show or you get more or less attendees than expected. Solutions can range from having a backup date, a backup flatform or a backup speaker. Pivot your plan to more of a Q/A if there are more participants than expected and re-adjust to a more intimate event if there are fewer attendees than expected. 

4. Use a Mobile App

A mobile event app isn’t just useful at an in-person event. Event organizers can have attendees participate in real time using an event app that enables them to have the same interactive experience as those attending the event live. This can be polling, messaging and more. Event organizers can also send push notifications to remind attendees that a live stream is starting soon or that an exhibitor has a special offer.

5. Keep Your Event Sponsors Happy

Event sponsors are just as critical in virtual events as they are in-person events. Rotating web banners can give sponsors additional exposure to their target participants. Mini-videos of your sponsors’ products and services also allow you to promote them before and after featuring your pre-recorded marketing content.

The events industry is in the midst of a very challenging time. Be open to new ways of connecting and remember, the show will go on, whether live or virtual. We will see a continued interest in hybrid and digital events. The current situation has all wondering what the new normal will be like in the future. Don’t cancel your event due to a crisis! We can help you go virtual! Call 84 West Events today at 954-236-9000 or drop us an email at Celebrate@84WestEvents.com.

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