I'm throwing an area mixer to introduce my wedding and events planning business and I am looking for knock your socks off suggestions to win over clients and vendors.
216044
If the purpose is to obtain clients, do something that a) gets thier interest/attention - think outside of the box. just ask " why would they notice me as supposed to any other event planner?"  I would probably research current themes and trends in the industry and structure your event around it  b) even though you are putting this event on for business purposes, make sure that things (including your interaction) are personable enough that they basically like the person behind it. People buy from people they like without a doubt. So even if you aren't the best, or the cheapest, or the biggest ...if you are the one people like and can relate to, you'll do good :)\n\nGood luck with your event
54707
I just went to a bridal shower and they had some cute activities that were fun -- and not embarrassing for anybody.\n\nBuy some cheap plastic wedding rings (the kind that are sometimes used to decorate favors). Give each woman a ring when they arrive and tell them if someone catches them saying the word "love" during the shower, they get the ring. At the end of the shower, whoever has the most rings wins a prize.\n\nBefore the shower, ask the bride for a word, associated with wedding, that starts with each letter of the alphabet. At the shower, give each woman a piece of paper with the letters printed down the side (and a pencil/pen). They are to write the word that they thought the bride said. Whoever has the most correct words wins.\n\nThis activity was a lot of fun, if you have enough women to participate. Divide them into groups of 4 or 5 and separate them. Then give each group 4 rolls of toilet paper, some ribbon, and some elastic bands (or anything you have handy). Each group is to pick someone to be the "bride" and dress her (using the toilet paper and ribbons) as they think the bride will look on her wedding day. The bride picks the team that she thinks did best and each member of the team gets a small prize. This is a great one as an icebreaker. Lots of fun. Be sure to have a camera ready!
403112
I know of a web site that you can present your items to a live audience. Best Cash Rewards is a new site in the start up that can do just that. You can book a confrence room and present your product. You are gaurenteed a viewing audience!!!\nhttp://bestcashrewards.com/affiliates/b.php?rid=1020\nThis is a great site!
442554
Cocktail reception (if any)\nGuests seated (to music)\nIntroductions (wedding party)\nBride and Groom Intro\nFirst dance (wedding party joins in)\nBride/Father Dance\nGroom/Mother Dance\nToasts\nFirst course\nDancing\nSecond Course\nDancing\nEntree\nCake cutting\nDessert Service\nDancing\nGarter/Bouquet Toss (optional)\nDancing\nEnd of Reception
225977
Hi!  Congrats on your engagement - I just got married in October.  The cost of invitations is unbelievable, isn't it??  What I did instead of going to a printer was create them myself.  Any good craft store (Michaels's, AC Moore) has pre-made wedding inviations kits that you print on the computer.  Everything is encluded (inviation, response card, and corresponding envelopes). Mine looked professional and for 225 guests I spent about $100 total. The directions are easy to follow and they turn out great.  Just a thought!  Good luck!!!!
132355
The wedding should work with what she has in mind and who she really wants there as guests. If a lot of her guests are old or need handicap access, she should keep that in mind picking a site they would be comfortable at.  If she must have her favorite band playing live, she needs to make sure the site would be able to accomidate them. If she wants a huge guest list, then she has to have a site that can handle that many people. And of course, consider if the date is available, the site affordable, and any decoration ideas.
594599
Get a coordinator local to the area you are getting married in to help.  Typicall the Day Of Packages include final vendors confirmations, which it sounds like you need for some piece of mind, as well as coordination of your rehearsal and running the day of your wedding to ensure things are running in a timely manner and nothing is overlooked.  \n\nMy company covers all of Southern California and that is what is included in our package and if it isnt offered you should be able to customize a package with a coordinator that includes what you do need help with.  Good luck!
454786
Look for neighborhood bulletin boards at grocery stores, etc. and put some of your business cards on them.\n\nWrite postcards to your friends telling them about your new venture, and offering to help with holiday gift ideas.\n\nInvite a few close friends over for coffee, cocktails or white chili*, and have some of your wares conspicuously in view.  Don't make an overt sales pitch, but be ready with enthusiastic questions to the inevitable questions.\n\n*  My answer to your earlier white chili question was mostly tongue-in-cheek.  Sorry if I offended you.
344518
I think it is very possible.  My business does both.  The key is finding a nitche market.  We are in the wedding business so that is always a large market.  What specifically are you looking to sell?  Product or service?
507864
A very close friend and I catered my wedding of 300 people, including the cake. Everyone told us the food was great and there was tons, no one was hungry!\nThe key is to get a LOT of helpers and the day of you should have a wait staff (We used local college student who were reliable and mature) also, see what you can cook ahead of time and if you have a big kitchen , like at your hall. We used a college kitchen (it was in the summer so not in session) and the day of we were able to warm stuff up at the hall in that kitchen. We went Italian with two different main dishes and the tons of sides from ante pasta to homemade bread and veggies, etc. everything was awesome but I would not have been able to do it with out the help the day of. Good luck!
338292
you CAN def. do this! it will take a bit more time- so you need help. friends and family. \n*draw up a budget ASAP. $7000 total (probably $3000 will be for food and drink) reception location $500. flowers $1000. $250 dress - $900 dj/music etc.  \n*keep the guest list to a min. If you have a guest total of 75- you can get decent food at $30 per person and the rest for drinks.\nAlso keep the bridal party small. \n*host a cocktail and light buffet reception instead of a full meal. this can come off really swanky- like a high-class uptown loft party.\n*skip the party favors. go for candy treats your guests can eat. most of the time the little frames and bells etc. just get thrown away by guests anyway.\n*ASK questions. When you call a vendor- let them know you are on a budget. Oftentimes if they can't help you- they know someone who can.\n*Make your own centerpieces out of a candlescape. Florist centerpieces run about $50 per table. You can do them yourself for around $25. \n\n*Oh- one thing I wouldn't skimp on is the photog. Your photos will be the only things left after the wedding is over. the flowers will wilt. your dress will be stored. the cake will be gone etc. but the photos will last a lifetime.\n\ngood luck! and remember to have fun w/ it. planning your wedding should be half the fun! :D
150214
offer free classes? have a fitness contest? Have a dance compation? lots of ways. Newspaper, FLYER LIKE CRAZY EVEN!
60487
Make up business cards with punches on them, creating a free sandwich when the card is full, or a free capuccino. Get cups, with your business name on them, sell them, giving a discount on refills. That brings the customer back to you to get a discounted drink. Anything that gets the customer returning is good. Put out samples of some items. Have other non-food items available for sale that advertise your business. Put out a sidewalk sign, advertising your grand opening. Use balloons & banners on the front of your building. Have friends or your kids stand out in front passing out balloons with your business name printed on them. Have fun. Good luck. <*)))><
508489
The trick is to set up distinct areas, sort of like outdoor "rooms".\n\nWill you have a tent for the reception?  Set it up where you will have your backs to it for the ceremony so it isn't in the background.  This will make it clear where to go after the ceremony.\n\n Use a wedding arch to attract attention to the "altar".\n\nUse your program to guide guests after the ceremony-"You are welcome to mingle in the flower garden with drinks" for example--this gives you an escape to have photos taken while they are distracted (go where they can't walk over...it makes it a pain in the butt when they do and the photog is trying to work!)\n\n Bring "indoor" elements outside--plaster pedestals (find at Michaels or Hobby Lobby) can mark the aisle and you can put arrangements on top.  Use easels with elegant signs (maybe large photos of you) to direct traffic.\n\nYou can often rent small tents and even gazebos.  I've also seen people make backdrops out of silky fabric draped between two tall sheppherd's hooks.\n\nFor the reception, spreading the tables out with luminaries illuminating the path in between them would be romantic if it is a nice evening.  Use lots of candles!\n\nHang paper lanterns from the trees in certain areas to guide people to those areas after dark (we did this and it was lovely)\n\nMake sure you have "bouncers".  I can see potential problems with wedding crashers.\n\nAlso, be sure to clear parking arrangements and noise management with the neighbors-nobody wants the cops busting their wedding!  I've heard of people who paid for neighbors to stay in a hotel for the night so they aren't bothered.
139521
Here is some websites...there should be a list of things that you do on one of them.  I used them for my wedding.\n\nwww.theknot.com\nwww.americanbridal.com\nwww.theweddingsite.com\n\nGood luck!
596269
recipe swaps. I used to get people to bring their favorite recipe already made and have copies of it written down.\n\nIt adds some fun to the evening and everyone gets fed. \n\nAlso wine works well for creativity.
27821
preparing food or having it catered is time consuming enough once you take care of that and the invitations and you place to rent just go to a party store and let them give you some surprise ideas like belly dancers etc.