Monthly Archives: January 2010

visit us::wedding world 2010

If you’re in the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area, you can come see us this Saturday, January 30th at the Wedding World bridal expo at Lake Michigan College. We’ll be presenting at 1:45 with some tricks to get your wedding planning on track, budget-saving tips, and an open Q+A session. You can also check out all of the booths and a fashion show that starts at 3:00. The show is open from 12:00-3:00 with the fashion show from 3-4:00 and admission is free!  Stop by, we’d love to see you!

2010 summer event planning internships at stella event design

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The deadline is fast approaching for our 2010 summer internships! If you’d like to apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by January 30th—-read the full details below!

What You’ll Do :: Event Assistants will assist with all day-of wedding tasks including: setting up decor at ceremony and reception sites, assisting vendors with deliveries (ie. cake, flowers, linens, rentals), assisting with the ceremony, assisting vendors as needed throughout the day, ensuring time lines are being followed, trouble shooting problems that arise, and much more. Event Assistants are always working alongside an experienced Planner or Event Associate who is there to direct & teach you!

Who We’re Looking For :: We are seeking junior & senior level students pursuing a degree in a related field (public relations, communications, hospitality & tourism, design, etc.), who are excited about learning the ins-and-outs of event planning, work well with a team, and exhibit a high level of responsibility. Weddings can be a stressful and emotionally charged time for a bride & groom and their families—the ideal candidate is friendly, enthusiastic, calm under pressure, and a great communicator! Most of our events are located in the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor/Harbor Country area, which is 60 minutes from Kalamazoo, 90 minutes from Grand Rapids, and 45 minutes from South Bend. You must be able to travel to Southwest Michigan for events.

What You’ll Get :: This is an unpaid internship and must apply towards college credit. You will walk away from this internship with hands-on experience in event planning & execution unlike anything you can learn in a classroom. This internship puts you in the action, working with real clients, professional vendors and beautiful locations throughout Southwest Michigan.

When You’ll Work :: Weddings are scheduled primarily on Saturdays, with some events on Fridays and Sundays. Interns will be scheduled to work 6-10 events throughout the wedding season (May-September) and we are happy to take schedules into consideration. Interns will also have the opportunity to work in-office during the week (hours flexible) to gain more experience in the planning that takes place prior to the wedding date!

How to Apply :: If you’re interested in joining the Stella Event Design Team for our 2010 season, please email your cover letter and resume (.pdf format preferred) to intern@stellaeventdesign.com. We will be accepting applications through January 30th and will be conducting interviews in February! If you have additional questions, please email intern@stellaeventdesign.com (no phone calls, please).

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What our 2009 interns said about their summer with Stella…

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brittanyblog “… I learned not only about event planning and coordinating, but also about how to work with vendors, what to do when things go wrong, and how to work with your clients in order to make sure that they get what they want. This internship gives you the opportunity to gain hands on experience as well as the opportunity to learn from a professional in the field.

One thing that surprised me about this internship was how much fun it was, even though I had to work hard. There are a lot of things that have to get done for each wedding and going into the internship I knew that I would have to work hard, but I had to work even harder than I thought I would! However, I also enjoyed the work that I was doing even more than I thought I would! Every day that I went to work, I was excited for what we were going to be doing. The effort we put in always paid off. At the end of every wedding we were able to reflect on the day and see that we had been successful and this was extremely rewarding.

My favorite part of this internship was working with the Stella Team. We had a great chemistry and it was easy to work together. This made accomplishing what we needed to at each wedding possible. The team that we had allowed us to get things done while having fun at the same time. I also loved working with the couples. Seeing them happy and satisfied with our work was exciting. Through this internship I really gained a love for weddings, an even greater love for planning, many new ideas on how to be creative, and great relationships with the women I worked with….” -Brittany Johnson, 2009 Event Assistant

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meganblog“…Interning with Stella Event Design was an incredible experience! When I first met Jessica, I fell in love with the passion that she has for planning exceptional weddings and her excitement and willingness to include me in the process. Each wedding that I worked on provided me with the opportunity to further understand what went into planning a wedding in addition to gaining valuable hands-on experience. I was continually surprised with the different experiences that each wedding provided and have learned first hand that no two weddings are the same. From working with other coordinators at churches to making sure every last detail at the reception is exactly what the bride wanted, I was never without something new and exciting to work on.

The most challenging part of this internship was learning to work with all varieties of people. From the delivery guys and caterers, to the mother of the groom, you definitely need to be flexible and willing to adjust to whatever situation may arise. At the end of an exhausting wedding day, the most rewarding part of the internship was being thanked by the bride and groom for such a wonderful experience. Knowing that everything turned out the way they they wanted it, and knowing that I was a direct part of that was incredible! I would definitely recommend interning with Stella Event Design to anyone who has a willingness to learn, can take challenges as they come, and has a passion for event planning!” -Megan O’Hara, 2009 Event Assistant


beautiful bouquets

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While many people think that winter must be “slow season” for a wedding planner, this is actually the time of year that we do all of our planning. So while the snow is falling outside, and I’m bundled in my winter coat & scarf, I’m also working on decor designs, color palettes and vendor appointments for some fabulous 2010 weddings. Because we plan so many weddings outdoors & on the beach, it can sometimes be challenging to look past the 2 feet of snow outside and remember what our beautiful SW Michigan landscape looks like underneath! So I love to look at past weddings, and be inspired by the beautiful weddings of summer time!

If you’re like me, and you’re surrounded by white, here are some beautiful summer bouquets to brighten your day! Have you chosen your wedding flowers? What style of bouquet will you carry? Will you choose a traditional white bouquet, or be daring with color?

Photo Credits (L-R): Ben Pancoast Photography, The Open Shutter Photography, Kelly Powers Photography, Kelly Powers Photography, Two Pair Photography, Carlos Ortiz Photo

how to get your wedding planning on track in only 2 hours

Last week I had a really fun and productive 2 hour consultation with a 2010 bride and her mom. She and her mom were feeling overwhelmed with wedding planning and wanted to sit down and talk over some things to help get them on track! We had a great conversation and covered topics ranging from the flow of the day and menu ideas to invitation wording and room layouts!

The bride and her mom left feeling back on track and relieved, and I loved that I got to help them relax and offer them professional planning advice. I know there are a lot of people out there that need help getting started, or a little guidance as they plan, and for those brides we’re offering a special 2 hour consultation for only $125, now through January 30th. The only hitch is that your consultation must take place Sunday-Friday (evening appointments are available M-F) at our St. Joseph studio! You can use your 2 hours to discuss anything, and we can help you get your planning on track! So come into our studio, enjoy a glass of wine or hot cocoa, and fire away—we’re looking forward to answering your questions and helping you to get your wedding planning on track for 2010!

If you’re interested in setting up a 2 hour consultation at this special price, email jessica@stellaeventdesign.com.

pretty and practical wedding photo props

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For their July 2009 wedding, Jessica+Bryan knew they would have some older guests who would need to be shielded from the sun, should it be a hot day. And of course, it was!  Pretty white paper parasols were given to guests who needed some extra protection from the sun, while Jess+Bryan tied the knot on the shore of Lake Michigan, and after the ceremony, the bride put her own parasol to use during wedding photos! Not only did it keep some of the sun off of the couple as they visited local beaches for their post-ceremony photos, but it also made for a lovely prop!

All photos by Brookelyn Photography

bride2be university::a unique approach to planning your wedding

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Imagine yourself sitting in our Event Design Studio, on a cozy couch with a glass of wine, learning how you can plan an amazing wedding.  After an hour of learning & discussion with a professional wedding planner and fellow brides, you have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about planning your dream wedding….welcome to Bride2Be University!

Bride2Be University is a unique approach to planning your wedding! Based on the idea of learning in small groups while having a great time, B2BU offers professional wedding planning at an incredibly affordable cost. Designed for the DIY bride, B2Bu offers classes in a range of topics, from the basics of planning your wedding, to tips on creating an Earth friendly event.

Each class is intimate & fun, and includes an hour long learning session focused on a particular topic, followed by a Q+A session. With classes costing $20-$30, this is a one of a kind opportunity to obtain professional planning advice, no matter your budget!

For more info on Bride2Be University, and to check the class schedule for February & March, visit the Bride2Be University website! Each class is designed to be an intimate learning experience with only 5-10 brides, so be sure to RSVP soon!

wedding 101::save the dates

The Save the Dates pictured below were designed by our September ’09 clients, Brittany+Hachem, and were the first glimpse guests got into the modern destination wedding they planned on the shore of Lake Michigan!
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What are Save the Dates?
Save the Dates (or STD’s) are used to give guests extra time to prepare for your wedding. They allow guests to mark the date on their calendar, get extra time off of work and make travel accommodations. They are also the very first glimpse of your wedding your guests may receive!

Who Should Send out Save the Dates?
Save the Date cards should be sent out if you are hosting a wedding on a holiday weekend, or are planning a destination wedding.  You do not need to send out Save the Dates if you are hosting a wedding in your local area on a Saturday. Save the Dates should be utilized in situations where your wedding may require guests to take extra time off of work (ie. a Friday or Sunday wedding) or make travel or hotel accommodations. But, if you’re having a wedding on a Saturday and are staying local, feel free to send out Save the Dates if you would like to give your guests an early heads up…there’s no harm in sharing your excitement with your guests a little early!

When Should Save the Dates be Sent?
Save the Dates should be sent approximately 6 months prior to the wedding date for weddings being held on a holiday weekend or a non-Saturday. For destination weddings requiring guests to travel (especially if airfare is required), Save the Dates should be sent out 9-12 months prior!

follow stella event design on facebook

If you follow our blog (and you’re reading this, so I know you do)…then you should click below to become our fan on Facebook. Mostly because it would make my day to see your smiling face in a tiny box, but also because once we hit 200 fans we’ll be doing a giveaway with all of our facebook friends! That’s right, something shiny, fun and FREE! And if that’s not enough reason for you, we also have tons of pictures posted on Facebook that you won’t find on our blog or website, and you can see all of our latest blog posts right in your facebook feed!

BECOME A FAN OF STELLA EVENT DESIGN ON FACEBOOK!

faves of 09::incorporating personal photos into your wedding

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In 2009 we had a lot of couples utilize their engagement pictures and personal photos to personalize their weddings! From engagement photos gracing their card box, to custom guest books filled with engagement shots, to table numbers accented by pictures of the couple—2009 couples used photos to share their love with their friends and family and add a fun and personal touch to their receptions. Such a simple thing, but I love it!

My favorite photo-op of 2009? For their May wedding at Mill Creek barns, Megan+Greg named each table after an “adventure” they went on together (ie. a vacation or trip), complete with a picture of the couple in that spot! It was pretty impressive considering there were 20+ tables at their reception….I don’t know that my husband and I could come up with 25 of our own vacation spots, let alone have an adorable picture of each!

Megan+Greg’s wedding at Mill Creek Barns in Southwest Michigan

Photos by Two Pair Photography

wedding 101::the 5 w’s of wedding planning

If you’re recently engaged, you may already be realizing how much is involved in planning a wedding! The average wedding takes over 250 hours to plan—that’s like another full time job for over 6 weeks—so between your normal work , family and social obligations, some people can become overwhelmed with how they can plan their wedding and enjoy it!

So if you’re considering using a professional wedding planner, or would like more information on if a wedding planner could be right for you, how a wedding planner can help you enjoy planning your wedding, when you should hire them, and more—then check out our “5 W’s of Wedding Planning” series!

The 5 W’s of Wedding Planning

  • WHAT does a Professional Wedding Planner Do?
  • WHO needs a wedding planner?
  • WHEN should I Reach out For Help?
  • WHY you should hire a professional
  • WHERE you will and won’t find help
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