Event Planning Series: How Planners Can Save you Time, Money and Your Peace of Mind

Hiring an event planner is often more than just a nice-to-have service. Today, the costs and complexity of planning an event have many people turning to a planner, helping them save time and have a better event for their investment. Why? Read on for details and words of wisdom from Lindsay Landman who founded Lindsay Landman Events in 2001.

Reasons To Hire an Event Planner

YOU WANT TO REDUCE YOUR EVENT COSTS
This is the opposite of what most people expect because the assumption is that by simply having to pay an event planner, you’re spending more money. Not so. Once you develop the budget with an event planner, the planner can save you money by working with vendors to cut costs in a variety of ways.

BETTER VENDOR AND VENUE OPTIONS
Planners have a rolodex full of partners, a wealth of knowledge about their pricing, and advantages/disadvantages. This knowledge will save you hours of time when planning an event and insure you get what you need to fulfill your vision at the best price.

...FOR MORE TIPS, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Q&A WITH A PROFESSIONAL

WHAT’S A COMMON EVENT PLANNING MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE?
People are often limited by money without knowing what things cost. I have to educate clients all the time about what the investments really are. Don’t make the assumption that red costs more than purple. Don’t let what you think are the costs limit your imagination - when you’re first planning, think, if money were no object, what would this party look like?

ITEM WHICH IS MOST WORTH THE MONEY?
I think the best investment in an event is staffing. It enhances the guest and client experience in every way. I would rather have a limited bar that is well staffed, than fewer bartenders with a full bar that the guests can’t reach. The product has no value without gracious service.

...FOR MORE Q&A, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Want to Learn More about Planning Your Next Event? Check out our other event planning blog posts or Contact Us for an event consultation. 

Event Planning Series: Rethink Your Event Catering - S'mores, mason jars and fresh flavors

As many people who have planned events know, catering can be one of the biggest expenses. Having good quality food is also one of the most important elements of a successful event. Poor food can leave guests with a literal bad taste in their mouth, and complaints that might ruin guests’ overall memory of the event. We spoke with Jessica Alton of Thomas Preti Caterers for advice on how to have food that will make your guests happy and your event a standout.

Catering Tips to Inspire

REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE EAT WITH THEIR EYES
If your caterer cares about how their food looks, you can rest assured that they care even more about how their food tastes. Confidence in flavor typically leads to confidence in presentation.

CONSIDER A CREATIVE DESSERT TABLE
Instead of serving traditional desserts, which are costly and usually go uneaten, win over your dessert lovers with a fun dessert table. Some crowd pleasers include a chocolate fountain with dipping treats, a candy bar table for guests to fill small bags, or mini cupcakes on a pedestal. All of these options require little staffing, and create a ‘wow’ factor, while being cost effective.

...FOR MORE TIPS, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Q&A WITH A PROFESSIONAL

WHAT’S A CATERING CONVENTION YOU THINK SHOULD BE CHALLENGED?
Often clients are looking to do choice entrees or duet entrees. We recommend not offering a choice (we always have a silent vegetarian option) and providing instead a wonderful meal that you select for your guests. As you are the host, this shows your guests that you care about them and have chosen for them what you think they will enjoy.

WHAT ARE SOME POPULAR CATERING OPTIONS RIGHT NOW?
We’re always out there looking to create new things. Some great ideas include:
• Fun, thematic cocktails. It works great to match your cocktail with the menu, season or the preferences of the guest of honor
• Presenting things in a mason jar - it’s fun and people love it.
• S ‘mores are everywhere. S ‘mores cupcakes, cookies, brownies, open faced and cheesecakes.
• I’m a fan of black and white cookies. It’s a perennial favorite. They’re always going to be fabulous.

...FOR MORE Q&A, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Want to Learn More about Planning Your Next Event? Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget or Contact Us for an event consultation. 

Event Planning Series: Extending The Life of Your Event with Photography

Choosing an event photographer and/or videographer can be challenging – they must be able to tell a strong visual story while capturing important moments. Photographer Zev Greenfield of Milk & Honey Productions outlines questions to ask and things to keep in mind when recording your next event.

Think Beyond the Moment

MAKE EVERYTHING EASILY SHARABLE
From signage to venue setup, make sure your event lends itself well to being photogenic and easy to share on social media. In this day and age, lots of photographers offer interactive photo-sharing technologies so attendees can share photos on-site during your event. If you want guests to share photos during the event itself, be sure to bring this up during your initial conversations to see if this is an option.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR EVENT
Events are a huge investment, make sure to get the greatest return. Have compelling photographs and beautifully told stories on video to make the event memorable and engaging for guests who aren’t able to attend. Photographs can also help to increase interest in future events.

...FOR MORE TIPS, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget
 

Q&A With a Professional

WHY INVEST IN VIDEO?
Video is often a second thought, however, people should consider using a videographer for any event where there’s a speech involved or a message being given to people. While it’s easier to upload and share pictures and videos, video captures words, emotion, movement and sound in a way that photography simply cannot. It takes skill and expertise to tell an event story. It’s easy to shoot images but to tell it in such a way where there’s a thought process, beginning to end, and also convey a message, that takes talent and experience.

HOW CAN GOOD PLANNING ENHANCE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY?
Plan how and when you’ll use your event photos before the event. People often want photographs and video immediately. Go in knowing the timing you’ll need post-event and be clear about this schedule with the photographer.

...FOR MORE Q&A, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Want to Learn More about Planning Your Next Event? Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget or Contact Us for an event consultation. 

Misty Copeland Performs at HELEN MILLS Theater as part of WSJ+ Event

This past Monday, December 1st, ballet dancer Misty Copeland joined Wall Street Journal subscribers at HELEN MILLS Theater for an exclusive performance and Q&A interview as part of the WSJ+ series. Wall Street Journal Senior Editor and Arts Reporter Pia Cotton led the Q&A (pictured below).

Misty Copeland was recently featured in the inspiring 'I will what I want' Under Armour commercial and is debuting this month as the lead in the American Ballet Theater's Nutcracker at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Her performance was simple and truly stunning. See below for a gif of the performance and more information about the Wall Street Journal Plus Series.

The Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy blog also produced gorgeous videos showing the performance and Q&A. Click here or on the image below for more information and videos:

About WSJ+: A new Wall Street Journal experience exclusively for subscribers. WSJ+ membership is a complimentary addition to your subscription and gives you a range of hand-picked offers and an enviable calendar of events. More here.

Planning a Performance or Other Theater Event? Contact Us for more information about the HELEN MILLS Theater or see here for more information.

Event Planning Series: Event Entertainment To Wow Your Guests

Entertainment can make the difference between a unique and memorable event and one that
guests forget once they step out the door. Never considered having entertainment at your event? Read on for recommendations and a Q&A from event entertainment expert Brian Rosenbaum. Brian is the President of The Entertainment Company and has 25 years of experience in the event entertainment industry working with 1,000's of clients.

Do Something Different

TAKE A RIDE ON THE MOBILE BANDWAGON
Encourage your guests to interact with the event by using mobile technology. Some ideas to consider:

1. Set up a projection screen with a twitter wall of live tweets from the event.

2. Set up a projection screen that displays photos taken at the event in real-time.

3. Set up a hashtag print station where guests can print photos from the event that they have posted on social media. This type of interactivity will keep your audience engaged throughout the event (as well as publicize your event on social media).

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Hire entertainers that your guests won't expect. Some crowd pleasers include dancers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, magicians, graffiti artists, and balloon artists. These entertainers will liven the vibe of your event, and make your event stand out.

...FOR MORE TIPS, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Q&A with a Professional

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST UNCONVENTIONAL ENTERTAINMENT YOU'VE PROVIDED?
We’ve had aerial performers with high ceiling venues. We’ve also done indoor ice-skating for winter themes, complete with professional ice skaters doing performing a show for guests.

ENTERTAINMENT OPTION YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF?
Strolling performers are great when there are a lot of people at an event. These performers are like the street performers you see in New York City. They are extremely talented and will circulate throughout the room, doing a number of performances a night for small groups of people. They create intimate performances that don’t disrupt the flow of the event. 

...FOR MORE Q&A, Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget

Want to Learn More about Planning Your Next Event? Download our eBook - Essential Event Tips You Can't Forget or Contact Us for an event consultation.