Posts Tagged ‘day of coordinator’

Wedding Advice from Meagan Gilpatrick of Maine Seasons Events

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Meagan from Maine Seasons Events shares with brides some creative and practical ways to enhance a guest’s experience at a wedding. Check out some of Meagan’s great ideas!  ~LS

At Maine Seasons Events, we consider many details when choosing elements that will enhance our wedding guests’ experience.  Creating many outdoor weddings, and being in Maine, the weather changes often and sometimes dramatically-having rain ponchos and umbrellas stashed nearby, even on the sunniest of summer days has proven to be a smart idea.

While guests arrive and mingle prior to the wedding ceremony, beverage stations help quench their thirst on warm summer afternoons.  Bamboo fans attached to each wedding program and handed out at the entrance to the ceremony, allow guests to create their own cooling breeze, if Mother Nature isn’t providing one.  And though it is not a new idea, flip flops in baskets by the dance floor have saved many a box of Band Aids from being deployed!

Containers of insect repellent, in multiple forms, DEET and DEET free, are usually found almost empty at the end of a summer wedding on the Maine coast.  Custom embroidered hats for a sunny dock side rehearsal luncheon are a fun way to provide guests relief from the sun’s glare on the ocean.  Heaters in tents for cool autumn weddings, fun kid activates and foods for guests with little ones, and a quiet, comfortable and clean place for new mommies to nurse, feed and change their infants have been important guest specialties at our weddings.  After dinner snacks for dancers and late night party goers, a bouncy castle for kids or college friends to jump on (it’s happened), photo booths and memory tables, featuring photos of the couple as children, their parents and grandparents on their wedding days and even slideshows of the couple growing up, provide guests with sustenance and entertainment.  When thinking of your guests’ experience, consider the season, the weather, the temperature, the hour of the conclusion of the wedding and any special logistic or environmental factors that provide an opportunity to do a little something special.  In many cases guests have gone to great lengths, travel and expense to be with a couple on their wedding day, and it is a kind gesture and good hosting to consider their overall experience.

Maine Wedding Planner - Maine Seasons Eventsimage by Cunningham Photography

Living in New Hampshire, we know how viscous those pesky mosquitoes and gnats can be and with something so simple as a couple containers filled with bug spray, guests will be more at ease throughout the night.

Maine Wedding Planner - Maine Seasons Eventsimage by Cunningham Photography

Maine Wedding Planner - Maine Seasons Eventsimage by Cunningham Photography

Maine Wedding Planner - Maine Seasons Eventsimage by Brea McDonald Photography

Loving this!  Simple yet, chic.

Maine Wedding Planner - Maine Seasons Eventsimage by Cunningham Photography

Bamboo is such a great texture and perfect for a summer event, whether your wedding is on the beach or at a farm.

Maine Wedding Planner - Maine Seasons Eventsimage by Cunningham Photography

Maine Seasons Events
Website: www.maineseasonsevents.com
Blog: www.maineseasons.blogspot.com
my Kate Parker Wedding State and Budget: ME, $25-50k and $50-80k

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Maine wedding planner, Meagan Gilpatrick of Maine Seasons Events is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, your online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

Massachusetts Wedding Planner – EFD Creative

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Massachusetts wedding planner, Edna Dratch-Parker is the owner of EFD Creative, a wedding design and event planning company based out of Massachusetts.  EFD Creative can help you with all aspects of your wedding including Complete Event Planning, Theme Design and Consulting, Custom Invitation Designs, Vendor Selection and Coordination and Web Site Design and Development.  Check out Edna in today’s vendor spotlight . . . KM

Edna_newphoto-1

Number of Years in Business: EFD Creative officially launched in February 2009. I’ve been planning events throughout my career—from my years as a fashion designer to more than 20 years as a graphic designer and marketer.

Preferred Locations: What I love about location is what it says about my clients. I recently did a wedding for a couple who is always outdoors – hiking, biking and just enjoying nature. Their wedding took place in the mountains in Vermont, which suited them perfectly, and inspired me in so many ways to combine the location with their personalities to create the touches and atmosphere that spoke to who they are as a couple. For me, the key aspect about location is how it serves as a backdrop to the main event — the wedding! — and its potential to showcase my clients.

Pricing Information: Because every event is unique, all pricing is determined per project. EFD Creative is available to meet for an initial free consultation.

What makes me stand out in what I do? I think what helps me stand out is my formal training as an artist and graphic designer. It is through the lens of a designer and years helping clients create the look and feel of their businesses that I approach my work as an event planner. More and more weddings are being branded in the same way, which I think is due to the growing popularity of design shows that highlight celebrity weddings, brides-to-be and other lifestyle events. People want to make a statement, and this is where I can make the most impact.

For me, it is important to understand who my clients are and what they want for their special day. From there I work to build an event that meets my clients’ hopes and dreams for their wedding day and brings artistry and an attention to detail that shines through from the first invitation to the final thank you card. Every client wants to make their “stamp” on the world as a new couple, and my goal is to help bring their vision to life. It’s such an exciting process, and the best reward is the thrill of the day when it all comes together!go

What’s the favorite part of my work? My favorite part of the job is the people. This is what event planning is about! I love working with the bride and watching her gain confidence in the process and the couple’s excitement when they see their vision become a reality! Weddings by their nature are a joyous occasion and I simply love being a part of this day. I also really enjoy the camaraderie of working with all the other vendors in the process. Everyone contributes their expertise to some aspect of the event – from the table linens to the flowers and photography. It is a grand mosaic that has to come together perfectly, and I love being the one to help guide every piece of the puzzle into place.

What do I like to do in my spare time? When I’m not running around for my business, I try to get outdoors to exercise and enjoy the fresh air! My husband has a motorcycle, so in the summer we love to take long rides, especially on Cape Cod. I also cherish my friendships and always try to squeeze in time to catch up with friends over shopping or dinner.

What charity am I supporting and why: There are three charities I support that are very important to me personally: the American Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) and the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Like many families, cancer has touched mine and I try to do what I can to support research efforts that will help find a cure. My husband developed diabetes as a juvenile, and since I met him I’ve learned so much about this disease and the great work that JDRF is doing. As for the ASPCA, I’ve had cats for nearly my entire adult life and think it’s important to support the ASPCA so that cats, dogs and other animals can find happy, loving homes.

Golf carts
Having golf carts is a great form of short distance transportation as they are typically quite affordable and easily accessible.
Table
The flowers at this wedding were done by Lilac Floral in Massachusetts.
Band
Cake
This beautiful cake was made by Delicious Desserts.  Notice the recurring seashell theme throughout the next couple of pictures.
Calligraphy
The silver seashell place card holders are adorable, I love the simplicity.
Invite
These Invitations were made by Edna herself and I think they came out beautifully . . .  and the seashell makes another appearance.
Tent
musicians
flowers
A ballet wrap can be a beautiful addition your bouquet and a jeweled embellishment can really complete the design.
All Above Images by Kristin Spencer.

EFD Creative
Phone: 781.856.1981
Website: www.efdcreative-events.com
Email: info@efdcreative-events.com
myKPW State and Budget: MA $25k-$50k and $50k-$80K

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Massachusetts wedding planner EFD Creative is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding, your new online wedding resource guide launching in January 2010 geared toward directing brides to quality vendors based on their price range and state.