The Science Behind Planning Celebrations
By Cho Phillips

When you sit down to plan a dream wedding or other social or business event, your goal is to create an experience guests will talk about long after the party is over. From the thoughtfulness put into the logistics of travel and accommodations, to the details and ingredients placed on the dining table, every aspect of a gathering creates the overall event experience.

Because an experience is what we perceive through our senses, the most memorable celebrations are the ones that entertain all five senses. For example, through sight we are delighted by décor, colors, and lighting. Smells from the kitchen awaken our anticipation of tasting savory foods and delicious desserts. Our sense of touch is intrigued by the choice of fabrics, flowers, and table décor. And listening to music offers entertainment and a sense of nostalgia.

At Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute (LWPI), Preston Bailey’s students learn the fundamentals of event planning and design by addressing the event experience by using the formula A6™ along with the five senses. This combination of identifying the architecture of an event and layering it with an appreciation for the five senses is what leaves a lasting impression with guests and clients long after the celebration is over. The A6™ formula identifies all areas of the event experience from beginning to end. The A6™ of an event represents Anticipation, Arrival, Atmosphere, Appetite, Amusement and Appreciation.

1.Anticipation
Anticipation is created once the word gets out that a celebration is in the works. Anticipation is accomplished through invitations, announcements, and the general buzz about what is being celebrated. For example, a formal invitation is a subtle way to communicate a black-tie event.

2.Arrival
A well-planned arrival is as simple as a thoughtfully placed sign or emailed instructions to an event location. Also, don’t fall short of anticipation when guests actually arrive! Have someone assigned to greet them to make everyone feel welcome.

3.Atmosphere
Event atmosphere includes everything that surrounds guests. When designing a celebration, it is the atmosphere that engages and entertains our senses. From the moment a guest enters the celebration, the design of the atmosphere adds to the event experience.

4.Appetite
The appetite of guests is an opportunity to bring cultural and visual elements into the event design, which helps create a specific mood and energy. In many cultures and traditions, food is a major focus of social gatherings and plays an important role in giving an event its character and distinction.

5.Amusement
Amusement is an important part of the event experience. From the dance floor and music to games and traditions, most celebrations include the element of entertainment.

6.Appreciation
Appreciation is part of the event experience because guests should always feel appreciated for coming to celebrate. Appreciation is commonly represented with a favor at the end of the event or a thank-you gift basket placed in guests’ hotel rooms.

Cho Phillips is the founder of Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute
http://www.theWeddingPlanningInstitute.com

Photo Credit:
Anticipation:http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2011/05/classic-black-white-calligraphy-wedding-invitations/
Arrivalhttp://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/240765
Atmospherehttp://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/259118
Appetitehttp://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/269687
Amusement:http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/285152
Appreciation: http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-dana-scotts-sweet-oregon-wedding/

Finding the perfect wedding venue isn’t difficult when you’re working with a bridal couple who has chosen their home church, or a church in their community, for their ceremony. But what happens when you have a couple who wants their certified wedding and event coordinator to think outside the box? That’s when it’s time to get creative, which means it’s a good idea for you to have a few ideas in mind at all times. As you gather information about the area you’re working in consider putting together a list of venues that not every bride would automatically think of. This can come in handy in several ways.

Historical venues often need little decor.

First, unexpected venues are often architecturally or naturally amazing, which means they need little decor to spruce them up. Such venues as botanical gardens, aquariums and art museums are great choices for brides on a budget who want to save money on flowers, and for eco-conscious brides who want to use fewer resources.

Other inexpensive yet unexpected wedding venues may include restaurants, especially ones that are considered local landmarks or serve cuisines that are directly related to the bridal couple. We also love the idea of weddings in theaters, performance halls and movie theaters with a vintage feel. Just think of the details you could pull together for a movie-themed wedding! If you live in a college town you’re very likely to encounter couples who want to incorporate their alma mater into their big day. Chapels, libraries and gardens are often special places to former students and may easily lend themselves to wedding ceremonies.

Some other eco-friendly wedding venues may include barns and working farms, which often put an emphasis on green farming techniques and organic foods. Bed and breakfasts and historic homes are often brimming with vintage charm, which means a green bride’s choice of antique linens and vintage gowns are a sure fit. And if you have a modern, yet green bride, photo galleries and art museums give off that perfect, minimalist feel.

Do you have a couple who wants to marry by the water? While the beach is an obvious option there are other choices. Weddings on a lakeside dock at sunset are unbelievably gorgeous. Or how about a wedding aboard a boat? Sailboats are great venues for intimate weddings, and they can be budget-friendly if the boat belongs to a friend or family member of the couple.

If your couple decides to go with an unexpected venue there are things to consider:
* First, work out the budget. Unexpected expenses are likely to pop up.
* Will you need extra bathrooms?
* If the wedding isn’t going to be short and sweet you may need to provide the seating.
* Does the venue allow engagement photos taken without extra costs?
* If the bride or groom are members of, say, a museum are there discounts available? Sometimes just being a local resident is enough reason to get a discount. Always ask!

The key to planning a wedding at an unexpected venue is to work with an open-minded, flexible couple. The music may have to be creative, depending on the space and whether electricity is available. But overall it’s important to simply have fun with the planning, and get the couple involved.

What are the most interesting wedding venues you’ve worked with?

Planning a wedding or an event can be the most stressful thing to do. From choosing the reception site, to the church, to the dress, to the music, to the cake, to who is going to be in the wedding party. But the very first thing that a bride HAS to do is: PLAN A BUDGET. This is going to determine how much she can spend on the reception, dress, music, cake and ultimately the number of guests.

I see so many people come into my office with such elaborate ideas and then we sit down and start talking about MONEY, and they soon realize that they can’t afford the huge reception with open bar, top-shelf liquor and top-of-the-line food for 300 people. They realize that they HAVE to scale back tremendously.

Everyone has a different idea of a dream wedding. Some want a huge lavish wedding with all the bells and whistles. Some want a small intimate wedding in a backyard or garden. Whichever wedding is for your bride, be sure to make it a wedding that she wants and is happy with. She has to be happy with the wedding or event to truly enjoy it. When planning an event you want to take into consideration what is important to your bride. Is it her dress, the cake, the reception, the ceremony, or the food?

People will spend the most money on what is the most important them. If it is the dress then she might validate spending a large amount on it because that is the most important part of her wedding. The same goes for the cake, the music or anything else. I will offer these key pieces of advice:

1. Plan a budget.
2. Make it realistic.
3. Stick to the budget.
4. Determine what is important to the bride.

Do you have any tips to offer couples planning a wedding on a budget?

Be sure to visit Shafonne’s website, follow her on Twitter, and read more about her in this LWPI Instructor Spotlight. Lovegevity is excited to welcome Shafonne to the blog! Check here for more exciting news about her partnership with LWPI.

Weddings are a lot of fun, but they’re also a lot of work. Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute is devoted to setting aspiring wedding and event planners on the right track, and Nicole Brennan of LovelyGirls Weddings in Wilmington, Del., is the perfect example.

According to her website, Nicole: “Once would have described herself as ‘retro modern chic’, but was most recently told she had a flair for the vintage! ‘I love bold colors, strong contrasts, and patterns. I always look for something different,’ says Nicole. ‘I am not afraid to blend different styles – modern can co-exist with vintage, traditional can mingle with elements that are more funky and off-beat.’ She lives by the rule that if your showing a lot of leg, then you might want to cover up the top! She feels that her events should have the same feel. Nicole attended the University of Delaware while majoring in Fashion Merchandising and just currently received her Wedding Planning Certification from the Wedding Planning Institute in the Spring of ‘09.”

In this new LWPI feature, Real Weddings from LWPI Graduates, we want to showcase some of the hard work - and absolutely breathtaking designs - of some of our graduates. We’re starting today with Nicole. All of these photos are courtesy of Laura Novak of Novak Photography. We’re super impressed with Nicole and LovelyGirls‘ work! Aren’t you?

Some of our favorite details from Kara and Marc’s wedding at Appleford have to be first, the color choices. Pink and green is such a classic yet always fresh combo for spring weddings. We know that engagement season is about to begin; many brides receive their diamonds during the holidays! And a lot of them will be planning spring weddings so Nicole’s details are great inspiration for you wedding planners who will be designing those upcoming spring weddings.

We also love the black and white touches, such as the damask on the invitations, votives, table numbers and wedding cake. The same pattern is also repeated in green with several details, tying everything together. What are you favorite details from this gorgeous wedding?

Interested in having one of your weddings featured? Contact our managing editor for more information. And for more on the vendors used in Marc and Kara’s wedding see the following links.

Wedding Planners: LovelyGirls Events
Floral: Beautiful Blooms
Photography: Laura Novak of Novak Photography
Videography: Blue Hen Video Productions
Invites, Escort Cards, Table Numbers, Favor Tags (all stationery): Greenleaf Paperie
DJ: Timmy D Productions
Caterer + Cake: Jack Francis Catering
Hair: Perry Anthony Salon + Day Spa
Make-Up: Evoluer Image Consultants
Bridesmaids Dresses: Watters and Watters
Bridal Shoes: Nina Bridal Collection

Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute is excited to announce the newest venture for Michelle Bromley, an instructor of wedding and event-planning certification through LWPI at Austin Community College.

Click on the photo to see a gallery of amazing photos from Allison's Events.

Bromley, a full-time event planner with 14 years of experience, has worked with such businesses as venues, catering companies and a charter cruise ship in the Austin, Texas, area. She has always believed that her talents were best suited for weddings, and as the new owner of Allison’s Events she will oversee the execution of entire events for many clients. The previous owner of Allison’s Events, Nancy Allison, says she is “thrilled that Michelle is taking the reins. She is an eager and skilled friend, who I am confident will succeed in any endeavor that she undertakes.”

According to the company’s website:

“Allison’s Events is Austin’s premier wedding consultation, coordinating and event planning service. (They) are experienced and dedicated to designing individually styled weddings, gala events and corporate affairs that reflect your personality and style down to the last glorious detail. Allison’s Events was founded after 30 plus years in full service catering, hotels, restaurant and special event planning. Nancy Hoffmann-Allison, (the former) owner of Allison’s Events, was the founder and president of a full service catering firm for 19 years. During her career, she has designed hundreds of weddings and events. Michelle Bromley joined Allison’s Events in 2008 as their wedding specialist. Both have extensive experience, creativity, energy and knowledge, are award winning event planners.”

Bromley has served on the board of directors for the Austin Chapter of International Special Events Society since 2005. She was awarded the chapter’s Spirit of ISES award in 2006 and 2009, and has won scholarships to the organization’s annual educational conference. In addition to being a full-time wedding and event planner, Bromley is an instructor through Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute at Austin Community College. She trains students in several fields, including venue owners and catering managers, and also those people who are interested in planning weddings and other events.

To learn more about Bromley’s classes at Austin Community College, contact her at (512) 267-4544 or michelle@allisonsevents.com. Interested students can enroll in her class at http://www.certifiedweddingplannertour.org/austin.html.