The Most Wonderful Time of Year!

I am still having a hard time adjusting to the fact that it is December.  As mentioned in an earlier post I LOVE Christmas so I welcome it, but it just happened so fast!  Right now I am busy preparing for the holidays, and our annual Christmas party.  After planning other people's special events throughout the year, I always have a lot of fun planning one of our own for our friends and family.  In light of up my upcoming event, I wanted to share a few Christmas party tips.

When planning for a Holiday Party, I always start with decor.  It's important to enhance your current space with festive items.  Before you buy a bunch of decorations, take some time in your space to brainstorm.  What color schemes are already in place?  What holiday colors would work best?  What colors would not work at all?  In the interest of planning within a budget, I always make a decor wish list before I commit to anything.  Once I make the wish list, I sit on it for a little while, which helps you prioritize.  I love crafting, so sometimes the items on my wish list involve some type of creation and/or assembly.  Waiting to purchase helps me realize what I have the time and energy for, and what is most important.  One decor item I made last year literally took me weeks.  But it was something that I really wanted, and had been wanting to do for a very long time.  So it was worth it!  Not everything is.  When choosing your decor items, incorporate them into the setup of your space, utilize things you already have.  This will not only help on cost, but will make setting up much easier.

When you have a Holiday Party, remember that  you are not the only one that wants to have friends and family over for fun.  It's important to plan ahead so that you can invite everyone in time.  It's competitive out there!  My rule of thumb for parties is to send your invitations one month out, but during the holidays, it doesn't hurt to get them out a little earlier.  I figure once Halloween has come and gone, it's practically Christmas already, so get those invites in the mail!  When choosing your date, I recommend you don't get too close to the actual holiday.  If you do, you may run into problems with guests that are traveling, or have other commitments.  If you put the effort into planning for a party, you want to have guests there!  Some of my favorite places for invitations are Tiny Prints, 123 Print, and Vista Print.

An important part of any party is food and beverage.  Just like you are enhancing your space with decor, you want to plan for appropriate food and beverage.  If you choose to have your party during a meal time, people will expect to eat there.  If you want to save on food costs, choose a time that avoids a meal time, such as mid-afternoon.  It's easy to get carried away with having tons of different food options.  Consider having a handful of items, but plenty of each.  This can help on cost, and it will definitely help out with your preparation.  Here is a great resource from Martha Stewart, it has party themes with coordinating menus.  Some of her menu items are quite labor-intensive, so if that's not your style, just use her ideas as inspiration for your own creations.  I am frequently asked how to figure out how much alcohol you need to have for a party.  A rule of thumb is three drinks per person, but that doesn't always apply.  I found a little tool called a Drink Calculator from Evite a while back, and it has come in handy more than once.  Check it out!

You may want to have games or activities at your party.  Consider your space when planning games.  Avoid activities that require everyone to be in one room if your space doesn't have the room to do so.  Here is a good resource for game ideas.

I hope these few tips are helpful to you in planning your holiday party!  And remember, if planning isn't your thing, give Charlotte Event Style a call!

~Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

In the Works...

I have been pretty slack on the blogging lately.  Fall weddings took a front seat, and now the Holidays are upon us!  I hope to be a better blogger in 2012.  However I have big things in the works for Charlotte Event Style.  I have been working hard to get ready for the launch of a new venture for the company.  I am very excited about it, and cannot wait until it is ready to be revealed!  Stay tuned for more news, and I hope to do a Christmas post asap!  Happy Tuesday!

~Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Turkey Time!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?  This year has just flown by, but I welcome my favorite time of year with open arms!  I just love the holidays, especially Christmas.  Don't hold it against me, but I will joyfully listen to any Christmas songs on the radio before Thanksgiving, it's never too soon!  But let's certainly not pass over Thanksgiving without giving it the spotlight that it deserves.

One of the reasons I love the holidays is because it brings out the joy and kindness in many people.  Sure, we should be kind all year long, but it seems that the holidays always remind us of what's really important.  2011 has been a fast and blessed year.  I am so grateful for my loving husband, family and friends.  Each of them bless me every day!  I am also so thankful for the wonderful clients and colleagues that I have met through Charlotte Event Style.  I don't know how I always get so lucky to have such fun clients!  And if you are reading this, thank you!  I never saw myself as a blogger, and I have a long ways to go to be great blogger, but it's been fun and I hope you have enjoyed my posts.

I also love Thanksgiving because it means lots of delicious food!  It's so wonderful to gather the family at my parents' house for a big meal.  My grandmother who is now a whopping 91 years old taught me to make her sweet potato casserole several years ago, so that is always my dish to make.  Sweet potatoes cooked with butter, sugar and brown sugar; then topped with golden brown marshmallows.  What's not to love?  I love to cook, and am always searching for new recipes.  One of my favorite holiday recipe sources is Better Homes and Gardens online.  Check out their Thanksgiving recipes, decoration ideas and tips. Be sure to check out the planning tips too!

Here is a classic picture of Thanksgiving with my family:  Dad carving the turkey, my mom and I working out the gravy, and my dear sister chatting it up :)  This was the first year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house!

It is a busy time here at CES, as we are prepping for Shaina and Josh's wedding this coming weekend in Chimney Rock, NC.  I cannot express how excited I am about this wedding.  It's going to be beautiful, and Shaina will no doubt be absolutely stunning.  Check out the venue below....need I say more?

~Alisa

info@charlotteeventstyle.com

704.960.2262

Welcome New Clients Trika and Shaun!

This week I had the pleasure of meeting Trika, a gorgeous bride to-be.  Her honey, Shaun, proposed to her just two weeks ago.  He popped the big question at Crowder Mountain; a place they frequent for hikes and has special meaning to their relationship.  She was completely surprised (well done Shaun!) and of course was super excited.  She showed me a precious picture that was taken by a passerby on the mountain, and they looked so happy, and even their dog was smiling for the camera!  Adorable.

I am so excited to be working with Trika and Shaun for their September 2012 wedding at The Palmer Building.  This couple was a referral from one of my very recent past brides, Abby!  I just love referrals, they mean so much.  I look forward to sharing more about this fun couple, welcome Trika and Shaun!!

~Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ridenhour!

CONGRATULATIONS ABBY & MATTHEW!

This past weekend my beloved clients and dear friends, Abby and Matthew tied the knot!  As expected, this wedding was a blast!  I will have more pictures soon, can't wait to show off the amazing work of Taylor Stading!  Thank you to all of the hard working vendors that made this day a great success:

Ceremony: Sharon Presbyterian Church
Officiant: Dr. Robert Blumer
Ceremony Musicians: Sandra Breaux, Kristie Chapman and Vicki Bittleston
Reception: The Palmer Building
Photography: Taylor Stading Photography
Flowers/Decor: Charlotte Event Style
DJ: Chris Driggers
Catering: Hatley on Main
Cake: Becky Vandergriff
Hair and Makeup: Who's the Fairest
Girls' Hairpieces: For the Love of Fabric

~Alisa

Boo-Tastic Tips!

Fall is here!  With the beginning of Fall comes anticipation of the Holidays ahead.  This month we will celebrate Halloween.  As a kid you salivate over the giant bag of candy you will score, and as an adult you are planning the perfect costume for your favorite annual Halloween party.  Now if you are hosting a Halloween party this year, you may be thinking more about the planning of the event than what you will wear.  Maybe.  See below for some fun ideas and decorations to make your party a great success!

For a spooky effect, be sure that your party begins after dark.  Lit jack-o-lanterns just don't have the same effect in the afternoon sunlight.  Have themed music or scary sounds playing as the guests arrive.  A costume contest is always a hit.  Tell your guests ahead of time so they will really put effort into their costumes.  Have voting and great prizes to be won.

Carved pumpkins are a standard Halloween decoration.  Get creative with your carvings!  There are tons of patterns online that you can use.  Check out this site on Better Homes and Gardens.  Adding candles around your carved creations always add that extra bit of spooky lighting.

How about a scarecrow to greet your guests?  Fill a plaid shirt and overalls or jeans with straw, and use a carved pumpkin as the head, or make a head with straw-filled burlap and draw a face.  Put him in the yard, or at the door that guests will enter through.

For food and drink, offer themed items with fun names.  Decorate with orange yellow and black wherever possible.  If you decide to serve a signature drink, serve it in a cauldron, and add dry ice for a smoky effect.

Check out this great table decor I found on Create H:

Love the use of black taper candles here.  They achieved a fun yet sophisticated look.

This would be a great fireplace decor, found on Interiorholic:

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Foodie Find Friday: The Dive N

Do you ever crave something deliciously bad for you?  I know I do.  We are always searching for a good "greasy spoon".  You just can't beat a burger cooked on a flat top grill with a side of fries.  About a year ago, we discovered a little place in Pineville called The Dive N.  It's right on South Blvd. before you cross over Pineville-Matthews Rd.  Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch, this place has a huge menu that will satisfy most any craving.

When you walk in, you will be greeted by 50's style diner decor, vintage advertisements, festive vinyl booths, and even an Elvis Presley mural on the back wall.  A family run business, you are always welcomed by the warm smiles of the staff and owners.  At the counter where you order, there is a large chalkboard menu hung on the wall.  There you will find a sea of breakfast and lunch items.  Additionally they have daily specials to add to your choices.  Once you order, you take a seat and your food is brought out to you.  Inside you will find booths and tables, probably enough to seat 40 or 50.  Outside there is a covered patio, and this past summer they added some great picnic tables and umbrellas in the front.

I have been there for both breakfast and lunch.  The breakfast menu has just about everything you could ask for, and more.  I am a sucker for good hash browns, and The Dive N does not disappoint.  They are the shredded type, and you can tell they were finished on the flat top grill by the crispy pieces on top and throughout.  Most recently I ordered the daily special, which included two eggs cooked my way, a meat of my choice, and two pancakes.  The girl (one of the daughters) was so helpful, I always have such a hard time making a menu choice.  My husband could tell you all about that!  She told me that the special included two small pancakes.  Once the food came out, I was very curious to know what a regular pancake looked like!  I chose liver mush, or liver pudding as some say, for my meat.  I love liver mush.  I think that this is one of those southern items, like okra, where if you haven't been raised on it you will not try it as an adult.  My husband adds merit to my theory, he will never sample this delicacy.  Of course, let's not forget liver mush's less-healthy cousin, Scrapple.  Now that's something you see up north more than here.  He's not trying that either.  As usual, I digress.  He ordered a sausage and egg sandwich, but this was a special sandwich because it also had a hearty portion of homemade pimento cheese in there, oh yes he did that.  Genius.  Their pimento cheese is awesome!  More about that later.  Part of my decision making dilemma was that my meal wasn't going to include hash browns.  Have no fear, my husband came to the rescue.  He got a side order to share since I agreed to share my "small" pancakes.  Behold, our feast:

How about those pancakes?

This was one hearty breakfast, and even with two teas to drink, our bill was less than $15.  Can you believe all this food?  I love that this place is open on Saturdays too, we love a late, leisurely breakfast on Saturday mornings.

This week, we went to The Dive N for lunch.  Much like breakfast, there is a huge menu with specials each day.  I made my decision much quicker and easier this time.  I went for the chicken salad sandwich on Texas Toast.  It was piled high with chicken salad, and topped with lettuce and tomato.  I skipped the extra mayo smear, let's cut calories where we can.  I opted for a pasta salad instead of fries, I was feeling healthy that day.  The chicken salad was great, it had a nice flavor, and I could see tiny bits of carrot and onion in there.  Very traditional, which is nice. A lot of places get funky with their chicken salads these days, and they are good, but it's also nice to go back to a traditional version.  My husband went for a grilled pimento cheese.  Yes, he loves the pimento cheese here.  Just imagine the familiar look of a semi-flattened grilled cheese, but inside is the warm gooey pimento cheese.  Something about it is just so much better than a regular grilled cheese.  Not feeling the need for healthy options, he chose the fries.  Again, a hearty meal and with two teas to drink, another meal under $15.

If you are in the mood for a burger, pick any of theirs and you will love it.  Their hot dogs are great too, they have all the toppings, including chili.  Be sure to pick up their punch card with your order.  You get a punch for every $5 you spend, and once your card is filled, you get $5 off!

So next time you are looking for a true diner experience, head down to The Dive N.  You will love the food, the atmosphere, and the staff.

109 North Polk St.
Pineville, NC
704-889-DIVE

Foodie Find Friday: The Open Kitchen

If you are looking for a fancy Italian restaurant, this is not the place.  But if you are looking for authentic, amazing Italian, then you must check out The World Famous Open Kitchen.  This restaurant, located on Morehead Street in the Wesley Heights neighborhood (a few minutes from uptown), has been around since 1952.  That's right, 1952.  I have been going to The Open Kitchen for as long as I can remember with my family, and I will take anyone there that is willing.  My sweet storytelling grandmother, who is now 91, always says that she went on dates there.  Now she has been known to embellish on her stories as grandmothers often do, and given that she was married in 1940, I doubt that her dating days were spent there, but I don't doubt that her and my grandfather frequented the place beginning in the 1950's.

When you walk in, you are greeted by a sea of pictures, newspaper clippings and pennants that leave not a single inch of wall (or ceiling) exposed.  Pictures of Charlotte from decades ago in frames are scattered about as well.  Maybe it's because I'm a Charlotte native, but I love to look at those old pictures, to see what the city used to be, and what it has become. 

The tables are covered with red and white checkered picnic table cloths, along with your standard jars of powdered Parmesan and red pepper flakes.  There are a few main dining rooms, one to the right and a couple to the left.  In the room to the right there is a bear on a unicycle that runs across the room on a string.  I loved that thing as a kid!  Oh who am I kidding, I still love it when he cycles across the room.

If you come on a weekend night, either make reservations or be prepared to wait.  Once seated, your server will bring you a basket of bread, along with crackers.  My mom just loves the Melba toast, she says she never sees it anywhere else.  The menu has a lot to offer.  They have many Italian specialties like Lasagne Di Stefano which is basically traditional lasagna with a hearty helping of extra cheese baked on top.  My husband's personal favorite is the Fettuccine Di Alessandro.  To call it Alfredo would not be fair.  Picture fresh fettuccine noodles smothered in a bubbly, creamy Alfredo sauce, with chopped bacon and Parmesan cheese mixed in.  Top it off with a well-seasoned chicken breast, and you have the Fettuccine Di Alessandro.  My husband likes it so much he refuses to order Alfredo anywhere else, he's exclusive to The Open Kitchen.

I always start my meal off with a house salad.  Always.  Their house dressing is called Mama K's Italian and it is unbelievable.  They bring it out in a squeeze bottle, now that's what I'm talking about.  Somehow I always manage to spill some dressing onto my bread.  Oops.  I'm not the only big fan of this dressing, because they actually sell it by the bottle.  Is it a surprise to know that I have gone home with a bottle more than once?  Call me boring, but I almost always order the same meal at The Open Kitchen.  My family could be spokespeople for spaghetti and meat sauce.  I grew up eating it all of the time, and we would often eat it at restaurants as well.  For those Charlotteans, you may remember the Spaghetti Warehouse which is now Byron's South End, or the Spaghetti Factory which is now The Big Chill.  So spaghetti and meat sauce is my dish of choice here, and it never disappoints.  I've branched out and tried the meatballs, but they weren't as good as the sauce.  I have also ordered the pizza at times, and it is delicious.  The crust is thin, the toppings are fresh.  It comes out piping hot, made just for you.

The Open Kitchen is hands down one of my favorites places to eat.  The food is always delicious, the staff is friendly, and it just has a great feel to it.  Wear what you want, be comfortable.  It's all about the food.  This is and always has been a family run business, and they do a great job of making you feel welcome.  I am not the only one that loves this place, check out this blog I stumbled upon this week to see some great pictures, and interesting history of the place:   http://charlotteeats.blogspot.com/2008/03/open-kitchen-hall-of-fame-eatery.html

The Open Kitchen cannot be missed.  I just love that it has been open for so long, and I hope it will stay around for many, many years to come.  So be sure to visit soon, enjoy the food, you will be hooked!  And remember to take a bottle of Mama K's dressing home with you too.

The Open Kitchen
1318 W Morehead Street
Charlotte, NC 28208
704.375.7449

~Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Vendor Spotlight: Renee Skipper Design

Today's Vendor Spotlight holds a special place in my heart.  Renee Skipper of  Renee Skipper Design is one of my dear past brides.  We had so much fun working together for her March 2010 wedding.  We have kept in touch ever since which is so great!  Soon after the wedding, Renee and Nathan made a move to Savannah.  While there, Renee founded Renee Skipper Design.  She has extensive experience in graphic design; she most recently worked for the Business Journals prior to starting her own company.  Renee is back in Charlotte and still does a lot of work with the Business Journals, but has also gained a wide variety of clients.  

I got my first look at Renee's amazing talent while we were planning her wedding.  She designed her save the dates and invitation suite, as well as her ceremony programs.  She also designed the Just Married sign for her reception, one of my favorite details of the day.

Aren't these just beautiful?!  I love to see the stationery elements flow like this.  Since her wedding, she has done work for other weddings as well.  She designs custom logos for your big day, that you can use in many different ways.  Here's a couple wedding logos she did for some of our other weddings:

Renee does gorgeous design, and will work with you to come up with a completely unique and customized stationery suite for your wedding.  Who wouldn't want that?  Her work doesn't stop with invitations, if you come up with it, odds are Renee can make it a reality for you.

 Already married?  Have other design needs?  Renee designs all types of invitations and stationery for any occasion.  Recently married?  Let Renee design custom monogram thank you cards.  Everyone needs thank you cards on hand. 

Lastly, Renee also does a lot of work for business owners.  She can design business cards, marketing materials, anything that will help your business be successful. 

Give Renee Skipper Design a call, I know that you will love working with her, as well as the fantastic product you will receive.

~Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Foodie Find Friday

If you have read any of my previous blog posts, you probably picked up on the fact that I am a foodie.  I love all things food: learning about it, cooking it, and of course eating it.  I love to try new things, and am always searching  for the hidden jewels of Charlotte.  When traveling I will go to great lengths to avoid any chain restaurants that I can go to at home.  So while I have a passion for event planning, my love for food is right up there too!

Last week my husband and I stumbled onto a great little place, seconds from our neighborhood...who knew?!  We are lucky enough to live in a culturally diversified area of the city, so we have discovered many fun places in the last couple of years.  This week we were craving Mexican food, a normal craving in our household.  Taco night at home?  The usual Cantina 1511 or Monterrey?  No, this time we wanted something different.  Something authentic.  We also love coupons and often let the savings do the choosing for us.  Out came my husband with a coupon to Taqueria La Unica.  No harm in giving it a try, so off we went.  About two whole minutes later, we arrived at our destination. 

Being mid-week, the place wasn't too crowded.  We never mind that!  A very nice hostess seated us in a booth.  It's not a huge place, maybe seats 75 or so.  We were immediately served a basket of warm, fresh tortilla chips, along with a carafe each of tomato salsa and tomatillo salsa.  Both salsas had a wonderful flavor, and the tomatillo had a pretty good kick to it.

After chowing down on some chips, we started to browse the menu.  The items were very authentic, and I had a hard time deciding what I was going to indulge in for dinner.  After much thought, I decided on three tacos.  Their tacos come with cilantro and chopped onion, yes please.  They also have a taco La Unica which is your choice of meat topped with cheese, lettuce and sour cream.  They have the usual chicken, ground beef, steak and pork.  But they also have some not so common varieties like marinated pork, cow tongue and tripe.  I decided to go with carne asada (steak), al pastor (pork), and pollo (chicken).  I went with the La Unica version for the chicken but stuck with the original on the steak and pork. 

The rest of the menu had the traditional burritos, quesadillas and seafood specialties that you would typically see on a Mexican restaurants' menu.  On the weekend they have a couple of stew specials that sounded good.  My husband also ordered a batch of queso fundido, the delicious white cheese dip.  It was a good size, and the flavor was spot on.  Sometimes you get a runny mess, but this was perfect.

Our tacos arrived very quickly.  They also brought a little ramekin of lime wedges.  The tacos were served on soft corn tortillas with a garnish of a smoked whole jalapeno and pearl onions.  Don't get me wrong, I love spicy stuff, but biting into that jalapeno was not happening.  The tacos were amazing, to say the least.  All three of the meats were moist with wonderful flavor, and the pork had a bit of a crust to it which provided a nice crunch.

We both cleaned our plates (except for the jalapenos), and left with a lingering flavor of spicy tomatillo on our palates.  Meanwhile, I have been craving Mexican pretty much since we left.  Ever had something so delicious, you want it again immediately?  I can't forget to mention the prices.  The tacos run just $1.60 each so our meal was well under $20, and after our coupon the grand total was $12.  Not too bad, huh?  I don't think we could have gotten Taco Bell for any less.

So branch out and give Taqueria La Unica at try.  They are located at 6625 South Blvd.  You won't be disappointed.

So thanks for reading my first edition of Foodie Find Friday.  I'll do my best to remember to take pictures next time.  Would love any feedback!

~Alisa
info@charlotteeventstyle.com

Happy Anniversary April and Jon!

This past weekend, my dear past clients April and Jon celebrated their one year anniversary.  I cannot believe it has already been that long!  Working with April was so special to me, as she is my oldest friend in the world.  We met at the age of eight, in second grade.  We were inseparable as kids and all through high school and college.  As we grew up and moved to different places, we have remained in touch and I cherish her, and our friendship.  At the time they were engaged, they lived in Cherryville and found West Point Farms in Rutherfordton for their wedding.  This place could not have been more perfect, it was as if it was created just for them. The journey to the farm begins with a long winding driveway to the top of a hill where three small open air cabins sit.  There is also large log cabin, pavilion and chapel.  The views of the mountains are breathtaking!

The ceremony took place mid afternoon with Jon's uncle officiating while surrounded by family, friends and the undisturbed beauty of nature.  Once the I Do's were said and a kiss was shared, April and Jon were joined by their guests in the pavilion.  The pavilion was adorned with rustic yet romantic lighting, the tables with local flowers including one of April's favorites, Queen Anne's Lace.  What a perfect flower for their mountain setting!  The decorations really reflected the personalities of April and Jon very well: no frills needed, this couple shares a true love.  Sometimes while planning a wedding the details of the day become the central focus but April and Jon didn't have that issue come up.  They kept the focus of their day on what mattered, they were committing their lives to each other.

The reception was great fun!  BBQ was catered in, and they even fried hush puppies on site!  Can't get any  fresher than that.  I was pleased to be a part of this special day.  See below for some of my favorite pictures from the day.

Can't be a mountain wedding without a picture with a Wagon!

Pictures of past generations of marriages in their families

Delicious cupcakes, and a small cake for April and Jon

April and Alisa

Family heirloom jewelry wore by April

A special thanks to Terri Hood Photography for capturing the events of the day.  Happy one year anniversary April and Jon!  I hope the first year was a great one!

With Love,

Alisa

Vendor Spotlight: One Stop Live!

Charlotte is such a great place isn't it? Maybe as a native I am a little biased, but I often find my self being thankful to live and work here. We have just about everything you want and need within reach: fantastic shopping; amazing restaurants; more concert venues than I can count; and lots of unique places like the Whitewater Center, Lowe's Motor Speedway (everyone should experience this at least once), Carowinds, and Great Wolf Lodge. A little fun fact for you: Charlotte has more churches than any city in the whole country, over 500!  I most recently discovered a hidden jewel while my husband and I were babysitting our nephews and niece. Plaza Fiesta, ever heard of it? It is right next to Carowinds in an unsuspecting building. It's website boasts that it is the largest indoor playground in the southeast! Who knew? Here is picture I took while we were there, but it doesn't even do it justice. It's much bigger than the picture portrays. The kids had a blast!  I must also mention, being the foodie that I am, that they have the most amazing Mexican food there as well. Very authentic, like nowhere else in the area that I've been.   If you have kids, you should not miss this place! And if you don't have kids, you should go just for the food.

But I digress....Charlotte is a great place to live, and a perfect place to host an event!  Today I want to tell you about One Stop Live!, a local company that provides bands, DJ, various musicians, & staging, lighting and sound.  This is not your typical DJ company, they really have a great thing going.  I have had the pleasure of working with Scooter Abrams, the owner of One Stop Live! on many occasions and he is just awesome!  While working with Scooter for the first time, I learned that he is also a Charlotte native, and that we both went to the same high school (a few years apart).  I knew that Scooter would best be able to tell me about his company, so here is what he had to say:

"One Stop Live was founded on the need for a full service, customer oriented entertainment provider for the Carolinas, that wasn't your cookie cutter "booking agency".  After having worked for another agency for over 5 years, Scooter Abrams, saw a way to do business better and to focus more on the "turn key" aspects missing from most entertainment companies today.  Not only to provide you value in the entertainment you choose, but being able to provide you everything else you may need to put on your event like staging, sound, lighting, etc....  His assumptions were right, because 8 years later One Stop Live has become one of the most prominent and well respected entertainment companies in the Carolinas.  

The wedding and private party market has become their #1 client source, with 85% of that coming from referral and word-of-mouth.  Corporate clients are provided everything from national acts to regional talent options, event management, as well as full production to carry out their convention or meeting.  Their hands-on approach and multi-step process to helping engaged couples find the perfect entertainment for both the ceremony and reception is second to none.  They're not just booking the musician, band or DJ you choose and forget about you.  They go the extra mile to personally take you throughout the process of pre-planning the entire event of activities that require the entertainer to know about and so they can not only emcee for the event, but also help manage the event for you from start to finish.  This added touch, has put them on many preferred vendor lists around the Carolinas, as well as well respected wedding planners in the industry.  They were featured in the cover story of Carolina Bride Magazine's April-June issue this year.  Accolades and personal references from the brides themselves posted right on the website, ensure that you are getting the best the industry has to offer when it comes to your entertainment."

I couldn't have said it better myself!  Scooter and his entertainers are professional, dependable and most importantly, they add to your event.  See the picture here of Scooter doing his thing at one of our weddings.  They know how to keep a reception moving, and keep the guests on the dance floor!    So if you are looking for a fantastic entertainer for your next event, reach out to One Stop Live! and see what they have to offer.  704.533.1829 or bookings@onestoplive.com

info@charlotteeventstyle.com

704.960.2262

Too Many Mouths to Feed?

So you are planning your wedding, which means you want to be surrounded by loved ones to share in the celebration.  Something about a wedding brings out the desire to invite your BFF from kindergarten, your 2nd grade teacher, and your parents' co-workers from three jobs ago; not to mention all of the people currently in your life.  Of course everyone who has ever meant something to you should be there, right? Often the guest list is a sore subject among brides, grooms and their families.  It's hard to rationally decide who makes the cut.   Now if you are working within a budget, and most brides are, that means some tough decisions are going to have to be made.  The cold harsh reality is that every person that attends your wedding is another mouth to feed.  The reception is the biggest part of your budget, and that hinges mostly on the number of guests you have, along with what the guests are offered for food and drink.

I see it over and over, the battle of the guest list.  It's certainly not an easy task.  Need to cut your guest list, but don't know where to begin?  Here's a little tool from Wedding Bee that may be helpful to you:



This is a systematic approach to narrowing down your guest list, and I think it's great.  It asks fair questions that get you to a sensible answer.  If you are in the middle of the guest list struggle, give this handy little tool a try!

Another guest list slicer is an adult reception.  This will depend entirely on your individual situation, but if there aren't children that play an integral part in your wedding, this may be a great option for you.  Sure they are a smaller cost per person, as they wouldn't be hitting up the bar and they may qualify for a lesser meal price, but the little tykes do add up!

Made all of the cuts you can, and still over budget?  There are definitely ways to keep your guest list where you want it, and stay within budget.  It means sacrificing somewhere, but it's up to you where the sacrifice is made:

• Choose less expensive food options
• Limit alcohol by having only beer and wine or a shorter bar time
• Having your wedding earlier in the day allows for less expensive food options, and people typically don't drink as much

Hopefully these tips will lead you down the path to finding the perfect balance of guest list and budget.  Happy planning!

Need help?  Give us a call!  704.960.2262 or info@charlotteeventstyle.com

Charlotte Event Style Welcomes New Clients Beth Livingston and Kevin Godfrey!

Well it's that time of year again, new engagements are in the air!  We are so excited to be a part of Beth and Kevin's Spring 2012 wedding!  In less than a week I am already really enjoying working with Beth, she has great taste and a clear vision for her big day.  The moment I saw her multi-tab spreadsheet of her planning thus far, I knew we were a planning match made-in-heaven. :)

Beth and Kevin knew each other for a while as friends (and neighbors!) before they took it to the next level.  They met through mutual friends in their condo building here in Charlotte.  In fact, they live just one floor apart, and can chat between balconies, so sweet.  Beth is originally from Maryland, and Kevin is from just down the road in Waxhaw.  They got engaged over July 4th weekend in Hilton Head, and Kevin did it right!  He planned a romantic evening complete with car service to several locations and fireworks, and capped off the evening with celebratory champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.  Way to go Kevin!

We are so excited to see what is in store for Beth and Kevin's big day!

info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Planning Tips: Stationery

Picking out stationery for your wedding is so much fun!  These days there are so many options, so many unique ways of inviting guests to your special day.  Stationery can be one of those sneaky little budget drainers.  Read on to get some ideas on stationery, as well as some helpful tips to ensure you get what you want, without blowing the budget.

Being the financial stickler that I am, let's start with some money talk.  Often when we say stationery, you think invitations.  But it is oh so much more!  Stationery includes: Save the Dates, Invitations, Programs, Thank You Cards, Seating Cards, Signs, Postage and and any other printed items you may need.  It also includes other sneaky items, such as inner envelopes, which aren't always included with invitation sets.  Additionally, the type of invite you choose may require extra postage, so keep that in mind as well.  So it is important to consider all of these items when setting a budget, and when shopping around for each item.  A good rule of thumb for setting your stationery budget is 2-5% of your total budget.  Where your stationery budget falls in this range depends on what type of priority it is for you.

So now you know what you need, and what you should spend, let's talk about some options!

Before starting to purchase or order anything, it's a good idea to have some things already checked off your list.  Your colors and theme are the foundation of your stationery.  You will want your stationery to properly reflect your day.  Is it formal?  Casual?  Rustic?  Vintage?  Destination?  Additionally, choosing stationery that matches your theme will help you achieve a consistency throughout all of your decor.  This way you can carry the invitation theme through to place cards, programs etc.

There are tons of sources out there for stationery.  I feel like I am finding new ones all of the time!  Below are a few of the places I have used with great success:

Make Your Own Invitations

This company has a variety of custom invitations and save the dates.  I have used them recently for save the dates.  They are great to work with, and provide awesome customer service.  Additionally a lot of their options involve you purchasing the JPEG for a flat rate, which allows you to make as many copies as you would like yourself.  Great  for the budget!  Just be sure that you consider all aspects of the cost here: printing, envelopes, postage, etc.

One of my awesome couples, so cute!

Wedding Paper Divas

This is one of many online printing options.  They have some fantastic stuff!  Many of their invitations have matching items so that you can get your entire stationery suite with them.  They also have great options for shower  and other party invitations. 

A luncheon invite by yours truly:

Vista Print

I love Vista Print.  I use them all of the time for shower and party invites, and many other types of stationery.  This is one of the more economical options, and they deliver a great product.  They almost always have a 50% off sale going, if you get to the site by first going to Coupon Cabin.  I never pay full price here!  One of the best parts of this company is the flexibility.  You have the capability to change just about anything: text font, size and even placement, colors, add pictures, and more.  You also always have the option to put info on the back of anything.  If you are using them for wedding invitations, definitely go for the envelope upgrade.  Their standard envelopes are plain, and pretty thin paper.  Fine for a shower invite, but for a wedding invite you will want something a little nicer.

Here's one I did for an 80's themed surprise birthday party!

Michael's

Stationery doesn't have to be ordered online.  Michael's has some good stuff, if you can find a set that fits your theme.  They also often have matching items like thank you cards and programs.  Since Michael's gives out 40% off coupons like it's going out of style, you can usually get your items for a reasonable price.  Just remember that printing, and possibly inner or extra envelopes, will be an extra cost.  This printing can be done at places like Kinko's for little cost, especially if you are printing in black ink.  They do not offer thermography printing (raised ink) though, so if you need that I suggest going to a local printer, like Imperial Printing here in Charlotte.

I have a few of these in process, but aren't ready to be revealed.  So for now, here is one that is adorable:

Martha Stewart Weddings

Last but certainly not least, Martha Stewart has some fantastic ideas for the bride that wants to break tradition.  Check out the link above for some alternative wedding invitation ideas. 

Love this fabric embellished invite:

And these fun DIY lined envelopes!

Lastly, let's talk about the stationery timeline.  Traditionally wedding invitations should be in the mail six to eight weeks before the big day.  I always encourage to aim for the eight week date to allow for delays.  Sending out less than six weeks before your wedding is not great etiquette.  Not only does it not give your guests ample notice, but you may find yourself in a time crunch to give vendors final numbers.  Typically set your RSVP date three weeks before the wedding, but check with your vendor policies on final headcount before setting the RSVP deadline.  Also keep in mind that you need a bit of time after the RSVP deadline to round up the stragglers that didn't respond!  As for events other than weddings, I suggest invites go in the mail a month before the event, maybe five weeks if it's a popular time of year like spring. 

I hope that you find this information helpful with your stationery needs.  And as always, if you need help with the planning, give me a call!

info@charlotteeventstyle.com

704.960.2262

Color Obsession

I have a love affair with the color yellow.  This isn't a new thing for me, but I am always seeing it in different combinations with other colors that constantly renew my love for yellow.  Right now my favorite yellow color combo is yellow and grey.  It's so fresh, clean and crisp.  Yummy!  So today I thought I would share some yellow and grey inspirations.

This one also incorporates birds which I just love, especially for weddings!

So summer is here, and will be gone before we know it.  So sad! Luckily that means that planning for 2012 Spring and Summer events is right around the corner.  I hope these pictures inspire you for your next party!

info@charlotteeventstyle.com
704.960.2262

Bridal and Baby Shower Ideas!

Last week I went to see the movie Bridesmaids with a fabulous group of girls.  It was hilarious!  A definite chick flick, like none other.  Now if you are lucky enough to have seen this movie already, then you will surely remember the unforgettable bridal shower scene.  This prompted me to write a bit on the subject.

Most girls have found themselves facing the task of planning a shower for a beloved friend or family member at some point in their lives.  Now this can be so much fun to do, but it can also be a daunting task for some.  With fall weddings not so far away, and pregnant bellies all around, I thought it would be a great time to talk about some fun shower ideas.

First and foremost, a shower for any occasion should reflect the guest of honor.  Think about what they may want, and don't be afraid to ask if they have any requests.  Almost more importantly than taking requests, ask them if there is anything they don't want.  If you're going to put the time and effort into it, ensure that it is something that they will love!

General Budget Tips:

• Set a budget for yourself.  If you are getting help from others on the cost, make sure everyone is in agreement.  This will help you spend what you plan, and not have any surprises along the way.
• Talk with your guest of honor about the guest list.  Make sure that the number of invites agree with your budget.
• Break down your total budget into categories, and try to stay within that amount in each one.  This is very helpful for planning.  If you go over in one category, you know you will need to cut costs in another; and if you save some in a category, you may be able to splurge somewhere else!
• When making purchases, be sure to check out the return policy in the event that you need to bring something back. 
• When choosing a time, think about what types of food and drink would be appropriate.  Make sure that this fits within your budget.  This can be a large part of the total cost.  Don't pick a time when guests would expect a meal if your budget can't afford it.

So you've got your budget under control, now on to the fun stuff!

Shower Themes

• Consider the bride's upcoming wedding.  Does she have a fun theme?  Maybe it's something that you can play off of for the shower.  For instance, if she is having a destination wedding, maybe have a beach or tropical themed shower
• Gift themes: Center your shower theme around the gifts that guests will bring.  For instance:
• Stock the Bar: guests bring items to stock the couple's bar (This is great for a couples shower too!)
• Around the Clock: guests are assigned a time of day in their invitation, and they bring a gift that the bride would use during that time of day
• Alphabet: Much like the Around the Clock, guests are assigned a letter of the alphabet in their invitation, and they bring a gift that starts with that letter
• Wine Theme: Guests can bring wine and accessories; Consider bringing in a professional for a wine tasting at the shower
• Other Themes:
• Entertainment Themes: Fiesta, Luau, A certain decade, a movie, etc.
• Color: Pick the guest of honor's favorite color, or possibly baby-to-be's nursery color and  use it for all decorations.  A monochromatic theme really has a nice look!
• Seasons: pick the season that the shower is being held, or the season of the big day.  Decorate accordingly
• Holidays: Pick a holiday that is near to the shower date, or possibly the guest of honor's favorite holiday
• Tea Party: If you're going to get a bunch of girls together, why not make it super girly with fun tea sets and dainty bites of food, complete with petit fours?

The main thing to remember is get creative!  Just about anything goes these days, showers aren't what they used to be.

A couple other tips:

• Have an activity for guests.  Whether it be a game or a learning actvity, some structure is needed.  Breaking up the time with an acitvity and some gift opening will help the flow of the party
• Choose a location that fits the budget and the theme
• Coose an end time for your party.  Typical showers last about 2 hours, 3 at the most
• Ask for help!  There's a lot of different elements to a successful party, having some reliable helpers will make sure things goes well, and hopefully make it a little less stressful for you
• Invitations should be sent out no less than a month before the party
• It's all in the details.  Try to add little details that will make the party extra special for the guest of honor, and don't forget to include the moms if it's a bridal shower!

Martha Stewart has some awesome stuff.  Check out her website http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/ for more great ideas.

Below are some of my faves:

Garden Theme

 http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/garden-bridal-shower

Cooking Theme

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/cooking-themed-bridal-shower

Travel Shower

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/travel-bridal-shower



Happy planning!  And remember, if planning isn't your thing, or it gets to be too much, give us a call!

info@charlotteeventstyle.com

704.960.2262