Showing posts with label Event Planning. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Best Wedding Planners: Celebrations by Amy Bacon

Karah Van Kammen January 28, 2014

When designing your dream day for the one of the biggest moments of your life you want to put you vision in the hands of only the premiere planners. The readers have spoken and voted Celebration by Amy Bacon as Best Wedding Planners in the Valley for 2014!

Image provided by Foskett Creative

BEST WEDDING PLANNERS

Winner: Celebrations by Amy Bacon

Celebrations by Amy Bacon offers the highest level of professional service so that you can sit back and enjoy your event just as much as your invited guests with the certainty that your vision for the day comes to life. With over ten years of wedding and event planning experience, we are one of Arizona’s premier wedding and event planning specialists. You’re guaranteed to find that one of our planners is the perfect person to take care of you and your event from start to finish. We limit the number of weddings and events we plan every year to ensure that you receive superior service and our dedicated attention.

We got out votes by…
creating a Facebook event and inviting our clients, friends, and acquaintances. Word of mouth is the best advertising and we’re proud that our circle of support let their voices be heard to help us win!

We are the best Wedding Planners in the Valley because…
we connect with our clients from the start and are still there for them even after the event is done. We fight back tears when we have to move a folder to ‘Former Clients’ because they became family to us! We can’t make their event perfect if we don’t really know who they are as people, not just as a bride or a groom; we hear time and again that this is one of our clients’ favorite things about us so we know we’re on the right track.

We would like to thank…
our friends and family for not only supporting us through votes to win Best of the Valley but for always supporting us! Wedding planning is not an easy job and we couldn’t do it without the love of those around us. You help remind us why we do what we do; THANK YOU!

Winning the Best of Our Valley contest is important to us because…
we always strive to do our very best no matter what and it is encouraging to be recognized for it. Our clients and fellow vendors that voted for us have seen first-hand how hard we work so we are very thankful that they believe in us enough to vote!

We are motivated by…
the love and joy that is felt at an event after months and sometimes years of planning with our clients. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears go into planning and executing an event so when we are able to stop and look around at all of the happiness that it created, we are fueled to do it all over again with more events in the future.

We pride ourselves on…
putting our clients first. We love working with the best vendors and venues in the Valley so they are who we refer our clients to, not because we are going to receive referral fees from it but because we know our clients deserve nothing but the absolute best. Our clients know that if we give them a company’s name, it’s because we know that company will take care of our clients 110%. We cringe when we hear about events that weren’t a success because a lousy recommendation was made so we take every precaution and are highly critical when we decide who makes the cut in getting to work on our clients’ events.

Some of our other favorite businesses, people, places, etc. in the Valley are…
We love being able to support local businesses and small shops! Keeping the money here in Arizona is important because it keeps our industry going and growing. Whenever we can we try to have our meetings at locally owned restaurants; it’s a bonus that most of them have the best tasting food and drinks available! Lux Central is great for our low-key morning meetings for sipping on lattes while discussing details and OHSO Brewery is perfect when we need to relax after a long day of design meetings around town. When in doubt, pick local!

Our favorite thing about Arizona is…
the beautiful weather and awe-inspiring sunsets. Having a 9-month event season is unheard of in other states but it’s what we’re blessed with in Arizona. As wedding planners we check the weather forecast almost religiously. Who can argue with partly cloudy and 75 degrees for events? Of course there are times when we have to pull out Plans B, C, and D when the weather doesn’t agree with our outdoor plans, but we’re prepared when that happens and we know it can make for some unique memories! It’s just a coincidence that our company colors are reflected in the sky each evening as the sun goes down, but we love those shades of pink, blue, purple and orange all the same. The Arizona sky can’t be beat for the ideal backdrop to a couple’s first pictures as husband and wife!

We love our community because…
it is filled with such caring and supportive people. Our vendors know that if they ever need help with anything, they are surrounded by people who will lend a helping hand, no questions asked. As workers in the events industry, no one can do what they do without collaboration and our community lives that out with passion. Events are a group effort; why not get along with the people you work alongside with and create some friendships in the meantime?

We are looking forward to the Best of Our Valley Bash because…
we are usually the ones working at events! It’s rare when we actually get to sit back and attend them. We’re honored to be recognized with so many other Best of the Valley companies and are excited to get to celebrate together. Interaction is most often through phone calls or emails with these people so we can’t wait to get together in person to celebrate our achievements.

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Phone: 602.762.1174
E-mail: amy@celebrationsbyamybacon.com

Monday, September 24, 2012

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

It’s your wedding day! You’re excited to take that walk down the aisle and dance towards your party, hand-in-hand as Mr. and Mrs. To make sure that everything goes smoothly and that potential crises are averted, it is important to allot enough time to get ready with a little bit of wiggle room for emergencies and to avoid rushing. No matter how much planning you do, something will occur that you hadn’t accounted for. By scheduling out your day with time to spare, you allow for this to happen without it ruining the order for the day. By hiring a day-of coordinator like Celebrations by Amy Bacon, you can rest at ease knowing that event planning professionals are by your side with their expertly formulated timeline to keep your special day running as closely to plan as humanly possible. Scheduling hair and makeup to take as long as it would on a normal day, everyone getting ready at the same time, forgetting about mingle time, and not allowing yourself the luxury of a cushion are all timing issues that should be avoided so that your stress doesn’t grow on your wedding day with each tick of the clock.

1) Schedule pampering time for your hair and makeup appointments: Most ladies wear makeup and do their hair fairly frequently but normally not quite as elegant and particular as on their wedding day. As a bride, your hair and makeup need to look better than anyone else’s; after all it’s YOUR day. You should be one of the first in the chair so that you stylist can take her time at perfecting your look and altering along the way as is fit. You need to allow an ample amount of time to have your hair and makeup done because let’s face it, the way you look on your wedding day is the best you’ll want to look for the rest of your life. You’ll see pictures of yourself as a bride on nearly a daily basis. Do you really want to see a picture and think, “I wish I’d had more time to get ready”? By designating extra time to be pampered, you will be better able to enjoy the day and to feel relaxed. Your heart rate will be racing at what seems like a thousand miles an hour; you’d don’t need the added stress of running behind to add to it at all.

2) Staggering dressing times: Getting ready together is half of the fun of wearing gowns (and tuxes) on the Big Day! Seeing as everyone’s outfits come together can build up the anticipation for the day and make it even more memorable. However, having all of the wedding party get dressed at the same time can cause stress and, to be frank, some crummy pictures. You should be the last one (out of bridesmaids and close family members) to get completely dressed. The photographers will be snapping away as your dress is zipped, laced or buttoned, and different angles will be used to get just the right shot. You don’t exactly want your MoH to be helping you into your Cinderella shoes while she’s in pajama pants, or your dad to be in his college sweatshirt while he kisses your flawlessly blushed cheek. By scheduling for everyone else to be ready before or finishing up as you start to add the final touches, you allow the spotlight to be on you and to make the moment picture perfect.

The guys’ prep time matters, too! The groom and his attendants won’t need nearly as much time to prepare and for good reason. They simply have to suit up and fix their dos to be ready to rock down the aisle. Because of this, they should not start getting ready until after the ladies have. This will help to avoid having the guys be dressed and prepared to get the show on the road…while the girls are still in their monogrammed robes and slippers, mimosas in hand. Most guys are left waiting for their girls to get ready for a weekly date; they shouldn’t have to do the same for the most important date of their relationship. Nerves will be high; tensions due to scheduling should not.

3) Allow enough time to mingle with and greet your guests: You’ve just been introduced as husband and wife, and it’s time to start the party. Drinks will flow, food will be served, and conversations will flutter. If you don’t make time to enjoy all that your reception has to offer, you’ll miss out on visiting with the people who made an effort to celebrate such a special day with you. Before kicking off the reception’s “activities,” make sure you talk to each guest and thank them for joining you at your wedding. Not only that, but many guests will grab your arm as you float about the room to congratulate you. If you assign time to visit each table, you won’t find yourself thinking, “I could have sworn that I saw him/her here but I didn’t get to talk to them all night.” It will also help to ward off the longing feeling you get staring at the dance floor as your great aunt compliments you on how delicious the food was for the fifth time. Either organizing a receiving line, attending the cocktail hour, or circling the room as guests eat are all perfect ways to schedule out time to greet guests while simultaneously enjoying your own reception.

4) Give yourself a “clock cushion”: Cushion room can help alleviate stress, even if all other fore mentioned suggestions are ignored. Just as anyone who has planned a party knows, at some point the party will fall behind or jump ahead of schedule without any warning. By putting cushion time into your wedding timeline, you allow this to happen without throwing off the whole day. Whether the limo arrives at the venue a little early or the priest’s homily runs a little long, you won’t have to worry about being “off of schedule” because you technically won’t be. This will aid in the on-going struggle of avoiding anxiety and distracting from what really matters: YOU’RE MARRIED!

One of the most important effects to scheduling some cushion room? Extra time alone for the bride and groom. If you have every minute of the planned to a T, you won’t have any time to sneak away as a couple. You just took the biggest step in your relationship that you have ever taken and have promised to love each other for all time. That’s a lot to process! You’re officially husband and wife and you don’t want to spend the first 10 hours of your marriage surrounded by other people. Plan in cushion time so that you and your honey can have time as Mr. and Mrs. in peace.

It may seem silly but timing can often make or break a wedding. Unfortunately, accidents happen, emergencies come out of nowhere, and unplanned issues arise that can’t be put off until later to deal with. Timelines help keep everyone on track and remind people what to do next. If you hire a wedding coordinator (like Celebrations for Amy Bacon), they will likely prepare a detailed and expertly spaced-out timeline for you. Planning every detail to couples’ special days is what they do for a living; trust their expert timing skills and enjoy every minute of your day. Don’t let the little things get to you or the next thing you know you’ll be pulling away in your limo and you won’t be able to remember half of your reception. Arrange your wedding so instead of musing ‘Where did the time go?’ you’ll think ‘That was the time of my life!’

Blog written by Patrice Klaum

Monday, September 10, 2012

Allison and Thomas Swafford 4.14.12

Images by Leland Gebhardt Photography www.lelandg.com

Thomas Swafford and Allison Miller became Mr. & Mrs. Swafford on Saturday, April 14^th at Encanto Park Clubhouse. After dating for more than a year without telling any of their coworkers at CBS, the two deserved a wedding where their love for each other wasn’t a secret but the feature story. Both were smiling from ear-to-ear the entire day as they relaxed and got ready for a night to remember, while Celebrations by Amy Bacon made sure it was an event they’d never forget. It was impossible for any of the vendors or guests to not feel how much love and energy was exuding from this happy couple!

Images by Leland Gebhardt Photography www.lelandg.com

Allison and her family did a beautiful job with all of their DIY touches, from the Texas Trash favors to the drops of crystal in the centerpieces. As any bride who’s done a DIY wedding knows, pulling all of the niceties together on the Big Day while still trying to enjoy every minute can become a headache and a nightmare in no time. Lucky for Allison, she and her family didn’t have to worry about this because the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team was there all day long to coordinate every last detail to make everything go smoothly. Having brought Celebrations into the planning mix more than a year before her ‘I Do’s, Allison was dubbed “too calm to be a bride-to-be” by everyone she met and this was possible because she knew she (and her wedding) was in good hands. The only thing that our couples like Allison and Thomas have to worry about is relaxing and preparing for an event to brag about!

Images by Leland Gebhardt Photography
www.lelandg.com

As guests arrived, so did large storm clouds, but this only brought everyone closer together. Surrounded by groomsmen and bridesmaids who are family (or simply feel like family), the couple knew they were supported by those closest to them to take this next step into life together. The ceremony was a beautiful exchange of love and promises for support and happy memories to be made in the future against a backdrop of billowing clouds and the lake being highlighted by the setting sun. Guests enjoyed the entertaining Snapbooth props during cocktail hour while Mr. & Mrs. Swafford enjoyed their first moments as husband and wife with their wedding party and parents.

Images by Leland Gebhardt Photography www.lelandg.com

Pictures of the happy couple around the space and items reflective of their personalities and youthful relationship made the venue feel more like their home than a neighborhood event space. Pops of color and lace connected all of the party areas and made each section flow into one another with a natural ease. The vintage touches hinted at this couple’s timeless love everywhere you looked. Due to the impending storm clouds, the party was brought indoors but instead of making the environment feel enclosed, the party atmosphere was captured and encouraged guests to continue partying into the night, fueled by Allison and Thomas’ love for one another and their guests.

Images by Leland Gebhardt Photography www.lelandg.com

The Swafford wedding was lively and fun for all involved, even all of the great vendors! It felt like the party would never end and everyone could tell that no one wanted it to. Knowing that all things must come to an end, Allison and Thomas made sure that they went out with a bang and encouraged guests to “let love SPARKLE!” Guests held two-foot sparklers and led the way for Allison and Thomas to dance their way to their getaway car to leave for their honeymoon. Guests mingled and enjoyed the last minutes of the night with smiles and laughs as Celebrations handled packaging up all of the Millers’ items and thanked all of the wonderful vendors for helping to make April 14^th a day that Allison, Thomas, and all of their loved ones will remember for many years to come.


Images by Leland Gebhardt Photography www.lelandg.com

Blog written by Patrice Klaum

Photography by Leland Gebhardt of Leland Gebhardt Photography 602.430.6106 www.lelandg.com

Planning and Day of Coordination - Celebrations by Amy Bacon 602.762.1174 www.celebrationsbyamybacon.com

DJ | Entertainment - Sean Wallace Rattle and Roll 602.568.7275 www.rattleandroll.com

PhotoBooth - Snapbooth Entertainment 480.540.6238 www.snapbooth.com

Linens - WOW Linens 623.242.3715 www.wowlinens.com

Venue - Encanto Park Clubhouse

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

How Can You Afford Not to Have a Wedding Planner?

Image Courtesy of Jasmine Amber Photography www.jasmineamberblog.com

There is a stigma that couples cannot afford a wedding planner or coordinator for their special day, but the reality is, how can you afford not to hire a wedding planner and coordinator? Booking a planner can save you time, money, and a lot of hair pulling that can distract from what is supposed to be the happiest day of your life. Professional planners make their living off of ensuring that their clients get the perfect event within in their budget. Planners like us at Celebrations by Amy Bacon spend hours planning, organizing, and arranging details so that when you arrive to your wedding, shower, or any other event, you are able to enjoy the day as much as your guests.

Image Courtesy of Jasmine Amber Photography www.jasmineamberblog.com

According to AOL Jobs, “90 percent of soon-to-be brides plan their weddings while at work” and TheKnot.com shows that “women spend about 10 hours a week planning their wedding.” Finding what vendors to use, keeping track of who’s available when, and lining up who will take care of what on your special day can turn into another job all its own so why not save yourself that time and hassle by hiring someone to do it for you? We can save you all that time you spend researching and negotiating with vendors because we have many connections with professional and successful vendors that you’ll want at your event. Additionally, we know vendors to avoid and can therefore save you potential mishaps on a day that should be free of worry or drama. Many vendors are perfect for not only the day’s style but for a specific budget as well.

Image Courtesy of Jasmine Amber Photography www.jasmineamberblog.com

We can help you decide where to splurge and where to save so that your budget stays balanced. It’s not easy staying in line of what you want to spend so why not hire on someone to make sure you do this, in addition to countless other things? Whether it’s tips on how to recycle décor from ceremony to reception, suggestions on whether to go with several cocktail menu options or a hearty meal, or if you really need that pink limo for your bridesmaids, we’ll help you make smart decisions on where to spend your money (and where not to spend it).

Image Courtesy of Jasmine Amber Photography www.jasmineamberblog.com

Negotiating contracts can tend to become worrisome due to all of the line items and details that occur. We negotiate contracts and review them for details that brides and grooms don’t know to look for so that you aren’t caught off guard if a vendor mentions a detail you don’t remember agreeing to. Contracts themselves can be especially tricky but at Celebrations by Amy Bacon, we have a lawyer on our team who reviews contracts in special circumstances when there are detailed questions or if issues arrive. This is just one more way that we try to ensure you know exactly what you’re paying for and to guarantee that you understand the plans for your wedding.

Image Courtesy of Jasmine Amber Photography www.jasmineamberblog.com

This all being said, we should be the first company hired for the wedding so that we can make sure you get exactly what you are envisioning for the day you become husband and wife. However, we are more than happy, willing, and able to step in at any point of the planning process to help organize your vendors and to take the weight off of your shoulders of organizing the day! We serve as not only your logistical organizer but your “creative partner” as well. You’ll never find a team of professionals that loves to talk about décor and details more than the Celebrations by Amy Bacon team! We’ll recommend color schemes, flower arrangements, special elements, and any other aspect that makes up the style and aesthetic appeal of the day. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss options for your special day. Even if it’s in a week, Celebrations by Amy Bacon will make your wedding day one that you will never forget! Visit www.CelebrationsbyAmyBacon.com to see a sampling of previous work, favored vendors, and our packages/services.

Image Courtesy of Jasmine Amber Photography www.jasmineamberblog.com

Blog written by Patrice Klaum

Vendors from Nicole and Haris's Wedding listed below ....