Engaging your Five Senses at an Event

Sight. Touch. Sound. Taste. Smell.

Just home from the monthly ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) event at The New Shoreline Hotel in Huntington Beach. Incredible location... cool, hip, swanky feel. Great food. Awesome service. For those of you out there that are looking for a clean, interesting location just steps away from Main Street and the beach, that's the spot! Check it out.
That led me to thinking about what creates an incredible event: engaging your five senses! It's a great roadmap for your event. See the venue. Imagine the smell and taste of incredible food. Hear the music. Feel what your guests will feel. That's an awesome place to start your vision of your event.

SIGHT? Remember: People see things in a pyramid shape in general. At an event, they see things in an abbreviated pyramid. They're at a party! What they see is what is lit... that's why lighting is uber important.



SMELL? (My favorite~ that's why it is capitalized) No gardenia flower candles when you're serving filet or lamb . Home baked cookies or a candy station on the way out? Amazing. It makes your guests remember home.... Also, I have two vendors that add incredible smell to your events. Try www.eventscents.com for amazing smells to add to your event.

TASTE? This is the opportunity for you to show your personality!!! Don't be afraid to pick something out of the norm. Even the best chicken is... well.. gulp.... chicken. (OK. I admit it. Good chicken is good chicken. Don't feel bad if you've chosen chicken for your party.) Thinking outside the box? The In and Out Truck. The



SOUND? One of the most powerful senses that we have. Music is the backbone to an event. Mariachi? Steel drums? Gospel Choir? Yes. Yes. Yes. This another place when you can show your personality. Dinner? Keep it to background music. Kick it up 14 notches when you're rockin after dinner.



TOUCH? Very important. So many different options to have . Nothing better than a well starched linen.

There you go... my advice for free today. I'm feeling generous. Be swell.

Natalie

Scripps College + Incredible Vendors + Love of Family of Friends = A Swellegant Wedding

Each wedding that I'm a part of renews my belief in love. Recently, I had the unique pleasure of coordinating a wedding where family and friends helped create a day that came together in a way that renewed my belief in community. Scripps College made an incredible background for this wedding. I couldn't believe the amount of volunteer support and cool vendors that came together to make this day happen. Thanks to the beautiful and calm, talented and wise Katie Clark, for these photos.
For the full wedding show, click below:

http://www.kathleenclarkphotography.com/show/StephSaxon/
Beautiful, Stephanie!

Congratulations, Stephanie and Saxon. May you stay forever happy.

Bridezillas?? What's up with these Reality TV Shows?

So, it's a Sunday morning right after an incredible wedding at Star Ranch in Corona. What an incredible couple... what a magical place.

So, what does an event coordinator do on a Sunday after a swell Saturday wedding? I'm watching Bridezilla, the show that everyone references at almost every wedding that I coordinate. People ask me: "Do you have any bridezillas?" My answer: "No."
That's what a coordinator does... anticipating conflicts and taking care of them before they even arise.
So have you watched that show? What's up with these women??? Seriously, who wants to be on that show? After fast forwarding through three shows (thank goodness for Cox on Demand) I realize one thing: Couples need a wedding coordinator. Forgotten wedding licences, catering fiascos, brides that have no idea what they're doing at their rehearsals, no timelines or pre-wedding calls to vendors, tears, screaming, and more tears. Reality TV at its finest.
My advice? Hire a coordinator, sweet brides, even if you're not a Bridezilla.

Be swell.
Natalie Vishny

So... where has Natalie been lately?

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA ILLINOIS! On the heels of my busy June wedding season in Southern Cal, I took off to the corn fields to a wedding of a former favorite student of mine. Planes, trains, and automobiles to get to my old college town (Go ILLINI!) of Champaign, IL. Going back to my roots to remember my teaching days right of college. Thanks for the warm welcome, LaBrecques. The reception at the top of the U of I stadium was unbelievable. Eye candy, baby!

A few tips for my wedding couples at the beginning of your planning processes:

• Think outside the box! Reception Sites don't have to be in hotel ballrooms... even in Southern Calfornia. We can transform any location to create your dream day. When you're at a cool location, so much less decor has to be brought in.
• Brides and grooms.. http://www.wedquarters.com/ is a great place to start when making a website. Visit http://staceyandtc.wedquarters.com/ to see a detailed website that was made by the bride herself.
  

The Miracle of Lighting at an Event

Time to give Tim from Best of the Best some props! Look at these before and after room shots of a wedding that I coordinated last weekend at University Synagogue in Irvine. The only thing better than the lighting at this wedding was the family. Incredible experience for me. I have the best job in the world.

THREE HOURS BEFORE THE RECEPTION! VOILA! THE MAGIC OF LIGHTING.

2009 Wedding Statistics - A Little Trivia for you

LOVE NUMBERS? GETTING MARRIED?

I recently grabbed a cup of tea and listened to a Webinar (gotta love those~ you can even participate in your jammies) on marriage stats... glad to share the information with you

Here are some latest statistic in the wedding world:
The average wedding budget in the US in 2009 is $28,704.00.

In California, the average wedding budget is $37,024.00.
The average number of guests attending a wedding is 166.

77% of all wedding being planned are first marriages.

The average engagement is 9 months.

The average age of a bride is 27.2 years.

86% of brides plan on the internet, but 99% book vendors in person. Savvy brides!

Most wedding couples are likely to be paying for part of the cost of the wedding.

Happy Mother's Day! Happy Father's Day!

Had such a fun Mother's Day... eating way too much and lounging with Vish and Hanna. I can't believe that this is my 20th Mother's Day. It really is amazing how fast the time goes.

Got me thinking about all of my past clients and their adorable children. I always love it when I am included on the family emails with baby pictures. Who doesn't love baby pictures? DELICIOUS!

A Swell Mother's and Father's Day to all of you.

DYLAN PARENTS MARRIED 2007

NELSON FAMILY MARRIED 2006

LOGAN PARENTS MARRIED FEBRUARY 2007

MY VERY OWN THREE VISHNYS! NATALIE AND VISH MARRIED 1986

Scrumptious Tabletop Decor at The Nixon

The Beautiful Nixon Library is one of my favorite places to coordinate events. Thanks to Laura and Carrie for arranging an incredible wedding show last month. I teamed up with Jason's Catering, Chameleon Chairs, Petals by Xavi, Dutchess Paper, Fusion Linens and Signature Party Rentals to create incredible tables for wedding couples to see. Thanks to the uber swell Allison Cotton, I'm able so share the photos with you. Enjoy!

Team Kids Rock the Earth! What a Hip event

Oakley Theatre
The Bolts!

LOVE THE GAME TRUCK! Team Kids Board Members Rock On!

What an awesome night!!!! Loved loved loved coordinating the Team Kid's Event up at Oakley. What incredible teenagers and volunteers. A special thanks to Linda Lang-Pierce for the incredible pics, as always.

Stressed out while you're planning your Event? Change your Experience with Ha Ha Yoga

Hello out there, clients and friends.
If you're stressed in any way, any shape, and any form, get out your calendar.
Book Ha Ha Yoga.


8 AM Main Beach in Laguna. Every day. I guarantee you'll walk away a changed person.

How do I know it will help you???

15 years ago, I called my Mom and said, "My Life is changed because of YOGA." I was in Toronto, in a public library, with women whom I didn't know, who made all types of odd noises (Sorry. I need to be truthful) when they were in weird poses.

Now, I live in Utopia. Laguna Beach in 20 minutes. 15 in the early morning.

Last week, during my Mom's visit, I took her to Ha Ha Yoga. I'm going back. Tomorrow morning, actually. Event planning is the dream job. But, sometimes, I need a break. So I laugh. You should, too. It may seem weird. Just do it. You'll be hooked. Call, email, or text me if you want to go. I love a good laugh.


Natalie Vishny
Swell Event Planner
Orange County CA

How much is this Party Going to Cost Me? Answers for my Swell Social Clients

The big question. It always happens. At an initial consultation for an event, "How much is this event going to cost me?" My question back is, "Would you like a complete detailed budget to work with?" Sometimes people say, "No way. Just do your stuff, Ms. Swell." Other times, people say (with a uber serious face) , "I need full disclosure." Happy to work either way.

Because, in reality, how much your event is going to cost...depends on you. There is no specific price when it comes to weddings and events. Right now, I'm working with a bride and groom, their families, and a crew of volunteers, using a beautiful outdoor venue, planning the best night of their lives, on a shoestring budget. On the other hand, I’ve also met folks who have said, “The sky’s the limit” and had party after party that no guest would soon forget. (BTW, it's all in the details. )Your budget will completely depend on you.

When you’re setting your budget, here are some key points to keep in mind:

· How much cash do you have hidden in your closet? (OK. If you're still reading, then you

know that I have a quirky, fun sense of humor.) Really, though. How much do you have

ready to dole out?
· How much are you prepared to spend, once you see the endless possibilities?
· What are the essentials for your event?
· What areas are you willing to compromise on?

To get a more specific estimate of what your event will cost, I suggest considering each expense that goes into an event and realistically pricing out how much you are willing to spend. It's something we all do at Swell with our full-service clients, but check out The Knot's Online Budgeter . It's is a great tool (specifically for weddings... but can be used for other events, as well) for finding an estimate on what each aspect of your wedding should be costing based on your budget.

Budgeting is aaaarrrggghhh.... sometimes, a difficult thing to do. When you are dancing that first dance as Mr. and Mrs., or you're heading out after an incredible anniversary, mitzvah you will be glad that you went through all the hard stuff to get to your moment. Also, keep in mind, if you are going to hire a wedding coordinator, some packages do include budgeting help, so make sure you look into that when you go for your initial consultation.

Be swell.
Natalie Vishny

Swell Event Coordinator
Orange County CA

PS. I love to be FREE for my clients! What does that mean? By the time we are done with an event, with all of the coordinator discounts and my "great finds", they realize the cost of a planner was Zero. Zip. Nada. Swell, huh?

Swell Dessert Ideas!

Love love love desserts!

Sharing three great ideas with you... Happy to provide my discount through Swellegant.

Round About Sleeves

Some Crust

The Fry Girl Inc.

Be swell.

Natalie Vishny