The Why Factor...

The Why Factor

The most important thing to think about (possibly without even knowing it) when we are having an event is the “WHY”.

Most people worry about the budget before they know why they are throwing the event! You should always know the why and then worry about the how later. The reason for this is simple. If it is important enough you will find a way to accomplish it! It doesn’t matter the cost – you will get investors, raise funds, people will chip in, etc.

Why DO people have events?

To Celebrate
To Appreciate
To Recognize
To Grow
To Make a Statement
To Raise Funds

To Name a few....

What makes each event special is the reason you are throwing the event – the theme or decor comes later.

When choosing the theme/decor we usually take into account the reason for the event. It obviously has to be appropriate. Then we think of the food, drinks, entertainment etc.

Sometimes we are the person throwing the event, sometimes it is a committee, and sometimes we hire a planner. Either way we all want our events to be a great success.

So how do we make an event a successful one?

First, Determine what you are trying to accomplish.

• Make it appropriate – If you are honoring a person in the community, include the people he has helped or incorporate his deeds into the theme.
• Be aware of your time constraints – Sometimes it is hard for people to gauge the amount of time it takes to put together an event. You have to consider the rental, catering, venue and attendees availability.

Lets take a school for example (my children have Cocoa and Cookie socials)

What is the school trying to do with this cocoa and cookie social?
I would venture to say that it is not to get the kids that see each other all day to socialize.
Having an event that we as parents can bring the kids to and enjoy with them will encourage us to talk to other parents. Will give us a chance to mingle with like minds. AND the PTA has a chance to get other parents to become involved. It stands to show that if Sally can help then Jen will want to too! Especially if Sally is being asked in front of Jen.

If you put to good use the WHY FACTOR your event will surely be a success!

Thanks for reading!

Wedding Play Lists

I have seen a lot of play lists lately and I though it would be nice to post some for weddings. Here is a top ten from the TOP 30 WEDDING SONGS (LOVE SONGS, SLOW SONGS) OF 2009 on a dj's website.

1. Amazed - Lonestar (a couple of sites had this song as #1)
2. Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flats
3. In My Life - The Beatles
4. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
5. Better Together - Jack Johnson
6. Sexual Healing - Marvin Gay
7. Cant Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
8. When a Man Loves a Woman - Pierce Sledge
9. Faithfully - Journey
10. You and Me - Lifehouse

Some other artists were: Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, U2.

What is (or was) your top 10 songs for your wedding?

Thanks for Reading

Its Spring!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE spring!!! It is one of my favorite seasons (The other is fall -- I think it has to do with all of the great colors!)







I love these -- they would make great center pieces!













Who can resist a great topiary??












So cute for a children's party -- Not to mention super simple!!

I Absolutely LOVE this!!

Yeah for brunch!!

Adult party center pieces for Easter!

No one can do it better than Martha!!

Whats your spring ideas??

Thanks for reading!

Evening with the Locals!

This month try a local wine from the Russian River Valley!

"Created in small lots, Picket Fence Chardonnay and Pinot Noir celebrate our passion for the Russian River Valley and our sentiment that wine is a way of bringing family and friends together."

Find out more here.

Pair your Picket Fence findings with a Croque Monsieur Mac and Cheese. With its grated gruyere, ham, and spicy flavors it makes a perfect pair for the Picket Fence Pinot!

For desert clean your palate with dark chocolate covered oranges! Perfect ending to a great evening! Find these and other delicious chocolates at Landru Chocolates!

Thanks for reading! Now go have a great evening with the locals...

Special Thanks To:

Picket Fence

Food Network

Landru Chocolates

March 2009 Newsletter

Things to Celebrate
* Daylight Savings - Sunday, March 8, 2009
* Saint Patrick's Day - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
* Spring Begins - Friday, March 20, 2009


Things to Read
* Chanel: A Woman of Her Own - By: Axel Madsen
* Le Corbusier 1887-1965: The Lyricism of Architecture in the Machine Age - By Jean-Louis Cohen
* Windows On The World Complete Wine Course 2009 - By Kevin Zraly


Websites to See
* The Hair Stylist - http://www.thehairstyler.com/
* A Cup of Jo - http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/
* The Lettered Cottage - http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/


Places to Go
* Exploring Pinnacles National Monument - Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 @ 7pm at the REI in Fremont (43962 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA)
* Ohlone Wind Orchestra Concert - Sunday, March 15, 2009 (call 510-659-6031 for more info)


MARCH FLOWERS IN BLOOM
Ammobium
Bachelor Buttons
Calendula
Corn Flower
Daffolil
Eucalyptus
Flowering Almond
Flowering Crab Apple
Flowering Peach
Forsythia
Flex Verticulata
Iris
Keria Verticulata
Leptospermum
Liatris
Linaria
Myrthe
Naked Ladies
Narcissus
Pittosporum
Quince
Ranuculus
Red Bud
Salix
Spireae
Sweet Pea


PROMOTE YOUR NEXT EVENT
Before you can promote your event you need to know the Who, What, When, Where, and Why!
* Who is your target market to promote this event to? (young, old, combination, men, women etc.)
* What do you want to accomplish with this event? (awareness, fundraiser, recruitment)
* When do you plan on throwing this event? This is important for all aspects - if it is a fundraiser be aware of the season you are throwing it in and who your target market is! You do not want to throw a fundraiser in the middle of December targeting middle class -- most likely they will be spending money on travel and family.
* Where are you planning to have your event? (hotel, recreation facility, park)
* WHY are you throwing this event? Is your non profit in need of funding? Are you recognizing a leader in your company, school, or group?

Once you have completed that wonderful task -- its time to start promoting....BUT where??

Thanks for Reading!!