Make It Your Own

I love that each wedding I do these days has so many unique, personal touches. Freedom of expression has almost no boundaries as long as it is in good taste and creates a memorable event.

Some couples have music that is very special to them. If this is the case, use that music, whether as part of your ceremony or at the reception.

Most flowers have a significant meaning. Red roses signify passion, white roses show purity, pink ones, friendship. Sunflowers mean adoration, and apple blossoms stand for promise (www.aboutflowers.com/​flower-a-plant-information-and-photos/ ​meanings-of-flowers.html) Choose your flowers based on their meaning. Share the reason you chose them by printing the list with the meaning of each one in your program. Guests will be admiring each and every flower during the ceremony and reception.

Let your bridesmaids choose their own dress colors, based on your décor. Limit the colors, of course, because too many colors in your wedding photos will detract from you and your dress. Or, you may want to use the same color and let each maid choose the style that flatters her body type. You will be very popular among your friends for this.

Use some element that was part of your parents' wedding. A song, a reading, or vows that they used will mean much to them. You may want to print this special tribute beside that element in your program. There are many ways you can show tribute to parents during the evening.

Making it your own is what makes it special for everyone. We love helping our brides achieve this goal.

Wedding Ring Facts

From Shane McMurray of The Wedding Report come these interesting 2011 stats about wedding rings. Being in the wedding industry, I found them quite fascinating.

* In 2010, brides and grooms spent $9.64 billion on engagement rings and wedding bands
* Just over $1 billion of the $9.64 billion was spent online
* Most couples purchase their engagement and wedding rings from large local (national chain) jewelers
* Other or Local (independent) jewelers make up the majority of the total market
* Diamond use for groom wedding bands saw the biggest increase in demand
* Engagement ring average carat weight is 1.18
* The diamond shape “Round” makes up more than half of what consumers want
* When it comes to diamond clarity many brides and grooms simply don’t know what it is
* White gold continues to be the most popular metal choice
* 26.3% of couples said they personalize or customize their engagement ring and wedding bands
* When it comes to engagement rings and wedding bands, brides and grooms say that durability, design and style are most important
* The bride and groom pay for more than 95% of the cost of the engagement ring and wedding bands
* The prime timeframe appears to be at least 6 months plus for both researching and paying for the engagement ring and wedding bands
* By far, most couples use Internet search engines to research their engagement ring and wedding bands

Our December Wedding

December was an exciting month for us. We had corporate parties, private parties, and a wonderful, fun wedding at American Village in Montevallo, AL.

Kristie Schavey and Adam Gentry had already booked their venue before I was hired to be their coordinator. Since I had never worked an event at American Village, I was somewhat apprehensive and concerned. Those worries were immediately put to rest when I met the staff there and saw the beautiful new ballroom and the chapel, both designed to coincide with the revolutionary period of the entire Village. The grounds are amazing, as you can see from the photographs, providing wonderful photo opps and memories for this special couple.

Kristie was a bride who said from the beginning that she did not want a "Christmas" wedding. But, as their day got close, there was no way around having decor that reflected the season. The chapel and ballroom were both decorated with wreaths and garlands as is traditional at the Village. But, there were no red poinsettias, holly or Christmas trees. The gold, bronze and copper were amazing with Kristie's favorite color -- pink. It was an exquisite blend of the season and the bride's personality.

Take a look at the pictures that follow, which were shot by Brendan Pinola. The decor was designed by Carol Riley of Lily's Florals, and catering was by Kathy G's. Danny Brewer from Feel The Beat provided entertainment for the evening. The happy couple left in one of Ron Marko's amazing vintage cars for their first evening together as husband and wife at the historic Tutwiler Hotel.

The Bridal Show ---- A Bride's One-Stop Shopping Mall

If you got engaged during the holidays or are about to become engaged, you need to check out all the upcoming bridal shows in your area. Late January and February have become the "bridal show season" because of Christmas and Valentine's Day engagements. These shows provide great opportunities for brides and grooms to explore the wedding industry in their cities and towns.

Attending a large bridal show can be a daunting, intimidating and frustrating experience if you don't have a plan going in. Do your homework! Start out researching local vendors and venues on the www. They are not hard to find! Talk to friends and family members who have planned weddings in the past. Be prepared with a list of any vendors whose work appeals to you on their websites. If the bridal show has a map or printed program, pick one up when you enter the show. Check to see if those vendors are at the show. These are the ones you don't want to miss.

Either go alone or take only one other person with you. This is not a social time to visit with sorority sisters or Aunt Susie. You have a mission, and that mission is to gather as much information as possible.

By all means, stop at as many booths and talk to as many vendors as possible. If this is a large show, you won't have much time, however, to get acquainted. Introduce yourself if you can, pick up brochures, business cards or any other information you can get; fill out that vendor's information sheet if you are interested, but don't expect a lot of time from that vendor. You can take home all this information, sort through it and pull out the ones you liked. If you have time, make a personal notation on the vendors' cards whether you are interested or not when leaving the booth.

Taking a camera is not unheard of. Check the show rules before you start snapping, though. There will be signs posted or printed in the program if this is not allowed. If you have a camera phone, use it. Make shots of vendor spaces, any arrangements, cakes, dresses and decor that appeal to you; or even the vendor if you want to remember what he or she looks like. This will be enough to jog your memory when you get back home.

For the smaller shows, your one-on-one time will become a time to get acquainted with that vendor and check availability for your wedding date. You might even be able to set up an appointment if your interest is piqued. Don't be shy. Get all the free "stuff" and try all the sample foods and cakes that you like. This is why you are there -- this is why all those professionals are there. The want to meet you, hear about your plans and take a few minutes to show you their work and explain how they can assist you. They have put a lot of time and effort into making their booths attractive and being able to provide the most information they can in the small amount of time they have. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet many professionals in one place at one time.

Just remember, you should not plan to make decisions or commitments at a bridal show; this a place to gather all the information you need to get started making decisions.Take this information, make a list of the vendors you would like to interview, and start making appointments. A prepared, informed bride is usually a happy bride when that wedding day arrives.

SAFE DRIVING

Starting the wedding planning process is like starting a journey down an untraveled path. You probably have never been there before and will find that there are a lot of bends and obstacles in the road as you go. Drive carefully!!

Congratulations if you are about to be married! You have an exciting path ahead. If you have already started your engine and are heading down that road of hiring vendors, making decisions and ordering, good for you. If you are just into the thinking stage, you have a long road ahead. Either way, you might consider one major decision that could impact your entire planning process and determine how your special day actually comes together. Your new best friend should be an experienced, knowledgeable, cutting-edge wedding planner and coordinator.

There are many obvious reasons to hire a wedding planner: less stress, guidance, decision making, organization, knowledge of the industry, budgeting, design, protocol; the list is never-ending. But, when that day arrives and things get so hectic, someone needs to be in charge. And, that someone can’t be the bride, her mother, a friend or the venue coordinator. Family and friends want to be with the bride, and the venue coordinator has the venue to be concerned about, not the bride, the flowers, the linens, the transportation vehicles, not the place cards.

If you ask any vendor, venue coordinator included, they will answer you quickly – the day runs much more smoothly when there is a coordinator, someone who is in charge, who knows how everything is supposed to look, knows the timeline, who will handle any emergencies that pop up. The florist can’t take the time to lace up the dress, put the flower in your hair, or direct the processional. The photographer is there to catch shots, not run around finding the missing members of the wedding party. The videographer has no time to answer questions about the venue rules, adjust ties or cummerbunds, or sew on missing buttons. The DJ may be the MC for your reception, but he can’t get everyone in place for the grand entrance, or tell the wait staff that it is time to cut the cake. The venue coordinator’s job is not to find the missing groomsman’s vest or the one boutonnière that was not with the delivered flowers.

No wedding day has all these mishaps or oversights, of course, but they do happen with the best-laid plans. YOU should not be the one to deal with them. Again, your wedding planner will become your best friend and advocate throughout your travels down this unknown, variable path of planning your wedding. A wedding planner will be the best investment you will make for this once-in-a-lifetime, special day of yours. Once the day ends, you want to look back and say, “It was the most wonderful day of our lives.”

Happy New Year

Just thought I'd dedicate my last blog post of the year to all my clients and couples from the past year. I certainly want to thank them for the privilege of being a part of their events and hopefully exceeding all expectations. Also, I'm looking forward to each event and wedding that I've booked already for next year. It is going to be an exciting time for Rowell Events! I have the best job ever. Here are some photos from some of my wonderful weddings and events.

Let's Address Stress and Weddings -- Finding the Right Venue

In my previous posts, I have discussed two of the five elements that I consider the most stressful when planning your wedding -- your budget and selecting your bridesmaids. Today I will cover number three - finding the right venue -- and how to get it booked without stressing.

To find the perfect venue, you must start thinking early; a year out is not too early. This is the first and foremost item on your list of purchases; especially if you are wanting a church AND a separate reception venue. This can get pretty tricky. Always have an alternate date in mind. Try for your first choice, but always have a second, third and even fourth in mind if you have your heart set on one particular place. Getting the dates coordinated may require several phone calls, but persistence and planning will make it happen.

Keep in mind the size of your guest list, whether you want to have a sit-down meal or buffet, if you want a dance floor and band or dj. You and your guests must be able to move around freely, and you want to be able to speak to everyone who has come.

Also, remember logistics: keep the reception venue as close as possible to the ceremony location. If traveling from ceremony to reception is a long distance, you may lost some of your guests in the process. If your budget allows, providing transportation is one solution.

Do your research or contact someone who is well informed about the venues in your area and how each one will fit into your plans. A wedding planner is always the best source; as he/she will provide you with unbiased information and consider all your needs. Once you have your list of priorities regarding your venue in place, you'll find that the list is pretty limited. Timing is everything.

We are well on our way to making your wedding planning as stress free as possible. My next post will cover the fourth stressful element -- finding your perfect dress.

Let's Address Stress and Weddings - Selecting Your Bridesmaids

My first installment in this series about stress and your wedding was directed toward your budget and how to prevent the related stress. My guess is another element of your wedding planning that is causing some anxiety is selecting your attendants. There are several things you can consider as you go through this process.

If you are just out of college, you probably have two dozen or more pledge sisters, a big sister, a little sister, plus any high school friends you have stayed in touch with, plus cousins and in-laws. You know that you don't have to pay for those dressses or shoes, but keep in mind that bridesmaids' bouquets can take up a big chunk of your flower budget. Granted, the cost of a boutonniere is pretty insignificant, but if your fiance has selected 10 or 12 groomsmen, at $15-$25 a pop, they can grab a strong hold on that budget also. Gifts for all these attendants must also be included in the budget, plus accommodations if they have to travel. So be budget savvy when selecting your attendants.

Just remember, most of those sorority sisters and in-laws will be at your wedding anyway; you'll be spending the whole evening with them. If you have a problem narrowing down the list, talk to each one you are considering individually. Be honest and ask her, friend to friend, how she feels about being an attendant without putting any pressure on her. It could put a strain on her budget to do it, even though she sincerely wants to be on your list. If you are sincere and understanding in your approach, you will be assured of an honest answer.

Remember, it still goes back to your budget -- your number one stressor.

Let's Address Stress and Weddings

If you are a bride (or the mother of a bride) in the process of planning your wedding, stressful situations have probably become normal occurrences for you. Because of my experience planning and coordinating weddings and events, I will venture to say that I can probably name four of the top five elements that are causing stress as your wedding day gets closer.

In the next few blog posts, I am going to cover these top five stressors and ways to eliminate, or at least reduce the stress involved with each one. The first of these top five is BUDGET.

I would venture to say that you have already encountered the stress related to your budget. Don't feel that this is a unique problem. Very rare is the bride who has an unlimited budget. Whether your budget is $5,000 or $50,000, believe me, you will not have any money left over after all is said and done. The best way to avoid stressing over your budget is to stay within it.

The first thing you should do is determine what that budget is. One way to do this is to make a list; a list that is divided into three categories of elements that you have in mind for your wedding: the "must haves," the want-to-haves," and finally the "nice-to-haves." * These will vary, depending upon the type of wedding you are planning.

Example: must haves - church and/or reception venue, minister, bride's attire and groom's attire, flowers, photographer, videographer, caterer, invitations, etc. Want-to-haves (these are negotiable): champagne, beer, wine, dance band or dj, custom linens, etc. Nice-to-haves: antique get-away car, those precious Monolo Blanik's, a second dress for the reception, guest favors, etc.

Put a value on each item in each category. You can get information from many of the internet wedding sites, Perfect Wedding Guide, Get Married, etc., as to what to expect to pay for these elements. Pretty soon you will have an overall budget range to work with.

Be sure and follow my posts in the coming days to see what I think the number two stressor is when planning your wedding.

* Thanks to Rick Brewer, consultant to wedding industry professionals, for providing information for parts of this post.

Weddings On The Go

Weddings On The Go

Your week is full of work, perhaps traveling, client meetings or just putting in those extra hours. You and your fiance are able to find only a few hours here and there to be together. How in the world will you find the time to plan that wedding you've been talking about?

If these thoughts are creating some anxiety and stress when you try to pin down a date or talk about a venue for your wedding, I have the stress-relieving solution for you. A group of creative vendors in town have come up with a solution called "Weddings On The Go." We can put everything at your fingertips and take care of all the arrangements for you.

We sit down with you, listen to the descriptions of your vision for your wedding, go over all the magazine photos you have collected to get an idea of what you are expecting, and come up with the package that best fits your needs. You can be involved as much or as little as you like. Just remember that every vendor we have on board is licensed and experienced in his or her profession. You will get as much as, if not more than, you would get if you hurriedly tried to put it together yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you will get and stay within your budget. LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO IT FOR YOU.

We offer one-stop, hassle-free wedding planning where you can decide the look you want and how much you want to spend, then leave the rest to us. Our goal with this venture is to offer the bride and groom on a budget, with little time to find the best deals, a way to get the most for their money.

For details, go to www.yourpbj.com and click "weddings." You will find all the information at the end of the wedding page.

Real Summer Wedding - Molly & Kevin

Molly & Kevin's was one of the most exciting, fun weddings of the summer. It was such a pleasure to work with Angela and John Deaver from Main Street Productions, Wes and Tera Wages from Armosa Studios, Jamey Hightower from Dorothy McDaniel's Flower Shop, Diane Olexa from Olexa's Bakery and Allison Cambre from The Club.

Molly and her Mother, Margaret, knew exactly what they wanted and we made sure everything was in place when the day arrived. Being the engineer that she is, Margaret let no detail get past her on this project. Her utmost goal was to make Molly & Kevin happy on their special day, and indeed she succeeded. She was so much fun to get to know and work with that I know we will remain friends forever. It's families like the Forsythes that make my job the best job in the world.

Take a look at the following video from Main Street to get an idea of the magnificent day it was for everyone. We wish Molly & Kevin all the happiness in the world.

http://www.mainstreetav.com/blog/2010/6/23/molly-kevin-highlands-umcthe-club.html

Real Weddings - Rowell Events

Don't Rain On My Parade

Jenny and Mike will remain one of my favorite couples. Jenny was a delight from day one. I actually met her mother first since Jenny lived in St. Louis and was planning her wedding long distance. When we finally met face-to-face for the first time, it was just as though we were old friends reuniting. And, with Jenny, there's never a dull moment -- a sense of humor and positive attitude that brightened up my day every time I saw her.

When I met Mike, I could see the attraction. Studying for his doctorate in St. Louis, I expected to have to put on my intellectual face and get on his level. NOT!! He was one of the kindest, down-to-earth, most gentle giants I've ever known. It was obvious he adored Jenny; ready to do whatever it took to make her wedding day perfect for her.

Needles to say, coordinating their wedding was delightful. The ceremony and a portion of the reception were planned for outdoors, and as time got closer the weather was not looking real cooperative. Those afternoon June showers were quite predictable and on time just about every day. We made the decision to have a tent over the ceremony area, rain or shine. It was looking pretty positive, but late afternoon, we stood up on Red Mountain and watched the storm clouds roll in after the band, caterer and florist had been given the go ahead to set up in the outdoor areas.

The storm came. . . and went . . . and came. With minimal damage, the ceremony was ready to begin. The guests had been seated under the tent, the musician was playing, and the heavens opened up, again. There was much hustling around among the guests to stay dry in the blowing rain, and the attendants were able to get under cover and down the aisle.

But, the beauty of the entire evening occurred just as the bride and her father started down the aisle to the tent. The rain stopped, the sun came out and she never felt a drop. She was indeed the star of the show; it was perfect! The ceremony continued, they kissed and the party began--with many of the guests never going inside except for food. The band kept everyone on their feet and it was an evening to be remembered by many people for a long, long time.

May the sun continue to shine on their new life together!!

Today's Post by Colin Cowie www.colincowie.com

Your wedding day is one of life's sacred moments, surrounded by people you love and who love you. It's also an opportunity to honor women in your life who have meant the most to you. One way to show your affection and appreciation is to honor your closest girlfriend, by making her your maid or matron of honor (the former is single and the latter is married). Consider what your needs are and whether she could meet your expectations. Ask yourself if she will have the time or temperament to help. A friend or relative who has children of her own, or who lives far away, may not be able to assist with everything you require. If your needs are small and you are organized and self-sufficient, the role is more honorary than responsibility-related.

Often the choice is a sister or cousin to whom you feel close. Whether she is a devoted relative or a special girlfriend, an ability to offer advice without ever strong-arming you is one of the qualities you should look for.

Your maid of honor is there not only for advice and support, but to help with whatever tasks and details you need accomplished. This could be shopping for your wedding dress, hosting a bridal shower, organizing your guest list, addressing envelopes, arranging a bachelorette party, and even taking your dress to the cleaners after the wedding. She is your "best friend," with an open ear to listen to you and offer the smarts to guide you. That in itself is a wonderful comfort.

Most importantly, she's there by your side on your wedding day! She'll adjust your train and veil at the altar, hold the ring to be given to the groom until it is time to be exchanged during the ceremony, hold your bouquet while the rings are exchanged, and—as a great honor—sign your wedding certificate as a witness to the wedding. If need be, she can assist the photographer by ensuring everyone who needs to be photographed has his or her picture taken.

When it's time to make your speech and thank those who helped make your wedding dream a reality, be sure to thank her as well, with personal and heartfelt words.

Weddings On The Go

Your week is full of work, perhaps traveling, client meetings or just putting in those extra hours. You and your fiance are able to find only a few hours here and there to be together. How in the world will you find the time to plan that wedding you've been talking about?

If these thoughts are creating some anxiety and stress when you try to pin down a date or talk about a venue for your wedding, I have the stress-relieving solution for you. A group of creative vendors in town have come up with a solution called "Weddings On The Go." We can put everything at your fingertips and take care of all the arrangements for you.

We sit down with you, listen to the descriptions of your vision for your wedding, go over all the magazine photos you have collected to get an idea of what you are expecting, and come up with the package that best fits your needs. You can be involved as much or as little as you like. Just remember that every vendor we have on board is licensed and experienced in his or her profession. You will get as much as, if not more than, you would get if you hurriedly tried to put it together yourself. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you will get and stay within your budget. LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO IT FOR YOU.

We offer one-stop, hassle-free wedding planning where you can decide the look you want and how much you want to spend, then leave the rest to us. Our goal with this venture is to offer the bride and groom on a budget, with little time to find the best deals, a way to get the most for their money.

For details, go to www.yourpbj.com and click "weddings." You will find all the information at the end of the wedding page.

A New Age of Videography

Whether you are planning a wedding or other special event, as you work down your list of necessary elements, how far down your list is videography? I'm sure it comes after decor, catering, entertainment and even photography. True, all these elements are important in the making of a successful event, but what comes to your mind when you think "video"?

Recently, I heard and watched a presentation by John Deaver, from MainStreet Productions, where he discussed and showed examples of wedding videos from just ten years ago and today's video -- night and day. No more scenes rolling along with friends waving or holding a microphone to wish you well. John pointed out that a client should never expect the film quality of yesterday when, with the technology available today, a professional can produce a keepsake that will be around for generations to come. I would never get into the technology part of video production, but have you seen (and heard) MainStreet's videos (www.mainstreetav.com)?

Another unique service that filmmaker Nick Weeks, with SnapLife Studios (www.snaplifestudios.com), is offering in addition to his fully edited films is a Same-Day Edit. For the SDE, Nick takes what he had filmed throughout the day of preparation for the wedding or other event up until a point somewhere into the evening and edits it on the spot. He will continue to have a second camera rolling to capture the remaining portion and end of the event. But, Nick takes what he has filmed, edits it, puts it to music, so your guests can view it near the end of the event. How's this for service? Your guests will love it as they witness your day as it progressed. They even get excited if they are captured in the scene. It's such a special way to end the evening.

My point here is to stress just how important an event or wedding filmmaker can be on your list of necessary event professionals. As you watch your film through the years, you will continue to see things and people that you did not actually witness during the evening. Remember, those cameras are capturing scenes that you were not a part of, and including people that you were not able to spend very much time with.

You should take a look at that list of priorities and consider moving your videography up several spaces. It's a move you will never regret.

What's The Difference?

In my Interviews with brides every week, I'm forever hearing the terms, wedding planner, wedding coordinator, wedding director and wedding designer. Granted, "wedding planner" is the one most recognizable among the newly engaged couples, their parents and friends. However, a "planner" may not be what some brides and grooms are looking for.

I recently had a bride call me and ask if I could coordinate her wedding. "Of course," was my reply. She indicated that she had been in a friend's wedding recently and things were pure chaos because no one was in charge and none of the attendants knew where to be or when to be there. As I described my day-of coordination package, we both began to realize that a wedding coordinator was not what she wanted. She was looking for someone to "direct" her ceremony. . . a wedding director.

This case of mistaken identity is not unusual. Some wedding planners do just what the term implies: they assist the bride and groom in planning the details of their wedding; i.e. booking venue, vendors, transportation, lodging, etc. This can be done from start to finish or on a consultation basis, whatever the couple needs. The planner is not coordinating at this time, she is not designing at this time, nor is she directing at this stage of the game.

However, as that anticipated day draws near, the planner becomes a coordinator too, under most circumstances. She must now coordinate the plans of all vendors, out-of-town guests, transportation to coincide with those of the bride, groom and their parties. This is where all those hours spent planning pay off. Timelines must be developed, schedules for all those involved must be organized and communicated, and all details gone over dozens of times. The wedding week-end cannot be over coordinated. The planning stage is over!

Where does the wedding designer fit into this picture, you may ask. Well, not every wedding planner/coordinator is blessed with designer talents and skills. A good planner knows this and can enlist the services of a designer early on. If a bride and groom want a special theme or design to make their day reflect who they are or what their tastes are, a designer is the one to do this. Most times the floral designer possesses the ability and experience to do this. If the planner/coordinator has the vision of what the couple want, and can communicate this to other vendors, that works fine. It may be a case where the planner has the vision, calls in the floral designer who can put the elements in place, contracts a lighting designer to add effects, and orders the right linens to balance out the picture. But they will eventually have to put their heads together to get the desired results.

Now, the only question remaining is "where does the wedding director fit in?". If the ceremony takes place in a church or other house of worship, most of the time there is an in-house wedding director. If this is the case, the coordinator is at the church only to make sure the set-up is complete and for the moral support of the bride and groom. She may assist with getting the bride ready for pictures and assist the photographer with getting everyone in place, but that is pretty much the extent of her duties there. The church wedding director organizes the processional and recessional. However, if the ceremony is not in a church, this leaves the coordinator to direct the wedding, which any experienced coordinator is equipped to do. This just needs to be decided early in the planning process.

Whether you are hiring a planner, coordinator, designer or director, just be sure and communicate clearly what you expect. This needs to be spelled out in the contract so there are no last minute surprises between you and the one you hire. Some planners try to do it all, so be sure also that you know how she or he will be getting all this done. Does she have an in-house designer, will she be the one on site at the rehearsal, will you get a diagram or drawing of the venue as it will be set up? It takes a team of specialists working with the bride and groom to plan, coordinate, design and direct that special day. Nobody can do it alone.

Company Retreats (As published in The Pillars,LLC)

In these tough economic times, many companies are cutting corners and one of the first corners cut seems to be annual retreats. Instead of canceling the team building and critical planning that annual retreats foster, consider hosting your annual corporate retreat closer to home. One such location that caters to business travelers is Haywood County, North Carolina. You can drive to Haywood County in around five hours, approximately the same driving distance as a trip to the Gulf Coast.

Companies can count on numerous options for team building exercises, including horseback riding, white water rafting, fly fishing and hiking. Cataloochee Ranch offers guided group horse riding tours and team building exercises with mile high views of the surrounding Smoky Mountains. The ranch also offers guided hiking and lodging for up to sixty-five guests, with breakfast and dinner included. Fly fishing can be scheduled through your concierge or directly with the Waynesville Fly Shop, which provides equipment, training and guides so even first time fly fishers have the full experience.

Small groups should consider lodging at Andon Reid, an award winning bed and breakfast with five impeccable guest rooms and breathtaking views of the mountains. What sets Andon Reid apart for the business traveler is their full gym and personal trainer on staff. Hourly rates for the personal trainer are available upon request but the full gym, which includes a sauna, is available for all guests. Andon Reid also provides free WiFi, concierge service, and fax and copy machines. Another perk is Andon Reid's four course, made from scratch breakfast. If you're thinking a four course breakfast sounds too heavy for a full business day, think again. Andon Reid caters to special diets, including vegan and gluten free; and their vegan artichoke cakes are simply out of this world. If you prefer even lighter fare, Andon Reid will oblige with a smaller breakfast or even a breakfast to go. Moreover, Andon Reid's owner, personal trainer and chef, Rachel, will provide you the recipe for any dish of which you are particularly fond.

Larger groups can be accommodated at Maggie Valley's Boyd Log Cabins, home to seven authentic log cabins, each dating back 150 to 200 years. The Boyd Log Cabins offer the authenticity of centuries' old cabins - with all the amenities a modern traveler requires, including televisions, full kitchens, updated bathrooms and WiFi in certain areas. The 130 acre property, nestled into a cove overlooking the Smoky Mountains, doubles as a Christmas tree farm and offers stocked fishing ponds. Each of the seven cabins has a unique and beautiful view and are just minutes from downtown Waynesville, Asheville or the activities at Cataloochee Ranch.

If your retreat includes a free day, attendees can shop the local stores in downtown Waynesville or visit nearby Asheville or Highlands, North Carolina. Asheville, home to the Biltmore and a burgeoning organic/locavore food scene, and Highlands, an area that has established itself as a second home to many Birminghamians, are both a short drive from any of Haywood County's accommodations.

The bottom line is simply, whatever your company's bottom line this year, Birmingham is fortunate to be near numerous excellent options for business retreats. Therefore, before you make the decision to cancel the company retreat altogether, consider nearby options including mountainous Haywood County.

As seen in the online magazine, The Pillars, LLC http://www.thepillarsllc.com

Event Marketing

Today's post is targeted to business owners and corporate managers. Perhaps some of you have incorporated event marketing into your marketing plans in the past. For some of you, this may be a totally new concept. Either way, I'd just like to explain what event marketing can include and how it can round out your marketing efforts.

First of all, if you have a brand new product or service, there is no better way to introduce it to your market than actually showing it to your clients and prospective clients. If you are launching a new product line, put that product to work, demonstrating how it can help those business owners better meet the needs of THEIR clients. For example, if you have developed new software for the restaurant industry, invite all the local restaurateurs to your office space for a free catered breakfast or coffee break. Have several stations with your software hooked up on laptops so these interested people can actually have a hands-on demo assisted by a trained tech. This is your opportunity to sell them on why your product is the latest technology available, and how you can adapt it to fit their situation.

If you've just moved into a new location, or renovated your old one, let everyone know it. Send e-mail blasts, use all the available social media to notify the world that this change has occurred. But more importantly, with these notices, invite everyone to see your new place and how it is designed to better serve your clients or customers. Designate a date and time to have your "open house" and be ready to show off your new digs.

These are just a couple of ways you can use event marketing to create and/or build your business . You can't expect to build it and have people come. You've got to create interest, demonstrate the effectiveness of this new product or location, and let the world see, hear and touch it. The only way to do this is to bring people TO the product or location, not take it to THEM.

One of your most important markets is your staff. You may have one employee or one hundred. Whatever the situation, employee events are the most overlooked opportunities for a company to let the people who are the bones of the operation know how valuable they are. Whether it be a company picnic, a holiday party or employee incentives, everyone likes to be rewarded and recognized. Your client relations are definitely important, but don't forget your employees. They are the voice of your business.

All this being said, any business can profit from event marketing, whether you are a service related business or a product related business; whether you are focusing on clients, prospective clients or employees Let's sit down and discuss the event that can create public awareness and create a buzz about your business.

Don't Rain On My Parade

Jenny and Mike will remain one of my favorite couples. Jenny was a delight from day one. I actually met her mother first since Jenny lived in St. Louis and was planning her wedding long distance. When we finally met face-to-face for the first time, it was just as though we were old friends reuniting. And, with Jenny, there's never a dull moment -- a sense of humor and positive attitude that brightened up my day every time I saw her.

When I met Mike, I could see the attraction. Studying for his doctorate in St. Louis, I expected to have to put on my intellectual face and get on his level. NOT!! He was one of the kindest, down-to-earth, most gentle giants I've ever known. It was obvious he adored Jenny; ready to do whatever it took to make her wedding day perfect for her.

Needles to say, coordinating their wedding was delightful. The ceremony and a portion of the reception were planned for outdoors, and as time got closer the weather was not looking real cooperative. Those afternoon June showers were quite predictable and on time just about every day. We made the decision to have a tent over the ceremony area, rain or shine. It was looking pretty positive, but late afternoon, we stood up on Red Mountain and watched the storm clouds roll in after the band, caterer and florist had been given the go ahead to set up in the outdoor areas.

The storm came. . . and went . . . and came. With minimal damage, the ceremony was ready to begin. The guests had been seated under the tent, the musician was playing, and the heavens opened up, again. There was much hustling around among the guests to stay dry in the blowing rain, and the attendants were able to get under cover and down the aisle.

But, the beauty of the entire evening occurred just as the bride and her father started down the aisle to the tent. The rain stopped, the sun came out and she never felt a drop. She was indeed the star of the show; it was perfect! The ceremony continued, they kissed and the party began--with many of the guests never going inside except for food. The band kept everyone on their feet and it was an evening to be remembered by many people for a long, long time.

May the sun continue to shine on their new life together!!

Vendor Gratuities

The age-old wedding question: Which vendors should I tip, and how much?

Tips, or gratuities, for your vendors is entirely optional. If you can allow for this in your budget once all your contracts are signed and you have a good handle on actual costs, that is great. No wedding professional enters into a wedding contract with the mindset: "well, I'll get a bonus, so I'll cut back on my fees some." That is the least professional thing he or she can do. So, it is up to you as the bride to make this call.

When you give a photographer or caterer an extra percentage at the end of the day, you are saying that you appreciated all the hard work and extra effort that he or she put forth -- for going that extra mile. It says "hey, I loved what you did and will more than likely refer you to my friends and family if I have the opportunity." They get the message loud and clear. That's not to say, on the other hand, that if there is no bonus, you are unhappy with their services. A sincere note or email after the wedding goes a long way also. A small gift also means a lot.

In my case, being the wedding coordinator, the decision may not be as easy sometimes. I had a bride's mother tell me once, after giving me a lovely gift with a beautiful thank-you note, that she felt she might insult me by giving me a cash bonus. Of course, I lovingly took the gift, and never thought any more about it. But, don't be afraid of insulting your wedding coordinator by offering extra cash. I'll bet she will not turn it down.

Now, the other question. How much? Again, this is your call, but my suggestion is that in most cases, 20% is perfect. If your budget doesn't allow that much, 10% is appreciated also. For the most part, just use your common sense, put yourself in their shoes, then decide.