The Event Studio Blog

Wednesday, April 29, 2009


Okay, I promise this will be my last post on The Event Studio. (I know I'm boring all of the brides out there to death). If you want to keep up with The Event Studio happenings including workshops, industry happenings as well as check out the work of the fabulous vendors partnering with us on the space, please do check out the new blog at www.theeventstudio.blogspot.com.

Back to regular posts tomorrow...

I Need to Get Out More...

Monday, April 27, 2009

For a party planner, I must admit, I don't do too much partying of my own. In fact, quite the opposite. When I'm at a party, I typically find it very hard to fully relax as I always want to see what's happening behind the scenes and of course am ready to jump in at any given emergency. But recently, after discovering a few great little treats that would be perfect at a wedding, I've decided that I must get out more.

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been out three times, which I must say, has to be some sort of record for me. Anyway, I experienced three new treats that I think many guests would highly enjoy at any party.



The first is the Pistachio Martini. Yes, I know they say Martinis are done, and I would tend to agree, but I personally hope, this yummy, creamy cocktail is never passe. I had it at a top restaurant in Cancun during my recent destination wedding trip and it was such a hit, every person at the table ordered one after trying mine. So, even if you're too chic to serve martinis at your wedding, give this one a quick shake at home. I won't tell anyone!

PISTACHIO MARTINI
3oz Stoli Vanilla Vodka
2oz Dumante liqueur
Splash of Midori
1oz half n half
Shake well with ice in shaker...garnish with crushed pistachios

My next favorite treat, also discovered in Mexico, was a communal cotton candy dessert served at Harry's in Cancun. Which, by the way, was also one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Try it if you get the chance (the cream corn with black truffle is to die for). Anyway, at the end of the meal, the server brought our table of 10 a gigantic display of cotton candy. It was just enough sweet to finish the meal right, was memorable and brought out the kid inside of each guest, especially at the end of what could be considered a fairly formal meal. It was slightly sticky, of course, but I thought it was such a fun touch that could easily be translated into one of the quirky weddings I'm currently planning. I'll keep you updated if anyone goes for it!



And, finally, the last treat, was, well, another cocktail, which was served at the Your Wedding Day Magazine event I recently attended at the Ebell Theatre of Los Angeles. It's called the California Sunset and it was so refreshing and wonderful! It was developed by Melissa Allen, the Director of Catering at the Ebell, and she told me how much fun it was to come up with the recipe. The drink was such a hit, they actually ran out. Obviously this was a bit of a bummer, but, it is always best to leave your guests asking for more rather than having too much! Below is the recipe Melissa came up using Limoncello. This drink would be perfect at any summer wedding, or even just for a refreshing cocktail sitting at home chatting up your neighbor. Enjoy!



California Sunset


In a shaker with ice mix:
3 oz Ventura Limoncello Originale
2 oz Sweet & Sour
1 oz Cranberry Juice
1 oz Club Soda
Serve over rocks in a high ball glass
Garnished with a lemon slice
(for a slightly sweeter version, you can use 7up instead of Club Soda)

Sooo, all of this to say, that I'm definitely going to get out more. I mean, it's for work, right?

The Event Studio

Friday, April 24, 2009



So, I want to tell everyone about my latest project, The Event Studio. Ever since I moved to Los Angeles, I have been dying for someone, anyone, to open up a space like this. Well, I got tired of waiting and decided to do it myself. In collaboration with the fabulous Mary Sushinski of Occasions, we present to you, The Event Studio. You see, in the event industry, so many of us work from our home and happily so. That is, of course, until it's time to meet with our clients and well, we all want something a little more inspiring and impressive than offering up a Chai Tea at Starbucks as a bride is making the important decision to add you to her wedding day team. So, Mary and I have developed the Event Studio. Not only is this my new and oh so, charming office, but it is also a co-op of sorts for event professionals. With a private lounge area perfect for a private and comfortable meeting with a client, a design session or even a workshop or small event, The Event Studio is a great alternative to a full time office which very few of us in the industry need. With an online calendar that makes scheduling appointments a breeze and both hourly and monthly packages, we can pretty much fit with in anyone's needs and budget.

Now, this space isn't just for event professionals. Starting this summer, Mary and I will also be hosting a variety of workshops for all of your brides out there. Not just our current and potential clients, but also for all of you DIY brides out there who just want a little bit of professional guidance as you plan for the big day. From covering the logistics of the wedding day to health and beauty workshops, we hope to cover it all while exposing you to some of the industry's top vendors.

Needless to say, I'm very excited and couldn't wait to share. More information will be coming soon, both on our open house for the event industry, as well as our workshops for all of you brides out there. In the meantime, come visit! We are located at 2524 Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank and available by appointment only. I hope to see all of you very soon!

PS. I have to give a special shout out to Laura Hooper who designed, yet another fabulous logo for me as shown above.

Always a Planner, Never A Guest...Not This Time!

Thursday, April 23, 2009


As many of you may already know, I just returned from a wedding in Riviera Maya, but what I didn't tell you is I actually planned the event for some of my very old college friends, Kelly and Tony. (That's them above...cute, right?). This was my first experience planning a wedding for a friend and I have to say, it was a little strange in a very good way. You see, while I have planned over 100 destination weddings, I have never, repeat, NEVER, been an actual guest at one of these multiday shindigs and that all changed with Kelly and Tony. Upon arrival to Mexico and my very own welcome bag (which I helped coordinate, of course :)), I immediately got most of my work and meetings out of the way so I could celebrate along side of them throughout the week. It all got started with a "Bienvenidos A Mexico Fiesta" which included cocktails on the oceanfront terrace overlooking the oh, so blue waters of the Caribbean. The week continued with poolside shenanigans, yummy dinners and cocktails each night. Unfortunately I missed the boat & snorkel trip due to a little too much sun and a whole lot of work. And the wedding day was a long day with many stories to be shared in another post, but, for the most part, I felt like a guest (one who knew what was happening before it happened), but nonetheless, an honored guest at a fabulous destination wedding experience. Maybe, you're wondering what the point is, so I'll get right to it: While I obviously have always been a big proponent of destination weddings, I would say, my support of these celebrations has grown tremendously. After my week in Mexico with old friends, I felt like I made a few new friends, reconnected with past acquaintances and all around was forced to take a mini vacation which just like all of their guests, I so badly needed. In addition to all of this, just the all around love you are shown throughout the week is incomparable. With destination weddings it truly feels like an honor to be part of a person's wedding. It doesn't feel like you are just one of 400 people who may or may not get to chat up the bride for 30 to 45 seconds at her four hour reception. Instead you are one of 10 to even 100 guests who not only will get the time to genuinely wish the happy couple congratulations on the wedding day, but you will probably be getting a massage with the bride or even kick back a few cervezas with the groom the day before one of the biggest events in their lives. Now, of course, I can't stress enough, that destination weddings are not for everyone and I still have lots of love for large, glamorous weddings filled with hundreds of people, but if what's most important to you is the overall experience and spending time with the people you truly love most in your life, then this style of affair should definitely be a consideration. Happy Planning!

Sarah & Daniel : Montage Resort : Laguna Beach

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I don't know why it has taken me this long to publish this post, as it was truly one of my favorite weddings of 2008. On top of that, it was covered by Daniel Boswell of DV Artistry who did a same day edit which was shown at the reception leaving not a single dry eye in the room. Take a peek:



Sarah & Daniel were wed at my favorite resort, The Montage, in Laguna Beach. If you haven't checked this space out, get there immediately. It is so luxurious in an understated way and it's tucked away location makes is a very romantic location perfect for several days or just a quick weekend getaway. And, of course, you couldn't ask for a better location for a wedding!

Why I Love My Job

Monday, April 13, 2009

I just returned from Maui where I was part of the very special wedding day of Nakia and Andrea. This wedding had everything I love about weddings...it was intimate, the couple was able to maintain perspective throughout the planning and it, of course, had great style! I can hardly wait to share the pictures. But alas, we will have to wait and instead, I wanted to share the lovely email I received in my inbox this morning from Andrea. It may seem silly, but what I love most about my job is not the beautiful flowers, the luxurious linens or even the travelling to exotic destinations (though these things are pretty great!). Instead it is the warm and fuzzy stuff that really keeps me going. I live for the hugs at the end of the night from the mother of the bride who was so nervous about everything going just right. I love to observe as guests bask in the environment that was completely created with the couple in mind. And, of course, thank you notes like these always remind me that I was part of something very special.

Dear Beth,

Nakia and I just returned home to San Francisco today, and I just had to take a moment to get on email to get in touch with you. We have been talking nonstop about our wedding day since the big event, essentially replaying it over and over like a movie in our heads. We absolutely LOVED how special our day turned out to be, and we just can't thank you enough for turning our vision into reality. Nakia and I agreed that having you as our wedding planner was one of the best decisions we made; truly it was only because of you that we were able to relax on our wedding day and simply enjoy being present in the moment. I can't begin to express what a gift this was to both of us!

I look forward to catching up with you once you return home and get settled. Naturally I'd love to "re-live" the day with you...

Take care, Beth, and thanks again for making our day so beautiful and memorable--

Andrea


Thank you Andrea & Nakia for allowing me to be a part of your world for a brief period of time. You were such a joy to work with! For everyone else, stay tuned for pictures from this wedding!

What You Need to Know Before Planning Your Beach Wedding

Friday, April 10, 2009


Because I started my career in the islands of Hawaii, I have planned my fair share of weddings on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world including the beaches of Maui, Kauai, Big Island and most recently Costa Rica and Mexico. While, I am well aware that if you are a bride that has always dreamt of marrying with toes in the sand, I'm not going to convince you otherwise, but regardless, I still want to provide you with just a little bit more detail about what really happens behind the scenes of what seems to be an oh, so glamorous backdrop for your nuptials. You see, beach weddings are far from glamorous, in fact, I would say they are more for the adventure bride rather than a bride dreaming of being a princess on her big day. With all of this being said, I wanted to provide you with a list of eight very realistic possibilities that you may be faced with when marrying on a beach anywhere in the world:

1. Public Property: So far, I have yet to come across a beach that is not government owned or in other words considered public property. What this means for you and your wedding is a good chance of onlookers, kids playing and possibly even other weddings going on just right down the sandy strip from where you are exchanging your vows. Some beaches will allow you to obtain a permit from the city or state to hold your wedding in a specific area on the beach, however, this almost never gives you exclusive access to the beach and I have yet to have a completely private beach wedding. Instead what most people come across is sharing their vows in front of many complete strangers who believe it is their right to observe your wedding. My tip: Always, always, always choose a beach where you can obtain a permit. It will help tremendously in keeping your wedding a bit more intimate, but again does not guarantee complete privacy.

2. Public Property: I'm listing this one twice because, well, I just want to make sure it is clear that no beach wedding is private. I don't care if you've seen pictures that appear otherwise, it just does not happen. Not only do you have onlookers, but you may also be competing for the same plot of land that another couple has their sights on for the very same day and time. If marrying on a popular beach, (and guess what, if it's a nice beach in a tourist area, it's popular,) plan to have someone from your wedding party or your wedding planner to arrive as early as your permit will allow so you can stake your area for the wedding. And, just an insider tip, try to go to the far end of the beach as you possibly can. This allows you to be protected on three sides so the only potential interruptions will come from behind your ceremony site and out of the pictures. There is nothing worse than having someone in a bikini in the background of your one and only first kiss as husband and wife.

3. Guest Comfort: Okay, yes, you live and die for the beach, but remember that not everyone of your guests will feel the same. Whether they don't like the sand sticking to them, the ocean breeze is too chilly or they hate direct sunlight, it can be uncomfortable for many guests. To combat this, try to think of all possible ways to make the experience enjoyable for them. Provide water when they arrive on the beach. Have a basket for shoes and another basket with wet washclothes so they can wipe their feet before they reenter their shoes at the end of the ceremony. If it's a sunny day, provide parasols or standing umbrellas. If it's a chilly day, have pashminas on hand for the ladies. Just remember you are dealing with the elements and try to plan accordingly so your guests can truly enjoy the ceremony instead of wishing it to be over.

4. Decor Mayhem: Keep the decor simple when going the beach route. Flowers wilt quickly in the sun and the wind has a tendency to carry off programs, fans, petals or anything else that you might want to use to beautify the space. It's not that these things can't be done, but just have a contingency plan such as a person to hand out programs, should it be too windy to place them at each seat. Also, remember that chairs will sink in the sand when guests sit in them. The only way around this is to build a platform and install it on the beach (hey, I've done it), but then again, what's the point of marrying on the beach if you go that route. Accept that the chairs will sink and the decor may flow in the breeze and you will save yourself quite a bit of stress.

5. No Back Plan: I would like to think this is enough said, but just in case it's not, let me elaborate. If you are marrying on a public beach anywhere, chances are you will not have a backup plan in case of rain, extreme heat or any other elements. If this makes you nervous, and quite honestly, it should, try to find a resort that hosts beach weddings. Yes, you will pay more but the peace of mind that comes with a backup plan will be well worth the extra money. Remember, if your beach wedding cancels because of the rain and you have no backup plan, your vendors will still expect payment including the minister, florist, musician and anyone else who has scheduled your wedding for their day. As a worst case scenario, you could have the wedding in your hotel room, but something tells me if you wanted the breathtaking backdrop of the Pacific or any other ocean, a hotel room with a minibar in the background is probably not your idea of the perfect wedding. If you don't want to go the resort route and you are willing to risk the chance of extreme weather ruining your day, at the very least, make sure you research the area you are marrying. I highly recommend finding a beach in the dryest part of the region you are in. The surrounding areas may not be as green and lush but the chance of rain will be much less.

6. Tide: While we're talking about researching the area, don't forget to take a peek at high tide. Try to plan your ceremony around this time so your very expensive gown does not get soaked in the middle of exchanging rings.

7. Noise: Chances are your guests may not be able to hear the ceremony over tropical breezes and crashing waves. There are ways to combat them including finding a minister with a voice that carries well or getting a windproof microphone, but make sure it is windproof. A regular lapel mic will only pick up the crashing waves and tropical breezes making it harder for the guests to hear.

8. Flip Flops Only Please: Okay, this may not be a deal breaker for most of you considering a beach wedding, but remember, Jimmy Choos and white sandy beaches do not mix. Consider flip flops or even barefeet (if the sand is cool enough) and save the strappy sandles for the dance floor.

Now that I have scared you to death and you have read all of the issues that I regularly face during the planning of a beach wedding, take a minute to think it over. If marrying with toes in the sand is more important than elaborate decor or having a bit of dirt on your dress, if you can get by marrying in Reefs rather than Manolos, and you and your fiance could laugh off the guy in the Speedo that may be videotaping your nuptials in the background, than a beach wedding may be the perfect route for you. After all, a beach is a very magical setting with natural beauty. While there are a lot of cons, there is also nothing like committing your life to someone with a whale breaching in the background or the smell of ocean breezes on the air. No matter what, just weigh the pros vs. the cons and decide from there. And, if after reading all of this, you still think the beach is the place for you then, hey, we may just run into each other sometime, but be warned, I'll have a permit and will be there bright and early to ensure I get the best spot for my couples :).

Giving Back

Wednesday, April 1, 2009


It's hard to believe that I'm starting my seventh year of working with couples as they plan their big day. I've went through a bit of evolution during this time, from working at a private estate, to a luxurious resort to finally opening my humble little business, but every step has been a blessing. But, as many can probably relate, with a life of blessings comes the desire to give back, but, how, oh, how, does one decide the right organization to donate their time and resources to? At Beth Helmstetter Events, we just care about so many issues it is difficult to choose just one to support. But, when all is said and done I feel education is still the best way to develop and grow our future generations of young adults so eventually they can join in on the fight of whatever issues really get them going.

Because of this, we are now donating a portion of all profits to First Book, a nonprofit organization that provides disadvantaged children with new books both for educational purposes and just good ole’ clean entertainment. Maybe I'm a little bit dreamy, but I like to think our small contributions will make a difference
to a child somewhere and I hope you take pride in knowing that planning your wedding or event with us means you are also a part of educating our youth.

Of course, if you have a preferred charity, let’s talk. But in the meantime, take a peek at an organization that we think is doing very good things: www.firstbook.org.