How Event Planners Do It

Saturday, May 30, 2009

A few weeks ago, Your Wedding Day Magazine, threw the bash of the year to spoil all of us in the wedding industry. From the Marie Antoinette themed room to the Hookah Lounge, there were surprises around every corner, which is very, very hard to do to a group of people who sees these type of things every single day. With 800 of Southern California's top event professionals, the party was a huge success and something everyone has been talking about since. Check out a video recap, from my fav cinematographer, Russell Fowler. He is super talented and a blast to be around. He is sure to pop up a few more times on my blog before the year is out :).

Vintage Cowboy Baby Shower

Friday, May 22, 2009

A couple of times a year, I get to head home to plan an event. Home being Kansas City. On this trip, I was lucky enough to plan a baby shower for a friend of a friend and it was a blast. They let me do ANYTHING I wanted with of course a bit of budget limitations. I have had my eye on these great vintage cowboy linens at La Tavola Linens for a while now with no use in the near future, but when the honoree found out she was having a boy, the cowboy theme was on!

The invitations were made of wood with a western style feel, inviting guests to a backyard bbq feast at high noon on a Saturday afternoon. Guests arrived to mason jars of fresh lemonade and iced tea with straws that said "howdy" and pashminas to help with the crisp spring air. For lunch we served Kansas City style BBQ complete with potato salad, baked beans and cole slaw. It was a huge hit to the group of ladies that came expecting a cheese & veggie tray. For lunch, I designed a long banquet table adorned with mason jars filled with sweet but simple daisies. The seating was my favorite part. I rented hay bales and topped them with great pillows for comfort. It was a blast! I tend to skip games at showers as I've never really understood the purpose of them, so we just had a great lunch and jumped right to opening presents! After lunch and gifts, everyone helped themselves to a mini homemade pie which was delish!

It was so great planning and designing this shower as I've never had the opportunity to really take a theme to it's full potential. Short of a mechanical bull and shetland ponies, I definitely feel like I did the cowboy theme proud!

The pictures are by the AMAZING Mike Varel. He is based in Kansas City, but has shot for me in Hawaii and travels worldwide. Not only is he uber talented but his charm and demeanor on a wedding day or at any event is a huge asset. He can put any host at ease. I just love him!

Stay tuned, as this shower will also be on Hostess with the Mostess very soon!














Wedding Day Casting : DEADLINE EXTENDED

Thursday, May 21, 2009


The deadline has been extended for Wedding Day's Casting. They are looking for deserving couples nationwide to produce their dream wedding. Think "Extreme Home Makeover for weddings. If you know someone deserving, sign them up. Here are the details:

Do you know of a couple who are planning on getting married or would like to marry Summer or Fall of 2009, who really DESERVE an amazing wedding but cannot afford it in these tough economic times?

“Wedding Day”, a new prime-time series premiering Tuesday - June 16th @ 8pm/7pm CMT on TNT, is seeking to cast inspirational couples for our next amazing season!

You can view a promo of “Wedding Day” here: http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?oid=47477

Service Men and Women, Volunteers, survivors, teachers, real-life heroes, social workers, charity workers, farmers etc. … we want to hear from you!

If you had to downgrade or delay your wedding plans due to job loss, injury, illness or deployment … we want to hear from you!

If you know of a couple who is so busy helping others they deserve someone to help them out … we want to hear from you!

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!

Send a brief paragraph about your situation, or another couple's situation, the current wedding budget, a recent photo of the couple (in .jpg format), and your contact information to:

WeddingDay@markburnettprod.com

SUBJECT LINE: Attn Roberta


Please respond by June 5th, 2009.

***Couples may be asked to make a casting video with friends and family. ***

Sneak Peek : Kelly & Tony : Mexico

Saturday, May 9, 2009



I'm waiting on a full disc of images, but in the meantime, I couldn't wait to show you some of the pictures I literally just received of Kelly & Tony's wedding that I planned in Mexico. Take a look and I promise, once I all of the images arrive, I'll share more along with the story of this beautiful couple.

Images are by the lovely Rachel of Expressions Photography.






Your Wedding Day Casting Call


I just love the premise of this show...they give deserving couples the chance at a wedding of their dreams. Take a peek at the casting call and nominate someone asap!

YOUR WEDDING DAY
Do you know of a couple who are planning on getting married or would like to marry Summer or Fall of 2009, who really DESERVE an amazing wedding but cannot afford it in these tough economic times?

“Wedding Day”, a new prime-time series premiering Tuesday - June 16th @ 8pm/7pm CT on TNT, is seeking to cast inspirational couples for our next amazing season!

You can view a promo of “Wedding Day” here: http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?oid=47477

Service Men and Women, Volunteers, survivors, teachers, real-life heroes, social workers, charity workers, farmers etc. … we want to hear from you!

If you had to downgrade or delay your wedding plans due to job loss, injury, illness or deployment … we want to hear from you!

If you know of a couple who is so busy helping others they deserve someone to help them out … we want to hear from you!

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!

Send a brief paragraph about your situation, or another couple's situation, the current wedding budget, a recent photo of the couple (in .jpg format), and your contact information to:

WeddingDay@markburnettprod.com

SUBJECT LINE: Attn Roberta


Please respond by May 15st, 2009.

***Couples may be asked to make a casting video with friends and family. ***

My new office



Okay, I lied, but I just had to share some pics of my new office space. It's pretty girly and eclectic, but I just love it...

Look closely as this collage is a mix of two amazing photographers. Meghan Aileen Photography and Sandra P Photography. Meghan took the overall room shots and Sandra P covered the details for me. Thanks ladies!

Quote of the Day

Friday, May 8, 2009


One of my weddings is in the running for the next issue of Inside Weddings and needless to say, I'm very excited. Part of the process involves an interview with the bride and groom on their planning experience and their overall reflection of the wedding day which has been a lot of fun to read. Anyway, I just received the groom's viewpoint on the planning and the wedding day and laughed out loud when I read his response to the question "What is your best advice for grooms planning their own celebration?" Here is what my groom, John, had to say:

"Dude, when you were a kid did you pretend your Gi-Joes were getting married? Me neither. Your fiancĂ©e has been waiting for this moment since she was a little girl. Basically just be of maximum service at all times. Get involved, from a distance, remember, it’s all about her. Practice saying things like, “yes honey” and “that lace is so beautiful” or “of course I want to look at the invitations again.”

I love, love, love this attitude, because it is just so true. Not that I don't want the groom to be involved in the process, because the wedding should definitely be a collaboration of the couple's style, but, every groom should keep in perspective what this day means to their bride. Be supportive when she wants to chat about the favors for the 12th time or can't decide between peonies vs. cymbidiums for the centerpiece. Accept the fact that you will walk away from the wedding planning experience knowing way too much about flowers, china, gown styles and the difference between a birdcage veil and cathedral length. While as a groom you may think much of the process is silly and insignificant, develop the attitude that these things are important to you simply because they are important to your fiancee. Doing so will ensure a much happier planning process (and marriage!).