I am often asked how and why I became an event planner!It started way way way back in high school! I was on a couple of fundraising boards and I loved it! I got to organize, be a part of a team, have an opinion and throw event where people had fun and made new connections! I met so many wonderful people over that time that I fell in love with adults and networking! I didn't know that I had fallen head over heals until I went to college to become a teacher! I love teaching almost as much as I love meeting people and networking! I love adults more than kids (some days they are two of the same and I have no clue why I left teaching). During that time I was the Child Care Coordinator for the Dare to Dream Conference! I loved that role because I got to work with kids and parents but I also got to lead and organize! I was working with a very talented woman named Mary Mortenson, She was the head coordinator for the conference! In 2008 she decided to take on a new position with The Prison Congregations of America, she had a new passion and we applauded her on her journey! I was at a crossroads in my full time career as a do everything and get paid nothing, with a company that shall remain nameless! Mary, gave me the confidence and boost I need to start Serendipitous! She recommended me to her current clients and helped me understand the crazy business world! She has been a friend, a colleague and like family to me ever since! Without Mary there would be no Serendipitous. I owe Mary more than I can think of. I am grateful to her for taking me under her wing and even more grateful for her giving me the push I need to get moving! She told me she could see talent in me and trust me I need to hear that at that time.Mary if you read this, Thank You! I appreciate everything you have done for me! and we need a photo together so I can add it to the blog!XOJessica
Invitations, RSVP's and all the drama in between!
A blog for the Host and the Guest...An invitation sets the tone for any event! It tells your guests what to wear, what behavior to bring and gives all of the details! An invitation tells your guests if your event will be formal, or wild or perhaps lets them know if gifts are OK to bring or not!Always be sure to double and triple check your invites for all the correct information! Call the phone numbers, Google the addresses and check the spelling!Sending a pre stamped RSVP card will help you to get more RSVP's back than without the stamp, but lets get real people are horrible at sending back response cards! PEOPLE please get better about sending back your cards...Hosts need to know if you will attend! While on the topic of response/RSVP cards I would like to add a few notes! My soap box perhaps! :)1. If an envelope is addressed to you and your spouse or guest do NOT think it is OK to bring your children, cats, dogs and imaginary friends2. This is not your wedding...do not judge someone for not wanting kids at their wedding or for not inviting every single cousin, 2nd cousin, relative or friend.3. Weddings have taken on many different forms than in recent history! Weddings are becoming more popular on Fridays and Sundays...Be hip, be cool, do whatever you want to do!There are couples who have gone to online RSVP's and even online invitations...Great if you are sure that your Grandmother and Grandfather have the internet and will have a clue what is going!
From Spa Night to Magic Mike: Bachelorette Party Entertainment
Planning an all-girls bash for the bride-to-be? Whether your plans are G-rated or G-stringed, here’s some ideas-on-a-budget for the last fling before the ring!
Affordable Male Dancer? They cost more than just a stack of ones, & aren’t exactly easy to come by in Sioux Falls. So unless the Best Man is built like Channing Tatum, a stripper may not exactly make the budget. But no need to miss the eye-candy… these films feature male strippers at the cost of a movie rental! -Magic Mike (obviously!) -The Full Monty -A Night in Heaven -Just Can’t Get Enough -The Chippendales Murder Road trip Without the Gas Prices? The wedding day is tomorrow, & there’s no time or money to play out the female version of The Hangover in Vegas. No need to gamble with dream plans, you & the girls can still experience the perks of a wild getaway without having to rob the bank first! Book the nicest hotel room or cutest bed & breakfast in your hometown, then split the cost & share the keys! Take advantage of the room service, pool, hot tub, cable, & the in-hotel bar! You’ll even have a free breakfast before the bustle of the big day…no cooking required. Bar-hopping without the Cover Charge?Between the tab & the cab fare, a crazy night out on the town can do even crazier things to your credit card account. Time to unleash your inner bartender & experiment like a mad scientist! If each guest brings a bottle or two to share, there’s no limit to the drinking possibilities. & the perks of drinking at a girl’s night in? Lingerie drinking games! Have every girl buy & bring a pair of panties that matches her personality, then lay them out & have the bride guess who brought what! If she’s wrong…she has to take a shot, but if she’s right…the whole room takes a shot. Way more fun than walking home! Private Spa Session?A massage, facial, wax, & mani/pedi can really empty your purse these days! & if your entourage is a spa-full, then one trip could empty the bank. The alternative: a DIY spa party! & the best part? This includes a beauty store shopping trip beforehand! Consult your favorite magazines for pre-approved goodies : most health, fashion, & beauty publications give annual awards to the best beauty products chosen by readers or a professional beauty panel. Pinterest is also a great source for the latest nail, hair, & make-up trends. Happy Pampering!
Why should you hire a planner!!
Hey Ya’ll, I am Jessica, the Event Planner and owner of Serendipitous Events I work a little and have a ton of fun in the studio at the Creative Co-Op! I started event planning about 10 years ago and fell in love with the industry, the people and the creativity! When the time was right (in the middle of a major recession) I started my own event planning company, because lets face it, I didn’t want to work for anyone else! I work with Brides, Moms, Dads, CEO’s, Executive Directors and everyone in between! People are often unsure of why to hire an event planner so I thought I would help you understand a bit about what I do and LOVE!
The Perks of Hiring an Event Planner!
Perfect Timing: Busy, Busy, Busy! I bet you a cocktail that I just described your life…no stalking required. You barely have time for a drink, let alone time to plan your son’s birthday party, your sister’s wedding, or your company’s dinner party. Letting an event planner do the job will save you time & keep everything on schedule without missing Happy Hour!A Bigger Wallet (or Clutch!): Planners are pros at keeping to a budget, and every stellar event planner knows how & where to find all the deals! Most event planners also get discounts with certain vendors, so you get VIP treatment minus the extra trips to the ATM!Have Your Cake…& Time to Eat It Too: Hiring an event planner for your special occasion allows you to feel like a guest at your own party! Planners have all the behind-the-scenes chaos under control, so you can celebrate stress free!Best of the Best: It’s every great planner’s job to know the best in the business! Not only will they know all the caterers, photographers, florists, and entertainers, but they also have experience working with these vendors, so they can advise you on the best ones to fill your personal needs! A planner’s vendor relationships will make your celebration the perfect affair!Details!Details!Details!: It’s the little things that will make or break your event . Planners have a knack for the small things, right down to the cherries on top of your ice cream or the glitter on your fairytale-wedding dance floor!Preppiness: An event planner prepares for everything. They’ve got safety, savvy, and style down to a science! Need band-aids for the flower girl’s skinned knee? They’ll locate the whole first aid kit! Guests reaching the limit? They've got cabs on speed dial! Planners make it their job to know the location of the fire extinguisher, mops, and the extra bottle of brandy…just in case;)
Choosing your wedding Color! It should be fun!
Color can evoke emotions similar to the way that a smell can remind you of a first date or a grandmothers comfort! Yellow is said to evoke anger and sadness...with that being said I work on a yellow desk every day and I would say I am pretty happy when I am doing what I love! Choosing wedding colors can be fun or frustrating! If I had to give a bit of my own advice to make this an easier process for you I would say I could sum it up in a few simple steps!
1. HAVE FUN! This is your day! Not your Mamas! YES! Moms I said it! I know you are as excited for your daughters as they are but your daughter gets to pick! You are entitled to your opinion but give it once and then zip it! And if someone cares enough to make a stink about it take them off of your guest list...KIDDING! Don't take them off just ensure that they will be the last to eat! Only slightly kidding! What colors do you love? What colors do you hate! get creative and don't be afraid to make your own trend!
2. Create Dimension! Contrasting colors creates dimension. SO does one color of different hues! if you want a light pink to be your main color add some brighter pinks or some lighter pinks! There is nothing wrong with a splash or even a bucket of deep plum, navy blue or passion purple! Just like a table needs different heights (dimension) your color palette needs the same! different hues and contrasting colors keep the eye engaged.
3. WHITE or no White? stark white is said to be a no no...I am sure you will find this as a surprise but I disagree! Stark white look beautiful when lit correctly! White like mentioned above should have dimension. Create dimension with white by using cream, ivory or off white! I would not suggest stark white for the majority of your wedding but don't be afraid to use it!
4. Second grade art class can help! Remember learning your primary, secondary, warm and soft colors? or perhaps hearing about the new trend of color blocking? While I thin it is important to go with your gut and do what you want I don thin you need to be a bit careful in what colors you choose or perhaps more careful in how you use them. you want to use a primary or secondary color like red, purple or blue and toss in some of the medium color such as peach, lavender or light yellow and then add hints of the softest of colors like butter or cream! Using all tone will help when creating the 2 or 3 dimensional look you need to achieve.
Play with color! Set patterns and tones, hues, brights and whites together!
Look for trends or other uses on our Pinterest account!
Don't worry...have fun! and do what makes YOU happy!
Cheers!