PlanIt Now Events

Wish Upon a Wedding Michigan

2012-01-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled to talk about this new and amazing non-profit organization in Michigan! Wish Upon a Wedding is a national non-profit and the Michigan chapter is launching January 17th. As you know weddings are stressful enough to plan but they are even more stressful when a couple has at least one of them diagnosed with a terminal illness or serious life-altering circumstance.

The launch party is Tuesday, January 17th starting at 7pm at the Crofoot in Pontiac. The event is open to newlyweds, wedding industry professionals, medical professionals and recently engaged couples. It is a FREE event but you do need to register so they have a headcount. Wish Upon a Wedding is accepting donations to get their Michigan Chapter started and that will allow them to start granting wishes!

The Michigan chapter can start granting wishes after their launch party on January 17th.

I signed right up for this when I heard about it from my dear friend E'Lisa with E. C. Campbell Photography in April... its such a great cause and I am so excited to be on the "waiting" vendor list!! I think this is a great organization for anyone to volunteer their time, airline miles or donate too. Its truly a great cause and it warms my heart to read all of the wishes granted to date around the United States.

Brent + Jess: Fingerprint Bands

2011-09-16T14:24:00.002-04:00

This isn't an episode of CSI Miami where they would be dusting for prints (one of my fav shows)...but a great personal touch... fingerprint jewelry! I stumbled across this cute etsy shop that evolved into clicking a link to their amazing website :)

Meet Brent & Jess (I am partial since we share the same name) who own Fingerprint Wedding Bands. With more than 15 years of experience these two are really doing something amazing!

After browsing their Etsy and site I am in LOVE.... I made Sam (my husband) come into the living room to see what I had discovered....needless to say we are going to be placing an order very soon... love this idea!

After you look around and talk with either Brent or Jess you will get a kit in the mail to do your fingerprint. Its takes about an hour to do and when complete you will send it back to them. From there they will make the magic happen on the item you choose.

Look at all these neat designs...

Perfect for someone over seas... or far away... a baby's foot print... options are endless really

Great family idea... fingerprints of everyone in the family. I think I would like this one day instead of the old pea in a pod around my neck. So much more personal.

They are also pet friendly too... I mean we all know if you are an animal lover that they are your family. Check out these super cute items they do for your beloved pets.

look at that nose... :)

[All photos are from Brent & Jess's website, facebook or Etsy shop]

If you haven't already clicked one of the hyperlinks above and gone to either their Etsy shop or website I suggest you do so.... Enjoy!

It's Almost Give and Get Time!

2011-03-07T22:40:00.001-05:00

We knew you liked good deals....so here is one we just couldn't pass on letting you know about :)

Give and Get is Here!: Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a Feed America.

So shop as much as you want that weekend, save some money while you do it and feel good because 5% is going to Feed America.

A Classic Couple: Mr. & Mrs. Don McLean

2011-03-02T13:15:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to meet Don & Jess through my friend Frank. They have an amazing relationship and truly are so sweet! They had a fairy tale courtship and Don planned a fabulous proposal. He created a story book with a tale of duck and giraffe that reflected their relationship....at the end of the story Don was on one knee asking Jess for her hand in marriage. (Love this!!!)

These two tied the knot on a perfect August afternoon at The Church of The Divine Child in Dearborn and had their reception at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn.

Let me introduce you to Jess...she is outgoing, fun loving and sassy :)

Meet Don....Don is very laid back and loves the 50's...can you tell ;)

Frank was Don's Best Man and how I met these two. Frank & I worked together at a media firm in Troy and he is my director of Marketing for PlanIt Now Events!

{Favorite picture}

Don & his dad....His dad wanted a sneak peek at the room while I was setting everything up... he has a good eye for style :)

Jess's stunning bouquet was done at the Hyatt Florist shop by Nancy. She did an amazing job with all of their flowers.

Their centerpieces sat on top of these over sized wine glasses. They were stunning!

Carmel corn for favors...YUM!

As a surprise...Don sang to Jess "Can't Take My Eyes off of you" with BM Frank & Groomsmen Steffen as the back-up trombone players...it was so sweet and touching to watch!

The guys in action...

I love their cake....such a simple design and the rich purple and yellow are a perfect contrast. Their cake was from Elite Sweets and very delicious!

Happily ever after....

Don't forget to leave the couple a comment :)

Trendy Wedding Dresses

2011-02-17T13:47:00.003-05:00

Now a days there is so much more to choose from out there... its not just David's Bridal or high end boutiques to find the "right" dress. Every store/designer is jumping on this new trend and not only are they really amazing but most of them are affordable! If you don't see what you are looking for then there are places that offer custom dresses and even rentals. (keep reading below)

You can't go wrong with any of these!

"I've learned that a wedding dress represents more than just "a dress". It embodies a bride's lifelong dream and her own sense of who she is." - Vera Wang

White by Vera Wang is now sold at David's Bridal stores. Hand cut details adorn these dresses with lace, crispy organza, crinkle chiffon and bobbin net. Gowns in the Spring 2011 collection range from $600 to $1,400.

{my fav}

Do you like what you see? Then enter here for a chance to win a bridal gown or 5 bridal party dresses!

J. Crew now has dresses for everyone in your bridal party (including suits/tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen)!They have really expanded to include veils, shoes, tuxedos, flower girl, ring bearers and honeymoon items. From Silk taffeta and satin dresses that range from $285 to $3,000 each.

For some eye candy....check out one of J. Crew's suits for the Groom....

The Limited has their own exclusive line that they vow will make you look fabulous on your wedding day! Dresses range from $228 to $398 and they also carry bridesmaid dresses and accessories.

I love the simplicity and yet elegance of this gown...

This one is perfect for a beach wedding....

Urban Outfitters the parent company of Anthropologie, debuted their new wedding collection on Valentine's Day, called BHLDN (pronounced beholden). They have more nostalgic romantic and sophisticated gowns.

This Butterfly dress is stunning.....

White House | Black Market has their Vow bridal collection that has wedding dresses ranging from $348 to $698. These gowns are not only affordable but have ruffled tulle, ecru satin and taffeta making them trendy gowns!

This gown was seen in The Knot. Its Amazing!!!

If you haven't said "yes to the dress" then maybe custom is more your thing. Marbella Couture specializes in bridal gowns and accessories using trendy fabrics, trims and embellishments to create that "this is the one" look!

If you have a strict budget to adhere to then try out RentTheRunway. They just launched a wedding section on their site, for $50 to $125, members can rent anything from a rehearsal dinner dress, engagement party dresses and a slew of bridesmaid dresses. Unfortunately no wedding gown rentals yet.

Play. Style. Smile.

Happy Dress Shopping!

Save-the-Date: 13th Annual TFWA Euchre Tournament

2011-02-10T10:57:00.000-05:00

13th Annual TFWA (Troy Fire Women's Auxiliary) Euchre Tournament

Saturday, March 26th

St. Lucy's Church | 200 E. Wattles Rd

Registration Begins: 6:15pm

Tournament Begins: 6:45pm

$27/Player

(Includes beer, wine, soda, pizza, subs, snacks and door prizes)

All Skill levels welcome

All proceeds to benefit: Great Lakes Burn Camp

The TFWA is a non-profit, charitable organization that assists victims of fires with emergency hotel accommodations, financial support, food and water to attending firefighters, financial aid to fire and burn related charities, and scholarships for college fire sciences.

For Ticket information/questions please contact:

Jessica @ 248.918.1832 or Jmkalef@gmail.com

Looking for fun and a hint of flair....

2011-01-27T17:09:00.001-05:00

All events need a certain element of fun or that missing 'WOW' factor and the hint of flair...why not add a photobooth?! They are the latest trend at all events from weddings, graduation parties, corporate events, reunions, prom & homecoming, and any other special event!

The days of thinking of photobooths as a kiosk at the mall are gone! They are so much more than that now for events. At Reflection Photobooths there are 3 packages to choose from to ensure you get exactly what you need for your event. They include fun props, different backgrounds, custom memory book, custom logo, DVD montage of all photos set to music (you pick), CD with all photos, state-of-the-art equipment and not to mention a amazing on-site attendant.

Your guests will not only love getting their photos taken in the booth but they will LOVE only waiting under 15 seconds to see the finished product! Just think - that means more time to show off the photo and get back in line for another set!

My corporate Christmas party had a photobooth and it had everyone talking about it for days. We still have all of our photos around the office hung up. If you are looking for something to add that hint of flair or 'WOW' factor contact Joe or Kerry and book one today!

Did someone say discount?!?

2011-01-25T13:40:00.002-05:00

I swore I heard someone say a deal or discount or something off........

That's right...PlanIT Now Events is happy to extend $50 off your next event booking!

Don't delay as all good things must come to an end. You have until May 31, 2011 to book an event and get the savings. And who doesn't love a good savings!?

Psst - Don't forget to mention the promo code: GALAXY

Hope to hear from you soon!

What is next....

2011-01-12T13:47:00.002-05:00

With the new year come engagements.... After you have called all of your family and friends, went out and bought every bridal magazine and signed up for The Knot... the real planning begins. It can be very overwhelming when you first start to sit down and think about what needs to be done. I do advise taking a couple of weeks to soak it all in before planning. Here is a list to get you jump started when you are ready!

1. Set a date/Month/Season
Keep in mind that you may need to be flexible with your date. If the church/reception site is booked on your date you may need to have a couple other dates in mind if you aren't willing to find another location.

2. Book your church/reception hall
Without a venue booked you can't really "plan" anything else for the wedding. Everything will revolve around timing/location. This is a very important to book in the beginning and get secured to keep the planning going.

3. Set a Budget
There are so many tools out there to use to try and create/maintain a budget. I recommend The Knot for all of your planning tools. Sit down and see if family is going to help out and how much they plan to help with up front so there is no confusion later. You can find wedding budget worksheets all over the internet so be sure to keep looking until you find the one that will suit your needs.

4. Start a savings account
Once you start moving on the planning you will have to start putting deposits down for everything and a savings account is just what you will need to do this if you haven't already started one. You should try to make a separate account just for wedding expenses so that you don't use it for everyday items.

5. Wedding Planner

Decide if you are going to need assistance with your planning process. Whether it be assistance with everything from the beginning, contract negotiations, day-of coordination or just someone to go to for advice and expertise.

{Photo compliments of E.C. Campbell Photography}

6. Book your photographer for the wedding/engagement photos
Usually you can get a good deal if you book these together with your photographer. If you haven't used the photographer its a good way to get a feel for their style and see what you like/don't like to do for your wedding photos.

7. Start a blog/wedding website
Through The Knot you can start a wedding website that gives details for your guests and wedding party on the details as they become available. Some people use this to put the bulk of their information on that can't fit onto their invitations.

All of your other components will fall into place after these main items are in the works. Don't feel like you have to rush to get everything checked off right away. Take time in researching vendors, talking about pricing and deciding on what is the best fit for you.

Look for Part 2 to this blog post soon on what you can book/plan further into your planning process.

Happy Planning!

An Eventful 2011.....

2011-01-05T13:58:00.000-05:00

This is already shaping up to be a busy eventful year! PlanIT Now Events wants to wish you a very Happy New Year. Be sure to check the blog often as this is going to be a fabulous new year filled with plenty of trendy Thursday posts and tons of new ideas.

I know there were probably plenty of engagements and other eventful moments that were shared over the holidays and now the planning will begin! Be sure to contact us with all of your event needs.

If you have an idea or comment please let us know - we are always on the look out for great ideas to share.

Too Cute Cupcake Cuties

2010-11-23T11:02:00.000-05:00

Now there is a cupcake design for ANY special occasion…. I am in LOVE with these from Cupcake Cuties. They are so easy to put together and will definitely have everyone talking at your next party! They have so many different styles ranging from wedding, birthday, sports, holiday, seasonal, food and other events.

Any Sunday football game would be perfect to have these or even for a Superbowl party!

Special Occasions

Food themed

Perfect Holiday Themes

This would be fun for a bachelorette party or any adult party :)

They even have a Cupcake Cutie of the Month Club! If you are the baker at work, for your family or you are a teacher this is a great club to be in. This way you can get a kit every month with 24 self adhesive sleeves and all of the necessary toppings.

Happy baking and decorating :)

A Time of Thanks....

2010-11-18T13:43:00.001-05:00

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is a week away!? It is my FAVorite holiday! Holiday's are big events as well. Especially when you have all of your family gathering on one day... it can be a long day but packed with memories, good laughs and delicious food!

The table...this is the most important spot to decorate for Thanksgiving or any fall event. Plus I think Fall is such a great time of year to decorate - you can really use all sorts of natural elements and your table will pop.

We have a large family for the holidays so every year we try and put some name tags down just so we don’t leave anyone out. Check out these cute ideas!

Fabric leaf cut outs held together with ribbon and their name...

I adore these Crate & Barrel leaves....I use them in my house every fall to decorate my bay window and they look real (without the mess)!

Center Stage

I don't think the table décor needs to take away from the meal either. So I would recommend keeping it simple. A large bowl full of gourds, multiple size/color pumpkins with leaves scattered and a few candles, and many more options.

This is elegant enough to be a wedding or shower centerpiece too. Love it!

{Martha Stewart}

If you have some containers at home use some items to fill them for extra color. Fresh cranberries, acorns, nuts, beans and corn. Or you can be creative with your vegetables and put your candles inside of them… artichokes, wrap green beans around the candle or asparagus…you can really make a nice harvest look with fresh items on hand.

{Photo: Good Housekeeping & Budget Wise Home}

Don’t forget Thanksgiving is a time to remember what we are most thankful for. In the past we have made everyone say what they are thankful for (without anyone repeating what another said) prior to dinner. Or you can have everyone write it down and hang it on a branch or a little tree.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Simple Smiles....

2010-10-20T22:42:00.003-04:00

What makes you smile? For me its the small things in life... like coming home to flowers on the table from my husband, a phone call from a good friend or a cute card in the mailbox in the midst of junk and bills. Yes! The little things are what stands out and the personal touches like a hand written card - which is great especially in the modern era of "virtual connectivity".

{Close your eyes and make a wish...}

I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these cards.....my good friend E'Lisa has opened her own Etsy shop. 'Spread Some Happy' fine art greeting cards are designed by the ever so talented E'Lisa and are all photographs she has taken along her travels and added just the right words to make them such a perfect fit for anyone.

These cards can be sold individually or in bundles of 5. You can even create your own bundle by choosing from 16 different designs or you can choose from her prepackaged designs offered in the shop. Below are a few of my favorite hand picked cards...

{When Life gives you lemons...}

{You are my sunshine.}

{Friends are like trees. They grow together.}

When I saw this card I knew it was perfect for my NBFF Amy for her birthday - and it was perfect....she loved it! :)

These fine art cards are perfect for any occasion: Birthday, Anniversary, Friendship, Wedding, Thank you, Inspirational, Encouragement, Thinking of you, Just Because, New baby, Sympathy, Get Well and many more! Order some today!

P.S. In case you didn't know...she is an ubber talented photographer so check her out!

Have a fabulous day!!

A Personal Touch...

2010-09-09T16:44:00.000-04:00

I always think its the extra personsal touches you can add to your special event. I am loving personalized Stamps right now. Just think when you get that wedding invitation or baby invite and it has a personalized picture in the upper right corner.

Another great personal touch to add to your next event is memorial vases. At weddings there is usually a table set up for loved ones that have passed for everyone to remember them. Photos, candles and flowers are usually on the table. But a great keepsake for even after your event are these fabulous floating wedding memorial candle holders that are personalized!

This can be reused as a vase later on or just a nice memorial for a loved one to cherish.

When thinking personalized...think gifts too! There are so many new ideas to make items personalized rather than just a plain flask and some initials (not that isn't a great gift but after a few weddings you may have a collection).

Think of getting groomsmen tickets to their favorite sporting event
Jewlrey boxes/watch cases personalized
Cosmetic bags with sassy embroidered letters to match their style
Hand written thank you's/notes

PS. Did I mention Fall is my FAVORITE season? There are so many things to come on the blog...stay tuned!

Brooches & Knobs...OH MY!!!!

2010-08-05T12:57:00.000-04:00

There are so many different options you can do with a bouquet now a days. Some are simple and elegant, some have fruit, berries and even twigs, acorns etc. But I have to say when I first saw these I fell in LOVE!

{Image from 100 Layer Cake}

Have you ever thought about what happens to old door knobs? Where do they go? Some have character and style that should be used again!

Here is a unique twist on a door knob bouquet... I announce to you the Door Knob Bouquet.....squeeee!

{Image from 100 Layer Cake}

Simple, elegant and a perfect forever keepsake! No need to worry about trying to dry out your flowers just right....now you can put this anywhere in your home and look at it all the time and think of that fabulous wedding day or special occasion!

Don't just stop with the bride....think of your bridesmaids too! This would be a great DIY project with all of your girls. Search etsy, antique shops, thrift stores, craft stores, and your local Anthropologie for a collection of knobs that are just your taste.

{Image from Fantasy Floral Designs}

Taking this a step further what about brooches....I mean there are so many different ones out there. Not to mention a perfect way to incorporate family heirlooms and jewels and that certainly adds a personal touch! Not to mention something old.

{Image from Fantasy Floral Designs}

You can find brooches at antique shops, vintage jewelery stores, thrift stores, ask around your family/friends/neighbors, garage sales and etsy.

This bouquet would make a nice keepsake or you could give brooches away to your bridal party as keepsakes. Maybe even get a brooch that reminds you of each of your bridesmaids and place it in your bouquet so that you can give them something extra special at the end of the night.

Suhm-thing.....SWEET!

2010-07-30T11:50:00.000-04:00

So now that I am working in Birmingham I am starting to see how much it has changed over time from when I was growing up. Now they have so many neat stores with different things...I really want to highlight this new gem I found...Suhm-Thing. First, I LOVE the name! Second, this store has everything from picture frames, fun bowls, platters, jewelery, bags, perfume and more!! This is the perfect store for finding your next hostess, bridesmaid, birthday or any kind of unique gift!!

Personalized hand-stamped jewelry (custom made) is a perfect gift for Mothers, Brides-to-Be, Friends or just you! Made with sterling silver, each charm is hand stamped with names or personalization to create a custom piece that is as unique as it is beautiful. All necklaces come on an 18” or 20” sterling silver chain, ball chain or hemp string.

BRIDE ALERT: You could use one of these charms on your garter with your wedding date/your monogram or a special number to both of you...love this!!!

These be.ology shirts are really neat. They are designed to show who you are, inspire to be and who you want to be.

Modern Notes candles offer luxury scents with affordability. Who doesn't love that?! They have many scents including: Ginger & White Tea, Jasmine, Flower Market, Fig Leaf, Fresh Cut Peony, Mandarin & Tangerine and more!

This store is so refreshing and unique and the prices are fabulous! I would recommend you pop in there soon!

Cupcake Glamour

2010-07-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

The new trend has been instead of wedding cakes to do cupcakes. They can be dressed up on trays, different platters and toppers. If you still love the traditional wedding cake - you can get a small one to cut for photos and to save some for next year. But why not make it easier and skip all the "cake cutting" for everyone and just sever cupcakes?!

Bonus: You can do many different flavor combinations. love it!!!

{favorite}

A good friend of mine, Kendra just started up an etsy shop Cupcake Glamour. Her shop features custom made cupcake toppers that are a glamorous touch to any wedding, bridal/baby shower, birthday, holiday or any other party you may have!

These are so fun for a Halloween party! I think I will need to get some - I love doing Halloween cupcakes.

My friend Kim had her wedding close after Christmas and part of her decorations were snowflakes - these would have fit in perfectly!

So when you are planning your next event click over to Cupcake Glamour and check out Kendra's designs. If you don't see the right design message her and you can work together to make your vision a glamorous topper :)

Happy Trendy Thursday!

The Dirty 30 Welcome's Chris!!!

2010-07-14T22:07:00.000-04:00

This was such a pleasure to work on...I met Chris 6 years ago at the media company we both worked for and after I got engaged he told me all about his wife E'Lisa and their photography company - E.C. Campbell Photography. E'Lisa came to work for the same company in my department and through our wedding and working together we became great friends. They radiate love and only positive energy. So when my dear friend E'Lisa came to me late last year wanting to plan something for her husband Chris's big three-oh, I was THRILLED! Chris is very low key and relaxed... so with some thought I figured what guy doesn't love a good ball game...with that we went to the Detroit Tiger's game and had a after party at Hockeytown Cafe. The night was amazing and he was SURPRISED!!!!!

It also happened to be Elvis night at Comerica Park, a friend of ours Don McLean, performed in the stadium and made it on ESPN SportsCenter - holla!!!

We gave out a bag of peanuts for a favor to everyone and put little stickers on them to add some personal touch.

Chris had an amazing time with all of his family and friends. The weather was perfect and we won the game to boot.

{favorite}

After the game we moved our party across the street to the Hockeytown Cafe.

I have to give props to Costco for following all of my directions for this A-M-Azing cake!

love it!

And as E'lisa put it so perfectly: "buying 25 tigers tickets in the same section: $800. a beer and a hot dog: $20. surprising my husband on his 30th birthday with all his friends and family at the tigers game: priceless."

Amazing Night!! Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Show us some love!

2010-06-23T10:52:00.000-04:00

We have been nominated as one of the best Wedding Planners in Detroit through the WDIV 2010 "4 The Best" Contest. Thank you so much for your continued support - it means so much!! Voting started Monday night and will remain open until, September 6th - It only takes a second to register - so show your love and vote now!

As a thank you for showing some love we would like to offer you an "insider deal" of 15% off your next package! No event is too big or too small. Contact PlanIT Now Events for your next shower, birthday/anniversary party, fundraiser, wedding, bachelor/bachelorette party, retirement, group outing and all your other event needs!

Don't delay - offer valid until, September 6, 2010

Hostess with the Mostess Presents NEW Party Collections

2010-06-15T11:40:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to fill you in on the Hostess with the Mostess party collections that are NOW available!! This site is FABULOUS if you haven't checked it out already - you really need to now. They feature great party themes, decoration ideas, gift ideas and now party collections to make it easier for you!

Currently they are offering 5 baby party collections (more collections to come soon). All items are customizable with names, words, phrases etc. Each collection has everything you need to make your party stand out. From invitations, thank you cards, napkin rings, favor tags and more!

I just love how original and easy these are to order and use for your next event. Check back throughout the summer as they are going to start rolling out including cocktail parties, birthday parties, bridal/baby showers, bar/bat mitzvah, and more! Love it!!!

Creative Card Art

2010-06-09T22:19:00.000-04:00

Always wonder what to do with all those wedding, birthday, baby shower, anniversary or bridal shower cards? Well now there is a fabulous idea from Bridal Buzz so that you can save them and turn them into art! You just need your favorite punch and your cards from your special event to make a keepsake for years to come.

For Baby shower cards you could use foot prints, baby chick, stroller or even spell out the baby's name using the cards. That would be so neat over a crib!!

Weddings you could use your cards to spell out your new last name in cards collected or get a punch that was part of your wedding theme and make a nice keepsake for your office wall. Options are endless on this one and its so versatile - love it!

{Images from: Bridal Buzz}

I love scrapbooking (when I find time) and not only is this a great idea for artwork but if you are making a scrapbook it's a great idea for page backgrounds. You can use your wedding cards in your scrapbook as backgrounds or their sayings to complete a page and give it just the right touch!

Have a creative Thursday!

Bon Voyage!

2010-06-09T14:54:00.000-04:00

Summer is on its way and its time to plan a getaway! A good friend of mine has been working on building this site for quite some time and I couldn't resist passing it along to everyone. For all you B2B or anyone looking for a FABULOUS vacation spot check out Resort Renters by Owner. This site lets timeshare owners rent out their unit at a resort, and people to get HOT deals at some great places! Who doesn't love a good deal like that!

I think I need a vacation myself :) Enjoy!!

Kiss.....and Tell!

2010-06-03T09:14:00.000-04:00

Known as the kissing ball, pomanders are in high demand with today’s brides and are used for a range of décor – flower girls, ceremony aisles and reception decor. They are flowers shaped in a ball and simply suspended from a loop of decorative ribbon, rope or cord. They can be decorated and adorned with just about anything, see some of my favorite picks below. .

Below is perfect for beach wedding and what a great keepsake for your flower girl or bridesmaids. This is very versatile and can double as decor later in the night too!

{April Hiler Designs}

Something more elegant

{Songs from the Garden}

Pink and green hydrangea's really say spring.

{Cre8tive Designs 4 U}

I love this one made from magazine pages. Very green and unique!

{Brown Fox Studio}

If you love pearls and the best of both flowers and beads this is the right one for your special occasion!

{Vintage Champagne}

Very simple and made out of rope. Perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Black berry kissing ball...

{Emma Leigh Designs}

{Button Moon}

I love how unique this looks and it stands out from the usual flowers that adorn these pomanders.

Happy Thursday!!

plan. style. smile :) -Jessica

Spring has sprung....

2010-04-29T10:37:00.000-04:00

Since Spring has sprung I thought it would only be appropriate to have some earthy favors. These favors are so versatile and can be used at baby showers, bridal showers, weddings and other events.

I love these tulips...They double as a favor and place cards. Not to mention they will be a great way for guests to strike up a conversation about them :)

Go outside the box too. You could get a old flower box and put some dirt in there and place these in there. How cute to pick your name out of the "flower box"!

I have seen the classic matches and even golf tees but I am loving these!! These matchbooks have seeds inside. So perfect for a spring event!

Who doesn't love fresh herbs?! You can dress these up in very modern holders. They can be the favors for your guests and they can use them throughout their meal. Plus the smell is amazing!!

These Dalia's are featured on Martha Stewart Wedding - I think they are so precious!

You can make them too!

Place seeds inside or even little candies.

This is perfect and simple. Take a piece of colored card stock and put the guest's name on there and staple or tie ribbon through a pack of seeds and place it on their napkin.

You can find all of these favors and more on Martha Stewart

Plan.Style.Smile. :)

Move over ring pillows....

2010-04-16T23:33:00.000-04:00

hello ring bowls....

the very "IN" thing this year is ring bowls instead of the usual pillows. They are customizable with messages or monograms and what a great keepsake to have afterwards!!

What a great place to put your rings when you go to bed...I think I need one for my nightstand :)

{Images from Paloma's Nest}

From Wise Impressions on Etsy - these are kiln fired and glazed so there is color and a nice gloss to them.

{Images from Wise Impressions}

These are very neat and made out of copper....very unique!!

{Images from Coco & Chia}

These also make great gifts for the couple-to-be, anniversary's or other special occasions.

Rain, Rain, Go away.....

2010-04-08T10:48:00.000-04:00

On Second thought you can stay as long as we have some trendy umbrellas. Don't just think of umbrellas as a means for warding off rain but also for fashion and a touch of personalization to your special day! Umbrellas and parasols are becoming the new thing for wedding photos and any occasion. You can use mini ones for centerpieces outside or use them to express a message.

The theme for this wedding was ' Rain drops on Roses' from the musical The Sound of Music.

{images from Amorology}

Don't forget that your options are endless with such an accessory....Umbrellas make great pictures but they also make fun decorations and shade for guests with the right touch of creativity.

Below are a few from I Do Originals. I love the classic initial. These are all hand-painted and customized when you order them! Just think about all of your options with these.

So romantic!!!

{Photos from I Do Originals}

Another great company you can either rent or buy umbrellas and parasols from is Bella Umbrella. I love the idea that you can rent them! It's not always easy to find ones you want to keep forever or have to worry about reselling later on.

{photo credit: http://www.evs-media.com/ }

Pamelas Parasols features very original parasols. They even have an eco-friendly line and are coming out with more sassy choices for 2010! A sneak peak is one with a veil on it.... love it!!!

I love the delicate daisies on this parasol and how stunning it looks with her dress. Imagine all of your bridesmaids lined up with these ...

Another fabulous initial...

{All images from Pamela's Parasols}

You can find many different kinds of umbrellas and parasols all over the place. I wanted to leave you with one last idea from Designs Squared.

love, love, love the 'Thank You' on this one... it would make for a great thank you card after the wedding.

{ image from Designs-Squared }

Thanks for stopping by!

Trendy Place Cards

2010-03-31T09:49:00.000-04:00

These amazing place cards are the perfect touch for any event. Some of these can be perched on top of water/wine glasses or just placed in front of a place setting. These unique place cards are by Cuddlecreature and range for about $1.00 a card.

For a cute baby shower little Kangaroo and Giraffe place cards are precious!

There are so many options on this site! These violins have stolen my heart (I play violin too!)

Perfect for a classical themed wedding! You could name your tables after classical instruments, composers or songs.

I love how elegant this fleur-de-lis looks on this wine glass!!

For winter weddings or parties....

They can print the cards for you or you can address them yourself. I love how unique these place cards are and very eye-catching!

Name That Table...(Part 1)

2010-03-29T11:21:00.031-04:00

(Photo from The Knot and done by Life on Prints)

Numbers are a quick and easy way for guests to find their tables but the latest trend is to use table names.

(Image used from Fiance to Wife)

Give your guests something to talk about with tables named after your memories & interests. This way you are making your wedding or special event more personal and anyone who knows you will know exactly how this suits you both. If names aren't your thing either than do photos or pair them both together for a lively card!

In no particular order:

• Wineries

• National Parks

• Colors

• Mountain Peaks

• City Landmarks (NYC or Chicago to name a few)

• Constellations

• Dog Breeds

• Cheeses

• Classical Composers

• Sea Creatures/Animals

• Impressionist Painters

• Old-Fashioned Candies

• Wonders of the World

• Places you have traveled to together - or- Places you plan to travel to

• Wine varietals

• Vegetables & herbs

• Broadway Musicals

• Yoga Poses

• Elements of the Periodic table

• Jazz Artists

• Baby Essentials, toys, names

• Tiki-Bar drinks

• Flower types (You can have that flower as the centerpiece to match the table too!)

• Scenic highways

• Seashells

• 1980's Bands

• Memorable date spots

• US Presidents

• Words of endearment

• Islands

Your options are endless ... hope these get you thinking :)

To be continued....

Guest Book Box....

2010-03-24T23:17:00.000-04:00

Yes, I said box. Throw out the idea of a boring guest book and get one of these guest book boxes!! It's so versatile that you can use this for a baby shower, bridal shower, wedding or just about anything!!!

These are cute recipe style card boxes with custom cards by Cut the Cake Designs.

These baby boxes are great way to give the parents-to-be advice on what to expect or wishes for the baby. They can put name suggestions, birth date guess and you can customize the options on the card.

If you are into scrapbooking too these would make for some cute pages to show your little one once they grow up!

Adorable!!

The wedding ones have the name and address lines that a normal guest book would have. It also has a space to put your best memory with the bride and groom or advice for the newlyweds. Just think when you need their address and you reach for your box what memories you will see when you need to look up their address!

Like I said before these would be great for an anniversary party - where guests could reflect with memories from the past on them. So cute!

Every guest box comes with its own sign that matches your design to put up to let guests know what to do.

Just pick your design, color scheme and order one up!

Happy Thursday!

Reuseable flowers.....

2010-03-18T13:12:00.000-04:00

What do you get when you put buttons, felt, tulle, beads and creativity together? Amazing reusable flower bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnières, corsages, giveaways and more! I have found two FAB sites that have amazing reusable pieces for your next event. Don't limit these to just weddings but think about baby showers, bridal showers, maybe even anniversary parties.

From Jillian's shop you can see she uses a lot of tulle, satin, buttons and stems.

I wish I knew about these when I got married...Love em!

What great centerpieces for a baby shower or spring wedding. Not to mention you can save them and reuse them or give them away for guests to remember your special event.

This one is so colorful and so neat!

And something for the guys...

The feathers, satin and tulle really make this a gorgeous bouquet. To think that you can reuse it and keep it forever without having to dry it out is even better! It can be showcased in your home for many years to come. I love how sassy it is with the feathers!

Another site I found is Princess Lasteron. This site uses more felt, vintage buttons, stitching and other fabulous finds that make each and every piece unique.

Something blue....why not as a centerpiece, baby shower boy themed, bridal bouquet...

I could see this being used at a baby shower or bridal shower. You could use it for your bridal shower and turn around use them for the wedding - why not! They are sure to make everyone want to be in the loop about this fab find!

I love the idea of having some of these for an anniversary party too. Think about all the jewels or eclectic items you may have collected over the years can be put into a bouquet to showcase at your party! What a keepsake to have for you and your family for years to come!

Very cool and eclectic bridal bouquet maybe?!

What’s even better about these is you have the ability to add in a jewel passed down from generations to your bouquet and it makes it much more special!

Happy Thursday.... Enjoy!!!

Gift Trends...

2010-03-12T22:29:00.003-05:00

Let's start with fun, fabulous flip flops......a perfect gift idea for your bridesmaids, flower girl, bride and anyone else at your next event that may need some stylish comfort.

You have so many choices with these flip flops to really make them your own! Choose the color of the flip flop, ribbon, fabric color of the button and the thread for the initial.

(Photos of flip flops are courtesy of the Flip Flop Boutique)

Something stylish to put these cute flops in for your girls is a stylish tote bag from Zooble. Not only are you giving them something useful but it's something they will be able to reuse and enjoy. With these totes you can choose the fabric/design.

The best part is you will never see the same bag twice!! She won't make any two the same. LOVE IT!!

Last but not least....when thinking of all the items you need for the day why not throw in a cute pocket mirror so the girls can check their make-up in between photos. Check out Madison Craft pocket mirrors.

They even have bridesmaid gift sets that have cute boxes and pendants that match!

If these ideas are out of your budget don't think that they are out of the picture. You can go to your local Target or Old Navy and find cute tote bags and fill them with mini tissue packets, chapstick, pocket mirrors, flip flops and small clutchs.

I hope when you are trying to figure out what to get a shower host, bridesmaids or anyone else - you will think about these fun finds!

Kathy & Erik 1.2.10

2010-03-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

I was honored to be Kathy & Erik's 'day of coordinator' for their Janaury 2nd wedding. Despite the cold winter air all you could feel was warmth radiating off of these two! Their wedding was at Addison Oaks in Leonard, Michigan. There were white christmas lights everwhere, wreaths, trees and candle light making it a truly romantic occasion.

Meet Kathy the stunning bride..

Erik is waiting for his beautiful bride to come down the aisle.... look at that smile :)

Vows...

Sealed with a kiss..

There cake was done by Papa Joes of Rochester

Viviano Flower Shop did all of the linens, centerpieces and flowers

This was my little helper Bonnie who was the flower girl & Kathy's niece

I just love how everything was already decorated for them...it made pictures amazing!

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." -Unknown

Don't forget to leave a comment for the newlyweds.

Etsy

2010-02-11T14:59:00.002-05:00

I LOVE this site and just had to make it a Trendy Thursday since it's the biggest trend out there to buy/sell stuff from. First the concept itself is so neat - it's "buy, sell and live handmade". You can go on here and find all sorts of cute handmade items that range from weddings, jewelry, baby items, art, glass, clothing and everything in between! They make it so easy to find items by color, editor's picks, hand picked treasures, items in your local area and undiscovered items.

The Below items are from the collection Twigs & honey by Myra Callan

Check out these cute garters. It has the something blue you need and a sassy feather at the same time. This is one to show off!!

Some HOT items on here are hair accessories. Everyone is wearing something in their hair now-a-days that has feathers, flowers with a touch a sparkle. If they aren't they are looking for one to get. I know I am!

I love the sass on this one! Plus deep purple with peacock feather...LOVE IT!

So elegant and different.

more and more the bird cage veil is becoming a big trend in the bridal world and other photos.

Don't leave out the groom or groomsmen. Instead of real flowers why not a handmade boutonniere? Not to mention it will hold up a lot longer than the first few hours.

One more fun item to leave you with are these super cool purses that are shaped like kidney beans (thank you E'lisa for sharing these gems with me). These would make such a great gift for bridesmaids and you can have them created to match their personalities!

All bags are from the Fallan Sparrow Handbags & Accessories collection

From sassy feathers to flowers to fabulous prints...who wouldn't want one of these?

Happy shopping and browsing on Etsy.com!

Unique Gift Ideas for Men - WERD

2010-02-04T13:39:00.001-05:00

This is for the men out there and the women shopping for them today! Werd is an amazing website that has unique gift ideas for men. It's a great one-stop-shop that you can find fresh gift ideas for groomsmen, grooms, hosts and anyone else on your shopping list. So stop trying to give away an engraved Things Remembered item and click on this site to find something out of the box. They have made it so easy on this site that you can search by price range or categories.

This is such a neat site I had to share it with you!! Don't forget to suggest something if you come across it too. They are happy to put it up on the site!!

They find it .....you buy it!!

SAVE-THE-DATE: 12Th Annual Euchre Tournament

2010-02-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

Its that time again....for the Troy Firefighters Women's Auxiliary to host their 12Th Annual Euchre Tournament on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at St. Lucy's Church in Troy, MI. For $27/person your ticket includes beer/wine, snacks, door prizes and euchre! All proceeds from the event will go to Great Lakes Burn Camp. Great Lakes Burn camp is a place for kids ages 7-17 to meet, heal, grow and support other burn survivors. This event fills up fast so feel free to contact me for details and ticket sales.

Mark your calendar and hope to see you there!!

2010 Here We Come!

2010-02-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

The new year is off to a great start!! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and is ready for a fabulous year!!! We already have some events in the works and they are going to be AMAZING!! We also have a fresh new look for the blog.

New for 2010 - we have a column called Trendy Thursday's. Every Thursday I will post something about a new trend happing in the event world. It can be anything from baby showers, weddings, bridal showers, parties, great websites and more! Check back the first Thursday in February to see these begin :)

Feel free to fan us on facebook to stay updated on our latest blog posts and events!

Stay tuned for so much more to come.............

Holiday Events

2009-11-16T09:16:00.013-05:00

Its that time of year....the cool crisp air, the leaves falling, the hustle and bustle at the malls....The Holidays are here! What a perfect time of year to plan an event when all of the family is around. A wedding, baby shower, bachelorette/bachelor party...or any party for that matter! Just because it's the holidays - don't count it out.

The holidays always have a way of bringing everyone together. If you don't have a special event to celebrate just getting your family and friends together for some food, drinks and laughs is always a good time! Get a group together and pick your favorite restaurant, have a get together at your house, wine exchange, a white elephant party or a pot luck always works!

There are so many pros to having a special event around the holidays. Most halls/churches will already be decorated. Which makes your cost go down for decorations. Plus, occasionally there are price breaks since they may not be booked otherwise around the date that you choose. Not to mention most of your out of town guests may have time off and will be able to come into town to celebrate with you. :)

New Year's Eve - What a cool night to have a wedding. Just think everyone is already together and then at midnight you could have a champagne toast and favors. Super fun! Plus that takes the pressure off your guests for what to do that night!

New Year's Eve isn't just great for weddings but even bachelor and bachelorette parties! I currently have a bride that is having her bachelorette party on New Year's Eve. She is going to go to the Comedy Castle in Royal Oak and at midnight they provide champagne and favors to kick off the new year. So fun!! If you and your groom-to-be were having your party on the same night you could even have your groups meet up just before the strike of midnight to bring in the new year together and continue the party.

Stay tuned for more ideas to come....

Monogrammed Gifts & More....

2009-07-22T20:53:00.016-04:00

I LOVE this site...Lauren Nicole Monogrammed Gifts. Last year when I was planning my wedding I was looking for something unique for my BM's (bridesmaids) tote bags to distinguish them from each other. Each BM got a black/white tote with flip flops, a clutch, Kleenex, body butter, and this super cute monogrammed pin. So when we all went for our totes we would know who had which bag. It was so FUN to pick out the fabric, letter color and font style. I matched them up to the girls by their personality and they LOVED them!

This site has so many adorable items that you could find the best gifts for any occasion or event. Some of the items they have are pins, key chains, belts, jewelery, buckles, clothing, towels, and so much more! All of their items are made right here in the USA and the owner donates at least 25% of her extra fabric to sewing groups. These groups make blankets for children in hospitals or families in need. Love it!!!

I really hope you find some neat gifts on this site! They also do fun giveaway's - so be sure to check back on their site often!

Enjoy!!

~Jess

Vote for the Best 2009!!

2009-06-26T23:34:00.010-04:00

I would like to announce that PlanIT Now Events has been nominated for the "vote for the best" contest through channel 4! Thank YOU!

I hope if you have a few minutes will you please click here to vote for PlanIT Now Events!

I appreciate all of your support and love!! Things are just starting to take off!

~Jessica

Wrap it up Sassy....

2009-06-21T19:12:00.000-04:00

Now a days we tend to fall into ruts when we go shopping off a registry. Some places offer "free" gift wrap. But have you ever stood back at a shower/party and looked at a table with all BBB (Bed Bath & Beyond) gift wrap - kinda boring?! Hallmark just came out with a NEW line of gift wrap and its hip, sassy and has so much style! Other stores like Macy's always have fun new styles of gift wrap every season and if you are a card holder you can even be eligible for FREE gift wrapping. Below are some photos from the Hallmark line.

They have these cute keepsake metal words that can clip to any bag or ribbon.

Happy Birthday!!

They have the cutest baby collection. They also carry some cute fabric bags that would be great to reuse!

Fun gift boxes. What kid wouldn't like to open this opposed to a boring white one?

For the sassy ladies out there...this is the safari line and its super cute!

The possibilities for cute, fun and sassy gift wrap are everywhere. Just make sure you check your local Hallmark or ask when you are buying a gift. The mood of the paper just makes everyone smile!

For those of you who are going "green" - Hallmark does have a reusable line and its FABulous! Make sure you check it out. Have fun wrapping your next gift up!! Don't forget to be creative :)

Enjoy wrapping your next gift!

ISACA & IIA Dinner Boat Cruise

2009-06-17T13:18:00.016-04:00

I had the pleasure of bringing together two large non-profit organizations for their first networking event. We departed aboard the Detroit Princess where we mingled for four hours to the sounds of Margaritaville music, dancing, networking and had a fabulous five course meal.

We were able to see a rainbow right after a brief rain - It was amazing! Everyone had their camera out for this....

Inside everyone was enjoying the band and getting to know other members from both organizations.

The women from Wayne State University Audit were having a great time!

I hope you can set sail on the Detroit Princess soon! It was a great time!

T.F.W.A. Euchre Tournament UP-Date

2009-04-01T22:06:00.009-04:00

I am so excited over what a success the Euchre Tournament was in March!!! We had 124 players and were able to give Great Lakes Burn Camp $3600!!! That is equivalent to sending 6 kids to camp this summer. Below is a photo of some of ladies with the Troy Firefighters Women's Auxiliary and Mike from the Great Lakes Burn Camp accepting our check at Fire Station #2 in Troy.

Here are some of the women from T.F.W.A.

You can also check out the blurb that was in the Freep for our donation!

Amy and I were co-chairs of the event. It was hard work but it was worth it! We also got invited up to the camp in August to tour the camp and meet the campers on their first day! We hope to beat this goal for next year's tournament!

Simply Elegant...

2009-04-01T20:46:00.010-04:00

Simplicity....that is something we tend to lose sight of when we are deep in event mode. (I fell victim of it too.) We tend to think that bigger and better is needed and that we need many more items than what we really do. There are so many great ideas out there that are simply elegant and affordable!!!

For example this centerpiece - it was stunning!! It's compiled from Ikea and Cudge.net. I have listed stores below for ideas and some key items they carry.

Simple ideas
-Ikea! Love that store!!! I have used them for a few events and you can't beat their prices and selection. They have bamboo, vases, rocks, mirrors and all sorts of fantastic ideas for centerpieces of all kinds. Plus they are cheap and there is no shipping :)

-Cudge.net - This is a great site for bulk candles and candle holders. They arrive perfect and fast. They even have great specials on candles with holders and you can dress them up or leave them as is. Their candles last for hours so there is no worry about them going out before your event is over.

-Flower Factory - If you don't have a membership you need to get one! You can get all sorts of items and their prices are very affordable. They have a great selection of silk flowers, ribbon, tulle, invitations, card stock, pens, baskets, party supplies and more!

-ecoist.com - They have great bags that would be great gifts for hosts throwing your shower, bridesmaids, MOH or anyone really. I have one made from newspapers and I get more compliments on it than anything!

- Going green - Everyone is doing that now so why not bring it to your next event!

Let's see for a shower or a gift to bridesmaids/hosts you could give a favor of cute reusable bags. Those are being used for lunches, groceries and all sorts of errands now a days.
mini-trees - These are a great favor and you can wrap the bottom in different fabrics and colors to coordinate.

Ideas are endless.....Thanks for stopping by!

It's been awhile...

2009-03-21T23:50:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I have been very focused on the TFWA Euchre party (which is next Saturday) and working on another large non-profit event for May. We are just starting to roll out the marketing for that one and it has consumed some blogging time.

It's Finally SPRING!!! Yay! With that comes the big event season....weddings, graduations, retirement parties (some of those are in full swing now) and all sorts of parties! I promise to keep you all updated on ideas and events soon.

Enjoy the sunshine and talk to you soon!
-Jess

PlanIt Now Events Goes LIVE

2009-02-26T20:01:00.003-05:00

I am pleased to announce - The PlanIt Now Events website is now officially LIVE! I hope you take a moment to check it out. Feel free to pass the word onto anyone you know that is need of an event planner. :) Check the site often to see our gallery updates as our event season is just kicking off!

www.planitnowevents.com

Enjoy!

Save-The-Date Euchre Tournament

2009-02-06T18:10:00.004-05:00

The Troy Firefighters Women's Auxiliary is hosting their 11Th Annual Euchre Tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at St. Lucy's Church in Troy, MI. My NBFF (Neighbor Best friend forever) Amy and I are co-chairs of the event as well as Vice-President and President of this organization. The proceeds from the event will go to benefit local burn and fire related charities. For $27/person your ticket includes beer/wine, snacks, door prizes and euchre! This event fills up fast so feel free to contact me for details and ticket sales.

Mark your calendar and hope to see you there!!

Welcome to planIt Now Events!

2009-02-01T20:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks for stopping by! I hope that you will check back periodically, be inspired by ideas and contact me for any of your event planning needs.

Keep in touch...

Jessica

All about me

2009-01-17T16:46:00.002-05:00

I will start by filling you in on a little bit about me. I am a planner at heart. I have been coordinating events for my friends and family for years. I got my BA in Communications and a minor in PR. I love to write press releases and be a part of media. After having the best internship (Detroit Zoo) anyone could have for a summer I knew my true passion was media and events. After I graduated I went full time with a local media company in their corporate events department. I was in charge of managing registrations, setting up new conferences, working with vendors, creating promotional pieces, traveling on-site to oversee events and prepared a recap of the event when it was over to use for next year. I know I want to expand my passion into other's lives by planning events that mean the most to them.

More about me:

~I play the violin and love classical music. There is something to say about connecting with music when you can feel it as you play it.
~I got married in May to my husband Sam. He is fabulous! He takes great care of me and supports me in all that I dive into.
~ I love dogs and I have grown up with German Shepard's. My dad has two and my mom has one so I am constantly around them. One day soon we will get a dog of our own. :)
~I love to travel and especially love Mackinac Island. We went there for our honeymoon and there is something so tranquil and nice about not having any cars around or your cell phone working that well ;)
~There is so much more to know about me but you will have to check back and see my other posts.

Thanks for visiting and feel free to contact me anytime!

Jessica
pinevents@gmail.com