Getting Started! 2011-07-14

It has always been my passion to plan great parties and events for family and friends, and even those for myself.  There is no way around it, this is what I enjoy!  After putting this idea off for several years I have finally decided to put my time and energy into really having my own event planning business.  It has taken some time, but here I am!  I bring to you Signature Affairs Event Management.

Follow me through this journey.  I will provide some highlights from events, tips and tricks for great events, the latest trends for parties and weddings, even my highs and my lows as I get this business "off the ground"!

I'm excited and hope to build this into a great business that everyone can enjoy! (more...)

Do what makes you happy! 2011-07-18

A bride's wedding day is something that she dreams about and envisions as a perfect day long before it ever takes place!  Her wedding day can add so much stress, but is often considered worth it in the end, especially if it happens just as she imagined.


There are so many people that want to provide their input and tell the bride how their dream should play out.  The brides parent's (especially if they are footing the bill), the soon to be in-laws, other family members, even close friends can push you to do things for your wedding that you never even considered.  In fact lots of times brides will compromise on the things that they envision for their wedding, to make others happy or pleased.

Brides, it's okay to ask for input for your wedding, but my ultimate advice would be, do what makes you happy!  You do not want to look back on your wedding day and regret that you didn't do things a certain way, especially if the decision to do so or not do so was not your own. 

If the bride isn't happy, no one should be happy! (more...)

Choosing the Right Theme 2011-08-19

You've heard of white or black parties, character-themed baby showers or kid's birthday parties, era-themed parties, such as the 70's or 80's parties, and even weddings can be centered around a specific theme.  How can you be sure that you are choosing a theme that will encompass what you envision for your event?  What theme speaks most to who you are or what the guest of honor may want?
Setting a theme can set the tone for your celebration and ultimately guides the planning of your party or event.  Below I have listed some factors that you may want to consider when selecting a theme for your party or event:
1. Guest of Honor

• If the celebration is for a specific person, consider the interests of the guest of honor on deciding the theme.  What are their hobbies, occupation, interest?  See if any of these can serve as an appropriate theme for your party.  When in doubt ask the guest of honor if they have a particular theme in mind.  It is always best to accommodate their desires, afterall you want to make sure that the guest of honor is pleased with his/her event.

2.  Other Guests

• Consider the gusest who will attend the event.  Choose a theme for the party that is acceptable to the majority of the party guests.  For example, an over-the-top, Vegas-themed party may be uncomfortable for conservative guests.  Also an extravagant spa party for 7 year olds may a bit too mature for other 7 year old attendees (and their parents).  You also must find a balance between the guest of honor's interests and the general interests and personalities of those on the guest list.

3.  Age

• Factor the age of the guest list into the theme-selection process. Select a theme that is appropriate and interesting to the age range of the guests. Choose a theme that allows for a variety of activities if the ages of the guests are greatly varied. Examples of themes that can fit many age groups include a carnival theme, sports theme or a luau or tropical theme.

4. Event Venue

• How will the venue influence the choice of theme?  Does the venue match the theme that has been chosen?  Some venues may convey a feeling that can be incorporated into the theme.  A luau theme may work well with a party held at an outside location or at a beach or tropical venue.

5. Trends 

• See what the latest trends are for events.  Just like in fashion, there are also current trends in event planning.  It is possible to research trends by looking at popular television shows, movies, or keeping up with current events and even celebrities.  Researching trends a little may help prevent you from having an outdated tradition at your wedding or a character for your child's birthday party which may be outdated or irrelevant.

6. Entertainment Value

• Weigh the entertainment value of your event theme options.  Think about using a theme that will both fun to plan and attend.  Some themes offer more entertainment value and options for event needs, such as decorations.  Should you be wresting with choosing between two or three themes, think carefully about the specific party details for each of them and pick the one with the best potential. 

Themed events can add a special something to your party or wedding.  There are so many possibilities with themes.  Think on these things when choosing the theme that is right for you! (more...)

On a Budget 2011-09-06

Budgeting for an event can be the most tedious component of planning your event.  However, setting a budget prior to your event can help you assess what you really want to spend on your event, as well as help you avoid overspending and going into debt.

Now if you are a million or billionaire and you just have it like that, you probably can just "splurge" on the elements that that make your event the most extravagant ever and the one you have always dreamed about.  However, if you don't have it like that, you will want to know where your money is going and if you truly have the means to take care of the expenses of your event, without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!

Here are some tips for budgeting:

1. Set a limit for what you want to spend on the elements that make up your event.     
2. Identify all of the possible expenses for your event, both major and minor.  You may want to prioritize what is most important for you to have.  Some things may not be as important as you thought. 
3. Get a quote from vendors that offer the services you need.  Make a comparison of vendors that can give you what you need along with the quality you want, at the prices that you want to pay.
4. Create a preliminary budget using the quotes you have received and adjust accordingly to your needs to create the event you desire.
5. Avoid adding extras on impulse.  Unless you have mistakenly overlooked a major component of your event, skip or leave off anything that adds additional costs unnecessarily.
6. Move forward with the budget and planning process that can be handled best by your funds!

**Hiring an event planner, such as myself (hint, hint), may be beneficial if you just don't know where to start with budgeting.  As a part of my services, as with many event planners, I help with the budgeting process of events and make sure that the client reaches his/her goals without "breaking the bank".

Happy planning! (more...)

Inspiration from Steve Jobs 2011-10-07

Okay, so I know that this is a blog specifically for my business (Signature Affairs), and you may be wondering what a blog about Steve Jobs has to do with event planning, but I think that it is perfect!   As you know, Steve Jobs passed away only a couple of days ago, Oct 5, 2011.  Of course, the media is not going to let you forget the great contributions that he has made, by way of great desirable technological devices that we use on a daily basis (i.e. the ipad, iphone, ipod, and macs).  Personally, I don't know what I would do without my iPhone and Macbook Pro!  I truly believe that this man was a genius not only for having the capacity to create such great products, but truly following his heart and his passion, and not letting anything stop him!  He was a college drop out who still changed the way that we listen to music, do business, and live! Beginning an event planning business has been a desire of mine for so long, and while it is taking a time to get it going, I take comfort in knowing that one day my hard work truly pay off!   So thank you Steve Jobs for the inspiration! "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." - Steve Jobs   (more...)