Taylor Nicole Events -Year in Review On February 28, 2010, Taylor Nicole Events happily served as co-chair for the Something Old Something New: Bridal Gown Fundraiser held at The Mansion on the Main in Voorhees, NJ. The Fundraiser was a joint collaboration between The Association of Bridal Consultants (Philadelphia/South Jersey LNG) www.bridalassn.com and The Career Wardrobe www.careerwardrobe.org , the nation’s largest, independent community-based nonprofit providing women in transition with free professional clothing and educational opportunities to help them successfully find and retain employment. Bridal salon’s from all over the area graciously donated over 300 bridal gowns to this worthy cause including 3 couture gowns from Nicole Miller. Both ABC Philly/SJ LNG members and Career Wardrobe staff greeted brides and served as personal shoppers. And ABC vendor partners graciously donated products and services for raffle such as overnight stays at Center City hotels and private in home dinner provided by caterers. This event was very near to my heart as I had been a volunteer with the Career Wardrobe and a member of The Association of Bridal Consultants since 2008. Marrying two of my passions to raise much needed funds for The Career Wardrobe was a true labor of love. Please visit the Career Wardrobe’s website for volunteer opportunities and enjoy these photos from the event. I hope that you enjoy them as much as we all enjoyed helping a worthy cause!

Please enjoy more highlights from Bill and Cettina's wedding day!

Cettina and Bill – Wedding Date: July 3, 2009

Since launching Taylor Nicole Events, I've had the pleasure of being a part of many unique weddings. But Bill and Cettina's wedding was by far one of the most culturally authentic weddings that I've experienced to date.

The Italian themed wedding reception, held at the Aldie Mansion in Doylestown PA, honored the bride's heritage and ultimately her parents. From the ceremony to the reception there were many special touches reflecting the couples past, present and a glimpse of their future.

The following video features highlights from Bill and Cettina's wedding day provided by Therese Farrow of Therese Farrow Films in Egg Harbor Township, NJ captures the essence of this marriage and celebration better than any words on a page. It is also a reflection of two great people who are absolute joys to work with. I am so happy that I had the pleasure to meet them. Enjoy!

Therese Farrow Films: http://www.tfarrowfilms.com/

Meet the Team

Hello, I would like to introduce you to my wonderful team for the Marin-Otubu wedding that took place on September 5, 2009 in Berlin, New Jersey.

On the left is Sheila Corbett. I just cannot say enough about Sheila. She is the owner and lead consultant of Elegant Events and when I began Taylor Nicole Events Sheila was a warm, welcome breath of fresh air. I interned with her company on many events and I have learned from the best! On this special occasion Sheila was part of the Taylor Nicole Events team and as always was wonderful.

In the Middle: Kimeko Jones, Kimeko is a consistent member of the Taylor Nicole Events team and has worked on over 90% of our weddings. She is excellent for this business, she cares about the bride, groom and all of their guests and always makes every effort to ensure all has a great time. This paired with her ability to execute and attention to details makes her an asset to the Taylor Nicole Events team.

On the right...Well...that's me!

Thank you to Jolene, Harris and all of the Brides and Grooms who've allowed the Taylor Nicole Events team to be a part of their special day!

Whitney and Craig’s Wedding Date: May 23, 2009

Taylor Nicole Events was blessed to share and be a part of this lovely couple’s special day. Whitney and Craig were married on May 23, 2009 in Center City and were blessed to have family and friends travel from every corner of the US as well as Canada to attend. This pair of doctors chose the beautiful Church of Holy Trinity in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square for their wedding ceremony. The 150 year old church features beautiful semicircular archways, intricate wood working and a beautiful skylight in a gilded dome. Whitney and Craig exchanged vows in front of family and friends during a uniquely personal service. The bride’s only sister who was also the maid of honor, belted out a beautiful solo while the mother of the bride followed by mother of the groom were escorted down the aisle; joined hands and approached the altar to light the unity candles. Pint sized ushers greeted arriving guests and the ring bearer, who did an amazing job, barely reached the tops of the church pews. Whitney, a beautiful woman and stunning bride, was escorted down the aisle by her father, Dickie Daniels, as her groom waited anxiously. And in all of his anticipation, the groom tried to take her hand before the pastor could say, “Who gives this woman to be married”. Paying homage to Craig’s Jamaican upbringing, guests watched as the couple signed the marriage contract as part of the wedding ceremony. This couple’s choice of church not only provided a beautiful ceremony location but a unique Philadelphia setting for photos. The groom was able to share quality time in Rittenhouse Square prior to the wedding ceremony with his brothers who were co- best men and his groomsmen. We congratulate Whitney and Craig on their marriage and wish them many successful years to come!

Retirement Dinner vs. Retirement Party?

If you are planning a retirement celebration, you might use the above terms interchangeably throughout the process, however, there is a BIG difference. And your choice to have one over the other may not be based on the guest of honor at all but rather on the guest list! Why do we celebrate Retirements? …So that friends; co-workers and family have the opportunity to gather to celebrate the start of a new chapter in one’s life and to honor the accomplishments of a past one (that is… a past work life). And sometimes, no matter how much preparation and thought one puts into this event it may not turn out to be the event expected. Think about your guest of honor AND the guest list; then determine what type of crowd you will be entertaining for the evening. Is this a crowd who prefers intimate conversation over drinks or one likes to rock out to a good DJ or Band? Does the crowd appreciate the value added décor and personalization or do they prefer a good dinner and even better laugh? Is this a crowd of active participants or reserved observers? All of these questions and many others should be taken into consideration when planning to have a retirement party vs. a retirement dinner. It is important to note that there is no one master plan that ensures a great celebration, be it a milestone birthday or Retirement. Understanding your guest of honor AND the guest list as well as enlisting the help of an event planner will get closer to the prize. Read more in our blog, “What is the Importance of Happy Guests?” Enjoy!

Events Honoring the Achievements of Others!

It is always nice, when by design or default; one can be a part of an event that honors the well deserved achievements of others. In 2009, Taylor Nicole Events did just that! We had the wonderful opportunity on two separate occasions to provide events services for the Jackie Robinson Foundation in New York City. The JRF is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting minority youth with college scholarships. The organization’s effort does not end with financial assistance; students are mentored by professionals throughout their partnership with the foundation and every effort is given to ensure their individual success. Taylor Nicole Events provided design, rentals, setup and breakdown as well as staffing for each event; consisting of a light reception, lunch and a short program followed by dessert. We provided floor plans and an inventory management service which included, rental order creation based on menu and guest count, order placement, order receipt and confirmation. This service alone provides a large measure of relief for event hosts who are not familiar with the items and/or quantities to order. Order receipt alone can encompass a few hours depending on the size of the order. Our staff arrived early to set up the event space including tables, chairs, linens, napkin folds, buffet and food as well as beverage service. Our staff worked throughout the events to ensure that the food remained the proper temperature, replenishing food, serving guests and clearing refuse. At the end of each event our staff wrapped the remaining food, broke down the tables, chairs and buffet and ensured the event space was clean. It is always great to know that the host and their guests are happy with the service that Taylor Nicole Events provides but especially great to provide an exceptional service for a host honoring guests who deserve praise for their achievements. Thank you for allowing Taylor Nicole Events to be a part of your Event!

Don’t Count on the Flake List!

Whether you are planning a grand event such as a wedding or something on a much smaller scale…don’t count on the flake list! The most important criteria to establish when planning an event are the budget and the guest list. After these are defined, they will influence countless decisions to come which include the event venue size and type, dinner menu selections, beverage service, rentals, entertainment and even dinner service. So you may be asking yourself, “What is the flake list?” and “How is it connected to these very important decisions?” The flake list is the term lovingly applied to the group of invitees that you’ve already assumed will decline. Most people comfortably embrace the idea that 10-20% of invited guests will decline with regrets due to a variety of reasons such as previous obligations or location. I believe that it is safe to expect that a flake list will begin to establish itself soon after the invitations have been mailed. However, it is extremely important not to make costly decisions based on a “flake” list overestimation. At the end of the planning journey and the commencing of an event, as the host, it would be very stressful to be forced to make last minute changes, if possible, and if not last minute bank runs as a result of decisions made based on a “flake” list overestimation. Be sure to have an open dialogue with your event planner regarding your “flake” list estimates, details such as holidays and travel costs do and will have an affect on the number of guests that respond with pleasure or decline regret. Plan smart and efficiently and don’t count on the flake list to make decisions that you couldn’t otherwise afford.

What is the importance of Happy Guests?

Okay! You’ve hired Taylor Nicole Events as your event planner; our job is to make sure that your: needs are attended to, day is managed properly and any issues that arise are quickly resolved as well as remove you from all of the minutia that comes with the territory and above all….Ensure that you have a great experience creating memorable moments on the most important day of your life? At Taylor Nicole Events we make sure that the needs of our clients are always addressed but we also love it when their guests say to them, “What a beautiful wedding!”, or, “What a wonderful reception!” or, “Your team is doing a great job!” As the host of an event you feel good when your guests feel good. Knowing that the bride’s mother is a tea drinker and ordering specialty teas for her or knowing that the ring bearer enjoyed the light show that took place on the building next door during the rehearsal and finding he and his mom to show him the even grander light show that took place during the reception or making sure the groom’s father has his favorite drink. These are real life examples of the level of attentiveness Taylor Nicole Events associates exemplify. The client is our priority but we don’t stop there, the guests of the client are our priorities as well and it is important to note that we accomplish this absent the “in your face” approach! Don’t you just love it when your guests really enjoy themselves at your event?

What is the true cost of an event planner?

All things being equal, in many cases hiring an event planner and/or wedding consultant will result in a net savings benefit for the host or hostess, furthermore, these savings are often significant enough to offset the consultant service fees. How is this possible you ask? The answer comes in the form of industry knowledge (florals [wholesale accounts], venues and vendors [procedures and fees], professional discounts [rentals and invitations] and bulk purchasing. Savings start in the low range of 10% and can go as high as 30% depending on the product. I pass each along to my contracted clients. For example, invitations can be a costly expense but it gives your guests insight into the type of affair they can expect to attend so as the host, you will want to put your best foot forward when choosing them. Check out the invitation selection on the Taylor Nicole Events website and as always they are discounted for our contracted clients. In addition to the monetary savings hiring a planner will eliminate wasted time and effort, alleviate stress and significantly increase the likelihood of you hosting a successful event. Give Taylor Nicole Events a call to see how we can help you host your next successful party and save you time and money in the process!!!

What is Dinner amongst friends?

Aside from planning great events for a living, my fiancé and I enjoy hosting affairs, large and small, at our home. For our last party of the year, we decided to host an intimate gathering for couples by creating a warm setting with one communal table for our guests. Drawing from my interior design background, I measured the room and laid out a floor plan to scale which included tables and chairs. I chose a color palette for my table design which accented my favorite colors as well as the walls in the room; a chocolate table cloth with an ivory overlay, chocolate napkins with a complimentary custom menu design. Chivari chairs with a custom pad helped tie it all together and during our last course we replaced the overhead lighting with amber to blue up lighting emitting from the corners of the room. To find out what we served during the four course dinner, check out the pictures! Our Chef and server for the evening were awesome and the design of our house created a restaurant open kitchen atmosphere. My fiancé created a dinner music mix which encompassed some soul, R&B, swing and jazz and one of our friends was gracious enough to give a vodka demonstration….it was awesome! I created the centerpieces using cymbidium orchids and greens floated in water. I also incorporated lots of votive lighting and lighting using floating candles!!! But the key to the success of the entire evening was OUR FRIENDS. When you have friends as great as ours any dinner party can be a success but to have the knowledge and experience to create a room as beautiful as the people who fill it is a huge compliment.

Who is Taylor Nicole?

Many people that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting since launching Taylor Nicole Events have had the urge to address me, personally or via correspondence, as Taylor or Nicole and sometimes as Taylor Nicole; when I’ve politely made the correction, they’ve always inquired…..Who is Taylor Nicole? So, for all of you who’ve visited the Taylor Nicole Events website and read the “About Us” page or have just wondered… “What is the significance of the company’s name if it isn’t the name of the owner?” here goes. Taylor Nicole is my beautiful niece; she celebrated her 8th birthday on the 4th of July. Taylor is active in softball, soccer and the captain of her cheerleading squad. Taylor attends Calvary Baptist Church and is fun loving, a “chatty Kathy” of sorts, and little sister to two older brothers, Wesley (10) and Justin (25). Taylor is also a nurturing older cousin to my nephew, Demire (6) and niece, Delilah (2). Like the individual, the name “Taylor Nicole” is classic and will stand the test of time, so I was honored that my sister and of course, my niece, agreed to allow the name to grace my company because like Taylor Nicole herself, every event planned by Taylor Nicole Events will become a classic in the minds of the hosts and their guests alike.

What is your Wedding Style…Does it compliment your Budget?

After the question has been popped and the answer given, the tears shed and the phone calls placed, what is the next step? Brides begin to envision their big day in its totality, Grooms envision the party and Parents envision celebrating with happy guests. How does one begin the process of marrying all of these ideas and thoughts together? It starts with your budget. Unquestionably, the budget is a crucial part of the planning process but after deciding on that magical number, how does one know if it will support your dream wedding? I advise couples on the financial realities of creating their big day and what their budget will support. I understand the costs related to a bride and groom’s selections and can also provide additional viable options that are well suited to “The Dream”. Listening to my clients and clearly understanding what’s most important to them allows me to properly allocate the funds within their budget. Additionally, my education, experience and knowledge of the planning process serve to avoid making costly mistakes while maximizing the budget throughout the entire planning process. Budget Creation & Management is included in some of our offered packages but can also be a stand alone service. Contact us today to see how we can help you have your dream wedding.

Show up Early and Prepared or Go Home!

What should a Bride and Groom stress about on their wedding day? The answer is …..Nothing? And although this does not seem realistic, it is the wedding planner’s job; no, I mean to say, responsibility to mitigate any situation that may cause the wedding couple stress. In some situations, this means not mentioning that water leak in the reception room which is being fixed and will be fixed prior to the start of the reception. As the planner, I or one of my team members will be on-site at the reception and ceremony venues prior to the event to inspect the set-up, get to know the serving staff and bartenders and make sure all the details are attended to in a manner befitting the hosts and their guests. So nothing, not missing flowers, entertainment technical difficulties or MIA guests will stop your event. We come early and prepared to address and rectify any show stopping issues just as if we were hosting the party ourselves.

Purple Wedding Fantasy…

Here are a couple of photos from a wedding planned by Taylor Nicole Events. The wedding colors involved variations of purple and plum.

• The bride’s bouquet consisted on Lavender and White roses with accents of lavender mini calla lilies while her attendant’s bouquets consisted of lavender and white roses.
• The groom wore a lavender mini calla lily boutonnière while his attendants donned rose boutonnières.
• Each guest table was dressed with custom personalized menu cards and individual single stem orchids for each guest. The center pieces were white hydrangeas, lavender and white roses and purple stock with accents of green grass. Each vase was dressed in Ivory and plum ribbon. The table number frames were hand painted and the numbers printed onto a purple leaf vellum paper. The table runners matched the chairs sashes to complete the look.

Protection…How important is it when planning your wedding?

One of our most basic needs as humans is to feel protected. But as humans, our desires to have particular items are sometimes so great that the very desire itself overshadows the risks that accompany it. This is often true when we feel that this is our one and only opportunity to have or create an experience; such as purchasing a house, buying an ultimate car and yes planning a dream wedding. Knowing what pitfalls to look for in and addressing them upfront will ultimately save you, your finance and family money and grief throughout the wedding planning process. Here are a few pitfalls that I seek to protect my clients from:

• Escalation Clauses
• Inappropriate Substitutions
• Unqualified Fees

I also review the contract to see what client consideration, if any, is offered. Last thought, a typical wedding budget amounts to a down payment on the purchase of a home; one wouldn’t walk into a closing prepared to sign documents without a lawyer by their side and having reviewed the documents. So why would you not seek the same protection when contracting vendors for your big day!!!!

What is your Wedding Style – Ways to save your Décor Budget?

There must be Tulips! The bride wants tulips which are on the pricier side of the flower spectrum and are even more expensive when they are out of season and must be imported. How can you deliver the bride’s floral vision while saving her décor budget? First, the ability to understand that the bride has chosen a modern minimalist approach to flowers will allow you to make the right suggestions. Tulips alone make beautiful hand tied bouquets as well as beautiful arrangements in any shape vase; square, cylinder, rectangular or oval. The same is true of the following floral suggestions; they also compliment or can be complimented by an accent of tulips. They are available in a wide array of colors but also look great in a monochromatic palette and for the most part the prices range from inexpensive to moderately priced. Most important, they are all available when tulips are harder to get. As your wedding planner, I can work with you and your florist to facilitate the flow and vision of your big day.

• Giant Begonia
• Calla Lilly
• Dahlia
• Easter Lilly
• Cyclamen
• Amaryllis Belladonna
• Lisianthus
• Chrysanthemums

What is your Wedding Style – Floral Decor?

When planning your big event, at what point should you seek the assistance of a wedding professional? The answer is... at every juncture necessary. A wedding planner can help avoid costly decisions during the planning process; likewise, hiring a professional photographer or videographer provides additional assurance that the day will be documented perfectly. The same holds true if you are looking for a wedding cake, a wedding band/DJ or a florist.

What if your wedding budget doesn’t allow for a particular wedding professional? Turn to your wedding planner for assistance. Often, planners have lists of professionals that can accommodate your budget. Also you, as a client, can be proactive by hiring a planner trained in a particular field. The planner can then serve in that capacity, in addition to planning, to help salvage your budget. Floral design is one such example.

Above are photos of prototypes that I created for a lovely couple on a budget. Professional training to understand floral design allows me to assist my clients with their floral designs and/or match them with a complimentary wedding florist. For couples on a budget, I can serve as their florist. In addition to the altar arrangements and centerpieces, I will create all of the bouquets and boutonnieres. As always, the couples’ wedding colors, reception venue, wedding style and budget were taken into account when I created these prototypes. Best of all the couple salvaged their floral and décor budget. The point is that although you may be on a budget, fresh flower décor is still attainable…just ask your wedding planner for suggestions.

Love the Reception Space; Hate the Hideous Carpeting?

Okay, you absolutely love your reception space, the grounds are beautiful, the views are gorgeous and the chandelier is exquisite but the carpet is hideous? The carpet does not match your wedding color scheme in addition to a hideous print pattern. At this point changing the reception location isn’t an option, either due to timing or cost. How do you ensure that your guests will focus on the pleasurable aspects of your wedding reception and hardly notice that hideous carpet? Here are three simple suggestions; as your wedding planner I will give a list of distraction options that work well with your budget and show you how to take these suggestions up a notch.

• Utilize uplighting in the reception space.
• Have a candlelight reception.
• Use tall, full centerpieces on the guest tables.

What is your Wedding Style – Dinner Service?

The saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”. As a wedding and event planner I can tell you that there’s more than one way to have an elegant wedding. Let’s talk about dinner service. When the term “elegant” is paired with “dinner service” many people think of 4 or 5 diamond service at the most exclusive venues; personalized French Style service and having your dinner plated table side by servers of the highest standard. Can dinner service by any other standard be considered elegant as well? Better yet, what if the bridal couple’s vision is an elegant sit down dinner but the bride desires Continental cuisine and the groom wishes to have Indian cuisine (which may not work well with plating because of the sauciness of the cuisine)? Is there a middle ground? Faced with this dilemma your wedding planner should be able to offer some viable suggestions that meet the needs of both the bride and groom. Here are some options consider. Ask your wedding planner how to get it done! Have your wedding planner ask the caterer to modify an Indian dish so that it isn’t so saucy yet retain its flavor, making the cuisine conducive to plating. Now, you can offer your guests a choice of a pre-plated Continental meal, Indian meal or Vegetarian. WOW! During the cocktail hour, serve Indian Cuisine in an elaborate buffet presentation. Ask your planner how to take this suggestion up a notch or two and for dinner treat your guests to a pre-plated Continental Cuisine sit down dinner. Your wedding planner should also offer other suggestions such as a family style dinner service and if your budget allows, a table side plating service. After all wedding planners are cookie cutter mold breakers offering clients wedding services customized to their personal tastes and needs. Don’t stress…this is why we are here!