A Task that I will "Outsource" within my Business

Outsource (def.):

: to send away (some of a company's work) to be done by people outside the company

I love to plan, and coordinate weddings, social events, marriage proposals (such a Lover of Romance)! I love to blog and bring my clients true visions to life! Today I will talk about what I have decided within my business to "outsource". 

I will outsource my stationary, invitations, graphic design (flyers, marketing materials) and event design. As a planner I always have my creative juices flowing.  I'm always thinking about wedding and events. I am very creative, I can put beautiful color palettes together, and pull details, and ideas and make them pretty. 

However, I'm only one person, and my primary focus is to plan and coordinate (among other tasks, that I do within my business). I want to be a Awesome planner but I cannot operate solo, I have to have other experts on my team!

The benefit of outsourcing: 

* I will have more time to focus on planning, coordinating, blogging, and being a wedding podcast co-host, and planning amazing romantic marriage proposal!

*I will allow other preferred wedding professionals, vendors, that have a expertise in that area to do what they do best. Which is to design! 

*Time is valuable, and I want to deliver my best "self" to all my clients, brides, grooms, ect; giving this task to someone else will give me more time, and in turn I'm a happier planner (smiles)! Plus, my client is happy because things will move quicker and more efficient!

*Most importantly, I have more time spent with my family. My personal, and business life have to have balance! By giving someone else the task of designing the event, and flyers I will be able to get MORE quality time in! 

Lastly, it's best to work together with other wedding professionals, event designers, graphic designers as one team. Also, it's great to collectively come together to execute the client's overall vision. 

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa 

Written By: Clarissa 

Photography Credit: Pinterest

Fab plans for 2015 - Creating my ideal business model

I am a wedding & event planner, marriage proposal planner, blogger, and wedding talk show Co-host I love everything about weddings, social events, and interacting with brides, grooms, and clients. 

Also, I love to educate, teaching is rewarding, I love hosting networking events, meeting and greeting with wedding professionals, and vendors. I also, love to meet inspiring wedding and event planners as well. 

Furthermore, among meeting new planners that want to learn the craft; I allow them to shadow me (I love educating them)! I love social media as well and interacting and meeting new professionals on all social media platforms. I have a lot of fun during weekly Twitter Chats, Twitter Party hosted during wedding shows on TV, and and also hosting bridal Giveaways via social media. 

I also, love to travel to bridal shows, expos, and bridal events out of state. Last year I attended New York International Bridal Week. It was so amazing, I was there as the social media manager of Bridal Style Blog. The couture shows, were amazing, one of my favorite wedding designers is Carol Hannah (Carol Hannah's Couture Fashion Show was amazing)!  Furthermore, I have volunteered at Bridal Events, working behind the scenes (last year I volunteered at The Atlanta Bridal Showcase & Brunch) with professional vendors,models, assisting with event design, stuffing swag bags, greeting brides.to.be, and more (I am a wedding fanatic!). I met a awesome wedding professional at my Spring networking event last year Pretty Chic Bridal; we continued to network throughout 2014 and I assisted her with a bridal show (we also volunteered together at The Atlanta Bridal Showcase & Brunch)  Lastly,  it's all such a warm and rewarding feeling to do all these fun activites; it's truly my passion. I LOVE It! 

 

My business model consist of implementing wedding workshops, more networking events, participating in my first speaking engagement invited by a awesome Atlanta based photographer/blogger. (YAY! Coming this Spring of 2015), launching something  new for my business (that's a secret - in progress), I want to incorporate more education for brides and grooms, I want to include more giveaways; and most of all being front and center interacting with my customers, building more relationships with new wedding professionals and vendors. In terms of social media I want to include even more interaction via Twitter, by participating in Twitter parties and indeed hosting some (as a matter of fact we have a Twitter party coming soon!  Co-hosting on "Bridal Style Blog Podcast", is a big love of mines and having a chance to interact with brides, and wedding professionals on air and the host and I have alot of fun. Lastly, attending more educational, and informational wedding workshops for myself this year! 

I enjoyed discussing my ideal business model for 2015, I hope you enjoyed! 

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

Photography: IPhone Photography via my Instagram page @sweetestthingevents 

Have a Sweet Day!

Clarissa 

Flyer by: CFTH Events & Design

Written by: Clarissa

30 Something ...Facts about me!

I decided for one of my first 2015 posts will be all about me! I threw in a few fun facts as well!  A lot of times, current and prospective clients ask me questions like how did I get started, ... what's my favorite part of planning, ect... so here are 30 something facts! Enjoy! 

#1 I have been planning weddings and events for over a decade. I began planning weddings in my home town/state of Kansas City, Missouri.

#2 I was inspired to start planning by my mother. Growing up, my mother always planned such Awesome parties for me (Social events, Birthday Parties, Slumber Parties, ect,...) 

#3 -The first wedding I planned, was a Valentine's Day weekend wedding in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a intimate church wedding with a off site reception. 

#4 - My favorite food is Pizza! 

#5 I love making diaper cakes and homemade decorations for baby showers, along with event styling (yes, I plan Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, ect...). 

#6 I was born in raised in the Midwest of Kansas City, Missouri (raised by two amazing parents) and now reside in Georgia. I'm the youngest of three children! 

#7 As a child I played several instruments, piano, violin, french horn, and clarinet. I played in a band/orchestra in high school and participated in band competitions. 

#8 I have an amazing husband, and 2 beautiful children (boy & girl), and 2 doggies (a Shih Tzu, and Cocker Spaniel). 

#9 I love planning full service, and "day of coordination" weddings but I also love planning "marriage proposals" I'm a sucker for romance! 

#10 One of my favorite things about wedding planning is meeting the clients. The Bridal Consultations are one of best times; I get to hear all about their wedding. Mostly, I love to sit back and listen to their love story! 

#11 - I got started planning weddings for my friends! A lot of my close friends were engaged and pregnant (Bridal showers, Baby Showers, Bachelorette Parties, and more).  Also, I had a book club, and I always planned all the social events for the club. The book club members asked me to plan their personal events and weddings.  

#12 I am a co-host for a wedding talk show podcast called, "Bridal Style Blog Podcast" catch the show every other Wednesday at 8:00pm EST/7 CST. 

#13 When I was coming up with a name for my business The Sweetest Thing Events. I was inspired by the name of my favorite movie (one of my favorites!) The Sweetest Thing! But, my absolute favorite movie of all times is Love Jones ( I have watched it probably over a thousand times)! 

#14 My hobbies - spending time with my husband and kids, listening to music, NPR is one of my favorite radio stations (the classical music and news are the best), reading (I love the library) I can spend hours and hours in there, blogging, participating in 5K walk/run, planning parties, events and weddings (of course)! Love to travel, blog, and chit chat with people I love ( text/talk/email). 

#15 - Marriage proposals - not only am I a wedding planner, but a marriage proposal planner ( aka a LOVE-O-Logist). I planned an amazing "proposal" Valentine's Day weekend, and later ended up planning the couples beautiful wedding (it seem that a lot of magic happens around Valentine's Day; from my 1st wedding I planned to this). 

#16 - I have been blogging for over 5 years, and I absolutely love it! 

#17 - My favorite color is purple! I streaked my hair purple once (true statement)! It was fun! 

#18 - My husband and I love to go to the mountains in Blue Ridge, Georgia along with Gatlingburg & Pigeon Forge, TN (we have been going at least 2-3 times a year for the past 10 years). 

#19 -  My very first pet, was a all white cat named, "Sugar". 

#20 - I love tons of romance, and after decorating a Bride & Groom Suite for the night of their wedding... the concierge  told the couple out of his 12 years as a employee at the Ritz Carlton. He went on to say that he's never seen a room set-up so beautiful (that brought a instant smile to my face).

#21 - My first destination wedding was 250 miles away in Savannah, Georgia. This wedding was on the most popular date of the year 10.10.10! It was a beautiful outdoor wedding in a historic courtyard. The cocktail hour took place poolside; and lastly the reception was in a stunning ballroom. Fact: over 13,000 couples got married that day! 

 

#22 - I became the co-host of Bridal Style Blog Podcast in Spring of 2014 during the 2nd season. Also, I met up with the host of the show this year, and we attended New York Bridal Market and Bridal Fashion week together!

#23 - I got married in Georgia, in a intimate wedding with 50+ guests surrounded by close friends and family. We had our honeymoon in Chattanooga, TN ( we also drove up to Gatlingburg & Pigeon Forge, TN). As you can tell we really love the mountains! 

#24 - I renewed my wedding vows recently 10.14.2014 in New York! It was a intimate vow renewal with just my husband and I. It was amazing, fun, and very romantic! 

#25 - I have to mention that I have a heart for giving back, volunteering, and have participated with feeding the homeless, and serving and baking for a homeless shelter. I also volunteer at the church I attend. I love GOD! 

#26 - I have one tattoo (I've had it since 1998)!  

#27 - One of the first baby showers I planned was in Kansas City, Missouri. It was co-ed with 50 + guests! I drove over 800 miles away, and planned the entire event from Georgia.

#28 - My hair is natural and has been since 2010.  

#29 - I am a certified Cake Decorator, and I love to bake and decorate cakes! I'm certified through Wilton's ( however, I am not a Cake Designer by trade).  

#30 - My very first job was at a place in a mall food court called "Amigos". I was 15 years old. 

#31 - I love vintage-rustic themes, I'm a lover for old, vintage pieces, dresses, veils, and decor! 

#32 - I like participating in Twitter Chats, Twitter Parties, hosting Instagram bridal giveaways, my favorite social media platform is Instagram. 

Bonus Fact:  I love Glitter #thatsAll

I hope you enjoyed learning some facts about me! This was a fun blog post to write! Happy New Year everyone! 

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa