INSPIRED EVENTS COORDINATOR TEAM WINS 2010 BRIDES CHOICE AWARD!

Thank you to all the Brides who voted for our Inspired Events Team!
We are honored to receive this award!
Our team is excited to continue to provide exceptional wedding day

services to all of our Bridal clients on your most important day!

First Impressions Always Count

Wouldn't you agree? And what better way to make a good first impression on your special day than enhancing your true beauty through the artistry of makeup.

Holly Miller, founder of First Impressions, feels the same way we do and wants to help every bride feel and look beautiful on her wedding day - a day she will cherish forever.

Coming from an extensive background as a makeup artist, Holly has been professionally trained in her field and has all the tools necessary to help you unveil your true beauty. Holly began her career in makeup at a young age where she worked in the prestige department of a cosmetics store. After discovering her love for makeup and her gift in application, she went on to represent a professional cosmetics line where she worked as a free-lance makeup artist. It is during this time that Holly began First Impressions, which has allowed her to further pursue her passion.

Holly has worked with women (and men) of all races including Asian, African-American, Hispanic, Eastern Indian, and Caucasian. She has provided her expertise for weddings, proms, other special events, and even stage makeup for theater performances. It is her top priority to get to know each and every client on a personal level in order to provide a customized and unique look. She calls herself a perfectionist and promises to make sure each client is completely satisfied with the end result.

Holly uses top-of-the-line professional cosmetic brands and guarantees quality every time. She offers a variety of makeup packages with prices as low as $55.00 for a full face. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please email Holly at firstimpressionsbyholly@hotmail.com

When we asked Holly what she loved most about her job, she replied: "I love being a makeup artist because it gives me the opportunity to help give women (or men in some cases) the utmost confidence and feel great about themselves and beautiful for their special day."

First Impressions...unveiling your beauty for your most memorable days.

WEDDING PLANNING 101 - BEAUTY TIP

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED EYELASH EXTENSIONS?

YOUR WEDDING DAY IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SPLURGE!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

1. Eyelash extensions are not permanent and will fall out with your natural eyelashes. We suggest getting the extensions 1 - 2 weeks prior to your wedding.

2. Be aware of the risks...

Eye infections / eyelashes falling out too soon / etc.

3. Find a qualified technician who has a good reputation and is clean.

4. It's all about the care of your eyes ... the better the care, the longer the eyelashes stay in.

5. There are a few different application processes. Do your research to find out which one is best for you.

AVERAGE COST: $175 Initial application / $50-75 for fill-ins

INSPIRED EVENTS FIND: $75 Initial application

Call Alicia at: 480.921.1540

ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF LONG, LUSCIOUS EYELASHES ON YOUR WEDDING DAY!

WEDDING PLANNING 101 - GETTING ORGANIZED

10 WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR WEDDING DAY THAT WILL:

• REDUCE YOUR STRESS

• COMMUNICATE EXPECTATIONS

• BRING CLARITY TO YOUR WEDDING

1. Call all vendors and verify expectations, i.e., arrival time, product and quantity they are providing, final payment, etc.

2. Create a time line of all the wedding day activities and distribute to family, friends and vendors.

3. Call family / friends who are helping and clarify expectations of the day and what you need from them, i.e., arrival times, locations, what they need to bring.

4. Create a checklist of everything you need to bring for the wedding. Pack wedding items to drop off on the night of the rehearsal.

5. Create a list of 'must have' photos you want (be specific of names and side of the family). Having a list will reduce confusion and help the photo process run smoothly.

6. Think about food for the wedding day - it's never good to have a hungry bride, groom, bridal party or family. Assign someone to help.

7. Think about transportation to and from each location. Consider having to be in your wedding dress and the type of transportation that will be easy to get in and out of.

8. Call all guests who haven't responded. Complete your assigned seating chart / name cards.

9. Assign someone to be your 'day of contact' who knows EVERYTHING you've planned and who you trust to execute it without stressing you or the other vendors out.

10. Remember to enjoy this time with family & friends!

OR

CALL INSPIRED EVENTS AND LET OUR TEAM DO ALL OF THE ABOVE FOR YOU! WHEN IN DOUBT CALL THE EXPERTS TO GET PROFESSIONAL, QUALITY SERVICE ON YOUR MOST IMPORTANT DAY!

602.828.3652

Event Planning 101 - Staffing

I met with Bill today from the Party Staff. What a great team they have! I was really impressed by the amount of training that goes into the hiring process (which cannot be said for most part-time staffing companies). Their high expectations of their staff presentation and professionalism definitely sets them above the rest of the competition!

When would you need to hire the Party Staff?

1. Hosting your wedding/event at a unique venue that allows you to bring in your own food/beverage. (They even carry a insurance policy that covers you purchasing the alcohol and having them serve it!).

2. Hosting your wedding/event at a residence. It's wonderful to host events in houses, but can be overwhelming for the home owner... take the stress off and hire the Party Staff to setup, serve and CLEAN UP!

They offer the following services in Arizona and California:

Servers / Bartenders / Tray Passers / Banquet Captains / Line Cooks / Prep Cooks / Concession & Product Demonstration Staff

When it comes to selecting your event service staff - I would recommend the Party Staff over the other hospitality staffing companies in Arizona. You'll be in good hands with this professional, experienced team!

http://www.partystaff.com/

Wedding Planning 101 - Tipping Etiquette

WHO DO I TIP & HOW MUCH?

This is a common concern. You are often paying top dollar for your vendor services, are tips expected? I've listed a list of etiquette standards that may help you in deciding what is the best fit for your wedding vendors.

RULES OF THUMB:

· Tips should be paid in cash
· Do not exceed $100. 10-15% of bill is usual & adequate
· Tips should be given just before the vendor leaves to evaluate service and amount you
would like to give.
· All vendors would love a thank you card
· Giving tips is totally up to you and should be based on EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE!

Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist
Etiquette: Expected

The Standard: 15 - 25 %, depending upon the quality of service

When to Tip: At the end of your service

Delivery and Set-up Staff
Etiquette: Optional

The Standard: $5 - $10 per person

When to Tip: Give to your wedding coordinator so they will be on-site for deliveries

Officiant
Etiquette: Expected (depending on officiant & if you were required to pay a church ceremony fee)

The Standard: Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, or, for a nondenominational officiant, an optional tip of $50 - $100

When to Tip: Have the best man / wedding coordinator pass the cash envelope at the rehearsal or after the ceremony

Musicians (Ceremony)
Etiquette: Optional

The Standard: $15 - $20 per musician

When to Tip: At the end of the ceremony.

Photographer/Videographer
Etiquette: Unnecessary / Optional (unless the photographer is not the studio owner)

The Standard: $50 - $200 per vendor

When to Tip: At the end of the reception

Reception Attendants
When it comes to bartenders, waitstaff, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants the rules of tipping are dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included, consider doling out extra only if the service was exceptional.

Etiquette: Optional, based on contract

The Standard: $20 - $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per car

When to Tip: Although tips are traditionally passed out at the end of the event, you could alternately distribute them at the beginning of the evening, to encourage all the workers to give you great service.

Musicians (Reception)
Etiquette: Optional, yet preferred

The Standard: $20 - $25 per musician; $50 - $150 for DJs

When to Tip: At the end of the reception, by the best man / wedding coordinator.

Transportation
Check your contract, as gratuity is usually included. If it isn't, plan to tip provided they show up on time and don't get lost!
Etiquette: Expected

The Standard: 15 - 20 % of the total bill

When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride. If you used a separate

company for the guest buses, designate a bus captain to hand the driver a tip, otherwise, this duty falls to the best man / wedding coordinator.

Wedding Planner
Etiquette: Optional

The Standard: Up to $500, or a nice gift

When to Tip: The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or, she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the honeymoon.

Wedding Planning 101 - Venue Search Paradise Valley

You may be asking... is this really a wedding location in the Valley? The answer is YES! Isn't it gorgeous?!

If you are looking for a simple beauty and customer service that exceeds the industry norm, you need to tour Stonecreek Golf Club in Paradise Valley.

This golf club is tucked off Cactus and Tatum and is conveniently located on property with an Embassy Suites. You can get ready and oversee your ceremony and reception setup from your

balcony!



The ceremony set has breathtaking views of Camelback mountain and amazingly enough, they work the golfers around you! Trust me, this is unique in the golf industry.

The covered outdoor reception site is truly a blank slate, you can be as creative as you want! They have a back-up inside location in case of weather and the costs are incredibly reasonable. If you are looking to avoid the common food & beverage minimums... look no farther. The have a reasonable ceremony fee and then menus you can customize.

This is a location you can save money and get creative! The setting is simply lovely overlooking the golf course and our famous mountain ranges.

Call Carrie Bayless for a tour: 602.494.1215

You will not only fall in love with the venue, you will fall in love with her kind, passionate spirit. This is a gal who loves what she does!

www.stonecreekgc.com