Bridal Style, Events & More Archives

Wedding Pro Wednesday: Tara Melvin

This Wedding Pro Wednesday I am delighted to introduce you to Tara Melvin, the founder of Perfect Planning Events. Perfect Planning Events is a boutique event planning company in the Washington, D.C. Metro area that specializes in creating not just events, but unique individual experiences for all of their clients. Their services are tailored specifically for each client’s event. Perfect Planning Events offers a full comprehensive event planning and design service based on the character, personal style, and desired outcome for their clients. They savor the challenge of making each experience unique and different from the last. And absolutely love what they do!

I’ve known Tara Melvin for many years, and have a deep respect for the business and following she has built. She is a true industry professional, and an amazing woman! So, if you’re considering a professional wedding planner or design service for your wedding, or are curious what the career of a professional wedding planner is like, don’t miss Tara’s answers to my questions below!

Have you always been a wedding professional? If not, what was your previous career?
I have been in the wedding industry for approximately 13 years. My other professional background includes almost 20 years as an Account Manager and National Account Manager for Fortune 500 companies. So definitely involved with people and building customer experiences my entire career.

What inspired you to create your company?
I have always been a person that loved to entertain and enjoy the company of others. From the time I was almost 10 years old, I was the kid on the block that held community social gatherings with kids in the neighborhood at my parent’s home without their permission, lol. This trend continued into college life and early adult life, hosting events in my apartment to celebrate my birthday, friend’s birthday, holidays, etc. – any reason I could find to host a celebration. Approximately 13 years ago, I hosted a New Year’s party at my home, and an un-invited guest asked me to plan a party for them. I immediately replied that I was going to charge them, and with that response a light bulb immediately went off and I dived into researching how to establish my business.

What was your biggest obstacle and failure in going from idea to business?
The biggest obstacle in the early stages of developing my company is the not knowing, and not having someone there to assist me through the process within my own industry. I had a friend that was a business owner that helped me with the paperwork to establish my business, however, no one to help me to navigate through the event industry. Because I am a determined person, I was diligent on learning and getting out there to network. My mentor program is the main reason it was created because I do not want anyone to experience what I had to encounter.

What do you love most about your job?
The relationships that I develop with my clients is very rewarding. The relationship does not end on the night of their event – it continues to develop into a family relationship. Secondly, my mentor program has fulfilled an empty place of success for me. Each night that I walk away from my class with the mentees, I am overjoyed and humbled.

What is your best advice for brides related to your area of expertise?
Whew! I can’t just stop at one piece of advice. I highly recommend that couples come to a realistic mutually agreed upon budget that they both should follow. Have open communication throughout the planning process. Take at least one full weekend off of wedding planning and not discussing the wedding. And remember, the true reason they are getting married.

What is Tara Melvin’s best advice for newlyweds?

My advice would be to continue to have open communication with each other. Remember to “love” each other daily – a simple statement, but a hard task to implement daily. And because of the world that we live in and we live such a high-paced life, to schedule date night at least twice a month without any distractions (focus on each other)

Photo Credits: Procopio Photography

Llama, Llama No Wedding Drama

Wedding llamas. Apparently they’re a thing now, and I have to admit a pretty awesome thing. Instead of agonizing over what wedding guests who don’t want to dance will do, you provide fuzzy animals to interact with. Who could possibly start drama when there’s a llama present?!

While I typically enjoy ring bearer and flower girl antics, llamas and anything they chose to do (like eat bouquets) would absolutely entertain me and make for fantastic photos. Who needs a photo booth, when you have live animals to shoot selfies with? This is serious Instagram & SnapChat fodder.

Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas is the company that creating “the wedding llama.” Located in Brush Prairie, Washington, they offer llama wedding interactions to couples in the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington areas. Their furry friends are even accessorized to match the theme and color theme of the wedding! Want to feel even better about adding llamas to your wedding day? All of the proceeds from the weddings llamas (and alpacas) help fund their therapy visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.

So, if you’re looking to do something a little different for your big day, and are out west, consider adding llamas to your event. This could be the beginning of an exotic wedding animal trend. Penguins would be a logical next step, as they are already in formal attire and are incredibly cute! What do you think? Would you include llamas or any other animals on your wedding day? Share your view in a comment!

Photo Credit: Kim Smith Miller Photography
Original Story: The Skimm

The Perfect Bridal Shower Gift Formula

Are you searching for the perfect bridal shower gift this season? Before the big days of friends and family members comes a flurry of brunches, teas, and afternoons filled with celebrating the bride-to-be. While every event may be different, you do need a shower gift. Not to worry, we have the perfect formula to help you bring the best shower gift for each of your friends!

Something Nostalgic + Something Helpful + Something Beautiful = The Perfect Shower Gift

Something Nostalgic
The first component of your gift should be something that will remind the bride of your friendship or her new relationship. If she met her fiancé in Spain, a tapas cookbook or a gift card to a Spanish restaurant would be perfect! If the two of you spent hours at a particular shop or spa, a goodie from that establishment is a great way to remind her of all of the good times you have had as friends.

Something Helpful
If you’re already married you have amassed married knowledge your friend needs. Think of something that was difficult for you as a newlywed or something you wish someone had given you. A MissNowMrs gift card is a perfect component for your perfect shower gift. It saves the bride 13 hours of hassle on her name change! Instead of standing in long office lines and stressing about what form to file when and where, she’ll breeze through the process in 30 minutes! You will absolutely receive a thank you note for this gift!

Something Beautiful
Weddings are filled with beauty, so of course wedding shower gifts should have a beautiful component. This can range from a mini perfume with floral notes for her wedding day, to gorgeous wrapping paper in her wedding colors, to your favorite bridal beauty item. Again, think of your friend. If she isn’t into super fussy things, skip the lace and give her elegant stationary or an engraved business card holder in her new name.

We hope this formula helps you create perfect personalized bridal shower gifts for the amazing women in your life. Enjoy this season of love!

Bridechilla | Should You Treat Wedding Planning Like a Business

BrideChilla asks the best questions! One of the largest allocations of money in your young life may be your wedding. So…if you’re investing in your Big Day should you treat it like investing in a business?

This was the topic of our founder’s recent interview on the BrideChilla Podcast. Of course Danielle talked about name-change after marriage, but she also shared entrepreneur tips and tricks that can help engaged couples create the wedding of their dreams without breaking the bank.

She built MissNowMrs into a huge company on a shoestring budget, so her advice is incredibly pertinent and relatable. Get the full scoop by tuning into the Bridechilla podcast episode!

Designer Consignments + Cocktails = FUN

Have you heard about SnobSwap? Adore designer consignments and shopping? Seriously, who doesn’t? Great news for those of you who live in the DC area…SnobSwap is hosting an event next week that is not to be missed!

Join me at SnobSwap’s The Best of DC party on Thursday, November 5 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Malmaison in Georgetown to shop the best consignment boutiques in DC. Score designer goodies from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin, Celine, Tory Burch and more for up to 80% off from Chic to Chic, Ella-Rue, N’Used, Reddz Trading, Filmore & 5th, and more!

Enjoy the chance to meet DC’s top fashion bloggers including Sara from Style MBA and Angelica from Clarendon Moms for consignment style tips!

During the event, guests will enjoy gourmet delights from DC’s most innovative chefs, including Chef Nicholas Sharpe of Jolene, Chef Jesse Miller of Bar Pilar, Chef James Woods of Bourbon and Chef Danny Lee of Mandu. In addition, guests will receive a 20% off promo to shop SnobSwap, and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.

**Feel good about your indulgence: A portion of event proceeds will benefit Operation Turbo’s mission to send care packages to our deployed service members. Come early to receive a SnobSwap swag bag for the first 50 guests!