Weddings on Canvas

Hiring a photographer or videographer to capture wedding memories is the norm, but have you ever considered a wedding painter? Rather than a camera, these artists use canvas to preserve the occasion, setting up their easels at the ceremony and reception.

Although it’s a pricey proposition, with the potential to run into several thousand dollars, some couples like the novelty of having an original work of art featuring their special day that they can treasure forever. And it’s just as much fun for the guests, who can watch as the event comes to life under the artist’s brush. Some couples even choose to have the painting reproduced on their thank you cards—an extra special touch.

Long after the phots and videos are stored away, your creating is sure to hang on display. It will become an heirloom that will last for generations.


Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net ◦

Weddings on Canvas

TCV - Taking Care of Vendors

Many events we produce require long hours of set up and tear down in varying conditions. A 4 or 5 hour event often takes 8-12 hours if not more of on site preparations and production. Photographers, videographers, bands, dj's, event planners, and the many other talented professionals that make your event happen spend countless hours on their feet in order to meet and exceed your expectations. 

I can't tell you how many times we have been in extreme heat or cold for hours on end making sure all goes as planned. If you want the best out of your event team, remember to do what you can to make them comfortable for your event.

Some event pros specifically spell out in their contract what and when they are to have a break, what meal is to be provided and when and certain accommodations. We always try not to put specific restrictions on our clients, but there are days we pay the price.

Even if you are not contractually obligated to provide meals, basic needs such as food and drinks should be considered. Vendor meals do not have to be the $75 per plate meal you planned for your guests. Often a simple sandwich and bottle of water will do. Most venue/caterers will offer some sort of "vendor meal" option. Often vendor meals can be served in a separate area near your event space allowing your team to take a quick break.

A restroom needs to be available to your event staff. It sounds like common sense, but most people forget about the production crew and the hours they put in. Making your event team comfortable generates better results.

As an event planner, we handle most of the communication including small details like vendor meals. If you don't have an event planner, let your team know in advance where and when their meals will be served. Also, find out exactly how many "assistants" each team member will have on-site. If you take care of conveying these details before your event, you eliminate a cause for stress the day of your event.

Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net ◦

TCV - Taking Care of Vendors

Ask Us: What Should A Wedding Cost?

I get the question all the time. How much should I plan on spending for a wedding? It's not easy to answer as most often what people want and what they can afford are two very different things.

As an event planner I want couples to live out their dream day. At the same time I don't want that dream day to put them in debt as newly weds.

With celebrity weddings and (un)reality series showing brides all that money can buy, the price tag for syaing "I Do" can be hefty.

In a January 2011 report, the average cost of a wedding increased 22.9% between 2009 and 2010, from $19,581 to $24,066 in 2010. For 2011, the average price of weddings nationally is up to $28,704.

So what do you do if you don't have $30,000 to spend in one day? Choose what is most important to you first.

The white wedding dress may be one of the most expensive purchases for the big day, unless you are willing to choose a more budget-friendly option. On the lower end of spending, a dress can cost $200 or less if buying off-the-rack or synthetic fabric from a department store or chain bridal retailer. The midrange cost ranges from $500 to $1,000 for dresses with more detail, and higher-end custom-made designer dresses can cost between $2,000 and $10,000.

Flowers can be very expensive. Look for localy grown flowers in season or consider little jars set up with one or two blooms in them. Doing your own flowers or ordering online can save you money.

Venues and catering offer a wide range of options. Nice hotels offer some great packages or consider transforming a community center into your reception destination.

Food is important. Brides are choosing more of a reception-style of catering over heavy sitdown meals. We have done backyard Barbeque themes for a more relaxed atmosphere. Or consider less formal menu offerings. Just make sure you offer you guest good quality food no matter what you choose.

Entertainment often ends up last on the list and that can be a huge mistake. Your guests want good food and to have a good time. I highly suggest to brides to choose your entertainment as soon as possible and budget for a great DJ or band. Nothing can ruin a celebration like a $500 DJ that works on the weekends for beer money. That's not who you want.

Lastly, don't think you can't afford a wedding planner. Professional wedding planners will save you time and money and often pay for themself in the long run.


Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net ◦

Ask Us: What Should A Wedding Cost?

Ask Us: Bridal Showers

We invite our readers to submit event questions. If you have a question you would like answered email it to: info@pierceevents.net
Q: Can you tell me who is supposed to host/pay for a bridal shower?

Traditionally a shower should not be thrown by the bride's immediate relatives.

The maid of honor or another good friend usually hosts, or several people, often bridesmaids, share the responsibility.

It is common for a bride to have more than one shower; when this happens, the hosts should consult one another about guest lists to avoid duplication. Showers are generally held from a couple of months to a couple of weeks before the wedding.

Who is supposed to pay for all this?

There is no rule for the payment of this party. Attendees should never be expected to pay for their food. Thus it is up to the hostess, to find other methods of payment. Generally speaking, the bridesmaids and maid or matron of honor will collect money amongst themselves to host that bridal shower for the bride. If a formal party is a strain on the bridesmaids, it is an acceptable alternative to hold the bridal shower at someone's home, backyard, or clubhouse.

Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net
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Ask Us: Bridal Showers

Summer Sizzles with Pierce Events

This has been an amazing summer for all of us here at Pierce Events. We have welcomed so many new clients and had a chance to work on some wonderful events.

As school starts, we once again will be teaming up with Comcast for a series of campus events. Our event last year has expanded to include Pitt, IUP and Penn State as we go back to school with Comcast.

Taylor Swift on the set of
"Todd vs High School "

Speaking of school .... We are very happy to be working with an exciting film company Experiment Media on a project for the upcoming movie "Todd vs High School". The movie cast includes Jason Segal, Sidney Crosby and Taylor Swift.

We are also proud to welcome over 1000 people to Pittsburgh for a multi-day event for a major corporation. Our production elements will highlight Pittsburgh and we are thrilled our design was chosen for this great event.

Recent events with Pepsi and Cinemark has taken us to Salt Lake City, New York, Ohio and Virginia.

We are looking forward to more events before the end of the year.

While we love doing corporate events, one of our most important jobs is working with couples to create their dream wedding celebration. So many couples have placed their trust in Pierce Events and we are honored.
Pierce Events was just named the #1 most popular wedding planning company by Thumbtack.com We have many exciting wedding celebrations on the horizon and the outstanding endorsements from our past bridal clients means so much to our team.

We recently were interviewed by Whirl Magazine about wedding entertainment, so keep an eye out for that to appear in a future publication.

It's been a busy summer and we are truly grateful for our clients, partners and team.

If you would like to keep up with us, our events and adventures we invite you to follow us on Twitter @pierceevents We would love to have you join the party!



Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net ◦

Summer Sizzles with Pierce Events

Pierce Events Goes West for Cinemark

Our partnership with Cinemark (the third largest movie theatre company in the U.S. with 292 theatres and 3,816 screens in 39 states) started 3 years ago in Pittsburgh. The company was set to open a state of the art facility in Robinson Township and had never used an event planning company.

After presenting a proposal that brought a bit of Hollywood to Pittsburgh, Pierce Events was chosen to produce one of the grand opening events for Cinemark.

Since then our partnership has continued and we have produced events all over the country. Recently we traveled to the Salt Lake City, Utah area to produce a grand opening event and 2 simultaneous events for the opening weekend of the new Harry Potter movie release.

Production teams in a new city is always a challenge and opppotunity to expand our reach. We work with the best and our partners that have worked with us on multiple events have earned a spot on our team. They are relationships that could not be more valuable.

We consider many companies and individuals. We talk to others that have worked in the region and call on our exsisting contacts.

Our team did an amazing job in Utah. From decor to staging, rentals to lighting. It is so nice to meet others who take pride in what they do. After all, our success depends greatly on others doing their job.

We looking forward to our continuing partnership with Cinemark and working our production teams in other cities
.

Pierce Events can produce events anywhere. Just give us a call.

Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net ◦

Pierce Events Goes West for Cinemark

Planning the Perfect Class Reunion

We have produced many class reunions and there are always questions as to what to do. Give yourself plenty of time and contact us as early as possible. Here are some tips to help you.

First get some help. Recruit some dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who are willing to help plan and get the word out. Keep the core committee group small with 3-5 members. You might want to appoint a reunion chair to arrange meetings and a treasurer to oversee finances. The rest of your team can work on various reunion tasks. Don't underestimate the work involved. Share the work amongst as many who are willing to offer their help. There are many details and arrangements. A professional planner can save you time and money and provide suggestions.

When do we start? Some committees start planning up to two years in advance. The amount of lead time you need really depends on how elaborate of an event you are planning but generally speaking the more time you give yourselves the better! Whether you are planning a simple family picnic or a formal event you will minimally want to start planning at least 12 to 16 months in advance. Don't expect to pull off a successful reunion if you start planning just 6 months before the event as many of your classmates will need significant lead time in order to participate especially those living far away.

What work items does the reunion committee need to consider?Consider dividing the work activities of your reunion committee into subcommittees or work groups.

Here is a listing of some of the tasks you will need to consider:

• date selection
• determine event venue and format
• event program
• event location / lodging selection
• financing
• classmate contact listing
  • postal addresses, email addresses, phone numbers
  • search for missing classmates
• web site development / maintenance
• decorations
• entertainment
• photographer
• registration & name tags
• momentos
• reunion / memories booklet
• marketing & communications
• mailers, emailings
  
  • newspaper and internet advertising
• deceased classmates tribute
• additional reunion activities
  • school tours, pre & post reunion events
• class gift to your school

While there are many other things to consider this give you a glimpse at what a reunion requires. Pierce Events can assist you with ticket sales, online promotion, website development, group discounts, site selection, accommodations, entertainment and more.

Let us plan the perfect reunion for you. Call us today! 724-986-6939

Pierce Events offers complete event planning, production and management services for corporate, social and non-profit events. For more information and other helpful tips visit our website at www.pierceevents.net ◦

Planning the Perfect Class Reunion