The View From Here

As we at Pierce Events march into 2010, many people and companies are unsure of what the future holds and are extremely cautious. I get it, but life does go on.

In a time when 1 in 10 Americans are out of a job, we all must be very careful with how and where we spend our money.

I meet with couples and companies everyday who share their stories with me and the one thing that has not changed is the drive and spirit to get out of the ditch we find our self in.

Last night I met with a couple planning their wedding, another young woman called me about her fall wedding. Love (and weddings) go on despite the global economic conditions.

We also march on. We are very excited about some things happening.

We recently partnered with Ticket Leap to coordinate ticket sales to public events. Our first event is happening on March 13th in West View, PA. It's a tribute to our long time friend and radio host who passed away last year RD Summers. I produced his Sunday Night Oldies Diner Show for years on 3WS radio in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is considered the oldies capitol of the world and this wonderful event will not only honor RD and his many years on the radio, it gives fans of the show a chance to come together, share stories and hear some great music.

You can buy tickets online and the price includes beer, chips and snacks. I hope you can join us.

I'm also happy to announce Froggy Radio has renewed their Radio Parties for the second year with Pierce Events. It wholesome family entertainment that is perfect for schools, churches and community groups. We bring the fun. Contact us and we tell you how you can have Froggy come to your event.

We were also thrilled to be included the the Whirl Wedding Guide as one of the top wedding planning companies in the region. For future brides we are offering an incredible package.

You get professional DJ service for your reception AND your professional wedding photographer all for $2000. It is by far the best package we have ever been able to offer. Contact us for complete details and availability.

There are more wonderful things on the horizon. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for up to the minute announcements, event happenings, exclusive offers and more.

Thanks for checking us out and let us know what event your planning....

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 http://www.pierceevents.net/

Busy Times

Pierce Events was honored to be included in the new issue of Whirl Wedding Guide. Whirl asked 5 event planners for the latest wedding trends and we were pround to be included.

It seems love is in the air as more and more couples are contacting us about helping them plan the perfect wedding.

From cozy backyard wedings to a grand celebration at Falling Water, each wedding is a unique and personal experience. We do still have select 2010 dates open and are already booking 2011 so give us call.

In other news, we are working an exciting class reunion in the fall at PNC Park. If your reunion is coming up we would love to talk to you about ideas for entertainment, venues and getting the word out.

Our Radio Road Shows are about to begin again. We have an oldies dance and tribute show planned for March 13th in West View, PA. Details coming soon.

We are also working on a fundraising concert in upstate New York.

Most people assume they can;t afford an event planner. That;s until they talk to us and we them how you can save money but working with an event planner.

Feel free to give us a call at 724-986-6939 and tell us about your next 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

The Cost of "I Do" - Planning Your Wedding Budget

Planning Your Wedding Budget

Once you decide to get married there's much to do. You need to make the official announcement, pick a date, and start making wedding plans. You've got to arrange for your honeymoon, think about where you'll live, and pick out your wedding dress, photographer, flowers, cake ......

As wedding planners, we at Pierce Events can help you with all that. Still, there are some things you must do. You've got to consider your personal finances and how the wedding and marriage will affect them. A wedding can be expensive. The decisons you make now, will effect the two of you for years to come.

Ring it Up

One of the very first expenses involved with getting married is buying an engagement ring. Listen up guys! I know you want to wow her with the Hope Diamond but it's not a smart move to buy a ring you can't afford. An engagement ring should be a symbol of your love and commitment, not a statement of your financial situation. You'll have plenty of occasions to upgrade your ring after you're married.

A recent survey by Bride's Magazine showed the average amount spent on an engagement ring is $3,044. Don't let a jeweler talk you into buying a ring you can't afford. We can guide you to some wonderful and reputable jewelers. Just give us a call.

Here Comes the  Bride and the Bill

Traditionally, most wedding expenses were paid for by the bride's parents. But times have changed, and the way we pay for weddings has changed as well. Often the bride and groom pay for the entire wedding, the two families might split expenses, or each family may pay for the number of guests it invites.

Bride's Magazine reports that the average cost of a wedding for 200 guests and five attendants is $19,104.

Regardless of who is footing the bill, the first important thing to do when planning your wedding is to establish how much you can spend. This will require talking to everyone who might be contributing and finding out how much you'll have. A wedding does not have to cost $20,000. We can give you cost savings ideas and discounts through our network of vendors. Often using a good wedding planner will actually save you money in the end. Whatever you budget is, work within those parameters and make sure your planner does as well.

The budget for every wedding is different, because every wedding is different. Grab your calculator and let's get an idea of how much money you'll have to spend for each cost area.
Total wedding budget $________________

                                     Estimated Cost           Actual Cost

Stationery items (3%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Bridal attire (10%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Reception (40%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Flowers (8%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Music (3%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Photography (7%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Gifts—attendants (2%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Honeymoon (20%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Misc. (e.g., special parties) (7%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Planner (15%) $ ___________ $ ___________

Total ________________

Obviously, these percentages will vary, as you customize your own wedding. Be sure you keep track of all your wedding expenses by saving all receipts and filing them in a safe place.

It can all be a bit scary, but we are here to help you make wise decisions every step of the way. Don't think you can afford a wedding planner. In most cases you can't afford not to have one!

 

If you have a question you would like to submit, email it to: info@pierceevents.net

 

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 http://www.pierceevents.net/

Holiday and the Workplace

Party time with co-workers can be fun, and a great opportunity to network and talk in a relaxed atmosphere.

Even in tough times most companies will do something this time of year. We are here to help you spread good cheer and save some green. 
However limited your party budget, it will serve you well to show your appreciation for your workers' year-long efforts in some tangible and merry-making manner; to celebrate together in a social rather than business atmosphere. This goes a long way toward making workers feel valued and helps them bond with one another, a good step toward teambuilding and improving morale.


At-the-office parties


Try to locate office parties away from workstations; you want to do what you can to create a "non-businesslike" atmosphere. Bring in a multi-disc player sound system and play some popular holiday CD's, or tune your company radio to a local station that plays non-stop holiday music.

Some suggestions for economical food choices
1. A catered luncheon or after-work party at the office can be less expensive than a restaurant or banquet outing. Catered foods range in cost and many caterers themselves have a number of menus with a range of selections and prices.

2. If funds are really limited, have a "potluck" meal where each worker signs up to bring in a different dish (have a sign-up to avoid duplicate dishes). You can provide the decorations, paper goods, drinks, music and dessert.


3. Try something a little "out of the ordinary" like these suggestions from Cambria of PartyPlansPlus.com: a dessert party with cakes, pastries, cookies, and fruit ("Amp up the celebration factor," and serve with coffee, tea, cocoa, and a couple of dessert wines or liqueurs); or "an ice cream social with several ice cream flavors, frozen yogurt and a sugar-free variety or two along with all of the toppings."

Off premises parties


1. Invite your employees and their "significant others" to your home. At-home holidays parties have a "warm and cozy" feel to them, and can make socializing more comfortable and enjoyable. Holding a party at your home can also be a little easier on the wallet than a restaurant or banquet hall party. Whether you serve brunch, lunch, dinner or cocktails, be sure the quality and taste of the food and drink is superior; this will add considerably to the party experience.

2. Consider going to a restaurant rather than a banquet or catering hall. Luncheons are typically less expensive than dinners. Many restaurants offer a number of party menus to choose from; i.e., lower priced menus featuring less expensive foods such as chicken and pastas, or higher priced menus featuring entrees such as steak and shrimp. Those plans including unlimited wine and beer are also considerably more expensive.


3. If you do choose to go "whole hog," and hold your party at a banquet hall, there are some ways to hold down costs. Parties held on any day but Saturday are generally less expensive. Consider having a "wintertime" party in January when rates may also be cheaper. Do your best to get an accurate head count rather than paying unnecessary additional monies for "no-shows." Foodwise, buffets are usually cheaper than sit-down dinners, or you might want to consider skipping the dinner altogether and just stick to hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Speaking of drinks, think about having a cash bar or giving out a designated number of drink tickets to each guest. Once employees use up their tickets, they'll need to pay for additional drinks themselves.

The holidays should be a festive and fun time, a time of good will and as much generosity as one can muster. With this in mind, reward your employees with a joyful holiday party as a tangible way to express your appreciation for their yearlong efforts.

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

Pittsburgh to host World Environment Day

In the wake of the recent G20 summit hosted in Pittsburgh, PA the United Nations announced Pittsburgh will host World Environment Day scheduled for June 5, 2010. World Environment Day was created by the UN Environment Programme in 1972 to stimulate environmental awareness and action. The theme for 2010 is "Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature".

Pittsburgh based Bayer Corporation played a key role in Pittsburgh's selection as the host city for the event.

Bayer is one of UNEP’s most important global and regional World Environment Day partners. Once again the attention of the world will be on Pittsburgh’s environmental and sustainability progress, particularly in the areas of biodiversity, green jobs and workforce development, and environmental education.

For companies and organizations that wish to showcase their green efforts, it's a tremendous opportunity to do so on the world stage through special events. The planning of those events should begin now and Pierce Events stand ready to assist in those efforts.

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

Tropical Tunes

There is nothing like spending some time on a tropical island. The problem is most of us don't get to experience that quite enough.

Now Pierce Events is offering a way to bring a bit of the tropics to your next event! "Shades of Steel" brings the steel drums sounds of the islands to your party, wedding or corporate event. With solo, duo with guitar, and full emsemble performances, it's perfect entertainment for a back yard party, a unique wedding experience or just entertianing guests.

It Buffet to Bach, and the best part is we are offering great live entertainment that can fit into just about any budget. They are even available for wedding ceremonies.

 Contact Pierce Events for pricing and information and set a course for fun!

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 http://www.pierceevents.net/

                                                                                

Going Chic and Cheap for Halloween

If you are planning a gathering for Halloween, you don't have to go all out with Hollywood sepcial effects and big bucks to make an imprression.

Make your place a bit creepy with spider webs, leaves and white sheets.
Cover your sofas, chairs, dining room table and all other large furniture items with old white sheets. It changes the room and sets the stage.

Head to the dollar store and purchase a few bags of fake cobwebs. String them over artwork, tables, over bookshelves and mirrors. This is your chance to be a bit cheesy and have fun with it.

Gather fall leaves, tumbleweeds and dead (or dried) flowers from outdoors and place them across tables and buffets. It will look like the windows opened and leaves have blown in from outside.

Add candles around the party area to cast an eerie glow. If you have an old candelabra, now is the perfect occasion to break it out. String cobwebs across the candelabra arms (not too close to the candles, or the webs can catch fire) and down the base. Add a few fake spiders to the mix and your ready to go.