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Event planning is a field where experience is as valuable, if not more, than theoretical knowledge. For those aspiring to build a career in this dynamic and multifaceted industry, mentorship and shadowing a seasoned event planner can be a game-changer. In this article, we will explore how mentorship and shadowing can significantly enhance your planning skills and pave the way for a successful career in event planning.
Understanding the Power of Mentorship Gaining Real-World Insights Mentorship offers a unique opportunity to learn from someone who has navigated the complexities of event planning. A mentor can provide real-world insights that are rarely found in textbooks or classrooms. This knowledge is invaluable in understanding the nuances of the industry. Networking Opportunities Mentors often introduce their mentees to a wide network of industry professionals. This exposure can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations, which are crucial for career growth in event planning. Personalized Guidance and Support A mentor provides personalized advice and support tailored to your specific needs and goals. This one-on-one guidance can help you overcome challenges, refine your skills, and develop a clearer career path. The Benefits of Shadowing an Experienced Event Planner Learning by Observation Shadowing allows you to observe a professional at work, providing a firsthand look at how they handle the demands of event planning. This experience is invaluable in understanding the practical aspects of the job, such as time management, client interaction, and crisis management. Hands-On Experience While shadowing, you might get the chance to assist in real tasks, offering a safe environment to apply your knowledge and skills. This hands-on experience is critical in building confidence and competence in the field. Exposure to Different Types of Events Shadowing different planners can expose you to various types of events, from corporate conferences to social gatherings. This diversity in experience can help you identify your niche and broaden your skill set. How to Find a Mentor or Shadowing Opportunity Networking Attend industry events, join professional associations, and participate in online forums. Networking is key to finding potential mentors or planners willing to offer shadowing opportunities. Volunteer Offering to volunteer for events can open opportunities for mentorship and shadowing. It shows your eagerness to learn and contribute, qualities that mentors appreciate. Reach Out Directly Don’t hesitate to reach out directly to event planners you admire. A polite and concise email expressing your interest in learning from them can be effective. Making the Most of Your Mentorship and Shadowing Experience Be Proactive and Curious Ask questions, seek feedback, and take initiative. Show your mentor or the planner you’re shadowing that you’re eager to learn and grow. Reflect and Apply Learning After each experience, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and find ways to apply these insights in your future endeavors. Build Lasting Relationships Nurture the relationships you build during this period. Stay in touch with your mentors and the professionals you meet, as they can be valuable resources throughout your career. Mentorship and shadowing in event planning are more than just learning opportunities; they are pathways to a deeper understanding of the industry and a successful career. By taking advantage of these experiences, you can gain the skills, confidence, and network needed to thrive as an event planner. Remember, every great event planner once stood where you are now - eager to learn and ready to grow. Embrace these opportunities, and watch your career in event planning take off!
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 You received an invitation to a business event. Make sure you are familiar with the event and the associated dress code as your first step. What about subjects pertinent to a work event, though? Should you let yourself go? Setting yourself up for success in your work may depend on your ability to judge what is appropriate at a corporate party. Here's how to act appropriately at the office party.
Be professional while yet having fun. It's important to maintain professionalism while having fun at a work event if you want people to notice how loose you can get there. The objective is to interact with coworkers and clients to foster connections while maintaining mutual respect for all parties; this calls for keeping conversations informal, appropriate, lively, and enjoyable. Unless they organically emerge, focus on current events, business news, sports, or hobbies instead of divisive subjects like politics or religion. Be Courteous Your coworkers and your employer always value being polite at corporate events. This involves refraining from making obscene jokes or offensive remarks about anyone who will be present, even if your circle of friends seems to be okay with it. Remember that what transpires at a professional function reflects on you as an employee and may impact future employment possibilities. Avoid stepping outside of the bounds because nobody wants to be known as "the one who made the joke about..." Know Your Limits Knowing when enough is enough might mean the difference between success and failure inside a company structure, similar to drinking too much wine at a Christmas office party. Stop if you feel uncomfortable discussing anything or engaging in activities that don't feel right for you. Even if other participants appear eager to carry on the conversation, your comfort level is still important. Whenever a conversation or activity makes you feel uneasy, politely withdraw so that you can continue without worrying about the potential for future repercussions. In conclusion, remember your position within the business structure when attending corporate events, whether modest lunches with coworkers or major conferences with clients. You can network without jeopardizing your future with the company by acting professionally, being polite, and having fun at more laid-back events! There's no doubt you'll have a fantastic time at your next business event if you use this practical advice to navigate the world of corporate event etiquette!  When planning and organizing an event, plenty will be on your mind. Instead of struggling to manage everything yourself, you can hire an event production agency that desires to dive deep into your organization's niche to help ensure that the event goes smoothly. But how do you know if you've chosen the right person or event-planning company? Read on to find out what qualities to look for in an event manager.
Attention to Detail Even the tiniest details matter when creating the event you've always dreamed of. Event managers are involved in every planning stage to ensure your event runs successfully. They help secure venues, draft emails, book vendors, develop budgets look after seating arrangements, and more! That's why it is essential to choose an experienced event planning company and event manager who pays close attention to detail. The right event team should be organized, have strong organizational skills, and be able to take the initiative before being asked. This way, they can avoid any potential problems that might arise from overlooking something, such as table numbers to vendors not having proper and adequate communication. Interpersonal Skills An event production agency manages multiple stakeholders, including vendors, sponsors, and staff. As such, the event production agency must have impeccable people skills so that each participant feels heard and respected during their interactions. A good event agency should be able to keep everyone on track and get people excited about contributing towards the success of the event! They should also be well-versed in negotiation tactics to get vendors onboard quickly and efficiently while maintaining a win-win situation for both parties involved. Problem Solving Skills No matter how well-planned or organized your event is, there will always be unexpected issues that may pop up during its execution phase. A good event production agency should have problem-solving skills to address problems swiftly and calmly without losing their cool. They should also be quick on their feet when coming up with solutions or contingency plans to keep things running smoothly despite any unexpected occurrences! By looking for experienced event planning companies with great attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities - you can rest assured knowing our events will run seamlessly from start to finish! With these tips in mind, contact us to learn more!  A wedding toast is a special moment for the couple, their friends, and their family. Whether you are the bride or groom, it's an opportunity to share a heartfelt message about your relationship with everyone attending. However, knowing where to start when writing your toast can be challenging! This blog post will provide helpful tips on crafting the perfect wedding toast that will wow your guests and honors the couple.
When crafting a wedding toast, you must first consider how you know the couple. Are you related to one of them? What is your relationship like? Share a story that reflects your relationship with them to draw people into your toast. For example, if you are close friends with the couple, tell a funny story about how they met or something silly they did together. If you are family members, share an anecdote about what makes them unique and why they complement each other. The next step is to focus on what you appreciate most about each of them. Think about what qualities make them unique as individuals and what makes them work so well together as a couple. This can be anything from their humor and intelligence to their courage and determination—it’s up to you! Make sure to mention both of their names throughout the toast; don't just focus on one person or the other! For extra effect, you can add some lighthearted jokes here; humor always goes down well at weddings! Finally, end your speech by expressing your excitement for their future together. Let them know that no matter what life throws at them, you have faith in their love for one another and in their ability to tackle any challenge that comes their way. Cheers! Crafting a wedding toast can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating! By following these tips and keeping them lighthearted yet meaningful, you'll create a memorable moment for both the bride and groom and those in attendance. So practice ahead of time, keep our tips in mind while writing your speech, and cheers! Toast away!  When planning the perfect wedding, a memorable experience for your guests is a top priority. By no means are we saying people please and create a wedding about other people; however, we are saying that your wedding can be both unique for you and memorable for your guests. Every detail, from the personalized website to the food selections, will leave an impression on your guests. Here are some tips on how to create a truly memorable wedding experience.
Personalize Your Website and Share Your Favorite Things to Do: Creating a personalized website with fun activities and precise details about your big day is one of the simplest ways to show your guests how much thought you’ve put into making their experience special. Plus, it’s free for them to access and explore! Send Welcome Messages: If you know when your guests have arrived, consider sending them welcome messages or even small gifts as a token of appreciation for making the trip out to celebrate with you! It’s these thoughtful touches that will make them feel welcomed and appreciated. P.S. You can schedule these messages in advance. Provide Last-Minute Essentials: Consider setting aside funds for last-minute essentials like snacks, drinks, or toiletries that your guests may need while they stay in town. It’s a nice gesture that shows you care about their comfort during their stay. Inclusive Menu Offerings: Make sure that menu offerings are inclusive of diverse dietary needs by including vegan/vegetarian options or offering gluten-free dishes. One way to seamlessly collect this information is when your guests RSVP on your wedding website. This way, everyone can enjoy delicious meals without worrying about potential food allergies or restrictions. Infuse Personality Into Every Aspect Of The Big Day: Most importantly, infuse unique personality into every aspect of the big day - from decorations and music selection all the way down to small details like place cards and personalized favors! Showcasing your love story through different elements helps create an unforgettable atmosphere for everyone involved on such a momentous occasion! For destination weddings specifically, leaving time for exploration helps create an unforgettable experience for everybody involved in such an important celebration! With these tips in mind, you can ensure that every guest has an enjoyable time at your wedding, no matter where it takes place. So don't be afraid to get creative when planning - this is YOUR special You understand the importance of making an impression and leaving a lasting impact on potential customers. One way to do this is through corporate event activations at large-scale events such as SXSW, AfroTech, ACL, Brand Launches, and more. These activations can help drive brand awareness and recognition in ways traditional advertising simply cannot. Let's take a closer look at how Events Unleashed produces corporate event activations to help your business stand out.
How Corporate Event Activations Increase Brand Awareness The first step in successful brand activation is team alignment on the activation goals. Often, the primary purpose for many of our clients is to increase brand awareness. Corporate event activations effectively get your name out there and show potential customers what sets your product or service apart from the competition. A well-executed corporate event activation will leave attendees with a memorable experience they'll be talking about for months, even years, after the event has ended. For example, if launching a new product at SXSW or another tech convention, consider setting up more immersive experiences where attendees can interact with your product using all five senses. Allow attendees an opportunity to get a feel for what makes your product unique and why they should choose it over competitors' offerings. You can also use the opportunity to hand out sustainable, branded promotional materials to boost brand recognition among attendees. Creating Memorable Experiences Through Corporate Event Activations Another benefit of corporate event activations is that they create memorable experiences for attendees that they won't soon forget. This is especially important in today's crowded marketplace, where it can be difficult to stand out from other brands offering similar products or services. Taking advantage of these types of events to create unique experiences that make an impression on attendees will go a long way toward helping you stand out from the competition. For instance, if you're thinking about activating your brand at SXSW, AfroTech, or other major tech events in Austin, consider incorporating measurable ROI to your freebies, i.e., "Tap, Like, and Share" for free full-size products. During SXSW with our client, Shea Moisture, this approach increased IG followers by 25%, landed as the #1 trending tag on Twitter, and increased product usage in tracked associated locations. Corporate event activations are invaluable for increasing brand awareness and creating positive experiences for potential customers at large-scale events such as SXSW, AfroTech, ACL, Launch Parties, and more. By taking advantage of these events to craft creative experiences tailored to each audience, you can ensure that prospective customers walk away with a lasting impression of your business and its unique offerings—and that's something no traditional advertising campaign can deliver! With Events Unleashed on your side, you have all the resources necessary to deliver powerful corporate event activations that help put your business on top! Contact us to learn more!  Every company has different needs when it comes to hosting a corporate event. From the food, to the logistics , to the entertainment, to the venue—there’s a lot to consider. That’s why it’s best to leave your next corporate event in the hands of a professional event planner. Here are a few reasons why you should hire an event planner for your next corporate gathering.
Time Savings One of the biggest benefits of hiring an event planner is that they can save you time. Planning an event takes time and energy and can be overwhelming if you don’t have experience doing it. An event planner will be able to take this burden off your shoulders by finding vendors and locations, handling contracts and budgeting, and providing insight into trends in the industry that may help make your event even more successful. Cost Savings Hiring an experienced event planner can also save you money in the long run. A good event planner knows how to stretch budgets so that no detail is overlooked but nothing is wasted either. They will be able to shop around for the best deals on vendors and services that fit within your budget and ensure that everything runs smoothly during the actual day of your corporate gathering. Insider Knowledge An experienced event planner also has insider knowledge about venues, catering companies, entertainment options, etc., which means they can provide you with suggestions based on their past experiences working with these vendors. This knowledge can help make sure that all of your requirements are met while still staying within budget. They also have access to resources such as decorating services or equipment rentals that may not be available through other channels. Hiring a professional event planner is a great way to make sure all aspects of your next corporate gathering are taken care of without having to spend countless hours researching vendors or worrying about budgeting issues. An experienced event planner has insider knowledge about venues, catering companies, entertainment options, etc., which makes them invaluable when it comes to planning any kind of corporate gathering or special occasion. By leaving this job in the hands of a professional you can rest assured knowing that all details—big or small—are taken care of so you can focus on what matters most: making sure everyone enjoys themselves! We would be delighted to support you for your next corporate event! Contact us today to learn more.  Checkout this great article from REDFIN with great insights on beautiful places to take pictures in Austin! Our addition to this article is the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. The Umlauf is a notable green space that features work by artist Charles Umlauf.
“There are many things to do in Austin, but if you’re looking for a hidden gem in plain sight with picturesque moments, beautiful landscape, peaceful tranquility, and art history, visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Centered around the American sculptor Charles Umlauf’s work are endless possibilities to explore.” Click here to discover more great places for your next photoshoot! 
When it comes to the big day, all eyes are on your beauty. A bride deserves soft curves and radiant skin in their wedding photos. How much time should be allotted for hair/makeup: Let's take a quick moment - Bride should be allocated:
90 Minutes for Hair and Makeup Have you heard the saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" This rings especially true when it comes to getting ready for your wedding. Most brides have wished that they had more time before their big day. We haven't had a single bride complain about being ready early, not a single one but I have had many of brides complain about the wedding starting late, missing out on dancing during the reception, first look, personal photos, sunset photos, and just moments in general. Trust us, it can feel like too much time but consider a traditional salon experience, your stylist has all her tools setup at her disposal and access to everything that she could need or she can ask her counterpart for something quick but on your wedding day, they are often traveling with alot of tools and doing their very best. Plus the salon doesn't have 5 of your besties all chatting, drinking, and talking all at once. There is so much to take in. Not only are these things happening around you but your stylist and makeup artist who may have only one interaction with you might find that you want some changes made to your hair or some adjustments to your original look, like tell me you had your makeup trial and didn't go into a dark hole on Instagram for other looks? Guilty? Be ready 2 hours before the wedding ceremony start time. Does being done with hair and makeup 2 hours before your wedding sound insane? Well, let's break down what you may still need to do after you are done with hair and makeup:
Brides should (almost) NEVER go last for hair and makeup on your wedding day. For the love.... please just look at the list above. Your maid of honor, bridesmaid, mother, sister, auntie, great cousin, niece, or whomever you have in your mind is not thinking of the million things swirling in a bride's head on their wedding day. Even if they are conscious of the timeline and love you to the moon and back, they will still have time to get finished without missing out on moments. The bride should (almost) never be last in the chair unless there's a situation where the vendor has to leave early to get things done and it still leaves us two full hours of being fully complete and ready to go for the wedding day. You know what they say, "The bride is always on time but the makeup and hair never are." So when it comes to your big day? Make sure you're giving yourself enough prep time by starting early! What if you're antsy in the waiting?
What if you don't have the kind of time needed to allocate the recommendations for a bride's hair and makeup timeline?
 Few people have a knack for more than one talent. One of those special few is Beth Richard, founder of Austin-based Exquisite Petals, a floral company specializing in weddings and corporate events. Before she was a small business owner, Beth was a waitress who sang, played music, and so much more. Originally coming to Austin with her now ex-husband to pursue music full-time and be a rockstar (yes, a rockstar), Beth quickly pivoted to a new passion: Flowers. We sat down with Beth to learn more about her journey. Check out our conversation. Events Unleashed: What was your first job like? Beth: The funny thing is that I applied to a bunch of different florists and couldn’t get a job because I had no experience. I just started doing it on my own and that’s when I landed the Sullivan’s Steakhouse account and from there I also landed the Austonian and was able to do a party for the Circuit of Americas. From that I landed being the Circuit of Americas exclusive florist for 4 years of all their races. I moved into doing more weddings and corporate events. It was a very organic way of developing my business. If I didn't have vases or I didn’t have something, I’d buy it for that specific event. Events Unleashed: How has your life changed since starting Exquisite Petals? Beth: Thankfully, I was able to build up my arsenal, create jobs for people and be a stay at home mom. My studio is behind my house so I was able to raise my kids and that was basically the story and evolution. With COVID we haven’t been able to do our corporate events. However, we have gotten inundated with tons of weddings so that’s where we are with that. Events Unleashed: You mentioned that you wanted to do music when you came to Austin. Did you play in a band before transitioning to flowers full-time? What was that journey like? Beth: I still play music. I put out a record last year and did a new recording. (Check out a link to Beth’s HearNow page below!) I came here in a van with my now ex-husband and we played everywhere. Any bar you can name, we played at it. Our music was played on television and movies, and we were able to tour. We were living among the monks. So we wanted to be able to go on vacation, send kids to camp, all the things, put the money in the bank for college. Events Unleashed: When a client gets to your studio, what advice would you share with newlyweds who are coming into a consultation? Beth: It’s best if you come in with your color palettes. I like to do custom design for each wedding. People ask me “can you send pricing with your packages?” I’ve never had packages because never the same. One person may want it super clean and elegant and hanging crystals. Someone else might want the Bohemian. My main thing is a romantic garden. I love lush blooms, asymmetric. I’ll do whatever people want because when you show up it should look like you. If people come in with a few pictures and a Pinterest link, it’s always helpful. What their favorite of everything is.  Just asking a few questions to accommodate wedding guests is very helpful. That way I know what color. I want to get to know your vibe, budget and personal style. What you want people to feel when they enter your room and your ceremony. Events Unleashed: Wonderful. I know you have a passion for creating designs. Can you share a wedding or installation or anything that stands out to you? Beth: There’s this one with Melissa and Tanner. They were planning to get married in Hawaii. But let me backup a little: I had a bunch of extra flowers leftover at a wedding. I texted my neighbors: “Hey, I have some flowers from a wedding, pick them up from my front lawn if you’d like.” Later, I saw these people walking by and I gave them flowers too. A month later, Lahoma reached out to me about a wedding that’s coming up and she said they were getting married in Hawaii and it’s a last minute COVID wedding. They only have eight people but want it to be stunning. We set up a call and Tanner, the groom, goes: “Do you by any chance live on James Fifth Avenue? You gave us flowers a month ago.” They were an incredible couple and they wanted people to be able to see over the table.
We did a tablescape that went all the way down the table with lush flowers. We tried to include orchids because of Hawaii. It was at the Woodbine Mansion. They had these white posts on the back porch and we made it look like vines growing out. Even though it was a small wedding, there were a ton of flowers.
I saw them around the neighborhood and they sent me thank you notes. It was wonderful and a feel-good celebration. We love working with Beth and listening to her music, too. Check out her work on HearNow. For a stunning wedding like Tanner and Melissa’s, contact us today for your happily ever after. |
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