 Feel lost at home with not much to do? Craving some romantic time with your partner? The new stay at home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic have turned normal life upside down. Having a date night at home be refreshing and be a nice change from the new everyday norms. Below we are sharing 7 of our favorite date night ideas to bring you and your partner closer and have a great time, at home!  1. Movie Night Pop the popcorn and rent a movie for the night. Turn your phones off as you would in a movie theater and really embrace the moment with just you two.  2. Dinner for Two Order carryout or delivery from one your favorite local restaurants. Set the scene by lighting some candles and pairing your meal with some wine.  3. Couples Yoga Youtube has tons of great yoga videos, Yoga with Adriene is a personal favorite. This is a great way to relax and bond with your partner.  4. Paint n Sip Paint n Sip companies like Pinot's Palette and Painting with a Twist are now offering virtual paint n sip classes. Head to your local Walmart and grab some paint supplies and wine, and you're on your way to having a great date night!  5. Cooking Together Choose a yummy recipe that you both would like to learn to make. Cook the meal together and enjoy it afterwards. You can opt to decorate the table with candles and flowers to set the mood!  6. At Home Salsa Lessons Youtube has tons of free salsa lessons. This is a fun way to try something new and spice things up with your partner!  7. Relaxing "Spa" Day Grab some relaxing spa goodies on your next trip to the grocery store. Offer each other couples massages, do some face masks, and soak in a tub full of bubbles! Maybe even a mimosa or two?!  Remember, we're all in this together. We'll get back to our fancy dinners and normal dates soon enough. We hope you enjoy these ideas in the meantime!
Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #engaged #weddingplanning #datenights #couplesdatenight #datesathome #datenightathome #dateideas #covid19 #stayinghome Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. All photos used in this post are from Canva.com.
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 Image: Paige Vaughn Photo It can be tricky to know what the first steps are when it comes to planning a wedding. There are many places you can start and a lot of resources you can look into, but let's be honest... it can be very overwhelming. Events Unleashed likes to start with our 10 questions for getting to know our client's and their wedding value. The following questions are a great baseline for getting to know your couple and understanding their overall wedding goals and values. If you are a bride or groom-to-be reading this post, welcome! These questions are a great start for planners and couples. #1: Tell me about you and your fiancé. How did you guys meet, strengths, things you like about each other? Getting to know your couple and their story not only creates a more personal relationship, but gives you more insight to their goals and vision for their big day. #2: What brings you to us and why do you find it valuable to have a planner in your corner? This question allows you to gain insight on how you're acquiring potential clients, and in return allows you to provide more insight about the value you can bring as a planner to the potential client. #3: What aspects of your event are most important to you (food, entertainment, timely start, attendance)? Every couple is unique with what aspects of the wedding are most important to them. Finding out which are most important to each couple allows you to prioritize when creating the budget. #5: What are some of your current concerns related to your event and why? Finding out your couples concerns allows you to talk them through the concern and help with a preliminary solution and/or suggestion. This allows you to show value upfront, while providing your potential clients some peace of mind. #6: Who is going to be the best point of contact for the services? Establishing the point-of-contact upfront allows for better follow-ups and communication. #7: What are some areas you feel you need expertise in? Get to know the areas where your client feels like they need your help. This allows you to learn their expectations, learn what level of service they need from you, and establish a baseline for services. #8: What is your budget and how have you allocated spending thus far? It's important to understand your client's budget and what they have spent thus far. This will affect how budget management will go moving forward. #9: What vendors are currently on your radar and why (cake, photography, venue)? Asking this question allows you to learn what vendors your client is interested in and what vendors they may need your help in learning about/acquiring. #10: What would it take for us to earn your business? Establish open communication to learn exactly what the client is looking for and how you can be a part of their dream day.  Image: Elkk Photography We hope our 10 questions for getting to know your client's and their wedding value helps you create better relationships, gain more insight, and plan more beautiful weddings.
Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #engaged #weddingplanning #florist #weddingplanneradvice #adviceforplanners #adviceforweddingplanners #adviceforengagedcouples #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Planning a wedding can be stressful... but planning your day-of timeline can be even crazier! Planning a day down the exact minute can be time-consuming and intimidating, but don't worry— Events Unleashed has your back. We're sharing our top tips on how to craft the perfect wedding day timeline! Be sure to download our FREE step by step guide on crafting your wedding day timeline at the end of this post.  Christina Carroll Photography Tips for Crafting Wedding Day Timelines 1. Start from scratch. It may be tempting to download a blank template and fill in the blanks, but we recommend starting from scratch. Although sample templates are great to work from, every wedding has unique logistics. The last thing you want is to fill in a template that doesn't have a space for a special moment you wanted to incorporate— this can lead to having to restart or shift your timeline you've been working hard on, or forgetting to include the moment all together. 2. Remember to include the whole day. Sometimes we get so excited about laying out the details for the ceremony and reception, that we forget to include important times for the vendors such as your photographer and hair and makeup artists. 3. Decide on if you want to have a First Look. First looks are a sweet intimate moment with you and your partner before the start of the ceremony. The photographer is present to capture all the feels. If you prefer to have you walking down the aisle being the first time you see your partner, this will create a different flow in your wedding timeline. Most couple portraits can be done during the first look if a couple chooses to partake in one. If they opt out of a first look, all portraits need to be taken after the ceremony, during cocktail hour.  Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together!
#austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #engaged #weddingplanning #bridetobe #adviceforengagedcouples #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Lisa + Alex's beautiful wedding took place at St. Austin's & South Congress Hotel. The light & airy feel, unique centerpieces, and gorgeous florals made this day a dream. Take a look below at the photos taken by Paige Vaughn Photo for some major inspiration.              Coordinator: Events Unleashed
Photographer: Paige Vaughn Photo Ceremony: St. Austin Reception & Cake: South Congress Hotel HMUA: LoLa Beauty ATX Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #engaged #weddingplanning #florist #weddingflorist #bridetobe #adviceforengagedcouples #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. The Coronavirus has done a lot of damage but there is some good that we can attribute the our current situation, specifically innovation. As a successful non-profit event planner in Austin, Texas it is imperative that in a tech city that virtual events meet tech. Below are 4 key things that you should know to setup a successful virtual event. 1. Not all platforms are created equal. The exist but a SWOT analysis is necessary for you to ensure that you are on the right platform for your audience. A quick and dirtly list of great plaforms to consider are:
2. A live event is not an online event and should be treated as such! A live event should be at or less than 30 minutes. The following graphic outlines an example event flow.  3. Is this thing on? The best thing you to do is test, test, and test again. If your audience cannot hear the brilliant live event that you planned it would be a real bummer! Consider investing in high-quality sound and even higher quality camera/video.
4. Engagement is critical. Comments in live events should be expected and having a clear communication strategy is key to leveraging the opportunity to develop even more raving fans! Plus, there are tools out there that allow organizations maximize donations during the live event! If you are looking to get assistance or find the right tool for a virtual event, we would love to chat about your unique online experience. Contact us by email at info@eventsunleashed.com, we are here to help! It is so fitting in this time that we band together to share great information when we come across it. We all know that we need to communicate and stay top of mind but to whom and when? The blog post below outlines some key tips that you can implement in your non-profit organization today!  As is the case during any situation, the more you segment your communications for specific audiences, the more likely those communications are to resonate with the recipient. Now, however, is a critical time to take inventory of your most valuable supporters (can’t lose people) and reach out contextually. The following list of 10 supporter segments should be your top priority. What you say to these folks doesn’t have to look wildly different. Pick up the phone, break out the stationary, or fire up your personal email. Say thanks, recognize the type of supporter that they are/their past support, and remind them you’re still here and that you’re still providing services that are invaluable (or will resume doing so soon). But most importantly, check in to see how they are doing. Here’s the list: 1. Top 80% of your funding (probably <20% of your donors) – Following the Pareto Principle, a majority of your funding is likely coming from a small, select group of donors. This is the only segment where gift amount comes into play. 2. “Long-term-loyals” (3-5+ years of giving) – According to Jerry Panas, these are the donors most likely to leave you a bequest later in life, regardless of their age, wealth and giving amount right now. 3. Monthly donors – With household budgets about to tighten, it’s possible that monthly expenses will start to go on the chopping block. Support for your org won’t be if you have checked in to say how much they’re appreciated. Do it now before the economy worsens. 4. Longtime corporate sponsors – Some of these folks may be especially hurting right now. Check in to see how they are doing. Perhaps have a board member or the head or your org reach out to their owner or CEO. 5. P2P fundraisers – Not, P2P donors. P2p fundraisers, the folks that in the past have gone out and done Facebook birthday fundraisers or ran a 5k for you. You might be leaning on them very soon to raise money for you again on social media. 6. Those who actively engage with you on social media – These are ideal, future P2P fundraisers, as well as those who can spread the word more broadly when you might need it. Start keeping track of who is and has in the past liked, commented and shared your posts. 7. Volunteers/members who have not donated – With in-person volunteerism likely prohibited, perhaps monetary support can be a replacement for volunteer hours. Members or direct service recipients (think YMCA) who cannot come on-site for classes, workouts, etc. may be willing to donate above their membership fees to keep the facility afloat. 8. Those with scheduled pledges – Similar to monthly donors, this is expected revenue that you don’t want to miss. 9. Board members – Do you have 100% board giving? Now is the time to ask if you’ve been avoiding the issue. Get them involved in calling, emailing or writing the other nine groups in this list. Messages coming from board members will have just as much if not higher significance than your staff. 10. New donors within 90 days (this should include Giving Tuesday and Year-End donors) – These are the donors at most risk of lapsing (other than P2P and Memorial/Tribute donors). Retention rates here are around 20%, and your window to retain them is already closing. Research shows that the faster you thank a new donor, the better:
“I could always expand giving a little, but I try to hold back in case there is a major need at one of the organizations I support. I always like to have a little in reserve in case a special need comes along.” “There were two instances this year where I made gifts over and above what I had intended and they both involved personal contact from someone in the development office (director or gifts officer). Being thanked for my previous gift was much more persuasive than receiving multiple emails and direct mail letters.” Many of these segments will include small donors. They are now more important than ever! SOURCE: https://bloomerang.co/blog/10-important-donor-types-to-communicate-to-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
 Cassie Ventura & Alex Fine's Intimate Reception According to Wedding Wire's 2019 NewlyWed Report, the average couple spends $38,700 for their wedding ceremony and reception, rings, and honeymoon. With the ever-so-increasing cost of having a wedding, some couples are opting to micro-weddings. Micro-weddings are a way to simplify planning and decrease costs while still having the pinterest and instagram-worthy wedding of your dreams. Intimacy Planning a wedding can be stressful when it comes to not only how many people to invite but who. When you only include immediate family and your closest friends, your ceremony and reception will be filled with intimate, close-knit love and support. Personalization Having a guest list of 20 vs 120 allows for more freedom and choice when it comes to your wedding day. When catering to a smaller guest count, you may have the room to splurge on those smaller details that you wouldn't have been able to before. Budget Nowadays it's less common to have parent's cover all or even half of the wedding costs. With student loans and demanding jobs, a sure way to keep a small wedding budget is by decreasing the guest count. Simplicity Not having to keep track of 150 RSVP responses never hurt nobody, right?! A tiny guest count makes daunting wedding planning tasks more simple. Less Stress By making things more simple, having more freedom to personalize your day, having your closest friends and family by your side, and spending less money, you can make for a less stressful, more joyous day.  Intimate Ceremony Inspiration from Ruffled And remember, having a smaller wedding doesn't mean that your wedding can't be just as fun!
Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #engaged #weddingplanning #florist #weddingflorist #bridetobe #adviceforengagedcouples #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed.  Photo by Agung Pandit Wiguna from Pexels There's something so specifically daunting about flowers, isn't there? First off, there are just so many. There's tulips, lilies, buttercups, daisies, and roses. There's daffodils, hydrangeas, marigolds, mirabilis, orchids, pincushion flowers, and that's just the start. That might explain why so many couples find themselves intimidated when it comes to meeting with wedding day florists. Not only are there so many options, but the combinations are literally infinite. Stress no more. from initial research, to outreach, to sealing the deal, here's how to tackle your wedding day's floral needs. Brainstorm and budget It happens more often than we'd like to admit. A client books a consultation with a florist, makes the drive across town in traffic, sits down at the florist's shop, and has absolutely nothing prepared. No budget in mind, no inspiration images on hand, no nothing nowhere. These kinds of meetings get frustrating for both parties pretty quickly. For those of us non-designer types, picturing what we want our wedding day to look like is hard enough; communicating it in a clear manner is even harder. Since wedding day floral comprises so many different combinations of styles, colors, textures, and a whole bouquet of other variables, it's helpful to gather concrete examples of what you want before you sit down for your first floral consultation. Thankfully we live in an age where doing just that is as easy as a simple Google search. Luckier still, we live in an age where people post everything online, including their wedding photos. Take advantage of that. Jump on sites like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for inspiration, and save everything that you like. It's also really helpful to think about the things you don't like as things to potentially avoid. As you build your inspiration collection, some questions you can ask yourself to get the ball rolling include:
What kinds of floral arrangements are you looking for? Wild? Natural? Classic? Modern?
Research florists You've settled on a style and feel confident you have a good amount of inspiration to share. You're finally ready to start reaching out to florists. Now how do you find them? Start by reaching out to any newly weds in your life, especially if their wedding flowers had an impact on you. Chances are they will have someone to refer. Google may have come to our rescue in the last step, but not here. If you Google "wedding florist," you'll be inundated with national chains with an often impersonal quality. Instead, sites like Wedding Wire, The Knot, and Here Comes the Guide are chalk full of region-specific listings of professional florists. These listings usually come with reviews and photos, which make your vetting process even easier. Reach out to the florists that meet all your criteria and be honest about your budget. Some things to consider while you gather those initial quotes: Have they worked with your venue before? Seeing examples of what they've done previously to transform the space can help turn a creative spark into a flower frenzy. Will they provide setup and drop off services? Usually you'll pay more for these services, but it's hard to put a price on peace of mind. What other services do they provide on top of floral? This one definitely varies by florist. While some simply provide flowers and decor, several florists also function as full service event designers who handle everything from furniture to centerpieces. What is their collaborative process with clients like? Again, every florist works a little differently. Some may be willing to collaborate on an inspiration board, while others would rather take the creative lead. It's important you find a florist whose creative process gels with your own. Request a proposal It took a few tries, but you finally met someone who gets it, someone who knows your budget and can confidently execute your vision, or at least work with you to pull off something close. Now you're ready to lock them in. What do you do? It's time to ask your florist-to-be for a proposal. When you finally sign that proposal, it will act as a contract between you and the florist. Before you sign, it acts as an exact record of everything necessary for your wedding day arrangements. A proposal should include the following:
Negotiate, remove, and remedy Just because your proposal has been delivered, it's not time to relax just yet. If you find your proposal doesn't quite meet your budget, feel free to work with your florist to find cost-effective alternatives. Using your proposal as a guideline, try and answer these questions:
Digging deep into your proposal can help you refine your floral needs into something more in line with your budget without compromising the look, feel, or flow of your wedding day. Just remember that "compromise" is the key word here. The end result should be a vision you can be proud of, with no big surprises. Just you and your favorite blooms and blossoms.  Photo by Lina Kivaka from Pexels Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together!
#austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #engaged #weddingplanning #florist #weddingflorist #bridetobe #adviceforengagedcouples #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Des Delgadillo for Events Unleashed.  Image courtesy of Daniel T. Davis Photography Engagement Sessions. They're so important for many different reasons. Keep reading for our top reasons why engagement shoots matter and are so worth it! 1. The chance to get familiar with your wedding photographer. You’ve seen and admired your wedding photographer's work. Now get a chance to know the person behind the photos. Having a little practice session to get to know each other better (you get to see how your photographer works and they get a chance to learn more about what exactly you like) will guarantee your photos turn out amazing! 2. Practice makes perfect. Posing in front of a professional camera is not the norm for many of us. If you're not used to being in front of the camera, this is the perfect time for you to get familiar with posing and how to act "natural" in front of it. 3. You'll have nice, professional photos of you and your partner. You can use these photos leading up to, during, and after the wedding. You can include these photos in your save the dates/invitation suites, as part of your wedding decor, and to have some nice non-wedding photos of you and your partner to hang around the house or post online. 4. A sneak peak at how your wedding photos will turn out. It's no secret that wedding photography can be a big investment. Receiving your professional photos back from your photographer before the wedding is a great way to ease your mind by giving you a better idea of how your wedding photos will turn out. 5. Memories of your engagement. The time you're engaged is very special. You and your partner have made a commitment to each other to move towards marriage. Capturing photos during this time make for great memories to look back on. 6. Make it a fun date. Since getting professional photos taken isn't an everyday thing, bask in the moment and make your engagement session a fun date. Fully immerse yourself in the moment and enjoy the time together. You'll probably be hungry afterwards, so finish off the date by grabbing a bite to eat!  Photo courtesy of Jackson Wedding Studios No matter the reason you chose to move ahead with booking your engagement session, we promise you won't regret it!
Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #weddingchecklist #weddingpackinglist #weddingdaychecklist #weddingplanningtips #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice #engagementshoot #engaged #engagementsession #engagementphotos Post written by Kaley M. for Events Unleashed. Marriage is a two way street, so why not cross it together? Fellas, what do you envision when you hear the word "wedding planning?"
Guess what? You might be right on the money. Which means when the time comes to plan your own wedding, you need to be just as involved in the planning process as your bride-to-be. Remember, simply being present is not enough. Wedding planning is an all-consuming process that demands maturity and communication. Help your missus by pinning down your share of the planning and you won't just be telling her you love her; you'll be showing it. It's still nice to tell her, though. This is not the definitive list by any means. Every couple is different and you should always check in with your partner. but based on the numerous couples we have worked with over the years, here is a handy list of some of the ways guys can support their brides during the lead up to the biggest day of your lives.  Photo by Jasmine Wallace Carter from Pexels Over-communicate When she says "I do," the real work begins. At the beginning, a wedding can seem very daunting to plan. It's a blank canvas, ready for you and your bride to showcase the things that make your love special. To put it simply, it's a lot. We won't sugar coat it. This is a prime time for arguing. With so many different kinds of wedding themes, vendors, contracts, not to mention smaller details like entertainment, song selections, all the way to the style of your champagne flutes and table cloths, it may feel like too many things to agree on. It's normal. Some tips for remaining supportive as part of the process:
Guest wrangling The bain of most newly-weds-to-be, getting an initial guestlist together can make a crazy person out of the best of us. Paring it down to something manageable can be even more vexing. But once the invitations are sent out, the job is far from done. It's generally a good idea to divide guestlist upkeep so each of you manage your own side of the family. So track down any missing RSVP's, dinner orders, or any other kind of important details of your guests' experience. You should also be on top of the family drama that sometimes comes out of these preparations. Every family is different, but some issues may include:
Style your own wedding day look It might sometimes seem like your bride is putting way too much effort into her wedding day look. Keep in mind how important this day is for her, and that ultimately all the beautifying, buffing, hair styling and everything else is to look good for this incredible day. Show her you understand by taking some of the weight off her shoulders. Beyond simply being there for her to offer words of encouragement, take the initiative and work out your own wedding day ensemble. Schedule your suit fittings and stay on top of those appointments. If dieting is something you need to do, then do it. Lastly, most men will overlook the all-important haircut. If procrastinating is in your nature, give nature the boot this time. You should get your haircut no less than two weeks before your wedding day. This is recommended so that your trim has time to grow out if it's too close. Dancing Lots of couples include a highly choreographed dance number as part of their wedding reception. Choreography takes a long time to learn, time you'll be spending in classes with strangers -- strangers who are going to be watching you learn to dance. We get it. Learning something new is always a bit uncomfortable at first. Couple that with the precision you need to pull off solid choreography and the uncomfortable factor goes up considerably. But even if you have no dance moves in your repertoire, putting your best foot forward goes a long way to showing your lady how much this means to you. A positive attitude, communication, and a lot of practice are key to a strong marriage, but they're also key to an unforgettable dance routine. Write your vows far in advance Procrastinators take note. Writing your vows might seem like the easiest part of the process. Or maybe you're not a writer and you're stuck on what you want to say. Regardless of your writing expertise, your vows should be written out far in advance. All the best writers say that writing is only the beginning. Real writing happens during the re-writing stage, so be sure to have your vows ready. You can also share them with a close friend for some valuable feedback. The end result should be something from the heart. Coordinate gifts for your groomsmen and bride Remember that through all of the wedding planning process, your boys have your back. Show your best man and the rest of your groomsmen how much you appreciate their support with some groovy gifts. Traditionally these gifts include some kind of top shelf liquor, but nobody knows your crew quite like you. Don't forget to also have a wedding gift on hand for your bride. Something like champagne and a cute love note can do the trick. The honeymoon Sometimes couples enjoy planning things together, but use the honeymoon as a chance to plan little surprises for her. It's a good way to start the marriage on the best foot. Tradition dictates that the groom plan the honeymoon, but in 2020, tradition is only part of the larger whole. You may find that planning a honeymoon works better together. Whatever the case, be prepared to do most of the coordinating for this on your own. Even if your bride wants to be involved, try to pepper in a few nice surprises for her once you reach your destination. There's no better way to make her feel loved. Except maybe... Let her know you love her With stress running wild, little shows of affection do wonders. Leave little love notes for your bride, or even some little gifts if they fit in your budget. Just make sure she knows that every step of the way, you've got this. Be sure to check back for more planning tips & advice and follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date with our recent events and inspo. Let’s Unleash Together! #austinweddingplanner #austinluxuryevents #austineventplanner #austinwedding #multiculturalweddingplanner #austintexasweddings #eventsunleashed #newlywedadvice #supportingyourbride #marriageadvice #engagementadvice #bridetobe #groomtobe #adviceforcouples #adviceforengagedcouples #weddingplanningadvice #weddingplanning #weddingtipsandadvice Post written by Des Delgadillo for Events Unleashed. |
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