A Special Thank You

Inspired by Liene Stevens of Splendid Communications and her blog post on "The Day Martha Stewart Emailed" as well as Leila Khalil of Be Inspired PR and her post on "Being Grateful Gives Back", I decided to put together a list of those special people who have inspired me and helped make Green Orchid Events what it is today.  This is what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving (well, and all year round of course!). First and foremost - All my wonderful clients who have put their trust in me.

Andrea Eppolito, Director of Special Events & Catering for Sushi Roku & BOA Steakhouse at the Forum Shops.  I contacted Andrea a few years ago inquiring about a position.   While she did not have a position available (only an internship), she asked me to come in and we chatted and talked about my goals and so also revised my resume.   She seems to always be rooting for me.  She has been a great mentor to me. While she may not have realized it, she gave me the confidence to continue on in the event industry when I was losing hope and helped me land a job at Wynn Las Vegas. From there, she has continued to cheer me on as I started my own event planning business!

Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge for your friendship and continuing support.

Christie McCoy of CLM Weddings. I've learned so much from you.  Thank you for allowing me to be an intern for all of your great weddings you have planned!  It's fun looking at your portfolio from a few year's ago and being able to say, "I was there!"

Angelica McDonnell for your loyalty and dedication to the company. Angelica has been my assistant at every wedding since last summer.  She is a Wedding Day Coordinator and continues to learn with me everyday!

All of the fabulous interns who have assisted me on the weddings the last two years!

Coordinators' Corner

UNLV and TISOH (The International School of Hospitality)

NACE (National Association of Catering Executives)

Photographers who have happily sent me photos from our weddings together. Without you, I would have no portfolio to show to potential future clients.

• Alt F
• Chelsea Nicole
• Denise Hoogland
• Digs Studio
• Elegant Images
• Imagine Photography
• Images by Ingrid
• Sheer Elegance Photography
• Studio 563 (from Texas)

Videographers/Cinematographers

• Memory Lane Video
• Lighten Films
• Digs Studio

Liene Stevens - The Smart Planner and Splendid Communications - I've learned so much from your blog and I'm so happy we were able to meet in Las Vegas at the Blogging Bootcamp!

Andy Ebon of the Wedding Marketing Blog

All the floral designers, makeup artists, hair stylists, entertainers, cake bakers, and venues that I've had the pleasure of working with on all the lovely weddings!

My husband for pushing me to start my own business.  My sister, family, and friends for putting up with my insane schedule.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  I'm not up for a Grammy or an Oscar...but I sincerely hope I haven't missed anyone...

So what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Preferred Vendor Lists

Back in March of 2008, Liene from Blue Orchid Designs discussed some dirty wedding secrets of kickbacks and commissions.  It prompted me to discuss how I put together my own preferred vendor list for my company. Like all wedding consultants, we have a list of preferred vendors for our clients.  However, for wedding consultants, our list works a little differently than a venue's preferred vendor list.  We have to "qualify" both our clients and vendors when planning weddings and referring.  Not every photographer is going to work for every wedding, for example.  And, I don't refer vendors based on my friendship with them either.

Also, we do not simply hand over a list to our clients.  So when a wedding professional such as a photographer or florist hands me a stack of their business cards, I usually have to refuse them.  If I handed out business cards, I wouldn't be doing my job for my clients - helping them plan their wedding!

Here are the requirements to get on my preferred vendor list:

In most cases, I don't refer wedding vendors that I have never worked with before in some capacity.  However, if it is a vendor with a long standing reputation, I will refer them after I've built some sort of relationship with them.  I may also get some references from other wedding planners if I am interested in working with someone new.

I've been offered payment in exchange for being added to my "list" and I've always declined. In the past, they have always been wedding vendors that I've never worked with before.  I have to decline because:

(a) it's unethical

(b) I've never seen their work or seen them in action

(c) I wouldn't be able to sleep at night

All venues also have a preferred vendor list. As stated by Liene, about 90% of these lists are "paid lists".   It's deceiving and sad because most brides and grooms don't realize this and will trust their venue almost completely.  This is not to say that these vendors do not qualify for the job or that the venues have not qualified these vendors. I've known great wedding professionals who pay to get on these lists but it's the bride and groom's right to still understand how they are getting on these lists. When looking at your preferred vendor list from your wedding reception site, don't be afraid to ask your catering manager if it is a paid list!

Happy planning!

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website * Email: juliet@greenorchidevents.com

Traditional Afternoon Tea at Petrossian Lounge in Bellagio!

Photo courtesy of bellagio.com

Tomorrow is our "Wedding Professionals Afternoon Tea" event!  I'm so excited! At 2:00 pm, about 9 of us will be enjoying afternoon tea service at the Petrossian Lounge at the Bellagio.  I knew I picked the right place when half of the responses were, "I didn't know Bellagio served afternoon tea!".  I am so looking forward to hot tea, sandwiches, scones, and wonderful conversations with fellow wedding professionals.

I'm hoping to make this into a quarterly event and judging by the responses, I know that we'll probably double the guest count the next time.