5 Sweet Summer Libations To Try Today!

Summer is here which means eternal bliss. Okay, not really eternal but almost close when a glass of mint julep is at hand. It gets only better with good friends and family. So here’s five sweet refreshing libations to serve at your next garden soiree.

 

1) Summer Mint Julep

1 tablespoon of minted simple syrup

2 oz bourbon

4 large sprig mints

Crushed Ice

A can of club soda

•  In a small bowl, dissolve 1/2 cup sugar in 1/2 cup of boiling water. Slowly mix in 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves. Once done, cover and chill for at least 4 hours before straining. Throw mint leaves and keep syrup in refrigerator.
•  In a shaker, mix crushed ice, freshly made simple syrup and bourban. Shake well.
•  Pour drink into glass 3/4 full. Pour club soda till bubbly.
• Garnish with mint. Voila!

2) Pineapple Berry Sunrise

2 oz Ciroc Red Berry

4 oz Pineapple Juice

Crushed Ice

Grenadine Rose Syrup

• In a shaker, mix crushed ice, pineapple juice and Red Berry Ciroc.
• Pour drink into glass.
• Mix a splash of grenadine rose syrup.

3) Tropical Witches Brew

2 oz Orange juice

2 oz Cranberry juice

2 oz Pineapple juice

2 oz Coconut Rum

A slice of pineapple to garnish

• In a shaker, mix coconut rum, pineapple, cranberry, and orange juice over ice.
• Pour drink into a cold tall glass.
• Garnish with a slice of pineapple, if desired.

4) The Adult Cucumber Lemonade

1 oz Cucumber Vodka

1 oz Gin

4 oz Lemonade

• Pour cucumber vodka and gin over ice.
• Mix drink with your favorite lemonade.
• Garnish with a slice of cucumber or lemon, if decide.

5) Bubbly Melon Martini

2 oz Midori

2 oz Vodka

1 oz Champagne

• Shake midori and vodka in a shaker.
• Pour drink in a martini glass. Mix in champagne.
• Garnish with a slice of watermelon, if desired.

 

We hope you enjoy our summer drinks! Try them and let us know what you think!

Cheers,

Private Event Spaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cutting Corners #Edition 2: Party Favors

For this edition of Cutting Corners, we are going to focus on party favors! Party favors are one of those costs that creeps on you slowly without much warning. When you think $5 per favor is doable, suddenly multiplying it to 250 guests leave you $1250 poorer. But fret not, we figured a couple of party favors that will play nice to your bank account!

1) Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This decadent treat is everyone all-time favorite. You can either buy it from a chocolate store (usually runs about $2 -$3 per piece, depending on the intricacy of the design) or make it yourself! Buy yourself a pound of good quality bittersweet chocolate, melt them via microwave (make sure to stir them in intervals) and dipped the strawberries while it is hot. Set them aside. Optional: Once cool, drizzle again with another kind of chocolate such as white! Pack them individually as you desire!

2) Mini Cupcakes

Let’s face it, cupcakes makes everyone happy. Including fairies. If ordering cupcakes from a bakery is not an option for you, why not make it yourself? Make little bite size cupcakes that would fit into a tiny little cute box that would leave your guests going “Oooh” and “Ahhs”. We love this “Baby Cakes” maker!

3) Soaps

No, we don’t think your guests will be offended. What a nice way to treat your guests with local, organic soaps that is sold in your local farmers market. Most soaps would typically run about $3 if you buy 3 or more but you might score more discounts if you were to buy in bulk. This cute local party favor will leave your guests smelling oh-so-delicious.

4) Tea Bags

Love tea? What a great way to personalize your event by sharing your favorite tea to your guests! Buy your favorite, unique tea bags in boxes( no, Lipton doesn’t count). Bag them separately in cute little glycine bags. Add more flair by adding a thank-you note in the bag!

5) Potpourri

Make your own blend of potpourri by going to your local craft store and picking out your favorite flowers/plant. Make a huge blend and bag them individually. What a cheap and great way to share personalized crafts with guests!

 

We hope you enjoy this post as much as we do. As always, we hope this inspires you!

 

Cheers,

Private Event Spaces

Cutting Corners #Edition 1: Venues

For most people, planning an event is exciting (or at least, we’d like to think so). From birthdays to weddings, an event signifies celebration, joy, happiness, laughter, booze, etc. Everyone is there for a good time. Whilst enjoying a party is cheap, executing one can get pretty expensive especially if you think throwing a house party is passé. We agree, you aren’t in college anymore. There is an abundance of venues with different price point to fit your budget. We want to break it down for you, so keep these in mind when you are searching for a space!

Three kinds of venues.

1) Incredible rate, Plenty Stipulations

So you are really excited. You scored a venue with a cheap rental rate! However, do be careful because most venues that have cheap rental rates tend to compensate their cost somewhere else such as catering or impose a high bar minimum. On top of that, they might have plenty of stipulations such as using a certain furniture rental company, DJ, etc as they may be earning commission from their fellow partners. These costs add up quickly especially if the vendors have particularly high rates. Nonetheless, it is entirely up to you. Perhaps, you really do enjoy the caterer’s food or already planning to use the DJ. At the end of the day, make sure to obtain all information and stipulation from the venue before you tally up the grand total.

2) Expensive Flat Rate, Flexible Stipulations

The venue you just scoured has a pretty high rental rate. However, most spaces with higher rental rates tend to be more flexible, ie: bring in any caterers you want and an all-inclusive package. Some spaces might have different packages to fit your needs. However, will that be worth it if you are not bringing in a DJ or using their high-tech AV system?  But, if you don’t like being pigeoned hole into a certain list of vendors, this is a good option for you.

3) Reasonable Base Price, Flexible Add-Ons.

This category somewhat falls in the middle of the above. Such venue with this pricing model provides a base price but subsequently allows you to add features such as DJ tables, catering options, etc. We tend to be a fan of the latter (and it seems most people do to!) because this allows people to create their own plan. By doing so, you have the option to really sit down and figure out what you need and don’t need. Not having a DJ? Waive the DJ fees.

All in all, it is extremely vital to figure out your event type, cost, guests, etc. Is it going to be lavish or intimate? Wedding or a birthday party? Will it be a corporate or small business meet-up? When you have these questions answered, it is easier to seek a venue and customize a plan that fits your event!

We hope you find this information helpful. As always, we like to ask, what do you think of our post?

Do you agree or disagree? Add your two cents! 🙂

Cheers,

Private Event Spaces

Five Unique Decoration Ideas This Christmas

The holiday season is in the air. The smell of pine trees, snow and glistening lights is enough to put us on a whimsical holiday spirit. Seriously, it’s like being in a snow globe. Being in a snow globe aside, the holiday season means holiday parties! Whether you are attending or throwing a holiday party, let’s step out of the usual Red/Green Christmas bonanza and wow your guests with these unique decoration ideas.

1) The Minimalist

We love a white Christmas but this year, why not take it up a notch? This minimalist look will provide a different sense of serenity and holiday contentment. Use white linens, white napkins and throw in a touch of silver centerpieces or gold culinary to make the whole place “pop”. Don’t worry if it will look too bridal – just add several Christmas decoration around like doves, mistletoes and the lovely presents, your guests will know it is definitely Christmas time. If you want to go a little further, use some cotton and decorate around your centerpieces as snow! Now, isn’t that just chic and adorable?

2)The Log Cabin

Ahh.. eggnog by the fireplace in a cabin sounds like a romantic Christmas dream come true. Play that fantasy into your party with amazing decorations of logs, pinewood air freshener and even fake your own fireplace! Buy electrical fireplace from Westlake Ace Hardware, Walmart or Target, just to name a few. Use wooden plates and bowls to manifest that whole log cabin. If you want to stretch it even further, ask your guests to come in red flannel shirts. *wink*

3) The Vintage

Save money this year by going all vintage! Use mason jars as centerpieces, scour Goodwill for unusual pieces that will make your event different. Stack old tins and cans like a Christmas tree and decorate it with Christmas trimmings! Find a tree brunch and spray it with a frosty paint. Have your kids write their Christmas wish/prayers on a tag and hang them on the tree branch! This unique idea will leave your guests feeling warm and cozy.

 

4) Let’s Go Green

Aree you a green person? Not much of using fake trees or chopping pine trees? This Christmas, make your own Christmas tree! Use recycle paper and cut them in a triangle (hundreds of them depending how large you want your Christmas tree to be) and start tacking them on your wall (don’t forget to use wall-friendly tape! ) into a shape of a Christmas tree. You can even design your own Angel on top! Using a variety of recycle paper, cut them into little decorative paperasserie and place them all over your house. Use cardboard egg cartons as centerpieces and fill them with shiny pebbles in red and green. The ideas are endless!

 

5) The Classic

Okay, so we said to skip the red and green but really, how can we? They are Christmas colors! The rule of thumb is to not over do it. Emphasize on one color and use the latter as a splash. So if you like Red, use Red table runners, red linens and only a splash of green as a centerpieces. Always use a neutral color such as white or cream as base. As for the lighting? We say go all out! That’s what Christmas is for right? Besides revering Jesus’s birth, of course.

We hope you find our ideas enticing! We encourage you to try it and send your Christmas decoration pictures and will share it on our blog! 🙂

Have a happy holiday and good luck!

Cheers,

Private Event Spaces

A Day With a Special Events Coordinator

Disclaimer: The diary below provides a unique description close to home but does not necessarily reflect the general population of event planners and coordinators.

 

10am

Check emails & voicemail. Read up on news, happenings and industry-related news.

10:30am

Return and follow-up any calls from clients. Finish new client’s contract.

11:30am

Email contract to client. Check emails. Make amends to Client #2 requests to extend event time. Revise contract.

11:55am

Lunch break

12:30pm

Return calls. Check emails and send client #2 revised contract. Prepare for site visit appointment at 1pm.

1pm

Site visit with client.

1:30pm

Client #3 is ready to book the space. Sits down with client to go over agreement & package details. Receive deposit and signed agreement.

2:15pm

Prepare Client #3 contract. Received call from rental company about linens. Call Client #1 to confirm linen colors and number of chairs.

3:30pm

Schedule staffing for Friday and Saturday event. Send out pricing sheet to every form requests.

4pm

Table, linens & chairs arrive. Coordinate set-up with delivery man.  Set-up alcohol list for this weekend’s events.

5:15pm

Pick up calls in regards to pricing details. Set up appointments for more site visits. Prepare returned deposit checks to be sent out tomorrow.

6:15pm

Clock-out and prepare for tomorrow!

 

We hope you enjoy was goes behind the day of our Special Events Coordinator. Every day is a different day but this gives you a gist of what typically happens. What do you think? Do you think it’s interesting?

 

Cheers!

Private Event Spaces

 

We just hosted our first annual Bridal Networking Party for St. Louis Vendors!

We know, we know *slaps wrist*.

It’s been so long since we’ve updated our blog. But we have a reason though – we’ve been busy planning our first networking event! We are so excited to finally debut Private Event Spaces and cannot be any happier with all our sponsors. Once again, thank you all our amazing sponsors for being part of the event. We want to keep this post word-free and picture-filled! Have fun!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Thank you to our sponsors

Audio & Visual – Arch Audio Visual

Catering –  Russo’s Catering

Linens –  KMD Linens

Bridal Salon – Simply Elegant Bridal

Photography – Will Jackson

 

Dilemma of the Day: Should I Hire a DJ?

Dear Private Event Spaces,

My wedding is in six months and I’m extremely excited that my fiance and I have finally secured a date and a venue! We have finally decide our guest list which brings us to a total of 150 guests. However, we have one dilemma: We were going through our guest lists and realized that most of our guests are 35 years old and older. Although we are in our mid-thirties as well, my fiance and I love to get down and dance like any twenty-year olds. However, we know that most of our friends are already in the docile stage with young kids. So my question is, should we hire a DJ or not? Since DJ’s are relatively expensive to hire, we want to know if it is worth our money. Please help.

DJ Or Not

Dear DJ Or Not,

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. Normally, DJs are a vital part of the reception as they bring life to the party. However, we believe every wedding is individually unique and we applaud your efforts for learning the demographics of your guest list thoroughly. In this economy, a wedding has become a luxury more than a traditional necessity. Although we think hiring a DJ would be an awesome idea, here’s how we look at it –

If you are scraping every cent to hire a DJ, just skip the DJ and plug in your iPod. But if you do have extra moolah and don’t mind spending it, we say – why not? No matter how old you are, everyone loves a good dance. In addition, the wedding should reflect the personality of you and your fiance. If both of you love to dance and reckon that’ll make your reception memorable, we definitely recommend hiring a DJ!  Ask family and friends if they’d know any budding DJs as they’d be less expensive than hiring one from an established company.

 

What do you think readers? Do you have any advice for “DJ or Not”?

Help Me Hire an Event Planner

Let’s face it, not everyone is a Martha Stewart or David Tutera. When it comes to event planning, many will get the chills because event planning is simply not easy. It is meticulous, tedious and plenty of details to take care of! So should you hire an event planner? Yes. But I can’t really afford to hire one in this economy? True, but an event planner knows the industry and could save you money in the long run with his/her connections in the industry. Okay, I’d like to hire one but how do I know who will be a good fit? Well, here is our simple guideline when hiring an event planner

1) A Good Listener

An event planner should be a good listener. An event planner may be a super professional in event planning but a good event planner should be one who can listen to your vision and make that happen. They should be able to come up with creative suggestions  and solutions. However, if you begin to feel them completely overshadowing your event, voice up. And if they still pin you down, we say in our utmost Donald Trump’s voice ” You’re Fired!”

2) A Visionnaire

Find an event planner with a good vision.  Although you want to find an event planner who is a good listener, you don’t want to just hear her say “Uh-huh” throughout the process. He or she must be able to manifest your style in a way you desire. Flip through their portfolio and assess their style. Whilst having an event planner with amazing organization skills is vital, you also want a creative and proactive planner too.

3) A Network Opportunist

Sometimes an event planner have a list of vendors  in which they earned commission from or maybe, they are all just really good friends (the cards are open..). But you definitely want to hire one with a diverse list of vendors. That way, you will avoid being pigeoned hole into just one list of vendors that might not share your vision. Don’t be shy to voice out a vendor you are particularly fond  to your planner. A good planner will ultimatly follow your wishes.

4) A Friend

We don’t mean hiring  Aunt Sally’s 17 year old daughter who loves to plan weddings/events on the side. Ultimately, you want to be able to connect and be comfortable around your event planner. After all, she is the ONE to call in regards to your event. Be thoughtful though – don’t call her at 2 am because you can’t fit into your party or wedding dress. She is still your planner, NOT mom.

What do you think of our list? What do you ultimately look for when hiring an event planner?

 

Cheers,

Private Event Spaces!

 

Choosing a Space: 5 Most Common Overlooked Costs

 

So you love the space and even better – love the price. But before you jump the bandwagon and sign the papers, make sure to clarify all costs with your sales manager. Most often, brides think the initial package price is the end-of-it-all price. Renting a venue is not like buying a pair of shoes, check the price behind the sole and add the sales tax, and that is your total amount. Make sure your package includes the following cost –

 

1) Gratuity

If your venue supplies staffing for your event, it is highly likely that gratuity will be an additional cost. Gratuity may run from 18 – 21% of your total package or could even be a flat fee at some venue. For example, if you total package is $599, be prepared to pay an additional $107.22 at an 18% gratuity. So make sure you clarify with your sales manager if your package includes gratuity or not.

2) Sales tax

Most of the time as consumers, we tend to overlook sales tax. However, sales tax on a large amount of money may yield a significant cost. Depending on your local state and municipality, do make sure to ask the total sales tax on the package. Ask them to add ALL sales tax because even 1% may throw off your total budget. Think about it: 1% on a $10,000 venue is about a $100 extra you have to fork out.

3) Bar Requirements

Most venues make their money from their bar. Hence, it is extremely important for you to know the minimum bar guarantees for your package. Unless your package already includes bar prices, most venues impose a minimum that might make or break your desire for renting that particular space. Some space have cheap rentals but a $4000 bar minimum can certainly make a dent in your bank account. Question you want to answer, is a $4000 bar worth it to you?

4) Miscellaneous Fees

Some spaces charge a fee for miscellaneous items such as DJ tables, outside caterer fee, projector screen, and etc. Go over a list of miscellaneous items you need and also required by the space before totalling up your final amount.

5) Furniture Rental

Do check out with your venue if your package includes furniture rentals. Some may and some may not. Either way, it is extremely vital that you ensure these costs are covered within your budget and package.

We understand that event planning can be extremely tedious and meticulous. Always make sure you have a handy guide book with you and at Private Event Spaces, our best friend is called “The List”. Keep listing and listing and again, exhaust all listings! That way, you’ll never forget the little details!

We wish you all the best!!

Coordinating Your Vendors

Once you have decided on all of your vendors, ie: venue, caterer, DJ, flowers and etc, your next step is to coordinate all the vendors together. But before you become panic-stricken and hire a wedding coordinator(which in our mind, is a great idea if you aren’t a planner type of a person), read our do’s and don’ts to ease all your planning details! Although coordinating vendors may sound like a daunting task, it is not as hard as you think. Just read on and let us en light you with our planning skills.

Do

1) Keep a list of all your vendors details such as name(s), contacts, addresses – all in a single folder or book.  Also, we suggest that you key in their numbers in your cell phone. That way, you don’t have to whip our your file in case of emergency! Also, do make sure you are friendly to your vendors because they are your point of contact for your event.

2) Follow up monthly or anytime a transaction does take place. This is to ensure that everyone is on a same page whether it is about payment, venue, etc. This is to avoid all possibilities of any disputes or discrepancies. Bottom line, just make sure to reply to any emails/calls if a vendor does call and not leave it to the last minute! The last thing you need is to find out that your florist can’t supply hydrangeas the day before your event when she’s been trying to get hold of you.

3) Call up and confirm exact time and date via phone and email. Although you might have relay the responsibility to a certain person, ie: maid of honor, etc, we believe it doesn’t hurt to just give a ring to your vendors to confirm all time and date. After all, it IS your event and no one holds more responsibility than you.

 

Don’t

1) Ignore any of your vendor phone calls. Sometimes a vendor might have called you while you are at work, but do not forget to return their calls after work. There must be an important reason why your vendor is calling.

2) Simply trust that they know everything. You may be planning your only event, but do understand that your vendor has a list of other events on their book. Although it is their duty to ensure all of your event details are taken care of, it is still your duty to provide all details and stay in the same page. Bottom line is, do not assume that your vendor knows all the specifics of your events. Provide all the information you can and again, follow up.

3) Throw away receipts and contracts until all payments are finalized after the event. Most of the time, there are bound to be extra charges incurred for last minute additions. By keeping your receipts and contracts, you have exact proof from both sides shall any dispute arises.

 

What do you think of our do’s and don’ts of coordinating the right vendors? Are there anymore that we should add on our list?

 

Cheers!

Private Event Spaces