<![CDATA[MAGNETIC MAGNIFICENT EVENTS - Boss Blog]]>Mon, 12 Aug 2019 09:43:35 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[March Education Series: 31 Days & 31 Reasons to Hire a Planner - Day 4]]>Tue, 05 Mar 2019 04:48:02 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/march-education-series-31-days-31-reasons-to-hire-a-planner-day-4
Continuing on the series, here with day four, and reason four to hire a planner. Catch the video to the the right to hear my enthusiasm as I share reason number four. Soooo, reason number four to hire a planner is because they work with other professionals! You can save yourself so much time, energy, and stress by working with the planners preferred list of vendors. These vendors are already vetted. You don't have to wonder if they are going to do a good job or even capable of doing the job, because they've already made the cut.

This reason popped up in conversation the other day, when I was asked by an acquaintance if I had worked with a particular DJ. She said she booked him but wasn't sure what kind of job he was going to do and music was a big thing for her. Meanwhile, she was also going to go with the venue's coordinator, instead of hiring a planner (that will be a future topic as well). It made me realize that that's another reason to hire a planner...so you don't have to wonder if your vendor is going to be good or not. With the preferred vendor partnerships, there is often discount passed on to the couples, for the referral. So you can save yourself money too (which is usually the reason people hire DJs or vendors they have to worry about).

Think about when you're going out to eat; what's the first thing you do to look for a restaurant? Pull up your Yelp app and start looking for reviews. If you're like me, I roll past a restaurant when the stars are 3 or less. But in the event industry, it's not as easy to sort through options. Some of us are on Yelp, Wedding Wire, Thumbtack and other sites where we can be rated...but that's not all vendors. It's not an easy platform to sort through; some not so great vendors, have a ton of reviews, but aren't good anymore, they've just been in the industry for years. Some vendors with lower reviews are amazing, but their couples haven't posted reviews. So how do you sort through that? You hire a planner that can refer you to their preferred list and also vet any suggested vendors, from their professionals experience, rather than your emotional decision.

Keep following as I continue with more tips in the month of March. Until then, stay magnificent.
<![CDATA[March Education Session - 31 Days & 31 Reasons to Hire a Planner - Day 3]]>Mon, 04 Mar 2019 05:16:36 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/march-education-session-31-days-31-reasons-to-hire-a-planner-day-3
So here we are...day 3 of 31 days and 31 reason to hire a planner. That puts us at reason number three. This reason was inspired by one of my beautiful friends, that has attended and planned a number of events for herself and girlfriends. I shared with her what I was doing with this series and the first thing she shouted out was 'SANITY! To keep your sanity!' She was so right

Let's look at what happens when you start to loose your sanity and your stress levels rise: you tend to eat wrong, workout less, get short with friends/family/coworkers, and your whole vibe gets out of wack. Now imagine this happening while you're planning your wedding or a conference you're also speaking at. How do you feel on the big day? Exhausted, with bags under your eyes and you just can't wait until it's all over. By the way, this IS how your family feels if you leave them to plan your wedding...just FYI :) My question to you is: why? Why put yourself through that when you don't have to. It's unnecessary because there is someone out there that can help. Someone that is an expert in this event planning thing. You should want to arrive on your wedding day, flawless and stress free. You should expect to walk into your conference and straight to the stage, with fresh energy. Leave the stress to the expert.
Let's look at another example. One of the most talked about things in the event industry right now, is the infamous 'Fyre Festival', known as the greatest event that never happened and one of the most hyped up, yet failed events. While there were many things about the Fyre Festival that went wrong, the Netflix documentary is now an educational piece for planners. We'll talk more about this festival in later blogs, but on the topic of today's reason, the team planning the event basically went insane. They believed they could do something, hours before guests arrived, that was simply, impossible. They were rude to guests, they made bad judgement calls, and they endanger lives. They had literally lost it, in the process of trying to do something they had never done - an not once, did they consult a professional on the scaleability of what they were trying to produce.

Think about starting a workout or a financial plan for the new year. You walk into the gym, you try some weights, you get frustrated and leave, vowing to start your workout next year. Or you go online to start to look at ways to invest and you go down a rabbit hole of information. You eventually feel overwhelmed and you quit; maybe next year. But what if you would have hired a trainer at the gym or joined a gym with a circuit program? You probably would have stuck it out because you had someone to guide you. Or if you would have saved time, and visited a local investment firm to consult with a financial planner? You would have saved your sanity and gotten the results you were looking for, instead of just frustration. 

Don't let this be your or someone you know. We are writing this to help people. And it may not seem like a big deal; I mean, being a professional wedding planner or event planner isn't like we're saving lives, but we are saving the moments that matter, for your life, and that's something. Check out the video on YouTube to hear a little more banter on the subject. Tune in tomorrow. Stay magnificent.
<![CDATA[March Education Session - 31 Days & 31 Reasons to Hire a Planner - Day 2]]>Sun, 03 Mar 2019 02:28:20 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/march-education-session-31-days-31-reasons-to-hire-a-planner-day-2On to day number two and the second reason to hire a planner. This applies to couples, corporate executives, CEOs, associations, and anyone whose asked to plan events (and it's not part of their job title). Here's why you should hire a planner - because you need someone to take the ideas that you have, and make then actually happen. To help create a streamline plan and execute the plan seamlessly.

I met with a couple today that is getting married in June. They inspired me to write reason number two. They were very laid back, which is a nice type of client to have; except, they also had no real direction. They has Pinterest inspiration, cultural influences, family input, and fun ideas they saw at other weddings; but they needed help to bring it together in a way that was feasible and fit the budget.

I have also experienced this with corporate clients. They have an idea of what they want and absolutely no clue how to actually make it happen. Or if they can even make it happen. One of my clients always tosses the expertise angle to me. He'll tell me what he things he wants, and then says 'But you do this, so you probably know better than I do, if that can even be done'. I appreciate his recognition and think it fits nicely into the point of Reason #2.

So, what's the reason to day to have a planner? Because you need someone to bring all your ideas together, create direction, and make sure it's executed flawlessly. Tune in tomorrow. Until then, stay magnificent.
<![CDATA[March Education Session - 31 Days & 31 Reasons to Hire a Planner]]>Sat, 02 Mar 2019 02:48:51 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/march-education-session-31-days-31-reasons-to-hire-a-plannerI meet a lot of couples. Some through Wedding Wire, Yelp, and other online resources. I also meet couples in person, at wedding fairs and networking events. What always makes me laugh, is when couples tell me "We're good, we don't need a planner. We're doing it ourselves; we've got it". That sounds really great in theory...and I even thought the same thing when I got married a decade ago, but the reality is...you really don't got it. So, because I hear this often and I can't always relay the message to each couple, or future client, I decided to do a video/blog series for the month of March (Women's History Month), and educate some of these people. If you have a friend that's engaged, or know someone getting married, or in the capacity where they plan events (that aren't part of their job title), please share this with them. Encourage them to check out the YouTube Channel where all the tips will be posted daily. Whether they book us or someone else, doesn't matter to me (it kinda does, but it's not the point :), we just want to help people think logically when they are planning, especially their wedding.

So what is reason number one? Reason #1 is: Planners have experience you don't have. Your event will not be their first time planning. You may only plan one wedding, compared to the dozens of wedding a planner has managed. You may be planning your first company event, and a planner is already years ahead of you. Don't risk what you don't know; hire a pro.
<![CDATA[A New Adventure for 2019]]>Wed, 09 Jan 2019 15:31:37 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/a-new-adventure-for-2019 We had a busy 2018 here at Magnetic Magnificent Events! We've had more weddings, more travel, and so many ideas we'd love to share with you all. One idea that's been marinating for some time now, is our venue review blog series. We are finally ready to commit to these bi-weekly blogs, focused solely on reviewing venues that are great for weddings, corporate meetings, and incentive trips. We travel often and want to take you on our journey and give you the real deal in our experience.

We will also be incorporating blogs with wedding planning tips, fun stories, and of course, reasons why you should hire a planner for your next event. But until then, stay magnificent! xoxo

P.S. Don't forget to follow our Instagram page to keep up with all the latest activity @magnetic_magnificent_events

Know someone getting married in 2019? Send them our way! If they book before the end of January, we'll take $350 off any wedding package! We'll make their wedding magnificent.
<![CDATA[Conference Planning In Puerto Rico]]>Sat, 30 Jun 2018 01:41:31 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/conference-planning-in-puerto-rico     We have had the amazing task of planning a conference in Puerto Rico this July. Our client decided last minute that he wanted to plan his annual conference in Puerto Rico. As a professional planner, we are all for what our clients wants. We agreed that PR would be great! So we launch the event, sell tickets, and have not idea where we are going to have the event (kind of a planners nightmare...lol).
      A month later, we fly out to PR, with our client, and go on a number of site visits; looking for our main event and the venue that had the right flavor for our group. After a few days, while adding a little pleasure with business, we finally found a great venue! It was perfect! Villas for our VIPs, spacious sleeping rooms, a great meeting space with pre-function area, and a poppin' lobby with Latin dancing from the locals. So, we moved on it! We booked the venue, signed our contract, and were ready for a great 2018 event. THEN...Hurricane Maria hit...
      So, our amazing hotel said they were fine...not affected...fast forward 3 months...we received a call that our hotel couldn't open until November 2018 (4 months out from our event). In a panic, with a desire to still have our event in PR, we flew back out to San Juan to find a venue, that could hold our event.
      Below is a glimpse of our adventure, that includes a walk around Old San Juan. We plan to publish more after we touch down in San Juan on Tuesday and arrive at our NEW hotel, the La Concha Hotel, a Renaissance Resort, in Condado. We can't wait to showcase some local eateries, local clubs/bars, and show our piece of the Puerto Rican culture. #teamnuvision #deucedeuce #nuvisionnation #staymagnificent
<![CDATA[Wedding Planning Weekend...Wedding Venue Review]]>Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:16:04 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/wedding-planning-weekendwedding-venue-review
  After a weekend of wedding planning, meeting with two client couples, and consulting with four more potential couples, I decided to switch gears on today's blog and kick off our "Professional Event Planner Series: Venue Reviews". Kicking it off with a short video, shot live from the Grand Island Mansion, in Walnut Grove, CA (see right).
   This venue is simply gorgeous! A historic mark in Northern California as one of the oldest private estates. The downside right off the top, is the location. It is a journey from any direction, through winding roads of California countryside, with little to no civilization. This makes for a nice wedding day get away, but if you are planning an all day celebration or ending late into the night, this may be a difficult venue for your guests.
      On the plus side, evening weddings include the use of the mansions eleven bedrooms, including rooms on the private yacht, down at the river. You can keep the celebration going all night with your bridal party, close friends, or family, in the overnight accommodations. There is a billiards rooms, a theater, basketball court, tennis court, and lots of space to get lost on the property. This may be a fun way to end the night (unless you'd rather spend your wedding night alone with your spouse...).
     The venue has multiple spaces to accommodate different party sizes. The inside space has two dining rooms. The main dining room, shown above, with the large glass window and archways, can accommodate up to 112 guests. If your guest count is larger than that, your remaining guests will be siting down the hall in the overflow room, pictured above with the gold trim & gold chairs. You may be wondering how you can do toasts and first dance, if the room is split...well, you don't. After dinner, your party will proceed downstairs to the grand room for toasts, first dance, and cake cutting. Or you can take the party outdoors on the glamorous courtyard and party under the stars.
     If you're like my client and you do not like the idea of breaking up the party, you can have your entire reception in the beautifully designed tent area, off of the courtyard. There is a minimum guest count of 200, and an additional rental charge on the tent, but hey, at least everyone will be together.
    There are two ceremony sites in the front of the mansion, which looks simply breathtaking upon arrival. Minimal decor is needed, as the grounds are already beautiful. For an additional fee, the pool area can be used for cocktail hour, late night snack, or even a dessert display.
     The catering is provided in-house. The small bites I tried were good. They can even provide the cake in-house and the sample I had of that was ahhh-mazing! The bar is only wine, beer, and champagne, all as a hosted bar. If you desire to have hard alcohol, you can bring your own for a fee; a must bring liability insurance, rent your own glassware, and provide all mixers. This can be a bit of a task and can get a little expensive, depending on your guest count.
     Overall, this place is beautiful and very unique. It is quite an experience to be able to stay the night in the mansion (the room decor was really neat). Downside - they do five weddings a weekend (yes, two weddings in one day). To me, that seems like your wedding isn't exactly special but more of a turn key operation. This could be good, knowing they have a thorough and experienced staff. Or it could feel like you're just a number. Additional downside is the location. It seemed great when we looked it up, but upon making the drive from the Bay Area, there was more time spend in the country side than we would have liked. That could be a deterrent to your guests and/or dangerous at the end of it all (small winding roads to/from the property). On the positive side, the prices are very reasonable for what you get; food selection, look of the venue, complimentary parking, amazing photo opportunities. They offer a preferred vendor list, but allow vendors outside of the list. Only exclusion, DJ services. This must come from their list or you'll pay a fee to go off the list.
     To recap, visually stunning mansion, with space for small to large weddings, just outside of Sacramento area. If you're looking for a unique, secluded experience with history and Italian charm, this is the spot for you. We recommend a planner for this one :)
<![CDATA[Progress...]]>Sun, 07 Jan 2018 01:11:02 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/progress     As I sat in my office yesterday, tackling task after task, I contemplated if I was really making progress toward my goals or was I just doing busy work to move the needle a bit for the day. It got me thinking about how we track making progress toward something. How do you know when you're making progress? What are the mile marks along the way of life? Is it mastering the mundane disciplines that are necessary to daily progression? Having a daily pattern of accomplishment? Or is it something else...? Starting a new hobby, setting a new goal with a plan to accomplish it, taking a break from the mundane...becoming new, doing something new?
     While writing on this topic, I became stuck at the answer. My thoughts were all over the place about how I look at progress versus how I think I should look at progress; taking into consideration a perspective from my mother's point of view on my progress (a different perspective than my own but one that comes from love and pride for her daughter). What I consider progress for myself may not resonate the same to someone else and vice versa. 
    So I am here to ask, what's your way of tracking your progress? Interact with me on this, in the name of research :) Is progress seeing your tasks/daily disciplines accomplished or is it something solid, like reaching a financial goal? In the search for the best work/life/health balance, how does progression fit into that? Do we constantly seek to progress higher in only one area or do we maintain a balance of progression though all avenues of life?
     Have you ever felt like you were progressing in your health or your career, but regressing in your personal life? How can you maintain a positive outlook on progress in one area, if there is a regress in another? My advice to myself (and to anyone open to it) - celebrate the wins, big and small. Don't guilt yourself for losing balance. Make an effort to do something, even small, to progress your core values on a daily basis. The compound effect of those efforts will result in progress over time. Stay committed...
<![CDATA[Cheers to the New Year...]]>Thu, 04 Jan 2018 16:08:50 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/cheers-to-the-new-yearPicturePhoto courtesy: Kelli Price Photography
       We are four days into the New Year. If you're like me, you set goals for the new year; to make it different, to start fresh with where you fell off last year...all goals being the change you've been waiting for. Then you wake up to day four, and realize you may have over anticipated your capacity for completion. That's not a good way to feel at the start of a new year-new you.
     So where do we go wrong in the plan? Is it waiting to long to set the plan? Like maybe December 31st or January 1st, is to late to write out the goals; you brain needs more time to digest and reset itself to you new plans. Or maybe it's that we are being overly ambitious with the goals? I don't know about you, but I had a feeling of anxiety in ringing in the new year without the plan on paper or any sliver in the direction. Now on day four, there are already areas scribbled out the calendar, and daily goals moved to the next day...not part of the plan.
      Frustrated by the anxiety that is getting worse, I decided to look to technology for a fix. We all can admit that our lives are on our phones; truthfully, can my millennial generation even function without their phone? The good news is, I found an app that can help keep the disciplines of the daily goals and keep accountability, even when my brain wants to tackle everything at once. With this app, I can track/check off the important daily tasks that will keep me moving in the direction of the goals I set. No more procrastination or moving things to the next day on the calendar or scratching it out completely; my app will show me that I am daily achieving rather than feeling like there are daily failures.
      As an entrepreneur, running two business from my home office, doing off site consulting, being a wife, mother, girlfriend, and coach, it can sometimes be overwhelming to remember to treat myself with the same importance I place on everything else. Whatever core values you have in life or about life, make sure you make the time necessary to invest in your core values. Not doing so can lead to burnout, neglect, anxiety, and bitterness. And you can perform at your ultimate level with any of those negative feelings.
       To everyone out there that can relate; let's reset. It's only day four of the new year, but let's treat today like it's day one. Write it down, tackle the goal, and don't let yourself make an excuse for not taking care of yourself first. In the end, you're all you go. Cheers to the New Year!

<![CDATA[Just Be...]]>Mon, 03 Oct 2016 04:11:30 GMThttp://www.magneticmagnificent.com/boss-blog/just-bePicture
Be the example you want to see. Whatever industry you are in, you can create change. If you feel there are not enough women - be the woman. If you feel there are not enough people of color - be the person to represent for others. If you feel there are not enough millennials - be the millennial others can look up to. And if you feel there is no leader - be the leader. Lead from the front so those following will know what they are supposed to do. The difference between success and failure is equivalent to the difference between hot water and boiling water; it is only 1 degree of difference.

In order to be the best at your craft, you have to be willing to work and put in the 10,000 hours necessary for mastery. It may seem like it’s mundane and that it is taking too long to see progress...until you look up a few years from where you started and realize that everything is different. Reflect on your past...to appreciate your present...to elevate your future. Have faith and patience in the process.