Plan On It

days before the end of the year

2011-12-28T10:17:00.001-08:00

as we wind down tot the end of the year, look bak and analyze what you have accomplished. Have you been successful? Have you achieved your goals and expectations? If not what can you do to make sure you do not let it slip by again? Have a great year and look forward to a prosperous 2012!

SHAVE & HAIRCUT

2011-12-22T11:56:00.001-08:00

An old man walks into the barbershop for a shave and a haircut, but he tells the barber he can't get all his whiskers off because his cheeks are wrinkled from age.

The barber gets a little wooden ball from a cup on the shelf and tells him to put it inside his cheek to spread out the skin.

When he's finished, the old man tells the barber that was the cleanest shave he's had in years.

But he wanted to know what would have happened if he had swallowed that little ball.

The barber replied:"Just bring it back tomorrow like everyone else does".

Taxation During Weddings

2011-12-22T11:20:00.001-08:00

Published on Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 17:51

Published by: Arnav Pandya

The wedding season is in full swing and in the midst of all the celebrations there is also an income tax angle that the individuals should consider. Adequate attention here will make the entire process of complying with the various tax regulations easier and also ensure that there is no trouble at a later date. One of the main aspects of the weddings includes the various gifts received and here is a way in which this can easily be tackled.

Read the rest of the story here:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/tax/taxation-during-weddings_638048.html

Up and running

2011-12-22T10:46:00.000-08:00

Test test.

Emailing message from paefortlaud (via HootSuite)

2011-10-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

Why are we sending our Military Troops to Uganda? What national interests are there to have Obama send troops? Where's the Anti-War...

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http://hootsuite.com

MPI Sets Benchmarks for Measuring the Business Value of Meetings

2011-06-25T05:29:00.001-07:00

June 23, 2011

Source: http://www.successfulmeetings.com/Conference-News/Research-White-Papers/Articles/MPI-Sets-Benchmarks-for-Measuring-the-Business-Value-of-Meetings/

Globally, less than 10 percent of meetings are currently measured for business value, according to Meeting Professionals International (MPI), which yesterday released the results of a new study that identifies key benchmarks in the measurement of the business value of meetings, encompassing: the percentage of businesses that measure, barriers to implementation, crucial programming elements for organizational success and key skills needed for personal success.

Introduced during Reed Travel Exhibitions' inaugural Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) in Baltimore, the "Business Value of Meetings" study is based on interviews of 261 corporations in 27 countries, which said collectively that the decision to measure the business value of meetings typically hinges on whether or not clear business objectives have been established for the meeting.

Unfortunately, MPI found, organizations often rely exclusively on financial objectives and return on investment (ROI); if the meeting lacks clear monetary goals, it's often deemed — incorrectly — immeasurable, in which case organizations often revert to "implied ROI" and traditional satisfaction surveys.

On the contrary, the study asserts, events can be measured universally provided that measurement initiatives include: clearly defined meeting and event objectives, appropriately designed data collection methods and thorough evaluation of results.

Additionally, planner interviews revealed, successful measurement hinges on the meeting planner's aptitude for design — properly designing surveys to align with objectives — and analysis: analyzing data in order to make statistically reliable suggestions for improvement.

Based on its findings, MPI plans to develop a suite of business tools that meeting professionals can use to introduce meeting value measures to their events, answering questions such as:

1. How can I address low perception of ROI?
2. How can I get stakeholder buy in to measurement programs?
3. How do I define objectives of large and small scale events, and define expectations of leaders?
4. How can I devise meaningful ways to measure value?
5. What are the proper methods for analyzing and reporting value data?

"This research enables our members and industry colleagues for the first time to assess their own practices against established, global benchmarks," said MPI President and CEO Bruce MacMillan. "We now have the critical data to direct the development of tools and resources our professional community needs to speak the language of business and advance best practices in value measurement."

For more information about the "Business Value of Meetings" study, including complete findings, visit www.mpiweb.org/bvom.

New Product Lines We Carry

2011-04-29T15:06:00.001-07:00

Kendra Was Invited to Hugh Hefner's Wedding-by Email!

2011-04-15T16:03:00.001-07:00

Thu., Apr. 14, 2011 8:30 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Maybe they're just not one for formalities over at the Playboy Mansion.

Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett, who complained to E! News not long ago that she hadn't received her invitation to Hugh Hefner's wedding to Crystal Harris yet, revealed tonight that her ex-beau got in touch right afterward and cleared things up.

She got her invitation, then? Well, not exactly...

MORE: Kendra recommends that everyone get in touch with her inner stripper

"I hadn't gotten my invitation yet," the E! star said on The Tonight Show Thursday. "I was a little bit worried, so I put it out there into the universe—the media," she admitted. "You know, sometimes you have to use being a celebrity sometimes, get things out there and be like, 'Where's my invitation? Wink-wink.'"

"I actually got an email from Hef right after that," she added.

What do you know, Jay Leno had a copy of the email right there!

"Dear Kendra," it read. "We haven't sent any 'Save the Dates,' but if you can't make the planned wedding on June 18, we'll just change the date. Do you think I'd consider getting married without you being there?!

"Keep shaking your booty. I love you. See you soon. All best, Hef"

Odd News - Costco stocks wedding dresses

2011-03-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Published: March. 8, 2011 at 3:30 AM

ISSAQUAH, Wash., March 8 (UPI) -- Costco, the discount retail chain based in Issaquah, Wash., said it is temporarily offering wedding dresses by designer Kirstie Kelly at its stores.

The warehouse-store chain said the dresses will only be available at its stores for a limited time and will then be available for purchase online, KING-TV, Seattle, reported Monday.

The store said it is stocking six styles of dresses for $700 to $1,400.

Costco shopper Mary Haltiner said the plan could prove successful for the company.

"I doubt they'd put it next to the hamburgers but they sell coffins online so why not wedding dresses?" she said

How Much Does A Wedding REALLY Cost?

2011-02-28T08:28:00.001-08:00

by Rachel Kaufman

Whether you’re engaged, or secretly thinking about diamond rings, seven tiers of lemon cake, and the most rockin’ wedding reception since the famous JK wedding on YouTube, you can’t afford to forget about money. Even before your impeccable save-the-dates go out, you’re going to be opening up your checkbook…and you’re not going to close it til after you’ve said “I do.” So, how much does a wedding really cost, and who’s going to pay for all this?

Click here to read more

The modern bride: Say 'I do' with contemporary style

2011-02-24T17:48:00.000-08:00

By Ashley Breckel

February 23, 2011

Special to NWsource

At some point during the wedding planning process, a woman usually has a feel for just what kind of bride she is: whether she's drawn to vintage or modern styles, traditional or alternative tastes, etc. Of course, we know that no one style fits every bride (and groom), but we have identified a few popular styles to help inspire your thinking and give you some potential resources to turn your wedding day into the event of your dreams.

More Here!

Dream Wedding Dresses

2011-02-20T08:04:00.001-08:00

By Julia Robson

A story in a British tabloid newspaper about a 25-year-old bride who wore nine wedding dresses on her big day because she couldn't decide on one, rather than being extraordinary, hints at a phenomenon that could change the format of dreary wedding albums forever.

"It's now a case of two wedding dresses at least," says Peta Hunt, the fashion director at You & Your Wedding magazine. "It's no longer possible to have one dress that does everything. Ceremonies have got more diverse and bridalwear has become more exciting - and affordable."

Are you ready for more than one dress for your wedding day?

2011 bridal and wedding trends

2011-02-19T11:26:00.001-08:00

One of the biggest spring 2011 trends wedding planner Lori VanMeter from Springfield, Ill., sees is brides refusing to be limited to one or two colors.

“They’re breaking away from that,” said VanMeter, who co-owns Magical Events with Maggie Sanderfield. “Bridesmaids are all wearing a different color. It’s easier; you don’t have to settle on one color. You’ll have bridesmaids of different coloring, and they get to pick their own (dress) colors.”

Gloria Stauffer, wedding planner and owner of Affordable Weddings in Clinton, Ill., said she is seeing bright colors on the plate for her spring weddings. Charcoal paired with yellow, fuscia or bright oranges, along with peacock and peacock colors, are popular this spring, she said.

Black bridesmaid gowns are continuing to be popular, too, along with typical spring colors, said Rae Roberts-Griffith, owner of True Colors Floral Artistry in Springfield, Ill.

“We’re seeing a lot of fresh greens and melon colors, like a melon-y pink that is lighter than watermelon,” she said. “It’s a very pretty color. I’ve been reading in trade magazines that this is going to be the year of pink.”

3 things a first time bride should know...

2010-10-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

95% of all brides are first time brides. Since most brides are first time brides they are cautious, nervous, skeptical because they are unsure if what to expect. Being engaged is a phenomenal feeling. The excitement, the thrills, the bragging, you know what I am talking about!!! The only problem is that brides tend to think they know all about putting together a wedding. No matter how many books you buy, no matter how many bridal shows you attend, no matter how many wedding magazine you skim through, they will not tell you these three things:

1. How long planning your wedding will actually take.
The books have a “guide” based upon 12 months. Though it will not tell you how long it will actually take to find the right products and services you are looking for. Each person has their own pace. Who is to say that 12 months is right for you. If you are a bride who doesn’t really know what she wants 12 months may not be enough.

2. Identify the style and personality of the vendor to look for.
Each book is published throughout the United States, not to specific markets. Each Market is different! Your style and personality are not taken into consideration when you read the planning book. The vendors must match your style and personality in order for you to feel comfortable to hire them. No book identifies that. Plus they don’t identify the price point of those particular vendors. How far will you travel, research, and interview vendors before you actually pick one?

3. Hiring vendors that know how to work together is the key.
Hiring service providers for a wedding is the easiest part of planning a wedding. Everyone can do it. Though just because you hire the vendors yourself, no offense, doesn’t mean that you are a wedding planner. Where brides fail to realize is that no matter how many books are read, not one will tell you the how the emotion affects the outcome of your wedding.

Plan On It! is a South Florida Company that has been in the business for almost 10 years. The market is here different than any other market in the United States. We know how this market works. We know the vendors in the market. We know the pricing of the vendors. We know what the vendors are offering. We know the catering directors. We know what should come for free. We have negotiation power on products and services. The decision to hire an event planner is a big one. Do you release the control of planning your own wedding? That is not the right attitude. The reason brides think that it is a big decision to hire an event planner is that they look at an event planner as a line item like; a DJ, Photographer, Florist. That is actually the wrong way to look at it. An event planner is an investment. An event planner is an asset to your event. When you hire an event planner you are looking to get out what the cost of hiring the event planner is by utilizing the event planner’s network of vendors and relationships amongst the wedding community. Whether you hire Plan On It! or another outstanding event planner, trust in the knowledge an event planner provides. Your money invested is well spent.

My Clients Christie & Jason

2010-10-05T07:58:00.001-07:00

As you know we are in the business to make money. If we were not then we would not be in business. I am writing today because my clients, I know they are not mean hearted, do not want me to make money. Here is the scenario:

We sold the 10K all inclusive package, they were thrilled! They added extra things and extra time and so forth. As adding the additional items to meet their requests the total amount of their wedding ended up to be just under $20K. They were thrilled. I gave them the rental contract, they signed it. I emailed them the proposal, they were happy. They issued the check and the next day we deposited it. 9 days later we receive an email from Jason stating that “…Christie and I haved decided such a wedding is truly not in our budget”.

Nine days is a long time in between the time the date was issued and the time a mention to cancel was given. During that time, I had set up their account in QuickBooks, our proprietary program, set up profile in our planning software, setup the purchase orders, wrote checks, mailed the deposit checks to the vendors that were going to be hired for the event. The appointment when they issued the check to sign the agreement, we sat for 2 hours discussing their wedding ideas and that was the second meeting. When they stated they wanted to cancel, obviously I wanted to set an appointment to discuss ways to bring their costs down. They refuse I told them after many emails that will refund the $2500 because the $1000 is non refundable. They refuse. I have an invoice of what the $1K went to and they still refuse. What do you think?

Running A Business And Planning A Wedding, It's The Same Principles, Ideas and Practices!

2010-09-22T12:25:00.001-07:00

Do you realize that organizing a wedding is the same as running a business? That’s Right! All the financing, organizing, budgeting, finding products and services for your wedding is the same as running your own business.

What do you think?

Are you ready to take on another business? Do you have discipline? Do you know how to take emotions out of your decisions? Be prepared for disappointments, shady deals and suppliers who are only looking at out as a one-time deal.

Be Careful Out There!

Tip of the Day

2010-09-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

Your Ceremony Music!

Going traditional? Great! If Not, stay away from musical hits that are in this time era. Have a musical score that draws emotion, because when you walk down that aisle, you want your guests’ emotions to be touched.

DIY Brides

2010-09-15T12:25:00.001-07:00

Here is something you should think about for your wedding:

Your favors should be something about you two. Something that is personal and carries your style your guests will want to remember your wedding by. Almonds? Chocolates? Get out of the 70’s & 80’s!

This year's color!

2010-05-17T12:38:00.001-07:00

Looking for a vibrant yet elegant wedding color? Why not Turquoise! This year’s wedding professionals all agree that turquoise is in! Each year, the PANTONE Fashion Color Report showcases the top 10 colors in women's fashion, and has recently named Turquoise the "hot" color for 2010.

Did You Know...

2010-05-16T17:24:00.001-07:00

75% of all brides get an engagement ring. 60% of those are involved in the choosing of the ring and 3% are present when the ring is purchased.

We Are Now Blogging!

2010-05-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Glad you found us! We've made the next step! Check back often for new entries, valuable information and articles of interest.

Talk to you soon!