planning...forever events

09/23/2024

Friends, colleagues, and clients.

I have some BIG NEWS! This wedding planner will be the mother of the groom! For many years, my son, whom I affectionately refer to online as Boy Wonder, has found the lady of his dreams and asked her to marry him.
Oh, she said YES!!!! EEEK!

We are excited for them both. From Johannesburg, South Africa … she is far from her family, friends, and country. So we welcome her with open arms and enfold her to our family.

The kids want an intimate and small wedding (micro). I am grateful that they said “Yes, Please!” for me to help them navigate and plan the details.

Quick engagements are fun but can be stressful when you don’t know where to start. The most significant benefit is that there is no time to second-guess your decisions. Hiring a wedding planner can be a Godsend in these situations. More information to come!

photog: .by.mecay

07/04/2024

Happy 31st Anniversary to us! You know we do this every year and I would like to be glammed up, but that just isn't us. Planning a wedding can be difficult but not as challenging as it is to stay married. We have had our ups and downs, but every day we choose us. Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸

04/12/2024

Here we go again! The USPS is requesting to raise its rates for First Class stamps, again. They just raised them in January 2024.

If approved, this will take place on July 14th. They are requesting to raise the Forever stamp (and others) from $.68 to $.73.

I'm noticing more and more clients moving towards online RSVPing - for the ease of it, AND frankly, the USPS has not been the best at delivering on time.

If you have an upcoming event, buy your stamps in advance!
Source: https://vist.ly/xmek

03/14/2024

Concluding this discussion, if you're going to go with a Sweetheart table, why not try this? I designed this on the brick porch/patio at the private estate wedding. It was perfect. The couple was elevated so they could look out at all of their guests, but they weren't right there next to them. And their wedding party perfectly fit at a larger round table in front of them. I love this so much, and so did the couple. What do you think?

What is your favorite? Estate Table? OG Head Table or Sweetheart table? Comment below!

planner: planning...forever events
venue: Family Home
photog:
florals: Welborn Floral and Events
rentals:

#🥂

03/13/2024

Here's another Sweetheart table that is cozy, intimate, and dramatic. It's such a win-win, but know you are still on display. Guests can see you at all times.

planner + designer: planning...forever events
venue: Farmer and Frenchman
florals: .floyd

#🥂

03/12/2024

So, I've been talking about Estate tables or Head Tables, and honestly, they're not for everyone. Sometimes, the wedding party is too big, or there isn't enough room at the venue, or there is no wedding party. What do you do then? Enter the Sweetheart table—a small table that is cozy enough just for two, the couple of hour.

If you're going this route, be sure to make it a show-stopper! Use the ever-popular artificial green shrub backdrop.

planner/designer: planning...forever events
venue/catering: Bally's Evansville
photog: Tracy Burch Photography
floral: j’petals by .floyd
rentals: Welborn Floral and Events

#🥂 complete with a neon sign that can later hang in the couple's house.

03/11/2024

Here's a bit of a twist on the OG Headtable: it's in a U-shape. Sometimes, that works well with your venue. I know it's absolutely gorgeous with a beautiful backdrop, like at this wedding. Loved all of the styling.

planner: planning...forever events
venue: discovery lodge
photog:
florals:
dress: custom from Turkey
hair:
makeup:

🥂

03/10/2024

But if you are going to go with the OG Headtable design for your wedding (that's where the couple and the wedding party face out to the guests, who get to watch them eat 🫣) go BIG or GO HOME. Which is what we are looking at here. What I love about this, besides the sheer gorgeousness of it, is that there is a round table just for the couple, so they stand out a bit. 🤍🤍🤍🤍

planner: planning...forever events
venue:
photog: Kimberly Kaye Photography
florals:

🥂

03/09/2024

This may be my favorite estate table. Why? Because their dog sat politely at the couple's feet while they ate. Who doesn't love that? ME ME ME, I love it!e

planner: planning...forever events
venue: family home
photog: Lizzy Oakley Photography
florals: Petal & Pine
rentals: and
TRU Event Rental Inc
gown: Magnolia Bridal House and designer: Evie Young Bridal

#🥂

03/08/2024

You'll have to look back at previous posts, but I am discussing Estate tables at your wedding. Let's say YES to this one, which is glammed up by black sequin tablecloth, gold accents, stunning greenery centerpieces, and a beautiful custom paper flower backdrop behind the couple. This is just sexy as hell. What do you think?

planner/designer: planning...forever events
venue/catering: Rolling Hills Country Club
photo: WalkerStudio
floral/linens: Welborn Floral and Events

🥂

03/07/2024

More about Estate tables at your wedding. The table does not always need linen on the floor; instead, how about some natural wood and cool XBack wood chairs? Oh and check this out. We used the small, pretty wedding cake as a CENTERPIECE! What is happening here? What do you think, yes or no? Leave a comment below.

planner/designer: planning...forever events
venue/catering: Bally's Evansville
photo:
florals: laurel floral
rentals: TRU Event Rental Inc
cake: paradise cakes by laura

🥂

03/06/2024

Let's chat about your head table at your wedding. The function is that it's the space where you and your spouse and the wedding party will sit to eat during the reception. It's often a focal point, so I want it to be a WOW factor when I design these. I prefer to call something like this an estate table, not the old-school head table, where it's one-sided and faces the guests. But we will talk more about that in future posts.

planner + designer: planning...forever events
venue: Bally's Evansville
photog: Rebecca Ann Aesthetic
florals/rentals: Welborn Floral and Events

02/14/2024

Happy Lovers Day, everyone! This is our sweet While we celebrate each other, the humans, please don’t forget your fur babies. They bring us so much love.   🥂

01/18/2024

Many of you might not know that Mutual of Omaha ran a national contest campaign and opened up to the public to come and in and tape their AHA MOMENT. They actually ran this campaign for about 7 years but I was involved the first year. The winner would be featured in a national TV commercial.

People would talk about whatever’s going on in their life or experiences. Such good stories! I came in and talked about what I did for a living and why I loved it. 🤷‍♀️

Out of thousands of interviews across the country I made the 10 finalist. And then the public voted.

I don’t remember who won, but it was a MUCH better story than mine. I was just shocked I made the finals.

I haven’t thought about this in years and something made me google it and I found my video.

Enjoy! 😊 my 2010 video is below ⬇️

BTS: you walked into an airstream branded trailer and sat down on a bench with a bright light on you. It was tight and cramped. Someone would ask you questions. I did mine in ONE TAKE. I just ran with it and the interviewer was like, “wow, that’s a wrap”. Thank you ABC 25 Local Lifestyles for decades of live TV experience! 😘

As a wedding planner, my job can be hectic and stressful at times. But the moment when the door closes and it's just me and the bride before she walks down t...

01/10/2024

It's Jammie's Wednesday. Who's with me?

planner: planning...forever events
venue: City View at Sterling Square
photog: Simply Savvy Photography

🥂

01/03/2024

It's been a long time since introduced myself. Hey! I'm Saundra, and I love planning, tiny home living, cooking, and listening to podcasts.

If you are here, you know I just celebrated two decades in my business. I plan weddings and corporate events, and I love what I do. But what you may not know about me is:

We sold our family home in 2021 and moved full-time to our summer cabin at a marina. I look out of my living room and see the Ohio River. It's a small community, and we have fun in whatever we do: golf carts, SxS rides, boating, or simply hanging around a campfire.

And yes, we are tiny home living. It's been an adjustment for my husband and me. You must LIKE the person you're living with within a tiny space. My excellent organizational skills (yup, I'm super good at it) come in handy. Everything has to have its place, AND you don't over-purchase things you don't need.

I. Love. Dogs. Period. My brand ambassador captain doodlehead is our sweet pup and a certified Therapy Dog. I train teams (a human and a dog) for Therapy visits. It's so rewarding. These dogs are out in the public giving love to humans that need it.

I'm a lover of knowledge and learning new things. So, listening to podcasts fills my brain with stuff I didn't know about! I listen to all kinds. My latest passion is better health - and I'm learning so much with a holistic approach balanced with regular medical care.

This past year, I have not watched the news. If something breaks, I'll turn it on. My mental health has been much better for it. Now we are in an election year, I may burn my TV (who's with me?).

I have an adult son, BoyWonder (if you know me, I've always called him boywonder on social media - especially when he was young). He's doing his banking thing, and I'm so proud of the man he has become and continues to grow.

In 10/22, I decided to quit coloring my hair. I've been gray/white since I was in my 30's --- my husband calls me his Silver Fox.

Anyhoo, it is nice to meet you. Drop me a comment or DM, and let's chat!

#🥂