Top Event Planners & Wedding Planners of 2012

America’s Top Event Planners

Wedding and event planning is a fine art.  Coordinating and planning any event- a school dance, a prom, or a wedding takes time, organization, and patience.  No matter where in the United States you are, there’s a planner near you to create the perfect event.  Planners order your event supplies and handle the decorating details.  What does it take to be one of the top wedding planners and event planners across America?

Top Wedding and Event Planners

Swank Productions Specializes in Event Planning

Some award-winning, planning companies, such as Two Foot Creative and Swank Productions, are featured in The Knot, a popular wedding magazine.  These companies (as well as many others) are popular because they “develop teams of people… that create experiences for clients.” (Ana Skidmore, Two Foot Creative)

Maya Kalman and her team at Swank Productions have a simple planning process:  “listen, anticipate, execute, and deliver.”  This combined with Kalman’s attention to detail, creates unbelievable experiences for her clients that earn her amazing reviews.

Many planners, like Preston Bailey, post ideas and ask for feedback on their websites.  Bailey even offers educational courses in flower design and wedding and event planning.

When ordering party supplies or rounding up friend helpers or decorating on your own is not an option, consider hiring a planner.  We’ve compiled a 2012 list of top wedding planners and event planners who’d love to put together your next, amazing event.

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  Ana Skidmore, Two Foot Creative

  Two Foot Creative (Michigan) By creating a team of people to make the event run smoothly, clients can completely relax and “enjoy the day as much as any of the guests.”    The team handles everything from photographers to florists to favors.  They choose personalized, event candy and special favors to welcome guests to their client’s events.

• Maya Kalman and Swank Productions (New York) Kalman and her team not only handle weddings, but also corporate events and social events (such as Sweet 16 parties).  Because of this and the team’s experience of over a decade, clients are sure to receive full attention to detail and a wonderful experience.
• Preston Bailey (New York) In addition to offering courses in floral design and event planning, Bailey and his team take time to make each client feel as though they’re the team’s only concern.  Bailey and his team plan weddings, corporate events, and social galas.
• True Colors Events (Seattle, Washington) Although this company generally handles only weddings, they put their all into it.  They take joy in the fact that couples ask for help planning and organizing the most important day in their relationship and the team works as hard as possible to ensure every aspect of the event goes flawlessly.
  

  Ali Phillips, Engaging Events by Ali

• Engaging Events by Ali (Chicago, Illinois) Ali Phillips has been planning weddings for Chicago-area brides for nine years.  Because she first worked in sales and management, her big focus is customer service.  Phillips is able to make dream weddings happen for her clients and has been recognized by The Knot as well as many other magazines.
• Table 6 Productions (Florida) With seven locations across the United States, the teams at Table 6 Productions are able to pull together events that are not only glamorous, but also complete.  No aspect is passed over in the effort to create a memorable night.  The planners themselves strive to be not only event planners, but also friends to their clients.
• Marcy Blum (New York) Clients have told Blum that they are “forever spoiled by your superior management skills and outstanding creativity.”  Blum and her team work hard to make the months and even the year leading up to their clients’ wedding easy and stress-free.
• Randi Lesnick (Nashville, Tennessee) Clients of Randi Lesnick experience not only timeliness and organization, but also accurate budget planning.  Lesnick and her team are able to handle everything from small gatherings to large events.
• Mindy Weiss (Los Angeles, California)Weiss’ out-of-the-box ideas and event decorations are one of the reasons she is such an in-demand event planner.  She and her team coordinate weddings, baby showers, and an array of other types of events.  She also works with various charitable organizations to create a wide variety of events.
• So Eventful Wedding & Event Planning (California) The team members at So Eventful create a connection with their clients that enables them to have a more personalized party or event.  They promise that every event they organize and execute is completely different from every other. This top event planner will make it a completely unique day for you.

There are many outstanding wedding planners and event planners. Which planners or planning companies are your 2012 favorites?

Enchanted Forest Prom

It’s where Snow White met her prince. It’s where Edward and Bella fell in love. It makes for the perfect theme for your prom- an enchanted forest. When done with the right decorations, an enchanted forest theme can be romantic and fun when done with elegance and grace.

Light the Way

Perfect lighting is key with a theme like Enchanted Forest, and there are multitudes of lighting options available. If candles are allowed, set up Black Forest Candle Stands around your venue. The metal leaves and clear beads are great for accentuating a walkway or illuminating an entrance. The candles give off a nice, softened glow.

What’s a forest without trees? These white lighted trees are seven feet high and will add dimension and beauty to your prom. They can serve not only as lighting, but as incredible scenery in the Enchanted Forest.

Table Decorations

After draping the tables in the gossamer color(s) of your choice, top half of them with the Ivory Decorative Birdcage Centerpiece. It has the look of a real birdcage and can hold either a tealight, votive or LED candle. Dress up the birdcage for your Enchanted Forest theme by adding greenery, flowers or miniature faux birds.

With the other half of the tables, top them in gossamer and then add the Black Forest Centerpiece. This metal candle holder is nearly 10 inches high and can be accessorized with moss or twig garland.

Photo Opportunities

While your Enchanted Forest prom is going to be breathtaking no matter where you look, it’s a good idea to have a focal point where people will want to take pictures. Use four chocolate luminescent square columns as the base for a gazebo. Top it with the gazebo metal topper and decorate with gossamer, ivy, garland and lights. Add color to the gazebo with elegant tissue butterflies, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful meeting place for prom goers who want the perfect backdrop for their pictures.

A Bit of Magic

No Enchanted Forest is complete without a touch of magic. These Fairy Berries will add sparkle to the event by flashing on and off, giving off the light of fireflies. They can be hung by the included hook or used in water.

Memories to Last a Lifetime

Don’t send your guests home empty handed! Since they will be so impressed with the Enchanted Forest theme, they will surely be taking lots of pictures. As a parting gift, give attendees this Enchanted Forest Mod Frame. Have it personalized so they will remember the night for a lifetime!

Off to See the Wizard

Lions and tigers and bears? Oh my! Vicious beasts may not be the best idea for prom, but a venue decked out like Oz can make for a gorgeous and unforgettable night. Take your attendees to a magical place that can only come from the Wizard of Oz event theme.

Vibrant hues of green are a must for a recreation of the Emerald City. Welcome people to the city with a spectacular Emerald City Grand Entrance. Its towering castle doors will stop traffic and make for a perfect photo opportunity.

It’s all about the atmosphere when it comes to creating the famous Emerald City. Take their breath away with the Emerald City Stairway Background. The illusion of stairs leading to the Wizard of Oz can be the focal point of your event. Perfect for pictures and hiding areas of your venue you don’t want seen, this 9-foot-3 tall and 14-feet wide background will make your Emerald City come to life!

Anything goes in the home of the Wizard of Oz, which is what makes it such a special and magical place. Add your own personal touch to the place with different colored lanterns hanging from the ceiling. They can add romantic lighting to the venue and pops of color to the Emerald City. Not everything was green in Oz, so don’t be afraid to step away from your core color.

Another way to add color is on the tables. Gold goes beautifully with green. Cover tables in white, but add sparkles of green and gold confetti for added flare. Don’t forget the importance of ruby red- the color of Dorothy’s famous slippers. Make your food and beverage tables stand out by covering them in a red glitter taffeta fabric. No one will miss the location of the refreshments with a beautiful table covering that will sparkle just like Dorothy’s unforgettable shoes.

Just because the music may be modern, doesn’t mean the dance floor has to take away from the Wizard of Oz theme. Designate your dance space by surrounding it with the very road that led Dorothy to the Emerald City- the yellow brick road. Use the yellow brick road walkway to surround the dance floor. The bright yellow will attract attendees to the best part of the event- the dancing.

Remember your favorite part of the Wizard of Oz? Make it a part of your event! Whether it was the yellow brick road, the rainbow Dorothy sang about, or even the beautiful poppies that put Dorothy and her friends to sleep, you can make it a part of your Wizard of Oz themed party. Go all out and purchase an entire Wizard of Oz Kit, and you’ll have an Emerald City that would make the Wizard himself proud!