Project 2 Selling Your Services Loreana Davi Fall 2015 1|Page Table of Contents Meet Loreana ……………………………………………………………………………….…… Page 3 Q&A with Loreana ………………………………………………………………..….……….. Page 3 Why TE by Loreana? …….…………………………………………………………………….. Page 4 Packages and Pricing ………………………………………………………………….…..… Pages 5-7 Additional Information ………………………………………………………………………. Page 8 Bridal Profile Form ……………………………………………………………………………… Page 9 Sample Bridal Party Checklist ………………………………………………………..…... Pages 10-11 Marriage License Requirements ………………………………………..……..……….. Page 12 Civil Ceremony Requirements …………………………………………………………… Page 13 Sample Contract ………………………………………………………………………………... Page 14 Party Ideas ……………………………………………………………………………….…….…… Page 15 Essay 2|Page Meet Loreana… Loreana is the owner and CEO of Timeless Experiences by Loreana. She has lived in New Jersey her entire life, and has a deep love for and many connections on the east coast. She has ten years of experience in customer service, from the food industry to sales to the hospitality industry. Although she worked several jobs and all of them dealt with customers face-to-face, none of them left her feeling fulfilled. She just knew she wanted to make people happy. One day while skimming wedding photos on Pinterest, one of her most timeconsuming past times, she decided to make a change and dedicate her life to the one thing she loves most- the wedding industry. Q&A with Loreana How long have you been in the wedding planning business? I have only been in the business for about eight months, and that time has been spent mostly studying wedding planning and building relationships with vendors. I have planned surprise birthday parties and small themed holiday parties for friends and family, which were huge hits. I am also very organized and very creative, and extremely focused on the customer service aspect of party planning, which makes me the perfect planner for your wedding, as I will be sure to meet and exceed your every need! Are you a certified wedding planner? I am currently working towards my certification to be a wedding and event planner. I will be certified by December 2015 and will be fully trained on planning every step of a wedding and running my own business. What is an example of when you had to be a quick thinker and avert a disaster during a wedding or event that you planned? Again, I haven’t planned a real wedding yet, so nothing can be as nerve-racking as a disaster at a client’s wedding! But I had planned my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary at their house when a guest almost ruined the surprise! I had asked everyone through the Facebook group to park on a side street across from the house so that my parents wouldn’t pull in and see unfamiliar cars and be suspicious. We had added a couple to the guest list at the last moment who hadn’t accepted the group Facebook page, so they weren’t aware of this information. Right after we were told that my parents were coming and would be home any second, the couple’s truck pulled up- right in front of the house! I thought I was going to either die of anxiety or scream at the couple in rage! Both would have been absolutely terrible. So in the heat of the moment I greeted the couple hastily and told them to go right to the backyard, where the rest of the guests were, and I would go ahead and valet the car for them (which I didn’t do for anyone else). They were both happy with my greeting and pleasantly surprised with the service. My parents came a few seconds after I entered the backyard and the surprise was epic! My family always reminisces about my quick thinking on that day to make sure everything went smoothly. 3|Page Why do you need Timeless Experiences by Loreana? The Knot released their 2014 Real Wedding Study statistics which included a list of 25 of the most expensive places to marry. The top 3 were all places located within 30 miles of Essex County- Manhattan, Long Island, and North New Jersey at a whopping average of $53,986. The national average, however, only came in at about $31,000. These statistics reflect that there is definitely a need in this area for a cheaper, yet still unique wedding. Every bride wants that perfect day- where all of her decorations are personalized, her wow-factor centerpieces give that dramatic flair and her guests have an amazing experience that is never forgotten. How can one have all of that in the northern New Jersey area? I can help you get the best vendors for the best price. I promise to keep your wedding right around your budget no matter what. On top of that, I offer some of the best prices among the wedding planners in the area. Most VIP packages among my competitors will run upwards of $3,000 dollars. Our VIP Services Diamond Package only costs $2,400 but still includes that red carpet service that only Timeless Experiences can give. All of my past experiences and my training in event planning taught me that customer service is the most important part of the planning process, as the client just needs to be heard, understood, and accommodated. Timeless Experiences by Loreana strives to exceed those expectations for unprecedented service to every client, no matter what kind of event and what kind of budget. Whether you are planning a meeting with colleagues, your 4-year old daughter’s princess birthday party, or the wedding of your dreams, you don’t want to remember the search for the cheapest dozen donuts, the simplest way to bake a pink cake, or the picking of the napkin color. You want to remember the promotion you got, the look on your daughter’s face when Cinderella actually came to the party, and the feeling of the first dance. The experience is what makes it memorable. Let us make it timeless. ~ Loreana Davi 4|Page Packages and Pricing √The Blue Package- “Day-of” Services ($800-$900) One consultation meeting to discuss theme, colors, expectations, etc. Coordinator presence at the wedding Confirms with vendors the time, location, and products needed. Supervises all vendor deliveries Assists floral designer/venue manager with decorations and personalizing the wedding to the couple’s desires Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible Provide emergency kit Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments Depending on your necessities and the extra fee payment, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc. √The Silver Package- “Mid-way” Services ($1000-$1100) For any couple that needs the wedding planner to give her time but doesn’t have the means to go to meetings and help with the wedding themselves; perfect for the long-distance bride! Two consultation meetings to discuss theme and basic wedding desires, as well as suggestions for vendors and getting the wedding started Sets up contracts with vendors for the bride without bride’s presence at meetings, and keeps the bride upto-date on all negotiations met and contracts signed Assists all vendors with personalizing the wedding to the couple’s desire and confirms with the bride that everything is as she would like it Attends the wedding to confirm that all deliveries are set up according to couple’s desires Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple 5|Page Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible Provide emergency kit Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments Depending on your necessities, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc. √The Gold Package- “Full-Service” ($1700-$1800) For the bride who needs full planning from the very beginning An initial consultation to discuss everything that is needed to make the couple’s day perfect, in addition to as many scheduled meetings with the coordinator necessary to make the couple feel satisfied that their vision will be executed Attends all the dress fittings and vendor meetings to ensure the day goes according to the couple’s vision Ensures the couple is getting the best vendors and best rates, and that they follow the contract according to the couple’s desires Attends the wedding to confirm that all deliveries are set up according to couple’s desires Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible Provide emergency kit Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments Depending on your necessities, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc. √The Diamond Package- “VIP” Services ($2400) For the bride who needs everything! This package includes planning from the beginning of the wedding, as well as help planning and executing one additional party (such as the bridal shower, bachelorette party, bachelor party, etc) 6|Page An initial consultation meeting to discuss theme, colors, expectations etc, a second one to discuss planning of the party (bridal shower, bachelorette party, bachelor party, etc), in addition to as many scheduled meetings with the coordinator necessary to make the couple feel satisfied that their vision will be executed Arrives at the venue for the party to ensure everything is as described during the consultation Ensures the couple is getting the best vendors and best rates, and that they follow the contract according to the couple’s desires Attends the wedding to confirm that all deliveries are set up according to couple’s desires Oversees the placement of the cake, place cards, linens, rentals, and other decorations as described by the couple Provide timeline and review it with all vendors, primarily the DJ/entertainers to ensure everything follows the couple’s desired timeline as closely as possible Provide emergency kit Ensure that all vendors receive their final payments Depending on your necessities, will stay after the wedding to ensure clean-up is properly handled according to the venue’s requirements Unlimited, 24-hour access to communication with the coordinator via phone, email, text, etc. Price includes clean-up service 7|Page Additional Wedding Information ☆ We are proud to offer our clients additional value within their packages by providing free information regarding wedding services in the Essex County/Northern New Jersey area, as well as a free packet full of tools to help you create the perfect day! ☆ To prove that we are committed to our clients on their wedding day, our packet includes a profile form that we ask you to fill out to help us in identifying you and your wedding desires. Please see an example of this form on page 9. We also include a bridal party checklist to help you in deciding which members of your party can help you in completing certain tasks (we can help you with that during your consultation!) Please see page 10. You can also find marriage license information for our area (page 12), and many other items you may find useful! ☆ Engagement announcements can now be made online! Go to www.app.com to create your very own wedding, engagement or anniversary announcements and choose your desired publishing date. Basic columns without a photo run as low as $60! You will find this information in your packet as well. ☆ Here at Timeless Experiences by Loreana, we have found that it is very hard to find planners who are willing to share their vendors with their clients ahead of time. We believe in absolute transparency, so your packet includes a list of vendors with their contact information so you can do your research. We believe that our vendors are the best, and we want you to see that too. You can also find a sample contract (page 14) from Timeless Experiences by Loreana so that you can discuss whether it is something you would feel comfortable with. We want you to be sure we are right for you! ☆ Your packet comes with fun bridal shower, engagement party, bachelorette party, and bachelor party theme ideas! You can choose to add on a bridal shower for just $500 to your package, which the coordinator for your wedding will be assigned to, or you can choose the Diamond Package which comes with an included party! See some of our fun ideas on page 15. ☆ If you loved Timeless Experiences and our impeccable service, please find our other services in your packet. We do themed birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and corporate meetings! Tell your friends! ***Our website will be up shortly, where you can see a full list of all of our services and pricing; coming soon!*** 8|Page Bridal Profile Form Date: ________________ Name: ________________________________________________ Date of Event: ___________________________ Location of Event: _____________________________________________________________________ Do you have a specific theme you wish to achieve for your wedding? (Romantic/shabby chic/beach/outdoors) ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________ Do you have specific colors in mind? ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________ Do you prefer a sit-down dinner or buffet style? ______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________ When you imagine your wedding, what is the general feel of the atmosphere you want your guests to experience? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________ If you had to choose one word to describe yourselves as a couple, which one would it be? 1. Traditional 2. Casual 3. Modern 4. Adventurous 5. Fun 6. Contemporary I absolutely need: ______________________________________________________________________ 9|Page I absolutely don’t want: ________________________________________________________________ What else should Timeless Experiences by Loreana know about your wedding? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 10 | P a g e Bridal Party Checklist Sample Maid of Honor Bridesmaids Plan the bridal shower and keep record of gifts for Help plan and pay for bridal shower if applicable thank you cards Attend rehearsal dinner Be the voice of reason at the dress fittings and try-ons! Help pick out and pitch in for bridesmaid dresses as Help the bride anywhere needed to alleviate stress (address thank you cards and invitations; assemble the well as bride’s gown music score, etc.) Run any last minute day-of errands (forgotten items, migraine medicine, snack cravings) Attend rehearsal dinner Encourage guests to dance! Prepare wedding day speech to couple Provide emotional support to bride Calm the bride on the big day; assist with makeup, hair, and the dress in any way you can Witness the marriage license signing Hold the groom's ring Be a part of the farewell tunnel and send the couple off Best Man Go with the groom to choose a tuxedo Host bachelor party Organize any transportation necessities Attend rehearsal dinner Prepare wedding day speech to couple Arrange any payments that need to be made with groom (final payments to reception hall, photographer etc., officiant fee) Groomsmen/Ushers Plan and pay for bachelor party if applicable Attend rehearsal dinner Escort bridesmaids when ceremony ends Emotional support for groom Encourage guests to dance! Run any last minute day-of errands for groom Flower Girl Attend rehearsal dinner to ease anxiety during the ceremony Throw petals or candies etc. down the aisle Make guests smile! Ring Bearer Hold bride's ring Walk down aisle before flower girl Escort maid-of-honor down the aisle at end of Decide whether you can bear the responsibility of ceremony holding real rings, practice holding fake rings Witness signing of marriage license accordingly Stand in farewell tunnel and see off couple to honeymoon Attend rehearsal dinner to ease anxieties during ceremony Make guests smile! 11 | P a g e Mother of the Bride Father of the Bride Potentially help in choosing reception/ceremony sites Traditionally pays for majority of costs Attend dress fittings/ try-ons Host/cohost bridal shower/rehearsal dinner Choose mother-of-the-bride dress that suits the bride's Send engagement announcements to newspaper, other wants media outlets Attend bridal shower and rehearsal dinner Stand in farewell tunnel and see off couple Dance with father-of-the-bride when cued by DJ/band Escort bride down aisle Be emotional support for bride Keep an eye on food and drink supplies Chip in when needed to pay for costs, if applicable Be the last to leave reception ensuring all last details are taken Assist as liaison between bride and vendors to alleviate stress care of, if applicable Mother of the Groom Organize and pay for rehearsal dinner, if applicable Assist with costs of flowers for attendants, honeymoon costs, etc. Provide emotional support for groom Father of the Groom Assist in planning bachelor party, if applicable Assist with costs as much as you can (flowers, honeymoon costs, etc.) Provide emotional support for the groom Changes to fit your needs: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 12 | P a g e ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________ New Jersey Marriage License Requirements How much does a marriage license cost in New Jersey? A marriage license costs $28.00 in New Jersey. The preferred method of payment is cash. Is there a waiting period for obtaining my marriage license? There is a mandatory 72 business hour waiting period before your marriage license can be issued to you. Does my marriage license expire? Yes. You must use your marriage license 30 days after receiving it, otherwise you will have to apply for a new one. Is there an age requirement? You must be 18 years of age to marry in the state of New Jersey without parental consent. Is there a residency requirement? No. You do not have to be a resident of New Jersey to have a marriage license that is valid state-wide. Do we need a blood test? No. No physical exam/blood samples are required. Is same-sex marriage allowed? Yes. Same-sex marriages are permitted in the state of New Jersey. Where can I get a marriage license? Our local county clerk offices: 1. Essex County Clerk- 465 Dr Martin Luther King Drive. Newark, NJ 07102. (973)621-4920 2. Jersey City Town Clerk- 595 Newark Avenue. Jersey City, NJ 07306. (201)547-5150 13 | P a g e 3. Newark Town Clerk- 39 Trinity Street. Newark, NJ 07201. (973)733-3844 4. Union County Courthouse- 2 Broad Street. Room 115. Elizabeth, NJ 07407. (908)820-4082 5. Passaic City Clerk- 77 Hamilton Street. Patterson, NJ 07505. (973)881-3400 New Jersey Civil Ceremony Procedures How do we reserve a date? You must contact the local municipality to reserve a date after deciding when to apply for a marriage license. You may choose a date that is no less than 72 hours after you have applied and no more than 30 days after it is obtained. Is there a fee for our civil ceremony? There is a suggested donation of $50 for civil ceremonies in New Jersey. What do we need to bring to the civil ceremony? You will first need a form of identification, like a passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate. If you are under 18 you will need parental consent. You must bring your marriage license and a witness that is 18 years or older to your civil ceremony, the suggested fee of $50 dollars, and the rings. How do we obtain our proof of marriage after the ceremony? After the ceremony is performed, your marriage license will become your marriage certificate. You must go to the registrar with a witness to pay the fee, provide residence information, and then wait the 72 hours. You can then return to the registrar to pick up the license and bring it to the ceremony on the chosen date. Two weeks after the ceremony, the couple can pick up the certified copy of the marriage certificate that was signed by the couple, the officiate, and the witnesses. Who can officiate my civil ceremony? 14 | P a g e Valid officiates include federal judges, judges of a municipal court, judges of a tax court, judges of a Superior court, any mayor or chairman of a township committee, village president of NJ, county clerks, and ministers of every religion. Day-of Services Contract The Blue Package Today’s Date: ___________________________________ Name of Bride: _________________________________________________ Contact Phone Number: ___________________________________________ Name of Groom: ________________________________________________ Contact Phone Number: ___________________________________________ Date of Event: _____________________________________ Location of Event: ___________________________________________________________ Start Time: __________________ End Time: __________________ Break-down services needed? : Y or N Services Timeless Experiences will provide the couple listed above “day-of” wedding services, also known as the Blue package. This includes one consultation meeting with a Timeless Experiences events coordinator prior to the wedding to discuss theme, colors, expectations, etc. It also includes presence on the day and at the location of the wedding listed above to ensure that vendors arrive on time and that all rentals, linens, place cards, cake, and all other items as needed are in order as described to the coordinator during the meeting. The coordinator will assist with decorations and personalizing every detail as described to the coordinator during the meeting. The coordinator will review all wedding music and cues with all vendors, especially the DJ/entertainers so that all events will run as closely to the expected timeline as possible. Coordinator will also provide technical necessities to make sure your wedding is perfect, such as finalizing payment to all vendors according to contracts and keeping an emergency kit in the building in case of any unexpected instances. The coordinator may or may not be available to assist with break-down services depending on what is decided between coordinator and the couple. The Blue package includes unlimited contact with coordinator via phone, email, fax, and other means as provided by coordinator. Cancellation The couple may cancel the requested services of Timeless Experiences 48 hours prior to the day of the wedding. If the wedding is cancelled for any reason, including weather, acts of God, or strike, after the 48 hour deadline, 50% of the deposit ($200) will be kept as a late cancellation fee by Timeless Experiences and is non-refundable. Fees 15 | P a g e The flat cost of the Blue Package is $800. The deposit of 50% of the cost, $400, is expected upon the signing of this contract. The remainder of the balance will be paid to Timeless Experiences upon day of wedding. If breakdown services are needed, an extra $100 will be added onto the price, totaling $900. As stated above, if wedding is cancelled after cancellation deadline, 50% of the deposit ($200) will be kept by Timeless Experiences as a late cancellation fee. I understand that I am hiring Timeless Experiences to perform “day-of” services for my wedding as part of the Blue Package. I also understand that my balances, including break-down fee, must be paid to Timeless Experiences as explained in this contract and that under no circumstances will any exceptions be made regarding the late cancel fee. I am entitled to the services above and nothing more unless stated by the coordinator/Timeless Experiences by Loreana or another contract is signed explaining these additional services. Bride: X___________________________________________________ Coordinator: X_______________________________________________ Groom: X__________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________ We don’t just do weddings! Here are some of our favorite party ideas! ☆ Bridal Shower- What girl doesn’t love brunch? Set your party apart by having it mid-day on a weekend as opposed to a typical dinner party. We can decorate the party in fresh and pretty pinks and golds, with pale pink plates on top of gold chargers, gold balloons and other fun decorations. Some breakfast restaurants may be able to cater your event for reasonable prices, let us help you find one in your area! You can be sure that the guests’ favorite part will be the mimosa bar. We will set some champagne on ice on a buffet table and also set out juice (orange, pomegranate, pineapple) with some bowls of fresh fruit. Fun foods and drink and conversation are sure to make your event timeless! ☆ Engagement Party- We would love to recreate a fun theme we found on Pinterest for your engagement party called “The Hunt is Over.” This allows us to incorporate the rustic, outdoors theme that is so prevalent in the industry at the moment into your event. Invitations, centerpieces, and table settings will include earthy tones, burlap, and antlers! You can pick a pop of color, like hot pink or orange to keep to the theme of hunting, to add some life to your event or keep it on a lower tone with beiges and browns. Food stands for your buffet will be tree trunks and vines will weave up the walls and through the tables of your event to create a romantic, airy feel. If you prefer an evening event, we can cover the ceiling in string lights to create the illusion of stars. Otherwise, let’s use the actual stars as the decoration and brainstorm ways to create this theme outside! 16 | P a g e ☆ Bachelorette Party- Let Timeless Experiences pamper you and your friends before the big day. We will use our best vendors to create a Spa Day at your own home or the home of a friend/parent! We will get message therapists and beauty professionals to perform facials and manicures. Enjoy your special treatment with some wine and a cheese and cracker board. Your surroundings will include girly pink flowers and relaxing ivory decorations. ☆ Bachelor Party- The guys are much easier to plan for- all they want is food and fun! Let them enjoy an active, fun day on the paintball fields! We can help with renting out a paintball course and setting up a wonderful buffet of burgers, hotdogs, and other man-foods! They can (responsibly and safely) enjoy whiskey or wine while dining and being competitive. This event will be the perfect opportunity for the groom to get in some guy time and a lot of fun before the big day! Essay Timeless Experiences by Loreana will create the most outstanding and beautiful events on a budget in New Jersey. We want to take care of every minute detail so that our clients can enjoy their event to the fullest. We plan to grow as event planners and as a business by being the most knowledgeable of the latest trends and industry shifts and by promising our clients unprecedented customer service while still being inexpensive. This will allow us to serve as many people as we can in the future- because everyone deserves their own Timeless Experience. My company will develop in primarily the Essex County, NJ area serving brides on a budget- a much needed service in this area. As described in my explanation of the market on page 4 of this project, rates for bridal consultants in my market can be extremely high, which is why I would like to cater to the people who think they can’t even afford a planner. My reasonable prices alongside my unmatched level of customer service is sure to please the low budget-brides in my area. In order to be successful, my business will exist online to eliminate many costs, including overhead and office costs. This will also require consultants to meet with clients in their homes or at a neutral place. This will contribute to Timeless Experiences by Loreana’s personable, friendly attitude. After marketing to my niche market through business cards, flyers, social media, and especially word of mouth, I plan to add approximately 8-10 weddings to my schedule after the first year, which will require an assistant coordinator for year 2. At the end of 4 years, there will be 3 additional coordinators and approximately 17 | P a g e 40 events a year. By that time, we will have expanded throughout much of New Jersey. At the end of 10 years, I would like to be a multi-department, large-scale wedding and event planning company with 15-20 coordinators who work across the USA, with me as the CEO and Diamond Package client planner. I would like my company to be known for its employees delivering the most outstanding customer service- they treat everyone as if they were family. They go out of their way to answer every email promptly, provide solutions to every issue immediately, and create amazing relationships with all of their clients. Timeless Experiences by Loreana will be a widely recognized and respected company in the industry. Credits: All of the pictures in this project were found on Pinterest. Inspiration for party ideas were found on Pinterest. Marriage license and Civil Ceremony information researched on www.nj.gov 18 | P a g e