Monday, July 19, 2010

Christmas in July







Planning for the Holidays can be overwhelming. Decorating can send you into a frenzy. Our schedules are jammed full over the holidays packed with entertaining friends, attending parties and spending quality time with family and friends. Rather than stress about it, call on Merry Me Events to create an atmosphere that saves you time and looks fabulous!


It's crazy but true, the holiday season is less than six months away! Start reserving your dates for Holiday Parties and Decor with us.  From traditional to whimsical, we'll use your existing heirlooms or create a fresh new look to fit your style and budget.


Corporate planning....? leaving those 'company holiday gatherings' in the hands of the experts. We love to celebrate and it shows.





Bring the Holiday Spirit to your office or business! Let us create and warm and friendly atmosphere that even brings cheer to the office scrooge.






It's not too soon to get into the spirit of the holidays. We can't wait to come up with memorable decor for you and yours!
Give us a call to schedule your complementary meeting. 574.532.5588. 

We can't wait to create your Exceptional "Holiday" Event!


Happy You, Merry Me!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

8 Reasons to Choose Merry Me Events

1. Less is More Because Excellence Matters. We limit the number of events we'll do on any given day. We strive to offer exceptional customer service. We want to offer you the one on one attention you deserve. You will be given your own Merry Me Wedding Details and Decor Specialist.


2. We are a TEAM of experienced designers and coordinators. The saying is true. Working in teams is more effective than individually. After gathering your ideas and your vision, we round table and creatively brainstorm a look that is uniquely yours. The information comes from not only the initial planning meeting, but from your completed 'Bridal Profile Questionnaire' and 'Wish List Assessment'. Those tools allow us to 'get inside your head' to know what really matters to you most, then focus our attention from there.

3. We are Wedding Coordinators paying attention to details. Our planning calendars will not only keep you on track, but allow you to remain focused in an organized and stress-free manner. We'll get you started on the right foot by concentrating on first things first- vendor selection from our tired and true Merry Me Preferred Vendor List. We want you to enjoy the process of planning your wedding with us! By spreading out the many details in a uniform and well-planned schedule, you will not only be relaxed, but will have confidence in knowing we're handling the deadlines and details for you.


4. We work in terms of 'Atmospheres' and not just centerpieces. We like considering the big picture. When designing your event, we create an inviting environment using all aspects of decor such as linens, lighting, theme and personality, allowing for those 'wow' experiences.

5. We are not only Designers, we are Detailed Coordinators all working together to create you big day. The details of planning will seamlessly work with the details of design. It makes sense to have fewer involved allowing more efficient communication while effectively producing your event. The right hand will always know what the left hand is thinking.

6. We provide an extensive Decor Demo meeting. We want to present you with a look you'll love, leaving no room for surprises. We value the 'Complementary Decor Demo' meeting provided for you. We will share linen ideas, centerpiece concepts, 'table-scaping' designs and all elements of decor as we paint the picture for you visually in this hands-on approach. Your Custom Inspiration Board is also Included in our Design packages.

7. Fresh Ideas and Education on New Concepts. Each year we attend 'The Special Event Show' held all over the country (ie San Diego, Las Vegas, New Orleans etc) While there, we gain new ideas, experience teaching from industry greats (ie Carly Roney from "The Knot"; Darcy Miller from "Martha Stewart Weddings"), ignite the fire for design inspiration, and stay current with trends all over the world. We love this show and look forward to it each year!

8. Not just a contract... a "Design Plan". Our proposal comes to you in the form of a Design Plan. This is your overall blueprint for the look and feel of your entire event. We respect your budget. While developing this important guide, we'll keep your numbers in line. Your Design Plan is flexible up until several weeks before your wedding, when all counts are final. There may be few exceptions with your event such as custom creating decor, but otherwise, there is room for change.


This is just a glimpse as to why Merry Me is an area Leader in Event Planning and Design. Call to schedule your complementary 'Get to Know You' meeting and don't hesitate to 'Save the Date' with Merry Me. Dates for 2011 are filling quickly.
Merry Me Events: 574.532.5588

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Anatomy of an Event: Case #1 Patel Wedding

So we thought it might be fun to take you from start to finish on an event. This was a great challenge. How do we flip a room filled with 475 people in less than 2 hours? Planning + teamwork!

The process of design with Merry Me Events starts in the early stages of our planning. Upon first meeting, we provide our couples with a "Couple Style Questionnaire" and "Bridal Profile and Wish List Assessment". These help us get a real sense and direction for the style and atmosphere our clients hope for their event. Pairing their vision, with our creative brainstorming team, we bring life to the event they've dreamed of.

A custom "Inspiration Board" is created for each of our design clients. Our design team works with unexpected attention to unique ideas, offering this 'blueprint' for the overall picture and direction we're headed.















Our design meeting brings it all together. Merry Me event designer, Cher Goggins, meets each client with whom she works several weeks in advance, providing a preview of 'the look' she and her team hope to create. She pulls together sample linens, accessories, floral designs and specialty rentals to give you the big picture concept. This 'no surprises' approach has proven to be so valuable while offering a first look glimpse at our visual design plans for the big day.

The Design Plan is created, providing a compass for the design direction we chart on our course.

Teamwork is key! As designers and coordinators of events, we plan the production schedule by working closely with all vendors and venues involved. Each event requires a team of Details and Design Specialists to carefully set up the environment of the celebration. For this event, we worked directly with Nicole and Dan of Hilton Garden Inn, Gillespie Conference Center. Weeks in advance, we requested a floor-plan so we could diagram each table design according to the room layout. The production schedule was coordinated so that we could stage an area of the ballroom a day in advance for a much-appreciated, head start.


When it came time to flip the room, we had planned the teamwork details with Dan, Hilton's General Manager, as he lead us smart. He directed. We followed. We turned the room of 475 over in just over an hour enabling a seamless celebration for the couple. The transition from ceremony to cocktails to dinner and dancing worked flawlessly.



We believe details matter. attention to detail is what makes us different. we believe it's all in the details...

Behrens | Yates Wedding : A Beautiful Day...

So this one goes down as one of the most fun and memorable events ever! It began with perfect weather- sunny and low 80's. Finally, a Saturday this summer with an outdoor tent wedding/ reception and no need to worry about rain back up plans!



Father of the bride insisted on keeping this sign up. Wonder what happened late night?!
Tent and rentals provided by Aay's Rental. Perfectly executed.

Catering provided by Matterhorn. Kurt and Deana, great job leading your team. Delicious with a pretty presentation.

Best groomsmen/ guys wedding entrance ever... check it out. We posted it on our Merry Me Events Facebook page.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Highlighting Lead Coordinator: Ami Butler-O'Brien

We've had a very exciting summer so far... couples and their families have been overjoyed with the role Merry Me Events has played in their event. I am so proud of our team and the way we work together. I've really tried to focus on each of their strengths and put their talents to best use.

Ami is in charge of our details. She's been organizing production schedules, making final phone calls, creating team schedules and making sure our files are filled with accurate information. She keeps us on track and does her job well. I appreciate Ami's attention to detail. I'm glad to have her on our team.

On days we have multiple events, she is one of our Lead Coordinators in charge of an entire event with a team she directs well.

Our clients have appreciated Ami and so do I.

"Ami, Wow. I don't even know where to being in thanking you for everything you did for our wedding. From every detail you were on top of it and ready... There is NO way I could have done it without you... You made the day go smooth for everyone...Thank you for making our day perfect"  Amanda and Jake VanWagner, June 12, 2010

"Dear Ami, Thank you for all your help in getting to this day. We are lucky to have you and know that you will do everything to help make Katie's wedding day wonderful..." Peggy McSherry (MOB) and bride Katie (McSherry) Moran, June 26, 2010

"Just wanted to say what a great job you and Ami did on Ashley's wedding.  It was so beautiful.  Ashley cried when she saw the room from the balcony.  She said it was like a dream only better!  I had so many people say that they had never seen such  beautiful flowers and the crystal candelabra and candle sticks were stunning.  It couldn't have been any better.   A big thank you to you and Ami for everything you did.  You made Ashley's dream come true.  Thanks to Ami for handling everything that day.  She made it easy on me.
Hopefully we will do this again in the future with another daughter.  You both are the best!"

Cindy Briganti (MOB) bride Ashley (Simons) Andert May 29, 2010



We realize teamwork is important. We really enjoy working together with our preferred vendors and venues to make each event a flawless success! Here's what a recent vendor had to say...

"Hi Ami,
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you it was really a pleasure working with you on the Simons wedding May 29. You do a great job. The room looked great, things were organized, and your laid back, 'let the professionals do what they do' attitude was really helpful.
Hope to work together again soon!
Thanks,
Jeff"

First Impressions Band, Indianapolis

The Marvelous and Magnificent Merry Me Team! Thanks for all you do!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Dezzie Zamora weds Isaac Garcia

Simply gorgeous! Dezzie and Isaac married at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame on a hot and sunny Saturday in June. Her celebration continued at McKenna Hall. We kept the floral and decor simple to accommodate budget requests. The results... Simply gorgeous and elegant.
Her chosen colors were a beautiful teal blue with blush tones and gilded accents. We created custom chandeliers to hang from the columns.
Amanda Fales Photography did a fabulous job on these photos. Thanks for sharing! The couple looked amazing!
Macri's Bakery did an outstanding job on the delicious Italian cake.


Congratulations to you Mr and Mrs Garcia!

Monday, July 5, 2010

TREES!



In 2009, The South Bend Center for History asked us to design one of the Trees for their Trees! exhibit, featuring Christmas trees decorated by area designers. We are so honored that they asked us again this year and  featured us in their mailing announcing this year's Trees exhibit!



The Trees! exhibit will be available for six weeks at the Center for History, from Sunday, November 21 - Sunday, January 9, 2011.