Thank you so much for the amazing feedback you gave me about the best planners and best florists in your area.

I am now on the lookout for the best Band or DJ in your area. As you all know, these folks can make or break a party.

So, please send me info about any Band or DJ that kept a full dance floor jumping (and yes please nominate yourself if you think you are “it”).

Photo (via)

Gotham Hall in New York City (Before)

HELP! I am having a hard time finding great new venues to recommend to my clients when I am working around the world. I find that a lot of venues have these amazing pictures online, but when I visit either the upkeep leaves a lot to be desired (dirty carpets, scratched chairs, dirty walls, etc.) or the food is not all it promised to be.

Could you please recommend the best venues that you have worked in or visited in your area?

Gotham Hall (after)

This is what I am looking for:

• Beautiful rooms, modern or traditional
• Good upkeep
• Great food
• Great servers
• Good bathroom (If this is not great, I can always improve it)
• An extra bonus: if they have good hang points (I love the choice of hanging extra lighting or decoration from the ceiling)

Your recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

Last week’s In or Out was pretty clear: there is no bad season to have a wedding. In some locations, the weather can be a slight hindrance to throwing a fabulous event, but even that doesn’t stop most couples from getting what they want. Here’s to celebrating love and marriage no matter what the season!

One thing I do want to note is that even though there is no bad season to do weddings, in the past few years I have noticed that Fall weddings have increased a lot. It might be those beautiful jewel tones everyone seems to love…

This week, I’d like to discuss giveaways. Is it still IN to provide giveaways at your event or have they gone OUT of fashion? You tell me. And, if it’s still IN, what types of giveaways are the most popular?

I took the liberty of asking for your favorite florist and planner in your area (thank you for your huge response), and I was very surprised to see by your comments that this is still a very confusing issue.

I received a few planners that acted as designers as part of their services, and designers that acted as planners. I am a firm believer of full service for your clients, however the big question is: How are you charging your clients for both of these services? Another question is: Does your client know the difference between the two roles?

I’d love to hear your response and give you my two cents next week.

Last week I requested names of the best florist in your area, and the only thing I can say is: OMG. I had a chance to look at the websites of the folks you nominated and there is a lot of amazing talent out there. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ll keep this list in the event I am working close to your area.

Because I work all over the world, this week’s request is just as important. I want to know: who is the best PLANNER you have ever worked with or know in your area? And again, please do not hesitate to nominate yourself if you are the best. Having an association with a great planner anywhere in the world makes my job much easier, so I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

A planner’s work is never done…as evidenced by the menu above created for a couple who had very different food tastes. (If you look really closely at the food options, you’ll see that opposites really do attract!)