Picking your flowers - each choice has meaning!

Did all of you know that choosing flowers for your wedding isn’t just about beauty or making a statement? According to the Victorian Era book The Language of Flowers, different flower varietals actually mean different things in the context of marriage! So, if you want to permeate your ceremony with proper symbolism, take a look at what some of the most popular flowers in bouquets and arrangements actually mean:

Anemones represent “expectation” which is fitting for an event that symbolizes lifelong togetherness. They’re beautiful, unscented and are perfect for late summer and early fall weddings.

Baby’s Breath symbolizes “innocence.” They inexpensive and abundant year-round… and they’re actually becoming fashionable once again!

Freesia also represents innocence and will add an intoxicatingly beautiful scent to your bouquet.

Carnations hold different meanings depending on their color! Red is a symbol of “love”, pink is a symbol of “boldness” and white is indicative of “talent”. Carnations can be used in so many ways and are underrated because of their inexpensive price and year-round seasonality.

Chrysanthemum “Wealth, abundance, and truth” are used to describe the mainly Fall associated flower. They’re available anywhere and are the perfect asset to your harvest themed fall/ barn wedding.

Daffodil Think “happiness” when you include this peppy and bright springtime flower in your arrangements! They’re plentiful and inexpensive when they are in season!

Dahlias are PERFECT for weddings because they are known as a symbol of “commitment and bonds that last an eternity”. They add an elegant flair to any summer or early fall wedding.

Delphiniums are stunning additions to any floral arrangement. Lightly fragrant delphiniums represent “swiftness and brightness” two things that you definitely want in a life partner!

Gardenias are our favorite flowers to see at a wedding. White, bright, elegant and breathtakingly perfumed, they represent “purity and joy.” They are a must!

Lilacs have possibly the most romantic meaning of all: “loves first emotions!” Most lilacs are available in the US in the Spring, but can be imported from France year-round.

Ranunculus. What doesn’t a beautiful, heaving bouquet of Ranunculus say? They are available in virtually every color imaginable and traditionally represent “being dazzled by the charms of another.”

AND FINALLY:

Roses It's no wonder why roses rank as one of the most beloved wedding flowers. They stand as a symbol of “romance, love and beauty.” What else could you ask for in a wedding arrangement?

And if you need help with finding a floral designer to arrange some of these beauties for you, we will be more than happy to help you out!

Photo Credit and Design: Amy Bosco, Floral Designer

 @elegant_floral_creationsbyamy

Why Do I Need A Wedding Planner?

Hey All!

So, you have picked out your favorite venue for your special day, and they have a coordinator on site, your good to go, right? Not always!

Today let’s discuss the differences between a wedding planner and a venue event coordinator. Many couples, while planning their wedding and searching for a venue, think that because there is an event coordinator at the venue that they don’t need to hire a wedding planner. While venue coordinators are very helpful... they often can’t help with every detail of your event because they likely are busy with many other events and tasks related directly to the venue! 

A wedding planner on the other hand is there from the moment you hire them until the wedding is a resounding success, taking part and helping with each and every detail.

What happens if you have guests coming from out of town? A wedding planner can help you make sure they all have a place to stay and even help with travel arrangements. A coordinator tied to a venue would not be able to offer this service as it would not directly relate to the part of the event that is at their location.

What if your ceremony is at a location other than the venue (like your church or some other outdoor space), your wedding planner will 100% be there with you, where a venue coordinator likely would not able to be at the offsite ceremony.

What happens if the venue coordinator changes his/her job or moves on to another position somewhere else? You always run the risk of having to work with a number of venue coordinators, where a wedding planner will be there, right next to you through the entire planning process, and will be there all day and all night. They’re there to keep you in the loop with what’s going on next: toasts, cakes cutting, meal service, all the good stuff!

A planner can be there until all of the guests have left and gone home! They can help you load gifts in your car at the end of the night, they can help you find your lip gloss, they’ll even grab you an extra glass of champagne! Basically, they are there to help you and your spouse through the process.

The bottom line is that if you truly want to feel like you have a friend and confidant with you through the entire process, that knows every detail and truly is working to make sure you have a magical experience, then having a wedding planner is the way to go. You’ll be so much happier (and more relaxed) if you do.

Take a Seat At Our Four Legged Table!

When our team at Only In My Dreams Events sat down to think about who we are and how we fit into our community, we came to the conclusion that we act as a table. A four legged, giving place, for people to gather and have a great time.

  Our legs are symbolized by the four services that we have to offer:  event planning, staffing for events, Events in a Pack, and finally our Drag shows. Each of these come together to create a unique experience for everyone in our community. We’d love to be a part or your next event and invite you to our table!

Planning

  No matter what type event you’re looking to put on, we have the experience. Whether assembling a nonprofit gala, a wedding or a 50th birthday celebration, our team has you covered. Through our extensive list of vendors, we can make your event as special as you are. We pour our hearts into every function and give you “the gift of presence.”

Staffing

  Here at Only In My Dreams Events we manage a staffing team of close to 30; all ready to help make your next event as seamless as possible. We offer servers, bartenders and even a team to clean up afterwards. We truly leave no stone unturned or dish or glass uncleaned.

Events in a Box

   In 2018 Only In My Dreams came out with a brand new line of trademarked products called Paraphernalia Packs: Events in a Box! We offer a box for nearly every holiday or celebration. Each box contains the bare essentials that anyone would need to throw a small gathering at home (perfect for days with COVID-19); we also offer Berkshire County themed care packages filled with only the finest locally sourced products; all of which can be sent to you or anyone on your list:

Drag Shows

We love putting on our main two yearly Drag events. The MX Nogood Pageant hosted by the one and only Nancy Nogood, heading into its 4th year and our Annual Drag Pageant and Dance Party at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Hosted by the fabulous Brita Filter (of NYC and RuPauls Drag Race fame) with pageant coordinator extraordinaire Boxxa Vine; the event crowns a new Miss/ Mr Berkshire and culminates with a huge dance party on the stage of the Colonial. These truly are events not to be missed.

Planning a themed event

This week we’ll dive into a few of the key components in planning a themed event!

Some might think that themed parties are a bit overdone or for kids, but think again! As adults, it’s a way for us to get excited and really delve into a world that we’ve always wanted to explore! So go as big as you can with your budget. For instance, when your guests enter the space, they should feel as though they’ve walked into a different world. All of their senses should be immersed! Below is an example of how to transport your guests.

If your event happens to be a celebratory theme, suspend bubbles from the ceiling to give your guests the feeling that they are bubbles suspended in a glass of champagne! Treat your guests to an array of sparkling beverages and foods made with exciting and expensive ingredients (the food should make your guests feel important). Play music that is upbeat and exciting. Have bubbles and other celebratory goodies available for your guests to touch and play with! This is your chance to go all out.

Have activities available for your guests! A great backdrop reflecting the celebratory theme is a wonderful conversation starter. You can also get guests to engage with each other by asking guests to share photos on social media with an event specific hashtag this way, after all is said and done you can look back on the event and see what a great time everyone had!

Catering and bringing the theme into your food and beverage is where you can have a lot of fun. But selecting food and beverage is also a serious matter because it anchors the theme. If you are having a champagne-focused event, you don’t want to serve burgers and fries. You want the food and drink to not only match each other, but also match the event message, e.g. Celebration= champagne and elegant appetizers.

These are just a few ideas when it comes to planning a themed event. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to plan one yourself and give your guests the everlasting gift of great memories!

Selecting Music For An Event!

When thinking about your next event, music probably doesn’t sound quite that important… Think again! Whether it’s subtle background music at a conference, or rock and roll at an anniversary party, choosing the right tunes is essential. Everyone you know likes music, so even having just a little something playing in the background can really set the mood.

For example, if you’re looking to plan a gala, and that gala’s goal is to raise funds for a summer camp for homeless youth, you may consider playing simple instrumental tracks throughout the evening. Subtle violin pieces or other soft orchestral works will suit the crowd better than your favorite new bops from Lizzo or Dua Lipa (although we do love them both!).

Also, if your next event happens to have a theme, you would want to consider music that is generally associated with that theme. For instance, if you’re throwing a ‘90s themed birthday party you will definitely want to get a DJ whose familiar with Hanson, Nirvana or Tupac. Or if you were planning a 1920’s themed dance party you may want to get a small jazz band or Louis Armstrong tribute band! Be creative and make it fun for your guests!

These may all sound pretty obvious to most people. But you would be amazed by how many people don’t think of the music as a very important aspect of their event! It can make all of the difference and take your party from forgettable to unforgettable!

So you need STAFF for your (small) Event?

Have you ever found yourself in need of a few helpers at a private family party?

Has your planned event shrunk in size because of the current social distancing regulations?

Are you planning a big event in the future and need lots of staff to help out?

If so, we’ve got you covered!

Only In My Dreams Events LLC is proud to provide staffing for any event need you may have. All of our staff members are aware of and prepared to enforce/comply with all COVID regulations.

What type of staffing do we offer?

Day-of Coordination: We will have someone there at your event for a minimum of 5 hours to help make sure that everything is managed just so! The coordinator acts as the glue to keep all the pieces of an event together. You won’t need to worry if it’s time for the food to be served, the music to start, or the cake to be presented. Your day of coordinator will make sure that everyone is working seamlessly in the background so that you can truly be present at your own event.

TIPS Certified Bartenders: Our bartenders all have TIPS certification so they know just when and how to serve your guests. Never worry about someone knowing how to make that special drink or when it’s time to switch someone to something non-alcoholic. Our bartenders all have training and will make your drink service rise to the next level.

Full Service Wait Staff: Our wait staff are all experienced working with events large and small. They can do everything from set up, break down, and serve and clean during the event. If you’re having just a few friends over to dinner (socially distanced of course), why not have someone there to clear the table and wash up all the dishes? These staff member can also bring and remove any rentals that are needed for your specific gathering.

Pre & Post-Event Cleaners: This is likely more at the top of mind now than ever before. If you need to have someone come to clean your space in preparation for an event, or you want to have an event cleaned up so it looks like it never happened our cleaners are there to assist,.

Please reach out to us at staffing@onlyinmydreamsevents.com to let us know what your needs are and we will happily help your event run smoothly.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions that you can also find at www.onlyinmydreamsevents.com/staffing.

Q: What is the per hour cost?
A: Day-Of Coordination $750 - 5 hours max (each additional hour $75), TIP Certified Bartenders $40/hr, Wait Staff $30/hr and Pre&Post-Event Cleaners $45/hr (private residence only).

Q: Who manages the Waitstaff and Bartenders while they are on site?
A: This depends on the event. Often it is either the host of the event or a planner/coordinator for the event that the host has hired like Only In My Dreams Events. If you don't need any total day of coordination, you can hire a "staff manger" who will be the point person for a rate of $50/hr.

Q: Are you able to provide bartenders for cash bars?A: At this point, we can only provide bartenders for open bar events and can offer other bar staff for one with cash bars.

Q: Does the hourly rate include travel time or just time at site?
A: The time billed is only based on the hours spent on site.

Q: Do you carry insurance?
A: If you would like to be covered under our insurance there is an additional $75 fee. This only includes work done by our staff and does not include any liquor liability. 

Q: What do I need to secure a date for an event?
A: A 50% deposit is due at contract singing and the remainder is due one week prior to the event. Any additional hours worked will be billed by us within five days of the event.

Q: Is there a minimum number of hours or staff I have to hire?
A: No, we are able to provide you with any number of staff for just the time needed. 

Q: How far in advance do you need to know my needs?
A: Demand for servers can be very different on a given date, so if you give us at least a month's notice we will do the best we can to provide the servers you request. Please note the closer the date is to the request date, the less likely we will be able to provide servers to fill your needs, so please reach out as early as possible.

Q: Does staff come to my home/location before the event?
A: Yes, we can have one or more staff visit your location – the flat fee for this is $100.

Q: What will staff wear?
A: Staff will wear white tops and black bottoms unless otherwise requested. 

Q: Should I tip?
A: Tipping is appreciated for quality service, but it is totally at your discretion.

Q: Will holidays affect my rates?
A: There are only a few holidays that carry an extra fee, as these are the dates our staff would most like to spend time with their family and friends. These dates are 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Other than Day-Of Coordination which is $1000 (with each additional hour $100) all other staff members carry a $15 per hour additional charge.

Q: What is the next step?
A: Once we hear from you, we will send you a questionnaire about the event and decide on the best staffing plan. We will then forward a contract with specifics of the event.

The Importance of Equality

As pride month progresses - we thought it would be a good time to revisit what LGBTQIA+ Pride means to us here at Only in My Dreams Events. We believe strongly in the right of marriage equality for all couples and being based in Massachusetts, the first state to legalize such unions in 2004, is something for which we are proud.

We know first hand that it is not always easy to find resources that are inclusive for same sex marriages when we were planning our own wedding. When using many conventional services, we always had to pick who was the bride and who was the groom, something that was not only impossible, but quite frustrating. Here at Only In My Dreams Events, we strive to have all our materials and vendors be inclusive of same sex couples. It can be something as simple as filling out a form or answering an email that can make people uncomfortable.

We remember with great respect the start of the modern day movement which began at Stonewall in 1969 which was born out of oppression and the strength of those trans people of color who led the way!

We join all communities as we continue the struggle for a more just and equal world.

What in the world is a Paraphernalia Pack?

Howdy – it’s our newest blog post, where we will answer the question:

What in the world is a Paraphernalia Pack?

During the last 7 years of planning weddings, galas, and other events, we have developed a pretty great idea of what is most often forgotten. We always carry with us a huge kit that includes all kinds of necessities from thumb stacks to hammers to the ever-useful duct tape! About a year ago, we started to think that there are likely people out there throwing events that will find themselves missing the same things we have noticed! So, that was the birth of the Paraphernalia Pack.

The first pack we came out with was the General Pack which closely mirrors our emergency kit.  This Pack includes: AA Batteries, AAA Batteries, Candle Lighter, Cleaning Cloth, Duct Tape, Scotch Tape, Flash Lights, Hammer/Screwdriver, Hole Puncher, Markers, Nails, Paper Towel, Pen, Post it Note, Notecards, Scissor, Sewing Kit, Shout Wipes, Stapler/Staples. Super Glue, “Swiss Army Knife”, Tacks, Tin Foil, &Trash Bags

The next Pack that joined the party was the Wedding Pack which includes: A Pack of Thank You Cards, a Guest Book, 2 Champagne Flutes, a Cake Cutter, a Pack of Place Cards, a Pack of Escort Cards, a Pack of Kleenex, a Notepad, and a Pen.

Then there are a series of Packs that help celebrate specific holidays – these include the LGBTG Pride Pack, Birthday Pack, American Pack, Halloween Pack, Thanksgiving Pack, Hanukkah Pack, Christmas Pack, and New Year’s Pack.  You can find these all on our website www.onlyinmydreamsevents.com/products

Once the Pandemic began, we realized that our business model of planning large events was not going to be plausible. Our event specific packs are perfect for small gatherings at home, but we somehow wanted to do more for our community. This led to the creation of the Berkshire Pack  line of our products.

It starts with the Sample of our Community Pack  which includes around 15 different products from our community (including Maple Syrup, Tea, Chocolate, Cookies, to name just a few). This pack is currently available on our website and we will donate $10 per pack to the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington to help those who are food insecure.  This pack was also designed with social distancing in mind and includes a cloth mask and locally made Hand Sanitizer.

In the next weeks we will be expanding the Berkshire Pack line to include two more themed offerings.

First we will have a BBQing in our Community Pack that will include local BBQ Sauce, local apron, local bug repelling candle and many other things. Stay tuned for this launch soon.

The last planned addition to the Berkshire Pack line is the Rest and Restore Pack which will include a handmade mug from a local artist as well as a calming candle and tea to name just a bit of what it will feature. This will be perfect for those days when you just feel the need to rest your mind.

So, keep checking back on our website to see what new and exciting offerings we have! Some will be practical, some will be satisfying, but all will be fun and useful!

So that’s a little info about our Paraphernalia Pack line of products! We will continue to expand and improve our offerings! We love to be able to help those in our community while still being able to keep our business relevant. These packs make amazing gifts, both personally and corporate ones. We also offer Customizable Packs, so if you have something specific in mind, or need a large quantity, we can certainly help you with that too.

MICRO WEDDINGS - WHAT ARE THEY?

Hey All! It’s Matt!

And welcome back to our blog! This week we’ll be discussing a relatively new and very relevant phenomenon in weddings: the micro wedding. The micro wedding is perfect for those who want an intimate soiree and is perfect during times of pandemic! The guest list is small, the venue is tiny, and the cost is as minimal as you want. So, lets delve a little deeper into why a micro wedding might be the best idea for you!

1.      Guests: Keep the number as low as you want – the lower the better. Only your favorite people are invited, which makes the event that much more special! No more forced interaction with your cousin Karin that you only see every five years! You finally will be able to focus your attention on the best of the best, which is what you should be doing on such a special occasion!

2.      Venue: Make it as quaint and romantic as possible! Does one of your friends or family members have a beautiful, but small back yard with amazing views or a picture-perfect babbling brook? Is there an adorable house available for smaller events that you’ve always dreamed of using? GO FOR THEM! They’ll be ideal for a micro wedding, and they likely won’t cost anywhere near as much as the usual suspect of a wedding venue (hotel ballroom, hall, chic farm). Plug for Only In My Dreams personal venue to follow!

3.      Spending: Having a micro wedding allows you two options: you can cut your total costs of the event based on the reduced number, OR, you can throw an incredibly lavish, personal event that your guests will remember for the rest of their lives that will still cost less than your original larger event. Either way, you can create an event that is tailored every step of the way to all of your wants and needs.

Need an officiant to make your ceremony official? Oskar, the president of Only In My Dreams Events, is a certified minister through the Universal Life Church and is able to perform weddings in close to every state in the US!

Having an event at Only In My Dreams Events really is one stop shopping. Not only do we have the venue, the officiant on hand, and offer waitstaff and bartenders (more on that in a few weeks), but we also have a huge list of vendors to help you chose every other important piece of your special day!

I hope you all found todays post interesting and informative! We’ll see you next week.

Matt, Oskar, and Mike

Post TWO!

Hey All! 

   Welcome back to Only In My Dreams Events blog page! Today we'll go over the initial tips for planning your own small event. The following are what we consider the top four criteria for planning a successful event:

1) Develop your events' end goals and consider what you want to accomplish by throwing this bash! Why am I throwing this event?

If you're working with an organization or one person in particular, know what their key goals are. This way, you're able to ensure that your event is optimized for success! 

2) Organize a team of vendors that you trust. GET. THAT. CONTRACT.

   Have you been to an event before where you were stunned by the food? Amazed by the service? Had the best DJ imaginable? And everything seemed to go off with out a hitch? Contact those vendors and see what they can offer you. If they fit your budget and make sense with your event, sign a law binding contract that keeps the vendor and yourself accountable. 

3) Create a budget. Make sure you're comfortable. And STICK WITH IT!

   This may be the most important part of planning your event. Making a healthy budget that keeps you and your wallet happy will almost always make for a great end result. Remember to think about the following:

• Venue: Where will you be holding the event? Can this space handle your needs?

• Food and Drink: Make sure the refreshments match the overall vibe of your party.

• Entertainment: DJ? Band? Speakers? Dancers (if ya nasty)?

• Décor: Choose decor that matches your theme!

• AV: Audio/ Visual. Wifi, projectors, speakers

4) Set a Date! Give yourself time to plan and your guests, time to plan on attending.

   Ideally, give yourself five to six months of planning time. This way you wont be too stressed, and your vendors will have plenty to time to work on your requests.

Be aware of what's going on holiday wise and locally on your specific date. If you have family, friends and other important guests traveling (when that’s an option again)to be at your event, they will likely need a place to stay, and if other events are going on then hotels and inns may already be booked!

     Finally, give your guests enough time to plan to be at your event! After all, what’s the point of having an event if no one can attend!

 We hope that these basic, starting tips are helpful to all of you as you begin to plan your own small event! Remember to check back in every Tuesday afternoon for more tips and behind the scenes looks from Only In My Dreams Events!

Welcome to our first blog!

Hello Friends and Family of Only In My Dreams Events, and welcome to our very first blog post! Every week we’ll offer up some of the best tips and tricks for planning an event: tips like: creating timelines, finding the best vendors for your budget, how to pinch pennies when necessary and how make sure that your guests leave happy and can hardly wait for your next soiree! We will also be posting updates on what’s going on behind the scenes at Only In My Dreams Events.

    Log on every Tuesday for a new event planning tip by visiting our website: www.onlyinmydreamsevents.com/blog

    We hope that you’ll enjoy our blog, that it will offer some tips on all things events in our community, and that it will inspire you to plan your own small events, and prepare you for bigger ones down the road (if needed, remember we are always here to lend a helping hand)!

    Stay well and healthy and reach out if there is any way we can help, See you in the blogosphere!

Best,

Oskar, Mike and Matt

“The Dream Team”