fme holiday cards {2014}

So, I thought it may be a good idea to share my client holiday cards before we hit the month of March. At least they went out on time-- so that counts, right?!

You may remember my holiday cards from last year. If not, please feel free to check them out, here.
 
When the time came around this past November, I went to my friend {who also happens to be an amazing...and I am not just saying this because she is my friend} photographer, Lauren Rosenau. If you are not familiar with her work, go check it out, here. 

I wanted to go in a different direction from last year's card. Let's face it- I am a mom now. A new mom. No sipping bubbly in puffy pink dresses with over-the-top hair and accessories this year. {Although I did treat myself to hair and makeup by another sweet friend, Lindsey Regan Thorne from Be Pretty. Love that girl and her heart!} Nope. This year the theme was simple. 

A time to reflect. Be still. Be thankful. 

2014 was an amazing year in my personal life especially as my husband, Steve and I welcomed our first child, Charlie.  I wanted to share this joy with the clients and vendors who supported me throughout the year and loved on me, despite my pregnancy brain.

When it came time to make the photos into a holiday card, I asked my equally as talented friend {have I mentioned how amazingly talented the Charlotte wedding industry is by the way??}, Deb Hall from Olive Paper to put it all together. Here is the end result and went out to clients and vendors:

Front of the card:

Back of the card:

And, just like last year -- I had such a hard time deciding on the photos. So, here are some of my favorites that didn't make the holiday card cut-- but are still so special to me!

 I hope you are enjoying your new year so far! Here's to {the remainder} of 2015!

with love.
Anne

favor me events {a look at 2012}

Happy New Year from Favor Me Events! 2012 has been an amazing year- so let's recap!

This year, I had no shortage of amazing weddings and clients. I am thankful for not only great clients, but local vendors who continue to trust in my work and offer friendship both personally and professionally. Here's just a few weddings from this year...

I also can not forget to mention the huge opportunity that I was given this year to plan one of the delegate events for the Democratic National Convention. What an honor! Not going to lie-- it was a ton of work and at times, just plain tough-- but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

This was also a banner year for media coverage {mostly thanks to the DNC}. 

Favor Me Events was covered in Biz Bash, The Charlotte Observer, Fox News Charlotte, Charlotte Wedding, Charlotte Business Journal and WCNC (NBC Charlotte) just to name a few.  

Personally, my husband Steve and I celebrated our third anniversary, bought our first home together {where I was finally given space for a home studio!} and our little furry boy Benny turned one!

Looking ahead for 2013- I am beyond excited for what the new year has to bring. The weddings are rolling in and filling up the calendar as well as a new project is underway with Inspire Design Studio for a new magazine. Check out the sneak peek here. 

Lastly, thank you to all past and present clients as well as vendors for making Favor Me Events a continued success! Here's to 2013! 

with love.

Anne

salutations stationery {inspiration nook}

Happy Wednesday {and Halloween}! The older that I get, the more I actually enjoy this holiday. Having a day of perfectly acceptable "dress up" as an adult has become more and more appealing.

So, trick-or-treat and all that jazz. Now, on with the post...

A few months ago, I was asked by Jessica at Salutations Fine Stationery and Gifts to create an inspiration nook for their store.  Of course I graciously agreed and was given the look of vintage/shabby chic. The challenge was to incorporate props as well as photos and other items to make a cohesive look within a 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep space.  

With the space restrictions, I had to get a little creative {and crafty}, but I think it came together pretty well. Also, a very special thanks to The Schultzes Photography for providing the photos and to The Bloom Room for providing props and more succulence than this girl could even imagine!

Here are some photos {thanks again to my trusty iphone and Instagram love-- follow me at amarkey24} of the nook. I used one of my September weddings as inspiration as I felt like it fit the theme perfectly. More coming on that wedding soon!

Enjoy!

If you are in the market for save the dates, invites or other paper needs, please check out Salutations and tell em' Favor Me Events sent you.

with love.
Anne

fme @ the democratic national convention

It was back in March that I was first approached by Michael Pazyniak of Lighthouse Creative Works, a marketing and event company based in Washington, DC. He wanted to gauge my interest in partnering with him on one of the delegate parties for the DNC.

To be honest, the DNC was not even on my radar. I plan weddings- not political events. And while I have planned my fair share of non-profit and corporate events from my years in New York, I was not sure if I was interested in expanding. It wasn't until after a chat with my husband and parents that I was convinced to take the first step and at least put in the bid.

Being that I am 90% realistic and 10% dreamer, I was fully prepared to receive a nicely written "sorry, but..." letter from the host committee in regards to our bid. I certainly was not expecting a call from them on the afternoon of April 5th asking for Michael and I to come in for an interview that following Monday.

On April 27th Michael and I were told that we had been selected to host one of the delegate events and that we had received the Mint Museum (the location that we had bid on and really, really wanted). We were also told that we would be hosting delegates from the states of Delware, Ohio, Illinois, Hawaii and both Michael and my home state of Pennsylvania.

With such amazing news, it killed me not being able to tell my closest friends and family. This secret was kept safe until the press conference announced the planners on May 22nd. Whew! Now we could finally talk about it, and more importantly, finally start planning!

What seemed like seconds later, September 2nd was here and all of our planning had paid off. The food, thanks to Janet at La-Tea-Da's was amazing.  The decor, thanks to Sara at Party Reflections for going to the ends of the Earth for me to find THEE sequin linens, was amazing. And of course, our entertainment was un-beatable with over 80 local entertainers (including cloggers, a marching band and cheerleaders) under the direction of choreographer, Mark Evans.

I am beyond humbled by the amount of press coverage that we received. Here are a few links to the articles that we were mentioned/covered in:

Biz Bash

WCNC (NBC Charlotte)

Charlotte Business Journal

Charlotte Magazine

The Charlotte Observer

Please enjoy some photos from the event, beautifully captured by The Beautiful Mess.

A HUGE thank you to all of these local vendors that made this night a success! I am so honored to be a part of the Charlotte event industry! 

Venue: David at the Mint Museum Uptown
Photography: Daniel and Candice from The Beautiful Mess
Caterer: Janet and Jessica from La-Tea-Da's
Rentals: Sara from Party Reflections
Floral: Karen from Lily Greenthumb's
Photo Booth: Art and Rachel from Shutterbooth
Lighting and Sound: Jim from Total Event Production
Confetti Canon: Bill from Parties by Design
Airbrush Tattoo: Donna from Expressions Unlimited
Videographer: David Whitlow Photography
Printed Signage: Gabe from Sign Innovations

with love.
Anne

fox news charlotte {press}

For anyone that knows me, they know that journalism was {and will always be} my first passion. I went to school for journalism and always thought that I would be anchoring for The Today Show.

Clearly-- that never happened!

So, when Jenna Caiazzo, anchor at Fox News Charlotte reached out to me in regards to an interview on diverse couples in Charlotte- I said, "heck ya!" I reached out to one my favorite former clients, Robin {who you may remember from here}, to help me with the interview. She did a great job!!

For the full interview, please see below.

Jenna, our Summer intern took some behind-the-scenes shots {while acting as wrangler for Benny}...so, please enjoy!

with love.

Anne

a coney island wedding

Allow me to begin by apologizing for not giving the blog any lovin' as of lately. But, things have been pretty busy {and exciting} here at Favor Me Events. So, I think we have good reason to be lax in the blog department. At least that's what I am telling myself...

If you haven't already heard our good news, take a moment to read this article: here.

This weekend is my first weekend home in months. I have been traveling like crazy for work {as well as one weekend for pleasure}. I returned to my old stompin' grounds in NYC to see my dear friend, Ashley get married to her long-time beau, Joe. And it was amazing!

This was unlike any wedding I have ever planned, let alone witnessed in my lifetime. For as long as I have known Ashley, she has always said that her wedding day would take place on the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island, Brooklyn. So, when I received her invite in March, I knew she was serious.

The day was gorgeous! A sunny and warm NYC afternoon. Unfortunately, because it was so nice, the people at Coney Island decided to take the opportunity to paint the Wonder Wheel- making it impossible to host Ashley and Joe's ceremony. But, being the carefree spirit that Ashley is- she grabbed her megaphone and announced to all guests that the ceremony would simply be moved steps away to the boardwalk.

After the ceremony, guests decided to take the opportunity to enjoy a cold beer and an iconic Nathan's hotdog. And there you had it- an impromptu cocktail reception! Ashley, being the prepared bride that she was, brought her own booze.

After while, it was time to move the party in to Manhattan {SoHo to be exact} for food and dancing. Guests walked from the boardwalk at Coney Island, squeezed into one subway car and headed to the city. It takes a lot to turn a true New Yorker's head...but Ashley and Joe managed to cause quite the scene that day.

The reception was held at The Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo. This bookstore is a part of The Housing Works non-profit that raises funds for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Leave it to Ashley and Joe to have a wedding for a cause!  The bookstore it self is adorable, with a fun bar area and great, old bookcases in every nook and cranny.


Ashley did a great job with incorporating the carnival theme to the bookstore. I would have to say one of my favorite things was the Dynamite Box- which acted as their guestbook. Guests were encouraged to write notes on the back of vintage postcards {featuring Coney Island} and place them in a wooden box. The box was sealed the night of the wedding and will be opened on Ashley and Joe's first anniversary. I am absolutely keeping this idea in my file of "things to use for future clients..."

All in all, the night was awesome! It was so great to see old friends and reminisce. Anyone who claims that New Yorkers are rude, clearly has not met this group. It was also great to be back in the city-- even for a short time. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that Ashley's shoes were to die for {Vivian Westwood jelly shoes}.

Congratulations, dear Ashley and Joe. I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness! Love you both to pieces!


with love.
Anne