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

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

introducing {new} bridal concierge package

I am happy to announce a new service at Favor Me Events!!

But before I give the details, allow me to explain…

As much as I will stand on my soapbox about the importance of a wedding planner {even just a day-of planner}- there are still many brides out there who do not hire one.

Maybe it is budget, or the fear of losing control that a bride chooses to handle all wedding details. Whatever the reason, it isn’t until AFTER the wedding that brides will be completely honest and say, “I shoulda, coulda woulda hired a planner”…or at least did a bit more vendor and wedding planning research beyond Google.

Some brides go the bridal show or the workshop route, but I was finding that most brides were searching for one-on-one interaction where they could feel comfortable to ask questions.

It was one such conversation that gave me the “ah-ha moment" and why I have decided to offer a Bridal Concierge package. A package that allows brides to have a one-on-one conversation with a professional planner {me} who knows the industry and is able to provide solid advice on planning a wedding, picking vendors, working within a budget and more.

What the Bridal Concierge Package includes:

- Up to 3 hours of consultation time (bride is able to bring one guest)

- Within these 3 hours, the bride may choose the topics that she wants to cover or she may opt for an overall wedding tutorial

- Vendor Referrals

- How to create/stick with your budget

- When to hire vendors and how to manage them

- Wedding Etiquette

- What to expect on your wedding day

- Wedding Trends


For more information or to obtain pricing for the bridal concierge package, please email anne@favormeevents.com or call 704.821.3212.

with love.

Anne

themba imagery {featured}

Happy Friday!

I was recently asked by Sunny Hutchinson {owner and lead photographer at Themba Imagery} if I would be interested in being featured on her blog and kicking off her "Fabulous Friday Series." Of course, I said "yes!"

Sunny came by my new home studio this week and gave me an opportunity to not only get my first set of professional photos of the space, but of my sweet puppy, Benny. As you will see, he was thrilled.

This is just one of my favorite shots from the shoot. Please follow this link to see Sunny's complete blog post.

with love.

Anne

exciting news {we have space!}

Happy Friday!!

As a general rule of thumb, I keep my personal life off of the blog. For a multitude of reasons- but mostly because A. I am pretty boring and B. Favor Me Events is about my amazing clients. Not me.

Today I am going to go against my rule of thumb a bit and announce some sorta personal {but more professional} news!

You may remember this post back in December when I said to stay tuned for some exciting news. Well, here it is....

My husband, Steve and I bought a house and closed on January 1st. Happy 2012, right?! {that is the personal part} and because of his endless support and belief in me, we made an in-home studio/meeting space for Favor Me Events {that is the professional part}!

I can not begin to explain how excited I am to finally have a meeting space for clients. It has been so much fun putting the space together and making it a reflection of me. Thank you, Ballard Designs and Pinterest {follow me!} for some serious inspiration!

Here are some photos of the space {taken by my trusty iPhone, so please don't judge}...

Come visit {by appointment, of course}! 
The studio address is: 2011 Altara Lane, Matthews, NC.


with love.
Anne

happy holidays {from favor me events}

As I am finishing up a few last things here before the holidays, I wanted to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season.

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors, clients, friends and family that have made 2011 a success here at Favor Me Events. Here's to 2012!!! Can not wait to see what great things it has in store for all us! I have a feeling it's going to be pretty darn great!

I sent out cards this year {designed my the truly amazing friend and colleague, Stephanie Huxter from Inspire Design Studio}, but apparently the post office decided to only deliver a few...so in case you did not receive yours, here ya go!

with love.
Anne

interview with anne markey {wsge radio}

A few weeks ago I was asked by WSGE 91.7fm to give an on-air radio interview on the topic of wedding planning. Of course, I immediately said "yes" to the opportunity. This once journalism major never gives up any chance to have a microphone in hand.

The interview originally aired on August 27th, but is now available below for your listening pleasure by clicking: here. Enjoy!

with love.

Anne

change is in the air

I am beyond excited to announce the newly launched and re-branded FavorMeEvents website and blog today! Oh my, what a labor of love this has been and the reason why I have been a bit quiet lately.

You will notice some changes {besides the logo and website}. Please note that my office phone number has changed. As well, if you are wanting to archive back to the old blog, feel free! The link is included to the right of this post.

Today also marks the third anniversary of my sweet grandfather's unexpected passing. He was a business owner, perfectionist {sometimes to a fault} and a jokester. In many ways, I see his traits in me and thought it was appropriate to honor him today with a new and very exciting beginning.

Thank you to my family, friends and fellow Charlotte wedding vendors for your continued love and support.

with love.
Anne