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| First Impressions - For A Lasting One | ||||
| By: Colleen Egan, Hudson River Sampler | ||||
| Published in October 2006; Printed here with permission from the publisher. | ||||
| Joan
Howe and Diane Wilburger opened First Impressions Event Planners of
the Hudson Valley in May 2006. They each bring years of organizational
experience and a passion for planning to the events that they coordinate.
They can help organize anything from an intimate dinner party, Sweet
16, corporate event, bridal and baby shower, to a destination wedding
with particular attention to detail. No event is too small. Their
goal is to ensure that the host feels like a guest at his or her own
event, and need not worry about the inevitable surprises that arise
on the big day. Joan and Diane listen carefully to their clients to
ensure that the event will reflect their personal style, and importantly,
will remain within the proposed budget. In this regard, their creativity
and experience are a major boon, as they have excellent resources
and ideas for decorating, floral arrangements, music and catering
for a wide range of budgets. While many events take weeks or months to coordinate, First Impressions began with a brisk start—their business cards were printed on a Thursday and their first event took place the Saturday of the same week. Joan, with her background in travel (she is the proprietor of Star Travel in Red Hook), specializes in destination weddings and corporate events. Her strengths include attention to details, organizational skills and creative management. Diane, a retired music teacher, has a particular interest in the aesthetic side of event planning, and for eight years has been a manufacturer’s rep for over two dozen greeting card, invitation and stationery companies. She feels that the invitation sets the overall tone for the event; her expertise can make the choice less daunting for a host. In addition to logistics and planning, First Impressions also offers sage advice for their clients. With weddings in particular, many etiquette questions arise, and Joan and Diane are happy to guide their clients to make sure that their event is both enjoyable and tasteful. They are also present at each event they coordinate, and immediately help guests feel at ease. Diane used an event planner for her own daughter's destination wedding in 2001 and knows the value of hiring a professional to take care of the details, especially on the day of the event. Thinking about your upcoming event? Contact Joan and Diane today to create a lasting First Impression. |
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