The Main Event by Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC

With the world-wide outbreak of the coronavirus, we find ourselves navigating uncharted waters. Events are being cancelled or postponed. Merchants are either cooperating or not. Currently, we are asked to keep gatherings at 10 or fewer for the protection of all. I have had events both cancelled and postponed. In one case, the venue wants to move forward, but merchants do not. In another case, the venue is closed but merchants are refusing to reschedule. One thing we are learning from this experience is to read contracts carefully to find out about cancellation policies. In many cases, contracts are designed to protect the vendor in case the event host cancels. Rarely do they protect the event host in case of emergencies like the one we are seeing now. As you read contracts, be sure they include a clause to protect you. If they do not, ask to have one added. If you are planning a wedding, you can still obtain a marriage license, but it may not be in the usual manner with a trip to y...

You are planning your wedding, a family reunion or another event that will include out of town guests. Maybe your church or another organization is planning a retreat or team building activity and would like participants to stay together in one location. Renting an AirBnB or similar property may be the perfect solution.

Star Barn, located in downtown Star, Idaho, has been a popular and affordable location for weddings, receptions, church and community events. The barn has closed and will be for the foreseeable future while the owners make needed repairs to bring the barn up to code. If you have an event scheduled at the barn in 2019 or 2020, and you have not been contacted by the owners, you will need to contact them as soon as possible. If you would like suggestions on alternative venues, give us a call. We are here to help.

On Monday, November 19, 2018 David's Bridal filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy . Chapter 11 enables the store to restructure to pay off a massive debt load reportedly in the hundreds of millions of dollars. As part of the restructuring some stores will be closed. There is no word yet on the fate of the Boise store.  If you are considering ordering a gown, as opposed to purchasing off the rack, David's may not be the best choice right now until more is known about the future of the business.

Do you provide services for special events, such as DJ services, hair and nail services, photography, catering, limo service or something else? If so, you probably receive tips from satisfied clients. Uncle Sam would like you to share a portion of those tips with him. Tip income must be reported to the IRS and the State Tax Commission as part of your annual income.

If you are a crafter or need craft supplies for a special project, be sure to visit the Reuse Market. Here you will find a treasure trove of crafting supplies for just about any project. The Market's goal is to keep clean, usable art and craft supplies out of the landfill and place them in the hands of artists, teachers, students and others at a reasonable price.

At a wedding yesterday the mother of the groom fell down the stairs, hitting her head on a step and leaving a massive bump and bruise near her eye. A few years ago, two children were chasing each other when one fell and hit his head on a large ceramic pot, resulting in a trip to the emergency room for stitches. Small fires occurred at three events, all the result of guest negligence, not realizing that votive candle flames can be dangerous. Accidents happen, some because of careless behavior, others through no fault of the injured. But how are the costs associated with an accident handled?

You receive an invitation to a company dinner or conference, including the obligatory cocktail party. Do you attend? Or skip it and attend only the dinner? You know it will be the same old thing, feeling like a wall flower while the same few people congregate together, some over indulging at the bar. After all, the company is paying the tab, right, so why not drink up?

Five teams raced through the streets of Old Town Scottsdale, each responding to directions received on their phones. One team member might be told to take a picture of the team jumping. Another person might be told to find a certain sculpture (Scottsdale is filled with public art) and count the number of fish in it. We raced; we looked for items; we photographed; we uploaded. Through it all, we laughed, we got lost and we didn't win, but we had fun trying. You might try a similar activity with your employees. A scavenger hunt provides a good break during a day of meetings, or in my case, conference activities. Mix up the teams so people who don't know each other are forced to get acquainted. You can provide clues via phone, as we did, or you can be less techie and require teams to collect items, such as a brochure from a hotel or a napkin from a coffee shop. Your employees will enjoy the exercise and the opportunity to break up their day doing something fun.

Many thanks to Tandem Wedding Films for sharing their beautiful video of a wedding that Memory Makers coordinated in September at a private home overlooking Lake Lowell. We were blessed to be part of their special day. Enjoy!   https://www.facebook.com/353500854758890/videos/1318816178227348/

In September an Italian woman married herself in a lavish ceremony complete with white dress, bridesmaids and multi-tiered cake. Missing were a groom, groomsmen and a marriage license. The trend, called "sologamy," is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and some Asian countries.

Music is an important element at weddings, reunions, company parties and other events. Making just the right choice of whom to engage, however, may be more difficult than you anticipate. Should you choose a DJ, a string ensemble, a band, pianist, harpist, bag pipes or something else? Maybe you want to download your own playlist onto a laptop or iPod.

Recently, my back yard was the site of a wedding reception. In the past, we have hosted a rehearsal dinner, graduation parties and other events open to family and invited guests. In recent weeks I have been asked by several people who have large yards or unused buildings if they can offer their premises to the public and make a bit of extra income. The short answer is no, not without spending time, money and aggravation to secure required permits.

On August 21st a total solar eclipse will occur. Portions of Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming and other states will be prime viewing areas, mostly in rural, sparsely populated areas. If you plan to travel somewhere to view the eclipse or want to sell food or memorabilia, be sure you are a good citizen, obeying local laws and showing courtesy to fellow viewers.

Many couples enter marriage with stars in their eyes; we will be together forever; we will grow old together; nothing can come between us. And then life happens. Life can be messy and hard. A spouse may have an accident or develop a terminal illness. He or she may become mentally incapacitated. He/she might leave the family or become abusive. During times when emotions are running high the last thing you want to deal with is the nitty gritty details of life, but not doing so could have serious, possibly permanent, consequences.

Summer time and the living is easy, as the song goes. It is also hot, with average summer daytime temperatures in southern Idaho in the 90s. If you are planning an outdoor event and you don't plan for the heat, your guests will leave early or perhaps not attend at all. Fortunately, with a bit of planning, there are a number of ways to keep your guests from melting in the heat.

This is summer party season, a time when bounce houses and other inflatables are in demand for birthday parties, wedding receptions, company picnics and other events. Kids love them, but are they really safe? You may be aware of the plethora of germs found in fast food restaurant play areas. They are also found in bounce houses. If the rental center does not disinfect the bounce house after each use, it can be a breeding ground for staph, chicken pox, measles, athletes foot and other diseases, including topical skin infections. Even a new bounce house can harbor bacteria if it wasn't cleaned after delivery from the factory and before the first use.

Ashley and James are a California couple who love the outdoors. They wanted to do something unique for their wedding, something that reflects their personalities and interests. After considering numerous options, they decided to get married on Mount Everest at the base camp, complete with white gown, tuxedo and hiking boots. Adventure photographer Charleton Churchill was hired to accompany them and take a few photos. The results are amazing and can be seen at   www.charletonchurchill.com/mount-everest-base-camp-adventure-wedding-elopement/ Thank you, Ashley and James, for sharing your special day with the world.

Are you thinking of traveling to Europe anytime soon, perhaps for a honeymoon or vacation? If so, be sure to check the U.S. State Department's travel website for information and warnings. On May 1, 2017 the State Department issued a travel alert to Europe, saying ,         “widely-reported incidents in France, Russia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom demonstrate that the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS or Da’esh), al-Qa’ida, and their affiliates have the ability to plan and execute terrorist attacks in Europe.”

From time to time I receive RFPs from companies, government agencies and non-profits planning a conference, awards banquet or another large community event. Some are detailed, making it easy to respond. Others are very general, making one guess exactly what the planners have in mind. When I receive a general RFP I need to decide whether I have the time to find out what is needed and do the research to provide a detailed, comprehensive proposal. Often I choose not to respond. A poorly prepared RFP can be a sign of a poorly organized planner or planning committee, making the event planner's work more difficult. The event planner should not have to manage the planners, as well as the event.