Staying Happy and Healthy Around the Holidays

Staying healthy before and during the Holidays can be hard, but it’s important. You’re almost always around people (well, maybe not this year), you’re eating a lot (and it’s not always good for you), and some people have a really hard time emotionally around the holidays. So, we here at Only In My Dreams Events would like to help you stay happier and healthier this holiday season with a few tips!

Keep a regular sleep schedule. ​Sleeping the recommended 7-9 hours a night goes a long way to keeping your immune system working and your adrenals healthy when faced with the inevitable holiday stress (If some of this stress is coming from planning a holiday soiree, give us a call! We’d be happy to help).

Exercise regularly. Often during the holidays, we tend not to follow our daily routines, and exercise tends to fall off the radar. It is important for your mental and physical health to MOVE YOUR BODY every day. That doesn’t mean hit the gym or run a marathon, just get up, take a walk, do some stretches, or clean the house. All of these are easy ways to stay active.

Don't forget to breathe. This sounds obvious and a little dramatic, but it’s true! Doing one minute of breathing exercises goes a long way when it comes to managing your stress. Two options are to breathe in for the count of four and breathe out for the count of eight, or breathe in for the count of one, out for the count of one, breathe in for the count of two and out for the count of two up to the count of ten. These exercises can be done before bed to help relax your body. These exercises introduce air to the brain, which can release tension from your muscles and calm your nerves in terms of anxiety.

Practice gratitude. The holidays are a good time to focus on what's really meaningful in our lives. Try to say thank you often and focus on all the things you are thankful for.

Creating a Vendor List: A Guide

For most couples, one of the first orders of business in planning a wedding is selecting your vendors; these are all of the great people that will become your core group who you’ll come to rely on to make your special day perfect! These include, your photographers, florists, bakers, caterers and your planners (just to name a few). It’s so important that you choose the best of the best, so, we have put together a quick suggestion guide which will help you navigate your vendor search with ease. As you peruse our suggestions, keep one thing in mind: Always trust your gut. Regardless of their flawless portfolio or excellent online reviews, a vendor won’t be right for you if they don't make you feel secure, confident, and excited. This often has nothing to do with the vendor's work or work ethic. Just like with any other relationship, you won't be thrilled with everyone, and that is perfectly fine.

The first step in choosing your vendors is to choose your venue! This is a very important first step because a venue will usually give you access to a slew of tried-and-true vendors that have worked there many times. It's always great to work with people who are familiar with the space, although it's not absolutely necessary. But, if you're not feeling the preferred vendor list, feel free to explore other options.

After nailing down a venue, you’ll then want to put together that core team that we spoke of earlier. This team will quite literally bring your special day together; and if they are professional and work well as a team, they will give you the gift of presence on your wedding day. No worrying or any hassle, just the perfect, memorable day that you’ve always dreamed of. Interview as many vendors as you can. Once you’ve met with everyone that interests you, it’s time to whittle down that list to the people that truly made you feel great. Trust your gut. TRUST IT. Trusting your gut is one of the biggest vendor search tips. If you've really hit it off with a vendor and they have everything you need, put them on your official list. But if you don't jive, listen to that feeling—and cut them loose. This is all about you after all.

Once you have your vendor list set in stone, its time to think about how you’ll break up your budget for each vendor. Vendors cost money; most of the time, they cost a lot of money. But you'll want to keep your priorities in mind when creating a budget and highlight those must-haves before divvying out money to each vendor. You want to really sit down with your partner and your families and determine what your priorities are. Pick your top three and know that that's where you will commit a decent amount of your budget.

We hope that this quick and simple guide will be helpful to you! Now, that you’ve read a little bit more about vendors, think back to your wedding or one of the best weddings that you’ve attended and think: Who are my favorite wedding vendors? Answer this question along with providing your name, either on our Instagram page: theshopbyOIMDE or by emailing us at info@onlyinmydreamsevents.com and you’ll be entered to win one of four $25.00 Gift Cards to the Shop by Only In My Dreams Events in South Egremont! We hope that you’ll enter, and stop by the shop!

Fall and Winter Wedding Considerations

Things to consider while planning a Fall Wedding: 

    Gorgeous natural foliage and cooler weather make for great fall weddings. But for all of autumn's positive attributes, there are still potential issues that you need to keep in mind while planning a fall wedding. First, remember that even if guests are comfortable at your afternoon, outdoor wedding ceremony, they need to prepare for the temperature to drop in the evening. You may want to consider an indoor venue for your dinner/reception. Another option would be to rent heating units to keep your guests warm outside. You could even embrace the season with a few fire pits (and maybe some s'mores!). Another common obstacle is fall wedding flowers. Early in the season, Dahlias and Sunflowers make for a beautiful arrangement. However, many popular wedding florals are not in season during this time of the year, this is the perfect opportunity to get creative with a beautiful and unique wedding bouquet. Incorporate unexpected plants like wheat, crabapples, and ornamental vegetables; imported dried flowers also work just as well. Finally, remember to do your research when selecting an autumn wedding date. There are many holidays during the fall such as Thanksgiving, and the Jewish high holidays; but by doing your research you can help your guests avoid scheduling conflicts. 

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Things to consider while planning a Winter Wedding:

Rich seasonal colors make this a great season for weddings, but there are certainly potential winter wedding problems you need to keep in mind. The first potential pitfall for weddings in most parts of the country is, obviously, the obnoxiously cold temperatures of the Northeast. And while you probably won't want to plan an outdoor winter wedding reception (especially if you live in an area that gets plenty of snow and ice), there are still lots of ways to bring the beauty of the season indoors. Hang garlands of greenery or icicle-like crystals to highlight your dance floor or cake table. Incorporate plenty of candles, pinecones, and glittery details into your centerpieces. You can even bring the best of the season with winter wedding catering ideas -- serve tasty soup shooters during the cocktail hour, hearty comfort food during the dinner, and pass out shortbread cookies and spiced (and spiked) cider for your midnight snack. Your guests will love a toasty, warm treat especially before they have to head back into the cold. A decked-out coffee bar with extras like whipped cream and chocolate shavings will warm everyone up.

We've Officially Opened Our Own Retail Shop!

Happy September Everyone!

As some of you may know, we have opened a brand new retail space at 45 Main Street in South Egremont, The Shop by Only In My Dreams Events (The former yoga studio space)! It’s a great place to stop by and pick up a few odds and ends for a small event that you’re either throwing or attending. You’ll find everything from a curated napkin collection to never ending candles; beautiful 3D pop-up cards to delicious truffle products (soon to be featured in O Magazine!) and of course our awesome line of Paraphernalia Packs.

We have a little bit of everything, so come by and take a look around! We are open Thursday-Sunday every week from 11am-6pm or by appointment. Call us at 413-528-0285 or at the Shop at 413-645-4554. Also, check out the Shop Instagram page: “theshopbyoimde” where we’ll be posting about all of our new merchandise!

International Wedding Traditions

This week we’re going to branch away from the usual wedding traditions and planning tips to focus on a few of the more interesting wedding customs from around the world. From practicing crying, to carving wooden spoons for your betrothed, there are plenty of cool things that people do before, after and during their special day. 

• Borneo: It is a ritual in Borneo in a community called Tidong to lock up the bride and groom to test their bond. This test is somehow aimed to make the bond of the future couple stronger.

• Germany: Polterbend. On the night before the wedding, the relatives of the bride and the groom gifts the future couple some porcelain made utensils which later they break. The broken utensils are believed to bring in the life of the future couple. 

• Wales: grooms are required to gift their newly bride a wooden spoon of love. The wooden spoon of love is a symbol of a promise that a groom makes to his new wife. The wooden spoon of love indicates that he would never let his wife go hungry in her life. It is a very romantic gesture and it is definitely one of the most cultural wedding traditions of the world.

• Fiji: In Fiji, it is a ritual to gift the father of the woman you’ve proposed to a whale's tooth. It is very common to see young men gifting their future father-in-laws a necklace made of whale tooth. It is one of the cultural wedding traditions in Fiji weddings that every groom has to do.

• South Korea: It is a tradition in South Korea to beat the groom's feet with bamboo sticks and dead fish. According to the South Korean marriage tradition, it is done so the groom can be strong to handle the coming responsibilities on his shoulders of the family.

• Uganda: Imagine being watched on your wedding night by an elder that is your relative. This is what actually happens in Uganda. At the wedding night, an elder is present with the newlywed couple and they stay as a witness as the couple consummates their marriage. It is the job of the elderly person to make sure that the bride is a virgin. It is certainly one of the unique wedding traditions that can be found all around the world.

These are just a few highlights of wedding traditions around the world. We’d love to hear any you know of as it’s always fun to incorporate other traditions into our own special day!

How To Celebrate You on Your Birthday!

 Attention everyone! 

Today is Oskar Hallig’s birthday! And to celebrate that we’ll be blogging about a few great ways to ring in YOUR next birthday! 
When you were a kid, it was so easy to pick a favorite theme or place to host your party. As we got older, the themes tended to dwindle and it became “Meet me at that bar we love!” or “Let’s just all do dinner.” And even if it’s not a particularly special year, aka one of the “big ones” there’s nothing wrong going all out for an adult birthday party.

You should try to make every year a milestone year and here are a few examples of how to do it: 

Go to the spa, or host a spa day at your house! Indulge in DIY face masks  (or sheet masks), and at-home mani/pedis while watching a movie marathon. If you want to go the extra step, host the party at a spa instead.

Host an at home wine tasting or tasting of your liquor of choice! Some companies such as Winc or Bright Cellars offer wine kits with information on each bottle and everything that there is to know about your favorite wine. It’s a fun way to pass a few hours before going out to dinner or watching a favorite movie with friends. 

In the same light you can also host a mixology party. Hire a mixologist (try a local catering company or reach out to your favorite restaurant, if you need help finding a bartender, Only In My Dreams can help - check out www.onlyinmydreamsevents.com/staffing) to create custom drinks for your friends throughout the night based on their favorite ingredients. Serve up some happy hour snacks along with the drinks and create a killer playlist.

Give back to your community! If there's a cause you're passionate about, ask your inner circle to spend the afternoon volunteering for your favorite organization. Also ask that any funds intended for your birthday present instead be donated to the organization.

These are just a few ideas, but you can really do anything you want! Get as creative as you can. Have a magical birthday that you won’t forget; surrounded by the people that you love and care about most. Just don’t let anyone tell you what you’re doing... it’s your day after all! 

And if you just can’t figure out what you want to do or how you want to do it - reach out to us your trusty Event Planners and we’ll take care of everything from A to Z!

How Do I Create My Timeline?

For many people, building a wedding day timeline can be daunting. There’s so many little details that can be over looked; so today I’ll walk you through a simple example of a day of timeline for an evening wedding and reception that will take place at a single venue. So, take note that if the ceremony is at a different venue from the dinner and dancing, you’ll have to add travel time.

2:00 pm. Photographers will arrive. The photographer should arrive at least 30 minutes before the bride is ready. This gives the photographers the opportunity to take detail photos of the dresses, rings, invitations and anything else that the bride requests.

2:15 pm. Bridesmaids are dressed and ready to go.

2:30 pm. Bride’s makeup and hair are done and is ready to get dressed. This is a great time to capture pictures of the bride and her maid of honor zipping up her dress, her veil and other jewelry.

2:45- 3:30 pm. Bridal Portraits and Bridesmaids Portraits. Everyone is dressed, makeup is done, everyone looks great! Now it’s time to get some pre ceremony photos of the bride and the rest of her bridal possy. Hopefully your photographer will have a few locations around the venue in mind for great photos!

3:30-4:00 pm. Take it all in and get ready to get married. Have a glass of champagne and have fun with your bridesmaids.

4:15 pm. “Wedding Starts” (According to Invitation)
A wedding NEVER starts on time. The actual starting time should be 15 minutes past what the invitation says. This gives those friends and family that are always late a chance to be there for the whole ceremony.

4:30 Actual Start Time. Strike up the quartet and head down the aisle! It’s YOUR time.

5:30- 6:30 pm. Post Ceremony Photos for Wedding Party and Cocktail Hour for Guests. Give yourself a solid hour for pictures, and let your guests let lose.

6:30 pm. Guests are invited into the dining room for dinner.

6:45 pm. Bridal Party Entrance to Reception.

7:00 pm. Welcome and Toasts from Matron of Honor and Best Man.

7:30 pm. Dinner is served.

8:15 pm. Cake is cut and served. 

8:30 pm. Parents Dances

8:50 Everyone get up and dance! The technical bits of the evening are done. Enjoy the rest of your night!

And as always - having a wedding planner/coordinator at your side will make sure all of these deadlines are met without you or your future spouse having to worry about anything.

Pets in Weddings!

Hey Everyone!

    With all of the excitement of our new Berkshire Dog Pack coming out, we thought it might be fun to blog about how to include your pet into your wedding! 

    Many people see their pets as members of their families, so naturally you would want to include them in the ceremony. They're with you for every other life event so why not include them in one of, if not, THE most important day of your life? There are two simple ways to include your pet in the festivities: through invitations, and through inclusion in the wedding party.

1) Include your pet in the Save the Date and Wedding Invitation. 

    Feature your pet on the save the date by festooning them with a cute sign around their neck with your names, the date of your event, and any other pertinent information you wish to include. Involve them on the invitation by including your furry friends names as well! For example: "Becky, Joe and Shadow request the honor of your presence at their Wedding..." along with a photo of the three of you. This will certainly let your guests know how important your pets are to you, and let them know that they will be there for the big day!

2) Keep your pets close, and make them part of the wedding party!

    Make them your Best Man or Maid of Honor. Your pet can don a little tuxedo or a tiny tutu and walk down the aisle alongside your friends and family members. And if they don't do well with clothing, a corsage or a little spray of flowers will do just as well! All you need to do next is decide how to get them down the aisle... When choosing a method of getting your pet to the altar, consider your pet’s temperament. A squirmy rabbit or cat, for instance, might need to be held down the aisle, then placed in a cage or bed. A well-trained dog could walk down the aisle alone. 

   Another option is to have your pet as your ring bearer or flower girl. Tie a ring bearer pillow around your pets tummy or have your puppy carry a basket or flower petals down the aisle in their muzzle! Can you think of a cuter way to include your pets?! 

How to stay cool!

Hey all!

Because it’s so hot we’ll keep it short and sweet this week with tips on how to keep cool during a heat wave! Sitting in front of your AC watching Netflix isn’t the only way to be comfortable!

1) Don’t have an AC but you have window fans? No problem. If you have two fans and two windows facing each other from opposite ends of the room, simply create a wind tunnel. Place one Window fan facing into the room, and the other facing out. This will cause cool air to enter your space, and warm air to leave!

2) Keep all of your window shades and blinds closed at all times. While everyone loves sunshine glaring through their windows, windows cause the most heat to enter your home!

3) Keep your pulse points cool. If your wrists, temples and feet are hot, then so is the blood that’s pumping through your body! Place ice packs on your pulse points for 5 mins at a time and you’ll notice a huge difference in body temperature!

4) Have a hot water bottle? Fill it with ice water and slide it under your knees or on your lower back. This will slowly chill your entire body as you sleep.

5) Chill your blankets and sheets! This sounds crazy, but if it’s too hot to sleep, you may want to consider sticking your sheets and blankets into the fridge or freezer an hour before bedtime. You’ll fall asleep, and hopefully stay asleep.

6) Spray yourself with a combination of cold water and peppermint oil. It’s cooling, smells great and is supposed to keep bugs away! It’s a triple threat!

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”