Celebrate with Ame

Meet Chelsea Veloso who remains optimistic about the events industry, even though her employment was affected during this pandemic. Chelsea is a new team member of the Amersive Events team and we are so excited to introduce her! With a background in experiential marketing and events, she's coming to the team full of creativity and a focus on creating relationships with BIPOC event professionals. Follow her on IG: @chelly.vibes

Subscribe to my newsletter for event tips & party tricks: www.amersiveevents.comFollow me on Instagram: @celebratewithameTo get in touch with Diana Dorsey, follow her on Instagram: @booksimplyelegantDiana Dorsey of Simply Elegant by Diana is a certified wedding planner in the Bay Area and Las Vegas. Diana talks through her story of how she started from the bottom (now she here lol) planning events for free to growing her now six-figure business. She talks through how she's pivoted in the wedding industry during this pandemic and how her passion really fuels her profit. Join me as I get to know Diana Dorsey!

Website to subscribe to my newsletter: Amersive EventsInstagram: @celebratewithameBIPOC in Events Instagram: @bipoc.in.eventsDr. Camara Jones YouTube video: Hear about the red flowers VS pink flowersILEA Northern California: www.ileancc.orgILEA HQ: www.ileahub.com 

To get the full list of our how and why, visit my blog here on my website that links all the financial podcast hosts that we followed to help us on our journey.To read my personal financial breaking point, read my blog post here.Follow me on Instagram @celebratewithame! Podcast Hosts that inspired us to do the damn thang:Dave RamseyChris HoganKen ColemanHis or Her Money ShowClever Girl FinanceSmart Passive Income

Check out the blog on Amersive Events for more details and date ideas during quarantine and shelter-in-place. Make your partner feel special and loved despite this crazy year!Follow me on Instagram @celebratewithame!Where we dined outdoors for our anniversary:The Trident in SausalitoCeladon in NapaBrix Restaurant in NapaRistorante Allegria in NapaAuburge Du Soleil in SonomaOther date ideas during shelter-in-place for you to try:Create a romantic picnic in your bedroom (details in my blog)Enjoy outdoor wine tasting in Napa or have a virtual wine tasting at home!Craft a beer tasting or mimosa tasting at homeHave an in-home spa nightGo on a hike then have a cute picnic at the end of itTake a virtual cooking classPaint and sip at home! Or do something crafty together Go camping… or go GLAMPING. I’m a glamping type of girl!Buy board games or conversation starter cards to get to know each other better

To view the blogs that go with this episode, visit the Blog section at www.amersiveevents.com!Follow me on Instagram @celebratewithame. During this pandemic, I know that weddings are so uncertain right now, but I hope that you can still takeaway some notes from this episode that will help you for your future wedding post-pandemic or for your upcoming hybrid OR virtual wedding!  I wanted to make sure I do a wedding episode where I can tell you some real-life experiences as a bride, not just as a wedding or event planner. The little details I’m going to go through isn’t going to be about flowers, signage, transportation or anything like that - although I promise I will have a blog post about that sometime. What I want you to take away from this episode are the little details you can add to your wedding day that will tell your story as a couple. It’s all about personalization. These are the little details that your guests may not think twice about unless they really know you both, but it’s super significant to you two as a couple. These are details that can enhance your emotions and feelings on your wedding day when you dig deep into thinking about it together.Questions to ask yourselves to help with personalization are:What are my hobbies that I want to portray at the wedding?What do we like to do together?Do we have any special dates that mean a lot to us that we want to incorporate?Any favorite colors?What's our favorite food that we want to add to the wedding?Favorite snacks?What are our favorite songs? What is OUR song?What songs remind us of our relationship?

Introducing a new part of my podcast: THE PARTY BUZZ which are short bonus episodes with tips, tricks, the tea, the juice, the punch... to give you a little PARTY BUZZ!First up: Engagement shoot locations and ideas for you and your partner. Some tips are:Choose locations that matter to you and tell your storyUse props to help you be less awkardSearch "engagement shoot poses" on Pinterest and save photos of poses you'd want to tryPick themes that are fun and relates to both of youBring a friend or two to help you set the stage or set the sceneFollow me on Instagram @celebratewithame and subscribe to my newsletter on my website: www.amersiveevents.com! 

For more info on Excel sheets mentioned in this episode and other resources, check out my blog here: www.amersiveevents.com/blog. First steps to take after you get engaged and as you plan for your wedding:Celebrate Your EngagementDraft Your Guest ListCreate Your Budget & Figure Out FinancesTalk About Your Dream Wedding With Your PartnerResearch & Find InspirationChoose Your Date & VenueWhat we had to do to prep for a Catholic Wedding:First meeting with the priestTook the FOCCUS Inventory quiz then met with the Deacon to talk about our answersAttended the SF Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend retreatNatural Family Planning course that we took onlineTo  see more sample questions that we had to answer for FOCCUS and some items we talked about at the engaged encounter retreat, view the blog on my website, www.amersiveevents.com!What we learned during our engagement:Our relationship felt different as we got to know each other on a deeper levelBoth partners should participate in the wedding planningRemember WHY you're getting married. Don't get caught up with all the stressMake wedding planning more fun! Try doing a "Wedding Wednesday" planning dayNot everyone will be happy with your planning decisions but you got to keep it movin'Sticking to your budget is HARD AF!Thanks for tuning in, friends! Please don't forget to rate & review the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow me on Instagram @celebratewithame. Appreciate you!Sending you all the love & confetti, Ame 

It’s been very emotional for many of us. A very emotional couple of days, weeks, and YEARS for some. Even during times when we feel helpless, we have been looking at multiple ways we can help. This includes using our voice on social media, having conversations with our family and friends, protesting, educating ourselves more about Black history, signing petitions and donating to funds. As I sat there thinking about what else I could do, I thought about how I could use my passions to support this movement so I wanted to provide a few ways you can support our Black community through events – whether it’s you supporting as an attendee or creating events. Below are some websites for you to check out. Read the blog on my website for links to black-owned businesses near you. Here are two websites you can check out to attend events - ranging from an Afrobeats Fusion dance class, yoga, candid conversations and open mic nights.Blackculturalevents.comEventbrite - type in Black EventsIf you decide to create a class or event using your talents and skills, here are a few organizations you can raise money for. Black Lives MatterReclaim The BlockBlack Girls CodeThe Black Voters Matter FundHere are a few Bay Area vendors that I mentioned in the episode that you can check out to hire. Some will travel to Sacramento too! :)Pinx Catering - CateringChris Evans Events - CateringRobert Dorsey Catering - CateringThe Red Door Catering  - CateringDJ D Sharp - DJDJ Lady Ryan - DJAlia Sharrief - creative/rapperSir JoQ - vogue dancer/entertainerElle Inspired Productions - Event Planning & Design  

To check out Metro Events' venue space (Pier 27, Pier 29 and Pier 35) in San Francisco, visit their website here or follow them on Instagram @sfmetroevents. Pam Perez, CSEP is currently working as the Director of Event Services for Metro Events which manages Pier 27, Pier 29 and Pier 35 along the waterfront in San Francisco. She is also serving as the Immediate Past President for ILEA Northern California Chapter (ILEA-NCC). With 20 years of experience in the events industry from event planning for a non-profit, to catering, then venue sales, Pam has so much knowledge about events and relationships in the industry. She goes through some general questions people typically may have such as:How does costs look like in the Bay Area?Is there really an off-season VS on-season pricing?Is it REALLY cheaper to host your wedding or event on a weekday versus a weekend?What's the difference between a venue coordinator and wedding day-of coordinator?What advice do you have for people who are unsure about cancelling their wedding or event with the venue?Pam goes through what a venue coordinator does and does not do. Basically, know that the "coordinator" your venue comes with takes care of the VENUE. The venue coordinator isn't there to manage your vendors or makes sure that your decor is in the right place. That's what day-of/month-of wedding or event coordinators are for. In this episode, I also go through some expectations or changes you might expect with venue costs post-COVID or after Shelter In Place. The most important thing for you to do is to talk to your venues about any changes they might be anticipating, how they are adhering to safety and cleanliness and protocols and what costs might mean for you. If you have any other questions regarding venues, let me know! I'll reach out to Pam or other venue connections. :) Thanks for tuning in, party people!SENDING YOU ALL THE LOVE & CONFETTI, AME 

To connect with Kimiko DePedro and follow her on her mindfulness journey, catch her on Instagram @kimiko.marie!To get involved with Halo Halo Collective, find these pinay baddies on Instagram @halohalocollective!Kimiko De Pedro is a communications professional by day, and curious content creator by night. She is an alumnae of the National Park Service, where her love for community gatherings began and her passion for nature and mindfulness flourished. This is where Miko and I met, soon became great friends and had many opportunities to work with one another over the years. Even after moving on from the National Park Service, she served as an active member of the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy’s Event Advisory Committee, where she advised on events, like NightHowl. When she isn’t bridging communications for global teams in tech, her creative energy is focused on projects that gather community and advocate for self-care and mindfulness. Now she is one of the co-founders for Halo Halo Collective, a community of Filipinx creatives here in the Bay Area. Since launching in 2018, HHC has hosted a variety of intimate events focused on providing space for meaningful dialogues, creative collaboration and supporting local Filipino owned businesses.Every time Miko thinks about community, she thinks about:Having a similar goal, passion or beliefCreating supportAs humans, we want to socialize, share ideas and help one another so when we gather as a community, we can help uplift each other. True community is not providing judgement and collaborating together to create a movement and progress. To make your community feel more comfortable at an event, make sure someone is there to greet your guests. Someone warm and who genuinely wants to welcome people in. It's so simple but that first interaction sets the experience of the event. To create conversations, Miko creates prompts with questions and tells everyone that they're all there to create a safe space. Speak to the guests:Tell them: This is why we're gathering today (maybe to support XYZ business)Ask them: Set your own intentions. What's one thing you want to take away today? How do you want to leave this event?"Cheers to community, collaboration and making sure that every move we make as we move forward is towards empowering and helping one another in whatever goal that may be." - Kimiko DePedro

To follow Erika Simangan, catch her on Instagram @elsmngn where she has all her incredible writing throughout this past year, or her hilarious podcast @milfandcookiespodcast where she gets real with another friend! Grief isn't an easy subject to talk about. In celebrating a lost loved one, what are we actually comfortable with? How do we continue honoring someone who isn't physically with us anymore?This episode is in honor of Ryman Simangan who passed away last year on May 6, 2019. Erika tells us how this past year has been for her and her two daughters as they continue their lives without him physically being with them anymore."I had to take care of myself because at the end of the day, no one was gonna do it for me." - ErikaHer stages of grief has been more like:WTF?What happened?Why did this happen?What do I do now? "...And I'm still in my what do I do now, because it changes daily."Some of the ways that Erika has honored Ryman this past year is by getting a Las Vegas Raiders legacy brick for him since he's such a huge fan. They even sent her a replica. She hopes to visit the stadium with the girls when shelter in place is lifted. She also kept a lot of his jerseys and concert tees in a box, so that one day, their daughters can choose what to do with it. Some ideas that floated around were making his clothes into a stuffed animal, a pillowcase or a tote bag. Ultimately, everyone goes through their own type of grieving and healing process. Whatever it may be, however you decide to celebrate or honor your lost loved one, know that there is no right or wrong answer, and there is no time limit. Just remember to take care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Sending you all the love & confetti,AME 

Patrick McMichael, Partner with Denon & Doyle Entertainment, is a Golden State native with a silver tongue and passion for the special events industry. After spending a few years  behind a DJ system, Patrick has taken to the stage as a professional MC and host nationally. Professionally seasoned as a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), Past President of ILEA-NCC, Past VP of MPINCC's ACE, and having sat on several different non-profit trade association boards, he is no stranger to being spontaneous while staying strategic. His passion project is with the SEARCH Foundation, a charitable organization that gives money to individuals in the special events industry that are in crisis. Patrick believes that energy, timing, and most importantly, delivery, are everything. Whether moderating a panel of industry professionals, delivering an education session, playing host to a national convention, or just keeping a crowd engaged - he can deliver!Clients include: The Academy of Arts University, The San Francisco Giants, Kron 4, The Golden State Warriors, Google, The Academy of Sciences, St. Mary's College, Facebook, Tqitter, Netflix and many more.Just give the guy a well-cut suit and a microphone....****Patrick and I sit on the ILEA-NCC Board together and I'm super grateful he was able to join us on today's episodes! Other than networking tricks, the biggest takeaway I'd like you to have is to remember to ASK QUESTIONS. Audio Visual terms aren't always the easiest to understand. It's definitely best to have basic knowledge if you're an event planner, but don't sign contracts unless you know exactly what it means and what it does! Make sure to find a vendor you trust as well. Vendors really do make or break your event!

Three best friends of about 20 years chat about how they really feel about turning 30. Things we want to say HELLO to in our 30s:Self-care: Taking time to yourself to enjoy your own space and saying no respectfully to other people. Give yourself some peace. My Come-Up: Emotionally, physically, spiritually - just leveling up to the next big steps in every aspect of our lives since we've set our foundations in our 20s Taking Opportunities To Share Your Passion & Talents: Tapping into what those are and not being afraid to do them because you're worried about judgementHow We're Celebrating our 30s:Sunita: When she was 29, she listed down mini-goals as she reached her 30th birthday like donating to a non-profit each month and going vegan for a month. On her 30th birthday on Dec 30 (GOLDEN BIRTHDAY), she celebrated by taking a trip to Paris with a few close loved ones and even found herself sippin' on champagne right next to the Eiffel Tower. Tiffany: Her birthday is on September 1 and she plans to go to Aruba with a few friends! This is something she WANTS to do because of the perfect weather and somewhere she's never been. The thought of being with friends and family chillin' on the beach with a drink in hand is so freeing to her. She told herself that she would be doing it no matter if anyone joined her or not! C'mon RONA....please go away soon. ;)Ame: My birthday is on November 20 and thought I haven't planned because of the shelter in place, I'm hoping to rent an Airbnb with close friends/family and get super fancy! I also want to take a trip with the hubbz to the Philippines and Guam to take it back to my roots for this milestone birthday. How are you celebrating your 30th? Let me know on Insta: @celebratewithame! :)

Join three best friends who has known each other for about 20 years as they chat about how they changed in their 20s and some of the life lessons they've learned as they went through. We all felt like we knew what it meant to be grown as we entered our 20s, but little did we know, we ain't that grown. Life just slaps you in the face from time to time and you really gotta figure it out! Because we were physically distant from each other (Tiff lives in DC, Sunita lives in Sac and I live in the Bay), it was hard to find the time to catch up and talk...and it was hard to not take that so personally when our lives just kept moving. Eventually, we learned more about ourselves and each other to help us with better communication that we still continuously learn today. Some of the things we wish we changed in our 20s was saving money, joining organizations to get to know more people around us to discover what we want to do, and to just be more excited as we move along.As we leave our 20s, we want to say goodbye to: Saying Yes All The Time: Feeling the need to say yes to everyone and everything so you can be there for them and be present for their lives, but not giving enough time for yourselfDoubts & Fears: Fear of not knowing what's going to happen so that it holds you back, self-doubt and not feeling enough, letting go of anxietyGuilt: Stop feeling guilty for not meeting other people's expectations and just do you!Negative Energy: People or things who bring you down What are some lessons you learned in your 20s? What do you want to say goodbye to?

Elle Bronson, owner of Elle Inspired Productions, entered the events industry through the catering world first as an Account Executive. Last year, she finally decided to go full-time with opening up her own event planning business.Elle goes through her journey in the events industry and tells us the story of how she met Obama unexpectedly at an event she was working. How would you react if you met Obama? What would you say to him? Let me know in the comments section! Elle also goes through what traits she believes you should have to become an event planner. Should you be organized? An introvert vs extrovert? Listen in to hear her thoughts and let us know if there's other traits you think someone should have to become an event planner!Want to know Elle a bit more? Follow her on Instagram at @elleinspiredproductions and visit her website at www.elleinspiredproductions.com. 

It all started with watching The Wedding Planner with JLo, but I thought it was just my little girl's dream mentality. At my first "real" job after college doing marketing, I started to feel unhappy and stuck after working there for two and a half years. We've all been there - where we don't want to get up for work and we're dreading it. I needed to get out of my funk but didn't know where to go from there. I was stuck. Did I want to continue marketing? Was there another job I wanted to try? Was it event planning?As I kept thinking about my past experiences, I realized that event planning was the route I should've been taking. I learned more about myself when I self-reflected and really thought about what I enjoyed and what my skills were that I wanted to use. I got my first event planning job at a non-profit and it was the best experience I've ever had. At that job, I learned the good, bad and ugly sides of event planning and that I absolutely love it. This is where I was meant to be and this is the career field that I'm super passionate about. Learn about my past experience and see if the event planning route is for you! This episode is dedicated to my close friend who passed away in 2009. RIP Steven Matherly (SBZ). Thank you for being there for me spiritually when I was stuck. We love and miss you all the time.

To check out my event planning services, blog or to subscribe to my newsletter, visit www.amersiveevents.comFollow me on Instagram @celebratewithame!To summarize before I go into my why, I am here to help everyday people who plan personal parties to elevate the experiences with their loved ones by providing creative tips, how-to tutorials, ideas and stories from events professionals so they can celebrate with fun and ease. We all celebrate something in our lives. We all plan events whether that’s a holiday party, a family reunion, a bridal shower, a baby shower, a birthday dinner, a romantic date, our office appreciation party, or whatever it may be.  Sometimes we get stuck when it comes to planning and we really want to get creative or take it up a notch with our celebrations. Here is where this podcast comes in. My hope is that you can take away some tips and ideas from other people’s experiences so that your celebration is the bomb.com!Throughout this podcast, we're also going to be learning from special guests in the industry so that you can gather a few tips from them that you can use in your everyday life celebrations or journey to event planning.