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How did Save the Date evolve from concept to reality?
After working for a traditional event planning company for 2 years I noticed that most corporate planners and non-profit
companies had someone internally whose ‘job’ was to plan the events and
conferences. In the recession of 1992, there were less inside planners,
and as companies were downsizing one person was left to handle all the
events because they did not have the extra money to hire an outside
planner.
On the location side, they too had to scale back as most of the internal people who sold the hotels, restaurants, and clubs were let go, leaving the owners trying to sell, cold call, send proposals, and run their businesses all at the same time. I saw a business opportunity. I flipped the business model and now have over 1800 spaces that hire us to help sell and market their spaces so we can be ‘free’ to the corporate and wedding/private clients.
Save the Date® was born in 1993 with the mission to be all things to event planners; a service that assists planners in arranging the perfect event at fabulous spaces with amazing decor, while keeping control over their budgets. At Save the Date® we understand that time is the most valuable commodity to busy people. We know that finding the perfect location or scouting out the ‘latest and greatest’ is a full-time job, so we make making their events fabulous our full-time job while being free to the end users.
About 7 years ago we started our for hire event planning side for those who need extra help and want a one stop planning company.
What are some of the favorite events you've planned and why?
The Fox News ten year anniversary party because we got to close down a New York city block and tent it...we
actually removed the parking meters and the lighting on the street!
We brought in furniture, carpets and built a kitchen on the
corner of 48th and 6th avenue..it was a trip.
I also love the non-profits because I’m able to give back and of
course the weddings because I get emotionally involved with my clients.
Life is about the moment, so to be there when people celebrate,
and enjoy life is always great for me.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, have you done any planning for the "bridezilla" type, or other hard-to-please clients? How do you deal with the drama that can emerge when your idea of perfection doesn't mesh with a client's idea of perfection?
Whenever a bride walks in with an entire binder that they have saved and collected for 20 years, I decide that’s not a bride for me....they have way too many expectations and don’t leave a lot of room for input. At the end of the day, it’s not about me or my vision, it’s their wedding and I am just the translator. Weddings are emotional times and families get involved, so I try to keep everyone very calm and help them remember it’s about the wedding, and the ceremony, the rest is just a party.
With Memorial Day and warm weather right around the corner, what tips can you share for pulling off the perfect outdoor party?
Outdoor parties always need a backup plan, so make sure you have enough room inside or available, just in case...I always have a bunch of sweaters/wraps, etc. around in case the night gets chilly. (Find more tips from Jennifer here.)
On to your newest endeavor, The Real Housewives of New York City. What were your initial thoughts about joining the sometimes catty, shamelessly addictive reality series?
I WAS PETRIFIED!!!!! STILL AM! But hey, you only live once...I’m not a mean girl, I never have been, but like I say “you want a different answer, ask a different girl”..so while I’m normal and not going to instigate I speak my mind, and as a total outsider, just like all the viewers, I have a very different perspective on all of them and the drama. We'll see if normal sells!
What can we expect in the season's Housewives?
DRAMA!!! They really fight, they really don’t like each other (some of them) and it's all real...no script and not manipulated, which shocked me!!
Did you know any of the current Housewives prior to joining the cast?
Nope, not one of them. I shared lots of mutual friends with Kelly and Bethany, but no, I didn’t know any of the girls.
Do
you anticipate that role changing your life at all?
I do think it will change my life and I hope for the best. I hope people get to know my business and how hard we all work for our clients. But for me, I always believe in YES YOU CAN!! If I can inspire a few women out there to say, you know, I can do that, I hope that’s the message. I do want a foundation, to give back and to leave the planet better than when I came for my 3 small kids...this may seem like a strange vehicle for this message, but it’s a platform. So let’s see...and really, why not! You only live once.
What did you do on premiere night (March 4th)?
There were 2 premier parties...Ramona’s, where not all the women went, and Luann’s (where not all the women went)...so I went to both. But I’m not on the show for a while so I was just a viewer like everyone else.
How do you balance it all? Career, family, social life, etc?
I’m tired! And when I get totally overwhelmed I say to myself...’Breathe, you are just one human being and you’re doing the very best that you can’. I try to do it all, but may not do it all 100% everyday. Some days I’m the best mom and not the best business women, some days the best wife, not the best mom..I. figure, all I can do is my best.
Style wise, what do you gravitate towards?
I’d say I’m elegant and edgy...not as traditional as most, but classic with a twist. I like to mix the high with the low. An Alexander McQueen top with a Zara skirt. I like patterns and color in the summer, and a bit more monotone in the fall/winter. I don’t buy a specific brand, I go across the board, Chloe, Marni, Missoni, Armani, Dries Van Noten...I’m all over the place.
What's in your handbag that you can't leave home without?
My lip gloss by Mac, my cover up by Laura Mercier (IT RULES) and my metro card, I have one in every purse as I am a subway girl and never leave home without one. Fastest way to travel in NYC!
(All photos © 2010 Molinoff Photography)
After working for a traditional event planning company for 2 years I noticed that most corporate planners and non-profit
companies had someone internally whose ‘job’ was to plan the events and
conferences. In the recession of 1992, there were less inside planners,
and as companies were downsizing one person was left to handle all the
events because they did not have the extra money to hire an outside
planner. On the location side, they too had to scale back as most of the internal people who sold the hotels, restaurants, and clubs were let go, leaving the owners trying to sell, cold call, send proposals, and run their businesses all at the same time. I saw a business opportunity. I flipped the business model and now have over 1800 spaces that hire us to help sell and market their spaces so we can be ‘free’ to the corporate and wedding/private clients.
Save the Date® was born in 1993 with the mission to be all things to event planners; a service that assists planners in arranging the perfect event at fabulous spaces with amazing decor, while keeping control over their budgets. At Save the Date® we understand that time is the most valuable commodity to busy people. We know that finding the perfect location or scouting out the ‘latest and greatest’ is a full-time job, so we make making their events fabulous our full-time job while being free to the end users.
About 7 years ago we started our for hire event planning side for those who need extra help and want a one stop planning company.
What are some of the favorite events you've planned and why?
The Fox News ten year anniversary party because we got to close down a New York city block and tent it...we
actually removed the parking meters and the lighting on the street!
We brought in furniture, carpets and built a kitchen on the
corner of 48th and 6th avenue..it was a trip.
I also love the non-profits because I’m able to give back and of
course the weddings because I get emotionally involved with my clients.
Life is about the moment, so to be there when people celebrate,
and enjoy life is always great for me.At the opposite end of the spectrum, have you done any planning for the "bridezilla" type, or other hard-to-please clients? How do you deal with the drama that can emerge when your idea of perfection doesn't mesh with a client's idea of perfection?
Whenever a bride walks in with an entire binder that they have saved and collected for 20 years, I decide that’s not a bride for me....they have way too many expectations and don’t leave a lot of room for input. At the end of the day, it’s not about me or my vision, it’s their wedding and I am just the translator. Weddings are emotional times and families get involved, so I try to keep everyone very calm and help them remember it’s about the wedding, and the ceremony, the rest is just a party.
With Memorial Day and warm weather right around the corner, what tips can you share for pulling off the perfect outdoor party?
Outdoor parties always need a backup plan, so make sure you have enough room inside or available, just in case...I always have a bunch of sweaters/wraps, etc. around in case the night gets chilly. (Find more tips from Jennifer here.)
On to your newest endeavor, The Real Housewives of New York City. What were your initial thoughts about joining the sometimes catty, shamelessly addictive reality series?
I WAS PETRIFIED!!!!! STILL AM! But hey, you only live once...I’m not a mean girl, I never have been, but like I say “you want a different answer, ask a different girl”..so while I’m normal and not going to instigate I speak my mind, and as a total outsider, just like all the viewers, I have a very different perspective on all of them and the drama. We'll see if normal sells!
What can we expect in the season's Housewives?
DRAMA!!! They really fight, they really don’t like each other (some of them) and it's all real...no script and not manipulated, which shocked me!!
Did you know any of the current Housewives prior to joining the cast?
Nope, not one of them. I shared lots of mutual friends with Kelly and Bethany, but no, I didn’t know any of the girls.
Do
you anticipate that role changing your life at all?I do think it will change my life and I hope for the best. I hope people get to know my business and how hard we all work for our clients. But for me, I always believe in YES YOU CAN!! If I can inspire a few women out there to say, you know, I can do that, I hope that’s the message. I do want a foundation, to give back and to leave the planet better than when I came for my 3 small kids...this may seem like a strange vehicle for this message, but it’s a platform. So let’s see...and really, why not! You only live once.
What did you do on premiere night (March 4th)?
There were 2 premier parties...Ramona’s, where not all the women went, and Luann’s (where not all the women went)...so I went to both. But I’m not on the show for a while so I was just a viewer like everyone else.
How do you balance it all? Career, family, social life, etc?
I’m tired! And when I get totally overwhelmed I say to myself...’Breathe, you are just one human being and you’re doing the very best that you can’. I try to do it all, but may not do it all 100% everyday. Some days I’m the best mom and not the best business women, some days the best wife, not the best mom..I. figure, all I can do is my best.
Style wise, what do you gravitate towards?
I’d say I’m elegant and edgy...not as traditional as most, but classic with a twist. I like to mix the high with the low. An Alexander McQueen top with a Zara skirt. I like patterns and color in the summer, and a bit more monotone in the fall/winter. I don’t buy a specific brand, I go across the board, Chloe, Marni, Missoni, Armani, Dries Van Noten...I’m all over the place.
What's in your handbag that you can't leave home without?
My lip gloss by Mac, my cover up by Laura Mercier (IT RULES) and my metro card, I have one in every purse as I am a subway girl and never leave home without one. Fastest way to travel in NYC!
(All photos © 2010 Molinoff Photography)
Q&A With Save the Date® CEO (and NYC's Newest Housewife!) Jennifer
Gilbert
Sometimes
life's path takes us far from the vision we anticipated and into a
far better reality, unimaginable until we live it. For
Jennifer Gilbert, award winning entrepreneur, family woman, and the
newest addition to the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City,
her path seems more like destiny than dream-world.
The former Entrepreneur of the Year, made her dream a reality when in 1993 Save the Date® launched and event planning suddenly had a new kind of visionary, much to the pleasure of her celeb clients (Oprah or Jewel ring any bells?), Fortune 500 companies, and brides all desiring the perfect event. Her sleek and sophisticated designs scream elegance and style and it's no wonder she's a sought-after voice of planning for publications like InStyle and Glamour.
Jennifer however is far from the one-track-mind career woman and has learned to balance work obligations with family ones. Her five year old daughter and twin two year old boys are an obvious priority and her newest project, a little show you may have heard of, The Real Housewives of New York City, will give viewers a glimpse of her everyday reality.
Jennifer graciously opened up to 24-7 Style and dished about everything from TRH of NYC to Save the Date® and more. After reading the below you'll likely realize she's as much of the girl-next-door as any of your friends versus the dramatic diva we sometimes see on Housewives.
Be on the lookout for Jennifer on Housewives airing Thursdays (10 p.m. EST) on Bravo or visit the website to learn more about Save the Date®.
Sometimes
life's path takes us far from the vision we anticipated and into a
far better reality, unimaginable until we live it. For
Jennifer Gilbert, award winning entrepreneur, family woman, and the
newest addition to the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City,
her path seems more like destiny than dream-world. The former Entrepreneur of the Year, made her dream a reality when in 1993 Save the Date® launched and event planning suddenly had a new kind of visionary, much to the pleasure of her celeb clients (Oprah or Jewel ring any bells?), Fortune 500 companies, and brides all desiring the perfect event. Her sleek and sophisticated designs scream elegance and style and it's no wonder she's a sought-after voice of planning for publications like InStyle and Glamour.
Jennifer however is far from the one-track-mind career woman and has learned to balance work obligations with family ones. Her five year old daughter and twin two year old boys are an obvious priority and her newest project, a little show you may have heard of, The Real Housewives of New York City, will give viewers a glimpse of her everyday reality.
Jennifer graciously opened up to 24-7 Style and dished about everything from TRH of NYC to Save the Date® and more. After reading the below you'll likely realize she's as much of the girl-next-door as any of your friends versus the dramatic diva we sometimes see on Housewives.
Be on the lookout for Jennifer on Housewives airing Thursdays (10 p.m. EST) on Bravo or visit the website to learn more about Save the Date®.
Q&A with 24-7 Style
