BUILD BIG EVENTS THAT MAKE SENSE

Memorable moment maker Susan Stafford shares expertise.

Have you ever admired people who can plan nice celebrations? Think of the last time you attended a great graduation party or a sweet baby shower. Now try to imagine planning a gathering on a much grander scale and to potentially be held in another country! Yikes! Event planner extraordinaire Susan Stafford has been doing exactly that for years and talks about life, fun, and travel. Then she explains how to build big events that make sense by paying exceptional attention to every small detail.

GETTING TO KNOW THE BASIC INFO

What interesting stuff should we know about you?

My bachelor’s degree is from Birmingham-Southern College and my master’s degree is from right here at Florida State University in my wonderful hometown of Tallahassee. I’m happily married. We have three children and four cats.

What do you love most about Tallahassee?

There is so much to enjoy here. Everyone needs to experience the Shakespeare Festival, the Springtime Tallahassee Parade, an exciting football game, and a tour of the Capitol Complex that has so much art and history. Tallahassee is a great hub, too, and close to beautiful small towns such as Havana, Florida and Bainbridge, Georgia. It is also a perfect distance for a day trip to the beach.

What’s at the top of your travel wish list right now?

I do love to travel so much and would absolutely love to go on an African safari and see an amazing variety of wildlife.

I love travel, walking, reading, family, and food.

What can you share about hobbies, passions, and things you do for fun?

Good “Southern grandma food” is simply the best, and my own grandma planted that passion in my heart. I love sharing food with family and with friends. Walking is my favorite form of activity, and my favorite form of inactivity is reading all types of books, including travel logs.

Three fun things I’ve done recently were ziplining, riding an ATV, and (the best one was) when a Bluegrass band in Ashville gave a group of us a lesson in square dancing.

A BIT OF THE BACKSTORY

How did you learn to build big events that make sense?

It started with a fascination for law and having attorneys in the family. I am a meticulous person who loves to be helpful and solve problems. I did not want to become a lawyer but did want to help them plan meetings in memorable places. My ability to turn their general ideas and hopes into an extremely specific plan of action just organically led to event planning and inevitably to co-founding my current business, which is The Event Architects.

GET THE JOB DONE AND STILL HAVE FUN

How on earth do you mix mega planning with memorable moments?

As a corporate event planner and site sourcer, I use my expertise to find out what a group really desires when they think of a retreat. Then I save them lots of time, money, and effort by working out all the particulars and fine points. This would include venue, food, and attendee details. Other extras may encompass excursions, team building activities, and fabulously tailored sessions for entertainment and celebration.

I love to scout out new locations where my clients will enjoy integrating into the local culture and will come away with lasting memories which are so very precious. A big part of my job is to build big events that make sense and be sure they provide a wow factor and great customer service. That way the client’s entire experience is relaxed and remarkable.

SUSAN’S JOY AND MESSAGE

Why are you a joyful person?

Love for family, friends, and clients combines so well with my being helpful and detail oriented. Whether for business or pleasure, I always purposely leave much time for joy and for being in the moment. I remember everything in a good way, and that also brings me immense joy.

Do you have a message for the world?

Oh, yes! GO! Get out there, go see unfamiliar places, meet new people, taste new foods. Go do all the things…big events and memorable moments filled with joy. Do the things!

— ____ — ____ — ____ —

Dang, y’all, Susan Stafford turns tiny details into big events which are filled with precious and memorable moments. For over 16 years, she has sourced, planned and pleased with a personal touch. I simply admire her so much. She really can build big events that make sense. I also look forward to speaking with her again about several of the things we have in common, such as a Southern grandma, and a love of food, books, and travel.

Find out more about The Event Architects at https://www.myeventarchitects.com/about-us

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SHARE THE JOY

Simple & homemade is sweet!

How to have a sweet wedding filled with joy, fun, and special memories. This is easier than you would imagine if you remember to keep it simple and let the core character of the wedding couple shine through.

Yes, I’m using my own very recent wedding as the example here. I am Angela, a travel writer who loves to focus on all things “Southern”. I grew up in Mississippi. Later I fell in love with Tony, the kindest man on earth, who happens to be from New Jersey! We now live in Florida.

Tony & Angela … kindness & joy !

Anyway, the theme of our wedding was “Share the Joy”, because that just made the most sense for us. Crafting sweet handmade decorations that also served as mementos for each guest added a quaint and charming individualized touch.

ATTIRE

For this comfortable celebration, we suggested everyone dress casually. The groom wore soft shades of golden brown with black sneakers. The bride wore a dark green dress with golden brown shrug and multicolored paisley sneakers. Everyone there felt relaxed and looked fabulous.

The bride & officiant show off FUN footwear!

CHOSEN FAMILY

A total of seventeen people were together as our chosen family, regardless of actual kinship. We addressed this in the ceremony, welcoming them as precious chosen family into our home to enhance and embrace our concept of loved ones and togetherness.

There were no traditional attendants…everyone in attendance was an integral part of the special event. Every single loved one jumped in with their own unique skill and ability to add a remarkable pizzazz of perfection to the day. Love, joy, and a deep sense of belonging filled the air (thanks everyone).

LUNCH & LAUGHTER

Tables were rearranged after the ceremony, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch. Charcuterie items were meats, hard cheese, goat cheese, and breads. There was also chicken, potatoes, and green beans. Dessert included key lime pie, chocolate candies, and the wedding cake. It was chocolate on chocolate with white lace frosting around the sides. The words on top were “Tony & Angela Share the Joy”.

Folks drove from Indiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida and I am deeply thankful for every one of those cherished people (dang, y’all know who you are).