MANITOULIN—Brenda Reid of Clover Valley has always had a talent for events and an eye for design, so she decided it was time to put that knack to official use and has launched her own business—Expressive Events by Brenda—and is offering her skills, from weddings, to birthdays, grand openings and everything in between, to the Island community.
“I’ve always done big parties for family and when my daughter got married two years ago, I naturally did it,” Ms. Reid said, noting that she even made her daughter’s wedding dress.
Constantly told she should put her talent to entrepreneurial use, Ms. Reid said she decided to take an online course to receive certification as a party planner. The course was incredibly beneficial, she said, and taught her how to plan for just about everything. The course also encouraged the event planners to make all of their scenarios, which were given to them by instructors, local. All of the venues, caterers, etc. had to be from Manitoulin Island, which also helped Ms. Reid build up her index of local talent to utilize.
Over the summer, Ms. Reid planned plenty of events, from a 75th birthday to two weddings, a 50th anniversary and more. She is also quickly amassing a large cache of rental items, including linens, china and plenty of party items. “It’s taking over our house,” she laughed.
“I’m getting to have a good selection of linens and colours, but I can get any colour you would want if I’m given enough notice,” she said.
While Ms. Reid can plan your party, she also has a flair for decorating and enjoys making custom pieces such as centerpieces and will do light catering, like sandwiches and squares, too.
For those planning summer weddings, Ms. Reid suggests contacting her now as having approximately one year is best for wedding planning, depending on the size, but she does not suggest anything less than four months. She also urges brides who wish to marry outside to always have a ‘plan B,’ in case of inclement weather, as it is surprising the number of brides who do not plan for such a situation, she said.
“I always tell my brides that there will be things that go wrong; it happens. But no one will ever know,” she said. With a wedding planner, it is up to Ms. Reid to be behind the scenes making sure that the last minute hiccups are ironed out.
It is pure pleasure for Ms. Reid to keep up on what’s in vogue, she said. “I’m online all the time and have different sites that I visit—blogs, wedding sites, suppliers—and I know the colours and all the latest trends.”
“It’s really fun, I really enjoy it,” she added.
Having a wedding planner means the stress is off, Ms. Reid explained. She will book the florists, hairdressers, tuxedo fittings, venue and all that comes with a wedding.
And she’s a stickler for detail, a trait she says is important in the planning business. Her linens come wrinkle free, she chuckled.
An avid seamstress, if Ms. Reid can’t find what the host or hostess wants she will make it herself.
“There are so many little special things that make a party,” she said. “It’s the little things, even something as simple as ice, or do you have enough washroom space available. And decorating—it’s good to have someone who can take your ideas and run with them.”
For those wishing to hire Ms. Reid to plan their next event, a free half hour consult and quote is offered. Ms. Reid is available by calling 705-859-2725 or emailing her at expressiveeventsbybrenda@gmail.com.
