GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 37 WhiteRockFilms Lights! Camera! Success! White Rock Films, LLC offers video production using the latest equipment, including gimbals and motion control cameras to best tell your story. And,ifyouwishtocaptureadifferentperspective (literally!), they offer aerial video with the latest quad coptersthatachieveshotsthatweresimplytoocostlyin the past. If memories are the paintings on the tapestry of life, White Rock Films is the cloth. They give you the ability to capture and share your most cherished memoriesforgenerationstocome. BillBrock|214.405.3909 bill@whiterockfilms.com JENNIFER MELTONWEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY Jenniferlovescapturingalltheexcitingmomentsand emotions on your special day and creating memories thatwilllastalifetime.Shetellsyourlovestoryinmany of its most beautiful expressions, from a romantic engagementshoot,totheemotionalweddingday,to theexcitingfirstdaysfollowingthebirthofachildand familysessionsforyearstocome. JenniferMelton| 214.205.6296 Jennifermeltonweddingphotography.com JamesBlandPhotography James Bland has been showcasing his award-winning craftsmanship as a photographer for over 25 years. His zealforcapturingtheessenceofthepeopleinfrontofhis lens is matched only by the fun he has doing it. James’ portrait photography has been in exhibits and shows in DallasandWashington,D.C.,andheiswidelyknownfor his work for record labels and national magazines. His loveofcapturingtheheartandemotions of his subjects hasledhimtoofferhisservicesforyourspecialevent. JamesBland|214.577.5200 James@JamesBland.com JamesBlandPhoto.com CATERERS Everypartyneedsfood,right?Sowhynotmakeyourparty memorablebychoosingoneoftheamazingcatererslisted below? Ruthie’sRollingCafé MealsOnWheels(Literally!) Foodtrucksarealltherage,nottomentionatonoffun. For unique and very festive catering, let Ruthie’s roll on over. Cateringoptionsstartat$800andincludestaffing and 2 hours of service. Although they now have three trucks, we recommend calling soon because they get bookedupquickly. 972.380.4233 RuthiesFoodTrucks.com AmazingCaterers With roots going back to a popular NewYork deli in the 1950’s, Amazing Caterers offers full service catering of “basic good food” and plenty of it. Using only the finest and freshest meats, fruit, and vegetables, they offer an extensive menu of options prepared by their experiencedstaff.“Webelievethatifwecannotsayitor cannotspellitwedonotmakeit,”saysownerEdBrandt. When your event is over, we want to hear "They were Amazing!" 214.264.3662 ed@amazingcaterers.com FLORAL&DÉCOR Transform your event into an affair to remember with inspiring floral and décor. There are so many options throughout the metroplex, and it can get overwhelming, so we narrowed down your search to these inspired vendors. TheHauteBlossom From inspiration to execution, the mission atThe Haute Blossomistocreateconceptsuniquetoyoureventwhile providingexceptionalcustomerservice. StephaniaDuarte|469.450.0574 WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE IN OUR NEXT PARTY PLANNING GUIDE? Reach Amy Lendl at advertising@goodlifefamilymag.com. FOUR REASONS TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PARTY PLANNER BY REBECCA BAKER | CONTRIBUTOR Everyone has thrown a party or event at one time or another.While it might seem extravagant to hire a party planner, it is actually practical and more affordable than one might think. Here are some good reasons to hire an event professional. SAVE TIME Time is precious. While you are out doing your job, whether that is running a household or a company, a party planner is taking care of everything you need. Party planners have systems in place to go through the planning process at lightning speed to make sure that every detail is covered and nothing is amiss when your event day arrives. They will meet with venues, select menus, calculate beverage consumption, schedule rental deliveries and more.You can be busy with the things that matter most to you and let them handle the rest. SAVE MONEY It sounds contradictory, doesn’t it? Not so. An event professional has relationships they will tap into when planning your party or special event. They negotiate better deals with caterers, hotels, staffing, etc. They also know what to spend money on to make a difference in youreventandwhatdoesn’treallymatterintheend.They know what guests will typically eat and what is wasted. The money you will save could pay for the services they provide and then some. MORE CREATIVE This is what the party professional does for a living. While you have some good ideas, no doubt, the party planner has been exposed to numerous events and can bring creativity to the table. He or she reads and writes blogs, researches new ways to do things, knows about color schemes and how the simplest detail stands out to guests. A good planner also should be an expert listener and incorporate many of the things that are important to you, as well as “do their thing.”Most party professionals arecreativeindividuals,andtheywillmakesurethatyour event is memorable. YOU’LL BREATH Those who hire party specialists enjoy their events more knowing that everything is handled and running smoothly. Just think, you will not be bogged down with little details like trying to remember cocktail napkins, to hand someone a party favor, or to make sure that there is enough ice. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could breath easily, get a drink or some food and have great conversations with guests that you haven’t seen in a while? Youhireotherprofessionalssuchasdoctors,lawyers,even florists and photographers. Consider hiring a professional event planner for your next party and odds are that you won’t ever go back to handling planning yourself. EDITOR’S NOTE: REBECCA BAKER IS AN EVENT SPECIALIST AND THE FOUNDER OF BASH EVENTS (SEE MORE ABOUT BASH ON PAGE 35) PartyTimeTexas JenniferMeltonWeddingPhotography BASHCreativeEvents