Lots of brides will bring back the art deco style of the roaring ’20s due to the year “2020”…
Emilie Makor

Emelia Makor

Co-owner

Location: Harrisburg, PA

Reves Etheres is French for Ethereal Dreams. When I was thinking about officially launching my business, I wanted a name that was unique, that stood out, and that just wasn’t average. Why Ethereal dreams one may ask? I wanted our clients to feel as though all they had ever dreamed about, we could fulfill. Meaning we wanted to fulfill your wildest dreams, and make them possible for you. In order to achieve that we provide an umbrella of services under our company name – Florals, Planning and luxe rentals for those who want to indulge.

The company is run by my husband and me. He is more the brains behind the image, doing logistics and operations. I do the more “pretty stuff” like the overall design.

We have been planning events since 2012 after our wedding. We planned our wedding and had a day-of coordinator to help us. After our wedding, a lot of family and friends asked me to help them plan their events. After a while of basically doing it for free, I decided to take the plunge and go for it! We started officially in 2018, and boy are we glad we did!

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced while planning an event and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had while planning an event was one we planned in Upstate New York. We were being told that the baker had an accident on the way to the venue and had been admitted to the hospital. Of course, she had her family out there with her at the hospital…her dad happened to be the photographer!

He called me and basically told me he would not be able to make it and of course, his daughter was currently in the emergency room. Thank God she was not badly injured. I just could not ask this dad over the phone “Yeah, so, but where is the cake in all this?” That would have come off as a bit insensitive!

So, thank God for networking. I called another planner who had a list of photographers. One of them was able to show up at the last minute to photograph the wedding. As for the cake…well let’s just say I visited the local grocery store and everyone had delicious cupcakes for dessert! The bride did not know about any of this until during one of her speeches she asked “Where is my cake?” with this bewildered look on her face. I started the reply with a “So what happened was…”

What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?

Lots of brides will bring back the art deco style of the roaring ’20s due to the year “2020” and lots of functions and events will be ’20s themed. We will see a lot of Gatsby style themed weddings and events. We will also see a lot of 10/10/20 dates – the rush to stamp that on their marriage certificates. Everything is going to be in that styling which is geometric shapes which we see already popping up in many weddings. I just got a phone call from a bride who wanted all things geometric for her beautiful event. In keeping with the styling of that era, we will see a lot of bling, crystals, etc. High-end fashion also was very prolific during the era, so we will be seeing a lot of high fashioned brides. Do not leave the grooms out! They will be dapper and very well-tailored to suit that style!

Another trend in the event industry is the incorporation of live entertainment. This is actually a continuation of the trend from last year, but we will see more of this trend. Brides are looking for DJ’s who not only are able to spin turntables but are also able to entertain. Using live entertainment brings the crowd together like no other. Acts that interact with guests.

What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?

Creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget is possible with the right planner. If you are on a tight budget and are thinking about making your event memorable and do not have a large floral budget, I would think about creating a focal point in your reception space that will wow your guests. It could be a mesmerizing floral wall made with live florals or a ceiling installation over the head table. If you can, encourage your planner to design a floor plan that will use less floral centerpieces, so that the ones you do have are as impressive as you would see with a 6-figure budget event.

If you had unlimited resources, what would your dream client and event look like?

With unlimited resources, budgets could run in the millions. The possibilities are endless with this one. Lol

How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?

One of the most important relationships you could have are those between you and your vendors. Some ways I think of creating a good rapport will be to occasionally hold lunches with some vendors or work on projects together outside of an event which can sometimes be a high-stress environment.

What advice would you give someone who needs to plan a fundraiser but isn’t sure where to start?

Find a planner to help you figure out the little details of it. Networking is also very important when it comes to planning a fundraiser.

What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?

The most exciting thing for us in our business right now is the growth. We are just excited to see our business grow from the ground up.

We are also very proud to have been featured in Black Bride Magazine. We hope to get more publications and just to continue to grow exponentially.

What inspired you to launch your own company in the event industry? How long did it take from initially having the idea to setting up and starting to attract a client base?

I have a passion for planning and throwing parties. I love to see people having a super good time. When I plan a really good event, I sit back, take it all in, and watch the guests’ faces as they either marvel at the designs, floral work, or just take in the experience we put together for them.

What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?

My first event was my wedding, and I’d say it went pretty well! lol

What’s the most surprising or unusual request you have ever received from a client and were you able to fulfill it?

I had a client who wanted chandeliers from California. She wanted them, we sourced them for her, and we were able to get her those chandeliers!!

Anything else you’d like to comment on while we have you?

This was a great interview! I am so glad I was able to do it. Thank you for helping us share our stories.

Emelia Makor
Author: Emelia Makor

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