A Hat Trick

It is a glorious day. The sun is shining. There's not a cloud in sky. It's the perfect day for eating an ice cream cone or sitting under a tree with a good book. Too bad I won't be doing anything of the sort. Instead, I will be wearing many hats as I go from a morning bar mitzvah to a charity luncheon for fifty guests, to an evening wedding on the white sands of Malibu beach. I'm an event coordinator and today I must orchestrate a trio of special events that have nothing in common but me.

The Goldberg family is rejoicing in their son's bar mitzvah. It's a baseball theme. As the event planner, I've conferred with the temple to be sure everything for the ceremony is in place. The rabbi assures me they will be done by 10:30. That means guests will be arriving at the Goldberg's home at 11:00 for the reception. Their expansive backyard is being turned into a baseball diamond with fun activities at each base. Tables will be lined up along the first and third baselines for lunch. Each table is decorated with a baseball tablecloth. At each place setting will be a hot dog, cracker jacks, root beer float, and small batting helmet filled with strawberries. In the center of each table is a different "stadium" - a model representing some of Josh's favorite ball parks.

It is my job as the event coordinator to be sure everything is in place. So here I am, taking in a full view of the party site just as guests are arriving. The deejay is set up on the pitcher's mound. At first base is a dunking cage where kids get to throw a baseball at a target (a full size wood cardboard catcher) and if they hit it, dunk the person sitting in the cage. I hired a couple of guys for the dunking, who are dressed in jerseys from Josh's least favorite baseball teams. At second base is an egg toss. The catch is the kids wear a baseball glove and must catch the egg with the glove only. At third base is a relay race where kids must put on a full baseball uniform over their clothes, run to the outfield and back and then take off the uniform for their partner to put on. The pair with the best time wins. At home plate every child receives a bat with their name and the occasion engraved on it. Pens are available for "autographs" by the kids.

While the deejay plays, kids and adults can dance on the infield and follow along with silly games. Of course everyone must join in for "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." I've been a coordinator for a long time and this is one of the best events I've seen. A glance at my watch tells me it's time to make an appearance at a luncheon.

Because I am so busy, I have a partner, another event planner who helps me when parties overlap. I arrive at the luncheon, being held at a local hotel, just as the ladies are finishing lunch. I am overseeing this function because the special event coordinator in charge went into labor early and the hotel was left without a back up. My cousin is the concierge at the hotel so recommended me. Of course it had to fall on an exceptionally busy day. The luncheon is a white elephant affair. That means each guest finds something at home to donate. They wrap it in an appealing fashion with pretty wrapping paper, bows, or any other charming material; the presentation is key. An auctioneer talks about each item by describing its weight (it feels very heavy), its size and the attractive way it is presented. Guests bid on each gift not knowing what's inside but understanding all the money raised is for a good cause. Someone's treasure is another's trash so you never know what you're going to getting. Raffle tickets are also being sold. The grand prize is a trip for two to New York. All in all, it looks like all is going well so after a quick bite myself, I'm off to the beach.

The role of wedding planner is probably my favorite. Nothing makes me happier than seeing two people in wedded bliss. For tonight's nuptials I must make a quick stop at home to change my clothes for the right wedding attire. Sundress and sandals are waiting on the bed and I'm back out the door in five minutes.

This evening's affair is a small one. The bride and groom have chosen to be married right on the beach. I have made arrangements for a musician to play Don Ho music for the bride's walk down the aisle, during the ceremony, and just afterward. The bride decided to make the aisle herself. It's beach towels sewn together and it looks great. A simple wood archway decorated with a tremendous amount of pink, yellow and white roses is in place for the bride and groom to stand under. Black folding chairs with pink organza bows tied in the back are in rows on each side of the aisle. There are only twenty-five guests so everyone is close to the ceremony. The bride will be wearing a short white silk sundress while the groom is wearing white linen shorts and a cream silk shirt. There are no attendants so it's only the bride and groom up front. After the ceremony guests will be walking just up the beach to a seafood restaurant for crab legs, clam chowder and shrimp cocktail.

I will stand in the wings to watch the wedding take place, then hurry to the restaurant to be sure they are ready and waiting. Being an event coordinator is hard work but never dull. The smile on my clients faces is worth every moment spent planning.

 

 

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