When Life Gives You Lemons

2020 was certainly sour in more ways than one. The year started with a gorgeous debutant night under the stars and moved immediately to a double wedding Saturday. Three events, in the first six weeks, was the precedent Avenue I Events expected for the year. And then, the world was thrown a pandemic that halted everything, namely large-scale weddings and events.

It has been 10 months since our last wedding weekend. Like the rest of the country, we learned to work from home while homeschooling our children, battled connectivity and lagging internet speed, scrambled for toilet paper, and baked bread. We also explored our creativity and picked up a paintbrush.

One brush stroke led to another and the concept of expanding our brand to include stationery was born. Collections that include invitations, stationery, holiday photo cards, gift tags, and wrapping paper. Our first collection is set to launch at the end of June and our goal is to provide affordable luxury when it comes to the handwritten note.

While some may say 2020 was a real lemon, we have managed to create a recipe for lemonade that is our very own.

Photography by: Avenue I Events

Making it Look Like Magic

A magician may not reveal his secrets, but Tiffany Batchelor does not mind offering a look inside the life of a wedding planner. Avenue I Events, owner, Tiffany Batchelor is a Certified Wedding Planner through the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP). What does that mean? Well, it means that she takes her job seriously and belongs to a national organization that provides professional development, training, support and networking resources.

Making It Look Like Magic

by Tiffany Batchelor

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO THE WEDDING INDUSTRY?

A passion for people, organization, and desire to explore creativity.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED IN YOUR CAREER?

 “People don’t know what they don’t know.” As a planner, professionally offer an edited choice that does not overwhelm.

WHAT TYPE OF COUPLE IS THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR PLANNING STYLE?

The structure of my business encompasses a range of planning from week of execution to full design and concierge service.

WHAT PART OF PLANNING DO YOU LOVE THE MOST?

I love the relationship that organically unfolds between planner and client. I have learned that I am a 2 on the enneagram chart, THE HELPER. I am fulfilled in the role of helper to a client who trusts me to be an advocate for their best interest on wedding day.

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON ALL COUPLES SHOULD HIRE A PLANNER?

We live in an imperfect world and we rely on imperfect people. The value in the investment of hiring a planner is the assurance that a planner will bridge the gap between imperfection and best case scenario.

WHAT TIP WOULD YOU OFFER A NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLE?

After you have notified your friends and family of the engagement news and begin the planning process, have an honest discussion with each other on your “non-negotiables.” These will be one or two things each that you “have to have” on wedding day. From there, build an honest budget with each other. The budget will dictate your guest count and all of the details.

WHAT IS A FAVORITE MOMENT FROM ANY WEDDING YOU HAVE PLANNED?

I love when I receive the photographer’s wedding photos.  I pour through every one and relive the day. I smile when I happen upon a photo that depicts me doing what I love on wedding day: zipping a dress, buckling a shoe, applying lipstick, wiping a tear, waiting in the wings. This is a moment in time captured in a photograph. It is a moment that reflects trust in the relationship I have with my bride.

WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE MOST VALUABLE AS AN AACWP MEMBER SO FAR?

Continuing Education and Training. I appreciate that belonging to an organization that encourages growth and holds members accountable with required training hours. Programs and speakers who are leaders in their field offer beneficial tutorials to keep member’s skills relevant and sharp.  I feel confident presenting myself as knowledgeable and current in my field.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET WEAPON?

Working hard to make wedding day look easy. The timeline and details have been meticulously scheduled and executing planning makes the event magical.

MOST VALUABLE YET FORGOTTEN ITEM IN AN EMERGENCY KIT?

Small pair of scissors. This is my #1 used item and I actually carry them on my person all night. I first use them to cut out the hanger straps in dresses, then snip small threads off a gentleman’s suit, fine tune a frayed bouquet ribbon, cut the tag off of a frame or other decoration.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE WHEN YOU ARE A GUEST AT A WEDDING?

If the key players are relaxed or if there is a sense of emergency and anxiety.

Photography by:

HELLO... we are AVENUE I EVENTS

NEW YEAR… NEW US! Avenue I Events is excited to reveal all that is to come in 2019. We have a new look, new blog, new newsletter, behind the scenes, vendor spotlights, a growing team, and of course, snapshots of all of our recent projects. I had the opportunity to visit with writer Jackie Gonzalez about who we are and how we have evolved. We look forward to sharing it all with you.

Sitting Down with the Girl Behind the Brand

by Jacqueline Gonzalez

Planning a wedding requires a significant amount of time and effort, causing stress. After all, this is the most important day of your life, when all your friends and loved ones will be gathered together to help you celebrate, and you want everything to be perfect.

Tiffany Batchelor, Certified Wedding Planner, created Avenue I Events to ensure an unforgettable experience. The name says it all: Avenue I Events is your avenue to “I do.” Avenue I is an abbreviation for Tiffany’s home address, where everything she loves resides. Coincidentally, “I” is what is said in wedding vows and “Avenue” is the road taken to get there. Together, they create a fun play on words.

Since Avenue I Events first wedding in May 2016, Tiffany has fine-tuned her event management skills and continues to experiment with new ideas, starting with a new logo. The logo is intended to mirror the cuts of a gem, reflecting the versatile aspects of her business, “Like a diamond, events and clients are multifaceted, and like a wedding band, Avenue I Events provides clients with solid gold service.”

Each event is designed to represent the client down to the last detail. “We understand that every client has unique ideas, budget, and level of interest in the planning process, so we successfully bridge the gap creating a seamless event from start to finish.”

Tiffany takes her job personally, especially the client relationship that organically unfolds during the planning process. “The clients personally invite me into their lives to help execute a memorable occasion, so it is my job to not only manage the details, but also the emotion that is wrapped in the event.” The finish line is the event day, when Tiffany and her clients have grown so close that they entrust her to work her magic.

Aside from the client relationships, Tiffany enjoys time spent working with other creatives. She enjoys finding true talent and watching them work their craft, whether it is designing a blank space, working a camera to change the lighting, icing a cookie, or making a unique floral arrangement. Watching their crafts unfold, in tandem with her planning, is an amazing experience for her, and allows her to ensure an unforgettable experience for the client.

Photography by: Deux Boheme, Edward de la Garza, Jess Barfield Creative, Lone Oak Studios, Benjamin Garrett Photography, Lauren Rathbun Photo, Heidi Rae Photography, Susan Gonzales Photography, Anthony Guana Photography