Seasonal Soirées Made Simple

Based in Oklahoma City, Eventures is a full-service event planning and rental company founded by Mary Ellen Alexander in 1994. Passionate about serving others, Alexander’s first foray in event planning was in San Francisco. Later, she moved to Dallas, where she gained catering and hospitality experience working at the Marriott.   

At the time, the event industry was still burgeoning, and Alexander saw it as an opportunity to strike out on her own.

“I decided that I was moving to Oklahoma because there wasn’t an event planning production company in the state, and I was going to make it happen,” she recalls.

Since opening Eventures, Alexander and her dedicated team of event professionals have built a reputation for creating luxurious celebrations and events. Eventures produces all types of experiences — from nonprofit fundraisers to sporting events. The company also specializes in party rentals, offering custom-designed props and a wide selection of furniture, dance floors, linens and more.  

A leap of faith also led Ashley Farthing-Porto to found Farthing Events, a full-service event design and production company, in 2011. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Porto got her start in event planning at the Tulsa Zoo. 

“Establishing and cultivating relationships with our clients was really important to me,” she says about her experience there. “It really sparked a fire within me to want to work and serve people more.” 

Over the years, Farthing Events has carved out a niche specializing in high-end weddings and social events. Now highly sought-after, Porto focuses on a handful of elevated experiences every year. 

“Event planning is an outlet for me to design and be creative,” she shares. “But it also lends flexibility with how I get to spend my time as a mom, which is what is most important to me.” 

Stress during the holidays is nearly a universal experience. In fact, 84% of adults reported experiencing stress during the holiday season when surveyed by the American Psychological Association in 2024. Hiring a professional event planner to assist during the holidays — whether you’re arranging a casual gathering or planning a corporate event — can help take the pressure off hosting. 

“When you’re planning any type of party or celebration, the goal is for it to be fun and enjoyable,” says Porto. “Enlisting a trusted professional is key. They’re going to take your input and your desires for the event and put together a plan based on their expertise.”

An event planner can also help you understand how to optimize your resources, especially when it comes to managing certain elements on your own. “We can offer the best insights when it comes to maximizing your budget depending on your event and specific needs,” adds Courtney McPhail, event planner and designer at Eventures.

In general, keep DIY projects simple – like putting together party favors or stamping and sending invitations. 

If you are renting a private space, check with the venue to see what is included. 

“We recommend that our clients maximize what the venues have to offer, whether it’s tables, chairs or complimentary linens,” suggests Hannah Tweed, also with Eventures. 

Although family and friends may be willing to help with larger tasks, such as catering or photography, those items are best left to the professionals. 

“Let your friends be your friends the day of the event and not fall into the role of  business professionals,” advises Porto. “All the little touches we plan strategically as a team with our clients. That way they’re able to step in and feel involved if they want to be.” 

A party theme can elevate your event and keep your guests entertained all night long. While classic Christmas and Thanksgiving décor never go out of style, niche and unconventional themes are especially popular right now. 

“People are branching out from more traditional themes than they have in the past,” says Tweed. “We’ve also seen a big spike in themes that are references to movies, like the Polar Express, Elf or The Grinch.” 

Putting a twist on the holiday tradition, Eventures designed a beach-themed Christmas party for one of its clients last year. The company imported real sand for decorating, constructed cabanas and dressed Santa in flip flops. 

“Our clients bring us new themes and fun ideas every single year that we love bringing to life,” says McPhail.

Minimalistic, sleek décor for the holidays is trending, too. 

“A lot of people are going for a more modern aesthetic, adding touches like garland and floral elements that are still representative of the holiday but can be done in a way that’s different and refreshing,” says Porto. 

Sometimes the inspiration for a good theme can be more abstract. 

“I love to encourage my clients to find inspiration from what makes them happy. It could be a throw that you love, or maybe it’s a vase… You don’t have to be super strategic and browse the pages of a design book to find elements that you like,” says Porto.

Careful planning lays the groundwork for an unforgettable event. When working on a tight timeline, small details can be easy to overlook. Creating an event checklist can help you pace your efforts and ensure that all your bases are covered.

Creating an Event Checklist

◊ Finalize the event date, guest list and budget. 

◊ Book the caterer and venue.

◊ Hire a planner, if you’re using one. “Trust is one of the biggest things when you’re working with a professional,” Porto advises when choosing a planner. “If there isn’t trust on both ends, it’s going to make the process feel rigid.”

◊ Choose a theme or aesthetic. “Sometimes I get clients that don’t have a vision for their event upfront, and that’s completely fine,” says Porto. “We can put together a full proposal of what the event might look like for them.” 

◊ Book rentals, entertainment or a bartender. 

◊ Send out save-the-dates or invitations. 

◊ Confirm menu and drink selections.

◊ Arrange for decorations & party favors.

◊ Plan music, such as a playlist, DJ or band.

1-2 Weeks Out

◊ Confirm RSVPs with your guests.

◊ Communicate headcounts to vendors, if necessary.

◊ Do a final walkthrough of the venue. 

◊ Tip: Consider including your vendors in the walkthrough, that way they are familiar with the venue and can problem solve potential issues in advance.  

◊ Decorate and set up furniture and tables, if you’re doing it yourself. 

◊ Prepare any personal dishes.

◊ Do a final check-in with all vendors.

◊ Celebrate! “There’s nothing more exciting… than to be standing in the doorway and listening to the reactions of guests when they’re seen what we’ve accomplished. It’s the most rewarding experience,” says Alexander.

Picking the Right Date

The holidays are the busiest time of the year, so choosing a reasonable date for your event or party is a must. Not only will it influence attendance, but it also plays a role in the pricing of rentals and vendor costs.

Selecting a date earlier in the month of December may result in a higher turnout, as people tend to travel out of town the week of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Vendors may also increase the pricing of their goods and services around this time. 

Weekdays, particularly Thursdays and Fridays, are prime times for corporate events – whereas the weekends are usually best for gatherings with friends and family.