From the left: Julianne Brow and Judy Read, a mother and daughter team, have recently opened Celebrate Events which assists people in planning milestone celebrations. Thompson Goddard Photo
SOUTH STORMONT – If you are planning an upcoming baby shower, wedding, vow renewal, corporate celebration or theme party, a new company can help the planning be smoother.
Celebrate Events, a company specializing in enabling clients to enjoy a milestone celebration in a more relaxed manner, is owned and operated by Judy Read and daughter Julianne Brow.
She explained the decision to help others plan their celebratory occasions was made after discovering the multitude of companies to contact for the different services required while planning family celebrations. Following the decision to purchase Tying the Knot in April 2024 was made, the family business began.
“We go in with your specific plans and vision, decorate for you and after the event we come back and take it all down.” said Read, continuing that the client’s job is just enjoy the event. Celebrate Events helps to streamline the decisions needed for event planning by providing clients with the opportunity to discuss their vision, view decorating alternatives and make decisions.
The company will soon open a staging shop in Cornwall, with the homebase of the business located in Ingleside. “We are lucky to have a space where we can visualize and help our customers visualize their celebration” said Read. She added their services are available to clients in Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Prescott-Russell, with the owners often travelling for consultations with clients in their home areas.
Read and Brow are both taking courses in event decor and event to build their expertise in the field and will receive a certification when the courses are completed. Read mentioned one of the benefits of utilizing the services of an event planner is the contacts developed by the businesses who provide decorations and services for the occasion.
When asked about the challenges overcome in building this type of business, they both agreed a business such as this requires a large amount of space for storing and showcasing décor items. Brow mentioned the planned staging shop will allow clients a space to see what is available for their event.
For those who are planning to open a business like theirs, Read mentioned finding a mentor in the field is a good plan. It can provide the potential business owner the opportunity to view firsthand requirements of the business such as the long and sometimes unusual hours encountered.
Both women considered it a privilege to assist people plan a milestone celebration and assist in their enjoyment of the event. Read mentioned how the client can either have everything planned and executed by their company. For those who wish to be more involved in the celebration, the company is able to provide assistance and advice to them.
More information can be found on their Facebook page or by calling Judy at 613-662-1618.
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Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.