The majority of the time this blog is about wedding advice, tips, and photos; well, today's blog will be on planning your Labor Day event.  Yes, I do plan events other than weddings and it's time I pay some attention to everyone else.  I'm not throwing away my brides but I often get questions about other events so today is the day.  By the way, brides can use these tips also. 

Labor Day will be our last summer holiday of 2013.  There will be all types of celebrations going on to honor that special day; weddings, birthday parties, backyard BBQ, parades, and picnics just to name a few.

There are so many different areas you can go with your Labor Day theme.  My personal favorites are decorating the table and holiday drinks.  Of course you play with color with the food and other decor but it's about how elaborate or toned down you want to be.  Whatever your choices, have a safe and fun holiday.

Now, Let's Get Inspired!

    

Sources (thekitchenwhisper.net, marthastewart.com, room to inspire,via blossom, heatherchristo.com, BHG)

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And the Pic Of The Week Is......

This adorable cake can be used for many events. Love this color combination.

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And the Pic of the Week Is.......

How cool is this, seating your guests above the pool.

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The Etiquette of the RSVP

Let's start with the meaning:  In English RSVP means "Please Respond".  The anagram is a French abbreviation for Repondez Vous Sil Vous Plait or "respond you please".

A little history:  As the seniors say, "in the olden days" people did not send response cards with their invitations.  Wedding invitations were answered in your own handwriting on your own stationery.  As people began to get busier they no longer had the time to write a written reply.  Since hosts and hostesses could not risk not receiving responses, they began to send reply cards with their invitations.  As more and more invitations were sent with reply cards, reply cards became more acceptable.  Today, they are sent with almost every wedding invitation.

There are many elements available when choosing how to present your response cards.  Traditionally, there is a response card and envelope.  If you want your guests to mail back the response cards, the envelopes must be pre-addressed and include the proper amount of postage.

If you are trying to cut down on costs another option would be post card style response card.  You can eliminate the response envelope and the postage is less.  While reply postcards are slightly less formal than response cards with envelopes, it’s still totally appropriate for a formal event.  Keep your post cards custom and coordinating by matching with the look and feel of your invitations. This really makes a big difference in the visual aspect of the cards as well as keeping them formal. 

Another modern development in wedding response cards is the option of allowing your guests to reply to an online wedding website. While not a traditional element, website response cards are very useful for your guests to respond, and provide additional information.

This option is more budget friendly because it gets rid of the response envelope and the return postage. There are a lot of wedding websites that are user friendly and free.  On the RSVP card you would direct your guests to visit your wedding website where they can reply online. This is an accurate way of getting a head count for your event which can be very helpful and cost effective if you are paying per person.  

Another reason why wedding websites are great is because you can provide more information to your guests that can sometimes be too much to add to your invitations such as information on other group events, accommodations, directions, local attractions, and miscellaneous information that might be useful to guests.

This can also help with the touchy subject of registry information which is considered to be very improper.  If you feel like you have to let people know where you are registered then you can list the information on your website. This is a much better way to get the word out.   

Now, Let's Get Inspired!

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How Important Is The Food.........

........Very Important.  Food is an important part of any celebration.  It can unite, reinforce, and help maintain a shared characteristic among a group of people.

Choosing the right menu for a special event can be just as important as choosing a location. Food can communicate a theme, convey a feeling or set the mood of an entire night. Taking great care in planning a menu shows your guests how much you appreciate them, and a great meal can help make a special day even more memorable.

Planning portions is very important when catering your own event.  Plan that half of your guests will want to go back for seconds. If you know that one dish will be a favorite, be sure to make extra. Keep in mind that the larger the variety, the more people you will please. 

Now, Let's Get Inspired!!

 

You can't go wrong with a good salad

  

The serving dish you choose helps make 

a good presentation

 

When serving sushi it is important to know the source

 

Be sure to include a dish that 

everyone knows & loves

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Did They Notice The Details?

You created a wonderful menu for your outdoor summer party, you started a new business so there was a grand opening, your elegant birthday dinner was bigger than you planned, and most importantly, there was your wedding. 

All these events took preparation; planners, venues, florists, photographers, and caterers among a host of others.  Whether you used a planner or you were on your own the extra touches that you added is what makes the details.

It’s the small details that everyone will see that will hold memorable.  The way you use a certain pop of color that makes every element stand out, how the napkin is folded, where the lighting is placed to give the room the right type of ambiance, the script on the invitation, the presentation of the escort cards, even that small filler space that you thought no one would notice but you decided to place a beautiful floor vase adorned with florals. 

Whether it’s a 500 person fund raiser or an intimate dinner for two, it’s all in the details.

Now, Let’s Get Inspired!  

 The "Love" sign makes this table more adorable 

than it would have been without it

Extra touches to make your guests feel welcome

will be memorable

The cake is beautiful of course but the 

pearl opening gives it flair

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Open House Engagement

 What a beautiful time in your life, you just got engaged!

You’ve told your parents and your BFFs.  You really want to have an engagement party, however, the venue you love is booked and your home is too small.  I have just the thing; an open house engagement party.

What’s an open house engagement party?  This is a party where your friends and family drop by whenever they choose during a specific time span.  This works well if you have a lot of people to invite or do not have the space to hold everyone. 

You can make it as casual or elegant as you wish.  Passed hors d’oeuvres, catered buffet, or if you are willing, cook the menu yourself.  Choose wine & beer or bring in a portable bar.  Purchase a few floral arrangements and some cocktail napkins with your engagement printed on them and voila, you can announce your engagement to everyone you hold near and dear.

Take that frown off your face, grab a pen, some paper, and your fiancé; pick a date and start to make your guest list.

Now, Let’s Get Inspired!

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Dinner Party Extras

 While a large get-together of family & friends can make for an entertaining evening, an intimate dinner party is a great way to mingle and spend quality time visiting with each of your guests. You also have more creative choices when designing a smaller party. You can easily incorporate fun themes, unusual settings, and mouth-watering menus.

Will your party be casual or formal? What kind of food will you serve? How many guests will you have?  Will there be a theme?  Will you seat your guests at the dining room table or will there be other seating options?

Think about the number of guest you are inviting.  Dinner parties usually occur in your home, which mean the size of your table is going to determine the amount of people you invite. Don’t forget comfort, you do not want to squeeze in an extra chair and your guests end up eating in awkward positions.

Personal touches like handmade invitations will spark your guests’ curiosity and they will be sure to put your dinner date on their calendar. Also, your party does not have to be formal to incorporate place cards; another personal touch that your guests will be sure to love.  

Your menu will be one of the most important components of your event.  No one knows your guests the way you do so make sure there’s something that will appeal to everyone’s palate.  Whether you are preparing the meal yourself or having it catered the food you serve should be nothing short of perfection. 

The table setting, music, and décor should reflect the theme of the evening as well as your taste.  Here, you can be as creative as you want formally or casual.  However, do not go overboard and your décor becomes the focal point of the evening.  Adding extra touches to your home and your table will show the importance you put on your guests and the event.  Give your guests something to enjoy but remember the purpose the dinner party. 

Now, Let’s Get Inspired!   

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Outdoor Entertaining

The idle days of summer are fast approaching its end and so are your last chances at outdoor entertaining.  Summertime is perfect for relaxing with your friends and families over picnics, barbeques and outdoor parties.

The key to having a fun and functional outdoor event is to take the indoors out.  This means giving up the paper plates, cups, bowls and plastic flatware.  Take this opportunity to unveil your creative side and be daring with your table setting.   

Use all the items you would use in your dining room.  Mix up your fine china with chunky glasses or to add some pizzazz to your table use your crystal stemware with your casual dinnerware. Another great idea is to mix up your glassware for a variation of height and color presentation.  Get rid of those plastic table covers and use linen tablecloths and napkins. 

If it’s an evening event and it starts to get chilly bring your guests together with cozy seating around a fireplace or fire pit.  You can always add throws, pillows, and scarves for a little pop of color.  Last but definitely not least, to make your guests feel welcome candlelight, place cards, and a beautiful centerpiece says you took the time.

Let’s Get Inspired!

 Create cozy seating around a firepit to help make a chilly night 

warm and welcoming

 

An attractive table always demands attention

 

Have fun and mix & match decorative folding chairs

 Try these flame & propane patio heaters for cool nights with bigger crowds.

  Adding pops of color brings out your guests entertaining experience

 

An outdoor area rug can make you feel like you're sitting 

at your dining room table. 

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What's Your Color (Part 2)

If you read Tuesday's blog you probably know that the month of June will be dedicated to helping and inspiring you with tips for creating your wedding color palette.Our first tip was choosing your main color.  

Now we move on to Tip #2 - Choose your coordinating colors

These colors usually consist of two additional colors.  One color will be used to support your main color and the other will be used as an accent color.  If you are unsure about the colors to use with your main color, try using a color wheel. A color wheel will help you choose colors that are complementary, colors that lie next to each other, or colors of the same family.  

• Complementary colors will allow you to choose colors that are opposite each other on the wheel.  The contrast between the two will create a vibrant look. 

    

•  Look at the colors that lie next to each other on the wheel.  These colors tend to create a calming and elegant effect.  These color combinations work best when they have a similar tint; this means your colors work well if they are either all vibrant or all pastels. 

 

• Consider using wedding colors from the same family. These color plans are clean and soothing. These palettes mix nicely with neutral colors such as black, white or gray.  

 

Use these inspirations as a guideline in choosing your wedding colors.  Whether you're whimsical, romantic, modern, or traditional the color wheel can help make your color decision a lot easier.


Now, Let's Get Inspired!!!

 

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Fresh or Silk?

I believe flowers are nature’s way of saying anything can be beautiful. 

The decision whether to use fresh flowers or artificial flowers can involve many factors such as budget, allergic reactions, weather, refrigeration, or preservation just to name a few.  Whether you chose silk or real flowers, you should weigh your options and make your choice based on your budget and what type of wedding you are having.

You can find absolutely stunning silk flowers theses days that people will have to touch or try to smell before they realize they aren't real. They'll always look good and can be a precious keepsake of your special day.

Using real flowers lends an air of romance to your celebration. The smells seem to let people know something special is going on. If you don't have a huge budget for flowers, consider only getting fresh flowers for the bride, a boutonniere for the groom, and flowers for the parents.  Also, you do not have to have fresh flowers for your toss bouquet. 

The key to getting what you want is knowing what you want; height, colors, scent, etc.  Truthfully, everyone will not remember what kind of flowers were there, so do whatever your heart desires and what your budget can afford.

Let's get some inspiration, Fresh or Silk, can you tell?

 

 

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Let "THEM" Eat Cake!

Gone are the days where the wedding is “just for the bride”.  I have found that many grooms are participating more and more in the decision making of the entire wedding experience.  Not just choosing the attire for himself and the groomsmen but also having a say on the color scheme, type of reception, number in bridal party, and choice of cake just to name a few. 

The cakes you are about to view are not so traditional and I am sure the groom would approve.

Let’s get inspired!!!

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Remembering Your Guests

Last week it was the seating chart, this week it's the guest book.  

We all are familiar with the “guest book”.  This is a book used for your guest to write down their name & address so you can send them a thank you for attending your wedding or event.  It usually gets tucked away after the thank you's are mailed, sometimes never to be seen again.

How about changing the dynamics and presenting something that will be memorable for you and your guests.  Check out these inspirational ideas and give your guests a reason to want to sign the "guest book".

 Your guest can sign their name on a balloon fingerprint or a family tree.  

Afterwards, frame for a fun reminder.

 Order an engagement puzzle or use a favorite picture puzzle.  Your guests can sign each piece and later you will have a great time putting the pieces back together.

Little Couple Fingerprinting 

Make your guest book a part of your home. Your guests can sign a chair, bench, or bookcase. 

You decide.

Create a decorative calendar and have your guests sign on their birth date.  How surprised will they be when a card arrives from you on their birthday.

Guest Book Envelope Scrapbook

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