All Things For All Parties

Bridal Flower Divas

Planning a wedding can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. With so many options it can be challenging to narrow down your unique vision and style. Whatever your budget, creating an inspiration board is a great way to organize your thoughts and ideas. They are often used by designers as a way of creating a visual and ensuring that ideas are complementary. As the "designer" of your wedding, before you contact a florist, start by gathering swatches, pictures, objects, and anything else that might help to solidify your vision and effectively communicate your needs. What you're envisioning may be different than what your florist thinks you want so having samples and clearly defined ideas helps to ensure that there are no unwanted surprises on your special day.

Article by Rachel Trimarco | Founder & CEO | Bridal Flower Divas. Bridal Flower Divas is an online based, designer floral boutique specializing in elegant, custom designed wedding flowers for less.  If you are getting married Bridal Flower Divas is a site you MUST check-out. They provide couture bouquets & centerpieces to fit each bride's vision & style to help you create the wedding you have always dreamed of.  Oh and here's the clencher...you can get whatever you want at a fraction of the price. Can you believe it?!?  I can't and the arrangements are gorgeous!  I wish I would have known about this site when I was getting married - they could have saved me thousands of dollars.

Fresh Decor Ideas

Have you ever thought about renting a table or chairs for your party?  If you haven't you should think about it for your next soiree.  No more scrambling trying to find enough chairs and tables to accomodate your guests.  Call in the pros and what's even better is that they have some pretty amazing decor these days not just those plain metal fold-up tables.  How gorgeous is the table featured above?!  It is stunning and so simplistic.  This table will definitely "wow" your guests at your next party.  Laa dee daa! 

(rental by www.taylorcreativeweddings.com)

This cabana is to die for and I am definitely going to have to splurge and get this one for my next outdoor fete.  You can actually rent the entire set-up which includes the florenzia lounge, ottoman, chairs, side tables and chandelier- Oh and the candle wall.  Talk about a chic set-up.  If you don't want to splurge on the whole thing then at least go with the cabana then create the rest of the look by bringing what's indoors out.  Let's face it that's what really makes this a hot look - it feels like a space that you could easily move into for a (looooong) while.  I love it, love it, looooovvvvveeee it!

(rental by Town & Country Event Rentals, www.tacer.biz)

 

Dinner Party Checklist

 

It's the perfect time of year to gather your friends for some dinner and drinks (any excuse for a party I say).  So, here are a few helpful guidelines to make your dinner party a little less stressful.

Super Bowl 2010 Inspiration Board

These Super Bowl ideas are guaranteed to score big with sports fans. To get this party started you will definitely need to pick-up a few football themed serveware for this festive occasion.  These footlball plates and serving pieces are perfect for serving your favorite game-day fare - from sandwiches to savory appetizers and let's face it this party is all about the food.  Finger foods are the favorites for this day - yummy snacks like mini panini's, chips & dips, pigs in a blanket and hot wings just to name a few.  Serve up a signature cocktails like hurricanes if you are a New Orleans fan or the Indy Car in honor of the Colts.  Make sure you have enough tv's on hand so no one misses a play . I know watching the game is the theme of this soiree but another fun way to pass the time is to play a game like beer pong or start a football pool -it's always fun to add a little friendly competition to the day - at the end of the day hand out miniature trophies or other prizes to the winners.  You can give prizes for funny things as well, like who ever ate the most wings that day or who ever wore the best shirt....you get the idea. 

Milk & Cookies

Milk & Cookies so simple but so perfect.  I think sometimes we over complicate things when it comes to dessert so tomorrow night I am going to get back to the basics and serve up my dinner guests some good ole fashioned extra gooey chocolate chip cookies & milk for dessert...just like Grandma used to make. This ones for you, Grandma.  Delicious!!!

Rainy Day Drinks (or Snowy)

The skies have opened up here in sunny Southern California and the heavens are just pouring down on us - so since we are pretty much stuck inside let's break out the games and mix up some spirits?!?!  So, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite winter cocktails for all of those rainy and cold days ahead.  Hope you enjoy - Cheers!

Fireside Party In A Box

Looking for something to do with your honey this Valentine's Day?  Make a date with your sweetheart and order this S'mores kit - set the scene with a plush blanket, candles galore and don't forget to throw a few fragrant wood chips on the fire to really get the senses going.  Don't even think about fighting the crowds or paying for the prix fixe menu when you can snuggle up to the one you love at home.  This fireside party in a box is perfect for those who want to remember why they fell in love in the first place - it really is the little things in life. Oh and the gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate are not so bad either!!  Mmm, mmm...Yummy!

Cheddar Cheese Coins

How yummy do these buttery cheddar biscuits look?!?!  They are the perfect snack to make in advance and keep in your refrigerator in the event an unexpected guest pops in.  They are also great for football play-off parties - I mean come on who doesn't love cheese!!  These little treats are irresistible and go perfectly with sparkling wine or any wine. They are also a good stand-in for croutons and quite addictive on their own. Keep logs of this dough in the freezer to whip these up on short notice.

Bridal Shower Etiquette

Lately it seems like people are more confused then ever regarding what's appropriate bridal shower etiquette.  Traditional wedding/bridal shower etiquette would state that inviting guests to the shower and not the wedding is definitely a no no.  But with the rising costs of weddings, more and  more couple are opting to elope or to host a very private affair at a much smaller venue - modern etiquette actually says that these types of weddings/destination weddings can be an exception to this rule. 

Invitation Wording

Do you spend way too much time trying to figure out what to say on your invitation?  Well, fret no more...Invitation Consultants has lots of great invitation wording samples. Oh and some great invitations to go with the wording.