Birthday Parties

I really enjoy throwing a party - I love the prep, the menu planning, picking out the dishes and serving ware, thinking of creative add ons, decor and little favors. It doesn't matter how big or how small, offsite location or my own dining room - I love it.

So yesterday I threw my mom a surprise spa soiree for her 60th birthday. I had some of her girl friends over to my place and they enjoyed a chair massage and a satin hands treatment followed by lunch.

When thinking of details for any event think of the guest of honor. I pulled out my mom's mom's china and crystal, served her favorites like chicken salad and chocolate chip scones. I served her favorite white wine and hot tea. The centerpiece was pink sweetheart roses and tulips, her favorite because it reminds her of springtime.

I tried to make my living room 'spa like' with candles, music, and cucumber water. I also listed things that happened in 1949 on mini place cards and placed them around the room near the candles.

So don't underestimate what you can do, even for a small home party. Just remember who your guest of honor is, who will be attending and the reason for the celebration.

Tell your story

Have you heard of Story People?
So many great options for bridal party gifts, wedding presents, welcome new baby or new home!
Some fun ones:

ICE, ICE Baby!

A few of my Spring client are using ice to heat up their receptions and add a little WOW!

Ice Balls are pure premium perfectly clear 2" spheres of ice that can go into each and every martini or cocktail. Perfect for that apple martini.

How about chilling a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket on the bar?

Or as a client is doing - a large 'P' initial in ice on the raw bar.

Prices are reasonable and the boxes come with instructions for serving or display. Check it out today! www.icecaters.com

Here is a cute idea from CocoKelley:





Traditions of Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue - Your Signature Drinks!
Something old: Ask your grandma what her favorite drink is!
*Something new: Whip up something new using your favorite mixers!
*Something borrowed: How about a drink your best friend had at her wedding!
*Something blue: Anything with Blue curacao or blueberries works great!

You can have the wait staff serve these on the same tray or just set up a menu at the bar.

Irish Eyes Cocktail

Forget the Green Beer - try this fun concoction on St. Patty's Day!

IRISH EYES (very similar to a white russian)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Irish whiskey
• 1/4 oz crème de menthe, green
• 2 oz cream
• maraschino cherry for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into an old fashioned glass.
4. Garnish with the maraschino cherry.

Party Decor

So you know I love Wonderful Graffiti but I recently found a similar product that you can remove and reuse.

"Décor-A-Peel. These removable, reusable, peel and stick design elements give you the freedom to decorate any smooth surface in seconds. With hundreds of designs—from florals to comic art—you’ll find exactly what you need to put your party theme over the top! Great on painted walls, glass, ceramic, tile, most furniture and much more. Removes effortlessly without any messy residue...and they’re completely reusable."

Check it out
Decor a Peel

Wouldn't this look cute in near your Guest Book or Escort Card Table?

Chance to Win Brides.com wedding planning session

Visit www.mirassou.com/sayido to enter the “I Do with Mirassou” contest from Mirassou Winery. The Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000, plus the opportunity of a lifetime to meet with a Brides.com editor for a personalized wedding planning session – including budget-saving tips. This year the Grand Prize Winner will also receive eight elegant place settings of Reed & Barton dinnerware, flatware and crystal.

Just go to the Mirassou website - fill out your info and you are entered. Must enter before June 19th.

Flowers Galore

The Flower Show was last week here in Philadelphia. We have the largest in the country. Of course I went - with my mom! The theme this year was Italy.
Enjoy some pictures.
Huge flowers as you entered:




Fashion Shoes

Fashion Purses
Fashion Dress - all made with hydrangea and butterflies

How about this for a statement - use on a smaller scale as your escort card table - I love the different containers - glass, pottery etc.

Take a Moment

Remember to take a moment away from wedding planning (or in my case from the constant needs of a 4 month old).
Try Tea for One -"Tea cleans the mind and soul as well as the body" says Sauer author of The Way to Tea.

When you need a moment away try these steps:
1-Create a relaxing atmosphere - add fresh flowers and soothing music
2-Find a quiet comfy place to sit near a window to enjoy the natural light
3-Make your Tea - observe your surroundings
4-Give thanks for the quiet moment you have created
5-Sip your tea and start to give thanks for all aspects of your life (ie: fiance, friends, job, children, family, your health)
6-Before your last sip smile softly to yourself and say "I give thanks for the great abundance in my life"

So its a little zen but it will bring you back to reality and get you calm and focused again.
Enjoy

Happy Guests

So you are planning the perfect wedding-You are analyzing every detail, making sure every favor is tied and every dress is hemmed but have you stopped to think about your guests?

Most of my couples tell me they want to make sure everyone has fun at their wedding.
Here are a few tips to help with this:

1-Try not to have too much time between your ceremony and reception. Its best to go directly from one to another. I know you think you have to have a nightime reception with dinner at 8pm but think about moving it a little earlier, your guests will thank you.
Sometimes this is unavoidable if your church is only availalbe at 1pm, if this is the case offer your guests something to do in between times. For example I was working on a wedding at the Omni Downtown Washington, DC - we took the guests on a bus tour of the monuments between the ceremony and reception - it was a hit and really occupied them for the hour in between time. If you are having your reception at a country club - maybe you can set up a putting contest before cocktail hour.

2-Give your out of town guests some ideas on what to do during the weekend - restaurants, activities or must do events before then jet out of town. You can add this to the out of towners gift bags offered at the hotel. A cost saving tip - just write up a welcome letter for everyone and list restaurants, cab numbers and a wedding day schedule.

3-Don't I repeat DON'T have a cash bar - You wouldn't ask your guests for money if they came to your house for a dinner party would you? Cut out a extra dessert or calligraphy and offer a beer/wine reception instead.

All of this will help make for happy guests!