LocalPartyPlanner Blog | Party Planning Tips & Inspiration

Holiday Party Planning Made Simple

December 22, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Anyone who wants to invite family and friends into their home for a festive holiday party can celebrate the season with good food and great conversation. With holiday party planning, there are several different things you can plan to host a great event. To ensure that the gathering is a hit and will be remembered for several years to come, there are a number of steps to take by following a few party planning tips.

Create a Hot Cocoa Bar
A fun element that will grab the attention of your guests is to have a hot cocoa bar available at your home or venue where your party is hosted. This should include serving different types of hot chocolate and various toppings with marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and whipped cream.

Keep the Music Playing
One of the main tips you’ll find on a party planning site when looking for ideas is to set the mood of your event by playing music during the party and by making a space where guests can dance. You can even appoint a family or friend to be the DJ to ensure that Christmas songs are played continuously, which will allow your guests to relax or sing along.

Make Time for Games
Although your guests will enjoy dining over holiday treats and having conversation with one another, you’ll want to keep the night entertaining by hosting a few games that can be played. Set aside time for pin the tail on Rudolph and holiday charades. This will make for a great ice breaker and can allow people to get to know one another over a few laughs.

Host a White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange will make for a fun part of the night when your guests bring a funny gag gift to exchange with one another. Although they may have to go home with a pack of toilet paper or a used DVD, it’ll make for a fun gift exchange that everyone can participate in.

Hang Festive Decorations

You’ll want to set the theme of the party with your decor, making it important to use natural decorations that look beautiful. Opt for hanging real garland on the fireplace mantle and adding a touch of mistletoe to the front door. Use large bows to decorate doorways while lighting candles near the entryway. You can also place a large Christmas tree near the food, which will work as one of the main focal points of the party.

Happy Holidays!

Party Planning Tips To Enjoy Your Own Party

December 21, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Pulling off a fantastic event can be done with careful planning, a fun venue, and a pinch of luck. Really enjoying your own party is often a matter of personal sacrifice. Your own fun often goes by the wayside with all of the stress and last minute details that come with planning and coordinating a party. The thing is- it doesn’t have to be this way!

With some specific party planning tips, you can throw the party of the year while still enjoying the festivities yourself.

1. Be Detail Oriented
One of the main reasons that a good hostess can enjoy their own bash is because they thought of different scenarios- and planned ahead. Make a list of party must-haves, from food prep to decorations. Writing it on paper or taking notes on your phone or computer can help organize your thoughts. Make sure that you have an accurate body count and plan for several extra guests. You never know who will bring a plus-one unannounced. It is also a good idea to check with your guests beforehand to see if there are any dietary restrictions that you should be aware of such as gluten allergies.

2. Keep it Simple
If you are running the show solo, simplicity is key. Food choice and preparation is going to be a big factor in whether or not you are able to enjoy your party. Making as much of your menu ahead of time as possible is going to help enormously. Another tip is to choose simple, yet elegant appetizers to serve your guests. Sticking with one or two ingredient dishes will ensure a quick prep time. Have food arranged on sturdy trays ready to set out when necessary. Food that does not need to be kept extremely hot or cold is another way to keep it simple. As far as decorating goes, choosing elegant black or white is a great way to make a chic statement without a lot of fuss.

3. Let Yourself Relax and Have Fun
Choosing to relax and let things play out how they may is one of the hardest things for a host to do. Problems will arise but if you planned ahead, they most likely won’t end in disaster. Talk and laugh with your guests. If they see you enjoying yourself, they will too. Take pictures or better yet, designate someone else to! With careful planning and a great attitude, you will be sharing party planning blog worthy pictures of a successful event of your very own!

By following the above party planning tips, you should definitely be able to make your cake and eat it too!

Have Fun!

How to Plan the Perfect Event

October 26, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Whether you’re preparing for a wedding reception, family party or business function, careful planning leads to a successful event. Dealing with all of the different details might seem overwhelming, but you can plan the perfect event by following these basic steps.

Set a Budget
Setting a budget isn’t the most glamorous part of event planning, but it is a necessary evil. When you set a realistic budget, you can make purchases without feeling guilty about overspending.
Setting a budget also ensures that your event will be well-balanced. You don’t want to book an incredible band and then find out that you don’t have enough money for food. Separate your budget into categories, and determine a realistic figure for each area. It’s also a good idea to add in some extra funds for unexpected expenses.

Brainstorm Ideas
Once you’ve determined your budget, the fun of event planning can really begin. When you’re first starting out, don’t be afraid to brainstorm a wide variety of ideas. Check out your favorite party planning blog for inspiration, and make a list of everything that comes to your mind. After your list is complete, you can start choosing the best ideas and decide on your event’s theme.

Determine Your Priorites
Unless you’re dealing with an unlimited budget, you’ll have to choose your priorities when it comes to planning your event. If you’re determined to have each guest enjoy a gourmet sit-down dinner, the majority of your dollars will likely go towards food. Other planners might prefer to spend their money on incredible decorations or unforgettable entertainment.
Once you decide what is most important about your event, you can focus your time and effort on the areas that matter the most. Book the things that are most important to you first, and then move on to other areas.

Delegate
Even if you have mastered the list of party planning tips, it’s vital to remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself. If you try to take care of every little detail without assistance, you’ll end up being burnt out and unable to really enjoy your event.
There are many people around you who want to give their assistance, but you just have to ask. Ask your cousin to owns a bakery to provide the cake, request volunteers to help with set up and tear down, or hold an invitation-addressing party with a few of your friends.

All of the above will help you have the perfect day. Most importantly, relax and enjoy. You are going to remember this day for the rest of your life, so do your best to make it enjoyable for both of you.

A Halloween Wedding

October 8, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Boo!

What better way to spend Halloween than to have a party with everyone you love? Why not get married on All Hallows Eve. Fall is a favorite time of year to begin with, and who doesn’t love Halloween?

Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic clans divided the year by four major holidays and according to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an continuous cycle, which meant it was to be a day of celebration.

A wedding is most definitely a celebration! A Halloween Wedding would then be a double celebration!

There are so many fun ideas to use for a Halloween wedding. Hire a spooky fortune teller as the entertainment, have the DJ play all the fun Halloween hits like “Monster Mash”, go bobbing for apples or even create a haunted house reception.

There is inspiration all around. Pumpkin Patches, old movies. Anything you can imagine.

Check out our Halloween Pinterest to keep you motivated!

Halloween Wedding Ideas

Good Luck!

Party Ideas

Wedding Day Survival

October 6, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Every woman has the hope that there are no emergencies on her wedding day however, luck favors the prepared bride. That said we have come up with a list items to help with the “SO did not expect this…” problems that may pop up during your day. Instruct your maid or matron of honor to pack a stylish tote with the following items to make the day run smoothly. Remember to pick a place to stash this emergency kit that is out of the way but still easy enough to access.

If you are not the DIY Bride, there are several pre-made kits that are available for you. If you are planning on making your own kit, here are a list of a few items that should be included.

Aspirin or ibuprophen
Band aids
Gum or breath mints
A water bottle
Some cash
A hair brush
Make-up for touch ups
Anti bacterial Wipes
Hair spray
Mini sewing kit
Spot remover
Nail file
Perfume
Dental Floss and a Toothbrush
Safety Pins
Tweezers
Tissues

There are more items you can add as you think of them, but this does cover the basics.

If you are too busy to make your own survival kit, there are several you can purchase.

Our favorite picks include:

The Shemergency Kit by Pinch Provisions. This handy pink tote includes over 40 solutions to all of the emergencies we hate to imagine.

The Bridal Emergency Kit is also a great selling item.

Regardless of what type of kit you choose, be sure that you are prepared for anything on your big day!

Wedding Planning

Gold Leaf

July 31, 2015 admin Leave a comment

images

Although we are still in the middle of summer, I cannot help but to daydream about the upcoming fall wedding season and all the beautiful new colors and trends we will be seeing!

This fall it is all about jewel tones and arrays of gold!! Think shades of cranberry, navy, emerald green, mixed with hints of blush and gold or rose gold. The hottest trend right now is the gold the leaf look. As much as I love the gold trend, it can sometimes be tricky to add it in the right ways. Too much can look gaudy but just the right touch can bring an element of elegance and whimsy to any event.

What is the best way to carry gold into your your wedding palette? Spray paint, spay paint, spray paint! Spray painted votive holders, spray painted floral containers, even spray painted greenery. Speak to your florist or wedding planner about the possibility of using spray paint to bring that elegant touch of gold in just the right places.

If you are a do it yourself kind of gal here are some tips on how to spray paint votive holders.

1. On a piece of cardboard trace a circle using the opening of the votive holder you wish to paint.

2. With a craft knife cut out the circle and use the remaining cardboard as a template to shield the outside of the votive while you are spraying the inside of it.

3. Hold the shield up to the opening of the votive holder and tape the outside of the votive to the template.

4. Now spray paint the inside of the candle holder with your choice of gold spray paint. Do this in quick bursts and rotate the votive often to to ensure even distribution.

5. Once the inside of votive is completely covered, let the paint dry for one minute and then apply again until you have reached your desired sheen.

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Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding

May 30, 2015 admin Leave a comment

If you’re thinking of having your big day at an exotic location away from home, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are a few tips for planning a destination wedding:

Timing is everything. Depending on what destination you choose, the best weather dates may correlate with tourist season – which means higher rates for everything. If you’re scheduling your wedding for tourist season in that area, you’ll want to reserve hotel rooms and the venue about 11-12 months in advance.

Scout out the destination. Visit the destination prior to planning the wedding to scout out the area, venues, and hotels. Schedule tastings with the caterer and scout out fun local activities for your guests.

Research local marriage requirements. Some countries have “residency requirements” prior to your wedding. Turks and Caicos requires you to be on the island for at least 24 hours prior to your ceremony where France requires you to arrive at least 40 days before.

Only DIY small things. It’s important to make sure these items are small and will be easy to travel with like reception chair signs, seating cards or guest books.

Ask for help from someone who is already at the destination. Many resorts have on-site wedding planners that can help coordinate and do the legwork for you.

Check airline carry-on rules. Sometimes it’s actually cheaper to ship all of your wedding DIY items to your destination than it is to carry them on yourself.

Make your destination wedding your theme. There are so many ways you can have fun with a destination wedding and incorporate it into your theme for all of your wedding events. Your invitations could be faux airline tickets or passports. Your favors can be suitcase tags. Be creative!

Make welcome bags. Your guests have traveled a long way to attend your big day so assembling welcome bags for them to receive in their hotel rooms is a nice touch. If you’re putting these together yourself, send all the items to the destination ahead of time and make sure you arrive at your destination a few days early so you can put them together without stressing about time.

Embrace the local culture of your destination. Your signature wedding cocktail can be a local-made liquor or you can choose to include music from your destination in your reception.

How to book your destination wedding. There are many sites that can help you with choosing where to go and booking your destination wedding. If you’re focused on exclusively Caribbean beach wedding locations, IslandBrides.com might be helpful and it’s free.

Creative “Something Blue” Ideas for Your Wedding

May 28, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Everyone knows the age old saying “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Not only does your wedding dress and reception décor style speak volumes about your personality, but what you choose for “something blue” can be a fun way to show your creativity as well.

We’ve rounded up our favorite creative “something blue” ideas for your wedding to help light your spark for creativity:

A ribbon around your bouquet.

Sew your wedding date on the inside of your wedding dress.

Sew a heart on the inside of your wedding dress.

Sew your initials on the inside of your wedding dress or on the groom’s cuff.

Blue “I do” on your wedding shoes.

Or on both of your wedding shoes.

Better yet, why don’t you just make your wedding shoes blue.

Blue nail polish.

Or just blue nail designs.

Blue Garter.

Blue intimates.

Blue Necklace.

Blue charm bracelet.

Pins.

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

May 26, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life – not the day that drove you into the ground financially at full speed. Whether your budget is little or limitless, there are few ways you can save money on your wedding without compromising what you really want.

Get married on a Friday or Sunday.
Saturday is the most expensive day of the week to get married – especially in the Spring and Summer. If you get married on a Friday or Sunday you could save yourself some big bucks – especially if you schedule your wedding in the late Fall or in the Winter.

Skip the champagne toast.
People can toast with anything they’re drinking. If you’re not keen on ditching the classic toast, you can also opt for prosecco which is still bubbly but less expensive than champagne.

Stick to seasonal items.
Choose fruits that are in-season to save yourself some money on the catering. Thinking seasonally is also important when choosing your flowers. You’ll be surprised at how much choosing in-season items will save you!

Serve signature cocktails.
Alcohol is one of the biggest expenses of a wedding. Most wedding venues have a “you open it, you bought it” policy which will leave you paying for a bottle even if you only had one sip out of it. Consider offering a limited bar with signature cocktails that all use one type of liquor. You can also choose to serve just beer or wine.

Shop designer or sample sales.
You can save up to 70 percent on wedding gowns, veils and accessories by shopping at sample sales. Your favorite designer’s websites might have a touring list of their sample sales or you can contact a local bridal gown salon to inquire about events.

Combine place cards with the favors.
Add guests’ names to the favors to save on the cost of printed escort cards.

Make your own favors.
Making your own chocolate covered almonds and bagging them as favors is an inexpensive and delicious way to save money on favors.

Rent a house for the wedding and lodging.
Renting a house can act as a wedding venue, housing for out-of-town guests, and a secluded honeymoon venue for when the guests leave.

The Ultimate Chanel Themed Bridal Shower

May 22, 2015 admin Leave a comment

Chanel themed bridal shower candy bar and dessert bar ideas.

Chanel is the epitome of elegance, luxury, class and style. If you’re planning a bridal shower for the fashionista bride, there’s probably no better theme than a Chanel inspired party. We’ve collected the best ideas to help you create the ultimate Chanel themed bridal shower that is filled with chicness and sophistication.

The Chanel Themed Invitations

The Chanel Themed Centerpieces & Tablescapes

The Chanel Themed Candy and Dessert Bar

The Chanel Themed Cake

The Chanel Themed Favors

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