April 26, 2008

Party Planning 101: Lesson IV

So far we've decided on our theme, invited our guests, and planned the menu & the table setting. Now we are in the final stage of our party planning. If the ball gets dropped at this point the party will still go on - but it could easily end up being a flop - so pay attention!

The difference between a good party and a great party is all in the details. So go ahead and take a step back from everything you've done so far and look for 'gaps' that can be filled. Think back to Lesson I - choosing the theme. Think about the overall theme for your party and then look at the reality of your situation. It may not be real to envision your backyard Mexican themed barbeque in an adobe Spanish style home if your house is a split level, but it is realistic to envision Mexican details to pull the party together to make the 'non-themed' pieces fade into the background. If a party is done right it is the details that are remembered by guests. Here are some great ways to add personalized details to your party:

  • If you used a monogram, logo, or other party related motif on your invitation (or even if you didn't, go ahead and make one) incorporate that into your decor. Some examples of this may include setting individual menus at each place setting with the logo at the top or embellishing cocktail umbrellas with a party themed design.
  • {www.hostesswiththemostess.com}

  • STICK TO YOUR COLOR SCHEME. Color can make or break a party. A unified palette can bring things together that normally wouldn't match. Use different textures and materials whenever possible to create more interest and make it seem less matchy/matchy.

  • Do party favors. Make a little package with chocolates (and yes, Hershey kisses ARE overdone), for a summer party give packets of flower seeds, if you have a garden send home small packages of fresh blackberries, something simple and heartfelt is always best - but tie it in with your party. For a Mexican barbeque give guests small maracas or individually wrapped churros!

{www.theknot.com}

  • Don’t forget any space. If you are hosting an event at an outside venue put together baskets for the restrooms that include tissues, purell, tampons, lip blotters, etc. If your event is in your home have a candle lit in your bathroom (you know why) and put out some lotion and other things for your guests to use.

{www.valseyandme.com}

  • Lastly think outside of the box. If your group of friends host a lot of get togethers do something different than the standard decorations that your group always see. Do an inspiration search online for ideas.
After you've done your 'gap-searching' make a list of EVERYTHING that you will need for the event. EVERYTHING - big or small. Then make a list of EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Be a boy scout and be prepared! There is nothing worse or more embarrassing to have people over and realize that you are missing a key ingredient to a recipe or game or anything. So make your list early and go shopping. Then when you get home lay out each ingredient with the corresponding project or recipe to do a double check. If you’re missing something go back to the store.

The last thing to do before you start cooking and setting up for your event is to do a dry run. If you are hosting an event in which you are using vendors call and confirm every detail with them. (Don't worry about imposing on their time - that's what they're getting paid for.) If you're hosting at your home, walk the same path through your home (or venue if applicable) the same way that your guests will enter. This will give you a fresh set of eyes to see the things that your guests will see. For example, if a guest is coming to my home then they will walk into my formal living room, but they will also be able to see into the sitting room, so I would want to put fresh flowers and maybe some candles on my coffee table in the formal living room and make sure that lamp is on in the sitting room. If the party is not being held in the same room that the guests will enter into make sure that the areas leading up to that area are clean, well lit, and free from clutter (toys in the hall, etc). And don’t forget these spaces, add small touches to make it feel connected to the party, but don’t put a lot of party specific décor in these areas.

April 22, 2008

Oh my - You're 25!

This post is dedicated to my previously referenced curly haired husband whose birthday is today. Chris these are for you!

{The New World}
{Days of Heaven}
{The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford}

Yes, my husband is a film snob. Yes, he is amazing. To read some of his reviews (and there are many [he’s actually really good]) see the link on the right hand side labeled Movie Reviews by Chris.

April 17, 2008

Things that I like for today.

I decided to take a break from party planning lessons for today to just post a few random things that have caught my eye.

Yeah, today I'm loving pink. (Well not just today, most days)

April 13, 2008

Party Planning 101: Lesson III

So far you've decided the theme for your party, gotten your guest list together, and sent out your invitations. Now is the time to start pulling all the details together. Obviously this step is different for every party depending on the type and formality of party and the timeline that you are working with. Today I will be covering the menu.
Menu
This is SO important! If you are planning a large event like a wedding or other banquet event being held outside of your home you will presumably have a catering staff that will help you with menu choices and options. However, it gets tricky when you are planning parties at home and are responsible for the food. Of course if you are having the food catered in the company will very likely help you with the decison making.

There are 3 basic types of serving styles for any party: hors d'oeuvre/appetizer stations, buffet, and plated meals. Generally plated meals are served to the guests and are therefore less popular amongst home dinner parties. Buffet is very common for seated meals and an appetizer buffet is the most popular for smaller more informal gatherings. No matter what menu style you choose to incorporate make sure to plan according to the number of guests that you are expecting and the amount of help you will have making/serving the food. Here are a couple of good steadfast rules to remember when planning your menu:
  • If you're not a chef today, you probably won't be the day of the event either. Stick to recipes and dishes that you are comfortable with making.
  • If you are going to try and serve something new (i.e. time consuming) make sure and pair it will appetizers and sides that are more easily made and that your guests are comfortable with. (Example: If you make an awesome dip that your friends love make that as one of the appetizers and then put your new recipe in with the main meal.)
  • If you will be serving all hors d'oeuvres at your event, the proper amount of food to serve is at least 8-10 pieces per person for an evening affair and 6-8 pieces per person for an afternoon event. (Many people believe that serving hors will cost less money than doing a buffet or other menu. If this is the motivation behind this menu choice please make sure and exhaust all other options first. I've seen too many people run out of food at the hors buffet and guests not get anything to eat - so please plan accordingly and buy enough food!)
Here are some tips for planning your meal table:
  • In addition to planning your menu don't forget to plan your table. If you're hosting a dinner party make sure and do a seating chart (for a small gathering this takes very little time and your guests will appreciate being directed). Make time to set out place cards.
These cards from Martha Stewart Crafts {www.marthastewartcrafts.com} are
pre-made and are just waiting for your guests names!
  • If you've got nice china bust it out! Now's the time to use all that stuff that you registered for.

  • LINENS! Layer them up. Don't be afraid to layer a tablecloth, runner, placemat, and napkin. Layers=Luxe, make your guests feel special. (Side note: If it's new, it needs to be ironed - get those wrinkles out!)

This photo from Country Living {www.countryliving.com} is relaxed & elegant.

I've had this photo saved on my computer for about a year now. I can't remember where I snatched it from, but it really embodies the whole idea of a pulled together dinner party.

  • Don't forget how to set your table. Here are some great guides from Emily Post {http://emilypost.com/}:
Basic Place Setting

Informal Place Setting

Formal Place Setting

April 7, 2008

Party Planning 101: Lesson II

Okay so you've got a great theme for your party now what?

It's planning time. Presumably if you've already gotten down your theme you already have a guest list in mind. Now it's time to really nail down the per person guest list. This is the time to account for EVERY man, woman, and child (yeah, kids eat too). After you've got your number now you can can start budgeting how much food is needed, seating, but most importantly you can send out your invitations.

Obviously I really believe that a strong stationary choice can really make a statement about your event (for further comments see below). The invitation sets the tone of your event for your guests. For a small dinner party a phone call is appropriate, but I would always follow it up with another confirmation (via phone, email, or mail). Of course there is always the option of an evite {www.evite.com}. Yes, I've used this method before. My only problem with the evite is that it is so informal and it is so easy for guests to ignore. So if you're going to use the evite keep in mind that you will probably need to make a round of confirmation calls closer to your event.

I am not going to address the proper ways to address invitations in this post, but I will at a later date. If you are in dire need of help in addressing your formal invites please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

TIP: When you're picking up your invites don't forget to pick up matching thank you cards!

April 4, 2008

Inspiration & Resources

If you're really stumped for party theme inspiration I suggest checking out some of the following resources:

Preston Bailey {http://prestonbailey.com/}
This guy really has it going on when it comes to event planning. He has planned events for celebrities and royalty around the world.

Not only will Martha inspire you - but she'll give you instructions, recipes, and tips on how to make your own event shine!


The Knot {www.theknot.com} & The Nest {http://www.thenest.com}
The perfect space for wedding planning & life living also is a great spot to get inspiration from. Check out The Knot to see other people's weddings and get ideas from them (you can get GREAT ideas for favors, table settings, and themes) and check out The Nest for entertaining ideas from other 'Nesties', decor tricks, and simple recipe ideas!

April 1, 2008

Party Planning 101: Lesson I

In my experience, both as a wedding/event planner and personally, is that not everyone out there knows what it takes to plan a party. I mean, yes anyone can throw a bag of chips in a bowl and put a movie in for their friends to watch, but no, not everyone truly knows what it takes to throw a one-of-a-kind special event. Over the course of this blog I hope to give tips and tricks for party pros and the party challenged. So lets begin.

Lesson 1: Choosing the theme.
Some people here the word theme and all they can see are balloons and matching streamers and cake. That is okay - if you're three. If you're not three and you are actually a grown up choosing a theme is much richer than choosing a color. It is about choosing the feel of your event and then choosing colors, food, decor, and lighting to carry out that vision.

The theme should be chosen based upon the type of party you are hosting, the time of year, time of day, and who the party is for. If you are hosting a birthday party think outside the box! What does the person like? Once I saw a birthday party with a Breakfast at Tiffany's theme. They had the birthday girl dress in a black dress like Audry and used a sleek downtown restaurant as the location.

As I was searching online for some great resources for party themes I came across Social Couture {http://www.socialcouture.com/}. Not only does this website have a great library of different party themes but they also have the resources that can be purchased to make the event happen. Their party kits aren't balloons and paper cups either - they are really cool! Here are some of the event themes that are featured on their website: