Think white, silver and a touch of bronze. Creating a fun and beautiful Halloween party is simple, especially if you have the creativity and patience to plan it out. Here are some party tips for White Halloween Decor.

• Put Ghost Peeps on lollipop sticks and display on a cake-pop tray.
• Display white jordan almonds, white dutch mints and white champagne bubble candies in white serving bowls.
• White pumpkins spread around the room look dazzling paired with silver sparkling skulls.
• White table clothes, sparkling white bat cut outs and spider webs are great for added party decor.
• Bones are white! Decorate with plastic bones,  mummies, ghosts and white chocolate covered fruit.
• White frosted cupcakes, white sparkling cookies, and sparkling white grape-juice are just right for your frightful night.
• Don't forget white spiders, white serving trays, and silver touches through out the party.

Have fun and get creative – thinking  outside the box will pay off when you see the final outcome of this fabulously frightening Halloween Treat!

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Decoration Suppliers.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party decoration supplier near you!

Special thanks to Sweet.Eventide for her fantastic photo via Flickr.

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Between, great food, friends, family, entertainment, great music and lots of laughs, there isn't a better way to reconnect with the people you care about! Yes, parties can be stressful if you're the one planning them, but here at Wedding and Party Network we want to help relieve that stress by bringing you the best tips, trends, and inspiration for your top-notch party!

What's your party theme?

A Fabulous Candy Buffet

So, do you really need an occasion to throw a party? NO! Not really. If you can't think of a good enough excuse to throw a party, you should know that everyday of every month is actually a holiday! Somewhere in the world, someone is celebrating something fantastic! Do a little research for the day you're planning your party to get inspiration for your little shindig. (Sept. 12 is National Chocolate Milkshake Day – throw a 50's style ice cream parlor party)

Now that you have your theme or excuse to party – What do you think about decorations? Do you really need to spend the majority of your budget on party decorations? I wouldn't suggest it. Play off of the holiday or theme you have chosen and find a basic color scheme. Say your colors are coral and turquoise, use these colors in your balloons, streamers, table clothes and paper-ware. A few lanterns, banners and floral centerpieces will tie everything together. Simplicity is key! Don't go over board, your guests are there to mingle and have fun. Just keep your focus on the food and entertainment.

A good menu – equals a good party! So, once again, play off of your theme. You can reflect the color scheme in your food menu as well. Brightly colored fruits and veggies are always a hit – appetizers and finger-foods are a great choice too. It makes it easier for people to mingle and walk around with their plates and not be stuck at a table. When it comes to party food - variety is key! Not all of your guests have the same taste in food – so make sure you have different options for everyone to try. Cater to those of your guests who might be vegetarian or have food allergies by having the proper foods available.

As for desserts, you can stick with mini desserts by having small pastries, cupcakes, a candy buffet or ice cream bar. However, the party cake is what ties everything together! Your cake should incorporate the atmosphere and theme of your party all in one. After all, who doesn't love to cut into one of those big tasty, over-the-top cakes?!? Be ready for some "oooing and aaahing'!

Entertainment – Don't stress, it might seem impossible to find the PERFECT entertainment to keep everyone happy. It's really not as hard as it seems. Fun activities and games are always a good idea – it keeps people mingling and moving which keeps things entertaining. The key to good entertainment is good music! Finding the perfect music will set the tone for the entire event. A great jazz band or steel-drum band will get  people on their feet. Go over the list of guests in your head and think about what the majority of your guest list enjoys to do – then mix it with your theme and Voila!

The keys to a good PARTY are:

P. Is for Plan. Planning your party ahead of time is Key. With a good plan – you can't go wrong!

A. Is for Action. Put your party plans into action – send invitations, send reservations and shop for supplies.

R. Is for Rest. Make sure you don't over do yourself – ask for help.

T. Is for Telling. Tell everyone about your party! Your friends and family might have creative ideas perfect for your event.

Y. Is for YOU! Remember that the party is planned by you, decorated by you, and hosted by YOU. So, you need to enjoy it too!

Relax and have fun – YOU deserve it!

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Caterers.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find party caterers near you!

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When it comes to parties – you can't go wrong with BALLOONS! There is almost nothing you can't do with balloons. If you haven't seen already, the newest fad in fashion is balloon wedding dresses! Yes, you read that right, wedding and bridesmaid dresses made of mini inflated balloons. Practical? No, but unique and inspiring? YES! If you can't jump on the balloon-dress band wagon, you can still decorate any event with balloons to create unique and fun decor. No matter the occasion, the style, theme or time, balloons can be turned into anything your mind can imagine. So, have fun and get creative!

Special thanks to Vigilant20, Nhanusek, FotoGB, and ChimChim for thier pictures via Flickr.

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Myth #1. Throwing a joint party is never successful

Wrong! You can combine birthday's, holidays, and special occasions without taking away the spotlight from the special guests. Whether it be two birthday parties at once or maybe combined baby showers, the two focal points will create a one-of-a-kind party!

• Intertwine two mini themes or create one party theme that covers both occasions to celebrate with style. Depending on what you are celebrating, your menu, entertainment and activities will revolve around each special guest. Having two-party cakes is a great option or you can create a desert bar with several finger-food desserts so you will satisfy both guests of honor. Create a neutral menu to include both occasions. Say you're having a child's birthday party and an anniversary party together, the themes can be beach/mermaid theme. These two things create the same feel, yet are two separate themes.

Myth #2. If you want to throw a successful party, you have to spend a fortune!

Not so! If you are throwing a big bash, things can add up quickly leaving you with a big bill. However, with a little creativity and imagination your party can be a hit without breaking the bank.

• Start by creating a budget and make sure you stick with it. It's best to leave a little elbow room in case you need any last-minute extras. Home made party decor is always the safest bet when trying to keep costs low. Dollar stores and craft stores have great inexpensive party decor that will mix well with anything home-made. Balloons are a great choice for decor when you are on a budget, they look great, take up a lot of room and don't cost much at all. Flowers are also a great way to bring class and elegance to any party. You can easily work with a florist to create simple centerpieces that will keep you in your budget. As far as your menu goes, think small finger foods or go for a potluck party where your guests will bring a dish to pass.

Myth #3. Every party has to have a theme.

A party is a party with or without a theme! Bringing friends and family together to celebrate for no reason at all is nothing short of FUN! Even if you are throwing a birthday party, it doesn't have to have a theme, just invite your friends and family over for some great bonding time. You can still have your cake, your party food and even decor, without having a theme or even a reason to party!

Myth #4. You have to invite everyone to your party, other wise you will offend people.

If you are throwing a big bash, it's easy to invite all of your friends and family to join in on the celebration. If your party is more intimate, it can be difficult to narrow down your guest list without offending certain people. Here is how to do it without offending anyone!

Start by making a list of all the people you would normally invite. Next, break down your list into three categories including,

• People you NEED to invite.
• People you would LIKE to invite.
• People who you MIGHT invite.

Balloon Decorations

Myth #5. Creating a party menu is too much work.

We live in a time where the world is at our fingertips. Creating a party menu is as easy as 1. 2. 3. You just need to know where to begin!

• If preparing your own food is out of the question, all you will need to do is a have a broad idea of the type of food you want, the date and time of your party and a list of local caterers. Party Caterers will build your menu for you without a fuss. Desserts? YES! Along with a themed cake, also incorporate delicious desserts into your menu. Professional bakers are trained with pioneering techniques and can create some mind-boggling desserts. All you need is an idea of what you want your cake or dessert to represent and your baker will do the rest.

With a little creativity and a touch of imagination your can bring your perfect party to life! Have fun and enjoy the ride as well as the destination!

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Planners.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party planner near you!

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Summer is coming to an end, and it's back to school time for children of all ages. Get kids excited and help them start school on the right foot with a great relationship with their new teacher. However, how can you get kids pumped up for the new school year? Well, Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas to get everyone back to school ready.

Back To School Bash

Who doesn't enjoy a party? Kids of all ages will get in the back to school spirit with a big bash. It's saying goodbye to summer and welcoming a fun-filled school year. You'll find great ideas that will get everyone ready.The main purpose of this party is to get everyone ready, including mentally and stocking them with all the supplies they need.

Decorations – You don't need extravagant party decorations, just use items that are related to school. You'll most likely already have these items around the house. Create simple flower arrangements with daisies and instead of water, fill the vase with alphabet magnets. Set out books as centerpieces, you can even stack the books to create different heights for your centerpieces. If you are looking for something unique, use pencils, pens, apples and rulers to create centerpieces.

Party Food – Make it a brown bag special. Again, nothing over-the-top for this party. When you think of food at school, think about the lunches that kids take with them. Set out lunch boxes with the kid's name on it and fill it with apple slices, celery sticks and sandwiches. The lunch box will even serve as a party favor for them to take home.

Party Activities – Buy school supplies and let the kids decorate their own. Pencil boxes, backpacks, notebooks, lunch boxes and planners can all be decorated. Let them show off their individual style at school.

Your back to school party doesn't have to be decked out in decorations and food. Keep it simple for this party. Get kids in school mode with these fun activities. They'll be absolutely excited for their first day and have a wonderful year to look forward too.

If you are planning a party for the upcoming school year, let Wedding and Party Network help!

We're Social:

Having a back to school party is a great way to re-connect with friends and to end the summer with a BANG! Your party will help kids ease their anxiety for the new school year and have a great time doing it! Invite friends, family and some of the children from your school.
Read more about A Back to School Party

It's A Slumber Party!

With school starting back up, your kids will want to spend quality time with their friends since they've missed them all summer. So, a great way to do this is host a slumber party at your house. Slumber parties can get a little drab and over done. However, there are lots of party ideas and tips to make your slumber party truly stand out and Wedding and Party Network has them here.
Read more about It's A Slumber Party

August – The Month of Peach Pies, Watermelon & Clowns?!

August is the month that gets everyone ready for back to school. Some may dread this time of year, but there are so many ways to brighten up this month. There are so many ideas and themes that you can use for these hot months. However, what themes are out there? What can you do to make your party stand out?
Read more about August

Back to School Party: Do's and Don'ts

If you are hosting a back-to-school party for your kids, follow these easy do's and dont's for a successful fun-filled party. Do not assume that your child's friends from last school year will be the same one this year. Over the summer and during the first week of school kids develop new friendships.  Be sure to involve your child. Ask them who they want to invite and go from there.
Read more about Do's and Don'ts

Parties in general are sometimes complicated to plan, but kid's parties always seem to be a little more stressful. Parents and grandparents always want their child’s party to be the most fun, the most decorated and with the cutest theme. And why shouldn’t it be? The question for most party hosts is, “What kind of party will we have and how will I entertain these kids?”
Read more about Components of a Successful Kid's Party

When planning your wedding, prom, night out on the town or a special event, you want it to be truly special. You want it to stand out and be a night you'll never forget. However, how can you meet this dream? A beautiful horse-drawn carriage can definitely achieve this dream.
Read More about Carriage Company

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

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School Is In!

Creative Party Invitations

• Apple Invites: Using red card stock, cut it into the shape of an apple. With black marker, write U+R Invited! include date, time, place and RSVP.
• Report Cards: Find an outline of a report card online and fill each one out with the information for the party. It's an A+ Party!
• Crayon Notes: Using different colored card stock, cut it into the shape of a large crayon. With several different colors, write out the party information and include RSVP.
• Blackboard: Write out the invitation on a black board and snap a digital picture of it. Print them off or email them to your guests as their party  invitation.

Party Decorations

Red, blue and yellow are the colors of school! You can use your school's colors for added flair too. The main party decoration at your party is to decorate your party space with school supplies!

• Decorate your entry way with a message to your guests with sidewalk chalk!
• Cluster balloons and streamers and hang them from above
• Fill vases or buckets full of pencils
• Place a row of apples down the center of your table
• Use rulers and glue and arrange them into a "school supply bouquets"
• Bunch together crayons and markers for added decoration
• Scatter letter magnets along each table
• Display letter and number cut outs
• Use a globe as your centerpiece
• Laminate pictures of maps to use as place mats
• Fill vases with crayons or letter magnets and then add fresh flowers in basic colors to top it off!

Back to School Food

Inspirational Cupcakes!

• Serve small meals in a paper sacks! Sandwiches, chips and fresh fruit with a juice box or lemonade.
• Make your own pizza bar. Set out already made cheese pizza and let the kids add their own toppings!
• Alphabet or crayon cookies will make great desserts
• Build your own Sundae bar
• School Bus Cake
• Create brightly colored cupcakes and place apples, books or pencils on top as cupcake toppers
• Jello squares

School Inspired Activities

Every party needs entertainment, but when it comes to a school themed party, you can create fun activities that will keep the kids happy in no time!

Incorporate school ground games such as hopscotch, red rover, dodgeball, simon says and hide and go seek.

• Bobbing for apples is a fun game for kids of all ages. Just make sure to offer supervision.
• Water balloons -  Warn your guests before the party to bring extra clothes and towels!
• Finger painting – Provide smocks or plastic covering to protect clothing.
• Three legged race
• Musical chairs
• Hot potato
• Bookmarks – Lay out pre-cut card stock, glitter pens, stickers, markers and glue. Let each child create their own bookmark.

Goody Bags

School Inspired

Send guests home with school supplies! Use a paper sack with each guest's name written on the front to hold the supplies.

• Brightly colored notebooks
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Stickers
• Backpack charms
• Sidewalk chalk
• Glitter pens or rulers

A great way to give back to your community is to ask each guest to bring a few school supplies to donate to local children who are less fortunate. Set up backpacks near the door for the guests to drop their items in. Call your school to get information on what supplies are needed and where to take them.

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Planners.
Not in Miami, FL No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party planner near you!

Special thank you to Lluisbres, Clevercupcakes, Sagolla, Dmdizine's, and Manon.paradise for the school inspired pictures via Flickr.

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Delicious Hotdogs

Toppings: Chopped tomatoes, sliced avocado, spicy mustard and feta cheese. Get ready for a mouth full of happiness!

Frito Hot Dog

Toppings: Chilli, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeño and fritos. The crunch from the fritos make this one stand out!

BLT Hot Dog

Toppings: A  slice of bacon, lettuce and sliced tomatoes topped with a little mayo. A twist on an already great treat.

Surfs up! Hot Dog

Toppings: Sliced avocado, sliced cucumbers, sprouts, and shredded carrots. This light and refreshing hot dog is perfect for the beach!

Sautéed Hot Dog

Toppings: Slice the hot dog down the center and sauté with sliced peppers, onions and garlic. Top with Cayenne and fennel for spicy treat.

Traditional Chicago Dog

Boil your hot dog.
Toppings: Poppy-seed bun, dill pickle, sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, sweet relish, pickled peppers, chopped onion, celery salt and mustard.  This good ole' fashion recipe never gets old!

Laid back Sunday Hot Dog

Toppings: Sliced tomato, fresh basil leaves and thinly sliced garlic. Top with sour cream for a fresh crisp taste.

Sauerkraut Hot Dog

Toppings: Spicy mustard and sauerkraut. You can't beat simplicity!

Bacon Hot Dog

Wrap bacon around the hotdog while  it is grilling.
Toppings: Mustard, tomatoes and pickle. The savory bacon juices are absorbed by the hot dog! YUM!

Onion Ring Hot Dog

Toppings: Onion rings! Buttermilk battered onion rings go great on top of the hotdog, making a terrific fusion in every bite!

Use one or more of these delicious recipes for your next party or special event. Your guests are sure to be excited with the new flavors and combinations! A new twist to an old favorite!

This post is brought to you by Philadelphia Caterers.
Not in Philadelphia, PA No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a caterer near you!

Special thanks to cyclonebill for the hotdog pic via Wikipedia.

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S'mores are not only for bonfires! S'mores and S"more inspired desserts are a great party food for any occasion.

Here are some creative ways to spice up your S'mores and bring them to the dinner table!

S'mores!

Caramel S'mores: My favorite! The same original recipe only use a caramel bar (Carmelo) instead of a regular chocolate bar for some ooey gooey goodness.

Nutella S'mores: Take two graham crackers and spread Nutella on both pieces, add a few slices of banana and then your warm toasted marshmallow!

S'more Muffins: Using your favorite chocolate chip muffin recipe, add broken graham crackers, mini marshmallows and chocolate chunks to create delicious s'more muffins.

S'more Cookies: Mix up your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and add mini marshmallows, chocolate chunks and graham cracker pieces. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

S'more Brownies: Use chocolate brownie mix, adding mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces.

For added flare you can add fresh strawberries, raspberries or coconut for a delectable elegance! Use your imagination and your favorite ingredients to create your own unique flavors.

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Caterers.
Not in Miami, FL No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party caterer near you!

S'more photo provided by Codeman125 via wikipedia.

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Whether your party is for a birthday, graduation or celebration you can turn your fantasy party into a reality with these helpful tips.

Set A Budget!

Make a list of what you will need for the party and then list realistic prices for each item. Create a limit for yourself and stick with it!

Great parties don't have to be expensive:
You can throw an impressive party without breaking the bank. Here are some tips for keeping your party affordable.

• Host the party in your home or a friend's home
  

  Party Entertainment
• Limit your guest list:  Only invite a few people – great friends make for a great party!
• Make your own party invitations or call or email your guests ahead of time.
• Use fresh flowers to decorate with, either from your garden or your local florist.
• Make your own cake or cupcakes, or ask a creative friend to help.
• Buy paper products at discount or dollar stores. Try not to use the character party decorations (Dora, Disney, Handy Manny), they are often priced higher. Go for a more creative and personalized theme.
• Purchase party favors from discount, dollar stores or create your own.
• Keep your party menu simple.
• Purchase a "party package":  Check at your local roller skating rink, bowling alley, amusement park, zoo or community pool for party packages. These can sometimes cut costs by including, party favors, food, the cake and the entertainment!

Fabulously Creative Party Themes

For Kids

1. Ice Cream Sunday Party
2. Wild Animal Party
3. Circus Party
4. Pirate Party
5. Botanical Explosion -  Garden Party
6. Butterfly Party
7. Super Mario Party
8. Lego World Party
9. Hello Kitty Party
10. Tie Dye Party

When throwing a party for kids, not having enough activities can be disastrous! Be creative and ready, planning at least five or six different games or activities will be enough entertainment for the party. Even if it is just hide and go seek with a twist of pirate style or hopscotch! Just be ready to entertain!

You want your party to be as stress free as possible. Make sure you have help; Ask other parents to help supervise the party, especially if you have several children attending.

For Adults

1. Cocktail Party
2. Fiesta Time!
3. Murder Mystery
4. Christmas in July
5. Tea Party
6. Wine Tasting Party – Yum!
7. Retro Party
8. Beach Party
9. Jacuzzi Party
10. Vintage Hawaiian Luau
11. Rolling 1920's

Parties are for having fun, don't forget that even though you are the host, you are still a guest at your fabulous party and you deserve to enjoy it too!

This post is brought to you by Washington, D.C. Party Planners.
Not in Washington, D.C.?  No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a caterer near you!

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Themed Cupcakes

All you need is cake, pudding, crushed up graham crackers, candied shells and a sand bucket. You layer the cake with the pudding with the pudding being your last layer and then sprinkled the crushed up graham crackers on top for the sand effect. That simple, yet too cute!

Beach Cupcakes & Cake – No party is complete without the beach themed cupcakes and cake. Another simple, yet fun dessert to have at your outdoor party. Bake cupcakes in fun blue liners like your normally would and then let the icing work it's magic.

Use blue icing for the water and then ice the rest of the cupcake a tan color and then sprinkle crushed up graham crackers on top of that. You can also find candied seashells or plastic palm trees at your party store and place those on top as cupcake toppers. If you're doing a cake, you'll have more room to place other fun beach related items on top.

Summer Themed Cupcakes – Of course, you can do hamburger cupcakes, which are super fun and easy to make! However, start thinking outside the box and what fits your party theme. If you're grilling, then do cupcakes that look like real grills. Take brownie batter, bake it in black cupcake liners. Add 2 drops of black food coloring to white icing to get the color gray and pipe lines on the top of the brownie cupcakes. This will give it a grill like effect.

After the icing is dry, place candy fruit on toothpicks to make it look like a shish kabob or place the candy hot tamales on top to look like you're grilling hot dogs. You can do baseball cupcakes, ladybug or butterfly cupcakes or even corn cupcakes. A lawn mower cupcake would be great for a guy's party. Just bake the cupcake like normal, dye coconut green and sprinkle it on top. For the lawn mower, make it out of a miniature Hershey bar, brown m&m's for the tires and black licorice for the handle bar.

Ice Cream Cupcakes

While they're baking, prepare the icing. Use food coloring to dye it whatever colors you would like or keep it classic with white to make it look like an actual ice cream cone. Once they have cooled, begin to ice and top them off with fun sprinkles. Your guests will think they're getting an actual ice cream cone, minus the melting of the ice cream in the heat.

Flip Flop Cookies -Now these would be great for everyone! Not just the kids, but the adults will love them as well. Again, easy and fun to make! You'll need some oval-shaped cookies, visit your bakery for some recommendations, frosting, gummy candy and rope licorice.

Frost 2 cookies to make a pair of flip-flops. Cut the licorice to make the straps on the flip-flops and place them on with some icing. You can mix and match colors to match the theme of your party! These will make wonderful treats or even a great party favor or a perfect accent to a beach wedding.

These 5 summer treats will make wonderful additions to any party. When you're enjoying the outdoors, make sure you have these desserts that everyone will love. They not only will satisfy your guest's taste buds, but they'll also make great accents to the party! So, add some color and blow your guests away with these 5 summer desserts!

This post is brought to you by Richardson Party Cupcake Providers
Not in Richardson, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find party caterers near you!

beach cupcake photo, corn cupcakes & lady bug cupcakes provided by Katie Stine, emilyaugust, Sugar Daze via flickr.

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