When it comes to throwing an event or wedding, everything needs to be perfect. The elements of your wedding or special occasion should wow your guests. It should also represent the theme of your event, as well as you. One of the most important things that need to be perfect is the food. Your food stands out to your guests. If the event food is great, your event will be truly memorable. One caterer who knows all about that is Guesthouse Restaurant & Catering.

Exceptional Food

Exquisite Event Food

If you're in the Lethbridge, Alberta area, this caterer is for you. Your food will be anything but boring. By using fresh and quality ingredients, their delicious food will make your event stand out. Whatever your preference, they will go above and beyond to meet your expectations and preferences. Fresh, tasteful and exciting food is exactly what you'll receive from Guesthouse Restaurant & Catering.

Design Your Menu

When it comes to planning your wedding or event, you want everything to represent you. Even the food should represent the theme of your wedding. Are you planning a traditional wedding with beautiful white wedding flowers and a classical feel? If yes, your wedding food should match that. Choose from a delicious fresh fruit tray, assorted wraps & sandwiches and vegetables for your appetizer. For the main course, focus on delicious chicken cordon bleu, baked lasagna or tender roast turkey served with fresh vegetables, salad and rice. All sound so delicious and will truly be a hit at your event.

Not only will you want to use them for all your major events, but you will use them for all your catering needs including banquets and meetings. You can even use them as your event site. A beautiful spacious banquet facility along with delicious food makes an unforgettable event.

So, create an unforgettable event with your food from Guesthouse Restaurant & Catering. Their skilled chefs and fresh ingredients will set your event apart from the rest. So choose this caterer and you'll have exciting food that everyone will enjoy.

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. This is also a great way to make new friends! Here are some creative ideas for a great School themed party.

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

Keeping your party menu child friendly will make for happy children and easy cleanup!

• 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

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.

Grilling out is one of the best perks of a summer time party. The most common party foods served at an outdoor get-together are hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Even though they are tasty, the same foods being served party after party make them a little dull. Well, not any more! Here are 10 mouth-watering hot dog recipes to add to your menu! So, go get out that grill and start-up the fire!

Greek Hot Dog

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.

Summer is a great time for a Nautical Themed Party!

Imagine a day at the beach or out on a yacht, with the waves crashing and the wind blowing. Now picture your party, the tables and centerpieces decorated with sand and seashells, your friends and family complimenting your beautiful centerpieces and creative decor. Here is how to pull it off!

Hosting your nautical party outdoors is ideal, however, indoors is fine too. A Large deck or backyard is great, but a beach or yacht is even better!

Party Decor

• Blue and white everything!
  

  Nautical Decor'
• Drape tables with fish netting
• Scatter sand and seashells along the table tops
• Use a life-preserver with flowers in the middle as a centerpiece
• Display miniature lighthouses and nautical flags
• Fill clear jars with sand, shells and rocks
• Use palm trees to shade your beach chairs
• Hang paper lanterns or twinkle lights for when the sun goes down
• Incorporate anchors, either miniature or cardboard cut outs
• Coconuts and driftwood make interesting table toppers
• Party centerpieces featuring small flower arrangements in blues and whites wrapped and placed in small clear jars are ideal. Each arrangement will have a name card on it for each guest to take home as a party favors!

A Surf and Turf Menu – A sea food buffet to include

• Shrimp and veggie shish-kabobs
• Shrimp cocktail
• Lobster, cod, salmon or any fish fillet
• Crab cakes
• Angel hair pasta topped with basil, scallops, and shrimp
• Fish and chips!

Check with your local caterers to see what Seafood options are available in your area.

Sea Worthy Drinks

Tropical Desserts

• Tropical fruit parfait served in martini glasses
• Chocolate mouse
• Fresh fruit kabob fondue
• Tropical flavored cupcakes topped with sea blue icing
• Nautical themed cake

Sea Worthy Drinks

Having spritzers and wine available are always a nice treat. Punch, iced tea and lemonade go well with the theme as well. Captain Morgan and beer also adds a nice touch.

Setting the Mood with Entertainment

If you can't afford a live band, you can buy "Beachy" or a tropical music on CD and play it in the background. A few great choices are:

• Steel Drum Band
• Bob Marley
• Jimmy Buffett
• Navy songs

Your themed party will come together easily once you have put everything together. As hostess, you can dress up as captain or even a mermaid! Now sit back and enjoy your party!

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!

"Ship A Hoy!" & Punch picture taken by formatted_dad, Angela via Flickr & Wikipedia

The summer months are the best times to party with endless opportunities and countless holidays to celebrate! With June and July being the first warm months of the year, it is the perfect time the pull out the party supplies and GET YOUR PARTY ON!

5 Reasons to Party:

1.) June 14th: National Flag Day

Flag Day was first observed in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the continental congress' adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag. There are 3 major holidays that memorialize the red, white and blue flag; Memorial Day, National Flag Day and Independence Day. National Flag Day is a day to show respect to our Flag.

Party Ideas : Throw a Flag Day Picnic!

• Decorate everything in Red, White and Blue – Your party decorations should definitely be patriotic!
• Display American Flags throughout the party area
• Use cut out stars on tables, banners and decor
• Serve fresh fruit, veggies and cold cut subs
• Take the party to a park, beach or pool for fun in the sun!

2.) June 21st : Father's Day

Father's Day was first recognized as a holiday in 1972 by President Nixon. However, the first Father's Day was actually celebrated in 1910. It is a day to celebrate and honor your father or father figure and the contribution he has made to your life.

Party Ideas: A Father's Day Luncheon

• Invite your family and friends to a casual luncheon
• Cater your guests with your father's favorite party foods
• Spend the afternoon playing or watching his favorite sports

3.) June 21st: Summer Solstice

People around the world celebrate summer solstice for spiritual and religious seasonal days of celebration. Summer solstice is an astronomical event that occurs 2 times a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is most oriented toward the sun, causing the sun to reach its Northernmost or Southernmost extreme. The Northern hemisphere summer solstice and the Southern hemisphere winter solstice happen simultaneously.

Party Ideas: Celebrate with a Bonfire!

• Create a Bonfire in your back yard or local campground
• Serve marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolates for s'mores
• Offer hot chocolate or chai tea

4.) July 4th: Independence Day

Celebrating America's Birthday! America was founded in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Party Ideas: Good Ole 4th of July BBQ

• Invite friends and family to a great backyard or block party!
• Decor should be red, white and blue
• Cater your guests with grilled meats; chicken, burgers, hot dogs or brats
• Guests bring side dishes or desserts
• Set out coolers filled with ice and a variety of beverages
• Incorporate sports and activities to keep the party up beat!
• End the night with a display of fireworks!

5.) July 26th: Parent's Day

In 1994, Parent's Day was made a national observance to honor and increase awareness of parental responsibilities. Parent's Day is a day to celebrate the love between parents and their children. It takes place on the fourth Sunday of July.

Party Ideas: A Family Get Together

• Plan your party around your parents and their likes
• Inviting everyone over to a family dinner or picnic
• Decorate with family photos, collages, banners, flowers and balloons
• Take this time to really honor and celebrate your parents, creating delightful memories for the family

If these holidays aren't enough for you, here are some more strange and unique holidays in June and July to help get your creative juices running!

June 1st – National Doughnut and Flip a Coin Day
June 6th – National Yo-Yo Day
June 8th – Best Friend Day
June 26th – National Chocolate Pudding Day
July 10th – National Pina Colada Day
July 14th – Shark Awareness Day
July 16th – National Get Out Of The Dog House Day
July 26th – National Aunt and Uncle Day
July 30th – National Cheesecake Day

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!

Paper lanterns, s'mores photo provided by millerm217, Phil Hawksworth

Warm summer nights and bonfires go hand in hand. Bringing families and friends together to share fond memories and fill up on yummy S'mores sounds perfect! Who can resist the warm deliciousness of a good S'more? With two graham crackers cradling a toasted marshmallow & succulent chocolate, OOO they make your taste buds happy!

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!

Peanut Butter S'mores: Use chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers. Spread a little peanut butter on the cookies, sprinkle chocolate chips and then add your toasted your marshmallow for a mouth full of deliciousness! OR you can use peanut butter cups instead!

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.

It's the beautiful warm summer days and cool summer evenings that make it a perfect time to host a great garden party. Whether you are hosting a laid back casual picnic or a more formal affair, a garden party is a great way to bring friends and family together for a day of fun in the sun.

Invitations

Personalizing your party invitations is key. Even if you are only having a few people over, making them personal will make your guests feel welcomed and special. You can create beautiful invitations with card stock, rubber stamps, calligraphy pens, dried flowers or anything that sets the mood for your special event.

Asking for an RSVP is a good idea if you are planning on serving a full meal. If your event is casual, let your guests know that shorts, sundresses and flip-flops are welcome! Or if you are holding a more formal party, let your guests know what attire to wear.

Decor

Spruce up your backyard or porch with elegant table clothes, silver wear and beautiful overflowing arrangements of flowers. Crystal glasses add a beautiful touch, as well. You can buy mix matched glasses from a local antique store to create a vintage feel. Terra cotta pots make great utensil holders and carved fruit arrangements are fun centerpieces! You can drape fake pearls along the tables for a vintage look or use algae and rocks to create a unique design.

When hosting a garden party, you have to keep in mind that mother nature might RSVP as well. Therefore, you should have a backup plan just in case. You can use canopies or set up a space indoors to save you from any last-minute surprises!

Fine Dining or Casual Picnic

Picnic style parties are often laid back and have a buffet style menu including favorites such as finger sandwiches, fresh-cut fruit, veggies and dip, pasta salads or BBQ on the grill. Local caterers can offer delicious options for your party buffet.

Lemonade, sweet tea and punch in large vases will work great. If you are treating your guests to a full meal, you can serve an entrée' of fish or chicken with fresh steamed veggies or a fresh strawberry and spinach salad. Cookies, cupcakes and chocolate mousse are great sweets to add to your menu.

You can include themed cocktails in your menu as well ~ mint julep, gin and tonic, white and red wines or wine coolers go great with an outdoor party.

Setting the atmosphere

Music is essential to creating the perfect atmosphere for your garden party, depending on your style you can play classic rock hits for your picnic or airy classical selections for a formal theme.

Entertainment

Playing games is not only for the kid's parties, adults like to have fun too! A round or two of horseshoes, bocce ball or croquet will get the party moving. Flower arranging is a fun activity to create. Supply fresh-cut flowers and inexpensive vases for your guests to work their magic. Or have your guests bring their own arrangement and swap with other guests at the party!

What ever your theme, where ever the place, your garden party can be as beautiful and elegant as you wish. Just remember to have fun!

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!

With Memorial Day swiftly approaching, you want to plan a wonderful weekend! Maybe you plan on spending time with your close family or friends, or maybe you want to host a party. Whatever you choose, you want it to be exciting. We always want to remember the meaning behind Memorial Day. Pay tribute to the ones who have given their lives for this country. However, we want to do something unique. Well, Wedding And Party Network is here to give you a few party tips and ideas for your Memorial Day weekend.

Patriotic Barbecue – Of course, this maybe something that everyone does on the 4th Of July. However, it's such a great theme that doing it twice a year still isn't enough. Place red, white and blue tablecloths on each table.

Visit your local florist and have them create fun and festive arrangements that goes with the theme. This will make the tables pop even more. The main thing is to create fun tablescapes. Use mason jars for your drinks,centerpieces or even your place settings. Create fun name tags to go on each one of the jars for an adorable place setting.

Create a hot dog bar, hamburger bar or even an ice cream bar. That way guests can create their own food just the way they like it.

Lets Head To The Beach -This week seems to kick off summer. Therefore, go to the beach. However, if you can't head out to the beach, bring it your yard. There are lots of fun ideas you can do for this theme.

Create food that is chilled and served, it will be a refreshing party. Serve fruit as your appetizer but serve them up in fun shapes. You can even stick them on sticks and place them in a bucket filled with sugar that resembles sand. It will be like you have a pail of sand.

Even get those sand boxes and pools out for the kiddos to play in. Their pools can even serve as a beverage holder to keep all your drinks chilled. This party theme is so much fun and perfect for the holiday weekend.

Baseball – If you have guys in your family or friends that enjoy baseball, why not host a baseball themed party for this weekend? Divide up all your guests and have a home run derby or play a game in your backyard. Everyone will enjoy this time together.

For your party food, set up a concession stand with all the food you would find in it. Popcorn, grilled hamburgers, nachos, cotton candy, snow cones and a candy bar should all be apart of your concession stand. Even serve them up in the paper items you would actually find at a concession stand. You'll have a ball in your very own backyard.

Plan A Trip – For a lot of people, this weekend kicks off their weekly visits to the lake or beach. So, why not join them? Get a bunch of your closest friends and family and plan a weekend getaway. It's a longer weekend, therefore the trip is worth it. Bring all the snacks and food so you can grill out on the water. It'll give a nice relaxing and fun weekend.

These 4 party ideas and Memorial Day weekend ideas are sure to be a huge success. You will remember them always. However, take the time to remember the men and women who serve our country. It's a special holiday and you'll have fun ways to celebrate.

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!

Graduation is a perfect time to celebrate! Throwing an open house to honor your graduate's entrance into the adult world is a great way of expressing and celebrating your excitement for their new adventure. This party theme will give the new graduate a big congratulations on all their accomplishments.

Graduation

First Things First

Choosing a party place will be one of the major tasks on your checklist. Many people have open house graduation parties at their home, banquet halls, community centers or local pools. Often parents will collaborate and throw joint parties to save a little money.

You will want to set up a designated parking area to avoid problems with neighbors or blocking the streets. Some times neighborhood churches or community locations will allow you to use their parking lots with prior notice. This is something you can show on the invitations.

Once the place is chosen you can start working on putting together your graduation invitations. You will want to make sure that they are sent out to family, friends and teachers at least 3-4 weeks before the party. Include an RSVP if you want, asking for a response 1-2 weeks before the party. Most Open House Parties will last 3-5 hours or more.

The Setup

When throwing a graduation open house, choose to have the party catered or stick with the very popular buffet style theme. Setting up several food stations throughout the area is a good way to keep guests circulating and to help avoiding a long line at the food table. Great graduation foods are: hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fried chicken, finger foods and sandwiches. Cake, cupcakes, or ice cream bars are great desert ideas. Set up several locations for guests to sit and chat whether they are benches, or folding chairs, bench swings, sturdy canvass seats.

When choosing the party decor you will want to play off of the graduates favorite color, the school color or the classic black and gold graduation colors. Using balloons, streamers, banners, tables clothes, plates, cups and eating utensils in the same color scheme.

• Picture displays are a fun and creative way to show off your shining star featuring pictures from childhood up to graduation day! You can hang pictures of the food tables or display as centerpieces on tables. Set up a poster board with the graduate's picture in the middle ~ ask guests to sign it for a great keepsake. Create a slide show that will be played during the party to captivate your guests.
• Set up an award table, showcasing the graduates achievements. Have a gift table with a large box for cards to be put inside.
• Set out disposable cameras throughout the space and ask guests to snap candid pictures. Video taping the event will make for a great treasured memories. Let your graduate chose favorite songs to be played in the background or if you want to get even more exciting, set up a dance floor and let the music roll!
• Send your guests home with a special trinket to remember the event. Some cute ideas are: Customized M&M's, candy bars, bookmarks, pins, pens or personalized cookies.

Make sure to keep track of gifts and who they came from so that your graduate will be sure to send Thank you notes to all of your guests within a week or two after the party.

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!

Graduation cap photo provided by billaday via flickr.

Food can make or break your event. Everyone remembers the delectable food, however, they also remember the bad food, as well. So, you want to make sure and treat your guests with the most amazing and tasteful food out there. If you're planning your wedding or special event in the Russellville, Arkansas area; you must visit York Family Pecan Co that will satisfy all taste buds. Your event will truly be memorable with their amazingly cooked party food.

When visiting York Family Pecan Co., you'll receive only the best from Mary Margaret. She is your main cook/owner and is a fabulous southern cook that aims to please you! A wonderful caterer, agreeable and easy to work with, inventive cuisine and most importantly will work with you to create everything you want.

Their exquisite work even got her featured in This Old House, for one of their luscious cakes. So, whether you are planning for your wedding reception or wanting them to cater your party, she will make sure everything is truly delicious and flavorful.

Every event has a different theme, tone or setting, therefore, must have food to go with it. Plus, not everyone enjoys the same types of food. York Family Pecan Co. understands that. Delectable appetizers, entrees and desserts will make your event truly wonderful.

Stuffed mushrooms, tarragon chicken, veggie pizza, fruit platters or meatballs are just some of the things that you'll be able to choose from for your hors d'oeuvre. For your main entrees, you'll be able to choose from BBQ, tilapia, chicken spaghetti, Mexican casserole, beef tenderloin or risotto. Finish off your meal with some of their mouth-watering tarts, cookies, pies, brownies, cheesecakes and cobblers.

If you don't see anything you like on the menu, or have a particular something in mind; they will make sure that you get what your taste buds desire. York Family Pecan Co will always use great ingredients and produce a satisfying dish that will please everyone. Are you and your husband-to-be big Italian fans? Well, serve your favorites at your wedding reception.

Traditional spaghetti, risotto and croissants will all be huge hits at your wedding reception. Delicious food fitting your wedding theme perfectly will make it truly memorable.

Are you in the process of planning your little one's birthday party? Are they a big fan of pizza? Well, let them cater a pizza party to you! Your little one will be truly delighted, as well as their guests. Whatever you choose for your flavorful menu, it will sure be delish.

When planning your wedding or special event, always remember to serve appetizing food that no one will forget. Your event will be the talk of the town, and definitely among your guests. So, choose York Family Pecan Co. for your wedding catering or party catering They'll make sure that you receive everything you want and then some.