A Year For Planning

With a brand new year starting, now is the perfect time to start planning for all those fabulous parties and weddings. We want our events to be up-to-date on all the latest trends, stylish and truly unique. Well, let Wedding and Party Network offer a few tips on planning ahead.

1. Check out all the latest blogs and magazines – Don't forget to bookmark Wedding and Party's blog, The Celebration Advisor! These resources are great ways to stay up-to-date on all the latest trends. Whether you are searching for wedding ideas or party ideas, these are great ways to find out what’s in for the season.
2. Save the articles. If you are planning a wedding, keep all your articles and pictures in a folder. This keeps everything in one secure place and will be easy to sort through. Same thing with parties. Whenever you find a great picture or articles, store it in a folder. You’ll know exactly where to go to when trying to find the perfect party idea.
3. It’s never too early to research those vendors. Don’t wait till the last minute to stress about vendors. Start searching now. Compare prices and packages. See if a particular vendor offers what you have in mind for your wedding or party. Planning ahead will take stress away and leave time for memorable memories.
4. Have fun! We often get caught up in all the planning and stress that we forget to have fun. These are special moments in our lives. We don’t want to look back and think of the planning. We want to think about our kids' faces at their birthday party or their first dance. So, always remember to have fun!

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

Are you a recently engaged bride? Are you looking for "the" wedding dress that you've always imagined? You want something that fits your style, but also a bridal dress that is in season too. So, here is a wedding forecast of all the hot new wedding dress trends for 2011. Hope you find "the" one!
Read more about 2011 Wedding Dress Trends…

Top 10 Flowers For Wedding Bouquets

Wedding flowers are much more than just an accessory to your big day. Wedding flowers are something you will remember for a lifetime. These are the flowers that will always trigger special memories of the day you and your hubby shared, so it's important to pick something perfectly you. Below you will find a list of top focal flowers for wedding bouquets, including their seasonal availabilities. Selecting wedding flowers in season is a great way to save a few $!
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Sooo… You're Engaged. Now What?

So you're engaged? Amazing! Congratulations! How exciting! When are you going to get married? What kind of wedding do you want? All the questions that you will be bombarded with when you announce your engagement to friends and family. The problem? You don't have a clue on what you want, what to do and where to begin.
Read more about So, Your Engaged. Now What?…

5 Essential Ingredients For A Successful Wedding Reception

Great wedding receptions are talked about and remembered fondly by guests and wedding party members alike for years and years. Just think of all the great memories you will make together as husband and wife surrounded by the most important people in your life. What a great way to start your journey together. However, before you put on your dancing shoes and let your hair down, there is a lot of planning that goes into making your wedding reception perfect.
Read more about Ingredients For A Successful Wedding Reception…

Wedding Trends That Are Here To Stay

If you are planning a wedding, you want to go with the trends. You want to see what's new and exciting to see if that wedding trend fits into your wedding. It looks like the new trends that started up in 2010 will be with us for another year, and it's exciting! Beautiful pastels, vintage touches and social media influences will make your wedding absolutely stunning.
Read more about Wedding Trends That Are Here To Stay

Create A Perfect Pairing With PartyWorks Catering
Food can be a conversation starter, which is a good thing if it is absolutely divine. It not only sets the theme of your wedding or event, but can help make your event one to be remembered. So if that's the role you want your food to play at your next event, you must visit PartyWorks in Springfield, MO. Their delicious catering service provides you with a variety of tasty options that no one will forget.
Read More about PartyWorks Catering…

You'll Fall Endlessly In Love With Endless Love Wedding
Haven't you always pictured what your dream wedding dress would look like? You've always imagined what style your bridal gown would be along with all the little details that go along with it. Now, since the time has come, are you looking for that dress you've always dreamed of? Well, let this Lubbock, Texas formal wear shop help. Endless Love Wedding provides all the latest styles off all formal wear and would absolutely love to help make your dream come true.
Read more about Endless Love Wedding…

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

Ask The Celebration Advisor:

My husband and I got married at the courthouse and I was wondering if it was appropriate to have a small reception, nothing formal just a small cook out with friends and family?

–Jamie

Celebration Advisor Reply:
First of all, congratulations on your marriage! We here at Wedding and Party Network believe that every marriage deserves a celebration! We love your idea for a simple cook out with friends and family. The weather is warming, and the flowers are blooming. Getting outside for a wedding reception would be a perfect way to commemorate such a special occasion. We love nothing more than a relaxed, laid-back get together, and this fits perfectly with your no-frills attitude.

Invite friends and family using simple, yet fun invitations. Check out invitations and party favors that grow when you plant them! Adding a fun touch will let guests know they're in for an easy-going afternoon. Add a few bouquets of fresh flowers on a few tables to dress up the gathering just a little, so guests will feel like they're here to celebrate a special event. You don't want it to be just another cookout. It can be an informal gathering and also have a purpose.

Another great trend to try for a outdoor wedding reception would be cupcakes. Every wedding deserves something sweet to top it off, and cupcakes are a great option that is easy and fun. Make them yourself, or call your local baker to have a few delivered the day of your cook out.

It sounds like you two make it a point to stay true to who you are as a couple, and we have no doubt that your get-t0gether will be the perfect representation of just that. So go out, get your friends together and celebrate the fact that you found each other!

This Celebration Advisor post is sponsored by Wedding and Party Network.

Wedding reception food can be pretty ordinary: shrimp cocktail, cocktail weenies, and the obligatory spinach dip in a bread bowl. These are all fine foods that are enjoyed by the masses—but that’s the problem: they could be served at the weekly football game. Your wedding reception should be extraordinary and that means not just what food you serve, but how you serve it.

When serving appetizers, make each one memorable by the way you serve it. Serve  a wonton or Chinese dumpling in a Chinese spoon with a drizzle of duck sauce. Instead of ordinary boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce, try roasted bacon wrapped tail-on shrimp with a sweet and sour glaze. The tail provides the perfect “handle” and is a one-bite wonder. A sweet, fruit slaw is great served in a butter lettuce “cup” or an endive leaf—no fork, no plate, no mess. A chilled avocado or gazpacho soup can be served in a shot glass. An Italian breadstick wrapped in prosciutto is a simple presentation that guests will find easy to eat. Each is the perfect bite and gives the guest room to sample and appreciate each appetizer. Don’t serve too many different appetizers; just make the ones you do serve really exceptional in taste and presentation.

You can find new and creative ways to serve your reception food if you give it a little thought. Whether your reception is catered or not, think in small bites and small containers for big impact.

The best punch I ever tasted was a fresh strawberry punch at a June wedding. It was a refreshing mouthful of summer. I’ve attended many weddings in my lifetime, but have never come across a punch that came close to that tasty drink.

I say, if you’re going to serve punch at your wedding reception, come up with something creative that doesn’t include sherbet.

Now, don’t get me wrong, sherbet has its’ place. But if you go all out on a wedding reception, why not put a little research and creativity into finding a really great punch recipe. Search the internet, cookbooks, ask relatives and friends what they like and stay open to new ideas.

I was impressed recently when I tasted a coffee punch. It looked great in the bowl, the aroma was captivating, and the taste was like a frosty coffee milkshake—yum! A punch like that may not be the only one you serve. However, it will definitely pique your guests’ curiosity enough to try it.

If your wedding takes place in cooler weather, try a hot cider punch or a warm rum punch. Marrying in warm weather? A frosty mint julep punch or an Italian Limoncella punch would be a refreshing change. Try something out of the ordinary. Your guests will be refreshingly surprised and will appreciate your creativity.

This wedding reception planning idea was brought to you by weddingandpartynetwork.com, your number 1 source for wedding planning.

A special thanks to Catering Creations By CruLa Ro, an Athens Al caterer
who graciously let me use their strawberry punch photo.

Recently, I heard of an elementary school teacher who was getting married and invited her class of first graders to the wedding. She not only invited them, but she made sure they would enjoy the wedding reception, too.

She went all out on a special food table filled with some really creative foods that kids enjoy. There were heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit roll-ups lined up like soldiers on a silver platter, a fruit centerpiece filled with fun-shaped melons, apple and orange slices, strawberries and grape kebabs. There were also kid-friendly chicken nuggets with a variety of dipping sauces, and ants on a log (celery sticks smeared with peanut butter with raisins on top). A local bakery had made schoolhouse shaped cookies decorated with icing for a sweet treat. She even had small cartons of milk on ice in a silver punch bowl.

But she didn’t stop there. There were tables specifically for the students and their parents to sit, decorated with their school colors—green and gold. Wedding favors were at each place and included pencils, crayons, notepads and other school supplies wrapped up in cellophane bags tied with green and gold ribbons.

It struck me how much this teacher had really thought of her students and wanted them to have fun and feel welcome on her most special day. I’m sure each of those children will never forget that teacher or her wedding day.

I recently attended a family member’s wedding and reception whose theme colors were black, white and fuchsia. She decorated the reception tables using lovely black-and-white scroll patterned fabric with fuchsia accents dotted around the reception hall. She also used a variety of decorative pieces—candelabras, statues, and the like—as centerpieces. It had a very Parisian feel to it and I thought how creative it would be to have a Parisian themed wedding reception. Whether you’re having your wedding reception indoors or al fresco, I think it would be a romantic way to celebrate your wedding ceremony.

The wedding reception decorations could include wire Eiffel Tower decorative pieces for table centerpieces. You could even attach photos of the bride and groom to each tower for a personal touch. And since Paris is the City of Lights, you could tastefully string white mini lights across the ceiling covered by a sheer black or navy fabric for a starry night effect.

Whether serving a sit-down meal or a buffet, you could incorporate some classic French foods into your meal like filet mignon, chicken cordon bleu, baguettes and eclairs. In fact, you could create a tiered wedding cake out of classic French pastries for an alternative to a traditional wedding cake. These pastries would be perfect served with—what else?—champagne fountain for the wedding toast.

Try the Parisian theme for your wedding reception. I'm sure you'll love the classic elegance.

After hours of careful research, I have put together a list of possible grooms cake ideas for your next bachelors party or wedding reception. From the eyes of a male, the perfect grooms cake must capture the personality of the groom, as well as offer a bit of humor to the event in which it is presented. However, some cakes will send the wrong message to the groom no matter how creative the idea.

The first cake we must address is the Guinness Grooms Cake. This cake is alcohol-free and is unfortunately not available in a keg or on draft. Actually any cake adorned to appear like a cold brew is a humorous choice for a groom that enjoys his beer. I believe this cake could turn a drab, stiff wedding into an occasion any male would enjoy.

The Tools and Chocolate Grooms Wedding Cake embodies the hard working side of a man, not typically depicted on a cake. As the groom goes to cut this cake on his big day, a hard hat is not required, but would be perfect attire to complete the aura of such a masculine baked good. Brides, do not let your groom use the tools as they're most likely frosting.

However inappropriate this cake may be for super formal events, the Horse Poop Grooms Cake WILL make every male in the room laugh. What pulls this cake off, to me, and adds a sense of realism are the candy flies swarming the sweet chocolatey nuggets. Mmmm, can you imagine now which piece you'll choose?

To show her appreciation for finding such a great catch, the Bride should present this humorous grooms cake as a surprise to her new husband during their wedding reception. The cake offers a modern spin to the classic image of a caveman dragging his girlfriend by her hair back to the comfort of his cave. For all the recipients of this cake, consider getting used to the term "yes dear".

The last cake we'll address is the Sports Team Grooms Wedding Cake. Every man has his favorite sports team, and what better way is there to pay homage to such an iconic institution than at your very own wedding! A groom and all his best men will find no greater joy than to indulge themselves with a bite out of the logo of their favorite team.

The groom's wedding cake is possibly one of the most important aspects of a wedding. From giving the room humor, to paying respect, to sending the right message, your cake should focus on what is most important to the groom on his and his bride's big day.

I think party favors at a wedding reception can make a huge statement to guests about the bride and groom, but they sometimes get overlooked as not being very important.

I recently saw an idea in the February 2009 issue of Better Homes and Gardens that sparked some other ideas for great wedding favors. If I had it to do over again (which, I'm glad I don't!), I would definitely consider using these ideas related specifically to my hobby: cooking.

There are websites such as BHG.com/tastebook that will help you design your own recipe booklet. You choose the cover design, title, add your photos and recipes and they create it for you. I think this would be a creative, usable wedding favor.

The other idea is to find mini kitchen utensils such as a whisk and spatula that can be tied together with ribbon and a tag with the poem, "Recipe for a Happy Home" (which you can find on the internet).
Either of these can be used as place cards if you're having a sit-down wedding reception. Or you can simply display them in a large stockpot or colander for your guests to pick up on their way out. With so many people into cooking these days, I thought these ideas would be great incorporated into a wedding reception.

If you're not the creative type, there are some great vendors on Wedding and Party Network who have fantastic wedding favors. In fact, many of them have awesome and creative ideas for ready-made party favors related to hobbies that will fit your interests. Any hobby can be a great wedding favor theme. I found this interesting garden theme wedding favor at Claudia's Mementos. This would be a fantastic idea for couples who love to garden.

So if you're not a cook like I am, think about the things you could use as wedding favors that are related to your hobby. If you love it, they will too.

You might not think "rustic" and "wedding reception" go together, but getting back to nature is especially trendy—and beautiful—when it comes to wedding reception decorations and venues. Whether you live in Boston, Seattle or Dallas, having your wedding reception outdoors in a rustic barn, pavilion or just a spacious backyard can be an especially festive setting.

Functional Outdoor Wedding Reception Decorations

Bring out the galvanized steel tubs to use for everything from iced-down beverages to party favors. Tin buckets and planters look revived as centerpiece containers with fresh cut flowers from the garden. Checkered and vintage tablecloths and napkins set a beautiful table and lend an air of casual elegance to the reception. Old, weathered pieces of wood can be used as signage to direct guests, while outdoor string lights and mismatched candleholders light their way. Decorating can be as simple as draping sheer white fabric along the walls and ceiling and accenting with dried grapevine for a lovely, rustic touch.

Rustic Reception Food With Elegance
Just because your reception may be outdoors doesn’t mean you have to fire up the grill and serve burgers and hot dogs. Beef tenderloin, in-season roasted garden vegetables and a spring mix salad with nuts, fresh fruit and a fresh herb vinaigrette served on mismatched china only reinforces the feel of casual elegance. You can also serve locally made wine with the meal. Use your imagination to transform any rustic outdoor setting into an elegant reception venue that you’ll always remember.

Every week I read several wedding blogs, look at several wedding pictures and discuss a multitude of wedding ideas with anyone willing to talk to me. This week I came upon two unique wedding decoration ideas. Both of these decorations involved wedding flowers.

I love flowers, especially unique wedding flowers that give you a glimpse into the personality of the bride. I think that is why these two approaches caught my interest. The first came from a discussion I had with Scott Darhower, a florist from Tampa Florida (he owns Apple Blossoms Floral Design). Scott and I were discussing creative container ideas for floral arrangements when he mentioned vintage glass containers.

Wedding Flowers Using Decor From Past Generations
Not long ago, he created some lovely flower arrangements for one of his brides. Scott really pays attention to the personalities of the brides he works with. This bride was particularly fond of the her grandmother's antique china. In fact, she uses it often when entertaining.

So when time came for Scott to design floral arrangements for her cocktail reception, he knew exactly what the bride needed. He and the bride canvassed second-hand stores and flea markets until they found a few vintage glass pieces.

Scott then created soft romantic flower arrangements using the vintage glass and an array of creamy white flowers. Later the bride displayed these vintage glass pieces in her china cabinet along side her grandmothers antique china. What a fabulous idea! Using vintage or sentimental containers as part of your wedding flower decorations is a fantastic way to honor the romance of the past generations. The best part is you will forever have an elegant wedding keepsake.

***Just a little hint for grooms – take a piece of the vintage glass used in your wedding to your florist before your anniversary. Have the florist recreate your wedding flowers and deliver it to your wife.***

Pictures And Perfect Wedding Flowers

The second cool wedding flower decoration involved photos. No, not picture taking. Rather a display of pictures of the bride and groom. This awesome wedding decoration came from Markita Brewster, a Fort Campbell KY wedding consultant. She owns Beautiful Weddings On a Budget. At the wedding reception of one of her brides, the wedding flowers were arranged in a photo cube.

What a clever idea! The Casablanca lilies gave the photo cubes an elegant look and the photos were a great way for guests to recall memories of the bride and groom. You could even include pictures of the guests with the bride or groom and place them on the table where they will be seated. This is also a creative way to have a unique flower arrangement and still stay within your budget.

Now that I've shared my unique wedding flower decoration ideas, I hope you will share yours. I can't wait to see them.