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Archives for October 2013

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Joining Hearts with the KC Minister of Love

The person officiating your wedding matters. They need to be professional, understand their role in the proceedings and be experienced. A confident, well-spoken officiant gives any ceremony a boost and ensures a flawless, well-rehearsed delivery of his or her lines. You want a minister who understands the bride and groom are the centerpieces of the ceremony and should be showcased, allows them to choose the vows that best represent them and offers an unbiased ceremony that best fits the beliefs of you and your betrothed.

Nondenominational and Suited to You

In Kansas City, MO there is a minister who meets all of these criteria. Her name is Amy M. Pulver, but her self-styled title is the KC Minister of Love! Amy is a non-denominational ordained minister and is ready to perform your ceremony to your specifications.

With over ten years experience in joining lives together in marriage, Amy is excited to share her knowledge and experience with you, your fiancé and all the guests you choose to invite! She has a variety of packages available as well as a list of recommended site locations and elopement site locations.

As a non-denominational minister, Amy approaches the ceremony from a place of non-judgement. She believes in the joining of two spirits into one through well-springs of love and ceaseless devotion. She conducts the ceremony with your desires in mind.

Experience and Adaptability

Amy didn't originally set out to officiate weddings. In fact, she has been and still is a paralegal. She first dabbled her toes in the pool of wedding officiating back in 2000 as a Notary Public in Florida, the only requirement necessary to perform marriages there. She moved to Kansas City in 2006 and scrambled to become an ordained minister so that she could continue the practice. She feels it is something that God has led her to, and she has embraced it fully!

Now, over 300 weddings later, Amy is able to give you the ceremony that you desire. She even has an associate who is able to conduct ceremonies completely in Spanish! If you are in the Kansas City area, do not hesitate to contact the KC Minister of Love. She is willing and able to make your most important day a great one!

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Wedding Wednesday – Last Minute Tips & Tricks

Your Wedding Wednesday Question

Are there any last-minute tips or tricks that may help me on my wedding day?

Answer:

The best tip that you will ever hear is just to enjoy it. Things don't always go as planned, so don't stress over it. You've spent months planning, so now is the time to sit back, relax and enjoy your wedding day!

We hope this answered your question!
If you have more wedding questions, send them to: social@weddingandpartynetwork.com
Every Wednesday we will post answers to your biggest wedding questions.

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Make it Beautiful with Flowered Events

Flowers are the building blocks for any wedding. They are used to make the bride's bouquet, the groom's boutonniere and more of the same for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They can provide decoration for the reception room, tables and even the wedding cake! No wedding can be complete without flowers.

The Importance of Flowers

Because their role is so broad and far-reaching, flowers are of the utmost importance when planning your wedding. If you are in the Buncombe County area of North Carolina, nobody understands that better than Lizzee Dickman of Flowered Events! Lizzee specializes in wedding flowers of all types and offers a variety of wedding packages perfect for any budget or desire.

Lizzee understands that it can be difficult to meet with your florist over and over to get the details exactly right, but she also knows how important it is that those details be perfect. As such, she welcomes email consultations! This allows you to answer her questions at your leisure while ensuring that everything turns out exactly how you want it. If you want updates as she is preparing your wedding flowers, Lizzee is even willing to take photos and email them to you as she goes! That way you know exactly what you're getting and can make any last minute changes before the flowers are delivered!

The Best Events are Flowered Events

Lizzee Dickman is the owner and operator of Flowered Events. She is an accomplished watercolor artist, but turned her artistic talents and long-standing love of flowers to floral design when she opened a flower shop in her native California in 1999. She now lives in Buncombe County NC and offers her services as a wedding design specialist!

Lizzee has over a decade of experience in floral design and fashions every bouquet and boutonniere special for her client. Each piece is uniquely designed and realized, resulting in a gorgeous finished product that will never be duplicated. When you use Lizzee and Flowered Events, you get something beautiful made only for you.

Flowers are the premiere decoration for your wedding. Let Flowered Events help you to make them great!

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Top 3 Fall Bridal Shower Themes

If fall is bridal season for any of your friends or family, get creative with celebrating! Honor your loved ones by showering them with all that this season has to offer. There are many great ideas and themes to choose from, just make sure it fits their personality and style. To get you started, here are 3 great ideas that make great fall bridal shower themes.

RUSTIC: Fall is such a great season to utilize nature. If your bride-to-be enjoys more of a laid back and vintage feel to her party, bring nature inside for your decor. It can be as simple as taking some pretty, glass jars already lying around your house and filling them with leaves from your backyard. **PIC**You can do the same thing with sticks or acorns from your yard. Gather them together and use them with your leaves for inexpensive table centerpieces.

APPLES and PUMPKINS: Put together, these are really appealing to the eye. They're also great to pair together for a fall bridal shower. Use them in your decor or send small gala apples and miniature pumpkins home with your guests as favors. Apple cider is a cozy beverage for you all to sip while you're celebrating. You can also make fun drinks for the shower guests with apple peels and cinnamon sticks in them for flavor and texture.

SPORTS FAN: Do you know a bride who is a big sports fan, as well as her soon-to-be husband? Fall brings football, specifically, and it's fun to bring out this part of the bride's personality for their special party. Put a girly touch on tailgating foods and drinks for your menu. You can also get a football and have all of the bride's closest friends and family decorate and sign it. Give it to her at the end of the party as a keepsake from this special occasion.

Planning a bridal shower this fall? Be sure to go with a theme fit for the season!

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Don't Be Bored Stiff this Day of the Dead!

November 2nd is the Day of the Dead! Who's excited?!

Oh, c'mon! You know the Day of the Dead, right? No? Okay, let me break it down for you.

What is the Day of the Dead?

For those who are unfamiliar, the Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday with roots sinking deep into the native soil. This tradition has been observed, in one way or another, somewhere between 2500 and 3000 years. That puts it up there as one of the longest standing holidays ever!

As the name implies, the Day of the Dead is a day to honor your ancestors and those loved ones who have passed on. However, unlike many American funeral traditions, this holiday is not a strictly somber occasion. It is a celebration of those who have gone before, a day to honor them, yes, but also to share amusing anecdotes or remembrances of their lives and to have an enjoyable time, almost as if you are sharing the evening with them once again. In fact, the belief is that their spirits return to enjoy the night with you as a family once again.

Day of the Dead Traditions

  • Candy Skulls – Skulls are a traditional accoutrement for this holiday, but these days they are made from sugar or chocolate and not, you know, bone. This makes them less macabre and decidedly more delicious!
  • Marigolds – Considered the flowers of the dead, these blooms are a necessary compliment to any Day of the Dead celebration.
  • Food and Drink – Another tradition is to provide and consume the favorite food and drink of the loved ones you are celebrating! My grandpa loved steak. I look forward to raising a fork in his honor this November 2nd!
  • Decorations – Another great Day of the Dead tradition is tissue paper decorations and cardboard skeletons. If you have some Halloween decorations left over from your big bash, this is the perfect time to pull them back out. Or, since Halloween was only two days prior, perhaps they are still up!
  • Tomb Decoration – Decorating the tombs or more likely gravestones of your loved ones is a long-standing tradition. This is normally done as a group, and sometimes the procession to the graveyard can become a mini-parade!

The Day of the Dead is a valuable and fun holiday. It is a great reason to gather family and friends together for laughs and good times as well as an opportunity to remember those loved ones who have passed on. Don't just sit around your place being bored stiff this November 2nd, celebrate the Day of the Dead!

If you find yourself lacking some of the traditional items needed, check out our Party Supplies!

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Inspirational Friday – Winter Colors

Here at Wedding and Party Network we want to give you inspiration for your wedding and party details. The details are what sets your wedding and party apart from anyone else. The colors, theme, detailing and style all creates your wedding day style and conveys your party theme. So, today's Inspirational Friday will focus on winter colors.

Winter weddings are absolutely stunning! They're gorgeous and are all about the glitz and glam. So, what colors are popular within winter weddings? Well, you could always go with a beautiful winter white or even an ice blue. Another option is going with deep hues. It just depends on your sense of style. Whatever you choose, it will simply be amazing and unforgettable.

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Get In The Spirit With Halloween DIY!

Are you ready for an all-night scary movie marathon, dancing in your cool costume and feasting on more candy treats than any other celebration?

Time to get your Halloween on and that means for your house as well! If you are hosting a orange and black soirée this year, here are some of the easiest ways to make your party decor a smash!

The best part about these DIY projects is you can knock them out in just a few hours and still have time for casting spells and howling at the moon. So play some spooky music and get in the spirit of Halloween!

DIY Halloween Projects

Paper Banner

Creating a paper Halloween banner is easy and can help create a focal point in your room. You can say it big or small without much effort.

"Happy Halloween" and "Trick or Treat" and "Boil Bubble Toil and Trouble" are classics.

But get creative! Have a favorite quote or something that would tie into your party theme? Spell it out with a banner.

  • Take a look at these free Halloween fonts! Pick your favorite and print out your letters. Use a whole page for a large banner or half a page for a smaller one.
  • You can trim each letter and back it with slightly bigger scrapbook paper to create a colored border.
  • Hole-punch each top corner and string through with some ribbon or twine.

DONE! Now your are ready to hang your message that won't go unnoticed by your guests.

Throw Pillows

Any designer will tell you that decorative throw pillows are the perfect way to add some spice to your space. And at a party, having decor that is both festive and functional makes your house all the more inviting.

We love this excellent tutorial for Glitter Blast Halloween Pillows by Chapman Place blog. This is a project that utilizes inexpensive and easy to sew canvas drop cloths and glitter spray paint to create awesome pillows you are going to keep around years!

Create your own set of Halloween pillows for your couch, armchair or porch swing.

Pumpkin Decor

There are so much more to pumpkins than just carving!

While carving a pumpkin is a great tradition and there are many amazing ways to be creative with cut designs, don't overlook the beauty and mystery of different pumpkin varieties.

Hit up your local farmer's market or pumpkin patch for some more unusual types than what you find at the grocery store. You can use pumpkins to create a great centerpiece, accent a shelf, or line your walkway. The possibilities are endless and they will last all season. Let nature show off with these colorful and highly textured pumpkin varieties.

Upcycled Display Jars

Add a touch of witch-y elegance to your party snacks with these display jars. Stuff with your favorite Halloween treats like candy, cookies and especially anything colorful that will add to your table.

  • Remove the labels from jars of different shapes and sizes.
  • Use a nail and a hammer to punch a small hole in the lid.
  • Screw on a drawer pull or knob from your local home improvement store.
  • Paint the lids and knobs with black, orange, green, purple or whatever color fits your theme.

Voilà! Not only have you upcycled some beautiful glass but you've helped build a tablescape perfect for anything you have brewing in the cauldron.

    

Finishing Touch Ideas

Use cotton "spiderwebs" to stretch over your existing decor. This a fast and easy way to give everything in the room a haunted touch without a lot of work.  Remember the thinner and more wispy you can pull the webs – draping them across objects and connecting from high points to low points – the more realistic they will look.  Suddenly your packed bookshelf, framed photos, and lamps are now part of the party decor.

Change the lighting in your bathroom. Put a eerie green light in the fixture over the shower. Hang a paper lantern decked out with bat silhouettes. Place a dozen tea lights or jar candles in front of the mirror. Choose whatever works best for your space. By adding this extra touch in a place where party guests are most likely to stop and notice the decor, you will really tie the atmosphere of your event together.

Place black paper silhouettes in windows, then cover with colored tissue paper for a simple glowing effect! As your party-goers or trick-or-treaters arrive, windows filled with fun images – spiky monsters, black cats, twisted tree branches, witches – and illuminated by your indoor lights make a welcoming sight on Halloween night.

Faux cobbwebs, colored lights and ghostly cutouts are simple ways to transform your house into Halloweentown. Find your closest party store here.

With your house totally party-prepped, you'll be ready for all the excitement October 31st brings with it. Enjoy this fun holiday!

Photos provided by Chapman Place and WPN

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Wedding Wednesday: Can I Email "Thank You" Notes?

Your Wedding Wednesday Question

Is it acceptable to email a thank you note for wedding gifts?

Answer:

A handwritten thank you card is certainly traditional. Just like the wedding invitations. Handwritten notes are more personal and are extra special because people so rarely send physical letters anymore. Just like with any wedding tradition, you will have people on both sides. Some that consider it rude and some that feel it is perfectly ok.

The most important thing is try to consider your recipients. They took the time to purchase and give you a gift. Some will take the time to wrap it beautifully or mail it directly to you. They deserve a heartfelt "thank you." So how is the best way to express this? That choice is up to you.

One thing to consider is that unless you have some very 'with it' family and friends, there will always be someone on the list that requires an actual card. So will sending emails really save you that much time if you still have people on your list that don't have email or aren't likely to check it often?

Can you combine the best of both worlds by typing and printing the card messages then have both husband and wife sign each card? If you are really debating which is ok for your friends and family, a traditional mailed "Thank You" is the safest bet.

Perhaps you are worried you won't make the time to respond promptly via post. In this case, an email might be right for you. After all, any thank you is better than no thank you at all! Keep in mind a relatively quick response is expected, especially for individuals that mailed their gifts. Without a response, they are left wondering if your package arrived.

But the next question is – Why stop at just email? Technology is a wonderful thing. Take advantage!
Here are some ways you can make a digital thank-you even more special:

  • Include a link to a digital photo album from the wedding.
  • Embed individual photos that feature the person who you are thanking.
  • Take a quick photo of the gift in its new home or with you and your new spouse.
  • Use those gift photos to create an online album of Wedding Thank Yous and then tag people.
  • Record a thank you video and attach  it to an email. It could be a general one you send to everyone or make it personalized.

We hope this answered your question!
If you have more wedding questions, send them to: social@weddingandpartynetwork.com
Every Wednesday we will post answers to your biggest wedding questions.

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The First Sweet Bite From Top Tier Cakery

Your wedding cake is the centerpiece of your reception and the cutting of that cake is often the first thing a new bride and groom do together as a married couple. You want the moment to be grand, memorable and uniquely you. This is where an outstanding cake from Top Tier Cakery comes in!

Decadent and Daring Chocolate Cake
Award-winning & Experienced Means Excellence

Located in Traverse, Michigan, this custom cake boutique operates within the highest possible standards of quality and artistry.

Touting the business as an appointment-only couture cake design studio and bakery, Top Tier's work has won multiple awards including tying for 1st Place with their own work at Michigan's Sugar Art Showcase!

Imagine Your Most Delectable Wedding Cake

Finally a bakery that takes your wildest imagination to the limit! They don't bother with a set list of cake flavors and fillings. You get to pick your perfect cake.

The most popular flavor combinations are classic white cake with raspberry filling and dark fudge cake with chocolate butter cream filling but no reason to stop there! So far, this is a bakery that has never had a flavor challenge they couldn't create with style and flair.

Every ingredient is fresh and made to order so during your consultation, you can let your sweet tooth do the talking and decide what is right for your big day.

Make Your Occasion Extra Special

All those milestones in a person's life – graduation, marriage, birth of a child, a promotion, retirement — are meant to be celebrated and there is no better way than with a sweet delectable dessert like cake.  Choose a bakery that is eager to work with you one on one and express the joyful emotion of your occasion with artistry, excellence and an unyielding attention to every detail.

So much has gone into preparing for your wedding day. Let your unique designer cake from Top Tier Cakery be the sweet reward you share with everyone on your guest list.

 

 

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Halloween Entertaining: Getting Your House Ready

When it comes to hosting, there's really only one rule worthy of focusing on: make people feel comfortable. It's easy to obsess over preparing for the people you are inviting into your home, leaving you super exhausted once the party actually starts. So, here are a few tips that will help you prepare before the party, as well as actually enjoying it too.

Spooky Halloween Decor
Don't over-clean: Obviously you want your home to be presentable, but sometimes a spotless house puts forth a stiff vibe. There's nothing that says, "Let's just relax and have fun" like imperfection.

Be your own guest: It might seem silly, but walking outside and then going back into your house like you are a guest can give you a fresh perspective. Maybe you didn't notice that your living room could use some extra seating, or that last night's supper left a stench in your kitchen. This is also a good way to find good placement for decorations. Hanging your favorite fall or Halloween decorations where they can be seen clearly when your guests walk in the door can help set the mood for the night.

Use dessert as a centerpiece: Make a fun cake with plastic spiders on it and display it in the middle of your kitchen table. You were probably going to make a dessert anyway, and now you don't have to worry about any extra frill.

What makes you feel at ease when you walk into someone else's home? Pondering this simple question can ensure that you not only throw a great Halloween party, but you also have provided a place for your friends to take a breather from the stresses of life, if only for an evening.

All in The Details

The party is all about you! Weddings are always remembered, but there are ways to make them even more memorable. Paying attention to the small details of your wedding will make your wedding stand out and have your guests talking. Below are some wedding details you should consider going all out on!