Posts by Celebration Advisor | Celebration Advisor - Wedding and Party Network Blog

January 23, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Ladybug Theme A Simple 1st Birthday Party Idea

My daughter just celebrated her first birthday and my husband and I wanted to come up with a birthday party idea that would be really special for our daughter and memorable for our family and close friends. It was obvious Elisabeth wouldn't comprehend all that was taking place. Nevertheless, we wanted to come up with a memorable first birthday party idea.

We felt that many parents set a dangerous precedent with kids parties that are "over-the-top" with clowns, games, moon bounces, expensive party favors, catered food and the like, but we wanted her party to be about celebrating her. So, we took the theme of her nursery–ladybugs–and we asked a friend who makes cakes to come up with a birthday cake idea around that theme. Wow! Did she ever! She made a Continue reading "Ladybug Theme A Simple 1st Birthday Party Idea" »

January 21, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Let Them Eat Colorful Wedding Cakes!

Following in the footsteps of just about every other wedding accessory trend is the modern popularity of using color on the wedding cake. From pretty in pink wedding cakes to tiers of frosting and cake in blue hues, every color of the rainbow (and sometimes even rainbow patterns) can appear on the wedding cake.

So what makes colorful wedding cakes such a big deal? Traditional weddings taking place even a generation ago rarely strayed from creamy tones of icing and white wedding cake. While this style is still beautiful and Continue reading "Let Them Eat Colorful Wedding Cakes!" »

January 21, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

A Chocolate Theme Wedding Reception–Sweet!

If you’re planning a wedding, especially in the winter months, why not decorate your wedding reception with a chocolate theme? Brown is the new black these days and chocolate brown is showing up everywhere: paired with pink and blue for babies, in leather furniture, handbags, even make-up. You could use chocolate satin fabric to drape windows, stages, round tables and chairs.

Because brown coordinates so perfectly with many colors—pink, turquoise, melon, lavender—it’s a great color to Continue reading "A Chocolate Theme Wedding Reception–Sweet!" »

January 20, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Seasonal Wedding Flower Guide

The Guide to Wedding Flowers by Season

Planning your wedding day is like baking a great chocolate cake. You want to use a tried-and-true recipe, the best ingredients for the most flavor, and all the right tools for a glorious, rich dessert that looks and tastes like a million bucks-but without breaking the bank.

One of the most important decisions you will make about your wedding day is what flowers you will use for your wedding bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, wedding centerpieces, boutonnieres, flower girl flowers and pew flowers. Nothing sets the mood for a wedding like flowers.

Fall Splendor Wedding Bouquet

As the second most expensive item you'll choose (next to the wedding gown), it's important to choose wisely so that you get the most for your money and the atmosphere you desire. Just as in preparing a delicious meal, buying seasonal and local ingredients gives you the best results, both in expense and flavor. The same is true for flowers. Most flowers are distinctive to the seasons, so if you can take advantage of their ready availability, you will not only save money, but also have the best seasonal "ingredients" for your wedding day.

Keep in mind that it's not necessary to use all the same flowers for all your wedding needs. Using a variety of flowers, colors and designs is the trend for today's weddings. According to leading floral expert, Rebecca Cole, "Wedding flowers follow fashion trends, and today, individuality, rather than convention is in style."

While most flowers bloom in a particular season, there are several that bloom year-round. Roses, anthuriums, orchids, tropical flowers, lilies and gerbera daisies are available anytime of the year. Continue reading "Seasonal Wedding Flower Guide" »

January 7, 2009 by Celebration Advisor

Watch Wedding and Party Network On "The Balancing Act"

Wedding and Party Network recently appeared on Lifetime Television's "The Balancing Act." Miss the original airing? Even those of us who couldn't swing the early morning showtime can still watch WPN's segment.

I love entertaining through parties, dinners, game nights and almost any excuse I can think of for having people around. It's an exciting time to develop a bond with your closest friends. My sister is similar but loves wedding planning. Between the two of us, we can spend hours on the Internet planning our events. Thankfully for us, we no longer have to! I remember when I first met Loranne Atwill, vice president of operations for WPN, and was given a quick list of the benefits of a directory of vendors for wedding and party planning. I thought to myself, "That saves so much time!" It wasn't until my next game night that I realized just how much the directory helps.

Today everyone else has a chance to get excited about throwing a party or planning a wedding. Loranne sat down with Danielle Knox of "The Balancing Act" for a few moments to discuss the many benefits of using Wedding and Party Network when planning your special event. You've already heard my favorite benefit–"it saves time"–but now get more information about how Wedding and Party Network works for you straight from Loranne herself!

December 29, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

2009 Party Planning Guide

2009 Entertaining Calendar

Just as clothes, cars, and music change, so does the art of entertaining guests. Over the years, styles and fashions of many different types of parties may have changed, but the desire to host a fashionable and memorable event certainly has not. Guests will look forward to your seeing old and new friends in a comfortable yet exciting atmosphere.

Hosting monthly parties yourself or rotating hosting responsibilities through a group of friends is a great way to get together and have a great time. For 2009, the entertainers guide to hosting great parties is all about creativity. Below we have gathered some ideas to assist you in making a year of entertaining not only memorable for guests, but also effortless for the host.

New Years Disco Party

New Years Day

New Years Day party ideas are usually quite standard, but because there is no real theme to the New Year you can let your creativity and your imagination really flow. Decade theme parties are always a blast. This New Years Day party, host a 70's or 80's themed party fully embracing the theme through music and clothing. Guests dressed up in themed clothing help set the mood and provide much of the decoration for the event. Also, disc jockeys have a tremendous library of music to keep your decade-dressed guests dancing all night long.

Valentines Day

Romantic Music

Romance is in the air for the month of February. Entertaining for Valentines Day calls for a romantic dinner party for couples to come and enjoy good company and great food. Dinner parties are low key social get-togethers that allow all guests to really socialize over a gourmet meal and maybe enjoy some subtle entertainment such as a professional pianist resounding soothing romantic music. To assist the host in planning for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, a professional chef may be of service in presenting a fabulous meal to guests, which allows the host to entertain guests as they arrive.

St. Patrick's Day

Green leprechauns, though always appropriate, are a little bit cliché for St. Patrick's Day parties this year. 2009 calls for creative floral arrangements and imaginative food creations. With the help of a professional florist and caterer, a St. Patrick's Day party will be as easy as 1, 2, and 3.

First, arrange for a florist to create "all green" floral arrangements for the tables of the party venue. Whether a dinner party or cocktail party, these great St. Patrick’s Day arrangements will be the center of attention. Second, great food is the key to a great party. A professional caterer or chef can assist the party host in creating unique "green" dishes from appetizers to desserts. Each course will bring a new exciting layer to the St. Patrick's Day party.

Easter

Easter is the time of year when spring is in the air and new life is brought about by the new season. Easter parties such as teas or luncheons are very appropriate for the spiritual holiday. Delicious desserts paired with tasty teas suit the season as well as the theme of the party. Easter decorations are most exemplified by fresh flowers. Creative, edgy designs using pastel colors can bring a modern twist to an otherwise traditional arrangement. Simple table arrangements with modern tableware will add to the contemporary Easter theme of the party.

Cinco de Mayo

Nothing says "summer" like a sizzling Cinco de Mayo party. The yearly Cinco de Mayo party seems to be the unofficial release of summer. Fresh grilled pineapple shrimp and chicken paired with an assortment of mixed drinks will be sure to keep your guests entertained all night long. Spice things up at your Cinco de Mayo party with a professional mariachi band to entertain guests with festive music. With great grilled food and sensational live music, your Cinco de Mayo party will surely be a hit.

Independence Day

Catering Concepts Grilling For Parties

July 4th is the ultimate time for a backyard barbeque for family and friends. Get creative this year for Independence Day by hosting a barbeque contest. Invite guests over, grills in tote, to face off in the ultimate Independence Day cook off. Not only does the competition give purpose to the party, but also provides other guests with delicious food to munch on all day long.

Labor Day

Also a big grilling holiday, Labor Day parties signify the end of the summer season. Step up your classic outdoor party this year with a professional band to play live music as guests enjoy great food and good company. Create great memories for guests by hiring a professional photographer to take pictures of guests enjoying themselves. Combine the action shots with a fun photo album and you’ve got yourself a creative souvenir for all of your guests.

Halloween

Costume parties are always appropriate for this spooky holiday. However, 2009 brings a new spirit to the ghostly affair. This year, create a creepy haunted house atmosphere for your Halloween party with dim lighting, fake spider webs, antique décor, and several candles of all shapes and sizes. Candles filling a room with just enough light create such a spooky ambiance and a great setting for a Halloween party. Don’t have enough candles to create the look? Several party or wedding vendors carry candles to buy or even rent for one time use.

Thanksgiving

Tradition is tradition for the Thanksgiving holiday. Nothing beats a Thanksgiving celebration like some good food and great company. Invite friends and family over to celebrate the fall season over a fabulous meal. To simplify the hosting duties, hire a caterer or a professional chef to do all the work. Utilizing professionals while hosting a party can relieve stress and allow the host to visit with guests instead of messing with hosting duties.

Christmas

Catered Christmas Party

Holiday parties can be as serious or as carefree as the host desires. Sit-down Christmas meals are always appropriate for a traditional get-together. However, with so many families having traditional sit-down dinners, friendly gatherings usually try to embrace a more relaxed side of Christmas. This year try hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, where all guests are required to wear a Christmas sweater that even their tacky great aunt would be ashamed to wear. Your guests will be laughing all night long.

As the years pass, so do the trends of entertaining. Just remember that classy and creative is always in style when it comes to entertaining guests. As a host, let your personality shine through in the atmosphere of the party and don't forget to use the professionals every now and then to ease the workload!

Contributor: Jordon Robinson

December 26, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

Wedding Gowns With Color–The Hot New Trend In 2009

Colored Trains Look Gorgeous In Any Bustle

It may not be a completely new trend, but adding a splash of color to your wedding gown is definitely a hot, hot trend in 2009 weddings. No matter how you choose to do it, wedding dresses with color are A-list items this wedding season. Here are some examples of how you can stay with the in-style crowd this year.

* Add a colored sash around the waist of your wedding dress. These draw attention to the bodice of the gown while accentuating the train as it drapes down.

* Many wedding gown designers are creating elaborate wedding dresses with colored trains. These usually Continue reading "Wedding Gowns With Color–The Hot New Trend In 2009" »

December 23, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

Unique Ceremony Locations in Sedona, Arizona

Wedding Chapel at Tlaquepaque

You will not believe how cool and unique this wedding ceremony location is. Believe it or not, it's a shopping centre in Sedona Arizona called "Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village." It's incredible!

For starters, Sedona Arizona outdoor wedding venues are already wonderful because they are set in Red Rocks country. Nature has its hold on the influences in the area, so outdoor weddings here are grand ideas. For those who don't want to share their nuptials in the out of doors, Tlaquepaque has that covered too. There is an indoor wedding chapel decorated with art inspired by Old Mexico to match the theme of the rest of the village.

If you're anything like me, your first thought when you heard "shopping centre" and "ceremony location" in the same sentence was "No way, Jose!" but don't rule out Tlaquepaque so fast. One of the really unique features about Tlaquepaque is also one of it's most noticeable features. It's an Old Mexican themed village with art, dining, shopping, and special events all under one fabulous sky shrouded by towering Sycamore trees, tiled pathways, courtyard fountains, and blossoming gardens. What's Continue reading "Unique Ceremony Locations in Sedona, Arizona" »

December 12, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

Ask The Expert: What Gifts Can I Send For Kwanzaa?

Ask The Expert: I have been invited to attend a Kwanzaa celebration at a friend's house. What do I need to know a Kwanzaa and what kind of hostess gift etiquette applies?

Wedding and Party Network: That's a great question! Many people want to help friends and loved ones enjoy Kwanzaa though they themselves have not celebrated the holiday. Enjoying Kwanzaa for the first time is also a significant occasion that merits special attention. Even those who have celebrated Kwanzaa for years can benefit from understanding the holiday's gift giving etiquette.

First, let's start with some background information on Kwanzaa. The holiday was founded in Continue reading "Ask The Expert: What Gifts Can I Send For Kwanzaa?" »

December 6, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

What To Have In Your Bridal Emergency Kit

Ideally, we would all have our weddings run smoothly without complications or snaffoos. (What a fun word!) However, this is rarely the case. Many prepared brides or their maids of honor come to the ceremony equipped with a bridal emergency kit. These kits help to quickly tame any wild issues that may arise so that the bride can have an unspoiled, wonderful wedding ceremony.

"What goes into a bridal emergency kit?" This is the question on everyone's mind. There are many items that can calm a range of situations. Here is a list of our favorite items to carry with you on your wedding day: Continue reading "What To Have In Your Bridal Emergency Kit" »

Ladybug Theme A Simple 1st Birthday Party Idea

Let Them Eat Colorful Wedding Cakes!

A Chocolate Theme Wedding Reception–Sweet!

Seasonal Wedding Flower Guide

Watch Wedding and Party Network On "The Balancing Act"