Jordon Robinson

May 12, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Summer Destination Weddings- Smooth Sailin’

With summer right around the corner, it’s hard for me not to daydream about the romantic possibilities that the quixotic destination wedding holds. It almost seems as if a movie is taking place around your life; a movie that is embedded in your mind for the rest of your life. Destination weddings have become even more popular over the past few years. Which has in turn resulted in a demand for more destination wedding options from travel providers and wedding coordinators.

A popular option for destination weddings are Cruise Weddings. (And no, I don’t mean you have to get married on the cruise ship.) Many couples are taking the cruise opportunity as a means of transportation to their favorite island. While the boat is docked, they take this time to exchange vows and celebrate on the beach, or a venue on the island. When the day is done, everyone heads back to the boat to enjoy more all-inclusive meals and drinks. This is a great way to minimize costs to guests, keep things simple, and have a good time in the process.

With any destination wedding, legal documents can be a bit of a hassle. Make sure that if you are getting married out of country you have all of the correct paperwork and certificates required or you might not be legally wed when you return home. Most travel agencies or cruise lines can help you with this paper work if you let them know your plans. Travel agents are very useful in this type of situation also. If you have a travel agent helping you plan your destination wedding, they can help you get your marriage documents together to ensure a smooth process.

Be sure to look into making your destination wedding and honeymoon smooth sailin’ this summer with a destination wedding cruise. Whether just the bride and groom or the entire family, destination wedding cruises have something for all ages to enjoy. Your guests will be thrilled!

April 10, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Chef, Host, And Party Planner: You Can Do It All With These Party Tips

You’ve decided to host the party at your house and bravely prepare the food yourself. Although I prefer to use a caterer, I have occasionally prepared the food myself for one of my informal shin-digs. These are some helpful tips that will keep things running smoothly around the table while still allowing you to enjoy the party.

Keep things simple. Purchase snacks like chips, dips, salsa, nuts, cold cuts, bread, and prepared salads. This cuts down on prep time in the kitchen. All you’ll have to do is open and serve. Tip: serve gourmet chips or specialty nuts like wasabi nuts or pita chips to give your snacks an upscale attitude.
Incorporate healthy dishes based on fruits, vegetables, and grains for those friends of yours that might be on a diet. This is another easy way to make your food table look fancy.
Serve buffet-style. Spread selections of vegetables, dips, finger-foods and pre-sliced meats around the table on small platters. This will help keep people moving around the food without forming a long line.
Make it a BYOB and ask your guests to bring wine, beer or soda. This is not considered rude at all if the party is for more than 8 people and an informal drop in get-together.
Don’t try to manage all of the trash with that tiny container under the sink. Create well placed and clearly marked areas for trash throughout the house. This way you won’t have to change trash bags every five minutes and guests won’t have to hunt for a place to discard their trash.
Be sure to have plenty of ice on hand. There is nothing worse than running out of ice at a party.
Set and dress your table before your guests arrive.
Wrap utensils in napkins and place them for your guests to easily grab and hold.
Designated an area in your kitchen for storing “refill” food until it is needed. You will need a shelf in your refrigerator for the cold items, a warm oven for the hot items, and a place on the counter for chips and the like. This way you can easily refill the buffet table.

The most important tip is to be prepared. Prepare and store everything that you can the day or at least several hours before the party. Following these tips will help you throw a successful party that you can enjoy.

April 3, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

5 Hot Wedding Cake Trends For 2009

There are several wedding cake trends gaining popularity this year. These high fashion fondant creations are sure to catch the eye of every guest and make mouths water from miles around. Consider these ideas when meeting with your wedding cake consultant.
1. Black and White Pattern Wedding Cakes. It seems everywhere you look you’ll see the Parisian wallpaper trend. So, why not in the wedding scene? This design is very elegant and quite stunning on a round tiered wedding cake. To blend this trend in with your other wedding decorations, use the pattern on other things such as napkins or tablecloth overlays.

2. CHOCOLATE!!! Forget traditional vanilla, switch it up! This year several brides are choosing dark chocolate truffle wedding cakes with beautiful detail and glamour. Give chocolate a chance! If you’re scared of the rich flavor, serve fruit along side such as raspberries or strawberries.

3. No Flowers Needed Just Crisp Details. Arts and crafts has gone chic in the wedding world this year. Crisp lines, exposed stitching and seamstress inspired details top the cake trends this season. Add detail to a light hued cake with vintage fondant buttons and fancy piping for a high fashion quilted look.

4. No Ordinary Shape Will Do. Brides are exploring their wedding cake shape options cakes this year. Oval tiers, cube tiers, and even asymmetric tiers (this can be complicated). These new styles are fresh and creative ways to spice up the otherwise ordinary cake shapes. Some of these new styles do compromise the amount of cake you get. So these might be great ideas for small, intimate weddings.

5. Small Makes A Big Statement. All the rage this year, mini cakes have become popular practically overnight. These mini cakes or personal cakes are part of the wedding decor. They surround the wedding cake and are adorned with a contrasting color to create a visual delight and a tasty treat. Mini cakes can also become gifts for guests. Package these cakes in favor boxes to send home with guests for wedding favors. (Two bird’s with one stone!)

Take these ideas along when you meet with your wedding cake consultant or baker and explore the options of a high fashion wedding cake for your 2009 wedding! Happy eating!

March 17, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

The Secret To The Ultimate 2009 Prom

Prom Night. This eventful evening is quite possibly the most anticipated night of the year for high school teenagers across the nation. From the prom dress to the prom limo, every detail of the evening must be perfect to fulfill those high expectations. Of course there is the actual dance, but the prom experience is so much more than a few slow dances with your high school sweetheart. Prom night is about dressing up in glamorous prom dresses and handsome suits and cramming all of the activities that you can into the most memorable night of your life. This exciting night starts by taking thousands of pictures of you and your date before you leave.

More than just “Taking Prom Pictures”

Prom pictures are a very important part of the prom experience. They are what makes those wonderful prom night memories last forever.

It is best to take these pictures before the festivities begin so prom hair has not gone flat and prom corsages are still vibrant with color. However, everyone meeting just to take 100 pictures in the same pose is somewhat boring. Why not turn the boring “picture taking” into a “hors d’oeuveres and cocktails” hour? Remember, pictures can be taken as friends and family arrive.

Prom pictures should include more than just photos of couples. This night is about friendship and fun, so have pictures taken with friends as well. While waiting for their turn in front of the camera, prom-goers can enjoy fancy snacks and fruity drinks before the crew heads out for dinner. A table filled with delicious food and a fancy floral centerpiece will set the elegant mood for the night. Starting the night with this type of party and atmosphere allows for nerves to settle and uptight dates to loosen up before the big night.

Prom Dining – Go Big or Go Home

Now some prom-goers choose to skip out on the dinner plans on prom night. However, sitting down for a nice meal before a long night of fun is advised. A pre-prom meal helps to calm jittery nerves and allows you and your date to relax before the actual prom dance. Dinner is also a fantastic experience to share with other friends that will be attending the prom. To add an exceptional touch to the night, you and a few of your friends could take a stretch limo from the hors d’oeuveres party to dinner and then to the prom. A stretch limo will add to the red carpet feel of all your prom night activities.

If you choose to go to dinner, be sure and choose a restaurant appropriate for prom attire. For example, it would be quite odd to see a guy in a tux and a gal in an evening gown eating at McDonald’s. The point is that you want to fit in with the atmosphere of the restaurant. Low lighting, tablecloths, and fancy tableware are good indications that the restaurant is appropriate for prom apparel. Last but not least – Enjoy Dinner! It’s not everyday that you get to wear an evening gown and tuxedo out to a fancy dinner in a limo!

Grand March – Prom On Display

Not all schools have a “Grand March.” However, they have recently become a popular trend. During the Grand March individuals and couples are announced by name as they parade down a carpet.

This allows all of the other attendees and parents to see each and every person that has come to the prom. It is basically your “10 seconds of fame”. Everyone’s eyes are on you, ooo-ing and aww-ing as you walk down the carpet.

If your school does not have a Grand March prom tradition, it might be a good idea to suggest adding it to the itinerary this year!

Prom – “At Last”

It seems as though it is never going to arrive, and once it is here it’s gone in a flash. Prom is a fun filled night of dancing, laughing, and for some, falling in love. Not a dancer? You can still enjoy the band at prom. Who knows? Your feet might start tapping to the beat. Whether you are with a date or by yourself, remember that the prom experience is what you make it. Good attitudes make good memories and fun times, so be sure to leave the house with a smile!

After-Prom Breakfast

The party is not over just because the DJ is packing up and going home. One final destination is in store to make the perfect prom night: The After Prom Breakfast.

A parent or group of parents usually hosts these parties at their home or at an event hall. Either way, this is a very important part of the night. It is where all of the students get to gather together, take off those uncomfortable tuxedos and dresses, eat some good food, and reminisce about the fun times they have had over the past few hours.

This after prom breakfast can be as elaborate or as casual as you like. Prom party decorations such as streamers, balloons, and fun centerpieces are a nice added touch to the atmosphere and help create more of a “party” environment. Food for the after-prom breakfast can be catered to help save the host time and stress. Of course you will need to find a caterer who will agree to work at an odd hour or one who will provide the food at a normal hour that will only need to be reheated.

Remember that you only have one senior prom, and the memories made that prom night will last you a lifetime. So, go all out in 2009 and make it a prom that any high school student would envy. Caterers, limo services, and restaurants are booked up pretty fast. Therefore, be sure and make reservations for services well ahead of time to be sure you have everything you need to make your 2009 prom a memorable one!

Share your prom story with Wedding and Party Network. Go to https://www.weddingandpartynetwork.com/blog/ask-share/ and tell us all about your prom.

Got prom pictures? Send your prom pictures to Wedding and Party Network and we’ll post them on our photo gallery for all your friends to see. Go to http://www.weddingandpartynetwork.com/gallery/send and upload your favorite pics.

March 13, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Not Your Ordinary Wedding Shower

It’s coming up on wedding season once again. Just like years in the past, I am frantically scrambling to come up with creative ideas for my friends’ bridal showers. I feel like every wedding shower is the same: table full of gifts, assortment of finger foods with punch, and lots of females in fancy pastel dresses. This year, I wanted to do something different. This year, I want to host an exciting wedding shower!

I came to the conclusion that to be able to shake things up a bit we needed to do three things:

1) Have the shower in the evening.

2) Invite the boys.

3) Serve amazing food (and drinks of course).

By having the wedding shower in the evening, the atmosphere will be more like that of a dinner party; a relaxed atmosphere where people can have great conversations instead of a stuffy “Sunday shower” environment.

Bringing the boys along allows the groom to be in on some of the special catering the bride gets so much of in the months leading up to the big day. It also gives the guys and gals a chance to mingle. ( Tip: It is a good idea to let guests know that this is a good shower for “manly gifts” like Bar-b-que tools).

When hosting a party in the evening, the food must be a little more extensive than hors d’oeuvres. As you probably know, I am a fan of the caterer. If you aren’t a multi-tasker who can cook and host at the same time, have the party catered or do restaurant carry out. However if you are brave enough, you could pull it together on your own. Nothing fancy required, just enough to get those stomachs full and maybe a signature dish or two. In fact, a great idea for a spring wedding shower is to serve ribs with slaw, beans and rolls and for dessert – “bridal shower” cupcakes. Many bar-b-que places will customize your order based on how many guests you are expecting. All you have to do is take it home and set it out to serve. It’s always a great hit with the male guests too! To really take the party to new heights, add a little spirits with a beer and wine bar.

So, be on the cutting edge in your circle of friends and host a couple’s wedding shower. It is a great way to have a dinner party and honor your firends at the same time.

March 10, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

5 Tips You Whould Use When Choosing Your Wedding Colors

It might be the most frequently asked question of the wedding season, “So, what are your wedding colors?”. As if you haven’t toiled over it enough already. The truth is choosing wedding colors is much easier than you think. The key to creating a stylish and successful wedding color combo is recognizing the relationship amidst the hues. No, you don’t need an Art Degree to apply the ideas. Here’s how you start:

1. Consider the Site. When deciding on colors used for the wedding, it is wise to play up prominent colors offered by your wedding venue. For example, a church layered with burgundy and navy carpet isn’t going to be complimentary setting for lime green and hot pink bridesmaid dresses and bouquets. It simply won’t quite cut it. Instead opt for rosey, blue and cream shades or even burgundy and gold. Selecting complimentary colors makes for a much better wedding color and venue combo.

2. Let The Season Be Your Guide. Mother Nature knows best, so take her advice. The fact is all colors can be used year round. However, it’s the shade of the color that matters from season to season. Light pastel hues are perfect for spring and summer weddings. These same colors can look washed out and inappropriately “springy” in winter months. Reserve the darker shades like burnt orange and hunter greens for fall and winter.

3. Visit the Hardware Store. DON’T go buy a jig saw and start making DIY Wedding Decorations. DO visit the paint section. Paint swatches are a great way to see an entire color palate right down to the exact hues you desire. Pick up a few and stick them in your purse while making wedding arrangements.

4. Pair Colors By Personality. Choose colors that have the same color intensity like baby blue and lavender, rather than baby blue and dark purple. You don’t want a vibrant color overpowering a soft delicate color.

5. Consider Your Friends. Remember, not all colors are easy to wear and you have bridesmaids to dress. Think of them when considering whether to have “sunburst orange” bridesmaids’ dresses. If your bridesmaids are washed out or look ghastly in the color you choose, all eyes will be on them in horror instead of on your with admiration.

Keep these 5 tips in mind when choosing your wedding colors and you’ll be ready to go … without any mortified bridesmaids!

March 2, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Choose A Decade, Any Decade For A Groovy Party Theme

Everyone knows that a party is more fun if there is a theme involved. That’s why whenever hosting a party, I try to have some kind of central idea to focus around whether it be Hawaiian themed, Mexican themed, or holiday themed. Here lately, I have been in a rut with my party theme ideas. I really needed some fresh ideas. So, I started exploring possibilities outside of my norm. I considered weird wacky themes, outlandish themes and even considered recycling some old themes. Then in the midst of my brainstorming, I thought of a new and exciting idea for any kind of party: Decade Themes.

With a decade as a theme, you can incorporate many aspects of entertainment into your party planning including: popular foods, clothes, games, and music. To make sure the theme really takes off, be sure and send out party theme invitations ahead of time incorporating elements of the decade. Let guests know that decade attire is required for the party. Guests decked out in decade party attire will add to another element to your party decorations, not to mention some good laughs. Think of how much fun guests will have putting together outfits for the event. You can even have a contest for the best decade outfit.

Choosing what to serve at your party is completely up to the host. Regular party food is always fine. However if you want to get creative, find or make some foods that were popular during that time. Entertainment is a must. Games are optional of course, but games such as Twister and Super Nintendo sure do bring some laughs to a room full of MC Hammer pants. Of course pumping it up with a little music, is probably the best way to immerse your guests in the decade, as well as, entertain them. To add that special musical ambiance to the party hire a band that plays a variety of songs from the decade. If you can’t find the right live entertainment for your party, a good decade music list from your Ipod will work just fine.

A decade theme party is a fun and unique way to throw a fabloulous shin-dig. So pick a decade and let the good times rock and roll.

February 18, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Take Advantage of Natural Beauty… Outdoor Wedding Table Decorations

I love outdoor weddings. There’s just something about the natural beauty of the greenery that makes them so fabulous. Outdoor wedding reception decorations and table centerpieces can be somewhat tricky though, because you don’t want to take away from the natural scenery. The new overall wedding decoration idea trend is “earthy glamorous” and this theme is even more beautiful outdoors.

This can be done using twigs, leaves, containers of grass, and several other resources. Table decorations and centerpiece options are endless with this theme. Long low containers of grass with a [Read more…]

February 17, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

Wedding Hairstyles: How To Choose The Right One For Your Wedding Day

Next to choosing a dress, choosing a wedding hairstyle for your wedding day is the biggest decision a bride must make. It is not exactly rocket science; up, down, or half up are the three basic hairstyles. With bridal tiaras, hair pins, wedding jewelry, and veils, we must use the wedding hairstyle to tie in all of the accessories in a classic fashion.

Wedding Hairstyles Meet Fashion and Accessories

When deciding how to wear your hair on your wedding day there are many different variables to consider. First, and most important, is the style of wedding dress you have chosen and the neckline that it portrays. Depending on whether the dress is strapless, sweetheart cut, v-neck, or scoop neck, the hairstyle you choose for your wedding day may be changed.

If you are wearing a strapless wedding dress on your wedding day, and want to expose the collarbone and neckline of the dress, an up-do would be the best option to present the silhouette of the shoulders. Although up-do’s are great for strapless dresses, wearing the hair down is very classic and also looks fabulous against the strapless neckline.

Sweetheart necklines are romantic and elegant in nature and look fabulous with a hairstyle that eludes soft curls falling from a half-up hairstyle. This hairstyle is very natural and when done with loose curls is very loving and romantic; perfect for the wedding day! Dresses with straps or sleeves are most elegantly accompanied by a classic up-do. In this case it all depends on how much of the fabric is detailed around the shoulders and neckline of the dress.

Plan Ahead For An Incredibly Beautiful Wedding Hairstyle

On your wedding day, a bride wants to feel as though she stepped out of a fairytale storybook, where everything, including her hair, is perfect. This is why it is so important to meet with your hair stylist in advance and discuss ideas and have a few practice runs before the big day. This ensures that everything on the day of the wedding runs smoothly and you are not disappointed with the final result.

Coming to a final decision on what hairstyle to go with on the wedding day may take quite a bit of thinking and coordinating with other bridal accessories such as the bridal veil and wedding jewelry. The most important thing to remember is when choosing a wedding hairstyle, it is best to look as natural as possible. Find a hairstyle that is similar to how you wear your hair day to day. The key is to look like a more beautiful, you on your wedding day; not someone who you aren’t.

Coordination Is Key To Great Wedding Hairstyles

At your first appointment with the hairstylist, it is suggested that all brides bring a picture of flowers, the dress, any accessories you may be wearing, and maybe a few pictures of the ceremony decorations so the stylist can get an idea of the overall style of the wedding scenery.

The wedding hair stylist will be the most help to you in deciding which hairstyle is best suited for you. However, it is always best to take a friend or family member to the first hair appointment for advice in making a decision.

The wedding theme plays a large factor in selecting a wedding hairstyle and personal wedding accessories. Whimsical wedding decorations with flowing fabrics, delicate flowers, and feminine touches bring out a romantic ambiance that calls for simple but elegant wedding hairstyles and wedding accessories. More modern wedding decorations with bold colors and inventive décor call for more modern, edgy wedding accessories and up-do’s. With pictures of the wedding décor, flowers, and wedding accessories, the hair stylist will be able to help you figure out which hair style is best for your wedding day.

Practice Makes Perfect Wedding Day Hair

You never see an athlete run a race without at least one practice run beforehand, or an opera singer bring down the house without rehearsing several times. To make sure everything runs smoothly on the actual wedding day, it is suggested that every bride have a trial run a few weeks before the wedding day. This means going through all the preparation phases: hair, make-up, and getting the dress on.

First of all, you want to make sure that the bobby pins and hair spray will be able to hold your wedding hairstyle for the length of time that the ceremony and wedding festivities will last. It would be terrible for you to arrive at the ceremony with your up-do unraveling as fast as you can say “I do”. Secondly, you want to make sure you are comfortable. You may love a hairstyle the first few minutes of it being fixed, but after four hours of bobby pins pulling your hair in a million different directions you may have second thoughts. To make sure you are comfortable on your wedding day, have a trial run.

Pre-Wedding Pictures Are A Snap (And Helpful!)

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought “Wow, I look good!” and then reflected on pictures of that same night and hated them? Photos don’t always capture what you want them to which is why the pre-wedding picture session is so necessary. Pictures are a very important part of your wedding day. This is why it is so important to make sure wedding hair and accessories are perfect. What better way to assure your wedding photos are fabulous than to have a pre-wedding picture party? This could be done when bridal photos are taken, or just as a simple trial wedding photo session. By doing this you can rearrange wedding accessories, flowers, tiaras, and any other hair décor that might need to be adjusted for photos on the actual wedding day.

Selecting a wedding hairstyle can be a stressor, but as long as you follow these simple suggestions, you are sure to be confidently stunning on your big day. Choosing your wedding day hairstyle is the hardest part of the process, so when the big day comes, just sit back, relax, and enjoy being pampered on your wedding day!

February 13, 2009 by Jordon Robinson

3 Tips For Successful Bachelor or Bachelorette Parties

Planning a Bachelor or Bachelorette Party? Follow These Tips For Success.

RSVP HEAD COUNT – as the host it is important that you have a count of those who will be attending. You may invite several and may even get several “maybe” answers. However when planning something like this, a head count is crucial and dependent on the RSVPs. Depending on the nature of the party, whether it is a local get together or a weekend getaway to a big city, numbers are necessary to make reservations for dinner, shows and hotel [Read more…]