Kelly Curtis

February 22, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Inspirational Friday – Wedding Ceremonies

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 wedding ceremonies.

Wedding ceremonies are truly special occasions and the main spectacle of weddings. It’s where you are named husband and wife, where guests see your undying love for each other, and where you can both show how much you love each other. Display your wedding colors, floral arrangements, chuppahs, unique lighting and gorgeous aisle decor. Show off your style with your I Do’s during your wedding ceremony.

February 21, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Our Top Gift Picks for Your Bridesmaids

Having your best friends in your wedding means you want to truly share this special occasion with them and are extremely grateful you have them in your life. What better way to say thanks than with a special gift? Wedding and Party Network has our top gift picks for your bridesmaids that they’ll love.

Personalization – What girl doesn’t love having something personalized? You can have just about anything personalized now. Bags, robes, jewelry, wine glasses, button up shirts. Iphone cases, art, or photo frames. Having an item personalized is such a great idea. All your bridesmaids will love it.

Can’t say I do without you – Put together little kits for your girls that feature chocolate, miniature drinks, mints, personlized shirt, wine glass, picture frame, and travel toiletries all wrapped up in a beautiful box makes for a lovely bridesmaid kit.

A trip down memory lane – Wouldn’t it be such a cute idea to include some of your favorite things that you share together? Maybe you love a certain band, television show, color, store, or an inside joke. Try to include those items in a gift. It makes it much more personalized and you can enjoy the details of your friendship.

There are many great ideas for bridesmaid gifts. However, these are a bit more personalized and heart-felt. The girls will absolutely love their presents, whatever you go with.

February 20, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Host an Oscar Viewing Party

You’ve all dreamed about getting glammed up and going to the Oscars. Being primped, pampered, and dressed in a designer gown surrounded by celebrities would definitely be a dream come true. This year, bring the glamour into your own home by hosting an Oscar’s Viewing Party. Wedding and Party Network has a few simple tips to turn your own into your own Oscars.

Gold & Ivory Buffet – Set up a sweet and simple gold and ivory buffet that serves sweet and salty snacks before dinner. Feature truffle popcorn, champagne cupcakes, French macaroons, and a signature drink. Use an ivory table cloth with metallic gold polka dots and serve your snacks on gold platters. Set up a bar featuring elegant glasses, gold straws, and recipe cards.

For Dinner – Make sure your tablescape, dinnerware, glassware, servingware, and place settings all match your buffet. Search for plates that have hints of gold in them for your dinnerware. Find gold accents for your place settings. This makes for a special detail. Don’t forget to talk with your local florist and they’ll create a lush and elegant centerpiece that is sure to draw attention.

Oscar Ballot – Have your guests fill out their own Oscar ballot. Print it out on quality paper in gold ink. And come up with fun design or logo for the top. Make it elegant and classy.

Next, gather around the television and see who predicted the correct winners. It’s fun to see what everyone wore to the event, catching the award speeches, and maybe even a few bloopers. So, start planning your Oscar Viewing Party!

February 19, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

What to Buy for Your Annivesary

Your anniversary is coming up and you’re scrambling your brain on what to purchase for your significant other. What do you buy that tells your wife or husband how much you truly care about them? Wedding and Party Network has a few tips on what to buy for your anniversary that will make unforgettable gifts.

You can easily go with the traditional anniversary gifts such as:

1st Anniversary – Paper
2nd Anniversary – Cotton
3rd Anniversary – Leather
4th Anniversary – Fruit or Flowers
5th Anniversary – Wood
6th Anniversary – Candy or Iron
7th Anniversary – Wood or Copper
8th Anniversary – Bronze or Pottery
9th Anniversary – Pottery and Willow
10th Anniversary – Tin or Aluminium
25th Anniversary – Silver
50th Anniversary – Gold

You can easily stick with tradition, there is something for every anniversary. However, if you’re more of an out-of-the-box couple, there are plenty of unique anniversary gift ideas out there. Here are some examples:

Have a florist recreate her wedding bouquet.
If you have bought a house, consider having your house key framed that states “Our First House”.
Give her a frame that features a map of all the important places, like a map where you got engaged, married, and honeymoon.
A cute book titled, “The Alphabet of Our Love” that features why you love them.

There are many great gifts out there, just find the one that is suitable for your relationship and best displays your love.

Photo via Cards and More

February 18, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Buying Suits vs. Renting Tuxedos

When you ask your groom’s friends to be groomsmen, they have to purchase some sort of formal wear. However, do they buy suits or rent a tuxedo. It seems the trend has shifted to buying suits lately. But, why actually buy a suit? Wedding and Party Network has a few pros on why buying a suit may actually be better for your groomsmen.

What guy won’t need a suit at some point in his life? Suits definitely come in handy for numerous reasons. There can be several special occasions that pop up where a suit is needed. Tuxedo rentals can range anywhere from $50 – $150. If you find a great sale, they could pay just a little more than that. They can pay more, but it’s honestly worth it for them. They may never know when they’ll need a suit.
Can potentially save money. Some of your groomsmen may have a black or tan suit. Just tell them what color you want them to wear, and then purchase the tie for them. It saves them money, which is always a plus.
Suits fit better. Whenever your groomsmen are purchasing their suits, it’s tailor-made for their body. If they’re renting tuxedos, they’re tailor-made to be passable for the most part since more than one person wears them. There could also be mistakes on shirt and shoe sizes if you rent.
There’s more variety. You’ll find there is more variety within suits. So, if you’re wanting your groom and groomsmen to wear grey, charcoal or khaki for your wedding, suits are the way to go.

What do you think, suits of tuxes for your wedding?

February 15, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Inspirational Friday – Red

Red is such an elegant color for a wedding. It’s bright, bold, and looks great for everything. Your wedding bouquet, reception decor, and ceremony arrangements will look simply stunning. You can pair this color with a lot of variety so it’s great for spring, summer, fall, or winter. Just find the right color combination to pull off the theme of your wedding.

February 14, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Valentine’s Day by the Numbers

Ever wonder what people spend on Valentine’s Day or what gifts they buy? Wedding and Party Network has Valentine’s Day by the numbers! What percentage do you fit in with?

Sources: Information Facts, Hallmark, BlindLoop, Diamonds.net,

February 13, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Get Ready for a Girl’s Night Out

Sometimes you just need to gather your best girls and have a girl’s night out. It’s therapy for a great time and to catch up with your best friends. Every girl needs it. How can you make girls’ night out special and into a party that everyone looks forward to the next one? Wedding and Party Network has a few girl’s night out themes that will help achieve just that.

There are many girl’s night out or in themes that you can choose from. Here are a few ideas to get you started in the right direction.

Tea Party – This is a fun theme for you and your friends to get dressed up in your gorgeous tea dresses and hats. Find various types of tea and offer delicious bite sized snacks. It’s a great time to just talk and catch up.
Spa Party – What girl doesn’t love to be pampered? Think about having a staff member from a local spa come over and set up massage stations, manicure stations, and a place to get pedicures. Or, you could take your party to the spa too. Serve refreshing spritzers and light appetizers.
Pinterest Party – You and your friends find many things on Pinterest they would like to create, but never have the time. Why not invite your friends over and craft your favorite Pinterest craft. Create recipes that you’ve been wanting to cook up that you found on Pinterest and have the right craft supplies ready to go. Your friends will love this.
Top Chef Cooking Party – Who doesn’t enjoy a cooking show? Invite your friends over, split up into teams, and have a cooking competition. Set out all the ingredients for each team and don’t forget to find judges. If this isn’t your thing, consider going to a local cooking school and set up a time to learn something new.
Style Me Pretty – Invite your best girls over and host a styling party. Feature beautiful accessories that they can purchase. This is great for a clothes swap party as well, where everyone brings clothing that they just don’t wear any more and swap it out with people.

Girl”s night outs are necessary! Pick a fun theme for the night to ensure everyone has an absolute blast!

Cake photo via My Insanity – An Insane Amount of Ideas

February 12, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Where Do Parents & Grandparents Sit at the Wedding Reception?

Ask the Celebration Advisor: Where do the bride and grooms parents and grandparents sit at the wedding reception? My daughter is getting married in June. At my wedding, the parents and grandparents sat at the head table. My daughter and her future inlaws said they never heard of that. – Becky

The Celebration Advisor:

Hi Becky,
Honestly, both are correct. You can have parents & grandparents sit at the head table or you can give them their own separate table. It’s up to you. If you are limited on space at the head table, consider sitting them at their own table close to the head table. Or, if you would like them at your table, seat them there. It’s completely up to you and your preferences. Also, this post shares information on reception seating as well. Hope this helps!

If you have a wedding or party question, ask The Celebration Advisor!

February 11, 2013 by Kelly Curtis

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day is this Thursday! Have you found the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day yet? It’s important to find the right gift to display your love and even though its last minute, you can still find great gifts out there. Need help? Wedding and Party Network has a few ideas on what to get your Valentine.

Valentine’s Lunch – Skip out on dinner and grab lunch together, except pack a special lunch for both of you. Figure out a meeting place, like your local park or favorite meeting place. Pack heart-shaped sandwiches, special heart-shaped pita chips, and heart-shaped cookies. Or, you could easily go the gourmet route and pull out all the stops for lunch with her favorite bottle of wine or his favorite beer.
Flower Arrangement – Of course, you can always go with flowers. Make the normal floral arrangement even more special by creating a replica of your wedding centerpieces or even her wedding bouquet. She’ll absolutely love it and the thought that went behind it.
I Love You Because – Get creative by placing a piece of paper that says, “I Love You Because ____________”. Then on the glass, you can write a new reason on it everyday. Such a sweet and creative idea.
Breakfast in Bed – Why not serve breakfast in bed. It’s simple, yet such a great gesture. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to start out the morning. Serve up heart-shaped chocolate chip pancakes with delicious muffins, fruit, syrup, and coffee. Such a great way to start Valentine’s Day!
Gift Card – This is the easiest route to go, yet everyone loves them! Give a gift card to restaurants, boutiques, or a spa. These are always great and they can pick out exactly what they’ve wanted.