You have your party theme picked out, the menu is made, and invitations have been mailed. You know you want to have some great music playing, but no one likes the same tunes. Have no fear! Making the perfect playlist is easier than you may think. [Read more…]
Being outdoors during the summer is a given. With the heat, a cold drink is one of the best things to relax and cool down. Here are four ways to keep your drinks cold without the usual cooler.
1. Keep bottled and canned drinks cold by freezing some water balloons and placing them in a bucket or container. This is a fun way to keep a summer vibe alive at the party. Plus, you can have a water balloon fight with the left over balloons!
Keeping everyone cool in the middle of July can be a chore. A pool party is a great way to cool down, but safety is also a must! Here are a few tips to help keep your pool party safe and fun!
1. Life Jackets and Floaties
Not all children know how to swim, or can’t swim very well. This applies to adults as well. Keep some extra inflatables around so everyone can have a good time. You can find these in almost any shape and size, so if you have a theme, match them to it!
2. Supervision
Everyone wants to have fun at a pool party. Make sure that happens by having plenty of supervision. There should be at least two adults present at all times, possibly more depending on the amount of kids. If you know a child can’t swim, keep them in the shallow end.
3. For Adults
Nothing beats the heat like a refreshing drink, just don’t have too many. Be responsible, and use caution.
4. Sunscreen
Sunburns are not fun, and can cause more damage down the road. Slather on the sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Make sure to reapply after long breaks, or if someone towels off.
5. Hire a local lifeguard if needed.
If you are worried about having enough supervision, consider hiring a local lifeguard. They are trained, and most probably wouldn’t mind making a little extra money. This can take some of the stress off of you and allow you to enjoy the party!
Pool parties are a great way to celebrate in the summer. These kinds of party don’t need an occasion, and everyone will have a blast! Enjoy the fun, be safe, and stay cool!
For help planning your next event or to find a venue, click the link below!
If you are searching this blog for party ideas, chances are you already host lots of parties. Maybe you are looking for new fresh ideas? Here are some small touches you can add to your next party to help break up the monotony of just the mundane, run-of-the-mill get together!
Chocolate Dipped Spoons
These are so easy and so fun! Simply heat your favorite chocolate over a double boiler and dip the spoon in. Line the spoons on parchment paper and pop them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to serve with your favorite hot drink. Use plastic spoons for more casual night or try your fine china to really wow your guests! This sweet treat will add a special touch to your party.
Photo courtesy of My Baking Addiction.
Planning a party can be overwhelming at times. Our best piece of advice is to get organized on the front end, and save frustration at the end. Here is a quick checklist to help you start planning for your next party!
Five Weeks Out
Invitations! These days, snail mail is thing of the past and e-vites are so much more simple. You can create amazing invitations online and email them or even text them! Start planning and creating your invite five weeks out from your party, and get the invite sent within the next week. The ideal time to have them sent is by four weeks from the date of the party. Try websites like hobnob to plan your event and invite people through text! They can respond right on their phone. They even have an app for your smart phone! [Read more…]
Ever wonder how to plan the perfect, yet simplistic, activities for your kids to enjoy with their dad on Father’s Day? Here are some ways to ensure that they get that sought after quality time on Dad’s big day.
Breakfast Date
Start the day off at Dad’s favorite breakfast place. The break in routine is refreshing and it will fuel you up for any other activities you have planned for the day!
This season celebrate spring in a fun, new way! Take a break from your normal routine and plan a party where you can spend quality time with close friends. Here are three popular spring parties that are trending this season.
Garden Party
As the landscape awakens and the splendor of new blooms emerge, it is the perfect time to host a beautiful garden party. First find the ideal outdoor location. This could be at a local park, field, or even your own backyard. Next you’ll want to pick out beautiful floral arrangements at your local florist. Choose bright flowers that bloom in the spring and use them to decorate your tables and chairs. Then plan a playlist that will set the mood for your party, or encourage your guests to play songs that they enjoy. If you want to have food at your party, plan a menu based on food that comes from the earth like fresh salads and grilled vegetables. This party theme is a great opportunity to appreciate nature and relax with some of your friends.
Do you know a special kid having a birthday this winter? Wanting to throw a fantastic party to celebrate? Here are three options for partying, even when it’s too cold outside!
Indoor Campout Slumber Party
No need to be outside to go camping! Set up a “firepit” inside your living room with some logs and orange, yellow, and red construction paper cut into the shape of flames. Serve treats such as s’mores and hot dogs. Whatever camping traditions you and your family like to do, incorporate them in your indoor campout! Make it fun and set up fort with the family too!
Indoor Snowball Fight
When the weather outside is frightful, have a snowball fight–inside! For snowballs, use balled up white socks for big snowballs and cotton balls for small ones. Set up a course for kids to play around, with safety rules! Use things around your home like pillows, and empty laundry baskets as shields!
Gingerbread Man Cookie Decorating
Take a traditional holiday activity and add a little twist. Bake a big batch and let your kids decorate their gingerbread man as their favorite super hero or as them! This doesn’t just have to be a holiday tradition, but a party tradition too!
The weather doesn’t have to stop you from throwing your kids some amazing parties! For more great party tips, visit the Wedding and Party Blog too!
We know Halloween is around the corner and you are finalizing your Halloween party planning. From the menu to the creative decorations, a Halloween party wouldn’t be complete without it’s share of mystery. Here are some tips to help you put together a fun and spooky murder mystery to liven up your shindig!
Hosting a Murder Mystery Party Game
It’s important to note that a murder mystery party game usually takes around an 1.5-2 hours (depending on the number of guests). That’s why it is very important to plan ahead of time and know what you are in for so you can plan the party around the game!
Here is a quick rundown of how the game should go:
Round 1
The party game is usually separated into rounds.
In the first round, assign guests to their characters and provide them with information about their characters, clue cards with clues to reveal to other players, and information to conceal about their characters (perhaps one character is cheating on their “spouse” which would give them a motive).
Round 2
In this round, the victim is revealed and an investigation will begin. Give players more clues in this round and have them mingle with the other players to figure out who the murderer is. You can also set up some evidence to help with the clues.
Round 3
During this round, each player can make an accusation. After that, hand each player a solution card where they reveal their involvement and the murderer confesses at the end of the game. You can hand out prizes for those who figured it out. This can also lead to other awards of the night like Best Costume.
A Murder Mystery can make your party a memorable one and it doesn’t have to take an immense amount of planning. Just have the basics planned out and watch as your guests make the game more fun!
When my husband and I purchased some property a couple of years ago, the old barn that stood off to the side was admittedly an afterthought. While we had admired it, we had not honestly considered whether it would be worthwhile to save. Weathered and worn, it had seen better days. As we made improvements to the property, we decided to save the barn and reinforced the foundation, replaced missing boards on the exterior, and ran a line for electricity. We also decided to add a small bathroom inside, which was the beginning of my thoughts towards using the barn for entertaining.
Since its reinvention, the barn has been host to several gatherings. A fire pit was added for cookouts, marshmallow roasts, and a ghost story or two. It has set the scene for prom photos and family portraits, and served as storage for duck decoys and a fishing boat during the off seasons. Perhaps the biggest event at the barn has been our barn barbeque. I will confess that I am just a normal wife and mom, not a major party planner! I needed help from a few experts to help me get the job done. With a little time and effort, the old barn had a new life.
My task was to give a barbeque party for 50 people at the barn. Having an outdoor event of any kind requires special attention to detail. My first task was walking the property. From this I could decide what was going to be provided for our guests and where things were to be set up. I won’t deny this might have taken more than one trek around that barn! I had to consider food, music, decorations, and seating. I made a list of what I would need and whom I should contact for help and advice.
After a DJ was hired for the music and a caterer for food, I had to set my sights on decorating. With the help of a friend, I planned where to place tables, a food line, and a dance area, along with a set up for a homemade photo booth.
We decided where drinks, set in wheelbarrows and large washtubs would be placed. Along with burlap tablecloths, bandanna napkins tied with twine and cowboy themed dinnerware, we had plans for candles in mason jars tied with gingham ribbons. String lights were purchased to hang around the barn. And no party is complete without flowers!
Our party was in the fall, and with the help of my florist, we settled on mums of all colors, which were the perfect complement. Large outdoor areas are sometimes difficult to fill, and I was thankful to be directed to the local nursery, where they provided me with hay and pumpkins to use all around the barn. A good florist can recommend flowers that are in season for your particular party theme. They may also offer advice on decorating.
An old barn is the perfect setting for a barbeque, a cowboy birthday bash, or even a simple wedding. Letting the expert add the finishing touches minimizes stress and creates a charm and warmth that can make any good party a simply fabulous one!
Are you clean and modern, nostalgic and vintage, soft and cozy, or playful and whimsical? Let’s find out!
The holidays are stressful enough, so hosting a holiday party should feel fun and easy! To make it even easier, here are some Wedding and Party approved Christmas party themes that are certain to get you compliments, and might even become a new tradition!
Discover which legendary party is your true scene!
Are you all about the tablescape, the turkey, or the tea? Let’s find out which Thanksgiving table persona you really are.
