parties2weddings.com

After you have selected your wedding planner the most important detail after you become engaged will be shopping for the most beautiful wedding jewelry you can afford.  Once the excitement of the big day is long past the wedding jewelry will be a daily reminder of the fleeting moment when you said “I DO”.   Set your wedding jewelry budget and then stay within your comfort zone and personal fashion style, remember you will both wear this treasure for many years to come,  day in and day out.  Choose a Jewelry Company that you are familiar with and that you trust.  Today there are some of the finest jewelry company’s available on line and with fantastic websites.  When you take advantage of these sites you have the advantage of more choices and designer selections at better prices, some are even duty free and most offer free shipping and hassle free 30 day return policies.  Check out Diamonds International, Blue Nile, Bright Diamond, Ice.com, Sea of Diamonds and Diamond.com just to name a few.  Happy Shopping!!

I love, love, love Hydrangea’s.  I love their shape, I love their colors And I love their look. Hydrangea’s are round, bushy heads of fabulous multiple little scent free blossoms.  Did I say that I love their colors?  Hydrangeas are found in several shades of blue, pink, purple, green and white.  This garden favorite is perfect for any occasion and any type of floral arrangement.  Bunch them together in every shade you can find them in and then add a lovely mix of smaller blooms such as freesia, stephanotis, lily of the valley or another of my all time favorites, peonies.  You can mix them with deep red roses, tropical-hued orchids or vivid bunches of calla lilies for a great big splash.  As a wedding planner and event decorator, I like to decorate the event with extra blooms in unexpected places. These flowers are the perfect solution for touches of color here and there and make such a nice impression. 

As the owner of a Wedding and Event planning company we are bracing ourselves for the huge number of phone calls and e-mails that are the traditional end to the holiday season and our start of the new business year ahead.  Everyone gets engaged over the holidays and everyone starts out their wedding planning with an appointment with their potential wedding planner.  At least the smart bride and groom starts there. I have been in this business for 30 plus years and I know most every vendor, event venue, cake baker, engagement jeweler, invitation and stationary store, florist, photographer, etc, etc. in the greater Austin area and many in other areas as well.   I know who does what they advertise that they do and I know who doesn’t.  Unfortunately there are many that don’t deliver what they are selling.  A well seasoned wedding consultant will save you a great deal of money (usually more than their fee), stress and frustration and direct you around these wedding obstacles as you plan the biggest event of your life.  If you are on a limited budget at least take advantage of a planner that offers a guidance package.  This is usually a couple of consultations and vendor recommendations to keep you on the right track.  Have a great time planning your wedding and Happy New Year!!

Its just a few days till Christmas and I’m rushing around taking care of last minute details for our big Christmas Party.  I can’t seem to stop party planning even on the holidays.  I just spoke to my caterer and guaranteed my guest count and finalized my menu.  Since I didn’t call the florist in time I plan to do the flower arrangements myself.  I’m not a trained florist so I only arrange flowers for myself.  Since I’m the designer today I plan to use my favorite flower  It is the Iris which was the emblem of the gods to the Ancient Greeks, a regal symbol to the Pharaohs of Egypt and used in the beautiful art works of Monet and Van Gogh.  If you ever plan to purchase irises for a flower arrangement buy only irises when their buds show a little color, otherwise they will not open.  Irises that are already in flower will not last very long and are only worth buying if you need immediate colour.

When I owned my catering company, one of the most requested appetizer items was my fresh Corn Relish Dip.  Even now when I’m given the opportunity to design the menu as an event planner, I use this recipe when it fits the celebration style.  Most of the time I served it with Tortilla Chips, but its just as good with sliced French Bread and crackers or fresh raw vegetables.  This is the prefect recipe for any party.  Make sure you use only the freshest ingredients because that will effect the final outcome. 

Read more »

Imagine deep blue skies, gentle waves rocking you to sleep every night, gourmet food at every meal, interesting locations and beautiful ports of call.  A luxury cruise ship is one of the most fun and exciting locations for your wedding or celebration of any kind.  There is nothing more fun than a cruise so think how memorable a wedding ceremony and reception would be ship board.  Shipboard celebrations allow you to combine your event or wedding and reception with the option of having your family and friends joining you on vacation or on your honeymoon, if you want them to!  There are many packages available in hundreds of beautiful ports of call.  You choose a destination that is perfect for you and your guests.  Cruise ship events take place while the ship is in port so you can decide to have your wedding on-board the ship or at a romantic land location.  The choices are endless, a world-renowned white sand beach, an Italian Villa, a yacht, or in the ships chapel, its up to your imagination.  I believe that you pick an event professional to design your event to fit your individual needs and make your wedding day or special event the best day of your life, then sit back and relax!

Let’s face it, everyone has a budget.  Some are just larger than others.  I have put together some ideas that I know will help you with your  wedding or party budget no matter the size. 

1. Choose a location that allows you to hire an off-premises caterer instead of going with a Hotel.  Off-premises caterers are generally less expensive in comparison.
2. Choose a location that provides tables,chairs and linens when possible.
3. Pick a reception site that fits your guest count.  Too big is just as bad as too small.  A place that handles 200 isn’t suitable for 50.  Everything will look and feel too spread out and you will need to spend more on  event decorations to make the space feel intimate.
4. If you need to provide chairs for your event, choose the Samsonite folding chairs instead of the wooden folding chairs to save money.
5. Have your event or wedding any day other than Friday or Saturday.  Many venues as well as other event professionals will give you a price break on days other than traditional Fridays and Saturday.
6. Have your event at a time other than meal times and keep the time down to a minimum.
7. Buy your liquor wholesale if possible.  It is so much less expensive to bring in your own liquor. just be sure to check with your venue and caterer.  In some states only a licended provider can bring in liquor or serve liquor.  Its best to know ahead of time what your state allows.

Read more »

Wow, I had a great response from my readers about appetizers from my post yesterday.  One of my comments was a question: As a party planner what menu item would you recommend if you needed to serve lamb to a special guest?  My answer to that is that there are many, many lamb recipes that are wonderful but my favorite one is Skewered Lamb with Red Onion Cilantro Salsa.  This is a summery tapas dish that ideal for any occasion but especially good for an outdoor event.  These skewers are grilled but if you don’t have access to a grill then they can be broiled instead.  The accompanying salsa is simple but full of robust flavor to compliment the Lamb.  This is an easy appetizer that will be a huge hit with any guest.

Read more »

I love appetizers.  Appetizers by their very definition mean small portions.  I love their little size, shapes and variety and more than anything I love the ease of picking one up and popping it into my mouth.  Hors d’Oeuvres can be as simple as bean dip with tortilla chips or a grilled bite of chicken breast with peanut sauce or as elaborate as Butter Marinated Main Lobster Brochettes.  When planning appetizers for your special event or wedding menu choose hors d’Oeuvres that are well-suited to the theme and style of your party.  Guacamole is a natural choice for a Tex-Mex party, Stuffed Clams or Jambalaya Crostinis would be perfect for a festive New Orleans theme , while Citrus Infused Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes work well for a Seafood Cookout.   Your choice of appetizers should set the tone for the occasion.  Select recipes that are appropriate to your guests tastes and that work well in combination to one another, both in terms of flavor, texture and appearance as well as demands on your time in preparation.  When planning your event menu plan for a variety and you can rest assured that your guests will enjoy each and every morsel.  The possibilities are endless.

Read more »

This is the time of year that everyone entertains whether its for family, friends, your company party or a special holiday affair.  One of the most important details will be the setting of your tables.  You can add glitz and glamor, casual elegance or holiday flair just by the pieces you select.  Mix and match formal stemware with fine china and stoneware.  Add unexpected bursts of eclectic color where its least expected.  Use items that are unusual, such as a round mirror as a plate charger, or a romantic floral bloom tucked into your napkin fold.   Inspiration can be found everywhere- maybe an Italian still life painting, a beautiful piece of fabric, to the simplicity of nature.  No matter where you find your inspiration or what your personal taste may be, a well designed table will electrify your event  setting the mood and tone.   Be creative and have fun!  Don’t forget the beauty of flowers for your table to help set the mood.