While reading one of my favorite blogs Hostess witht the Mostess I came across this super cute, fun and what looks to be fairly easy DIY for a Yarn Chandelier.   With everyone crafting creations from Pinterest I figured it was worth sharing, I hope to hear someone trying this little eproject out!

This would be an adorable addition to any party!

Superbowl parties are one of the top home parties of the year.  Whether you’re planning a Super Bowl party out of love for the game or just the desire to host a fun, relaxing party, were here to share some tips for making this a super bash:

Consider your Space

 Having a good seat to watch the game #1 priority.  Put some time and thought into creating a seating area that gives each guest a GREAT view.

 Move unwanted  furniture into another room and consider getting additional
couches and chairs from furniture rental stores like rent a center or aarons.

Place any valuables that may get broken in a safe place and have a plan for your pets
so your guests and your pets stay comfortable

If you can’t make it to the superbowl bring the stadium to you! Build inexpensive and easy stadium seating for your party.

Supplies:
1. You will need a 4×4 sheet of plywood, 16 milk
crates, and a few sandbags.

Directions:
Lay the milk crates flat and place the plywood over top of them. To add support place sand bags on the corners front and back of the plywood. Then place a rug over your platform, line tailgating chairs in front and on top of the platform and you have created your very own stadium seating!

For optimal viewing display a television or 2. Rent that large flat screen or projector you have had your eye on.  Stream the game in every room your guests will use. Laptops in the bathroom, Ipads in the kitchen, you don’t want them to miss a minute of the game! Let your guests know if there is a delay from one room to the next so that the group in the kitchen doesn’t ruin the next play for the group in the living room.

  Photobooth Fun

 Make memories with a photobooth! All you need is a blank wall, Polaroid
camera and Some fun superbowl appropriate props like: foam fingers, pom poms,
and a football, then encourage your guests to have fun taking turns posing and
snapping photos!

Party Swag 

 Offer guests official superbowl party swag! Our friends at Mr. Emblem on Navarre ave in Oregon created these custom shirts for us, if you order today they can have them ready for you just in time for the party!

  Games

 Encourage interaction and incorporate the non football fans with a game of Half time commercial Bingo! Before the game starts have guests chip in $5 for a bingo sheet. Tell them to write down all the things they might see during the commercials, like the                e-trade baby, a gecko , bud light, the old spice guy etc. the first to bingo wins the money!

 Create a fun and easy Food Display:

  No one wants to sit down at a table to eat and miss the action, so Plan simple, portable foods and create a food station.

  For our display We took traditional tailgate treats and displayed them in ways our guests can easily hold and snack throughout the party. We created bleachers for our sliders, were made from green flower foam, the toothpick footballs hold everything together and look festive while this checkered paper soaks up any grease.  Other items include Chicken bites
ordered from your favorite place Luckies Barn & Grill , carrot celery ranch cups and Popcorn which is a fast snack that will look great in festive bags.

The decorative field goal was a quick and easy project that cost only a few bucks and created quite an impactful focal point!

  Celebrate the NFL with these custom cookies and top your whole display off with Patriots and Giants helmet cake pops which are all made by Janes Cakes located in Perrysburg. These adorable tasty details will impress all your guests.

  Plan on plenty of beverages. With all of those beer commercials bombarding your guests, they’ll be working up a strong thirst for the suds, so order a keg a head of time to make clean up simple.

To prevent guests using more than one cup place sticker numbers that look like the numbers on players jerseys in the center of your plastic cups. This will help guests keep track of where they placed there drink and add a fun element as well!

 Lastly Have lots of paper towels, napkins and rug cleaner handy for messes created during exciting plays.

We hope these tips have inspired to to throw your very own fun and festive superbowl party! Enjoy the game!

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Congratulations, you’re engaged! Your engagement will be one of the most exciting and hectic times of your life. Often paired with this excitement is stress and even panic with the thought of planning/executing the stunning event you envision.  With this is mind, we have put together a few tips that should help get you started in your wedding journey!

1. First, you should announce your engagement and share your wonderful news with family and friends. Some brides like to formally announce their engagement in their local newspapers. Others simply prefer word of mouth or maybe an engagement party. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to enjoy this wonderful and magical time in your life.
2. Determine your budget. When it comes down to it, your budget will  essentially determine all of the other components of your wedding. Just like with any large undertaking, you first start with the big picture and then work your way down to the details. I know that doesn’t sound very romantic, but let’s face it, unless you’re among a chosen few in which the “skies the limit”…You need to set a budget. You’ve got to determine how much you can spend on your wedding and who’s going to contribute to your wedding expenses.
3. Determine your guest list, and literally write it down.  Like any large event, you must allocate a certain amount of money to each portion of the wedding, the largest and most expensive portion being the reception dinner.  Since the cost is typically determined by head count, the number of guests will help you determine how much dinner will cost. I recommend starting a excel spread sheet.  Keep in mind your first attempt at your guest list is only a starting point, you will inevitably leave someone important out on accident.  However, by  organizing the list in a spreadsheet you can easily maintain a true head count as well as easily add and subtract people.  We actually have forms that we supply our clients with to help in making this process much easier. Something to keep in mind when determining your guest list: every ~10 guests means: a table, linens, chairs, centerpieces, etc. It’s a good rule of thumb when you’re budgeting and making your guest list. It’s easy to not realize how much even a few people can add.
4. Think about what kind of wedding you want. Do you want a small       intimate wedding, or a grand, lavish celebration, or maybe something in between?  By making a few decisions about what you like and what you don’t like, it can really help you to narrow down the vast array of choices. Here are a few questions to help you get started:Do you want a small or large wedding?Do you want an indoor or outdoor wedding?What time of year do you want to get married?Do you want to get married during the day or the evening?Do you want a traditional style wedding or something more modern?Do you want an elegant, formal setting or something more romantic and intimate?Do you want a formal sit down dinner, a cocktail reception or something in between?

   Do you want to get married and have your reception at the same location?

   

5. Considering Hiring a Professional Wedding Planner. You have never planned a wedding before, therefore researching countless venues, and wedding professionals will tend to be very time consuming, and can be somewhat exhausing.  When you enlist in the help of a professional wedding planner, they can reccommend to you several different wedding professionals that will be in you budget and coenside with your wedding style.  We, at Elite Events have a preferred vendor list that each of our clients recievces and the majority of the wedding professional on that list also offer an exclusive discount to our clients, therefore saving you MONEY and TIME!
6. Begin researching locations for your reception. It’s one of the most challenging and important decisions you’ll have to make. Your reception site is the most influential in determining the overall mood and atmosphere of your wedding. You want to select a reception site that matches your individual style, taste and budget. This is not an easy task and can certainly require a significant amount of time and effort.Keep in mind that many popular reception sites book up a year or more in advance. So, if you have a particular reception site or certain date in mind, don’t wait!
7. Begin researching ceremony locations. You may decide you would like to have your ceremony and reception at the same location which is always a wonderful option, you would not require transportation from ceremony to reception if everything was at 1 location and your guests would not have to commute either.  However, if you do not plan on having everythign at 1 location, begin researching venues for your ceremony location.  Keep in mind, this is the place you will be saing “I Do” to the man of your dreams, it should be prefect!
8. Book your photographer! Photographers tend to book quickly, therefore do not waste any time! Educate yourself on the different styles of photography out there, and consider which one is the best fit for you.    Meet with a few different photographer and see how your personalitites mesh.  Rememeber, you are going to be with this person all day on your wedding day, you want to be sure your going to feel confortable and at ease with them.
9. Start collecting inspiration.  I’m sure this is something you have already started working on, as it is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process.  However, if you have not started collecting images of elements that inspire you, START NOW! Dot be afraid to keep pictures of things that you dislike as well.  This will help better assist your florist, stationier, event designer etc. better understand your style.  There are tons of websites out there with LOTS of beautiful inspiration.
10. ENJOY every Minute! Try not to sweat the small stuff.  Although, weddings are full of little details and they do all add up, try to find enjoyment in every aspect of the planning process, and please do not be afraid to ask for HELP! As wedding professionals we are here to assist you in turning YOUR Vision in to a reality!

Unfortunately I get asked this question a lot and I’d like to open the door to other planners, venues and vendors for commentary here. I think it’s a huge
misconception among brides.

“Why do I need to hire a wedding planner or
day-of coordinator  my venue has an on-site coordinator”.

It’s true the venue may provide someone to oversee and coordinate your event, but that doesn’t mean you should eliminate a wedding planner or day-of coordinator. Both are equally important, and both do completely different jobs. Some venues can have more than one reception going at a time, and the on-site coordinator might be overseeing multiple events. Most of the time after dinner is served, their portion of the evening is done and you might not see them again. Another issue you might run into is having a different coordinator at your event than the one you spent all your time planning with. Turnover is high in the industry, and it’s definitely possible that could happen (been there, dealt with that, several times.)

The biggest difference is that the venue coordinator is there to handle anything
with regards to the venue. A wedding planner is there to handle anything
pertaining to YOU and your wedding, both ceremony and reception. We work for YOU! The duties will overlap a bit in some areas, but for the most part they will do different jobs. For example, an on-site coordinator won’t run home for you if you forgot the ring bearer pillow or your grandmother locket that was to be attached to your bouquet, or track down a missing limo, or take back tuxedo rentals after the wedding.

Things an On-Site Coordinator will provide:

• Menu planning and tasting
• Provide a list of recommended vendors who have worked in the venue before
• Assist with a room diagram and suggest setup options, and possibly create a reception timeline
• Oversee the setup of the event (tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware,flatware, etc…)
• Oversee the catering staff and make sure dinner is correct and served on time
• Set out favors, escort cards or place cards you dropped off (ask first,
  because some don’t include this)

• Line you up outside the reception and help you with your entrance (ask
  first, because some don’t include this)

Things a Wedding Planner or Day-Of Coordinator willprovide:

• A master timeline of the entire day to share with everyone involved in thewedding, in which you help create and and have final say.
• Set up and/or pick up any of your personal items
• Review all vendor contracts and ensure they are carried out accordingly on wedding day
• Double check important details; wedding bands, marriage certificate,guestbook & pen,etc…
• Handle vendor issues; cake issues, late limo, late florist etc…
• Direct and assist your guests at the ceremony and reception
• Emergency kit available throughout the day for aspirin, tape, pins, clearnail polish, band aids, scissors, thread & needle, hairspray, mints, etc…
• Cue musicians, ceremony processional, reception grand entrance
• Offer etiquette advice
• Pin boutonnieres and corsages
• Make a trip home for something you forgot, or to the store for something you need
• Handle any special needs of the bridal party and family
• Setup and direct a ceremony rehearsal
• Assist with ceremony details; handing out programs & bubbles, rollingthe aisle runner, etc…

• And much, much more….

It seems lately I’ve heard this statement from brides more than in the past. Many say venues are telling them there’s no need to hire a wedding planner or coordinator. I have also heard that some venues are charging the bride & groom an extra fee if they bring in an outside planner or coordinator, and a few just outright ban it. Isn’t that a little over the top? To ban a bride from enlisting extra help for what is surely one of the most important days of her life? I think maybe the venues should be educated or informed about what we do differently, and why we’re an asset instead of a hurdle. A successful event, whether it be a wedding, party or corporate event relies on all of the wedding professionals working TOGETHER to fulfill the wishes of their client.  It is a TEAM effort,  and the most successful events are successful because of that very reason, the wedding professionals worked together as a TEAM!

I hope this post, helps to better explain the difference.

 I welcome your thoughts on the topic…

As event planners something we have learned over the years is that the most successful party has just the right balance of Design, details, organization and coordination.  Today
we will discuss how to Create a warm, welcoming, atmosphere by using details
that appeal to all of your guests senses and give you the tools keep calm and
stay organized in the process. 

VIEW THE VIDEO HERE:

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1.  First Choose a menu that can be prepared ahead of time

By simply taking the time to prepare or prep as much food as possible ahead of
time, as well as considering how you are going to display your dishes will save
a lot of time and stress on the actual day of the party.

Here are  4 quick and easy recipes that your guests are sure to LOVE!

For a Printer friendly verson of these recipes please download them by  clicking on the links below:

Mini Pizzas

Herbed Cream Cheese Cucumber Wheels

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Champagne Infused Jello Shots

2. Create an appetizing and effective Display

               Strategizing how you’re going to display and serve your dishes is as important as the dishes themselves.

 Pull out all of your serving dishes and take
inventory of what you have and what you want to use. Do a dry run the night or
2 before and set your table as you plan on setting it for the event.

DO not be afraid to play around with height:  3 tiered serving trays are perfect for this.

They add interest to the table, allow for better access to the dishes and allow to you fit more food on the table

 When you have everything how you want it, Write down on a piece of paper what food
will go in what and take a picture of the set up so come party day re-creating
the look is easy and something anyone can help you with it.

Be sure to add name cards identifying each dish for that added personal touch

3.   Add Fun Details- Like a Signature Drink

Mason Jars are cute, inexpensive and the perfect container for a signature holiday cocktail. Look online for drink recipes and invent your own names (Snow White Sangria, Santa’s
Secret Punch, Christmas Cosmos, etc.). You can even fill the jars ahead of
time, cap them, and let them chill in a cooler or make a batch up and serve it
in a beverage server. Make a festive sign featuring the drink name and ingredients. Then toast to a great celebration!

Now that your menu is created and organized turn your Focus to Setting
the mood

4. Good tunes are essential to the life of a party. Make a
playlist featuring your favorite holiday songs or use a digital music service
like Pandora to make
your dream playlist for free.

Don’t forget to turn the music on early, while your getting
ready as well, it will help you the hostess relax and get into the holiday
spirit as well

5.  Be Inspired by Nature and Seasonal Elements

Incorporating nature into your entertaining décor is a free way to create a festive holiday
vibe. Here we used 2 glass apothecary jars one is filled with colorful holiday
ornaments and the other with pine cones and holly. Scents are also an integral part of a party, be sure to: Light a few candles throughout your home with festive holiday scents such as This particular candle that we just love. It creates the soothing sound of a
crackling fire when lit.

6. Have a Seat

Even if it’s a small family dinner party, assign seats with holiday inspired place cards or if your serving your food buffet style use the cards to identify each dish.  The place setting that we have here, utilizes an inexpensive ornament to hold the place card., its festive, simple, took only a minute to create, not to mention your guests can take them home with
them as a party favor!

7. Lastly focus on yourself!

 As a hostess and even as a guest it is important to look the part. Get a shelack manicure a few days in advance so you wont have to touch up your nails that day. Skip shopping for an new outfit and spice up that  Little Black Dress everyone has in there Closet by dressing it up with fun accessories such as: a funky bracelet, shiny handbag bag, put on a pair of bright shoes or  colorful belt.

One of our Favorite Go to Resources for Style is Lauren Conrad

Here she has paired several different accessories that can easily transform your little black dress for any occasion.

On The Day before the party pamper your skin with a good exfoliation using some mint sugar and honey then the morning of Give your hair a great blow out that way after the house is clean, table’s set, and the food is in the oven, you can turn on your music, light your candles quickly spruce up and enjoy time with your guests!

Happy Holidays!

I’m not sure about you, but personally I despise addressing envelopes   I do not know what it is, but I just simply do not like doing it.   Therefore, when I came across these little beauties, I was in LOVE! Granted they have been around for a while now, however I am still surprised how many people are reluctant to use them…..

Address Wraps

Address wraps give your envelopes a sophisticated, tailored look.  What I love about them: They are perfect for ANY color envelope, they are great for any event, you can coordinate the wrap to match the contents inside of the envelope and they are legible not to mention fun and something you can DO YOURSELF!

Address wraps work well on A2 sized envelopes allowing your center the recipients address on the front of the envelope and your return address will serve as a seal for your envelope flap on the back.

Here are some fun address wraps that I came across

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LOVE this striped envelope!!! reminds me of a candy cane!

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I’m not sure about you but I think I may be using address wraps to address my holiday cards this year

Interested in creating your own Address Wraps? Look no further here is a template that i found that can be totally customized!

ENJOY!