Invitations are a key part to any event you may be hosting whether it is causal or formal, large or a small get together with friends, electronic invites, or paper ones, it is one element that should not be overlooked. You must remember that when you are wanting to entertain friends, family, colleagues, or neighbors, you must respect their schedule. The best way to do this is to send invitations in ample time for them to plan on coming to your event. Now some events are a little more impromptu and require less notice while others require more, but nonetheless, you must send them. A good timeline to follow is this:
A casual get together with friends-same day to 2 weeks in advance
Holiday dinner- 2 weeks to 2 months
Luncheon or Tea- Few days to 2 weeks
Informal Dinner Party- Few Days to 3 weeks
Housewarming party- Few days to 3 weeks
Graduation Party- 3 weeks
Formal dinner party - 3 to 6 weeks
Cocktail Party- 1 to 4 weeks
Holiday Party- 1 month
Charity Event- 6 weeks to 3 months
Going away party- Last minute to 3 weeks
Bar or Bat mitzvah- 1 month
Anniversary or Birthday Party- 3 to 6 weeks
Theme Party - 3 to 6 weeks
Depending on the event, it may dictate the type of invitation that would be most appropriate, however, some key things to keep in mind when sending invitations to your guests are:
• You must include your guest's name, the occasion, the date and time of the event, the location with address and directions if necessary, RSVP notation, and any other special requests such as dress code or if your guests need to bring anything with them.
• All names of the people that you invite must be listed, not just the head of the household.
• Make sure that you invite all of your guests in the same manner. If you send paper invites, make sure that everyone gets one. Same for electronic invitations.
• For most occasions, informal invitations are acceptable. They may be printed or handwritten, engraving isn't necessary unless you are hosting a formal event.
• Colorful paper is always acceptable along with graphics and borders that reflect the theme, tone, and overall feel of your event.
• You can address your guests as Mr. or Mrs., or by their first names.
• Numbers can be written numerically and do not have to be spelled out for informal occasions.
Remember, the key with invitations is that everyone gets one and that they receive them in ample time to plan on attending your party. You want to show your guests that you respect them, their time, and their presence. So, don't forget to send out your invites and enjoy!!!!
P.S. If you are a guest that receives an invitation, please RSVP.....it shows your host/hostess that you respect them and their preparations for the event!!!
March 31, 2010
March 30, 2010
Planning Timeline
When planning a party it is best to divide an conquer. Don't expect yourself to be able to do it all at once. You will want to have a planning timeline so that you can make the most of the event and be prepared for any unforeseen occurrences. A good rule of thumb to follow when planning is to:
4 Weeks Ahead
-Mail or deliver the invitations. Do not rely on the telephone or word of mouth. If you are using electronic invitations, it is still good to send them out early, this will allow guests time to plan on attending your event.
-Keep a written guest list. This will keep you on track as RSVP come in for the number of guests that will be attending.
-Plan the menu. Whether you will be catering the event or cooking yourself, plan accordingly.
-Check on cooking and serving equipment. Rent or buy what you may need to make the event run smoothly.
-If needed, arrange for help with parking, serving, or cleanup, and rent coat racks.
3 Weeks Ahead
-Buy non perishables, disposable items, liquor, nonalcoholic beverages, and mixers. This will help you to spread out the costs for the event over a few weeks.
-Plan how you will stage the event and where you will place the food tables and beverage stations to best accommodate for traffic flow. Remember that a party's traffic flow id very different from the normal traffic flow in your home.
-Clean and iron the table linens.
-Order any food items from the caterer, grocer or butcher to ensure that all necessary food items will be available for your party.
2 Weeks Ahead
-Cook and freeze foods such as desserts, breads, and casseroles.
-Check the condition of the garden or backyard if this area is going to be a part of your party.
-Do any major housecleaning.
-Polish silver and clean crystal, china, or serving ware if necessary.
-Begin making ice.
-Order flowers and decorations.
2 Days Ahead
-Set the buffet table.
-Set up the bar.
-Set up the music.
-Clean the rooms where the party will be held, and rearrange furniture to help stage your home for the event.
-Begin making food or portions of recipes such as pasta or potato salads, crudité dips, and some desserts.
-Post a last-minute itemized checklist. This will make sure that you don't forget anything in the next few hectic days.
1 Day Ahead
-Draw a timetable of what needs to be cooked and served when. This will keep the party moving and allow you to enjoy yourself throughout the evening without worrying about what needs to be done next.
-Shop for perishable foods.
-Do as much cooking as possible.
-Decorate your home or event venue.
-Pick up and arrange flowers.
-Call anyone assisting with the event and let them know any last minute instructions that you may have.
-Make the punch base, or the base for the main drink you will be serving at your party.
Day of the Party
-Finish cooking.
-Arrange ice and fruit for the bar.
-Finish any additional decoration or last minute cleaning to make sure the event looks just the way you imagined it.
While not all events will follow this timeline, this will give you a good base to start from when planning your event. Keep in mind that having someone help host your event with you, may make things go a little more smoothly. Also, remember that this party isn't just for your guests, so with the proper planning, you too can enjoy your party.
4 Weeks Ahead
-Mail or deliver the invitations. Do not rely on the telephone or word of mouth. If you are using electronic invitations, it is still good to send them out early, this will allow guests time to plan on attending your event.
-Keep a written guest list. This will keep you on track as RSVP come in for the number of guests that will be attending.
-Plan the menu. Whether you will be catering the event or cooking yourself, plan accordingly.
-Check on cooking and serving equipment. Rent or buy what you may need to make the event run smoothly.
-If needed, arrange for help with parking, serving, or cleanup, and rent coat racks.
3 Weeks Ahead
-Buy non perishables, disposable items, liquor, nonalcoholic beverages, and mixers. This will help you to spread out the costs for the event over a few weeks.
-Plan how you will stage the event and where you will place the food tables and beverage stations to best accommodate for traffic flow. Remember that a party's traffic flow id very different from the normal traffic flow in your home.
-Clean and iron the table linens.
-Order any food items from the caterer, grocer or butcher to ensure that all necessary food items will be available for your party.
2 Weeks Ahead
-Cook and freeze foods such as desserts, breads, and casseroles.
-Check the condition of the garden or backyard if this area is going to be a part of your party.
-Do any major housecleaning.
-Polish silver and clean crystal, china, or serving ware if necessary.
-Begin making ice.
-Order flowers and decorations.
2 Days Ahead
-Set the buffet table.
-Set up the bar.
-Set up the music.
-Clean the rooms where the party will be held, and rearrange furniture to help stage your home for the event.
-Begin making food or portions of recipes such as pasta or potato salads, crudité dips, and some desserts.
-Post a last-minute itemized checklist. This will make sure that you don't forget anything in the next few hectic days.
1 Day Ahead
-Draw a timetable of what needs to be cooked and served when. This will keep the party moving and allow you to enjoy yourself throughout the evening without worrying about what needs to be done next.
-Shop for perishable foods.
-Do as much cooking as possible.
-Decorate your home or event venue.
-Pick up and arrange flowers.
-Call anyone assisting with the event and let them know any last minute instructions that you may have.
-Make the punch base, or the base for the main drink you will be serving at your party.
Day of the Party
-Finish cooking.
-Arrange ice and fruit for the bar.
-Finish any additional decoration or last minute cleaning to make sure the event looks just the way you imagined it.
While not all events will follow this timeline, this will give you a good base to start from when planning your event. Keep in mind that having someone help host your event with you, may make things go a little more smoothly. Also, remember that this party isn't just for your guests, so with the proper planning, you too can enjoy your party.
March 29, 2010
Location!!! Location!!! Location!!!
When planning an event one of the first things that probably comes to your mind is where should I host this party, right? Well if you are like most people you probably have a choice; host the event in my home or find an appropriate location for the event. Well here are a few tips that might make the choice easier for you.
1) If you choose to host the event in your home, the main things you want to keep in mind are:
• The number of guests you are going to invite. You want to make sure that there is enough room in your home for everyone to mingle and enjoy the evening. You also want to keep in mind the type of party you are having when you consider the number of guests. If you are having an intimate dinner party, or a party where there are activities for your guests, you may want to keep the number relatively small so that everyone enjoys themselves. However, if you are having a theme party , or celebrating a specific occasion, you may want to invite more people from different areas of your life so that everyone can share in the good times and get to know one another.
• Another key thing to consider is the overall budget for your soiree. Make sure to keep yourself on track financially so that you really do enjoy the planning and the event itself.
• If you are hosting a more casual event, and your guests offer to bring something, be specific. Let them know one or two different items that would be helpful in the execution of the party. However, don't expect everyone to bring something, remember you are the hostess.
• In addition, you will want to consider the time of year and if your home isn't extremely large and its cold outside....your guests will all be inside throughout the event. If it is hot outside and you are going to use your backyard as part of your entertaining space, you may want to bring in fans or misters. So, you will want to make sure that everyone will be comfortable as you entertain them.
• Remember entertaining at home can save you money over finding an external venue and it gives you the opportunity to open you home to those closest to you.
• When having a party at your home it doesn't have to be formal or casual, you have the flexibility to set the mood and decor to fit the event. So, plan accordingly.
2) If you choose to find an external venue:
• The first thing you will want to do is set your budget and your guest list so that you will have a ballpark of how large the space needs to be and how much it can cost you.
• Having an event at a location outside of your home can offer some flexibility that you won't get from entertaining at home. You have the ability to make the space your own with your own decorations and the overall set up of the space.
• Once you have determined the budget, guest list, and decor or theme of the party, you will want to call several venues and get quotes for the event you are trying to host. Remember, you will want to do this several weeks in advance to ensure you and the location have the proper time to prepare.
• Take good notes when calling various venues and ask several questions. Keep in mind you will want to know their policies on catering, beverages, decorations and entertainment. They may have packages that include all or some of these things.
• However, if you know a good caterer, bar tending service, or entertainment group that you want to use, you will want to find a location that will accommodate your plans.
• While planning an event outside of your home may be a little more expensive, it may be the best bet when hosting a large event or corporate gathering.
Once you have taken all of these items into account, you will probably have a good idea of where the best place to hold the party will be. However, if you are still wondering if your home would be suitable, ask a friend you are going to invite to the party, who knows they may just have a good idea you haven't thought of yet.
1) If you choose to host the event in your home, the main things you want to keep in mind are:
• The number of guests you are going to invite. You want to make sure that there is enough room in your home for everyone to mingle and enjoy the evening. You also want to keep in mind the type of party you are having when you consider the number of guests. If you are having an intimate dinner party, or a party where there are activities for your guests, you may want to keep the number relatively small so that everyone enjoys themselves. However, if you are having a theme party , or celebrating a specific occasion, you may want to invite more people from different areas of your life so that everyone can share in the good times and get to know one another.
• Another key thing to consider is the overall budget for your soiree. Make sure to keep yourself on track financially so that you really do enjoy the planning and the event itself.
• If you are hosting a more casual event, and your guests offer to bring something, be specific. Let them know one or two different items that would be helpful in the execution of the party. However, don't expect everyone to bring something, remember you are the hostess.
• In addition, you will want to consider the time of year and if your home isn't extremely large and its cold outside....your guests will all be inside throughout the event. If it is hot outside and you are going to use your backyard as part of your entertaining space, you may want to bring in fans or misters. So, you will want to make sure that everyone will be comfortable as you entertain them.
• Remember entertaining at home can save you money over finding an external venue and it gives you the opportunity to open you home to those closest to you.
• When having a party at your home it doesn't have to be formal or casual, you have the flexibility to set the mood and decor to fit the event. So, plan accordingly.
2) If you choose to find an external venue:
• The first thing you will want to do is set your budget and your guest list so that you will have a ballpark of how large the space needs to be and how much it can cost you.
• Having an event at a location outside of your home can offer some flexibility that you won't get from entertaining at home. You have the ability to make the space your own with your own decorations and the overall set up of the space.
• Once you have determined the budget, guest list, and decor or theme of the party, you will want to call several venues and get quotes for the event you are trying to host. Remember, you will want to do this several weeks in advance to ensure you and the location have the proper time to prepare.
• Take good notes when calling various venues and ask several questions. Keep in mind you will want to know their policies on catering, beverages, decorations and entertainment. They may have packages that include all or some of these things.
• However, if you know a good caterer, bar tending service, or entertainment group that you want to use, you will want to find a location that will accommodate your plans.
• While planning an event outside of your home may be a little more expensive, it may be the best bet when hosting a large event or corporate gathering.
Once you have taken all of these items into account, you will probably have a good idea of where the best place to hold the party will be. However, if you are still wondering if your home would be suitable, ask a friend you are going to invite to the party, who knows they may just have a good idea you haven't thought of yet.
March 28, 2010
Party Planning Basics
Have you ever gotten the urge to throw a fabulous event, but stopped yourself because you felt it would just be too much hassle? Well, we are here to help you overcome that fear and find how simple and fun entertaining can be. Before you throw any event, there is some basic planning that needs to be done.
• What type of event are you wanting to throw? Are you throwing a birthday party for a friend, co-worker, a child, or family member? Do you want to throw a theme party? Or are you throwing an event centered around a specific occasion or holiday?
• Once you have decided the type of event, you will want to decide when this event will take place. You will need to take into account the timeline your guests might need to plan to come to the event. You will also want to make sure you have allotted enough time to send out invitations and time for the preparations you need to make yourself.
• You will then need to decide where to host this lovely soiree. If you are looking to hold the event in your home or place of business you will want to see what preparations will need to be made to make the space ready for your guests. This may include staging the space to accommodate everyone. If you are planning to host the event at a separate venue, you will want to call around and get quotes for pricing as well as information about what their food and drink policies and arrangements are.
• The next item on your to-do list should be to make a guest list for the event. For this you will want to keep in mind the type of event and what guests would enjoy this the most. You will want to keep the size of the guest list manageable for the specific party.
Once you have taken these first simple steps, the fun of the party planning begins. This is when you will begin to think of the decorations, entertainment, and menu for your event. You may also want to enlist the help of some of the members of your guest list to help you as the party gets closer. The thing to keep in mind as you are planning the overall theme and tone of your party is the ambiance and mood you will create for the event. Make sure that this is in line with the type of party to make it as enjoyable as possible for your guests.
Last, but certainly not least, remember to relax and enjoy your role as the host or hostess of any event. Keep your cool and role with the punches as the event goes on. You will want to make sure to handle every situation throughout the party with grace and dignity. Don't take anything too seriously....If someone happens to spill red wine, let it go, even if you may be fuming on the inside, you don't want to make your guest feel any worse than they already do.
Each of the parties on this blog will include tips that will help you with each of these key steps you have to take for any event you throw. Sometimes these elements come together very quickly and easily, however sometimes it is a little more difficult to decide when, where, what type of party to have, and who to invite. But don't let these difficulties derail your fun. Entertaining is something we all can and should enjoy.
• What type of event are you wanting to throw? Are you throwing a birthday party for a friend, co-worker, a child, or family member? Do you want to throw a theme party? Or are you throwing an event centered around a specific occasion or holiday?
• Once you have decided the type of event, you will want to decide when this event will take place. You will need to take into account the timeline your guests might need to plan to come to the event. You will also want to make sure you have allotted enough time to send out invitations and time for the preparations you need to make yourself.
• You will then need to decide where to host this lovely soiree. If you are looking to hold the event in your home or place of business you will want to see what preparations will need to be made to make the space ready for your guests. This may include staging the space to accommodate everyone. If you are planning to host the event at a separate venue, you will want to call around and get quotes for pricing as well as information about what their food and drink policies and arrangements are.
• The next item on your to-do list should be to make a guest list for the event. For this you will want to keep in mind the type of event and what guests would enjoy this the most. You will want to keep the size of the guest list manageable for the specific party.
Once you have taken these first simple steps, the fun of the party planning begins. This is when you will begin to think of the decorations, entertainment, and menu for your event. You may also want to enlist the help of some of the members of your guest list to help you as the party gets closer. The thing to keep in mind as you are planning the overall theme and tone of your party is the ambiance and mood you will create for the event. Make sure that this is in line with the type of party to make it as enjoyable as possible for your guests.
Last, but certainly not least, remember to relax and enjoy your role as the host or hostess of any event. Keep your cool and role with the punches as the event goes on. You will want to make sure to handle every situation throughout the party with grace and dignity. Don't take anything too seriously....If someone happens to spill red wine, let it go, even if you may be fuming on the inside, you don't want to make your guest feel any worse than they already do.
Each of the parties on this blog will include tips that will help you with each of these key steps you have to take for any event you throw. Sometimes these elements come together very quickly and easily, however sometimes it is a little more difficult to decide when, where, what type of party to have, and who to invite. But don't let these difficulties derail your fun. Entertaining is something we all can and should enjoy.
March 22, 2010
Let's Get This Party Started
Well, here it goes, about 6 months ago I started imagining what my dream job would be like and after much soul searching and day dreaming, I realized that I should do something that I love. Pretty progressive huh? As simple as that may seem, I thought long and hard and realized that I have always loved being creative, organizing, and ultimately entertaining and being in social situations with my family and friends. So I started thinking how I could turn that into a career.....and here we are. There were so many ideas I came up with about party themes, etiquette, gifts, invitations, decor, and menus that I felt this would be the best forum to share those ideas. I am the kind of girl who loves to throw a party and put special touches in the details that make an event stand out. I have always enjoyed getting to create events or get togethers that celebrate the moments in life. Because after all, isn't that all that really matters. My main goal is to inspire you to throw parties and celebrate the moments in your life. This blog centers around ways to make being a fabulous hostess as well as a fantastic guest as simple and accessible as possible. I plan to include the latest in trends, do-it-yourself projects, fabulous menus, and everyday etiquette to ensure that you too can be your own savvy hostess. So here's to a great party.....Cheers!!!
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