Category Archives: Tip

Event tips to help your event be successful and run smoothly.

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Ask A Planner

It’s been a awhile since we’ve had the Ask-A-Planner question, so it is exciting to back in the saddle! This one comes from Asia, and is a question I dealt with for my own wedding.

 

Dear Sara,

My fiance and I are currently living overseas, but are moving back to the US soon. After we are settled, we will have a small wedding there with mostly family.

We want to have an engagement party while we are still overseas with our friends here, but I read on many web-sites you MUST invite everyone to the wedding that you invited to your engagement party.

Do you think that holds true if you live in one country and will get married in another?  We want to celebrate with our friends overseas while we are here, knowing that many of them wouldn’t be able to come to the wedding in the US anyway, nor do we want that large of a wedding.

Thank you! 

Newly Engaged in Asia 

 

Dear Newly Engaged,

First of all, congratulations!! This is such an exciting time!

You are already diving head long into one of the first challenges of planning a wedding– the guest list. This effects so much of the planning process (including additional parties!), and it one of the hardest parts. Additionally, there is not a lot of info out there for people in your situation (I know, because I looked for us too!) of living and planning in different cities, especially overseas.

Honestly, I think the rule of only inviting guests to parties that will be invited to the wedding is kind of a pain; It can fatigues your guests (I was a bridesmaid in a wedding that had different kinds of bridal showers every month leading up to the wedding. I was in college at the time— it was so expensive!!). And really— even people not in your situation ask this same question, so I’m kind of waiting for the day when this rule is abandoned.

But–even though I am all about bucking the norm, I think there will still be some traditionalist out there who might expect an invite to the wedding if they are invited to the other festivities. And you’d risk hurt their feelings– and no one wants that to happen.

In order to celebrate with your overseas friends and not confuse people, I’m wondering if you can get around “the rule” by calling the party something else. Like  ”A Celebration of our Union” (ok, the name needs work) or something that implies what it is, without saying the traditional term “engagement party” that will lead people to expect a wedding invitation  Since you won’t be having another party here after you are married there should be some way to convey to people that this is their chance to party it up wedding style with you and it’s all in the wording of the invite. (And maybe you can even wear a white sundress to the party!).

Readers, what do you think? What is the best way for dealing with this oppressive rule of invites?

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Bigger Lips

I don’t usually wear lipstick. It may be because I am not good at putting it on, and often feel I look like a clown. But I’d love a little bit of pop for events and special occasions, you know?

When I saw this tutorial for creating bigger lips, I actually gasped. I will be trying this in the near future, for sure.

biggerlips

STEPS:

  1. Look in the mirror to detect where your natural lip line (perimeter) is. Starting at the cupid’s bow, place the pencil directly above it so it’s still touching it and exaggerate the arch by drawing just above it.
  2. Continue outlining the entire lip area, basically tracing where your natural highlight would have been. Then fill in the entire lip.
  3. Follow with any lip color (I chose a similar shade to the lip pencil but you can follow a nude pencil with any shade, or match your lip pencil with your lipstick/gloss) all over

See suggested tools here.

 

 

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You’re Engaged! Now What?

A good friend of mine just got engaged and I couldn’t be more excited for her. It’s such a wonderful and exciting time! You’ve got a wedding to plan, but it will be fun, right?

Here are the top five tips to ensure that the planning process– not to mention your wedding day– remain just as fun as those first days of engagement.

bridal-magazines

 

#1. Dream and Enjoy!

Your eyes are as sparkly as your ring, and they should be! Take it all in and bask in it– including Pinterest, magazines and blogs. This isn’t a fact-finding mission, but a chance to think about all the possibilities. Anything that catches your eye, wedding related or not, pin it, tear it or mark it. Every once in awhile see if there is a trend, style, or colors coming through or ideas that stick with you. {image}

weddingtips2

#2. Where to Marry

This is always a for discussion and is the first step in the wedding process. This can also be traded out for “What Time of Year?” but they are related. If you are under specific time pressure, then a place that is nice that needed time of year might dictate a destination wedding. Many couples chose a city or state that is important to them, and this helps decide what time of year. {For example, my husband and I chose to be married in Florida, and Feb/March are the most beautiful, narrowing our window.} There may some compromise here, but once this is decided, everything else can start– and you can see which of your ideas from #1 might really work! {image}

weddingtips

#3. Go Dress Shopping

This is seriously fun and is often kept for later in the process– for no reason! Right away make some appointments, gather your girls, drink champagne and spend a day(s) getting dressed up like a princess. Really, do I have to twist your arm?  Bring some pictures of dresses you like, but be open to new ideas, too. Once you decide what style of dress looks good on your body and fits your style, you may go back to the magazines looking for an entirely different kind of dress than you thought. More reasons to do it early on? Many wedding dresses take at least 6 months to get made/shipped, so give yourself plenty of time to make a decision. Also– the style of your wedding dress may change the style of your big day– it may be more or less formal than your originally thought. So gather your girlies and go do some shopping! {image}

weddingtips3

#4. Engagement Photos

Dress up and be cute with your partner in some of your favorite spots while a photographer follows you around, framing you beautifully. Sound like fun? It is, even if it’s a bit awkward at first. This seems like an easy, not important detail to give up, but we love ours, and still use the engagement photos more than the ones from our wedding. We just look a couple of kids in love, rather than super fancy in wedding clothes. Do it. You won’t regret it.

weddingtips4

#5. Think About What’s Important

This conversation will start you on the path of creating a budget, and you are probably about there. Keeping it context of your priorities will help guide the process of putting your numbers together. After dress shopping, photos and looking at images, you are probably realizing you can’t have everything {even those with luxury budgets}. If your heart is set on a couture dress and crystal glasses, then maybe a smaller guest list is in order. If having all your friends attend is the most important, then location might be the priority, and your budget would need to reflect a larger venue budget, than, say, invitations. Remind yourself throughout the wedding planning process of these priorities to ensure you stay on track, both to stay sane and enjoy, and budget. {image}

So go enjoy! Congratulations! And have fun planning!

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Make It Pretty!

I loved these styling tips by Chelsea from Frolic! – and I thought how useful they are for any kind of decor or party planning process. I’m sharing them here and adding some of my own thoughts and tips.   She says she wants everything to look pretty and just right but it also has to be simple, quick and inexpensive– something to which we can all relate!

frolic_green_table

 

1. Think about Location.

One of the first important decisions of an event is picking the venue. Even if it’s at your house, deciding on whether the party will take place indoors or at the pool will make a big difference in the look and feel of your event.

 

frolic_apple_table2

 

2. Stick to one or two colors.

It makes things so much easier ( and cheaper!). To make it even easier and to add some depth, I often pick a color then decorate in shades of that color, based on what I can find.

 

frolic_yellow_table

 

3. Pretty chairs are important.

This is a tough one, as it can add up quickly, and sometimes you don’t have much control over the chairs at a venue. But they do certainly make a difference, so decide if chairs or {simple} slipcovers can fit into your budget.

 

frolic_cherry_table

 

4. Anything can be a centerpiece.

It doesn’t alway have to be flowers– think outside the box.  Using seasonal fruit  or donutes for centerpieces and doubling them up for favors is great fun for guests.

 

frolic_liliac_red

 

5. Make your table look homemade.

Little personal touches are what make an event memorable. Making the napkins or seating cards give a lot of warmth and character to your party.

 

frolic_strawberry_table

 

6. Use pretty packaging.

Buy or make jams, sodas, or favor packages. Ensuring that these items are pretty make people want to take them home.

 

frolic_yellow_blue_table

 

7. Hang flags!

Bunting is so popular right now because it is simple and inexpensive to make. It adds a bit of fun to your wall or ceiling, making everything more festive.

 

frolic_cherry

 

8. Use handwriting.

I have nice handwriting, so I use this technique often. But I have a friend with even better skills, and I’ve called on her more than once to lend a hand! It really shows that you took the time and cared enough to add that personal touch.

 

frolic_red_check_setting

 

9. Have fun! 

Your event should reflect you and your style– so use things you like and enjoy. Don’t feel pressure to use or incorporate pieces that don’t speak to you. Have fun with it, and your guests will enjoy it too!

 

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Pretty To Do List

I’m working to get myself organized and focused right now. I love how this weekly list is divided up so I’m not too overwhelmed by the list of tasks for one day. This would work for planning a party or every day get ‘er dones.

Download and print this free list from A Pair of Pears here.

things+to+do

 

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Passport of Experiences

You probably already know that I love travel related things, but this awesome execution by the University of North Texas to take mandatory requirements of education exploration into a passport is just too cool. I love the idea of turning “musts” into something fun and engaging.

Event Planners– and many parents(!)– turn the ordinary into a game everyday. How fun would life be if we all did this? Have to go a trade show and speak to so many people? Turn it into a passport game! Chores to do, or want your kids to do? Give them stamps or stickers for every activity completed! Want your guests to check out a certain number of stations at your event? Give them an incentive to do so!

See more of their beautiful work here.

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Fun Party Shops

We are in the most painful part of the move right now, where you feel like you don’t have enough time to get everything done. Sandy certainly added her excitement as well! So glad my NYC peeps are safe and sound– that was pretty scary, even from DC!

So, with all of that, I thought you might like this list of fun party supply shops to take our minds to other things. Some of these shops I hadn’t heard of– but I can’t wait to check them out and order it up! One of the best parts? Most of these online stores ship internationally…  {via PapernStitch}

#1 Herriott Grace

This shop is STUNNING!! Things seem to sell out pretty quickly though, so be sure to check back often. Or join the mailing list for updates. 

Currently loving rustic porcelain pedestal

#2 Signe Sugar

Cupcake toppers and gum paste letters or numbers.

Currently loving…Colorful gum paste letters and numbers

#3 Confetti System

Love.

Currently loving twist rope garland

#4 Knot and Bow

Best known for interesting packaging-related supplies, but the tags and stickers are good for presents, which are party related!

Currently loving party confetti 

#5 Paper Tuesday 

Filled with honeycomb ball poufs and cool tissue fans, this shop is on internet ‘speed dial’ for when one of those two things.

Currently loving Clarissa Pouf Kit

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Scents to Match My Mood

At an event we are {hopefully} surrounded by friendly and loved ones. With all of those greetings of hugs or talking close, its nice to smell good. Even better when you know that scent reflects you– or at least for that moment.

I have a pretty sensitive sense of smell {I annoy my husband and work mates} so it takes me awhile to pick out a scent. I have to try it on a couple of times and then smell it hours later. Depending on the weather, they can even smell different to me, sometimes good, sometimes not quite right. So I’ve developed a couple of perfumes over many years that work for me, depending on response and style that day.

Every Day/Sweet/Complicated/Clean 

P.S. I also have a sexy scent and a travel scent…but I’ll leave that for next time.

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Two Faced Paper

I’m loving this trend of reversible paper. Beyond gift wrapping, these papers could be used as a table runner, on a photo backdrop, or even framed in a group. Gorgeous, right?

From top left: teal/white/yellow/2 color

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