Going Green On Your Wedding Day

Being the smart and informed fine young people we are, you know just as well as I do that it is important to be earth conscious when planning your wedding! Here are a few tips on how you can help keep our beautiful earth around longer, and still have the wedding of your dreams!

Use Bubbles or Flower Petals instead of Confetti

Choose a Centrally Located Venue and try to have the Ceremony and Reception in One Location to Reduce Transportation for your Guests

Choose an Eco-Friendly Gown, or purchase a Recycled Gown

Brides Against Breast Cancer is a great source of recycled and donated gowns where proceeds go to benefit Breast Cancer!

Go Digital with your Invitations, or Fun Recycled Materials like this Growing Paper

Use All Natural Make-Up to reduce the amount of toxins absorbed through the skin

With all of these tips in mind, now you're all set to have The Green Wedding of your Dreams!

by Legency Event Hall

5 Professionals All Event Planners Should Network With

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by Legency Event Hall

How to Host a Party: 16 things to remember when you’re hosting anything

If you’re planning to host a party or any sort of casual get-together, these 16 realistic party hosting tips will help keep your gathering fun and stress-free for everyone. Hosting a party at home doesn’t have to be cause for a nervous breakdown!

I love having people over to my house.

We’ve had times and seasons of our lives where we hosted parties pretty much non-stop and others where our get-together were much more limited.

For instance, in the ten and a half months we lived in North Carolina during Bart’s first year of his MBA, we were basically party hosting machines.

We had dozens of people over for dinner, hosted a couple of  team brunches, threw several birthday parties, had both sets of parents visit for the weekend, and had all sorts of get-togethers like our couples book club, a diaper baby shower, Pi Day, and our s’mores farewell party.

At other points, like the first year or two we lived in Arizona, we did much less party hosting, as we got in to the groove of having children in school and making new friends here.

But no matter what our circumstances have been, we’ve always felt like having people over was a priority to us.

It’s definitely not like I have the nicest house (most of my furniture is IKEA, Goodwill or IKEA FROM Goodwill) or the best yard or am the greatest cook of all time.

We had a boatload of parties in our little, filthy-carpeted apartment in Texas, squeezing in up to 30 people into our tiny living area.

I am also 100% certain I am not the most fun person you know.

In fact, I’m probably one of the least fun people you know. My idea of a good time is reading a book in bed with a bowl of ice cream. (Happily, I married someone way more fun than me, so he can be charming while I make cookies).

But despite all that, I feel like Bart and I have really gotten a good system down for having people over, whether it’s to host a party or just having dinner guests, where it’s low-stress for both of us, and we’re still speaking to each other by the time people arrive.

HERE ARE THE THINGS THAT I’VE LEARNED ARE MOST IMPORTANT WHEN YOU HOST A PARTY (OR ANY KIND OF GATHERING!):

  1. Just Invite People Over. Your house might not be perfect. You might not have enough chairs for everyone. Your bathroom might be ugly or boring or involve a toilet that has that have the handle jiggled juuuuust so to work. I guarantee you that 99% of people enjoy being invited to something with people they like and don’t care about what your house looks like or if they have to sit in a kitchen chair or on the floor (and if they do care, well, who wants to invite them over anyway?).
  2. Don’t Make it So Complicated You Never Do It Again. Order takeout for dinner. Use Evite to send your party invitations. Don’t bother mopping the floor. Whatever it is that makes it less stressful for you to host a party, feel free to do it. I pretty much promise no one else will notice.
  3. Food. Virtually everyone likes food. No matter what kind of party you’re hosting (unless it’s a, you know, hunger strike), include some food. Even if it’s just a bag of chips in a bowl. Or in the bag. I love chips in a bag.
  4. Do one thing well, and cut yourself slack on everything else. I know every Pinterest party has one trillion amazing details. Who cares? I usually pick one thing to focus on, whether it’s food (like at our s’mores party), decorations (like at the Pampers party), or activities (like the Mission Impossible party). And then make everything else easy (big activity? easy food. Serious decorations? No activities). Don’t kill yourself trying to make everything amazing.
  5. Use Paper Products. The environmentalist in me cringes, and
    Pinterest users everywhere probably are gasping in horror, but when the
    entire party is cleaned up five minutes after the last guest leaves? I
    feel happy that we decided to host a party. Plus, there are so many pretty paper products available. 
  6. Focus on the Big Impact Items. No one is looking at your baseboards. I prioritize vacuuming and cleaning the bathroom (aka making Bart clean the bathroom), because those are the most noticeable, and then I don’t worry about the rest of the cleaning much at all when we host a party. I do one or two great food items, and then fill in with low-key items (water, chips and dip, fruit, etc). You’ll never have the time or money or energy to do every single thing, so don’t waste it on the the things no one notices.
  7. A Few Small Details Make a Big Difference when you’re hosting a party at home. Some cute paper straws, a bouquet of flowers, or some balloons go a long way and are all inexpensive (hello, clearance floral at Kroger), plus it looks like you went to some effort to be a good party host.
  8. Crank up the AC. This is one of the goofiest party hosting tips but there is nothing worse than realizing you’re slowly melting into the carpet at a party. We always turn our AC down about four degrees lower than normal. In the winter, we often crack a window or two to keep it from feeling like an oven.
  9. Invite the Right People. We’ve learned not to invite everyone we know to a single party – this was a hosting tip we learned through trial and error for sure! Bart and I hate being personally responsible for making sure everyone has someone to talk to. And if you have quiet friends who don’t like competition, maybe they aren’t the right ones to invite to Minute to Win It. Save their names for a dinner party instead.
  10. Let Other People Help when you host a party. If people offer to bring a side dish or to arrive with a large stack of paper plates, take them up on it. You might feel like you’re failing How to be a Good Party Host 101 but when it’s three minutes until arrival, you’ll be glad to have time to vacuum rather than frantically chopping tomatoes for a salad. And people like to feel useful.
  11. Set Expectations. I hate going to a “party” that ends up being a bunch of people sitting around talking. Likewise, I don’t like arriving at what I think will be a quiet night talking to friends, only to find out I’ll be expected to put on a costume and make up an interpretive dance to a Disney song. Make it clear what’s going to take place at the party.
  12. Account for Children. If you’re going to have kids around, make sure there is somewhere for them to sit (you DON’T want them balancing a bowl of soup on their laps) or that there are activities for them. If you don’t want kids to attend, make that clear in the invitation. I feel like a jerk when I put that in invitations, but I’d rather that then be annoyed when people show up with their children or when I show up at a party with my child, only to discover I should have gotten a babysitter.
  13. Remember that People Just Like to Be Together. A few years ago, Ralphie hosted a Christmas Movie Girls’ Night. There was hot chocolate and popcorn and everyone came in their pajamas and we were going to watch some classic Christmas movie. But then everyone got talking and visiting and it was clear no one really wanted to stop chatting to watch the movie, and Ralphie just let it slide. Everyone stayed until one a.m. talking and the movie was never turned on. Similarly, my ideal baby shower is one with zero dumb games. I don’t need to guess the name of various animal babies nor do I need to stick my face in a diaper with a melted candy bar. I feel like too often, the activities get in the way of people having a good time. Feel free to skip them! (Unless it’s a themed party where the activity is the whole point, we almost never have games or activities).
  14. Do Something Out of the Ordinary. An ugly sweater party? (PASS! I know it’s so unhip of me to hate on ugly sweater parties, but seriously. I loathe them). Everyone is having Christmas parties and it’s just another thing to squeeze in. I love having a Pi Day party because meeting on a weeknight to gorge on pie is just so outside the normal routine of regular life. A Friday morning where you get a bunch of food and free diapers? Definitely exciting (at least to people like me. . . ). Don’t feel like you need a big holiday or reason to have a party. I think it’s extra fun to have an event when there’s no real reason for it.
  15. Put the Food where You Want People to Be. If you put the food in the kitchen, EVERYONE WILL BE IN THE KITCHEN. My Grannie, who is the world’s best hostess, always puts the appetizers in the living room so people will gather there when she’s hosting a party at home. And I think she’s brilliant.
  16. Once People Arrive, Just Enjoy the Party. In my book, this is the cardinal rule for how to be a good party host. Don’t apologize about the lack of decorations or mention that you MEANT to have three desserts, but only had time for two, or point out that your floor could have used a sweeping or five. No one wants to feel like the party or dinner or event is stressing you out. Make people feel like you’re glad to have them there.

by Legency Event Hall

Sweet 16 Party Ideas

A birthday is always a special occasion. For many teens, the 16th birthday is a milestone. It is a special event to welcome them into adulthood and new responsibilities. A life event like this deserves a coming of age party, in recognition of their growth and accomplishments.

Make the occasion more special with these unique sweet 16 party ideas. Create a memorable and fun 16th birthday party with our simple tips, helping to ensure that the event is a success.

Planning the Event

1. Pick a Theme

Take time to talk to the birthday girl/boy about the theme that they want for their event. The rest of the birthday party planning will become easier once the theme is decided upon. They may want a neon party, for example, with face paint, glow sticks and a neon sign made by the Neon Mama team. The theme will determine everything, so choose it before anything else.

2. Set the Date and Time

Depending on the chosen theme, set the date and time of the event. For example, if the theme includes dancing, consider a night party. For an escape-at-the-spa theme, we recommend a daytime event. Keep in mind that you need to be open about your ideal day and time until you find a venue that’s suitable.

3. Choose the Venue

When looking for an San Diego event venue, choose one that offers both day and night bookings. Take note that not all sites provide daytime rentals. If you plan on holding the event early, it’s best to decide this early on. You will quickly narrow down your search to venues that can accommodate your schedule preferences.

When looking for an event space, ask about the amenities, convenience of the location, and privacy of the party room. Also, look for a venue with views that will make for a beautiful photo backdrop. This will ensure that the resulting images look amazing.

If you are, however, considering hosting the party at your home (which can be a good option too if you’re ready for it), then you will have to start prepping way before the party. Consider hiring a professional maid from reliable Austin house cleaning services (or ones closer to you) who can come in to help get the house cleaned up and looking fresh before you start decorating and preparing.

4. Create a Guest List

Consult the birthday girl/boy about the guest list before you create one. Make sure that all their closest friends will be there to make the event more memorable for them.

Whilst it might be nice to have a “friends only” party, it can also be nice to have older family members there too, if only for the earlier part of the evening. This will give you the chance to take family portraits Minneapolis which they’ll cherish forever when they’re older. It also suitably embarrasses them!

5. Send Invitations

Order the invitations early, or start crafting them if you plan on going DIY. Include information about the party location, and where to send RSVPs. If planning to invite guests via snail mail, consider sending duplicate invites on different platforms such as email or social media. This way, your guests will see your invite more than once. As such, it will remind them to send in their reply early

6. Choose a Menu

As expected, your menu will depend on the theme of the party. Will it be a formal sit-down dinner or something more casual? Once this is determined, decide upon the food and drinks you will be serving. Be sure to place an order ahead of time, so there are no last minute complications.

If your venue has a preferred catering list, be sure to ask for recommendations. There are event venues that have a list of caterers that you may want to hire. Often, these are the only catering companies that are approved to work at the venue. So be sure to find this out ahead of time, before you hire an outside caterer.

7. Plan the Entertainment

Make a list of activities to include in the party. You may want to hire a DJ or a band to provide fun and entertainment for your guests. You can also have participation games or dance contests to make the event more enjoyable. Your DJ, event coordinator, or band leader will likely have creative entertainment ideas for you.

Sweet 16 Party Theme Ideas

Can’t decide on a theme for the party? Here are some sweet 16 theme ideas to help you and the birthday girl/boy plan a memorable teen party:

1. Disco Dance Party

Dance parties are a hit for all ages. However, teens have their own preferences in music and dance styles. Talk to the DJ in advance so you can ask them about their recommended playlists. From there, add a mirror ball and a lot of flashy lights, and you’re set!

2. Spa Day Party

Treat your guests to a day at the spa with massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, or haircuts. Hire a hairstylist and challenge everyone to try a new hairstyle. Give party favors that consist of nail polish, lip balms, or scented candles.

3. VSCO vs. E-Girl/Boy

With the popularity of Tik Tok, styles by VSCO girls and social influencers have taken over the internet. Take this trend and make it the theme of the sweet 16. You’ll see teens creatively expressing themselves and having a great time as a result. If they are really into Tik Tok, then they are probably trying to make a ‘name for themselves’ online, so you may want to steer them to find Tikfuel reviews and make their dreams come true.

Sweet 16 Party Decoration Ideas

Make the party more festive by adding decorations for your chosen theme. Here are some decorating ideas to make the party stand out more:

1. Balloons

Even for older kids and teens, balloons make any party more special. After choosing a theme for your teen party, add balloons to match. Some creative options include balloon arches, balloon animals, and LED balloons that light up.

2. Streamers

Streamers, or any form of signage with the birthday girl’s/boy’s name, make for great party decorations. You have a wide option of colors and designs. Hang them on the walls, doorways, or ceiling to create fantastic photo backgrounds.

3. Table Decor

Adorn each table with centerpieces that match the party’s theme and colors. For example, you can place vases with the birthday girl’s/boy’s favorite flowers, or napkin holders with her name and birth date.

Sweet 16 Party Game Ideas

Entertain everyone with extra fun and amusement with these party game ideas:

1. Karaoke

Let everyone sing their hearts out by renting a karaoke machine for the event, or use software specially made for this purpose. Hand out slips of paper for guests to make song requests, and offer prizes to the best singers.

2. Junk in the Trunk Game

Tie empty tissue boxes to the contestants’ waist and fill them with ping pong balls. Ask the DJ to play energetic music and ask the players to dance until all the balls inside the box fall. The first one to shake out all the ping pong balls wins the game.

16. Photo Booth

Set up a photo booth backdrop and provide a box full of hats, masks, costumes, and many other fun accessories. The guests can take turns dressing up and have their pictures taken. Hire a photographer or rent an instant photo machine to create keepsakes for the party.

by Legency Event Hall

10 Ways To Save $1000 On A Wedding

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Sed ut perspiciatis, unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam eaque ipsa, quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt, explicabo. nemo enim ipsam voluptatem, quia voluptas sit, aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos, qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt, neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum, quia dolor sit, amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt.

by Legency Event Hall

27 Ways To Celebrate Your Birthday

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by Legency Event Hall