The holiday season is all about joy, togetherness, and celebration. But let’s be honest—it can also be a little stressful, especially if you’re the one hosting. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner with family or a lively party with friends, these tips will make hosting for the holidays a breeze!
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Summer's wrapping up, and the back-to-school buzz is in full swing! As campuses come alive again, college freshmen everywhere are settling into dorm life and preparing for the next chapter of their lives. And for many, that chapter kicks off with one of the most anticipated events of the year—Sorority Bid Day!
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Summer is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with a party? While a cookout or a pool party is always an option, there's something about a warm summer night that really sets the tone for a soiree. If you're looking to impress your guests, you're in luck! We've picked out some of our favorite tips and tricks to help make your summer soiree a night to remember.
If there's one thing we love, it's a statement! More and more brides are opting for bold, vibrant color palettes for their big day as opposed to more muted neutrals. While neutral girlies definitely hold a special place in our hearts, bold wedding themes are having a moment and we are here for it—after all your wedding day is a party, and bold themes scream that the loudest!
If you're a bride who's ever felt they were born in the wrong era, then a retro theme may be for you! Different decades possess different style elements, and those elements can fit perfectly into your wedding day. Incorporating retro themes into your wedding can be done as subtle as you want while still being bold! You don't have to have a green shag runner down your aisle to embrace the 60s (though if you're into that—do you, boo!). Pulling specific elements from your designated decade and modernizing them seems to be the way to go. For example, a groovy color palette, arches, and disco balls can tastefully represent the 70s! Metallics, blacks, and geometric patterns are classic 20s. Still want to go farther back than that? The popular white and blue toile de jouy patterns you've probably seen date back to the late 18th century—vintage style at its best! Most retro elements are still as beautiful now as they were then, so follow your heart and you can't go wrong!
Ahhh the Wes Anderson style. You might have seen this trend going around on social media—and for good reason! Wes Anderson is known for exaggerated color palettes, centricity, and symmetrical elements. In other words, he's known for portraying a fun, bold style! Many brides are incorporating this exact style into their weddings with vivid color palettes and centric photography angles. Include some eclectic backdrop vignettes for decoration or a fun photo backdrop. Color blocking is a must! Traditional Wes Anderson-esque colors include various shades of orange, yellow, blue, and green; however, this isn't end all be all. It's your wedding, feel free to get creative and tailor the day to you and your partner!
The maximalist approach is taking the wedding industry by storm! Over-the-top details and lots of color are just two key elements of this bold theme. Think various textures, patterns, colors—more is more when it comes to a maximalist mindset. Don't shy away from color! Bold palettes can be seen in dresses, tuxes, florals, food and decor. Mismatched bridesmaids dresses are a fun way to incorporate different colors or patterns. Bright colors aren't your vibe? Don't worry! Bring an element of moodiness to the maximalism theme with a darker color palette. There is no limit when it comes to a maximalist wedding theme, add what you love and keep going until you're happy!
Bold wedding themes exude fun energy and give your guests something different than what's traditionally expected. You'll always remember your wedding day, but these bold themes make a lasting impression that will make it hard for others to forget it as well!
Hosting a baby shower is a big honor! It can also be a big responsibility, and the planning and prepping can seem intimidating. Don't worry bestie! We've got a breakdown of what you need to make sure you throw the best baby shower for the parents-to-be!
Spring is here and we're gearing up for one of the busiest times of the wedding season! It's the perfect time to go over some of the hottest trends for 2023. Every new year comes with new trends, but there are a few tried and true you'll remember from past wedding seasons. Without further ado, let's break down what to look for at your next celebration.
The season of love is amongst us! If you've got a special valentine this V-Day, we love that for you, but this one is for the Galentines. If you love your gal pals, a Galentine's Day adventure is essential. Leslie Knope would accept nothing less. Throwing a little get-together always works, but if you're looking to get a little creative for Galentine's Day, we've got some ideas that are Cupid approved!
Hosting a dinner party. It can sound like a daunting undertaking. While it can be daunting, it can also be a really fun way to spend the evening with your friends and family! A dinner party is essentially a fancier version of having people over for dinner. You dress a little nicer, you offer hor d'oeuvres with wine that maybe isn't from a box, and you bring out the good plates. There is quite a bit of planning involved in hosting a successful dinner party, though. If you don't cover your bases, the night could end with a burnt entrée and hungry, unhappy guests. It doesn't have to be stressful though! We've put together all the essentials you need to ensure a successful, fun dinner party that will keep your guests waiting for the next invitation.
We mean it. A dinner party isn't something you can throw together at the last minute. To host a true dinner party, you need a few weeks to get everything ready. The first thing you'll need to do is sort out the guest list. Obviously you know your space best, so you know how many people can comfortably fit in your home. If you really want to invite a lot of people, you could rent a tent for your backyard, or if the weather agrees just host the entire party outside! Just know that also means cooking for that many people, unless you pay someone to cater the food. You should give your guests at least two weeks notice once you decide who will be coming. That also gives you a chance to decide the theme, figure out the menu, and all the other fine details. Double and triple check your ingredients list the week of, and go to the store a day or two before the big event to gather everything you'll need. You should also write out a timeframe for how long/when whatever you're cooking will be ready so your guests aren't waiting an hour to eat. Don't forget about the “party” part either! Have a nice playlist ready to go, offer talking points or games, and give plenty of time for guests to enjoy themselves and the meal you've prepared.
Bestie, this is not the time to act like you're hosting a show on Food Network. Unless you make five-star dishes regularly or are a literal chef, stick to what you know you can cook well for your dinner party. Trying something new or extravagant will only add more stress to your already full plate! If you really want to try something new, do a few test runs with the recipe before you add it to the menu. Our advice? Stick with something simple that doesn't take too much of your direct attention. Roast chicken with vegetables or a nice pasta and salad combo can leave anyone impressed when they're done well! You'll likely have some before dinner cocktails and snacks and offer a dessert after, so you don't have to give your guests three different side choices with their entrée. We promise keeping it simple will save you time and stress, and everyone will be satisfied!
No matter how much you prepare, there's always the chance something can go wrong when you host an event. The good news is, you're likely only inviting people you know and like to your party! They'll understand if the food is a little late, and they don't expect your house to be magazine ready. Don't get so hung up on the details that you forget to enjoy your own party. You also don't have to do it all by yourself. If someone wants to help clean up, let them! If you don't have fine china and charger plates, you can still have a beautiful table with delicious food and good company. A few candles and a fresh bouquet from the grocery store can go a long way in setting the mood for your dinner.
Dinner parties don't have to be over the top! They just require a little more planning and likely a few more courses than a regular get together with your friends. How fancy the night is truly depends on you! If you follow these guidelines, though, a dinner party of any scale is sure to be a hit.
It’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop! Nothing heats things up like a cozy bonfire party. If you think there’s only one way to throw a bonfire party, we’re here to tell you you’re wrong (with peace and love, bestie). There are a number of ways to host a memorable bonfire party that will keep you and your guests nice and toasty. We’ve got some tips and tricks to help you get started!
We hate to say it friends, but spooky season is almost over (we know, we’re sad too). While we hate to see it go, it’s not over just yet! Halloween is the perfect holiday for a party, and there are so many different kinds of parties you could throw to celebrate the end of everyone’s fave season. If for some reason you haven’t already planned a Halloween bash, we’ve got some ideas that are sure to be a scream!
