Ever wonder how to plan the perfect, yet simplistic, activities for your kids to enjoy with their dad on Father's Day? Here are some ways to ensure that they get that sought after quality time on Dad's big day.
Breakfast Date
Start the day off at Dad's favorite breakfast place. The break in routine is refreshing and it will fuel you up for any other activities you have planned for the day!
The day of a wedding can be chaotic and stressful, especially for the bride and groom! To bring a little bit of order to the chaos, a "Day-Of" kit for the groom is a must! You can grab this kit on your wedding morning and shake off any worries about not having the essentials on your big day!
Toiletries:
Deodorant
Travel size mouthwash
Chap Stick
Dental floss
Tissues
For down time (while bride takes pictures, etc.):
Cards
Favorite book
Miscellaneous:
Cell phone (& charger!)
Tide To-Go Pen (You’ll be glad you have this one!)
If you will be outdoors:
Sunglasses
Sunscreen spray
Handkerchief (for dabbing sweat)
Insect repellent
Feel free to edit your kit specifically to your wedding’s needs, but these items are a great start and will help you be as prepared as possible for the day of your dreams!
Invitations are a sneak peek to your guests of what your wedding will be like. It's really your first chance to show them the tone of your big day. What information to include on them can seem a bit overwhelming, but moving through your wedding invites like a pro can be quite simple with the help of a basic checklist.
1. WHO
-Couple’s full names
-Parents’ names (Optional)
-Stepparents’ names (Optional)
-Other hosts’ names (Optional)
Continue reading "Your Simple Guide to Wedding Invitations" »
When you are planning your wedding it's important to show appreciation to not only the bridesmaids, but to the groomsmen as well. They work hard to make sure their role in your wedding is perfect, so here are some unique gift ideas for these special men.
1. Custom Cell Phone Case
Chances are, all of your groomsmen keep a cell phone on them so this gift is sure to be used. You can customize them with their initials, a special symbol, or simply with their favorite color. You can even choose ones that are made of real wood, giving them a real rustic and manly look.
Continue reading "Three Unique Groomsmen Gifts" »
1. Binge Watch Your Favorite Show
After a long work week, sometimes the most fulfilling way to celebrate is a comfortable evening at home. If you and your sweetie aren't in the mood to brave the Valentine's Day crowds, plan a no-fuss evening with your favorite show. This is fun because it is a little bit of a challenge to see how many episodes you can watch in one night! If you have kids, try to get a sitter for the night so you two can stay up as late as you want. Make sure you're both dressed in your most comfy lounge-wear, order take-out or just have both of your favorite snacks set out, and turn the living room or bedroom into a cozy space for some much deserved TV and snuggle time!
2. Cooking Contest (Heart-shaped food)
This is great for the competitive types! It's also another staying-in option and can be good if you're on a tight budget. Set aside an evening to split up at the grocery store and buy ingredients you will need to cook your meals. You may each have to cook separate, or if you have a big enough kitchen to cook at the same time that would be ideal. The kicker is your food has to be heart-shaped or any variation of a Valentine's Day theme! Be creative together and see who can cook and/or bake the most unique food! Then, of course, enjoy eating your creations.
3. Be a Tourist (In your own city)
Whether you just moved to a new place or have lived in the same town your entire life, chances are there are still places you haven't explored. It may be a park, a scenic drive, certain shops or restaurants, a city museum, etc. There's always more to learn about where you live and Valentine's Day is a good time to make it a date and learn together!
Of course Valentine's Day isn't just a holiday for couples. You can do any of this with your friends, family members, and even your pets (I don't recommend letting your pet cook, though!). Let these three ideas be a guide into how you celebrate the holiday of love with those you most care about!
Possibly one of the most beautiful things you can do when planning your wedding is to plan a gift for your parents. They have seen you through every stage of life, and it is important to recognize that on your wedding day. Here are three really special ways to say, "Thank you" to the parents of the bride/groom.
1. "For My Mother" Book
Consider this the grown-up version of the baby book your mom probably put together for you. Your mom (and dad!) will be feeling so many emotions on the day you get married, and it may be a little hard on them. Show them you care about everything they have done for you by filling in titles like "my first memory with you" and "my favorite lesson you have taught me." Your parents will love being able to sit down with this book after an emotional day and remember how much they still mean to you.
2. Oak Tree
You are starting a new phase of life, and you will grow in so many ways. Gifting your parents with a baby oak tree that they can plant and watch grow into a mighty oak is a really cool symbol of this growth. It also symbolizes how your parents provided for you and gave you the resources you needed to grow in life. They can plant it somewhere special and always be reminded of your special day.
3. Bridal/Groom Portrait with Message
This idea is just precious. By thinking a little bit ahead of time, you can incorporate your parent gift into your bridal/groom portrait session. If you're a groom and not really getting a set of portraits done like most brides do, you can still have one taken specifically for this. Get dressed up in exactly what you will be wearing on your wedding day and have a sign made for you to hold in the picture. It can be a small, framed chalkboard with words such as, "Forever your little girl" or "Always your little boy." Your parents will cherish this for the rest of their lives.
All of these ideas are great ways to show your parents some love on your special day. After all, it will be a special day for them too!
Do you know a special kid having a birthday this winter? Wanting to throw a fantastic party to celebrate? Here are three options for partying, even when it's too cold outside!
Indoor Campout Slumber Party
No need to be outside to go camping! Set up a "firepit" inside your living room with some logs and orange, yellow, and red construction paper cut into the shape of flames. Serve treats such as s'mores and hot dogs. Whatever camping traditions you and your family like to do, incorporate them in your indoor campout! Make it fun and set up fort with the family too!
Indoor Snowball Fight
When the weather outside is frightful, have a snowball fight–inside! For snowballs, use balled up white socks for big snowballs and cotton balls for small ones. Set up a course for kids to play around, with safety rules! Use things around your home like pillows, and empty laundry baskets as shields!
Gingerbread Man Cookie Decorating
Take a traditional holiday activity and add a little twist. Bake a big batch and let your kids decorate their gingerbread man as their favorite super hero or as them! This doesn't just have to be a holiday tradition, but a party tradition too!
The weather doesn't have to stop you from throwing your kids some amazing parties! For more great party tips, visit the Wedding and Party Blog too!
If anything should be a reflection of your personality and the quirks you hold dear to your heart, it should be your wedding. if you are the literary type, make it the theme for you wedding by incorporating these creative touches.
Cozy Bookshelf Backdrop
Many couples use gorgeous arches or floral arrangements at the end of the aisle, but have you ever considered fully-stocked bookshelves? Two tall bookshelves with a mixture of vintage-style hardback books and other pretty decorations are perfect as your "archway."
Bridal Portraits
Before the big day, have your bridal portraits made inside of a library! You will be sure to have pictures that are unique and represent your wedding theme.
Centerpieces with Meaning
A really fun way to use your literary knowledge is to create centerpieces for your reception tables that reflect your favorite works of literature. Stacks of books, framed old pictures of your favorite authors, framed quotes from your favorite writers–these are some examples of literary table decor that will show your love of literature.
Hanging Books
Looking for a creative way to decorate your reception with the library theme? Collect used books, strong fishing wire and hang the open books from their spines throughout your venue to give it a fantasy look.
Wedding Favors
Consider personalized bookmarks for guests to take as a sentiment from your big day. You can put your names with the wedding date and a favorite literary quote. Every time they open their favorite book, they will be reminded of your wedding.
There are so many ways to bring a library wedding theme to life. All you have to do is put a twist on your favorite components of literature and watch your wedding guests be amazed!
Every bride, traditional or not, knows something about the wedding garter. This bridal attire hides underneath the dress, waiting to be taken off by the groom and thrown to all the single men attending the big day. Yet, not many people know much about this symbolic tradition. Here is some history about the garter!
There used to be a superstition, hundreds of years ago, that owning a piece of a bride's dress would bring good luck. This led to wedding guests basically attacking the bride to rip off a piece of her gown. Eventually, things became much more tame and the bride would wear a specific article of clothing to be given out for good luck: the garter. Another belief is that the garter symbolized the bride and groom consummating the marriage, so it would be taken off and given to family and friends as proof. Both ancient beliefs require the garter be taken off and given away. Today, the removal of the garter is reserved for the groom and usually follows the bouquet toss. Whichever man catches it is said to be the next to marry.
How To Wear A Wedding Garter
The purpose of a wedding garter is to hold up stockings under the wedding gown. It can be worn on either leg, as long as the groom knows which one it is before he removes it. Some brides choose to wear two garters: one to throw and one to keep. When wearing two, the bride should wear the tossing garter below the keepsake garter to make things easier.The best place to wear your garter is right above the knee.
What's fun about the garter is that it is now personalized to fit any style. You can choose one that fits the wedding theme or surprise your new spouse with one that incorporates one of their favorite sport teams or hobbies.
For more great ideas and tips, visit The Wedding and Party Network Blog!
Halloween is right around the corner and if any holiday calls for a creatively fun celebration, it's this one! Here are five ideas to get into the spooky spirit!
For The Kiddos:
Halloween Pet Party
Take something that kids love–animals–and make it into a fun Halloween inspired party. Encourage guests to come dressed as their favorite pet, Halloween style.
Friendly Monster Theme
This Halloween party is all about fun, not fright. Think bright colors, lively games and super cute treats. Ideas: Monster Bingo and a monster eyeball toss.
Spooky Forest
Create a playful forest in your living room for a cool nature-inspired party. Spray paint branches and hang paper bats from the ceiling to spook-ify your home. Make the food forest theme as well with funny puns!
For the Adults:
Glittering Gala
Bring the glam to your next adult Halloween party! Spray paint pumpkins in hues of metallic gold or sparkly silver and use accents of black lace and feathers. Serve up sophisticated appetizers and a spooky, bubbly drink!
Pop-Culture Costume Party
If you desire to bring a little humor to your Halloween shindig, make the costume dress code a pop culture dress up. Whether it's Beyonce or a favorite TV show character, your party is sure to be full of laughs!
It's almost time to throw the Halloween party of the decade! Pick one of these themes and let the creative planning begin!
