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October 2, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

October – National Apple Month

October is the month for apples. Not only are they in season, it actually is National Apple Month. It’s definitely time to celebrate this delicious fruit. Why not celebrate apples with a party? Do you have a special event or just want to host a dinner party? Let apples influence your party. Wedding and Party Network has a few party ideas for your apple inspired party.

First off, where did apple month originate from? It was originally founded in 1904 as National Apple Week and has then since expanded into the entire month. The mission of this month is to help increase apple sales and to enhance customer awareness and usage of apples and apple products.

National Apple Month is a great time to host a party and find inspiration through apples. How? First off, find inspiration for your party decorations through apples. They fit the fall theme and are in season. Feature the colors of apples within your decor. Use red or green table cloths, balloons or tableware. You can even include apples in your centerpieces. Talk with your florist about how they can integrate them into their floral arrangements. A floral arrangement with apples would look absolutely stunning as a centerpiece.

The main way to incorporate apples into your party is by letting them be the main attraction of the food you serve. If you’re thinking about hosting a dinner party, let that be the theme of the party. Tell your guests that they must bring a dish and it must feature apples. This would be a great idea for your dinner club, if you’re a part of one. However, if you’re just hosting a party by yourself, think of how you can include apples into each dish. For your appetizers, think about serving Belgian endive with apple, goat cheese and walnuts, home-made apple chips, apple onion triangles or mini brie apple quiche.

Let your party entrees definitely be all about apples. Create appetizing dishes, such as, roast with apples, apple and turkey remoulade, cranberry apple pork chops, apple salads or sausage stuffed apples.

Desserts are great to incorporate apples in. You can create apple pies, caramel apple pie, applesauce cookies, apple crisp or a caramel apple bar. There are many tasty desserts to be created for an apple inspired party.

Enjoy the season of apples and incorporate them into your party in every way possible. Everyone will enjoy them!

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Decorations
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network’s handy party planning directory to help you find party decorations near you!

Caramel apples via Oh Mandi

October 1, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Host a Fall Block Party

Hosting a fall block party is a great way to celebrate the new season, amazing weather and to spend time with your neighbors and friends. There are lots of games, activities and delicious food to be prepared for this. Wedding and Party Network has a few tips that will make your fall block party an absolute hit!

Fall party decorations – Just like any event, make sure to have your party decorations match the occasion. In this case, you’ll focus on all fall party decorations. There are many that you can choose. Take inspiration from fall. Use fall foliage, pumpkins, orange, yellow, brown, gourds, seasonal fall flowers and wheat.

Decorate pumpkins with paint, glitter and ribbon. You can also tie ribbon around the wheat to create stocks of wheat that have a bit of elegance too. However, your fall block party will be outside. Therefore, let the fall elements be the decor.

Seasonal fall food – When hosting a fall party, your food should always reflect what is in season. What vegetables and spices are in season? Think about having a chilli cook off as part of your block party where you and your neighbors can compete against one another.

What about creating a soup bar where everyone can choose from their favorite soups like potato soup, vegetable soup, tomato bisque or tortilla soup.

You can also grill up some corn, burgers, hot dogs, and chips and dip. You can have everyone make appetizers too. Think about what vegetables are in season like cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes, arugula, fennel, kale and green beans. Having seasonal items in your dishes truly makes it even more outstanding and tasty. Talk with your local caterer to see what’s in season or have them create some delicious dishes for your block party.

Fall activities – It’s important to have activities for all during your block party. You can even make a carnival out of it. Set up different games like bean bags, washers, horseshoes or any carnival games you can think of. Set up booths for face painting, create crafts, host a bike parade, have silly string fights, host a scavenger hunt, have a talent show or even have a men’s bake-off. There are so many activities that everyone can get involved in and have a great time doing it.

Fall is a great time to get everyone together and host a block party. It’s a fun time to be had by all!

This post is brought to you by Philadelphia Party Caterers.
Not in Philadelphia, PA? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network’s handy party planning directory to help you find party caterers near you!

October 27, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Fall Party Tips

Are you planning an autumn or fall party? Do you want your party to show off all the latest trends? You want your party to stand out. Therefore, you must incorporate the latest party trends into your party. Yes, there are even trends for parties. Wedding and Party Network has some great tips for your party this season that will make it an absolute hit.

Fall Party Decorations

Pumpkins – Of course, pumpkins are a must for your party decorations. There are so many things you can do with pumpkins too. Fill vases with small pumpkins for centerpieces, use a pumpkin as your vase for a fall flower arrangement, set them on tables or have your guests get creative with them and take them home as party favors.
Acorns – Acorns are great for decorations. You can fill glass vases up with acorns and use them as centerpieces. Glue them to a styrofoam ball and they’re pomanders, which you can hang from the ceiling or even to a wreath for a wonderful welcoming to your guests.
Wheat – Tie up wheat into a bundle and place it around the party for a wonderful party accent. Even have your florist use them in your arrangement.
Don’t forget that apples, fall leaves, beautiful string lights and fall flowers are all wonderful party accents too.

Fall Party Accents

One thing to focus on with this party is the accents, such as what you serve your party food on. Serving food on platters that match the theme makes everything pop even more. Think rustic and the elements of fall when serving your food. Wood platters, mason jars, put a punch bowl in a pumpkin and think about how you can incorporate browns, oranges and deep reds into your accents.
Activities is another thing to consider when planning your fall party. Some great ides are carving pumpkins with your friends, roasting the pumpkin seeds, baking during the fall season, fall scavenger hunt and even bobbing for apples are great activities. Plan something for the whole family!

When planning your fall party, keep these tips in mind to make it stand out and fit the season. Incorporate the tastes, smell and look of fall into your party. This is a great season and a great time for a party!

This post is brought to you by Houston Florists.
Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network’s handy party planning directory to help you find a florist near you!

November 19, 2010 by Kelly Curtis

We Are Thankful For…You!

With Thanksgiving approaching, take time out to show your close friends how truly thankful you are for them. What is the best way to show them? Why a dinner party, of course! Sitting around, sharing memorable laughs with each other will remind you how truly thankful you are for each other. There are a variety of ideas when throwing a dinner party, especially one near Thanksgiving. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be another Thanksgiving dinner, we’re sure you’ll get your filling of that this year anyways. So here are a few tips on hosting a “give thanks” dinner party.

You Are Cordially Invited

First, decide who you want to invite over. Who has been there for you and who means the most? Since this is probably a smaller get together, it might be a fun idea to go all out on the invitations. An elegant party invitation with all the details is a must, but why not add more to it.

Why not attach a hand written note that explains why you are thankful for them.It may sound a little over the top, but it will truly make your friends feel special. It’s that time of the year anyways, so go with it.

Why you’re at it, stick a card in for them that they can feel out about you or whatever they’re thankful for and bring it to the party. Attaching it to a small pumpkin or a jar filled with hearty soup mix will be even more special. Invitations are just the beginning on showing your friends how much you are truly thankful for them.

Give Thanks

Now, to liven up your home for the Holiday season. You more than likely have all your Fall decorations out, which is great! However, add to your home by creating a beautiful tablescape. A great way to do this is to use harvest flowers or even fruits and vegetables that are in season. Artichokes, pears, pumpkins, wheat or gourds will make ideal centerpieces for this event. Fill a large vase with whichever one or mix and match and you have it. You could even use dried colorful beans and get a great centerpiece. This is beyond suitable for this time of year.

However, if you don’t want to go that route; create a beautiful floral centerpiece. You’re expertise florist can create a gorgeous table arrangement that will fit the style and mood of your party.

How about incorporating those “give thanks” cards that you sent out to your guests. Create a beautiful tree out of branches and have your guests hang their cards on there so everyone can see what they’re thankful for. It will make for a great conversation starter. Such an added personable feel and unique arrangement. Add a beautiful brown, orange or gold tablecloth, different textures, colors, heights and set out tea light candles for great dramatic accents. Creating an elegant Fall setting out of party decorations is a must!

Yummy Comfort Food!

A delicious meal to share, while enjoying each others’ company is a great night to be had by all. Either have your meal catered by a party caterer or host a potluck dinner.

There are lots of delicious dinner menus that can be catered just for your occasion. Soup would be a great idea. Serving it out of a pumpkin would make it even better too.

To keep it different from Thanksgiving meal, think about creating a pasta bar. It’s all about comfort food with this meal.

If you decide on having a potluck, you should create the main meat course. Your guests can bring one of their favorite side dishes or appetizers. It’s a time for sharing, so why not share your favorite dishes with each other.

Plus, it will take more stress off you and will let your guests feel like they helped out too. Sharing everyone’s favorite party food will make for great conversation and an amazing dinner.

Remember what the season is all about and give thanks for everything in your life. Good friends reminiscing good times and creating new ones will truly let you appreciate the special people in your life. With these helpful ideas for your Thanksgiving party, it will be an absolute great time and a beautiful setting. Planning a party can be so fun, especially sharing it with great friends.

This post is brought to you by Baltimore Party Food providers.
Not in Baltimore, MD? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network’s handy party planning directory to help you find party food supplier near you!

Thanks tree, pumpkin table setting, provided by Nick Bastian Tempe, AZ & ckpicker via flickr.

September 21, 2010 by Mandy Maxwell

2010 September Newsletter “Fall”

Volume 1 Issue 9

4 Inspired Ideas For A Glamorous Fall Wedding

The days of Summer will soon be coming to a close, which means fall is right around the corner. So what better way to celebrate than with a fall wedding, right? There’s so much you can do with the colors, centerpieces, favors and food to bring that seasonal element into your lavish wedding. Here are a few irresistible fall trends that are so fun and chic!

Color Palette

Color can define the bride (You!) and the theme of your spectacular wedding. It can set the tone you want to achieve at the wedding ceremony and reception. With so many vibrant and luscious fall hues to pick from, you won’t know where to begin.

First off, define you. Are you the timeless, classic bride, the lavish bride or a little bit more modern? Whatever personality style, there are rich color combos for every bride. Browns, rich orange, yellows and deep reds fit a more classical bride. A more luxuriously formal setting might include golds, metallic or luscious purples. And for the more contemporary bride, you might go with black and burnt orange, yellow, or even Halloween colors! You can even think outside-of-the-box to select the colors you want, maybe pairing shades of pink and yellow?

All these fall wedding colors sound amazing! However, just remember to choose the colors that define you because that’s what will make your wedding a huge success!

Continue Reading 4 Inspired Ideas For A Glamorous Fall Wedding…

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Creative & Inexpensive Autumn Party Ideas

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Wedding Decoration Ideas: Using The Fall Colors Of Nature

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Mirus Studio: Photography for the Whole Family
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Get A Load of Bill Veazey’s Party Store

You simply cannot imagine the wide range of party supplies and rentals available until you take a look at the stuff at Bill Veazey’s Party Store in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It’s incredible! Whatever type of celebration you plan to throw, they have what you need. That’s not just a saying either.
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A Work of Art with Designs in Sugar
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October 24, 2008 by Celebration Advisor

Top 5 Tips For Throwing A Pumpkin Decorating Party

Looking for an interesting way to throw a fall party? Try a pumpkin decorating party! Gather your friends and family together for this festive event and watch their eyes (and a few jack-o-lanterns) light up! To throw the best autumn party possible, here are a few tips for your pumpkin decorating event!

1—Make it a contest! Healthy competition is fun for everyone. Make sure that everyone is a winner though. Fun festive party favors are available for all ages. A new pumpkin carving tool or a sweet treat of pumpkin rolls are great ideas. Even a “well done!” as guests make their way to the cups of hot apple cider will keep the spirits high.

2—Keep the food and drinks festive! Hot apple cider is the perfect drink for fall parties. Bobbing for apples is another fun party idea that leaves each guest with a sweet treat to enjoy later! [Read more…]

October – National Apple Month

Host a Fall Block Party