Halloween | Celebration Advisor - Wedding and Party Network Blog

October 17, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Creative Family Halloween Costumes

Halloween is just around the corner. Have you planned your Halloween costume out yet? What will you be? Each year, everyone wants to come up with a costume more creative than last years. Why not create a costume that includes the family? Wedding and Party Network has some creative Halloween costumes that everyone will love.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – Everyone's favorite childhood movie. Why not include the whole family into this costume? Choose from Willy Wonka while wearing the purple coat and top hat, Violet, the girl who turns into a blueberry, Oompa Loompa and a chocolate bar. This is fun for the family and you can even get the dog into it by having he or she be the chocolate bar.

BLT – If you have a family of 5, a BLT sandwich would be absolutely adorable. The children could be the bacon, lettuce and tomato while the mom and dad could be the toast. A super fun, easy and creative costume.

Star Wars – If you have a larger family, this would be so great! Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca or Darth Vader all make great costumes and there are many creative ways to create the costumes.

Your Favorite Junk Foods – This is definitely one for the family. An adorable cupcake, cotton candy, doughnut, chocolate chip cookie or ice cream are some serious sweet treats to dress up as for Halloween. Let the children pick out their favorite dessert. Mom and dad can be whatever is left. However, a fun take would be to let the dad wear workout gear with a doughnut around the waist.

Alice In Wonderland – This is an adorable theme for Halloween. This movie alone makes the costumes creative. Choose from Alice, The Mad Hatter, Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts or one of those pink flamingos. There are many characters in this movie and all are super fun and cute for Halloween.

This post is brought to you by Richardson Halloween Decorations
Not in Richardson, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find Halloween Decorations near you!

October 12, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Inspirational Friday – Halloween

Here at Wedding and Party Network we want to give you inspiration for your wedding and party details. The details are what sets your wedding and party apart from anyone else. The colors, theme, detailing and style all creates your wedding day style and conveys your party theme. So, today's Inspirational Friday will focus on Halloween.

Halloween is a great time had by all. It's the time for you to break out your costumes and get the candy ready. If you're throwing a Halloween party, there are many party decoration ideas. Just pick and theme and go with it. Also, don't forget about the creepy centerpieces, tasty Halloween treats and unique creations that can come about on Halloween.

October 8, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Decorating Pumpkins for Halloween & Fall

October is the month for decorating pumpkins. This is such a fun thing to do. You can be creative with the designs and decorate them in various ways. Since it's so fun, why not make a party out of it? Wedding and Party Network has a few tips for your party as well as creative designs for your pumpkins.

Carved Pumpkin

Paint Your Pumpkins – If you're not wanting to carve your pumpkins and make a mess digging out the seeds, the next best thing is to paint your pumpkins. When you paint your pumpkins, there are endless possibilities. You can use odd colors, paint polka dots, add ribbon, personalize them, paint them white, chalkboard paint or metallic or create fun faces. Let your creativity take way.

Add Some Sparkle – Pumpkins should be eye-catching. To ensure this, add a little sparkle. You can glitter your whole pumpkin or add a bit of bling with rhinestones. You can add unique designs with the glitter and rhinestones.

Create A Unique Centerpiece – There's more than just placing pumpkins on your front door step. Stack smaller pumpkins that spell out the word boo and create a topiary. You can also line them down the table, create a vase out of a pumpkin or candle holders.

Carve Your Pumpkins – Of course, carving your pumpkins is a must. There are lots of fun designs and templates that you can use to make your pumpkins stand out on your front porch. Free hand your pumpkin, find pumpkin templates or use cookie cutters. You can come up with fun designs, beautiful creations and even some that are a bit frightening.

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

You can even mimic your pumpkin after a favorite Halloween character. In fact, create a pumpkin face and from there create a body from overalls and hay. That would definitely be a sight to see on your front porch when trick r treaters came to visit.

After you carve your pumpkins, you can even save the seeds and insides to create home-made pumpkin pies and roasted pumpkin seeds. A delicious treat for all after all that hard work at creating their pumpkin.

Start planning a pumpkin carving party at your house and be ready with all the supplies. Everyone will truly enjoy themselves.

October 5, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Get Ready for an Enchanted Halloween

Volume 3 Issue 10

Halloween is quickly approaching. So, you know what that means? It's time to start planning for your enchanted Halloween party.There are many themes to pick from, so find the one that is best suited for your party and then plan out your decorations, menu and activities.

Party Themes – Think about the theme of your party. Do you want to have a specific theme for the night or just an original Halloween costume party? Will children be in attendance or is this just a party for grown ups? If children do attend, be mindful of their ages and include fun things for them as well as the adults. Wedding and Party Network has a few Halloween themes that may give you some ideas.

Halloween Menu – There are definitely some delicious treats to be had during Halloween. Of course, there's candy. You can get really creative with your finger foods or even create delicious main dishes for an elegant dinner theme that fits in with Halloween. Frightening spider cupcakes, mummy hot dogs or Frankenstein pops are all wonderful treats for everyone to enjoy.

Spooky Halloween Decorations – Your party isn't complete without some spooky Halloween decorations. You can either go with something really spooky or even a bit glamorous. You decide based on the theme of your party.

Party Activities – If you're hosting a Halloween party for children, think about setting up different areas for them to trick or treat. You can even set up bobbing for apples, construct a Halloween maze or create your own haunted house.

Halloween parties are so much fun for everyone! Be sure to start planning yours today!

If you are planning a Halloween party , let Wedding and Party Network help!

We're Social:

Spooky Halloween Party Ideas
Halloween, the holiday that's full of candy, black & orange and ghostly decor. It's a wonderful time for all, which calls for a celebration. Read more about Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

Ghostly Treats for Your Halloween Party
When planning your Halloween party, it's definitely all about the details. What party decorations you choose and the color scheme set the tone of your party. Focus on the details of your party, especially your Halloween treats. Read more about Ghostly Treats for Your Halloween Party

A Masquerade Ball
Flowers are such an important part of any wedding. They depict your wedding style while showing off your personality. They are also accessories to your wedding ceremony, wedding reception, bridesmaid & groomsmen attire and most importantly your wedding dress. Read more about A Masquerade Ball

Top Halloween Party Themes
Yes, Halloween is right around the corner and it's time to start preparing for Halloween parties. Everyone loves getting dressed up and going out in their best costumes. Read more about Top Halloween Party Themes

Design Your Dream Flowers with Twisted Willow Flowers
Flowers are so important at your wedding. They tell your story. From the colors, designs and unique accents; they all are combined to tell the story of your wedding. Read More about Twisted Willow Flowers

Find Your Dream Dress and More with My Blessed Brides
Your wedding day is one you will remember a lifetime. Everything must be perfect. This goes for everything, especially your wedding dress. Read More About My Blessed Brides

Let Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures, LLC Create An Amazing Focal Point for Your Event
When planning your event, you truly want to add elements that will make your party pop. Elements that will make your event truly unforgettable can be found within the flowers you use, food you serve, your location, the lighting or you can add a great ice sculpture to your event. Read more about Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures, LLC

Halloween cake (Icing Illusions), Pumpkin arrangement (Alma Blooms)

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

September 27, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Ghostly Treats for Your Halloween Party

When planning your Halloween party, it's definitely all about the details. What party decorations you choose and the color scheme set the tone of your party. Focus on the details of your party, especially your Halloween treats. Wedding and Party Network has a few tips on what to serve at your Halloween party.

Witches' Hats

Ingredients
Fudge Cookies (Turned upside down)
Hershey Kisses
Orange Icing

Directions
Turn the fudge cookie upside down, put a little orange icing in the middle and place the kiss on top of it.
via Explore. Dream. Discover

Frankenstein Pops

Ingredients
Marshmallow
Green Chocolate Candies
Regular Chocolate
Wilton's Glittery Gel
Lollipop Sticks

Directions
Place the mashmallows on the popsicle stick, dip it in the green chocolate. Once that cools, dip just the top of the marshallows into the regular chocolate to imitate the hair. Use the glittery gel pen to make the nuts and bolts.
Via Craft-O-Maniac

Pretzel Skeletons

Ingredients
Lollipop Sticks
Marshamallows
White Chocolate Covered Pretzels
White Icing
Black Icing

Directions
Put some white icing on the lollipop stick so the pretzels won't slide off. Do this between each pretzel, which you can add 3-4 on each stick. Flatten out the marshmallow a little bit to create a round face and add the eyes and mouth to it. Once you've done that, place it on the lollipop stick. You can easily add these on top of cupcakes or even brownies for a fun topper.
Via Wants and Wishes

Finger Cookies

Ingredients
1 Cup Butter (Softened)
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Egg
2 Tsp Almond Extract
2 Tsp Vanilla
2 2/3 Cups Flour
1Tsp Baking Powder
1/4 Tsp Salt
3/4 Cup Whole Blanched Almonds
Raspberry Jelly

Directions
Set oven for 375 degrees. Mix together the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Stir dry ingredients together. Mix together the dry and wet ingredients, cover and let sit for 30 minutes.
Work with a quarter of the dough at a time and refrigerate the rest. Use about a tablespoon of the dough and roll into a log.
Next, use a small knife to create the details of a finger into the cookie dough. Place the almond up top to look like a nail. Bake for 20-30 minutes.
While the cookies are baking, melt the raspberry jelly. One the cookies are done baking, place a little of the jelly underneath the almond and at the end of the finger to give it that gore look.
Via Zandland

Mummy Pops

Ingredients
White Candy Melts
Boxed Rice Krispies
Candy Eyeballs
Popsicle Sticks
Plastic Baggie
Wax or Parchment Paper

Directions
Place the rice krispie treats on the popsicle sticks. Buying the boxed rice krispy treats makes for the ideal shape. However, if you're more adventurous, you can easily make home made rice krispy treats and shape them in a rectangle. Melt the white chocolate. Dip the rice krispy treats into the white chocolate, place on wax or parchment paper and set in freezer for 5 minutes. Use the white chocolate as glue to stick on your candy eyeballs. Place the melted white chocolate into your plastic baggie that has about 1/4" cut off the corner and "wrap your mummy". Stick them in the freezer and let them set for about 10-15 minutes.
Via eighteen25

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

September 24, 2012 by Kelly Curtis

Spooky Halloween Party Ideas

Halloween, the holiday that's full of candy, black & orange and ghostly decor. It's a wonderful time for all, which calls for a celebration. There can be various party themes for Halloween. Go with elegant, spooky or just all out scary. The choice is yours. Wedding and Party Network has a few spooky Halloween party ideas that are sure to be a hit.

Glam Halloween Party

Black Cat Ball – If you want to put a glamorous spin on your Halloween party, think about hosting a ball. Halloween isn't all about gore and spooky spectacles. You can add a bit of glam to it as well. It can certainly be a masquerade ball or a more upscale dress code.

Party decorations should contain the colors, purple and black or even black and white. Think about adding glitter, feathers, black balloons, unique vases and lighting to create a glam but ghoulish Halloween setting. Also, serve elegant finger foods and desserts with a Halloween twist.

Little ghost meringues, cupcakes with edible glitter, orange mousse with chocolate shavings served in a cocktail glass, individual servings of crackers & hummus or bite sized morsels with plastic spiders on top all are great examples. Don't forget about clearing out a space for the dance floor and great lighting.

Cast Off to Neverland – Of course, your Halloween party doesn't have to be all about black and orange. You can pick a theme where your guests have to dress up and go with that theme. One that comes to mind is Peter Pan. Let your guests dress up as pirates, Peter Pan, Wendy, the lost boys or as Tinkerbell.

Create a starry night out since Peter Pan flies through the night. Do this by stringing lights and hanging glow in the dark stars around the ceiling. Include pirate flags, white flags, a hook, seashells and maps as part of your party decorations too. For your food, just take inspiration from the ocean.

All Hallow's Eve Dinner Party – This Halloween party can be a bit glamorous with an eerie feel to it. If you and your friends aren't much for a big party, go for a low-key dinner party. However, don't let there be anything low-key about it. Use black candelabras, skulls for place cards, spider webs along the center of the table, crooked Halloween photos and dreadful pumpkins for your party decorations.

Spooky Halloween Decorations

Since this is a dinner party, you'll definitely need to plan out a menu. Serve what you would like to cook or talk with your local caterer about coming up with a unique party menu for this event. Don't forget to add the details of spiders or a red cocktail to go with your dinner menu as well.

All Out Costume Party – Stick with tradition and host an all out costume party complete with Halloween costumes, Go with the spooky ghosts hanging from trees, rats, the headless horseman, popcorn balls and all the spooky things you think of on Halloween. Create a Halloween costume contests as well. You can give our prizes to the best, scariest and most creative costumes.

Start planning your Halloween party now. The more you plan, the spookier your Halloween party will be!

Glam Halloween Photo provided by Kinser Event Company

October 28, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Inspirational Friday – Halloween

Here at Wedding and Party Network we want to give you inspiration for your next party. So, here are some of our favorite ideas for a last-minute Halloween party. Yes, it's just a few days away and you probably have a great Halloween bash planned. However, if you still want some great ideas for your party, this week's Inspirational Friday has got them! It's all about orange, black, purples, greens and anything spooky!

Whether you're hosting a spooktacular Halloween event or more of an elegant take on Halloween, there's something for everyone out there. Beautiful Halloween color combinations created in pumpkins or eyeball cheeseballs are great ideas for any party. Get creative and think all things Halloween and your party will be a huge success!

October 24, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

Are you having trouble finding a Halloween costume this year? Are your creative juices lacking? You don't have to go all out when planning your Halloween costume, it doesn't have to be over the top. You can think of it and create it within 5 minutes and it will still be an amazing costume. That is why Wedding and Party Network has some last-minute Halloween costume ideas.

Artist
Supplies – Cardboard,, white shirt, paint & paintbrush
Directions – All you need to do is wear whatever pants you'd like with your white shirt. Next, smudge a little paint on your face. Cut the cardboard into a paint palette and use the paint for make paint circles on it. Carry the palette and paint brush for your artist costume.

Halloween Decor

Gum Under The Chair
Supplies – Small doll chair, pink clothes & accessories and elastic or ribbon
Directions – Put as much pink on as you can. Next, attach the elastic or ribbon to the chair and tie it around your head and there you go, you're gum under a chair.

Head On Platter
Supplies – Cardboard box, tablecloth, plastic tableware, glue, scissors & makeup.
Directions – Find a big enough cardboard box that will look like a tabletop and cut a whole for your head. Glue the tablecloth and tableware in place. Next, rat up your hair and put on makeup and you're a severed head on a table.

Lame Excuse Costume
Supplies – Cane, Post it notes & pen
Directions – Write excuses on the Post it notes and stick them to you. Add the cane and a limp and you're a lame excuse.

Lite Brite
Supplies – Cardboard, black spray paint, colored & clear plastic cups, glue & strap or ribbon
Directions – Spray paint the cardboard black and glue the clear and colored plastic cups on to it and wear it around your neck with the ribbon or strap.

Pigs In A Blanket
Supplies – Pig nose & Blanket
Directions – Wear the pig nose and wrap the blanket around you.

Lady Gaga's Meat Dress
Supplies – Red towels or fabric, rope, fake meat, tall heels
Directions – Wrap the red fabric or towels around you, tie with the rope and tie the fake meat around your head.

Of course, there are many ideas out there for last-minute Halloween costumes. You don't have to do put a lot of time in effort into creating a fun costume. All it takes is a little thinking and a few things around the house.

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Stores.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party planner near you!

October 7, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

October Newsletter "Spook-tacular Halloween"

Wedding & Party Network

Volume 2 Issue 10

Treat or Treating Tips

We all love trick or treating and loading up on yummy candy. However, now you must always be cautious during this time, yet still make it an enjoyable for everyone. So, Wedding and Party Network has some safety tips for this Halloween to make it fun and safe.

Route – Make sure to plan your route out in advance. Plan out who you will visit, like family members or friends and route out familiar neighborhoods. It's best to know whose door you're knocking on.

Rules of the Road – First off, always go with your children, but remind them the rules of the road. Always enforce traffic rules, like look both ways before crossing, obey traffic laws and use cross walks.

Stranger Danger – Even though you have your eyes on them, it only takes a second for a stranger to come up and take them. That is why you need to always remind them of stranger danger safety tips.

Costume Safety –Don't forget to focus on making sure your child's costume isn't a safety hazard. Keep costumes from dragging on the ground so they're not tripped,

When In Doubt – Throw it away. We are all aware of the dangers that candy can contain. So, if you're nervous about how something looks or you're not sure what's in it; throw it away.

Now, it's time to celebrate Halloween with a ghoulish themed party that will be one to remember.

If you are planning a Halloween party, let Wedding and Party Network help!

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Unique Halloween Food

Halloween is coming up, and so is your Halloween party. Therefore, you should start planning. Do you have in mind what you want to do for party decorations and the activities that you will do? What about the food? These are all key elements to think about when planning your Halloween party.
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Top Halloween Party Themes

Yes, Halloween is right around the corner and it's time to start preparing for Halloween parties. Everyone loves getting dressed up and going out in their best costumes. Therefore, you need to start planning early for your Halloween party.
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Hocus Pocus Arrangement

Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween Ideas For A Frightfully Fun Night

Though it's more than a month away, now is the perfect time to plan your Halloween party. This is one time when it's OK to have cobwebs on the brain because you're going to throw a spooky, delightfully fun Halloween party. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
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Scaring Up A Halloween Party: 4 Spooky Tips

Halloween theme parties are one of my favorites. When throwing a Halloween party, you’ll need to invest in few scary surprises for your party guest.
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October – The Month of Apples, Golf & Bologna?!

October is knocking on our door and is ready to appear in the next couple of days. This is a great month to host parties due to the beautiful weather, gorgeous fall colors and limitless party ideas. There are tons of great holidays to celebrate and use inspiration for your party.
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Create Your Dream Wedding with Floral Design

Flowers are one of the most important things at your wedding or event. Why? They add a statement to your event and your style shines through in each design. Flowers convey the theme, they are the most important accents of your event that ties everything together.
Read More about Floral Design

Halloween Decor

Sweet Treats from The Chocolate Chick

Looking for something sweet at your next event? Check out The Chocolate Chick! They'll provide you with sweet chocolate fountains to creating a tasty candy bar. You'll turn a room full of adults into gleeful children when dipping pineapples, pretzels, caramel and other sweet treats into a free-flowing, decadent chocolate fountain.
Read more about The Chocolate Chick

Relive Your Wedding with Pipers Photography

Pipers Photography is all about capturing love, laughter and excitement. They'll capture the love that sparkles between two people on camera that truly comes out in their photos. So, let them capture your special occasion from start to finish through your engagement portraits all the way to your wedding day. This is your special day and they want to capture your love on camera.
Read more about Pipers Photography

Hocus Pocus arrangement (Flower Shop Network), Pirate Halloween decor (Bloomers Inc.), Pumpkin cake (Icing Illusions), Pumpkin arrangement (Alma Blooms), Calla bridal bouquet (Flower Jazz), Candy bar(The Chocolate Chick Company)

For more vendors in your area, visit Wedding And Party Network for all of your wedding and party planning needs!

October 5, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is coming up and now is the time to start preparing your costume. This is the time of year when you can go all out and dress up for the night. It's a big deal to some, however, coming up with the right costume allows some thought process. Some aren't as creative and pretty much wants to run out of the house with a sheet over them as a ghost. However, with a little thought and some creativity, you can create a great costume. Wedding and Party Network has our picks for easy DIY Halloween costumes.

Adult Costumes

Facebook –With social media being apart of most everyone's lifestyle, why not incorporate that into your Halloween costume?
Supplies – Cereal box, marker, glue & paper
Directions – Cut the top, bottom and one side off the box. Use glue and paper to cover the printed side of the box. Accordion fold two sheets of paper and glue on each side of box and one paper on top of that to make the pages. Cut a circle for your face and around that write Facebook.

Happy Halloween

Raining Cats & Dogs – Clever Halloween costume and everyone will love it!
Supplies – Raincoat, umbrella, glue and plush dogs & cats
Directions – Glue the cats and dogs to the umbrella, wear your raincoat and then hold the umbrella.

Rock, Paper, Scissors – Everyone loves this classic game!
Supplies – Cardboard, cardboard box, spray paint and paint
Directions – For the rock, use the cardboard box and try and shape it to look like a rock. Don't forget about the straps that you can make to attach to the rock so you can wear it around your shoulders. For paper, cut out 2 pieces of cardboard and paint it to look like paper. Finally, for the scissors, cut out scissors using the cardboard and paint however you would like.

Boy Costumes

Bug Attack – What little boy doesn't love bugs?
Supplies – Hair color, face paint and plastic bugs
Directions – Use the face paint to mix colors and create layers for a shadow effect and place the bugs all around the face. Next, use silver hair spray to create a cobweb effect and even place some bugs in the hair.

Crocodile Wrestler – Definitely perfect for a little boy's costume!
Supplies – Marker, upholstery foam or cardboard, scissors, paint & paintbrush, khaki shorts & shirt, safari hat, hiking boots, binoculars
Directions -The only part you will have to get creative with is making the crocodile. Have your little one dress up in the khaki shorts, shirt, shoes, hat and binoculars for the safari look while you create the crocodile. Either using foam or cardboard, make a u shape for the crocodile. Cut out the shape of the face and add some ridges along the backside. Next up is painting the body green and the riding back and belly with contrasting colors. Don't forget to paint the eyeballs and mouth as well! You're finished, you have yourself a crocodile wrestler.

Monkey Business – Boys are always up to no good!
Supplies – Button up, khakis, tie, briefcase, cardboard, headband, construction paper
Directions -Dress up your little one in the button up, khakis and tie. Next, cut out monkey ears out of brown construction paper and a banana out of yellow paper. Glue the ears onto the brown headband and pin the banana onto the tie. For the finishing touch, add a briefcase. If you don't have one, make one out of cardboard.

Girl Costumes

Paper Doll – Take dressing up to a different level
Supplies – Poster board, paint, black marker, velcro, headband, white shorts & shirt, Mary janes & socks
Directions – Use poster board to cut out a dress that fits around your little girl and the hair bow and purse. Don't forget to add the tabs like paper doll clothing has, collar and even the lace shorts that peek through. Next up, start painting the outlines of the dress and use the black marker to create the paper tabs. Hot glue the bow to the headband and even to the white t-shirt for reinforcement and you can add velcro as straps.

Cotton Candy – A truly sweet costume.
Supplies – White t-shirt, vinyl, pink dye, stuffing, red fabric and spray adhesive
Directions – First, dye the stuffing pink to resemble cotton candy. Cut off the collar of the t-shirt and sleeves and place the vinyl inside the t-shirt and sew together. Make sure to cut out arm and leg holes and add ribbon as the straps. Also, create a print out on your computer to create a cotton candy label. You're done!

Peacock – Definitely a costume contest winner!
Supplies – Orange tights, turquoise onesie, peacock feathers, large turquoise feathers, pins and elastic sequins.
Directions – Let your little girl put on the orange tights and onesie. Next up, pin the larger blue feathers and then the peacock feathers on top of that to make the tail feathers. For the finishing touch, use the elastic turquoise sequins for a headband.

Coming up with a Halloween costume is a cinch. All you need is a bit of imagination and creativity and you'll have your costume. Now, start preparing for your Halloween party and have an amazing time!

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Stores.
Not in Miami, FL? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party planner near you!

Creative Family Halloween Costumes

Inspirational Friday – Halloween

Decorating Pumpkins for Halloween & Fall

Get Ready for an Enchanted Halloween