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A Pink Party for Breast Cancer Awareness

National Breast Cancer Awareness health campaign is during the month of October. This month-long observation brings awareness to health for women and it's very important for them to be aware of this growing concern. So, if you're a company or even if this is a cause close to your heart, throwing a party to raise awareness during this month is a great way to get people's attention. Wedding and Party Network is here to give you a few party ideas and tips for your pink party!

Facts & Tidbits

First off, here are a few facts and tidbits about this awareness month. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 as a partnership with American Cancer Society. From the beginning, they have striven to promote mammograms for women to help with breast cancer. During this month, several activities occur, like The National Race for the Cure, Breast Cancer 2 Day, Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure, Ride to Empower, Global Illumination, Pink Day and other various activities throughout the country.

Party Ideas & Tips

First off, make the guest list. It just has to feature the people you want to spread awareness to, like close friends and family members. Even if you know survivors of breast cancer, invite them as well. They'll make wonderful speakers at your party to share their experience. Also, a little donation goes a long way. Even if it's not a lot, ask your guests if they would mind donating towards this great cause to promote awareness.

Next up, focus on the decorations. When people think about this awareness month, they think of pink and the ribbon logo. Therefore, that's what you need to decorate your party with. Also, as party of your party decorations, place out pamphlets or articles about breast cancer and what this campaign is all about.

Pink Party Decoration
Now for the party food, focus on pink themed food. Focus mainly on finger foods or mini desserts for this get together. Your event will probably have a few friends and family members over, so going with a light party menu is the way to go. Pink cupcakes featuring the awareness ribbon, pink chocolate dipped strawberries, pink candy and even pastries with pink icing are great ideas for mini desserts. To top it all off, don't forget about the pink lemonade.

The main focus of your party needs to promote awareness. So, focus on providing your guests with the information they need to better understand this topic. If you know someone who has dealt with this, is a breast cancer survivor or works with the association, have them as a guest speaker. Don't forget about interesting articles and pamphlets to hand out to your friends. Your party will be informative, promoting and giving back to this society.

So, when throwing your pink party, don't forget to incorporate information and have fun with it. Your party is a great place to help raise awareness, promote Breast Cancer Awareness and even raise a donation to help further their research and promotion.

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Planners.
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!

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P.A.R.T.Y!!! No Stress, No Worries, Just FUN!

Who doesn't love a good party???

Between, great food, friends, family, entertainment, great music and lots of laughs, there isn't a better way to reconnect with the people you care about! Yes, parties can be stressful if you're the one planning them, but here at Wedding and Party Network we want to help relieve that stress by bringing you the best tips, trends, and inspiration for your top-notch party!

What's your party theme?

A Fabulous Candy Buffet

So, do you really need an occasion to throw a party? NO! Not really. If you can't think of a good enough excuse to throw a party, you should know that everyday of every month is actually a holiday! Somewhere in the world, someone is celebrating something fantastic! Do a little research for the day you're planning your party to get inspiration for your little shindig. (Sept. 12 is National Chocolate Milkshake Day – throw a 50's style ice cream parlor party)

Now that you have your theme or excuse to party – What do you think about decorations? Do you really need to spend the majority of your budget on party decorations? I wouldn't suggest it. Play off of the holiday or theme you have chosen and find a basic color scheme. Say your colors are coral and turquoise, use these colors in your balloons, streamers, table clothes and paper-ware. A few lanterns, banners and floral centerpieces will tie everything together. Simplicity is key! Don't go over board, your guests are there to mingle and have fun. Just keep your focus on the food and entertainment.

A good menu – equals a good party! So, once again, play off of your theme. You can reflect the color scheme in your food menu as well. Brightly colored fruits and veggies are always a hit – appetizers and finger-foods are a great choice too. It makes it easier for people to mingle and walk around with their plates and not be stuck at a table. When it comes to party food – variety is key! Not all of your guests have the same taste in food – so make sure you have different options for everyone to try. Cater to those of your guests who might be vegetarian or have food allergies by having the proper foods available.

As for desserts, you can stick with mini desserts by having small pastries, cupcakes, a candy buffet or ice cream bar. However, the party cake is what ties everything together! Your cake should incorporate the atmosphere and theme of your party all in one. After all, who doesn't love to cut into one of those big tasty, over-the-top cakes?!? Be ready for some "oooing and aaahing'!

Entertainment – Don't stress, it might seem impossible to find the PERFECT entertainment to keep everyone happy. It's really not as hard as it seems. Fun activities and games are always a good idea – it keeps people mingling and moving which keeps things entertaining. The key to good entertainment is good music! Finding the perfect music will set the tone for the entire event. A great jazz band or steel-drum band will get  people on their feet. Go over the list of guests in your head and think about what the majority of your guest list enjoys to do – then mix it with your theme and Voila!

The keys to a good PARTY are:

P. Is for Plan. Planning your party ahead of time is Key. With a good plan – you can't go wrong!

A. Is for Action. Put your party plans into action – send invitations, send reservations and shop for supplies.

R. Is for Rest. Make sure you don't over do yourself – ask for help.

T. Is for Telling. Tell everyone about your party! Your friends and family might have creative ideas perfect for your event.

Y. Is for YOU! Remember that the party is planned by you, decorated by you, and hosted by YOU. So, you need to enjoy it too!

Relax and have fun – YOU deserve it!

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

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September – The Month of Honey, Newspapers & Roller Skates?!

September is upon us and so is the start of football and cool weather, hopefully. This is a great time to get outdoors and celebrate, especially with all the wonderful holidays this month. This also gives you great themes for your party that you may be hosting. So, Wedding and Party Network is here to give you great party tips & ideas for the month of September!

The Month Of September
Fun September Facts

September is the ninth month of the year and one of the four months that has 30 days in it. In Latin, septem means 7th and septimus means seventh. In which, September was the seventh month in the Roman calendar until 153 BC. T

his month also marks the beginning of ecclesiastical year in the Eastern Orthodox Church. September also begins on the same day as December every year since they are 91 days separating them, which is a multiple of seven.

Birthstone and Flower

The birthstone for September is the sapphire, which means clear thinking. The sapphire gives off a gorgeous blue, but can also be found in yellows and greens. This birthstone is absolutely radiant!

Don't forget about September's flowers, which are the morning-glory, forget-me-not and aster. A forget-me-not are dainty flowers and are absolutely precious that come in a blue hue. Morning glory's and asters are great too for this month. Don't forget to place these around your house or use them in centerpieces for your next party.

September's Astrology

September's astrology are leo, virgo and libra. Leos are generous, warmhearted, creative, enthusiastic, faithful & loving, yet pompous, bossy and intolerant. Virgos are modest, shy, practical, intelligent, yet fussy, worrier and a perfectionist. Libras are diplomatic, romantic, easygoing yet, indecisive, gullible and self-indulgent. If you know someone who has a birthday this month, celebrate with an astrology party. You can also incorporate ideas that match their traits.

September Events & Holidays

Baby Safety Month
Better Breakfast Month
National Honey Month
National Sewing Month
Women Of Achievement Month

3rd Week in September – National Flower Week

Host a Party In September

4th Week in September – National Dog Week, National Roller Skating Week

September 2nd – National Blueberry Popsicle Day
September 4th – Newspaper Carrier Day
September 5th – Labor Day
September 6th – Read A Book Day
September 9th – Teddy Bear Day
September 10th – Swap Ideas Day – Swap party ideas
September 11th – National Grandparent's Day
September 12th – National Chocolate Milk Shake Day
September 13th – National Peanut Day, Positive Thinking Day
September 15h – Make A Hat Day
September 18th – National Play-Doh Day
September 21st – Miniature Golf Day
September 22nd – Elephant Appreciation Day – Create an elephant themed party

Whatever type of event you are planning, make sure and incorporate items that represent September. Create a party theme around a specific holiday or incorporate little touches into your party decorations. September is a great month to host a party, so start planning!

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!

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Labor Day White Party

What everyone looks forward to during the month of September is Labor Day weekend, which means a 3 day weekend for them. So, what better what to celebrate than with an all white party. Fashionably speaking, this is the last day to wear white jeans, pants or white. Therefore, you should celebrate with an all white party. Wedding and Party Network is here to give you the party tips you need to make your party a success.

White Party Accents
Party Invitations – Your party invitations represent the theme of the event. Your guests will immediately see the tone through the party invitations. Therefore, create an elegant white party invitation that informs your guests to wear all white.

Party Decorations – This party is elegant with all the white accents, which are easy to find since all you have to focus on is white decor. Focus on finding clean, crisp white linens, white flowers, candles, lanterns and vases.

If you have these items around the house but in the wrong color, spray paint i. You can spray paint almost anything and it will make items go with the decor. Talk with your florist about creating gorgeous white centerpieces that will draw your guests attention to the elegance of the party.

Also, this party is great outdoors. So, grab up your chairs and place white towels and pillow on them to create a relaxing atmosphere. Don't forget the white curtains or sheets that you can hang outside to create a tent or help divide up parts of the yard. Don't forget to accent them with string lights to finish off the beautiful setting.

Party Menu – Are you asking yourself, how will I prepare a party menu that reflects the theme? It doesn't have to be white, of course. That would leave you very limited or give you such a variety of food that it wouldn't make sense.

So for starters, think of white cheese to serve, homemade potato chips, hummus and white pizza. These represent the party theme. However, also throw in some bruschetta, marinated olives, pita chips and a variety of breads and crackers.

White Party Food

For dessert, serve a variety of cheesecakes, vanilla bean cupcakes or angel food cake. Guests can pick their favorite dessert instead of just having a cake to eat. Along with desserts, don't forget about making the perfect pairings with the drinks. Water, white wine, infused vodkas or some refreshing lemonade all make great pairings.

Now that you have all the party essentials planned out, you can start inviting your guests. This party is a great way to end summer and spend great times with friends & family. Now, go and get your party whited out!

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

white cupcakes, cheesecake provided by clevercupcakes, su-lin via flickr.

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Boy or Girl? Host a Gender Reveal Party to Find Out!

Gender Revealing Parties are a growing trend amidst expecting parents. Let's face it, half  the excitement of pregnancy is finding out if it is a boy or girl. So, it makes sense to celebrate the surprising news with friends and family and this party theme is a great way to let them know.

Here's how to do it:

Expecting parents typically have their gender revealing ultrasound around 20 weeks gestation. However, instead of  finding out the gender during the ultrasound, ask the technician or doctor to keep it a secret, and write it down in a sealed envelope.

The second step is to have a family member or close friend take the envelope to your local baker. The cake is dyed on the inside either pink or blue (depending on the sex of the baby).  A neutral icing is used to hide the secret inside. No one will know the surprise until the parents-to-be slice into the baby shower cake!

Party Decor

  • Decorate your party space with pinks and blues, greens and yellows. Rubber ducks, diapers, pacifiers and bottles work great scattered around the food tables. Don't forget about the diaper cake!

The Food

  • Serve all the expecting mom's favorite cravings – pizza, ice cream, popcorn, chips, whatever it is, include it in the menu. It's a fun way to mesh everything together. Have your party menu represent the mom-to-be.

Party Activities

  • Ask your guests ahead of time to wear pink if they think you are having a girl or blue if they feel it's a boy. Those who get it right will win a door prize. Blue and pink cigars are always a hit!
  • Have your guests write down their names suggestions on a poster board – each guest will rate the other names as well.
  • Baby shower games will work at this party too – anything from "Guess Mommy's Cravings" to "Guess the Baby" where each guests brings their own baby picture. During the party, each guest will try to guess who each baby picture belongs to. This is always one of the funnest games at a baby shower!

Diaper Cake
The Big Moment

  • When it comes time to unveil the cake – the surprise will be out and you can all celebrate together! It will be a nail-biting moment for everyone there…

Popping of champagne and clapping of hands will surely arise when the color of the cake is revealed! Door prizes and games will begin once the sex of the baby is revealed.  Your party gives friends and family great opportunity to celebrate and share in your happiness. Now that you know what you're having – it's off to the nearest shopping mall!

 

Special thank you to treyevan for the beautiful picture via Flickr.

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5 Party Myths Busted!

Are you planning a party? Do you think it's a lot of work? When planning do you follow the party etiquette rules that you've always heard people talk about? Well, you may have heard wrong. Wedding and Party Network is here to put all those party myths to rest.

Myth #1. Throwing a joint party is never successful

Wrong! You can combine birthday's, holidays, and special occasions without taking away the spotlight from the special guests. Whether it be two birthday parties at once or maybe combined baby showers, the two focal points will create a one-of-a-kind party!

  • Intertwine two mini themes or create one party theme that covers both occasions to celebrate with style. Depending on what you are celebrating, your menu, entertainment and activities will revolve around each special guest. Having two-party cakes is a great option or you can create a desert bar with several finger-food desserts so you will satisfy both guests of honor. Create a neutral menu to include both occasions. Say you're having a child's birthday party and an anniversary party together, the themes can be beach/mermaid theme. These two things create the same feel, yet are two separate themes.

Myth #2. If you want to throw a successful party, you have to spend a fortune!

Not so! If you are throwing a big bash, things can add up quickly leaving you with a big bill. However, with a little creativity and imagination your party can be a hit without breaking the bank.

  • Start by creating a budget and make sure you stick with it. It's best to leave a little elbow room in case you need any last-minute extras. Home made party decor is always the safest bet when trying to keep costs low. Dollar stores and craft stores have great inexpensive party decor that will mix well with anything home-made. Balloons are a great choice for decor when you are on a budget, they look great, take up a lot of room and don't cost much at all. Flowers are also a great way to bring class and elegance to any party. You can easily work with a florist to create simple centerpieces that will keep you in your budget. As far as your menu goes, think small finger foods or go for a potluck party where your guests will bring a dish to pass.

Myth #3. Every party has to have a theme.

A party is a party with or without a theme! Bringing friends and family together to celebrate for no reason at all is nothing short of FUN! Even if you are throwing a birthday party, it doesn't have to have a theme, just invite your friends and family over for some great bonding time. You can still have your cake, your party food and even decor, without having a theme or even a reason to party!

Myth #4. You have to invite everyone to your party, other wise you will offend people.

If you are throwing a big bash, it's easy to invite all of your friends and family to join in on the celebration. If your party is more intimate, it can be difficult to narrow down your guest list without offending certain people. Here is how to do it without offending anyone!

Start by making a list of all the people you would normally invite. Next, break down your list into three categories including,

  • People you NEED to invite.
  • People you would LIKE to invite.
  • People who you MIGHT invite.
Balloon Decorations
Once you have sorted through, you will get a better estimate of how many people you are working with. Start by eliminating the last group – the people you MIGHT invite. Then, work your way up. If you get questions about why someone wasn't invited, you can mention that your party is very small and would love to invite them to the next one.

Myth #5. Creating a party menu is too much work.

We live in a time where the world is at our fingertips. Creating a party menu is as easy as 1. 2. 3. You just need to know where to begin!

  • If preparing your own food is out of the question, all you will need to do is a have a broad idea of the type of food you want, the date and time of your party and a list of local caterers. Party Caterers will build your menu for you without a fuss. Desserts? YES! Along with a themed cake, also incorporate delicious desserts into your menu. Professional bakers are trained with pioneering techniques and can create some mind-boggling desserts. All you need is an idea of what you want your cake or dessert to represent and your baker will do the rest.

With a little creativity and a touch of imagination your can bring your perfect party to life! Have fun and enjoy the ride as well as the destination!

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Planners.
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!

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4 Fabulous Reasons To Celebrate This September

The end of Summer is near and with the welcomed Fall season right around the corner we have plenty of opportunity to celebrate! So, Wedding and Party Network is here to give you great reasons to celebrate this September!

September 1st: LABOR DAY – Labor Day is nearly 100 years old and is a day to celebrate the value and dignity of work. It is a day to honor how hard work is vital and deeply rooted in our American heritage. However, as far as myself and my fellow neighbors are concerned – the best part of Labor day is a 3 day weekend!

  • Throw a big bash to end the Summer with your friends and family! Take one last trip to the beach for a beach picnic, throw party at your local park or BBQ in the back yard. This might be the last chance this year to do so!

September 13th: GRANDPARENT'S DAY – In 1973, Marian McQuade from West Virginia, made Grandparents Day official. It's intended to show respect to the elderly in our lives. A day to say thank you to our grandparents for all that they do.

  • The official flower for Grandparents Day is "forget-me-nots". So, celebrate by sending flowers! Have a small get together with your family and close friends to celebrate your loving grandparents and don't forget the forget-me-nots!

September 19th: ROSH HASHANAH – Roshanah is a Jewish holiday celebrating the New Year. It is a day to look over your accomplishments and to make new resolutions for the next year.

  • Celebrate with family and friends by bringing in the new year together. Hold a late night dinner party featuring pomegranates (A Rosh Hashanah custom) and Apples dipped in honey. Challah is a round loaf of bread that signifies the circle of life. Your dinner feast will welcome good memories and fun stories to share with your guests.

September 22nd: FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN – Fall has arrived! It is the day of the year when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward.

  • Fall is perfect for spending time outside, since the heat is calming down and it's not too cold. Plan a fall picnic with bobbing for apples, three-legged races and bonfires! Who doesn't love a good bonfire with friends, family and toasted marshmallows?

If these 4 holidays aren't enough inspiration for you to host a fiesta – or if your just looking for another reason to celebrate. Here are 10 strange and unique holidays (yes, they are real) to celebrate this September.

10 Strange but Fun September Holidays

Pirate Cupcakes For Pirate Day

  • Sept. 5th: Be Late for Something Day (At least now you'll have an excuse!)
  • Sept. 9th: Teddy Bear Day
  • Sept. 12th: National Video Game Day
  • Sept. 13th: National Positive Thinking Day
  • Sept. 16th: Mexican Independence Day
  • Sept. 19th: International Talk Like A Pirate Day (Ahoy Mate!)
  • Sept. 22nd Elephant Appreciation Day (When was the last time you thanked your local elephant?!?)
  • Sept. 28th: Ask a Stupid Question Day (I know a few people who celebrate this one every day!)
  • Sept. 28th: National Good Neighbor Day (Send flowers to your favorite neighbor or have a block party to celebrate your neighborhood!)

This post is brought to you by Miami Party Planners.
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!

 A special thank you to buzz.bishop for the great Autumn time picture via Flick.

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August Newsletter "Back to School"

Volume 2 Issue 8

Summer is coming to an end, and it's back to school time for children of all ages. Get kids excited and help them start school on the right foot with a great relationship with their new teacher. However, how can you get kids pumped up for the new school year? Well, Wedding and Party Network has a few tips and ideas to get everyone back to school ready.

Back To School Bash

Who doesn't enjoy a party? Kids of all ages will get in the back to school spirit with a big bash. It's saying goodbye to summer and welcoming a fun-filled school year. You'll find great ideas that will get everyone ready.The main purpose of this party is to get everyone ready, including mentally and stocking them with all the supplies they need.

Decorations – You don't need extravagant party decorations, just use items that are related to school. You'll most likely already have these items around the house. Create simple flower arrangements with daisies and instead of water, fill the vase with alphabet magnets. Set out books as centerpieces, you can even stack the books to create different heights for your centerpieces. If you are looking for something unique, use pencils, pens, apples and rulers to create centerpieces.

Party Food – Make it a brown bag special. Again, nothing over-the-top for this party. When you think of food at school, think about the lunches that kids take with them. Set out lunch boxes with the kid's name on it and fill it with apple slices, celery sticks and sandwiches. The lunch box will even serve as a party favor for them to take home.

Party Activities – Buy school supplies and let the kids decorate their own. Pencil boxes, backpacks, notebooks, lunch boxes and planners can all be decorated. Let them show off their individual style at school.

Your back to school party doesn't have to be decked out in decorations and food. Keep it simple for this party. Get kids in school mode with these fun activities. They'll be absolutely excited for their first day and have a wonderful year to look forward too.

If you are planning a party for the upcoming school year, let Wedding and Party Network help!


We're Social:

Color Your Party

It's summertime! So, get those bathing suits out, sunscreen applied and into that water to celebrate. The kids are out of school, and it's time to plan those summer vacations. However, if staying at home is more your idea of a vacation, make sure to bring the beach party to your house.
Read more about Color Your Party

A Back to School Party!

Having a back to school party is a great way to re-connect with friends and to end the summer with a BANG! Your party will help kids ease their anxiety for the new school year and have a great time doing it! Invite friends, family and some of the children from your school.
Read more about A Back to School Party

It's A Slumber Party!

With school starting back up, your kids will want to spend quality time with their friends since they've missed them all summer. So, a great way to do this is host a slumber party at your house. Slumber parties can get a little drab and over done. However, there are lots of party ideas and tips to make your slumber party truly stand out and Wedding and Party Network has them here.
Read more about It's A Slumber Party

August – The Month of Peach Pies, Watermelon & Clowns?!

August is the month that gets everyone ready for back to school. Some may dread this time of year, but there are so many ways to brighten up this month. There are so many ideas and themes that you can use for these hot months. However, what themes are out there? What can you do to make your party stand out?
Read more about August

Back to School Party: Do's and Don'ts

If you are hosting a back-to-school party for your kids, follow these easy do's and dont's for a successful fun-filled party. Do not assume that your child's friends from last school year will be the same one this year. Over the summer and during the first week of school kids develop new friendships.  Be sure to involve your child. Ask them who they want to invite and go from there.
Read more about Do's and Don'ts

Components of a Successful Kid's Party

Parties in general are sometimes complicated to plan, but kid's parties always seem to be a little more stressful. Parents and grandparents always want their child’s party to be the most fun, the most decorated and with the cutest theme. And why shouldn’t it be? The question for most party hosts is, “What kind of party will we have and how will I entertain these kids?”
Read more about Components of a Successful Kid's Party
   

You'll Receive An Unforgettable Night with Carriage Company

When planning your wedding, prom, night out on the town or a special event, you want it to be truly special. You want it to stand out and be a night you'll never forget. However, how can you meet this dream? A beautiful horse-drawn carriage can definitely achieve this dream.
Read More about Carriage Company

Picture Perfect Flowers with A Perfect Bloom Florist & Interior

Flowers are truly special. Whether you're planning a wedding, special event or sending flowers, you want them to represent you or that person. Flowers set the tone and convey it to your guests. Therefore, you need a florist who wants to understand you and create you an unbelievable end product.
Read more about A Perfect Bloom Florist & Interior

Make Upstairs Downstairs Catering Your Only Choice

Food is such an important part of any event. Guests will remember exactly what the food tastes like at your party. Therefore, the spectacular is expected. Not only is food such a staple piece, but it conveys the theme of your event, as well as a special treat to guests.
Read more about Upstairs Downstairs Catering


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

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Quinceanera Ideas and Traditions

Quinceaneras date back to ancient times in the Aztec societies. It's an old Hispan

buy kamagra

ic tradition that symbolizes the beginning of womanhood in the Latin community. Quinceaneras are an exciting moment that young girls often plan and dream about for years as they approach their 15th birthday.

Although there are several deeply rooted and meaningful traditions, there is still plenty of room for creative planning. Combine old traditions with new ones to add your own personal touch!

Quinceaneras Traditions

  • A Quinceanera Ceremony is preformed by the family priest during Mass. A candle is lit during the ceremony signifying reaffirmation of the baptismal vows made by her parents. By participating, the birthday girl is accepted by the Church, by God and the congregation (including her friends and family) as woman.
  • The First Dance Tradition is the sweetest of all. The father of the birthday girl changes her shoes from flats to high heels and then dances the first dance with his daughter. This represents him accepting the birthday girl becoming a woman.
  • The Quinceanera Court is a mixture of seven girls and seven boys that play a prominent role in the party. This equals 14, plus the birthday girl equals 15 which represents her age. Typically the court includes siblings, cousins and other family members. The Court will do a big dance after the father and daughter dance.
  • The Doll Tradition is where the birthday girl will give a porcelain doll to her younger sister, meaning that she is now leaving her childhood to her sister. It is the last toy she will have and will pass it on.
  • The Last Pinata is similar to the last doll tradition. Pinatas are often used at children's parties, and this being the birthday girl's last party as a child will get one last swing at a pinata.
  • Cutting of the cake is a fun tradition where the birthday girl will make the first cut and take the first bite of her special cake.
  • A toast is made by the guests at the party in honor of the special birthday girl.

Gifts will be given from family members that have symbolic meanings behind them such as,

  • A tiara is given to the birthday girl by her parents or god-parents.
  • The mother will often give a Bible, prayer-book, rosary and cross as a sign of faith to her daughter.
  • A ring and bracelet are given representing the circle of life.
  • Earings are also given to affirm that the birthday girl always listens to God.

Adding some flair!

So, now that we have gone over the traditions of the past, let's think of ways to incorporate a modern twist to show off your personality!
You party can have a distinct theme reflecting your personality without taking away from the traditional quinceanera feeling.

Here are some fun themes to consider

  • A Black Tie Event
  • A Retro Party
  • A Hollywood Party
  • A Garden Party
  • A Princess Party
  • A City Chic Party
  • A Beach Party
  • A Paris Themed Party

Between picking out your dress, cake, food and decor, this special party is a huge one and one to be excited about! Your community will have a wonderful time celebrating and experiencing a once in a life time event catered special just for you! So, remember to keep the traditions that are rooted deep in the Hispanic culture but add your own personal flair to make your party shine!

Special thank you to SariDennise and Justplainhope for the great pictures via Wikipedia and Flickr.

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Girls Night In Cupcake Party!

With summer coming to an end and the school year starting up, everyone has been busy. Whether they have vacationed on the beach or getting their kids ready for school, everyone has been busy. Therefore, you haven't been able to see friends or family too much. So, what better time to throw a party and get everyone together? However, put a fun twist on a girl's night in with a cupcake and cocktails themed party. Wedding and Party Network has a few party tips to make this party theme and success!

Cupcake Table

Mixing & Matching

The most important part about this party is making sure you have a variety of cupcakes with the right cocktails to match. The best suggestion is to visit your local bakery or caterer and ask them what's the best pairings. Or, if you have free time, try it out for yourself.

First, sit down and create a cupcake menu. Decide on vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, carrot, Oreo cupcake, German chocolate, or other flavors of cupcakes. There are a ton of variations out there. So, choose your favorite.

Next, choose the cocktails to match. You can do beer, cocktails, wine, or all three. You can even incorporate some of that into cupcakes. Your local bakery will know exactly the right combination. Don't forget that the flavors should compliment each other. They counteract off each other and that is why pairings work well with the palette.

Party Details

This party doesn't have to be extravagant. It's just a great time for girlfriends to get together and catch up on the summer and to get in a bit of relaxation time before the new school year. Your focus is the cupcake and drink table. Select a beautiful patterned table-cloth and find the right platters to match.

Table Setup
The finishing touch are cute, printed napkins and a gorgeous floral centerpiece. Don't forget to choose a color scheme to work off as well. That way, you have an idea of what colors to buy for the table-cloth, napkins, platters, floral arrangement and even the cupcakes. You can mix and match the color of the cake and icing to work off each other.

So, get your girlfriends together and have a great girl's night in with some delicious cupcakes and cocktails. Everyone will enjoy catching up at this fun twist of a party!

This post is brought to you by Washington Cupcake Providers.
Not in Washington, D.C.? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a wedding planner near you!

cupcake photo provided by jaundicedferret

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