Party Themes | Celebration Advisor - Wedding and Party Network Blog

May 20, 2011 by Celebration Advisor

Celebrating Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to celebrate and remember our loved ones. It marks the beginning of Summer, the beginning of road trips, picnics, camping and cookouts. Gathering your family and friends together to share in a Memorial Day Party is a great way to kick off the summer!

Celebrate Memorial Day

Setting The Atmosphere:

When planning your party, you need to find a good place at a public park with lots of picnic tables or you can use your backyard filled with umbrellas, tents, tables and chairs.

Sending out invitations 2-3 weeks early will give your guests plenty of time to set a side the day. If you are having a pot-lock or cookout and you want your guests to bring a tray, incorporate that into your party invitations along with an R.S.V.P to help you get a good count on the amount of food you will need according to how many people plan on attending.

Decorating With Patriotism:

Decorations for Memorial Day are patriotic with red, white and blue. Table clothes, paper wear and utensils should be in the same color family. Confetti spread out along the table tops is a fun little extra. Flower arrangements with red, white and blue flowers will look great as centerpieces for your tables.

You can buy small American Flags and place them in the flower arrangements or display them around the party area. Set a side large coolers to fill with ice and beverages and don't forget lots of seating for your guests to sit back, relax and enjoy!

What To Eat:

Party Food

Choosing the menu is something that depends mainly on your budget, but also on the theme you choose for your party. Local caterers are always a great way to go when you don't have time to prepare the food yourself. If you want to get your hands in on creating the food, there are several ways you can go:

Potluck Style: Ask your guests to bring their favorite dish to share and you give the drinks .
Picnic Style: Ask your guests to bring their favorite side dish and drinks and you provide the main dish.
Buffet Style: Your guests are not asked to bring anything, you provide the entire meal.

Some great ideas for summer buffet foods are: easy appetizers like chips and dip, cheese and crackers or veggies and dip. For the meal, you can serve crock-pot beans, burgers, hot dogs, brats, macaroni or green salads, cold cut grinders, chicken wings or even grilled chicken.

Serving pre-cut watermelon is always a hit! Homemade cookies, brownies, cupcakes or ice cream sandwiches are favorites too. You can order or create your own Memorial Day Cake decorated with an American Flag.

Keeping Your Guests Occupied:

Outdoor Activities

Your guests can keep busy by playing horseshoes, Frisbee, touch football, volley ball, relay races or even kite flying.

Water balloons or slip and slides are always a lot of fun, but make sure to warn your guests ahead of time if you are planning on getting them wet so they can bring a change of clothes!

If you really want to go all out, you can even include a pie eating contest or pie war using whip cream pies in disposable tins. This is always a crowd favorite – depending on your crowd's sense of humor!

If you want to send home goody bags with the little ones, you can include sunscreen, windmills, candies, sunglasses, tiny water guns, bubbles, flags and bouncy balls.

Remembering To Observe The Holiday And It's History

However or where ever you hold your Memorial Day Party, you and your guests should pay special attention to the history behind the holiday and take a moment or two to honor and remember the brave soldiers that gave their lives for our country.

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

Water balloon, picnic basket photo provided by Steve Wilhelm, Paul and Christa

May 11, 2011 by Celebration Advisor

Hosting a Garden Party

It's the beautiful warm summer days and cool summer evenings that make it a perfect time to host a great garden party. Whether you are hosting a laid back casual picnic or a more formal affair, a garden party is a great way to bring friends and family together for a day of fun in the sun.

Invitations

Personalizing your party invitations is key. Even if you are only having a few people over, making them personal will make your guests feel welcomed and special. You can create beautiful invitations with card stock, rubber stamps, calligraphy pens, dried flowers or anything that sets the mood for your special event.

Garden Party Decor

Asking for an RSVP is a good idea if you are planning on serving a full meal. If your event is casual, let your guests know that shorts, sundresses and flip-flops are welcome! Or if you are holding a more formal party, let your guests know what attire to wear.

Decor

Spruce up your backyard or porch with elegant table clothes, silver wear and beautiful overflowing arrangements of flowers. Crystal glasses add a beautiful touch, as well. You can buy mix matched glasses from a local antique store to create a vintage feel. Terra cotta pots make great utensil holders and carved fruit arrangements are fun centerpieces! You can drape fake pearls along the tables for a vintage look or use algae and rocks to create a unique design.

When hosting a garden party, you have to keep in mind that mother nature might RSVP as well. Therefore, you should have a backup plan just in case. You can use canopies or set up a space indoors to save you from any last-minute surprises!

Fine Dining or Casual Picnic

Picnic style parties are often laid back and have a buffet style menu including favorites such as finger sandwiches, fresh-cut fruit, veggies and dip, pasta salads or BBQ on the grill. Local caterers can offer delicious options for your party buffet.

Lemonade, sweet tea and punch in large vases will work great. If you are treating your guests to a full meal, you can serve an entrée' of fish or chicken with fresh steamed veggies or a fresh strawberry and spinach salad. Cookies, cupcakes and chocolate mousse are great sweets to add to your menu.

You can include themed cocktails in your menu as well ~ mint julep, gin and tonic, white and red wines or wine coolers go great with an outdoor party.

Yummy Party Food

Setting the atmosphere

Music is essential to creating the perfect atmosphere for your garden party, depending on your style you can play classic rock hits for your picnic or airy classical selections for a formal theme.

Entertainment

Playing games is not only for the kid's parties, adults like to have fun too! A round or two of horseshoes, bocce ball or croquet will get the party moving. Flower arranging is a fun activity to create. Supply fresh-cut flowers and inexpensive vases for your guests to work their magic. Or have your guests bring their own arrangement and swap with other guests at the party!

What ever your theme, where ever the place, your garden party can be as beautiful and elegant as you wish. Just remember to have fun!

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

May 10, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Memorial Day Weekend Ideas

With Memorial Day swiftly approaching, you want to plan a wonderful weekend! Maybe you plan on spending time with your close family or friends, or maybe you want to host a party. Whatever you choose, you want it to be exciting. We always want to remember the meaning behind Memorial Day. Pay tribute to the ones who have given their lives for this country. However, we want to do something unique. Well, Wedding And Party Network is here to give you a few party tips and ideas for your Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day Party Ideas

Patriotic Barbecue – Of course, this maybe something that everyone does on the 4th Of July. However, it's such a great theme that doing it twice a year still isn't enough. Place red, white and blue tablecloths on each table.

Visit your local florist and have them create fun and festive arrangements that goes with the theme. This will make the tables pop even more. The main thing is to create fun tablescapes. Use mason jars for your drinks,centerpieces or even your place settings. Create fun name tags to go on each one of the jars for an adorable place setting.

Create a hot dog bar, hamburger bar or even an ice cream bar. That way guests can create their own food just the way they like it.

Lets Head To The Beach –This week seems to kick off summer. Therefore, go to the beach. However, if you can't head out to the beach, bring it your yard. There are lots of fun ideas you can do for this theme.

Create food that is chilled and served, it will be a refreshing party. Serve fruit as your appetizer but serve them up in fun shapes. You can even stick them on sticks and place them in a bucket filled with sugar that resembles sand. It will be like you have a pail of sand.

Even get those sand boxes and pools out for the kiddos to play in. Their pools can even serve as a beverage holder to keep all your drinks chilled. This party theme is so much fun and perfect for the holiday weekend.

Plan A Trip

Baseball – If you have guys in your family or friends that enjoy baseball, why not host a baseball themed party for this weekend? Divide up all your guests and have a home run derby or play a game in your backyard. Everyone will enjoy this time together.

For your party food, set up a concession stand with all the food you would find in it. Popcorn, grilled hamburgers, nachos, cotton candy, snow cones and a candy bar should all be apart of your concession stand. Even serve them up in the paper items you would actually find at a concession stand. You'll have a ball in your very own backyard.

Plan A Trip – For a lot of people, this weekend kicks off their weekly visits to the lake or beach. So, why not join them? Get a bunch of your closest friends and family and plan a weekend getaway. It's a longer weekend, therefore the trip is worth it. Bring all the snacks and food so you can grill out on the water. It'll give a nice relaxing and fun weekend.

These 4 party ideas and Memorial Day weekend ideas are sure to be a huge success. You will remember them always. However, take the time to remember the men and women who serve our country. It's a special holiday and you'll have fun ways to celebrate.

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

May 9, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Ask The Celebration Advisor: How Can I Throw A Nautical Themed Party?

Ask The Celebration Advisor

"How can I throw a tasteful nautical-themed party?"

– Michelle

The Celebration Advisor

A nautical themed party is a huge trend now. And there are ways that you can make it a tasteful nautical themed party.

Party Colors – Of course, stick with the traditional colors of the sea. Choose navy and white and an accent of red for your party colors. When hosting this party, stick with the traditional colors.

Party Decorations – If this is a kid's birthday party, consider placing fun sail boats out as party decorations and using seashells. Get really creative and make an actual sailboat out of cardboard boxes. Kids can get in it and take fun pictures. However, if this is for an adult party, create some unique rope centerpieces. You can use rope, anchors and classic starfish as part of your party decor. Use clean, white table linens and place blue and white floral centerpieces on the table. Keep it simple and classic and you'll have a tasteful party.

Party Food – Keep it with the theme and choose seafood as your food of choice. Serve shrimp cocktail, crab stuffed mushrooms or crab cakes. However, everyone is not a fan of seafood. Therefore, serve up light and refreshing appetizers. A caprese salad or bruschetta would be nice. Just remember, keep it light, refreshing and of the sea.

When hosting a nautical themed party, stick with the traditional decor and food. That's how you can throw a tasteful party. Think vintage, rustic and of the ocean. Sail boats are known for being classic, so stay with that theme.

Hope this was helpful and that you enjoy your nautical themed party!

Party Tip – Always keep with the theme. If it is a traditional and classic party theme, keep things simple. However, if you are throwing an over the top bash, you can go overboard as much as you want!

May 6, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

May Newsletter "Get Outdoors"

Volume 2 Issue 5

Unique Outdoor Parties

The warmer weather is upon us and that means we will all be spending a lot more time outdoors. The beautiful sun beaming down, fragrant, fresh flowers blooming and sipping an ice cold lemonade are all the makings of a wonderful afternoon outdoors. Well, what better way than to celebrate outdoors than with a party!? Wedding And Party Network is here to give you 4 unique party themes that you can host outdoors.

Ice Cream Social – With the heat shining down on us, all we'd like to do is cool off. Well, you can with an ice cream social! Kids will love this and so will adults. It is truly is a party for everyone. Set out different ice creams, toppings, ice cream bars, sandwiches and popsicles so guest can create their own sundae or choose one of their favorite flavors.

Carnival Party – Spring and summer are the times to start visiting those amusement parks. However, if you're not close to one you can bring the fun to your own backyard. Games, balloons and bright colors are all the elements of a great party, and a carnival themed party features all of that. Play old fashioned games and serve up carnival food. Funnel cakes, hot dogs, corn dogs and lemonade are all the makings of delicious carnival food. Don't forget the prizes!

Swap Party – There are so many things you can do outdoors, but some things you dread. For example, a yard sale. Some people think it's a lot of work and not always worth it. Therefore, you should host a swap meet party! Invite friends over and swap treasures that everyone has out in their house, yet don't want anymore. Place a long table out in your yard and let your friends place all of their old treasures on it. Then get to swapping! Once everyone is done, go inside for a light and scrumptious meal.

Cool Off –It may not be too hot just yet, but this party would be perfect for when it does get hot. Host a sprinkler party at your house and cool off. Set out numerous sprinkles, water slides and pools out for your guests. Create a changing area, a towel area and a place for your food, and that's all you have to do. Also, don't forget to serve up refreshing drinks and party food. Anything that will help your guests cool off.

These 4 outdoor party themes are perfect for summer. You'll enjoy great times with friends and the gorgeous weather. These two elements make for a time you'll always remember. So, go ahead and get outdoors; throw a party that you'll remember always!

If you are planning outdoor parties for spring & summer, let Wedding and Party Network help!

We're Social:

Host A Tea Party

Beautiful weather is upon us and it's time to get outside. Throw a refreshing party that your guests will love. This party idea features beautiful, refreshing colors that would be perfect for a little girl's party or a get together for you and your girlfriends.
Read more about Hosting A Tea Party

Chef, Host, And Party Planner: You Can Do It All With These Party Tips

You've decided to host the party at your house and bravely prepare the food yourself. Although I prefer to use a caterer, I have occasionally prepared the food myself for one of my informal shin-digs. These are some helpful tips that will keep things running smoothly around the table while still allowing you to enjoy the party.
Read more about Chef, Host & Party Planning

May – The Month Of Flowers, Photos & Zombies?!

With the spring showers over, we're ready for May flowers! Which only means the weather is truly warming up and we all get to start enjoying being outside, the pool and lake season. May is a great time for all sorts of things, especially hosting parties. If you're hosting a party for the month of May and are not sure what to do, let Wedding And Party Network help.
Read more about The Month Of May

5 Tips On Hosting An Outdoor Party

We all love getting outdoors when we have the chance, especially hosting parties outdoors. However, being outdoors can bring some unexpected turns when hosting parties outdoors. If it's the weather or bugs or you just want to spend more time enjoying your party than running around worrying about everything, we've got some tips that will help you along your way. So, Wedding And Party Network is here to give you 5 helpful tips when hosting an outdoor party.
Read more about Hosting An Outdoor Party

In Honor Of National Hamburger/BBQ Month

This time of year, we enjoy getting outside. We enjoy feeling the heat on our skin and just being outdoors in general. It's nice to get out since everyone has been cooped inside all winter. So, get outside! Plus, May is known for being National Hamburger Month and National BBQ Month. so, what better way to celebrate than to get outside.
Read more about National Hamburger & BBQ Month

And They're Off – Kentucky Derby Themed Party Ideas!

Do you hear that? Do you hear the galloping and trotting coming our way? Yes, it's Kentucky Derby time! So, it's time to break out the big hats and mint juleps and prepare yourself for a great time! The Kentucky Derby is all about the horses, betting, mint juleps and of course, the fabulous hats. This truly is an event for everyone in family. They will all love it and have an extremely good time.
Read more about Kentucky Derby Themed Party Ideas

Preserve Your Memories With Flowers Forever Inc.

You have special moments that occur in your life. The first thing that comes to mind is the memories that you have because of a special event. You want to remember them for a lifetime and cherish those special moments. Sure, you can have pictures taken or keep flowers, but why not have them preserved?
Read More about Flowers Forever Inc.

Bridal Elegance
Standing out for a special occasion is a must. You don't want to blend in with everyone else, you want to stand out from them. One of the most important dresses of your life is your wedding dress. You most definitely want to stand out in that.
Read more about Bridal Elegance

Hannah Lee Images
Everyone deserves a professional photographer who captures the happiest moments of their life. Who only offers pictures with a perfect smile on your face every time. You should be able to look back on your photos and recall those fun memories right on your living room couch.
Read more about Hannah Lee Images

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

May 4, 2011 by Celebration Advisor

Graduation Open House

Graduation is a perfect time to celebrate! Throwing an open house to honor your graduate's entrance into the adult world is a great way of expressing and celebrating your excitement for their new adventure. This party theme will give the new graduate a big congratulations on all their accomplishments.

Graduation

First Things First

Choosing a party place will be one of the major tasks on your checklist. Many people have open house graduation parties at their home, banquet halls, community centers or local pools. Often parents will collaborate and throw joint parties to save a little money.

You will want to set up a designated parking area to avoid problems with neighbors or blocking the streets. Some times neighborhood churches or community locations will allow you to use their parking lots with prior notice. This is something you can show on the invitations.

Once the place is chosen you can start working on putting together your graduation invitations. You will want to make sure that they are sent out to family, friends and teachers at least 3-4 weeks before the party. Include an RSVP if you want, asking for a response 1-2 weeks before the party. Most Open House Parties will last 3-5 hours or more.

The Setup

When throwing a graduation open house, choose to have the party catered or stick with the very popular buffet style theme. Setting up several food stations throughout the area is a good way to keep guests circulating and to help avoiding a long line at the food table. Great graduation foods are: hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, fried chicken, finger foods and sandwiches. Cake, cupcakes, or ice cream bars are great desert ideas. Set up several locations for guests to sit and chat whether they are benches, or folding chairs, bench swings, sturdy canvass seats.

When choosing the party decor you will want to play off of the graduates favorite color, the school color or the classic black and gold graduation colors. Using balloons, streamers, banners, tables clothes, plates, cups and eating utensils in the same color scheme.

Graduation Cake

Picture displays are a fun and creative way to show off your shining star featuring pictures from childhood up to graduation day! You can hang pictures of the food tables or display as centerpieces on tables. Set up a poster board with the graduate's picture in the middle ~ ask guests to sign it for a great keepsake. Create a slide show that will be played during the party to captivate your guests.
Set up an award table, showcasing the graduates achievements. Have a gift table with a large box for cards to be put inside.
Set out disposable cameras throughout the space and ask guests to snap candid pictures. Video taping the event will make for a great treasured memories. Let your graduate chose favorite songs to be played in the background or if you want to get even more exciting, set up a dance floor and let the music roll!
Send your guests home with a special trinket to remember the event. Some cute ideas are: Customized M&M's, candy bars, bookmarks, pins, pens or personalized cookies.

Make sure to keep track of gifts and who they came from so that your graduate will be sure to send Thank you notes to all of your guests within a week or two after the party.

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

Graduation cap photo provided by billaday via flickr.

May 3, 2011 by Celebration Advisor

How to Throw a Slamming Super Hero Party

As a mother of three young children, I have to come realize that a birthday party can be much more than a few gifts and a cake. A birthday party is a day that your child will carry with them for many years. You have to find what makes them tick and then run with it. Alex is like most other five-year old boys, he is fascinated with superheros. His entire life revolves around them and every moment of his day is masked with a theme song to go along with his adventures. So what better theme than an action packed super hero adventure for his sixth birthday party!

How to make a Super Hero Party Super Cheap!

A superhero party can easily turn into something that is super-expensive if you don't be careful. Here are some fun ways to make this party excellent and save a little money with homemade touches!

The party can evolve around several different superheros or if your child has a favorite, you can build the party around just one.

Choosing Your Theme

Color Schemes:

The Incredible Hulk: Green and Brown
Batman: Black and Yellow
Spider Man: Red and Blue
Super Man: Red, Blue and Yellow
Green Lantern: Green and Black
Iron Man: Red and Gold

Superhero Party Theme

Creating Invitations

When putting together party invitations, you can make them with colored card stock and stickers. Cut out the emblems of different hero's and glue on card stock with your child's initials on the front. Or glue a picture of your child in his favorite superhero costume on the front.

“Calling All Superheros!” – Invite the children who are coming to wear a hero or villain costume!

Decorating the Superhero Hang-Out

There are a lot of fun creative ways to decorate for superhero parties.

Blow up balloons and hang streamers according to the color scheme you have chosen.
Print out Images of Comic Strips and post them on the walls.
Print out warning signs such as “ KAZZAM!”, “POW”, “FLASH”, “ZOINK” and hang throughout the area.
Print signs warning villains to stay clear.
Wrap gifts with cheap comic books.
You can design and cut out emblems and tape or glue to the front of the balloons.
Display your child's action figures around the area; hanging from streamers, climbing the walls, fighting villains and so on.
Designate a wall or specific area with a big back drop for taking pictures.

Games and Activities

Craft Table:

Set up a table with pre-cut masks, lay out markers, glue sticks, confetti, pom poms, strings, and stickers.
Set our crayons and coloring pages of all the different superheros.

Brick Wall Smash:

Build a wall with cardboard “bricks” covered in red brick paper and let each child smash in it!

Superhero Clue Hunt:

Superhero Pinata

Fill a bucket or “Treasure” box with party toys (you can find these at most retails stores).

Create clues based on the villains and heroes on card stock and hide around the area. The kids will get in groups of two or three and see who can find the “Treasure” first. Everyone gets a toy! This game is better for children who can read.

X-ray Vision Game

Put all sorts of different items in a big box and let the kids (who have something covering their eyes) name them without sight, only touch or smell. This can get very funny when you put all kinds of silly things in the box. For instance, if you put in a half of a banana and you stick one of the kid's fingers in it. Be creative, this will probably be most hilarious part of the party!

Musical Chairs:

Collect different theme songs and use as the music for the well-known game of musical chairs, but instead of chairs, use large pillows on the floor.

Kryptonite Hot Potato:

Have the kids stand or sit in a circle using a green ball or a potato painted green and have the children pass the “kryptonite” from one child to another until the music stops, who ever has it when it stops, has to sit down.

Pinata:

You can find superhero pinatas almost anywhere, fill with small toys, stickers and candies for the kids to take home. Don't forget to have small bags handy to store the candy in!

Super Food

You can serve anything that you would at a normal party; pizza, sandwiches, veggies and dip etc… Place signs over the options with “superhero” names such as Radioactive Pizza, Kryptonite Sandwiches, Goblin Veggies and Spidey Dip.

The Cake:

The superhero party has been successful so far, but the themed cake is what always tops it! You can create your own unique homemade cakes or buy one that is already decorated especially for your child. Cupcakes are a great substitution ( No time wasted cutting and serving! ).

Goody Bags:

Get small bags and include :

Superhero Party

Small flashlight (For finding the bad guys!)
Cheap black sunglasses (X-ray glasses)
Bubbles (To distract the villains)
Note pad and pencil (To write down clues)
Whistle or Horn ( To call for back up)
Certificate welcoming them into the “Justice Leauge”

If you really want to go the extra mile and REALLY make this party awesome think about having a surprise visit by an "Actual Superhero!" You can buy or rent a costume online or at your local costume shop. It is best to have someone who is not close to the child dress up, because you wouldn't want to spoil it when they figure out that Batman sounds just like daddy!

Your surprise Superhero could make a big entrance with the last gift for your little guy (or girl) and then stay to take a few pictures with the kids. The party will over flow with excitement!

Between decorations, party food, activities and the surprise guest you will have your kids laughing and having a great time. Your superhero fanatic will be the talk of the town.

This post is brought to you by Houston Party Decoration Suppliers.
Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party decoration supplier near you!

Superhero pinata photo provided by Daquella manera via flickr.

May 2, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

Throw A Fiesta For Cinco De Mayo

May 5 celebrates Cinco De Mayo! So, host a party in honor of this special holiday! However, are you stumped on what to do for your party decorations or what to serve? You should think fun, bright and colorful in everything you to do for this party theme. Well, Wedding And Party Network is here to give you some last-minute party tips on hosting a festive Cinco De Mayo Party!

Cinco De Mayo Themed Party

Cinco De Mayo Facts

First, let's refresh our memories on what Cinco De Mayo stands for. On May 5th, Mexican militia finally defeated the French army. Said to be only in Mexico to collect debt, the French brought a ruler wanting to be in charge over everyone. However, on May 5th the unlikely defeat of the French army happened and it turned into a celebration.

How To Decorate

First off, think bright and colorful. Your party decorations will be fun and festive and you'll more than likely find these items in your local party store around this time of year. Festive paper flowers, lanterns, streamers and pinatas are great party decorations to liven it up.

String these items from trees or around your house to keep it truly traditional for this event. Decorate in their colors, reds, whites and greens, and have confetti everywhere. The Main tip in decorating for this party is to keep it upbeat and vivacious. Keep it bright!

Get In Costume

In Mexico, women traditionally wear long ruffled and flowing skirts. Keep them within traditional colors or choose bright and fun ones. Tuck a white blouse, add a colorful scarf and pull your hair back and you'll be set to go. For the guys, let them dress up as Matador or part of a mariachi band. Just something fun and festive that goes along with this party theme.

Mexican Fiesta

Traditional Mexican Cuisine

Again, keep it traditional. You want to serve up traditional Mexican food in honor of their holiday. For appetizers, create traditional salsa, guacamole, cheese dip or mini quesadillas along with some home-made tortilla chips.

Create a salsa bar that features different varieties of salsa. For the main course, create a delicious home-made taco bar. You can feature different meats, seasonings, shells, burritos and toppings so guests can create their own unique taco. Don't forget to feature a menu of what's on your taco bar.

You can even come up with creative tacos that your guests may want to try. Lets not forget about the desserts. Create flans, churros, cinnamon chocolate brownies, tequila infused cookies, margarita cupcakes or just serve up delicious mangoes that will all go with the traditional theme perfectly. You can even get with your local caterer and let them come up with some fun and out-of-the-box ideas. Just remember, be traditional with a twist.

This party theme is truly simple to do. Just stick with the traditional and add some fun twists to it. Your guests will enjoy honoring the Mexican heritage with fun costumes, lively decor and traditional food. So, get your festive costumes and margaritas and get ready for Cinco De Mayo!

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

April 28, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

And They're Off – Kentucky Derby Themed Party Ideas!

Do you hear that? Do you hear the galloping and trotting coming our way? Yes, it's Kentucky Derby time! So, it's time to break out the big hats and mint julep and prepare yourself for a great time! The Kentucky Derby is all about the horses, betting, mint julep and of course, the fabulous hats. This truly is an event for everyone in family. They will all love it and have an extremely good time. Therefore, Wedding And Party Network is here to give you a few party tips and ideas to make your Kentucky Derby party a hit!

A Little History & Facts

Kentucky Derby Party

Churchill Downs was formally opened in 1875 with four races scheduled. It is a one and quarter-mile race for thoroughbred horses. It's one of the first races for the Triple Crown title, which is the title for the horse that wins all 3 races. It has also been called "the most exciting 2 minutes in sports".

Along with the race, there are a number of traditions celebrated for the Kentucky Derby. Mint Julep is the traditional drink of the race, which is bourbon, mint and sugar. Burgoo is also a tradition, which is a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables and served at the derby. You'll also find "Millionaire's Row", which refers to the luxurious box seats, which will be decked out with women in their elaborate hats.

Fun Party Ideas & Themes

When planning your Kentucky Derby party, there are lots of fun party themes that you can run with. You can plan a BBQ, make it a Kentucky Derby hat themed party, betting games party or even a triple crown party. All would make wonderful themes that your guests will enjoy! Or, you can combine them altogether.

Kentucky Derby Hat Party – This party theme is definitely for the women out there. It's easy, have all the girls come decked out in their most fashionable Kentucky Derby attire, hats and all! Let them get creative with their hats and think out-of-the box. You can even host a contest for everyone to see who has the most stylish hats. Another fun idea, send them home with hat boxes as part of the party favor. Everyone will love this idea!

Lets Bet – Of course, one of the main attractions with the Kentucky Derby is the bets that you can place on the games. Everyone will enjoy this. Make sure and print off all the horse contestants and make booklets for your guests. They can read all about them and pick their winner. You can even set up a betting window at your house for your guests to walk up to and place their bet. If you want, you can even set up a poster with everyone's name and choices on it.

Triple Crown Party – If you really get into horse races, throw a triple crown party and host a party for all three races. Incorporate some of the themes above into each race.

Party Food & Decor

Race Day Pie

Party Food – Stick with tradition. Serve up the traditional hot brown dish, which is a gravy-like sauce that you can pour over toast and turkey and you top off with bacon. Have your caterer come up with delicious party appetizers or whip some up yourself to go along with this party theme. For dessert, lets not forget about the pie. It's a must! The race day pie is a tradition! However, get fun with it and create various pies to create a pie dessert bar. Of course, you can always incorporate the mint julep tradition into mint desserts, like minty cupcakes!

Party Decor – Roses are a traditional decor, especially since the Triple Crown is referred to as "the race for the roses". So, visit your florist and incorporate roses into centerpieces. Also, a huge staple piece at the derby is silverware. So, stick with traditional silverware when serving your party food. You can also incorporate a horse racing theme into your party decorations, such as create a stall, watering hole or the grandstand. Visit your local party store to find themed party decorations!

So, get ready for the spectacular horse races and big hats with your Kentucky Derby themed party. It will be a huge success and absolutely everyone will love it!

This post is brought to you by Houston Party Decoration Suppliers.
Not in Houston, TX? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find a party decoration supplier near you!

Hot brown, Mint julep, hat, pie photo provided by HerrVebah, Danielle Scott, ebatty, willandbeyond

April 26, 2011 by Kelly Curtis

May – The Month Of Flowers, Photos & Zombies?!

With the spring showers over, we're ready for May flowers! Which only means the weather is truly warming out and we all get to start enjoying being outside, the pool and lake season. May is a great time for all sorts of things, especially hosting parties. If you're hosting a party for the month of May and are not sure what to do, let Wedding And Party Network help. May represents so many things, so why not use one of those themes for your party? You'll throw a spectacular party that your guests will enjoy with one of these party themes.

The Month Of May

Fun May Facts

May is the 5th month of year and one of the 7 months that has 31 days in it. The month of May was named for the Greek goddess, Maia. However, Roman poet Ovid says that May was named for the maiores, which is Latin for "elders". Which seems fitting since they say June is named for iuniores, or "young people".

Birthstone & Flowers

For May, it's birthstone represents the Emerald and the flowers are the lily of the valley. Emeralds are so beautiful and have an amazing deep green tint to it with a rectangular cut. If you are throwing a party, make that your color. However, if you want to incorporate those flowers into your party, set them out as part of your centerpieces. Both are so beautiful and will do wonders as a party accent.

May's Astrology

Taurus and Gemini are your signs May. However, since the change of the Earth's rotation, your sign could be Aries too. Taurus is considered an Earth sign. They are dependable, persistent, loyal, patient and generous. However, they can be stubborn, lazy, possessive, materialistic and self-indulging. Gemini's are energetic, clever, imaginative, witty and adaptable. They can also be superficial, impulsive, restless, devious and indecisive. While, Aries are independent, generous, optimistic, enthusiastic and courageous. But can be moody, short-tempered, self-involved, impulsive and impatient.

Special Holidays & Events

South Asian Heritage Month

Themed Parties

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
National Hamburger Month
Zombies Awareness Month
Flower Month
National Duckling Month
National Bar-Be-Que Month
National Salad Month
National Photo Month
National Strawberry Month

May 1 – May Day, Hawaiian Lei Day, Mother Goose Day – Read Mother Goose nursery rhymes.
May 3 – National Teacher Day – Show appreciation towards your teachers.
May 4 – National Weather Observance's Day
May 5 – Children Day, Cinco De Mayo
May 7 – National Scrapbook Day, Pulitzer Prize Established
May 8 – Mother's Day, National Train Day – Throw a train themed birthday party for your little boy!
May 10 – Clean Up You Room Day – Turn cleaning your room into a party!
May 12 – International Nurses Day, Kite Day
May 13 – Tulip day – Make tulips apart of your centerpieces.
May 15 – Peace Day, National Chocolate Chip Day
May 19 – Circus Day – Host a circus themed party!
May 23 – Penny Day, Victoria Day
May 26 – Blueberry Cheesecake Day – Serve blueberry cheesecake at your next dinner party.
May 30 – Memorial Day

Take one of these themes and run with it! All these themes are great and can be made into little boy parties, little girl parties or even adult parties! They are so much fun and you can really get creative during the month of May. So, go ahead and start planning your themed party for May!

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!

Celebrating Memorial Day

Hosting a Garden Party

Memorial Day Weekend Ideas

Ask The Celebration Advisor: How Can I Throw A Nautical Themed Party?

May Newsletter "Get Outdoors"