LetsPartyMagazine.com

Wediquette: Are You a "Good" Wedding Guest?

2011-07-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

As I continue to contemplate the RSVP, or lack there of for that matter, a recent article on wedding etiquette from the Huffington Post comes in handy. Turns out sending your RSVP in on time is only a portion of what is expected of you as a wedding guest. Check these wedding guest do's and don'ts and see where you stand when is comes to your "Wediquette" IQ.

Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Répondez S'il Vous Plaît... The Event RSVP

2011-07-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of todayifoundout.com

RSVP. It is a simple request under the guise of an elegant language. Please respond. As an event planner, I know first hand the importance of this simple request: guest count needed and needed in advance - a confirmation for food, place settings, seating, favors, and the list goes on. Hence the "reply by" date usually always listed.

Yet, I recently found myself responsible for several "past due" RSVPs. As I sifted through the mail that had been collecting on my kitchen counter I felt a rising sense of guilt. Sure, the new baby and the new schedule contributed; but prior to motherhood, I was still late on my RSVPs. What was my excuse then?

On the flip side, in planning events I've noticed a consistent struggle in getting people to RSVP. Inevitably, there are personal phone calls, emails and even mentions on social media used to remind, and remind... and remind invitees. I certainly than, have no excuse for being late on my RSVPs. As I also know first hand the frustration that can follow in not being totally sure of your guest count and of course, having to plan for those few who will not RSVP, but will attend.   Never mind those who will simply not acknowledge the invite.

As I made these "past due" replies, I pondered my own failure to respond in an appropriate time frame and my experience with others. In fact, in doing some reading on the matter, several sources indicate that up to 50% of invitations with an RSVP go...well...un-RSVP'ed. I am not alone.

I wonder, why is that? With the roles that email, texting and social media have taken in our every day lives, I wonder if the RSVP has become less formal. With the now commonly used Facebook event, sites like Evite or even the basic Outlook Calendar request, I ask, are we bombarded with so many RSVP requests that the perceived importance of replying has diminished? Or are we simply preoccupied with life that these requests get forgotten in the every day shuffle?

Think about it. It is not just the occasional wedding invite that might unfortunately get left behind in the pile of mail. It's the endless chain of (some seemingly random) Facebook happenings, networking e-blasts, personal occasions and meeting requests that are looking for us to "please respond". Will I attend, am I a "maybe" or am I sending regrets? And to think, there are days I can't even decide what I want for lunch.

Regardless of the cause, the reality is that replying for an event that is requesting your attendance should be an honor. You are invited, after all. Someone wants to share with you a special moment, a celebration or just plain spend time in your company. And the reality is that replying for an event that is requesting your attendance is easy. With wedding invitations, the reply card is simply awaiting your name and a check mark next to the line indicating your intentions - the envelope is provided, addressed and stamped. In other instances it is a simple click of a button and the use of your computer-savvy skills. Or there is the phone call and email response, both taking only a few moments to complete.

Myself included - I say it's time to reclaim the RSVP. Let's not let the importance fade away in what feels like an increasingly casual society. Respond right away, put a reminder in your calendar, place the invite in a location that can be easily referenced... whatever it is you need to do to make it happen. Répondez S'il Vous Plaît... just please respond.

More to come on RSVP etiquette.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

The Royals Know how to Throw a Party

2011-05-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since my last post and a lot seems to have transpired. I have been relishing in the new arrival of a baby girl - who true to my event planning nature, arrived on a scheduled date that was in my outlook calendar. Schedules seem to have become a thing of the past - at least for the time being...when an orderly life seems to have been thrown into some kind of chaos that is also a state of blissful happiness. And with lack of routine comes lack of sleep. Nights are days and days are nights. Now, this came in handy this past Friday as I spent the hours I would have previously enjoyed sleep to watch and experience the wedding of all weddings... the Royal Wedding.

Sure the hoopla might be dwindling down and you might be sick of hearing about it - but there is no denying the fact that the Royals know how to throw a party. Talk about an event of grandeur, where things are timed perfectly and executed without flaw. The build up to this event has been nothing short of exceptional and all encompassing. I will even admit that I watched the Lifetime movie on William & Kate in order to get the back story. I tracked developments throughout the Week with E! Entertainment and ABC 15 as hosts talked about bets on what color the Queen would wear and of course, what Kate's dress was going to look like. It felt like I couldn't absorb enough of the details... like I was going to witness something great, be a part of history - of that modern-day fairy tale. Bottom line, I wasn't going to miss it.

As I watched the coverage throughout the late night / early morning... I thought about all that goes into planning an event. Any event. And I found myself thinking about everything that needed to be considered and carefully implemented to make this wedding happen not only to Royal standards, but to make it happen to the world's expectations. The sense of drama, the opulence, the romance and the tradition. From the guest list, to security, to keeping one of the best-kept fashion secrets...ever. This surely is an event that takes event planning to the next level... or many levels beyond that.

Sure, I was totally in love with Kate's dress (she is my new favorite fashion icon), the way Prince William told her she looked beautiful when he laid eyes on her, the style of all the attendees, the vows and the kisses... but I was also in total awe of the overall event execution. That time line must have been the size of a novel. Just the coordination of arrival of key people was impressive. And, to top it all off, at least from the viewer's perspective, there were no snafus. No blips on the radar. Just smooth elegance. Again, there is no denying the Royals know how to throw a party.

I'll leave you with this - picture of a clergyman doing a cartwheel in Westminster Abbey - I would have done the same if I were him. Celebrate a job so well done... what a momentous event.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.


Photo courtesy of news.com.au

Linen Obsessed Part 2: Hot Fabric Trends

2011-03-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned that I am obsessed with linens yet? Oh, wait... I did in another post dedicated to linens. Well... good for you, I love linens so much, you get another post. This one dedicated to the hot fabric trends of 2011. So here's to the fabrics you want to showcase at your events to be at the forefront of linen couture...

Photo courtesy of specialevents.com

Out with the old and in with the new. For instance, Lamour. Lamour is certainly beautiful - it certainly doesn't fall out of favor. But in terms of being on the cutting edge, you want to replace your Lamour inclinations with silk, such as Dupioni. Love texture in your linens? Well you are already ahead of the game - look at incorporating more Crinkle into your event design plans. A big fan of Pintuck? Change it up a bit in 2011 and use more Ribbon Taffeta in place of the Pintuck Taffeta.

Other hot fabrics include: Swirl, Metallic Braided, Pucci Prints and Embroidery - particularly the Rosette. In mapping out your linen concept, don't be afraid to mix fabrics, textures and prints. Be adventurous in your styling and have fun with all of the options available.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Blossoming Baby Showers

2011-02-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of atozion.com

As March approaches, we sense that spring is in the air. For us Arizonans, it is a brief period of glorious weather before the summer heat sets in. During this time we enjoy the warm temperatures, ever-beautiful sunshine and blossoming desert. With the emergence of this season, I would like to write about something that is near and dear to my heart at the moment... babies. I make the connection with "blossom" and "babies". Maybe it is just because I am expecting in several short weeks, but it feels like coinciding with the arrival of spring and early summer 2011 is a wave of new life.

In any case, I've decided to focus this week's blog post on Baby Showers. In particular, the Baby Shower for couples (also the co-ed or joint Baby Shower - recognizing both and all parents ) as a rising trend for those of us either hosting or attending a Shower in 2011. When a family member inquired about throwing a Shower, we immediately discussed it in terms of the non-Baby Shower, Baby Shower. The concept became a cocktail party gathering for family and friends in their couple or +1 guest form; designed to celebrate the expectant parents and their new addition in a social setting that focused more on having an amazing support network to be thankful for than the traditional baby-focus. As the host began to research the idea, she uncovered a fair amount of detail and ideas based on the concept - more than we had originally anticipated... and we thought we might be on to something... turns out the idea of a couples, co-ed or a joint Baby Shower has been on the block for a bit now and is beginning to gain momentum.

Consider this avenue for your next Baby Shower. Look at dinner parties, BBQ's, gatherings around the pool or a catered affair at a home or venue. Create an atmosphere of celebration to bring everyone together. Put the focus on the enjoyment of good company. Games are optional and should be at the discretion of the parents-to-be. Be sure to consider all guests when making decisions so that everyone feels welcome, men and women alike.

For more information on the couples, co-ed or joint Baby Shower, see below:

babycenter.com
babyshower101.com
minted.com - contemporary invitations
storkie.com - invitations

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Inspired by Color

2011-02-14T20:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day... much love to you from Let's Party Magazine and yours truly. Today, I'm inspired by love and delicious chocolates (but that's another story). And the inspiration I feel got me thinking... when we design an event, what are we inspired by? Where do we get our inspiration? In terms of decor and design, I think color is an universal source of inspiration. Color can tell the story of your event, create attitude, and even designate flow. It is key to controlling the overall atmosphere. It can indicate the subdued setting or an element of risk taking and adventure.

photo courtesy of visuallee.com

We see it all in color. And what we experience is a reflection of the overall societal climate. You can even trace color patterns and trends with history - literally seeing the naturals - those quite colors - when times were rough or in conflict, and the brights - those vibrant colors - when times were optimistic and hopeful. Color trends are reflected in fashion (note: honeysuckle is the it color for 2011) and the styles of the world; but also in advertising, magazines and the sports and automobile industries, just to name a few. Paying close attention to the previously mentioned can not only indicate color trends to you but can be a great resource for the one color element you are looking for to fit an event. In fact, paying close attention is key - observe this colorful world at all angles and take note. You can draw color inspiration from just about anything.

When planning your event and incorporating color consider implementing that color in such a way that it "pops" in certain elements. Incorporate these elements here and there throughout the event to tie it all in without overdoing it. Go all neutrals with pops of vibrant colors like purple or turquoise. Or go all white and use colored lighting to set the mood. Pops or punches of color tend to make dramatic and refined statements.

Looking for some sources of color inspiration? The Founder, VP of Media Relations, Concept Designer and Design Director of Perfect Surroundings, Inc. recommend looking at anything made popular by the younger generation - music, style, advertising, etc. In terms of pulling color inspiration from just about anything - they suggest pulling from skateboards. The art on the bottom of these boards showcase not only what's trendy, but how to mix and match. Also try colourlovers.com for more ideas, inspiration and as a color editing tool.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers

Trends and Pop Culture: I Love Hollywood

2011-02-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Hollywood-blog.net

As I think I have mentioned before... I love Hollywood and all of the celebrity nonsense that surrounds it. Celebrity gossip reads are a personal favorite and it seems a day is not complete without getting the latest updates. I consider Pop Culture an area of expertise if you will - as there are times I know more about Britney's upcoming album or Kim Kardashian's next photo shoot than I do about what might be considered "real news". Whether or not you might consider that somewhat sad, the reality is that Hollywood and Pop Culture play a major role in the trends of the events world. They ultimately influence most aspects - from color choices to design elements to food selection and beyond.

Let's look at last night's Super Bowl for example - and no, I'm not referring to Christina Aguilera's National Anthem faux-pas... whether we like it or not, the game is part of the Hollywood experience. Not only is the sport glamorized to begin with, but the Super Bowl is a major trend-setting, A-list attending, glitter covered Hollywood event at its core. Sure, many very dedicated and passionate sports fans tune in purely for the football, but many of us - not totally invested and/or interested sports fans - tune in for the trends. Did you watch that half-time show? Commercials aside, it's my favorite part. I took note of the overall presentation and pondered (in awe) the technical elements that were incorporated. The visuals of the field as a whole with the lit stage pieces and color-changing lit-up costumes totally amazed me. I was wishing at that very moment that I had an event to plan where I could incorporate light-up dancers.

While attending The Special Event Conference a few weeks ago, I took a session titled "New Trends Inspired by Hollywood and Pop Culture 2011" with Hillary Harris, the Director of Special Events for Warner Bros. Studios. Hillary gave us some insight into popular trends, as inspired by Hollywood and Pop Culture that I'd like to share with you:

3D Cad Software is the wave of the future. Products like Vectorworks are taking things to the next level. Elevate your event layout from drawing to 3D - where you can view the event as it might look in reality from a variety of angles.
Jewelry is hot. Incorporate jewelry-making stations at your event where artists are creating pieces in real-time and displaying them on creative decorative elements. Use bead-work instead of precious stones and if you've got the budget for it - offer the pieces as take-aways.
Incorporate creative ways of recognizing your sponsors. Print acrylic transfers with sponsor logos and apply them to different surfaces. Like a glass tabletop or even a mirror (transfers can be printed to look like they are etched).
Lounge furniture is still king. Incorporate more negative space in between vignettes as ultimately, most guests like to stand and mingle.
For a traditional sit-down style event, look at incorporating oval tables versus the traditional circle. Or, use square tables with banquettes for seating instead of chairs.

I've got more to share... enough for multiple blog posts anyways. So stay tuned... but in the down time - read up on that celebrity gossip! I also recommend checking out Hillary's Blog Hill on Hollywood for more tips and trends. Many of the events referenced in her presentation are featured.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Linen Obsessed Part 1: Hot Color Trends

2011-01-31T19:44:00.000-08:00

I am totally obsessed with linens. Those glorious pieces of fabric that drape tables in all kinds of colors, textures, patterns and sizes make me so happy. They are, without a doubt, one of my favorite elements of the events industry. And, in my opinion, they play one of the more important roles when it comes to design. Linens express theme and feel, create ambiance and communicate color choices. They are typically one of the first things I notice at an event - I immediately investigate the color, fabric, how they fit into the event as a whole, how they are displayed (is there an overlay, are they tied around the center, etc.) and my personal favorite: whether or not they touch the ground.

And so in honor of my love, or shall I say obsession, with linens, I am going to be providing some of the hot linen trends - coming straight from The Special Event Conference - a leading source of event planning knowledge around the world. So here you have it my fellow linen lovers... the hot color trends: up through early spring, the hottest color to be had is any variation of silver (pewter, titanium, platnium, etc). This is reflected currently in the Hollywood awards season - best observed with the Golden Globes. Pair these silvers with neutral tones and crystal accents.

Moving into the spring of 2011, the color spectrum is referred to as "Exotic Journey" (oh, I'm getting goosebumps), as set by pantone.com. This inspired collection includes colors like Coral Rose, Lavender, Peapod and the ultimate hot color for the year: Honeysuckle.

Photo courtesy of shaylacopas.com

Stay tuned for more information on hot linen trends and my continued gushing over how awesome they are.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Celebrate Valentine's Day... Without the Tradition

2011-01-24T22:29:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy of bostonherald.com

I will be honest: despite my love of romance, Valentine's Day is not at the top of my list when it comes to favorite holidays. Sure, the decorations, candy and flowers associated with it are nice (glitter-covered hearts, roses and candies that say "text me") - but I wonder... are they necessary? For me personally, it's all about celebrating the love on any and every day of the year - because it's always special... And, there is the romantic in me. It's not that I dislike Valentine's Day, I'm just somewhat indifferent to the hoopla that surrounds it. Trust me, I'm not about to throw an "I Hate Valentine's Day Party" any time soon - speaking of which, have you seen the movie Valentine's Day? The scene where Jennifer Garner beats up a heart shaped-pinata at her annual display of Valentines dislike is quite entertaining.

OK, all things aside... let's talk Valentine's Day celebrations that don't focus on the traditional. At the end of the day, why does this holiday have to be focused primarily on romantic love or couples for that matter? Even though Jennifer Garner's annual party was a gathering to bash the day itself and ill-fated episodes of love experienced by the attendees - the idea behind it had merit, and it kind of looked like fun. I'm not going to promote dislike of Valentines Day in any respect - but let's look at some avenues of celebrating the holiday that take it outside of the Valentine's " chocolate box" so to say.

With a holiday that's focused on couples, where does that leave groups of friends and those who are single? Epicurious.com suggests throwing a mixer with great cocktails, food and your closest friends. Come to think of it, I like that idea across the board. Why not make Valentines Day a party instead of a one-on-one celebration - couple or single?

Even ehow.com gives pointers on how to celebrate the day in a non-traditional manner either as a couple or single. Why not take a late-night trip for breakfast to Denny's in PJ's, I ask?

But seriously - here is a great suggestion for celebrating the holiday: giving back to the community. Suite101.com suggests multiple non-traditional options, all of which, contribute to the greater good. Buy gifts where a percentage of the expense goes back to a charity, spend time with family, give and/or plant seeds instead of purchasing a bouquet or donate to charity in someone's honor... all of the above celebrate love in a different capacity.

At the end of the day Valentines doesn't just need to be about romance, dinners, chocolates and flowers - it can be about celebrating the love we feel in partnerships, with friends, with family and for our community. Try viewing the holiday this year through a different set of lenses and experience it from a new angle.

For other not-so-traditional Valentines related activities, visit letspartymagazine.com and learn how to throw a DIY Valentine's Day soiree for children.

New Year's Resolutions: Consider Your Health Conscious Guests in 2011

2011-01-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! As we step into 2011, we are faced with exciting new prospects, journeys to embark upon, challenges to overcome and lessons to be learned. And as part of the traditions that come with a New Year, we set goals, hopes and dreams for ourselves - known as the New Year's Resolution. The concept of the resolution is important to keep in mind as we head into a new season of events and entertaining; for without fail, for many, the top resolution is a goal for weight loss, usually accompanied by eating healthier and exercising more. So, as you move into 2011, you should be considering your health conscious guests when putting together a menu - whether catered or something you prepare for personal entertaining.

I would imagine this resolution has been in the lineup for many of us year in and year out, just out of general awareness for our health. And let's face it, it sounds like an excellent idea following the indulgences of the holiday season. And the good news is, we don't have to sacrifice an amazing meal, appetizers or even Super Bowl Party goodies for our weight-loss initiatives. I hosted a Super Bowl get-together last year while on Weight Watchers and prepared a few dishes that much to my surprise, and that of my guests, were tasty and reminiscent of typical football appetizers, while being on the healthier side. Here is one of my personal favorites (recipe originally from weightwatchers.com):

Photo courtesy of weightwatchers.com

"Fried" Onion Rings
Ingredients:
Olive Oil Cooking Spray
1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/8 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/4 tsp. Table Salt
2 large Onions, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and separated into rings
1/2 cup Buttermilk
1 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, dry mustard and salt. Add onions and toss to coat.
Pour buttermilk into another large bowl, add onions and toss to coat (use your hands for the best result).
Place bread crumbs in another large bowl, add onions and toss to coat. Transfer onions to prepared baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
Bake until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

Flavor Booster: Give onion rings more crunch and fiber by using homemade multi-grain bread crumbs. Place 2 slices of toasted multi-grain bread into a food processor or blender and mince using on/off pulses.

Be sure to also checkout letspartymagazine.com's article on partying healthy with ideas from Chef Anthony Rea of Creations in Cuisine.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Trends for Engagement Photos - Couples opting for Magazine-Style Layouts

2010-12-27T19:23:00.000-08:00

While recuperating on Sunday from eating too much this Christmas (and just being lazy), I caught up on some newspaper action and wanted to share an article with you that caught my eye. I tend to go right to the Living, Style and Entertainment sections and was delighted to see an article on a wedding trend: engagement photos.

According to the Arizona Republic (or azcentral.com), couples are opting for engagement photos on a larger scale. Gone are the days when traditional still shots were done with the intention of having something nice to put in the local paper to announce the engagement. Couples are now interested in "magazine-style" shoots that include multiple locations, outfit changes, props and even pets. The article goes on to discuss how the trend is to get far more use out of engagement photos then just the newspaper announcement. Couples are using these photos to post on social networking sites, personal blogs, personalized wedding websites and wedding decor & favors.

Read more on Magazine-style engagement photos, the hottest trend for brides-to-be and their grooms.

Christmas Sweater Parties... All the Rage for 2010?

2010-12-20T19:53:00.000-08:00

With Christmas coming up this week and the holiday parties slowing down, I've had some time to reflect on all the parties I've attended for work, networking and fun. And, it seems in a good portion of the invites, an "ugly" or "tacky" Christmas sweater has been listed with the dress code. For whatever reason, this year feels like the Christmas Sweater Party is at its ultimate in trendy holiday entertaining.

Photo courtesy of uglychristmassweater.com

I want to say the concept of the Christmas Sweater party has been around for a few years now. Intrigued, I attempted a bit of research and found blog references to a new trend in 2008, claiming the phenomenon took off all thanks to the internet (Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties: A Funky New Holiday Phenomenon). And, how could it not, thank you to sites dedicated to the party like: www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com, which now makes a profit selling things like "The Ugly Sweater 12-pack"?

I can tell you I would have been better off ordering a sweater from the site given my failed shopping attempts: after multiple stores, all I could come up with was a turtleneck with snowflakes and jingle bells for earrings. Certainly, many of my fellow sweater hunters were disappointed, since all of the stores had people circling the sweater racks and shaking their heads when nothing sufficient turned up. Even sales staff were commenting on how fast the holiday-themed sweaters flew off the shelves. And, I have to give credit to those who were creative enough to make their sweaters - using battery operated twinkle lights, ornaments and garland as accents, just to name a few.

With a spattering of friends on Facebook changing their profile pics to reflect their holiday sweaters and goofy smiles in front of decorated Christmas trees, it's apparent this party was the "it" party for holiday celebrations in 2010. Will it continue to gain momentum and be bigger in 2011? Who knows. But for this season, it was a ton of fun, made for excellent pictures and definitely brought out the smiles and laughter.

Holiday Engagement Party - Decorate the Soon-to-Be Newlywed's Christmas Tree

2010-12-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

I totally wanted to post about Nicole Richie & Joel Madden's wedding, but it looks like I'm going to have to wait for the tabloid bidding war to be over to get a good glimpse of the details. I just love Nicole's style and have to believe that wedding was jam-packed with event trends (including elephants, apparently).

Photo courtesy of hometools.onsugar.com

For the time being, we will stick to the holidays, as those are just as fun to celebrate and as they quickly approach, you can't help but be in the festive spirit. Here is a concept that ties both a wedding and the holidays together... the other day, my mother-in-law shared with me a concept for an engagement celebration (could also be a couple's wedding shower), that I totally feel in love with. The premise is a holiday cocktail party, but each guest brings an ornament to help decorate the soon-to-be newlyweds Christmas tree. This way the newlyweds start out with a set of ornaments to decorate with in their first few years of marriage. The ornaments come from friends & family and therefore have sentimental value. They are geared towards life as a couple, so they are a perfect foundation for the couple to build on as their marriage and family grow. Have a small tree with lights ready for guests to help decorate or have them brought as traditional wrapped gifts for the couple to open. Request a sampling of ornaments (traditional, personalized, etc), so the couple receives a variety.

Holiday Decorating and Entertaining on a Budget

2010-12-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

I love a good bargain, absolutely love it. I love the thrill of the search and the satisfaction that comes with a good find. I can spend hours in a store looking top to bottom for the best deals or hours in multiple stores pulling together what I need for that low price. When it comes to event (and holiday) decor on a budget, my time as a nonprofit events manager has definitely taught me a thing or two...

1. The Dollar Tree, the 99 Cents Only Store and other dollar stores are your friends. I routinely trust these stores to turn up great decorating and entertaining items such as chargers, candles, candle holders, fillers such as river rock or glass beads, frames and much more! With the holiday season, trust in these stores to bring out some great holiday decorating and entertaining finds. I've purchased chargers with holiday-themed china, ornaments, candles and candle holders, ribbon, garland, gift wrap, holiday cards, cookie platters, and much more for my holiday needs. An easy and inexpensive decorating tip: pick up ornaments (these stores typically have a great selection) and fill a vase or bowl you already have on hand. Set a few candles around it and you've got yourself a centerpiece!

Photo courtesy of The eBay Classifieds Blog: Home and Garden

2. Be sure to stop in some of your favorite discount clothing retailers for your decorating and entertaining needs: Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

3. Other locations I've always trusted for inexpensive decorating and entertaining finds: Ikea and Tuesday Morning. From my perspective, Tuesday Morning tends to be a bit more on the expensive side (in comparison), but you can find some great items there. It just may not be the place to buy in larger quantities. On the flip side, Ikea is the place to buy in bulk. Prior to hosting a large event, Ikea would often be my go-to spot for items needed in large quantities. The great thing about it is you can stock up on vases, candles (and much more) for a low price and then reuse them for many events to come. Also consider Ikea for holiday gift giving. It is my favorite place to create gift baskets. Giving someone a nice bottle of wine? Visit Ikea for the accompanying wine glasses and other fun products. Decorating tip: purchase vases of varying sizes and floating candles in bulk from Ikea, fill them with cranberries (purchased at your local grocery store) and water. Float the candles and viola, you've got centerpieces galore! This can also be done with votive or pillar candles, no water.

Photo courtesy of www.thegardenerseden.com


Photo courtesy of www.designedtothenines.com

4. Be sure to have a hot glue gun and Mod Podge on hand!

When things are done on a restricted basis, often the creative need to amplify the creativity and turn on the resourcefulness. I've always found this process to be fun - it poses a challenge: where can I get the most for my money? and how can I create something that gives the impression it came from a Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn when in reality, it is a dollar store project? The bottom line is that holiday decorating and entertaining does not need to cost you a fortune.

Here are a few links that share additional tips on holiday decorating and entertaining on a budget:

Food, Wine and Mod Podge: Christmas Decorating on a Budget

The Budget Decorator: Holiday Decorating on a Budget

The Decorating Diva: Holiday Decorating on a Budget

Enjoy this wonderful holiday season!

Turkey Takeout

2010-11-22T22:39:00.000-08:00

For event planners and those who love to entertain, it is all in the details. As you prepare for your Thanksgiving events and entertaining, consider adding those little pieces of flair. In searching for some tidbits on Thanksgiving celebrations, I came across the idea for a very useful favor and delicious takeaway for your holiday guests... turkey takeout containers. What a win, win! As the host, you rid yourself of an overstuffed refrigerator for the remainder of the week and your guests get to take home the turkey goodness you prepared for them (and in chic containers nonetheless). Brilliant, I say.

Takeout Containers, seen in Country Living. Photo Courtesy of: Gridley & Graves. Casa-diseno-blog.com

Your guests will head home with full tummys and happy hearts just from spending the day with you... and giving them leftovers guarantees they will remember the good times and sentiments of thankfulness shared around your Thanksgiving table. The icing on the cake is, placing these leftovers in fun to-go containers both shows your attention to detail and makes the leftover eating experience an event in its own right.

Check out Home Design with Kevin Sharkey for other creative turkey takeout containers and Casa Diseno Blog for a reference of the to-go containers pictured as well as other favor ideas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Delish Vegetarian Menu Options for your Thanksgiving Feast

2010-11-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of cestlavegan.com

When creating an event menu, as planners, caterers, etc... we always take into consideration our guests' meal preferences. In most cases (if not all), we provide a vegetarian option to our plated meals and multiple vegetarian options to our buffets and stations on the notion that our vegetarian friends should not only have options, but hearty ones at that. In fact, the trend today is to provide elegant and creative veggie delights in all menus, giving even the average carnivore a moment to second guess their meat-loving inclinations.

As Thanksgiving approaches, have you considered your vegetarian guests? If you need a few suggestions or are just interested in cooking up some delectable veggie dishes, here are a few resources for vegetarian and vegan menu options (these are sure to appeal to all guests while mixing up the traditional Thanksgiving food expectations):

C'est La Vegan: Vegan Thanksgiving Ideas

NBC Washington: Creating a Thanksgiving Vegetable Cornucopia

Foodie Roadshow: Want to Make a Vegetarian Happy This Thanksgiving?

Martha Stewart: 22 Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes

Enjoy!

Mitzvahs...Made Simple!

2010-11-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Event professionals Toby Indech and Damita Curry have joined forces to create the Valley’s first and largest mitzvah trade show, Mitzvahs Made Simple Expo & Fashion Show. The one-day event will showcase local entertainers, specialty caterers, photographers and videographers, as well as designers and décor.

"As an event consultant and a mother, I know the enormous amount of planning time involved to create a mitzvah-celebration weekend,” says Indech, of Living Energy Events and Productions. “[Mitzvah families] stress about ensuring our celebrations are incredibly special with memories that last a lifetime for our whole family. Turning to the right team of vendors to make your celebrations run smoothly is paramount in the planning process."

For those unfamiliar with the practice, mitzvahs (‘bat’ for girls and ‘bar’ for boys) are a rite of passage in the Jewish tradition in which a child becomes an adult in the eyes of the community. After a year of studying the Torah, the child takes part in a religious service, followed by a celebration.

Just what that celebration entails, well that’s only limited by the imagination- and of course, the parents’ pocketbook.

A New York couple recently spent $1 million on their daughter’s Plaza Hotel celebration for 400 based on Britney Spears’ Circus tour, complete with a copycat Spears outfit, contortionists, stilt walkers, and a troupe of Cirque du Soleil performers (New York Post).

Luckily for parents with a more, ahem, limited budget, a mitzvah celebration can still be a spectacular event, with the help of the right professionals.

“Coming to trade shows like Mitzvahs Made Simple saves families time and money by offering a day to shop local, highly specialized vendors who can show them what's possible within their budget and answer their questions in a no-pressure environment,” Curry says. “Families can take advantage of exclusive specials and promotions that are not offered any other time. Generally speaking, families can save 15% to 20% shopping at an expo, compared to planning all on their own without guidance.”

Mitzvahs Made Simple Expo & Fashion Show is Sunday, November 14th at the Hilton Scottsdale, 6333 N. Scottsdale Road, from 12-4 p.m. A fashion show is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. A special family rate is available through the event website, MitzvahsMadeSimple.com.

Extending Your Thanksgiving Decor to Include Some Childish Fun

2010-11-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

As we welcome these early days of November, our thoughts turn to the beginnings of the 2010 holiday season. With Thanksgiving only a few short weeks away, many of us are considering our plans: guests, menu, table decor, etc. Over the next couple of weeks we will look at these Thanksgiving plans from all angles in hopes of getting you prepared for your holiday feast and celebration.

While searching for ideas for this first Thanksgiving post, I came across a blog, Sheek Shindigs that focused on the younger generations and their Thanksgiving contributions. While this day is about togetherness with family and friends, we sometimes forget the little ones and their role in the holiday. I don't know about you, but as a child, I never like being sent to the "kids table" on these holidays and always wanted to be a part of the action and adult-centered universe. Sarah Younger, Owner and Designer of Sheek Shindigs, offers ideas for getting the little ones more involved. Her design inspirations, pulled from great resources like Better Homes and Gardens and Parents Magazine, not only incorporate children in crafting, they also help create a child-centered universe that is the equivalent of the adult one. Creating a "kids table" that reflects the holiday with age appropriate materials and decor gives your little ones a great feeling of importance and inclusion, while adding that element of childish fun.

Check out Sarah's Thanksgiving inspirations on her Blog, Sheek Shindigs.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Cupcakes Galore... Indulge your Sweet Tooth

2010-10-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes are all the rage. And while they have been a dessert staple for what feels like forever, these little servings of heaven have become trendy. And I mean trendy in its fullest capacity. While the popularity of the cupcake has been on the rise for several years now - thanks to Sprinkles Cupcakes - with the onset of various cupcake-specific bakeries and businesses and the creation of shows such as Cupcake Wars, I would venture to say the cupcake has arrived in all of its glory. No longer are cupcakes served simply with basic flavors and frostings, they are now served in shades of glamour... with a hint of playful.

Just a fun tidbit of history on our little cupcake friend... according to Wikipedia, the cupcake was first documented in 1828 as part of a recipe collection titled Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cake and Sweetmeats by Eliza Leslie. Thank you to Miss Leslie for putting forth one of the most delicious treats around.

While preparing for a Cupcake Throwdown at work, I stumbled upon this amazing collection of cupcake recipes from Woman's Day.com... I just needed to share. The Periodic Table of Cupcakes covers everything from your basic chocolate to hidden surprises, with cupcakes for every holiday in between. I used the Caramel Apple recipe, which was easy to do and won me my own piece of cupcake glory. With Halloween coming up, make sure you check out the several recipes provided that are perfect for your Halloween entertaining.

Enjoy!

Celebrity Wedding: Trends from Dave Annable and Odette Yustman's Elegant Affair

2010-10-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

I love celebrity news and gossip; as in I may (or may not, depending on who's asking) be slightly obsessed. My day is not complete without a review of daily posts on Perez Hilton (love you Perez!), picking up the newest issue of US Weekly or People Magazine, or tuning in to E! Entertainment Television for an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians. I mention this as I found a source of blog posting inspiration from the newest US Weekly and no, it is not about Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Rather than focus on the end of one marriage, let's look at the beautiful beginnings of another.

I found the 'I Do' details of Brothers & Sisters star Dave Annable and You Again actress Odette Yustman absolutely lovely. In particular, I would like to focus on the reception decor. According to US Weekly, Issue 819, October 25, 2010, "The 200-plus guests sat at a mix of round, square, and rectangular raw-wood tables - some covered with natural linen and flowers in mismatched vintage copper and glass vessels..." (67). There weren't many pictures of the table layout provided in the spread, but that description takes my imagination places. I am in love with the idea of several elements used in this wedding reception, from the rustic, yet elegant feel, to the creative use of texture and natural beauty:

The mixture of table shapes - round, square and rectangular - adds texture to a space. While round tables are nice, they are commonly used; adding square and rectangular tables will spice things up a bit.
Wood tables - how beautiful and rustic. My mind envisions deep shades of mahogany, radiating richness and warmth.
The spontaneous use of natural linens - when you have beautiful wood tables, the need for linen diminishes. But I love that they sprinkled in natural linens - this will add softness to the space and is a great balance for the natural beauty that is showcased with the uncovered wood tables.
Mismatched use of vessels - who ever said things need to be matchy-matchy? Step outside the box and bring in elements that compliment in design versus matching exactly. Like the mixture of tables, mismatched, yet complimentary design and decor elements add texture; and variation only heightens the senses.

For a complete view of Dave and Odette's beautiful wedding, visit their photo album on usmagazine.com; or just buy the magazine, I promise you will be delighted with the all-encompassing celebrity dish!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

2010 Halloween Costume Trends

2010-10-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: blogs.villagegreen.com

If you are a fan of Halloween, you are probably considering party plans and costume ideas. Scheduling a weekend of parties is easy. Figuring out a fabulous costume, on the other hand, can be challenging. If you are anything like me, you wait until the very last minute and piece together items you currently own with purchased accents to make some resemblance of a costume. I am notorious for costumes like fairy or cat.

In an effort to be better prepared this year, and hopefully to help you out too, I did a little research on what the costume trends are for 2010. And yes, like fashion, costumes have trends.

Speaking of fashion... celebrities are the everyday runway model; they are a major source of fashion trends - check any US Weekly or OK! Magazine and you will find spreads of celebrity fashion triumphs and failures. Interestingly, this year's popular trend with costumes is to dress more like the celebrity and less like the traditional idea of Halloween (scary this, sexy that). Sure you will still find your staple costumes at the costume mega-store, but this year you will also see a spectrum of current celebrity-inspired and look-alikes.

In fact, According to Everything PR, costume company Rubie's Costume Co.,has listed Lady Gaga as its most popular costume; and not just in 2010, it has single handedly outsold any other adult costume the company has marketed in over 50 years. Now that is one popular costume. Lucky for you DIY costumers, a Lady Gaga ensemble could also be easily put together. Unless you want to sport a meat dress, then that's a different story.

Of course I am sure you have heard by now the your favorite Jersey Shore cast members have made their debut in the costume world as well. Both "The Situation" and "Snooki" have inspired ensembles up for grabs. Even "Pauly D" gets a costume recognition. If you are considering any of these, get a good spray tan and a serious bottle of gel and you should be good to go.

While dressing as a current celebrity or pop-culture icon may be the trend - many opt to go with more original ideas. Whatever costume you choose and however you put it together, enjoy the party, be safe and relish in a night you can be whatever you want!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Recycled Jack O' Lanterns: a Fun and Inexpensive Seasonal Craft

2010-10-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Jane Kernen

Looking for a seasonal craft that is both fun and inexpensive? Well, I have just the idea for you: Recycled Jack O' Lanterns! These adorable pumpkin-like creations are made using your old pasta jars. Not only are they fun to make, but they can be used in a variety of ways: Halloween-themed event decor/centerpieces, out in front of your home in place of or mixed in with your real pumpkins or along a windowsill in your home, showcasing the fun candle-lit faces to those passing by. Best of all, these creations can be packed away with all of your Halloween or fall-inspired seasonal decor and used year after year!

Items Needed:
Glass jars(s)
Orange tissue paper
Black construction paper
Green acrylic paint or green tissue paper
Paint brush
Decoupage glue
Scissors

Ready, Set, Create:
Cut orange tissue paper into strips or tear into small pieces. Strips will give you a uniform look, while small pieces will give you a mosaic look.

Hold the jar with one hand (preferably with the hand either inside the jar or holding the rim). With the other hand, apply the decoupage glue to the outside of the jar in sections using a medium-sized paint brush. After you apply the glue to a specific section, apply the strips of tissue paper to the glue and continue around the jar in that manner. Once the entire jar is covered with tissue paper, apply one more thin layer of glue over the tissue paper, coating the entire jar.

Allow the jar to dry. While you are waiting for the jar to dry, use the black construction paper to create the face. Once the orange tissue paper is dry, apply the face in the same manner using the decoupage glue.
This last step is optional: use the green acrylic paint and apply a coat to the rim of the jar or use pieces of green tissue paper and decoupage glue. The rim can also be left clear.
Set the jar aside for 24 hours to allow it to dry totally, after your last application of glue. Once your jar is dry and ready, place either a tea-light candle, battery operated tea-light candle or a string of white twinkle lights (best used with multiple jars) to give your recycled Jack O' Lantern a soft glow.

Using this fun and inexpensive craft, you can create a great Halloween decor item while being green! For more information on eco-friendly party ideas, check out ways to make your next party eco-friendly by Dana Brown of Simply Sweets.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Entertaining... and Eating... Your Way through Football Season

2010-09-19T22:32:00.001-07:00

Temperatures skyrocketed to a blistering 111 degrees today in the Valley. Yet, while the crystal clear blue skies & feverish temperatures indicated it is still very much summer - the Sunday NFL lineup told us it is time for fall. For a few weeks now we've been fighting off the heat and running to the local sports bar for Bloody Mary brunches and NFL Sunday Ticket or hunkering down in the comfort of home with a Sunday football feast.

I love football season and thereby fall for that very reason: food. I may not be the best football fan (love the uniforms more than the game), but I know it is a great opportunity to cook up a delicious meal and be social. From my perspective, there is something about a lazy Sunday spent with friends and family dressed in football fan gear and hanging out on the family room sofas that feels... well, like home. So whether you were watching the Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons, the Manning brothers battle it out for glory, or are planning to tune in to watch Kurt Warner make the step from football field to ballroom dance floor on Dancing with the Stars, it all deserves an appropriately themed football menu.

This is one of my favorite recipes to serve during football season. Literally. Once a team has staked their claim on this season's Super Bowl rings, this recipe gets filed away. It can easily be adapted to serve in large or small quantities, cooked quickly and easily in a pot on the stove, or simmered to perfection throughout the day in a slow cooker. I promise your guests will be impressed and your Sunday tummy full & happy. Enjoy!

This recipe originally came from allrecipes.com (one of my biggest go-to sources for great menu strategies):

Easy Chicken Chili, serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1.5 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (15.5 ounce) cans Great Northern Beans
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
1 prepared rotisserie chicken, bones & skin removed, meat torn into bite-size pieces
NOTE: the following seasonings have been cut in half from original recipe, suggested use half
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (ground red pepper)
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream - NOTE: can also use light or fat-free sour cream, recommend purchase 16 ounce container as additional sour cream may be needed to achieve desired consistency
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese - NOTE: add shredded cheddar for a nice blend

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, Great Northern Beans, green chiles and torn chicken. Season with cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Stir in sour cream and simmer for 5 additional minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese.

* Recipe can also be done using a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients, except sour cream, in slow cooker and set to low for 6-8 hours. Stir periodically. Add sour cream and cook for additional 20-30 minutes. Additional sour cream may need to be added to achieve desired consistency.
Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Valentine's Day is All About LOVE

2010-02-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day has come and gone and this year my 8 year old reminded me that this holiday is all about love. Usually Valentine's Day is filled with cholocate, candy, cards, money and different special gifts to show (once again) just how special my 8 children are to me.

Like many, I have had to cut back on spending this year. Therefore, I made the difficult decision as to NOT spend money this Valentine's Day on gifts or candy. My father and his wife had sent each child, and myself, a card and since I knew they usually included money, that it would make up for mom's lack of holiday spoilings. We all gathered around on the couch as we each held our cards from Grandpa & Grandma anxiously waiting to open them. I went first. Much to my surprise, there was NO money included in my card. Not that I was expecting it or needed it, okay I was expecting it since every year since I can remember they have sent as least $20. Needless to say, I was stunned that there was no money. Now don't get me wrong, I am not all about money, I was just surprised thats all.

I started feeling like a really bad mother since I had not bought one gift for my children this Valentine's Day. Knowing I did not receive money fin my card, I was quite sure each of my children would be dissapointed as they opened theirs and read the sweet sentiment without money falling out. Much to my surprise, as they each tore into their card, $5.00 dropped out. And each card had such a lovely Valentine wish for each child.

Needless to say, they were thrilled. As happy as I was for them, I believe my face still expressed my disbelief that money did not fall out of my card. My eight year old daughter looked at me and said, "It's okay mom that you didn't get any money. Valentine's Day is really about LOVE anyway." What an amazing child.

We all called Grandma and Grandpa and the children thanked them for the cards and money and I thanked them for LOVING me and my family.

Media Coverage and Your Small Business

2009-11-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Media coverage is one of the best ways to get your business noticed by the public- with the added bonus that it's FREE!

The catch? Getting the media to notice you. As the small business owner of a start-up, I've had the good fortune to make connections with several notable personalities in the Phoenix community, and have been invited to make radio appearances on the Jan D'Atri Show and on The Boomer and the Babe. I've also been featured in the Phoenix Business Journal and my story has been highlighted in the Phoenix SCOREBoard.

While the effort to gain media attention is always ongoing, here are some tips I've picked up along the way:

1. Attend networking functions. I know, I know, this is nothing new - but it works. I've met some of my most valued supporters at industry events; you never know what a little socializing can do.

2. Write press releases- but keep them relevant. There is no magic bullet. You never know just what will grab the media's attention, but if you consistently reach out with information that is relevant to that media's audience, sooner or later your business will be noticed.

3. Learn about the media's demographic and tailor your story ideas accordingly. Many media have a niche audience that could be just right for you!

4. Locate writers in your area and send them a personal e-mail. Sometimes editors and producers will be more receptive to a story pitch if it comes from the staff or a well regarded freelancer.

5. Create a newsworthy event. Sponsor a charitable event or host a dynamic party. Again, you won't be guaranteed to get the media's attention, but several outlets broadcast from live events and yours could be the next feature!

One of the most important things to remember is that media coverage is a privilege - not a right. Keep with it, and hopefully we'll be hearing your name soon!

For party tips and trends, and everything you need to create your next event, visit www.LetsPartyMagazine.com!