You’ve blown up a huge bouquet of balloons- or you’ve way overpaid for high float filled glimmering globes from the party store. You walk out the door and hear a dreadful and familiar sound. (you know if you’ve heard it) It sounds like boxing balloons on crack. You look up and your pricey bouquet is spiraling into a tight weave sweater of ribbons. “Great, that’s just how I wanted them to look.”
First of all you should always blow up balloons in the location they will be used if ever possible. Shiny latex balloons and wind and sun don’t mix. Your balloons will quickly resemble those droopy little hangers off real estate signs- dull, wrinkly and not celebratory.
Second of all you should know balloons take forever to fill and tie but lose luster after 3 hours. So if you have more important plans, hire someone else to do it.
You’ve made your calculations and it turns out you’ll have to trek outside. All is not lost. Your savior today…chip clips.
BUNDLE
1. You’ll need the smaller size (~3”) or your balloons will lie on the floor. You’ll need clips with grip that won’t cut ribbon. (test it on a scrap piece of ribbon). Small Bread clips also work.
2. Next divide your balloons into bunches. If they are going to be divided at the location, do it right now. You’ll have less work later. If you will keep hundreds together then divide them into manageable bunches (10-15).
3. Grip the bunch and pull the ribbons with the other hand until all
the balloons are touching your hand.
4. Attach your clip as close to the
balloons as possible. (less ribbon equals less movement.)
THE CAR- (This is where many people lose their hours of work by unintentional balloon releases and bursts on sharp garages.)
1.Back your car into the garage and open hatch/back.
2. Have one person sit in front seat and CLOSE THE DOOR. (or you’ll create a wind tunnel)
3. Carry up to 4 bundles at a time to back of car and hand ribbons to your front seat assistant.
4. Tell them not to let go ever! Or your balloons will be sucked out.
5. Close back & drive carefully. It’s hard to see.
6. When you arrive have your front seat assistant hold all ribbons before opening doors.
(The division of wildlife has asked and (banned in locations) the release of balloons. While it looks cool for 30 seconds, it’s shiny to animals and blocks their stomachs when swallowed. It’s gross I’ve seen pictures. http://www.mcsuk.org/mcsaction/pollution/balloons )
Ever wonder what an Events Coordinators son’s birthday looks like?
-Whatever he imagines.
Our children are not spoiled. We work very hard to make sure they don’t get all the things their grandparents want them to have and nothing from the kids shopping network. But when it comes to birthdays, the Mom and Party Expert in me collide to create amazing things. I want my boys to remember their birthdays when they’re 30. It drives our friends mad.
These 2 crazy boys are my favorite clients. I love to spend weeks with them planning their parties.
This year David my 5 year old designed his own cake (and then supervised the implementation). He had very specific ideas about decorations, was very decisive and showed great imagination and foresight. He knew what he wanted and how it would look. Genetically, I’ve never been more proud. On a related note, Graham our other son punched a kid in soccer- my husband had never been so proud.
The black wedding dress!
Once again the Paris Runway is shocking the world. Paris the Fairy-Godmother of fashion has given you the OK to wear black. Maybe it’s symptomatic of our culture and maybe it’s just slimming.
I’m sure that when you read the headline you gasped and then when you saw the photos you paused. “Those are beautiful dresses. Can I really wear that?” I don’t know, can you? It is after all YOUR WEDDING. (Don’t tell your mom) You decide what to wear, and what to do.
As always you should consider your wedding style, your site and your juncture (time, date, season, etc.).
Black dresses are more suited to ultra-modern, formal, artsy celebrations. They are more suited to evening and they are more suited to winter. Think art gallery December not garden in April.
What about etiquette? What will people say? What does it mean?
There is some etiquette that is timeless and some that should go. (Don’t ask “does anyone have reason that these two should not be married”, because you don’t really want your Aunt Milda to finally decide to tell you she doesn’t really approve.)
Grooms wear black. It’s timeless. It’s handsome. I always think a white tuxedo looks odd. Is it because I’m used to men wearing dark tuxedos? Maybe, and maybe black suits a body frame better and complements skin tone better. Although white doesn’t suit most skin tones, today’s wedding dress makers offer a variety of shades of white to suit your skin tone. Pick any color that suits you; champagne, white and pink (Gwen Stefani did), gold, black.
Traditionally brides have worn white because it has been a symbol of joyous celebration since early Roman times. At the beginning to the twentieth century, white stood for purity as well. Today, it holds it original meaning of happiness and joy.
Pick a dress you love. One you don’t want to take off. The store should have to tell you its closing time.
Pick a dress that screams joy. It should suit your occasion.
Worry less about what people think.
Some more resources:
Wedding DNAhas addressed your etiquette questions about the little black dress…
The Power of BlackThis is power of black. Black is independent, fearless of society's reprimands, grounded in a species of strength that may only come forth from within. And when is such strength more necessary for any woman than on the day of her wedding? Now that we have somewhat dispelled the ancient myths of black, let us consider the various possibilities of its use. A formal, floor length evening gown is always stunning in black. It may be a sleek, body-hugging silhouette of chiffon or silk, or a two piece princess gown, complete with ball gown skirt and strapless, beaded corset. This sort of dress is ideal for an after five event. However, if you wish to wear black to a daytime affair, lighten it up with a tea-length skirt and sash of baby pink or blue. Trim in this same pink or blue would also work, as would a touch of pale yellow here and there; a wide ribbon around waist, perhaps, or color in the form of flowers worn in the hair and across the line of the bust would do nicely.
Even Emily Post has new dress etiquette for guests attire
Old- Guests shouldn’t wear white or black to a wedding.
New- You can wear white as long as it doesn’t look like a wedding dress: it’s the bride’s day. If you wear black, it should look like you are attending wedding, not a funeral. Also consider: time of day, location, and any rules of attired specified by religion (for example, bare shoulders or too much cleavage or leg showing).
See the rest of the story here… or read more about Paris weddings at http://www.parisianevents.com/parisianparty/
Even Silver?
OK, we lied. No miracle weight-loss here.
The diet-industry is a thriving money making misconception. They know large percentages of people are emotionally distraught about our bodies- and they are willing
to capitalize on it
Maybe it’s those nagging 10lbs that have been plaguing you for years and maybe it’s much more. Dieting is NOT the avenue to success. We live in a society of immediate gratification and minimal effort. We want everything now and we don’t want to do anything for it. Weight-loss is no different.
So you’ve decided to do something about it. You’ve put off buying your wedding dress and desperately Googled weight loss. Hey, you’re in luck, the entire first page has miracle quick-fix promises. (Oh, and you can get rich quick from home too.) “Rapid weight loss,” “Drop pounds without exercise,” “Just eat our dinners and lose 30 lbs.” Magic. Magic. Magic. You’ve seen them all over your TV and in your email. Somewhere inside you there is an intelligent person, someone who knows better than to believe these empty promises. You’re not 5 and this is not abracadabra.
Yo-yo dieting is not only dangerous, it is counter-productive. After you come off that 6 month miracle rice-cake diet, you’ll gain even more weight back. Early married life is a whole new life to get used to. You don’t need to throw in weight gain too. So what can you do?
Weddings are stressful. Diets are stressful. This is not the time for a double whammy. Please spare your fiancé 6 months of cranky. “Oooh, oooh, I’m so glad I decided to marry this crabby woman.” It is too easy to focus your entire life on your one day vision. We know it’s the most important day of your life (it’s why we’re in business, to get you there in fabulous style). While you are planning your wedding you need to also focus on your life beyond. That’s what this is all about- a celebration of your new life together. Prepare for it too, not just for your bash.
If you want something, then go get it. Isn’t it much better to start your marriage as a healthy (albeit buff and hot) couple. It is much more beneficial to learn how to eat well and to introduce a healthy lifestyle. Do it together. You’ll keep each other accountable, you’ll stick with it and earn a hot husband too! Take up a sport together, go to the gym together, have weight lifting contests (muscles look hot and help you metabolize your food better), walk together, take a healthy cooking class (ahhh, a husband who can cook), register for healthy cookbooks from the American Heart Association and other sources (they will help you make healthy taste good). Also register for low-fat cooking items; non-stick pans, steamers, and grills (no deep fryers- it’s like ordering 10 extra pounds).
Don’t avoid food. Celebrations and our lives center on food. Everything in moderation. Don’t miss this amazing time. Celebrate it!
Resources:
American Heart Association Health
American Heart Association Cookbooks
Williams-Sonoma New Healthy Kitchen Series Cookbooks
Online Cookbook at Cooking Light
Web Md Health & Eating
Colorado Cooking Schools
Mise En Place- Denver
Cook Street- Denver
The Seasoned Chef-Denver
Come Back To The Table- Fort Collins
Make a vacation out of it
Conscious Gourmet- Across the United States
Cuisinart Resort- Anguilla
OK, now go for it. Call your fiancé and hatch a plan- then tell us about it in the comments.
We will publish your plan and your success along with wedding, honeymoon, and pictures of the two of you.
Come on, get ready to show off…
hungry for more nutritional tips and great eating habits? Click on over to Fightin Foods
Often wedding clients feel like they are being taken advantage of by pricey cakes. Why are they so expensive? Are these cakes stuffed with a green paper filling?
Are these vendors making millions off my bliss?
It’s true, wedding desires often cost much more than you want them to. If you understand what goes into each item and the demand for them, it will make much more sense.
This Behind the Scenes look at Cakes is the first in our series of many Behind the Scenes posts.
Why do wedding cakes cost $6 a serving and up? (Keep in mind this is a mid-west estimate and you’ll pay more in New York, California, Napa, etc.)
Wedding cakes involve structure. This is not your 5th birthday cake. It’s 5 of those piled on top of each other. It involves PVC, dowels and very precise leveling. Sometimes brides wonder if they can make their own tiered cake. A fraction of brides have the baking skills to construct such a cake well. Even if you are one of them, I still do not recommend that you make the cake for your own wedding. You should spend your morning having your hair done, getting dressed, enjoying your family and friends. Stressed out brides are often those who try too much and then are panicked at the last minute. I’m sure you’re very talented, but you don’t want to test it today and be heart broken about the most important day of your life.
Wedding cakes should taste amazing. It’s really easy for a cake to be too dry or for the filling to be too soft and compromise the structure. Bakers have honed their skills for years, making many cakes each week. You may go and taste all their wonderful flavors and even challenge them to recreate one of your favorites in the months prior to your event. They have tested the science of the recipes to ensure they taste best and look great- no gloppy cake please.
Your wedding cake should look like a tower of art, not like a 3rd grade Home Economics project. Be inspired, go to the knot and see hundreds of gorgeous cakes that will call out to you and your wallet. Then go to your local bakeries’ websites and see who best fits your style. You do not need to see your exact cake but the cakes should have a similar feel and construction style. Don’t hire a baker who rarely works with fondant icing if that is what your heart desires. Make it yourself and you could be crying over orange fingers and slimy fondant. Pick a stunning cake and an artist to make it. Don’t believe the propaganda, this is the one time you should expect to have your cake and eat it too.
Finally, while we don’t suggest you make your own cake, we always suggest you be original. If there’s a traditional item you don’t want for your wedding, skip it and come up with your own idea. Guests often attend 5 weddings a summer. It’s refreshing to attend one that has been given attention to detail and is not the same as all the others. (Yes those floating candles are cool looking, but they were cool in 1990 as well.) Don’t want a pricey, tiered cake? Order 200 orange cupcakes from your grocer and shave chocolate over them. (Use a rotary cheese grater and chocolate chips). Or sprinkle silver dragées over ganache cupcakes.
One of my favorite weddings was in a wildflower field in Carbondale, CO. We rented large white tents, bright blue table cloths and ordered large fruit tarts. It was spectacular, and simple (shhhh- don’t tell.) These are some great ways to save with alternatives.
Still want that skyscraper art piece. (I know you do) Give the bakers a break. Tiered fondant cakes require a lot of labor and a lot of skill, and they make for a jaw dropping centerpiece for your reception.
Often when we ask clients to make a decision, we get a very blank look until we begin to look at pictures.
In that vein, we bring you another installment of... Just To Inspire!
Today's Inspiration: Placecards
Personalize your nametags.
Think outside the tentcard.
Don't be intimidated by protocol.
Be original!
