You've set the date, found a venue and even selected the
perfect invitation. Now, comes the hard
part. How do you find just the right
words to include step parents, siblings, significant others, deceased parents
and more?
Fortunately, there is no right way anymore to extend your
invitation, via a printed gesture, to guests on behalf of yourself or
others. Many formalities have gone by
the wayside in lieu of more modern approaches that tend to be inclusive rather
than exclusive and accommodate blended families, as is often the case.
Whether you are planning a wedding for yourself or your
daughter, celebrating a Bar Mitzvah or throwing a bridal shower, Invites Ink!
has more than a decade of experience in helping families craft just the right
message.
For criteria to consider when choosing or writing your invitation message, click here.
Elegant Wedding Invitation
Contemporary Bar Mitzvah Invitation
2011 HOT WEDDING TRENDS
Vintage One of the top wedding trends for the upcoming year is vintage and retro-inspired with a modern twist. What's old is new again. We'll see vintage wedding dresses with cap sleeves, beautiful textures, ornate details. Check out, Bella Bridal Gallery and Maria's Bridal Couture for wedding dresses Photography is taking a vintage spin as well, with wedding albums that
are reminiscent of the '70s. Draped textiles as backgrounds in a relaxed
setting are a big trend, as well as photo booths (actual and set areas) with draped-cloth backdrops. Check out, Elayne Gross PhotographyGary Miller and Intel Bill Photography Natural settings, including outdoor and backyard weddings are big this year as well. Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters Eco-friendly weddings In 2011, we'll continue to see more green, environmentally friendly weddings. Think second-hand and vintage wedding dresses, LED lighting, recycled paper invitations and programs,electronic save-the-dates and rehearsal dinner
invitations. Food from local farms and providers. Give your guests green wedding favors, like locally harvested honey, candles, preserves, organic chocolate
bars from Endangered Species Chocolate, or locally grown seed packets. Charity donations will continue to be a popular option instead of traditional wedding favors, and more couples will be asking for donations to their favorite charity instead of wedding gifts. Check out local farmers for great products Michigan Farmer's Markets For complete article click here
Sources: The Knot, She Knows Weddings, Kori Ellis, Josh Gurvitz
Fabulous and Frugal
The party of your dreams doesn't have to empty your bank account. by Ronelle Grier - Special to the Jewish News Celebrate! March 2010 Danielle
Keith of Farmington enjoyed the candy buffet at her bat mitzvah. Can
you throw a marvelous party that doesn't blow the lid off your budget?
Absolutely. Follow simple guidelines for a celebration that's
cost-effective and unforgettable. Read entire article.
ABC's OF ROMANCE
Ask for what you want Be in the moment when you're with your significant other Compromise, you will both feel heard Don't forget why you fell in love Everlasting love takes working on the relationship Feel everything Give all of yourself, don't hold back Hug everyday Intimacy-emotional and physically Joy keeps the relationship fresh Kindness goes a long way Listen Marriage is the most important relationship you have Never put each other down, always build each other up One heart, one mind, one love Passion keeps the relationship from getting boring Quiet nights alone with no distractions Respect each other Snuggle regularly Talk to each other about everything Understand, don't try to change Visit where it all began to remember why you fell in love Walk hand in hand Xtraordinary is how you should make each other feel You are important, don't forget to take care of yourself Zealous for each other
Want healthier options for your child's birthday party?
Follow these tips from Ina of Fresh Delights to offer kids yummy alternatives to high fat, calorie laden treats and menu items. Birthday parties can still be loaded with goodies.
Remove the soda! Serve sparkling
fruit juice instead. Or make your own my combining 1/2 fruit juice with 1/2 Club
Soda.
Cut the chips! Offer whole grain
crackers, baked pita chips, veggie sticks, and raw veggies with low-fat dips.
Make your own pizza! It's healthier
and can be a fun birthday party activity. Add diced veggies and low-fat cheeses
with tomato sauce to whole grain pizza crust.
Planning a party? Love to entertain? We believe that parties should be fun, for the guests and for the hosts. At PartyPlanningPlus.com we're here to take the stress out of party planning so that you can enjoy your special occasion as much as your guests. Whether you're planning a small at-home get together or the wedding of your dreams, we'll help it make it stress-free by guiding you through the process from the moment you set the date until the last guest is gone. We have a variety of tools to help make your next party a success-without the added stress that often goes along with the process. Take a few minutes and explore our site. You'll find unique content, such as our Fabulous and Frugal series. You'll also find an extensive list of vendors (see Resources) in the metro Detroit area, as well as useful planning tools such as timelines and customized checklists, all designed to make party planning fun and easier than you ever imagined. PartyPlanningPlus.com is here to provide useful information in a fun and easy-to-use format, so please come back often. You'll find new articles, secrets from experts in the field, and creative ways to save money on virtually everything. We're here for you, so please let us know if there's something you need help with-we'll do our best to provide it!
Happy planning, and here's to a season of fabulous parties.
How Do I Throw a Kid-Free Dinner Party?
By Nicole Yorio
I'm planning a dinner party and want it to be adults only. How can I say this without offending friends who have children?
Parents should assume that unless it's an afternoon barbecue or the equivalent, kids aren't invited, says Kim Izzo, author of The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum. But just to be clear, here's how to say that it's a dinner party, not a playdate. Izzo suggests saying, "I'm hosting a dinner party and I'd like to invite you and Jeff. I hope I've given you enough time to find a babysitter." If you're sending an invitation or Evite, you can write: "You and Jeff are invited for a glamorous evening of dinner and cocktails." Be sure to extend the invitation two weeks in advance to allow time to find child care. If a friend asks if she can bring her child, be prepared to say no gently. Try, "Actually, this won't be a great party for children. But if you do find a sitter, I'd love to see you there."
In these crazy economic times, we've all become more budget conscious. But that doesn'thave to mean replacing the bone china with heavy-duty Chinet. It's still possible to give great parties without breaking our budget, and that's what this series is all about-hosting designer style parties at discount prices.
Our first installment is Fabulous & Frugal Dinner Parties. Here you'll learn creative and inexpensive ways to throw great at-home parties that ill leave your guests eagerly awaiting another invitation.
You'll find step-by-step instructions for making centerpieces that look like they came from the finest florist in town, tips for mixing-and-matching your dinnerware to create elegant table settings, innovative drink recipes, ideas for hors d'oeuvres that look and taste like the catered kind, and much more.
Welcome Home! It seems that many of us open our homes to out of town guests, friends and family alike, whether hosting a big event or just enjoying company. I know that when we have overnight guests, it's important to me that they feel comfortable, at home and that their needs are taken care of.
Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:40:32 +0000 The Envelope Please… There are so many choices when it comes to the big invitation decision. Whether planning a wedding, bar or bat mitzvah or other event, you can decide to do-it-yourself (DIY), make it semi-homemade, buy engraved, thermography, letterpress, OY -- are you getting a headache yet? Most of us want some customization and creative input but don’t want to completely do it alone, at home without support or expert resources.
Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST Taco Party Recipes for a Fun Fiesta Transport your taste buds to sunny Mexico with these new-twist taco recipes. Easy to personalize for everyone in the crowd, tacos make the perfect party food.
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:57:00 EST Love Bites: The Anti-Valentine's Day Menu This Valentine's Day, ignore the sappy commercials and red rose sales. Instead, gather some friends to celebrate the few that, thankfully, got away.
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:58:00 EST
MITZVAH CONNECTIONS
ANIMALS Heifer International
CHILDREN The Alyn Hospital Chai Lifeline Israel Tennis Center Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel
Wedding party favors are an important part of most weddings. Many couples do not realize just how important picking the right favor is or they overlook them altogether. Wedding favors are small gifts that a couple gives to guests which have a very special meaning to all who attend your wedding. Many wedding guests expect to receive a wedding favor and look forward to them. Most guests appreciate receiving a favor and enjoy them because they give guests a way to remember your special day for years to come. Wedding favors are also a great way for the wedded couple to say thanks to all of their guests and honor their presence. For more, click here.
How To Videos
For some easy to follow, quick tips when planning a party, check out these how to videos from Roz.
How to Throw a Fabulous Bridal Shower Your best friend just got engaged and you're throwing the shower. One of the best things you can do for the happy couple is to generously take on the planning of the bridal shower without burdening them with unnecessary details. All they need to know is where and when to show up.
Here are a number of tips, tricks and trends as well as some do's and don'ts for the organizer and the bride.
Tip #1 Use a notebook or 3-ring binder (with pockets) that you can use to house all the details
Tip #2 Work with the bride to set a date-the shower should be held 1-2 months prior to the wedding Click here to read the entire article.
GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS by Ronelle Grier
Out-of-town family and friends can add another dimension to your party preparations. . Even if your party guests are staying at a hotel, your home will quickly become "Party Central," the place where everyone gathers for Friday night dinner, Sunday brunch, and everything in between. Designer and event planner Dave Heidt offers some easy ways to make your guests feel welcome without overburdening your budget or your already lengthy to-do list. more
HOW TO PARTY ON A BUDGET MIAMI - For a generation of girls, coming of age during the
recession calls for a celebration that can be as much DIY as it is
mini-wedding.
Planning a quinceanera? Think about choreographing your own dance
routine. Feeding a Sweet 16? Hope you know how to bake. Bat mitzvah on
the way? You might want to share your party with a neighbor.
"You
don't know if you're going to lose your job. You don't know what's
going to happen. You don't want to go overboard," said Yanicet Ganuzas.
For her daughter Yanelis' quinceanera, the lavish party many Latino
families throw when their daughters turn 15, she spent $14,000 -- a
little more than half of what she spent two years ago on another
daughter.