Arizona Destination Weddings

Are you thinking about an Arizona Destination Wedding? How important is Photography?



When choosing to have a Northern Arizona Wedding, brides usually factor in the incredible scenery as a back drop for photography. Let’s face it, between a Grand Canyon Wedding, Flagstaff, or Sedona Wedding; there are some award winning scenic locations. How could anyone mess up a picture with those beautiful mountains or red rocks as a setting? It does happen.


However, we have yet to see it happen, with the top notch photographers we work with as Arizona Wedding Consultants shooting Flagstaff or Sedona Weddings. What is the trick? It is nice to capture the Sedona Red Rocks in a photo but let’s not forget to feature the bride. A skilled and experienced photographer specializes in just that. They are experienced in shooting the outdoors while still capturing the individual moments and people.


They are used to working with the Northern Arizona elements and lighting while still getting the best angles and capturing the perfect moments. All of this while making you look great. The type of professional cameras and equipment they use are capable of capturing perfect shots that a common camera just cannot do.


Still thinking about having Uncle Bob with his digital camera take that winning shot of the back of your head leaning over to fix your shoe?


You are probably thinking about the cost. While photography cost can be 10% (or more) of your total budget, you need to look at your priorities. How important is it to have incredible pictures of your most important day ever? Remember, you will hold on to these special pictures your entire life.



Photo by Wedding Guest



Photo by Melissa Dunstan Photography



There is a range of prices and services offered when choosing a photographer for a Northern Arizona Wedding. Peak Events specializes in helping you find the perfect photographer as well as other vendors in your price range. It is our pleasure to guide you through this process in planning these details. We love what we do and look forward to working with you to help plan your Arizona Destination Wedding.

Voted Best in Flagstaff two years in a row, Peak Events specializes in Arizona Event and Wedding Planning.

Sally

Winter White Weddings

Any brides out there that love Flagstaff and have thought about having a winter wedding in Northern Arizona but still have doubts and questions?


Don’t rule out a Northern Arizona Wedding in the winter. Imagine photos with the snow Cap Mountains as a back drop or even a snow covered ground with the mountains behind to set the scene for your beautiful special day!


We can help you plan a simple affordable and even last minute wedding for the 2011-2012 winter seasons. You can have a Grand Canyon or Flagstaff Wedding for a fraction of the cost when choosing a date that is not during high season. Don’t forget a Sedona Destination Wedding this winter. The weather is perfect and mild during the winter months


At Peak Events we are here as your Northern Arizona Wedding Consultants to connect you with the vendors offering amazing deals for winter weddings. There are some beautiful ceremony and reception sites lodge or formal style that would love to host you this season for your special day.


Whether you live in Northern Arizona or just love it as a location for a destination wedding, contact us today to discuss some of the options available. There are some beautiful places to choose from. You can keep it small and quaint with a small guest list or have a large celebration.


Voted Best in Flagstaff the last two years in a row, Peak Events specializes in working with each individual to create your best day ever!

Photos provided by Cameron Kelly Studios

Flagstaff Oktoberfest

“Oktoberfest war ein Hit!”

In case you don’t speak or read German… the title means Oktoberfest was a hit! I really hope that you all got to experience such a fun day, but in case you didn’t here is what you have to look forward to…
 Last year was my first experience with Flagstaff Oktoberfest and I was stationed at the Volunteer Check-in. I think sitting on the sidelines like that really benefited me for running in this year because then I was able to take in all the areas of the event and see, from an attendee’s perspective, what worked and what didn’t.

This year was whole different ballgame. I was off the sidelines and on the field! I really got a taste of what it is to put on citywide event in Flagstaff. Just as any event does, you have to start with the cold-calls and sponsors. I have done this in Scottsdale before and well, lets just say that Flagstaff people are a lot “friendlier” when it comes to asking for sponsors and donations! It was nice to get to talk with community businesses and promote Oktoberfest along the way. It was also really fun doing the city walk and getting to figure out which ways we could save money and planning the layout, and flow, of the event.

Some plenty of phone calls and emails later came the day of the event. All of our planning and strategizing was ready to be put into action! Since I couldn’t sleep (literally felt like Christmas morning) I arrived at the event site at 7am. From there it was set up, directing vendors in, keeping people out and overall making sure things were running smoothly. Jen, Debbi and I all sort of have a way of keeping each other on some sane-normal level. (Something that is very important with your event staff team!) The whole event was a blast, from set up to take down. It was great seeing so any of my NAU peers there and having a blast with their beer games! I hope that next year there are even more NAU students there and an even bigger attendance!
There were vendors, awesome food (that kept you craving all day even if you were full), delicious beer (so I heard), great music to bop to and a lot of fun games, prizes and people watching! If you like a lot of fun on a beautiful Saturday then this is the event to clear your calendar for! Hope to see you next year at Oktoberfest!
Belle

Throwing a Dinner Party

Oh my!  Where or where did my summer go?  Well…….. there were the weddings, the events, the dinners, the fundraisers oh and …….  It’s AUGUST????  Not only is it August, but it’s halfway through August!  I saw a client yesterday who reminded me I needed to block off her birthday in April.  Is time really flying THAT fast??  Just to be sure – I blocked off her birthday and she’s on the books.    What I’ve discovered is that some things in life are just true.  1.  If you want a clean house – throw a party, 2.  If you want time to stand still take a spinning class and 3.  If you want to be a guest at your own party – hire Peak Events! 

I held a dinner party for a friend of mine last week and was once again surprised by everyone’s response – WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME?  Now in all honesty, finding time to throw a dinner party is something that everyone can do.  It’s all in the planning.  I start each year with an idea of the parties I plan to throw and then try to come up with “themes” for them all.  After all, what fun is party if you’ve gone to the same one year after year?   Themes may come across as intimidating, but it can be as simple as a decorating theme or a food theme.  Once you have an idea of how you want things to look or taste – the rest just falls into place.  For instance – this last party was a garden birthday party.  I looked at my linens (I’m always on the lookout for good linens), and then went on the softer side  - pinks, blues, floral.    Once I had the linens dialed in, I started to think about what foods would compliment a “garden” feel and there it was staring me right in the face with my vegetable garden.  I planned a very easy bar with white and red wine, and a few beers to satisfy the non wine drinkers iced down in a metal tub and the within an hour, I had the backyard set up, draped with linens and everything ready for people to enjoy.

Parties are what we do.  We can do a small simple backyard soirée, or a large family reunion and through it all we can make sure you’re not stressed and enjoying your own party.  I realize that summer is just about over and with that the outside parties I LOVE, but very soon the holidays will be arriving and if you have always wanted to host the perfect party, but feel as though you might not have the time – call Peak Events.  We’ll make your holidays worth celebrating.

Blessings!

Debbi

Grand Openings

Grand openings are a great way to people excited about your business. Whether your business is old or new, a grand opening or a grand re-opening is a great way to spread the word about your business while also showing your potential new customers that you care.

We have helped with the opening of Flagstaff Ranch over the Fourth of July 2001. We had a BBQ picnic which included live music, hay rides, free food and drinks. Everything was decorated in Red and Blue with lots of stars and stripes. It was a very fun day and we knew our clients enjoyed it as well. Flagstaff Ranch not only wanted to welcome Flagstaff to its newest private club and golf club but to show that they cared about the community.

We also helped First State Bank with a grand opening. This event was a Hawaiian themed event. Again we had live music, great decorations, free food and drinks. It was a great turn out and again the client was very happy.

When Findlay Volkswagen came to Flagstaff, they knew they wanted to have a Grand Opening party. Over 200 people attended and enjoyed a local polka band, free food and drinks. At one point the VW staff jumped in and did the chicken dance. While Grand Openings are fun parties it’s also a great way to showcase you business.

During the Flagstaff Ranch Grand Opening, staff members were giving tours and showing properties for sale. At the First State Bank Grand Opening, their staff was busy inside signing up new customers. At the Volkswagen opening employees were busing showing all the new VW models and scheduling test drives.

Still not convinced a Grand Opening is for you? Call Peak Events to schedule your free consultation today!

Jennifer

Birthdays

Birthdays are a celebration of your life, and they should be celebrated!


When planning a birthday party, you should keep the person whom your celebrating in mind. Would they want a large celebration or an intimate one? Should you look for a band or DJ? Will there be a fun theme? When and where will the party be? You should keep in mind your guest list, can the venue accommodate all the people? Will you need to rent tables and chairs? How will you inform your guests of the party? Invitations, Evite, word of mouth? Who will provide the food and drinks? You’ve also got to consider linens, centerpieces, etc. Will you have a cake?


Birthday parties can be so much fun, but if you’d like some help planning or executing your next birthday bash, please call Peak Events. We have experience with kids birthday parties, milestone birthday parties and everything in between. We can help with every aspect of your party so you can enjoy it along with your guests.

Jennifer

Kristen Daulton Photography

Interview with Kristen Daulton from Kristin Daulton Photography.

 How long have you been a photographer?

I started photographing in 2001, so 10 years.

 How did you get started in Photography?

My Dad gave me his Pentax 35mm for a photography class I wanted to take my 1st yearr in college. Hooked every since.




What is your favorite wedding or event you photographed?

I love all of the events I photograph, but I think my favorite was last April in Spokane WA because I got to travel & see so many different locations.



What is your favorite Northern Arizona location to use as a background?

Anything with the San Fransisco Peaks...they are breath taking!



What is one tip you can give brides?

Relax and have fun....let everyone else worry for you for the day.


You can reach Kristen at kristendaulton@yahoo.com

Best of Flagstaff

Every year the Reader’s of the Arizona Daily Sun vote for who they consider to be the Best of Flagstaff. Categories range from Best Pizza, Best Advertising Agency, Best Bank, etc. The Readers of the Arizona Daily Sun have about 2 weeks to vote, which is all done online. And then the winners are announced in a special publication.



Peak Events has been honored to be voted Best Event Planner two years in a row. We have been delighted that Flagstaff has recognized that Peak Events plans more than just the annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest. We also help plan local Grand Openings, Golf Tournaments, Birthday Parties and more!


We are very happy to be among other great businesses in Flagstaff and thank the Reader’s of the Arizona Daily Sun for voting Peak Events, Best Event Planner two years in a row!!!

My First Flagstaff Wedding Expo

                I was warned.  I had heard that wedding expo's are composed of company booths with brides running around, like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to plan their weddings within 2-4 hours.  So that is what I expected when I pulled into the Radisson parking lot.  What I found when I walked in the doors though was unlike anything I presumed.  

                The Northern Arizona Wedding Expo was the complete opposite of what I imagined.  Yes there was lots of people and certainly some brides on a mission, but I found it to be enjoyable... maybe even a calm enjoyment. 

                There were cake samples you could die for, floral arrangements that you wanted to take home with you, fun photo booths like you see in the mall, and beautiful wedding decorations that would drop your jaw. 

                If you missed it this year... don't next year!  Honestly, what bride could ask for anything better than being able to walk around eating cake and drinking champagne while meeting all the contacts that would create their dream wedding!

 -Belle

P.S. Did I mention the FREE cake?!

2011 Event Trends

In just a few weeks will be the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011. As with all new years, there are resolutions abound and new trends galore! 2010 was a year of thriftiness and learning to be creative with what one has. Whether that was having a rustic themed event in a spacious back yard, having your bridesmaids wear mismatching dresses (that they happened to already own), or even choosing the same style table throughout your event, everyone was becoming resourceful. With Twenty-Eleven on the way, here are some event trends to help ring in the New Year:



~Details – Every little detail should be looked at! Make your event personalized, in the end all the little detail create a HUGE difference!


~Vintage Photography – Creating a backdrop to look like wedding albums from the 1950-70’s. It makes semi-old look new again!


~Multiple bold colors with black – Choosing a few bold colors instead of the normal one accent color is going to be a fast spreading trend. Also pairing them against black will allow the bold colors to shine that much more.


~Eco-friendly – Local foods and recycled paper invitations are just a few of the ways your event can begin to go green.


~Social Media – Just like Peak Events, everyone has a Facebook or blog. In 2011 these hotspots aren’t going anywhere. Use them to keep your guests updated on every detail of your event!


Though 2010 is coming to an end, there is still one trend that will be popular, outdoor events. In Flagstaff, it would be a shame not to use the beautiful scenery around us. Though with this snow, I would much rather be looking out upon it from a well heated room! 2011 is a brand new year with glorious things to come, so get ready, they’re almost here!

Stephanie

New Years Eve

We are now 23 days away from the New Years Eve Open House. I’ve decided to start the event at 6:00 pm – I have a lot of friends who want to stop by, but also want to go downtown for the annual Pinecone Drop at 10:00. This way I can have people meandering in and out with the ones who really want to celebrate at midnight, coming by around 10:00 pm.



Since I promised to talk more about the decorations and how I do them here we go. The large ice sculpture sounds much harder than it really is, but you will need a large freezer. We happen to have an upright that I put all my food in and then a chest that I plug in when needed. It’s time to plug in old Betsy and make a couple of ice sculptures. First look for boxes that are the size and shape you’d like to have for the base. It’s pretty easy and can be as simple as a wine box, a long flower box (check with local florists for this one) or any box will work. Next step is to line the box with a garbage bag. The smaller the box, the smaller the bag, because every crease in that bag will show in the ice. I usually like to find the “front” of the sculpture and tape everything around so the back side is the one that shows the imperfections. I also like to add a little decorations to my ice blocks, so what I’ll do is get a slightly smaller box, wrap the outside in plastic wrap, spray with cooking oil and once again tape a garbage bag so the fronts line up and place the smaller box inside the larger box. Next step is to add the water to the inside box first – only filling it about 1/3 of the way and then the fill the outer box with a strand of outdoor lights and some pine boughs, making sure I keep the plug coming out the backside of my block. Keep filling like this until it’s full and set it inside your freezer. It’s going to weigh a ton, so get help. Plan about a week for the water to freeze completely and if the days and nights are below freezing find a shady place and you can keep it outside covered with a tarp.


Once my base is done I’ve decided this year to place a large white candle on each bases. This adds to my fire and ice concept and with the lights in the base will be a nice welcome for my guests. You can also use food coloring to tint the ice, however it tends to get a tad “watered down” and not very vibrant – use latex paint and you’ll get great color, just make sure you’ve got a container that will keep it from melting into the ground. Now that I’ve got my outside decorations dialed in, next week we’ll work on how to bring fire and ice indoors!

Debbi

Holiday Parties

Family, friends, food, spirits, music; what more could anyone ask for around the holiday season? Okay, maybe a couple million in the bank account and a less stressful planning time of year. Unfortunately Peak Events cannot help with the millions, but we can help your party or event run smoothly! Here are a few tips to follow if you are brave enough to go this alone (if after a while you need our help, we’ll still be here!) :



* Decide the type of party. Will it be for family, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and will children be allowed? This will set the mood with what festivities to include.


* Settle on a menu early. Buffet or sit down? Multiple course or hors d'oeurves? How many types of desserts. Signature cocktail or make your own drinks? Writing down your list will be a great help!


* Location, Location, Location. Will this be at the office, your house or somewhere else?


* Plan rentals accordingly. After the invites have been sent out, reserve rentals for extra chairs, tables and serving dishes that you may not have. It is a lot easier than buying!


* And at the main stage is… Will you load up your iPod with holiday music? Hire a band/DJ? Making sure the party stays lively is essential to your guests having a good time!


* Deck the Halls. The décor you choose will help make your guests feel festive and cheerful. Preferably don’t overdo it and make the location look like winter went crazy. Just a few here and there will do it, a nice tablescape, some garland hanging, luminaries guiding the guests to the entry door.


* Eat, drink, and be merry. This is your event so make sure to enjoy it! Have one of your signature cocktails, some delicious food, and heck even sing a bit!


Hopefully these few guidelines are enough to get you started planning your holiday party.


Happy Holidays!


Stephanie

10th Annual Northern Arizona University Native American Golf

On September 18, 2010 Peak Events had the pleasure of producing the 10th Annual Northern Arizona University Native American Golf Tournament. This is such a fun event and this year, the weather was spectacular, allowing golfers to enjoy Flagstaff at its best. Continental Country Club was the venue for this event and with nearly 100 golfers; the event raised $5,000 for NAU Native American Scholarships.



This was the second year Peak Events produced the golf tournament for the NAU and we enjoyed meeting all the new players as well as reconnecting with golfers from last year. This year’s tournament experienced the same challenges that many golf tournaments have experienced in the last few years. We found that while sponsorship dollars were down, the player’s enthusiasm was up and they were willing to purchase more raffle tickets in an attempt to support the NAU Scholarship Fund.


One of the things that I’ve found interesting is the number of organizations that want to hold a golf tournament because they’ve heard that tournaments make a lot of money. They have and they can, however, before deciding to put on a golf tournament there are a few things you might consider.


1. Has anyone on your committee ever put on a tournament?
Many people think that golf tournaments are a quick and easy means to raise money. First, they take a lot of planning and a lot of time. Second, you must have sponsorships. In order for a golf tournament to be profitable, you must have sponsorships covering the tee prizes, the winning prizes as well as shirts and preferably food. Without sponsorships for all of these, you will at best break even.


2. Does anyone on your committee golf?
 I’m a golfer, as well as my husband. If I had to guess at the number of golf tournaments we’re asked to participate in, I’d say we could easily spend around $20,000 just in entry fees for the two of us. Look at your golfer base. If there aren’t a lot of golfers in your organization – how do you plan to get golfers to play in your tournament verses all the other tournaments they are invited to play? Golf tournaments are usually cause based and although I haven’t seen bad causes, everyone has to pick and chose where they can afford and if they have the time. As much as I’d love to support them all – in this economy, everyone is pairing down. Many golf tournaments were canceled this year or scaled back considerably because there are too few golfers to support too many tournaments.


3. Are you charging too much for the course and the type of food served?
I’ve seen some tournaments charge a stupidly high amount of money for a public course you can play any day of the week. I’ve also seen tournaments charge very low for a private course in hopes of getting more golfers. Sometimes this works, sometimes it backfires. I’d rather charge a little low and over deliver, than to charge too high and have people walk away feeling like they didn’t get their money’s worth. Golfers are picky. They will applaud and become quite loyal to a tournament they feel is loyal to them. They will turn if they feel they are being nickel and dimed or if they feel as though they are being taken advantage of in the name of fundraising.


4. Are you planning on having raffles?
Everyone loves to win, the more raffle prizes, the more raffle tickets sold. I’m torn on the silent auctions. I’ve seen them successful and then I’ve seen people put out the same old thing year after year expecting to make what they did the first year. If you’re building a loyal golfer base – give them variety. People will bid on new and exciting things, but if it’s the same old products, people will pass that up first. Silent Auctions need their own committee in my opinion. You need to be getting unique items that everyone wants to bid on.


I love golf and I enjoy tournaments (more so when I win), however, I am always cautious when groups think this will bring in big bucks year after year. A golf tournament takes a lot of time and a lot of relationship building in order to be successful. If you do decide to put on a tournament, make sure you have a lot of dedicated people working with you and remember, a tournament is only as good as the golfers are treated.


Debbi

First Annual WE Fest

On August 21, 2010, Peak Events had the honor of helping to produce a festival new to Flagstaff. 2010 marked the 35th Anniversary of Aspey, Watkins and Diesel Law Firm, and instead of throwing a party for top clients, they decided to give back to the community that has given them so much.

The First Annual WE Fest was a celebration of Flagstaff and the wonderful things that make living here so special. Held in downtown Flagstaff at Heritage Square and AWD’s building, the event was free to the public and offered food, music and great information about some of our local non-profits. Everyone who attended was given an opportunity to win a pair of customized bikes by taking a tour of the booths. Local Non-profits were invited to participate and educate the public on how they work hard to improve life in Flagstaff. Well priced food and sodas along with talented local musicians rounded out the beautiful summer afternoon.

Working on a corporate celebration is just plain fun. The WE Fest gave people in Flagstaff a chance to meet the attorneys at the firm, because they all participated and were selling sodas and walking around talking to everyone. I’m pretty sure the lawyers accounted for most of the gelato sold at the festival and it was fun to watch them work together putting on this festival for a community they obviously care deeply for.

With this economy, I know a lot of companies have downsized their staff and as a result their celebrations. But while the bottom line is always important, it’s also important for people to share in celebrations and build camaraderie. Watching the AWD group pitch in and haul ice, sell sodas and clean up the park, it dawned on me: AWD wasn’t just throwing a great community festival; they were enjoying each other’s company and in doing so, strengthened their own community of employees.


Peak Events had a great time working on this event and enjoyed all the people who came out and celebrated this landmark anniversary.

Event Day Vendors:

Venue: Heritage Square, Flagstaff

Event Planning: Peak Events

Event Design: KD Event Design

Photographer: Melissa Dunstan Photography

Floral: Glamorous Occasion's

Rentals/Tenting: Tri Rentals

Debbi

Honeymoon in Paris

The City of Lights is notoriously romantic and expensive. Here are tips for a dreamy Paris honeymoon that won't leave you broke.


Travel during the shoulder season. You can save 10 percent or more on lodging if you travel in April, May, November or December.


Skip the breakfast upgrade. Hotels' continental breakfasts can cost up to $30 a person per day, which is a waste. Adorable patisseries are on every corner, and $10 will get you a couple of pastries and two creamy cups of cafe au lait. Which means more money for dinner!


Take the Metro. Dont' worry about a rental car, best used in the countryside, not the city or expensive taxicabs. The Metro train is easy to navigate and has stops near all the popular monuments. Buy a pack of tickets, and each one-way ride will cost about $1.65.


Visit websites first. Once you've decided what you want to do, hit an Internet cafe; some attractions and tours offer discounted rates you'll find only online.


Get your free on. Some of Paris' prettiest sights don't cost a thing. Wander past the Champs-Elysees, Luxembourg Gardens or Eiffel Tower.


Enjoy your honeymoon!!!




(Courtesy of Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, April 2010 edition)

Summer Solstice Party

Oh my! The summer solstice party is a growing. I sat down with an initial list and had about 150 people on the list. Now, I’ve had parties this big in the past and although I’ve enjoyed them, I just didn’t know if I wanted this party to be one of those. So, I got it down to about 60 people and was feeling very pretty good until I started running into people and realized I’d forgotten a BUNCH of folks. So then I went back to the drawing board and we’re up to around 174 and I need to pare down AGAIN!



So, today I’m going to talk about whom do you cut and who do you leave on your invitation list! If I were to put it out there to all the people I know casually, professionally, family, and friends the numbers could hit astronomical numbers. But I can’t afford to have a party for that many people – at least not until my daughter gets married. So, where do you begin when you’ve got too many names and not enough dough?


First I write down all my dearest of friends. The ones who I enjoy being around and can’t live without. In all honesty – this number is only around 15. Then you add the friends you don’t see very often, but when you do see them you remember how much you enjoy them. Then you add in the friends that are a little more on the fringe, not because you don’t like them, but because life, work, things get in the way. Forget about all the “shoulds” you know, the ones who you work with, are in organizations together and are friends of friends. This is your party and it should reflect the kind of energy you want. So, with all of that – I’m at around 75. Good number. Not everyone will attend, but I bet I have around 50 who are there. And that’s a nice size party for my backyard and my budget.


Next week – I get to budget for my 50 friends I think will attend and I’ll talk invitations and themes.

Deb

Summer Solstice Party

Hi Everyone and welcome back to the blog. Here in Flagstaff, the sun was shining all weekend and the weather was nothing short of fantastic. I got to spend all day Saturday making my front yard presentable, clearing away the leaves and cleaning up trash that obviously came in on a wind gust and was trapped for months under our 12 feet of snow. Now that the snow is melting, and the front yard is fixed up, I can concentrate all my evenings and weekends on the backyard and getting everything ready for the Summer Solstice party.



The Annual Summer Solstice Party is by far my favorite party of the year. There is nothing that brings me greater joy than bringing together all my friends and family to enjoy perfect weather, great food and a good time.


This year’s Summer Solstice Party is going to be the best one to date. (okay, I say that every year – and every year I’m right!!!) It’s only April, so I do have some time and time is one thing a planner will consider a gift. I’ve got a few months to continue with the backyard and more than likely I’ll be “redecorating” right up to the moment people arrive. So, what am I doing a few months out? Here’s my list for this week:


1. Make guest list and design invitations. I haven’t decided if I want to mail them out, use facebook, use email or a combination. My first choice is to go to About Memories and More and let Kirstin help me design the perfect invite, spend a few evenings putting them together and then mailing them out. While this is my first pick, I don’t have everyone’s address and I don’t want them to think I’m only inviting them “after the fact”. So, I either have to get everyone’s addresses and thankfully there is enough time, or email everyone.


2. I’m trying to envision how I want the party to look. Now, I’d love to have fresh cut flowers everywhere, but my gardens won’t be producing “cut” flowers until August, and I’d rather invest in perennials than flower arrangements. Last year I had a total garden theme even using terra cotta planters to hold food. BTW – if you soak the terra cotta in ice cold water for an hour before serving it will help keep your food cold. But the lining of the pots was time consuming.


3. Next I’m thinking about the menu. I’ve already gotten requests for some of the appetizers and I know Satchmos BBQ is always a hit, so food I can wait until June to work on.


4. Seating – This is always a challenge with a party. If you make sure everyone can sit and enjoy their food, then you run the risk of everyone clumping into groups. I try to have seating vignettes throughout the yard and that way people can still mingle. I’ll have to visit the budget for this one.


5. Entertainment – do we all mingle which is always fun, and I try to have some great outdoor games available and set up, but do I want to go DJ and possibly have dancing? Again, I must check the budget and make sure it’s the feel for the event.


Well, these are just a few of the things I’m working on for the party – next time I’ll bring in more things to consider.


Take care and MAKE YOUR LIFE AN EVENT!!


Debbi