THE DOUGLAS BLOG

Flowers and Fun

2008-05-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

The process of choosing flowers for an event -- the combinations, your likes and dislikes, what's in season and out, what coordinates with attire and/or linen, the way the flowers smell, and don't even mention the cost -- can be overwhelming. What's a girl to do? Find a good florist. Preferably, someone who can offer great ideas in regard to which flowers will work, how to reuse floral pieces, and of course, cost cutting techniques.

No matter what the celebration may be, the perfect floral centerpiece awaits you. Checkout pictures online, in magazines and books, and also take note of what is being used at other special events you attend. Flowers make for such an excellent decorative piece! So determine your budget, stick to it, and have fun with flowers.

-KW

My DJ is better than your DJ!

2008-04-19T05:15:00.000-07:00

Whoever said a DJ may only keep the beat of the party, remain behind his music mix equipment table, and make announcements at the request of the event host? I never said it, but who did?

DJs are taking their talent to a different level by offering additional services such as leading fun activities and games. Depending on the DJ that you hire, he or she may actually provide you with activity and game ideas to make your event more interactive. Occasionally, the guests want song and dance only but for the crowd that wants more, give it to them. Ask your DJ to lead and encourage the crowd to participate in a song that requires a specific dance, a dance off between guests, name that song, or whatever creative idea you may have.

As I said before your event may not need this additional service, but if it does and your DJ cannot provide what you require in this area, then my DJ is better than yours!

-KW

The Madness

2008-03-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

It's another wonderful time of the year! ....and I am not talking about the holidays. I'm referring to MARCH MADNESS!! Thus far, the tournament has been extremely exciting with several upsets. What's a party planner to do? Have friends over, of course! Here are two March Madtastic ideas for themes:

1. Have everyone wear their favorite team's T-shirt or sweatshirt. You may serve the best known food from your favorite team's hometown area. For example, if you love the Fighting Illini, serve deep dish pizza.

2. The Boys' Night that is for girls only. Who said that women don't enjoy basketball? Grill burgers and hotdogs. Encourage the ladies to wear their ball caps, jeans, and sneakers.

Do have fun!

-KW

OSCAR PARTY, anyone?

2008-02-24T18:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the big show that many film fans look forward to each year. The red carpet, the stars, the journalists, the fashion, the jewelry, and of course, THE PARTIES!!! I live and work for a fabulous party. So if the Oscars are your thing, invite your friends and family over for a cool, calm, and collected gathering. Here are a few ideas for decorating and foods to serve for next year's Academy Awards:

1. The real thing is black tie so decorate with black and white. Serve upscale hors d'oeuvres and beverages. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants to cater your small guest count event. For those who choose to put your chef skills to work, there are many recipes and even gourmet frozen foods (so that you can cheat a little) which can be heated and served.

2. The real thing is very glamorous so decorate in the exact opposite. Whatever color you choose be casual and serve casual food like burgers and pizza. Make it a potluck gathering and ask each guest to bring something to eat or drink.

3. The real thing is memorable so decorate such that your guests will remember your party for years to come. Place replicas of the gold Academy Award all about your event area. Create or purchase sealed envelopes that mimic "...and the winner is...". You may, really, take it there by rolling out a red carpet that leads to your front door. Serve whatever toots your fancy in this case as long as your guests will enjoy what you choose and it's on the same grand scale as your replicas (in other words don't serve hot dogs). Still, the focus here are the decorations.

With that, enjoy the awards show!

-KW

Why Hire an Event Planner

2008-02-10T07:49:00.000-08:00

This question is completely appropriate. In a time where time, money, and satisfaction are key, often purchases of both products and services are thoroughly assessed. Do I "need" a new pair of shoes? Does my hair "have" to be professionally styled weekly? And of course, Why should I hire an event planner? Allow me to share the reasons why doing so could be a complete stress reliever in the areas of time, money, and satisfaction.

TIME. One of our most precious and invaluable commodities is time. We work at the office, we do housework, we care for our children, we spend time at the car dealership for maintenance, we spend time at the salon or barbershop, we go to market for groceries, we volunteer, and if there's any time left we eat, sleep, and exercise. An event planner can step in and help make the planning of your event less time consuming. A planner can locate and book a venue, hire the caterer, the band, the photographer, and many other vendors. What this means for you is not having to interview, meet and greet vendors, cost compare, and tour various venues.

MONEY. Many, understandably so, do not know the discounts that event planners often get from vendors. Event planners often have the ability to bring repeat business to a vendor, so it makes perfect sense that planners may get a discount. Event planners also have the ability to negotiate on your behalf. What this means for you is simply spending less money. You, also, will not need be well-versed with competitive prices and how to negotiate to get a better deal.

SATISFACTION. Your special event should be just that -- special. Although a small amount of worry may be expected, an event planning road map filled with constant worry, stress, and anxiety should not be expected. Yet, often, that is the route that many party hosts, brides, and non-professional event planners take. An event planner makes a living planning events. What this means for you is that hiring a good planner will calm your worries, he or she will make thoughtful suggestions, and bring about a more satisfying, less stressful planning experience.

Having more time to focus on your everyday life, saving money on your special event, and truly feeling satisfied with the planning process and the outcome of your event make for smart reasons to hire an event planner. Every planner will not be right for you. Interview different event planners to decide who is easy to work with, listens to your ideas, and isn't afraid to make suggestions. Keep in mind that time, money, and satisfaction are key.

-KW

Create Excitement

2008-01-15T06:02:00.000-08:00

There is a good chance that your guests will enjoy themselves at your party. To increase your odds and take your party from fun to unforgettable, create excitement. Here are three great ideas for creating excitement at a party:

1. Have a giveaway

2. Hire professional dancers

3. Host a contest of some sort

-KW

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

What a marvelous day of the year! What a fantastic time to restart, recommit, and renew! Let us celebrate last year's success and gear up for this year's personal and professional growth. Let us remember and cherish our loved ones, forgive and release disappointments, and strive to reach higher heights in 2008.

Enjoy life! Throw a celebrating life party, a wedding anniversary celebration, a birthday bash -- for whatever reason you choose or for no particular reason at all, CELEBRATE in '08!

-KW

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WORDS

2007-12-12T18:45:00.000-08:00

I received an unusual request from a client. Of course, I went to work immediately in order to make that request a reality. I'm a huge fan of internet search engines, but time and again (in this case) I came up with nothing. The process can be quite frustrating. Again, I reminded myself that it's all about the words. Let's say you are searching for an illusionist to perform at a social gathering and you search "illusionist comma your city and state". There's a great possibility that you may come up with nothing or the results may not be what you would expect to find.

Let this be the boost of energy that you need to fight on in order to find what you are looking for. Sometimes changing the words you are searching for will put you in position to make dreams come true. I certainly pulled through for my client today. I live for days like this -- making my clients' requests reality is truly wonderful! That wonderful feeling that search engines give me is not about courage, strength, endurance, wisdom -- none of that. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WORDS.

-KW

GET: Inner Peace with Your Centerpiece

2007-11-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

Centerpieces can be tough to manage. In my opinion, the budget is the leading cause of stress when deciding on a centerpiece. Of course, the type of flower and its season may also make matters difficult. Lucky for all, the centerpieces of today are not required to have floral aspects.

For informal, fun events try:
1. Tiers of chocolate candy
2. Bowls of goldfish
3. Small framed pictures

For events that are formal try:
1. Candles
2. Small lamps

Centerpieces truly can be tough to manage only if you let them be. Stick to your budget, be flexible, think creatively, and get inner peace with your centerpiece.

-KW

Holiday Memories

2007-11-13T13:34:00.001-08:00

Last night, I found videotapes of past family holidays. They were fun to look at. This same concept can be implemented into a corporate holiday party. Pick your poison:

1. Employee Bloopers
2. Creative Comedy Skits

If put on video, the above may add much needed employee laughter, smiles, and sense of bonding. This year create holiday memories with video.

-KW

Two Ideas for TIGHT BUDGETS and FAMILY GATHERINGS

2007-10-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

1. ELIMINATE THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Let me say that I am not fond of this choice. I love and respect what a professional photographer can bring to any event, but when budgets are tight some sacrifice is required. Provide disposable cameras and have different family members snap photos of things that interest them at your family gathering. This idea is truly great if family members bring digital cameras to take pictures so that photos can be shared online with the entire family.

2. ELIMINATE THE CATERER. Again, with my knowledge of what a professional caterer can bring this may make for a tough, yet, necessary decision. Many family members have fabulous, natural cooking skills -- don't hesitate to come together and create a fantastic meal that reminds everyone of "HOME". This takes more work, but it saves an incredible amount of money! Also, distribute some of the responsibility to the entire family by making a list of the items (other than the main course) needed and ask everyone to bring something from the list.

Truly, tight budgets when gathering the family for fun does not have to be as horrible as it may seem. A tight budget provides an excellent opportunity to be cooperative, flexible, and creative.

-KW

Football, Family, and Sunday

2007-09-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those significant, yet, uneventful days that I enjoy so much. How can it be both you ask? How can the day be important and unimportant at the same time? Well the day was definitely both for me. It was significant because it was a fantastic family day spent doing "Sunday stuff" together -- church, cooking, eating, homework, and yes, WATCHING FOOTBALL! Yet, each of those things may be considered uneventful if I were sharing the story of my day with someone.

Still, let's get to football, family, and Sunday. This combination makes for a great time to laugh, talk, play, and enjoy one another. As always, I suggest serving family favorites (whatever they may be) -- macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, fried chicken, hamburgers, etc. and have a blast. No flowers, centerpieces, linen covered tables, etc. needed. Realizing that days like today are just as important as a wedding, anniversary, or a reunion is what puts a smile on my face. I hope it puts a smile on yours as well!

-KW

Balloons, anyone?

2007-09-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Whoever said balloons are only for children's parties? Balloons are a great way to add to any celebration. They are especially wonderful for theme events such as a Mexican Fiesta. The look can be completed with multiple balloon colors -- red, orange, and yellow. Add food that supports the theme, in this case tacos and burritos, and you have one fabulous celebration on your hands.

Another great way to use balloons for your celebration is to have them artfully decorate an arched entryway, a buffet table, or even the restrooms that guests will use. Nothing is off limits! For your next party, throw balloons into the mix -- even the most casual setting will be amplified.

-KW

Holiday Party

2007-08-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

Three ways for corporate to save money on this year's holiday party:

1. Skip the elaborate center piece. The center of a table may be left undecorated. Honestly, it may be! A table dressed with simple linen is always elegant. If a center piece must be used, try a single candle but know that even the candle is not a must for a corporate celebration.

2. Limit the bar. This is an excellent way to save and different methods may be used. For example, serve beer and wine only. Also serve for a limited amount of time such as having an open bar for the first hour or two. Then, close the bar for the remainder of the celebration. Finally, you can always not serve any liquor which is sure to be a great way to stay within budget.

3. Reserve venue space early. No surprises here. Early in the year venue selection is plentiful and sometimes less expensive.

With that, the more time allotted for organizing a corporate party the better. Planning is key.

-KW

CONTRACTS! CONTRACTS! CONTRACTS!

2007-08-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

As a business owner, I operate contract-minded but I also must have a contract in many instances of my personal life. Event planning is the most wonderful and fulfilling professional work I have ever performed, but I never allow the beauty of it all blur my vision when it comes to the importance of having agreements in writing.

No matter how kind and friendly a company representative may be, always get everything in writing. If at your wedding anniversary celebration a vendor is to provide 15 vases with a dozen roses in each vase, please get it in writing. The monetary section is most important. If you and a vendor discussed a charge for service at the total of $1500, be sure the contract reads so. If the vendor later returns to say I meant $1800, you are protected. The vendor is also protected by the fact that the client has agreed to pay $1500.

If you have ever planned an event (even the smallest event), where you hired a professional caterer, a band, a DJ, a tent company, etc. my hope is that you signed a contract which became a legal agreement between you and the company you hired. If you have slipped in the past, please do not make that mistake in the future. Contracts are an important piece of doing business professionally and personally -- consider very carefully before moving forward with planning your special event without one.

-KW

Dinner Party

2007-07-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Let's party in style! Let's throw an elegant, adult, and romantic dinner party -- complete with a jazz quartet, a well-decorated table for 10, lillies in cube shaped vases, an overflow of candles, and dinner with three- to four-courses professionally served.

All this to celebrate the end of summer, the beginning of fall, and the buzz of the coming school year which increases our load but brings a wonderful sense of wellness to our lives.

-KW

Let the invitation invoke excitement

2007-06-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

"But, how?" I am so glad you asked. Invitations take form in all sorts of ways. For your party you may use a handwritten invite, a pre-printed invite, or something completely unexpected (such as for a tea party send a china teacup, saucer, and a note with the details of who, what, when, where, and why). Of course, budget is always a consideration but what better way to get your guests ready than to send a fabulous, creative invite. Consider these completely unexpected ideas:

1. For a baby shower - send plastic baby bottles, with ribbon tied around them, put the invitation inside the bottle along with a rattle

2. For a graduation party - send graduation caps and diplomas (let the invitation be the diploma which has been rolled up and tied with a ribbon)

3. For a child's birthday party - send small dolls or action figures along with invitations that have been handwritten by the birthday child or choose a pre-printed invite with a juvenile font

Remember invitations take form in all sorts of ways. Be creative! Be fabulous! Give them something unexpectedly exciting!

-KW

Excited about celebrating Dad!

2007-06-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Let's get the family together today and celebrate Dad! He is such an important part of our lives. Often, he is provider, security, friend, voice of reason, and a fabulous listener. Let's celebrate today his way. Let's take him out to dinner, treat him to a round of golf, let him lounge around the house and watch TV, or whatever he wants to do -- let's indulge him today.

In fact, I must go so that I may indulge the very special Dad in my life! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

-KW

GOOD MANNERS

2007-06-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

Mom always said, "Mind your manners." You've got to smile about that one. Why is it we often forget to do it? Here are three event related ideas (of course) that are extremely mannerable:

1. Send thank you notes to everyone who attends your special event (more importantly, formal events). If necessary, use a guest book so that you will have a record of all who attended. Don't just send thank you notes to people who bought a gift for you--instead, send the notes to all to show your appreciation of their coming out to celebrate your special day!

2. Welcome your guests. Always have a "door greeter" to smile, greet, and usher your guests in. Depending on the size of your party you may greet your guests at the door--this is especially wonderful when you are hosting many first time guests, parties of 20 or less, and hosting in your home. It may be more appropriate to have someone else greet if it's a larger party so you may mingle with your guests after they have arrived.

3. Finally, make sure guests are taken care of....provide food, beverages, fun, games, music, toiletries, everything and then some....including designated drivers/taxis when liquor is served.

Three simple ideas, you will be the talk of the town, and Mom will be proud.

-KW

What About the Band?

2007-05-23T05:17:00.000-07:00

When you are not planning a wedding or an engagement party or a wedding anniversary, it is easy to think that calling your live entertainment a couple of months before your event will ensure you are able to book them -- NOT SO! When you are dealing with a popular, highly recommended band, you may be shocked to find that they have a scheduled commitment every weekend for the next year.

My advice -- book well in advance. As critical as venue and catering are to your event, be certain to make your entertainment needs just as much of a priority. The band will usher us in, pump us up, get us on the dance floor, and create a memorable, fun experience. Afterall, what's a party without music, without the band, without the DJ, or without the party mix CD?

Remember, you heard it here. Make your entertainment a priority! What about the band? What about the band? What about the band?

-KW

Mother's Day

2007-05-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

The day to honor mothers is fast approaching and what a lovely time it should be. Here are some ideas for what to give as a Mother's Day gift:

1. VACATION GETAWAY. No matter how large or small, the gift of a vacation is a thoughtful move.
2. SPA PACKAGE. Even if your budget is limited, a spa service gift (such as a massage) is a way to help Mom relax.
3. DINNER. Surprise Mom with a special dinner in her honor. This gift is all the more special when dinner takes place on a personalized decorative table. Use her favorite flower, her favorite color, etc.
4. JEWELRY. Of course.
5. FLOWERS. Send Mom flowers (if possible, to a place for all to see). Send flowers to her at work, to the place where she volunteers, etc.

The key to any gift is knowing your mother. If she does not like to travel, then a vacation gift may not be the best idea. If she visits the spa every other week, then send her flowers. When all else fails, for the mom who has everything, or when you cannot afford a gift (believe me - Mom realizes you owe $100,000 in student loans for your law degree), spend quality time with her on Mother's Day and give her a handwritten note to tell her how special she is to you. Happy Mother's Day!

-KW

GETAWAY

2007-04-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my family and I relaxed in the park. We had a fantastic picnic! We silenced our hunger with turkey sandwiches and quenched our thirst with lemonade. We played catch and threw our frisbee. The park was our sanctuary. There was peace and plenty of quiet. It was an adventure. Our day was null and void of glamour and it did not hint at the pomp and circumstance which I love so much. It was simple and simple can be, oh so, appealing. We enjoyed our day, our way -- and still, it was a getaway.

-KW

Backyard BBQ

2007-04-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

Two ideas for this summer's backyard barbecue:

1. Set up one long table (which may require using several tables together, connecting the short ends). This is great for a smaller party with 20 or so guests. Everyone can eat together passing the food "family style".
BONUS - neatly dress the table with linen and set the table with festive plates and glassware.

OR

2. Lay blankets and pillows around in different sections of the backyard and set up a table (maybe two depending on how much food is being served) where all of the food can be served "buffet style". Guests may grab their food and chill out on the blankets.
BONUS - color coordinate blankets and pillows for a pulled together look and feel.

This summer is going to be great. Enjoy!

-KW

Flowers

2007-04-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Flowers really do set a positive tone for my day. The great thing about flowers is that they can be custom made to fit any budget. You can pick up a lovely, inexpensive bouquet at your local grocer. Recently I saw an arrangement displayed in an unusual setting -- the flowers were inside a tall and skinny pitcher (nothing groundbreaking about that but to choose to use this particular pitcher as a vase, GENIUS!). Honestly that brought me back to the reality of one's vase not having to be ultra unique or sleek to achieve a sophisticated look.

Flowers are certainly used for event planning, but for a more "everyday" feel try placing a small arrangement by your bedside or on your desk at the office. It's uplifting! With all the madness going on, we all need some sunshine. Try flowers. Flowers really can set a positive tone for your day.

-KW

Snow in April

2007-04-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

Don't you love it? Just when you think spring is about to grant us warmth and sunshine, old man winter brings a dose of reality. Here are four neat ideas for keeping your indoor events fresh and enjoyable:

1. Have a potluck gathering with your neighbors and friends
2. Have a costume party (for example, an 80s theme) and invite parents and their children
3. Have a poker party - FOR LADIES ONLY!
4. Have a cozy movie night with your immediate family

Warm weather is soon to come!

-KW