Planning a daughter's wedding when you are a wedding planner

Someone asked me recently how has it been planning my daughter's wedding since I am a wedding/event planner? My answer: Interesting!
When my older daughter was getting married seven years ago, she and her fiance' wanted a destination wedding. Over 200 guests were invited, all from out-of-town. Since my husband and I were unfamiliar with the local florists, photographers, musicians, caterers, hair and make-up artists, etc. we hired a wedding planner. While checking the references I spoke to a mother of a bride who lived in the area and was planning a small wedding. Curious I asked her, since she lived there, why she would hire a wedding planner? Her answer was "Darling, that day I just want to put my dress on." So did I, I thought! We hired the wedding planner, all the details were taken care of and that day I too just "put my dress on!" Since this will be a larger wedding and I am now familiar and have worked with local florists, photographers, musicians, hair and make-up artists, stationers, rental companies, etc. it has been easier to find exactly what we're looking for. In making these suggestions to my daughter, the bride-to-be, I can rely on my business partner/wedding planner to act as the "buffer." She and I have been the "buffer" for many brides and their mothers as we've coordinated their weddings. Since I do not want to jeopardize our mother/daughter relationship (those of you with daughters can relate) my partner will orchestrate the rehearsal, wedding ceremony and reception and I (once again) will "put my dress on!"

"A Night at the Museum" Party

Why not a party for 8 -12 year old budding paleontologists? I recently visited the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. They have a AMNH Sleepover for 8-12 year olds. Quite an adventure! The price includes exploration of the live-animal exhibits with museum guides, fossil exploration by flashlight, watching "Dinosaurs Alive" in the IMAX theatre, challenging "Museum Quests," an evening snack, sleeping in the museum, a light breakfast, and take-home activiites.
Because of the very popular movie, this would be a fun adventure with wonderful memories for this age group. Are there any other museums that you know of locally that have a similar program?

Hosting an "Oscars Party"

Since the Academy Awards will be given out on Sunday, why not throw a red carpet "Oscars" party? Invite some friends to watch the Oscars. Encourage them to wear their finest and perhaps have some tiaras and top hats to hand out when they arrive for added glitz. Serve a buffet dinner or just snacks. Whatever you serve, make sure you have buckets of popcorn. Decorate with silver stars and twinkling lights around the room. Pass out ballots and pens and have everyone vote for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Song, Best Foreign Film, Best Animated Film, Best Documentary, Best Achievement in Film Editing, Costume Design and Best Picture. The one with the most correct answers could make an acceptance speech before accepting their prize. The prize for the winner could be movie passes to your local theatre.
Have fun and make it festive!

Post-Wedding Party

Since so many weddings today are weekend events, it has become a new trend where the "post-wedding party" has become popular. For some this is a brunch hosted by the parents of the bride or groom and can be held in the hotel where the guests are staying. For others it can be a casual party in someone's home held in the early afternoon before guests drive home or head to an airport for their return trip. If the wedding takes place at a beach or resort, it can be a picnic or a beach party. If the bride or groom's family is hosting at their home, they may want to consider hiring someone to do the arrangements for a "stress-free" affair the day after the wedding. What type of post-wedding parties have you attended or hosted?

Rehearsal Dinners

Rehearsal Dinners usually are held the night before the wedding, after the wedding rehearsal and usually hosted by the groom's parents. If this is not possible, the bride's parents can arrange for the rehearsal dinner. It is customary for the wedding party and their spouses to be invited along with the officiant, the bride's parents, siblings, grandparents, readers, ushers and some out-of-town guests. The rehearsal dinner can take many forms, such as a picnic, beach party, buffet or formal dinner. It is usually not as formal as the wedding. It's a good idea to have invitations sent so there is no confusion as to who is included in the guest list. Some rehearsal dinners have everyone on the guest list invited, but this is usually for small weddings. The rehearsal dinner is the time for the bride and groom to give their individual gifts to their bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Birthday Parties for the New Teen

Birthday parties for the girl turning 13 can be a challenge. Since they are experimenting with make-up, why not have a party with a make-up and skin care professional? The pro can talk to the girls about proper skin care and make-up application. A long table with individual mirrors, wash cloths, water, cotton swabs, individual pots of make-up while they practice and apply these new skills. Alert the parents before you begin to make sure there are no allergies that need to be addressed. "Goody Bags" can include nail polish, lip gloss, emery boards, make-up removal sponges. I've witnessed this type of party first-hand and it was a big hit!

Valentine's Day and Proposals

Happy Valentine's Day! Today is a romantic day! While this isn't usually a busy "party" day for adults, this is a day for sending and receiving cards, flowers, chocolates and in some cases, jewelry! Many of you will celebrate Valentine's Day with a special dinner. Others will have more elaborate plans with a weekend get-away, or a noted restaurant reservation or attending a Valentine's Day Dance. Some of you will become getting engaged today. Valentine's Day is one of the four highest days for proposals, the others are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. While most proposals are intimate affairs between two people, the trend today for some is to have a more elaborate proposal with other people involved. There was an article in the NYTimes recently about a man who staged a fake show which the bride-to-be thought was a real show. The actors were all part of the ruse. Locally, a bride was proposed to on the rink at Rockefeller Center. Both Marist alums, the groom invited the bride-to-be to go ice skating and proposed on the ice. The snow was falling and the groom-to-be had several friends help him. One of his buddies had a large bouquet of beautiful red roses ready ringside. The groom-to-be skated to pick up the flowers, then skated to the middle of the rink and proposed on one knee. Another couple was there with their camera ready and shot the scene. Afterwards they all went out to dinner and celebrated the romantic event. Lot of happy spectators and skaters cheered. Way to go, Luke!
A very Happy Valentine's Day to all and let us in on any special proposals that happen to you this Valentine's Day!

Shopping locally for your Party

I just returned from four days at the New York International Gift Fair held at the Jacob Javits Center. There were some wonderful invitations, decorations, favors and ideas for all kinds of parties, weddings and celebrations! Lots of color will be seen this coming season. There was good news to report; in a difficult economic climate many independent retailers are actually thriving. "Buy Local" campaigns have helped sales to increase by encouraging shoppers to support locally owned businesses with strong community roots. We have a plethora of wonderful shops and venues here in the Hudson Valley with many talented and knowledgeable caterers, bakers,jewelers, chocolatiers, tent rental professionals, florists, photographers, invitation stationers, bridal salons, tuxedo shops, day spas, hair dressers, skin care and make-up artists, musicians, djs, travel agents, transportation vehicles, artists, shop owners and store employees willing to help with your selections. The Hudson Valley has become a destination for weddings, parties and corporate events. Having an event planning business and planning my own daughter's wedding here this spring, I have seen this first hand. All your needs and details can be obtained right here in the Hudson Valley. So shop locally for your next party or event!!

Kids invited to The Super Bowl Party

If there will be children at the Super Bowl Party make sure there are "kid-friendly" snacks for them. Also, they may be not all that interested in the game. How about having some board games, movies, dvds, word scramble games (using "football" related words such as touchdown, pass, quarterback, goal, etc.) For younger children have a place where they can color and provide new coloring books and crayons.
The older kids may like "Football Charades." They can act out words such as goalpost, cheerleader, half-time, first down, etc. Purchase small footballs or nerf footballs for prizes. For those kids who will be watching the game, keep them focused with questions such as: which team won the toss? Who scored the first touchdown? What is the score after the first quarter? second quarter? Give some questions about the commercials too! And have prizes ready for the winner(s).
Popcorn has become the most popular snack of Super Bowl Parties with pizza being the number one choice for the main course. These are both easy and enjoyed by kids! Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday whatever your plans are and have fun!