If you are hosting an upcoming baby shower, it is a nice touch to give guests a baby shower favor to thank them for coming and celebrating the expectant mother.  In deciding what types of gifts to give, keep it simple. Giving a gift is just a small gesture of appreciation that any guest will be thankful to receive. Keep in mind that using the baby shower’s theme and color schemes will allow you to be creative in doing your own DIY favors for everyone to take home and enjoy.

Take a look at some of these great Baby Shower Favors:

Baby Shower Favors – Measuring Spoons

Baby Shower Favors – Personalized Favor Tags

Baby Shower Favors – Pea Pods

Baby Shower Favors – Lip Balm

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

A birthday favor is a polite way to thank guests for attending your event and helping you celebrate your special day. It might be easier to purchase a pre-packaged gift for your guests, but a personalized special treat would be a more exciting way to celebrate your next birthday celebration.  In choosing a birthday favor, find gifts that will match your theme or one that fits your personality and will be something guests can remember.  By choosing a favor that is useful, guests are more likely to treasure a gift that has great purpose!

Check out these Birthday Favor Ideas:

Birthday Favor Ideas – Personalized Favor Tags

Birthday Favor Ideas – Personalized Favor Tags

Birthday Favor Ideas – Personalized Wine Glass

Birthday Favor Ideas – Personalized Lollipops

Birthday Favor Ideas – Sweet 16 Key Ring

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

One of the latest trends for wedding favors in 2013 would be offering guests “green” friendly gifts such as planting seeds and tree sapling. In using these items as wedding favors, this small token of appreciation is something that the guests can treasure for a lifetime. Not only is this a memorable favor, but also it is a personalized gift from the bride and groom.

Here are a few wedding favors ideas for your upcoming wedding:

• Potted Plants: By using small inexpensive plants in a mini flower pot this could also serve as an escort card and a wedding favor gift when guest’s names are attached to the favor. By using flowers, such as perennials, would be easier for guests to plant either indoor or outdoor.

• Tree Sapling: By gifting a tree to your guests as a couple, could show that you’re appreciative for them being a part of your wedding and you’re welcoming them into your growing family tree.  Please be sure to pick a tree that fits within your climate.

If you’re giving “green” friendly wedding favors to your guests, share your ideas with us.

“Green” Wedding Favors – Succulents

“Green” Wedding Favors – Tree Sapling

“Green” Wedding Favors – Flowers in Apothecary Bottle

“Green” Wedding Favors – Potted Plants

“Green” Wedding Favors – Planted Tree

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

An imaginative way to get creative and display your drinks at any event is best when you setup a drink station. These stations allow guests to refresh on cool drinks on warm spring days or warm up with a tasty drink choice during the fall.

Take a look at these tips on setting up your Drink Station at your next event:

• Use accessories such as drink tags, paper straws, and decorative glasses to make your drink station stand out.
• Find and use unique beverage dispensers, it is best to use the same dispensers for each drink station.
• To add an element of color, have colored sugar around the glass rim of your drink ware.
• Try adding a chalkboard that announces the drink station. This is also another creative way to display drink choices.
• Take time and choose the right drinks for your station. Try using drink colors that will reflect your color scheme.
• Remember to decorate the space around the drink station. By using banners or paper lanterns in your color scheme, helps create a fun station.

Share your beverage station ideas with us!

Beverage Stations: Chalkboard Signage

Beverage Stations: Brunch

Beverage Stations: Signage & Straws

Beverage Stations: Drink Ware

Beverage Stations: Station Decor

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

Candy bar stations are an exciting way to treat your guests to delectable sweet treats by setting up a creative buffet.  This is a whimsical idea to integrate your occasion’s theme by using the color schemes in various candy items. Get innovative in using different candies that guests can take home as sweet treats.

Planning tips on setting up your next candy buffet:

• Use clear specialty glassware in various heights to showcase the candy and use various colors to add interest to your table setting.
• Remember to use serving utensils that allow guests to fill their treat bags with tasty goodies.
• Make sure to set up your candy buffet in a place where the table setting is your focal point. If possible, avoid placing the table near a window with direct sunlight to prevent certain candies from melting.
• Choose a table linen that helps personalize the table’s theme and adds a decorative element.
• Use candy tags to help guests identify what types of treats are in each glass jar.
• Remember that buying candy in bulk is essential in making sure all guests are able to take home some sweet treats.

Are you incorporating a candy station at your next event? What colors are you using for your station?

Candy Stations – Clear Specialty Glassware

Candy Stations: Green Inspiration

Candy Stations – Blue & White Inspiration

Candy Stations – Custom Treat Bags

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

Do you need help decorating centerpieces for your special event? There are several inexpensive ways to decorate and create unique centerpieces for any occasion.  Creating your centerpieces is a great way to save money and it allows you to have fun in constructing a personal table setting.

Here are a few exciting tips to get you ready for creating centerpieces for any occasion:

• Keep it simple! A great centerpiece does not require overdoing it or adding too many decorative items.
• When using flowers, think about using submerged or floating flowers as a wow factor.
• When using fresh flowers, build your base around a floral form which helps retain water and will extend the life of your beautiful bouquets.
• Candles make a decorative touch to your table and add a romantic and intimate overall look to the occasion.
• Don’t want to use flowers, try adding moss or grass and decorative items for a more rustic look.

Remember that in creating your centerpieces, you do not have to break the bank. Find inexpensive vases, use seasonal flowers, and stick with a theme by adding flow to your occasion.

Are you creating your own centerpieces for your wedding or event? If so, share your ideas with us!

Centerpiece Ideas: Pink Inspiration

Centerpiece Ideas: Floating Candles/Submerged Flowers

Centerpiece Ideas: Rustic Inspiration

Centerpiece Ideas: Floral Foam Inspiration

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

Having a Co-Ed Bachelor/Bachelorette Party also known as a Jack and Jill party? Well on today’s blog I’m giving you some cool ideas to have a great time.

A fun way to celebrate your last days of singlehood is by planning a co-ed party where couples can celebrate with their wedding party and close friends. Please keep in mind the bride and groom’s preferences to prevent anyone from feeling embarrassed during or after the party ends. Make sure activities are planned around the couple likes and interests. By  planning a quick road trip to the beach, a wine tasting or even having an intimate dinner party will allow the wedding party and the couple to spend time celebrating their upcoming wedding.

Here are great some ideas to get your party started:

Jack and Jill Party: Intimate Dinner Party

Jack and Jill Party: Invitations

Jack and Jill Party: Wine Tasting

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

Here is a party idea that celebrates the other half of a wedding party – the wonderful groom. There are several ideas that help honor the groom’s upcoming nuptials and by planning the right event it will be a night he will never forget.  The bachelor party should fit his personality rather it be relaxed and low-key or something fun and spontaneous. Just remember any good bachelor party does not always have to involve Las Vegas.

Check out this great idea for a Bachelor Party…A Rat Pack Party! Never heard of it? Well let me start off by giving you a little history about a “rat pack”.

A Rat Pack was a group of celebrity friends and buddies that whooped it up in Las Vegas and elsewhere in the 1950′s and 1960′s. So to learn more about having a Rat Pack Party, read on.

A Rat Pack Party: Start by incorporating a vintage Hollywood theme with cigars and martinis that will set the tone for this fun filled event. By adding a game of poker or blackjack will set the atmosphere of a retro stylish bachelor theme. Remember to add music such as Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra! Are you having a bachelor party? How will you and your friends celebrate?

Bachelor Party Inspiration: A Rat Pack Party

Bachelor Party Inspiration: A Rat Pack Party

Bachelor Party Inspiration: Rat Pack Party Decor

Bachelor Party Inspiration: Rat Pack Party Invitations

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

An engagement party marks the official announcement of your engagement and allows you to commemorate your upcoming nuptials with close family and friends. By creating a unique and personal atmosphere, will allow your guests a chance to get to know you and celebrate their excitement for your engagement. When planning your fete, please keep in mind that your venue should be comfortable for your guests and allow them a chance to mix and mingle. Remember to relax and have fun! This is the time to focus on your love for one another and not be stressed out. If you’re newly engaged and planning an engagement party, here are a few ideas to help you get started:

Engagement Party Ideas: Invitation

Engagement Party Ideas: Invitation

Engagement Party Inspiration: Brunch Theme

Engagement Party Inspiration: Marigold & Navy Blue Colors

Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta

Warm weather, good food, mouthwatering drinks, and a perfect location are the start of a great dinner party for your family and friends. The spring time allows for more outdoor activities and planning a garden themed dinner party helps you get started celebrating the season. Incorporating little details and building upon your theme will certainly create the right atmosphere.

Are you planning a garden themed party soon? If so, then here are a few planning tips to help you have a fabulous party .

Garden Party Planning Ideas:

• Use flowers such as tulips, daffodils, and peonies in nice flowerpots as a main focal point for table centerpieces. If you don’t want to use flowers, try adding grass or moss as a centerpiece to set the tone for your party.

• Use white china, sterling silver utensils, and clear glassware as dinnerware.

• Try adding a cloth decorative table linen.

• If your backyard is accommodating, host your dinner party there. If not, a small deck or balcony will work just fine.

• Since this is a dinner party, your menu should consist of light appetizers, a salad, an entrée, and a dessert.

• Another great tip is to add a themed cocktail drink as a refreshing treat for guests to sip on.

Spring Garden Dinner Party – Picnic Table Setting

Spring Garden Dinner Party – Country Chic

Spring Garden Dinner Party – Pink Inspiration

Spring Garden Dinner Party – Wheatgrass Centerpiece

Spring Garden Dinner Party – White China & Clear Glasses

 
Have a swan-sational day,

Carlmetta