Creative activities to spice up your wedding reception

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As a luxury wedding planner for over 10 years we have been presented to find many sorts of activities and entertainment for our clients guest at their receptions. Most come in the way of a particular cultural tradition or some sort of game or sport. Here is a small list of our favorites that have been a big hit with reception guest. Five creative activities to spice up your wedding reception!

1. Many of us as kids remember having Piñatas at birthday parties and holiday parties. They are so much fun so why leave all the fun to the kids! Get a wedding cake shaped or a custom shaped Piñatas and fill it with monogrammed candies or a fun idea is to have random nice items that adults would enjoy!
   
   

 

2. Are you having a cultural wedding, a fusion wedding (combining two or more different coutures) or would like to add a bit of culture to your wedding reception? Hire professional dancers to do 1 or more cultural entertainment pieces during the reception. Guest love this element espeically during the beginning of the reception. This also may be an option to the traditional cocktail hour if you are having an alcohol free event and need a bit of entertainment while you and your bridal party are finishing up the after wedding photos!

3. How about a little game? Many outside weddings are now starting to add some classic outside games to keep guest up mingling and having a good time. Croquet is a very fun and elegant game to play at weddings that always keeps smiles on guest face as they change one another. This is also a great game for guest of all ages. Print up game directions on decorative cards so every guest will play by your house rules!

4. It's party time at your reception, you have hired this great Band or DJ and they are all excited trying to get your guest up and having a great time, but everyone is still sits, humm... what to do? I have found that when this happens at some wedding receptions it is not always because they don't like the music or don't want to dance, it because they don't know how to dance! We have taught tons of guest how to do the latest and greatest line dance to get the party going. Hire a dance coach to motivate your crowd to teach them the latest dance craze. It will get them up moving and usually laughing and having a great time!

5. One of our favorite ideas that is rarely used and is aways a crowd pleaser. A private polo game is one event to get the festivities off to a right start and one that will surely be remembered by everyone attending, for a long time after. You can serve up the best of wines and passed hors d'oeuvres while you and your guest enjoy this grand event. This can also be incorporated to be a festive rehearsal dinner activity they day before. This is usually an offered, but non advertised amenity at your local field.

               For more tips or to find out more about 1 Elegant Event visit www.1elegantevent.com

5 Things to do over the Holidays when planning a wedding!

This is a great time of year when many of us attend and have parties, dinners or social gatherings. We see many people and loved ones that we have not seen all year that we don't have time to visit with throughout the year. It is very easy to get caught up in all the festivities and forget that you are planning a wedding next year! Many couples without realizing it put their wedding plans on the back burner while enjoying all the fun festivities! Yes, do have fun, but here are some things to do during this time, that many couples wish they did but forgot all about!

1. Tis the season to shop!
   During this time all the stores are over run with pretty and festive décor items. Keep your eye out on all of those after Holiday and pre Holiday sales. While your looking for that perfect gift, pick up some of the décor items you need in your wedding colors at great savings! That $50 (your color) ribbon may be 50% - 75% off retail price. Also many of the stores have décor coupons in their sales ads! 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Send out Christmas Cards!
   So you and your fiancée took some beautiful engagement pictures and it is a shame to keep them to yourself, so why not send out Save-the Date Christmas Cards. Make sure it is OK with your chosen photographer and use one of the quick and easy ways such as Shutterfly, Walgreen's Photos and many others to upload, design, print, and even mail them out! I have done this for family photo's and it takes minutes!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
     
3. Whats the difference between a designer New Years Gown and a Bridesmaids Dress?
   Nothing!
   If you have not chosen bridesmaid dresses, gather up the girls for a fun day of shopping! During this time of the year, you will find fabulous styles on sale and if you only have 2-4 Bridesmaids. This could be perfect! 
   
   
    
   
   
4. Are you going to a Holiday Party or Dinner? Try out your wedding hair and make- up styles!
   You are going to schedule a test run of you hair styles and make-up trends anyway, so why get all dolled up just to go home! Schedule your hair and make-up trial on the day of a party, then go out and take it for a spin!
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Collect an update your address and email list. This is the season we see people we have not seen all year! While your out painting the town red, or attending a family gathering collect the names, addresses and email address of those you would like to invite to your wedding. Put it in a file on your phone and send it to your computer. When it's time to send out invites, you already have everyone's address and you already have them typed out! Plus you can send RSVP reminders by email for those who don't RSVP on time!

We at 1 Elegant Event, Wedding & Event Planning want to wish you 

a Happy Holiday Season and make sure you take the time out to 

spend some time with all the people you hold dear! 

Check back for more tips to help you during the Holiday Season. 

www.1elegantevent.com

7 Ideas for decorating the perfect table for Thanksgiving!

After all the Halloween fun, we move right into Thanksgiving, a great Holiday meant to be spent with family, friends and loved ones. We all love couture expensive holiday designs and love to bring out all the stops to impress our guest during this time, but you can have a great look without breaking the bank even if you have a big bank. Get a high end look by mixing these tips together! Remember, the day of Thanksgiving right after the Macy's Thanksgiving parade we have already moved on to the Holiday of Holiday's,  Christmas!

 

1. Buy a group (3-5 or more, odd numbers work better) fall colored plain solid candles from the dollar store, tape mid way down or in a design you like, spray or apply glue where you want design, sprinkle with glitter, mini fake jewels, crushed nuts or other ornamental items and let dry overnight. Beautiful, and inexpensive so you won't feel bad about burning them during dinner!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   2. Mini pumpkins can be found at all your farmers markets very inexpensively and even at your local grocery store. Buy a bag full of random gourds. (I personally like the bumpy ones!) Wipe them clean and spray them gold, silver or in another solid color to match your décor. Afterwards you can cover them in glitter and mix them in your Christmas ornament display!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   3. Pumpkins are great items to use in the fall starting with Halloween and on until Christmas. That is why we suggest people not to carve Jack- O -Lanterns but to paint it on so you can use them for Thanksgiving. Use a couple of pumpkins and hot glue real looking fall flowers of your choice to them. Simple and easy. You can add in rhinestones and all sorts of extra details if you like! 
      
      
   
   
   
   
   
   4. You are going to have deserts anyway why not have a special dessert made, or if you are crafty and a good baker, make a pretty and great tasting desert and have it be your centerpiece! Add height and candles for extra drama! 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   5. Are you super crafty, able to look at pictures to create, or have very crafty partner or kid? Food displays are always fun and so appropriate for Thanksgiving!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   6. Are you thinking about using plastic or paper plates for this fine Holiday? STOP!!! Yes, there are some really good fakes out there and if you are having an army of people over, then that case it is OK, but you can still use a table design idea even with fake plates. There are so many pretty plates and chargers that come out for the Holidays, but if you are buying in retail stores, stock up on the styles you like at the after sale for great deals on expensive designs. But if you need a table setting now, go to your Dollar Stores, Old Tyme Pottery, Garden Ridges and stores alike to pick up inexpensive individuals and create your own sets. This display below can  and be duplicated for under $4.00 per person!!! 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   7. This is the time to use the heirloom linens from your great grandparents. These items keep you connected to the past and helps bring the Holiday of Thanksgiving full circle. So you are saying, “My Mom is not handing over those linens,” or maybe you don't have heirloom linens. If this is you time to host, it is time to go to a specialty linen store and splurge on linens. Try not to get mesmerized by all the fancy colors and designs, stick to one in a basic color and design that can be used for years to come that can be passed along to your kids in the future!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Did you love the tips on our blog, subscribe to us! Check us out in a few weeks when we start our 12 days of Christmas tips (We LOVE Christmas!)