How to Make the Perfect Gift Basket or Welcome Basket

Step One

Determine the budget you are willing to spend on each basket and go shopping! Gather little things you think your guests might need or find handy at the event. These particular baskets I am making are for the bathrooms at a wedding, however, you can also make thank you baskets, gift baskets or welcome baskets for many different occasions.

In my basket I put: Gum, small deodorants, combs, lint rollers, elastic bands, bobby pins, lip chap, hand sanitizer, floss and scented spray. You could also include Kleenex, mini toothbrushes, pepto bismol tablets, bandades or mints.

*Check out my facebook page for pictures: www.facebook.com/firstclasseventplanning

Step Two

Make cute little signs either using Photoshop, by hand or just buying cards and writing something in them to add to the baskets.

Step Three

Fill the baskets with tissue paper of your choice to fill in the empty spaces around the items and make the basket look pretty.

Step Four

Put it all together! Lay out the items nicely and remove any packaging that would require scissors as guests will most likely not have scissors handy.

Extras:

1.       Depending on the use of your basket you can also put the entire basket in cellophane wrap and tie with a ribbon.

2.       You can also sprinkle some sparkly or shaped confetti into the basket for an added detail

Things to Consider When Hosting a Backyard Wedding

I love the idea of a daughter/son growing up and choosing to have their wedding in their parent’s backyard or maybe their own backyard. However, I think there is a misconception that backyard weddings are simple and inexpensive, so I am here to point out a few things you might not have thought of. Below is a list including some suggestions, as well as, questions to think of while planning the wedding.

1. The condition of the premises. You want to make sure the landscaping is beautiful for the backdrop of your photos.
2. Will neighbours be upset by loud music playing into the wee hours of the morning
3. Ensure the ground is ready for high traffic and high heels. You might want to put some stepping stones down in certain areas.
4. Do you have a backup plan if it rains or are you going to rent a tent?
5. Where is everyone going to park? Is there going to be someone directing the parking so it is organized? How is everyone getting home if there is going to be drinking? Taxi or are you maybe going to hire a bus at a certain time?
6. What if it is too hot or too cold outside? Will you have heaters or fans available?
7. ICE! If you are having a summer wedding ensure you have a freezer large enough to hold a lot of ice for the drinks
8. Consider the flow of people from when they arrive to the ceremony/reception location. You might want to consider putting up signs so everyone knows where to go and when.
9. Do you have enough easily accessible washrooms for the guests?
10. Don’t forget the amount of things you will need to rent. The cost of rentals can really add up. You will need: a tent with a floor, tables, chairs, a bar, music system, cutlery, plates, cups, portable washrooms, decor, linens
11. You might also want to hire servers and/or bartenders
12. If the wedding is going to go into the night do you have any light source to keep the reception area lit, as well as, the walking paths to the washroom and parking lot (ex. lanterns, flashlights, candles)

Ensure Children Have Fun at Your Wedding Too!

Before I get into all the fun activities you can set up for children I want to briefly discuss the etiquette for inviting children to your wedding. If you are having children in the wedding ceremony (flower girl and ring bearer) it is only polite to invite all guests’ children. Also, if guests are coming from out of town to attend your wedding it is polite to allow them to bring their children. They are already paying for their hotel room and travel expenses; they will not want to pay for a babysitter and probably will not know one in town. Although it is your day it is important to consider your guests and their families experience too! Ok now on to the fun part!...

If you are inviting children to your wedding you need to have some activities planned to keep them busy while the adults are having fun! There are many different things you can do. The option best for you depends on the location and time of your ceremony and reception.

Activities to keep the little prince and princesses happy:

1.       Hire a story teller/impersonator- this is someone who dresses up as a character and vibrantly reads stories and does other activities while in character.

An example: http://www.winnipegprincesspartiesandmore.com/

2.       Scavenger Hunt List with Disposable Camera. The children run around and find/take pictures of everything on the list.

3.       Hire a face painter- Children love face painting! You can even get the painter to use colours that match your decor or theme

4.       Have a children’s table/room or tent: You can have a movie playing, bubbles, lego, colouring books, puzzles or maybe even a simple craft project

5.       Have colouring books available at the ceremony: This is a quiet activity they can do right in their lap while you are saying your vows

6.       A Play Dough station (non toxic) with cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Check out this site for lots of fun Play Dough ideas: http://www.oneperfectdayblog.net/2012/11/23/play-dough-fun-with-christmas-cookie-cutters/

 

Note: Don’t forget to offer children friendly foods! Chicken fingers, pizza, veggies and dip and maybe some cookies for dessert are all simple and inexpensive ways to keep kids happy

I would not suggest:

1.       Hiring a balloon artist: Most likely a few children will pop their balloons and then they will be sad and start crying.

2.       Hiring a clown: Some children find them really scary.

3.       Any kind of bouncing castle or inflatable slide because that is an activity that parents will want to be make sure their children don’t get hurt.

4.       Avoid anything that children could potentially choke on

You can check out these cute websites for some more ideas:

http://bridalmusings.com/2012/03/what-to-include-in-a-kids-activity-goody-box-at-a-wedding/

http://www.kidfriendlyweddings.com/c.aspx?n=wedding-ideas-for-kids-at-weddings

Shadow Boxes! Your next addiction...I guarantee it!

I am currently addicted to Shadow Boxes. They are the greatest thing since quinoa lol. For those of you who don’t know what shadow boxes are allow me to briefly explain. A shadow box is a 3d frame that you can purchase at Michaels or maybe even Walmart that you put on your wall and fill with absolutely anything you want that will help you remember to save for an event/trip in the future.

You can make a shadow big for:

1. Your wedding
2. Your anniversary
3. Your honeymoon
4. Your next vacation
5. Your baby shower
6. Your birthday party or your children’s birthday party
7. Any Holiday: Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, Halloween

Some fun examples:

1. You really want to go to The Bahamas for your honeymoon but it is really expensive. You print out a picture of your dream honeymoon and place it in the frame. Every day you put $20 into the frame and watch as the savings grow towards your dream trip.
2. Fill the picture frame with anything that inspires you for your dream trip: magazine articles, amazing pictures, pictures of cute outfits, lists of things you want to do. Everything that relates to the trip you put into the box.
3. Your dream wedding you can gather all the business cards, pictures, colour ideas, pamphlets or anything else that inspires you for your perfect day.

Once the event occurs you take out all your inspirational material and fill the shadow box with any items from your trip or event that have sentimental value. If it is a vacation you can put a small bottle of sand, a beautiful shell and your favourite pictures. If it is your wedding you can put some flowers from your bouquet, your garter, a decoration from your tables or cake, an invitation and some pictures. The possibilities are endless!!

Check out my Pinterest account for some inspirational Shadow Box ideas: http://www.pinterest.com/firstclassevent/pins/

Michaels has many different shadow box options you can choose from (http://www.michaels.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Michaels-Site/default/Search-AdvancedSearch?cgid=entire&simplesearch=Search&q=shadow+boxes).

NEW!! WEDDING SOCIAL COORDINATION SERVICE

NEW!! WEDDING SOCIAL COORDINATION SERVICE

This is what every Manitoban Bride needs! Every bride in Manitoba will say the same thing; planning their wedding social is the most stressful part of planning their wedding. First-Class Event Planning is here to help! We have created a Wedding Social Coordination Service. This service will decrease the stress and anxiety surrounding your wedding social and allow you to relax and enjoy your party!

The Wedding Social Coordination Service includes the following features:

1. Help obtaining the liquor license for your social. I will explain what you need to do and what the regulations are.
2. I will help you determine the correct about of alcohol to purchase
3. If you provide me with all your prizes before your social date I will organize, sort and wrap them into the prize packages.
4. I will help set up your hall décor (if you choose to have any)
5. I am the “go to” person for questions, problems, concerns or complications. This enables you, your family and your wedding party to relax and enjoy the night.
6. I create the schedule for the shifts at your ticket sale table, with backup individuals scheduled in case someone does not show up. I ensure there is always someone selling the drink tickets, 50/50 draw tickets and prize tickets.
7. I monitor the cash box and ensure funds are put into the safe when needed.
8. The week of your event I meet with you and ensure you have not missed any little details.
9. A schedule will  be created for the night to ensure the DJ, food, prize announcements and any other events of the evening are completed in a timely manner.

This service includes one face-to-face meeting the week of your wedding social and I will be there the entire night making sure everything runs smoothly.

To check out some of my previous work and learn a bit more about First-Class Event Planning check out our website.
http://firstclasseventplanning.com/new-wedding-social-coordination-service/

7 TIPS TO DECREASE WEDDING PLANNING STRESS

Tip 1. Plan in advance. No matter what size your wedding is it is best to start planning early. Even if your wedding is smaller it is important to plan for problems.  Complications always come up and it is much easier to fix them when you have time on your side.

Tip 2. Research your vendors. If you do the research on your vendors you will have confidence in their work and be less stressed about the result on your wedding day. Don’t just rely on one person’s recommendation as they might have different taste and requirements then you.

Tip 3. Rely on friends and family. As a bride you want to make sure every detail of your wedding is perfect, however, you can’t do everything yourself. Trust your friends and family to help you.

Tip 4. Incorporate “chill-out” time into you planning. Make sure you and your significant other have time together to just relax and enjoy each other’s company. Don’t talk about the wedding!

Tip 5. Establish boundaries at the beginning. It is important for your family and friends to understand this is your wedding and you are not going to be able to please everyone. Having a chat with everyone at the beginning of the wedding planning will make your experience a lot easier.

Tip 6. Work with your significant other. You and your groom might not agree on everything but it is important that you work as a team. The wedding is about both of you and it is important you make decisions together.

Last, but definitely not least

Tip 7. Hire a professional: I realize I am a wedding planner so I am biased, but it really is true. If you hire a full service wedding planner you will have someone with you through all the decision making and if you hire a day-of coordinator you will have someone on the day to make sure everything runs smoothly and take care of all complications. Having a wedding coordinator is a huge weight off the couples’ shoulders.

The Wonderful Wedding Show: Ideas for inspiration!

My booth at The Wonderful Wedding Show. I was going for romantic with a hint of royal. The gold and plum purple really add that royal feeling and the champagne and diamonds add that bit of romance. I also wanted the display to be a bit fun and not too serious so I got a kindof wild centerpiece.