What a blessed day! We had the joy of celebrating the marriage of our first-born, Candice, to Micah Haury on January 15, 2011. Here we are with the bride and groom and our other kids, Chase and Rachel. We're excited for this wonderful couple as they begin their journey has husband and wife.
One of the things that made a huge impression on me that day, was how stress-free it was! I've put on kids' birthday parties that were more stressful than that! I appreciate all the great people who had a hand in making it what it was. Whether you're hosting a luncheon for fellow staff, a neighborhood barbeque, or a 50th wedding anniversary for one hundred, see this issue's Timely Tips for a stress-free event and party on!
TIMELY TIPS - Party On Stress-free
- Create a home for all the notes and information you'll be collecting regarding your event. Label a folder, binder, or computer file. If it's a large event, create subcategories for guest list, vendors, etc.
- Do your research-- get referrals from friends and family and search online for themes, games, decorating ideas, vendors, and helpful tools. Real Simple has some great ideas.
- Secure a date, location, and vendors.
- Create your guest list and send the invitations. If your guests all use email consider using an online service for invitations like evite.com, which will email your invitations for free and track your RSVPs.
- Create your "To Do" list including everything from shopping for food and decorations, to ironing tablecloths. Transfer the duties onto your calendar, scheduling as much ahead of time as possible.
- Enlist the help of friends and family and have an assigned assistant on the day of the event (even for a kid's birthday party).
- Create an event day time line for everything that needs to be done and when. Distribute it to each of your vendors and helpers.
- Be prepared with a written list of "To Dos" for the day of, so you can delegate as help arrives.
- Expect something to go wrong so you won't be totally thrown for a loop if or when it does. Put it in perspective-- will anyone remember ten years from now that the icing on the cake didn't match the centerpiece?
- On the day, do your part and trust others to do theirs. Welcome your guests and celebrate with joy!
WISE WORDS
You never know where wise words will show up! I saw these on a beat up truck's bumper sticker:
"DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK"
If you think you can't get organized, or there's something wrong with you if you can't do it on your own, don't believe it. Give me a call 559.871.3314