celebrate /

a guide to slmchahs 0

photography

248.669.6080

Special offer:

$400.00

package
discount with
code D1N2

continued from page C6

WWW. iemusphoto.corn

haribat mitzvah . wedding . social event

"You do the cookin,' honey" and we'll dress up
your house for a party!

Let us handle the rentals, linens, flowers and decor

Create gorgeous table settings or a dazzling cocktail buffet

Design a WOW! theme party or an
enchanting garden wedding

Provide an unforgettable ambience and an excellent
staff for special occasions, indoors and out,
at your home or at a favorite venue
and more, more, more

C

./

Initial consultation at no charge

PASSION for Party design

Floreen Halpern,
Award Winning Party Designer, Amaryllis

248.930.0345

1574640

C 8

celebrate!

March 2010

"Once you add up all the costs, you may be better off having your party at a syna-
gogue, hotel or clubhouse," said Keith. "Tents can be expensive, especially if you want a
dance floor. You may also need heaters or fans. Then there's the caterer, plus rental fees
for furniture, tableware, glasses and linens. It adds up pretty quickly!'
If you decide to have your party somewhere other than your home, Janice Cherkasky
of Gourmet Parties, Inc., in Franklin recommends asking about hidden costs, such as
valet parking, tipping, extra room rental charges, sound systems or video equipment,
and colored table linens.
For casual parties at any time of year, pot-luck dinners at home are back in vogue,
according to Keith.
"It's a great way to share the work and the expense," she said. "Have each guest (or
couple) bring a dish and a bottle of wine to go with it and you've got a party."
Whether you're entertaining at home or hosting out-of-town guests who are coming in
for the big event, there are a lot of things you can do to transform your house without
major renovations or expenditures.
Event planner and designer Dave Heidt suggests making liberal use of potted plants
and fresh flowers on your front porch and throughout the house.
"Small things like a fresh welcome mat, new towels, napkins and place mats can
make a big difference," said Heidt.
"Create conversation areas by
rearranging furniture and adding a
few inexpensive throw pillows, floor
lamps or area rugs."
Clean carpets and a new coat
of paint can brighten things up,
but make sure you allow plenty of
time. You don't want to be tripping
over equipment or breathing paint
fumes while you're trying to get
ready for your big event.
And don't forget the power of
de-cluttering. Clear off counter-
tops, tables and other surfaces.
Put away everything that isn't
Little gumball machines all in a row for the guests.
party-related.
When it comes to decor, Keith recommends looking for creative ways to achieve the
look you want without spending more than you can afford.
"If you like fresh flowers, but don't have the budget for ornate arrangements, go to
Costco and buy an assortment of cut blooms or pre-made bouquets," said Keith. "If you
have a relationship with a certain florist, talk to them about your goals and your budget
constraints and see if they're willing to work with you:'
One alternative to a lavish sweet table laden with expensive tortes and petit fors is a
candy buffet. Containers can be a mix-and-match assortment of glass, ceramic, plastic
or metal in varying shapes and sizes; square, round, short and tall. Use vases or drinking
glasses to hold licorice sticks or chocolate-dipped pretzels; fill flower pots or colorful
bowls with wrapped candy, marshmallow treats and other confections.
Keith warns against cutting corners on certain things, such as photographs and video
recordings. She says it may be better to compromise on something else and hire a
professional rather than delegate the picture-taking to a well-meaning friend or family
member.
"When the party is over, that's all you have left," she said. "You can't go back and re-
do your photos if you don't like the way they turned out."
Keith puts invitations in the same category. With the plethora of decorative papers,
trims and computer programs available today, it's easier than ever to design and print
your own invitations for every kind of occasion.
"But this only works if you're creative," she said. "If your invitations are going to turn
out looking like a third-grader's art project, you're better off ordering them from an
online site or going to a professional."
Keith also recommends saving money by having guests respond via e-mail instead of
using a printed reply card with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
"A limited budget doesn't mean you can't have anything you want," said Keith. "It just
means you can't have everything you want. It's a trade-off:'