Event Planning Part 4 - The Meat and Potatoes of Event Planning

Choosing Your Menu

One of the most talked about aspects of any event is the menu. People love to eat and if they are invited to a party, one of the things they will usually be most excited about is the food.

It can be a daunting task, planning an entire menu for a group of twenty, thirty or three hundred people. But with some careful thought and proper event planning, you can prepare a menu that will not only satisfy your guest's appetites but it will impress them as well.

If the group that you are hosting is large, hiring an event planner might be in your best interest. The reason for this is that local event planners generally have an outstanding relationship with caterers. They know who is good, who serves what and which catering company will satisfy all of your dining needs. A benefit to hiring a catering company is that they handle all aspects of beverages and food. All you need to do is sit down with the person planning your event and decide on a menu that will fit into both the appetites of your guests and your budget. Armed with this information, the event planner will contact several caterers get a quote on your party and then come back to you with a few finalists. You'll be able to not only meet with the caterers, but generally you can also get a taste test of what they have to offer. This is a great approach because then you, as the host, are fully prepared for what will be served to your guests the day of the event.

If your soiree is a smaller affair, than you might decide to handle the event planning details of it yourself. This includes taking on the planning of the menu. In this case you'll consider whether a cocktail party, a sit down dinner or a buffet might be in order. Each of these alternatives offers distinct benefits. If you decide on a cocktail party, you'll need to choose several hors d'oeuvres that your guests will enjoy. It's usually prudent to plan on a few of each for every person attending. If you plan in that fashion, you won't be embarrassed by running short of food.

A dinner party or buffets are also good choices for a party. Depending on the number of guests invited you can plan either without too much difficulty. One important note is that whenever you are event planning and the function will include food it's wise to consider whether any of your guests have special needs when it comes to food. This can include things like diabetes or food allergies. If you are having someone attend who is highly allergic to a food, try not to serve that food at all.

When it comes to event planning, menu planning is a big factor. If you consider the size of your guest list and the time of the event, you can choose foods and presentation that fit the tone of your party to a tee.

Event Planning Part 3 - The First Step in Event Planning

Choosing the Invitations

Whenever you throw a party the first thing you consider is who you are going to invite. The guest list is important because the number of people attending has a direct impact on the venue and also on the menu. Whether you've hired someone to do your event planning for you, or you've taken on the task yourself, it's important to make a list of the invitees and then decide on the best method of asking them to attend.

If the event is a wedding, formal invitations are sent out months before the big day. Generally the bride and the groom visit a stationary store. If you do have the benefit of having a professional helping with the event planning, they may attend as well. Once there, you'll peruse various books with samples of wedding invitations. There are so many choices that the decision can seem almost overwhelming.

Once a style is chosen, an order is placed for the appropriate number of invitations based on your guest list. If you're tackling the job of addressing all the envelopes yourself, it's a good idea to ask for the assistance of someone you know with excellent handwriting. If someone is handling the event planning, they may secure the services of a calligrapher who will complete the envelopes for you. This is the preferred method by many engaged couples because it adds a simple elegance to the invitation.

If your event is just as important but on a smaller scale, as in a birthday party, you can approach invitations several ways. There are many event planning websites on the internet that offer templates for birthday invitations. A parent can download one of these and fill in the pertinent information, even personalizing the invitations for the children.

Children enjoy this because they automatically feel special when they see their name on the card announcing the party. If you've hired a professional to handle the event planning for the party, they might suggest an alternative for invitations or they may just request the guest list and handle the invitation design and mailing themselves.

The same approach is often taken for events such as wedding showers or baby showers. The invitations are designed to reflect the occasion. Anyone who has ever received a baby shower invitation appreciates the added benefit of a gift registry being mentioned in the invitation. Event planning services generally can aid the expectant parents in setting up their gift registry. It's a wise idea because new parents normally need so many small things, and allowing the guests to choose from a list makes the gift buying part of the event much easier.

Regardless of your event, if invitations are appropriate, it's important to get them out early and ask the invitees to respond regarding whether or not they can attend. This is essential for proper event planning because once you have a good idea of the size of the crowd; you can successfully plan on the other details that will make your party the best it can be.

Other helpful information regarding this can be found at:
Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe


For More Information Contact:
Hailey Pearson
Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe
Where the Past is Present
http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com

Event Planning Part 2 - Choosing a Theme for Your Next Event

One important aspect of event planning is choosing a theme for your party or gathering. Unless you are planning a wedding or a baby shower, the theme might not be obvious. The theme can be anything you choose, but it's important to remember your guests' comfort and therefore plan with that in mind. It's wise to have a theme that all guests can easily adapt to. Having to go out and purchase a new outfit or rent an elaborate costume is a burden for some people, and attending an event should be something that people look forward to.

One theme that lasts year after year is of course, the birthday party. Birthday parties are a wonderful cause for celebration and they can be enjoyed by people of virtually any age. If you are planning a youngster's birthday you might choose to have an additional theme. Two ideas are a sleep-over or a backwards party, where the children all put on their clothes backwards and the cake is served before dinner. In circumstances like this, event planning is fun for both the parents and the child. It's wonderfully rewarding for the child to be involved in every aspect of the planning of their birthday celebration; unless of course, you opt for a surprise party. Planning a surprise birthday party gets to be a bit trickier but with a little help and a great deal of patience, it can be an enormous success.

A popular theme for parties is having the guests wear costumes. This can be fun for everyone involved and children especially enjoy it during the Halloween season. It gives them an opportunity to put on something fun and act differently for a day. Event planning for a Halloween or costume party is much the same as any other event. You need to first contact the guests and tell them that they'll need to find a costume to wear. Then it's time to choose a menu and decorations. Although the theme is a bit different than your average cocktail party, the event planning aspect is very much the same. It is attention to detail that is most important.

Other popular themes that people enjoy for gatherings are:

• Hawaiian or a beach theme. All the guests dress up in swimsuits and straw hats and drink tropical drinks. This is especially enjoyable during the colder, winter months.
  
• A 1950s or 1960s flashback party. You can request that the guests dress from the era you've chosen and with the music that was popular back in the day playing, it will really be a blast from the past!
• Lets not forget the Historical, Medieval and Renaissance themes.

It's important when you are working on the event planning of any party, to choose a theme that people will enjoy and can be fit into any and all budgets. Once the party starts, don't forget to join in the fun with your guests. Whether it's a birthday party or a New Year's Eve party if you plan accordingly, you can make it an event that will long be remembered.

Contact Hailey Pearson for more insights into this topic.
Email: hailey@pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com

Other helpful information regarding this can be found at: http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com

For More Information Contact:Hailey Pearson
Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe
Where the Past is Present
http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com

Pearsons Renaissance Shoppe - Renaissance Clothing & Costumes

Pearsons Renaissance Shoppe - Renaissance Clothing & Costumes

The Essentials of Event Planning - Part 1

Easy Steps That Secure Success

If you've ever planned or hosted an event you know how overwhelming it can be. Attending to every small detail can leave you wishing the party was over before it even began. This is even more magnified if you are overseeing a large event such as a wedding or a dinner party for business associates. Something always seems to go wrong and it leaves the person in charge of event planning carrying the burden of the blame.

There are steps you can take to guarantee that the party will be a roaring success. One of those steps is to hire an event planner. If you really do feel as though all the small details are too much for you, you might consider hiring someone who specializes in event planning. There are many reputable companies who can offer you their services for a fee. All you do is explain the event to them, including your preferences when you wish to have the event, the theme of it and the menu and they handle the rest. The onus of the work is on them, and with their experience they can create exactly the type of gathering that you envision.

If finances are a concern and you can't afford the luxury of a professional event planning service, there are things that you can do that will help your event run as smoothly as possible. Here are a few ideas:

• Keep an ongoing list. Plan your event by writing down everything you need to do. As you complete those tasks, stroke them off the list and add new ones as needed.
  
• Choose a theme that is appropriate for all guests. It might be difficult for some people to rent or purchase special outfits for a theme party, so try and make it something that is accessible and affordable for every guest.
  
• Send out invitations or call with your invitation well in advance. Life is busy for many people and giving them sufficient notice will enable them to handle any arrangements they need to make, such as child care.
  
• Choose a menu that isn't too exotic. Although many people welcome new tastes, it's often more appropriate to offer menu items that all guests are familiar with, this way they won't be concerned about possible food allergies or digestive conflicts, if they know exactly what they are eating consists of.
  
• Enjoy the event. Often the host becomes so overburdened with party details that he or she neglects their own enjoyment. Plan the event so you will have free time during it to mingle with your guests. Event planning can be a tedious task, but with proper organization the work involved in planning the party or event can be well worth it. Getting together with family, friends or business associates in a social setting, is a great way to connect and communicate. With some attention to details before, the party can be a huge and often very fun success.
  

Contact Hailey Pearson for more insights into this topic.
Other helpful information regarding the can be found at: http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com.

For More Information Contact:
Hailey Pearson
Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe
Where the Past is Present
http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com/

Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe

Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe

Coming Soon!

Street Clothes
With a Renaissance Flair

Take some renaissance home with you for everyday wear. From Celtic Jeans to the Wide-Collar Blouse (with or without sleeves), Crop Tops and the loose and comfortable Essex Pants. Top the outfit off with the Long Vest, in either Cotton Velveteen or Denim. Dress the men in our variant Highlander Shirt, short sleeved and in a variety of casual patterns. Keep you eye on Pearson's Renaissance Shoppe for the grand un-veiling.

Lock-Lace Bodice and Brocade Bodice

Our new Lock-Lace Bodice will have all the custom-fit features of the Twill Bodice. Look for select Brocade Bodices to be available soon. Available Spring 2006.

New Highlander Shirts

By April, the Highlander Shirt will be available in an unbleached Natural muslin and the same Black as our Ren shirts. The new colors will be available in all four sizes. (M - 2XL)

Costume Jewelry

Look for costume jewelry to be added to the site soon!

Arms and Armour

Look for Swords, Daggers, Armour and all kinds of pointy things to be added soon to the Shoppe's inventory.