TOTW : Special Events At Home

TOTW is pleased to write this five part series on hosting special events at home. The first entry in the series explored many of the logistical issues associated with parking. This second entry focuses on household capacity.

The question is simple: How many people can the house hold? There needs to be enough space for your guests, their cars, the tables and chairs, the DJ or band and the caterer, along with their crew. If the event is a wedding, there must be space for the ceremony and the reception. Of course, there is no place like home but be honest with yourself and accept that there is such as thing as being too close for comfort. If your home is not prepared to host a 100 person wedding or special event, you either have to trim the guest list or find an alternate location.

You don't need to have an estate to host a special event but you do need to be well equipped to deal with the amount of guests you invite to your home. Inclement weather can end the event, which is why it is essential to have a solid plan B. Tenting the backyard is one option. Keep in mind, renting a tent, dance floor, sidewalls, draping and lighting can add up. Of course, utilizing both indoor and outdoor space is another option, however. Should all the guests be forced to stay inside, will everyone fit? Again, if your home is not prepared to host a 100 person wedding or special event, you either have trim the guest list or find an alternate location.

Hosting any special event is all about being prepared. Hosting a special event at home means you have to go above and beyond to ensure your event is a success.

This is a five part posting. Check back next week for tips on Bathrooms and Cleaning.

Photo courtesy of Splash

Wedding Invitation: 2

Custom design wedding monogram and invitation for Christopher and Natalia's destination wedding!

Do you love this monogram or invitation? Well, they can be yours! If you are interested in either design, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

Wedding Monogram: 5

Wedding monogram for Hillary and Todd
Do you love this monogram? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this monogram, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

Men's Style Guide

Men can often be left by the wayside when it comes to getting dressed up for weddings and special events. There is always more than enough information available for women to learn what looks best on their body type, and guides to help pick the right style but never enough for the men. Without saying, I was overjoyed when I found a very detailed library of men's style articles called Men's Style Guide on A Tailored Suit, a website dedicated providing men the tools to educate themselves and build the clothing that best complements their individual style. What's even better is that once you have educated your man on his fashion needs, he can then order the suit and have it custom made...without leaving the house. A Tailored Suit is a great site for men to design the perfect suit, built to their specs.

L | D Finds : Zummi's Stilettos

Zummi's stiletto inspired font rocks! I wish he would turn it into a font. It would be perfect to use for bachelorette invitations.

L | D Finds : Bridal Toolbox

I love this website. Not for what it offers, which are personal websites -and I am sure they are fabulous! - but I love that they lists a daily wedding tip. Bridal Toolbox posts daily tips for the bride and groom to help make the wedding day a little less stressful. Check them out every day as they display a new tip at random from their collection. Here is what was posted today:

It's easy to get so caught up in wedding planning that you forget to enjoy your last months of single life, and perhaps even the big day itself.

Flavor Palm Beach Is Back

Remember Palm Beach Restaurant Month? Well, calling all foodies again because it's time for Flavor Palm Beach. For the second year, Flavor Palm Beach, set to kick off September 1st through the 30th in Palm Beach County. This spectacular month gives foodies the dining opportunity to sample some of the area's most extraordinary restaurants and experience first-hand Palm Beach's classic position as a culinary destination. Dig into summer and savor an array of culinary styles with three-course, prix fix menus from 14 restaurants.The area’s most delicious restaurants will be offering a special 3-course menu for only $19.09 for lunch and $30 for dinner.

To celebrate the month long event, Flavor Palm Beach will be hosting a kick-off party on August 28 from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. This will give foodies a chance to taste what these restaurants have in store. For $15, or $20 at the door, foodies will be able to sample menu items from all the participating restaurants, enjoy free drinks, listen to live music and have a chance to receive a gift bag to bring home - if you are one of the first 300 guests to arrive.

The event will take place by the fountains at the east end of Clematis Street in West Palm Beach and will benefit the American Red Cross of the Greater Palm Beaches.

Wedding Etiquette: Responsibilities of the Mother of the Bride

Exactly what role does the mother of the bride play during her daughter's wedding. The primary responsibility is to see that the bride's wishes are carried out the bride's way. It will be the mother of the bride's responsibility to help the bride plan her wedding with her own tastes in mind…not the mother's, unless, it is the true desire of the bride to "let mom run things." Below is a list of rules that highlight the traditional responsibilities of the mother of the bride.


Mother of the Bride's Responsibilities:

• Help the bride select her wedding attire. Remember, this is not your wedding. If you find yourself talking the bride out of a gown she loves, you may be overreaching.
  Help the bride and groom decide on a wedding budget. Settling money issues upfront is always best. A good clear budget will help everyone with their expectations.
• In the event that the Mother of the Groom does not contact you, you will make the first contact.
• See that the guest lists are put together. The invitations must be ordered as soon as possible, and the guest list will be critical in making your invitation order.
• Reservations for out-of-town guests, invited by the bride's family, are the responsibility of the mother of the bride. It will be much more convenient if a block of rooms are reserved at a nearby hotel, which is near her home.
• Choose your gown for the wedding day. Immediately tell the Mother of the Groom the colors and style so that she may begin looking for a complimentary gown. Send a swatch of material to the Mother of Groom if possible.
• See that instructions for the actual ceremony are given. This includes the seating schedule and the receiving line at reception, as well as any special touches the bride may choose to have at her wedding.
• The role as mother of the bride, in the ceremony, may include lighting the family candle on the altar, along with the mother of the groom. Family candles are lit after the candle lighters have left the altar area, and prior to the entrance of the wedding party.
• Find a trusted friend or family member who is not in the wedding party to assist you throughout the wedding. You are the hostess for the entire event! Find someone who will help you with some of the details…sometimes a professional is best.
• Be familiar with the responsibilities of the Maid of Honor. You may want to have a conversation with the Maid of Honor to coordinate and avoid stepping on each other's toes.

Photo courtesy of eHow
Rules courtesy of Our Marriage

Wedding Monogram: 4

Wedding monogram and thank you sticker
for Jennifer and Thomas

Do you love this monogram? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this monogram, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

Wedding Monogram: 3

Wedding monogram for Daniel and Audra!

Do you love this monogram? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this monogram, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

For The Menu: Molten Chocolate Cakes

Molten Chocolate Cakes are sinfully delicious, easy to make and NEVER fail to impress a crowd. Use 6 oz. ramekins and serve as the perfect dessert at your next event.

Ingredients
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (optional, fresh fruit is another option)

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Butter four 3/4-cup custard cups or soufflé dishes and place on baking sheet.
Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 minute, or until butter is melted.
Stir mixture with a wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted.
Stir in sugar until well blended.
Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk.
Stir in flour.
Divide batter among prepared custard cups.
Bake 13 to 14 minutes, or until sides are firm but centers are soft.
Let stand 1 min.
Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen.
Invert cakes onto dessert dishes.
Serve immediately, topped with whipped topping or fresh fruit.

Photo courtesy of Make Life Delicious

TOTW : Special Events At Home

Thinking of hosting a special celebration at your home? Why not? It's a great way to cut down on the cost. Or is it? A lot of my clients assume hosting a wedding at their parents house, or throwing a surprise 50th anniversary party at home is less expensive than an independent venue. However, an at home celebration can sometimes be a lot more expensive! Here are a few things that you should consider before sending out the invites:

1. Parking
2. House Capacity
3. Bathrooms and Cleaning
4. Rental Needs
5. Electrical Capacity

Is there ample parking at your house? Probably not. Unless you have a super long driveway, your guests will have to park on your beautiful lawn and along the street you live on, which will probably upset your neighbors and a neighborhood association (if you have one). This may seem like a silly point until the night of your party when you have 50 to 100 people parking their cars.

In an effort to save your rep in the 'hood, invite your neighbors to attend the celebration. At least this way they won't be as ticked about the parking jam. They probably won't be upset about the late night noise either. But, if inviting your neighbors is not an option for your event, try dropping off some homemade cookies or a bottle of wine before the big night. Use the face-to-face time to make them aware of your event. Also, let them know just much you appreciate how understanding they will be! Remember, an army of cars will line the street the night of your event, and neighbors tend to be much easier going when they know the who, what, where, why and when in advance versus sitting in their living room and watching the event unfold live and guessing and stewing.

It is also wise to be proactive with your local police department. Give them a jingle and double check your town's noise ordinances and zoning laws. It would be a shame to have your big event cut short because of a 10 o'clock PM, or even worse, a 9 o'clock PM noise ordinance.

Depending on your budget, hiring valet is a great option. They will bring much needed organization and refuse the return of keys to guest who have had too much to drink. Note to the owner of the house, you will be held liable for irresponsible drinkers.

This is a five part posting. Check back next week for tips on Household Capacity.

Photo courtesy of Jason Walz on Real Simple

L | D Finds: DIY Letterpress

Wow, this made my morning. The Letterpress from Lifestyle Crafts, or L, sets the standard for easy to use, affordable letterpress printing that's practical for any home crafter. The Letterpress combo kit contains everything you need to begin letterpress printing right away and is set to arrive in stores this fall. Something tells me that Michaels 40% off coupon will not apply to this machine.

Our New Website Is Live

We are extremely excited to announce that the new Lauren Daversa Events website is officially live! There were a few glitches and it is not the final product but we just couldn't wait to hit the "GO LIVE" button.

Kid's Pool Party Invite

Josh is my good friend's son and is having his first pool party! Really, it is just an informal gathering of about twenty of his closest tween friends. His mommy had this design printed and mounted onto heavy-weight, textured cardstock. A very fun invitation!

Are you having a pool party and you love this invitation? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this invitation, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.