Party Planning Ideas, Tips, and Tricks

From being pardoned in the elevator to why we ask you to stand by windows all of the time: what your wedding photographer wishes you knew.

You’re in! You’ve been invited to that coveted dinner party and you’re having a ball. Want to be invited back to the next party? Here’s a list of what not to do if you want to make it to the party guest list.

The perfect party requires perfect planning! There are several things to consider when planning your party. Before you make out your guest list and buy your decorations, take a minute to put your plan on paper.

Did you know that the Moon sign of your wedding date has a lot to do with what you want for your marriage? Those qualities will define your marriage. So choose that date wisely, and during the right Moon sign!

Getting married at the courthouse doesn't mean you have to forfeit all the style and sentiment of a traditional wedding! Try one or all of these ideas to make your courthouse wedding a day to remember.

Here is a list of our favorite baby shower games. These are the five most fun baby shower games we have played over the course of our multiple baby showers. We hope you enjoy them as well.

Speech writing can be a hugely daunting task, and inspiration may be hard to come by. In this article, I have included the speeches from my own Bar Mitzvah, and I hope that the jokes/ideas can be adapted and used today.

Planning a dinner, gala, or fundraiser for a non-profit can be stressful and time-consuming. Read over these pointers to learn how to plan, delegate, and remain level-headed throughout the process. You can raise funds for your organization and have a blast doing it!

Here are ideas for classic expressions of congratulations and quotes you can incorporate in your wedding message. There are also funny and religious messages and a DIY Framed Fabric Message Tapestry.

This article covers what brides-to-be can expect should they choose to convert to Catholicism for their future spouse.

Here you will find a list of edible foods that glow and foods that look bright under a black light, as well as a recipe for glow in the dark salad and desserts.

Candy birthday corsages for girls went out of fashion a long time ago. Is this vintage tradition ready for a comeback?

The date of the world ending is December 21, 2012, or so some would have us believe. Whether or not it does why not plan the perfect party to celebrate the end of days!

Learn how to throw a decadent 1800s Victorian-themed party for your next birthday, bridal shower, baby shower, or Halloween party. Ideas for decorations, menus, costumes, games, and more.

Want a clever alternative to the old fashioned guest book at your wedding? Try a beautiful wishing tree where guests write their happy thoughts and well wishes and hang them on a tree.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of great party ideas to make any 10-year-old boy's birthday feel special.

Use Mason jars to create beautiful decorations for your wedding. Consider using them as candleholders, favor containers, pew markers, and more!

See some ideas and suggestions to help you plan your pirate-themed wedding. This article includes links for a variety of pirate wedding venues.

So, you've been asked the honor of standing in your friend's wedding as a bridesmaid and you don't want to mess up. Good for you! Follow these tips to be the best bridesmaid ever.

Throw a successful literary cocktail party with your friends. This one won't disappoint!

One of the biggest mistakes most couples make in this area of their wedding planning is simply to jump online and search "wedding venues." However, there are plenty of places you can hold your wedding that aren't necessarily labeled as such. Here are a few unique ideas for your wedding ceremony.

DIY bridal bouquets are easier than you may think, even when you long for a cascade style. This article has pictures, advice and several videos to show you how it's done, using fresh or silk flowers.

Truthfully, linens for a wedding are simply cloth items such as napkins, tablecloths, table runners, chair ties, and even chair covers.

Here's a look at the cookie table, a delicious Pittsburgh wedding tradition. You are in for a treat when you learn about the history of this custom and how easy it is to set up. Think about incorporating this idea into your own wedding celebration!

What?! Make your own dress? This is a joke, isn't it? Nope! It may sound difficult, but it's really not as difficult as it sounds. Time-consuming, yes, but difficult, no. Read on to find out how!

The lowdown on everything you need to get courthouse-hitched in class!

You've decided to get married in a barn? This unique venue presents its' own charms and challenges. Learn how to make your barn wedding the wedding of your dreams!

Simple-to-execute tips for stretching your wedding flower dollars while creating a lovely setting for your special day taken from the expertise of a professional floral designer.

Wedding speeches are a time honored tradition that comes natural to some, but not to most. Here are some tips to help you write a memorable speech for everyone, including the happy couple.

You won't believe how much can be saved on your wedding day with these mind-blowing DIY wedding decorations ideas.

Yoruba traditional weddings are always extraordinary occasions, often characterized by fun, feasting, and deep traditional provisions by both families.

includes lots of quick, easy, and inexpensive ideas for games, prizes, costumes, decorations, and food for a party based on "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings."

Planning a party is difficult at the best of times. Planning a themed party for kids is even more difficult. How do you keep the children busy? How do you make scrumptious food that links to the theme? What about invitations? Games? Snacks? Prizes? These are some of the questions that you must answer in order to plan a successful themed party.

If you are planning a multi-cultural wedding, things can get very tricky. Use these tips to make the most memorable wedding experience for all people involved.

After 18 years of marriage, we wanted to renew our wedding vows on a beach, but we didn't want to break the bank doing it. Here's our story of how we made a memory of a lifetime, but on a budget.

A great black-light party needs the right ideas and decorations. In this article, I'll provide fantastic tips and review the top five black-light party supplies.

Zumba fundraisers are a fun and unique way to raise funds for a variety of non-profit groups, schools, charities and causes. Learn how to plan a successful fundraising event in this article.

It's the event before the big event...gender reveal parties are what's trending. There's no better way to allow friends and family be a part of the special time of life! Learn how to throw one here.

Yay for slumber parties! Choosing fun activities for your own sleepover can be difficult, so we made a list of our favorite things to do during a sleepover to help you out!

When trying to find the perfect wedding dress, some brides get lucky and find THE dress right off the bat. The very first dress they step into winds up being the one they walk out with. Not all of us can get so lucky though, so here are some tips for finding the best dress possible!

Learn the benefits, costs, and limitations of these ten popular wedding flower varieties so you can get the best look and quality on your special day! This article will save you from common floral frustrations.

This article has tips for a wolf-themed birthday party. Includes ideas for decorations, a wolf birthday cake and cupcakes, and gift suggestions. Plus, photos and videos.

Need a fun idea for a summer birthday? Try throwing a carnival birthday party complete with fun food, games, and prizes!

These songs have proven themselves as the absolute best all-time wedding songs for every aspect of a wedding. If you are looking for wedding music ideas, you've come to the right place!

The backdrop of the stunning Smoky Mountains makes Gatlinburg a premier wedding destination location. This is a guide to the best and most beautiful wedding chapel venues in the area.

The key to a successful birthday party at any child's age is to remember that the goal is to make that child feel special while helping guests to have a good time, too. As simple as this assertion is, making it happen requires that you set up the right conditions. This party helps you to create a fun party environment, no matter what the theme of your party.

Are you ready for the future of partying? Learn how to throw a blast of a futuristic cosmic party with tips on food, costumes, decorations, music, and more!

This is an article all about party games for 10- to 14-year-olds.

Planning a unique wedding can be a challenge in today's world, as there are so many customs you can use on your big day. This article will help you to create your Scottish wedding.

At my spring 2008 wedding, we combined Khmer and American traditions (and even some Korean ones!). Learn more about our unique customs and see pictures of the beautiful traditional outfits we wore.

Tips, tricks, and personal anecdotes for planning a lower-impact, eco-friendly wedding ceremony and reception!

Are you a fan of the Food Network's hit show Chopped? Learn how to have your own Chopped Challenge at home and throw a memorable dinner party your friends will never forget.

Weddings in Nigeria are celebrated in style, whether it's the traditional or white (church) wedding. Here are images and details of a wedding incorporating both the Ibo and Yoruba traditions.

How to use a family gathering or reunion to share information about your family history and gather new information.

A handfasting is a less fussy version of a wedding. It’s relaxed, fun, and the happy couple can structure it any way they wish. It can take place anywhere, and anyone or no one can officiate.

Planning a wedding and reception can seem like a daunting task but it does not have to be. With some forethought, you can have a lovely wedding even if you don't have a lot of cash.

With less waste, fewer dishes, and minimal cleanup, bring-your-own-plate parties are a wonderful way to support the environment. Consider making your next event a BYOP party and inspire your friends and family to do the same!

Find time-saving printable templates for all ages. Includes games to play based on the Harry Potter books. Name generator, polyjuice potion game, and Harry Potter bingo.

Looking for a non-traditional wedding ceremony? How about handfasting, an ancient Celtic wedding custom that is beautiful and meaningful. Handfasting is not just for Pagan weddings.

The Catholic wedding process can be overwhelming, but it can also be very helpful in strengthening your marriage from the start.

I've done the legwork for you to find the best, most excellent Mario Brothers party ideas on the web!

So, you want to get married but you don't really want to have a wedding? Is it even okay to not have a wedding? Here's ten reasons to skip the wedding and get married at the courthouse instead.

All you need to make a glowing game of Twister is glow paint and white fabric. So grab a paint brush, stretch your limbs, and get ready to get twisted!

Looking for fun and creative ocean-themed birthday party ideas? Read to find DIY ideas and pictures for invitations, decorations, food ideas, party games for kids, and much more.

Looking for an awesome selection of father-daughter wedding dance songs? This article includes songs from a wide variety of artists spanning many years and genres, including Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Adele, and more.

Looking for tips on throwing an amazing '70s-themed birthday or Halloween party? Look no further! Find ideas for themed party food, decorations, costumes, invitations, music, and more right here!

Learn how to have the best Lego-themed birthday party imaginable. Your kids will love it!

Do you have a son that's "all boy?" Here are 10 great party theme ideas to help you celebrate his birthday!

Here is a list of some funny jokes and one-liners you can tell as an MC, as well as some tips on how to write and choose the right jokes for your audience.

Three quick and easy ways to fold a cloth napkin.

A wedding is one of the most memorable and important high points in an individual’s life. It is the moment when two people express their love and commitment to each other—the moment when the promises of love and devotion are solidified. Your vows are your opportunity to put your joy into words.

Here are some easy, fun games I've offered at baby showers I've planned that have all been very successful and made for great photos, as well.

Entertain with ease with a no-hassle make-your-own pizza party. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

A movie-night party is a great theme for people of all ages. This article features everything you will need for your movie-night party planning.

Looking for an awesome selection of mother-and-son wedding dance songs? This article includes songs from a wide variety of artists spanning many years and genres, including The Beatles, Josh Groban, James Taylor, and many more.

Advice and ideas for your peacock-inspired wedding. Read about how I used peacock designs and feathers in my wedding invitations, centerpieces, flowers, and other decorations. Includes pictures from my very own wedding.

Finding the right words to say is really difficult, which is why this article offers wedding vow examples, sayings, and quotes for him and her to help guide you and inspire you to write your own unique vows.

A complete list of all those things you might forget when planning your special day—with plenty of tips as well!

From the cheap to the eco-friendly, here are some ideas for your two-year-old's birthday party favors!

Host a great Hawaiian luau party with these ideas for decorations, costume, food and drinks, party games, music, volcano cakes, and smoking party drinks.

Ever been a wedding guest or planned your own wedding? Then you likely have your share of wedding no-nos. This article shares a few important "dont's" for the guests as well as for the bride and groom.

Not sure how to ask someone to the prom? Here's a list of 50 unique and fun ideas covering all sorts of themes, like sports or entertainment. You'll find the perfect promposal idea for your moment.

Looking for a creative theme to give your party that extra something? Consider heading back to the roaring, swinging 20s for a fun theme-party featuring a speakeasy, gangsters, jazz music, casino games, good food, and a raid by cops with billy clubs to top it all off!

There are dozens of traditions associated with Scottish weddings. Some are still carried out today while others are no longer practised. This article looks at some of the customs that are observed before, during, and after the wedding.

If you are planning a birthday party for a teenager, consider these suggested activities for groups of teens, from low-key to extravagant, depending on your budget and their interests.

Looking to jam out to newer songs at your wedding? Here's my list of the best love songs that came out in 2017 to play at your wedding and reception.

I've put together this guide to writing wedding vows as a resource for those who are struggling with the process.

Need a theme for your upcoming party or gala? Here are 15 creative theme idea.

Wedding games are a fun way to celebrate the newlywed couple and give the audience a few laughs, too. The Wedding Shoe Game is a great reception activity that everyone will enjoy!

Here are 10 ten things the bride and groom should avoid doing during their wedding.

Follow these tips on how to give a toast to your wife on her 40th birthday and watch her face light up with joy on her special day.

This page is about how to plan a birthday party. It gives easy steps to use when planning your party. Ideas for the guest list, invitations, decorating, activities, food menu, and birthday cake.

This article will go over how to go about throwing a block party.

Castles make a great venue for a wedding and there are several great Scottish castles that can be hired for your special day.

Have you wondered which flowers are available during the month of your wedding? Check out these lists of flowers that I've categorized for you to find what's fresh, fits your color scheme, and how to make it all work together on your special day.

Traditional Igbo weddings and ceremonial outfits are modern, classy, creative, and beautiful—from the bride and groom to the beautifully dressed guests.

All brides want a beautiful wedding. But is founding your marriage on debt really what you both need? Read on to find out how to still have your dream wedding and reception without breaking the bank.

Planning a kids' party? Need inspiration? How about a Minecraft-themed party? I've pulled together lots of fun ideas for Minecraft fans to help you plan the perfect event. Let's party!

Here are some kid-tested games that everyone can enjoy. These are easy and fun birthday party games and ideas created by a family that loves Lego!

This article includes step-by-step directions for easy games and activities for a "Wizard of Oz" party. These games are easy to put together using things you have around the house or can buy at the store.