Unique Party Planning Perfection

I'm one of those people who loves organizing parties & events, but fears the actual menu-planning process of the whole thing. FEARS it. I'm actually not a half-bad cook when I know what I'm doing; where I falter is at the stage when I'm coming up with a menu. Not only do I struggle with guesstimating how much food I'll need for my guests (a true perfectionist, I always overcompensate and buy too much, blowing oodles of money on food that ultimately goes to waste. My mother would plotz ...), but I am clueless about "timing". You know -- what to do first, when to turn that on etc. etc.

If you're on this site, there's a good chance you'll be hosting a wedding-related event at your home in the next little while. Whether its a bridal shower for your girlfriend, a welcome-back soiree after your destination wedding or even your very first house party as a "real" married couple, menu-planning is in your near future, oh yes! If only we all had the money to hire party planners like the celebrites do .... but wait! We do! And it's extremely affordable AND it doesn't matter where in the world you're located! Intrigued? Read on ...

I recently stumbled across a fab website that I thought I would share with you, as it sure had me tickled pink. Party Designers is a web-based party planning company run by the lovely Andrea Worsley (see pic at left ... isn't she adorable?). Click on the link, fill out the questionnaire, and for the price of $25 receive a fully-personalized menu complete with shopping list and prep tips (including timing -- hallelujah!). For an additional $13 you can also receive wine pairings specific to your menu.

The truly unique thing about Party Designers? Menus sent to you are not, repeat NOT taken from and created by a computer database. Instead, an actual honest-to-goodness planner reviews your questionnaire answers and designs a menu around your specific needs. Fabulous enough for ya?

I love love love this idea, love love love that its a local company (what up Calgary! Woot woot!) and will be using Party Designer's services for my upcoming holiday party. I also love that company founder Andrea has recently started a blog of her own at http://partydesignersecrets.blogspot.com/ ... check it out for cooking tips, recipies and more!

*all pictures courtesy of Party Designers*

Breakfast Show Vendor List

This past Wednesday I was lucky enough to make an appearance on the Calgary Breakfast Show . Susanne Fox and I chatted about Epiphany Designs, the success of this little bloggie, and then I gave my "Top 5 Tips" to make a wedding unique. I'll do my best to get a copy of the clip up here somehow -- until then, just imagine me doing my best not to look terrified in the beginning, and then talking Susanne's ear off after that (a shrinking violet I am not, as Husband so often likes to point out)

Anyways, if you happened to catch the segment then you may be looking for a list of the vendors I mentioned. And here they are, just to help you out!

Photobook Companies

Blurb http://www.blurb.com/

My Publisher http://www.mypublisher.com/

Flowers (fresh, silk, or fresh-and-silk combo)

La Coquette http://fleurscoquettes.blogspot.com/

p.s. I LOVE La Coquette! Weren't those bouquets delicious? *sigh* I sense a flower design post coming up real soon .... here's a non-pro pic incase you missed them:

Photobooth

The Photobooth Company http://www.calgaryphotobooth.com/

Everything else was courtesy of my company Epiphany Designs, so if you want to know where to get those super-cute programs, table numbers or anything else, just drop me a line.

Preview for my next post: Planning an informal at-home reception? Or just want to know how to host a killer cocktail party? Stay tuned for my next post in a few days .. have I got a neat idea for you!