2015 New Year’s Eve Party Printable Collection

Wow, where did the year go?! Seems like just yesterday we were ringing in 2014 and now 2015 is around the corner. 2014 was really a year of growth for Party With a K! It was filled with new experiences, new business relationships, and new opportunities. The highlight of it all was being accepted to participate in the Seattle Wedding Show 2015. I cannot wait to show off my candy buffet designs to the future brides. But, there was one more highlight: the launch of 'Party With a K: The Shop'! PWAK: The Shop is for all your printables needs. I've started off small with just a few designs and whipped up this New Year’s Eve Printable Party Collection that was JUST featured on The Craftcaster Girls YouTube Channel (right before NYE! Phew!). I encourage you to share the shop with friends and on Pinterest and show me how you've used my printables to decorate your NYE party by hashtagging #NYE2015PWAK.

However you choose to celebrate, I hope you ring in the new year with good company.


Cheers!

2014 Fall Wedding Nails

Butter London: The Old Bill | OPI: Over the Taupe | Essie: Chin chilly | Essie: Cashmere Bathrope | Gelish: Mogul

OPI: You Don't Know Jacques | Beaute Louboutin: Rouge

Yay for fall! As much as I absolutely loved wearing fun, bright spring & summer nails at all of the weddings I attended, it's time to transition into deep reds and neutral brown tones that is fall. It's time to let those nails change like the beautiful leaves changing right before us. Whether you're into gel nails or a good old-fashioned manicure, the above nail polish fall favorites will get you in the pumpkin spice, cuddle weather, over-sized sweater fall mood just in time for all the fall weddings! Some of these nail colors are old-school shades with some new favorites like the the Beaute Louboutin Rouge color.

Got a fall nail polish shade you can't wait to try? Give me all the deets below!

How To Choose Your Queen Bees (Bridesmaids)

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It's no surprise that I have been in quite a few weddings. A real life "21 Dresses"! For every wedding I have had the pleasure of being apart of, it has always felt like an honor to be up near the Bride supporting her in her next chapter in life. Being a bridesmaid is a coveted title and not everyone is asked to be one so not only should you take it seriously, but the Bride-To-Be should take it seriously in asking you to be apart of such a special moment in their life. So how does one choose the perfect Bridesmaid? Here is my guide to choosing the right Bridesmaid:

1) It's Not About Quantity, It's About Quality.

Sure you've known so and so for "x" amount of years. But, was the friendship of quality? Have they supported you through all of your ups and downs in life and saw you through it all, including your relationship with your fiancée? It's not always about choosing your longest friend, it should be about your most supportive friend who will see you through your wedding and beyond.

2) Sister, Sister.

By default your sister(s) should be apart of your bridal party. Whether they serve as a maid or matron of honor is up to you, but nevertheless standing next to you as you say, "I Do!" is a must. On that same note, your future sister-in-law should be on the bridesmaid roster too if possible. That is just proper etiquette.

3) If Quantity Is a Concern, Consider Lifelong Friends

If your fiancé will only have a few people as groomsmen, by default you may feel like mirroring his quantity. If that's the case, consider your best friends starting from childhood, high school, college, and post college. Use that hierarchy when considering a cutoff. Your true friends will understand.

4) Be Weary of Choosing New Friends

So you have met someone that you've really been hitting it off with and it just so happens to be that your wedding is coming up. Should you ask them to be in your wedding since you see potential in the friendship? Steer clear of asking especially new friends to be in your wedding. There is a big chance that through the normal fluctuations in a relationship that they may not actually be this great friend you thought them to be. Again, consider your quality long-term friends first.

If you're worried about hurting great friend's feelings consider involving them in other parts of your wedding journey like your Engagement Party, Bachelorette Party, and Bridal Shower. Remember that this is your special day and you really can do as you please when choosing bridesmaids. No matter what, being invited to the wedding is an honor in and of itself.

The Low-down, Dirty Truth About Being a Maid Honor

Drawing by: The Jewel Store

For only a select few of you, you will be asked a pretty honorable question in your lifetime: "Will you be my Maid of Honor?" So here is the low-down dirty truth about it: The title and attention at the front of the altar are about the only glamorous things about it. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you are going to accept the title of Maid of Honor here are some more truths you should consider:

1. You're responsible for planning everything...EVERYTHING. Oh, you thought "so and so planned that"? Nope, you're wrong. When it comes to the bachelorette party, wedding shower/bridal shower, and the list goes on, it is your responsibility to coordinate everything. While getting help from other bridesmaids is a route you can take, overall you are the event coordinator.
2. You shouldn't expect to be paid back...for ANYTHING. During many parts of the wedding journey you're likely to have to dish out a little bit more money than the other bridesmaids to help make the bride-to-be's last fling memorable. Plan to set some money aside to account for the little things that need to be taken care of like tips, extra bachelorette party trinkets, taxis, first aid kits {haha} you name it! Keeping tabs isn't necessary because at the end of the day, the favor will be (or has been) returned.
3. You're not the one getting married. As much as you may despise the wedding colors, hate that the Bride isn't having open bar, or whatever other wedding detail you're not a fan of, you must remember that it's not you getting married. Therefore, keep those types of opinions to yourself (or your future wedding planner)!
4. You're the spokesperson. Are you good at public speaking? Well, brush up on your leadership and speaking skills because you will be the spokesperson for everything. You will be helping the wedding planner, you will be rounding up the brides, and you will lose your voice. 
5. Expect to bear the brunt of a lot of emotion. Stock up on some tissue and expect to be used as a punching bag every once in a while, because if your friend is like many brides, some water works and heavy emotions will be occurring throughout the wedding journey. Don't worry, she DOES still want to get married.

How To Plan a Tea Party

This past weekend I had the pleasure of helping to plan a fabulous Bachelorette Party. Each day we had a set itinerary filled with lots of fun and one of my favorite days to plan was the last activity: The Afternoon Tea Party. Traditionally, Afternoon Tea is a moment in the late afternoon, usually around 3PM/4PM where you indulge in tea, sandwiches, scones and cake. This British tradition is often replicated for many classy events such as wedding showers or baby showers so we didn't hold back in mimicking such a fun, upscale event as our last hurrah!

Decorations

To set the scene right, I brought a nice, clean, white linen to cover the table. This white linen paired well with the high back chairs and stoney table. I then adorned the center with classic flower centerpieces. You can get fun flower pots and vases from Michaels or random stores like ROSS or TJ Maxx. The green centerpieces were from Cost Plus World Market, another favorite for just about anything decorative! All of the flowers were faux flowers and still gave an elegant touch to the table though I encourage you to buy real ones. Flowers that are white, pink, and peach in color are just perfect.

Food

Tea sandwiches are the main course when it comes to Afternoon Tea, but I didn't bother slaving away making them, though it wouldn't be too hard to whip up in the kitchen with its simple ingredients. I opted for catering through QFC (a Kroger Family store). Just about any caterer knows how to make tea sandwiches. I would recommend to get them in assorted meat flavors. I am a huge fan of accompanying anything salty with something sweet, so having scones, mini cakes, and fruit as options during the Afternoon Tea is a plus.

Fun Fact: Rather than having cakes, I opted to provide Wedding Cake chocolate mints! They were so yummy and were a sweet treat to have concluding the Afternoon Tea!

Tableware

Bring out that China! Beautiful China is the best type of tableware to have during Afternoon Tea. Serving the tea in a tea pot with tea cups is a must. Don't worry about being matchy matchy with the silverware; having different tableware looks makes the table look that much more fancier!

Oh and one more thing: pinkies up when sipping your tea!

Dîner en Blanc - Portland Fun!

This weekend I had the pleasure of enjoying Dîner en Blanc - Portland and it was a blast! My significant other and I decided to make the trek from Seattle to Portland to participate and it was well worth the drive. In case you're wondering what Dîner en Blanc is, it is basically a group of random people coming together in a secret location dressed in all white to dine, sip, and dance the evening away. Starting in France 25 years, this fun way to have an exclusive dinner has spread across the world. Click here for more details on this super fun event. I always love documenting fun events with pictures and video (a lesson in Karen's Basic Fundamentals of planning a party) so I created this fun, short video to share in our experience. Check it out and be sure to participate in Dîner en Blanc in a city near you! 

Can I Wear White To The Wedding?

The answer is: It depends on the bride.

In a world where many traditions have been lost, some traditions are here to stay when it comes to weddings. However, that doesn't mean that every bride follows them. Wearing white as a guest to a wedding has been as of late, taboo. But, it's important to understand the story behind the tradition of the Bride wearing white to better understand if the color white is really off limits.

Here's a brief history:

The tradition of a white wedding dress is commonly credited to Queen Victoria's choice to wear a white wedding dress at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840. Before her, many brides were wearing different colored wedding dresses in addition to veils. The wearing of a white wedding dress soon turn into a representation of wealthy status as well as innocence and sexual purity. The color white was also the color girls were required to wear at the time when they were presented to the court.
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For the most part, most people have it engrained in their heads that you shouldn't wear white to a wedding. But, my suggestion is to ask the Bride how she would feel about you wearing white. However, if you don't want to make a big deal about it or draw unnecessary attention to yourself, I would avoid wearing white altogether {yes, that includes the white stripes and white polka dots on your tentative outfit of choice...haha!}. Check back next week for my list of awesome stores and latest dresses to wear at a wedding {that aren't white of course!}.

5 Ways To Have A Non-Alcoholic Bachelorette Party

It's the last fling before the ring for your friend who is about to tie the knot, but at her request, she wants a non-alcoholic Bachelorette Party. What to do, what to do.....In all honesty, you don't absolutely need alcohol to have a memorable Bachelorette Party experience so here are five (5) ways that you can have a FUN, non-alcoholic Bachelorette Party:

1. Have a Spa Day!
Life (and the wedding planning) can be so chaotic, so what better way to start off the Bachelorette Party by having a nice, relaxing day at the spa? Sip on ice cold lemonade and everyone can enjoy the soothing touch of the masseuse and girl talk.

2. Private Dining
Exclusivity is the key when it comes to making the Bachelorette feel special. Reserving space at a restaurant where she and her closest girlfriends can chat/mingle can prove to be one big party as everyone gets to know each other.

3. Host a Passion Party
A little sexy passion party never hurt anybody! Bring a Passion Party to your private event to spice things up. Learn about different ways for the Bride-to-Be (and you too!) to get creative in the bedroom.

4. Sing At a Karaoke/Piano Bar
Some of the greatest moments are held when you're with your girls belting out your favorite songs. Karaoke/Piano Bars are a perfect atmosphere to dress the Bride-to-Be in fun Bachelorette gear and force her onto the stage to give her singing debut! Secure a table front row for some sing-along fun!

5. Take a Pole Dancing Class 
Nowadays, pole dancing companies will come right to your home and show you a thing a two about working the pole. It is so much fun to learn new tricks and giggle and laugh with friends as you attempt to be a Vegas Showgirl for the night.

Bachelorette parties don't need alcohol to have a good time. Having the Bachelorette be at the comfort of her greatest friends, sharing laughs, taking pictures, and taking in the moments before officially getting tied down is what matters the most.

Can you think of any fun Bachelorette activities you can get into that don't have to involve alcohol? Share them in the comments below!

Karen's Wedding Guide: Should He Come To the Bridal Shower

The answer is: YES! Now, I have been to my fair share of bridal showers and for the ones that didn't have their hubby-to-be present, a lot of things went through my mind. Weddings already have the stigma that they're more "for the bride" than the groom so not having your fiancé at the bridal shower sends a message that this is all about you. It should be "All About Us". Now, I know that bridal showers tend to be more fancy or cutesy than a typical man's taste, so include your groom-to-be at a part of the event. Example: Ask him to show up during the time where you will be opening up gifts. After all, the gifts will be used by the BOTH of you. This also makes for a cute couples photo op! Or, ask him to periodically walk through the event and greet guests. Often times, the bridal shower might be the only other time that your guests can meet your fiancé if they haven't met him already before the wedding. This is a great time for mingling and allowing your guests to see why you and your fiancé love each other so much.

At the end of the day, you're not marrying yourself; your fiancé should be present at all wedding functions (if he can) until the Big Day! Whether or not you think he wants to be there should be out of your mind because your hubby-to-be will want to do anything to make you happy.

xoxo,

T+K's Wedding Candy Buffet

Photography: Ardorlit 

Believe it or not, I have never done a candy buffet for a wedding, until now! Back in April I had the pleasure of creating a candy buffet for my friend's daughter who was getting married. I love when a Bride knows what she wants and the Bride, Karly, immediately told me the colors she wanted and specific candy near and dear to her and her future hubby. With elements of red and charcoal and special candy requests like Swedish Fish and salted caramel, I went straight to work designing a buffet to the Bride and Groom's liking. At the end of the wedding, there was no candy left so it was definitely a hit! I can't wait for the next wedding!

Eventstagram

Yeah, yeah,  I know what you're thinking! "What is Evenstagram"? Eventstagram is probably one of the most genius ideas when it comes to activating the sense of sight at your party. Eventstagram are live Instagram feeds from your party. Hook up a screen, give everyone the hashtag for the night, and watch your guests smile and laugh as they see their pictures on the "big screen". You'll pretty much have a modern day slideshow at your event keeping your guests entertained. Here is an official breakdown on how it works

1. Register for a free account on the site and create a free trial for your event.
2. Display Eventstagram's website at your venue, either on large screens, through a projector or just on a TV.
3. The slideshow tells your guests to take photos on Instagram and add a hashtags so no need to worry about that!
4. Your guests see their photo(s) appear on the screen almost right away.

The free version allows your slideshow to be up for 6 hours with other features, but you can upgrade to the Silver, Gold, or Crowd Reactive package depending on the size of your party and what exclusive features you want like more play time, more photos to be displayed, custom templates and the list goes on!

All in all, Eventstagram is the perfect crowd pleaser for any event you're hosting be it a conference, music festival, or birthday party! I can't wait to have it at the next event I plan.

What Is a Vintage Victorian Wedding?

I absolutely love themed weddings so I was thrilled when a potential client reached out to me about having a candy buffet for her Vintage Victorian wedding next year. When you think of Victorian, what are some of the first things that come to mind? I think of frills, lace, crystal and pearl details, gorgeous flowers like pink roses and peonies mixed with other large blooms, parasols, and cameos. Vintage and Victorian are actually two different things, so it can be easy to mix up the two. "Vintage" refers to things from a certain era in the past. For example, an old 1950s pick up truck could be described as vintage as it is reflective of the 1950s. Old bell bottoms in your mother and father's closet are vintage as they are reflective of the 1970s. Victorian represents an actual era. The Victorian era started in 1837 in Great Britain when Queen Victoria reigned. With this distinction, I have been hard at work trying to design the perfect candy buffet. Check out my Victorian Mood Board I am drawing for inspiration. The color palette for this wedding is eggplant and cream with hints of white! I can't wait to share what I have designed.