Event Kings: April 2011

One Stop Shopping for a Children's Birthday Party.

4:16 PM

When planning a children’s birthday party the idea of covering all your bases can be daunting. You sometimes have that overwhelming “I know there’s something I forgot”. We found a really cool website http://www.bigdotofhappiness.com which offers really affordable packages with everything that you would need for a successful birthday party.

Their packages come in an assortment of themes and colors as well as sizes depending on your guest list. They also offer packages for showers, communions, christenings and even anniversaries.

One of the themes that we really loved with the warm weather coming was the Luau theme. The party package includes themed invitations, thank you cards, napkins, dinner and dessert plates, hot and cold cups, plastic utensils, sticker labels, two rolls of colored streamers, one plastic table cloth, 12 latex balloons and a personalized banner all for only $58! You also have your choice of 6 Luau girls to be used throughout the items.

You can also order favor boxes, name tags, candy bar wrappers, cupcake wrappers, placemats, lotion and lip balm favors, centerpieces and decorations and additional balloons.

The website also offers live assistance from party planning help. They can answer any of your questions about ideas and products and help brainstorm with you to make your party a hit!

Alice in Wonderland

Real Event: Alice in Wonderland!

4:13 PM

Last week Event Kings and King Lily Floral produced the Alice and Wonderland Sweet 16. It was so rewarding to take a previous Dream Theme and make it a reality. This particular event was based on the modern Johnny Depp version of the movie. It was held at an amazing Italian restaurant Il Bacco that I previously blogged about (still dreaming about that Osso Buco!).With 4 flat screen TV's (2 in the bathrooms!!) and 2 additional plasma's on truss' we played the movie. It was such a cool touch to have that looping throughout the entire event.

The client bought the cardboard stand-ups from Shindigz. We had Johnny Depp, Queen of Hearts, Alice and 2 chess pieces....they were life size and so amazing to have around the room.

These centerpieces are my new favorite! The Mad Hatter hat was placed on top of a bed of green, pink and hot pink roses. I placed peacock feathers in the vase and another coming out of the hat for extra height. On the table were gold gilded candles and custom favors the client made (think DRINK ME tea for adults and DRINK ME hot chocolate for the kids...how cute!).

We also had giant Queen of hearts playing cards around the room!

The table #'s were created by the same designers who made the invite. It was great to incorporate the mad hatter hat from the beginning!

The customized sign in book was from Etsy. Hint: bring it around to the tables of older relatives; they will be grateful to sit and write!

Chess piece place card holders were another nice detail.

A packed dance floor is a sure sign of a successful event!

The cake almost trumped my centerpieces...OK, I admit; it was a true show stopper and the perfect ending to a fabulous party!

venue

Venue Spotlight: Il Bacco

11:28 AM

Last week we produced an Alice in Wonderland Sweet 16 at an amazing restaurant Il Bacco in Little Neck, NY. The restaurant has been in existence a long time but recently moved locations into a stunningly designed 3 story building! The decor is modern and edgy with inspiration from Italian culture. The event space is crisp and clean and a great canvas for themed decor (like, um Alice in Wonderland!).

The service is professional and authentically Italian and the food...oh, the FOOD! Let's just say I dreamed a little dream of their Osso Buco!!

The event space holds around 150 comfortably and a brand new roof deck is opening soon.

Stay tuned tomorrow for our Alice in Wonderland event!

surprise party

Surprise Party Tips

1:49 PM

A surprise party can be the most memorable moment of a person's life. Hearing the excitement and noticing that it is coming from your family and friends is thrilling, wonderful and embarrassing. That is exactly why I had to do it to my husband!! I recently threw him a surprise party for his 35th birthday Event Kings style. Normally my husband works at events as a dealer so that was my reason to get him there....tuxedo clad to boot! Here are some ways to execute a great SURPRISE party and not drive yourself crazy...at least not too crazy.

1. Get a solid ruse.
I knew that if I told Joe he had to work a fundraiser he would buy it no problem. I also KNEW he would ask me a million questions on the event and why I would have to be there too (told him I had to take pictures for our web site). Knowing the inquisitive nature of my husband I tried to think ahead of all the answers and talk to all my colleagues about all the different scenarios.
2. Make sure the RSVP # or e-mail is confidential
In a trusting relationship people share passwords to e-mail, facebook and answer each other's cell phones. While this is great for a marriage it is horrible for a surprise party so make sure where you tell people to RSVP is secure. A good choice if your work # or make a new e-mail address with Google just for the party. It's easy, free and safe!
3. Make him/her a star!
Pictures are a great way to personalize the party. You can enlarge a great photo to poster size from a local printer or here and hang them around the room. Anther way to bring the guest of honor up front and center is to make picture cards as centerpieces as shown below. I bought the Accordion Cards through Kodak Gallery. I had two stacked on top of each other for about $10 per table (plus balloons).