Tips for a Fall Cocktail Party

From FineLiving.Com

• If space is limited, consider alternative ‘tables’ for bar service – think windowsills, or a large tray on an ottoman.
• If serving trays are limited, get creative. Try bud vases for holding straws and swizzle sticks, water glasses for sliced up veggies, and funky (but thoroughly cleaned!) ashtrays for nuts. Create a cozy haven from the cold with candles, dim lighting, and warm colors – use cocktail napkins in orange, red, yellow to capture the look of fall foliage.
• Try to have at least one non-alcoholic drink option for guests. Juices and punches are tasty, festive, and can be served in cocktail glasses so the non-drinker doesn’t feel out of place.
  Keep a variety of appetizers around. As your friends drink they’ll be more inclined to nibble on something salty. A mix of crudités, dips, pita chips, and a small platter of meats and cheeses should do the trick.
• Three words: Ice, ice, ice. (And more ice.) We know it’s fall and some of these drinks are best served warm, but nobody wants a piping hot margarita or martini.

Funny baby pic….

Look at my what DD did to her DD…..Too Funny!

Yep thats my 4 month old grand daughter in a wig…Thought that you might need a laugh this Friday!

World’s Largest Cruise Nite

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Margaret Salmond
Lets Get Away Travel(866) 920-8693
http://wlcn.cruising.org/letsgetawaytravel

LETS GET AWAY TRAVEL TO HOST VIRTUAL EVENT DURING NATIONWIDE “WORLD’S LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT” PROMOTION

Oakland, CA, September 24, 2008 – On October 16, 2008 Margaret Salmond of Lets Get Away Travel, travel division of Lexus Events, will join thousands of cruise-selling travel agents in the World’s Largest Cruise Night, an exciting event in which travel agencies across North America band together to provide consumers with a world of information on cruise vacations.

If they choose, prospective cruise guests don’t even have to leave the comforts of home to participate! New this year, Lets Get Away Travel is hosting a “Virtual” World’s Largest Cruise Night. By entering the Web page, http://wlcn.cruising.org/letsgetawaytravel consumers can learn about cruising online. Lets Get Away Travel has chosen several short videos showcasing the exciting offerings and destinations from participating CLIA member lines. For convenience, the Web page will be live until the end of the month.

World’s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) is the highlight of October’s National Cruise Vacation Month, the once-a-year period during which travel agencies across North America sponsor exciting events and promotions all focused on cruising – the most enjoyable, satisfying and value-oriented vacation option available in today’s marketplace.

WLCN 2008 will feature simultaneous celebrations occurring around the U.S. and Canada to share the good news of the cruise vacation lifestyle with millions of vacationers.

Lets Get Away Travel is one of over 15,000 North American travel agency members of CLIA, Who’s 24 member lines represent 97% of the cruise berths marketed in North America. According to CLIA statistics, the wide majority of travelers – about 90% – book cruises through travel agencies, and for good reason: agents excel at finding the perfect cruise to match their clients’ vacation needs, lifestyle and budget. CLIA’s certified cruise counselors are the cruise industry’s premiere professionals, providing the best service and value for your vacation dollar.

For more information or to book your cruise vacation, contact Margaret of Lets Get Away Travel at (866) 920-8693 or Margaret@letsgetawaytravel.net

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Playing with Color…..

I love wedding! I love events that have a lil, well actually a lot, of color. Red being my favorite. I was chatting with one of my brides this morning and she is looking to change her color scheme for her Women of Honor AKA Bridesmaids.

So I was chatting with some of my planner friends (thanks Wedding Savey over at Wedding In A Box http://www.weddingsinabox-services.com/ ) and they gave me some links to share with her and I’m going to share them with you.

The best by far is Bridal Canvas. This site is way cool. Everything for the Bride to Be to choose from color wise. From flowers to invites to sashes and of course this one caught my eye

Isn’t this just beautiful! I think that red just caught my eye and didn’t let go. Other links to play with color include:

http://www.colourlovers.com/

http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/

http://www.colorhunter.com/

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/

http://www.wellstyled.com/

http://www.colorjack.com/studio/

If your a bride, on your day, have some fun and play with color. Traditional colors are good but color makes it a lil more fun.

Wedding Insurance

We have insurance for just about everything these days. Life insurance. Medical Insurance. Car insurance. But what do we have to protect one of the biggest days of our life? What happens if your baker goes out of business (Yikes!) or your venue needs you to have liability coverage? Well that’s where Wedding Insurance comes into play. And there are a couple of ones to choose from: Cancellation Insurance and Liability Insurance.

Cancellation Insurance can cover issues that you just can’t plan for such as postponements (bad weather for example) where you could possibly lose your deposit, no show vendors, damage to your wedding gown, or someone who is in the military who gets deployed, etc. Some will even allow you to add the name of your wedding venue and reception ceremony as additional insured and will send them a copy of the policy at no additional charge.

Liability Insurance is sometimes required by ceremony and reception sites and will protect you if you’re held liable for property damage or bodily injury. Some will also have an option to protect you against alcohol related accidents and it’s called the host liquor liability.

Most policies start from $500,000 and can go up to 2 million in liability coverage and pricing varies depending on your state.

There are a couple of companies that can provide you with wedding insurance. The two biggest ones are Wedsafe (http://www.wedsafe.com) and Wedding Insurance (http://www.weddinginsurance.com) A search of the web will help you find several other companies that will offer you the protection for your big day.

As with everything, do your research and find a company that will work with you to give you the coverage that you need. Oh and don’t forget to pay for it with a credit card.

Happy Shopping!

Aug 24 on LE Radio

Our conversation with Maureen Daniels has been postponed. We will soon have our conversation rescheduled and you can hear more about her Honeymoon registries.
Margaret Salmond
Lexus Events
Ofc: 510-595-4669
http://www.lexusevents.biz
http://lexuseventsnews.blogspot.com

Planning: The Bride’s Emergency Kit

…From The Knot

Here’s a list of essential items no bride should be without!

While we hope you don’t have emergencies on the big day, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We’ve come up with a list of all those just-in-case items that will ensure your dream wedding goes off without a hitch. The maid or matron of honor should pack these emergency items in a tote bag and stash the bag in a safe but easy-to-access place during the dinner and/or reception.

Essentials
Aspirin (or pain reliever of choice)
Band-Aids
Bottle of water
Chalk (to cover up any last minute smudges or smears on your dress)
Clear nail polish (for stocking runs)
Corsage pins
Dental floss/toothpicks
Eye drops
Extra earring backs
Extra panty hose
Hair pins/ponytail holder
Hand towelettes
Hem tape
Matches
Mini sewing kit
Safety pins
Scotch tape
Sedatives (don’t ask!)
Small folding scissors
Smelling salts (while we don’t expect anyone to faint, it has been known to happen)
Spot remover
Static-cling spray
Straws (so the bride can stay hydrated without messing up her lipstick)
Tissues
Tweezers

The maid or matron of honor should keep the following items on hand at all times in a small evening bag for the bride:

Breath mints/spray
Cellular phone
Comb/brush
Cash (because you never know)
Hair spray
Linen handkerchief
Makeup (for touch-ups)
Mirror
Nail file
Perfume
Tampons/sanitary napkins
Optional Items
Granola bars or other easy-to-carry snacks
Krazy Glue (for nail fixes, shoe heels, decorations, even jewels)
Sunblock

RSVP Rejection Letter

Hahaha! Ok now Im on ChocolateBrides.com and Im reading some of the post and one of the brides on the board made a post about how she send a RSVP rejection letter to those of her guests that failed to get back to her and her groom in a timely manner. Here’s the letter

To our Family and Friends,

We hope that you have received our heartfelt invitation to our wedding. We were very excited to share our day with you and are saddened to find you won’t be joining us, but we are sure you will be with us in spirit as we are united as one in Christ and celebrate our union.

As you are aware, our wedding was open to family and friends, however we can no longer hold reservations for our ceremony and reception due to lack of response, it being a plated dinner and limited seating.

Even if you do not plan to attend a function, it is etiquette to return the self addressed, stamped RSVP noting that the invitation has been declined.. Please do so as soon as possible.

Although we are no longer taking reservations for our ceremony and reception due to our RSVP period which ended (date), we would still like to extend a heartfelt thank you for considering us.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts throughout the coming weeks and on our special day.

Sincerely,
Bride and Groom

Isnt this the best letter? She stated that right after she sent it to folks, the rest of the RSVP’s started coming in. This is one way to lite a fire under folks. Faboulous!

Tell me what you think…Is this too over the top?

Introducing Nana’s Baby….Vernia

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce you to my Grand daughter, Vernia. She turned 3 mos on the 8th and I love her, and her ole momma, to death

Quick Tip..Cleave to your Husband

OK you have just gotten married. Congrats! You then head to the reception and poof! You disappear and your husband is left wondering where his new wife went to.

I know that there are plenty of folks that will be at the reception who want to wish you congrats and stuff like that but your newly married. Mix and mingle for a little while the go back and enjoy your husband.