It's Spring, Welcome Wedding Season!

We are so excited in our desk chairs today as the promise of warm weather, cook outs, Cubs games, and weekend weddings are on the horizon. Chicago is defrosting! With new designs of spring flowers and showers in our designer's minds we were overjoyed to see the wedding images of our Words designer Laurel Denise. 

She handmade many details of her day and is an inspiration to all those artists that hope their wedding day is truly unique. She cross-stitched the labels for the programs among others. Her wedding day pulled from the natural beauty that surrounded the happy couple with some sweet, southern accents.

The tea and lemonade station before the ceremony was a favorite of ours. Enjoy her wedding day highlights! Congratulations Laurel and best wishes!

Love, ForYourParty

Napkin Lady

Chicago's own Red Moon Theatre is amazing! They will turn your event into a magical experience! Judith, a friend of mine is a wonderful actress that works for Red Moon and shown here is a picture of her as a napkin lady! I really can't believe it! In our world of napkins here at ForYourParty, we are thrilled that other people love them as much as we do. This napkin dress is truly a work of art, and is made so carefully that guests can take a napkin from the napkin dress with every passed hor'deurve. Hats off to the talented minds that envisioned the napkin lady and other characters at these spectacular events! 

"Redmoon's mission while impressing your guests with ingenious mechanical devices that create magical and unforgettable atmosphere, Redmoon's artists and builders have designed and hand crafted unique Food Service Items, Atmosphere Enhancers, and Specialty Items that transform any party into a living work of art."

Tea for Two or More.....Sari

While getting ready for the big Valentine's day party last weekend, I was cleaning out my china cabinet only to discover a long lost treasure. Behind the platters and serving pieces I discovered I had long ago inherited and forgotten about my husband's grandmother's collection of antique bone china tea cups.

Now I know I'm not the only girl to have inherited one of these charming collections and can't wait to find a reason to host a tea party! Perhaps a bridal or baby shower. Or maybe my Mothers birthday (it is next month...hummm, could be a good idea but I think she would prefer the martini type party more these days!!). I have it - a tea honoring all the great women in my life and their Mom's, for Mothers Day! What do you think?

And the best reason...to celebrate this charming collection lovingly passed on it me by a woman I never had the honor to meet, Minna Morrison.

The Party of the Century

In 1967 Truman Capote had a party that was billed as "The Party of the Century" and when our friends Julie and Kim were deciding how to commemorate their anniversary, they decided to throw the 2009 version. Held on Saturday night, the 7th February in the Grand Ball Room of the Intercontinental Hotel, over 200 people arrived in black tie attire to this "masked" ball! What a great way to get the party started - with no one recognizing each other! 

The team at BeforeYourParty.com designed the "flash back to 67 " invitations while save the dates went out months before. We LOVED this party's theme and applaud our customers creativity! 

Did you have an unusual party lately? Tell us about it and we will post our favorites!

Isaac Mizrahi Calls Us 'Caché'

This is a fun video, entitled Harvest Activities, where Issac Mizrahi looks at our matches and coasters and says they are so "Caché", so fun and chic! He also affirms the fact that our customers think ahead about their parties so that your guests know how much you mean to them! (Watch the second video, Harvest Activities, (2 min 28 seconds) http://www.isaacmizrahiny.com/watch_isaac/web-i-sodes/457/jessica_romm_harvest_activities

Love to Party on Valentines

Monday morning, Sari entered the office proclaiming, "Valentines Day is the best day to have a party!" We have heard many phone calls from her guests who could not have agreed more! The girls of BeforeYourParty designed a custom Lazer-cut invitation for the soirée and Sari made sure there were enough cocktail napkins, stir sticks, and match favors to go around. Sari's best friend, Linda, whose upcoming nuptials were the reason for the party, said, "It was a great party, Sari really is in the right business!" While spending Valentines with your sweetheart is romantic, hosting a party is another great alternative!

WHISPERING POWERFUL SOMETHINGS

While in NYC at the Stationery Show, many artists caught ForYourParty’s eye, but a Jersey girl, Laurel Denise, had the items we couldn’t live without.  She designs delicate necklaces that whisper powerful something to those around you.  Here is a little bit about her unique story, as stated on her website:

“The Laurel Denise Jewelry line came to Laurel in a dream in the middle of the night. Months that seemed like days passed and Laurel's small room quickly became a studio, completely covered in sterling silver & gold chain, glass, scraps of paper, and sketches. Many tested designs, tested materials, and glass cuts later, Laurel Denise Jewelry Design was born.”

Rachel, who purchased a necklace, loved the idea of showing others that she wants to represent joy.  Her mom always called her the “sunshine” child, mostly because she was a girl between two excitable lads, and because she wants to bring more joy to the world through her actions and love.  After meeting Laurel, Rachel was sure they shared the same goal!  Laurel’s necklaces are perfect for bridesmaid’s gifts because they say something deeper about the relationship between two women. 

If you are looking for more memorable items, think about also making cocktail napkins with sweet quotes about love and marriage for your special day!

Look for Laurel's designs on the ForYourParty website !

ANGELS AT FORYOURPARTY

ForYourParty girls were Angels among Kings last night!

Rachel and Lesley, with two exclusive invitations, attended the opening of celebrity Pete Wentz's Chicago bar Angels and Kings, where ForYourParty napkins and coasters were tastefully littered throughout.

When Wentz's people called our people we were thrilled to make party accessories for his local event, as Lesley is a huge fan of Fall Out Boy - and, well, we just love parties! Both the FYP gals met Wentz and his new wife, Ashlee Simpson, and took photos for our (and your) viewing.

DADDY'S DAY

We've had a lot of recent coverage about products for Father's Day and we're excited to receive sophisticated designs and text for our customers' fathers.

However, this hand-drawn match cover was so unexpected and cute that we just have to feature it! This was a custom art that someone had drafted for their father, a smoker. Now every time he lights up, these matches will remind him of his toddler's first attempt at creativity.

Happy Father's Day everyone!

Chicago is a land of many cultures – and we’re always happy to see a multi-cultural wedding. Lesley recently attended the wedding of her cousin, a Mexican-American, to a Filipino-American in a Chicago suburb. In the business, we all see how stressful things can get, and in the case of this marriage, the groom was the one who worried about all the little details! (Yes, ladies, it is possible!)

The ceremony and the reception was a nice mix of both the families’ cultures. The dual lighting of the candle is a Mexican tradition that they practiced (see the photo above). Later the groom’s father, who had flown in from the Philippines, gave a unique speech about their beautiful day, accent and all. The food, however, was a nice blend of American food with fruit, salad and grilled chicken. And finally, because the Philippines has its own Spanish roots, Latin music filled the reception halls as people danced the night away. Lesley felt that the wedding had a unique culture because of the blend of them all.

Multicultural weddings are being employed more and more and we are thrilled to see such diverse and creative ways of celebrating two people. Inspired by this wedding, Lesley has made a new design, the double happiness, for those who are looking to use multicultural motifs on their ForYourParty products.

Thanks to Cliff and Anabel for sharing their special day!

WINTER BLUES lead to all shades of OCEAN BLUES

How can we forget the dark and dreary winter that plagued the Midwest this year? With our

photos, we at least remember how we escaped it!

Sari this year made a "hand-delivery" in the dead of winter to her long-time friend's Malibu

beach home. Sharone celebrated her birthday this year with ForYourParty's own stir sticks

and napkins as people (including celebrities) soaked up the sun and summertime refreshments.

Upon arriving from Malibu, Sari was filled with summertime inspiration - inspiration that is

still manifesting itself in our designs and color palettes (inspiration that was impossible to

acquire in Chicago). Thanks to Sharone - ever the best hostess for this treat!

We think it was snowing in Chicago during this trip!

Yes, that's Nicolette Sheridan!

Left to right: Sharone, Sari and Arley

In the party business we get to witness many a beautiful party! Sari recently attended an elegant black tie affair of her cousin, Stephanie's, marriage to Michael at the Okeka Castle in Long Island, NY. ForYourParty placecards were hung from branches with crystals and note cards were used to write personal messages to the bride and groom. This wedding color theme changed from the ceremony to the reception - from Bridal white to gold and purple! Notice the groom changed into a purple shirt and the bride ditched her beautiul gown for a SUPER cute short dress! We used our white cocktail napkins for the reception bar and then our amethyst napkins with shiny 18kt gold foil for the dining room bar and sweet tab. Natural Amethyst cigar matches with the couple's monogram graced the outside tables where the guys (and an occasional gal) indulged.

Makes us want to get married all over again.....

POLITICAL PARTYIN'

It's the day after Barack "Barack'd" the Democratic nomination and we're revealing our new political designs in lieu of the upcoming election. It's political party time!

For the liberals, we've got the donkey in a rose quartz foil and the elephant, for the conservatives, is printed with shiny kiwi lime. Although they're not the traditional colors of the parties, we're confident the design is clear enough!

Stir up your political ideals with these stir sticks for your next partisan party!

We hope you're as excited for Election 2008 as we are at ForYourParty - but we're not telling who we're voting for!

THE FAR EAST IS FAR OUT

Recent forays into oriental rug shopping for Sari's bedroom have inspired some new ideas for ForYourParty designs. We love the Green Key and other motifs in these two Samarkhan Rugs made in Uzbekistan (or somewhere along the Silk Road)! We can see the traveling villages of gypsies now.........

SOUTHERN BRIDE

A few weeks ago, Rachel traveled back to her roots in North Carolina for her cousin Blaire’s marriage to the handsome groom, Jason.  The 5:00pm ceremony was followed by a picnic style reception at the historic town train station.  Dinner was pre-packed in individual white boxes with satin celadon ribbon and included yummy and Southern traditional fried chicken, pasta salad and watermelon.  Rachel was most impressed with Blaire’s economic planning and thoughtfulness.  For example, the simple and cute dinner left more time to talk with family and friends and, most importantly, DANCE!  

Her gratitude was expressed in a fish bowl full of coordinating matches made here at ForYourParty.

  Best wishes to Blaire and Jason!

 

ROCK STAR WEDDINGS

At ForYourParty, we think the greatest thing about planning your wedding is that your personality is supposed to shine through.  In May of this year, Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz of "Fall Out Boy" were married in an "Alice and Wonderland"-themed event and they thoughtfully included custom designed cocktail napkins and guest towels from our manufacturer.  

Despite their fairy tale theme, what they achieved was a rock star wedding and their Old English iconic design was sure to catch their guests' attention as they rocked out during the celebration.  So if you don’t think your taste is "pink and pink" wedding decor, consider showing your rockin’ couple personality and don’t be afraid to get a goth manicure or have spray painted flowers.  After all, it was Ashley’s day and she certainly didn't want to imitate her sister’s princess wedding. 

FYP's Wedding of the Year

ForYourParty President, Sari, recently attended what she called "the Wedding of the Year". No detail was left undone and your eyes and head were undoubtedly spinning after a gorgeous event (see the stunning table settings)!

At the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago, 250 guests drank and dined with our napkins, stir sticks and custom monograms while enjoying the music of a 25-piece orchestra. The bride? The only daughter of a very prominent party planner whose business, The Write Invite, has done business with ForYourParty for years. Syril is one of Chicago's most prominent event planners and a very good friend of ours! 

ForYourParty was proud to feature our products and ideas represented at this extravagant event.

Enjoy the beautiful photos taken by Sari!

Pink crazy straws in a heart shape.

Fun cocktail napkins for the afterparty.

THE LATEST FRENTRY

While Erin's trip to Mexico brought her colorful inspiration, Liz was most struck by the beautiful architectural elements surrounding her in France. She wandered the streets of Paris in her french blue sweater, gushed over French Bulldogs, and snacked on french fries (OK, frites), but most of all she found the charming buildings and ornate details to be awe-inspiring. Armed with a fisheye Lomo camera, Liz captured images of the wrought-iron fences, outdoor cafes, and historic structures that overwhelm the city.

Even the hostel she stayed in was stunningly decorated with a bold floral pattern in black and white on the top half of the wall, complimented by a bright lime green color on the bottom. The graphic sights of the city were the perfect inspiration for a new series of romantic designs.

A few days in Bordeaux brought time to relax, sip wine, and enjoy the more primitive side of the country, while sketching out ideas for new graphics. Couples looking for the perfect Parisian-inspired designs can expect them to come to fruition in the near future.

Can, can, can you do the Mexican-can?

What is the history of a color-schemed wedding? When our grandmothers were married, they certainly didn't have limited colors, but now the tradition says you must have at least three or four basic colors. What is the result if you don't follow protocol?

Erin's recent trip to Guadalajara, Mexico for a Mexican wedding gave her a glimpse of a wedding without a four-color palatte. "It seemed as though the ceremony was more focused on the couple than the color scheme," she said. 

The bright array of colors that flooded the ceremony and then the reception were very reminiscent of Mexican weddings. Instead of choosing only a few colors, the bride and groom took advantage of the stained glass in the background of the church, not to mention that the light from the West was unimpeded by windows. The church did not have closed doors or windows and the ambience had an airy and sunny feeling! Erin said that one of the most notable aspects of this wedding (and given the warm, delicious climate of Guadalajara) was the time of day: 6 pm. With the sun setting at 8:30, the two and half hours of gorgeous sunlight shone on and enhanced the rainbow of colors that the couple left open with leaf green plants, stained glass (and the precious flower girls' dresses below!).

At the reception, the bright colors were used in large floral arrangements as guests were greeted at the 3-acre reception site. Then for a little variation, as the party went from day to night, the dance floor was transformed into luminescent purple/blue colors that took all 400 guests' breaths away!

Upon returning to the U.S., Erin feels inspired by the absence of restricted colors. The Mexican bride and groom took full advantage of the surroundings of both the church and the reception area, using light and the hues of flowers and plants to appease the eye. Erin suggests mixing a combination of bright colored napkins to do the same at summer weddings in the U.S.  Instead of forcing a color combination, let it arise in the ambience of where your special day will be held! 

Special thanks to Gaby and Carlos for sharing their special day with ForYourParty!

FORYOURPARTY IN THE NEWS

The Chicago Tribune, our local daily news source, featured us in the Memorial Day edition of the paper! The Sex and the City movie is four days away from premiering here and the buzz about the four fab girls is in the office.

In the article, we are mentioned as a company that designed "sophisticated party favors stylized around each of the film's four female leads — perfect for the myriad viewing parties that surely will be taking place in the coming weeks."

The Tribune is one of Chicago's most reputable source for news and we're flattered to have appeared in it. We've posted the movie once again for our viewers and readers to watch in preparation and excitement for this weekend's blockbuster.