Plan a Valentine's Day Party...or Wedding
Valentines Day Party Supplies... click here!

How to Plan a Valentine's Party or Wedding

Susan Dunn, sdunn@susandunn.cc, The EQ Coach http://www.susandunn.cc

Whirlpool of SilverFirst decision: date and time. Your best shot for getting lots of guests is to pick a not-prime time. Try something the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, for instance, or Sunday, the day after. Also an off-time, such as brunch or lunch instead of cocktail or evening party. Check to make sure "key players" can come. Also a time when you’ll have the week before to do the work.

Send your guest a Save The Date Card

Guest List
Write down whom you want to invite and take a count. This determines everything from cost to venue to refreshments.

Where will you have it?
Your home? A romantic outdoor patio restaurant? A restaurant with a fireplace and strolling violinist? The recreation room at your apartment complex? If you’re going to rent, call ahead and find out how many people they can accommodate, if the place is available that day, how much it will cost, what’s included in the rental fee, and what other services are available. If you’re renting a place, go there and talk to the catering decorator, walk around and take a tour. Questions will occur to you that might not otherwise: Can you bring your own food and drinks?

Order invitations as soon as you have the date, time and place selected. Ordering Invitations online saves time.

What about decorating?  Again ordering online saves you time and fuel...you don't have to run from store to store to find what you need.  For convenience check out these Valentine's Day Decorations for parties and weddings

Are there separate fees for room rental, security, maintenance, waiters, insurance, etc.?

How’s the parking and public transportation. This can make a big difference in your guests desire to come, for instance on a rainy night.

What’s the theme? Well, Valentine’s, but romantic? Options might include Candy Hearts, Party Hearts, Betty Boop, Light-hearted, Formal, Casual. Choose your theme and then plan your Invitations, Tableware, Decorations Party favors, Valentine's Banners, and music.

Schedule of Party "Events". Plan a time for mingling, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres before a dinner – that’s how people "warm up"

If you’re having honorary speeches, toasts, or some such (20 minutes is plenty of time to allot for this), allow time afterwards, because the conversation will be primed

Provide Romantic background music or according to the tone of your event – Big Band Music, Broadway Music, Cocktail "Jazz" Music, rock band, romantic piano, harp, etc.

Now coordinate what you’ve decided on so far: time, place, theme and cost.

Here are some adjustments you can make: Hard liquor, mixed drinks are expensive. If you’re having lots of people, switch to beer and wine, or make an alcoholic punch or Martini and Cocktails.

To cut costs, try something thematic like a bottle of Valentine wine, that is, from the Valentine Vineyards, in Southern Mendocino County. The labels on the bottle are cool for a Valentine’s Wedding! www.valentinevineyards.com/oh.html  

You can buy party trays at Sam’s or at Local Fancy Catering Boutique. Making them is probably going to cost more than Sam’s, but it has it’s virtues, caterers can be very pricey, but then there’s no work for you to do. Try Super Suppers or other convenient kitchen alternative where you stop in and pick up the food you've ordered.

Ordering a decorated cake is a good way to handle dessert for a crowd. It brings everyone around, is festive, and easy to manage. If you are up to baking these supplies will help - Heart Cake Pan, Heart Candy Mold, Heart Cookie Stamp, Hugging Hearts Baking Cups, Mini Hearts Baking Cups,

Party Music can be live (more expensive) or your radio or CDs (no cost).

Will you want to hire someone to clean the day? The day of the party to serve and clean up? Both? (Be sure and check out his/her uniform. You could provide a cute Valentine’s apron for her or chefs apron for him.)

Need a bartender? Also check on his uniform. You don’t want any surprises.

Arrange for photography – stills, candid shots, videos, a professional photographer?

Decorations – floral arrangements are the most expensive, but they can sure dress up a table. Make your own Topiary Hearts Trees or use ready made Party Hearts Centerpiece  or Valentine Party Kit

You can go to a party store and look around according to your theme, if you’re going with paper goods shop online for Candy Hearts Partyware, Agatha Hearts, or Party Hearts tableware. If you have your own china, crystal, etc. start polishing them up.

If you want to purchase permanent tableware or favors, visit a store like Tuesday Morning and see what they have. (Tip: Shop right after holidays, buy things on sale, and be ready for the next year.) Look at Plum Party for Valentine dishes. Don't forget the novelty items like Hot Lips Toilet Paper or fanciful Valentine's Day borders and trim Valentine Party Favors

Elegant doesn’t have to be more expensive
People instinctively cut back when the goods are pricey, i.e.,  if you serve Beluga Prime from Caviarteria in New York (price $750/lb.), your guests won’t be expecting to make a meal of it, and who can eat more than a dab of caviar anyway? If you’re providing Krug Clos du Menil from Sherry-Lehmann in New York ($1,400 a case), no one’s going to be chugalugging it. Tell them it’s Kobe beef (up to $500/lb.) and they’ll be too horrified to ask for seconds. Make Julia’s Child classic chocolate cake, all of 1" high, and one small sliver suffices even the pickiest eater. It’s richer even than a Starbuck’s brownie. These things titillate your senses other than raw hunger and so are very satisfying in another sort of way. Have a classic piano in the background, and people naturally move into refined slow-motion. But if these aren't in your budget try these
Gourmet Delights, Sweets, Chocolate, Cookies and Handmade Candies from Plum Party.

However, if you’ve got bins of queso dip and tortilla chips, everyone will have that no-holds-barred approach to the buffet table. If JC and the Sunshine Bang are cranking it out, well all impulses are on "go"!  Include some gourmet treats; dried soups, salsa, sauces, or seasoning packets.

Brunches are quite economical! Call those pancakes crepes – no, really, it’s a separate recipe and divine, serve a light fruit punch or Bloody Mary’s, some bacon and sausage, a light salad … won’t cost much at all. I recommend Julia Child’s crepe recipe, and definitely the flaming orange crepes. They nearly put your tongue to sleep, and again, these things are so "rich," no one wants more than a taste. A little trick thrifty hostesses learn!

Entertainment
Live entertainment adds a really special note to a home party. Local talent is probably available that isn’t expensive. Check with universities, colleges, high schools, and churches – the choral directors, the music or dance department. Check the yellow pages. There may be several children’s dance groups, and they are always charming, because children can do no wrong, entertainment wise. Check the ballet and tap schools and see if you have a boys’ choir. If these don't work for you just pull out the CD player and try a Party Music CD,  Cocktail Party CD or Broadway Music CD

Plan your own entertainment with Hot Lips Pinata or Valentine Wrap some Valentine Party favors and give to each guest.

Make decisions and book it. Also get a babysitter for the kids – or send them all over to your sister’s with a sitter over there. Book your hair and nails. Send out the invitations. (Want to do something cute online? Try these classic Valentine's as Invitations. Put all your "details" in a notebook. Start cleaning, cooking ahead, getting glasses out, freezing, and cleaning the farther corners of the house.

The little touches
Now have some fun. Look on the Internet for things like Valentine Candles and Valentine Soap for your guest room, and a Valentine wreath for your door, and maybe a heart-shaped doormat. These are little touches you CAN add, not things you MUST have...like Valentine Confetti, Heart Beads or Double Heart Balloon Weight with Heart-Shaped Balloons

If it’s in your home, always have something hot to serve that’s in the oven as the guests arrive and smells divine. Use Candy Hearts Floating Candles to create a fun mood.

Tip: Always use candlelight if you can. It hides a multitude of "sins," i.e., dust bunnies and carpet stains, and sets a gentle ambience. These Sweetheart Valentine's Day Candles give a nice glow.

If you want a good turnout, do your PR work.  Talk up the party with friends as you see them, mail out Save The Date cards in advance or give them a call to see if they got their Party invitation. Drop a hint about the Clos du Menil, or the Big Band.

That should get you started.

©Susan Dunn, MA, certified Emotional Intelligence coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . Offering individual coaching, employee programs, distance learning, The EQ Learning Lab™, a the EQ eBook Library – http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html . Want to become a certified Emotional Intelligence Coach. Go here – http://www.eqcoach.net . Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine. For daily tips on EQ, send blank email to EQ4U-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Gifts for Your Valentine

Item #... or
keyword(s)

A Sweet Treat
A Sweet Treat
Save the Date Postcards

Party Hearts Valentine Pattern

Celebrate Love! This Party Hearts pattern is not only good for Valentine's Day but for any celebration where Hearts are the theme.
Party Hearts Plates,
Tablecover, Cups
Party Hearts Centerpiece

Candy Hearts party supplies
Candy Hearts Partyware


Blushing Pink
Blushing Plates
Blushing Beverage Napkins
Blushing Luncheon Napkins
Blushing 9oz Cups
Blushing Invitations

Valentine party kit
Valentine Party Kit

Sweetheart Theme Partyware
Sweet Hearts Theme
Valentine's Hearts Napkins

Valentines day

Valentine's Party Items
Valentine's Day Crossword

Decorations
Valentine's Day Decorations
Valentine's Day Party Invitation

Solid Red Party Supplies
Red 10 1-4" Plates
Red 7" Plates 20
Red Beverage Napkins
Red Dinner Napkins
Red Tablecover
Red Plastic Forks
Red Plastic Knives
Red Plastic Spoons


Valentine's Day Decorations

Heart Shaped Beads
Hearts Around! Tie this around a napkin or wear this 48" heart necklace. Great for Valentines Day.

Red Glow Hearts
Give Me Your Heart Glow heart has a peel-off back. Just squeeze to activate, and then stick them on. Certainly, glow hearts are great for a Valentines Day theme

Red Wrist Streamers
Red wrist streamer, will accent your party from disco to Valentine's.

Red Rave Sticks
Crazy Glow Rave Sticks! A sure hit!

Hearts Door Cover
Beautiful Entrance! Decorate the door way with this white flowers and hearts 7' door cover


Diamond Ring Napkin Rings
and Shimmer Cocktail Napkins

Deluxe Red Boas
Red Hot Boa! Decorate your guests and party with color. Use this red 6' deluxe turkey feather boa.

Deluxe Pink Boas
Hot Pink Boa!
Decorate with this 6' pink deluxe turkey feather boa.


Pink Boa
Spice Up Your Party! Accent your party with this 60" pink boas or dress up your guests.

Red Beads
Color It Red! 7.5mm 33" red beads are great to use when red is your decorating color.

Pink Glow Necklaces
A Pink Glow! Give your party a pink hue with our 50 pack of pink glow necklaces. Use alone or mix with our other solid colors for a great night time look. Great for decorating.

Pink Glow Light Bracelet
Great Pink Glow!
Light Up your party with 8" Pink Bracelets for Napkin Rings or Party Favors


Blinking Pink Beads
Blinking Beads! All your favorite colors in this blinking necklace. Long lasting batteries included.

Pink Candle Set
Great Favor! 2.5" votives are packed in a beautiful clear box and wrapped with a bow. Each votive is trimmed with pink stars.

Pink Inflatable Chair
Clear Inflatable Chair
Flowers on her Chair! Adult size 36" x 36" inflatable chairs are made of heavy plastic. The pink chair covered in daisys creates a nice party atmosphere inside or out.

Let your guest know where the party is at with these Valentine Party Banners
Two Hearts As One
Lovable Hearts

Personalized Favors
Custom Red CD Case
Custom Red Neck Wallet
Custom Glass Heart Box
Glass Heart Box
Custom Candle In Tin

   Wedding Favors, Keepsakes, & Bridal Gifts

Valentine party supplies
Valentine's Paper Goods

in a box

Christmas Pinatas and Party Supplies

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[ Valentine Theme Wedding ] [Gifts] [Party Favors] [Theme Parties] [Party Ideas] [Holidays] [Wedding] [Event/Party Planners]

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