LUSCIOUS LEMON & CHIFFON WEDDING SHOOT

If my daughter Siena were getting married tomorrow, I feel this would very much be what she'd want! In fact, she bought one of the plant holders used in this shoot for her room recently. I just love the pop of yellow the lemons give the decor against the darker floral shades. The hint of pale pink is soft and romantic, trickling through the desserts. "We used lemons for the splash of yellow and its light and refreshing feeling complimenting it with chiffon because of its elegance and diaphanous quality," explained Dennis of Toronto's Motion D. Photography, who was kind enough to share the photos with us. Simply stunning!

Photographer:  Motion D Photography//Event Venue:The Great Hall//Cinema and Video: Amaros Media//Equipment Rentals:Plate Occasions//Invitation Designer: Castlefield Design//Equipment Rentals:Cre8ive Studios//Equipment Rentals:Detailz Couture//Other: Reznick Event Carpets//Floral Designer: Secrets Floral Collection//Cake Designer: Sweet Regards Cakes by Daniela//Dress Designer: Stephan Caras Design//Dress Designer: Anakoi Bridal//Model: Bella Krys//Personal Stylist: City Sophisticate//Hair Stylist: Sam's Hairband//Makeup Artist: Emma Hughes Makeup//Event Planner: RDK Events & Communications//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

IS YOUR HOME READY FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING?

Memorial Day is this Monday–the official start of summer! I feel like it really snuck up on me this year. We are so behind on home projects that I feel like that's all we're going to be doing this weekend. Are you--or better yet--is your backyard ready for summer entertainaing? Here are 5 tips to get your home ready for those summer nights!

REPLACE WORN CUSHIONS: If you've pulled out seat cushions from storage and some are really faded or worn out, go ahead and replace them. Cushions are usually what add pops of color to your outdoor decor and they just won't serve their purpose if they're faded.

FIX BIG LAWN PROBLEMS: If there are any big, glaring dead spots in your lawn or dozens of weeds around, try to get those issues fixed before hosting guests.

AMPLE LIGHTING: Most summer parties start and end well into the night so make sure you have some form of lighting prepared. That could mean lights attached to your patio umbrella, mason jars with tea lights around the deck, candles or even Christmas lights hung up around the perimeter of your yard.

REVIEW YOUR TOOLS/SUPPLIES: Make sure your grill scrub cleaners and other tools are still in good condition and that you even know where they all are. If you have a propane grill, make sure the tank is full. This is also a good time to make sure you have bug spray, sunblock and paper goods, such as plates and cups, stocked.

BUY A NEW GAME: No doubt relaxing and sipping a refreshing drink on the patio is enjoyable, but it's always fun to get a little competitive in the backyard with a game. One of our neighbors set up a badminton set in their backyard last year and it was a blast!

So are you ready to host a summer soiree? What other tips do you have?

Photo Source: Pixabay

DOGGIE THEMED BABY SHOWER

Since the baby's gender was unknown, the friends and family of this mom-to-be used a couple of her favorite things as the theme to her baby shower celebration–dogs and books! How adorable is the flower arrangement resembling a dog's face, and the doggie towels are hysterical. The beloved animal really made an appearance in nearly every party detail! Thanks to Texas photographer, One Sweet World Images, for sharing the celebration with us!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST FOR THE PARTY ENTHUSIAST

With summer around the corner I'm seeing a lot of bucket lists filled with activities to do over the next few months - most of them with kids. I decided to put together a bucket list for the summer hostess! Here are a few goals and skills to accomplish over the next few months. Let me know if you have any good ones to add.

PERFECT A NEW COCKTAIL: Learn a new cocktail using a summery flavor like peach and make it your signature drink for the season.

LEARN A NEW FROSTING TECHNIQUE: Pick up a frosting bag and look up a YouTube video to liven up your desserts. Truth be told, I have yet to perfect a ruffle cake. I do not have a steady hand!

GIVE BACK: If you're a professional party planner, look for an opportunity to give back to your community. For instance, host a party at a local hospital for children that have a summer birthday or look to see if Operation Shower will be in your area..

MAKE YOUR OWN ICE CREAM: You can't get any easier than this recipe here! Make sure to have a large choice of toppings to make it complete.

THROW AN OUTDOOR MOVIE PARTY: There's nothing like watching a movie on a big screen, under the stars. Prepare a popcorn bar and have plenty of blankets and mosquito spray on hand.

HOST A UNIQUE THEME: Come up with an unexpected theme for a summer soiree... maybe something like a Heathers croquet theme party! Great excuse to get the girls together.

PICK YOUR OWN BERRIES: I am so grateful when summer hits because I feel like we eat much healthier in the summer. Find a farm near you where you can pick your own berries and fruit. It's a lot of fun and your taste buds will thank you. Plus, your desserts will burst with flavor.

MAKE A KICKASS PLAYLIST OR UPDATE AN OLD ONE: Music is a great way to set the tone for a party, and there's always that one song that becomes the summer anthem. Put together a playlist to have ready when guests come over.

PICNIC IN THE PARK OR BEACH: If you're like me you collect a lot of cute items that you hope to use one day, like a picnic basket, cool wine holders, etc. Make use of them by enjoying a picnic at the park, beach or even the backyard. My girls love to picnic under the tree in our backyard. That way if we forget something, we don't have to go very far!

VISIT A FLEA MARKET: Take a stroll through a flea market to find new party items or home decor. There are many treasures to be found at flea markets, and most of the time you can negotiate the price for something you really like!

Photo Source: Pixabay

SOUTHERN SWEET SIXTEEN

This sweet sixteen had the perfect day to welcome friends and family from Texas and Mexico to celebrate her milestone birthday. The decor was rustic to complement the lovely green landscape fo the venue. The birthday girl and family brought the glam with their stunning attire. Thanks to Texas photographer Chevy Chey Photography for taking and sharing photos of the memorable day.

Venue: The Haven at High Point // Catering: Patriotic Pig // Cake: Stephen's Sweet Sensations // Italian Ice: Artic Scoops // Decor, Draping and More: Mrit Event Technologies

PAPER PRODUCTS FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

Now that it's (finally) warmer, we're outside more. The warm weather also means that we're going to parks, pools and often eating outside on the go. We want to make things as easy as possible, and frankly, I want clean up to be quick and easy. Here are a few great options for paper products to use for your upcoming outdoor entertaining.

SWOOZIE'S

If you don't have a Swoozie's near you, you can check them out online. I love their playful and colorful patterns, and the quality will even stand up to a good ol' barbecue.

The item shown above is their Blue Confetti Toss Dinner Plate. Wonder why I'd choose that one?!

OH HAPPY DAY

If you follow Oh Happy Day then you are probably familiar with the cute items in their shop, including these fun emoji, soft colored paper plates. They'll add giggles and fun to any picnic table!

MERI MERI

Coveted by many party designers, Meri Meri has a great reputation for quality products and good-looking designs. This flamingo plate is perfect for summer!

A WEDDING AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO!

Lions and tigers and bears - oh my! This couple really made their wedding day a fun adventure for everyone! A zoo is such a fun venue to host a big celebration. This is just a small sample of the many scenic and beautiful photos taken and provided by Willmus Weddings. I love how they played into the zoo theme with sophisticated touches like the animal figurines for placecards and gold chargers to accent the venue. Enjoy the sites and check out the full list of vendors at the bottom.

Photographer:  Willmus Weddings // Event Planner: Willmus Weddings // Makeup Artist: The Pretty Parlor // Event Designer: Event Supplier inc // Cake Designer: Flour Power Cakery // Reception Venue: San Diego Zoo Safari Park // Event Planner: Willmus Weddings //

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

BEAT THE POST-PARTY BLUES

Do you ever feel sad when a party you've hosted is over? I know I do. All that work, and it's done in a snap! Even if it's not a party as huge as a wedding, once it's over, you're faced with the regular day to day--all that exciting anticipation is gone--and welcome the post-party blues. So what should you do?

TAKE A MOMENT. I feel like I never get to eat or enjoy the work I've put into a party until it's over. Really. Once it's over, I'm not one of those people that starts trashing everything. I sit down (rest my feet and back!) and enjoy a piece of cake, or whatever might be left over, and I savor every piece!

DON'T DWELL ON WHAT WENT WRONG. There are always things that are out of your control--the weather, a spill, someone not playing fair... Don't dwell on that. Think about everything that went right and how much fun everyone had.

DECIDE ON HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PRESERVE THE MEMORY. I always make a photo book for each of my girls' birthday parties. They're almost 12 now and they still love looking through all of them. You might want to journal the day, including funny little details that may have happened or been said.

REWARD YOURSELF. Especially when it's a birthday party, all the work you're doing when throwing a party seems to be for someone else, or the guests. I'm always thinking about how to make things easier, more accommodating, more fun for the guests. Once it's all over, treat yourself to a new lipstick, or if budget allows a massage or facial!

GET PLANNING AGAIN! If nothing else works, start planning the next soiree!

Photo: Ryan McGuire/Pixabay