Children's Parties

As I begin writing this blog post I am in the midst of prepping for my son’s 7th birthday party. I spent my day off cutting out 75 circles for the custom monogram I created and the number 7 cupcake picks and water bottle keepsakes. Earlier in the day I sat in front of my sewing machine making 30 + soccer ball shaped goody bags, and I realized I was the only one awake at this late hour. I thought to myself, why the heck am I going through all this trouble? Is he even going to remember these details that have started to overtake my every waking thought? This nagging voice creeps into my head…have kids' birthday celebrations gotten too over the top?


Are we putting to much pressure on ourselves to plan, host, and execute the perfect birthday party ?Are there resources out there that can aide us in this inevitable path that today’s parties are leading us poor parents down…YES !

Many people may cringe at the idea of hiring an event planner to aide in the prep for a child’s birthday. These birthday parties that seem too impossible for you to take on or afford are actually a lot closer to being your reality than you think. In a day and age where both parents work outside the home, and kids extracurricular activities have turned into a parent’s 2nd or 3rd job, you have to ask yourself what is your time worth? Wouldn’t it be much more special for you to take part in your child’s celebration then worrying about the clown showing up or where the candles for the cake got placed? These are the simple tasks we as planners take on – from finding the perfect venue to stuffing goody bags and ordering the cake and making sure it makes it to your location with candles included. We take a theme that you have and create those little magical details that make your child’s day special and memorable for them and for you. How many birthday pictures do you have that include everyone BUT you-? As parents we want to do it all but sometimes doing it all means asking or hiring help.

Over the years I found myself planning elaborate parties for my family & friends. As I began my journey into the event planning business, I have had the honour of helping our clients plan and execute grand parties for their children. From turning the Sheratons, Top of the Inn into a 13year olds dream “Dance and Arcade Extravaganza” to bringing the “Cars Speedway” to a four year olds living room. We have helped bring the “Pirates Treasures” to life in honour of a special 3yr old Scallywag, and turn a 6yr olds “Princess Dreams” into a reality. At each of these events many of the parents of the guests say “can we hire you” not realizing that this is exactly what they can do! Many people out there think that event planners are strictly “Wedding Planners” and though we love our weddings, the possibilities are endless to the events we can bring to life.

In our house we made the family rule that the kids either get a present or a party. My daughter, who was turning 4 at the time, chose to have a party. Like her mother she really enjoys a good party and based on the fact that each year she talks about her next birthday party every single day I’m pretty sure that she will make the same choice for the next few years. At two, my 2nd daughter can't yet communicate that decision herself so I make the choice for her. I choose to have a party because I'm quite positive that when she's older she isn't going to remember if I got her a new toy, but she is going to look back at the pictures of her party and see how much love I poured into it. That is my gift to her.

So I hope to see you at your child’s birthday, relaxing and enjoying another year’s milestone. You can sit back with your child, eat cake and watch as they take in the amazement of what has been created for them, by you with a little help from RSVP.

RSVP Event Design Star Awards Winner

Over a week ago, Crystal Anderson, Director of Weddings and myself, Tammy Forrester, Director of Corporate Events headed to Toronto, ON to participate in the Canadian Special Events Conference and Trade Show as an award nominee for a wedding planned by Crystal Anderson in July 2010. It was exciting to think we were in the presence of companies from across Canada all specializing in event planning, design and décor work. As expected, the creative work implemented by so many companies in Canada was inspiring to see.


At the Awards Gala, there were over 30 different categories of event excellence being awarded that night with over 125 firms recognized. Firms from British Columbia to Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories, all offering a variety of services and décor products to enhance their clients’ event needs. How thrilling – to be seated amongst some of Canada’s top event planning companies and professionals.

The evening was spectacular, the entertainment was wonderful and the night, for us, was unforgettable. After 6+ years in the industry of event planning, design and décor, RSVP Event Design walked away with their first award, ever! The most thrilling part for me was that we were in the presence of other professionals that all understand the heart and soul that we all put into each event we plan, each time. From smaller dinner parties to elaborate corporate events to extravagant weddings, we put ourselves into our clients’ shoes and work on creating events that will truly exceed their expectations. Not always do we hit the mark, but the heart that goes into trying to make each clients’ event truly special is always real!

I love what I do and I love why I do it! As the founder of the company, this magical night reminded me why RSVP Event Design exists and why we continue to help our clients dream beyond their greatest expectations and why we make those dreams reality!

RSVP Event Design nominated for an Event Industry Award

We are very excited as we just found out that we have been nominated for an event award! The Canadian Special Events Society hosts the Canadian Event Industry Awards (Star Awards) which recognizes outstanding achievements in all areas of special events. RSVP Event Design has been nominated in the Best Wedding Under 75K category for John & Yuki’s fabulous wedding.




We will be attending the awards in Toronto on March 25th. Keep your fingers crossed!

Here is our video entry.

Fun ideas to Celebrating Saskatoon’s “Cool Culture”

Well it’s a fact. If you live in Saskatoon or in Saskatchewan from early November to the beginning of April you will have a chance to experience this “cool culture” I am speaking about. By this I am speaking of WINTER! I have decided that if you can’t beat the winter weather you might as well join in some of its fun! PotashCorp WinterShines 2011 showed us that there are so many ways to celebrate winter! Ice Climbing, snow carving, sleigh rides, maple taffy making, dog sledding and ice carvings are just a few of the ways we celebrated at PotashCorp WinterShines 2011. The long winter months sometimes keep us in our houses. Here are 10 fun and easy things to do in Saskatoon and right in your own backyard.



1. Go for a walk- enjoy a walk down by the river. The riverbank in Saskatoon is so beautiful. Enjoy the beauty of the South Saskatchewan River, hoar frost on the trees and wonderful walk paths!



2. Build a snowman or snow fort. Put the snow piles that you have shovelled to good use and create an awesome fort with it!



3. Take a card board box and pack it with snow. Let it sit for a week or so cut the box open and carve away! Using old paint scrapers and files you can create beautiful snow sculptures right in your front yard.



4. Add some color to your front lawn. Fill 1gallon pails or larger with water and add some food coloring. Let them freeze. Then spread them around your yard. Add an LED light for night time! Not only have you had fun outside doing it but your yard will look beautiful as well!



5. Go for a skate at the Cameco Meewasin Skating rink (right next to the Bessborough Hotel). They have skates if you need to borrow! There is also a great spot to warm up if you get chilly!



6. Have a fire in your back yard and make Maple taffy! This is a fun and tasty treat for all ages! Check out www.canadianliving.com for a recipe on how to do this!



7. Challenge yourself to try a winter activity that you have never done before. A few popular activities are Cross Country skiing, downhill skiing, and snowshoeing.



8. Shovel your neighbours drive way or sidewalk. The extra fresh air will make you feel great!



9. Cross country skiing is a great way to get exercise. Visit Kinsmen Park or Wildwood golf course for wonderfully groomed ski trails.



10. Next year Visit PotashCorp WinterShines 2012 for more wintery fun activities to do by yourself or with your families!

Invitation Confusion

One of the major steps when planning a wedding or event comes with choosing your invitations. With all the styles, colors, and designs to choose from the options may seem endless and often overwhelming. Your invitations provide the first glimpse into the feel of your wedding so it is important to stay true to yourself and show your guests what your big day is all about! Here are a few tips to take the guesswork out of choosing your invites.


Back to Basics

Before you meet with anyone about your invitations be sure to have the basic information decided. How many invitations? How much information needs to be included? How do you want your RSVP’s handled? Having answers to some of these questions nailed down makes the invitation process a little less confusing.


Talk to the Experts

Instead of trying to sort through the mountains of design options that you would find in magazines or on the internet, set up a consultation with us. Looking through actual invitation samples and talking through the options can help you get a tangible idea of what your invitations could look like. Bring samples of colors or design styles that suit your wedding so we can come up with a design that is true to your style.

Make Time your Friend

Why stress if you don’t have to? We can generally make your ideal invitations happen under a time crunch, but if you have some time before your wedding come see us early!

There are lost of decisions to make in regards to invites so take your time and be confident in those decisions!

Hopefully these tips will help sort out this sometimes confusing process.  Stop in anytime to talk to our knowledgeable staff about your upcoming wedding or event and let us help you design the perfect invitations. The options really are endless, but perhaps with us they’ll be a little less overwhelming!

For the Sweet Tooth...

As many of you may have seen, Candy Buffets are a trend that has popped up at a lot of weddings lately and that trend is here to stay for the summer! The great thing about the Candy Buffet is that there are endless possibilities of how to personalize them. It is also an inexpensive and fun favor idea!


For a vintage feel…

A soda shop style candy buffet is a great idea for a fun vintage wedding. Using jelly beans, old-fashioned stick candy and licorice you can transport your guests back to simpler times. Toss in some glass coke bottles or personalized soda pop and they’ll be ready to rock around the clock!

Add some international flare…

A candy buffet is also a great way to incorporate international flavors into your wedding. If you have guests coming from other parts of the world, order in some special favorite candy from their home. It will not only be a new adventure for your local guests, but it will make your international family and friends feel special.

For the elegant bride…

With a little research, a candy buffet can have a very elegant look. The increased popularity of this fun wedding idea has provided the bride with endless options. You can do a beautiful candy buffet full of black and ivory confections if that suits your taste. Guests can fill champagne glasses with candy personalized to your wedding, which will suit there sweet tooth and your elegant style.


Whatever the look, style and feel of your wedding, a candy buffet is a great way to have guests interact with each other, learn a little about your personal style and take home a treat that they will love!


Come visit us for many more fun tips to create the perfect candy buffet!

"Rock The Reception" in Saskatoon!

One of the newest wedding trends is to have a choreographed, surprise first dance. Traditionally first dances have been slow, romantic songs however; some couples prefer to forgo tradition and choose a fun and upbeat song to surprise and sometimes shock their guests!


As a wedding planner with a dance background I couldn’t be happier to accommodate my clients who want to (literally) shake up the norm with some funky moves and cool tunes. I have had the honor of choreographing several first dances for my clients and it is always a blast!

Surprise first dances come with a few challenges and you want to be sure you are well prepared so that the first dance is not something you are stressing about your entire wedding day.

• Start early and give yourself plenty of time to rehearse

• Consider your gown and what moves will work with your style of dress

• For clients that are nervous about being the complete centre of attention you might consider including your bridal party

• Try your best to keep it a surprise from your guests but be certain to let your photographer and videographer know so they can capture every moment

• If possible try to rehearse in your reception space. Sometimes nerves can set in and the new dance space can mix you up and turn you around

Amanda & John busted a move to “I Like to Move It”.

 

Tawnya & Dean's first dance involved a country/ hip hop showdown between Tawnya and her Dad and Dean and his daughter.

Jade & Nathan's entire bridal party helped pull off their first dance surprise.