The Main Event by Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC

If you are a photographer, professional or hobbyist, or just love good photography, join us Saturday, July 9, for the grand opening of Studio Boise, 4619 Emerald Street, from 6 to 10 p.m. Studio Boise offers two studios for rent by the hour. They also rent photography equipment, so why purchase a lens you may use only occasionally when you can rent it. The lower level gallery provides display space where photographers and other selected artists can display their works. The space can be rented for private showings and other events. Join us at the launch party and vote for your favorite photo in the "My Idaho" contest. For details, see  www.studioboise.org/launchparty . See you there.

It costs money to plan and execute a special event, whether it is a family reunion, your parent's 50th anniversary party, a wedding or another special event. It is easy to put the costs on a credit card but not so easy to pay for the event for months or even years after it has occurred. With a bit of preplanning, you can prevent that from happening. When you decide to hold a special event, the first thing to do is make a realistic budget of what you can afford, then decide which things are most important. Maybe you want a great location, so, to afford it, you are willing to compromise on the type of food served. Or perhaps a DJ is okay rather than a band. If you will be sharing the costs with others, perhaps siblings or extended family members, you will need to decide how to divide the costs. Will everyone contribute equally or will certain costs, such as the food or the facility rental, be paid by certain people. If family members will be sharing the cos...