The Main Event by Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC

We are seeing less alcohol served at recent social events, both because of tight budgets and the liability involved. Hosts are increasingly seeking creative alternatives and serving unique and intriguing beverages that offer guests a pleasant surprise. At a recent wedding reception the couple served Italian sodas. We printed menus with drinks named for places the bride or groom had lived or traveled. A guest could order a "Manhatten" and receive a combination chocolate and caramel soda. A "Phoenix" might be strawberry. The hosts purchased the ingredients, then two people were hired to make the drinks to order. If you prefer to serve a hot beverage, you might opt for an espresso bar. In this area we have mobile espresso bars you can hire to come to your event. They bring all the necessary ingredients and staff to prepare the drinks; you supply the guests. Is tea more to your liking? If so, set up a tea st...

You plan the guest list, the menu, the music, the activities, but do you have a security plan for your event? If not, you may need one. Depending on the type of event, the location and the number of attendees, you may need to consider several types of security measures, including the following. Gifts - If your event involves gifts and/or cards (they often contain money or gift cards), they need to be kept safe. Someone with theft on their mind may not be an intruder, but a member of the catering staff, one of your guests or even the DJ or bartender. It is easy to slip a card or small item into a pocket or under a napkin without being seen, so be vigilant. If your event will be held at a public place, such as a hotel or restaurant, place the gift table inside the room where the party occurs, not in a hall or foyer. Bring a closed container for cards, not a basket. Once everyone has arrived and the party gets started, you or your event coordinator should place the card container...

Rachel and John chose a perfect July day for their wedding beside the Salmon River in Stanley with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background. John is a native Idahoan. Rachel is from England. They wanted their wedding to be unique and memorable for all guests, particularly those coming from abroad and throughout the U.S. The reception was held in a tent erected beside the Salmon River Lodge, where many guests stayed. The ceremony occurred nearby on the banks of the Salmon River. A barbeque reception catered by H and M Meats of Nampa followed the ceremony. Gelato, made by the bride,  was served for dessert. In traditional English style, the fruit cake wedding cake was served later in the evening accompanied by a spread of European artisan cheeses. Rachel purchased English lavender, both dried and plants, at Lakeside Lavender Farm's festival in early July. When the couple was pronounced husband and wife, guests tossed dried lavender - on their heads, dow...

We are all familiar with baby showers for new moms. A couple of years ago baby showers for grandparents were an emerging trend. Now it is showers for dads, often called Diaper Parties. The idea behind the parties is to acknowledge a major event in a man's life and to celebrate what may be a first time dad's last opportunity to freely spend much time with his buddies. Today, most dads are actively involved in day-to-day child care, from diapering to feeding to walking the floor at 3 a.m. That may not leave much time for golfing or fishing with the guys or other male bonding activities. So, why not celebrate the new life stage rather than mourn the end of dad's "freedom." At a diaper party, each male guest usually brings a package of diapers, which can help the new parents financially for a few months. They may bring other gifts as well. What the guys do at the party depends on their personalities. For some, it may be a back yard barbeque. For others, it might be ...

Ice cream socials have been around as long as ice cream. They are an easy, informal way to entertain a group, whether it is neighbors, a block party, an end-of-school party, a youth group, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, 4-H club or another group. When my boys were in junior high, we ended the school years with an ice cream social with parents bringing unique flavors, such as peanut butter, peppermint, and cheesecake ice cream. The kids loved it; the more unique the flavors, the better. Preferably, the ice cream should be homemade, but if you aren't into that, any good quality ice cream works. You might ask a few of your guests to each bring a different flavor of ice cream. Others can bring toppings and things to sprinkle on the ice cream, such as nuts, chopped candy and cookie crumbs. You will need bowls, spoons, napkins, a table or two and chairs or blankets, as well as beverages. Have fun, indulge your inner child and enjoy a summer evening with family and fri...

On August 6 the city of Cascade will dedicate a bronze statue in memory of all fallen war heros who have lost their lives in combat. The statue was donated to the city by the family of John Borbonus, a 19 year old Boisean who lost his life in Iraq in 2007. The bronze statue was commissioned by the Borbonus family and created by Young Fine Art Studio of Salt Lake City. The day begins with an air show at the Cascade airport then proceeds to Kelly's White Water Park on the north side of town for the dedication ceremony at 3 p.m.  Representatives of the Idaho National Guard and the Air Force will speak. You won't want to miss this special tribute to Idaho's veterans.

Are you planning a party? Want to make your own flower arrangements? If so, the Treasure Valley's u-pick flower farms offer a variety of flowers at reasonable prices. Wild Rush Farm ( www.wildrushflowers.com ), located on the east side of Nampa, offers a wide selection of blooms from July till October (or first frost), dawn to dusk, for $10 per bucket. A bucket is usually enough to make three or four bouquets or centerpieces. Flower arrangements, including flowers, vase, a card and delivery are also offered, starting at $35. The farm is located at 6016 E. Carson Court, Nampa. Drop-ins are welcome or set an appointment by email to wildrushflowers@gmail.com . If you enjoy the fragrance of fresh lavender and lavender products, check out Lakeside Lavender Farm ( http://lakesidelavender.com/ ), 1003 W. Locust Lane, Nampa, or The Lavender Merchant ( www.thelavendermerchant.net ) in Kuna. Fresh lavender is available only briefly, usually in early to mid-July. However, lavend...

The Wedding Channel.com recently posted a list of what they consider to be the top twenty biggest wedding planning mistakes. Most of the issues could also occur when planning other types of events as well. Following are the problems they identified, in no particular order, with our added comments based on many years of experience planning hundreds of events. 1. Not sticking to your budget. You have a budget for a reason. It is never okay to overspend and then pay for an event for months or years afterwards. Decide what is important to you and where you can compromise. Your guests won't know or care if you wanted steak but could afford only chicken. 2. Hiring a friend or family member as your photographer or videographer. You are only going to do this once. When the day is over you will have only your memories and your photos, so you will want quality photos. If Uncle Joe spends his time at the bar, not behind the camera, it is your loss. ...

When a couple marries, not only do they combine households, but they combine credit scores as well. Perhaps she is a saver who pays her bills on time. He is a spender who enjoys giving her lavish gifts. Charming initially, but maybe not so much when reality sets in. When the couple jointly applies for a loan, they may have an unpleasant surprise if one or both haven't learned to manage their finances. Each of us has a credit score, which is based on numerous criteria, including the length of a person's credit history, the amount and type of available credit on credit cards and revolving accounts, whether payments have been made on time or are habitually late or missed, and more. Though each credit reporting bureau has its own scoring system, the FICO score is most commonly used by lenders. Scores range from 300 to 850. If a couple jointly applies for a loan, both scores will be checked. The lender may take an average of the two scor...

I have coordinated Indian weddings in the past, but always the groom was Indian. This was my first traditional Indian wedding with an Indian bride (the groom was not). There are numerous differences. In India, the celebration can last up to five days. This one started on a Friday with the bride's mendhi, the application of henna tattoos to her hands and feet. Yes, we have a mendhi artist in Boise. On Saturday, we had a mendhi for all the guests though only ladies were able to receive a tattoo. The event lasted two hours, with food and music. The actual wedding ceremony occurred on Sunday morning. We gathered at the event center at 7 a.m. to erect a mandap, the "shelter" under which the couple, their parents and the officiant sat during the ceremony. It looks much like a Jewish chuppa and was elaborately decorated with flower garlands, lights and fabric. The ceremony begins with the groom's procession, called a barat. In India the groom would arrive on either an ...

In today's casual society we tend to think it doesn't matter how we dress to attend a special event. In reality, it matters a great deal. You don't want to embarrass yourself, your spouse or date, your family and most of all, you shouldn't want to embarrass your hosts. As an example, at a recent party two teenaged girls arrived wearing two-piece swim suits covered by t-shirts they had cut down the sides nearly to the waist, thus showing most of the swim suits. It was not a pool party; rather, it was a sophisticated birthday event held at a special venue nowhere near water. Inappropriate attire? Demeaning to the guest of honor? Exhibitionism? Totally. At a recent wedding two women arrived looking like exotic dancers. One even flaunted her underwear and her garter belt. Inappropriate? Tawdry? Demeaning to the bride and groom? Absolutely. At another wedding, the invitation clearly stated the ceremony would be held at a cathedral, yet a gentleman ...

Jennifer is a bride who knows her own mind and who has a style that is totally her own. She chose to be married on Friday the 13th, considering it a lucky day, not a bad one. Following are a few photos from the big day. The cake with an El Dia de Los Muertos skeleton bride and groom topper The ring bearer's pillow (laying on suckers on the candy table)                    Lighting the sky lanterns - they are safe and biodegradable.                 Cherie, who performed the ceremony  The chocolate moustaches were a big hit.

You are planning your wedding and you are beginning to realize just how many details are involved, particularly on the wedding day. You won't have time or opportunity to do anything; you have a hair appointment; you need to dress; you will be taking photos, and on and on. Can Mom be your day-of coordinator? No, she will be in the photos and you want her to enjoy the day. Can Aunt Martha do it? Maybe, but will she want to miss the festivities to spend her time rushing around in the background? So, your best option is to hire a day-of wedding coordinator. Right? Maybe. Myth: A day-of coordinator can be hired shortly before the wedding, after all the details are in place. Reality: If you wait, you may not be able to find a knowledgeable and experienced coordinator. (Beware the person who is hoping you will be her first client.) Coordinators book months, sometimes a year or more, in advance. They book day-of events just like they book events at which they are ...

The party is over; the guests have gone. Now, who is going to clean up? If the party host isn’t able to do it and didn’t specifically appoint someone, it may not get done, since everyone thinks it is someone else’s responsibility, so no one does it. If your party will be held at a facility that provides clean-up services, you are fortunate, though you will still need to do a few things. Many facilities require the renter to pay a cleaning deposit. The party host will forfeit the deposit if the venue isn’t cleaned properly and in a timely manner. (Deciding to come back “in the morning” to clean up may not be an option if the venue is rented the next day.) To insure that you get your deposit back, several days before the party ask someone to be in charge of clean-up activities or to assist the host in cleaning up. Don’t leave the host by her/himself to do it all, particularly late at night. Many hands can make the work go quickly. If the host needs to ask someone to superv...

Congratulations to ID Rocky Mountain Ranch in Stanley, which was mentioned in the most recent edition of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine as a destination wedding location. You can find the article at www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/west-coast-reception-locations#slide_5 . If you are seeking a memorable mountain location for your wedding, family reunion or another event for up to 50 guests, be sure to check out the Ranch. Their staff can help with many of your event needs, from catering to lodging. The 1,000 acre ranch, established in 1930, is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The main lodge and many of the guest cabins are original and offer fantastic views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Most events include transportation of some type, some of it necessary and other times just for fun. We are fortunate to have a variety of transportion options in this area. If you are having a large event and need to transport attendees, you might reserve a shuttle bus. If you are having a business meeting with out-of-town attendees, you might rent a town car or a van or even a limo if you want to transport people in style.  If your event requires a large number of people to be transported more than a few miles, you can rent a full-sized passenger bus, complete with air conditioning and reclining seats and possibly a restroom. These buses are perfect for taking guests to an out-of-town event, such as one in McCall. We will be using several buses this summer to transport guests around the Caldwell area and to Banks for whitewater rafting. Limos are used extensively to transport wedding parties and for proms and quinceaneras. You might also rent one for mom and dad's an...

Today, in our technology oriented society, if you have a smartphone, an iPad or an iPod, you have access to apps for just about everything, including ones to help you plan your next event. Using an app can't replace the services provided by an event planner, but they may help you stay organized and on-target financially. The " Event Planning Tools " app by Party Aficionado, an event management firm, can help narrow down  venue choices. It also includes an event budget calculator. Available for Andriod phones for a small fee. If you are planning a wedding, you may want to check out "Brides Wedding Genius" offered by Brides magazine for free to users of Apple devices. The app contains content from the magazine's advertisers, including a wide array of gowns, bridesmaids' dresses and jewelry options. Users can create a folder to store their favorites, as well as photos from other sources. For $3, Task Tracker , a planning calendar and task reminder, can ...

Turning 16 is a big deal for many teen-agers, especially girls. They want to celebrate in style with their friends; however, it is easy for the planning and costs to get out of hand if mom and dad don't set, and enforce, limits. The following suggestions will help you plan a fun party while keeping the bank account in tact. Set a budget. Decide how much you can spend and how flexible you are willing to be. It is never a good idea to go into debt for a party. If you can afford only a family dinner with extended family and perhaps a few friends or a pajama party for a group of girls, that is fine. Don't let your teen talk you into more than you can handle. Consider co-hosting the party with the parents of another teen who is also turning 16. By sharing expenses, you may be able to do more for the kids. This is particularly appropriate if the two teens have the same group of friends. Consider the budgets of the young people who will be invited. Having a formal ...

Seventy-two hours before her wedding a New Zealand bride was sitting at her desk at work in Christchurch, New Zealand when last week's earthquake occurred. The office tower was destroyed and she was trapped on her back in a small space between collasped floors. Finding that her cell phone still worked, she texted her fiance, who worked across the city, to let him know she was alive but buried in the debris. Her fiance rushed to the scene and assisted rescue workers as they dug through the wreckage, helping free other people as they sought to find the bride. During the six hours leading up to her rescue, the couple continued to text. The groom was able to keep her calm and provide updates on the progress of her rescue. The bride suffered no injuries in her ordeal and the wedding occurred on time and nearly as planned. The groomsmen lost their suits in the earthquake and the bakery providing the cake was destroyed, but the church and reception center were undamaged. At ...

Have you received a recent invitation containing the phrase "no boxed gifts?"  Did you wonder what they mean - give only "soft" gifts, like linens, not boxed items like toasters? In reality, this is the latest attempt to solicit money as a gift without coming right out and asking for it, which would be a major breach of etiquette. In some Eastern cultures, such as Pakistani or Indian, this term has been traditionally used to indicate a preference for money, not actual gifts. As frequently happens, those in our Western world have adopted the wording and applied it to their own events. Occasionally, the term is legitimately used, particularly when it refers to someone who may need to ship or transport gifts after a wedding or another party and who cannot take large, bulky items. In that case, giving smaller, "soft," easily packed items is reasonable. However, it shouldn't be printed on the invitation. From an etiquette perspective, gifts shouldn'...