The Main Event by Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC

Do you enjoy offbeat fashion, particularly wedding gowns? If so, you won't want to miss the 6th annual Reconstruct Fashion Show hosted by Flying M Coffee at their Nampa Coffee Garage. This year's theme is "Here Comes the Bride." Contestants will create wedding gowns from recycled, re-purposed and reconstructed items - the more unique the better - for cash prizes. Local clothing stores will also participate in the fashion show, sharing more down to earth apparel. (The photo is of an entry from a previous show.)

Event promoter - when we hear that term, we tend to think of large events, such as trade shows and concerts. But did you know that if you invite your neighbor's children to sell cookies at your company's open house, you might be legally considered an event promoter and subject to tax laws? So just who is an event promoter? And how large must the event be? According to the Idaho State Tax Commission any person or business who allows two or more people to offer products for sale or exchange or charges admission is considered an event promoter (see  http://tax.idaho.gov/i-1037.cfm and  http://tax.idaho.gov/pubs/EBR00643_06-08-2012.pdf for details). This includes church bazaars, swap meets, yard sales not held at a private home (including those held at churches and businesses), business open houses at which friends and family are allowed to sell products, wedding shows, trade shows, non-profit events that charge admission, and more, even if the profits will go to charity. ...

Tech Cocktail, the nationwide event that showcases start-up technology companies, returns to Boise April 17. The event enables new technology start-ups to present their businesses to a diverse group of local, regional and national technology company owners, investors and others who may be looking for the next great idea. Event organizers have planned networking activities with the goal of promoting partnerships and alliances to further the growth of Idaho's technology industry. Start-up companies interested in having their company and products featured should apply at www.developidaho.org by March 22. Tickets are required to attend and can be purchased on the above website. The event, which is sponsored by the Idaho Technology Council, will be held at the Stueckle Sky Center at Boise State University. Come on out and show your support for the many diverse technology companies, large and small, doing business in Idaho.

Though it is only March, it isn't too early to begin planning a company picnic to honor your employees and their efforts on behalf of your business. Company picnics are as varied as businesses. If you have a large number of employees, you may need to hold the event at a park. If, however, you have only a few employees, you might choose to invite them to your home for a barbecue  What you do at the picnic depends on the ages of your employees and their family members and their educational backgrounds. What works for assembly line workers doesn't necessarily work for professionals. Food, of course, is a necessity. Other than that, your budget and the location are the only limiting factors. If you want to personally limit your time and involvement in the planning, you might hold the picnic at a waterpark or amusement park where entertainment is "built in" and someone else will handle the details, including food. If you prefer your party to be more ...

Congratulations to Courtney and Jason, Boise's "Say Yes to the Dress" wedding couple. In September Courtney traveled to New York to choose her gown. Her shopping experience was televised in December on TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress" TV program. On Saturday the couple tied the knot at St. Mary's Catholic church followed by dinner and dancing at Hillcrest Country Club. A videographer from TLC joined us for the day to catch the highlights,which will air in about three months. Courtney's ivory lace mermaid-style gown was strapless and backless, ending in a cloud of organza that rippled as she walked. It was truly a "Yes" dress.

Congratulations to Frances Corkill, owner of Two Photography , on her appearance on the Today show this morning. Frances is a local banker who runs her photography business on the side. In January she answered a request for applications on the Today show's website and was chosen to meet  with Donny Deutsch for a quick on-air coaching session on how to create success in pursuing a creative passion, in her case making the transition from banker to full time photographer.

We see the movies; we hear the stories. We think it’s funny when the mother of the bride acts like a mom-zilla. But is it? The bride is stressed and her wedding day may turn into a disaster. The mother is embarrassed and regretful – or maybe not, depending on personality. What is a mother to do? Or not do? The following tips will help mother and daughter both enjoy the wedding planning process while allowing the bride to have the wedding she wants without feeling as if every decision will be a battle.   

Nicole and Jim chose a nippy 15 degree day in January for their wedding. Nicole works for the Interagency Fire Department, so a summer wedding was out of the question. After a traditional church ceremony, we moved on to the Clubhouse Event Center for dinner and dancing. The Clubhouse, decorated in red and white with snowflakes, twinkle lights and uplighting, was the perfect location for an evening of fun.  The cake, compliments of Family Ties Catering and Cakes , continued the winter theme, though the delicious strawberry filling added a touch of summer to the snowy day.   Nicole decided she didn't want the traditional garter toss with people looking under her dress, so Jim placed the garter on his sleeve under his jacket. He then sat on a chair while Nicole removed the jacket to reveal the garter.    Many thanks to Rocky Mountain Roll for DJ service, lighting and the photo booth, to Goodwood for dinner and to Tamara Kenyon Photography for help...

Many engagements occurred during the holidays and more will occur on Valentine's day. Perhaps you received a ring and now your family wants to celebrate by hosting a party. Having an engagement party is a good way to introduce your fiancé or fiancée to your family and friends. Today, in our mobile society, you or your fiance may not live near family or old friends. Therefore, making a quick trip home for an engagement party is one way to introduce a future spouse to a number of people at one time. The following tips will help you plan a successful party. The parents of the either the bride or groom usually host the party, though grandparents, an aunt and uncle, a close family friend, or a godparent may host instead.   If both sets of parents live in the same community and are acquainted, they might co-host a party. It is socially acceptable to have more than one engagement party, each hosted by one set of parents, if the pare...

If you made a new year's resolution to lose weight, you may be interested in hosting a workout party for your friends. Instead of meeting for dinner and a movie, people meet at a gym for a group workout session followed by healthy snacks and beverages (think vitamin water rather than martinis). This allows time for both exercise and social interaction without worrying about your make-up or hair. On the East coast, where this trend originated, gyms are increasingly hosting private exercise parties complete with a DJ, disco balls and a trainer to lead specialized classes - everything from circuit training to spinning. The parties typically occur on Friday or Saturday night after the gym has closed for the evening. An entrance fee may be charged to cover the cost of the DJ and food. If you want to host a workout party on a budget and you have a large home or access to a clubhouse, gather your exercise DVDs and your friends and create your own party. Ask your friends...

As this year draws to a close, we look back with gratitude at the diversity of events we have had the opportunity to be a part of and the many new friends we have met, as well as old friends whose support and encouragement we appreciate so much. This has been a year of meeting new friends from throughout the world, from Kenya to Honduras and places in between. We have had the opportunity to serve our clients from Sun Valley to McCall, Stanley, Twin Falls and into eastern Oregon. We have represented them at technology and medical conferences, planned incentive travel trips and helped celebrate special family events from weddings to anniversary parties, vow renewals, special birthday parties and more. We are grateful for the professionals in our community who have helped make our events successful, particularly the ones who have been willing to step in and pick up the pieces when necessary. As 2013 approaches, we look forward to another year of excitement an...

Wedding show season is fast approaching in southwestern Idaho beginning with the 34th annual Wedding Party Show January 5 and 6, 2013 at Boise Centre on the Grove. The Wedding Party Show is the area's oldest and largest show, attracting upwards of 1,000 brides, plus grooms, mothers, sisters and others for a total attendance of over 5,000. Over 100 merchants, including caterers, photographers, florists, musicians and DJs, wedding planners, venue owners and others will be available to share ideas and discuss your wedding plans. The Wedding Party show will be followed in quick succession by three smaller shows to be held in various locations around the valley. With so many shows so close together, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The following tips will help you navigate wedding show mania without succumbing to pressure and stress. The primary reason to attend a wedding show is to gather information. Rarely do brides book merchants at a show, nor sh...

Literally thousands of events occur every day in this country, the majority of them without professional help. So, when is it appropriate to plan and coordinate your own event and when should you contact a professional? You can usually successfully plan and/or coordinate your own event when: the party, meeting or other event will be small and informal you are planning a drop-in event to last only two or three hours a limited amount of food and beverage will be served and you can manage it by yourself you are planning a birthday party for a young child. Most parents are not interested in paying for help unless they are planning a Sweet 16 or another major party. you have the time and expertise to do it all yourself and still enjoy your guests You need to call a professional when: the success or failure of the event might affect your career or reputation the meeting or conference involves professional continuing education credit and the a...

If you are planning an event of any size or complexity, chances are you may need the services of a rental center or an event decorator. So, what is the difference and which may best fit your needs? Rental centers carry tables, chairs, linens, dishware, tents and much more. Larger event or party rental centers stock a wide selection of items - numerous chair styles, many linen colors and styles, tables in several sizes and more. They may also be able to special order unique linens to compliment your event theme. Rental centers will deliver your items (for a fee) or you can pick them up. In addition to the cost of the rented items, you will be charged sales tax, delivery fee and possibly damage insurance. Should you rent large items, such as tents, the rental center's staff will erect and take them down.

For nearly six years Memory Makers Event Planning has sponsored a child in Honduras through Compassion International . Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with Nelson, his mom and his tutor. It was such a blessing to finally meet this sweet young man. He lives in extreme poverty in one of the most dangerous areas in the world in a one-room home without running water with his parents, two siblings, grandmother and five (yes, five) uncles. As a sponsored child, Nelson is able to attend school and to receive at least one healthy meal and snack each day. He and his siblings have access to medical and dental care, loving mentors and supporters and other resources. He can grow up healthy and educated, equipped with the tools to enable him to break the cycle of generational poverty so prevalent in his country. You or your business may want to consider sponsoring a needy child in an undeveloped or underdeveloped area of the world. For ...

If you and your friends enjoy watching the election returns, why not make a party of it. Depending on your social circle, you might invite guests who root for both parties if everyone can enjoy the results without becoming angry or frustrated. If your family and friends tend to be more polarized, then you might invite only guests of a similar party preference. Decorate with red and/or blue banners, party hats and paper goods. You might serve cookies in the shape of donkeys and elephants or add some pizzaz by serving red velvet cake with blue icing. Plan a fun game or two, perhaps giving a small prize to whoever picks the winners of local elections. Above all, keep it light and fun; no snide comments or displays of anger. Though the results are extremely important, it isn't necessary to make others uncomfortable about their allegiances.

Aging is a fact of life. We can't slow it down; we can't stop it, so why not have fun with it? If you know someone who will soon celebrate a 65th birthday, you may want to plan a "Welcome to Medicare" party. Invitations might be in the style of a Medicare card. Decorations might include additional Medicare cards in varying sizes (Medicare placemats?) and red, blue and white decorations. You might even serve red, white and blue foods, such as red velvet birthday cake, vanilla ice cream, blueberries and/or strawberries with red or blue punch. A short program that includes funny stories, poems or embarrassing incidents associated with aging or Medicare will keep your guests in stitches. If the honoree is in good health, guests might be encouraged to have fun with gifts, bringing such things as a cane or a large magnifying glass. If, however, the person suffers from a serious health issue, foregoing gifts in favor of cards only may be more appropriate. Don't l...

Most weddings involve flowers, usually bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres for the men and possibly centerpieces and other decor. It is easy to become overwhelmed with so many items, not to mention the varying prices. The following tips will guide you as you begin thinking about your floral needs.  Handheld bouquet Bride's bouquet - Unless the bride is being married at the courthouse, she probably needs a bouquet. Bridal bouquets come in two basic styles, either handheld or in a holder. A handheld bouquet is one in which the stems are wrapped in ribbon forming a "handle" for the bride to hold. The flowers generally form a round mound. Handheld bouquets are easy to keep hydrated on hot days by slipping them into a vase of water.

If you are planning a wedding or another special event, chances are you will need the services of a florist. Unfortunately, not everyone who claims to be a florist really knows their way around flowers. The following tips will help you choose someone you can trust to provide quality bouquets and centerpieces. First, let's begin with a bit of background on the industry. There is a difference between a florist and a floral designer. Florists are licensed by the Idaho Department of Agriculture. They must maintain certain standards set by the state. A floral designer does not need a license. Their primary responsibility is designing arrangements under the direction of a licensed florist. Florists obtain the majority of their flowers from wholesalers, though they may occasionally purchase special items from local growers. Two floral wholesalers serve most of southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon. The wholesalers obtain their flowers from growers, both in the U.S. and international...

I am working with a couple from California, married for eight years, who have set a goal to renew their wedding vows in all 50 states. So far, they have renewed their vows at Niagara Falls, NY; the Space Needle in Seattle, the Oregon coast, on a cruise ship in CA, on the beach in Hawaii, at the Alamo in TX, the Grand Canyon, and on the Strip in Reno. Now, it is time for a ceremony in Idaho. The groom would like to have the ceremony in a hot air balloon, if possible, so we are working out the details. In the process of planning their event, I learned that an annual vow renewal in various states is actually quite common. Certificates are available to comemorate the event and, for couples who collect them, getting the certificate is almost as important as the ceremony. Because the couple is already married, the ceremony is symbolic, not legal, so anyone can perform it. We haven't decided whether to ask the balloonist to perform the...