Making Party Decorations

Bridal Shower on a Budget: A party-planning expert shows you how to pull it off

Enlist Co-Hosts

While it's the responsibility of the maid/matron of honor to throw the shower, Cambria says it's okay to ask the bridesmaids if they would like to co-host. The mother of the bride or groom should not throw the shower, but feel free to take them up on their offers of help or financial assistance. Just don't expect - or ask - for it!

Cut the Bride Out of the Loop

Throw a surprise party and save! It's a sneaky pro tip, but our expert says that "brides will often have grander dreams for their shower than can be done on a small budget." Avoid all that by (nicely) keeping her out of the planning.

Edit the Guest List

You must invite all the bridesmaids, mothers (and possibly stepmothers) of the bride and groom, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and depending on the family, cousins, too. To avoid hurt feelings, check with the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom to make sure that important guests aren't left off the list. If you can afford to invite more people after that, female friends who are coming to the wedding should also be invited.

Create Your Own Invitations

Cambria prefers mailing actual invitations (do it four to six weeks ahead of time) rather than inviting guests via e-mail. Not only do the invites make a nice keepsake, but older guests might not be computer savvy. Save by making your own with just "colored stock and some imagination." If you're doing a tropical-themed shower, for instance, glue a silk flower to the invitation along with the party details. Even a small touch like this elevates your invitation beyond the basic.

Stay Out of Restaurants

It's always more affordable to host the event in someone's home instead of a restaurant, Cambria points out. But what if you've got a tiny studio apartment and a giant guest list? It's fine to have the event at the home of another member of the bridal party or a relative of the bride or groom. But be clear on the invitations who is hosting.

Party Decorations for your Summer Party | Holiday Homes Europe™

The summer months seem to be typically filled with a plethora of events that require party decorations suitable for that occasion. It could be a summer BBQ, a garden party, a wedding or more formal indoor dinner, but whatever the occasion you will want to create perfect table decorations that reflect the season.

Creating perfect party decorations needn’t be difficult, with a little bit of imagination and patience you can manufacture the ambience that you desire. For instance, if it is a wedding that you are making party decorations for then consider the formality of the event and the colour scheme required. Usually in summer bright, bold colours are used such as orange, yellow, or lime. These colours can be added by creating a centrepiece for your table decorations, giving a visual point of interest such as tall vases filled with either sunflowers, orchids or brightly coloured roses for more formal events. If you are creating party table decorations for a less formal event such as a casual garden party or BBQ then you could opt for glass containers filled with lemons or limes, or large seashells filled with brightly coloured individually wrapped candy.

There are plenty of ideas for creating your centrepiece, really effective party table decorations can be made from real grass and twigs. Using a glass bowl or tray, line with the grass or make a small tree using the twigs and branches, add a bird’s nest made from raffia and fill with brightly coloured, speckled candy eggs, these are perfect to double up as party favours for guests. Or, using small bowls fill each one with a brightly coloured flower, just one for each individual, such as a lime green or orange gerbera and place the bowls on a tray, again, these are not only great party decorations but double up as favours. Using cake stands of varying heights, decorate individual cupcakes to resemble brightly coloured flowers for a stunning display.

When choosing table linen opt for bright coloured table cloths and place settings, a perfect way to create summer party decorations, be sure the table decorations reflect the formality of the event. White linen works well, lace and eyelets are great for all seasons and you can layer your white linen cloth with various different coloured cloths or make a runner in bright colours to match the rest of the decorations.

Place settings are important and will be different depending upon the occasion. For instance, your outdoor garden party will not need as formal a setting as that of an indoor dinner party. Whilst white crockery is versatile, you can add flavour by choosing to mix and match a variety of different coloured pieces for an outside party, they don’t necessarily have to match, just be brightly coloured and similar in style.

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