Now that you have settled on a ring and date, you have lots of planning to do. The lovely golden foliage outside creates the perfect backdrop for an autumn wedding, which will be made fairly simple thanks to customizable tent options.
Once you've decided to host your event outside, you have many options to choose from, ranging from the practical to the ornamental. This guide will help you focus on turning your outdoor fall wedding into a night everybody will remember.
Planning a charity fundraiser is a multistep process that can be extremely rewarding. When the big day finally arrives, you'll get to see all of your hard work pay off - and all for a good cause. If you've never planned a charity event before, or this is a much bigger version of anything you've been in charge of in the past, take a look at some of the questions you need to ask before and during the planning process.
No one is saying that you need to rent a helicopter and fly your sweet 16-year-old in for a grand entrance or that you need to invite the entire high school and serve them all a five-course gourmet meal. But, you might need to step up your party game and throw an event that includes more than a homemade meal and a few colorful candles.
Before making any major decision, take a look at a few simple steps that can help you to plan the perfect party.
Spring is the time to host a great backyard gathering that starts the outdoor season off with a bang. Whether you're hosting a party to celebrate love, new babies, or just the ability to be outside after a long winter, a spring garden party is the perfect way to do it. After all, if it's good enough for the Queen of England , it'll be fantastic for your friends!
So, how do you throw a garden party, and how can you make it a memorable time for all? Here are five steps.
Plan Ahead
Spring is a particularly unpredictable time of year, especially in Texas. While you want to enjoy the great outdoors, you never know whether you'll end up with too much sun, overbearing humidity, or wild winds. Prepare for all possible outcomes by renting some equipment to protect your guests.
A party tent is a must-have for any backyard event. If it's hot, it can shield your guests from the sun. If things turn stormy, it keeps them dry. At the very least, it can help protect your food display from bugs and heat. If you worry that things might become chilly--especially if you plan an evening event--add outdoor heaters to your list.
Decorate With Colors
Spring is the time to celebrate the return of flowers, sunshine, and color to the landscape. So use these elements to decorate. Large tissue paper flowers and pom-poms create an immediate and colorful impact on any surface. Party flags, bright plates, and colorful rented linens on the tables are other easy ways to brighten things up.
Don't forget to use lots of spring flowers. The flowers can be simple--such as daisies, carnations, or peonies--and still be charming. Look for flowers that are local and in-season for the best deals.
Light It Up
If the party will run into the evening hours, be sure to add some fun lighting options. String lights hung in the trees, wrapped around posts, and hung along the perimeter fencing will make things safer and add ambiance. You could also look for small lights in a fun design, such as ladybugs, dragonflies, or rosebuds.
Simple solar lighting along pathways helps keep everyone on their feet without the need for extra cords. For lighting on and around the tables and chairs, you could add candles on the tables, rustic hanging lanterns on shepherd's hooks, or paper luminaries.
Dress Up
Traditional British garden parties are an opportunity to dress up and show off your finest. While you may not have actual royalty on your guest list, why not act like it? Request on the invitations that guests don spring day dresses, seasonal colors, or suits and ties. Encourage fine hats, fascinators, and formal gloves.
You can make it fun to dress up by offering prizes for the best hat or the best couple's attire. Create a photo op area for everyone to take pictures of their fun day. Add formality of your own by recruiting some wait staff among friends and dressing them in black slacks and white shirts to serve your guests.
Keep Food Light
The food at a garden party is typically light finger foods. Afternoon parties work perfectly with tea served in china teapots and delicate mugs. Combine that with quarter sandwiches, veggie appetizers, and fresh fruit or a cheese plate.
If your party is later in the day, you may want to add some bubbly champagne, fruity wine, coffee, or summer sangria. Top things off with finger-sized desserts like tarts, macarons, and cupcakes.
With these touches, your first garden party will undoubtedly be a hit with everyone who attends. You might even create your own backyard, spring tradition.
Organizing a block party can be a great way to get to know your neighbors and enjoy a little summer fun. But since you'll be catering to wide range of ages, interests, and personalities, it's important to plan carefully. Here are some tips to ensure your block party is a real hit for all attendees.
Tip #1: Send Out Invitations Well In Advance
Planning a block party is a major endeavor, and it would be a shame to do so and only have a few families show up.
Summer can get busy, so be sure to send out invitations to the party well in advance. Give people a full month's notice, if possible! Request that attendees RSVP and tell you how many are attending about a week before the party so you can plan accordingly when purchasing plates, napkins, and the like.
Sending out virtual invitations via Facebook and other apps has become increasingly common, but since not everyone uses these apps or checks them regularly, you really are best off sending out paper invitations. If you're trying to save cash, find a template online and print your own.
Tip #2: Have Guests Sign Up In Advance For Potluck Dishes
Purchasing food for such a large crowd can get expensive. So, if you're trying to keep costs down, plan on serving the food potluck-style. This means every family that attends should bring a dish to pass. Serving the meal potluck also ensures there's something for everyone to enjoy. Guests with dietary restrictions can bring something along that they feel comfortable eating.
To make sure there are no duplicate dishes, set up a spreadsheet in an application like Google Docs. List needed items, like salads, main dishes, and beverages. Include a link to the spreadsheet on your invitations, so guests can visit the page and put their names next to the items they plan to bring.
Tip #3: Include Some Organized, Central Activities
While getting together and chatting all afternoon may be appealing to some, others will want to be entertained throughout the party. So, it's important to plan a few central activities. Possibilities are truly endless, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Rent a stage and a karaoke machine, and have an American Idol-inspired contest to see which neighbor has the best voice.
- Plan a game of football. You can pit the kids against the adults for some real fun!
- Set up some lawn games like croquette, bocce ball, and ladder golf.
Try to choose activities, like those listed above, that cater to all ages rather than to a specific age group. You can also set up a few activities for younger kids, such as a sandbox or table with coloring books.
Tip #4: Delegate Tasks To Willing Helpers
Planning an entire block party yourself is a huge burden. Why do it all on your own when you have plenty of neighbors to help? Planning together will help you bond as much as actually attending the party. When you send out the invitations, include a line that states "Anyone willing to help, please contact me."
Have a list of tasks ready to delegate when people do call to offer their assistance. For instance, you could put one neighbor in charge of planning the lawn games, another in charge of renting chairs, and another in charge of monitoring the potluck signup sheet.
Tip #5: Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Contributions
Even if you make frugal choices along the way, block party-related costs will add up quickly. If you don't feel comfortable covering all of the costs on your own, it is okay to ask that attendees each contribute $5 or $10 to the party fund. Collect these fees when people arrive at the party. Do make guests aware that they're expected to contribute by including this information on the invitation.
With the tips above, your block party is sure to be a success. If you need to rent any chairs, tables, tents, or even a stage for your event, contact B&T Rents
today.
Destination weddings are a popular choice for many couples in the USA. The idea of getting away from normal life by going to an exotic location is very appealing. Locations offering balmy and relaxed beachside nuptials, such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico, are the most popular locations for destination weddings.
However, destination weddings also come with a fairly hefty price tag. On average you can expect to spend almost double the amount per guest to host a destination wedding outside the continental USA. It's also customary for the couple to pay for some or all of the travel expenses for their bridal party.
Additionally, many couples choose to hold a second reception in their hometown to accommodate the family and friends that were physically or financially unable to make it to the wedding destination. This can further inflate your overall spending.
Fortunately, it's possible to have a beautiful and relaxed wedding which is inspired by your favorite exotic destination without leaving your hometown. Here are the three key elements you'll need to consider when planning a memorable and colorful destination-style wedding in Corpus Christi.
1. Rent a Tent or Canopy
Whether you're holding your reception on the beach or in a garden, you'll need to provide shelter for your guests. Renting a large tent or canopy is the ideal way to provide shelter while still retaining the outdoor feel of a tropical wedding destination. B & T Rents can provide you with a wide selection of tents and canopies that will suit the style of wedding and number of guests invited.
Tents and canopies also provide a wonderful framework to create a destination theme with your decorations. Floral garlands, fairy lights, rustic lanterns, and brightly colored fabrics can all be hung from the sturdy supporting structure, creating ambiance and flair.
2. Pick the Right Date
One of the biggest draws for destination weddings is the warm and hospitable climate exotic destinations provide. To recreate the balmy tropical feel for your wedding, you'll need to make sure you hold your wedding at the right time of year. Fortunately, the Corpus Christi area is warm enough for an outdoor wedding from April through October.
If you're in any doubt about inclement weather, it's better to be prepared than to have your big day ruined by rain or windy conditions. Opt for a tent or canopy that can have walls added if necessary. This will ensure that your guests have adequate shelter whatever the weather.
3. Choose the Perfect Location
You may be lucky enough to have a friend or family member with a garden or property that is large enough to host your wedding celebration. If you don’t, there are plenty of stunning locations where you can hold your destination-inspired wedding around the Corpus Christi area. Heritage Park, the Watergardens, and several beaches are all locations the city provides access to for weddings.
To secure one of these beautiful and popular sites, make sure you contact the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department well before the date you've decided on. The department can also advise you on any restrictions, fees, or guest-number limitations associated with each location. You may also need to check whether you'll need a permit to have your tent or canopy erected at your chosen site.
Getting these three key elements right when planning your exotic, destination-style wedding is crucial for recreating the atmosphere of a tropical paradise. With the right location, setup, and date, you and your guests will feel as though you've been transported to a far-flung paradise—but without the lengthy travel, expensive bill, or logistical difficulties.
If you want less mess, less stress, and plenty of flexibility during your child's birthday bash, a party tent is the ideal way to achieve all three goals. Hosting your child's party under a large event tent keeps your home tidy. The tent also provides venue insurance in case your party lands on a super sunny or super drippy day.
Event tents may be set up at your home or at third party locations—with permission from the property owners, of course. Hotels, parks, and private event venues often allow tent rental near lakes and pools. Tourist farms and beach resorts may also permit tents on their sites for memorable birthday settings.
The open space in an event tent gives you plenty of options for seating arrangements and kids' action stations. Unique and uncommon interests and hobbies can become the inspiration for fun decor and activities under a tent. Find three easy themes for your big tent party below.
1. Artists' Retreat
Is your child a budding painter or sculptor? With an event tent, your open-air party can become an expression of artistic celebration with no worries about the carpet. Every kid dons a smock, then guests take turns at various art stations where they paint, draw, and model with clay.
Use round paper lanterns in bright colors for ceiling lighting. Decorate the tent poles with ribbons in primary colors. Use bright beach buckets to hold art supplies.
Carry on the creative theme with make-your-own pizzas or subs. Kids can decorate their own cookies or cupcakes for dessert art. Have a clothesline art show for paintings and a tabletop display for sculptures. Each kid can go home with his or her creations and a small art kit as a party favor.
2. Glamorous Boutique Spa
If your child loves all things glamorous, a boutique "spa" is sure to be a party plan hit. Tables arranged along one side of the tent can be set up as spa stations. Party goers can have their face painted, nails done, and hair styled, then they can head to a clothes rack of costume gowns and suits.
You can decorate the poles of the tent with glittery twinkling lights and use a dance floor for the runway. Helium-filled balloons in silver and gold look great floating under a fabric-draped tent ceiling, and a rental chandelier adds a sophisticated touch to the event.
Other activities include making haute couture hats, modeling for a mock fashion show on a platform runway, and having photo shoots with elegant backdrops. Additionally, party favors of costume jewelry and hair ornaments make great mementos.
3. Superhero Dress Up
Kids who prefer more heroic dress-up play may enjoy dressing up as their favorite action heroes or gaming characters. Masks, capes, and other superhero props add to the role playing fun.
Have a large flat screen playing action movies or cartoons in the background, or play a loop of the soundtracks to favorite action movies. Affix large character balloons to the tent poles, and use string lights in a favorite superhero's colors. Make your child's head table a superhero command center with LED lights and lots of tin foil.
Kids at superhero parties love activities such as participating in scavenger hunts, finding clues to solve a mystery, and hitting a piñata in the shape of a notorious villain. Suitable party favors for this type of party include action figures, DVDs, and key chains featuring popular superheroes. Pack each child’s treats in a superhero lunch bag for an extra special party favor.
Other ideas to consider when hosting a kids' party are equally as fun and memorable. Have a makeshift stage set up for a music-themed party. Kids can play air instruments or real instruments on stage along with their favorite musical tracks.
Or encourage your kid's inner scientist, Have sandbox artifact digs set up under the tent where kids play in the sand to find treasure and archeological mysteries. Kids can do safe experiments, build inventions with toy bricks, and take home kid-friendly STEM-based science toys.
Let your child's interests and passions guide you as you plan their next themed birthday party. B & T Rents has a suitable tent or canopy for your vision and your guest count. Call us today to reserve your preferred party tent and other party furnishings for your chosen event date.
If you're planning an anniversary celebration, coming up with activities can be the trickiest part. How can you honor the couple and simultaneously entertain the guests?
Here are some ideas to bring life and magic to your upcoming anniversary celebration.
1. How Well Do You Know The Couple?
You can involve all the guests by letting them find out how much they know about the honored couple. Before the party, gather answers to questions about the couple, such as:
- How did they meet?
- Where was their first date?
- Where was their first kiss?
- Where did they get married?
- What time did they get married?
- What was their wedding song?
- What year was their first child born?
- What's their favorite activity to do together?
- Where is their favorite place to travel?
- How many grandchildren do they have?
At the party, pass out paper and pencils and read out the questions. Guests can write down their answers, making their best guess. Once they've answered all the questions, read out the answers. Guests give themselves one point for each correct answer. The people with the most points get a prize.
2. Dance Lesson
Choose a dance style that was common when the honored couple was growing up, such as swing, waltzing, or disco. Or, choose a popular line dance from the couple's younger days. Hire a dance instructor or a dance-loving friend to teach the dance to the guests. Make sure the honored husband and wife are the featured dancers on the dance floor!
3. Do You Remember When?
This game is similar to "How Well Do You Know the Couple?" and lets guests reminisce about the year the couple got married. Guests write down answers to questions like:
- How much did a gallon of milk cost?
- What team won the World Series?
- Who won an Oscar for best actor and actress?
- Who was president of the United States?
- What Disney animated movie came out?
Again, the guests with the most right answers get a prize.
A similar game is "Name that Tune" for the era. Play a ten-second clip of a song from the year the couple got married. Guests earn a point by guessing the right title of the song.
4. Video Tribute
In the months leading up to the party, create a video tribute to the honored couple. Record interviews of their children and best friends talking about memories of them. Assemble photographs of the couple throughout the years and include those in the video as well.
5. Him Or Her?
This game puts the couple on the hot seat and tests whether they think alike. Have the couple sit in front of the guests. They should sit back-to-back so they can't see each other. Give them each two signs: one with the husband's name and one with the wife's name. Ask questions like the following:
- Who does the dishes more often?
- Who is the loudest snorer?
- Who is most likely to go to the opera?
- Who is most likely to make a free-throw shot?
- Who is most likely to take control of the TV remote?
The husband and wife cast their votes for each question by raising the corresponding sign. Guests will enjoy learning more about the couple and what they think about each other.
The right activities can turn a boring anniversary party into a priceless memory. Use these ideas to create an anniversary party you'll never forget.
If you plan to hold the anniversary celebration outdoors, you'll want to create a comfortable setting for guests. Turn to B & T Rents to rent tents, stages, dance floors, tables, chairs, and other party decorations.
Planning a wedding is stressful, no matter what pains you take to ensure its simplicity. One of the easiest ways to make the planning and performance of the special day less complicated is by having your ceremony and your reception at the same outdoor venue.
In this blog, we discuss nine benefits of having these events at the same outdoor location.
1. Simplify Scheduling
When you have your ceremony and reception at the same place, scheduling is simplified. You no longer have to figure out how long it's going to take everyone to get from one place to the other, you don't have to set up your wedding decorations in two venues, and you don’t have to rush your photographer.
2. Eliminate Transportation Needs
Having your ceremony and reception take place at the same venue means you only need to schedule and pay for one ride. You also no longer have to worry about any traffic concerns when moving from ceremony to reception. Unexpected traffic can crop up anywhere, so not having to travel between venues is always a plus.
3. Create Less Hassle For Out-Of-Town Guests
Any out-of-town guests will appreciate having only one location to travel to. No matter how reliable a GPS is, a guest is much more likely to get lost and be late if he or she has more than one venue to find.
4. Coordinate With One Venue Staff
Coordinating with your venue staff is extremely important. You need to know if they have preferred vendors, what time you can arrive, what time you need to leave by, and how elaborate of decorations you're allowed to put up. When you only have one venue, you only need to coordinate with one set of staff rather than keeping track of two.
5. Be More Convenient For Vendors
Many venues have preferred vendors, meaning that if you have your ceremony and reception at two different locations you may have to hire two different vendors. Even if a single vendor will work both locations, keeping everything in one venue makes it easier on you and your vendors because they only have to set up once.
6. Decorate One Venue
A lot of time goes into decorating a wedding venue. When you have both your ceremony and reception at the same venue, the amount of required decorations halves. You also don't have to coordinate the styles of the venues to make the day feel like one big celebration rather than two separate occasions.
7. Customize Easily
If your single venue is outdoors, you can have a lot of options for customization. To separate the ceremony and the reception, you can set up a gazebo , tent, or even dance floor to indicate which space is for the ceremony and which is for the reception. This way, you get the benefits of having two different venues without reserving two separate locations.
8. Be More Cost Effective
By needing one less limo ride, cutting half the decorations, creating less hassle for the vendors, and reserving only one venue, you can save a lot of money. While you may have to pay more to reserve a single venue for the whole day rather than just a few hours, this single reservation typically is still cheaper than reserving two venues.
9. Enjoy Non-Denominational Comfort
By having both your ceremony and reception in a beautiful outdoor venue, you can also enjoy a non-denominational setting. This atmosphere can help guests who may not share your religious beliefs feel more comfortable. If you and your future spouse are from different religions, you also don't have to fight over who gets to celebrate their traditions.
Finding a single venue to host both your reception and ceremony can save you a lot of time, money, and stress. Start searching for your perfect wedding venue today.
There's a sparkling new ring on your finger, and you can't wait to plan the perfect wedding. But there's one decision that you're struggling with: where to host your wedding reception. You need a place that fits the theme of your reception and the needs of all your guests.
Here are five reasons why you should choose an outdoor reception.
1. Versatility
Perhaps you can't find a venue that's the right look for your princess-themed reception. Or maybe you can't imagine hosting your quirky, Star Wars–themed wedding reception in a church or another formal venue.
An outdoor setting gives you the flexibility to choose any wedding theme. The beautiful natural surroundings of trees, flowers, and sky create the perfect backdrop, no matter what reception theme you're going for.
2. Increased Space
If you worry about fitting all your guests into a small church or event center, an outdoor setting is the right choice. Outdoors, guests can feel free to spread out as far as they want. Kids even have the option of going to a separate area, where they can run, play, and let out their energy.
3. Enhanced Time
Indoor wedding venues may hold several different receptions each day. Thus, you may be restricted to just a couple of hours for your wedding reception. You might not even be able to find a reception venue that isn't already booked on your desired wedding date.
However, a large outdoor venue has room for multiple receptions, meaning you can spend as much time there as you need to. Your wedding day will feel less stressed and more special.
4. Comfort
If a formal, stiff wedding reception isn't for you, you and your guests will feel much more comfortable at an outdoor reception. You could change out of your long flowing gown into a cozy party dress, and your guests could wear more casual clothing, too.
You could get even more relaxed with activities like roasting marshmallows around a fire or playing volleyball or croquet. Your guests may come back saying this was the most fun they've ever had at a wedding!
5. Cost Savings
Many wedding venues charge you an exorbitant amount for you to use their space. They may even tack on extra costs if you want to use certain decorations or electronics. You may also end up spending more than you budgeted for on flowers or other decorations.
Holding your reception outdoors can lead to significant cost savings. You're not paying for the costs to run an indoor facility, such as costs for electricity and water.
With the beautiful natural setting, you probably won't spend as much on decorations, either. For example, if your reception is located near a garden, you won't need to buy as many flowers. All you need are a tent or canopy
and some simple decorations. Holding an outdoor reception could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Ready To Host An Outdoor Wedding Reception?
If you're convinced that an outdoor reception is right for you, make sure you find the right venue. Consider hosting your reception at a park, a beach, a farm, a lake, or local private gardens.
Once you find the right location, you'll need the right supplies. A tent or canopy
will protect your guests in case of inclement weather. Make sure you choose the right sized canopy to shelter all your guests. You can even choose a beautiful canopy designed specifically for weddings.
You may also need to rent certain features, such as stages and dance floors, tables and chairs
, dishes and cutlery
, and decorations
like gazebos, carpet, and lighting. For any of these outdoor wedding solutions, call B & T Rents.
