Autumn is just around the corner. Cooler weather is a welcome blessing after the heat of summer. Breezy days mean it is the perfect weather to throw an autumn themed party, either indoors or outdoors. More sun, less rain, and breaking out the sweaters means that it is changing to the season where friends and family become the main reason to give thanks. Turning trees, cooler weather, nice breezes, parties, and pumpkins are all awesome ways to enjoy autumn.

Here is everything you need to create a beautiful autumn evening party.

1. Lighting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• One trick to add color to your autumn event is uplighting. I would recommend using yellow, orange, and red in an alternating pattern to create a look of falling leaves.
• Another idea is to use a gobo/ monogram lighting to give one of your walls a leaf pattern, or you can use a lighting stand to project it onto your floor.
• If you are holding your party indoors, you could always add the addition of a Blisslight/ starry night light to create that outdoor feel with stars dancing across your ceiling.
• If you do not have a fireplace and would still like to add the fireside glow to your event, you can always use a fire effect to light up a wall as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Food:

No party is complete without the food. Since we are welcoming autumn, no party would be complete without cups of warm hot cocoa and mulled cider. Trail mix, cheese plates, and candied apples are other fun ways to add autumn color to your table. Another wonderful autumn treat is pumpkin soup. Here is the recipe my family uses every winter.
Pumpkin Soup:
• 12 cups chicken stock
• 1 ham bone with meat
• 1 pumpkin pealed and cut into cubes
• Couple of potatoes
• Several carrots
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
• heavy cream for garnish (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Bring the 12 cups stock, the ham bone, and pumpkin to a boil. Peal and chop one yellow onion and add to the pot. Peal several potatoes and cut into cubes. Clean the carrots, slice, and add to the pot. Add 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic. After one hour, take out the ham bone and allow it to cool. Put the pot to simmer. Remove meat from bone and add back to the pot and throw the bone away. Turn the soup off and allow it to cool for one hour covered. After the soup has cooled, take half of the soup and blend until smooth (or all the soup if you prefer a creamy soup). Add blended soup back to the pot and reheat. Once warm, spoon it into a bowl and top with a tablespoon of heavy cream. Swirl and enjoy!

Serves 12 people

 

 

3. Decorations
Another fun thing to add pizzazz to any party is the decorations.

You can always add pumpkins, dried corn, or a bale or two of hay. Most craft stores also sell a variety of leaves and decorations. Another fun way to add light is battery operated tea lights to give a soft glow to your party. You can always do fun DIY crafts such as painting pinecones or making hand turkeys if your party is closer to Thanksgiving.

Autumn is one of the most colorful times of the year! It’s filled with comforting items and is perfect for meeting with friends and family before the end of the year holiday rush.

I wish you the best of luck for your autumn parties!

Imagine yourself sitting Oceanside with a cocktail in hand. You feel the warm sun on your skin and the cool ocean breeze tousling your hair. You don’t have a care in the world. Who would object to such a relaxing day? Most people sit in their office chairs at work dreaming about doing just that. Well, why not make a party out of it?! With a few easy tips and tricks I can tell you just how to achieve this look.

Instead of going over the top and trying to buy a whole mess of things for a tropical party, go simple! Use DIY methods to perfectly compliment your event!

Place settings:

Using palm fronds and other vegetation gives the perfect tropical feel to any event! This simple solution gives a wonderful tropical vibe and can also look elegant at the same time. The best part about this is: all you have to do is take a stroll to collect your place settings! For all of you non-Floridians out there, here is another great way to achieve the palm frond look:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/29-x-16-Green-Decorative-Artificial-Monstera-Palm-Leaf-Spring-Table-Runner/50587329

https://www.amazon.com/Palm-Leaves-Party-Decorations-Decor/dp/B005I4YZPY

Just make sure to remove all the creepy crawlies from real palm fronds before placing them on the table. You wouldn’t want any tiny unwanted guests to ruin the party!

Center pieces:
When decorating your table why not put a creative spin on it? Using pineapples will give your tables a refreshing look and adding some additional color will really give your event a creative edge. Plus, creating this look is so simple. Why not try it? Just take a sponge tipped painting tool to add color and you’re done. Simple as that!

Fruit serving tray: 

This is personally my favorite idea! Using pineapples to create a mini palm tree serving tray is a great way to impress your guests.

All you need is:

• 4 to 5 pineapples
• Palm fronds
• PVC pipe, 1 inch by 24 inches
• PVC table cap, 1 inch
• Wood screws
• 12-inch wood disk, 3/4 inches thick
• Wooden skewers
• Aluminum foil
• Knife
• Serving platter
• PVC pipe cutter (optional)

After you gather your materials you would need to:

1. Screw PVC Table Cap to the Wood Base
2. Cut PVC pipe if necessary
3. Insert the PVC Pipe in the PVC Table Cap
4. Cover with the PVC pipe with Aluminum Foil
5. Slice the Tops and Bottoms of the Pineapples off
6. Core the Pineapples making a hole for the PVC pipe
7. Place the Base on a Serving Platter
8.  Insert the First Pineapple (Place wooden skewers in between to secure pineapples)
9. Continue Stacking the Pineapples to desired height
10. Insert the Palm Fronds into PVC pipe at top when “palm tree” is desired height
11. Cover the Base where the pineapple sits
12. You’re done! Add some yummy snacks to your new creation!

 

Now, go and enjoy your very own tropical paradise!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuck between choosing a color that was exactly your accent hue for your upcoming event?  Who said you had to pick!?  I’ve come to the realization that MORE is more!  More Colors!  More Options!  More!  Why subject your guests to the same old look over, and over again? Spice it up, by mixing two colors on your chair covers.  How?  Add two colorful chair bands at once!

I know what you are saying: “what madness is this?” It isn’t madness, it’s buying into the #TREATYOSELF movement.  Instead of sticking with just one color sash, try kicking it up a notch by twisting 2 colors together for a beautiful color blocking effect.   For example:

Here is what you’ll need:

• Chairs (banquet or folding)
• Chair covers
•  Two chair sashes in contrasting colors (per chair)
• Buckles (optional)

Step 1:

Slip on the chair covers over your chairs.

Step 2:

Slide on both sashes. *Once on the chair you can twist, and arrange the fit to achieve the look you want.

Step 3:

Clip on the buckle. (Or don’t! It looks beautiful either way!)

Voila! Check out those gorgeous chairs, and while you’re at it give yourself a healthy pat on the back. You deserve it!

Here are some inspirational photos of different color combinations you should try! 

HOW TO GET THE LOOK FOR LESS:

Do-it-yourself event rentals are a great way to save money. The best part is that it’s also quick and easy, literally anyone can do it – no experience required.  Online rentals make the process hassle-free: just order online, and everything is delivered to your door.  Afterwards, put everything back in the same box and send back using a prepaid return label. Visit www.RentMyWedding.com to learn more.

 

Centerpiece spotlights will absolutely make your centerpieces pop.  This is also known as “pinspotting” or “pin spots.”  Wireless centerpiece spotlights are quick and easy to setup. The spotlights have a magnetic base that affixes to most metal surfaces, as well as a clip that can attach to drop ceiling supports. You can rent cake spotlights for under $20.  Online rental companies make this process super easy.  Just order online and the spotlights will be delivered to your door.  Most online companies also offer free shipping both ways, saving you time and money!  Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about setting up your own centerpiece spotlights.

1. SETUP
   1. Mount spotlight
   2. Tilt towards centerpiece 
   3. Turn on light using button or remote control
YOU’RE DONE!

2. MOUNTING OPTIONS
   1. Tabletop setup
   2. Attach to any metal surface using magnetic clip
   3. Attach to drop ceiling using scissors clip
   4. Wrap around poles/branches

2. HOW MANY DO I NEED?
Each Centerpiece: 1 Spotlight

HOW TO SET UP DIY  SPOTLIGHTS

Rent centerpiece spotlights for as little as $12 with free shipping nationwide at RentMyWedding.com or click here.  For more information, call 1.800.465.8020.