Day 19: Dapper Guys

With so little time, we knew that we had to get attire done...and quick! I already told you how she wanted sunflowers and girls in black dresses, so that was an easy answer for her "colors". However, sometimes ordering attire can take more time than what you would expect. And, I don't know about your wedding, but most of the grooms and groomsmen that I know aren't exactly the most prompt with getting their fittings done and orders placed. *ahem*

All that said, this groom did a great job!

He coordinated with his guys and they came up with the most clever attire. It was still elegant, but such a fun twist on the average black suit. Totally kept with the theme.

The groomsmen rocked out their Chucks and argyle socks.

Day 18: Where to Begin?!?

As you can well imagine, Abby was totally excited, but totally overwhelmed with knowing even where to begin. She knew that she loved the country and sunflowers. She knew that she wanted her girls to wear black. But, more than anything, she wanted a wedding that would be fun and comfortable for her friends and family and would glorify God while they celebrated. Using those couple of details, we developed the vision for her wedding.

The first step to knock out was the question of where?

Her family's home is just up the road from WinMock at Kinderton, and we knew that this location would be an exceptional choice for what she was envisioning for her wedding. After visiting this wonderful venue, we knew it was the perfect place for her big day!

Continue with us tomorrow as we continue to walk through how we made this wedding an artful event!

Day 17: The Way of a Wedding

You may or may not have noticed, but weddings are getting more and more personalized, and more and more fabulous. I love how much creativity there can be in designing a wedding. It's not just a grand celebration, though it is that indeed. It's also a representation of the couple's personality. What has made them who they are, and who they are together.

When you consider how to bring in all of the detail to a wedding, you might think about how long it would take, and how complicated it could be to pull together. To make it artful, you would imagine, you would have to have months and months! However, this precious bride, did not have much time at all. I met Abby just after she had gotten engaged, and we had about...

7 weeks to plan her wedding!

There are some people who would have called her and her sparkly-eyed groom-to-be crazy. But, I looked at her with smiling eyes, and said, "We've got a lot of work to do, but we can absolutely do this!" With tears in her eyes, she said how excited she was, which was clear as day already.

I can't wait to walk you through how this wedding became an exceptionally fun day, bursting with creativity and personality. Join me this week as we continue our 31 day journey to an artful event!

Previous 31 Day Posts:

Day 1: 31 Days to an Artful Event

Day 2: The Haves and the Have Nots

Day 3: A Few of My Favorite Things

Day 4: Thinking Outside of the (Berry) Box

Day 5: It's the Little Things

Day 6: Layering is a Good Thing

Day 7: Allowing it to Be

Day 8: The Finished Product

Day 9: Indulging on a Sunday

Day 10: The Greatest Show on Earth

Day 11: Come One, Come All!

Day 12: Could it Get Any Better?

Day 13: Drink & Be Merry!

Day 14: More Sweetness to Come

Day 15: Let the Games Begin

Day 16: Things of Glory

Day 16: Things of Glory

Today, I'm finding inspiration in the most mundane,

and yet miraculous things of all.

Spotting a woodpecker from my kitchen window.

Hearing the sweetest words from a child.

A hot breakfast with lots of laughter to share.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow streaming through the house sung so beautifully.

The leaves giving their curtain call.

The faith of a child.

May we find the grace today to see glory all around us in the littlest of ways.

What are the things inspiring you today?

Day 15: Let the Games Begin!

Last but not least, a circus party should always include some fun games!

I think the most fun part of a carnival or circus themed party is the games that you can plan. You can create a unique atmosphere simply by having several areas set up with interactive games, varied to the age group of the guests coming.

For a preschool aged carnival, you could have some simple stations, such as "Bean Bag Toss", "Knock Down", "Pin the Tail on the Lion" or even a "Dress Like a Clown" dress up area.

At a preschool carnival party I did a while back, the guests enjoyed decorating their prize bags as they arrived. It was a simple way to get the kids engaged from the beginning!

Or for older kids or adults, you could have more interactive and challenging areas set up. You can tweak it to your age group, child's personality, or simply what you want the party to feel like.

To give the party that carnival feel you can make signs for each game,

so the kids feel like they're visiting each station and game of the carnival.

Here's a pretty extensive list of carnival games and activities that have variations and ideas for each game. Or you can come up with your own. The possibilities are endless!

We're half way through our 31 Days to an Artful Event. I hope that you'll join me this coming week as we enter into week three of our journey!

Previous 31 Day Posts:

Day 1: 31 Days to an Artful Event

Day 2: The Haves and the Have Nots

Day 3: A Few of My Favorite Things

Day 4: Thinking Outside of the (Berry) Box

Day 5: It's the Little Things

Day 6: Layering is a Good Thing

Day 7: Allowing it to Be

Day 8: The Finished Product

Day 9: Indulging on a Sunday

Day 10: The Greatest Show on Earth

Day 11: Come One, Come All!

Day 12: Could it Get Any Better?

Day 13: Drink & Be Merry!

Day 14: More Sweetness to Come

Day 14: More Sweetness to Come!

So, just when you thought there wouldn't be any more sugar added to this party...

Instead of a traditional birthday cake, the candy bar buffet is such a cute way to continue the carnival theme. Buy candy in bulk, and then display it in glass containers.

Set out bags for guests to fill as they'd like. The candy buffet can be the prizes for the games, and also a tasty favor to take with them. Enjoy the sweetness for days to come!

Catch up on all the 31 Day Posts!

Day 1: 31 Days to an Artful Event

Day 2: The Haves and the Have Nots

Day 3: A Few of My Favorite Things

Day 4: Thinking Outside of the (Berry) Box

Day 5: It's the Little Things

Day 6: Layering is a Good Thing

Day 7: Allowing it to Be

Day 8: The Finished Product

Day 9: Indulging on a Sunday

Day 10: The Greatest Show on Earth

Day 11: Come One, Come All!

Day 12: Could it Get Any Better?

Day 13: Drink & Be Merry!

Day 13: Drink & Be Merry!

Drinks are easy to forget about when you're planning a party. You get so focused on food and games, that they can easily go by the way side. However, planning for them is another step to making your event a great one!

How cute are these straws?

I think cute drinking straws are one the most fun new party trends. I mean, so simple, but so fun...it's like every time you take a sip, you get to have a little party (and you wonder why I'm an event designer).

Remember how much I love tins to hold drinks?

This circus themed beverage station caught my eye!

The beverages for an event are almost as important to plan for as the food. People may not always want to eat, but they almost always enjoy a beverage of some type. And, drinks can add so much to your decor and atmosphere. Not to mention, it's just another way to continue carrying out the theme.

So, drink and be merry!

Continue with us on our 31 Day Journey to an Artful Event tomorrow!