Magic Moments Parties and Events

Ask for a can of worms for your wedding registry!

2012-01-31T12:56:00.000-08:00

I have written several blog posts about DIY (Do It Yourself) ideas for those brides on a tight budget. However, what about those with unlimited funds? Well the first thing I would recommend you do is email me at rachel@magicmomentsevents.com (shameless plug, I know) and the second thing I would suggest is continuing reading this post.

According to an article published in the Wall Street Journal last week, "these days, in addition to hunting for the perfect Vera Wang gown and hiring a caterer, brides are trying to aid the homeless, fight poverty and world hunger or help find a cure for cancer." Instead of having a bachelorette party in Las Vegas with hundreds of one-dollar bills, for example, one bride gathered her friends and spent the afternoon decorating and delivering 140 cupcakes to a homeless shelter. Similarly, in lieu of wedding gifts, some couples are asking for monetary donations to pay for goats, sheep and cows in underdeveloped countries. "Venerable charities such as Oxfam America and Heifer International have seized on the opportunity. They now offer couples the chance to create their own wedding registry - listing llamas, chicks, honeybees, water jugs, even cans of worms as gifts." You can offer something charitable at any stage of the wedding. At the end of the night, for example, give guests favors that give back to the community. One couple gave each guest a cookie in the shape of a dog bone with a note attached saying that a donation was made in the guest's name to the Search Dog Foundation. This charity "rescues dogs and trains them to hunt for people buried alive in disasters."

Whether it is during the bridal shower, bachelorette party or the actual reception, charitable acts are a wonderful way to keep the happy couple and guests grounded during an otherwise opulent affair. So feel free to spend an excessive amount of money on the decor (refer to my email address above) and then feel better about it by being altruistic in your pre, during, or post festivities!

Productively Pinterest

2012-01-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

Most people know what they like but have trouble visualizing the big picture. How will those centerpieces look with that linen? How will that lighting look in that venue? How will it all come together? Here is a tip for both planners and clients - Pinterest.

A little history for your next water cooler conversation: Work on Pinterest began in 2009 and was originally invitation-only. Later, the site made registration possible after an email request. On August 16, 2011, Time Magazine published Pinterest in its "50 Best Websites of 2011" column. In December of 2011, Pinterest entered the top ten social networks with 11 million total visits per week.

For those of you who don't currently have a Pinterest account, what are you waiting for? You can easily gain one by registering at http://www.pinterest.com/. It took a few days for my account to be ready, but since then I have been a pinning fanatic. Not sure how to use Pinterest? Don't worry. Not only is it fairly straightforward, but I'll give you a short tutorial.

Pinterest is essentially a social photo sharing website that allows you to create theme-based virtual collages. Pictures, otherwise known as "pins," show up on the homepage through a pin feed that takes into account timing of pin, re-pinning activity, "like" activity, comment activity and your personal interests based on the board/pinners you follow. You can label and create theme-based image boards (i.e. collages) that your followers can see. Pictures consist of subcategories including, but not limited to, art, design, DIY & crafts, fitness, food & drink, home decor, women's apparel, men's apparel, sports, wedding & events, etc. Not only can you pin pictures from the homepage, but you can also add pictures from the Internet using the "Pin It" button or as an image uploaded from your computer.

Pinterest is not only a wonderful way to procrastinate, but it can also be extremely productive in planning your event. (I love alliteration!) Next time you are meeting with a vendor but aren't able to eloquently speak your vision, show them your Pinterest board. Not only are pictures helpful, but a themed collage of your themed idea, stage decor, centerpieces, drapery, lighting, etc. would be beneficial to any vendor in an effort to make your vision a reality. So start pinning!

Warning: Pinterest is highly addicting.

Say Yes To The Dress And Pay For It Yourself

2012-01-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

We have all watched TLC's "Say Yes To The Dress," falling in love with Kleinfeld's fashion expert, Randy, and the gorgeous bridal gowns alike. I plead guilty to spending hours in front of the TV watching these girls fork over thousands upon thousands of dollars on a dress they will only wear once. So when did this bridal gown fascination begin? According to Becker's Bridal, back in the 1930s and 1940s, it usually took a bride an hour to find a dress. (Imagine that!!) The bridal consultant would offer three choices and the bride would happily chose the best one. By the 1990s, however, brides began long shopping excursions, as they didn't want the fun to end. Now, according to TLC, some brides will try on hundreds of gowns before finding that perfect fit.

As the time it took to chose a gown grew, so did the budgets. After World War II, not only did shoulder pads get bigger, but so did the wedding budgets. "In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor, starring in 'Father of the Bride,' and Grace Kelly, marrying a prince, helped usher in fairytale weddings." According to the American Wedding Study conducted last year by Brides magazine, the average bride in the United States now spends $1,289 on a dress, up 20% since 1999. TV bridal shows, which often focus on more expensive gowns, have certainly played a part in the increased budgets. The growth in budgets has also occurred because more modern brides are paying for their own gowns. In the early days, brides neither had jobs nor the money to pay for their dress. Therefore, their parents chose and paid for the gown. But back then the dresses were also expected to be multifunctional, rather than one-time-only fashion statements. Women would dye or hem them for other important occasions. Nowadays, however, we try to ruin them as best we can for photo-ops. (See previous blog post about trashing the dress.) What a difference a few decades makes!

New Inventory That Will Elevate Your Event To The Next Level

2011-12-30T08:34:00.000-08:00

Want to make your event stand out from the rest? Magic Moments has the answer! We custom-built six Interactive Tables and two Interactive Kiosks with the most up-to-date infrared technology. The capabilities are endless. In fact, we recently returned from a Google event in Washington, D.C. at 101 Constitution, a rooftop venue right across from the Capital. As you can see from the pictures, we completely customized each table for Google's brand. With enough time (at least 10 days), this is something that we can do for your event, whether it is social or corporate. From pictures of a bride and groom scrolling across the table to a company's logo, these tables are fully customizable. The kiosks are essentially a giant iPad and use two-touch technology. They also have a built-in camera and USB drive to offer a nearly immediate guest book. For the Google event, we actually turned one kiosk horizontally so that it could be used as a table. We then had a clear cutting board custom-built to fit on top of the screen. Guests were then able to play Fruit Ninja (yes, you read that correctly - they were able to actually play Fruit Ninja!) directly on the kiosk while a chef was simultaneously chopping fruit!!

The tables and kiosks are a hot commodity so call us today (214-688-9900) to place them on hold for your upcoming event!!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

2011-12-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

It's finally the time of year when it is APPROPRIATE to start celebrating the holidays. Yes, there are some people out there who decided to put up their trees and lights before Halloween, and we aren't judging. But for a company like Magic Moments Parties and Events, we like to celebrate every holiday to the max. After all, we have decor for them all!

We had our second annual tree lighting ceremony at the AT&T Performing Arts Center's Winspear Opera House last Friday. (For those of you who don't know, Magic Moments is the preferred in-house decor company at the AT&T Performing Arts Center!) The event began at 5pm and featured live performances of holiday music and dancing by local entertainment, a visit from Santa for photos, children's activities including arts and crafts, carriage rides, and, the piece de resistance, the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree in Sammons Park. The evening was a big success. For those of you who weren't able to make it, we hope to see you next year!

Say Cheese!

2011-11-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Looking for a location to take your family holiday pictures or for a no-hassle venue for your baby's portraits? Well, look no further! Here at Magic Moments Parties and Events, we are now offering our venue for pictures. Simply choose from our backdrop list, bring your family and have a great time! Don't forget a camera!

Balloon Wedding Gowns

2011-10-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Can't afford a Vera Wang wedding dress but still want the feeling of a one-of-a-kind gown? No problem, as long as you are willing to think outside the box. The catch? These couture dresses are not made of lace, satin or silk. In fact, they are made of balloons...hundreds of balloons! You've always pictured your big day to be perfectly blissful. You may even have imagined "floating" down the aisle. Well now that vision can be a reality! And I'm sure here at Magic Moments Parties and Events we could come up with the perfect decor to match your "out of this world" gown!

Not willing to take the chance of popping (literally) out of your dress on your big day? Balloon dresses don't have to be used solely for wedding purposes. Check out this video from the 2009 Balloon Fashion Show in Las Vegas, Nevada! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roBQfHPcOcA&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

It's Finally Fall!

2011-10-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

It's finally fall! The weather is starting to get cooler, the trees will soon change colors, the State Fair of Texas is in full swing, and the pumpkins are making their way into homes across the country. What does this mean for you? Well, two things. First, you need to start brainstorming ideas for your Halloween costume. Let's be original this year, people! Second, and most importantly, you need to begin thinking about your Halloween decorations. Luckily for you, we are experts when it comes to decor! Check out these pictures from a private residence we "dressed up" yesterday. These lucky recipients will have this spooky decor outside their house for the entire month of October! Jealous? Give us a call!

Economy Hits Getting Hitched in Vegas

2011-09-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Have you always dreamed of saying your vows in a drive-thru chapel? Is your ideal destination wedding location in a city known for sinning? Are you planning on going to Las Vegas for a quick hitch? Probably not anymore! According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the recession has caused fewer couples to visit the city last year, let alone wed in Sin City. In fact, in 2010, Nevada's Clark County office issued 91,890 marriage licenses, down 16% from 2007. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 37.3 million people visited the city last year, down from 39.2 million in 2007. In order the sustain the economic downtown, wedding chapels are shifting their focus from weddings to vow renewal ceremonies and commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples who can't legally wed. The bottom line: as the economy suffers, so does Las Vegas' wedding count...and probably the number of annulments! But don't quote us on that; we don't pretend to be annulment experts. If you want expert advice on event decor, however, give us a ring. (Get it? Pun intended!)

ISES Eventworld Recap

2011-08-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

I know this post is a little late, as ISES Eventworld took place in St. Louis at the beginning of the month, but I just felt like I had to share my experience with everyone. Plus, better late than never, right?!

This was my first time attending ISES Eventworld and it was such an amazing educational and networking experience. I arrived in St. Louis the evening of Wednesday, August 3rd and immediately started meeting new people. For those of you who aren't a member of ISES (International Special Events Society), I highly recommend joining the industry association. There isn't a group of people who are more welcoming than the ISES family. The host hotel was Union Station Marriott, a downtown historic property that used to be a railroad station.

Thursday:
Having recently been appointed as Director of Membership for the Dallas chapter, I attended the "Chapter VP of Membership Round-Table" on Thursday morning. This provided myself and my counterpart, Damany Daniel, VP of Membership, with innovative ideasthat other chapters have used to retain current members and increase new membership. Later that afternoon, I attended the opening general session entitled, "The Original Social Media." The opening act, The 3 Painters, was entertaining and exciting, as giant black canvases were transformed into large tributes in mere minutes.

The speaker, Don Neal, President of 360 Live Media was fabulous. Don explained that the number one reason we design live events is to convey an emotion that cannot be delivered through any other medium. This is because our media is live, branded and powerful. He gave a great example that I will never forget, arguing that the best place to purchase a diamond is Costco because they promise to give you the diamond for free if you find a better price or quality rock. However, if a man proposed to his girlfriend with a ring in a blueberry box, she will likely say no. Don then showed pictures of Tiffany boxes - the blue hue that is known and coveted by girls all around the world. He said that these boxes convey an emotion, just like live events.

After this wonderful opening session, I attended another general session lead by Angie Smith, VP of Strategic Practice for INXPO entitled, "Demystifying Virtual Events." In this session, Angie spoke about the difference between live events and virtual events. She stated that we shouldn't be worried about virtual events cannibalizing our live, physical events. After all, if done properly, virtual events should enhance our live events.

Thursday evening I attended the welcome event at the City Museum, which was AWESOME! The museum is housed in a 600,000 square-foot former shoe warehouse and is full of repurposed materials found in St. Louis. The museum is an eclectic mixture of a playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. This would be an amazing venue to host an event.

Friday:
Friday started off early with a continental breakfast and the ISES Annual General Meeting and Spirit of Excellence Awards. The ISES Dallas chapter was proud to take home an honorable mention for best communications! Go us!! This was an exciting opportunity for our chapter to be recognized by the other chapters worldwide. After the awards ceremony I attended David Rich's session on event trends. David stressed that change is going to continue to accelerate and we need to be open to the advances in technology. Among other examples, David showed a video from Forever 21 in Times Square in New York City that used advanced technology to draw a crowd and bring people into their store. Later that afternoon, I attended an entertainment session that discussed working with entertainment companies. The panel stressed the importance of communication among all vendors in order to produce a successful experience for your client and their attendees. From contracts, riders, expectation, design ideas, structure and placement, this class was very enlightening and "entertaining." After the entertainment session I attended the next general session by David Rich entitled "The Experience Marketing Imperative." David stated that we are a media-driven society. From our smart phones, entertainment consoles, etc., it takes more than ever to entertain us.

Saturday:

I woke up early on Saturday morning to attend a site selection tour. We traveled to the City Museum, World's Fair Pavilion and Jewel Box and participated in mock site inspections. After this enlightening tour, I attended the social event design block. The most interesting advice I gained from this session was to play the "love it, hate it" game with brides. Basically, you show a bride several pictures of weddings and make her immediately say either "love it" or "hate it." You should then go back through the "love it" pictures with her and talk about what she loved about them. This is very beneficial, as most brides often don't know how to communicate what they like and why they like it. Saturday evening was the ISES Espirit Awards Celebration. This was a fabulous event with beautiful decor, great entertainment, and wonderful company. Overall, it was the perfect ending to a great conference.

Hope to see everyone in Dallas next year for ISES Eventworld!!

Wedding Tradition Explained

2011-08-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

You may have heard the tradition that on her wedding day, a bride should be wearing, "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue." However, I would be willing to bet that most brides don't know where this tradition came from, nor why it exists. Well, dear readers, this is precisely why you read our blog...to find out the details about industry fads, traditions, new venues, and more!

This tradition came from the poem, "Something borrowed, something new, something old, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe." Thank goodness the last phrase has since gone out of fashion, as that would be a very uncomfortable tradition! Something old is used to represent continuity of the past moving to the future. Something new is to represent optimism for the future and the new life the couple will share together. Something borrowed is to portray borrowed happiness. This item usually comes from a couple who is happily married. Something blue denotes love, good fortune and the bride's purity. In Roman times, for example, blue was discreetly worn as an undergarment (gasp!) or garter. Lastly, if you decide to go with the original poem, a silver sixpence represents good fortune and prosperity.

Want some examples of what you can wear on your big day?

Here is what Kate Middleton wore on her wedding day (only the best examples for our readers!):

Something old: Kate wore lace from the old "Carrickmacross lace-making techniques." Apparently this lace-making practice stems from a 19th-century Irish tradition.

Something new: Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, gifted their daughter a pair of diamond earrings by London-based Robinson Pelham. These gorgeous earrings were made to match her beautiful tiara.

Something borrowed: Speaking of her tiara, her 1936 Cartier Halo tiara was lent to Kate by her grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. (There are definitely perks to royalty!)

Something blue: Kate had a blue ribbon interwoven into her gown, similar to how a blue ribbon was drawn on the Middleton coat of arms to symbolize her singlehood. (According to Time, artists will now remove that blue ribbon from the crest and impale Kate's shield into the middle of Prince William's coat of arms. How romantic!)

In case you don't come from (or marry into) royalty, here are some more cost-effective ways to keep the tradition.

Something old: heirloom jewels like rings, earrings, bracelets; classic car for wedding day transportation; your grandmother's veil; antique lace tied around your bouquet; childhood pillow for ring bearer's pillow; host the wedding at a historic location

Something new: wedding gown, jewelry, custom perfume designed for the bride, makeup, lingerie, shoes, tiara (this one is easy!)

Something borrowed: jewelry from a family member, flowers from grandparent's garden, charm from a family member hooked to bouquet, veil from a friend, home of friend or family member for the ceremony or reception

Something blue: flowers, lingerie, barrette, shoes, makeup, earrings, party favors, toe nail polish

Silver Sixpence: buy a silver sixpence for the wedding, get a mint coin to carry, use an old coin from the couple's heritage

And don't forget, items can be used for multiple classifications!

Our Newest Addition to the Magic Moments' Team!

2011-08-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to announce that, as of July 2011, Joel D. Baker has joined the Magic Moments family. Joel comes to us with years of experience, particularly in the area of event design. As founder and president of Accent with Flowers and Productions, he has worked with clients all over the world. Joel later worked for the Wynn Casino in Las Vegas to manage high-profile events for many Fortune 500 companies, as well as large social galas and functions. He designed the NFL Owner's Dinner and VIP Party for Super Bowl XLV, which brought him to the Dallas area last February. Joel is sure to shake things up around the office, as his creativity and expertise are truly astonishing. We are looking forward to working with him on upcoming events, so send your RFPs our way!

Here is proof that Joel knows some pretty powerful people!

Welcome to the team, Joel!

Party Planking

2011-07-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you who live under a rock, "planking" or the "lying down game," is a popular trend of lying face down in an unusual location. According to Wikipedia, the term planking is described as "the practice of lying down flat with arms to the side, to mimic a wooden plank."

There are two things to consider when planking. First, an individual's form while planking is of the utmost importance. While planking, your hands must touch the sides of your body, your legs must remain straight and together with your toes pointed and your arms must be held straight by your side with your fingers pointed. Second, the location should be as public as possible. Not to mention, the more people involved the better. People often compete to plank in the most unusual, incongruous locations. Having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game. Since it began, people have been photographed planking in some of the most unusual locations including on top of poles, roofs, vehicles, or, as in the picture to the right, camels.

Now you're thinking to yourself, "How does this relate to events?!" Well dear readers, this strange - yet awesome - phenomena is taking over the wedding world! Capturing your friends in mid-jump for pictures was so last year. This year, have your bridal party pictured planking. And then send us your pictures. Here at Magic Moments Parties and Events, we don't only enjoy giving you the inside information on the latest trends, but we also enjoy a good laugh of our own! Thank you Groomsmenadvice.com for the following pictures:

Problem Solving Through Trusted Vendors

2011-06-27T13:25:00.001-07:00

As an event professional, we often find that we have to wear many hats. A lot of the time we are in "Event Designer" mode, but more often than not we also find that we simultaneously act as "Sales Person," "Proposal Writer," "Planner," and sometimes even "Therapist." It can often be a difficult job, but at the end of the day we always have the client's best interest at heart.

I can think of countless examples of times when I have had to use my creative problem-solving skills to think of a solution to an issue that comes up that may or may not even have anything to do with the services that we are expected to perform for the client. An easy example of this, which has happened before, is that the client mis-calculates how many tables they need an in reality end up having to add one more at the last minute. As a result, this means additional table linen, chairs, and table centerpiece. At Magic Moments we always think ahead to anticipate this kind of issue and make every best effort to bring additional materials to easily fix a situation like this. Another example, might be when the client goes through and outside vendor to order an additional rental item and the company is not able to deliver. (This actually happened to use this past weekend). Thankfully, due to our strong connections and industry resources we were able to come up with an alternate solution through one of our preferred vendor partners to pull it off at the last minute, and...even better...at no cost to the client!

This is a perfect example of how important it is when selecting vendors to find out how strong of a resource network they have. As proud members of the International Special Events Society (ISES), the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the Bay Area Wedding Professionals (BAWP), and the local Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau; we are undoubtedly connected to all sorts of individuals in our area and around the globe. It is through these trusted organizations that we are able to forge stron relationships within our industry and ultimately provide a better service to our clients.

If you are an event professional and are not a member of at least one or more of these type organizations, it is definitely a MUST!

If you are an individual who is looking for a reputable event professional to help you execute an event, feel free to ask your vendors what organizations they are a part of. Putting together any type of event is definitely a team effort, so be sure that you have the right players on your team!

Celebrating 100 Years

2011-06-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

This past week, a fabulous new installation has gone up at the Hotel Galvez down near our Galveston office. Celebrating their 100 Year Anniversary, they commissioned us to create a beautiful Spanish flamenco style dress that incorporated images from the hotel's historical past. We were of course up for the challenge and our very own Celesta Segerstrom designed the entire work of art out of paper.

With details from the lush ruffles that make up the fullness of the skirt, the historical photos imbedded within, the intricate bodice made from tissue paper, to the paper hair accented by flowers and mantilla comb, the whole design is truly breathtaking. It went up in the lobby of the hotel this week and will remain there for the duration of the month of June. For any of you in the area, you should definitely stop by to check it out!

For a full list of details and events, be sure to check out the Hotel Galvez's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HotelGalvez and view their wall for more photos and info!

Happy International Museum Day!

2011-05-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today is a special holiday - International Museum Day! So let's go out and celebrate the best way we know how...by throwing a party. And to ensure that our celebration is for the right reasons, let's host this fabulous event at a museum! You might be thinking that a museum isn't your typical event venue. But a museum can offer all sorts of surprises that a hotel ballroom cannot!

We have helped execute several fabulous events at museums. For the past few years, for instance, we have assisted with the Floral Symposium at the Dallas Museum of Art. This is such an elegant venue to host an event. My personal favorite space within the DMA is the Hamon Atrium, which features windows framed by beautiful Dale Chihuly. This space offers the perfect canvas for any special event. Other spectacular venues within the Downtown Dallas area are the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Dallas World Aquarium and Reunion Tower. Although some of the rental fees might be pricey, these gorgeous venues offer built-in decor that you can't find anywhere else. (Unless you hire Magic Moments Parties and Events to custom create something fabulous for you - shameless plug.)

But don't think that your venue has to be a museum that already has elegant decor. We recently did a corporate event at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. Picture a large, empty garage-like space. Talk about a blank canvas! The flight museum offered two antique airplanes and the rest was up to our team. And boy did we deliver! Here are some before and after pictures. We absolutely loved working with the flight museum's staff and had such a great time planning and installing for this event.

So the next time you are planning an event, think outside the box and book a museum (in honor of today, of course)! Your guests will love a walking buffet tour through the aquarium that ends with dessert in the shark tank; your friends will marvel at the most spectacular view of Dallas at Reunion Tower; your event will be the talk of the town! Just beware that when word gets out that you're throwing these amazing events, your friend count will multiply because everyone and their mother will want to be invited to the next soiree!

Another DIY Idea!

2011-05-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here at Magic Moments Parties and Events, we specialize in custom design and decor for all types of events - from corporate parties, meetings and conferences to social birthday parties, weddings, mitzvahs, etc. You name it, we do it. However, because spring is high season for weddings, I wanted to dedicate yet another blog post to a unique do-it-yourself idea for your upcoming wedding, even if it isn't this spring.

We have all attended weddings. You walk into the ceremony and the usher seats you either on the bride's side or groom's side of the venue. Immediately, you are segregated depending on how you came to be invited to the wedding. You spend the remainder of the ceremony sitting with your "group." If seating cards have been placed on the tables, the segregation continues to the reception. It is only until the dancing begins that you can feel free to converse with whomever catches your eye. And at that point, starting conversation can seem difficult. As the host/hostess of the party, your goal is to ensure that everyone has a great time. So why not figure out a way to connect all of your guests?! A great way to encourage your guests to meet each other this is to have a wedding tree that connects the guests. Simply group guests by branches and leaves, illustrating how everyone is connected to the bride and groom. What a great conversation starter!

If you feel like your guests are the outgoing type that don't need help meeting new people, you can use a similar idea for your guest book. Just print a tree onto canvas or nice paper and leave it out for guests to stamp their thumbs and sign your "guest book." Use green ink in order for the thumb prints to look like leaves. After your wedding, you can frame this canvas and have a fabulous keepsake! So be creative and enjoy!!

DIY Idea For Your Wedding

2011-05-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow readers! I apologize for not blogging as consistantly lately. The past few months can only be described as event-full - get it?! Pun intended! Anyway, I know we are right in the swing of Spring weddings, so I wanted to give you a cute do-it-yourself (DIY) idea to make your wedding stand out from the rest.

I received this idea from the African safari I took a couple months ago. Each night, the hotel staff would place a one-page "bedtime story" on our pillows, accompanied by a rose pedal and a delicious candy. The stories would ficticiously illustrate "How The Leopard Got It's Spots," or "How The Warthog Got It's Tusk," for example. After the first night, my family began looking forward to each night's bedtime story. It was such a great idea!
Being in the event industry, I constantly try to tweak cute ideas like this to make them apply to an event. That's when I came up with the idea of writing wedding guests a story of how the bride and groom first met. Feel free to take creative liberties, however, if you met at a dive bar, or somewhere less romantic than the doctor's waiting room. After all, your wedding day is when you get to become a prince or princess - so live it up! This personal touch, accented with a chocolate "kiss" would be ADORABLE!

Don't you just love creative ideas that will have your guests talking? Oh right, that's why you read our blog!

Who isn't a Pyro?!

2011-04-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

The ISES Dallas chapter had an outstanding power lunch a few weeks ago focused on "The Ins and Outs of Pyrotechnics." Not only was this two hour meeting filled with education, but Randy Beckham (Pyrotex) mixed it up by sharing some "oopsie" stories from past events using pyro (let your imagination run wild).

In a nutshell, companies such as Randy's (Pyrotex) design and produce spectacular events based on the magic of fireworks. Setting moods, building anticipation, and creating excitement is what it's all about. Pyrotex's goal is to produce each display as a theatrical event in which the safety of all involved (whether it's the trained and licensed pyrotechnicians, the performers, the audience, and/or the environment) is their primary concern.

Services include everything from purchasing permits and liability insurance, all the way to creating and integrating an overall fantastic event. Each show is unique and special in it's own way. Even choosing when to have this entertainment is up to the client --whether it's at the pronouncement of the husband and wife, reception during first dances, or the departure of the newlywed couple. I don't know about you, but I am ready to use "Pyro as Art" and hire the professionals at Pyrotex!

Our very own, Rachel Derman

2011-04-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

We are going to do a little something different this week...and get to know one of our Magic Moments' members a little bit better.

It's almost been exactly one year that miss Rachel has been with our sales team here at the Dallas office. Rachel graduated from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. Ever since Rachel was a senior in highschool, she knew she belonged in the event industry. From convention planning in Plano, TX to interning at the Grosvenor House in London, she has spent every summer gaining experience.

Rachel enjoys being an active member of ISES, MPI, and NACE. In her first year in the industry, she became elected as the director of student membership for the ISES Dallas membership committee. This has allowed her to reach out to students members and help them in their journey towards their career goal. Rachel recently recieved the Texas Star Award for "Best teamwork under $75,000" for a fashion show she co-chaired with J. Damany Daniel of Eventbrite. When asked what her favorite part of being involved in these organizations is, Rachel replied "The people; it really is like a family. Everyone is so welcoming with open arms, it is a great feeling!"

Oh, and by the way, tomorrow, April 13th, 2011, is Rachel's birthday! Everyone be sure to wish her a happy birthday!

Mardi Gras Madness

2011-03-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

March is the month of Mardi Gras! Since opening up our second office down in Galveston, we at Magic Moments have learned a crash course in Mardi Gras traditions and festivities and felt it something worth sharing with our fellow readers!

The origin of Mardi Gras is centered around "Fat Tuesday," which was traditionally an evening of celebration and lots of eating before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Nowadays, Mardi Gras celebrations have grown to be weeks long and consist of all kinds of parties, parades, galas, and festivities.

Down in Galveston, Mardi Gras has been in full swing! With events starting as early as two weeks ago, it has been a nonstop influx of visitors, parades, carnivals, and all kinds of festivities. And of course we can't forget, lots and lots of beads....

There are a variety of parades that take place in the city during this 2 week period. Each parade is sponsored by a different Krewe, which carries it's own set of traditions. The members of each Krewe hold a parade in honor of their group and various parties that surround each.

Here is a photo from the parade outside the Mardi Gras Ball hosted by the Mitchell Family at the Tremont House this past weekend. The theme for that evening was "The Enchantment of India" and it certainly was enchanting. I attended this event as a guest and was in awe of their fabulous decor, fun-filled entertainers and music, bangle bar, and of course the Knights of Momus parade that took place right outside. It was truly a fantastic evening!

Guest Books get Revamped with Wishing Tree

2011-01-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

First of all, I would like to apologize for the lack of recent posts. As many of you know, the Superbowl is in Dallas this year and these next two weeks are going to be INSANE! Magic Moments Parties & Events has been lucky enough to be asked to provide decor for several large Superbowl-related events. While flattering that we are in such high demand, we definitely have our work cut out for us and we are all very excited! Anyway, I removed myself from the chaos for an hour so I could write a proper blog post. I don't want any readers to continue suffering from withdrawal any longer!

I have been meaning to write about a current trend that I have seen and absolutely love. How many times have you gone to a wedding and felt obligated to write something thoughtful, sentimental or witty in the guest book? After all, you want your comment to stand out amongst the plethora of "Congratulations!" or "So happy for you two!" Not to mention, you always realize how ugly your handwriting truly looks after trying to smush it in with all the other comments. Well smush no more! Mix it up with a Wish Tree! How does it work, you ask? Give each of your guests a piece of paper (it can look like a leaf or made of simple card stock) and allow every guest to write what they wish for the happy couple. Then each guests places their "wish" on the tree. The tree can be displayed in the entrance of the reception and makes for a gorgeous centerpiece! Jazz it up with hanging crystals, beautiful gold branches, or votive candles.

After the wedding, the bride and groom can have all their guests' wishes made into a beautiful scrapbook. How much more fun would it be to look back on this memorabilia as opposed to a traditional guest book?! Plus, after the wedding the happy couple can sit back, relax, and watch their wishes become a reality. How romantic!!

Texas Wedding Guide

2011-01-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

Attention brides: Magic Moments Parties & Events is now featured in Texas Wedding Guide! Find out the hottest trends, color schemes, food options and more online HERE and make sure to go to your closest book store to purchase the December issue! Not sure where you can purchase your book? Click HERE for a list of distribution stores!

Catherine and Brandon's Wedding

2010-12-27T10:39:00.001-08:00

Aves Photography took these stunning pictures from Catherine and Brandon's wedding. Click HERE to check out their blog post about this amazing couple. We had the pleasure of working with Catherine and Brandon to make their wedding dream become a reality. From the tone on tone linens, to the gorgeous centerpieces, bouquets and lighting, we made sure the decor fit exactly what the happy couple imagined. And fit it did! Everyone, from the newlyweds to the guests, had a spectacular time. And what more could we ask for?!

Delicious Desserts

2010-12-14T13:37:00.001-08:00

It's been awhile since I've written about food, so I thought I'd take the opportunity on this Tuesday afternoon to discuss one of my favorite, most delicious topics - DESSERTS. After all, the holidays are in full force and what better way to celebrate than stuff ourselves with calorically dense deliciousness? You've probably been invited to several holiday parties, each host trying to outdo the others. HINT: The dessert bar is one of the best ways to beat out your competitors for the prize of best party. Well, the desserts and the drinks...But today we are focusing on desserts. Below are a few twists on how to blow your competitors out of the water and truly wow your guests.

Gourmet s'more table: Although this may not be NEW trend, it will always be a chic way to implement a classic, feel-good sweet at the end of a scrumptious meal. I have had the opportunity to enjoy s'more bars at several events, however, some have been executed better than others. Hints for a delicious s'more bar: First, don't just stick to the traditional ingredients, spice it up! Put different kinds of chocolate on the table - dark chocolate is always a big hit, as is Nutella. Add some fruit for guests to wedge between their sugary concoction. Be creative! Second, if you are going to have someone firing the grill and toasting those 'mellows to perfection, make sure that they aren't blowing directly on the guests' dessert. (Yes, that has happened to me.) Third, make sure you have enough; guests will definitely come back for more!

Freshly fried doughnuts: Remember the good ol' days when you could eat as many doughnuts as you wanted without feeling sick? With the holidays upon us, let's resort back to our youth and disregard our aching stomach. Eat on, friends, and spread the holiday cheer - and calories! There has been a recent influx of gourmet doughnut companies who will come to your event and fry some dough right before your eyes! This is as close to eating those fluffy Krispy Kreme's right off the conveyor belt. Hints for delicious doughnuts: First, make them to order. There is nothing better than a warm doughnut and nothing worse, in my opinion, than a cold one. Second, put out icing, sprinkles, chocolate, and other toppings to add a bit of festive pizazz. YUUM

Assorted candy/dessert bar: Everyone has a favorite dessert; some like sweet, some like sour, some have dietary restrictions and some are just plain picky. So make sure to offer variety, that way everyone walks away happy. The picture featured to the left is from an event I did at Cornell University. The theme was Cirque du Soleil, so we wanted to create a whimsical dessert bar. Therefore, while we featured several bite-sized options for dessert, what really caught the guests' attention was the edible decor. Cookies and cotton candy were arranged to create the whimsical look, however, could also be eaten by those interested. I love decorations you can eat!

So for this holiday season, make sure to be creative with your dessert choices. But most importantly, eat up!

*For any referrals, please contact Magic Moments Parties and Events.

We didn't let the Grinch steal our holiday cheer!

2010-12-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

Last night was a huge success! Thank you all for coming out to support the AT&T Performing Arts Center's first-annual tree lighting ceremony sponsored by yours truly, Magic Moments Parties and Events. Sipping hot chocolate and munchin' on cookies, hundreds of attendees enjoyed choir performances, bell concerts, carriage rides and overall holiday cheer. At 7pm the 16,000 Christmas lights were illuminated to make the 30-foot tree truly magnificent. The devious Grinch became aware of all the holiday cheer and, with his loathsome holiday attitude, unplugged the tree! But not to worry, Cindy Lou Who's love of Christmas prevailed as she plugged the tree back in. Adults and children everywhere were relieved!

Channel 8 and 11 news, as well as Radio Disney were also in attendance. Our tree was featured on the 6pm news last night, as well as in the Dallas Morning News this morning. This is an exciting time for us and we cannot express how grateful we are for all of your support. We are already looking forward to next year!

First Annual AT&T PAC Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

2010-11-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us (leaving an unwanted few pounds), it is OFFICIALLY time to begin the holiday celebrations. Yes, the radio may have started playing Christmas music before Halloween, but that doesn't make it okay. So now is the time, dear readers, to play Christmas music until your voice becomes hoarse, put up fake snowman in your yard even though it is still 70 degrees outside, and start hosting those ugly Christmas sweater parties. But if you are looking for a new holiday tradition (and you should be), please join Magic Moments and the AT&T Performing Arts Center in celebrating the first annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House. From live music, choir performances, carriage rides and surprise guest appearances, this is an event you won't want to miss! This family-friendly evening is sure to become a part of your holiday tradition. In return for your cheer, we will bring Rockefeller Center to you!

Event details

Date: December 7, 2010

Time: 6pm-7:10pm
Address: 2403 Flora Street, Dallas TX. 75201

RSVP HERE

Donate Your Centerpieces!

2010-11-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

Magic Moments has recently implemented a program that we hope more companies will adopt. After all, there is nothing more satisfying than brightening someone's day. And what better way to do that than with beautiful flowers?!

As a decor company with an in-house floral design room, we often create lavish centerpieces for events. Although clients have the right to take these beautiful creations home, they often leave the event without them. Therefore, our production team brings the centerpieces back to the warehouse where they, inevitably, get thrown out (except for when I take them home for my mom...not to break my arm patting myself on the back too hard, but let's face it, I'm kind of a wonderful daughter!).

Being constantly surrounded by gorgeous flowers, I often find myself taking them for granted. But there are a myriad of people in our community that would appreciate day-old, or even week-old flowers. And these people deserve to receive them.

So this leads me to Magic Moment's newly implemented program. We have recently begun donating flowers to hospitals in the area. So far the Children's Medical Center and Parkland Hospital have been recipients of flowers from a beautiful wedding. But this is just the start. We hope to leave our flowery mark on other hospitals in the area, nursing homes, schools, women's shelters, retirement communities, etc.

Have you made a beautiful impact on someone's day? Tell us about it!

Celebrate Plano

2010-11-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

Looking for a new venue to throw your next event? Tired of attending parties in hotel ballrooms? Well look no further! Located on the northwest corner of Park Boulevard and Custer Road in Plano, TX, Celebration Event Center & Ballroom is available to hold wedding ceremonies and receptions, Bar/Bat Mitzvah's, Quinceaneras, sweet sixteen parties, corporate events, business meetings, anniversary parties, birthday parties, or any other event you wish to celebrate. And who doesn't like a good celebration?! According to the venue's website (which you can check out simply by clicking on the above link), some of the featured accommodations include: guest capacity of up to 350, separate rooms for cake and/or food, use of 60" rounds and/or square tables, access to the Hall from 9am-2am, event manager on duty during the entire event, several lighting options, 10,000 sq. ft. building, 5,000 sq. ft. dance floor, no restrictions on catering, white table cloths included, private security included and ample parking available. WOW!

Ready for the piece de resistance? Because Magic Moments knows this event space so well, we can bring in our expertise for the decor aspect of your event. So celebrate at Celebration, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your party!

Halloween has become the "Other Christmas"

2010-11-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Tis the season to be...spooky? I hope everyone had a FABULOUS Halloween weekend! I was meaning to write this blog post last week but was just bogged down with proposals for upcoming events. I know, I know, it's a good problem to have. But, as this blog has become my baby, I felt guilty for abandoning it. (Is this why everyone says I should wait to get a dog? Do I really not have enough time? What a bummer...) But fear not fellow readers, I have not abandoned you and will continue to upload new blog posts as my civic duty. Now on to the post...what did you do for Halloween?

There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on October 20 about how Halloween has become the "other Christmas." According to the article, total "Halloween spending is expected to rise 22% to $5.8 billion this year." It is this increased spending on home decorations (Magic Moments can assist you with this!), candy and costumes that is fast making Halloween "the other Christmas."

But before I get into the meat (pun intended - see reference to meat dress below) of this blog post, I'll provide you with a little history of Halloween. Trick-or-treating officially began in the 1950's and 1960's as kids roamed their neighborhoods wearing homemade costumes. In 1970, however, parents started to worry about poisoned candy and other hazards. Thus, adults began wearing costumes too, often inspired by horror movies, and chaperoned their children's search for candy. Over the years, Halloween has become a more structured celebration, as protective parents replace trick-or-treating with organized school parties, parades and in-home celebrations.

What did you dress up as this year? In the future, people will be able to look back on our Halloween costumes from this year and remember the social and news media from the year 2010. After all, our costume choices reflect what is happening in the world. Don't believe me? Here are some examples...After 33 Chilean miners had been rescued, Creative Costume received a flood of inquiries for miner's helmets. Ever since former flight attendant Steven Slater's enraged ride last August, "Angry Steward" costumes have been fairly hot. One costume company "is marketing a satirical 'oil spill' costume named 'Bad Planning' with oil-stained overalls with a dead fish as an accessory and a 'BP' insignia on the breast pocket." Other popular costumes included vampires, characters from Jersey Shore (I, personally, saw way too many Snookies), Avatar and Lady Gaga (I was hoping to see a meat dress!).

One in three Americans plan to hold Halloween parties this year and we had the opportunity to provide the decor for several of them. So don't wait until October of next year to start planning your Halloween party. Contact us now!

Some interesting facts you can discuss around your water cooler at work tomorrow:

1. Percentage of Americans who buy decorations:

A. Halloween - 68%

B. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa - 66%

C. Easter - 34%

(Source: National Retail Federation and BIGresearch)

2. Chocolate candy sales, in pounds:

A. Halloween - 90 million

B. Easter - 65 million

C. Valentine's Day - 48 million (come on, guys!)
(Source: The Nielsen Co.)

3. Number of potential trick-or-treaters: 36 million (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009)

4. Percentage of households that run out of candy on Halloween: 25% (Source: NPD Group)

Trend Alert: Trash your Dress!

2010-10-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

We all have our civic duties. These typically include voting, obeying the law, getting a flu shot (come on people!), and, in my case, keeping my readers updated on all the latest trends in the industry. And I think you're going to find this one very interesting...it's called "Trash the Dress." A new trend in wedding photography, this provides brides with an alternative to trying to preserve their wedding dresses for their daughters. News flash: in 20 years, your dress will be out of style and your daughter won't want to wear it anyway!

Popular ways to photograph the bride trashing her dress include underwater in either a pool or the ocean, playing sports, climbing trees, wrestling in the mud or in paint, getting showered in red wine, hiking in the woods, riding horses, etc. Really, the options are endless. Any activity the happy couple is involved in can be recreated in a sentimental way. So be creative!

If you are not the edgy type, you may be wondering, "why on earth would anyone do this?" Well, the short answer is that this is viewed as the ultimate form of commitment, not to mention you can get some FABULOUS pictures out of it! But besides that, it's fun! After a formal ceremony and an eloquent reception, who doesn't want to roll around in the mud, go for a swim or have a paint fight?!

According to eHow, there are 6 guidelines to trashing your wedding dress. First, you must "commit to the trashing." After all, your pictures won't turn out edgy and stunning if you only half-way trash your dress. Depending on your photo session, your dress will likely get dirty, snagged or torn. Second, "know that it's not about destroying the dress. Trash the Dress is a non-traditional and artistic way to capture additional memories of the dress you love so much." Third, "select a photographer." Preferably, select a photographer who has conducted a Trash the Dress session before. Forth, "choose a location." Be creative and imaginative; eHow suggests considering subway stations, abandoned warehouses, salvage yards, farms, fields or lakes. Fifth, "trash the dress." Duh. Sixth, "clean it up. After your session, you can still have the dress cleaned and preserved for safe-keeping." After all, you may want another go-around at trashing your dress in a few years!

Global Traditions

2010-10-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

Here in the States, we don't spend much time thinking about the differences in traditions around the world. However, my parents just returned from a trip to Doha, the capital city of the state of Qatar, and brought me back a magazine called "Time Out: Doha." (What ever happened to regular souvenirs? A snow globe would have been nice...) As I flipped through the magazine, one article, "Time-honoured Traditions," really stuck out. The article touched on traditional Middle Eastern food and drink, weddings, fashion, incense, and sport. However, by now you should all know that my two interests in life are food and events. Therefore, I hope that by reading the remainder of this blog, you will walk away more knowledgeable about Middle Eastern traditions.

Food and Drink:
I am an incredibly adventurous eater. I will try anything at least once. With that said, when traveling to foreign countries, I always become nervous during breakfast. Yogurt, cereal, fruit and oatmeal are staples in the United States. However, that is not the case all over the world. For breakfast in Doha, for example, "various plates and bowls are laid out and filled with sweet dough balls (lugemat), fine noodles with egg (balaleet), cooked chickpeas, dates and Arabic bread." While this sounds delicious (for lunch), it is not what I find myself craving the moment I wake up. Furthermore, dates have been a Middle Eastern staple due to their high nutritional value. Dates are rich in natural fibers, keeping those who enjoy them "regular" without having to worry about eating Bran Buds for breakfast! And forget about Starbucks. Arabic coffee is flavored with saffron and cardamom. Tradition dictates that the cup is filled only a quarter full, to encourage guests to ask for more. "The youngest male in the room will serve the coffee, offering guests a top-up three times before standing to the side and waiting for guests to either ask for more (by holding out their cup) or signal that they are finished (by holding out their cup and shaking it)." In both public and private, women are not allowed to serve while men are present. This is because during meals, as in life, it is the job of the man to "provide." Fun fact: because people traditionally used their left hand for "less hygienic tasks," (gross!), the right hand is used to serve the food.

Weddings:
Weddings are big business in the Middle East. For young Qataris, it is customary for women to rely on members of their family to suggest a husband whom is generally in their network of family friends. The wedding is then paid for by the husband through a dowry. "After Ramadan, it is proposed that a Qatar Marriage Fund be set up...The fund will also provide marriage counselling." (Doesn't seem very optimistic about a happy marriage.) Moreover, Muslim men may have up to four marriages. This is not based on greed. In fact, it is based on the concept of 'the continuation for society,' which is a method of safeguarding the family against the impact of illness or even death. Fun fact: "If a Muslim man says 'I divorce you' three times to his wife, it is legally binding - blurting it out post-fight still counts! If he regrets his decision, he may not re-marry her until she first marries and divorces someone else." Interesting.

I find global traditions incredibly fascinating. Here at Magic Moments, we have the opportunity to help plan all different types of events from all different cultures. From an Indian wedding to a Quinceanera, from a Bat Mitzvah to an African engagement party, we have experienced a wide range of events. And that is what I find so exciting about this industry; no matter how different your culture is from mine, at the end of the day we both want the same thing...a fabulous event!

The State Fair of Fried Food!

2010-10-06T10:22:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Texas, where we fry anything and everything! This is my favorite time of the year. The weather is cooling off, the trees are starting to change (don't blink or you may miss it!), the allergies are getting unbearable, and it's the STATE FAIR OF TEXAS! What more could we ask for?

There are 100 fried food options this year. From fried beer (gross) to fried club salads (healthy...), your wallet will shrink as your gut grows. I recently attended the fair and was overwhelmed by the fried options. Not willing to pay an obscene amount of money for high cholesterol, I left my money in my purse and simply watched (and photographed) other fair goers trying the new fried sensations. All day I was in search for the fried beer, which won this year's most creative award. Watching complete strangers try the fried beer took my day from enjoyable to sublime. For $5, fair goers receive five "pieces" of fried beer. Not only did I not see one person who enjoyed the concoction, but everyone I witnessed attempted to give the remaining four pieces away. Therefore, after standing near the tent for a good minute, I was offered a piece of fried beer by multiple individuals. Finally mustering the courage to try it, I was instantly grossed out and could not will myself to swallow the warm liquid. It reminded me of a warm, adult version, of gushers; the goo in the middle bursts into your mouth. Except this time, the middle is bitter, warm, and unappealing. So for those of you who can't wait to try the fried beer, be my guest. However, I suggest you combine your money with four friends, as you won't want to eat more than one.

But it's not just the food that attracts people from all over the country to Fair Park. There's the auto show, Ferris Wheel, Midway, (smelly) livestock, live entertainment, gadgets that you just can't live without, and, of course, there's Big Tex. While the State Fair of Texas may only occur once a year, a fair-themed party is a definite hit all year long. Here at Magic Moments, we would love to help you decorate your next fair-themed party. In fact, we already have a 9'x4' neon Big Tex (pictured here). This festive theme will definitely be a big hit amongst your guests. Just make sure you don't forget the fried goodies, cotton candy and turkey legs!

There are only 11 days left to enjoy the fried goodness. So don't miss out! And if eating fried butter isn't your thing (I'm with you), then just take pictures of those adventuresome individuals doing so. You will feel almost as much pleasure as they do, however, you won't return home feeling as if you have consumed enough calories for a month!

The Magic of WBENC

2010-09-28T09:24:00.001-07:00

Our sales team just returned from a WBENC conference in Orlando, florida. Lucky girls! For those of you who don't know, Magic Moments was certified as a woman-owned business back in March. YAY! According to its website, WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council) was founded in 1997 and has since become the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled and operated by women in the United States. Additionally, the WBENC is the "nation's leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America's corporations." We are thrilled to have become part of such an outstanding organization and to begin building relationships with such successful women.

Our excitement was palpable as we attended our first-ever WBENC's Go for the Greens conference at the Boardwalk Resort in Disney World; Go for the Greens i

s a business development conference for women entrepreneurs. Not only is Disney the most magical place on earth, but the Go for the Greens conference was equally as delightful. The conference started on Thursday, where we had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Matt Thursam from Walt Disney and Dan Sturdivant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Thursday evening we began the real networking with a pirate-themed cocktail hour. Friday was jam-packed, starting with a networking breakfast, followed by educational seminars, roundtable sessions and other networking events. That evening was the "Happy Feet Hour," where our feet luxuriated in pink UPS slippers. (I wish all happy hours included pink slippers!) From breakfast to dinner, our sales team networked away in hopes of making some lasting relationships. We were fortunate to meet some outstanding individuals and look forward to keeping in touch with all of them!

Don't worry, the Magic Moments team was able to sneak in a little fun amongst all of the networking events. In fact, on Saturday the conference offered a golf networking event. However, because of our lack of golf prowess, we made the ultimate decision to forgo the golf tournament. After all, it had the potential of being detrimental to our business as opposed to helpful! However, we took the opportunity to have our own fun, visiting several of the parks including Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios (don't tell Disney!) and Island of Adventure - shout out to Harry Potter! A fabulous time was had by all. Now as the magic starts to settle, we return back to the real world!

Test Tubes are Terrific!

2010-09-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Who isn't on some sort of budget these days? Here at Magic Moments, we try to provide you with cost-effective ways to have an extraordinary event. Pretty great, huh?! We have all attended parties, some more unique than others. But it is those out-of-the-ordinary ideas that really have your guests walking away talking about your event. And who doesn't love that? So here is a unique centerpiece idea that our amazing team recently created. Feel free to pass the idea along to all your friends - don't worry, you can take all the credit!

We created about 215 of these amazing centerpieces for a corporate event. It was such a unique arrangement and we received so many compliments, that I just had to blog about it to share the idea with the rest of the cyber world. Have you ever thought about using test tubes as a vase? Probably not (unless you read our blog post about suspended centerpieces...but this is different!). But that's why you read this blog - to find out creative ideas to ensure that YOUR event truly stands out from the pack! Our team fastened test tubes to a tall, cylinder vase using metal wire. With a few stems submerged in colored water (see an older post about this new trend) and a few stems in each of the three test tubes, this is a cost-effective, yet incredibly unique centerpiece that is sure to have your guests talking! Finish off the look by placing the tall, cylinder vase on an LED-lit base to make the whole piece glow, as well as some colored crystals around the base for some added pizazz!

*I want to give a BIG shout out to Amanda Jameson from Ultimate Ventures for the FABULOUS pictures!!!

Congratulations Howard!

2010-09-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

On Monday, September 13, the Magic Moments team arrived at the Joule Dallas to celebrate The Texas Meetings + Events 2010 Reader's Choice Best of Awards. We were in attendance to support our very own, Howard Eckhart, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame for "Supplier."

According to Texas Meetings + Events Magazine, "Our Hall of Famers are nominated by members of the magazine's editorial advicory board composed of planners, suppliers and other meeting professionals. After considering qualifications of the various nominees, board members from around the state voted on the nominees." The magazine ran a fabulous page-long article on Howard that I would love to brag about.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the article:

"With more than 40 years of design experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Howard Eckhart is known for the style and drama he brings to everything from society parties to corporate meetings."

"Eckhart says that while pave floral designs still are popular at high-end social events, he sees a trend toward creative but more simple arrangements, sometimes just by using colored water with fewer flowers. 'There are always going to be events, and you want to make it nice but not over the top,' he says. Even clients who still have healthy budgets don't want to appear overly lavish in today's economy, he notes."

"Eckhart, a Texas Master Florist, received a lifetime achievement award this year from the Dallas Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives, and he was chosen by the Dallas Museum of Art to lecture and present a design demonstration at its annual Art in Bloom Floral Symposium, a 'high honor,' he says. The March symposium raised $200,000."

"As for advice to young designers, Eckhart stresses the need ot maintain relationships with clients. Repeat clients have been coming to Eckhart for 18-20 years, including some of the city's largest corporations. 'They have a comfort zone with your experience,' he says."

I know I speak not only for myself, but for the entire Magic Moments team when I say that there is no better person to learn from than Howard. He is the most experienced, knowledgable and passionate mentor. Thank you, Howard and CONGRATULATIONS!

Suspended Centerpieces

2010-09-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, here at Magic Moments we have an in-house floral design studio. Yes, in our 24,000 sq. ft. warehouse, we found room for a floral studio; imagine that! We custom design unique concepts for wedding bouquets, reception table centerpieces, buffet centerpieces and floral decoration accents of all kinds. In fact, we can produce about 300 centerpieces simultaneously. No matter what type of event you are planning, breathtaking florals will always attract the attention of your guests. Wedding reception flowers, Bar/Bat Mitzvah floral decorations, floral decorations for corporate meetings, and intimate party centerpieces are our specialty. Our master florists create everything from stunning floral bouquets to beautiful centerpieces. Whether it is your favorite type of flower, the vivid colors, or the fragrance that inspires you, our designers will create a vision that is sure to leave a lasting impression on all your guests!

But enough self-promotion. That's not why you read this blog! You read this blog for inspiring new ideas and trends to utilize at your next function. And boy do we have a good one for you today! Although we can't take the credit. We got this idea from Events-ualities blog. And what a great idea it is! And here at Magic Moments we have all the tools to make this suspended flower inspiration! So lucky YOU! I could simply state that these amazing centerpieces are magic, that a magician comes in before the event and does a few abracadabras, but I won't. One way to recreate these centerpieces is by using test tubes instead of vases. Each flower is inserted into a test tube, which is then attached to an invisible line using an invisible line. The use of invisible line, or fishing line, creates the mirage of floating flowers. Another reason why I absolutely LOVE this idea is because the centerpieces are not obstructing the view of guests across the table. How many times have you attended an event and were forced to speak with those individuals directly to your right and left because the centerpiece was so obtrusive that you couldn't see across the table?! Unfortunately, I think we have all been there.

So the next time you are planning a function, encourage people to mingle with those around the table by suspending your centerpieces. Not only will this completely WOW your guests, but it will leave them talking all night! (Pun intended!)

EventProf Blog Awards - New Kids on the Block

2010-09-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

Glorious readers! We have just been informed that our blog has been nominated for the EventProfs Blog Awards under the category of "New Kid on the Block." YAY! So PLEASE vote for us and tell your friends to do the same!

Just click on this link and it will direct you to a little survey. Too busy to fill out a survey? No problem! You don't have to fill out the whole thing. Simply scroll down to our section ("New Kids on the Block" and click on "Magic Moments Parties and Events." We are so excited about this and would be so grateful for your vote!

Cake toppers don't have to be plastic - go floral!

2010-08-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

Planning a wedding or other elegant event? Have you made a to-do list? (I am big fan of the to-do list. In fact, when overwhelmed by the amount of tasks to accomplish, I often add a few items that I know I will get done, like mailing Netflix or working out, just so I can feel that much more satisfied when crossing all my activities off the list! That's a great tip on how to stay organized and relatively stress-free in a time of pure chaos.) Often times, cake toppers tend to gravitate to the bottom of our to-do lists. However, don't toss these pieces of decor to the bottom of your list just yet. Cake toppers can be as unique as any other decor; just think outside the box!

When thinking of cake toppers, most people visualize the generic man in a tux holding the hand of a woman in a white gown, the two of them, obviously, living happily ever after in the most plastic of ways. However, here at Magic Moments, we like to offer you ideas that will have your friends talking, envious that they didn't think of it, well after the event. In fact, as a general rule, let's exclude the word "generic" from our vocabularies! Let's be creative! Instead of the plastic lovebirds, which, let's be honest, just make everyone feel less happy, accent your cake with flowers. Use the color scheme that the rest of your event has taken on and add flowers to the base of the cake, as well as to the top. The photo included here is from Courtney's wedding. (Yes, I tend to use these pictures often, as that event will definitely go down in the books for its spectacular decor, thanks to the Magic Moments team!) As you can see from the attached picture, the centerpieces for the tables had clear candelabras with candles and crystals. These candelabras are fabulous because not only do they create a stunning atmosphere for the space, but also allow guests to have an unobstructed view of those across the table from them. Bulky centerpieces that block guests around the table are really a pet-peeve of mine. Moreover, because there weren't an abundance of flowers everywhere, the use of flowers on and around the cake really accentuate it.

So next time you are planning an elegant affair, don't leave the cake topper to the bottom of your to-do list. Put it up top with the rest of your decor. If thought of in the right frame of mind, cake toppers can be a fabulous way to highlight the portion of the party everyone is secretly looking forward to - the cake!

How to make your event out of this world

2010-08-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Ever think about joining the army? (I can't say I ever have...in fact, it is one of my reoccurring nightmares!) If not, don't rule out the base, as it could be a unique venue for your next event! You and all your guests can experience the base in all it's glory, and then return to your cozy homes. I got this idea from my dad's client (yet again, thanks dad!) who attended an American Bar Association event in San Diego at Miramar Marine Air Base. This site used to be a Navy base and was home to Top Gun until the mid 1990's when it became a Marine base. He had dinner in a hangar with two fighter planes, one helicopter, and one C-130 outside. In fact, not only could guests view the C-130 and helicopter, but they could actually walk inside and look around. Guests were joined by Marines who willingly answered any and all questions. The Marines even enjoyed the food and beverage with guests. Not unlike the Marines, I'm sure the guests enjoyed a break from their hectic schedules to feast on delicious food and cold beers!

Not interested in hosting a party on a military base but still want a unique venue? Think about a museum. Here in Dallas, there are tons to choose from - The Sixth Floor Museum, The F rontiers of Flight Museum, The Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Dallas World Aquarium, and the list goes on. There are great perks to hosting an event at a museum. Many of these spaces are already very visually appealing. While you may pay a little extra for the venue rental, the amount of decor needed is substantially reduced, as opposed to the amount of decor needed to host a spectacular event in a hotel ballroom or an otherwise aesthetically blank venue. (See readers, I have your best interest in mind, as I am writing this blog for Magic Moments, a full-service event company specializing in custom design and decor. However, here at Magic Moments, our best interest is your best interest. So just promise to use us for a little extra lighting and centerpieces. After all, beautiful centerpieces can really take your event to the next level. Thank you!) The picture on the right is from the Dallas Museum of Art's flower symposium. Magic Moments did all the decor including the gorgeous centerpieces! It turned out to be a stunning event!

So if you are looking for a unique place to host your next event, think outside the box and out of this world!

Spooky, Scary and Secret!

2010-08-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

I know it is only August, but we need to start gearing up for the holidays. By "holidays," you may think I am referring to the winter holidays. While, yes, we need to start planning spectacular Christmas/Hanukkah/whatever-you-believe-in events, there is a fabulous holiday happening before then. HALLOWEEN! Do you have your costume picked out yet? Or your decor company - enter shameless plug for Magic Moments Parties and Events.

I received an amazing idea for a unique Halloween party from my parents. And here at Magic Moments, we LOVE unique! Hi Mom and Dad, this is me giving you full credit! So my parents were in London in June and saw a Secret Cinema event taking place. The basic idea here is that people are told to dress for a theme and be at a general location at a specific time but don't know what movie they are seeing or the location. (In our case, it doesn't have to be a movie, it could be a shockingly secretive, spooky shindig - I tried for the alliteration, but it just wasn't coming to me today.) Guests arrive to a central meeting point where they are then taken to the secret location via bus. My parents, for instance, saw a group of people exiting the underground subway system dressed in outlandish costumes including protective eyewear and umbrellas because they were told to expect acid rain! They were then greeted by girls dressed as alien flight attendants who checked them in, lined them up, and put them on a bus to a secret location to watch a movie. Any ideas as to what movie they were seeing?

People often overlook Halloween because of the other, more glamorous, holidays that fall around the same time. So don't let the chilling, costume celebration (again, this alliteration just isn't working for me today) get too close without giving it much thought. So start planning your Halloween party today! And what better way to celebrate Halloween than to have a party in a secret location. Your guests will definitely be talking about this even well through the winter holidays, and not many events have that sort of clout! Not to mention the fact that with this event, you don't have to worry about people not dressing up for the occasion. After all, nobody wants to wear cute clothes when there may be acid rain!

Late-Night Luster!

2010-08-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

So after a historical post, I feel obligated to provide you with something to whet your appetite; it's something savory, something delicious, something utterly necessary after a night of drinking. Yes folks, I'm talking about food (yet again!). But this time I'm not talking about gourmet meals. I'm talking about something starchy, something greasy, something to soak up all the alcohol your guests have surely enjoyed from your open bar. (They will be thanking you tomorrow, I'm sure.) Granted, this post does fit in with my theme - all things events - as I'm about to share with you a big trend in weddings...serving late-night snacks toward the end of a wedding reception.

What do you crave after a long night of drinking? Is it White Castle hamburgers? Burritos from Taco Bell? How about a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream? (Personally, the only thing I crave at the end of a night out on the town is hummus, but I'm definitely not the majority.) Sliders were a big hit in last year's wedding scene. Want a tip to revamp the slider and make your guests' late-night baggy unforgettable? Serve a slider from your favorite burger joint accompanied by these adorable burger cupcakes! (This way your guests will enjoy a meal that includes all layers of the food pyramid. You have your starch, meat, veggie and dessert. What more could you ask for?) I got the idea of these adorable treats from Smiley's Sweets and Creations. The "buns" are vanilla cupcakes, the "burgers" are chocolate cupcakes, the "lettuce" is shredded coconut, and the "mustard" and "ketchup" are yellow and red icing. How adorable is that?!

Aren't a fan of sliders? No worries! Serve your guests milkshakes, tacos, burritos, popcorn, grilled cheese sandwiches, cookies, brownies, etc. I'm giving you endless opportunities here, people! I worked a wedding last summer with Paige Chenault Events, where we placed warm chocolate chip cookies in every car that was given to the valet. Not only was this a delicious surprise for guests, but, as I saw it, we were doing charity work...freshening cars one wedding at a time!

If it's good enough for Chelsea Clinton to do it, I'd say it's about good enough for us regular folk to be doing it. Yes, even Chelsea Clinton served late-night bites after her wedding reception. According to The Globe and Mail, Chelsea (that's right, I'm on a first name basis) and her new hubby, Mark Mezvinsky, sent their guests home with grilled cheese sandwiches, popcorn and brownies. So stop being a food snob and serve your guests what they really want at the end of a long night of partying - some late-night. After all, when they scarf up the greasy goodness, I'd take that as a sign that you have just hosted a rockin' party!

The birth of the cocktail party

2010-08-13T09:48:00.001-07:00

Okay so I usually provide my readers with interesting tips and trends pertaining to, as I say, "all things events." However, I believe that in order to fully appreciate these tips and trends, one must have a solid understanding of the history of the event world. Following tradition, my blog posts always include "good news for you," the reader. In this case, the good news for you is that you don't have to go searching tirelessly for the history of the cocktail party, as I am about to spoon-feed it to you. (Pun intended.) I cannot take all the credit, however, as I received the inspiration - and information - for this post via the MPI monthly publication, "Current," which included an article from Matthew Massengale, a long-time Dallas MPI-er. Matthew is currently the manager of global corporate meetings and events at Celanese, where he manages executive level meetings globally. Okay, so on to the birth of the cocktail party...

According to Matthew, the "passage of Prohibition, which outlawed public consumption of liquor, was the modern beginning of cocktail parties." How ironic is that?! It was during this time that many American began enjoying more than just wine during dinner and underground speak-easies began to emerge. "In order to compete, speak-easies began welcoming women and created enticing cocktails, which Americans had not seen before." After enjoying such lavish drinks, many Americans began making the cocktails at home during social gatherings. Friends began stopping by before dinner for a drink and some hors d'oeuvres, which typically included olives and cheeses, and the cocktail party was born! According to Matthew, "not only was it a way to entertain at home, it became a great way to generate and promote business in a more comfortable manner." Sound familiar in today's cocktail party agendas?

The term "cocktail" is believed to come from the French word "conquetel," meaning mixed drink. My favorite part of Matthew's article is when he lists the 14 key ingredients that are necessary to include at your cocktail party. Just by stocking up on these 14 ingredients, you will have the ability to make hundreds of different cocktails. (In my opinion, that is the best kind of diversity!) Here is the list:

Vodka - Ketel One

Cointreau Liqueur - Cointreau
Gin - Bombay Sapphire

Coffee Liqueur - Kahlua
White Rum - Bacardi

Grand Marnier Liqueur - Grand Marnier

Tequila - Patron

Apricot Brandy - Bols

Bourbon - Crown Royal

Raspberry Liqueur - Chambord

Blended Scotch Whiskey - Chivas Regal

Dry Vermouth - Martini & Rossi

Cognac - Remy Martin

Champagne - Piper-Heidsieck

Okay, so now onto my favorite topic - FOOD! While in the past, traditional cocktail parties tended to have salty bites that would encourage guests to drink more (tricky, tricky!), trends have since moved in a more health-conscience direction. Tapas, small plates, have become very popular cuisine for a cocktail party. Just make sure that your tapas selection can be eaten in 1-1.5 bites, is recognizable, and is easy to handle while standing up and without utensils.

Cocktail parties are designed to be short and sweet, much like my blog. So I'm signing off! I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. Stay safe and enjoy the August heat! (P.S. Happy Birthday, Ashton Hartner!)

The hottest thing in tea

2010-08-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

As most of you probably know, my dad travels more than anyone in their right mind would (or should, for that matter). While such traveling most definitely takes a toll on his body, he is fortunate to encounter trends all over the world. The good news for you is that you find out about these trends FIRST and, therefore, have the opportunity to become a trendsetter in your industry or neighborhood. The even better news for you is that you can do all this from the comfort of your home or office. So sit back, relax, and read on!

Ever hear the expression, "smell the roses?" Well with this new fad, people will soon start saying, smell the tea!" My dad was recently on a business trip in London, where a client took him to dinner at Ping Pong. When the waiter came to take their order, my dad's host ordered one of the "flowering teas." The menu states that these are, "flowering teas that unfurl as you watch." Ping Pong offers a handful of different flavors, including flowering red amaranth, flowering osmanthus, flowering jasmine and lilly, and flowering dragon eye. The loose-leaf tea comes in a bundle already submerged in a glass of hot water. According to my dad, shortly after Ping Pong served this stunning drink, it actually began to blossom; pedals appeared almost immediately after a stem emerged.

The hottest thing in tea, these exquisite flowering teas should soon be offered by restaurants and caterers in the US. But don't let them fool you, they didn't think of this unique beverage themselves. In fact, you found out about them FIRST on Magic Moments' blog! Even Amazon is starting to sell "hand-tied artisan buds that each magnificently come to life in your cup."

What a memorable way to conclude a dinner party, social event, or corporate event! Simply serve it at the end of a delicious meal or pass them out as party favors. Just a warning, your guests may reuse this idea and play it off as their own! So serve this stunning drink at your next party and be the talk of the town!

Throw an event even a Pharaoh would want to attend

2010-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

You don't need to be able to read hieroglyphics to throw a memorable party. Just think like the people of ancient Egypt - grand. I recently returned from a week-long cruise down the Nile River, where I obtained a first-hand look at several Egyptian temples. Everyone around me was utterly amazed by the fact that these massive structures were erected thousands of years ago and still stood, relatively unharmed. Hieroglyphics were carved into every inch of these temples, creating a sort of ornate elegance. No wonder these structures took hundreds of years to produce! As an event planner at heart, however, the only thing I could think of was what a wonderful venue these temples would serve for an event. Talk about ambiance! Most of the temples had what they called "Sound and Light Spectaculars," where they would light the structures at night and tell the story of the gods. Again, everyone around me stood mystified during these shows, while the only thing I could think of was, "I wonder what kind of lighting they are using...Maybe Magic Moments could get jobs here in Egypt!"

There are two pieces of good news for you. First, as a recent traveller to the Nile, I am more than willing to serve as an expert designer for your next Egyptian-themed party. Very kind of me, I know. Second, Magic Moments already has Egyptian props in-house. Therefore, it won't take us hundreds of years to carve these structures out of granite, limestone and sandstone and then carve the hieroglyphics! Thank goodness!

So next time you are planning a theme for an upcoming an event, think Egyptian. After all, we should all strive to throw events that even a Pharaoh would want to attend! If you would like to obtain pictures and/or quotes on our in-house props, just let us know and we will be happy to forward on that information. Feel free to email me with any questions at rachel@magicmomentsevents.com

Looking for a unique venue in Houston?

2010-08-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

Try 3 uniquely different venues all on one property! That is exactly what you will find at the Northwest Forest Conference Center in Cypress, just outside of Houston.

As you know, we have recently opened up a second office location in the Houston/Galveston area. After joining all of the local industry organizations, the first MPI meeting that I attended happened to be here and I was completely blown away by the venue, the service staff, and most particularly the quality of the food!

(Since we at Magic Moments do seem to have an affinity for great food, let me just indulge here for a minute in sharing with you some of the menu items from that day's MPI luncheon)

MENU

Salad: Northwest Forest Salad with Smoked Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

Entree: Coffee Crusted Filet Mignon with Chipotle Reduction AND Pecan Crusted Red Snapper with Lemon Butter Sauce (so delicious!)

Served with Cream Cheese & Scallion Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Jumbo Asparagus

Dessert: Cinnamon Creme Brulee and Coconut Macaroon with Apricots & White Chocolate

Normally, I wouldn't spend too much time dwelling on things like the menu from a recent MPI luncheon, but I must say it was absolutely spectacular!

I recently went back to the Northwest Forest Conference Center for a private tour of the facility and all the different ammenities it has to offer. I was amazed to find that the property is HUGE and actually includes 3 separate venues: a Spanish-style Hacienda, a replica of the Alamo, and the Settlement House. Each one has a unique distinct characteristic and style about it and contains adjacent hotel rooms for guests who are traveling in to attend a meeting or event here. The whole place has kind of a laid back, countryside style about it and depending on which venue you are in you can really theme in up in a variety of ways.

All three venues sit on beautifully manicured grounds with lakes, bridges, streams, and pathways. You almost feel like you are on some type of vacation resort and have the place entirely to yourself.

Check our their website: http://www.northwestforest.com/

For anyone interested in planning a wedding, meeting, special event, reunion, etc just outside Houston it is definitely a spot worth checking out!

AT&T Performing Arts Center

2010-08-05T16:33:00.001-07:00

As a relatively new member of the Magic Moments team, I am making a concerted effort to visit the local venues in town. Which is a difficult task in itself because Dallas has so many! If you have any suggestions of some venues you think I may have missed, please let me know!

I just returned from a tour of the AT&T Performing Arts venues, namely the Winspear Opera House and the Wyly Theater. If you haven't been to either center, I HIGHLY recommend a visit! While I had previously been to both venues numerous times to attend performances, it was a completely eye-opening experience to see the event spaces during the day. What cool spaces for an event, both private and corporate! Many of the spaces have stunning views of downtown Dallas and the Arts District, not to mention access to outdoor patio and lounge areas, which would be amazing to utilize once this crazy Texas heat simmers down! So if you are in the process of planning an event and are seeking a unique space that will offer your guests one of the most aesthetically pleasing locations in town, check out the AT&T Performing Arts Center!

PS. Shout out to Alex Eshelbrenner for showing us around this afternoon!

Making Whoopie!

2010-08-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

As you all probably know by now, I have a sweet tooth and am a foodie at heart. While I promise to post on everything event-related, I am finding that more and more posts are leaning in the tasty direction. (For those of you who recently started following Magic Moments' blog, please refer to the post a few weeks ago entitled "Bite-sized goodies" about MYLA. I promise you won't be disappointed, your mouth will salivate and your stomach will start growling.) Just to reiterate how altruistic my intentions with this blog are, I would like to state that my foodie obsession is certain to come in handy for all you readers out there, as I searched tirelessly for new, delectable desserts. So while you sit at work, unable to watch The Food Network (my guilty pleasure), I am offering you a new excuse to start salivating. You're welcome!

According to Wikipedia, "a whoppie pie (alternatively called a gob, black-and-white, bob, or "BFO" for Big Fat Oreo) is a baked good made of two round mound-shaped pieces of chocolate cake, sometimes pumpkin cake, with a sweet, creamy frosting sandwiched between them." The tasty treats got their names back when Amish women would bake them and put them in farmers' lunchboxes. According to food historians, farmers would find these sweets in their lunch, and would shout "Whoopie!" Good thing their exclamation was PG!

So for those of you who are up-and-coming Food Network stars, feel free to create these treats at home. However, for the rest of us, don't be disappointed, as there are numerous bakeries out there offering Whoopie Pies. For instance, those of you in the Dallas area, I wanted to give you a heads up that Society Bakery, located on Greenville Avenue, produces a creative twist on the traditional Amish treat by making them in 18 cupcake varieties, including bread pudding, pecan praline and s'mores. YUM!

So forget that it's summer and you have to fit into a bikini this weekend! Go eat a treat - and don't forget to yell "Whoopie!!"

Make Your Centerpieces Memorable!

2010-07-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is upon us! And after attending numerous weddings, you may find that they all tend to run together. One way to ensure that your reception stands out is to create unique centerpieces. Guests spend the majority of their time at your wedding sitting at their table, staring at the centerpiece. So here are some tips to help make your centerpieces become memorable!

Centerpieces - everyone has them, so make yours original! And don't feel as if you need to break the bank to do so. Go to an antique store, look around your house or in your backyard, call Magic Moments, and we will help you think outside the box! Attached is a centerpiece Magic Moments created, in which we submerged a cala lilly in water. By submerging flowers in water, you can purchase less flowers but still obtain that "WOW" factor. Just make sure that there is adequate lighting on the centerpiece to really make it stand out. This can easily be accomplished by adding pin spot lighting to shine from the ceiling, to base lighting to shine from beneath the centerpiece.

Another simple example is to hang small ornaments on branches. This is great for a Fall or Winter wedding. Spray paint the branches gold, silver, red, or any color to match your color scheme. Then simply hang small ornaments on fishing line or other invisible line. For a more ornate look, add a few small flowers to the base of this centerpiece. Guests will be amazed at your creativity and won't know how easy it was!

One last tip: candles, candles, candles. Float them in water, arrange them in vases, or place them on candelabras. To optimize this look, vary the heights of the candles by using a variety of vase sizes. This can create a romantic, intimate setting for your wedding reception. Just be aware that by creating these adorable centerpieces, guests may be tempted to take them home! To the right is a picture of one of the centerpieces Magic Moments created for Courtney Jordan-Rai's Jewish reception. These clear candelabras with crystals and candles create an elegant atmosphere. Not to mention, guests can easily see through them when conversing with those around the table.

So as you start to plan your wedding, don't leave the centerpieces as an afterthought. Be creative and think outside the box - this will ensure that guests walk away from your reception thoroughly impressed. And don't worry, we will give you all the credit!

Starting trends...with Mother Nature's help!

2010-07-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

I recently read a neat blog by David Merrell at AOO Events about a wedding that he attended and noticed a few new and fun trends! Design Dawgs is David's blog site that is one of Magic Moment's favorites! Find it at www.designdawgs.net, I encourage everybody to check it out!

Sometimes event planners and producers go way out of their way to try and find the best, the brightest, and the most savvy ways of making a dream wedding the perfect day. But sometimes, when you take a step back and realize what amazing resources you have right at the tip of your toes, you don't always have to pay the big bucks to create a "perfect" wedding.

The uniqueness of a particular wedding in mind tipped off at the sit-down dinner as the guests looked down at their placecards to see a simple shinny black rock with their name written on top in silver cursive writing. You never thought something so small that you can find in your backyard could be used in such a way to "awe" your guests due to it's differentiality. To top things off, a large tropical leaf was used as a decor piece underneath the clear glass charger, provided by Mandarin Orange Trading Company.

The guest tables themselves were spray with white florals and ocean coral which helped express that "mother nature" theme, if you will. Also tied into the table centerpieces included split bamboo poles, arrangements filled with white dendrobiums and then rested in unique bubble bowls with holes on both sides, which David mentioned in his blog. Ginger and other fruits were painted white and rested between the flowers. Everything looked very clean yet natural and healthy.

I think I can agree with David Merrell, summing up his words "Much apprecaition toward the designer of this wedding for the thought that went into not just the little details, but the big picture!"

Houston Bridal Extravaganza Spectacular!

2010-07-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Exactly one week ago, I attended the June bi-annual Houston Bridal Extravaganza. Boy was it extravagant!

With hundreds of vendors of all types - ranging from planners to decor companies, florists, DJs, caterers, hotels, venues, transportation, and even portable restrooms, there certainly wasn't an area left untouched.

We did not participate in this year's show, but as we have just opened up our new Houston/Galveston office, we felt that it would be a great experience to check out. Getting there close to 1:00pm, I was on a mission.

With many vendors to see and not much time I went down aisle after aisle meeting people, learning about different companies, picking up their collateral pieces, and admiring their booth set up. Some of the booths really put up quite a display! Check out some of the designs featured by Events in Bloom and Darryl Murchison. With decadent floral pieces, extravagant tablescapes, and lighting designs, even I was blown away!

Tradeshows can be very overwhelming, and having done many myself, I understand how costly, time-consuming, and not to mention tiring they can be. I have to say that I was VERY impressed with the quality of the show and particularly of its vendors. Hopefully you will be seeing us at this show in the future to showcase our designs as well!

Stop the press: The Infamous Courtney Jordan has become Courtney Jordan-Rai

2010-07-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that our wonderful Courtney Jordan has now become Mrs. Courtney Jordan-Rai. You all have been asking for pictures from the infamous wedding. We promise that we won't keep you waiting MUCH longer! In the meantime, however, the wonderful Tom Adams wrote a fabulous article about both of Courtney's weddings in the July edition of ex.plore magazine, which everyone should check out! We have attached the first two pages of the article to whet your appetite...

Courtney and her hubby, Surjit Rai, were married on June 5. However, this was not your typical wedding. Festivities began on Friday evening with the Sangeet Party, which included delicious Indian buffets, Henna painting and the veil dance of the bride with her attendants. Friday morning festivities began at 9am with the Procession of Barat. For those of you not familiar with the Indian culture, the Procession of Barat is when the groom, dresses in lavish Indian clothing, rides a white horse to the main entrance of the hotel, where he formally asks the brides' parents for their daughter's hand in marriage. Immediately following the Procession of Barat, guests headed to breakfast in the Crystal Ballroom Foyer at the Hotel Intercontinental. The Indian Sikh Ceremony (the Indian wedding) began at 11am. Guests took part in the ceremony with bare feet and covered heads. At 12:30pm, guests walked to the luncheon in the next ballroom. What a morning!

Guests had the afternoon to relax and soak in the beautiful Texas heat before the Jewish ceremony began at 8pm that same evening. The eight bridesmaids, eight groomsmen, adorable flower girl and bride circled the groom seven times, as is Jewish tradition. Breaking of the glass, followed by cheers of "Mazel tov" yelled by the guests ended the reception. At 8:30pm, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d' oeuvres in the Garden Court III before the formal reception began at 9:15pm in the Malachite Room. Guests danced the night away on Magic Moments' interactive LED dance floor, which was last used at Ellen Degeneres' brithday party in Los Angeles.

Magic Moments Parties and Events did ALL of the decor for Courtney's wedding. The team worked tirelessly to ensure that their golden girl had the perfect celebration. Their hardwork and dedication kept them up until the wee hours of the morning (6:30 am) and woke them up at dawn. Yes, this is no lie - the Magic Moments team averaged two hours of sleep for the entire weekend celebration. Way to go team! This was definitely the wedding of a LIFETIME!

So you think you can dance?

2010-07-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love to dance? Whether it be a wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, birthday celebration, corporate party, or any other event, people are looking to have a good time. And what better time to be had than dancing the night away on an interactive LED dance floor?! Magic Moments Parties and Events is the only vendor in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with an interactive LED surface.

Whether guests plan to attend a runway show or dance the night away, nothing is more exciting and creates an impression like our interactive LED dance floor. This portable dance floor can serve as the centerpiece of any event and will be sure to have that final "WOW" factor on all of your guests.

This advanced technology includes dozens of capabilities, such as name and logo display, moving patterns, picture display, and touch-sensitive technology. Not only can the LED interactive surface be used as a fantastic avenue to move your feet, but it can also be placed on the wall to serve as a unique place to show off your company logo, brand or name!

Our expert party planners can help you customize your LED portable dance floor rental to match the size and scope of your special event. Magic Moments is focused on customization - one size does not fit all in our minds!

Your guests will be so enamored with this cool technology that they will definitely want to dance the night away!

Bite-sized goodness!

2010-07-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

Do you love dessert? Are you looking for a fun, unique way to serve dessert at your next event? Consider serving dessert "amuse-bouche" style! "Amuse-bouche" is a French term that literally means "mouth pleaser" - what could be more enticing than that?! Not only is serving tiny, bite-sized portions of extraordinary desserts cost-effective, but it also allows guests to sample a variety of flavors without overindulging! YUM!

Myla, a Dallas-based company that began in 2009, produces the most deliciously inspiring goodies! Myla offers cake pops, cake jars, french macaroons, dessert shots, mini tarts, almond petit fours, personalized cookies, mini cheesecakes and cupcakes. Magic Moments first discovered Myla when we provided the decor for Christina Haywood's wedding. Christina is the owner of Myla and she is completely fantastic! Christina began as an engineer before she discovered her secret talent in the kitchen. Since then she has become a culinary engineer - and we all thank her for that!

Not only do these bite-sized sweets offer a great substitute for a deluxe dessert, but they could also serve as adorable centerpieces, delicious dessert/candy buffet, or be given as charming party favors! Unique, elegant, budget-conscious and adorable - it doesn't get much sweeter than that! Myla provides the ultimate finger food!

Updates

2010-07-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Magic Moments Opens a Second Office Location!

We are proud to announce that Magic Moments Parties and Events has recently expanded to open a new office location to service clients in the Houston/Galveston areas. Now, in addition to continuing our DFW clientele base, we are able to offer the same great service and expertise to a great new location! For more information on our Houston/Galveston serivces, please contact Courtney Jordan-Rai.

Courtney's email: courtney@magicmomentsevents.com

Courtney's cell: 214-478-2824

New Additions to the Magic Moments Family!

Introducting Rachel Derman and Ashton Hartner! We would like to give a big welcome to both Rachel and Ashton, who have recently joined our team here at Magic Moments in the Dallas office. Rachel graduated from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration with a degree in hospitality management. Ashton graduated from the University of Arkansas with a business degree. Both Rachel and Ashton have event experience and are thrilled to be part of the family! Please feel free to send them an email and help us welcome them to the team!

Rachel Derman: rachel@magicmomentsevents.com

Ashton Hartner: ashton@magicmomentsevents.com

Welcome!

2010-07-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Magic Moments Parties and Events' new blog!

As party and event coordinators, we work diligently with our clients to ensure that every last detail is met. Whether for large events or small parties, we have the planners for everything from party venue selection, coordinating event catering, party décor, floral decorations, event lighting, tablescapes, props, to favors and gifts. Our party and event coordinators specialize in unique event design and execution and have a wide range of party décor elements to enhance the look and feel of your special events.

Meet our team of experienced party and event planners, Debbie Jordan, Courtney Jordan, Rachel Derman, Ashton Hartner, and certified event planner Howard Eckhart, CSEP and see how we can bring your special event together with style. With years of experience, dedication, and love for what we do, we are certain to help you achieve your vision of a flawless party or event.

Please take a look at our website: http://www.magicmomentsevents.com/index.html