I adore dressing up for Halloween, but I know not everyone does. This year, why not give your guests a break and place the emphasis on your party’s decor and design. Pick one of your favorite scary movies or TV shows and bring it to life in your home! We came up with some creepy party ideas based off our five most loved horror shows.

1. Carrie: Everyone will recognize the classic prom scene from this oldie but goodie. Make like you’re head of the prom planning committee and set up a balloon arch and a big bowl of (spiked) punch. For fun, create a prom-style photo booth for your guests to pose in. And don’t forget to drizzle everything with a healthy splatter of blood!

2. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Invite friends over for an intimate dinner party hosted by the Headless Horseman. Set the table with dark linens and smokey glassware. Add lots of candles and lanterns for an extra eerie effect.

3. Hocus Pocus: Host a girls’ night that features a cauldron of delicious drinks and a showing of this classic! Serve snacks, like salted carmel popcorn, on pedestals that resemble witches hats and cauldrons, like the ones pictured above.

4. True Blood: O Positive and lots of jambalaya should be on the menu for this Southern-style vampire bash. Serve blood orange mimosas and red velvet cupcakes, and be sure to hold the garlic!

5. Dexter: Celebreate everyone’s favorite serial killer with Dexter-themed dinner party. Drape the space, and your table, in plastic to mimic one of Dexter’s kill rooms and use glass slides as place cards. Serve some of the classic Cuban food Miami is known for. And be sure to leave behind enough blood spatter patterns for your guests to analyze!

1. Photobooth via Kayla Jones Photography 2. Dinner table via Pinterest 3. Popcorn Balls via Cooking Channel TV 4. True Blood Cupcakes via Hostess with the Mostess 5. Dexter Cupcakes via Magnolia Bakery

This morning I woke up to the unmistakable feeling of fall. The chilly air and the changing leaves get me thinking about how I love to celebrate the season. Fall is the perfect time to throw a party in your backyard. Invite friends and family over for comforting snacks, like mini sliders paired with fall beers. (I love any type of pumpkin ale!) Set out a stack of flannel blankets and light a bon fire for homemade S’mores. Anything apple flavored is another hallmark of the season, and I think these pie crust drink toppers are so pretty. They would be the perfect addition to a fall drink station. What’s more? The temps are dropping and mosquitos are finally at bay, so you can linger by the fire without getting eating alive!

1. via A Subtle Revelry 2. via Pendleton 3. via The Sweetest Occasion 4. via Praise Wedding 5 via Hostess with the Mostess

I’ve always considered balloons your standard, go-to birthday party decoration, but recently I’ve been seeing them used in exciting new ways. When done right, balloon decor can be very sophisticated and fresh. For example, by changing their size you can create a whole new look. Don’t you think miniature versions are darling on top of a cake?

Make a statement with metallic mylar letter balloons, tie them up with festive ribbon or streamers or fix them to a wall to create a backdrop. Balloons are also an easy way to add color and texture to your event. Go glam with clear balloons tied with gold ribbon, or sophisticated with a simple black and white design. I think the effect can be very uplifting!

1. via Jenloveskev.com 2. via One and Only Paris Photography 3. via Martha Stewart 4. via Pinterest 5. via Martha Stewart

photo by Cynthia Brown

Today I want to introduce myself to you. I’ve been blogging a lot here about my favorite ideas for parties and I’ve been working with a lot of our brides to finalize all sorts of details. But if you haven’t met me yet, I hope we’ll have the chance soon!

I started working with Jubilee Events last year. It was an action packed one, full of the most beautiful weddings for the most exciting couples. I had an amazing time and learned a ton-Candice and Diana are hands down two of the best teachers a girl starting out in this industry can ask for.

This year, I’m taking on my own events and I’m really looking forward to all the planning that’s ahead. To help you get to know me a little better, I thought I’d share my top five favorite things about party planning. There’s so much that goes into making an event just right that I had a hard time narrowing them down!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Having Fun with Desserts – There is a Julia Child quote floating around Pinterest that I love. She says, “A party without cake is just a meeting.” It’s probably pinned on half my boards because I love it so much. Dessert is the part of every event that I look forward to. But more than eating dessert, I love to design dessert displays. A well-curated arrangement of sweets can easily become the centerpiece of a party. How can you not love looking at fluffy buttercream cakes perched high on stands and rows of creamy, frosted treats? My sweet tooth is pretty big, but there are some times that I find desserts almost too good to eat…almost!

2. Seeing Good Friends Gather – Friendships are so important to me. I have friends up and down the East Coast and I try so hard to keep in touch with them all. Parties-big and small-have been my best excuse to see everyone. After all, you can’t have a party without friends. I’m always honored to have the opportunity to help others make these connections at their own parties, whether that means working on the guest list or sending out invitations. When I see distant family members and friends reunite at an event and everyone is enjoying themselves, I feel like I have done my job.

3. Kicking off Cocktail Hour – To me, the start of a party is the most important. It’s where you make your first impression on guests and set the tone for what’s to come. Cocktail hour is not just for weddings-every gathering needs an allotted time for people to arrive and get settled. This is one of the most exciting parts of any party and I love watching people discover all the fun elements of the event and what the rest of the night has in store.

4. Thinking Creatively – I’m constantly challenging myself to think differently. Whether I’m planning a party, decorating my house or just picking out an outfit, I strive to never settle for something ordinary or expected. I’m a master at repurposing items for something other than their intended use-which works out well because I never throw anything away. All the cake stands I used to hold flowers at my wedding now display jewelry and books on my shelves. I have yet to actually serve a cake on one!

5. Focusing on the Details – A party just wouldn’t be a party if it weren’t for the endless amount of details that are involved. From creating custom printed cocktail napkins to managing vendor contracts, there are a lot of little things to get done. I love seeing these elements come together-yes, even the paperwork. And I pride myself on doing them right. After all, I used to be a magazine editor so I’m used to going through things with a fine-toothed comb.

 

1. via Pinterest?2. via Pinterest?3. photo by Cynthia Brown 4. photo by Cynthia Brown 5. via BHLDN

 

You can follow Libby on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Or e-mail her! Libby@eventjubilee.com

I can think of two words that adequately describe how spectacular Ali and Max’s barbeque rehearsal dinner was: Bacon centerpieces. Of course, I can think of several others to describe the event we helped plan for this genuine, sweet and utterly in love couple, but those are two of my favorites. Ali & Max planned an awesome tented rehearsal dinner in Darien, Connecticut!

Having the opportunity to help Ali and Max plan their rehearsal dinner was such a treat. We love to step away from the frills and formalities of planning a wedding to work on a smaller, more intimate event. This gives us the opportunity to learn their stories and translate them into details at a special dinner for their closest family members and friends. For Ali and Max this meant a laid back barbeque at the bride’s childhood home in Darien, CT, inspired by the time they spent living in Tennessee. Ali and Max picked some of their favorite Southern elements to share with their guests: A hay bale lounge, a bourbon bar stocked with the groom’s favorite spirits, and buckets and buckets of bacon for guests to enjoy.

We are so thrilled that we were able to share this special day with Ali and Max. If you can believe it, the wedding that followed was filled with even more love and excitement and we’ll be sharing those photos with you next!

VENDOR REEL:

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck

Transportation: Premier Limo

Catering: Bobby Q’s

Florist: Elegant Effects

Paper: Coral Pheasant

Lighting/Tent: Sperry Tents

Musician/ DJ: Tin Pan Band

Rental Company: Party Rental Ltd.

We spent a lot of time thinking about weddings, but we absolutely love an opportunity to plan one of the exciting events that takes place leading up to the big day—the bridal shower! When it comes to showers there are so many different directions you can go in. Why not plan something a little unexpected? These are our five favorite ideas for fun and refreshing summer bridal shower.

1. Wine Tasting Brunch (Photos by Alyse French Photography) Thinking about a wine-themed shower? Kick it up a notch by adding in a surprise tasting for the bride and her guests. Serve small flights of local wines, including my personal favorite, Stone Table Red from Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington.
2. Lingerie Shopping Night (Photo by Sarah Yates) Put a new spin on the traditional lingerie shower by inviting the bride to a night out at one of her favorite lingerie boutiques. Treat the guest of honor to a little something lacy, and while you’re at it pick out something for yourself! Check into Sugar Cookies in NYC and Beneath The Gown in Clinton, CT.
3. Backyard Lobster Bake (Photo via Pinterest) It’s practically a sin to live in New England and not indulge in rich, buttery seafood every chance you get! The laid back atmosphere at this shower will bring guests together and get everyone excited for wedding day festivities.
4. Retro Cocktail Party (Photo by Raw Photo Design) Who says showers must be limited to the ladies? Invite couples to a swinging cocktail party that mimics the age when skirts were fuller and Manhattans were the cocktail du jour.
5. Summer Pool Party (Photo by Aaron Pinkston) Channel your inner kid at a pool party honoring the bride-to-be. Spend the afternoon sipping frozen cocktails and working on your wedding day tan. Essentials: Extra SPF and these adorable floating flamingo drink holders!

The official arrival of spring is the perfect excuse to dine alfresco! Why not host a laid back picnic in your back yard? The combination of simple and delicious foods and cozy decor will make for the perfect afternoon. Throw pillows with vintage-style picnic prints out so guests can kick back. And add unique furniture items, like this trough-style table made for keeping drinks cool, and within reach. What more do you need?

1. via Studio 773 2. via Pinterest 3. via Kate Spade 4. via Kate Spade 5. via Martha Stewart

I think we’re all in agreement that food is one of the most important things at an event. And since we’re kicking off our new blog series all about parties, I thought sharing the top five snacks that we, quiet literally, drool over would be the best way to get started. I love these food suggestions because they are perfect for any occasion. While pancakes and doughnuts are fitting for a bridal brunch, I’d happily chow down on those sweet snacks at a cocktail engagement party. And I love taking a traditional dish, like shrimp and grits, and putting a new spin on it. The square-style bites are super easy to eat, which means guests won’t have to put their drinks down to enjoy one! The best thing about these food picks: You can whip them up on your own for a dinner party with friends, or ask your caterer to incorporate them into your wedding day menu. Now, who’s hungry?

1. via Peter Callahan 2. via Food & Wine 3. via A Thyme to Cook, image by Katie Stoops 4. via Climbing Grier Mountain 5. via Food & Wine

Last week I attended bridal market in New York with Beth Chapman and her lovely team at The White Dress by the shore and got a sneak peek into what new collections they will be carrying! We attended Martha Stewart Wedding’s 11th Annual Market Party at her offices in Chelsea and had an amazing time catching up with old and new industry friends. Stay tuned to The White Dress by the shore’s blog for their take on October market and to see what new gowns and accessories will be gracing their store. xo.