For some, planning an event can be a time-sucking, frustrating, overwhelming, daunting and stressful process. Not to push my services, but if any of these emotions are starting to surface, I highly advise calling in an expert – let me know if you need a name:)

For seasoned event planning professionals, we have a few tricks of the trade that allow us to keep our cool, have fun and embrace the adventure of designing, coordinating and managing your special event!  Over the next few months, I will share with you some tricks of the trade I have learned over the past 15 years.

Trick #1 – Stick with your monthly planning calender

One of the first things I do with my clients after the date has been set, it to bring out the monthly planning calender.  I breakdown the event planning process into date blocks. 9-12 months, 6-8 months, 4-5 months, 2-3 months, 6 weeks, 3-4 weeks, 1-2 weeks, day before the event and day of the event. Within each date block, you have a list of tasks that should be accomplished within the designated time frame. If you have less then a year to plan your event – NO WORRIES!  Just count back how how many days, weeks or months you have, and combine the date blocks to fit your specific time frame.

Here is the trick – focus on the date block that you are in, while looking ahead one to two date blocks. When I say look ahead, I mean make a mental note about what lies ahead, but don’t fully engross yourself with tasks that lie in the upcoming date blocks. When you focus on your current list of tasks, you can manage your time and energy effectively and effeciently.

Example #1

Do not worry about the seating chart at your event until you know what guest are planning to attend.

Example #2

Securing your caterer should be one of the first things on your list, but don’t stress over what appetizers you are going to serve 9 months out from the event date.

Example #3

Begin gathering the contact information for your guests early on in the planning process, but don’t worry about addressing the envelopes until the invitations have been designed, printed and are sitting on your doorstep.

When you focus on what needs to get done today, versus what needs to get done 6 months from now, the event planning process is manageable…and for some geeks like me, down right enjoyable!

In just a few days our country will celebrate Independence Day, commonly know as the Fourth of July. Most folks will have the day off from work, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

As a child, the Fourth of July was always celebrated with a large party at my Family’s cabin on Lummi Island. My Mom would make our favorite July 4 foods – potato salad, corn on the cob, cheese burgers, baked beans, fresh berry cake  – and s’mores at the beach before we lit off the fireworks! I also clearly remember my Dad and Uncle always getting in trouble with the neighbors for blowing up the island with contraband fireworks they had illegally purchased on the reservation! For those that grew up in the Pacific Northwest like me, you probably remember wearing long pants, and hooded sweatshirts – it was typically cold, and some years it even rained!  Regardless of the weather, some of my fondest memories are of our annual Fourth of July extravaganzas on Lummi Island!

As I grew older, moved to Montana, then Minnesota, and eventually back home to Bellingham, I have had the opportunity to celebrate this patriotic day all over the USA. Chicago, Big Fork Montana, the Twin Cities, Bend Oregon, Seattle and Bellingham all put on a great party… but I must say, my favorite place to spend the holiday is still Lummi Island.  A lot has changed in the last 15 years, both good and bad. This year, our celebration will be much smaller in numbers – but I still have the desire to make the holiday as special as it was years ago.

My hope is that you can sit back and soak up all the fun you can this holiday weekend! Get creative with your menu – my mom always makes a red, white and blue berry desert like the one shown below….or try this delicious watermelon cocktail that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Regardless if you are having a party for two, twenty or two hundred, what matters most is that you take the opportunity to gather together and connect with those you love.

Happy Fourth of July!

Red, White and Blue Berry Cake

July 4th Watermelon Wave Cocktail

Chef Renee Marton’s

6 servings

INGREDIENTS

8 cups seedless red watermelon cubes

6 cups seedless yellow watermelon cubes, frozen. (Freeze the yellow watermelon cubes in an ice cube tray, at least a couple of hours. They will be used as ice cubes in the drink.)

1 cup Cointreau
½ cup light rum
1 ½ cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1 cup club soda
¼ cup Grenadine
2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice

Garnish: 2 mint leaves per drink
A pinch flaky sea salt per glass

METHOD

1. Place red watermelon cubes in blender.  Blend until mixture is liquefied. Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
2. Not including the yellow watermelon cubes, mix next six ingredients until well blended, then add red watermelon juice.
3. Pour drinks into 6 old fashioned glasses filled with yellow watermelon ice cubes. Squeeze the mint leaves gently between your fingers and drop into the drink (don’t over press—mint will become bitter).  Sprinkle drink with sea salt (5-6 grains/flakes for each drink).

You can google “wedding party duties” and discover the long list of official responsibilities assigned to each member of the wedding party.  Check out www.theknot.com – there are some great articles on Best Man, Groomsmen, Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid duties.  I would highly recommend reading these articles if you are a member of a bridal party in an upcoming wedding.

But, before you do that- I have two words and corresponding definitions that I want you to ponder….

Support:

1. to bear or hold up; serve as a foundation for.

2. to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for.

3. to undergo or endure, esp. with patience or submission; tolerate.

4. to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported him throughout his ordeal.

5. to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary to existence; provide for: to support a family.

Friend:

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.

3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile.

If you did not have the title of Maid of Honor, but rather Supportive Friend… what would you do to help your Bride plan for her wedding?  How would you help her to prepare  emotionally for the big day? What would you offer to cross off her growing “To Do List”  ?

When I was a bride, I had the two most wonderful Matrons of Honor.  They went above and beyond the call of duty. They were supportive best friends, who were by my side before, during and after the last thank you note was written.

Thank you Jennifer and Kari!