Desperately Seeking Party-planning Ideas!

Do you want to spend lots and lots of time planning and preparing or do you want minimal work? Consider having the food catered to take some of the work and stress off you. That way you can plan the fun stuff-decorations, drinks, etc. and not worry about the dinner. Has the couple planned their honeymoon? Maybe the party theme could center around the location for that. Does the couple have any special hobbies or activities they enjoy? The party could go along with those.

Check out OrientalTrading.com for different ideas. They have EVERYTHING you can imagine theme wise and all the decorations and favors to match.

HI M.,

I was thinking along the same lines as some other responders--go with a theme like a Hawaiian luau island theme or a western theme with bbq or a fiesta theme with mexican food. Or if the bride and groom- to -be enjoy something special together, you could use that as a theme: trips to Vegas, NASCAR stuff, football, etc. You could get pictures of them at various stages of their lives and some together and display them. Take lots of pictures and maybe interview some of the guests with a video camera and give them a copy of the video of the engagement party.

Luau! You can even find a lot of the stuff on sale right now. Party City has all kinds of plates, napkins, table covers, etc. You can order a tropical themed cake or order one yourself and put some hibiscus on it. They have some cute, kitschy stuff, but they also have more "adult" looking stuff if that is the direction you want to go. Appetizers: Fruit kabobs with dip, macadamia nuts, whole pineapple with cheese skewers, chips and dip, etc. I don't know if you planning on grilling for dinner, but you could make shish kabobs, teriyaki chicken, make a roast pork in your oven or crockpot, make a big pot of fried rice and some sort of salad and, of course, King Hawaiian rolls.

Other ideas would be a chuckwagon barbecue or a mexican fiesta with appropriate decorations.

I think the luau is a good idea. I would make it more personal and more "engagement party" like by putting pictures of them growing up throughout the party as some of the deco. I would get inexpensive frames from a dollar store or craft store and glue leis around them to tie them into the luau theme. Both sides of the family will enjoy remembering and sharing in the other sides memories as they come together. I would also make up some cards or get a small journal that each guest can write a note of advice or favorite memory or kind words to share, their won't be alot of guests so I would do alot to make it very personal and keep it fun. Maybe create a make your own drink station have a couple of juice options and fun cups and umbrellas and straws, if you will be serving alcohol the juice can be used as mixers and for the younger audience they will have fun picking cups and straws.