~~Our First Show! Hosting a Fabulous Cocktail Party~~

Today we launched our new internet radio show on Blog Talk Radio - "Cocktails and Conversation with the Event Diva" (www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations)

March 20th marked the first official day of spring and for most this is also the official kick off to entertaining. With the weather getting warmer more people are finding themselves hosting parties...barbeques...open houses. Tonight we thought we would talk about how to host a fabulous cocktail party.

Tonight's Signature Cocktail

Sour Apple Martini

1 1/2 oz. Sour Apple Pucker

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1/2 oz. Vodka

1 1/2 oz. Sour Mix

Add all ingredients in a shaker with a small amount of ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry in the bottom of the glass.

CHEERS!

What is a Cocktail Party?

A cocktail party is a social gathering, held early in the evening, usually for a period of about 2-3 hours, typically from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.or 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. It may take place in a home, at a private room in a restaurant or hotel, or in a business such as an art gallery or bookstore. Cocktails, wine, and soft drinks are served, though contemporary cocktail parties may offer wine and soft drinks exclusively and skip the cocktails. Beverages are accompanied by finger foods, which are meant to delight the palate, stave off hunger until dinnertime, and complement the cocktails. Cocktail parties are great for entertaining friends or business associates, or a combination of both.

Party Decisions

Your cocktail party can be as simple or as complex as you wish to make it . As with any event that you host there are a few questions you should ask yourself when beginning to plan your party.

1. What is you budget for this event?
2. How many guests will be attending? This number will impact your budget greatly, so if you're working with a limited budget keep the guest list small.
3. Is this a casual event for friends or a formal business networking event?
4. Will there be a full bar or a limited cocktail menu?
5. Will the party be indoors or outdoors? If outdoors what is the plan B in the event for inclimate weather?
6. What type of foods will you serve?
7. Is there a theme/occasion for your party?

The Food

A full course meal is not necessary when hosting a cocktail party. Simple foods like hors d'oeuvres and other finger foods allow your guests to graze throughout the event. Serving something like cheese and crackers, a veggie platter and a nice fruit display is nice and simple for the novice cocktail host/hostess. You could also do a themed cocktail party where you serve just desserts or maybe a chocolate cocktail party and do a chocolate fountain with all the fixings! Remember it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If you don't have the desire, time or talent for cooking then do what I do and call your favorite caterer or take-out restaurant for help.

The Drinks

Now we all know you can't have a cocktail party without having the cocktails!!! There are two options available to you when it comes to serving the drinks...

1. Have a full bar - this option gives your guests the option to choose their favorite drink. This is great if you have a well stocked bar or if your are willing to buy the basics (liquor and mixers) and are able to mix up a variety of drinks. Think the movie "Cocktail".

2. Come up with a drink menu or serve a signature drink - this is my favorite option because it encourages your guests to step out of their "cocktail" comfort zone and possibly try something new. This is also a great way to save money because you don't need to have a fully stocked bar. I like to select and ore-mix several cocktails that I will be serving through out the night right before my guests arrive. That way I can spend more time talking with the guest and less time behind the bar (or in my case in the kitchen) mixing drinks.

I would also like to share with you some helpful hints on making your next cocktail party a fabulous one...

• Make sure you have all the essentials for your bar. If having a full bar make sure to have a variety of liquor and mixers (soda, soda water, juice, etc.).
• Send your invitations out early but not too early. 2-3 weeks should be more than enough time unless it is a busy time of the year - like around the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas).
• Make sure you stock up on cocktail napkins, plates, and glasses.
• Plan on 50-75% of invited guests to attend when estimating the number of drinks you'll be pouring and how many bottles you'll need. A good rule of thumb is that on average each guest will have 2-3 drinks during the evening.
• Add a WOW factor to your event. This could be a speciality drink, garnish, food dish, decor element, or gift (take away).

Always remember that every good host/hostess is responsible for those drinking at their party. Be aware of guests who have had too much to drink and cut them off when necessary. When they are ready to leave call them a cab or arrange to have them leave with a designated driver. It's also good practice to keep in mind that everyone may not want to drink, so make sure you have a few non-alcoholic drinks or "mocktails" available for them.

But the most important thing to remember when hosting any event is to have fun. Planning early and properly will ensure that you will spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your guests.

Happy Planning!

Beckwith & Associates Launches New Internet Radio Show!!

I am happy to announce that Beckwith& Associates will be hitting the internet airwaves starting Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 6:00pm. We will be airing our first live broadcast "Cocktails and Conversation" on Blog Talk Radio - www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations. During each broadcast we will feature a signature cocktail and talk about something to social entertaining, from cocktail parties to weddings and everything in between - we'll talk about it!

Got a question for the Event Diva (me)? Well you can call your question in during our live broadcast at (347) 838-9795 and we'll try our best to answer it. You can also subscribe to our pod casts via iTunes our you can listen to any of our archived shows by visiting our website - www.blogtalkradio.com/cocktailsandconversations.

See you on Thursday, April 6, 2008!

~Step 2 - Budget Basics - Setting Your Priorities~

Now that you have determined what your wedding style is or at least you have an idea, it's now time to tackle a topic that most couples dread - determining the wedding budget. As you know everyone's wedding is as unique as the couples that are getting married - well the same philosophy holds true for the wedding budget. Let me share with you a little secret...it is possible to create a beautiful wedding on any budget...you just have to set realistic expectations.




So first things first, before we start talking about money, it's important to determine the elements of your wedding and their priorities. Below I have provided you with a priority list. On it we have identified 15 wedding elements to get you started. Look at the list and start ranking the following elements of your wedding according to their relative importance to you. Mark a "1" next to those elements that are the "most important areas"; a "2" by the "medium important areas"; and a "3" next to those that are the "least important" to you. Feel free to add additional elements that relate to your wedding.

Priorities List

___ Ceremony

___ Number of Guest

___ Size of Wedding

___ Location

___ Season

___ Food and Drink

___ Music - ceremony

___ Music - reception

___ Flowers

___ Tabletop Decor and Linen

___ Lighting and Mood

___ Invitations and Printing

___ Fashion

___ Photography/Videography

___ Other_______________

___ Other_______________

___ Other_______________

___ Other_______________

___ Other_______________

This exercise is most effective when done as a couple. Make two copies of the priorities sheet and give one copy to your fiance. Do your ranking separately and when you're finished, sit together and compare lists. This is a great exercise to start discussing what is most important to each of you and will help you both determine where your budget and your attention should be directed first.

Next we will discuss actually putting the budget together.

Happy Planning!

~~Starting the Planning Process - Step 1: Determining Your Wedding Style~~

You've dreamt about your wedding day since you were a little girl. The man of your dreams plans the most romantic evening...dinner...dancing...you end the evening with a late night stroll through your favorite park. The air is crisp and the stars are bright. As you're walking through the park, he stops...turns towards you...gently kisses you on the lips...and while looking deep into your eyes starts to bend on one knee. You start to get butterflies because you know what is about to come next. And then you hear those four sweet words...

"Will you marry me?"

Ahh the perfect engagement right? In the beginning you're excited...can't believe that it's happening...and after a few days reality starts to set it...you think to yourself..."I'm really getting married!" Now it's time to plan the perfect wedding but where do you begin? How do you go about selecting the perfect location? Find the vendors that match your personal style and budget? How do you fit in phone calls, vendor meetings, dress fittings, engagement parties, showers, tastings, and site visits while still working, your family responsibilities oh and let's not even think about trying to maintain an active social life all while trying to remain sane.
The first thing that I suggest is that you take a deep breath...and have a glass or bottle of your favorite drink. In other words calm down. Planning a wedding...excuse me YOUR wedding can seem like a overwhelming task but if you break it down into bit size pieces, planning it can be manageable if you take it one task at a time.


Starting the planning process...

First determine your wedding style. To get some insight on your particular style try answering the following questions:

1. When envisioning your wedding, do you see a celebration that is modern/contemporary or classic/traditional?

2. Do you imaging a part of your wedding (ceremony or reception) taking place outside?

3. You envision your wedding taking place in the spring, summer, fall or winter?

4. What would be your ideal number of guest at your wedding?

5. Your wedding colors should be:

• deep and passionate
• soft and subtle
• natural and organic
• contemporary and chic
• romantic and bridal
• unusual and fresh

6. Your ideal wedding meal would be:

• buffet dinner
• seated formal dinner
• seated family-style
• cocktail party
• brunch
• lunch
• other

7. At your wedding you want your guests to feel - (fill in the blank)

8. If you had to describe your wedding in a sentence or two, it would be -

9. You don't want your wedding to be - (fill in the blank)

10. Other words that you might use to describe your wedding would be:

This exercise works best if you and your fiancé answer the questions independently and then come together and share your answers with each other. This starts the dialogue on how you both envision your wedding which should aid you when talking to potential vendors and making decisions on the types of products and services you will need in order to make your "dream" wedding a reality.

If you want to take this exercise one step further, then I would recommend that you also create an idea board. Take all of those bridal magazines that you went out a purchased right after he popped the questions, grab a pair of scissors and start to cutting! Cut out dresses that you like, cars that you think it would be cool to ride in and centerpieces that inspire you...cut out everything! Love a color of a dress in a magazine but hate the style? Cut it out too...just make a note to yourself on why you cut it out (for the color) so you can communicate this with those helping you plan your special day.

Determining your style is the first step in planning your wedding. So grab a sheet of paper...answer the questions...and look through your magazines with scissors in hand...and have fun!

Check back later when we look at step 2 in the planning process...creating the wedding budget!

Happy Planning!
Erika Beckwith - Beckwith & Associates, LLC

~Upcoming Wedding Workshops~

"Congratulations You're Engaged...Now What?"
Wedding Workshop

You've just experienced the "perfect engagement"...now it's time to plan the perfect wedding but where do you begin? How do you go about selecting the perfect location? Find the vendors that match your personal style and budget? How do you fit in phone calls, vendor meetings, dress fittings, engagement parties, showers, tastings,and site visits while still working, juggling an active social life and family responsibilities?

HELP!?!?!?!?!?

Start the New Year off right - and get a "jump start" on your wedding planning by attending one of our January workshops. Taught by top industry professionals providing you with the latest trends for 2008 on decor, cakes, photography, videography, flowers and much more!

January Workshop Dates: Sunday January 13, 2008 or Sunday, January 27, 2008
12:00 noon - 5:00 PM
Registration starts at 11:30 am

Sheraton Buckhead
3405 Lenox Rd, NE
Atlanta, GA 30326

Admission: $10.00/workshop

Space is limited as class sizes are small, register today to secure your spot!
This is one workshop you won't want to miss!

For more information on this workshop and to register visit us on the web at http://www.beckwithevents.com/. You can also register by calling our office @ (770) 339-6591.

Some of our speakers and exhibitors for our January workshop include:

Allan Levene Photography

Flowers of Blessing by Brenda

LT Travel Connection

MK's Fotography

Grayson Flowers and Events

Design Squared

1420 Dezigns