The cincoanera is a trend that’s beginning to sprout up more and more among both the Hispanic community and the party planning community. A cincoanera is basically the same as a quinceañera, only the birthday girl is five years old, not fifteen—and it’s very cute.
Cincoaneras Poised To Become A Huge New Trend
So how did cincoanera celebrations start to take off? In the Catholic church, many Hispanic people already have a ceremony for presenting children. This typically happens around the age of three, and the purpose of these presentations are for the child to receive God’s blessing for their spiritual path in life. The ceremony is dominantly for girls.
Because the presentation ceremony is usually accompanied with a celebration, many families have decided to hold off on the Catholic presentations until their daughter is five, so that it can be “combined” into her fifth birthday and act as a mini-quinceañera. These celebrations—cincoaneras—come complete with the dress, the waltzes, the surprise dance, and everything else that you’d expect.
And, as you can imagine, the sweet little divas simply love it. They get to literally dress up and dance like a princess, have cake, be surrounded by their family, and celebrate their birthday in style after being presented by the church.
Just Like A Mini-Quinceañera!
Some families decide to keep the church presentation separate from the cincoanera altogether, and simply have two celebrations (or just the cincoanera). Either way, the party ends up being very sweet and memorable. The photos are priceless, and everyone always has an amazing time.
Just like a quinceañera, the little birthday lady gets attendants (five boys and five girls, or just five members total), she gets a waltz, and she can have a surprise dance. Catering is typically expected, as well as entertainment (such as a clown or magician) and lots of family and friends time together. Some cincoanera celebrations are themed (like this Minnie Mouse one), and some are more traditional, like this:
Why Parents Love Cincoanera Celebrations
Cincoanera celebrations are especially beloved by parents, who get to see their adorable little girl all dancing in a beautiful “big girl” dress—but without all the picky demands of a quinceañera birthday girl! The photos and video footage of the little cincoanera dancing around with her attendants or family members is priceless, and will be fun to look at for years to come.
If you’re tempted by the idea of throwing your little one a cincoanera of her own, consider hosting at Vatican Banquet Hall. We throw truly outstanding bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, sweet 16s, and cincoaneras are no exception! We will help you host the best birthday ever for your little princess. Make lifetime memories at our incredible Los Angeles venue! Take a look at our photo gallery or virtual tour to see what we offer, check our availability, or simply contact us today for more information!
So you’ve decided to tie the knot—now it’s time to celebrate! A wedding shower (not to be confused with a bridal shower) and the engagement party are classy events, and an expected way to officially announce your wedding plans with friends and family members and, in our opinion, way more fun than a phone call!
To help make your upcoming wedding shower a memorable and fun success, Vatican Banquet Hall’s experienced event coordinators have organized several valuable tips and considerations for you and your fiancé to follow:
Who Hosts The Wedding Shower?
Though tradition dictates that the bride’s parents host the wedding shower or engagement party, today many couples are throwing the celebratory party themselves. Before you decide to host the big event (or ask a friend or family member to do it for you), however, it’s best to be aware of the financial implications, which can include venue rental costs, catering, bar fees, and entertainment fees. These can really add up, so if your budget doesn’t allow for a fancy celebration, you might consider hosting something a bit less formal instead.
What Exactly Is A Wedding Shower?
A wedding shower is a party where guests celebrate with the bride and groom-to-be and “shower” them with gifts. Traditionally, the groom sat this party out and only the bride participated in the female-only event; however, those “bridal showers” are becoming more and more rare in favor of a joint wedding shower where the groom is allowed to attend as well. Wedding showers tend to be a little more festive and formal than traditional bridal showers.
Where Should You Host Your Wedding Shower?
Several factors will influence where you should host your wedding shower, including the number of guests you’re inviting, the level of formality, the type of food you want to serve, and your budget. For an upscale, “all-inclusive” experience, fine dining restaurants, country clubs, and banquet halls provide a great atmosphere, a variety of food options, and in some cases, entertainment—while parks, bars, and backyards are better for more casual parties.
Vatican Banquet Hall Is The Perfect Setting For An Upscale Party
Who Should You Invite?
For a long time, only immediate family members and friends were invited to the wedding shower—basically the same guests that the couple planned to invite to the wedding. This meant that couples needed to finalize their wedding guest list first,then whittle down the wedding list to a smaller, more manageable engagement party guest list before sending out invitations for the wedding shower. Nowadays, some couples still do this; however, many couples also take advantage of their engagement party to celebrate with people who won’t be invited to the wedding due to location or scheduling.
What Should You Wear?
The level of formality and venue will dictate the wardrobe for your wedding shower, of course, but Vatican Banquet Hall recommends erring on the classy side, regardless of your party’s setting. For large, formal celebrations, women should opt for an evening gown while men should wear a sleek, well-tailored suit. For casual outdoor parties, ladies should consider a classy sundress while men should stick to chinos and a well-pressed Oxford-style shirt.
For more great wedding-related tips, check out more of our wedding blog posts. Or, if you’re currently looking for a fantastic Los Angeles wedding venue that also staffs professional wedding planners, simply contact us today!
Planning a bridal shower can be one of the most enjoyable parts of a wedding. Bridal showers are light, full of laughter, and always memorable. However, if you don’t want the same old “toilet paper wedding dress” routine, you can spice up the party with the ideas in this post. From activities to favors to the food, these nine things will guarantee a great time!
Mimosas Or Bellinis
A bridal shower must! Mimosas are the simplest and most popular shower cocktail, but if you’d like to try something more unique, go with the mimosa’s cousin, the bellini. Or have both! These are delicious drinks truly worthy of an amazing bridal shower.
A Piñata
They’re not just for kid’s parties anymore! A piñata will be an unexpected and delightful surprise to the bridal shower guests, and everyone can let loose and really have a ball breaking it open! Piñatas come in all shapes and sizes, so go with something that reflects the bridal theme: a wedding cake, hearts, an ampersand, a diamond ring, the couple’s initials—the possibilities are endless!
Unique Desserts
Consider the bride’s absolute favorite treats, and then find the best version of that treat available. Does she love donuts? Have a donut cake or donut bar! Is she really into pie? Try heart pies on a stick. Is she crazy about anything chocolate? Have chocolate pudding shooters! Her favorite things will give you a jumping point on what to serve.
A Countdown Sign
This added touch is mainly for photo ops, but it’s great for them! Your guests will love snapping shots in front of a pretty countdown sign with the bride-to-be.
A Unique Guestbook
If you want to bypass the predictable guestbook for signing, consider something decorative like a big log slice or Christmas ornaments, or something more practical like recipe cards where guests can also provide a recipe for the bride-to-be.
Don’t Open Gifts
Hear us out on this one! Although the point of the bridal shower is to “shower the bride with gifts”, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone needs to sit around for hours watching her open them. Many brides find this tradition to be awkward and time-consuming, when everyone could be mingling or playing games. This is a delicate situation, since people have put time, energy, and money into buying the bride a gift—but for many brides, it’s simply uncomfortable. If it’s more about a time constraint, the bride can still open gifts at the end of the party as opposed to the middle. That way, if guests want to take their leave, they can.
Give Good Prizes
If you’re planning to have games at the bridal shower, give away prizes that are actually great: restaurant certificates, luxury lotion, a manicure, and so on. The more the guests want the prizes, the more competitive and fun the games will be. Make sure to announce the prize before the games begin!
Make It A Costume Party
This suggestion isn’t for everyone—many brides will want a traditional bridal shower. However, some will embrace the fun of a “dress-up” shower. Themes that can be fun and still classy include Mad Men, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1920s flappers, Hollywood glamor, and favorite literary characters. The best way to decide if a costume party, besides considering the bride, is a good idea is to look over the guest list and see if more people would enjoy it than not.
Surprise Favors
Give your guests their own little gift to open! Send everyone off with something they’ll have to unwrap. Half the fun is the mystery anyway! The favors could be anything from cookies to lipstick, but they’ll have to wait to see. This also allows you to be creative with different kinds of pretty wrapping.
Hopefully these pointers give you some great ideas for the bridal shower you’re planning. And remember, if you’re looking for a great event venue for the bridal shower, check out Vatican Banquet Hall. We have hosted many amazing bridal showers, and the one you’re planning could be next. Feel free to have a look at our photo gallery or check our availability!
We all know that a Sweet 16 party is more than just a regular birthday party. It’s a celebration of her entering womanhood, and a celebration of a girl’s life thus far. It’s a gathering where everyone can celebrate exactly who she is and what makes her unique.
However, when planning a Sweet 16 party, it can quickly become confusing on where to begin. You may find yourself drowning in a sea of planning. If that sounds like you, then here’s a step-by-step guide on how to throw a Sweet 16 for your daughter that is as spectacular as it is unforgettable.
Plan The Guest List
This is an area where you will definitely need to ask your daughter what she wants. She may ask for a large Sweet 16 party with lots of guests, or she may prefer only her nearest and dearest handful of friends to attend. It depends solely on her personality type and what she wants—so make sure to work on the guest list together, while keeping your budget in mind.
As for the invitations, this can be an area that’s very fun. The invitations are the first alert and impression of your daughter’s Sweet 16, so they should stand out and reflect how much fun the party is going to be. They also need to match the party’s theme, so make sure to decide on what the theme will be before ordering or making invitations. It’s also important to send them out in enough time to allow guests to plan for it (3-4 weeks is a good amount).
Pick A Theme
Whether it’s her favorite band, movie, sports team, city, era, or maybe even just her favorite color, your daughter’s Sweet 16 theme should be something that she’s excited about, and should be something that reflects who she is at this time in her life. If she’s unsure of what theme to go with (unlikely!), there are some classic fail-safe ideas that are always fun, including “glitter and gold”, “vintage”, “starry night”, “rock star/celebrity”, “masquerade”, “glamour”, “pretty in pink”, or “luau”.
Choose The Entertainment
As another area that will be up to your daughter, the entertainment should go hand-in-hand with her personality. For example, many girls want a band or a DJ for their Sweet 16 so that their guests can dance. But your daughter may want to simply create her own music playlist for the party. Or she may not be into dancing at all. She may prefer a completely different type of entertainment, like a comedian or a sketch artist. Ask her what sort of entertainment she’d like, and go from there. The decision should match her interests and, if possible, the party’s theme.
It’s also smart to consider fun things that always work at a party—things like photo booths, games, a “palm reader”, etc. You may want to add one of these to the mix, and sometimes one of these is all you need to ensure that guests have fun.
Determine Décor and Venue
Sweet 16 decorations is an area where you (and your daughter, if she wants to help) can be very creative. This is one of the most fun and memorable parts of a Sweet 16 party. Obviously, the decorations should coordinate with the party theme, and Sweet 16s are known for being colorful and girlish. A good events venue will also help with décor suggestions, and there are also thousands of great ideas on Pinterest to inspire you—both DIY and otherwise.
Because a Sweet 16 is such an important event, finding just the right venue can be an overwhelming process. But there are certain amenities that you should seek out in order to make your planning easier. A good events venue should include plenty of space for guests, tables and chairs, in-house catering, customizable décor, a stage, and of course, a dance floor.
Plan The Food
Food is a major part of a Sweet 16 party. If you haven’t noticed, teenagers really love to eat. If you’re holding the Sweet 16 at an events venue, it’s a good idea to book an events venue that provides in-house catering. The type of food you plan is another area where you can get creative and choose things that match the party theme—although some parents prefer to do this only with the desserts. Make sure to include the birthday girl’s favorites. If she’s partial to s’mores, consider including a s’mores-making station. If she’s addicted to popcorn, think about having a popcorn punchbowl. Food at a Sweet 16 should be bright, pretty, and most important, delicious.
Involve Your Guests
A Sweet 16 party is almost like a time capsule—it exhibits your daughter’s specific interests and hobbies at this exact time in her life. And of course, her friends be part of the time capsule, too. And what better way to capture this than having the guests all sign something for her? Whether it’s a matted photo, a big mirror, or a splashy guestbook, having a keepsake of Sweet 16 signatures and messages is a must. Some girls even choose to wear a white dress for everyone to sign so that she can walk around wearing her messages.
Another idea your daughter will love is a Memory Jar. Provide paper and pens, and have guests write down a favorite memory that they have about the birthday girl. These memories are gifts in themselves, and will mean so much to your daughter. The Memory Jar can also be adjusted to match the party theme. For example, if she chooses a “rock star” theme, she can have a Memory Guitar Case. If she chooses an “old Hollywood” theme, she can have a Memory Top Hat turned upside-down, and so on. You can even take this a step further and have the birthday girl read these memories out loud sometime during the party, and try to guess who the memory is from.
Don’t Forget Party Favors
There are literally countless choices when it comes to party favors for a Sweet 16. If it’s convenient, the favors should match the theme of the party (for instance, an airbrush artist for an “80s” theme would be good), or you can even choose to make the favors yourself, like simple goody bags.
And Above All…
While planning your daughter’s Sweet 16, be sure to ask her questions to ensure the party fits what she wants. Communication with her is key during the planning process of this milestone event in her life.
At Vatican Banquet Hall, we are your Sweet 16 party planning experts! To see one of the best events venues in Los Angeles for Sweet 16 parties, check out our gallery. Please also feel free to ask about our pricing and availability. We would love for you to become another one of our satisfied guests!
For more tips on Sweet 16 planning, check out this video:
Catering waitress service. woman at restaurant event
Whether you’re planning a wedding reception or a corporate event, finding a great event catering service can be quite the challenge. Many caterers claim they offer delicious food, but end up bringing the same drab dishes to your event, ultimately disappointing your guests with mediocre food. Thankfully, things don’t have to be that way.
Finding a delicious event catering service is tough, but not impossible. And if you need some assistance, Vatican Banquet Hall is here to help. Our event experts have compiled some tips and advice on how to pick a great catering service for any type of event, helping you please your guests with ease.
Take a tour of Vatican Banquet Hall in the video below:
See If Your Event Venue Offers Catering
When starting your event planning process, it’s always worth checking to see if your event venue offers catering services. Working with a venue’s in-house catering will make the process as smooth as possible, providing extra service that other catering companies can’t provide. You’ll also feel at ease knowing that all your cooking will happen on-site, offering your guests some of the freshest options available.
If you book an event with Vatican Banquet Hall, you’ll be able to take advantage of our world-class catering service, which offers a host of dining options perfect for any event.
Stick To Your Budget
You might want to go all-out when it comes to your catering menu, but remember, you need to stick to your budget. Catering will be a big chunk of any event budget, and going overboard on your catering will take away funds from other important aspects of your event.
Pick A Menu That Fits Your Event
Different types of events need different types of food. If you’re holding a corporate gala, you’ll want some elegant, high-class meals. But if you’re holding a birthday party, you might want some more hearty, decadent dishes. Consider the type of atmosphere you want to have at your event and design dishes that fit that style.
Of course, you also need to think about what types of food you know your guests will enjoy. If there’s a guest of honor, consider adding some of their favorite dishes to your catering menu.
For more event planning tips and advice, check out the blogs below:
Think of hiring an event catering service as hiring a new employee for your company. When hiring anyone, you always want to check their references. Be sure to ask your potential caterer for references from previous clients, that way you can ensure their services live up to the hype. If your caterer has great references, you know you’ve chosen a true professional. And if they have bad references, or are apprehensive about providing them, you should likely find another catering company.
Hold A Tasting Before Your Event
Most catering companies will include a tasting before your event as part of their services, something you should definitely take advantage of. A tasting will give you a chance to provide your caterer with requests or suggestions before your event, ensuring that the food on the day-of meets your expectations.
Your event deserves delicious catering, and with a thoughtful, measured approach you’re bound to found a truly exceptional event catering service. Of course, you’ll also need a location for your event, and if you’re looking for a versatile event venue in Los Angeles, you should consider Vatican Banquet Hall. Our event venue is perfect for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and more, with luxurious decor and affordable amenities fit for any budget. For more information on booking and availability, contact Vatican Banquet Hall today.
Young happy couple holding colorful balloons and embracing. Bride and groom having fun outdoors. Wedding party. Love and holiday concept. Man and woman in love. Happy people
Congratulations! You’ve just got engaged, and are on your way to spending the rest of your years with the love of your life. But how do you let the special people in your life in on the excitement? Well, you could announce your wedding on social media, or send out wedding invitations way far in advance, but we at Vatican Banquet Hall think that nothing announces a wedding better than an engagement party.
A great engagement celebration gets people excited about your upcoming wedding, announcing to the world that you and your partner are ready to take the next big step in your relationship. But what should you do for your engagement party? You don’t want it to be exactly like your wedding reception. You want to get guests excited for your wedding while also providing them with a unique and fun experience. To help you get inspired, we’re running through some engagement party ideas guaranteed to impress your guests.
Take a tour of Vatican Banquet Hall in the video below:
1. Signature Engagement Party Cocktails
Crafting some signature party cocktails will definitely help get guests excited about your engagement and upcoming wedding. Consider creating some unique drinks based on your favorite flavors, or get inspired by putting twists on some classics. Special cocktails will have guests guessing what they’ll be offered during your wedding while also celebrating your engagement with style.
2. Make Some DIY Decorations
DIY party decorations have been a huge trend in recent years, helping you save some money while also crafting stylish decor. While you can create your decorations yourself before the party, it’s even more fun to craft some decorations during your party. We recommend checking out some DIY engagement party guides online to help you get inspired.
For more event planning tips, check out these blogs:
Many engagement parties are adults-only affairs. But remember, you’re probably going to invite some families to your weddings, with at least a few youngsters in attendance. If your family is filled with kids, or you have a lot of friends with kids, then consider having an all-ages engagement party. Your wedding represents the joining of two families, and bringing the kids in on the excitement during your engagement party will certainly help kick things off with plenty of fun!
4. Brunch-time Engagement Party
Most wedding ceremonies take place in the afternoon, with the wedding reception extending long into the night. So, why not try something different with your engagement party? We suggest trying a weekend brunch-time engagement party, bringing your guests some weekend morning fun. Everyone loves brunch, and your guests will definitely enjoy a catered brunch to celebrate your union. This is a fun twist on the traditional catered engagement party, giving your guests something different to enjoy.
5. Wine Tasting Engagement Party
If you’re hoping to have an intimate wedding, you should also have an intimate engagement party. A great low-key option is to have a wine tasting engagement party. Consider booking some time at a local winery or booking an event venue and wine expert to help you organize a great wine tasting. Your guests will definitely be impressed by a classy wine tasting party, and you’ll be able to celebrate with the intimate flair you’re looking for.
Your engagement party is the first time you and your partner will face the world as future spouses. It’s a big, exciting event, and with some creative planning you’ll be able to host a great event that invites guests to celebrate your love. If you’re looking for a great engagement party or wedding event venue in Los Angeles, consider Vatican Banquet Hall. Our event venue is perfect for all types of social events, from engagement celebrations to anniversary parties and so much more. And with a wide array of accommodations and amenities, we can service parties of various budgets. For more information on booking and availability, contact Vatican Banquet Hall today.
The arrival of a new family member is a momentous occasion, and a baby shower is the perfect way to celebrate. But planning a baby shower can be pretty tough.
If you need help planning your baby shower, you’re in luck, because the event experts at Vatican Banquet Hall are here with some advice. Check out our baby shower planning checklist and get your party planning started.
10 Weeks Before
+ Determine the host — Many baby showers are hosted by the mom-to-be and a close friend. If you don’t want to handle the entire party on your own, consider asking one of your closest friends to help host the event, that way you don’t get too stressed leading up to the part.
+ Set A Budget — You don’t want to overspend when you have a baby on the way. Be sure to set a budget for your shower early and stick to it, helping you save plenty of money along the way.
+ Pick A Party Venue & Date —The most important aspect of your baby shower is the location and date. Decide when you want to have the party far enough in advance to be able to visit and ultimately book a great event venue.
+ Make Your Guest List — You can’t have a party without guests! Compile a list of loved ones, friends, and family that you want at your baby shower so you have a general idea of how big the party will be.
Take a tour of Vatican Banquet Hall in the video below:
Six Weeks Before
+ Send Out Invitations — You want to give your guests enough time to mark your baby shower in their calendars and respond before the party. Sending invitations six weeks before the event is perfect timing. You can even send emailed invites or create a Facebook event for the party to get some faster responses!
+ Plan Your Party Menu — Everyone loves party food. Find some delicious easy recipes you can make yourself or consider getting your baby shower catered. And if you’re planning for someone else, be sure to consider what foods the guest of honor loves.
+ Purchase Decorations — You don’t want to host a drab baby shower. Spice things up with some fun, colorful decorations. You can even use a DIY decoration guide to inspire some fun ideas.
One Month Before
+ Find Some Extra Party Help — The day of the baby shower could be pretty hectic. As it gets closer to the event, enlist some extra help from close friends for final preparations.
+ Order Your Cake & Desserts — Delicious desserts will make your party shine. Place your bakery order about a month in advance to ensure you get your order on the right date.
+ Prepare Party Games — Party games are a staple at any baby shower. Decide which games you’ll want to play and gather the materials you’ll need ahead of time.
Two Weeks Before
+ Follow-Up With RSVPs — Some people like to take their sweet time when it comes to RSVPs. Check to see if those you haven’t heard from forgot, or if they actually won’t be attending.
+ Find A Photographer — You’ll want to capture some memories during your baby shower. Pick one of your friends to be the “designated photographer,” that way everyone isn’t stuck in their phones the whole time snapping pics.
+ Put Together Goody Bags — Let your party guests you appreciate them with some fun goody bags.
The Day Of The Party
+ Get To Your Party Venue Early — You want to make sure your event venue is set-up properly, so you should head over a bit early.
+ Have Fun! — It’s your baby shower! You won’t have the time to see all your friends and party it up once your baby arrives, so be sure to relax and have fun when you can.
Planning a baby shower can be tough, but if you start far enough in advance and get some help along the way, everything will go fine. And if you’re looking for an event venue in the Los Angeles area, consider Vatican Banquet Hall. Our event venue offers world-class accommodations that fit any budget, providing the luxury you need for weddings, baby showers, social events and more. Contact Vatican Banquet Hall today for more information on booking and availability.
Silly games are a fun part of a bridal shower, but the same games that seem to be at every shower get old quick. However, it is possible to choose unique game ideas that everyone will actually enjoy playing and that don’t include any awkward moments or embarrassing tasks.
Guess Who
Also known as Celebrity or HedBanz, this game involves each guest receiving an index card with the name of an iconic person. Guests aren’t allowed to peek at their card and they are secured onto everyone’s forehead to ensure no one knows who they have. Each guest gets their turn at receiving hints about who they are until they can guess. For a wedding twist, you can use the names of people, places, or things that hold significance to the bride and groom.
Bride-Groom Trivia
Contact the bride and groom’s relatives for stories from their childhood and any other details, and type up a multiple choice quiz with trivia about the bride and groom for the guests to fill out. Reading all the questions and answers out loud will make for a hilarious time and you can select the guest with the most right answers as the winner.
Nickname Guessing Game
Give each guest a slip of paper to write their little-known nicknames on. The fun comes from having everyone guess what nickname goes to who as you pull the written slips of paper out of a bowl. Hand out pre-numbered sheets of paper and have each guest write their guesses down for the number that corresponds with each guest’s name.
Cootie Catcher
Remember those times on the playground giggling with friends over the cootie catcher? It will be just as fun with all the ladies at the bridal shower. Start by assigning someone based on different options like Bride, Your Choice, Everyone, or Bride’s Choice, and spell the name of the chosen person or word “everyone” as you move the cootie catcher’s flaps in and out and side to side in rhythm with the letters. Next, ask the selected person to pick a number and move the flaps again as you count. Once you’ve counted, have the person pick a number again and then reveal what that flap instructs, which can be to make a toast, give a piece of marriage advice, tell your own love story, take a silly photo, or share a fun fact about the bride or groom.
Guess the Bride’s Age
Put together a board full of pictures of the bride displaying her at different ages. Be sure to mix them up so they’re not in order and hand a pencil and paper to everyone and ask them to guess the bride’s age by writing down their guess next to the line that corresponds with each photo’s number. Award a gift to whoever has the most right.
Find Your Match
This is a perfect game to keep with the love theme of the shower and involves having guests find their other celebrity love interest. Write the names of famous celebrity couples on sections of paper, with each member on either side of a heart, and use decorative scissors to cut down the center of the heart to create two cards. Place a card on each guest’s seat and ask them to go find their match. Make sure to include the bride and groom as one of the couples.
Telephone
Just about everyone is aware of the hilarious game of telephone and it can be just as fun now as it was back in elementary school. Put a written instruction card on a guest’s seat which asks her to initiate a toast, which can be anything from well-wishes to the couple or a funny story of the bride or groom. The toast will be whispered from guest to guest and hilariously mangled and mixed as it gets farther away from the original toast giver. Have the initiator announce the original message and the mixed up version from the group when the message gets back around to the start. Give each guest a turn at starting and sending off a toast.
You Know When…
The finish-that-thought bridal shower game is inspired by mad libs and is a fun way to gather marriage tips from each guest. After each lady is finished writing down their answer to the beginning of the written sentence, such as “You know you’re in love when…” or “Once upon a time..” have her write her name on the back of the card and place it in a stack. The answers will most likely range from serious to silly and it will be fun when everyone has to guess who wrote what. The cards then leave with the bride after the shower and make for super sweet keepsakes.
Choose one or a few of these games for guests to play at your upcoming bridal shower and you’ll have everyone pleasantly surprised and delighted.
Spring and summer are the most common times for baby showers, and as friends and family start having little ones, you may find yourself planning a few as well as attending them. If you’re the host of a baby shower this summer, here are a few fun theme ideas to get your imagination going and help you create an unforgettable event for the mom-to-be.
Book Themed
Every mommy-to-be needs the practical items like diapers, burp cloths, and onesies, but chances are she’ll receive those from family. You can make her shower something extra special by asking all the guests to bring a favorite book from their childhood. The soon-to-be mom will love receiving all these books that are close to the hearts of her friends and family, rather than getting more diapers.
French Country
Just because you’re hosting a baby shower doesn’t mean it needs to be cheesy or all about the kids. It can also be soft and romantic. A French country shower theme exudes the long, lazy summer days spent in the countryside, where children play in lavender fields under a baby-blue sky. Decorate with soft colors, field flowers, and delicate edibles. You can also have fun with adding signs that say “bebe” and “petite.”
Modern
Why not update tradition and go with a modern shower theme if that suits the mom-to-be? Choose colors you know the guest of honor will love, and not necessarily the same baby blue and pink. Think no-fuss comfort foods and why not consider inviting the dads and dad-to-be to celebrate? Who says a baby shower has to be a girl thing?
Adorable Daisy
What says baby shower more than daisies and sunny colors? Have fun with pretty hors d’oeuvres decorated with paper flowers and add real, edible flowers for flourish. You can set up a fun craft area where guests can create their own daisy chain necklace or crown. This is a perfect activity if there will be children attending the shower. Keep the sunny yellow theme through all of the food, décor, and add a candy bar with various yellow treats with take-home bags for favors.
Cherry Blossom
A perfect way to celebrate a springtime arrival is with a cherry blossom themed shower. Think pink in terms of color, offer pretty finger foods, and decorate with real cherry blossoms if you’re lucky, or simply gather some large branches from your yard and decorate them with paper flowers.
Velveteen Rabbit
How sweet are soft, cuddly baby bunnies? The sweetest! Whether you loved the classic book as a kid or not, this makes for a super sweet shower theme and the book will be a perfect gift to the mom-to-be. Ask the other guests to bring books and help the new mom curate her little one’s book shelves. This theme can also be turned down a notch in terms of “little kid” and made into an elegant, garden theme decorated with touches of rabbits, flowers, and soft colors.
Vintage
Does the mom-to-be love vintage styles? Theme her baby shower to reflect her unique personality by decorating with vintage prints, muted colors, and treats and drinks from a bygone era. This theme is both elegant and baby-soft and you can even take it further by encouraging guests to dress in their vintage finest, and have their hair and makeup done in a 40’s or 50’s style. A vintage, silver rattle would make for a perfect gift for the mom-to-be.
If you’re the host of an upcoming baby shower, have fun with the theme and surprise the honorary guest with something unexpected. Once you decide on the theme, you’ll need the perfect venue. Check out the Vatican Banquet Hall who specializes in baby showers, weddings, and other social events.
While it may seem obvious that things like great entertainment and engaging contests can increase the success of your next wedding reception, birthday party, or corporate gala, did you know that there are scientific reasons why we think some events are amazing and some are duds?! To help you plan your next Vatican Banquet Hall get-together, our venue’s coordinator’s have researched why we respond positively to some stimuli and negatively to others, and how this knowledge can be used to reduce stress and create positive associations.
At Vatican Banquet Hall, we know first-hand that organizing an event is no easy task. Among the hundreds of decisions to make, choosing the perfect event venue may be among the hardest, not least because of the impact your choice will have on the success of your wedding reception, business function, or party. To help you make the best possible decision (even if it isn’t our venue!), here are seven things to consider when looking at banquet halls and party locations.
There are a lot of things to consider when planning a Quinceanera, but perhaps nothing is as important as finding the perfect Quinceanera dress for your big day. After helping young ladies and their families host hundreds of Quinceanera celebrations, the event coordinators at Vatican Banquet Hall have put together a list of tips to reference when shopping for a gown!
Tip#1: Establish Your Budget
Before you set one foot in a dress shop, be sure to talk with whomever is buying your Quinceanera dress – parents, grandparents, or well-wishing relatives – about how much they are willing to spend on your gown. Knowing the dress budget will save time by directing you to stores that cater to your specific price range. And remember: just because a dress is inexpensive doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful!
Tip #2: Know Your Body Type (And What Dress Fits It Best)
A big part of looking beautiful is feeling comfortable in your Quince dress, and you won’t be able to do either if your dress doesn’t fit correctly. Before you begin shopping, honestly assess your body type and consider what types of gowns look best on different shapes. As a general rule, however, we’ve found that puffy tulle dresses accentuate slim physiques, while A-line and Imperial cut gowns helps narrow a curvier silhouette. And remember: whatever dress you decide on needs to pass the “Grandma Test”.
Tip#3: Choose a Color and Type of Fabric
Years ago, it was customary for a girl’s Quinceanera dresses to be white or a light pastel color and decorated with intricate beading or sequins; today, more and more young women are choosing to blend modern and traditional styles, incorporating sleeker, newer materials and brighter colors into the dress’s design. Regardless of what type of gown you choose, be sure the color, fabric, and cut perfectly matches your personality!
Tip #4: Try On as Many Dresses as Possible
While trying on dress after dress can be exhausting (especially after the 20th or 30th one!), trying on multiple gowns will give you an idea of which ones fit best, what fabric you like, and what brands are most flattering. To be sure you have enough time to find the perfect Quinceanera dress, begin looking no less than nine months before your big party, and visit no less than three different dress shops. And most importantly, NEVER buy a Quinceanera dress online without trying it on first!
Tip#5: Ask Lots of Questions
Dressmakers or women that work in dress shops are likely to have a lot of experience helping other young women find a dress for their big party, so don’t be afraid to use their knowledge as a resource. Be sure to ask about current trends, what color would be most flattering with your skin type, and if the gown can be altered (in case you experience any changes in size before the celebration. And remember to answer the most important question before you buy: “Do I love it?”
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