Boy or Girl? Gender Reveal Success

Lately, my news-feed has been buzzing with baby announcements, sonograms, and gender reveal parties. When I first caught wind of them, I thought gender reveals were silly, but when I became pregnant for the 5th time we already had 3 daughters and only one son. Everyone was really hoping for another boy, so the idea of a gender reveal started to appeal to me. I’m so glad we decided to do it. The joy of that moment is irreplaceable. Here are a few tips to make your gender reveal a success.

Keep It A Secret! This was probably the biggest struggle for me. The easiest way to do this is for you not to know at all. When you arrive for your sonogram appointment, let your
healthcare provider know right away that you do not want to know the gender of the baby. Ask them to write it down on a sheet of paper, and place it in a sealed envelope.

Decide how you are going to spill the beans about your bun. I am a huge fan of using cake, cake-pops or cupcakes to share the big news. Going this route does two things, it allows everyone to be privy to the news at the same time, and they get to enjoy a sweet treat. Simply hand your envelope to your baker at the time you place your order. They will then choose a filling according to the baby’s gender. It’s usually either pink or blue.

Feel free to change up the color scheme. Most people stick with pink and blue decorations for their gender reveal, but there are so many other options. I love the bees (What Will it Bee?) and ducks (Waddle It Be?) are two great options that allow you to use different colors, but stick to the gender reveal theme.

 

Are you planning a gender reveal? I’d love to know how you plan on breaking the big news! Comment below and give me a sneak peek!

 

Double Duty Weekend (event recap)

A few months ago, I was contacted by a client that I worked with last year. She wanted to throw a party for her husband’s 40th birthday. I was honored that she valued my work enough to hire me again, and we got right away! I was able to find an amazing venue, but it wasn’t available on her desired date. After some thought, she decided to book the venue, and change the date. That’s how I ended up pulling double duty.

Saturday afternoon, I hosted a pre-Mother’s Day event at the Holiday Inn Express in Longview, TX. It was a blast! I was able to work with some really amazing vendors.

This Silpada table was so cute!

There was shopping, girl talk, and even raffle prizes!

Our VIP ticket holders were able to retreat to a quiter area where they enjoyed refreshments, facials, massages, and a hand-scrub spa treatment. 

 

 

 

I want to thank my mother-in-law for not only helping me set-up, but for staying to ensure the venue was put back together. She had to pitch-in so I could leave early, and drive to Dallas for the 40th birthday party!!

 

I was exhausted when I arrived, but I was able to set-up in record time. My client wanted a very elegant look for the event so we decided to go with gold.

In order to add some visual variety, I did not use matching centerpieces. However, each table had a mate on the other side of the room.

The stage was set for the birthday boy.

The best part of the evening for me was this smile on the birthday boy’s face.

I love what I do, but I’m soooo glad I survived my double duty weekend!

If you have an event that you need help with, contact Visions by Vaughn. Your first consultation is always complimentary.

 

My Mom’s 55th Birthday Party

My mother recently turned 55. From what I can gather, the 50th and 60th birthdays are popular celebrations, and 55 is just in between. Well, when my mom turned 50 I was living 1500 miles away, and still adjusting to be a mom of 2 little girls. So this year we both decided to do it up big.

I am a native Houstonian and we have lots of family there so my mother decided to host a 3-day event in Houston. Friday night was game night, Saturday was a BBQ, and Sunday morning we had a brunch. Here are a few things I learned from this process.

~I am done with the USPS! One of the things that my mom really wanted to do was play a gamed called Po-Ke-No. I had never heard of it, but I was able to order it through Amazon. Because of schedules, I was not going to be able to make it to game night so I decided to mail the game to my family in Houston. I put it in the mail on Wednesday and paid for 2-day guaranteed delivery. The game still has not arrived.

~I need more storage containers. When my family travels for any length of time, we usually have a ton of bags. This time, I packed 2 bags for clothing, and put the party supplies into a large plastic storage container. This was such a time saver! I (ok my husband) was able to take the container out, and I knew I had everything I needed for set up. I didn’t have to rummage through a bunch of bags and boxes to find what I needed. 

~Communication is key! I am not really a late night person, and I don’t like to keep my kiddos out late. So I decided that the party would start at 2:00pm on Saturday. This was a huge mistake. I should have consulted with my mother to find out the best start time. I was not aware of other family events going on so most of the guests did not arrive until after 5:00. I think going forward I will have my clients do a quick heat check of their guests to figure out the best dates and times for attendance.

~I work pretty well in a pinch. My original plan was to purchase floral arrangements from a local florist, but that did not work out. On the day of the party, I knew that I needed a little something extra to jazz up the decor. I

White Hydrangea and Pink Roses

decided to go to the grocery store to purchase some flowers. There were not any pre-made arrangements that would fit in with our color scheme (pink and black) so I decided to buy a few bunches and put them together myself. I was very pleased at the way the arrangements turned out. So much so that I plan on taking a floral design class in the near future.

I’m so glad that I was able to celebrate with my mother this year. She had a great time, and I had to opportunity to challenge myself and learn new things. Happy Birthday Mom!

Unique Seating Ideas For Your Fall Events

The kids have gone back to school (most of them), the days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are getting cooler (kind of). Fall is just around the corner. I’m looking forward to scarfs, boots, and all things pumpkin!

Many of you may be looking forward to birthdays, baby showers, anniversary parties, or holiday events. Spice up your fall events with one of the unique seating options below.

The Vienna Cafe Chair comes in orange, smoky grey, and teal. This one pictured is available through AFR Events.

The Masters Chair is a sleek, mid-century style chair that is great for indoor or outdoor seating.

Masters Chair available from High Style Rentals

This light blue Pyramid Chair from Rent Quest is great for jazzing up your next meeting.

This chair rents for about $35 per day.

The Louis “O” Chair is super chic and is available in black, white or silver from Town & Country Event Rentals.

You can rent this beauty for $12.75.

The Salon Chair from Blue Print Studios is my latest swoon worthy event item. It’s available in 8 different colors and you have the option to add cushions.

Salon Chair by Blue Print Studios: price upon request.

Here’s a twist on the Louie “O” Chair. The Ivory Linen Louie Chair also by Rent Quest.

Availabe for $35 from Rent Quest.

I decided to throw in one for the fellas with this copper stool by Blu Dot.

Available for rental for $65/day from Patina.

I know that not everyone loves fall as much as I do, but I hope you will fall in love with one of these unique seating options! Comment below and tell me which one is your favorite.

Already feeling overwhelmed with your fall event? Contact Visions by Vaughn and let us help you out! We offer complimentary phone consultations for all inquiries.

What’s New With Visions by Vaughn

It’s currently 12:06pm here in East Texas, and so far I’ve dropped the hubby off at work, cooked breakfast, completed 4 diaper changes, nursed the baby more times than I can keep track of, done a live Periscope broadcast, started a load of laundry, sent out 3 proposals, and I just put lunch in the oven. Being a work-at-home is pretty much non-stop, but I love my life and I’m really excited about what is on the horizon for my business.

I jumped into this event planning world over 4 years ago, and at the time I was really only focused on weddings. While brides are still make up a good chunk of my client list, I’m glad to be working with parents to plan birthday parties, helping business owners with their events, and I’m thankful to be able to work with churches and ministries on their projects.

One of the things that I have been working on recently is acquiring decor items. I currently have vases, candle sticks, votive holders, table runners, and more. Right now, I only offer these items as add-on options to my planning clients. My goal is to build up my inventory and open a rental and design division of Visions by Vaughn.

What does this mean? This means that people who are only looking for a decorator or a few rental items to pull their event together will be able to find what they need with my company. I am looking forward to acquiring more items, expanding my business, and educating myself on how to better serve you.

What other services would you like to see Visions by Vaughn offer? Comment below and let me know.

DIY Centerpieces Using Only Dollar Store Materials

On Monday, I did my first live Periscope broadcast. The topic was DIY centerpieces. I assembled two different centerpieces using only things I found at my local dollar store. I was really nervous, but all in all I think things went well. I received great comments, and some really helpful feedback. One thing that was brought to my attention is that the camera was to far away. So, today I am doing a recap of the broadcast with some great photos.

The focal point of both examples was this simple floral stack. It comes completely assembled, and has a round plastic bottom that allows it to be free standing.

This is the floral stack I used for both centerpieces.

These were three dollars a piece. I chose the red and orange since we are going into fall weddings, but they also had sunflowers.

Simple floral stack with red citronella candles

This design uses the floral stack ($3) and 4 red scented candles. The candles were regularly $1.00 each, but were on sale. I bought all 4 of these for $3. That makes this setup a total of $6. I think this would work perfectly for a birthday party or corporate event.

These tea light holders were $1.50 for a set of 3. I bought 4 boxes!

A while back I was in the store and I saw a basket full of tea lights on sale. The original price was $13 for a set of 3. They had been marked down to $3 and were on sale that day for $1.50 per box. I also picked up a set of glitter LED lights that were $1 for a pack of three. I combined them with the floral stack ($3) to create this look. This entire design is only $5.50.

For an even less expensive option, you could pair the floral stack ($3) with the LED lights by themselves. These are gold glitter, but I also saw red and brown. This look can be accomplished for a total of $4.00.

The LED lights also came in red and brown.

I am a mom of 5 and a business owner so I am always watching the bottom line. If you are planning an event and are in need of inexpensive decor, you may want to check out your local dollar store. You never know what you might find!
What was the last great deal you found at your dollar store? Comment below and let me know.

Want to make sure you see my next broadcast? Follow me on Periscope at @visionsbyvaughn.

Fun Fact Friday: Bridal Show Edition

I’m back with the latest edition of Fun Fact Friday. Today I’m sharing 5 facts about the Visions by Vaughn Bridal Extravaganza. I’m super excited about this event, and I hope this post will give you a greater insight into how this bridal show can benefit you. 

1. There will not be a fashion show. I’ve attended bridal fashion shows in the past, and I never felt they inspired me. I think most brides today take to the internet for inspiration, and already have very clear ideas of the fashion they want before they even begin the planning process.
2. This event will encourage collaboration. I have chosen an intimate venue, and there will be tables set up so that attendees can sit and talk to one another.
3. You will be inspired. The tables that I mentioned before will all be beautifully decorated. This is in an effort to encourage brides to think outside of the “rustic” box, and to inspire those who have no idea where to start.
4. My vendors are awesome! Are you looking for alternative bouquet ideas? Do you need a cute idea for your bachelorette party? Want help planning your honeymoon? Need ideas for your wedding favors? My vendors will be able to help you with this and much more!
5. You won’t break the bank attending this bridal show. Tickets for adults are only $10, and you will receive an amazing swag bag with your purchase. Parking is included, and it is free for children to attend.

For a very small investment, brides will be able to meet great vendors, exchange ideas with one another, sample some great products, and simply have a nice time. Tickets are on sale now so get yours today! 

If you are planning to attend, comment below and let me know what you are looking forward to the most.

Little Tikes Are Big Business

According to Special Events over-the-top children’s parties are on the rise. As an event planner, this is music to my ears. Children’s parties are so much fun and allow me to entertain my whimsical side. However, when it comes to the kiddie market I’m talking about way more than Sesame Street and Dora the Explorer. Parents are shelling out big bucks on Quinceaneras, Sweet Sixteens, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Since most of us are still budget conscious, my advice is to focus on one thing to splurge on that will make the event memorable for your child and their guests.

Themed parties have always been popular with kids. If your child has a favorite movie character, the planning process can be really easy. When it comes to picking a theme for your teen think about their likes and interests. If your daughter is into dancing, hire a local dance school to come and teach a few moves. Maybe your son is into robotics. You can have a robot building contest. From water bottles to dance floors, personalized decor is a big hit. This is where you can get the most bang for your buck. If you are willing to take on a few DIY projects, then a personalized table like this one can be done with very minimal cost. 

If you want to make your child’s next birthday party memorable, then I suggest you start early.  Create a budget and decide how you are going to spend the money. Go for the wow factor, and your little one will be the talk of the town. Comment below and share your favorite children’s party themes.

10 of My Favorite Edible Wedding Favors

I recently spoke with a young lady who is in the process of planning her wedding. We had a very lovely conversation until we started talking about wedding favors. Like most of us, this bride is on a budget so she was thinking of giving her guests Jordan Almonds. If you’ve never had a Jordan Almond, trust me: they leave much to be desired. Since I am of the belief that it’s always a good idea to thank people for their time, I’ve compiled a list of ten munch-worthy wedding favors.

1. Candy Apples are not just for carnivals any more. 

2. Monogrammed Cookies are a classy touch. 

3. Your guests will pop over gourmet popcorn!

4. Put your favorite candy in a cute jar.

5. Granola is a yummy and healthy option.

6. Cake in a jar: explains itself.

7. Perk your party-goers up with fresh coffee beans.

8. The hottest thing around are these mini bagels.

9. Since trail mix was meant for the road, it makes a perfect parting gift.

10. Homemade jam will be great at breakfast the next morning.

These edible wedding favors are fun, fresh, and delicious. The best part is they are budget friendly. What is the best wedding favor you have ever received? Comment below and let me know.

Take A Second Look: Three Trends I Was Wrong About

It’s not very often that I admit when I am wrong, and I’m not wrong very often (wink). So today I’m stepping up to the mic to tell you about three event trends that I have changed my mind about.

#1. Chevron Strips

I fought this trend with all of my might, and I’m a little sad to say that this trend is actually on a down swing. However, if done correctly chevron stripes can bring a touch of class to your next event. Where many people have gone wrong is by choosing this lovely pattern as their theme. When chevron stripes are used in abundance it can be overwhelming and a little dizzying. Instead, use them sparingly. Choose a table runner with chevron stripes instead of a table cloth covered in the pattern.

#2. Baby’s Breath 

I have always thought of baby’s breath as weeds to be cut down (in fact, they grow on bushes)  and not flowers to be used for decorating. I recently saw a bouquet that was made entirely of baby’s breath, and I fell in love! Not only are these little guys very romantic, but they are also pretty inexpensive. Again, moderation is the key. A bride carrying a baby’s breath bouquet can be very nice, but you may not want to do this for your entire bridal party. If you want to use these lovelies as decor, then stick to small bunches in short vases.

#3. The Naked Cake

The first time I saw a naked cake I just didn’t get it. I simply could not fathom why anyone would want an un-iced, un-decorated cake. Well, now I get it. I’ve come to appreciate these cakes for their simplicity and I understand the skill it takes to make these “plain” cakes look so beautiful. The key to pulling off this trend is the setting. If you are dreaming of a venue along the lines of the Met, then you may want something a little more robust than the naked cake. A rustic, outdoor event provides the perfect stage for this simple beauty.

There you have it. I was wrong about these trends, and I’m glad the rest of you embraced them in spite of me. Is there a trend you once disliked, but now love? Comment below and tell me what changed your mind. Do you disagree with my picks? Leave a comment, and let me know why.