How to Have a Fun, Safe Holiday Party

Photo: Westbay Management

There are plenty of things to look forward to during the holidays—beautiful music, decorating your house both inside and out, and just being with your nearest and dearest, whether it’s at an informal get-together or a black-tie holiday gala.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, you want to keep both your guests and your property safe. Below are a few tips to host a fun, safe gathering.

Make it family-friendly.  It’s not easy for everyone to get a sitter. Alleviate some of the pressure on your guests by inviting the kids along, too.  Have activities for the little ones, like a holiday-themed craft, movie marathon, and some games. Designate one or two responsible teenagers to oversee the activities so both the kids and adults can enjoy the night.

Suggest a potluck. If you’re on a budget, a potluck meal is your best option. If you’re having a traditional dinner, as host you’d be responsible for the main course and your guests can bring the side dishes. Or if you’re laying out a buffet, make one or two dishes and ask your guests to bring the other items (including paper goods).  

Choose a theme. Theme parties can make planning much easier because the food, décor, and dress code are all tied together.  Ugly Christmas sweater parties have been the big trend around the holidays for the past few years, but other trends are starting to catch on. One is a “vintage” Christmas party, where guests bring dishes right out of their mother’s or grandmother’s cookbooks from the 1960’s or 1970’s (and don’t forget to dress accordingly!) Another trend is a crafting party (or “Santa’s Workshop party”, if you will), where you and your guests create and decorate wreaths, ornaments, and package toppers (if not the packages themselves) for yourself and everyone on your list.  

Serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Not every guest will want to imbibe, so take that into consideration when planning your drink menu. Have a variety of food and beverage options so none of your guests feel uncomfortable or pressured to drink.

Be a responsible host.  Hosting an event is a lot of work. It falls on you to keep all food, drinks, and supplies stocked, guests mingling, and the night flowing smoothly.  It’s not always easy, but your most important job by far is keeping your guests safe. If it looks as though some of your guests have had a little too much, offer to drive them home, call one of their friends or family members to give them a ride, or ask another guest to take them home.

The holidays are definitely a time to celebrate, but if you’re planning to host a party this year, help your guests celebrate responsibly.

Are there any other tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking, with a long list of tasks that need to be accomplished before, during, and after the big day. You’ll be speaking with several vendors for the various aspects of your wedding, from florists to cake designers to DJs. For many couples, the wedding photographer is one of the most important professionals you’ll hire for the event.

Unlike the food, which will be eaten and quite frankly forgotten, and the dress, which will likely never be worn again, your wedding photos are a lasting reminder of one of the biggest days of your life, and you want to look your best and most radiant self in every shot. This is why it’s important to take the time to find the right photographer who understands what you want and can capture both the big, celebratory moments and smaller, more meaningful moments that make your wedding day so special.

If you’re getting married in the near future, ask recently-married friends and family for referrals. Newlyweds who were thrilled with their wedding photos will be happy to give you the name of who they used. When you have a short list, hop online and start browsing their websites. Do any of the photographers’ styles mesh with yours? If you don’t have a specific style in mind, will the photographer offer helpful suggestions and ideas for shots?

Contact the photographers whose photos you like most and request an in-person meeting so you can learn more about each other. The photographer will likely bring additional samples so you can get a better idea of their style and photo possibilities. Also, don’t hesitate to ask them for references. Below are some additional questions to ask each photographer you speak with:

•          Do you have the date available? (A surprisingly obvious question that many couples forget to ask!)
•          How far in advance do we need to book you?
•          How many weddings have you photographed? Any similar in size or style to mine?
•          What is your pricing? If the event is delayed or runs longer, will you stay, and will we be charged extra?
•          What kind of equipment do you use?
•          What’s your shooting style? (Do they prefer ‘posed’ or more informal shots?)
•          Do you shoot black and white photos, as well?
•          Will you be shooting the wedding? (If not, could you meet the photographer who will be?) Will you have an assistant?
•          Can I give you a list of shots we’d definitely like to do?
•          Why should I hire you over other photographers in the area?
•          (If your wedding isn’t local) Do you charge a travel fee?
•          Have you ever shot weddings at our venue before?
•          Have you ever worked with our DJ/florist/videographer/event planner before?
•          Do you customize the photo packages?
•          How long after the wedding can we expect the proofs?
•          Do you offer retouching services? What is your pricing?
•          What is your ordering process?
•          Will you give me the images/proofs on a disk? Is there an additional fee?

Make sure you receive a written contract from the photographer you choose. Review it carefully and make sure it includes all the terms and conditions you discussed during your interview.

Ultimately, it comes down to a mutual comfort level. Did the photographer address your concerns and answer your questions to your satisfaction? Photos are one of the most special mementos of a couple’s wedding day, and you want to make sure you hire a professional who can make you look your best and capture the specialness of the entire experience.

How did you choose your wedding photographer? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

How to Choose a Wedding Reception Location

February is National Weddings Month, so it’s a great time to start planning if you're getting married in the near future!

Planning a wedding of any size is stressful. Even if you keep it small or informal, there are countless details to think about. Some couples prefer to tackle the bigger tasks first so they can focus on the smaller “to dos” closer to the big day.  If this sounds like you, let’s talk about one of the biggest items—finding a venue for your reception.

An outdoor location is one way to keep costs down if you have a small budget or are keeping things casual.  Do you know anyone with a big and beautiful backyard, farm, or other unique piece of property? If so, ask them if they’d be willing to host your reception.  Just remember that any outdoor event is at the mercy of Mother Nature, so plan accordingly with a tent, umbrellas for guests, and any other emergency weather gear.

But if you’re staying indoors, make a list of “must haves” to help you evaluate each facility you visit. Having some idea of what you want ahead of time can make the process simpler and less overwhelming for everyone involved.

Below are a few things to include on your checklist:

Size. How big is your guest list? Before you even start looking at venues, do some research and make sure they can comfortably fit the amount of people you plan to invite.  Find a place that’s large enough for a 200+ guest list; smaller but still comfortable—you want plenty of room for people to socialize and dance!—if you’re only inviting your closest friends and family (of course you can have 100 people in a massive banquet hall, but maybe something smaller and more intimate would be better).

Cost. Price is always a deciding factor. Luckily, most venues have a variety of serving options that are priced accordingly, so something should fit your budget. Most large-scale events serve the food as either plated, family-style (where everyone takes their food from the same plate which is passed to each person), or buffet. Cocktail hours with appetizers, serving stations, dessert bars…these are just a few of the trends that have been popping up at receptions in the past few years (all with their own price tags, of course). Or, if you’re committed to keeping costs down, recruit friends or family with impressive culinary skills to make the food either on-site or ahead of time and just use the facility’s kitchen to keep everything warm.

Menu. Can the kitchen accommodate special dietary needs, such as those with food allergies? Is their menu diverse enough to keep finicky eaters happy? Do they offer choices for kids if necessary? Are there vegetarian options available? Do special menu requests come with special pricing? These are just a few questions to keep in mind when you sit down with the venue’s planner or catering manager, which leads to…

Planning help available.  Does the venue have an event planner who can help with the planning, answer questions along the way, and oversee the details on the day itself? You and your spouse-to-be have dozens of stressors to deal with on your wedding day, so it’s nice to know that someone will be on-site to make sure the place settings are in order, the band or DJ has their directions, and can take care of placing the cake. An event planner is more of a “nice to have” than a necessity, but their help can be invaluable as the big day gets closer!

Ensure that everything goes smoothly on your big day with a wedding and special event insurance policy. ETA Benefits Group works with several carriers that sell this type of affordable coverage. Contact us to get a no obligation quote!  

What else would you add to this list? How did you choose your reception location? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!  

Tips for an Affordable (and Still Beautiful!) Wedding

Weddings can be extremely expensive. It’s not unusual for a couple or their parents to spend several thousand dollars on their ideal wedding. Although not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend, all couples want a day that will be perfect, memorable, and unique.  There are ways to have the day of your dreams without going into massive debt.

Develop a budget. It’s very important to draw up a budget so you can see your anticipated expenses in black and white.  Budgets change; you may spend more or less on certain things, but try to stick to the numbers you’ve agreed on as much as you can. Discuss your budget with your fiancé regularly and keep track of your spending—fighting over your wedding isn’t the best way to start your life together.

Decide where to splurge. If you’re on a limited budget, choose a few “must have” items and splurge on them. Do you want an amazing dress, the best venue in town, tons of flowers, the most in-demand DJ or entertainment, or an incredible cake? Or are you willing to trim expenses for the ceremony and reception and have an unforgettable honeymoon, or have something very low-key and save your money for a large post-wedding expense, such as a down payment on a house?  Look at your budget and see where you can save money or eliminate something completely. Maybe you’re happy printing your own invitations or you decide you don’t want favors for your guests. Cut back on some areas so you can spend more on others.

Keep your guest list under control.  You want your nearest and dearest friends and family with you on your special day, but you don’t have to invite every acquaintance you’ve ever had. And don’t feel obligated to invite that great aunt you met once when you were five and barely remember. Huge weddings can be overwhelming and impersonal, not to mention expensive! Most reception venues charge a per-plate fee; even more affordable options like a buffet or family-style serving can get pricey if your guest list keeps growing.  

Do it yourself. As mentioned above, you can keep costs low if you do some things yourself.

Invitations, favors, centerpieces, and escort cards are just a few items that are relatively easy to make yourself (and therefore easy to customize to show some of your personality as a couple).  Some brides get very ambitious and design or sew their own dress or make their own wedding cake! If you have the skills and are willing to put in the time, do as much of the wedding prep as you can!

Use talent/skills of friends and family. Do you have a relative who’s a whiz with a needle and thread, a pro at arranging flowers, an expert baker, or has another skill that could help with some aspect of your day? Why not ask them? They’ll likely be touched that you asked, and if they use this skill professionally (for example, they own a bakery or flower shop), they could probably get you what you need at a deep discount or offer their service as a gift.

Ensure that everything goes smoothly on your big day with a wedding and special event insurance policy. ETA Benefits Group works with several carriers that sell this type of affordable coverage. Contact us to get a no obligation quote!  

Did you stick to your budget for your wedding? Was it low-key or over the top? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July

July 4^th is a popular time for barbecues and picnics all in the name of celebrating the United States’ independence from England way back in 1776. And of course, no July 4^th gathering is complete without fireworks.  But remember—they can be extremely dangerous if not handled and set off properly.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 230 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month leading up to July 4^th. More than 50% of their injuries are burns, with 36% of those injuries on the hands or fingers.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends these tips for using fireworks safely:

•          Always designate a responsible adult to supervise any firework activities. Children should never handle or ignite fireworks.
•          Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save the drinks until after the fireworks are over.
•          Always set off fireworks outdoors in an open area, away from buildings, people, and vehicles. Keep a bucket of water and hose nearby.
•          Never try to relight a “dud” firework.
•          Wear the proper safety equipment.
•          Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks; leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
•          Many children light sparklers, but they pose their own dangers. Make sure the correct end is lit, dispose of spent sparklers in a bucket of water, and do not pick up a sparkler that is in the bucket.
•          Do not set off any fireworks near pets.
•          If you’re planning to set off fireworks at a backyard picnic, make sure your pet is in a safe room inside the house to minimize their exposure to the sound.
•          Make sure your pets are wearing their ID tags in case they escape during a fireworks display.

Visit fireworkssafety.org for a complete list of tips and other information on fireworks safety.

Do you light fireworks on July 4^th? Would you add any other safety tips to this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ensure Peace of Mind With Wedding and Special Event Coverage

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. The wedding or huge event that you’ve been planning for months is almost here and one of these disastrous scenarios strikes:

•  The venue goes out of business for no obvious reason and you have to find another location
•   A key member of the day (event emcee or keynote speaker, bridesmaid, usher, or bride’s escort) gets sick or injured and cannot participate so you must postpone the event
•    An important piece of equipment gets lost or stolen.

Unthinkable events can happen that are completely out of our control, but wedding and special event insurance can help you recover some of your losses, not to mention your peace of mind. The average one-day insurance policy for a wedding or special event usually costs between $155 and $550, depending on how much coverage you want.  Policies include liability protection to cover any property damage or bodily injuries to attendees. They can also be customized to add extra coverage. For example, a wedding policy might include protection in the event of a cancellation (i.e., the venue unexpectedly closes its doors or one of your vendors backs out), postponement, and the loss of or damage to rings, photos, gifts, attire, or the cake/food. (This means those “nonrefundable” deposits are covered.)

You may not want to add another expense to your already-extensive event budget, but even if you try to plan for every possible pitfall, something could happen that is beyond your control. Rather than haggle with vendors or lose sleep over trying to find another venue that’s large enough to fit your guest list, you can rest a little easier knowing you can still have a wonderful event even after a major mishap.

Did you ever purchase wedding or special event insurance? Do you have any event horror stories where this coverage would’ve been helpful? Let us know in the comments below!