from the Gypsy – Fabulously UNPLUGGED!

I unplugged today. For a WHOLE twenty minutes, I loosened the grip of my hand on my Android, replaced the ear buds of my headset to their resting spot, folded my laptop into it’s home in the computer bag and went out into the sunshine for a walk around our neighborhood park.

A  younger me would have first seen the shadows cast through the trees and the shimmers of sunlight peeking through them – an entry for my light journal. The more still me would have immediately noticed the folds of the bark on those trees and the texture of the elm leaves against the marvelously blue sky. But this me, the me I am today, first wondered if leaving my daughter 50 yards away with the parks and rec girl was a safe thing to do and then quietly marveled that I had just done something that everyone should do… and then began thinking about this post.

EXPERIENCES… how many do we miss every day because we are so connected that we aren’t present. Combine that reality of everyday with the emotional reality of life celebrations and the family dynamics that those celebrations can stir and you have a recipe for stress. So what is a person to do?

Cue the sunshine and bird song…

Unplug and get back to the process of your celebration, in our world that experience begins with the end in mind. Answer the following four questions, we have our customers write the answers down or we write them out in our Experiences Summary. Refer to the answers every time you start to feel overwhelmed or offtrack.

1. What is/are your objective(s) – This is the vision or memory of your day. What are you and/or your guests talking about the day after the celebration. “ That was a really great party, WOW, the food (band, dj, décor…) was AMAZING, “the bride’s dress was fabulous and the design was so different”, “that was the most intimate gathering of family and friends” What is YOUR vision/objective?

2.What do you require? The answer to this could be a game changer for the date, time, location of your celebration.

3. What are your preferences? Chivari chairs or ghost chairs, roses or peonies, satin or lace, etc. This is your wish list and it can grow and grow, so it’s good to know in the beginning what is important and how it matches up with question

4.Budget – everyone has one, what is yours? If you started with “I don’t know”, then the answers you come up with are going to help you figure one out. You might be over, you might be under and you might be surprised if you don’t answer this question.

Objectives, Requirements, Preferences, Budget will help you define and design your EXPERIENCE…

If you are planning with someone, be sure you understand the answers of your partner in planning. And, for the bride’s out there. It’s a good idea to do this FIRST before you begin dreaming about flowers and place settings. This way if you and your fiance are writing the checks you’ll understand what’s ahead of you, and if parents are helping no one will be caught in a surprise.

So, I dare you to UNPLUG… turn off the computer, dock your iPhone, stash your headset, iPod, magazines and party day-planner.

I guarantee it will be uncomfortable at first. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, being present for the whole process of your celebration is worth a thousand memories.

Top Tent Tips for Your Next Great Outdoor Party

No matter the season or the occasion you can always celebrate with a tent party! Check out our expert tips below to get you started on planning your next tent event.

Photo by Michael Bennett Kress Photography

1. Selecting the right tent. There are many different style tents so when selecting your tent option keep in mind the atmosphere you are trying to create as well as the number of  guests you will be accommodating. Work with your tent vendor to provide you with a diagram for your space. Often tent rental companies will provide diagrams of how many people each size tent will seat. These diagrams will make sure that you don’t end up with an empty or crowded space.

2. Spray for bugs at least three weeks prior to your event. You want your guests to be buzzing about your event not the uninvited guests. Most pest control companies now have an organic option. Whether you choose to do it on your own or hire a pest control specialist MTB Pest Control. Spraying is always a good idea!

3.  Make sure you have adequate means of controlling the temperature. If your event is in the colder months you should look into heaters. If your hosting a summer event make sure to have plenty of fans or air-conditioning units. In addition to keeping your guests cool fans will also help keep bugs away. Classic Party Rentals is located in Metro DC and have these items available for rent.

4. Lighting a tent is absolutely crucial to any tent party and can be key to creating an inviting atmosphere. Overhead lighting is a fun and interesting way to add personality to your tent event, keep in mind when adding lighting from above you’re also increasing your budget.  However, there are many clever ways and great options for lighting these days. From lanterns to LED’s, lighting adds to the atmosphere of an event space and guests will appreciate the extra illumination as the evening progresses.

Photos by Arising Images Photography

5. Try decorating the perimeter and interior of the tent.  Overhead lighting or decor can be labor intensive and therefore costly if you don’t have the right equipment.  String lights or ribbons around a tents perimeter can add a fanciful feel and are easy to connect to power cords.  Decorating in and around the tent can save time and money.  Focus on the details by adding interesting linens and chairs that fit your personal style or furniture and lamps for a little extra effect.

6.  Finally, don’t forget the sidewalls.  Not every tent rental includes sidewalls and not every tent company will remind you of this, but we think it’s a crucial item to have on hand.  Whether you are blocking wind, rain or trying to keep the air or heat in.  The few extra bucks you may be charged will make the few bucks you’ve already spent go a little further in keeping your event space exactly how you want it. Dry, comfortable and fabulous!

We would love to hear about your last event! Send us your favorite snapshots from your last tent party!