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Party Tips

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Disclaimer: I was sent the Sol Republic DECK for purpose of a review and giveaway. All opinions are my own. I’m excited to bring my readers the opportunity to win one! Thank you for reading the sponsored content that helps keep this blog running!

DECK Giveaway from Sol Republic // Sponsored Giveaway on A Well Crafted Party

People are all talking about heading back to school again. It is all over the blogs I read and filling my email inbox with press releases. Because I’m out of college, not a teacher, and a mom of a toddler I haven’t really been thinking about the whole back to school rush. Instead… I’m dreaming of perfect camping supply lists and scheming ideas for this upcoming holiday season. Then I realized, really… that is my back to school! This time of year out come my notebooks and pens ready to study up and plan for ALL THE PARTIES.

A new addition to my study sessions is the Sol Republic x Motorola Deck wireless speaker. I was super surprised when opening up this little, portable speaker to find that it packs a punch. It would be perfect for using at home, camping, parties… the list goes on and on. Speaking of Back-to-School… I would have been so pumped to have this little speaker in my dorm room instead of the HUGE speakers that I had to get the same kind of sound back 10 years ago.

After using this awesome device for the last two weeks I am beyond excited to be able to introduce it to you and offering you a chance at winning it! It would make for a great gift to someone heading off for college, getting married, celebrating a birthday, or having a baby (white noise machine!).

Cool facts about the Sol Republic Deck Wireless Speaker:

  • Indoor and Outdoor settings
  • Connects to your music player of choice via NFC/bluetooth or by a cord!
  • Wireless connection has up to 300 feet range (meaning you can dj from another room!)
  • Up to 5 people can “heist” the music and take turns playing DJ
  • For the control freaks out there … there is also a single player mode
  • It is also a speaker phone! Hook it up to your cell phone and have a conference call!
  • Charges like a cell phone. Super easy to use.
  • Talks to you when turning on, connecting to a device, and changing modes
  • Comes with nifty little case
  • Can be purchased through Radio Shack (check out all the cool colors)

DECK Giveaway from Sol Republic // Sponsored Giveaway on A Well Crafted Party

Sol Republic Deck Wireless Speaker Giveaway:

Okay, here is the fun part… the giveaway! I know I’ve gushed a lot about this little guy. Maybe it is because I’m OLD and remember getting my tunes from a huge cassette player that had to be plugged in. Or, maybe it really just is that cool. You’ll have to try it out yourself to find out! A big shout-out to Sol Republic for providing a Deck Wireless Speaker for one of my readers! Thank you!

 

DECK Giveaway from Sol Republic // Sponsored Giveaway on A Well Crafted Party

* This giveaway is for readers 18+ in US and Canada only. The winner must not have won a Sol Republic giveaway in the past 6 months (spread the love!). Entries will be accepted until 12:00 AM Tuesday, August 19, 2014. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond, the prize will be awarded to someone else. Please read all of the rules and regulations of the giveaway. This giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Twitter or Facebook.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

 

I’ve had a few requests to see more photos from a Bike Themed Cocktail Party that I threw a few years back. I didn’t have the best photos unfortunately… the woes of a beginning blogger! But, I thought I’d post some of the few that I had in larger format than they are on the original post. I’ve also added a few tips for how to throw a themed party on an extreme budget! Enjoy!


From the Archives: Bike Party // A Well Crafted Party

From the Archives: Bike Party // A Well Crafted Party

From the Archives: Bike Party // A Well Crafted Party

From the Archives: Bike Party // A Well Crafted Party

From the Archives: Bike Party // A Well Crafted Party

From the Archives: Bike Party // A Well Crafted Party

Three Tips for Throwing a Themed Party on an Extreme Budget:

1. Use printables and/or photographs to drive a theme around your party on the cheap. Photographs can be printed out in a multiple of sizes for little money. For the bike themed party I went around town to photograph bike road signs. I printed some in 8X10 sizes and some in 4X6 sizes and used them throughout the room. Don’t have money for frames? Try backing your photos with a nice card stock weight paper like I did above. To get some free printables that work for bike themed party hop on over to my original Real Party post.

2. Don’t worry about changing an entire space to fit your theme. Instead focus on a few areas to decorate. I like to focus on food and drink areas. Tables where people may put down their beverages are also a good place to focus your decorating attention.

3. Use what you have on hand. This party we utilized the guest of honor’s LARGE bicycle part collection to decorate the space. We also spray painted beer and wine bottles to create vases for the wildflowers we picked locally. We made drink areas utilizing existing furniture and artwork.

What are you budget party tips? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

I’d like to introduce to you Brittany from Beaux and Belles— she is A Well Crafted Sponsor and has taken the opportunity to guest post here on the blog. If you haven’t been over to Beaux and Belles, but you love parties, then you should hop on over. Brittany features events, party trends, and tons of inspiration. Today she is sharing her tips on choosing the perfect wedding photographer.

Photographer
Photo via Pixabay

Determining which photographer to choose for your wedding or event can seem like a very daunting task. With these questions, you will be prepared and well-equipped to make the right decision!

Ask the Photographer about his/her experience and style…

  1. What do you do to make your images unique?

  2. Why are you an events photographer?

  3. What is your photographic approach/style?

  4. Are you full-time or do you hold another job as well?

  5. Do you have a portfolio I can review and may I have a list of references?

  6. Have you ever photographed my venue before? If not, will you do a site inspection before?

  7. Have you ever worked with my other vendors?

  8. Can I provide you with a “must-have pics” list or inspiration board?

  9. Do I feel a connection with this photographer? Am I comfortable?

  10. Does the photographer listen well and address my wishes?

Ask the Photographer about his/her contract and pricing…

  1. Do you have my date(s) available?

  2. How far in advance do I need to book with you?

  3. Can I see a sample contract?

  4. What travel fees do you charge if my venue is out of your area?

  5. Are you photographing any other events on the same day?

  6. If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay longer? Do you charge extra?

  7. What packages do you offer and can I customize it?

  8. How much is the deposit? Do you offer a payment plan?

  9. Do you have liability insurance?

  10. What is your refund/cancellation policy?

Ask the Photographer about his/her day-of procedure…

  1. What time will you arrive and for how long will you shoot?

  2. What do you suggest as a timeline for the day?

  3. How many photographers will be at my wedding and who are they?

  4. How many pictures will you take?

  5. Do you bring an assistant to the event?

  6. How will you be dressed? (Should be professional.)

  7. What information do you need from me before the event day?

 

Ask the Photographer about his/her after-event procedure…

  1. How extensively do you edit images for the final album?

  2. What does the final product look like? (album, digital CD, etc.)

  3. How long after the event will I receive the photos?

  4. How long are online copies available for viewing/ordering?

Photo via Pixabay
Photo via Pixabay

I hope you found this post helpful in your search for the perfect photographer. The most important thing is to find a photographer that is professional and that you are comfortable working with. And don’t worry about bombarding the photographer with these questions – most photographers have a lot of information in brochures and on their website that can help you find the answers to each of these questions before you even set up an appointment!

About the Author: Brittany Ryan is the founder and editor of the event planning blog, Beaux and Belles: An Event Planning Blog. It is an inspiration and reference site for all things related to event management and entertaining. At Beaux & Belles, you can find everything from tabletop settings for the home to stunning layouts and visual displays for the weddings and corporate events. On a more personal note, Brittany uses this space as her creative outlet to document her journey towards becoming a certified Event Planner. Brittany currently caters to the DFW community. With every event, Brittany’s aim is to plan something that is meaningful, memorable, classy, and fun! In her spare time, Brittany enjoys fine dining, traveling, a glass of red wine, and creating fond memories with loved ones.

 



A big thank you to Brittany for sponsoring A Well Crafted Party and sharing her tips!If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of A Well Crafted Party then hop on over to my ad page to see what I have to offer!