All posts tagged FireFly Group Events

Bachelorette Party Tip of the Day – Bonding

Build in some Quality Time with the Bride

Choose something unique for your bachelorette party. Remember this is a one off event, a chance for you and your friends and family to spend quality time together. Cherish those relationships and use your time together wisely. Don’t waste it by only going out for dinner then getting drunk and end up not remembering the fabulous event – there is more to life, SO LIVE IT!

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN from your FAVORITE Bachelorette Party Planner

Nadine got a little twisted for Halloween… so we thought we’d share her child scaring costume with all of you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! From the FireFly Crew!

 

Bachelorette Party Tip of the Day #4 – Planning Ahead of Time


Planning ahead of Time

Plan your bachelorette event two to three  months time prior to the big night or weekend – this will give you and those invited to get prepared, save up money, and you’ll insure that your going to get the reservations you want.

    Free Bachelorette Party Invitations

    We’ve created some free bachelorette party invitation templates for the bad-ass chicks out there that are getting married. You know who you are. You can spot these mommas at roller derby on a Friday night hanging with all the other rock stars.  They’ve inspired us to put together a party invitation that plays to their less-delicate sensibilities. We did a little research and found that for a that last night of craziness, the only invites out there are flowery and nice and sweet. Not anymore just download the templates below, print them, folde ‘em, and send ‘em out.

    Bachelorette Party Invitation 1

    Download the Badass Invitation Template

    Download the Ring InvitationTemplate

    Bachelorette party invitation vintage

    Download the Vintage Invitation Template

    Bachelorette Party Ideas – Cocktail Party

    Mad Men got you wanting to wear A-line skirts, bake-lite beads, and smoke a cigarette with a martini in the other hand? Scratch that retro itch with a cocktail party for your bachelorette party. We’ve assembled some fabulous cocktail recipes for you to try.  They are perfect for starting the night off or staying in and hosting the party with friends.   Don’t forget to make or buy some nibbles – we love Trader Joe’s for nibbles, great cheeses, snacks and desserts.  We highly recommend throwing out a little audio ambiance with something like - Boss N’ Stones or Bottoms Up from Ultra Lounge.

    The Last Fling:

    Not too strong or too fruity, a nice all rounder.

    Ingredients: 1 oz Vodka, 1/4 oz grenadine syrup, 1 oz gin, 1 oz light rum, 1/2 oz barcardi 151 rum, 1 oz amaretto almond liqueur, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice.

    How to: Pour everything into a hurricane glass 3/4′s filled with ice, except the grapefruit and pineapple juice.  Then fill equal parts of grapefruit and pineapple juice and serve.

    Champagne Dream:

    A refreshing fruity champagne drink.

    Ingredients: 1 oz pama (pomegranate liqueur), 1 oz cointreau, 1 oz fresh orange juice, 3 oz champagne or sparkling wine.

    How to: Shake the first 3 ingredients with ice, gently stir in the champagne.  Strain into a flute and garnish with orange zest.

    Flirtini:

    Feeling flirty with the fizz.

    Ingredients: 1 oz vodka, 2 oz champagne or sparkling wine, 2 oz pineapple juice, garnish with a cherry

    How to: Combine all 3 of the  ingredients in a tall glass and fill with ice.

    Mr Right:

    This man catcher will draw them to you like bees to honey.

    Ingredients: 2 vodka, 3/4 oz campari, 2 oz pomegranate juice, 1 oz triple sec, squeeze of lemon juice

    How to: Shake this man catching martini over ice and strain into a martini glass, garnish with fresh mint leaf.

    Something Blue:  2 great simple recipes

    No wedding related list would be complete without something blue. Try one of these great concoctions.

    Ingredients: 2 oz Hpnotiq, 2 oz white wine, 1 oz ginger ale.

    OR

    1 1/2 oz tequila, 1 oz blue curacao liqueur, 1 oz lime juice, coarse salt (or sugar) (refreshing and cool with a tart finish)

    How to: rub the martini glass with lime juice, dip the rim in the coarse salt or sugar.  Shake the tequila, blue curacao and lime juice with ice.  Strain into the glass and serve.

    Get some more ideas from our friends at Aisle Dash – http://www.aisledash.com/2008/07/16/signature-cocktails-for-your-bachelorette-party/

    Check out some of our other bachelorette party tips and tricks: http://www.fireflygroupevents.com/girls/tips.php

    Featured in Orange County Business Journal

    Whoo Hoo! We got a little love in the Orange County Business Journal this past week. They did an article on how small business owners (that’s us) are coping in the current economy. It’s definitely a topic close to our heart(and pockets). If you want to see what wisdom we spewed check out the article: http://www.ocbj.com/news/2010/may/16/small-business-owners-find-different-ways-grow-rec/

    Orange County Business Journal

    Vendor Love – Ever Ours

    Lydia creator of Ever Ours adores scouring the web for anything wedding inspirational from the big picture as in real weddings to the small details like wedding accessories.  She looks for everything unique, beautiful, stunning, astounding, amazing, gorgeous or anything that truly stands out in the world of weddings.  One of the friendliest people you will ever meet with a heart of gold, her blog should be on your MUST reads every day. We met Lydia at a wedding industry costume party last year and have kept and eye on her since.  She’s our source for fabulous wedding inspiration.

    Thanks Lydia for sharing.

    What is your favorite trend for weddings at the moment?
    Creative backdrops for photobooths. Love when it’s not just a plain backdrop, but something fun and unique!

    What made you decide to create Ever Ours?
    When my 9 to 5 job started to become boring and I knew I wasn’t meant to be a paper pusher. I had always had interest in weddings, so when friends started to ask me for advice about weddings and ideas, I decided to start blogging as a way for them to come take a look.

    Why should every bride in the world read Ever Ours?
    To be inspired. To fall in love with ideas for their own wedding day and make it their own.

    What FireFly package would you pick for your bachelorette party in Los Angeles?
    It definitely have to be a mix of ATV/Surfing and some spa time.

    Name 3 famous people you’d invite on your bachelorette party? Why?
    Judy Garland , Audrey Hepburn, Julie Andrews. All three women have been of major importance in the world of entertainment. And I have always been huge fans of theirs. My sister says I was born in the wrong era especially since I tend to listen to old musicals, big band and anything from the rat pack era a lot. Would love to be in the same place with them. Pretty sure we’d have a ball!

    What’s your most outrageous wedding memory, one you have been a guest?
    When the whole bridal party jumped into the pool at the end of the night, and the groom cut his lip doing so.

    Which wedding are you: Beach, Mountain, Forest, or Countryside?
    I’d say Beach. But I’d like to add Backyard. And if I could, I’d choose Backyard.

    Lydia created this Dark & Twisty bridal shower with a few fab wedding industry folk (photo taken by Adrienne Gunde Photography)

    Lydia created this Dark & Twisty bridal shower with a few fab wedding industry folk (photo taken by Adrienne Gunde Photography)

    If you could give one piece of wedding advice to a couple, what would that be………..?
    Make sure to make this day about you. You don’t necessarily need to follow the trends, but just make sure that you are picking what you love and what’s most important for you both.

    Make sure you check out Lydia’s website: http://www.ever-ours.com/

    Bachelor Party Drinking Games

    beerTasting_01Bachelor Party Drinking Games:

    We’re men. Men Drink. Sometimes drinking is not enough and we “spice it up” a little with embarrassment, shame, and memory loss in the form of a drinking game.  Here in the FireFly Bachelor Party labs we’ve tested these drinking games to make sure the experience was full tilt. You can play these games at the bar, in your house, with a mouse,  or anywhere you won’t be immediately arrested and charged with trespassing(again). Just gather your mates, grab the beer or the hard stuff, and show the world what you’re made of.

    Bottle Caps:

    What you need: Cans or bottles of beer, Bottle tops.

    Object of the Game: Knock the bottle cap off someone elses beer.

    How to Play: The players sit in a circle. Each player places an open beer in front of them and a cap upside down on the beer. The players take turns throwing a cap a someone else’s beer. If you knock their cap off, they take a drink. If you knock it off twice in a row, you make up a rule and a consequence for breaking the rule. If you knock it off three times, the person has to chug the beer. You keep going until you miss and it is the next persons turn. You are not allowed to adjust your cap on the beer. If you touch it you must drink. If you knock your own cap off, you must finish your beer.

    Pass the Pitcher:

    What you need: Beer, Pitcher

    Object of the Game: To empty the pitcher of beer first

    How to Play: All players sit in a circle. Each person contributes some cash toward a pitcher.  One player starts drinking from the pitcher. This person can drink as much or little as s/he chooses. When done, the pitcher passes to the next player who does the same thing. The person who empties the pitcher is the winner. The person who drinks immediately before the winner is the loser. The loser buys the next pitcher to start again. It is important that the pitcher is big – it makes it harder to judge the amount of beer remaining.

    drunk_01

    Quarters:

    What you need: table, beer, quarter, glass

    Object of the Game: Bounce quarters into your opponent’s glass

    How to Play: This game can be played with any number of players. Play is best with 3-6 players. Competitors sit around a table.  To decide who will go first, spin the quarter. When it stops, it will be pointing at the person that starts. Use Washington’s nose or the Eagle’s beak. Once established, the game begins. The shooter tries to bounce a quarter off the table and into a glass. If the quarter goes into the glass the shooter chooses a person at the table to consume. The amount or size of the drink is debatable. This should be decided before the game starts. The shooter’s turn is over when he/she does not make the quarter in the cup. Play then proceeds to the next shooter. To make things more exciting, rules are developed by the shooters only after making three quarters into the glass in a row. If any rules are broken, the guilty party must consume.

    Name Game:

    What you need: Beer

    Object of Game: rhyming game with famous people

    How to play the game: The premise of the game is simple, for example as with ” Feeling Burley with Liz Hurley “, you must think of an action in the first part e.g. Feeling Burley, and then rhyme this with a well known person, that you will perform this action with i.e. with “Liz Hurley.”  If the player rhymes an action with a name correctly, it moves on to their left, for the next person in the group to rhyme an action with a person. An option as always is to have a sip of drink while you think of an answer! Other good examples include: Riding a Horse with Inspector Morse, , ‘Getting fisty with Linford Christie’, ‘Eating Candy with Ghandi’….you get the idea. A quick, simple and ultimately funny game that can be played in a large or small group. The jury of the game are the other players and if they deem that the rhyme is weak (i.e. searching Google with Ben Foogle – as this is not his name), or the action and the last name are the same, then the player will have to think of another acceptable action with person.

    Sevens

    What you need: Beer, 7 times table!!

    Object of the Game: Counting game

    How to play the game: Works best with more than four people. You go around in a circle and count, the person starting the game saying one, the next person saying two…and so on. You cannot say seven or a multiple of seven or you have to drink. You also cannot say double digit number such as 11, 22, 33,ect…if it gets to your turn and the next number is a double digit number you say reverse and the order goes back the other way…anyone who messes up has to drink!… You can use another number for this game.

    Fantasy Frostings – California Cake Artists

    IMG_0792Leslie the owner of Fantasy Frostings leads her fantastic team of cake artists to stardom.   She has created countless cakes for the rich, the famous, and more importantly people in love. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her and her charming other half Earl – a.k.a Mr Frostings a.k.a. the Nicest Guy on Twitter.  Fantasy Frostings is family owned and has been in business since 1971.  Not only is Leslie a wonder women in the kitchen she is definitely part of the community, always helping out and a friend to all those who meet her.  Make sure you catch Fantasy Frostings on “Fabulous Cakes” airing in July on TLC, they were also  just featured on an episode of Platinum Weddings.

    What is your favorite trend for wedding cakes at the moment?

    Vintage Romantic! The antique tones with bows,pearls, and crystal…

    What is the most popular cake flavor and filling this year?

    Lemon cake with an english lemon curd and fresh raspberries with whipped crème, and White almond cake with an almond cream cheese filling alternating with fresh strawberry and whip creme

    20100302-IMG_1895

    If you could bake a cake for anyone – who would it be and what flavor would it be?

    Like most artistic people, nothing pleases me more than creating for my family, and those I love. I have so much fun creating with Holly Durst to make cakes for her friends and family too. If I was baking for my family today, this is what I would make; mr frostings…his moms carrot cake recipe, but I’m still working on making it as well as she did.  My girls…lindsey would be chocolate/chocolate/chocolate/chocolate. Lauren would be …vanilla with absolutely no buttercream involved.  My boys Nathan….new orleans pice. Matt ….last request from him was red velvet!

    What FireFly package would you pick for your bachelor or bachelorette party?

    This ones hard..mmmmm, lets go with cooking….always wish I had more time to play with expanding my menu for dinner.

    Name 3 famous people you’d invite on your bachelor and bachelorette party? Why?

    We have been so lucky, meeting some really famous people. Not to avoid the question, but famous is not always fun. I would rather have my friends there regardless of their fame.

    blue cake_2

    What’s your most outrageous wedding memory, either as a guest or a vendor?

    Elizabeth Taylors wedding at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch…my first experience with a celebrity paparazzi nightmare. Actually watched a person parachute into the middle of the wedding while I was setting up a cake. STRANGE!!!

    If you could give one piece of wedding advice to a couple, what would that be………..?

    Cake related….serve cake to your guests that will enhance the meal and order what you like for the top tier….its not written in stone that you have to save the top for a year. Wedding related.. Regardless of what else you do, make it YOUR wedding. If you love it, so will all those that love you.

    What is the secret to Mr. Frostings(Earl) success as a cake gigolo?

    He just likes being Mr. Frostings. He makes every little task fun. He genuinely likes people, and enjoys mixing it up. He doesn’t care about Industry status, or who is who. I’m convinced that he could work at Forest Lawn, and make it fun. And, he is the funniest guy I have ever met.

    mini cakes

    Is Mr. Frostings just a pretty face or does he bake like a god?

    I think he does everything like a God, but he would tell you that he is just the sizzle, and that I’m the Steak. He would never take any credit for Fantasy Frostings, which is just not true.

    - Thanks Fantasy Frostings! It’s always a pleasure!

    Make sure you check out the Fantasy Frostings website: http://www.fantasyfrostings.com/

    What is your favorite trend for wedding cakes at the moment?
    Vintage Romantic! The antique tones with bows,pearls, and crystal…
    What is the most popular cake flavor and filling this year?
    Lemon cake with an english lemon curd and fresh raspberries with whipped crème, and White almond cake with an almond cream cheese filling alternating with fresh strawberry and whip creme
    If you could bake a cake for anyone – who would it be and what flavor would it be?
    Like most artistic people, nothing pleases me more than creating for my family, and those I love. I have so much fun creating with Holly Durst to make cakes for her friends and family too. If I was baking for my family today, this is what I would make; mr frostings…his moms carrot cake recipe, but I’m still working on making it as well as she did
    my girls…lindsey would be chocolate/chocolate/chocolate/chocolate. Lauren would be …vanilla with absolutely no buttercream involved
    My boys Nathan….new orleans pice. Matt ….last request from him was red velvet!
    What FireFly package would you pick for your bachelor or bachelorette party? – http://www.fireflygroupevents.com/girls/index.php <http://www.fireflygroupevents.com/>
    this ones hard..mmmmm, lets go with cooking….always wish I had more time to play with expanding my menu for dinner.
    Name 3 famous people you’d invite on your bachelor and bachelorette party? Why?
    We have been so lucky, meeting some really famous people. Not to avoid the question, but famous is not always fun. I would rather have my friends there regardless of their fame.
    What’s your most outrageous wedding memory, either as a guest or a vendor?
    Elizabeth Taylors wedding at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch…my first experience with a celebrity paparazzi nightmare. Actually watched a person parachute into the middle of the wedding while I was setting up a cake. STRANGE!!!
    If you could give one piece of wedding advice to a couple, what would that be………..?
    cake related….serve cake to your guests that will enhance the meal and order what you like for the top tier….its not written in stone that you have to save the top for a year. Wedding related.. Regardless of what else you do, make it YOUR wedding. If you love it, so will all those that love you.
    What is the secret to Mr. Frostings(Earl) success as a cake gigolo?
    He just likes being Mr. Frostings. He makes every little task fun. He genuinely likes people, and enjoys mixing it up. He doesn’t care about Industry status, or who is who. I’m convinced that he could work at Forest Lawn, and make it fun. And, he is the funniest guy I have ever met.
    Is Mr. Frostings just a pretty face or does he bake like a god?
    I think he does everything like a God, but he would tell you that he is just the sizzle, and that I’m the Steak. He would never take any credit for Fantasy Frostings, which is just not true.

    Holly Steen – Cakes & Kisses – Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

    What is your favorite wedding photography trend at the moment?
    My favorite wedding photography trend at the moment is colored bridal shoes. I am a huge fan of brides that think outside the box and buy shoes that match their lifestyle, rather than just their wedding dress. It is even better when the bride wears them for the engagement photos or tells me that she wore them during bachelorette party and broke the shoes in… that means no limping around the reception because of hurt feet.
    What are the advantages of having your engagement shots taken by your wedding photographer?
    The advantage of having engagement photos with your wedding photographer is simple… you get to know what it is like to be in front of the camera. It builds a trust and relationship that is different than sitting and chatting in a showroom. Although I try not to use all my jokes during the engagement, it is a great way for me to spend time with the couple and make them laugh. I think that the more time the couple spends together the better, and the more food/drinks the couple buys the photographer, the better the photo shoot.
    What FireFly package would you pick for your bachelorette party?
    The FireFly Events package that I will pick for my bachelorette party is pretty much a laundry list… I have different kinds of friends so I would do a few different to suit each of the groups. Recording Studio- Idol Wannabe, for my overly musically talented friends to sing at the top of our lungs “Lean on Me”, my anthem for 7th grade. Girlfriend Getaway – Sex in the City Weekend, for me and my closest craziest girls. The kind of “All for one and one for all” girls that you have tons of fun with but can’t share any of the stories because they would get us all in trouble. Plus, the Charlies Angel, Self Defense, with my girls and teach them some awesome ways to kick butt in and out of the bedroom.
    Name 3 famous people you’d invite on your bachelorette party? Why?
    Three famous people I would invite to my bachelorette party would first invite Jewel, the musician, to make my recording studio party to the next level and get us a Grammy. Second, comedian, Ellen DeGeneres, because she makes me laugh so hard, and I think it would be fun, because she probably has some pretty crazy stories. Third, mixed martial artist, Gina Carano, to give us some tips on how to be a knock out and give killer muay thai kicks!
    What’s your most outrageous wedding memory, either one you have worked at or one you have been a guest?
    So many outragerous wedding memories when I was a second shooter in my first few years of wedding. One of my favorites was for the daughter of the late Pat Morita (the infamous Mr. Miyagi) at a Buddist temple in Hollywood. It was amazing and exclusive, while being unique and special. During the toasting, the brides’ sister stood up and said, “Bonzai” and to have the whole room chime in with “Bonzai” even louder.  This chant carried on through the night was especially memberable when at the end of the first dance the guests all had score cards like “Dances with the Stars.” They received a perfect score.
    Which wedding are you: Beach, Mountain, Forest, or Countryside?
    I am a beach wedding girl. Some of my favorite beach weddings had lounging couches, bon fires, and perfect breeze that made the day seem so magical. I really think there is a mood that is captured in a beach wedding that is missed in a ballroom, or in a exclusive golf club.
    If you could give one piece of wedding advice to a couple, what would that be………..?
    Wedding advice is follow what you want. You will regret having the wedding your best friend, mom wanted. Have the wedding that you want, so you can look back at your wedding photos and remember that every moment that was captured was part of your day. This is more marriage advice, but be sure to marry someone that you enjoy listening to and talking to. They will be the one person you can depend on for an opinion, advice, or a shoulder to cry on.

    Holly from Cakes & Kisses, lives & breathes photography and it shows. She cries at every wedding, her heart is always in the right place. She cares and feels the joy of each couple. Holly will capture your most cherishible moments, creating art pieces and documenting your day.

    If she’s not documenting marital bliss, you’ll find her at a Dodgers games or getting her new studio space ready for the wedding season.  - go Holly.

    Holly has become a lovely friend and she will soon become yours, she will make you feel at ease the moment you meet her.

    What is your favorite wedding photography trend at the moment?

    My favorite wedding photography trend at the moment is colored bridal shoes. I am a huge fan of brides that think outside the box and buy shoes that match their lifestyle, rather than just their wedding dress. It is even better when the bride wears them for the engagement photos or tells me that she wore them during bachelorette party and broke the shoes in… that means no limping around the reception because of hurt feet.

    What are the advantages of having your engagement shots taken by your wedding photographer?

    The advantage of having engagement photos with your wedding photographer is simple… you get to know what it is like to be in front of the camera. It builds a trust and relationship that is different than sitting and chatting in a showroom. Although I try not to use all my jokes during the engagement, it is a great way for me to spend time with the couple and make them laugh. I think that the more time the couple spends together the better, and the more food/drinks the couple buys the photographer, the better the photo shoot.

    What FireFly package would you pick for your bachelorette party?

    The FireFly Events package that I will pick for my bachelorette party is pretty much a laundry list… I have different kinds of friends so I would do a few different to suit each of the groups. Recording Studio- Idol Wannabe, for my overly musically talented friends to sing at the top of our lungs “Lean on Me”, my anthem for 7th grade. Girlfriend Getaway – Sex in the City Weekend, for me and my closest craziest girls. The kind of “All for one and one for all” girls that you have tons of fun with but can’t share any of the stories because they would get us all in trouble. Plus, the Charlie’s Angels, Self Defense, with my girls and teach them some awesome ways to kick butt in and out of the bedroom.

    Name 3 famous people you’d invite on your bachelorette party? Why?

    Three famous people I would invite to my bachelorette party in Los Angeles would first invite Jewel, the musician, to make my recording studio party to the next level and get us a Grammy. Second, comedian, Ellen DeGeneres, because she makes me laugh so hard, and I think it would be fun, because she probably has some pretty crazy stories. Third, mixed martial artist, Gina Carano, to give us some tips on how to be a knock out and give killer muay thai kicks!

    What’s your most outrageous wedding memory, either one you have worked at or one you have been a guest?

    So many outragerous wedding memories when I was a second shooter in my first few years of wedding. One of my favorites was for the daughter of the late Pat Morita (the infamous Mr. Miyagi) at a Buddist temple in Hollywood. It was amazing and exclusive, while being unique and special. During the toasting, the brides’ sister stood up and said, “Bonzai” and to have the whole room chime in with “Bonzai” even louder.  This chant carried on through the night was especially memberable when at the end of the first dance the guests all had score cards like “Dances with the Stars.” They received a perfect score.

    Holly_04

    Which wedding are you: Beach, Mountain, Forest, or Countryside?

    I am a beach wedding girl. Some of my favorite beach weddings had lounging couches, bon fires, and perfect breeze that made the day seem so magical. I really think there is a mood that is captured in a beach wedding that is missed in a ballroom, or in a exclusive golf club.

    If you could give one piece of wedding advice to a couple, what would that be………..?

    Wedding advice is follow what you want. You will regret having the wedding your best friend, mom wanted. Have the wedding that you want, so you can look back at your wedding photos and remember that every moment that was captured was part of your day. This is more marriage advice, but be sure to marry someone that you enjoy listening to and talking to. They will be the one person you can depend on for an opinion, advice, or a shoulder to cry on.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Holly! Be sure to check out Holly’s website at http://www.cakesandkisses.com/