FIVE BENEFITS OF AN OUTDOOR WEDDING RECEPTION

Your wedding day is fast approaching, and you're in the midst of wedding planning and ironing out all of the details. The guest list is set, you've chosen the venue, picked a color scheme, set a menu and selected a five-tiered buttercream-frosted cake. Now what?

It's time to get down to the nitty-gritty details. You'll have the ceremony first, and then you have an entire reception to plan. If your reception includes kids, then you have some specialized prep work to do. What do you need to consider when planning a wedding that children are invited to?

Take a look at some of the most common questions that the bride and groom need to think about when inviting guests with children to their nuptials.

Now that you have settled on a ring and date, you have lots of planning to do. The lovely golden foliage outside creates the perfect backdrop for an autumn wedding, which will be made fairly simple thanks to customizable tent options.

Once you've decided to host your event outside, you have many options to choose from, ranging from the practical to the ornamental. This guide will help you focus on turning your outdoor fall wedding into a night everybody will remember.

About $390 billion was given to charities in 2016 alone. Not only are people giving at record levels, but overall charitable donations are growing year by year. If you run, work for or volunteer for a charity, having a fundraising event is an easy (and fun) way to, as the name implies, raise funds.
Planning a charity fundraiser is a multistep process that can be extremely rewarding. When the big day finally arrives, you'll get to see all of your hard work pay off - and all for a good cause. If you've never planned a charity event before, or this is a much bigger version of anything you've been in charge of in the past, take a look at some of the questions you need to ask before and during the planning process.

Long gone are the days when a two-tiered cake and inviting a few friends for dinner were acceptable ways to celebrate a Sweet 16. Today's teens expect much, much more. With flashy parties splashed all over reality shows, your soon-to-be 16-year-old may expect something that looks more like a celebrity fete than a simple backyard bash.
No one is saying that you need to rent a helicopter and fly your sweet 16-year-old in for a grand entrance or that you need to invite the entire high school and serve them all a five-course gourmet meal. But, you might need to step up your party game and throw an event that includes more than a homemade meal and a few colorful candles.
Before making any major decision, take a look at a few simple steps that can help you to plan the perfect party.

Spring is the time to host a great backyard gathering that starts the outdoor season off with a bang. Whether you're hosting a party to celebrate love, new babies, or just the ability to be outside after a long winter, a spring garden party is the perfect way to do it. After all, if it's good enough for the Queen of England , it'll be fantastic for your friends!

So, how do you throw a garden party, and how can you make it a memorable time for all? Here are five steps.

Plan Ahead
Spring is a particularly unpredictable time of year, especially in Texas. While you want to enjoy the great outdoors, you never know whether you'll end up with too much sun, overbearing humidity, or wild winds. Prepare for all possible outcomes by renting some equipment to protect your guests. 

A party tent  is a must-have for any backyard event. If it's hot, it can shield your guests from the sun. If things turn stormy, it keeps them dry. At the very least, it can help protect your food display from bugs and heat. If you worry that things might become chilly--especially if you plan an evening event--add outdoor heaters to your list. 

Decorate With Colors
Spring is the time to celebrate the return of flowers, sunshine, and color to the landscape. So use these elements to decorate. Large tissue paper flowers and pom-poms create an immediate and colorful impact on any surface. Party flags, bright plates, and colorful rented linens on the tables are other easy ways to brighten things up.

Don't forget to use lots of spring flowers. The flowers can be simple--such as daisies, carnations, or peonies--and still be charming. Look for flowers that are local and in-season for the best deals.

Light It Up

If the party will run into the evening hours, be sure to add some fun lighting options. String lights hung in the trees, wrapped around posts, and hung along the perimeter fencing will make things safer and add ambiance. You could also look for small lights in a fun design, such as ladybugs, dragonflies, or rosebuds.

Simple solar lighting along pathways helps keep everyone on their feet without the need for extra cords. For lighting on and around the tables and chairs, you could add candles on the tables, rustic hanging lanterns on shepherd's hooks, or paper luminaries. 

Dress Up

Traditional British garden parties are an opportunity to dress up and show off your finest. While you may not have actual royalty on your guest list, why not act like it? Request on the invitations that guests don spring day dresses, seasonal colors, or suits and ties. Encourage fine hats, fascinators, and formal gloves. 

You can make it fun to dress up by offering prizes for the best hat or the best couple's attire. Create a photo op area for everyone to take pictures of their fun day. Add formality of your own by recruiting some wait staff among friends and dressing them in black slacks and white shirts to serve your guests.

Keep Food Light
The food at a garden party is typically light finger foods. Afternoon parties work perfectly with tea served in china teapots and delicate mugs. Combine that with quarter sandwiches, veggie appetizers, and fresh fruit or a cheese plate. 

If your party is later in the day, you may want to add some bubbly champagne, fruity wine, coffee, or summer sangria. Top things off with finger-sized desserts like tarts, macarons, and cupcakes. 

With these touches, your first garden party will undoubtedly be a hit with everyone who attends. You might even create your own backyard, spring tradition.

Organizing a block party can be a great way to get to know your neighbors and enjoy a little summer fun. But since you'll be catering to wide range of ages, interests, and personalities, it's important to plan carefully. Here are some tips to ensure your block party is a real hit for all attendees.

Tip #1: Send Out Invitations Well In Advance

Planning a block party is a major endeavor, and it would be a shame to do so and only have a few families show up.
Summer can get busy, so be sure to send out invitations to the party well in advance. Give people a full month's notice, if possible! Request that attendees RSVP and tell you how many are attending about a week before the party so you can plan accordingly when purchasing plates, napkins, and the like.

Sending out virtual invitations via Facebook and other apps has become increasingly common, but since not everyone uses these apps or checks them regularly, you really are best off sending out paper invitations. If you're trying to save cash, find a template online and print your own.

Tip #2: Have Guests Sign Up In Advance For Potluck Dishes

Purchasing food for such a large crowd can get expensive. So, if you're trying to keep costs down, plan on serving the food potluck-style. This means every family that attends should bring a dish to pass. Serving the meal potluck also ensures there's something for everyone to enjoy. Guests with dietary restrictions can bring something along that they feel comfortable eating.

To make sure there are no duplicate dishes, set up a spreadsheet in an application like Google Docs. List needed items, like salads, main dishes, and beverages. Include a link to the spreadsheet on your invitations, so guests can visit the page and put their names next to the items they plan to bring.

Tip #3: Include Some Organized, Central Activities

While getting together and chatting all afternoon may be appealing to some, others will want to be entertained throughout the party. So, it's important to plan a few central activities. Possibilities are truly endless, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Rent a stage and a karaoke machine, and have an American Idol-inspired contest to see which neighbor has the best voice.
• Plan a game of football. You can pit the kids against the adults for some real fun!
• Set up some lawn games like croquette, bocce ball, and ladder golf.

Try to choose activities, like those listed above, that cater to all ages rather than to a specific age group. You can also set up a few activities for younger kids, such as a sandbox or table with coloring books.

Tip #4: Delegate Tasks To Willing Helpers

Planning an entire block party yourself is a huge burden. Why do it all on your own when you have plenty of neighbors to help? Planning together will help you bond as much as actually attending the party. When you send out the invitations, include a line that states "Anyone willing to help, please contact me."

Have a list of tasks ready to delegate when people do call to offer their assistance. For instance, you could put one neighbor in charge of planning the lawn games, another in charge of renting chairs, and another in charge of monitoring the potluck signup sheet.

Tip #5: Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Contributions

Even if you make frugal choices along the way, block party-related costs will add up quickly. If you don't feel comfortable covering all of the costs on your own, it is okay to ask that attendees each contribute $5 or $10 to the party fund. Collect these fees when people arrive at the party. Do make guests aware that they're expected to contribute by including this information on the invitation.
With the tips above, your block party is sure to be a success. If you need to rent any chairs, tables, tents, or even a stage for your event, contact B&T Rents  today.

Destination weddings are a popular choice for many couples in the USA. The idea of getting away from normal life by going to an exotic location is very appealing. Locations offering balmy and relaxed beachside nuptials, such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico, are the most popular locations for destination weddings.

However, destination weddings also come with a fairly hefty price tag. On average you can expect to spend almost double the amount per guest to host a destination wedding outside the continental USA. It's also customary for the couple to pay for some or all of the travel expenses for their bridal party.

Additionally, many couples choose to hold a second reception in their hometown to accommodate the family and friends that were physically or financially unable to make it to the wedding destination. This can further inflate your overall spending.

Fortunately, it's possible to have a beautiful and relaxed wedding which is inspired by your favorite exotic destination without leaving your hometown. Here are the three key elements you'll need to consider when planning a memorable and colorful destination-style wedding in Corpus Christi.

1. Rent a Tent or Canopy

Whether you're holding your reception on the beach or in a garden, you'll need to provide shelter for your guests. Renting a large tent or canopy is the ideal way to provide shelter while still retaining the outdoor feel of a tropical wedding destination. B & T Rents  can provide you with a wide selection of tents and canopies that will suit the style of wedding and number of guests invited.

Tents and canopies also provide a wonderful framework to create a destination theme with your decorations. Floral garlands, fairy lights, rustic lanterns, and brightly colored fabrics can all be hung from the sturdy supporting structure, creating ambiance and flair.

2. Pick the Right Date

One of the biggest draws for destination weddings is the warm and hospitable climate exotic destinations provide. To recreate the balmy tropical feel for your wedding, you'll need to make sure you hold your wedding at the right time of year. Fortunately, the Corpus Christi area is warm enough for an outdoor wedding from April through October.

If you're in any doubt about inclement weather, it's better to be prepared than to have your big day ruined by rain or windy conditions. Opt for a tent or canopy that can have walls added if necessary. This will ensure that your guests have adequate shelter whatever the weather.

3. Choose the Perfect Location

You may be lucky enough to have a friend or family member with a garden or property that is large enough to host your wedding celebration. If you don’t, there are plenty of stunning locations where you can hold your destination-inspired wedding around the Corpus Christi area. Heritage Park, the Watergardens, and several beaches are all locations the city provides access to for weddings.

To secure one of these beautiful and popular sites, make sure you contact the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department well before the date you've decided on. The department can also advise you on any restrictions, fees, or guest-number limitations associated with each location. You may also need to check whether you'll need a permit to have your tent or canopy erected at your chosen site.

Getting these three key elements right when planning your exotic, destination-style wedding is crucial for recreating the atmosphere of a tropical paradise. With the right location, setup, and date, you and your guests will feel as though you've been transported to a far-flung paradise—but without the lengthy travel, expensive bill, or logistical difficulties.

If you want less mess, less stress, and plenty of flexibility during your child's birthday bash, a party tent is the ideal way to achieve all three goals. Hosting your child's party under a large event tent keeps your home tidy. The tent also provides venue insurance in case your party lands on a super sunny or super drippy day.

Event tents may be set up at your home or at third party locations—with permission from the property owners, of course. Hotels, parks, and private event venues often allow tent rental near lakes and pools. Tourist farms and beach resorts may also permit tents on their sites for memorable birthday settings.

The open space in an event tent gives you plenty of options for seating arrangements and kids' action stations. Unique and uncommon interests and hobbies can become the inspiration for fun decor and activities under a tent. Find three easy themes for your big tent party below.

1. Artists' Retreat

Is your child a budding painter or sculptor? With an event tent, your open-air party can become an expression of artistic celebration with no worries about the carpet. Every kid dons a smock, then guests take turns at various art stations where they paint, draw, and model with clay.
Use round paper lanterns in bright colors for ceiling lighting. Decorate the tent poles with ribbons in primary colors. Use bright beach buckets to hold art supplies.

Carry on the creative theme with make-your-own pizzas or subs. Kids can decorate their own cookies or cupcakes for dessert art. Have a clothesline art show for paintings and a tabletop display for sculptures. Each kid can go home with his or her creations and a small art kit as a party favor.

2. Glamorous Boutique Spa

If your child loves all things glamorous, a boutique "spa" is sure to be a party plan hit. Tables arranged along one side of the tent can be set up as spa stations. Party goers can have their face painted, nails done, and hair styled, then they can head to a clothes rack of costume gowns and suits.

You can decorate the poles of the tent with glittery twinkling lights and use a dance floor for the runway. Helium-filled balloons in silver and gold look great floating under a fabric-draped tent ceiling, and a rental chandelier adds a sophisticated touch to the event.

Other activities include making haute couture hats, modeling for a mock fashion show on a platform runway, and having photo shoots with elegant backdrops. Additionally, party favors of costume jewelry and hair ornaments make great mementos.

3. Superhero Dress Up

Kids who prefer more heroic dress-up play may enjoy dressing up as their favorite action heroes or gaming characters. Masks, capes, and other superhero props add to the role playing fun. 

Have a large flat screen playing action movies or cartoons in the background, or play a loop of the soundtracks to favorite action movies. Affix large character balloons to the tent poles, and use string lights in a favorite superhero's colors. Make your child's head table a superhero command center with LED lights and lots of tin foil.

Kids at superhero parties love activities such as participating in scavenger hunts, finding clues to solve a mystery, and hitting a piñata in the shape of a notorious villain. Suitable party favors for this type of party include action figures, DVDs, and key chains featuring popular superheroes. Pack each child’s treats in a superhero lunch bag for an extra special party favor.

Other ideas to consider when hosting a kids' party are equally as fun and memorable. Have a makeshift stage set up for a music-themed party. Kids can play air instruments or real instruments on stage along with their favorite musical tracks. 

Or encourage your kid's inner scientist, Have sandbox artifact digs set up under the tent where kids play in the sand to find treasure and archeological mysteries. Kids can do safe experiments, build inventions with toy bricks, and take home kid-friendly STEM-based science toys.

Let your child's interests and passions guide you as you plan their next themed birthday party. B & T Rents has a suitable tent or canopy for your vision and your guest count. Call us today to reserve your preferred party tent and other party furnishings for your chosen event date.

If you're planning an anniversary celebration, coming up with activities can be the trickiest part. How can you honor the couple and simultaneously entertain the guests?

Here are some ideas to bring life and magic to your upcoming anniversary celebration.

1. How Well Do You Know The Couple?

You can involve all the guests by letting them find out how much they know about the honored couple. Before the party, gather answers to questions about the couple, such as:

• How did they meet?
• Where was their first date?
• Where was their first kiss?
• Where did they get married?
• What time did they get married?
• What was their wedding song?
• What year was their first child born?
• What's their favorite activity to do together?
• Where is their favorite place to travel?
• How many grandchildren do they have?

At the party, pass out paper and pencils and read out the questions. Guests can write down their answers, making their best guess. Once they've answered all the questions, read out the answers. Guests give themselves one point for each correct answer. The people with the most points get a prize.

2. Dance Lesson

Choose a dance style that was common when the honored couple was growing up, such as swing, waltzing, or disco. Or, choose a popular line dance from the couple's younger days. Hire a dance instructor or a dance-loving friend to teach the dance to the guests. Make sure the honored husband and wife are the featured dancers on the dance floor!

3. Do You Remember When?

This game is similar to "How Well Do You Know the Couple?" and lets guests reminisce about the year the couple got married. Guests write down answers to questions like:

• How much did a gallon of milk cost?
• What team won the World Series?
• Who won an Oscar for best actor and actress?
• Who was president of the United States?
• What Disney animated movie came out?

Again, the guests with the most right answers get a prize.
A similar game is "Name that Tune" for the era. Play a ten-second clip of a song from the year the couple got married. Guests earn a point by guessing the right title of the song.

4. Video Tribute

In the months leading up to the party, create a video tribute to the honored couple. Record interviews of their children and best friends talking about memories of them. Assemble photographs of the couple throughout the years and include those in the video as well.

5. Him Or Her?

This game puts the couple on the hot seat and tests whether they think alike. Have the couple sit in front of the guests. They should sit back-to-back so they can't see each other. Give them each two signs: one with the husband's name and one with the wife's name. Ask questions like the following:

• Who does the dishes more often?
• Who is the loudest snorer?
• Who is most likely to go to the opera?
• Who is most likely to make a free-throw shot?
• Who is most likely to take control of the TV remote?

The husband and wife cast their votes for each question by raising the corresponding sign. Guests will enjoy learning more about the couple and what they think about each other.

The right activities can turn a boring anniversary party into a priceless memory. Use these ideas to create an anniversary party you'll never forget.

If you plan to hold the anniversary celebration outdoors, you'll want to create a comfortable setting for guests. Turn to B & T Rents  to rent tents, stages, dance floors, tables, chairs, and other party decorations.