Snappening: Indy's new event planning resource!

Planning a wedding, shower, reunion, or other event in Central Indiana?

Then you MUST check out Indy's new virtual resource - Snappening!

After hearing quite a bit of buzz about this resource among the Indy event planning circle, I knew I wanted to learn more. I had the pleasure of actually attending one of Snappening's industry receptions on Tuesday - where they filled us in on how easy they'll be making it for Indy-area consumers to search for venues & professional planners.

And it's not just for consumers, either! With their planning dashboard {complete with calendars, address books, and easy access to their Advertising/PR partners}, professional planners & venue managers will also benefit from the site.

So forget the exhaustive searches via the online search engines {that oftentimes yield irrelevant results}! Snappening is the latest and greatest resource for finding Indy's best venues and professional planners for your next event. =)

Check it out!

Etsy Envy: March Finds

After all of the showers & parties I've been to lately, I've decided to center this month's Etsy Envy around parties & events. Whether it's a baby shower, bridal shower, bachelorette party, or birthday bash, there's something here for everything!

You may have seen these beauties on my baby shower recap post - so I just had to share where I got them! This adorable little Etsy shop called "Sweet Estelle's" offers tons of edibles and baking accessories - a great way to add a dash of color and fun to your next themed event!

Damask isn't just for weddings anymore! Check out this handmade carseat cover - perfect for the stylish mom! {Plus, it's reversible!} Definitely on my "must purchase" list for the next shower on my calendar.



Aren't these corset cookies a great favor idea for a bachelorette party? {They're almost too pretty to eat!}



Check out this talented {local!} Etsy vendor - she is definitely an up-and-coming designer in the children's attire market! Wouldn't this outfit be perfect for the next birthday girl in your life? {Be sure to also check out their "Shirt of the Month" Club - also a great gift idea for the birthday kid!}

Is anyone else out there a big fan of Etsy?

What was your most recent purchase?

A Creative Escape

Does anyone else out there love to visit those adorable ceramic studios & paint pottery? Maybe it’s just the artist in me, but I find it therapeutic and extremely relaxing. =)

I recently stumbled upon a little place called Color Me Mine - and am aching to try it out. {Maybe I can convince the girls to have our next Ladies Night there?}

If you’re a bride-to-be, be sure to check out the For Brides section on their website. They have such unique and personal gift ideas for the bridal party, as well as keepsakes for yourself! Have guests sign a large platter at your engagement party, bridal shower, or even as a substitute for the guest book or ever-popular framed photo. After all is said and done, Color me Mine will glaze it and return it for you to use (or display as a keepsake)!

Throwing a "proper" shower

If it's one thing I love, it's a good party! And bridal showers have morphed into quite the event for modern brides-to-be. From themed showers to couples showers, they have come a long way from the traditional shower.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that etiquette should always play a role, no matter the theme or setting of the event. So if you're planning a bridal shower for a bride-to-be in your life, here are some tidbits to keep in mind....

Who hosts a bridal shower?

Typically the maid-of-honor throws the bride her first bridal shower, unless she is not local to the bride. She can also recruit some help from her fellow bridesmaids.

It is also becoming more common for a bride to have more than 1 shower. This typically occurs if a bride is returning to her hometown, and local family members and close friends could not make it to the original shower. In this instance, a cousin or aunt usually hosts the event.

Who should be invited?

Immediate family of the bride and groom are always invited – mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and cousins (if they are close to the engaged couple).

From there, the guest list should only include bridesmaids & close friends of the bride. Contrary to popular belief, the bridal shower guest list should not include every female on the wedding guest list. The shower should be a smaller, intimate event of no more than 20-25 guests.

However, proper etiquette states that everyone on the shower guest list should also be on the reception guest list. So be sure you’re cross referencing your shower guest list with the bride’s wedding guest list.

How do I select a proper date for the event?

Bridal showers can take place anywhere from 6 months prior to the wedding, up to a week before the wedding.

When should the invitations be mailed?

The shower invitations should be mailed out 4-6 weeks before the event. This allows your out-of-town guests to make travel arrangements, and gives your guests plenty of time to RSVP. A typical response date is 2 weeks before the event, but can fluctuate depending on your event’s circumstances (i.e. catering deadline, etc).

NOTE: While it’s not proper etiquette to include registry information with wedding invitations, it’s absolutely ok to include them with the shower invitations. This is the only time it’s appropriate to assume a guest will be bringing a gift. Your guests will most likely be expecting this info!

Where should the event take place?

There are really no set rules for where a bridal shower should be held. Most commonly, the event takes place at the hostess’ residence or local church. However, it is also common to have showers in private rooms at local restaurants & other venues. This is your chance to get creative!

Just be sure that the locale is suitable for your guests. There should be plenty of comfortable seating, easy access to restrooms, close parking, and plenty of food and beverages.

For bridal shower invitations, be sure to check out our Etsy shop! We also specialize in custom designs, so feel free to email us at interprintations@gmail.com for your one-of-a-kind design!

Photo source: www.bridal-talk.com