Our Engagement Party- How to Throw a Large Scale Event

Throwing a party for 100 people is never an easy task. But when you decide to have the party at your own house, you know you're in for it. Or are you?

After Brandon and I got engaged our parents were adamant about throwing us an engagement party. But so quickly after that Christmas rolled around, and we all thought why not just wait until the summer until we can throw a backyard bash unlike no other. And that we sure did!

The day was probably one of the best days of my life. At first, I was so unsure about the whole party, but it truly meant soooo much to us that so many of our friends and family members came out to celebrate. I kept thinking... if this day is this sweet, I can only imagine what our actual wedding day will be like. Ah, I am still over the moon, overjoyed, overwhelmed, just on cloud nine.

But how did we make the day come together? Well, I do plan events for a living SO I had a few tricks up my sleeve. We wanted to make it personal and special, but really knew for an event this size we could not do it on our own. My mom and mother-in-law were machines. Guys, I can't even tell you how much blood, sweat, and tears went into this day. They worked endlessly to make sure every detail was executed flawlessly. The food, the pastries, the music, the decor... ah, let's get into it!

THE FOOD
Food is a party essential.
For an event this size, we needed catering. It wasn't a question. But we wanted the catering to reflect us, and not just your average deli sandwiches. We wanted a touch of G, and a touch of B brought into every detail. I went to my favourite girls from The Fix + Co. to pull together an appetizer menu that would WOW and that was so me! They hit it out of the park. We had raw Thai wrap, vegan stuffed peppers, falafels, some amazing homemade dips like guacamole, beet hummus, and arugula pesto. They also put together some teriyaki tofu skewers, watermelon-feta skewers and Capresee bites. For the main spread (which was a buffet), we had some of B's favourites-- lasagna, veal parmigiana, roasted veggies and chicken souvlaki. Everything was SO delicious. I was eating it for days. Keep in mind, it's better to order per person for such large events when you are ordering catered food. They are the pros and they know just how much to ensure you'll have enough.

Pro tip: Use fanicer platters or chaffing dishes to set the mood. Also, write up your menu using Canva and print it out on cardstock. I sprary painted some old frames gold and had the menus sitting on the table so guest knew what everything was. This also helps for those with dietary restrictions!

THE DESSERT

I love making desserts, and so does my mom. But I didn't want her to be slaving away in the kitchen when there was so much other stuff to do. However, I knew the desserts had to wow since they are so important to us. We enlisted the help of one of the best patisseries in Toronto-- Nadege. You guys all know Nadege. They basically were first on the French patisserie scene here in the city, and have been around for almost 10 years, so I knew we had to have them. Chef Nadege Nourian was born in Lyon and comes from a long line of pastry chefs in France. Brandon and I are enamored with the French lifestyle so having a French-themed sweet table was not even a second question. Our sweet table was fitted with a macaron tower, petit choux, mini Marie Antoinettes and other delectable goodies from Nadege, including their famous and insanely delicious marshmallows. Since they do catering for large scale events they know how to properly ship their goods and this made it SO easy to have everything delivered day the of. All we had to do was set it up and voila. The guests were blown away at how fresh and utterly delicious it all was!

WOW FACTOR
Every party needs an element that will wow your guests. For us, it was having Sugargirlee create an epic balloon installation. This piece acted as a photo op, and it just elevated the whole event. It made it next level because let's get real, how many people do you know that can create insanely massive balloon walls?! Laureign and her team are SO insanely sweet. We got on the phone weeks before the party hashing out the details. She had an idea of the space and ran with the idea to create something beautiful for us. If you want to elevate your party decor, balloons are where it's at! They are so fun and so impactful! They also blew up some massive confetti balloons to place inside near the sweet table. They really tired together the inside space with the outside space. And guys... I still have the balloons! Talk about helium quality!

THE OUTFIT
It's your party you need to wear something that makes you feel amazing. Doesn't matter if you are re-working something in your closet, or buying a new piece. For me, I wanted my arms covered and wanted to be chic and fancy, but with a bit of sass! I walked into Honey and found my outfit within minutes. Guys, I can't tell you how many times I have walked into Honey and left within 15 minutes because I found the perfect piece. I was so obsessed with my outfit, never wanted to take it off, even when it chilled right down at night! The lacey, bell sleeves, the skirt that flared out but hugged in the right places... Ah! And those earrings that I cannot stop thinking about. So perfect (to me anyway!). If you're looking for an outfit to turn heads, check them out, NOW!

THE AMBIANCE / DETAILS 
I love a good vibe. And I knew our vibe had to hit the mark. To really hone in on the summer in France theme we had to get some key details down-- flowers, greenery, music and a his and her cocktail. If you are looking for flowers that really encapsulate a French garden vibe, Emily from Threads & Blooms is your girl. I love how personalized she made every arrangement. I literally told her my budget and what colours I was going for, and also what flowers I did not like, and she went to town. The day before she hit up her local flower suppliers in Niagara so all the blooms were local, in season and so fresh. She also gave me a bucket of extra flowers so I could lay them around wherever I felt necessary, i.e.: the bar, by the speakers, on the walls, sweet table, etc. This was so sweet because it allowed me to tie other areas of the space into the theme.

For the little details, we accented with gold frames. We strung our engagement photos in empty frames and literally glue-gunned them to the brick. We gave out French lavender as favors and wrapped them in rustic bags. We had herbs and lavender as decorations and also garnishes for our drinks. I created dinner and drink menus using Canva and framed them in gold. We rented tables, chairs, and a bar for the pure ease. 

Pro tip: Hiring a bartender and another staff is essential for parties of this size. You need someone to be cleaning, helping to set-up dinner while the night is going on. You do not want to be doing this, nor do you want your family members to! If I could I would have hired another bartender to keep the line down. Another great way to ensure the bar line up is small is to have wine and beer as self-serve and reserve the bartender for mixing cocktails.

PHOTOGRAPHER
I cannot stress this enough. A photographer is essential. Guys... I didn't even have my phone on me the whole night. I thought I would take SO many photos but I did not take one! Thank goodness friends and family did, but in all honesty, the photos are not of the same caliber or quality. Krenare Ali was SO kind to come out for a few hours and take some photographs of my set up and guests and I could not be more thankful. I just wish I had her stay longer. Photographers will catch the memories you won't, and will freeze the frames you'll want to remember forever. And keep in mind, hiring a professional is always better than asking a family member to run around alongside you with your camera. They know angles, they know good lighting, they just know.

We all have that one day from the summer that is most memorable, most special and that you'll never forget. For me, I think it will be this. I still beam when I think about it! Did you have an engagement party? Would you try planning a large scale event like this? Talk to me, guy! XO

Thank you to Nadege Patisserie, Sugargirlee & Co, The Fix + Co, Threads & Blooms, Honey, and  Krenare for helping us bring this whole day together! .

Photos by Krenare Ali.

Easy & Effortless Holiday Entertaining + GIVEAWAY

Holiday hosting... it really is one of my favourite things to do. This year I found myself straying away from the endless planning and all the little details. I love it but it gets so exhausting sometimes. Especially when the days just seem to sneak up on you. You end up running yourself ragged before the event has even started. I didn't want to let that happen this year for my annual girls Christmas party. I wanted to focus on the minimal, and let the conversation, feelings and true meaning of the night speak for itself.

Holiday hosting doesn't have to be intimidating. This year I wanted to show how I cut the frills and fancy and focused on the simple and easy, while not comprising on style and taste! Just a few steps and you can do the same. In turn, you'll have tons more time for your loved ones and enjoy the moments leading up the get-together.

Here's how I made the night hosting easy and effortless in 4 steps:

Easy Easter Entertaining

Entertaining and Easter... two of my favourite E's! I love getting together with a few friends over good eats, treats and just celebrating the little things. A little springtime Easter inspired gathering?! Right up my alley! This past weekend I did just that and had a pre-Easter brunch with some of my closest. 

I've said it before, you don't need to go crazy hosting! A few little details are all it takes to put together something special. If you're short on time or want to throw something together last minute I have you covered. Some of my favourite local eateries were so eager to be a part of the brunch and supplied some seriously amazing eats to make the day go off without a hitch! One thing I've come to realize after hosting quite a few affairs is that it's okay to take off some of the pressure and not do everything yourself! I used to let myself get so stressed trying to curate the perfect menu. But, really it's so important to remember why you are having the get together in the first place-- to spend time with those who matter. After the eats were taken care off, I threw in a few little DIY details and the event was complete. It really is that simple! Let's break it down, shall we?!

F O O D

What could be more fitting than pastel coloured eats?! We served up The Burger Pawty's "Dream Burger"-- a delicious chickpea/corn patty sandwiched between perfectly pastel lavender coloured waffles. Add in the cilantro-lime sauce, sprouts and pickled pineapple and you have one seriously tasty slider! The Burger Pawty was founded by Louise Mangalino for her love of burgers, and girl power! She was reviewing burger joints on her blog and was inspired to create something new, fun, and girly around her love of burgers. I can't get over the aesthetic. One look at her Instagram and you'll see why. With names such as The Barbie Burger and The Dream Burger which feature pink and purple waffles as the buns, this is definitely not your run-of-the-mill caterer! Louise even made sure the waffles were gluten-free for me! So accommodating. They cater to all kinds of events. Definitely look her up if you're looking for something totally different and fun (and delicious)!

N I B B L E S

Light bites are a brunch essential and since fruit is the perfect nibbling snack I knew I wanted to serve up all the colours of the fruit rainbow. The Fix + Co is my just my jam. They are my go-to spot for any sort of healthy eats, juices and smoothies. Now that they do platters and catering, life is complete! The ladies put together such an amazing holiday inspired spread for my Christmas gathering, so I knew they would knock it out of the park with this one for spring. We went with a refreshing fruit platter that was also stacked with nuts, dried coconut and fruit, and their amazing cashew nut cheese which was served alongside crackers. Check out this interview I did with Adrianna and Tamara, or their 3 wellness tips to learn just what they are about!

S I P S

This time around I wanted to try something totally unconventional and fun. Enter in the homemade blueberry-blue latte. Pink lattes have become all the rage, so I took the lavender spin on this one to match the waffle bun sliders. I started my muddling some blueberries in a pot on the stove with a touch of maple syrup and water. Using a fresh cold pressed juice from The Fix + Co (I used On The Mend -- a blend of beets, celery, apple, swiss chard, and carrots) I mixed it with fresh blueberry syrup and 1/2 cup of almond milk on the stovetop. I then frothed up some almond milk with the beet juice and topped it off with some edible flowers. A subtly sweet drink and pretty to look at!

T R E A T S

No brunch is ever complete without dessert! Kelly's Bake Shoppe is my go-to spot for all things dessert... always! They do everything to gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free perfection (as you've seen here, and here). They come out with seasonal menus and I knew their Easter features would be too good to pass up! They were so kind to give me a sneak peak of their menu before it's release this Easter weekend, and sure enough, everything was divine! We went with the Bugs Bunny cupcake (carrot cake topped with cream cheese buttercream and a toasted coconut birds nest), and the Lemon cupcake (lemon cupcake, filled with lemon sauce and topped with an adorable lemon buttercream chick). Sprinkle donuts and sugar cookies fit in perfectly with the pastel brunch spread. Kelly's cookies are seriously my weakness, I think I ate all of these sprinkled cuties! Owners Kelly and Erinn and two seriously inspiring ladies and their cookbook, 'Made With Love' divulges some of the famous recipes of their bakery and restaurant in Burlington, ON. In light of the book's one year anniversary I'm going to have some exciting news next week, so stay tuned!

D I Y / D E C O R 

I kept the party decorations to a minimum this time around to keep things fresh. A table backdrop doesn't need to be intimidating to make or time consuming! Some fresh flowers, a DIY backdrop, and some floral-crowned eggs adored the tablescape to create a simplistic but playful Easter vibe.

The DIY backdrop was inspired by Tiffany Pratt's latest book 'This Can Be Beautiful' where she has instructions for creating coffee filter rosettes. All you need is some white coffee filters, a little dab of paint and some string to hang! Voila! I scrunched about 3 filters together and twisted the backs of them to keep them bunched. I chose colours like lavender, pink, orange and gold and just went to town painting until I felt they looked pretty. No method at all! I used some raffia and washi tape and got to hanging the rosettes above the tablescape. So easy, but adds such a nice touch! You can also use the filters to wrap the treats/sliders in, use as coasters, or just place around the table! Confession-- the backdrop is still hanging... I just can't take it down yet! Too pretty!

The little white eggs I got from Dollerama, along with the mini rosettes. It took no time at all to glue the roses to the top of the eggs and place them on the table. A few minutes and you have yourself some homemade touches!

Delicious eats, simple sips and a little creativity are all it takes to elevate your get-togethers with friends. Keeping it simple is sometimes best! I hope you found this inspiring enough to throw a little Easter or spring time brunch together for your nearest and dearest! I can't thank The Burger Pawty, The Fix + Co, and Kelly's Bake Shoppe for helping me bring my Easter vision to life! They are seriously some of my favourite local shops to work with for their kindess, generousity and all around amazing eats!

Holiday Red & The Perfect Accessory

This tree farm has been around for as long as I can remember, and I always pass by wanting to stop in and stroll through the tree-lined, wooden reindeer covered paths. It's the ultimate Christmas set up! This year I finally got around to checking it out and it was packed with families picking out the perfect tree. I had to fit in by wearing my Christmas best, and this outfit is the ultimate Christmas Eve or holiday party look. It's comfortable, classy, but also a tad glam.

Christmas time is the one time of year I really embrace red. I'm not really drawn to the colour any other time of the year (except for a bold red lip), but there is something about this time of year that gets me feeling all festive! And I love glamming up a holiday outfit with a swipe of red lipstick. It's the perfect accessory, and there really is a shade that works for every woman. I think I've finally found mine! It's this one by Charlotte Tilbury. It's a deep, bold red, which I love since it doesn't have any blue or orange tint to it. Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks are beyond luxurious. They just make you feel sexy and sophisticated! The one from the Matte Revolution collection really emphasizes the shape of your lip, and it's super long lasting (which is essential). I used this velvety lipliner to really shape my lips and ensure it lasts for hours! Paired with some billowing, bell statement sleeves, that I have become obsessed with, and a gold clutch, it's become my go-to holiday accessory!

What's your go-to red? Do you have one?

SHOP THE POST:

What I'm Wearing:

Simons mock neck knit (similar), Forever 21 skirt (similar), Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Red Carpet Red and lipliner in Kiss 'n' Tell, Oliver & Piper earrings, Kate Spade clutch (similar), Topshop booties (similar)