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You said “I DO”, next comes the most magical time of your life – planning the start of the rest of your lives together! After the engagement party, bridal party, and bachelorette parties, and everything else in between, comes the rehearsal dinner. This dinner brings both families together as the final event before the big day. The rehearsal dinner is essentially the bridge that takes the couple, the family, and the wedding party from planning mode to wedding weekend party mode!
Traditionally the rehearsal dinner is given the night before the wedding by the parents of the Groom. Everyone from out of town is invited and it’s usually a formal affair. But, like everything else wedding related, the so-called standards are changing over the years. While some still keep the tradition and make it a formal occasion, other couples are putting their own unique twist on their rehearsal dinners. Some couples opt to keep it more casual with a smaller intimate get together, a themed party, or plan a night out on the town with friends at your favorite bar.
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- Written by Rachel Kirtley
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December is an enchanting time of the year, the temperatures drop, snowflakes are flying, and there is magic in the air. There truly is something magical about walking on the Mall Downtown Kalamazoo with the dripping icicle lights strung about the trees, shopping, cozy coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, and so much more!
Following the Holiday Parade, Kalamazoo officially kicks off the Holiday season with their annual tree lighting ceremony on November 29th in Bronson Park. Festivities begin at 5:00pm including live music, crafts, hot chocolate, visits with Santa, and much more Holiday fun!
While you’re in Bronson Park, don’t miss Candy Cane Lane. No matter your age, walking through life size Candy Canes and seeing all of the beautiful holiday themed lights and decorations will make you feel like you’re walking in a winter wonderland – even the biggest Scrooge out there just might smile with joy. Candy Cane Lane also makes for a fun photo op with friends or family, and would make a super cute Christmas Card picture!
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- Written by Rachel Kirtley
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We’re coming up on the Holiday Season and that means you’re probably going to host a lot of dinner parties with friends and family, to include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Hosting a dinner party can SEEM stressful, but planning is key, and I will show you how! Dinner parties don’t have to be stressful at all, actually. It’s all about ONE thing. Preparation.
Before we get started, may I say that we can all relate to the next few stages of hosting a party? Excitement. Regret. Emergency Cleaning. Debating excuses to cancel. Smiles, Drinks, Relief. Ha!
That being said, I absolutely LOVE hosting parties. Right down to the cute place settings, decorations, creating a fun cocktail for the night, cooking up fun dishes, and charcuterie boards. If you have never hosted a dinner party at your house, don’t attempt a maiden voyage and volunteer for Thanksgiving dinner. Start out small with 4-6 close friends or family members. That way, if you burn the entrée they will still love you, and you will have a funny story to tell for years to come.
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- Written by Rachel Kirtley
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Date Night In
Life gets busy and sometimes we forget to take time for ourselves, especially with our significant others. It’s important to make time each week to do something together. Too often, couples put off date night because they assume it has to be a formal night out on the town. Date night doesn’t always have to be a 3-course meal, expensive flowers, and high expectations. While that route is absolutely fine, sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that mean the most. That’s where date night at home is something we don’t always think about. The most important part of a date night is getting to spend quality time with your partner. We all live increasingly busy lives, so it’s nice to slow down and enjoy the moment together. It’s proven that Date Nights together can improve communication, de-stress you, help strengthen your commitment to one another and so much more! With a little planning, you can create the perfect date night that best suites your relationship.
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- Written by Rachel Kirtley
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Kalamazoo is booming full of local businesses, from family owned, entrepreneurs following their dream, to fortune 500 companies. No matter the size, everyone needs a fun place outside of work to host a luncheon, dinner for client meetings, or team building. Meeting for a meal with a potential client, investor, or business partner still remains an excellent way to network and connect with people who could help further your career. In today’s world we often eat quickly at our desks or fast food on-the-go. A business meal takes away other distractions and requires us to focus on real conversation and to help build relationships.
Not sure where to start, or what to look for when planning a business luncheon/dinner? A lot of the same guidelines you use when pitching an idea at someone’s office, apply to business lunch or dinner as well. First, determine the purpose of the business lunch or dinner you are planning. Keeping it causal?