Sadiq Gill - How to Host an Awesome July 4th Party!

Independence Day is a uniquely American holiday that celebrates the founding of our nation. This year will be America’s 239th birthday! Celebrate in style this year by throwing an awesome Fourth of July party for your friends and family, or even for the whole block! Who knows, you might just start a new tradition!

Here are the essentials that you’ll need to pull off the perfect July 4th party:  

Tasty food – You can go the traditional route and grill up some hot dogs and hamburgers, or even cook up something more gourmet if you are so inclined. Make sure you also have cold drinks and snacks like chips and dip and Popsicle for the kids. Even if you’re cooking the main dish, it’s a good idea to tell guests the party is a potluck and have everyone bring a side dish, drink or dessert. In addition to the food itself, also make sure you have the appropriate catering supplies.  

Patriotic décor – Fourth of July is all about the red, white and blue. You can buy red, white and blue streamers and balloons and other Independence Day decorations from the store, or you can get creative and make your own. Even the food can be part of the décor – for instance, you can serve red, white and blue M&Ms.  

Party games – Some good July 4th party games include a water balloon fight, a whiffle ball game, croquet or horseshoes. A dunking booth and carnival games are also great choices to increase your party’s “fun” quotient.   

Fireworks – July 4th just isn’t July 4th without fireworks. If you can’t see any local fireworks shows from your party location, you might consider setting off your own fireworks. Make sure you get some sparklers and other fireworks before the party, and have a bucket of water on hand in case a firework goes bad. Don’t want the liability of setting off fireworks at your house? Rent a projector to show the televised fireworks program.  

Finally, make sure you have enough tables and chairs for your guests. An outdoor party tent is also a smart choice to protect guests and food from the sun.

Sadiq Gill - Planning and Hosting An Outdoor Party

With the summer months approaching, you might be considering planning an outdoor party to celebrate a birthday, a holiday, or simply the beautiful, warm weather. To ensure things go as smooth as possible, it’s important to create a plan and stick to it.  

If you’re planning to host your party during daylight hours, consider renting a tent so your guests can avoid being out in the sun for too long—no one wants to keep applying sunscreen when they’re having fun.  

You can also bring inside furniture outdoors, especially if it’s protected from the elements while under the tent.  

Consider the type of seating, and if you’ll have enough. Don’t be afraid to use the ground for seating, too, by placing blankets, rugs, and pillows around.  

What about the food? Will you be cooking, grilling, hiring a caterer, or perhaps hosting a pitch in? If you plan on doing the cooking or grilling, plan a menu and make sure you have all of the necessary ingredients and supplies, including plates and cutlery.  

If you’re planning to host your party in the evening, outdoor lighting can create a festive mood for your party. Consider using torches, candelarias, candles in hurricane jars, or even strings of light bulbs.  

As for the entertainment, will you have music for dancing or music to create the atmosphere? Consider having games at the party to get everyone involved, or hiring entertainers, such as face painters or fortune tellers—depending on the type of party you’re hosting.  

Another good party tip is to find a way to make it all your own. Offer your guests a signature cocktail, or have the entire party themed, right down to the invitation.  

When the party is over, send your guests home with a gift bag or a memento of some sort, such as candy, homemade jam, flowers, fortune cookies, a picture frame, or a candle. 

Sadiq Gill - Getting Started With Wedding Party Plans

By Sadiq Gill

It is common to begin preparations for a wedding at least a year before the event. There are a multitude of various aspects to consider. Even when ample time is allotted for planning, organizers may still find themselves tying up loose ends as the big day draws near.

Covering Every Base

Usually, the first order of business in any wedding planning endeavor is to create a checklist. This list can be long and comprehensive, covering all facets of the wedding, both obvious and subtle.

Determining a budget, choosing the wedding party, making out a guest list and designing the invitations are among the first priorities for planners. But one of the most critical decisions is the selection of a venue for the reception.

Venues such as hotels and reception halls can offer catering and all the accouterments necessary to pull off a well-rounded reception. However, they are not always financially feasible. This is where party rental and reception equipment rental outlets are often invited to become part of the festivities.

It is always wise to do some research when pondering which rental company to use. Before enlisting the services of one of these entities, price comparisons should be made and background checks performed. It is also essential to make sure everything that will be needed for a successful post-wedding gathering — such as tables, chairs and dining ware — can be supplied. Additionally, if wedding organizers have an outdoor reception in mind, many of these rental companies offer a variety of tents and accessories.

The buildup to a wedding can be quite harrowing at times as organizers work feverishly to make sure all the particulars are taken care of. An experienced and attentive equipment rental company can help ease some concerns by having everything expertly set up and ready to go by the time guests begin to arrive. At that point, getting the party started will be the only item left on the to-do list!