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The school year is ending soon, which means one thing: summer! At MBD, many of us are moms - and we know as well as most parents in our community that we are looking for ways to keep children entertained when school is not in session, so we can keep working! So.... we’ve compiled a list of summer camps, Vacation Bible Schools, and other activities for children in northern Colorado in summer 2022.  Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School: Peace, Love, Pray Where: 2000 S Lemay Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80525 When: June 13-17 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ages: Preschool-elementary Contact: office@our-saviours.org, 970-484-313  Christ United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School: On a Roll with God At Food Truck Party VBS, your students will enjoy an interactive, energizing, Bible-based good time as they get on a roll with God. They will become chefs and discover how we can turn to God in prayer every day to meet our needs and how we can join God in providing for the needs of others. Where: 301 E Drake Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 When: June 6-9 from 9 a.m. - noon Ages: 2-12 Contact: childrensministriescumc@gmail.com, 970-690-6197 Foundations Church Kids Camps and Eagle Lake Day Camp Mark your calendars! Eagle Lake is coming back to Foundations Church in July 2022. Kids ages 7-12 will enjoy a week of day camp that includes Euro-bungee jumping, rock wall, inflatables and more. Kids summer camps are also available at our Windsor and Loveland churches. Where: 1159 Main Street, Windsor, CO AND 1380 Denver Ave, Loveland, CO When:
Cost: Free Ages: 3-12, depending on camp (Eagle Lake is ages 7-12) Contact: office@foundationschurch.org, 970-663-7625 Zion Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School: Sky Ranch Day Camp We are excited to have Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp Staff lead our Vacation Bible School this year as a Day Camp. Snacks will be provided. We will begin our morning with check-in, gathering Worship all together then broken out into rotations throughout the morning. Where: 815 East 16th Street Loveland, CO 80538 When: June 27-July 1 Cost: $10 per child or $15 per family Ages: 3 years old through 5th grade Contact: (970) 667-1836 Timberline Church Vacation Bible School: Make a Splash Where: 2908 S Timberline Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 When: June 20-24, 9 a.m. - noon Cost: $10 Ages: K-5 Contact: Contact form, (970) 482-4387 Faith Church Vacation Bible School: Monumental Go off-road with Faith Church for a MONUMENTAL adventure through the colorful canyons and sunbaked trails of the southwest! We'll explore God's awesomeness and form a rock-solid faith for the road ahead!Monumental VBS is going to be full of Bible adventures, games, music, snacks, hugs, high-fives, and sciency-fun “wows.” Where: 3920 S Shields Street Fort Collins, CO 80526 When: June 6-10 from 9 a.m. - noon Cost: Must set up registration account to see pricing Ages: Preschool - 5th grade Contact: faith@faithchurchfc.org, 970-226-2095  Arsenal Colorado Camps Arsenal Colorado is a non-profit soccer club in Northern Colorado that uses the power of soccer to inspire, to develop, to achieve, and to build community. We offer established and successful programs to youth from ages 4-18. Where: 2721 S. College Ave Suite 10 Fort Collins, CO 80525 When: August 1-4 Cost: $60-80 Ages: U6-U10 Contact: office@soccerfortcollins.org, (970) 226-4253 Colorado State University Summer K-12 Programs Programs are available for kids in elementary, middle, and high school. Categories include: •Animals and Environment •Arts and Human Sciences •Industry and Leadership •Interdisciplinary Programs •Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) •Sport Programs Where: Varies When: Varies Cost: Varies Ages: 6-18 Contact: Contact the department or organization offering the program you’re interested in. Click the link above to be taken to the main CSU summer programs portal. Fort Collins Circus Center Summer Camp Circus arts, such as juggling, aerial dance and partner acrobatics, can be valuable non-competitive activities with which students can learn entrepreneurial, civic, personal, and interpersonal skills. By participating in such activities, students develop abilities in self-expression, collaboration, and musicality, while gaining knowledge and experience in health-related skills. Where: 2536 Midpoint Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80525 When: Ages 6-12 July 18-August 5; M-F; 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Teens August 8-12; M-F; 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Cost: Varies by age Ages: 6-18 Contact: fortcollinscircuscenter@gmail.com, 970-682-4984 City of Fort Collins Summer Camps Camp FunQuest is a full-day, state-licensed child care program for kids ages 5-15 when school is out of session and during summer break. Unique activities including games, crafts, S.T.E.M., and field trips, are designed with children’s age, developmental stage, and interests in mind. Where: Northside Aztlan Community Center and Foothills Activity Center When: Weekly camps begin June 1 and run through August 12; hours are M-F from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost: $200 per child Ages: 5-15 Contact: recreation@fcgov.com, 970-221-6256  NoCo Theatrix Children’s Theater Summer Camps In addition to singing, dancing and acting, our young performers work on teamwork, costume design, set design, and the basic technical aspects of theater. This summer’s play is Disney’s “Moana Jr.” Where: 1296 Main St. #D Windsor, CO 80550 When: June session – June 13-17 and 20-24 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; performance June 25 July session – July 11-15 and 18-22; performance July 23 Cost: $350 per child Ages: 9-16 Contact: nocotheatrix@gmail.com, 407-970-7504 Urban Air Adventure Park Summer Camp Urban Air Adventure Park offers the ultimate adventure-filled day camp. Camp Urbie’s Adventure Camp is the chance for kids to beat the summer heat and explore the best indoor playground around. Register today for a whole week of play, guided activities, games and competitions, snacks and more! Where: 4250 Corbett Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525 When: Morning, Afternoon, or Full-Day available: June 13, June 20, July 18, July 25, and August 1 Cost: $189 for half day, $269 for full day Ages: All ages Contact: hollie@urbanair110.com, 720-262-7252 YMCA Camp NoCo Join the Y this summer for a fun, enriching traditional day camp experience. YMCA Camp Noco allows campers to unplug, enjoy hands-on learning, try new activities, learn new skills and make new friends. Activities include camp songs, hiking and nature activities, archery, gaga ball, sports and games, Color Wars, STEM, arts, and much more. Enthusiastic and well-trained staff will ensure a safe and fun summer. CCAP accepted. Financial assistance is available. Where: Locations in Boulder, Louisville, Longmont, Johnstown, Berthoud, Loveland, and Fort Collins When: Varies Cost: Varies Ages: Preschool - 18 years old The Academy by DivaBee Summer Camps The Academy by Divabee is a place where kids from K-12 are "discovering potential through Arts and Creativity." We offer classes in musical theatre, acting, dancing and private vocal instruction for all ages. Where: 4019 S. Mason Street Fort Collins, CO 80523 When: 1- and 3-week camps available running from June through August Cost: $175-899 Ages: K-12 Contact: jalyn@divabeeproductions.com, 970-980-4795  Camp Invention STEM Summer Camp
A confidence-boosting STEM summer camp where kids build creative inventions and lasting friendships. Led by qualified local educators, our camps offer new and exciting hands-on activities every year. Over 1,000 camp programs run nationwide in schools, community centers and other local facilities! Where: Locations in Wellington and Fort Collins When: Varies by location Cost: Starts at $245 Ages: Kids entering K-6 Contact: Contact information varies for each facility Grace Place Church Summer Camp Breakaway: World of Wonder Hang on tight and get ready to fly away to the most high energy, fun-filled, summer camp in Northern Colorado! During Breakaway: World of Wonder, your kids are going to have an awesome time learning about who God is and building lasting relationships through interactive stories, hands on creative art, and adventurous rec activities. Where: 375 Meadowlark Dr. Berthoud, CO 80513 When: June 20-24 Cost: $109-129 Ages: K-5 Contact: Brooke.carpenter@graceplace.org, 970-532-9886  MBD was honored to receive the lovely inquiry from Kendra asking for assistance with her BIG DAY! A connection through mutual friends brought us together. Knowing the company tis couple keeps, we enthusiastically said YES! Kendra is as buttoned-up as brides come. We share our love of spreadsheets and low stress events. Joel and Kendra hired nearly all of the vendors we recommended - Sarah Goff Photography, Howe Eventful, Jen Goodrich Hair & Make-up, and Boulder Blooms. With this line of of vendors, and a wedding at The Four Seasons, you have a recipe for the BEST DAY EVER! Sarah Goff Photography took SO MANY amazing photos - it's tough just to highlight a few. Enjoy! Joel & Kendra's biggest wedding planning advice: "Get help! Hire a planner and have great people helping with the event." Vendor Dream Team: Photography: Sarah Goff Venue & Catering: Four Seasons Hotel Denver Event Planning: My Big Day - Event Planning HMUA: Jen at Rebel Salon Flowers: Boulder Blooms Cake: Four Seasons Hotel Denver Videography: Eric Einstein Photography and Video DJ: Howe Eventful | Colorado DJ Entertainment 2nd Photographer: McGonzo Photo Small Business. Big Impact. As a connected collective of experts, My Big Day specializes in the creative touches so many marketing campaigns & events these days are lacking. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns! Allow us to WOW you and your guests! As purveyors of fun with My Big Day, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority! Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken  A bit about our President, Christine K Forster... For the past 15 years, Christine has built a name for herself and My Big Day in our community. By design, she has remained mostly out of the spotlight - working behind the scenes to ensure clients are cared for, happy and receiving excellent service and advice. Every once in a while we are asked to provide sound bites, interviews or quotes about the events industry. We have been fortunate to be featured in many national publications and shows. Locally, we truly care about making a difference in our community and supporting fellow business owners, entrepreneurs and community partners. Recently, The Group Real Estate interviewed Christine on what makes her tik. See below.  Christine, tell me a little bit about your company My Big Day: My Big Day is a Marketing & Events Company completed owned and operated by outstanding women! What brought you to starting such a company? My entire life I have been planning events and working in the media. My socialite tendencies and organizational skills make my passion a career! What are some upcoming events you have planned for this year? Just in the next month we have a large Hollywood Game Show event for a corporate client, a wedding at the 4 Seasons, 5 non-profit fundraisers and a large community event in Fort Collins for adults - the NoCo Easter Keg Hunt! What are you most excited about in the future for My Big Day? Making a difference in our community through the work we do, and supporting my team and their families!  Contact MBD Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Millike  Just 24 hours ago 34 couples said "I DO!" at the Loveland Valentine's Day Group Wedding & Vow Renewal Ceremony. Our incredible photographer, Dick Knapp has already sent us all of the wonderful photos. Find them HERE: https://www.valentinesdayinloveland.com/2022-photos.html Our lovely photobooth host, Exposure Selfie Photobooth also provided us with copies of all photobooth pics. And.... we are all over the news! KUNC will be calling some of our amazing couples for interviews and later sharing their story. Below are some other stories you can find about the BIG DAY! Loveland Reporter Herald Fort Collins Coloradoan Telemundo Denver We hope everyone enjoyed our unique and wonderfully special way of celebrating LOVE in the Sweetheart City, Loveland, Colorado!!! An extra thank you to all of our gift bag sponsors, city supporters, On The Rocks Mobile Bar, Todd Harding, Branden Sipes and event planning team: https://www.valentinesdayinloveland.com/partners.html  My Big Day Marketing & Events has worked with many wedding venues in our 15+ years in business. We have a record number of weddings on the books for 2022, and one question we keep getting from our couples is: What Colorado venues allow me to bring my own alcohol? With mobile bars and micro weddings still trending for the coming year, more and more couples are exploring wedding venues that allow them to bring in their own alcohol, with or without the requirement of a licensed bartender to serve it. In all cases – based on years of experience and hundreds of weddings – we strongly recommend that you have a TIPS-certified bartender serve your guests. TIPS-certified bartenders are trained to prevent underage drinking; limit that guest who has already had plenty; prevent attendees from driving impaired; and properly report any incidents that do arise for insurance and law enforcement purposes – which benefits you and your venue. Our own My Big Day team is TIPS-certified and provides bartending by the hour through On the Rocks, northern Colorado’s own luxury mobile bar and tap service. Contact us now, and let My Big Day and On the Rocks keep the drinks and the big day flowing smoothly. Still researching wedding venues? Here’s our list of Colorado wedding venues where you can bring your own alcohol. LOVELAND The Garden Room | Loveland, CO 697 North Denver Avenue Loveland, CO 80537 Contact: events@gardenroomloveland.com, (970) 556-5766 Alcohol: Bring-your-own  The McCreery House | Loveland, CO 746 North Washington Avenue Loveland, CO 80537 Contact: (970) 310-7383, Contact Form Alcohol: bring-your-own FORT COLLINS AREA The Hillside Vineyard | Fort Collins, CO 3924 Bingham Hill Road Fort Collins, CO 80521 Contact: (970) 520-2617, hello@thehillsidevineyard.com Alcohol: bring-your-own Aspen Grove at Sundance Trail | Red Feather Lakes, CO 17931 West County Road 74e Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545 Contact: (970) 556-5053, Contact Form Alcohol: In-house or bring-your-own *For BYO, a Liquor Liability Insurance Policy and certified bartender are required. ESTES PARK  Fall River Village | Estes Park, CO 200 Filbey Court Estes Park, CO 80517 Contact: (970) 325-6864, contact@fallrivervillage.com Alcohol: bring-your-own The Landing at Estes Park | Estes Park, CO 1774 CO-66 Estes Park, CO 80517 Contact: (970) 820-0118, info@thelandingestespark.com Alcohol: bring-your-own LONGMONT AREA  The St Vrain | Longmont, CO 635 3rd Avenue Longmont, CO 80501 Contact: (720) 534-2635 or Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Bartenders, barware, and mixers are supplied through the preferred catering partner. Boulder Flower Farm | Longmont, CO 4114 Oxford Road Longmont, CO 80503 Contact: Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own The Lyons Farmette | Lyons, CO 4121 Ute Hwy Lyons, CO 80540 Contact: Tracey@LyonsFarmette.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own Stone Mountain Lodge and Cabins | Lyons, CO 18055 North St Vrain Drive Lyons, Colorado 80540 Contact: (303) 823-6091, info@stonemountainlodge.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own BOULDER  The Studio (Boulder) | Boulder, CO 3550 Frontier Avenue, Suite A2 Boulder, CO 80301 Contact: (720) 378-8015, info@thestudioboulder.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own (preferred vendor list available) Rembrandt Yard Art Gallery & Event Center | Boulder, CO 1301 Spruce Street Boulder, Colorado 80302 Contact: (303) 301-2972, events@rembrandtyard.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own Koenig Alumni Center at CU Boulder | Boulder, CO 1202 University Avenue Boulder, Colorado 80309 Contact: (303) 492-2279, Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own *A licensed server is required DENVER AREA  Walker Fine Art | Denver, CO 300 West 11th Avenue #A Denver, Colorado 80204 Contact: (303) 355-8955, sames@walkerfineart.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Must be served by licensed/certified bartenders; no corkage fee; recommended vendor list available Space Gallery | Denver, CO 400 Sante Fe Drive Denver, Colorado 80204 Contact: (303) 993-3321, events@spaceannex.org Alcohol: Bring-your-own University of Denver Conference and Event Services | Denver, CO 1745 S. Hight Street Denver, Colorado 80210 Contact: (303) 871-4333, events@du.edu Alcohol: Bring-your-own Balistreri Vineyards | Denver, CO 1946 East 66th Avenue Denver, Colorado 80229 Contact: (303) 287-5156, info@balistreriwine.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own  Event Room at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center | Wheat Ridge, CO 4005 Kipling Street Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 Contact: (303) 231-1315, kwaters@ci.wheatridge.co.us Alcohol: Bring-your-own Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park | Lakewood, CO 801 South Yarrow Street Lakewood, CO 80226 Contact: (303) 987-7806, Weddings@Lakewood.org Alcohol: Bring-your-own Pines at Genesee | Golden, CO 633 Park Point Drive Golden, Colorado 80401 Contact: (303) 526-7939 x221, Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own Calvary Church | Golden, CO 1320 Arapahoe Street Golden, CO 80401 Contact: (303) 279-2188, office@calvarygolden.net Alcohol: Bring-your-own  Boettcher Mansion | Golden, CO 900 Colorow Road Golden, Colorado 80401 Contact: (720) 497-7630, boettchermansion@jeffco.us Alcohol: Bring-your-own *A certified bartender is required; no cash or tips allowed. Evergreen Lake House | Evergreen, CO 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road Evergreen, CO 80439 Contact: (720) 880-1016, kemrich@eprd.co Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Must be served by a Colorado Approved Responsible vendor The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park | Evergreen, CO 26624 North Turkey Creek Road Evergreen, Colorado 80439 Contact: (720) 340-8574, TheBarn@evergreenmemorialpark.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own *All alcoholic beverages must be served by a licensed and insured bartender CENTRAL COLORADO (NON-DENVER AREA) Main Street Station | Breckenridge, CO 505 South Main Street Breckenridge, CO 80424 Contact: (888) 387-0151, Contact Form Alcohol: In-house or bring-your-own  Lodge by the Blue | Breckenridge, CO 4192 Highway 9 Breckenridge, CO 80424 Contact: (970) 453-2144, manager@lodgebytheblue.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own The Cabin at 9000 Feet | Wolcott, CO Specific address withheld Wolcott, CO 81655 Contact: Thecabin9000@gmail.com, (717) 575-6704 Alcohol: Bring-your-own Guyton Ranch | Jefferson, CO 35293 US Highway 285 Jefferson, CO 80456 Contact: (507) 202-6565, Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own  Bearcat Stables | Edwards, CO 2701 Squaw Creek Road Edwards, CO 81632 Contact: (970) 376-4647, Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own Aspen Historical Society | Aspen, CO 620 West Bleeker Street Aspen, CO 81611 Contact: (970) 925-3721 x107, travis@aspenhistory.org Alcohol: Bring-your-own WESTERN COLORADO Black Canyon Stables | Ridgway, CO 362 Golden Eagle Trail Ridgway, CO 81432 Contact: (520) 360-0218, pdunn@blackcanyonstables.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own  Sopris House | Crested Butte, CO 200 Sopris Avenue Crested Butte, CO 81224 Contact: (800) 903-7761, reservations@elevenexperience.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own Sage View Ranch | Paonia, CO 40881 Highway 133 Paonia, CO 81428 Contact: (303) 522-2210, Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own Lock Stock & Barrel | Olathe, CO 5328 CO-348 Olathe, CO 81425 Contact: Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Only beer and wine allowed; no hard liquor  Flying Diamond Ranch Weddings and Events | Oak Creek, CO 30110 Highway 131 Oak Creek, Colorado 80487 Contact: (970) 846-9229, Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own Once Upon a Time Events | Kiowa, CO 31242 Wedemeyer Road Kiowa, CO 80117 Contact: (720) 838-7608, onceuponatimeeventsllc@gmail.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own *An event insurance policy must be purchased SOUTHERN COLORADO  ProRodeo Hall of Fame | Colorado Springs, CO 101 Pro Rodeo Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 Contact: (719) 528-4732, stadken@prorodeo.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Alcohol must be served by a hired bartender (not a guest); cash bars are not permitted unless a special events liquor license is purchased by the City of Colorado Springs. La Foret Conference and Retreat Center | Colorado Springs, CO 6145 Shoup Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Contact: (719) 495-2743, mail@laforet.org Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Wine, beer, and champagne only; no cash allowed Lodge at Cathedral Pines | Colorado Springs, CO 13977 Milam Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Contact: (719) 886-4044, thecplodge@gmail.com Alcohol: In-house or bring-your-own *BYO alcohol must be served by TIPS-certified bartenders. The Loft Music Venue | Colorado Springs, CO 2506 West Colorado Avenue Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904 Contact: (719) 445-9278, info@loftmusicvenue.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own  Black Forest Meadows | Colorado Springs, CO 17104 Goshawk Rd Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Contact: (303) 590-8939, info@blackforestmeadows.com Alcohol: Bring-your-own The Barn at Howard Creek Farm | Howard, CO 356 County Road 4 Howard, CO 81233 Contact: aly@howardcreekfarm.com, (720) 937-1475 Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Alcohol must be served by a TIPS-certified bartender Cedar Ridge Ranch | Carbondale, CO 3059 Co Road 103 Carbondale, CO 81623 Contact: Info@CedarRidgeRanch.com, (970) 963-3507 Alcohol: Bring-your-own  Hatchet Ranch | Pueblo, CO 7600 Hatchet Ranch Road Pueblo, Colorado 81004 Contact: (719) 501-3396 or Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own *A licensed bartender is preferred I Bar Ranch | Gunnison, CO 850 County Road 49 Gunnison, CO 81230 Contact: (970) 209-9796, Contact Form Alcohol: In-house or bring-your-own  LePlatt’s Pond | Bayfield, CO 311 County Road 501 Bayfield, CO 81122 Contact: (970) 759-0748 or Contact Form Alcohol: Bring-your-own *Event liability insurance is required for all events. The Black Diamond Lodge | Durango, CO 48475 US Highway 550 Durango, CO 81301 Contact: (281) 751-3147, hello@theblackdiamondlodge.com Alcohol: In-house or bring-your-own Let the My Big Day team plan your big day and our TIPS-certified bartenders service your wedding at one of these Colorado venues! We are booking now for 2022 and 2023, so contact us to reserve your date. For more Colorado wedding planning tips and ideas, follow My Big Day on Facebook and Instagram. Check out our Pinterest boards for wedding planning advice, wedding decor ideas, wedding themes, and more!  Contact MBD Marketing & Events
Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken By Carrie Stadtmueller, Content Conductor Ok, now that you have said “Yes” - what’s the next step? Of course, everyone really wants to fast forward to all of the fun stuff – cake tastings, Pinterest surfing for reception decor, finding the perfect dress - but the best and smartest next step should be setting and sticking to your wedding budget. We know. This next step can be a real B. Whether you’re working with $100 or $100,000 (wow, wouldn’t that be a dream??), the general guidelines are the same. First Things First – Think about what kind of wedding you want This might be the easiest part of the whole process. Perhaps you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day since you were a little girl. But, if not - it’s time to get to work. Now is the time to have those conversations with your partner and see if you are both on the same page when it comes to the kind of wedding that you both want. There are so many different kinds of weddings out there - do you both want the same kind of wedding? Perhaps your dream wedding is traditional, but theirs is a destination elopement. Or would you prefer low key and relaxed instead of their formal and high class? This is where you need to start. Planning a wedding can put a lot of stress on a relationship. Make sure you are both on the same page before moving forward. This may mean making some compromises.  Figure Out Who Will Be Contributing Once you have decided what kind of wedding you will be planning, now decide how you plan to pay for it. Will you and your partner be covering most of the cost? Or will your families be helping? Whatever the case, finding out who might be contributing to your wedding is a good first step when you’re calculating your overall budget. It’s most helpful if you can get a handle on a nice “round” number or perhaps what aspect of the event the party will be covering. For example - will the groom’s family be paying for the rehearsal dinner as is tradition? Or perhaps you have a devoted Aunt who really wants to help cover the retainer for the photographer as part of her wedding gift. These conversations can be awkward, but they will be helpful in the long run as you make large financial decisions. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch the Numbers - Including Your Number of Guests Now is where the the math comes in and where you need to get serious about figuring out how much you have to actually spend. Figure out how much you can realistically and comfortably spend. This is also the time where you will want to start making your guest list. The number of guests you intend to invite will ultimately have an effect on your budget’s bottom line. Looking at your wedding as a “per-person” expenditure will help with this process. Take this number and begin negotiations By now, you and your partner will be pros at compromising and negotiating - especially if you had differing opinions on what your “dream wedding” looked like. Use those skills to negotiate what items to prioritize when it comes to staying within your budget. Make it an exercise - each of you can pick two things that are at the top of your wedding priority list. Budget for those items. Everything else is extra until the budget is maxxed out.  Savvy Brides Do Their Research There are a lot of hidden costs when it comes to weddings. Savvy brides do their research and find ways to save money. Even smarter brides realize that hiring a wedding planner can ultimately help you save money in the long run. (see this link on why you should hire a wedding planner). Wedding planners provide so much business to vendors, they are often able to negotiate discounts for their clients. They are also well versed at helping couples set budgets and are masters at sticking to them. At the end of the day….. One thing to remember - at the end of the day, the most important thing is that you will be married to the love of your life. It won’t matter if you have steak and shrimp or the most expensive dress. What matters is that you will be together. Don’t start out your new life together drawing in debt. You can still plan a beautiful and memorable wedding on a much smaller and affordable scale. There are ways to plan a champagne wedding on a beer budget - you just have to get creative. You focus on the feeling of the event, instead of the price tag. Here are some practical tips as you start planning:
Again, remember - its who you’re marrying and the memories you make together that are important, not the wedding and the money you spend.  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken  It’s been over a year now…… It’s been well over a year of pivoting schedules, canceling plans, and re-imagining how we work and play in this new world of Covid-19. Last year, at this time, the decision of whether or not to hold a holiday party was simple -- no one did. In fact - in many parts of the country, we were under strict lockdown orders, and couldn’t have gathered together if we wanted to. The landscape might look a bit different this year, but overall, the looming question remains the same. Is it safe to host a holiday party this winter, 2021? We might be more open, but with covid variants top of mind for many business owners and corporations, many are asking the question - should we hold a holiday party for our employees and teams? 
Safety tips for Celebrating If you do choose to host a holiday celebration with your work crew, we suggest the following Covid Safe planning tips: 1. Remember that Sanitation is TOP priority. Many venues are required to follow strict safety guidelines. Make sure you are communicating these guidelines and rules to your guests. Plan on providing extra masks, extra sanitizer, and extra space for your guests as well.  2. Skip the buffet and other congestive serving mechanisms. People don’t really want to grab an appetizer off of a tray in a room of thousands of people - nor should they! Stay away from champagne towers, punch bowls, and buffet lines. Replace these with chef serving stations, hip vending machines, and pre-packaged or individually-boxed food experiences. Food trucks are very popular -- why not hire a few of these to cater your team’s holiday celebration? 3. Think outside the box -- THINK OUTSIDE Don’t plan your typical office holiday party. How about a Scavenger Hunt that takes your staff on a trip around town? Plan a round of “golf” at one of the Top Golf locations in Northern Colorado. Feeling altruistic? Set up a day of volunteering and give back to the community with your crew. Perhaps even give your entire staff an extra day off to spend any way they please. When it comes to celebrating the holidays - there are no said rules -- you can make it up as you go, and thanks to Covid, you have an excuse to “shake things up” a bit!  Whatever you do - RESEARCH & COMMUNICATE Whatever route you decide to do, it is important that you do two things -- Research and Communicate It will be up to you to know and follow all of the local, state, and federal rules and precautions. Some of these may impact events. Make sure you are following best practices. It would be bad form to host a party that turns out to be a super spreader - that would not be something to celebrate. Communicating your company’s Covid-19’s response and preparedness is vital, too. Not only with the vendors and venue you choose to use for your celebration, but with your employees, too. Let them know what your expectations are for the event, and the steps your organization will be taking to keep them safe. For more information on Larimer County Covid-19 Health protocols and guidance: https://www.larimer.org/health/communicable-disease/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-community-updates-public-health-orders  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken MBD Marketing & Events is honored to work with a growing number of nonprofit clients. Our marketing team recently began a second year of work for the state-sponsored No DUI Larimer initiative, a branch of our local nonprofit client Partners.  No DUI Larimer aims to keep impaired drivers off northern Colorado roads. Fatal alcohol and drug-caused crashes increased 22% between 2020 and 2021, making this mission more important than ever. In Larimer County, alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs are of great concern when it comes to impaired driving. Colorado past month marijuana use for ages 12 and older is ranked 3rd in the nation and is 85 percent higher than the national average. Larimer County is home to Fort Collins’ Colorado State University, a university with a large student population – one of the reasons rates of alcohol abuse and DUI are higher than in neighboring counties.  No DUI Larimer’s call to action, “Make the Call,” is multifaceted. The program encourages the public to Make the Call for a sober ride home, to Make the Call about whether they should get behind the wheel, and to Make the Call to 911 to report suspected impaired drivers. No DUI Larimer engages the community through print, online, and television advertisements, as well as through social media with Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest accounts. No DUI Larimer collaborates with government agencies, local law enforcement, emergency medical services (such as Thompson Valley EMS), and the Colorado Department of Transportation to deliver effective messaging and community education. Driving Under the Infuence (DUI) charges in Colorado may come with fines, jail time, community service, education requirements, and license suspension or revocation. Of course, the greatest consequence of impaired driving is loss of life. No DUI Larimer needs your help to stop impaired driving before it happens, and when it’s happening. Visit No DUI Larimer online to learn more about the program, and share what you learn with your family and friends. When everyone does their part, we can overcome impaired driving in Larimer County.  The event industry is closer to “normal” than this time last year, and venues are responding to the pandemic in different ways. We know many of you have safety concerns but still want to give your child the birthday party they’ve been asking for, especially if they missed out last year. Of course, every family is different – we encourage you to make the best decision for your family’s safety. One of our clients is The Family Center/La Familia. They serve families and children in Northern Colorado. Our team has compiled a list of indoor Colorado kids’ birthday party venues still operating this winter (2021). Visit the links below for more information about each venue’s protocols and restrictions. Happy planning!  Photo via Wooden Mountain on Facebook Loveland Wooden Mountain Bouldering Gym: https://www.woodenmountain.com Jumpin’: https://jumpinfun.com Premier Gymnastics: https://www.premiergymnastics.net/parties/birthday-parties/ Loveland Laser Tag: https://www.laserfuncenter.com/birthday-parties/ Build-a-Bear: https://www.buildabear.com/birthday?sc_cid=pslk:google:Birthday:20210825:US:co:acq:0:bb:birthday:birthday:energy:sl:null&gclid=CjwKCAjw_L6LBhBbEiwA4c46ujanNNrUenCZP4IKRhfZaJozFvPkaz6iz24TLkPVp0hDxFoOzIYYeRoCjP4QAvD_BwE Chilson Center: https://www.lovgov.org/services/parks-recreation/chilson-recreation-center/-fsiteid-1 Fiona’s Fairy Garden: http://www.fionasfairygarden.com/parties Artisan You: https://www.artisanyou.com B Sweet Cupcakes: http://www.bsweetcupcakes.com/index.html  Larimer County Garbage Garage Fort Collins Larimer County Garbage Garage: https://www.larimer.org/garbagegarage Urban Air Trampoline Park: https://www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com Fly High Fort Collins: https://foco.flyhightrampolinepark.com The Farm at Lee Martinez Park: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/the-farm-lee-martinez-park Chipper’s Lanes (two locations): https://www.chipperslanes.com Foothills Activity Center: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/foothills-activity-center Fort Fun: https://www.fortfun.biz Rollerland: https://rollerlandskatecenter.com The Gardens on Spring Creek: https://www.fcgov.com/gardens/youth-birthday-parties Fort Collins Museum of Discovery: https://fcmod.org Mountain Kids: https://www.mountain-kids.com Mulberry Pool: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/mulberry-pool City of Fort Collins Pottery Studio: https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/pottery-studio Poudre Fire Authority: https://www.poudre-fire.org/online-services/request-a-station-tour-firefighter-visit Piano & Guitar Institute: https://pianoandguitarinstitute.com  Greeley FunPlex via Greeley Tribune Greeley Greeley Recreation Center facilities: https://greeleyrec.com/about/parties-and-rentals/ Windsor The Summit: https://playatthesummit.com/windsor/ Windsor Gymnastics Academy: https://windsorgymnasticsacademy.com Piano & Guitar Institute: https://pianoandguitarinstitute.com AmericInn Hotel pool party: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/americinn/windsor-colorado/americinn-lodge-and-suites-windsor-ft-collins/overview Windsor Community Recreation Center: https://www.recreationliveshere.com/167/Community-Recreation-Center  WOW Children's Museum Lafayette WOW! Children’s Museum: https://wowchildrensmuseum.org Westminster The Butterfly Pavilion: https://butterflies.org/event/birthday-parties/ Broomfield Warrior Challenge Arena: https://www.warriorchallengearena.com/kids-parties Denver Challenge Island: https://challenge-island.com/denver/programs/birthday-parties/  Contact MBD Marketing & Events Small Business. Big Impact. Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 Email Us We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken Colorado is Back to School in person! After the 2020-2021 school year there have been a lot of questions about what the new “normal” will be this upcoming year for students. Many of your MBD team members are parents - and we all work with clients who serve and support children and students. Safety and health are very important to us. Below are a few things that the CDC has recommended to ensure the student and staff safety this 2021 school year.  Masks for ages 2+ if not vaccinated. KKTV 11 News wrote that the CDC guidelines say that “Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.” If vaccinated, schools are asking for proof and then a mask is not required.  Staff, Teachers and Students should stay home if they have any infectious disease. This rule refers to any infectious disease, not just COVID. Colds and flus are on the list for being a required reason to stay at home and they recommend going to see a physician as well. Teachers and staff will continue to have disinfect. Staff and teachers will be supplied with disinfecting spray, to clean high-touch areas regularly.  The circulation of outdoor air inside will continue to be increased. “Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.”[1] [1] https://www.kktv.com/2021/07/21/colorado-health-officials-release-back-to-school-guidance-covid-19/ Schools will continue to “Encouraging frequent hand washing and providing access to hand sanitation stations.”[1] [1] https://www.dcsdk12.org/about/leadership/superintendent/looking_forward_back_to_school_2021-2022  Physical Distancing 3 feet or more. “CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking.”1 We must all work together to keep our schools safe! If we can all follow these guidelines we can prevent the spread of most illnesses throughout our schools and homes. Back to school is here and everyone is excited to return to the classrooms! Check out our Pinterest board for Back to School ideas and tips! https://www.pinterest.com/MyBigDayEvents/education-k-12/back-to-school-ideas/ https://www.denverpost.com/2021/07/20/colorado-school-guidance-covid-masks-vaccines-2021-school-year/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html  |
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Small Business. Big Impact. Always Dreaming Bigger! We pride ourselves on giving you something to look forward to. We are a connected collective of creatives - owned an opperated by outstanding women. Want More?Never miss an event or opportunity. Sign up for our newsletter!
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My Big Day Company LLC 2006-2022 www.MyBigDayCompany.com
970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068 EMAIL US
We serve the entire Front Range; Denver, Southern Wyoming, the CO Mountains, and Northern Colorado: Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, Estes Park, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder, Wellington, Johnstown, Evans, Severance, Timnath, Mead, Frederick, Firestone, Milliken
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