My Big Day Events Blog: Weddings, Events, Deals, Ideas, Planning, Colorado in the Know!

Celebrating Missed Milestones in Covid

8/27/2020

While the physical toll of this pandemic has been highly publicized and studied, we are just beginning to understand the social and emotional effects of this pandemic. Isolation and social distancing, while proven to help limit the spread of the virus, can also have long-term effects on individuals and society alike. One of the most visible social effects of this pandemic is the cancellation of many important milestone celebrations. This has been an issue that is at the forefront of our industry, but it has been felt far beyond. Milestones and events like weddings, graduations, anniversaries, birthdays, and funerals have all been impacted.

Why celebrating and acknowledging milestones is important:
Celebrating milestones is how we as a society commemorate the progression of life. These celebrations serve as a connection - with family and friends and beyond. Missing these events can prove to be more than disappointing - they can affect emotional and social development milestones as well, especially in children and youth.
While one benefit of social distancing is more dedicated time with family, we miss out on the connections with others that contribute to our development and emotional well-being. Important milestones are visual and experiential representations of growth. Without them, we miss opportunities for growth.

Practical solutions:
Cancelling important events and milestones can be hard to process - not just for children and youth, but for everyone involved. Milestones are typically “once-in-a-lifetime” events. Processing the disappointment of losing these moments is extremely difficult.
Some strategies that might help ease the pain of these missed milestones are:

Focusing on the positive - Acknowledge achievements, even when larger celebrations must be postponed
Embrace virtual celebrations - Utilizing virtual resources to help loved ones celebrate with you can help reduce feelings of isolation, and they can help enhance a feeling community.

Explore alternative options - Many communities, schools, and organizations are hosting or planning different ways to celebrate. Virtual concerts, highlighting individual talents, or geographically distant check ins, can still provide means for community celebrations.
Acknowledge disappointments and feelings - Covid has proven that many things are out of our control. Dealing with the aftermath of cancellations and missed milestones is rough. It is natural to grieve these losses.
Plan for the future - Although we may not know when we will “get back to normal”, we don’t have to put off planning for the future. There is no rule that we can’t celebrate some of these events - graduations, weddings, funerals - in the future, when it is safer to gather.

Ideas and recommendations for celebrating during Covid:

As experts in the event planning industry, we have been tasked with coming up with creative solutions for celebrating milestones during these unprecedented times. We have developed and discovered ways in which our clients can safely celebrate life’s most important events. Here are just a few examples of alternative celebration opportunities:

Birthdays
We’ve already highlighted a variety of ways in which you can help someone feel special on their covid birthday. Our blog “10 COVID-Safe Ways to Make Your Child’s Birthday Special” is full of great ideas that can be adapted to celebrate someone at any age!

Graduations
Graduations bring a feeling of pride for both graduates and their families. Cancelled graduation ceremonies are difficult to replace, but there are some alternative options that will still allow you to celebrate these great accomplishments!

Go live with your own graduation at home. Get dressed up. Rent a cap and gown. Take pictures and post on social media or show live on zoom.
Create a video full of photos and snippets from high school or college.

Weddings
If Covid has forced you to postpone your dream wedding and reception, why not consider the following as an alternative?

Elope and celebrate later! Find the perfect spot, and hire an officiant (or see if your state allows you to marry yourselves) and a professional photographer. Personalize your vows and private ceremony, and capture it in lovely photos to share later. Plan a larger, special celebration later down the road when social distancing is a thing of the past.
Plan a virtual ceremony. Similar to our elopement advice, you can plan a smaller ceremony with close family and friends. Invite others to join in live on social media. And again, plan a larger celebration with everyone in the future.
Make your postponed wedding a vow renewal ceremony. If you had your heart set on a large wedding but don’t want to wait to start your life together, why not plan a small intimate ceremony now, and then plan to celebrate with family, friends, food, and dancing at a vow renewal ceremony down the road?

Anniversaries
While anniversaries tend to be celebrated by just the couple alone, COVID restrictions can still make planning a fitting celebration difficult. There are a ton of special date night options that can be planned to mark this milestone, but here are a few ideas that go beyond ordering in dinner and a movie:

Invite family and friends to participate in your anniversary celebration by emailing or snail-mailing you bits of marriage advice, memories, or family traditions that you can adopt in the future.
Go beyond Netflix and Chill by seeking out a livestream concert. Musicians all over the world have been hosting virtual concerts. Find one that interests you both and make a night of it!
Get ready to Re-Create! Why not try to recreate your first date? If you went out for dinner - try to make that meal together at home. If you first met with friends, try and gather them together on a zoom celebration where you can reminisce about that first meeting all together. How about recreating your first wedding dance in your living room?

Funerals
Funerals might just be the most difficult event to miss. Families and friends often need the closure and social support that a funeral provides. Social distancing guidelines and the nature of a funeral make it even more difficult to plan. While postponing may be a viable option, some families might not want to delay or prolong this part of the grieving process.

Consider live streaming. Immediate family members could gather together and live stream the service for distant family members, friends, and colleagues at home.
Create social media pages or groups in honor of your loved one where friends and families can leave messages, post photos, and share memories.
Plan meal trains and card remembrances. While this doesn’t take the place of actually being there for the mourning family, planned meal trains and card showers will still let them know you care and are thinking about them during this difficult time.

Social Entertainment
Just because you can’t frequent your favorite bar or restaurant together, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some fun together while keeping safely apart!

Virtual Movie Night - Set up a video chat and talk with each other while watching the same movie or tv show. Netflix Party is a great way to watch as a group. It synchronizes video playback and offers a group chat while you watch together.
Online party games - Jackbox Games can be purchased and downloaded on a wide variety of digital platforms. Set up a zoom game night and have a blast playing games with friends.
Pick a penpal. Use this time of social distancing to bring back the art of letter writing. Send cards and letters to friends and family near and far.

When it comes to celebrating missed milestones, creativity provides limitless possibility. While we know that nothing will ever bring back the actual missed opportunities of these special moments, planning to intentionally acknowledge them is a good practice to adopt. Everyone deserves to celebrate these special times. If you would like help in planning a virtual milestone celebration, please reach out to our talented team of event planners and memory makers. We can help you plan an event that you and your family and friends will remember forever.

Contact My Big Day

Marketing & Events

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

8 Things to do Immediately After You Get Engaged

7/15/2020

Congratulations, you’re engaged! Now what?

Before you dive head-first into wedding planning, here are some of My Big Day’s to-dos immediately after you get engaged.

Share the news – When you’re ready, share your big news with family and friends! Start with personal phone calls to those closest to you and texts or emails for groups of distant friends and family, and save the Facebook post for after you’ve notified those deserving of a more personal message.
Have your ring sized and insured – Make sure your new jewelry fits snugly so it won’t slip off; there are also companies that insure jewelry, usually for a yearly fee, in case of loss, theft, or damage.
Do a photo shoot! – It can be a fun couples’ experience to have some engagement photos taken by a professional photographer. Some uses for these photos: framed on your mantle, a Facebook engagement announcement post, cards sent to friends and family telling them of your engagement, invitations for an engagement party, your wedding website, and wedding save-the-dates.
Throw an engagement party – Make it a low-key dinner at home with your nearest and dearest, or go all-out and host a party at a venue (we can help with this!)

5. Discuss engagement length – Make sure you and your fiancé are on the same page about the length of your engagement and the timing of your wedding. For some people, a few months sounds just right. Others wouldn’t dream of an engagement lasting less than two years. You don’t have to pick a date yet, but make sure you and your future spouse’s priorities and timelines are in harmony.

6. Spend time together, alone – Celebrating your engagement can be great fun, but it can also be an overwhelming time that invites everyone’s opinions and advice – whether you ask for it or not. Take some time as a couple to have some fun dates and relax before throwing yourselves into wedding planning.

7. Brainstorm themes, budget, and guest list – Before you really start planning, have some casual conversations about your future wedding. Will it be an elopement, or a blowout event with 500 guests? Do you want to spend your savings on the wedding of your dreams, or would you rather have a small event and save the money for a honeymoon or down payment?

8. Hire a planner! – If we didn’t already help you plan your ideal engagement party, then this is where we come in. We offer packages tailored to large weddings or small weddings, full-service or day-of only, and everything in-between. Learn more about My Big Day’s wedding packages HERE.

Contact My Big Day

Marketing & Events

Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068

Email Us

As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; 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

Outdoor Entertaining Tips to Save Tons of Time

7/10/2020

Many of our favorite summertime activities have been sidelined due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but there are still multiple ways to safely entertain in the great outdoors. Planning ahead, preparing for time with your personal small social networks, and adjusting plans to fit recommended guidelines will ensure a fun and safe time for all!

Getting outside can be a great cure for the quarantine blues. With that in mind, we have come up with a list of socially safe, outdoor entertaining tips to help you enjoy this summer with your family and close friends. Use this list as a checklist in your planning, to help pull off a seamless gathering for fun. (As always, when planning, please follow all local and state Covid-19 guidelines.)

Carefully craft your guest list
Current guidelines allow for groups of up to 10 with plenty of extra space. Make sure you invite guests who have been following guidelines and are comfortable wearing a mask when not eating or drinking.
Plan to have plenty of extra masks and hand sanitizer on site for extra safety precautions.

Mobb Mountain Distillers have locally crafted hand sanitizer available for pick up on Wednesdays from 3-8PM and Saturdays 2-8PM. They also have cocktails for pick up too!
https://www.mobbmountain.com/

Choose a fun, fuss-free, pre-packaged menu

In order to prevent cross contamination between family members and guests, consider offering pre-packaged or pre-plated food options.
Many of the local restaurants are offering boxed meals for pick up or delivery. Or, if you want to get creative, craft personal charcuterie boxes for each guest.

One of our favorite local gems, The Fox & The Crow, offers scaled Charcuterie platters that can be packaged and purchased to fit your needs.
https://www.thefoxandthecrow.net/platters

Focus on Comfy Outdoor Seating

Thick, comfortable cushions on chairs and benches will encourage your guests to linger around the tables. If you don’t already have outdoor furniture with cushions, make sure that you invest in weathersafe cushions.
Cost Plus World Market has a variety of different seating and cushion styles and options to consider.
https://stores.worldmarket.com/co/fort-collins/4357-corbett-drive.html

Define your outdoor space
If you want to encourage your guests to spread out throughout your backyard, you may want to consider setting up “relaxation stations”. You can define these spaced out spots by utilizing large patio umbrellas and blankets.
You can also add decorative lighting. Use your trees, bushes, and fences as backdrops for creative lighting!

Prepackaged Drinks and Cocktails
Instead of using pitchers or large drink containers, purchase large bins or coolers with cans or bottles of your favorite drinks.
You can also consider ordering premade cocktails from one of our local bars or restaurants. Many have extensive drink menus that you can order a variety of different mixed drinks.
The Coloradoan published an extensive list of local restaurants and bars that offer Drinks to Go:
https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2020/04/03/coronavirus-fort-collins-bars-restaurants-alcohol-to-go-covid-19/5090791002/

Borrow from your garden for your decor
Use your garden flowers for easy and cheap party decor. Fresh cut flowers in mason jars or vases are a simple and beautiful centerpiece.
You can even use small cutlets to decorate your place settings and napkins.
Why not string together some greenery and flowers for a garland?

Keep the bugs at bay
Finally, make sure that you plan to keep the bugs at bay in your backyard. You can consider purchasing a variety of citronella candles or torches. These will also help to define your entertainment area.
If you would really like to ensure no bites for your guests, you might want to consider having your yard professionally sprayed ahead of time. You can also pick up a backyard fogger at one our local hardware/home goods stores.

We hope that this list helps to inspire your planning. And if there is a certain theme you’re looking for, our Pinterest board has a ton of fun and creative ideas for you to consider!

https://www.pinterest.com/MyBigDayEvents/summer-theme-parties/

Contact My Big Day

"Dream Big, Live Big. For Life's Events!"
Original Ideas, superior strategies, your own private party planner.

~Event Planning, Coordination & Management~

My Big Day llc

Phone: 970-613-1455 or 303-886-3068
Email Us

Located in Loveland, CO

As event planners, we serve the entire Front Range; 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

COVID-19 Wedded Bliss in Colorado

4/23/2020

The My Big Day wedding business has been hit hard due to COVID-19. With all of the cancellations and changes, we wanted to highlight a couple who is a shining example of how to make lemonade out of the lemons they were handed.

Zach and Samantha not only had their wedding cancel... their venue wouldn't offer a refund, they realistically cannot reschedule until next year, their family couldn't fly to them in Colorado to witness them say their vows to each other... but they had the right perspective.

Love is what matters most.

No exquisite venue
No big bridal party
No fancy dinner
No dancing til the wee hours of the morning
No honeymoon suite
No honeymoon
No elaborate photo shoot
No hair & make-up artist
No photo booth
No gift table
No guest book
No bridal party grand entrance
No chicken dance
No limo ride home

What they did have:

Wedding vows
Wedding rings
A suite & dress
Social distancing
Masks
A few photos
Eternal LOVE

No, their day is not what they had initially pictured, but it was "perfect!"
They got married. They are in love. They have a great story to tell. And they can host a big celebration at a later date.

Today we raise our virtual glasses to Zach & Samantha!
Congratulations on your marriage!

-The My Big Day team

A Fiesta Fundraiser for The Family Center

7/16/2019

My Big Day is proud to plan the upcoming Fiesta Party - a fundraiser for The Family Center/ La Familia in Northern Colorado!

Most people don't realize the severity of our childcare challenges in Colorado. You may be surprised to learn that:

Colorado Is a 'Child Care Desert' meaning that there is an undersupply of care for young children. *source: AmericanProgress.org
2019 statistics show that 51% of all families In Colorado live in a child care desert. Larimer County is one of the counties MOST AFFECTED. *source: ChildCareDeserts.org
Low availability and high costs of child care keep families from the middle class in Northern Colorado *source: Coloradoan article
Colorado is one of the states with the HIGHEST COST of child care. *source: CNBC
The average Child Care Aide annual salary is under $21,000 (under the national average) *source: ZipRecruiter

The Family Center /La Familia is making an incredible impact regarding these challenges: *source: 2018 statistics

Annually, our sliding scale program helps over 22 children distributing nearly $100,000.
Our childhood program serves nearly 70 children per day during the school year and over 50 per day over the summer.
We are expanding – adding a new preschool classroom expected to open in August of 2019.
We are the only non-profit in our region that offers full wrap around services from infant to adult that benefit the whole family.
We have helped 230 families with utility assistance totaling $70,000, families can receive assistance 1 time per year.
Our advocacy closet assists over 150 families each year with diapers and basic hygiene products, families can receive assistance 1 time per month.
Our community garden provides families with fresh vegetables through a weekly farmers market throughout the growing season, we also use this produce in our kitchen to create meals for the children in our early childhood program.
Our family development program has over 40 families that our advocates see on a regular monthly basis and many more for periodic resource and referral or crisis intervention.

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for just $35!

CLICK HERE

Early Bird Tickets are NOW ON SALE for our Annual Fiesta Party!

A lively event filled with margaritas, dancing, auctioned prizes and more dancing! Featuring the high demand band, Manabi Salsa. This event is a way for our families, donors, board and supporters to celebrate the impact we make in our community and the good work we do for our future: our youth.
Each ticket includes: Entrance to the party (your name will be on our guest list), 2 drink tickets, Fiesta appetizers, Live music, and the opportunity to bid on fantastic auction items.

***Sponsorship opportunites are available.***

Join us at The Agave Room above the Rio in Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado.
Saturday, September 14th, 2019 6pm-9pm

LeAnn Rimes Concert in Colorado

3/25/2019

Concert/Event Vendors:

Big Paulie Productions
Romeo Entertainment Group
Island Grove Event Center
Kenny's For Catering
DesignWorks
My Big Day Events
Impulse Photography
Summit Limosine
JAX Security
TLC Limos
Batter Up Cakes
Sacred Thistle
NoCo Party Bus
Mobility & More

This past weekend the My Big Day team was honored to plan a private LeAnn Rimes concert. We worked with amazing vendors and had a great time putting on such a memorable show!

LeAnn Rimes and her family were simply lovely. She has the voice of an angel, is a true professional, and a natural beauty.

We also had the opportunity to work with Elvie Shane, one of the sweetest artists you'll ever meet!

My Big Day loves being entrusted with such heavy responsibility. We are proud of our work, and grateful for the business!

The custom design for the party by DesignWorks was simply OUTSTANDING!

The guests had an incredible time. Below are some photos our team took. Professional photos coming soon!

Holiday Party Season Comes to a Close

1/14/2019

We had a great holiday season and hope you did too!
Thank you to all of our clients who trust us with their company parties large and small!

A Christmas Story Themed Holiday Party

1/15/2018

Ooooohhh Fuuuuddddgggee! We don’t like it when we have to pack up all things magical and twinkly after Christmas and New Year’s is over.

Lucky for us, our clients at Blue Federal Credit Union like to prolong the good cheer and fun by hosting their employee holiday party in early January!

The Christmas spirit was extended into early January with Blue’s holiday party, built around the storyline from the classic holiday tale - A Christmas Story! Guests were transported back to a simpler time with specialized photobooth backdrops, food, and decor reminiscent of Ralphie’s childhood home in the 1950’s.

The Marriott Fort Collins hosted us again and tables were decorated with kitchen colanders in honor of Mother Parker’s holiday culinary feats, Red Ryder BB guns, and of course, the famous “Fragile” Leg Lamps. The only thing missing was a bar serving large glasses of Ovaltine! (Note - there were three open bars for the guests to imbibe from!)

The evening was full of fellowship between all the various bank branches, company recognitions and awards, and of course dancing! Music and emceeing was provided by our favorite entertainer - DJ Kaaos! Activities also included a costume contest, and door prize drawings for all of the table centerpieces.

Blue Federal Credit Union is one of our favorite clients to work with, and we were once again pleased to be part of the planning for their always fun company holiday party! If you’ve liked what you’ve seen and heard here - consider using our team to plan your next corporate function, retreat, or party!

8 Great Gifts for Your Bridal Party

1/11/2018

A guest blog by our friends, MyWedStyle.com

Wedding party members invest a lot of time, money and energy into a bride and groom’s special day. So, why not treat them to a gift they’ll always treasure?

If you need help choosing the perfect gift for each member of your bridal party, we’ve rounded up a few of the most popular (and classic) bridal party gift ideas:

Bridal party robes: Personalized bridal party robes provide something for wedding party members to wear while doing wedding prep, make for an awesome photo-op, and—bonus!—are also useful when lounging at home.
Jewelry: Who doesn’t love glittery baubles? Consider monogrammed bar necklaces or statement earrings for your gals, or an engraved watch for your guys.
Shoes: Invest in a cozy pair of slippers or ultra-comfortable flats for your bridesmaids to sport at your wedding or in their down time. Or, save your wedding party an additional expense by purchasing their formal shoes for your ceremony.
Wristlets: Customized clutches or wristlets in your wedding colors will help your bridal party transport their most important items during and after your wedding day. Formal evening bags make great gifts for mothers of the bride and groom.

5. Tote bags: Treat your bridal party to a personalized tote or beach bag as a wedding souvenir. Bags can always be re-used for errands, at the beach or carrying groceries.

6. Stationary: Custom or monogrammed stationary is a classic bridal party gift (and one that keeps giving every time a person sends a thank you note or letter).

7. Beauty sets: Curate a few of your (and your bridesmaids’) favorite beauty items and gift the collection to help pamper your bridal party members.

8. Gift cards: Gift cards are always welcome gifts, and even more special when they’re personalized with a unique experience to share (i.e., rock climbing, a day at the spa or a trip to the driving range).

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With the right thank you gifts, your bridal party will feel as special as you do on your wedding day! For more bridal party gift idea inspiration, check out MyWedStyle.com.