What's Your Newlywed Style?
Whether you're newly married or passionately engaged, you've each got your own unique style. But while you'll certainly still be individuals after the wedding, you'll soon be forever known as a couple – so now is the perfect time to figure out just what your couple style is (or what you'd like it to be). Pick the style below that most closely matches your couple style, and we'll give you the lowdown on how to entertain in your style PLUS the best goods to register for to make your parties and events easy, memorable, and fun.
You're A Casual Couple!There is no pretense to your parties, as you prefer BBQ bashes in the backyard and bonfires on the beach. Your dress code focuses on flip-flops, shorts, sundresses, and hats to keep the sun at bay, and your friends dig your low-key vibe (and the grub they can actually pronounce). Test our tips for making the most of your laid-back shindigs.
· Stock up on fun outdoor plates, glasses and serveware in break-resistant melamine. Just because your party is casual doesn't mean you can get away with paper plates and cups every time.
· Consider lighting options like Tiki torches, lanterns, and candles if you're having a nighttime bash.
· Have plenty of outdoor seating available. If you can't round up a decent number of chairs, throw down some blankets, pillows, and cushions, and call it a picnic theme.
· Don't let bad weather deter your party-throwing ways: Host an indoor poker party or a game night – each guest can bring his/her favorite board game.
· Keep the libations flowing openly but responsibly. Make the party more fun and keep guests from getting too wild by having two signature drinks – one alcoholic and one virgin.Best Party Stuff To Register For
- BBQ tool sets
- Outdoor dinnerware and party platters (in break-resistant materials like melamine and plastic)
- Grills (both indoor and outdoor)
- BBQ accessories like umbrellas, aprons and cookbooks
- Patio furniture and seating (remember beach chairs and recliners, too)
- Coolers, ice buckets, and beverage tubs
- Blender
- Ice cream maker
- Cabanas and covered seating
- Throw pillows and cushions
- Outdoor rugs and welcome mats
- Vinyl placemats and tablecloths
- Napkins
- Lanterns and outdoor lighting
- Beach towels
- Kabob skewers
- Lemonade/margarita pitchers and glasses
- Deep fryer
- Oven mitts and potholders
- Fans
- Picnic baskets/backpacksYou’re a Hip Couple!
Always ahead of the trends, your friends admire your fashion and party savvy. Traditional, stuffy, and predictable are three things you avoid like the Avian Flu and your uncanny ability to keep your pals on their toes is what makes you a hip host – and king and queen of the cocktail party.
· Choose a theme to give your party focus. A wine and cheese party, a martini hour, or an all-margarita bash is all fun and easy themes.
· Make sure you’ve got plenty of mixers on hand: juices, tonics, sodas, etc.
· Move furniture around and huddle groups of chairs next to each other, just like in a bar or lounge.
· Provide enough food to keep guests from getting too tipsy. Think finger foods and hors d’ oeuvres that are easy to eat in one or two bites and aren’t messy.
· Help guests keep track of their glasses by using fun drink charms.
· Make having plenty of ice a priority – there’s nothing worse at a cocktail party than a warm drink.
· Have different glass styles on hand (martini, wine, etc.) – paper and plastic cups are for college students.
· Play cool music – some Sinatra and jazzy tunes are ideal for a chic cocktail party.
· Give guests a parting treat, like small canisters of cocktail sugars tied with silver ribbon.Best Party Stuff To Register For
- Trendy barware and cocktail-shaker sets
- Funky martini and cocktail glasses
- Champagne flutes
- Tumblers
- Serving trays and platters
- Coasters
- Carafes
- Cutting Boards
- Pitchers
- Wine cellar fridge
- Wine cooler/chiller
- Coolers and ice buckets
- Blender
- Cheese plates
- Cheese cutting board and knife
- Coffeemaker
- Wine preserver
- Wine glasses
- Fondue set
- Table linensYou're a Sporty Couple!
You're a sports-loving, ESPN-addicted couple and love inviting friends over to watch the game on your big-screen. Your party dress code is comprised of jeans and your favorite team's tee, sweatshirt, and hat, and you love bashing the competition as much as you love rooting for your own team – and your sports-themed shindigs reflect all of the above.
· Deck out your pad in your team's paraphernalia – streamers, posters, banners, the works. Astroturf is super inexpensive and can picked up at your local hardware store for fun "tablecloths" and coasters.
· Keep guests involved by playing a little game of your own. Place “bets” on the first player to fumble, what the score will be at the end of each quarter, etc., and give the winner a small prize at the end of each quarter.
· Have food and drinks within reach so no one has to miss an important play to nab some grub or grab a cold one.
· If you're not watching a game, but playing one outdoors (volleyball, basketball, etc.), have baskets of sunscreen and bug spray on hand.
· Stock up on beer mugs, and if you're going to be outdoors, use break-resistant melamine and plastic plates, cups, and accessories.Best Party Stuff To Register For
- Beer mugs
- Glasses
- Stainless Flatware
- Large serving bowls (for chips)
- Small serving bowls (for dips)
- Party platters and silverware
- Crock pot (for queso, chili, etc.)
- Indoor and outdoor grills
- Coolers, ice buckets and beverage tubs
- Mixer
- Whisks
- Welcome mats
- Oven mitts and potholders
- Deep Fryer
- BBQ tool sets
- Popcorn makerYou're an Elegant Couple!
You're all about posh, formal affairs that give Martha a run for her money. As a culinary whiz, you love throwing festive fetes for your foodie friends and get your kicks from mastering the latest recipes and sipping the best wines. But you know that half of the fun is in the presentation, which is why you deck out your dining room with the most elegant China, glassware, and accessories.
· Choose a theme for your party and note it from the get-go on your invitations and carry it out through the event with your food and décor choices -- 'A Taste of Tuscany' for example.
· Low lighting is the epitome of elegance, so make use of candles and beautiful candleholders.
· Centerpieces and flowers are a nice touch – just remember to keep them low in height and in fragrance so they don’t overpower.
· Limit the cocktail hour to no more than an hour and have a few passed hors d' oeuvres so that guests don't get too tipsy or too hungry.
· Hire serving help and/or a housekeeper to clean up afterwards if you can swing it.
· Cut the cooking required of a dinner party by ordering in appetizers and dessert.
· Choose a nice red and nice white wine so that your guests may choose which they prefer to pair with their meal (note: one bottle fills about four glasses; count on each guest having two or three glasses).Best Party Stuff To Register For
- Formal China
- Goblets
- Sterling silverware
- Flatware chest
- Wine cellar fridge
- Coffeemaker
- Coffee and tea set
- Teapot
- Wine preserver
- Candlesticks
- Fondue set
- Cookware set
- Crystal stemware and barware
- Table Linens
- Salt and pepper shakers/grinders
- Spice rack
- Candleholders
- Panini maker
- Carafe
- Tumblers
- Pitchers
- Wine cooler
- Napkin rings
- Utensil holder
- Cake platters
- Food processor
- Microwave
- Crock pot
- Cookbook stand
