Swank Soirees - Hip, Classy Shindigs in Denver

OMG!! The Denver Wedding Workbook is now on sale!

2010-03-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

This workbook is so cool! I wish I had this when I got married. The Denver Wedding Workbook really is a "weddings for dummies" book complete with space for you to write in all your wedding details so you can keep organized! Perfect for the DIY bride - now of course, I have said it before and I will say it again...even if you are a DIY bride, you cant be everywhere at the same time on your wedding. In fact, you really shouldn't be! You need to be in one place only...and that is the star in your "opening night" of married bliss with your new hubby! Leave all the work and organizing and running around and check hand outs and people wrangling and DJ strangling to me, your day of coordinator! (I don't normally strangle DJ's - promise!)

Anyhow, you can buy the wedding workbook off of its website at www.denverweddingworkbook.com, on Amazon and I think at Tattered Cover, Borders and Barnes and Noble.

**BONUS ALERT!!**
Buy a wedding workbook and get a certificate for free airfare for two! Wowza!

The workbook has allowed a select few vendors to be included in their book. They had an extensive screening process and background check and accepted 4 vendors in each category to be featured. Swank Soirees was one of the "creme of the crop" according to the Workbook!

So go to the Denver Wedding Workbooks website to check out the book and look through it, read testimonials and all that fun stuff- it will be sooo worth it!

That's all for now! So looking forward to Hawaii for a destination wedding/vacation in a few days!

Aloha, Courtney

Anna Be Bridal Blowout!

2010-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Check it out ladies! These dresses are ultra feminine and a top pick for celebrities! I would encourage you to book a fitting time at Anna Be and at least try on a few of these uuber luxe gowns - They will make you feel so good!

Go to http://www.anna-be.com/ for more info.

Bella Bridesmaid Sample Sale

2010-02-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Sample Sale! Sample Sale!

Hooray!

Ok here's the details ....

Feb. 4, 5 and 6th

10am - 6pm

All sample dresses - $30!!!!!!

Treat all your friends to a dress that they will want to dig out of the closet again- trust me, its no fun to dish out the dough for taffeta madness!

So Check out Bella Bridesmaid at 300 Josephine St, Ste 120 Denver, CO 80206

http://www.bellabridesmaid.com/

Hitched in the Highlands Race to the Altar!!

2010-02-01T10:24:00.001-08:00

Happy February you Swank-sters you!

Wanna know the best way whittle down that waist and get a FREE wedding? Enter to win the Hitched in the Highlands Race!!

Here is a blurb from the Happy Cakes Website -

Happy Cakes has pulled together our favorite fellow local business to offer the chance for one lucky couple to win a Highlands wedding.

Ten engaged couples will race through the Highlands neighborhood, solving clues and completing challenges to win a wedding prize package with a retail value of over $20,000!

RACE DATE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Download and print out the application, attach a couple photograph, and mail it to Happy Cakes. Your completed application must be postmarked by Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Applications may also be submitted in person at Happy Cakes Bakeshop, and must be physically received by 6pm MST on Friday, February 12, 2010. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to apply for or compete in the HITH Race.

Check out the link below, and get training for the Race of a lifetime!

http://www.happycakesdenver.com/HITH.htm

Amazing photographer and Videographer has new website!

2009-12-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

Happy almost New Years you Swanky Celebrators, you!

I hope you have some spectacular way to ring in the new year this year! After full days of what I call "Box Bonanza", we are about ready to settle in for our New Years Eve dinner party fete, where we have a few friends come over and we all make a big meal together, sipping bubbly and playing card games all night - perfect! Oh and don't forget the 11:30 dance party as we push aside the living room rug to "cut a rug" before 2010 comes a knockin!

But I know what you are thinking ~ New Years Eve means I am that much closer to my 2010 wedding!!!! So in that case, I'll give you some insiders info and come out with one of my favorite photographers of all time.

Kevin Von Qualen is an amazing photographer who also corners the market in one of a kind vintage videography - he shoots on real live Super 8! I have to say that I wish I knew Kevin when I got married, because a Super 8 transferred to digital would be treasured forever!

His new website is up, complete with wedding pictures and videos for you to peruse.

Check Out http://www.kevinvonqualen.com/

Now go out there and enjoy the dwindling hours of 2009! May 2010 be your best year ever!

With cider glass in hand, and my fanciest party hat atop my head,

Courtney

Swank Soirees New logo!

2009-12-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here it is! Please e-mail me and let me know what you think! I really like it - I think it encompasses all that Swank Soirees is - fresh, funky and a bit classic all rolled into one big shiny ball of wedding awesome-ness! Now all I need to do is update all business cards and letterheads and contracts and all official files...whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it....better go get a Peanut butter cup!

Holiday vegan peanut butter cups!

2009-12-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays all you hip festive trendsetters!

I hope your Holidays are starting off well! I am in a bit of a holiday rut, since we are in the midst of packing and moving and house showings and keeping the house looking "hotel -like" at all times! And that is no simple feat when you are trying to pack it all up at the same time!

Nevertheless, this time of year always makes me long for classic movies and home made goodies. And did I mention our new home will have a fireplace? That's right, and original 1904 wood burning fireplace - complete with original wood mantel! So chestnuts will be roasting over that open fire, believe you me!

A good friend of mine found this amazing recipe for vegan peanut butter cups and I had to share it with all of you - so simple to make, but will make all your neighbors think you really slaved away in the kitchen, all for them!

Alicia Silverstone's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

TIP Look for graham crackers that are naturally sweetened or low in sugar (Health Valley makes a good one), and store the leftover crackers or crumbs in an airtight container for future use.

SERVINGS 12

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Earth Balance butter

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (preferably unsweetened and unsalted)

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs or 10 graham cracker squares

1/4 cup maple sugar or other granulated sweetener

1 cup grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips

1/4 cup soy, rice, or nut milk

1/4 cup chopped pecans, almonds, or peanuts

PREPARATION

1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. (If You Care makes unbleached liners made from recycled paper.) Set aside.2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. 3. Stir in the peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs, and maple sugar and mix well. 4. Remove the mixture from the heat. Evenly divide the mixture, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup, among the muffin cups. 5. Combine the chocolate and milk in another pan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate has melted.6. Spoon the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture. 7. Top with chopped nuts. 8. Place in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours before serving.

Swanky Deal of the Week - Trunk Show!!!

2009-11-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

Happy November Brides to be! Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful fall weather! And know what else is beautiful?

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VERA WANG + LELA ROSE TRUNK SHOW!!!!

Anna Be Boutique Bridal Salon

Nov. 27 - 29th - Appointment Only

********************************

Call Anna Be today and get into that Designer dress! Its OK to "fall" in love with someone you just met, if that someone is a couture designer, of course.... (don't worry, your fiance will never find out - until he sees you in that dress!)

Welcome to the wedding world, The Giggling Goodies!

2009-11-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

For some of the most unique wedding invites, favors and goodies, you have to contact The Giggling Goodies.

These 3 sassy ladies create the most fun and unique creations for all kinds of parties! I absolutely love the Halloween gifts!

The Giggling Goodies are currently creating funky "vintage newspaper clipping" wedding invitations for a wedding I have in July, and my bride couldn't be happier with the way they are turning out!

Check them out at: http://www.thegigglinggoodies.com/

And check back soon to the Swankiest blog in town for some smashing winter specials from The Giggling Goodies!!

Anna Be Bridal Boutique is giving away a Dress!!

2009-11-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

OK you Savvy brides you -

Anna Be, the ultimate boutique bridal salon is turning 3 and to celebrate they are giving a smashing wedding gown to one serendipitous bride!!

You need a dress anyhow, right? And you need a stupendous one at that, correct? So head to Anna Be and find that one of a kind, and put down your deposit before the end of NOV!!

On Dec 1st, the winner will be chosen by a random drawing and notified via telephone and e-mail about their prize.

And what a prize it is!!

$3,000 towards your wedding dress! If your dress costs less than that, consider it free!!

Check out http://www.anna-be.com/ for all the details, and call and make a appointment TODAY!!!

Deals and Steals from my favorite vendors!!!

2009-11-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry about leaving you all high and dry - no Halloween party blog this year! But I do have a (pretty good, if I do say so myself) excuse - I am pregnant and I moved! So give a Swanky Momma-to-be a break!

To make up for it, I am going to begin adding the best Steals and Deals I can sniff out from my very favorite vendors! These are all vendors and venues that I personally loved to work with and recommend to all my brides and clients.

So check back regularly for the Swankiest Steals of the season!

Salutations and Sunflowers -

Courtney Hayes

Halloween Party - coming very soon!

2009-10-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to get my Halloween party blog out way sooner than this, but everything has been pushed to the side due to 2 10 year reunions, a big East Coast trip and our big move (Don't worry Denver brides, I am only moving 2 miles away from my current home)! I am hoping to be back to normal mid next week, and have the super spooky Halloween party blogged about then!

Have any parties coming up that you would like help with? Let me know and I will do my best to give some great little nuggets of party wisdom! And next summer and fall are getting booked, so if you are recently engaged - 1) CONGRATS! 2) Call me ASAP so we can work your swanky wedding together!

Caio for now,
Courtney Hayes

Wedding July 3rd 2010!

2009-09-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggys - Just a quick note to say Congratulations to my newest clients, Chad and Jennifer on their engagement and upcoming marriage! I had a blast when I met with them last week - Jennifer sure knows what she wants for her wedding, and Chad likes to joke with her about it all, but I can tell he is just as excited as she is! We are planning a real party - and making sure that every detail speaks to the couple - no run of the mill weddings here!

They had some of the details already planned out - I applauded them on booking their venue asap- it is so important to lock in your perfect space early. Venues and hiring your event designer/planner should be first on the list for everyone even thinking engagement. And then everything else just begins to roll in (plus color schemes/themes/food/photo styles and much more can be based off of the venue, and your planner will help form all those jumbles of thoughts into real, live decor/vendors/happiness! )

I will be updating you on more of our progress as it goes along - I am so looking forward to this entire wedding process! And of course, keep a lookout for all my party tips, ideas and recipes - coming again very soon!

Congratulations again, Chad and Jennifer!

With anticipation and joy,

Courtney (your wedding planner!)

Atomic Suburban Labor Day party tips, ideas and recipies!!

2009-09-07T10:44:00.001-07:00

Happy Labor Day, and of course, Happy Labor Day Soirees!

I hope this end of summer holiday weekend is filled with end of summer traditions, and exciting thoughts for fall! I know I am so looking forward to all the fall holiday parties and celebrations- some of my favorite parties all year. But before I get ahead of myself, here are some retro Labor day party ideas that are still as fun now as they were when you were in knee socks and loafers... (OK, so I still where knee socks and loafers, but you get the point)

Pull out all the stops this weekend and have a:

"Atomic Suburban Labor Day!"

Find some 1950's cookbooks at goodwill or antique stores, tear out the pages and paste index card invites on each one. Tell everyone to dress in their suburban finest! And send those invites the old fashioned way - in the mail! Everyone loves getting something in the mail that is not bills and that damned field and steam you did not subscribe to!

Plow and Hearth Patio furniture!

Buy some retro printed sheets/ fabric to create picnic table cloths, and spread them out on tables around your outdoor space. No tables? Just place it on the grass with some throw pillows!
(Retro cloth rentals available through Swank Soirees)

Serve drinks in mason jars, metal camping mugs and thermos tops - have nonalcoholic standbys like homemade strawberry mint lemonade, organic peach iced tea and spicy tomato juice! (Drink containers like these available for rental through Swank Soirees)

In addition, serve up a spiked punch option for the adults in the bunch - you can get one of these vintage crystal punch bowls complete with ladle and matching glasses online for around $30 and it will be a smash for all types of parties - apple cider for Halloween, egg nog for the holidays! A true retro summer favorite is Melange Picard Punch - garnished with floating orange slices and naturally colored maraschino cherries, of course! (Rent a punch bowl for less through Swank Soirees)

For noshing, really any backyard BBQ food will be appreciated - with a retro twist! Picnic-ers in the 1950's loved rolling their hot dogs in pancakes! Update this idea a bit with Vegan apple sage sausages wrapped in Lemon kamut pancakes, and topped with organic honey mustard!. My favorite sausages are the Field Roast Grain Sausages - they are soy free (find them at Vitamin Cottage and other local natural grocers). Add some Vegan potato salad, chilled tomato wedges, grilled corn on the cob with a Vegan chili lime butter, baked beans, and for dessert, Vegan Gingerbread and Cherry pie. And don't forget the watermelon! (Find some of these recipes at the bottom of the blog!!- contact Courtney Hayes for a complete listing!)

Now that the kids have had their share of natural sugar, and the adults are nicely "warmed" by the punch, its time for...lawn games!!

Create teams by pulling names out of a hat- mix kids and adults for more fun! Have each team get together and create their team name, and them write each name and their scores on an over sized chalkboard.

Some of my favorite lawn games are:

Sack Race

Egg and spoon race

Water balloon toss

3 legged race

Red rover

William Tell Race (apple on head)

Sweep race (broom and a ball around obstacles)

Winning team gets some great prizes - Large mason jar full of your homemade lemonade, old fashioned style natural candy, and a reusable bag its all placed in for each member of the team!

So what are you waiting for???? Get out there and celebrate the last bit of summer (Or save this blog to do for next year!).

With sunscreen and scraped knees,

Courtney Hayes - Event Designer and Owner of Swank Soirees LLC

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!RECIPES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Strawberry mint lemonade

4 Cups Water
1/3 Cup Agave Nectar
4 cups fresh organic mint leaves
1 quart fresh cut organic strawberries
1 cup organic lemon juice, fresh squeezed

Directions - Place 2 cups water, agave nectar and mint in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into a blender, discard mint. Thinly slice 1 cup of strawberries and set aside. Add 1/2 of the remaining strawberries to a blender and blend until smooth; pour into 2 quarter pitcher. Stir in sliced strawberries and remaining water. Add sugar to taste if needed, stirring until dissolved. Cover and chill until serving.

Melange Picard Punch

For party's of 20 use large punch bowl. Pour 1 bottle Melange Picard into 1 gallon water. Add 1 quart Distilled Dry Gin--Juice of 3 lemon--1 can crushed pineapple. Stir will, place a 6-inch square piece of ice in bowl and decorate with sliced oranges and Maraschino Cherries. Serve in 3 or 4 oz. glasses. (From Vintage Chicks)

Lemon Kamut Pancakes

1 C. Kamut pancake mix (Arrowhead mills has a great mix)
3/4 C. plain or vanilla organic yogurt
2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 C. rice milk

zest of 2 lemons
1/4 C. fresh organic lemon juice
1 organic egg or flax seed egg substitute
3 Tbsp vegan butter melted
Vanilla extract if added plain yogurt

Directions:
Put pancake mix into a large bowl, Mix all wet ingredients together in small bowl. Quickly add the wet ingredients to the mix, stir until mixed. Cook on a skillet pan or large frying pan, as per usual for pancakes- but make sure they are large enough to wrap around a sausage!
(My husbands secret recipe- shh! Don't tell!)

Vegan Potato Salad

20 small organic red potatoes, quartered
1/2 C. organic red onions, minced
1 C. organic seedless red grapes, halved
1/4 C. fresh organic cilantro, chopped
1/4 C. Veganaise
3 Tsp. Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp black pepper

Directions:
In medium saucepan, boil potatoes until tender, Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool. Once potatoes are cooled, combine and toss all ingredients! Yum! (from The Garden of Vegan cookbook)

Happy Labor day!

New e-mail

2009-08-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hello there! Just a heads up - my new e-mail will be courtney@swanksoirees.com

I will continue checking swanksoirees@gmail.com, but I think the latter sounds so much swankier - dont you think?

Check back soon for holiday party ideas and tips!

The Knot Colorado feature article!

2009-08-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday Swank Bloggers!

I have some exciting news! I have been asked to write some hip, fresh and local wedding ideas for the Spring/Summer Knot Colorado magazine! We are thrilled to be a part of this great magazine, and I hope my tips will give brides a jumping off point for their weddings, and of course, I hope this will drive hordes of brides to Swank Soirees!

We love designing and planning weddings - each one is so unique and personal. My favorite part is when we are in the begining planning stages and all the ideas that the bride and groom have had separatley and togehter come out, and the fun in blending all these into one cohesive event . But I dont think that all weddings need to be one theme - I think it is so fun to have the ceremony in one style, and the reception in another - that way you celebrate two sides of your personality. Even separate color schemes can work out! All in all my style in wedding design is anything goes - we can take any theme and make it tasteful, funky, unique, traditional - you name it!

But how do we get to this point, where you have the ideas for the Brazilian Carnival ceremony and a downhome bluegrass reception? I have a wedding questionairre to help formulate your ideas, where a few simple questions can really help tap into your "wedding brain". And some "very techical" formulas can put us on the right track with budget, theme, location, vendors, colors - even all the parties leading up to the main event and all the way to undiscovered honeymoon locations!

A honeymoonin' happy couple!

Yes planning your wedding can be a blast, speak to your individual relationship, and make you and the planet feel happy. And that in turn makes me happy. And I love being happy!

With happiness and hula-hoops,

Courtney Hayes

Brynn's Miami Dance Club Celebration!

2009-08-24T09:02:00.001-07:00

Good moring salacious soiree-ers!

I wanted to let you know about the fabulous event I designed and coordinated for my clients on Thursday Aug 13th. It was a kick off party for Brynn, who got acepted to tennis academy in Florida! She is 17 and heading there for an entire year. So of course we needed to have quite the bash to keep all her friends in Colorado remembering how fantastic she is!

So we decided on a Miami night club with tennis touches. Brynns fav color is pink, so our Miami colors of hot pink, lime green and crisp white fit right in with her!

We chose to have the event at Riverfront event center in Littleton for its sunken dance floor right in the middle of the space, complete with disco ball and full club-style lighting. DJ Savior Breath joined us as the entertainment for the evening, spinning and mashing up todays hottest hip hop and dance.

We had an old school photo booth, frozen mocktails and mini versions of junk food favorites - burgers, pizza and pigs in a blanket. And of course, organic cupcakes, and chocolate tennis rackets waiting at the door for guests to take home! And to make sure everything went smoothly, we had 2 fantastic security personnel helping out with the strict guest list and dress code.

Yes the fete was a smash. I loved working with Gayle, Rick and Brynn on this unforgettable event. Even though we only had 3 weeks to pull it off, no one got dramatic or stressy! Amazing!

I am looking forward to hearing updates on Brynn's advancement in the tennis world, and hopefully seeing her in action at one of her upcoming tennis matches in Denver! And of course, working with my new friends and clients on many more events in the future!

Until next time, an open heart and an open mind will get your further in life than an open check book!

Courtney Hayes

First Swank Soirees Blog - EVER!

2009-08-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hello all my swanky friends - guess who just got their very own blog? Yes it is true, the slightly internet unsavy Courtney Hayes is now a blogging fool. You will be able to keep up with all the events that I have coordinated (complete with pictures), and I will let you know about parties and fundraisers that will be coming up in the future. So if you are a bride-to-be, keep checking back for the save the date for the first bridal bash - its sure to be a smash!

And please, dont hesitate to comment on a post, or ask me questions about wedding etiquite, hip new ideas, in-law counseling and sustainable honeymoon ideas! Because I love it all (and my friends and hubby think I am slightly nutty for that).

Until next time, remember that life is a series of celebrations, and there is nothing that a glass of organic sparkling wine cant fix!

your Swanky Co-hort in (celebratory) crime,

Courtney Hayes