Want to get the best deal on flowers, venues, music, and more? Here are a couple of tips for getting the best deal on major expenses for any event:

1. Know your budget. Vendors are better equipped to help you out when they know what you can spend.
2. Know what you need. Don’t get sucked into things you don’t really need, like a coat check for a summer event. Ask what packages your vendor can offer and make sure the one pick has things that you need, then ask about the cost of extras.
3. Adopt a friendly, but firm, attitude. Being polite and assertive helps you and your vendor when working out the details, and encourages the vendor to come up with creative solutions for your budget.
4. Be prepared to walk away. If negotiations aren’t working out, politely say “No, thank you” and continue looking for a different vendor.
5. Know what’s in season. This applies to everything from flowers to food. If you’re booking an event in the summer, know that things will be more expensive because it’s wedding season. As far as things like flowers and food go, ordering what’s in season helps to cut costs because there will be no need to ship special orders just for your events.
6. Keep it as simple as possible. The easier the request, the more likely it is you’ll get a better deal on it.

Don’t forget that your supplies are already available at a budget-friendly price by Big Dot of Happiness. We have everything from the invitations and party favors, to the decorations and tableware. There’s no need to stress when everything is ordered in just a few clicks!

 Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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Everyone wants to throw an elegant, fun-filled baby shower. Big Dot of Happiness has everything you need from the invitations to the tableware, covering you for adorable décor. But to help you out even more, here are ten tips to make extra sure your shower is everything you want to be:

1. Do serve foods that are easy to eat, like finger foods, if you are not having a sit-down meal. This helps when guests want to mingle, because they don’t have to juggle cups and balance heavy meals on their knees as they sit and chat.
2. Do choose an appropriate theme for the shower. Big Dot of Happiness offers over two dozen baby shower themes, each including invitations, tableware, decorations, and party favors.
3. Do consider including men. Couples baby showers are growing in popularity, and why not? Dads are an important part of a baby’s life too!
4. Don’t send out invitations later than four weeks in advance. Give guests time to shop for gifts. Direct them to Big Dot of Happiness for great gift options, like our new plush monkey dolls.
5. Do include the address of the mother-to-be’s baby registry.
6. Don’t let guests get bored. Big Dot of happiness offers plenty of baby shower games that are sure to rev up the fun.
7. Do keep the shower short and sweet. By packing the event into two or three hours, you’re sure to keep things going and the fun moving.
8. Do seat some organized people next to the mom-to-be for opening gifts. This will help to make sure that she’s able to organize and record her gifts for sending out thank you notes. (Bonus: Order thank you cards when you order invitations to keep the theme going!)
9. Don’t give all Newborn and 3-month clothing sizes. Baby will grow sooner than everyone thinks, and it’s much easier on the parents when they have a little supply ready.
10. Don’t stress! Relax and allow yourself ample time for prep and clean-up. Involve a few friends and family members to assist you in the planning and running of the baby shower. This will ensure that everyone is laid back

Remember that a baby shower is a joyous event. It’s all about celebrating a new life and should never become a hassle. If it does, take a step back and breathe. Refocus on what you want to do, which is give the new parents a great time.

 Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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A wedding photographer can often cost as much as the wedding gown. You want to make sure you get all the pictures you want, but not sacrifice a hefty chunk of you budget to do so. It takes a little work, but by following these tips, you’re sure to find the best option for your wedding, while saving a bit for the honeymoon.

1. Call the art department of your local college or university. Many students will work for much less because they want to build their portfolios.
2. Purchase some throw away cameras and ask guests to participate in a photo scavenger hunt.
3. Enlist a family member who’s handy with a camera. This way, they get to give you a priceless gift, and you get to choose your favorite photos for your album.
4. If you have your heart set on a certain photographer, ask if they’ll shoot just the ceremony, or will work for a certain number of hours, instead of the whole day. This will save you money, because it gives them a chance to book another job that day (i.e. if your wedding is in the morning, they can take on an evening event as well).
5. Check out who your friends or coworkers have worked with, then mention their names to whichever photographer you choose. You may get a referral discount, and they may get some free services too!
6. If you like a certain photographer’s work, but can’t afford to use them, ask if they have an assistant or associate photographer who will do it for less.
7. Opt for a smaller package. You may find you don’t really need the huge wall portrait or 36 wallet-size prints. Also, ask if you can choose options “a la carte”, saving you hassle and useless prints that will only end up in a box in the attic.
8. Scour photographer’s websites and ads in local papers and phone books. Many photographers offer up to 20% off their services, just for mentioning their ads!

Don’t forget that Big Dot of Happiness offers you other ways to save. Look at our Bridal section for ideas on wedding favors, tableware, and gorgeous invitations. We want you to have a beautiful wedding. Why break the bank to do it?

Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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Decorating for a baptism/christening is easy when you have Big Dot of Happiness on your side! Choose from over a dozen themes and you’re on your way! In addition to the basic party supplies, we offer personalized decorations to make sure it’s all about Baby.

Start with some adorable personalized invitations from your chosen theme, and then carry on with the colors for the basics (tablecloths, streamers, etc.). To keep the theme going, go for our standout banners and balloons. For a perfect picture, set the table with themed plates and cups on our personalized placemats.

Make an adorable centerpiece by gathering a set of personalized party favors on a platter surrounding a small vase of flowers or a few votive candles. Another easy option? Purchase a few of our baptism gifts and use a different one for each table.

Combining these baptism decorations is a fun way to incorporate whimsy and personality into the celebration. Don’t forget a guest book and lots of photo-taking to record all the people participating in your baby’s special day!

Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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Save the stress over baby shower invitations! No longer do you have to worry about what kind of invitations you want and then spend hours searching for something “just right”. Big Dot of Happiness offers personalized high quality baby shower invitations for a low price!

Our invitations are printed on high-quality paper, and are available with a vellum overlay. Each is printed and assembled just for you, and shipped (complete with envelopes) ready-to-go. All you have to do is address them and stick on the stamp. The best part? No waiting for months while your order is sent to a printer. Your order will be shipped in less than a week!

Start by picking out a theme from the dozens we offer. Then decide whether you want a basic design or vellum overlay. Once you’ve got that down, simply input the information you want on the card (double check for accuracy) and you’re done!

To keep the theme going, check out our baby shower decorations and tableware. You can even make things easier on Mom-to-be by ordering Thank You cards in the same theme as the invitations. It couldn’t be simpler, or more fun!

Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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Every bride wants a beautiful wedding cake, but the price is often outstanding.  However, there are a few different options you can choose to get the beauty you want without spending a hefty chunk of your wedding budget. These tips will help you to save money while still having a beautiful cake on your big day.

1.  Look in the phone book and in local wedding magazines for coupons. You can save up to 20% by doing your research.

2.  Do your research by looking for online reviews of different bakeries and asking friends who did their cakes. By mentioning the good things you’ve heard, they may be inclined to give you a deal.

3. Know your budget. Telling a baker you can spend X-amount will help them in assessing what they can do for you and ensure that you don’t overspend, but still get great quality and beauty for your buck.

4. Check out options other than local bakeries. Wal-Mart, Target, and many local grocery stores make wedding cakes for a much lower price.

5. If you’re a talented baker, or know one in the family who’s willing to gift their time and energy, check out some different do-it-yourself wedding cakes. There are many books out there that have recipes and step-by-step instructions available at major bookstores and most local libraries. Do a test-run a month or so in advance to make sure it tastes and looks the way you want it to. Also, give yourself time a few days ahead of time to bake, if you’re doing it alone. In most cases, you can make the components separately days in advance and construct the cake the night before or morning of the wedding.

6. Try cupcakes! This new trend is a great option for smaller weddings. Not only are these usually cheaper because they’re less labor-intensive, but a much easier option if you’re doing it yourself.

7. Order a small one or two-tiered cake and then supplement cake with a larger sheet cake (hidden back in the kitchen).

8. Pay attention to how many guests the cake size serves. You don’t need a 5-layer cake that serves 250 guests when you’re only having 100. If you still want a big cake, ask that the bottom tiers be made of foam instead of cake. No one will know the difference, since you’re cutting from the top down.

9. Skip the exotic flavors when ordering your cake. Mango may taste amazing, but it will cost you more than, say, lemon or orange. Keep it as simple as possible to save as much as you can.

Be sure to know what you want before you go cake shopping. Look at different pictures and bring your favorites with you when looking around. This will help your baker give you an accurate estimate and ensure that you get what you want out of your design. Using these tips, you should be able to get just that. Enjoy having your dream wedding cake… and eating it too!

Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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A baptism is a joyous event for any family. Big Dot of Happiness has all of the supplies you need for a great party to celebrate. In addition to all of the decorative options Big Dot of Happiness provides, here are a few tips to make your party a wonderful event, with as little stress as possible. 

1. Keep the party close to the church. This will save guests time traveling to another venue. If possible, hold the party at the church or a nearby park.
2. Give little ones something to do. Holding the party at a park automatically does this, but if you choose to hold the party in your home or another venue, be sure to keep some coloring supplies and games on hand to keep them entertained.
3. Keep food simple. It is perfectly acceptable to serve a light lunch or buffet-style meal. You can even go really simple with cake and punch, if you’re celebrating early in the morning or afternoon, when most people have just eaten breakfast or lunch.
4. Themed party favors are a great way to thank guests for coming. Big Dot of Happiness offers many different options for personalized treats commemorating the baptism of your little one. Easy and affordable, you’re sure to find a favor that’s perfect for you.
5. Take lots of pictures and encourage guests to do the same! This is a great memory you’re creating in your baby’s life. You want to have as much of it recorded as possible.

Big Dot of Happiness offers more than just party supplies for your baby’s baptism. Be sure to check out our baptism gifts. We offer plushes, baby blankets, and more. Many gifts can be personalized, too, so you’ll have more than pictures to remember this joyous day!

Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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For the tween who loves movies, a Hollywood party is a great theme. Go with Big Dot’s Modern Black & White Floral theme and accent it with red tablecloths and tableware. You can pick up a strip of carpet remnant at a flooring store for that all-important red carpet. Serve sparkling cider in pretty glasses and hors d’oeuvres on elegant platters for an upscale twist.

Ask your guests to dress to impress, and take pictures as everyone enters the party (parents can act as paparazzi). You can print out the photos later as party favors. For games, write a celebrity’s name on a Post-It, and stick on a child’s back. They have to ask other guests yes-or-no questions about their celebrity to figure out who they are. First prize for this one? How about a pair of movie passes to the local Cineplex! If you’re making it a sleepover, let the kids pick movies that all about the Hollywood life like Beverly Hills Chihuahua or The Hannah Montana Movie.

This theme is a great option for tweens because they are just beginning to be old enough to contribute to the party planning. Give them options. Surf Big Dot of Happiness together to choose the invitations and other decorations and tableware, so that they feel really involved in the process. When all is said and done they are the star of the evening!

Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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Save the stress for planning the wedding! No longer do you have to worry about what kind of bridal shower invitations you want and then spend hours searching for something “just right”. Big Dot of Happiness offers personalized high quality bridal shower invitations for a low price!

Our invitations are printed on high-quality paper, and are available with an elegant vellum overlay. Each is printed and assembled just for you, and shipped (complete with envelopes) ready-to-go. All you have to do is address them and stick on the stamp. And the wait is super-short: your order will be shipped in just a few days!

Start by picking out a theme from dozens of elegant options. Then decide whether you want a basic design or vellum overlay. Once you’ve got that down, simply input the information you want on the card (double check for accuracy) and you’re done!

To keep the theme going, check out our bridal shower decorations, personalized games, and tableware. You can even make things easier on the Bride-to-be by ordering thank you cards in the same theme as the invitations. And don’t forget to direct her our way for wedding invitations, too!

Keep the theme going with invitations, tableware, and decorations, for a truly unique experience!

 Posted by Jillian, a Dot-arilla Blogger

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