Summer is here and you know what that means - BBQ, swimming, road trips, and enjoying those late summer nights. What makes a summer night special? Fireworks! Americans buy an incredible 247,550,000 pounds of them every year. One of the most popular types of fireworks is sparklers. They're easy to use, pretty, and don't require a big backyard. Sparklers are gorgeous on the Fourth of July but they can be a great addition to any get-together all year round. Let's look at seven fun ways to turn the simple sparkler into a staple of every celebration! 1. Sparkler Send-Off For Weddings There are many ways to see the bride and groom off after their special day. Tradition calls for the guests to throw rice. More modern takes have guests throwing rose petals or blowing bubbles. Nothing beats a sparkler send-off though. Picture it - the lights are out, the guests all light their sparklers. The bride and groom then walk under a canopy of golden sparks. Seems easy enough but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you buy sparklers that will last long enough. A 36-inch sparkler lasts for four minutes, 20 inch lasts two minutes, and 10 inch lasts for four seconds. Second, be safe. Don't hold the sparkler directly over the couple. Leave a little space between the row and the couple so that sparklers don't singe anyone. 2. Better Than Birthday Candles How many years have you topped your birthday cakes...

There's never too much sparkle and shine, especially in your greatest moments. One of the most loved effects for a fun photo is undoubtedly the sparkler. Since having fireworks at every event might be a tad expensive and dangerous, hand-held fireworks do the trick. When you're capturing keepsake moments on your camera, it's important to know how to capture the photo, especially when using sparklers. It's a tad tricky, but once you have the hang of it, you're good to go. To give you a little help, we've come up with tons of tips and tricks to help you take your best sparkler photographs. Keep on reading to perfect your sparkler photography. Know Your Basics One of the most important parts to taking a successful sparkler photo is knowing the basics of your camera. Throw your DLSR in manual mode, and let's get started. When talking about ISO, we are talking about the camera's sensitivity to light. The higher your ISO, the more light your camera will be aware of and pick up on. Shooting at a high ISO is ideal for dimly lit situations; however, it could produce some grain. Experiment with your camera and see what it can do. Controlling the aperture controls the depth of field and the amount of light you let into the photo. Think about aperture when thinking about focus and ambient light. A larger aperture, a smaller f/number, will create a shallower depth of field and vice versa. Again, experiment with you camera...

I take my responsibility of providing quality wedding sparklers to my customers very seriously.  That means I have to have a reliable product, that I have to answer my phone, emails and texts hourly and that I need to ship the wedding sparklers immediately.  It is really that simple!  I know if I continue to follow those simple customer service principles, I will succeed in making each and every wedding I send sparklers to successful. One thing I have put into practice is a reminder email.  I send a reminder email to my customers a week after ordering asking if the sparklers have been received (we know how my details you all are trying to manage).  I personally want to make sure they sparklers are at least in hand or on their way because I know you are on a very special deadline - your wedding day.  I also know that tracking the sparklers via UPS when you have a million things going on is not at the top of your list.  This is a great reminder to check tracking numbers or locate a box of sparklers strewn among wedding gifts. Just in case you are wondering, if there is some sort of issue, we manage it immediately.  If it is the week of the wedding and there is a delay from UPS, the package is lost, they were delivered to the wrong address (whether it is your fault for giving us the wrong address on accident or UPS's fault...

Many couples planning February weddings tend to shy away from a Valentine’s Day theme. However, if done correctly, incorporating touches of the most romantic holiday of the year can add an extra touch of romance and magic to a wedding. Here are some of our favorite ideas for a Valentine’s Day wedding. Add some Valentine’s Day love to your programs Traditional wedding programs can be plain boring. We love the idea of incorporating the holiday of love into your wedding ceremony programs. Two beautiful ideas include these playful, heart-shaped programs (that double as fans!) and these delicate ombre invitations that subtly incorporate red and pink into the mix. Embrace all things red and pink when it comes to drinks Opting for a Valentine’s Day-themed wedding means incorporating as much red and pink as possible into your ceremony and reception Aside from the more obvious items like flowers, bridesmaid dresses, and table settings, we love the idea of adding unexpected pops of red and pink into your big day -- especially with fun drinks! Some unique drink ideas for a Valentine’s Day wedding include these pink cosmos with a strawberry garnish, these romantic Blushing Beauties, or this pomegranate-infused True Love’s Kiss. Incorporate the holiday into your bridal accessories Another cute way to add a touch of Valentine’s Day to your wedding is by opting for bridal accessories that give a nod to the holiday. One easy way to do this is with a pop of red on your feet (we adore...

Although winter brings freezing temperatures, shorter days, and inclement weather, it is also one of the most beautiful seasons -- especially for the cold-loving, snow lovers out there. A dreamy snow-covered backdrop, crisp air, and romantic winter skies are just a few reasons many winter brides want to plan an outdoor ceremony, despite the many downsides of the season. If you are considering planning an outdoor winter wedding this season here are a few easy tips to ensure you (and your guests) comfortably enjoy the ceremony. 1. Choose your location wisely A mild winter day with a snowy backdrop can make for an unforgettable wedding ceremony. However, winter weather is unpredictable and can easily take your winter fairytale into a wedding nightmare. If you decide to plan an outdoor wedding, be sure to have an inclement weather back up plan with an alternative indoor location to ensure your ceremony goes smoothly no matter what mother nature may bring. 2. Don’t be afraid to use heaters With all of the excitement surrounding your wedding ceremony, you probably won’t even notice the cold -- especially if you are a lover of the cooler months. However, your guests may not feel the same way as they sit waiting in below freezing temperatures. An easy way to ensure your guests are comfortable no matter how cold the temperatures may dip is to bring in industrial heaters. By strategically placing them in the seating area your guests will remain toasty and warm while watching you...

If you are in the initial stages of wedding planning one of the most important items to focus on is your budget. Yes -- it isn’t the most exciting element of planning your nuptials, however since 74% of couples end up going over budget, it is definitely an important item to consider from the start. According to experts, one of the best ways to stick to a budget is to decide what to save and splurge on when planning your wedding. By deciding what is most important to you and spending on those elements, while cutting back on the areas that are less important to you, you can still have a wedding to remember without breaking the bank. Not sure what items to splurge on and what items to save on? Read on to learn what wedding experts suggest. Save on paper products Beautifully printed programs, monogrammed napkins, and other customized paper products can add a lovely touch to a wedding, however, when it comes down to it, your guests are just going to throw them away by the end of the event, making this one of the top items that experts suggest you save on. Instead, focus your budget on something that won’t end up in the wastebasket by midnight, like elegant flatware and glassware to adorn your tables. Splurge on your dress When it comes to your wedding you want to feel your best and absolutely love your wedding dress. Experts agree that this is an item worth...

If you are planning a winter wedding, but don’t want to say “I Do” in the middle of a blizzard, a warm-weather destination wedding may be the right choice for you. No matter what your budget there are tons of amazing warm wedding locations out there, and one is certain to be right for you. Read on to learn more about some of the most popular locations for couples that want to tie the knot in a sunny paradise. Martinique Looking for a budget-friendly location for your destination wedding? U.S. News & World Report ranked this dreamy Caribbean island as their number one affordable location to host a destination wedding. Some of the highlights of this ultra-affordable island include extensive beaches, tropical rainforests, and busy streets filled with gourmet restaurants. The Florida Keys If you are planning a warm-weather destination wedding, but don’t want to hassle guests with international travel, the Florida Keys are an excellent choice. Located in the Continental United States, this string of exotic islands offers the comforts of home and ease of domestic travel set against the backdrop of white sandy beaches, palm trees, and endless sunshine. Fiji For couples seeking a one-of-a-kind wedding far from home, this chain of beautiful islands in the South Pacific is ideal. In addition to tranquil beaches with white sand and crystal clear water, Fiji also offers a wide variety of outdoor sporting activities for you (and your guests) to participate in, including feeding sharks, hiking, rafting, and even golfing!...

Believe it or not, the year is quickly drawing to a close, and it is time to prepare to ring in 2018! If you are planning a New Year’s Eve party this year, here are a few easy and fun ideas to take your event to the next level as you welcome 2018 and all it has to offer. Decor is everything when planning a New Year’s Eve party New Year’s Eve is all about glitz and glitter, and over-the-top decor is crucial to throwing an epic bash. Looking for creative ideas that won’t break the bank? Some fun options that will take your New Year’s Eve party to the next level include a sparkly tassel garland, a giant confetti wall (which also doubles as the ideal backdrop for party photo ops!), DIY pom poms, and tinsel wrapped numbers. You can’t go wrong with a well-thought-out menu When choosing what type of food you will serve at your party, the first step is deciding what kind of event it will be. Is it a sit down dinner? If so, focus on decadent and festive main courses like this classic pot roast or this lobster mac and cheese. Keeping it casual? For a more casual party, plan on serving up crowd-pleasing finger foods and appetizers like these French dip roll ups, these gourmet tater tots with a spicy mayo dip, or these spinach artichoke cheese ball bites. A high energy playlist will keep the party going ‘til the ball drops Once...

[caption id="attachment_1265" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo credit: Lisa Schiller[/caption] With beautiful decorations adorning homes, offices, and stores, magical twinkle lights brightening the longer nights, Christmas carols playing on pretty much every radio station, and an overall sense of holiday cheer in the air -- December really is the most wonderful time of the year. If you are hosting a Christmas wedding this season, it’s time to harness the magic of the season to create an affair that your friends and family will not soon forget. Below we discuss some ideas for infusing holiday cheer into your December nuptials. Make your invitations extra special with a holiday theme Hosting a Christmas wedding gives you the chance to think outside of the box when it comes to your save the date cards and invitations. Instead of opting for traditional invitations, we suggest going all in on the holiday theme. This could mean adding some extra sparkle to your invitations, incorporating Christmas colors and patterns, or even adding a beautiful red wax seal to each invite. We also love the idea of displaying your invites on a mantle covered in seasonal greenery during your reception. Greet guests with warm, holiday beverages If you are hosting a Christmas wedding, chances are it is going to be chilly outside! Keep guests warm and toasty by welcoming them to your ceremony or reception with the season's most beloved warm beverages. Some delicious warm drinks that are certain to keep your friends in good spirits no matter how...

As of today, December is officially here -- which means it is time to focus on all things Christmas! Are you planning a holiday party this season? Whether you are gathering friends for an epic bash at your home, heading up your office’s holiday potluck, or hosting your family for a traditional Christmas dinner, here are some festive ideas for entertaining this holiday season. Set the mood for holiday cheer with the perfect playlist Nothing says Christmas quite like a festive playlist filled with classic holiday songs. If you are feeling ambitious, why not put together a mix of your personal favorite Christmas tunes? Running short on time? Fear not! The HuffPost has you covered with their definitive guide to the best Christmas playlists out there. Make your party a winter wonderland with DIY decorations Thoughtful DIY decorations are one of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to take your Christmas party to the next level. Planning a holiday party in your office or simply don’t have space in your home for a tree? We suggest creating a makeshift tree out of leftover wrapping paper or gathering extra greenery and placing them in a vase with ornaments to serve as a tree. Some other cute ideas that will add some Christmas cheer to your party include creating these DIY reindeer garlands, lining your walkway with these easy-to-make mason jar candles, or making a giant holiday wreath for your mantle. Serve up snacks with a holiday twist When planning a holiday party...