Advice

For cocktail receptions prior to weddings, formal luncheons, dinners, or parties, our fountains are attractive, durable and versatile. Our beverage fountains are suitable for a variety of beverages, alcoholic concoctions, as well as soft drinks and fruit juices.

The following are popular punch recipes:

Non-Alcoholic Punch

2 cans (12 oz) Frozen orange juice

2 cans (12 oz) Frozen Lemonade

8 bottles (12 oz) Plain Water

2 Cups Grenadine

3 qt chilled Ginger Ale

Berry Citrus Punch

4 Gallons Mix Berry Punch

1 Gallon Orange Juice

* Add Ice to chill

California Punch

½ Gallon Orange Juice (no pulp)

½ Gallon Pineapple Juice

½ Gallon Lime Juice

2 bottles Ginger Ale

2 Bottles light or Dark Rum

½ lb Brown Sugar

Champagne Punch

1/3 Part Chablis

1/3 Part Champagne

1/3 Part Ginger Ale or Sprite Chilled

* Please avoid usage of pulp or seeds in the beverage fountains

Once you have scheduled the meeting think about where you will be holding your meeting. Ask the following important questions:

• Does the meeting location have all the chairs that you need?
• Does the meeting location have the screen or projector?
• Are you serving coffee or refreshments?

Don't forget to call AAA for items that could make your meeting a success. We stock a variety of meeting related items such as:

• Classroom style tables
• Banquet chairs
• Coat racks
• Easels
• Projector screens
• Lecternettes

Tips:

1. Respect your colleagues' busy schedules. Don't schedule a meeting unless:
   • You really need the cooperation of several people at once.
   • The attendees must contribute to, or will be affected by, a vital decision.
   • You want various people to listen and respond to what others have to say.
2. Send out a meeting notice and agenda well in advance.
3. Be sure your meeting notice includes all of the key information: Include the
   • Meeting date
   • Starting and ending times
   • Purpose
   • Attendees
   • Location with directions or access instructions
   • Proposed agenda
4. Conduct the meeting using good facilitation techniques. Here are some of the most effective techniques professional facilitators use:
   • Start on time; don't reward latecomers by waiting for them.
   • Decide on times for each topic and stick to them.
   • Follow the agenda; avoid hopping around.
   • Discourage side discussions.
   • Set a "no interrupting" rule.
   • Stop, repeat, and clarify the points people are making.
   • Test for closure before moving on to the next agenda item.
   • Record decisions, action items, and due dates for each topic.
   • Summarize the key decisions and action items before closing.
   • End on time.

Wedding Checklist: Things NOT to forget!

One Year to Six Months Before

*If you are having a wedding and need rental items for your wedding, now is the time to contact AAA Party Rentals to secure rental of linen, tables, chairs, candelabras, dishes and flatware. Reserve your items early to ensure the quantity and colors of your choice.

1. Announce engagement. Order Wedding Rings
2. Meet with both parents to discuss type of wedding
3. Consider hiring a bridal consultant
4. Plan wedding budget
5. Buy a memory album
6. Choose wedding & reception sites
7. If having a church wedding, meet with clergy
8. Choose attendants
9. Shop for the bride's dress and order it early!
10. Plan color scheme and shop for bridesmaid dresses. Order them as soon as possible.

4 months prior to the wedding

*Rethink your rental reservation if your quantities have changed, contact AAA to modify your reservation

11. Consult travel agent about honeymoon plans
12. Register at Bridal Gift Registry
13. Begin guest list
14. Order Invitations
15. Select and book your photographer, videographer, and entertainment

Three to Four Months Before

16. Complete your guest list
17. Invite out-of-town guests early!
18. Address invitations as soon as they arrive or hire a Calligrapher and do it with style!
19. If you have not already done so, order your bridesmaid dresses now! Confirm your wedding dress order too!
20. Order Groom's, Groomsmen and Dad's Tuxedos
21. Book your caterer
22. Shop for your wedding cake
23. Choose your florist
24. Pick out and order your ice carvings
25. Plan ceremony & reception details with musicians and/or other entertainment
26. Arrange for wedding transportation
27. Complete your honeymoon plans

One to Two Months Before

*Rethink your rental reservation if your quantities have changed; contact AAA to modify your reservation

28. Buy wedding gifts for each other
29. Mail wedding invitations
30. Plan rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
31. Pick up wedding rings
32. Have a final fitting of gown & bridesmaid dresses
33. Have studio wedding portraits taken
34. Contact newspaper regarding wedding announcement
35. Arrange for hotels for out-of-town guests
36. Send thank you notes for early gifts
37. Purchase gifts for attendants

Last Two Weeks

*If there are items on your rental reservation that you do not want or need, now is the time to cancel or decrease your order without penalty. Rethink your rental reservation if your quantities have changed; contact AAA to modify your reservation

38. Pick up marriage license
39. Send announcement to newspaper
40. Have your hair done by hairstylist like you plan to wear it on your wedding day. Bring your veil with you!
41. Meet with a make up consultant for beauty tips.
42. Check on honeymoon reservations
43. Buy travelers checks
44. Address your wedding announcements, have someone mail them for you on your Wedding day
45. Confirm final details with florist, entertainment, rental services, caterers, photographers, reception site, etc.
46. Pay all balances due at this time

The Last 48 Hours!

47. Pick up the tuxedos from the tux shop
48. Time to start relaxing. Try to stay calm, all your careful planning will pay off!
49. Rehearsal dinner - give attendants their gifts!
50. Congratulations.... you made it!! Remember, this is the beginning of the rest of your life together, if things go wrong at the wedding, don't let it ruin your special day!

• First decide on the date of your party, guest list, and theme. If you choose to entertain around a holiday, many of your decisions will be easier, if you incorporate traditional decorations and food. Invite guests to your party early, preferably two or more weeks ahead of time. This will give them time to RSVP and will give you more time to plan. The comfort of your guests is your primary goal, so think about compatibility, tastes, ages, and the ambiance you want to create.
• There are ways to make things easier - takeout and deli foods are absolutely acceptable, and you can have a cookout, picnic, or a potluck party if you are really busy. A sit down dinner party is more formal than a cookout or a buffet, so think carefully about what type of party makes you the most comfortable.
• Get ready to make lists! Lists are absolutely essential for any party, as you can jot things down as you think of them. Once you have the basics well planned and written down, your mind will be free to be creative with the food, fun, and decor.
• Make your guest list and invite them. Calling is the easiest way to invite, and you will most likely get an immediate response. Another advantage of calling is you can ask if your guests have any food allergies or preferences. For larger parties, like a surprise birthday party, you can send out invitations.
• Take inventory of your supplies: table and chairs, serving pieces, cutlery, crystal, plates, candlesticks, serving areas, and of course your kitchen. Think about renting or borrowing items you don't have. Make sure the things you own are sparkling clean and in good repair.
• Think about how you want to decorate. Decorations for a party can be as simple as candlesticks on the table, or more elaborate streamers, balloons, flower arrangements, tablecloths, and even chair covers. Decorate with the seasons too. Fresh flowers in the summer, a bowl full of polished apples and spruce twigs in the winter, or a vase with colorful leaves and cattails in the fall are simple, inexpensive, and beautiful.