When wedding planning takes the front seat, sometimes it’s easy to get lost in your own vision. There are so many beautiful centerpieces can be found online, but which one is YOU?

Here are a few reminders to keep in mind, as well as some ideas to inspire

1. Stay true to your style

Compare it to finding the perfect perfume. It’s easy to say which ones smell nice, but it’s much more difficult to find the one that smells good and smells like you.

Look for the elements that speak to you. Maybe it’s colored glass, white textures, a minimalist, earthy look, or a dramatic, glitzy centerpiece. Get your own number!

2. Blend influences that inspire you

Can’t put a name on your style? Borrow elements from the ones that inspire you. Take this South Africa Beach Wedding for example. Bob Marley music and all, they decked out the dining area with Japanese cranes…

College and high school students have been catching the spring break bug in San Diego, and that means summer is just around the corner!

With the beginning of summer comes a fresh new batch of high school and college graduates, ready to top off their experience with a party to remember.

So what first as you plan your graduation party?

1. Pick a location

How about your backyard? A park? We have everything from tables and chairs to umbrellas and tents in our catalog. Create an online party list to get an idea of how your party is coming together. It’s amazing how far along with party planning 15 minutes will take you in the cyber world!

2. Pick a date

Many grad parties happen the night of graduation, or if  it falls on a weekday, then the weekend immediately after. Whatever you decide, make sure to keep your graduate’s plans in mind. Your newly minted scholar might want to fete with friends on the night of the ceremony. Aiming for a couple days, or even a week, after the big day will help you avoid planning your party on the same day as their friends, too. Get in touch with one of our professionals through our Live Chat to check rental availability for your target dates. And we recommend reserving materials three months ahead, to make sure we have everything you desire still in stock.

3. Themed? Casual? Everything goes?

We can help you create something really special by customizing your party to complement your grad’s style. Tropical? Modern? Maybe 70s? You bring the disco, we’ll bring the ball!

4. Food

Ask us to recommend a tasty caterer or have a cookout. We have your dinnerware, silverware, glassware, table cloths and serving accessories handy. How about a beverage fountain?

5. Entertainment

Rent a PA and a microphone for your own DJ experience. I think it would be fun to use our projector screen to show a picture slideshow of your grad over the years.

6. More Fun

Make your grad feel like a kid again. Maybe go for our Cotton Candy or popcorn machines.

Whether you opt for a theme or casual, indoor or outdoor, your graduation party with Abbey Party Rentals will be one to remember!

We all like to think that spring is about new beginnings -- symbolic or otherwise. Baby bunnies, fresh starts and, our favorite, wedding planning season, when couples around San Diego start planning their summer weddings -- and their new lives together!

Well here at Abbey Party Rentals, this spring is not just symbolic

As San Diego's premier party rental and party supply company, we are delighted to announce four exciting changes in the way we serve our customers! If you're curious about party planning, event planning or party rentals, these updates are designed with you in mind.

• For starters, we've updated our logo. Hip and elegant, don't you think? Thanks to Jason for his creative flair. Now wherever you happen to be in San Diego, when you see that logo you'll know that the top not party rentals and customer service in San Diego are close behind.

• The new logo comes after a major overhaul of our website. The new online features include smartly priced Party Packages and a unique feature that will make your life a lot simpler, Our Party Lists. These let you choose party rental supplies for your event, save the list and receive a personalized quote instantly.

• This month we've launched our new online presence on Twitter and Facebook. Our new goal is to provide quality content and connect with our customers in San Diego and beyond about the topics they care about. Please follow us online, since that's where will be having fun conversations about things like general party planning ideas, party rental advice, and using the supplies and ideas we provide in elegant and festive ways. We'll also host occasional promotions for our dedicated online friends and give you links to inspiring pictures, ideas and how-to articles.

• Speaking of party rentals... we've also recently added a ton of new products to our warehouse! One is the Faceted silverware, which has been in phenomenal demand and whispers contemporary chic, and another are the Barstools and Tall Tables which are a must for any cocktail reception.

A few more changes are around the corner... meanwhile, here's how you can make the most of our new online presence.

Join us online by 'liking' our Facebook page and 'following' us on Twitter.

• Tune into those pages for updates about Abbey Party Rentals, unique promotions and the latest in party rental and planning trends.

• Talk to us! If you read an article about creative wedding rental ideas, post it on our Facebook wall! If you take a picture of an event we set up, send it our way! If you have a question or comment, let us know. We are looking forward to connecting with each of you.

• Check this blog for thoughtful pieces and unique angles on making any party planning or party rental experience fantastic.

Oh, and one last thought: Please tell everyone you know about us!! Whether or not they're actively searching for party rentals! Because you never know when someone finds out they need 20 extra chairs, and from big events to intimate gatherings, we are eager to serve you. Plus, the more fans, and the more friends, we get, the greater the value we can offer you.

After months of quiet, Abbey Party Rentals is back and ready to play. Now let's get this party started!
Yours,
Abbey Party Rents

Three Weeks Before

• Make an invitation list. For a large cocktail party, invite 20 percent more people than you can fit, since typically only 70 percent to 80 percent of invitees attend.
• Decide on a theme, if you want one. Make, buy, or borrow any decorations or music you may need to fit the theme.
• Send invitations. Mail, e-mail, even phone invites are all acceptable.
• Plan the menu. Assemble the recipes (choose only those that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day). Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and compile a shopping list. Place an order with your local delicatessen or bakery, as needed.
• Line up any help you may need. Consider hiring a high school student or a professional to help with pre- or postparty cleaning or to pass drinks or appetizers, replenish buffet food, tidy up, and generally take some weight off your shoulders.

Two Weeks Before

• Clean any crystal, china, and silverware you’ll be using. And launder and iron linens.
• Do a first round of grocery shopping and cooking. Prepare any dishes that can be frozen.
• Come up with a playlist. The music should be upbeat and sufficient to last throughout the party

One Week Before

• Clean the house thoroughly. This way, you’ll need only a quick once-over before the party.
• Set the stage. Arrange the furniture as you’ll want it for the party, making sure that guests can move easily from one part of your house to another. Designate a coffee table or side table for coffee and dessert, if you’ll be serving them. Tuck away things that will be in the way, precious items that might get broken (or even be taken), and any clutter. Figure out the lighting: Using low-wattage bulbs or candlelight will create the right mood.
• Take inventory of cookware and serving dishes. If you don’t have enough for every dish you’re serving, consider purchasing inexpensive pieces from a discount or thrift store. Label each dish with a Post-it so you’ll remember what you plan to use it for at party time.
• Stock the bar. Plan three bottles of wine for every four people, three to four cocktails per guest for a two- to three-hour cocktail party.

Three Days Before

• Notify the neighbors. Let them know you’re having a party if you expect it to be large, loud, or parking-intensive.
• Decorate. Arrange candles, put up theme decorations, etc.
• Check the medicine cabinet. Remove any personal items you wouldn’t want guests to see.
• Set up clean-up stations. Place a box of salt, Wine Away (red wine stain remover), club soda, and a couple of rags in a wicker basket, and store a few in strategic places in case a nasty spill occurs.
• Specify a place for coats. Make space in a closet and fill it with hangers. You could also choose a bed for coats (make sure the room is especially tidy and free of valuables, so you won’t need to worry about them), or purchase an inexpensive portable garment rack.
• Finish grocery shopping. Make a detailed cooking schedule for your remaining dishes.

One Day Before

• Set the tables. Or set up the buffet.
• Buy and arrange flowers.
• Finish as much of the cooking as you can. Also, for any foods that require cooking on party day, do as much prep (dicing, marinating, rinsing lettuce, etc.) as possible.
• Give your house a once-over. Do whatever touch-ups are needed.

Day of the Party

• Finish any last-minute cooking. This should be absolutely minimal!
• Place chairs. Don’t worry about having enough seating for everyone; fewer seats will encourage mingling.
• Display food. One to two hours before guests arrive, set out appetizers and snacks that won’t spoil. Wrap them tightly to ensure freshness; tear off the wrap when the first guest rings the doorbell.
• Greet guests as they arrive. Things should be organized so you’re free to mingle, not tied to the kitchen.

To see the checklist from Real Simple click here