May 18th, 2011
Gone are the days of stuffy, boring garden parties. Today’s outdoor events are warm, welcoming and casual — if you’d like to add a true “wow” factor to your next outdoor gathering, rent a projector and let the fireworks begin.
As we enter into warmer, more pleasant weather, entertaining slowly but surely begins to move outdoors. The term “garden party” may conjure up images of refined ladies in wide brimmed hats demurely sipping iced tea or lemonade while nibbling on cucumber sandwiches. But this needn’t be the theme for your garden party. Put simply, a garden party is any gathering held outdoors, with light refreshments served.
/>Best of all, there’s no “occasion” necessary for a garden party – you can simply invite some friends and neighbors over for snacks and conversation, and there’s no need to fuss over your home being immaculate, since the group plans to gather outdoors. Today, some ladies prefer to host garden parties to get to know new neighbors, or to collect together for some “girl time.”
Whatever the reason, it’s fun and easy to incorporate a rental projector into your garden party plans. High-lumen LCD projectors function quite well in bright sunlight, or you can always choose a shaded wall or corner of the garden for your display.
If you’re wondering what to showcase with a rental projector, consider that the possibilities are endless. You might want to gather the girls for an outdoor movie with cocktails, or plan a fun and ice-breaking game, such as “guess whose baby picture this is.” Alternatively, if you’re planning to gather with friends you’ve known for some time, you can create a fast and memorable slide show featuring photos of you and all your friends.
Another great reason for a garden party is to share photographs from high school (or earlier), from one of the gal’s weddings (whether recent or not), or from a recent trip or vacation you’ve all taken together.
Likewise, a rental projector and a garden party offer a fun and unique way to pitch an idea – such as an upcoming trip or cruise together, a business venture, or a scrapbooking club. Once you begin to consider the possibilities available with a rental projector, you’ll find an endless supply of potential ideas.
When you’re ready to start planning your garden party, remember to include Projector123.com in the early planning stages. We rent only the highest quality LCD rental projectors, suitable for use in a diverse array of environments, ranging from dimly lit rooms to bright sunlight and outdoor venues. Click here to rent a projector from Projector123.com today.
May 13th, 2011
As we near the peak of summertime wedding season, you may find yourself in a position to plan a wedding shower for a relative or close friend in the near future. Here are our best tips for making it memorable.
 Surprise! (Or Is It?)
One of the most basic questions to answer while planning a bridal shower is whether or not you want it to be a surprise. Be sure to consider the bride and her personality and wishes, not just your own! Some people absolutely love surprises, while others most certainly do not. Additionally, some people are downright impossible to surprise. Another factor to consider is the additional work that goes into creating a surprise shower – you’ll most likely have to involve the groom, create a diversion, and remind everyone to keep it under wraps.
To Theme or Not to Theme?
Next, think about whether or not you’d like to create a theme to the shower. A theme is not necessary, but it can be a fun way to tie things all together. Some sample bridal shower themes are: his and hers; around the clock; lingerie; barware; kitchen shower; linens and things; garden party; etc.
Couples, or Just Girls?
More and more couples are experiencing joint showers, where couples are invited and the groom gets to participate in the fun. This type of shower is most appropriate when the couple’s friends are mainly comprised of other couples.
Make It Special
The more personal touches you can add to a bridal shower the better. Don’t think she won’t notice that the ink on the invitation envelopes was her favorite color, or that the centerpiece was made from her favorite flower. For a true wow-factor element, rent a projector and display a custom made slide show of the bride and her courtship with the groom. Remember to include pictures of her with her family members, because the mother of the bride deserves a little recognition, too!
When you’ve set the date for the wedding shower, the next step is to reserve an LCD projector for rent from Projector123.com. Discover why so many people choose Projector123.com for all their projector rental needs. Click here to get started now.
May 11th, 2011
Welcome back to part two of our two-part series on planning audiovisuals for your upcoming wedding and/or associated festivities. In our prior installment, we looked at when to rent a projector, how to create the outcome you desire, and the pros and cons of soliciting help with your project. In today’s installment, we’ll address the logistics of putting it all together for the main event.
Step 4: Creating a Video Montage
This step may be somewhat time consuming, but it is often easier than it sounds. Even a person with no experience in this arena can create a stylish and sophisticated slide show relatively quickly and easily. First, gather all the images you’d like to use. If you plan to use baby photos and other older images, you will need to scan photos to gain digital images. Once you have all your images gathered, begin to put them in the sequence you desire. You may prefer to start with childhood and work your way forward to present day, but this is not absolutely necessary. Once you’ve got the sequence selected, consider what music you’d like to associate with the slide show, and gather those songs or soundtracks. Now you’re ready to begin assembling your slide show, so you’ll need some kind of software, which can be as simple as Microsoft PowerPoint. Add the images, ensure the order is correct, create an opening and closing slide, add transitions, and insert the music. Once you’ve reviewed your slide show and it meets with your satisfaction, burn it to a DVD (it’s a good idea to make at least one backup copy, though you may want a few extra copies for parents and other loved ones) and you are ready to go!
Step 5: Decide on the “When”
Next, it’s time to decide when is the most optimal time to showcase your slide show. For a slightly less formal wedding reception, you might consider letting the images run on a loop throughout the reception. Or, you may prefer to attract everyone’s attention and fun the montage just once during your rehearsal dinner. Depending on who is attending what event, it may be appropriate to run your slideshow more than once during the different festivities. Whatever you decide, it’s a good idea to make some notes about which events and at what point during the events (after the toasts, continuously, during dessert, etc.) you’d like it shown.
Step 6: Inform the Players
The last step is to inform the appropriate personnel about what you’ve decided. For example, tell the banquet coordinator at the restaurant where your rehearsal dinner will be held (and explain that you’ve already arranged for a rental projector, but you’ll need a screen or blank wall), the reception hall, the maid of honor, etc. Lastly, remember to bring the DVD (and a backup, just in case) or entrust this task to your most responsible friend or family member.
Your wedding is the most special time of your life, and when you choose to celebrate the occasion with images and visual memories, trust Projector123.com to supply your rental projector. You can rest assured that you will receive the highest quality rental projector, with easy 1-2-3 setup instructions in ample time for your event. Click here to reserve a rental projector for your special day right now.
May 9th, 2011
In the U.S., summer months are by far the most popular season for wedding celebrations. If you’re planning a wedding in the upcoming weeks and months, it’s not too late to add a dramatic and tasteful slide show or photo montage to your nuptial celebration. Here are our best tips (in a two-part segment) for audiovisual support during wedding season.
Step 1: Get Started Now
Once you decide to create a photo or video slideshow, go ahead and reseve your rental projector immediately. After all, the only reason to delay this step would be if you were awaiting confirmation on a date, and most folks set their wedding date nearly a year in advance. Reserving a rental projector now means one more to-do item crossed off your massive list.
 Step 2: Imagine the Outcome
One of the best ways to create audiovisual support that suits you personally and fits in with your celebration is to begin by thinking about how you’d like it to appear. Does your rehearsal dinner need a slide show to enliven the mood? Does the family of your betrothed wish to get to know everyone better? Do you need some kind of dramatic display at the reception, or the morning-after brunch? A montage can be just the ticket for adding drama, deepening rapport, filling in backstory, or providing a lively focal point.
Step 3: To Help or Not to Help?
Next, consider whether or not you’d like to delegate all or part of this responsibility (or simply collaborate with a partner or two) or handle it yourself. Odds are, there is someone in your family or close circle of friends who has a knack for (and love of) this kind of creation, and they would almost certainly be delighted to assist. Then again, you might prefer to hold the content a surprise and therefore keep it under tight wraps. The choice is entirely up to you, but be sure to consider your skill set – are you capable of putting together the kind of slide show you’ve been envisioning?
In the next segment, we’ll look at logistics of putting it all together and pulling it off. Be sure to return next time for the conclusion of this wedding audiovisual planning series.
In the meantime, why not take a moment now to reserve your rental projector? It’s easy to do, and just takes a minute when you start by clicking here to access Projector123.com.
April 4th, 2011
It’s that time of year again – when graduation gowns are donned, caps are jubilantly cast upwards into the sky and graduation parties abound. But what if you’re looking to plan a more posh party for your sophisticated graduate? Here are our best tips for planning an upscale graduation party.
For starters, every elegant gathering begins with beautiful invitations. To plan a truly posh graduation party, you can expect to spend a fair amount of money on custom invitations (no evites!) The size of your guest list will most often be determined by the size of your available budget.
Next, you’ll want to consider the venue. If you can afford the spend, a rental location or event hall would make an excellent spot for your swanky soiree. If your budget is a bit tighter, you can certainly still plan a rather refined gathering to be held at your home for a fraction of the cost.
/>The next step is the food. This is where “posh” really comes into play. Unless you’re throwing a college gradation party where guests are all of legal drinking age, champagne is probably not a good idea. However, there are many recipes to be found online for elegant non-alcoholic punch and other such beverages. Finger food should be bite-size, upscale and beautiful.
Some examples may include:
- toast points spread with cream cheese and topped with caviar
- cheese tray with assorted cheeses and crackers
- a cold plate featuring fresh and dried fruits, nuts, pickles and cured meats
- puffed pastry bites stuffed with sweet or savory fillings
Alternatively, you may wish to stick with known crowd pleasers (jambalaya, hearty soups, cocktail meatballs, finger sandwiches), in which case you can easily elevate the appearance by using your finest serving trays on a beautifully set table, complete with a stunning centerpiece.
Above all else, keep in mind the personality and spirit of your graduate – if he/she prefers to dance to rock music, then a posh party probably isn’t the best fit. If your grad is a ballet star, then keep the decorations, the food and the mood as elegant as possible to match.
Of course, no graduation party would be complete without an LCD rental projector, showcasing a photo montage of the most touching and humorous memories from the life of your grad. Click here to rent a projector from Projector123.com – you’re sure to be impressed by our ease of ordering, our professional grade rental projectors, and our outstanding customer service. Discover the Projector123.com difference now.
March 30th, 2011
Do you have a special occasion or milestone celebration coming up, where you’d like to honor someone special with a video montage? There are many reasons why you might want to celebrate someone with a collection of photos or videos from their life – retirement parties, memorial celebrations, the matriarch or patriarch of the family (at family reunions, for example), graduation, golden birthdays or anniversaries, major accomplishments, wedding nuptials, or other significant accomplishments in the person’s life. No matter the reason, this simple guide will give you tips and creative ideas for making the video montage memorable, tasteful, and delightful for the guest of honor as well as all who view your montage.
Begin with the End in Mind
You’ve likely heard this famous saying from bestselling author Stephen Covey, but it certainly holds true when it comes to creating the perfect video montage. Imagine what kind of reaction you’d like to see from the honored guest or from the other participants or attendees. Are you going for surprise? Nostalgia? Would you like them to feel appreciated? Honored? Revered? Appreciated? All of the above? Understanding this desired end result will help you craft the length, style, mood and overall feel of the montage, so it makes sense to start here.
/>Consider the Personality
Next, you’ll want to consider the person and their personality. Is this a fun-loving person, or someone who is easily embarrassed? Are you honoring a modest person, or someone who loves to “ham it up”? The montage should reflect the guest of honor’s personality (not yours) and showcase them personally. This will help you in choosing what photos or video clips to include, and which to omit.
Less Is More
Particularly if the guest of honor is someone near and dear to your heart, you may find that there is a lot that you want to include in their video montage. However, keep in mind that the average person’s attention span is short, and a long or drawn-out video montage will not go over as well as a shorter, more impactful one. Try to keep your video montage to less than ten minutes in length (six minutes, or two songs, would be even better) and you’ll keep your guest and your audience enraptured for sure.
No matter what kind of video montage you create, you’ll certainly want to rent a projector to help you showcase your final masterpiece. An LCD rental projector from Projector123.com is the perfect way to display your montage, whether in bright sunlight or a dimly lit room. Click here to visit Projector123.com online and reserve your rental projector today.
February 18th, 2011
“And the Oscar goes to…”
If you’re a big fan of the Academy Awards, you may find yourself hanging on the edge of your seat during the last several minutes of the Oscars each year, wondering who will walk away with the big awards. This year’s awards will be held on February 27th, co-hosted by James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Why not put some razzle-dazzle in your Oscar party with a rental projector from Projector123.com? Here are some fun ideas for making your Oscar party a night to remember.
 Create Some Props
Many online sites (http://partycity.com and http://orientaltrading.com are just two examples) sell props, decorations and supplies for Oscar night parties, or (if you’re the crafty type) you can easily make your own. All you really need is some bling (think sparkly gold glitter and shiny aluminum foil), a red carpet (or reasonable facsimile) and an Oscar statue, and you’re good to go.
Theme: a Little or a Lot?
How far you want to take the theme of your Oscar party is entirely up to you. We recommend considering your guest list. Are your attendees the outrageous, outgoing, flamboyant type, or are they more conservative and reserved? Outgoing friends may relish the chance to come dressed as their favorite nominated actor or actress (or their vote for Best Picture), whereas others would prefer to enjoy the evening in a low-key fashion. If you’re hosting more cerebral friends, you may consider creating ballots, to allow people to vote before the show begins, and you may offer a prize to the person who got the most correct at the end of the evening.
 However elaborate you intend to make your Oscar night party, be sure to rent a projector from Projector123.com, the number one projector rental company in the country. We ship only professional-grade LCD rental projectors, and at competitive prices. Since weekend rentals start at just $129 including round-trip shipping, you could host your party on Sunday (Oscar night) but enjoy your rental projector on Friday and Saturday to watch the best picture nominees in larger-than-life scale. Now isn’t that a positively Hollywood idea? Click here to reserve your rental projector now from Projector123.com.
February 2nd, 2011
Sports fans across the USA are gearing up for a much-anticipated Superbowl XLV on February 6. Hosted by North Texas, this year’s culmination of the football season will feature the Green Bay Packers vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s sure to be a fascinating game, but the real question is this: are you prepared to throw a spectacular Superbowl party? Here are some quick tips to ensure you’ve got your game on this weekend.
 Go Big
Superbowl Sunday is a beloved day in the eye of all football fans, and this year’s game should prove to be a real humdinger. Even if you’re just hosting a few friends to watch the game and enjoy some snacks, you’ll want to make sure that viewing the game is the main event. But what if you don’t have a huge projection television? Never fear, as long as you’ve got a big wall, you can rent a projector from Projector123.com and showcase the game in larger-than-life style for you and all your friends to enjoy. If your wall is textured or dark in color, simply hang a white sheet as a projection background and you’ll be ready to roll. It’s not too late to rent a projector for this weekend, and rentals start at just $129 including round-trip shipping via FedEx. Your friends and family will love you for it!
Think Hearty
Game day food tends to be hearty in nature (after all, football is a manly sport!) so keep this in mind when planning your menu. Hot dishes that can simmer all morning or be prepared the day before make great choices: chili, meatballs, stew, chunky soups or chowders, lasagna, etc. Forgo the cucumber sandwiches for this event – even the ladies are expecting to see some heavy-duty snacks. If you live in a climate where the weather is nice enough to grill, be sure to time your outdoor cook time carefully so you don’t miss any of the big game (so long as the food is good and hot when folks are ready to eat). If you want to feature a bit of lighter fare for the calorie-conscious, you can always prepare a salad, fruit plate, or platter of crudités for those who wish to partake. And though beer may be the main event, it’s always considered good taste to include an array of non-alcoholic beverages for kids, teens, designated drivers and those who abstain from the hard stuff.
Ask and Receive
If your guest list for the game day gathering is growing larger than you expected, don’t be afraid to ask for help – enlist a few friends to come early, stay a bit to pick up afterwards, or bring a dish or snack to share. This can help you cut costs if you’re picking up the tab for the projector rental. Most people are happy to help out, but need a bit of direction as to what you’d like them to do or bring. You might even consider making your party BYOB if you’re planning a huge spread of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Don’t delay – click here now to rent a projector before reservations close for the weekend. Projector123.com will help you supersize your Superbowl this year – and every year.
November 22nd, 2010
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Here we are for the final installment of our four-part series on planning the ultimate Christmas party. Now we’re down to the nitty-gritty details, so stay tuned to get those last few party planning essentials wrapped up with ease and grace.
 Tip #8 – Plan the Menu
Arguably one of the most fun and stressful parts of planning any party, it’s positively essential to “nail” the menu. Not only will proper menu planning keep you on target with your budget, but it allows you to effectively plan your grocery shopping and to ensure that you have a good balance of sweet and savory foods, hot and cold hors d’oerves, and vegetarian vs. meat dishes. Food is a key component of any social gathering, but there’s no need to completely stress out over this element. If your budget allows, go for local catering via a service or a local restaurant (or even a semi-fast-food chain, like Subway or Chik-Fil-A). If cooking and food prep are not your forte’, this would be a great place to solicit help from friends, neighbors or family.
Tip #9 – Decorations
Depending on what kind of party you’re hosting, you may not need much at all in the way of decorations. Also, if you’re hosting the party at your home, consider how much decorating you typically do for the holidays – your “normal” holiday décor may be plenty enough for your holiday gathering. You’ll likely want to add festive paper products or dishes for your gathering, as well as a beautiful centerpiece for the main table.
Now it’s up to you to complete the remaining action items on your party planning to-do list. Remember to get help from the people who agreed to assist you – this will ensure that you don’t get stressed with trying to do everything yourself.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our series on planning the ultimate Christmas party. If you’ve got amazing tips of your own, why not share them here by posting a comment? We love hearing from you. And remember – it’s never too early to handle your rental projector reservation from Projector123.com. Click here now to get started.
November 19th, 2010
If you’ve been following our step-by-step guide for planning the ultimate Christmas party, then by now, you’ve already got an excellent infrastructure for planning your party. Now we get into the fun stuff in this installment, and this is where your creativity really gets to shine.
Tip #5 – Choose a Party Style and Theme
Now it’s time to choose what kind of party you’re planning. There are so many options to choose from, and you’ll certainly want to take into consideration your budget, and the size of the venue (for example, if you’re planning a gathering at home, and you have a small apartment, this will be a very different kind of gathering than one held at a rental hall). Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- casual vs. formal
- cocktails and appetizers vs. sit-down dinner vs. elegant buffet vs. potluck
- family-friendly with children welcome vs. adults-only
Once you know what kind of party you’re planning, the next step is to create the guest list.
Tip #6 – Select the Entertainment
Entertainment is a key element of any gathering, and it can be as simple as music on the DVD player, to something as elaborate as scheduled activities. When selecting the entertainment options for your party, consider how many people will likely attend, and how well do they know each other. Also consider the size and layout of the space. Here are some fun ideas:
- white elephant gift swap game
- gift exchange (random)
- have a rental projector set up to: entertain the kids with a children’s Christmas movie, project movies onto a wall (for example, “A Christmas Story” or “It’s a Wonderful Life”) for background ambiance, create a DVD slide show with old family holiday photos or images of Christmas cards, etc.
The first two suggestions are excellent for gatherings where the attendees do not know each other well, whereas the last suggestion is suitable for any kind of holiday party.
 Tip #7 – Create and Send the Invitations
Now that you know what kind of party you’re hosting, and who you’re inviting (as well as how big the guest list is), it’s time to create and send your invitations. You can use a free service like evite.com to send “green” invitations via email, and track responses and the total count of guests attending. Or you can create invitations on your computer to send out via snail mail or hand delivery (a nice touch for neighbors, family members, etc.)
You’re doing great so far! Be sure to return next time for our final installment in this four-part series, where we handle the final details and finishing touches to make your party a smashing success. Meanwhile, why not take a few minutes right now to visit Projector123.com and reserve your rental projector today? We’ve made the process as easy and affordable as possible – click here now to wrap up this essential detail.
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