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Are there other cities that wake from their Rip Van Winkle summer naps and plunge into a full schedule of social activities as Dallas does? Everyone is back, or soon back, from Vail, Santa Fe and Santa Barbara. School has started, and the official season of socializing begins with a frenzy. Perhaps this fall's emergence has been more pronounced with the stretch of over 100 degree lethargic days, which inhibited even thinking about future plans. Most party planners and caterers will tell you that the day after Labor Day marks the day when the phone starts ringing and the calendars begin to fill. Meanwhile, the major charity events, weddings and large private parties were mostly committed and worked on in the spring, before the summer exodus for vacations and slower living.

Our message now is to urge you to decide your personal and corporate plans for the fall, get out the calendars and refer to our Sources for "the best in Dallas" for names of party planners, caterers, venues, musicians, florists and parkers, before the choice spots on their calendars are filled. We have checked with a number of party planners and caterers, and they agree that this year has picked up considerably after the gloomy year of 2009. Veteran caterer Wendy Krispin, of Wendy Krispin Caterer, says she sees a definite upturn in holiday bookings. Her "regulars" plan ahead, and the holiday dates are already being booked. And this year, we'll be adding political parties to the calendar as well, not to mention events leading up to Super Bowl XLV on February 6. Have we motivated you enough to start planning?

And what does one consider when conceptualizing a party, whether a Halloween party (an increasingly popular event to celebrate), the annual holiday party, or a small party for friends, a bride or a debutante? Who and how to hire?

Consider first the event planner. If you are not up personally to selecting all the components for the major party you have in mind, the task may seem daunting, particularly to the uninitiated. By all means, consider hiring an event planner who can pull all the elements together and, often, at a lesser cost. Party planners know the venders and can often get a better "deal" with them, or will know where one can cut less noticeable corners. But our thought in hiring a party planner is a very pragmatic one. If you are looking for a WOW factor in a party, by all means, hire an event planner. The WOW may be anything from great music, fabulous flowers, dramatic lighting, an unusual venue or even the timing to keep an exciting pace.

And what about the caterer? In addition to the cuisine, most Dallas caterers are adept in knowing the requirements to accompany the meal. As part of their ritual, they know, down to the knife, fork and spoon, what will be needed for a party. Many are happy to work with florists, rental companies and venues to relieve the host and hostess of the details. It all depends on your budget and your personal involvement. Only be sure to keep the caterer aware of what you will be handling and for how many. We often hear from caterers about the mismatching of food requirements and the number of guests being served, resulting in insufficient tableware or seating. Check out the Source section on Caterers where you will find outstanding caterers, including Wendy Krispin Caterer mentioned above, and a new addition to our source list, Cassandra Fine Catering, an eatZi's company.

And the invitation? There is something exciting and flattering about opening an invitation for a private event. The invitation conveys a sense of expectation and also sets the theme of the event, be it casual or formal. The selection of invitations from our knowledgeable purveyors, such as Paper and Chocolate, Write Selection, Needle in a Haystack or the St. Michael's Women's Exchange, is extensive, to say the least. Or, you may want an elegant invitation done in calligraphy, which can be duplicated with care at The Print Shoppe. We also have a number of calligraphers and custom designers to recommend and they can be found in our Source section on Invitations. We had previously mentioned one of the web invitation companies, whom we had not taken seriously in the past. Nonetheless, we marvel at the Paperless Post folks who have added class to web invitations. Do we think that Emily Post would approve?

Flowers are a must, be they a simple centerpiece or an elaborate buffet display. Don't overlook speaking to your preferred florist early on in the planning. Karen Akin of Preston Center's Apples to Zinnias reports that her long-time clients are presently booking their fall and holiday needs. As a reminder, her shop is already decorated for fall with plenty of leaves and pumpkins. Look into our Source section on Flowers. And do plan ahead for those special home and outdoor installations, if you have not already done so.

Entertainment adds a touch of class. Hearing the sound of music as you enter a party adds atmosphere, whether it is the pulsing sounds of DJ Lucy Wrubel, the dancing music of Left Bank Society Orchestra or the soothing guitar sounds of James Gabriano. Assess your audience and match the sound. If in doubt, several top area agents, such as Carol Marks Music, can find the match. Check into our Source section on Entertainment to review your options.

Home, restaurant, hotel or special space? A venue is an important component to commit, and they too fill up quickly. Restaurants with private rooms are quick to be reserved. Can we suggest our Source section for Venues for hotels, restaurants and unique sites?

We have yet to touch on other aspects of a party, but space does not permit. We recommend the many Source sections of Entertaining in Dallas, the ultimate source. We are here for this reason. It is our intent that the best of Dallas' resources be readily available to you, and we apologize for some we have yet to add. Have fun perusing the many talented individuals, companies and special facilities of Dallas.

But, with all that is upcoming in Dallas during the fall and winter, we encourage you to plan --

Indulge us!
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