I have fond memories of warm summer dinner parties when my father would grill Korean BBQ while my sister and I would catch one last swim before sunset, and then my family and our guests would sit outdoors at our small picnic table, eating a panoply of Korean and American food. My hair would be wet and my legs covered in mosquito bites, but those dinners still serve as some of my fondest memories of summer soireés.

As someone who’s generally happy sipping on a white wine spritzer on most hot days, I don’t require very much in the way of cocktails. But when I host friends and am feeling brave, there’s nothing like a specialty cocktail to make an event particularly memorable. From time to time, I’ll venture into the unknown waters of bartending, harnessing my inner mixologist. On those rare occasions, I’ll get out the blender and chop herbs to produce a yummy cocktail, subsequently spending lots of time measuring, shaking, and stirring the perfect drink. But there are equally just as many occasions when I don’t want to spend so much time prepping, and I want to simply combine ingredients from my refrigerator with a few splashes of this or that to make an easy (and delicious) treat, particularly when it’s just a casual gathering with old friends. Below, I’ve compiled some delicious summer cocktail recipes that anyone can make, from the experienced bartender to the novice, to give your event some extra oomph.

After weeks of preparation, tireless logistical oversight, and exhaustive attention to detail, the party is set. The bar is stocked, and every napkin and plate is in place. Then, in the final moments of preparation, you become acutely aware of the heavy silence hanging in the air. Events are all about the senses. Great events should engage sight, smell, taste, and hearing. But the sound aspect often falls to the back of the priority list, so many hosts scramble at the last moment to get the music sorted out. Nowadays, we all have Spotify to help us out with suggested music for any occasion. There are endless playlists that do most of the work for you: “Get Turnt,” “Afternoon Acoustic,” “The Piano Bar,” and “Chillin’ on a Dirt Road” are just a few examples. But what if the options are just too overwhelming? We here at Revelr have found a few tried and true playlist options for different sorts of events that are sure to please just about any crowd.

Once you find the right planner for your event on Revelr, you’ll probably be breathing a huge sigh of relief. After all, someone (besides your family!) will finally have your back to guide you in this unknown territory, and the planner will be there to help you navigate the ins and outs of your event and calm you down when the unexpected happens. So after you get matched to the perfect planner, you’ll probably be ready to dive in head-first and start working together ASAP. Chances are, your planner will begin by asking you a series of questions. Event planners specialize in asking lots of questions (you know you’ve met a great one when your first meeting is spent talking more about yourself than asking questions!). But there are certain questions you should be asking at the outset as well.

Remember being a teen, when pretty much the only event dress code you stressed about was prom? Life seemed a lot simpler then. Nowadays, the sartorial conundrums for events seem endless, as attire codification spans from super formal to uber casual, with variations and gray areas in between. So what’s a gal or guy to do? Here, we at Revelr layout exactly what each code means in terms of specifics, so that you can spare yourself from hours of texting your friends about what to wear.

Working just a few blocks from the Flower District in New York certainly has its perks. Aside from providing an instant pick-me-up on even the grayest of days, I’m also able to track what’s in season, giving me a better understanding for what to buy when. And since our mission at Revelr is about making even the simplest gathering unforgettable (and affordable), we’re providing a cheat sheet for what flowers to purchase when, so that you can save a few bucks while not sacrificing beauty.

It’s hard to maintain perspective on the broader goals of an event when you’re in the throes of designing your dream wedding or dinner, worrying about exactly which Champagne glass perfectly accompanies your china and finding the ideal spot for those highboys during cocktail hour. And even though you’ve likely spent hours agonizing over design details like your invitation font, the chargers, and the linens, chances are your guests will not appreciate those aesthetic details nearly as much as they’ll notice how well the event flows overall. It’s important not to forget this very fact when we plan events.

At my home, there is a drawer that resides in our kitchen – what we call the “catch-all” drawer. It’s likely you have a version of this as well. Amongst its inhabitants are old gift cards, USB cords, scotch tape, and random knick-knacks collected over the years, many of which were originally wedding and event favors. Most favors are relatively forgettable. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve actually used even those favors I’ve held on to. But the few that are memorable are often truly cherished, particularly if they are personal and useful. Here, we at Revelr share some ideas for the best favors that stand the test of time.

New York has this lovely habit of teasing its inhabitants with the coming of spring. It’s usually not until mid-April that snow is officially off the forecasts and warm weather becomes the norm, but as early as March there are little harbingers of longer, warmer days that seem to radiate from the sidewalks: people donning lighter coats, the renaissance of iced coffee after a season of hibernation, and, my personal favorite, the intense waft of hyacinth that seems to permeate from nearly every corner deli.

You’re newly engaged, walking on air, gazing at your left hand to admire the bedazzled band that now sits on your fourth finger for all the world to see. And then, eventually, the clouds part, and it’s time to start planning.