Move over Martha Stewart, and step aside Colin Cowie. Make room for Phyllis Cambria and Patty Sachs! Their new book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Throwing a Great Party, offers would-be party-givers professional and practical advice for coordinating a flawlessly polished party. They also tackle all your party dilemmas with their new full-service Web site, PartyPlusPlans.com. From hosting a child's birthday party to theme events and elegant cocktails, Cambria and Sachs offer a cornucopia of research and resources – as close as a mouse click or a page turn away.

Patty Sachs – Planner Extraordinnaire
"Don't hesitate, procrastinate, deliberate or speculate ... just celebrate," says Patty Sachs, author of eight party books. Colleagues in the party-giving industry refer to Sachs as the consummate party planner. She frequently answers questions on TV and radio and in newspaper columns and is the celebration expert for several Internet sites related to special events and parties.

Sachs created "Don't Wait – Celebrate Week" to give people something to celebrate during the second full week in August, the only week during the year that does not include an official holiday. "People attending celebration events have a great time, share feelings of sentiment, humor and admiration for each other," says Sachs. "Relationships are strengthened, self-esteem is fostered and general spirituality is buoyed."

Phyllis Cambria – Party Guru
"Enjoy what you're doing and you'll never work a day in your life," says Phyllis Cambria. She remembers turning 16 and the luau her mother helped her create for an unforgettable birthday party. "We made leis, paper flowers, favors from clam shells and netting and carved pineapples – the whole works." They even hired a band from her high school and dressed them in Hawaiian shirts.

At her own parties at home, Cambria doesn't spend money on decorating. For a last-minute July 4th barbecue, she scoured her house looking for decorations. She used an old blue sheet from the garage, some flags, a package of stars and clear bowls and vases to create the ultimate buffet table. "By the time it was over, I had created a table no one wanted to disturb," she jokes.

Meeting of the Minds
Sachs and Cambria met virtually on an Internet message board. Cambria often answered people's questions about party dilemmas, sharing her resources and ideas for solutions. On occasion, Sachs, already an author of many party books, also answered people's questions. "I knew Patty by reputation and through several of her books that I owned," says Cambria.

Cambria received an e-mail from the illustrious Sachs saying, "Who are you, and why haven't you written a book?" The two started corresponding on a regular basis. They soon learned they shared the same ideas on parties and had similar writing styles. Within a short time they began co-writing articles, feeding off each other's creativity. "More often than not, we had more ideas than places to write them," says Cambria.

When Macmillan approached Sachs about writing a manual on all the elements needed to put a successful party together, she accepted contingent on Cambria co-writing it with her. Cambria jumped at the chance.

One-Stop Party Planning
Along with their book, Cambria and Sachs created a full-service Web site that shares planning ideas in a free newsletter. "The best stuff is rarely available from local party stores. We've worked hard to find people who make the high-end products you see in magazines," says Cambria.

"For $75, we'll hold a one-on-one consultation with the party host, and then create a custom plan for any occasion." They supply a list of resources to affordably obtain all the items suggested. Many people shy away from party giving because of the work involved. As Cambria says, "It should be as much fun to plan your party as it is to attend."

"All the world's a stage." – Shakespeare
"The overture or the invitation gets everyone excited," Cambria says, comparing parties to stage performances. Along with the invitations and menu selection, she and her co-author illustrate the behind-the-scenes plotting that pulls together the rest of the party – bar essentials, preparing the party site and, of course, ambiance. "To throw a party you need to do more than just drop a six pack of beer and a pizza on the table."

"The first act or the cocktail hour sets the mood," says Cambria. Here guests get their first glimpse of the décor, experience the mood set by the hosts and enjoy the entertainment. "Weave elements of all five senses to create an atmosphere that affects your guests on a subconscious level."

"Act two is the party, dinner or buffet, and the main entertainment, and act three winds up the evening and sends everyone home happy," says Cambria. The epilogue, in Cambria's view, is the clean up, thank you notes and photo collections. "Save all the pieces of your party puzzle and create a final picture that documents every step of the monumental event."

Cambria and Sachs offer a smorgasbord of resources, ideas and experts to make party planning a snap. Their zest for excitement and friendly advice in The Complete Idiot's Guide will help even the most inexperienced party host gain skills and confidence to throw any party.

In Part Two, Phyllis Cambria solves all your party dilemmas!