Carving Stations for Cocktails

When planning the hors d'oeuvres for your cocktail hour, consider offering a variety of ways to entice your guest's palette.  Carving stations are one really cool way for guests to interact plus have a say about what they are eating in regards to cooking temperature.  This carving station created for one of our events focuses on Prime Rib and was paired with delicious Pretzel Bread. 

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - www.RushPhotoVideo.com)

Cocktail Reception Planning

The cocktail-style reception is a GREAT alternative to the traditional full-meal reception.  It's a cost saver if nothing else, but there are some things to consider when planning this type of reception for your wedding guests:

• Cocktail receptions are more relaxed and you don't have to worry about a seating chart. But consider a few reserved seats for the elderly guests that will be attending.
• When designing the cocktail reception space, bring in a mixture of hi-boy and low-boy tables with chairs and some lounge furniture like couches and ottomans.  You do not need to provide seating for all your invited guests.  The idea is for them to move around.
• Food service should consist of stations and passed hors d'oeuvres and plan for at least 10 pieces per guest.
• I suggest you hold your cocktail reception for no longer than 3-hours. That way, guests won't be looking for a full meal.
• When designing your wedding invitation, let your guests know the style of reception by stating, "Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres following ceremony".  That way, they can plan accordingly.
• Eliminate many of the formalities - 1st dance, cake cutting, parents/family dances, toasts - or have them done early before to avoid breaks in the party.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - Brides.com | an Colin Cowie Event)

We All Like a Good Beverage! (Day#29)

When you think of beverages for a wedding reception or event, I'm almost positive that the bar comes to mind.  Stocked with premium liquor, beer, wine, soda and juice, this is usually the first stop guests make once they arrive to the venue.  But consider for a moment, a twist on the bar and create a beverage station for your guests to enjoy before the marriage ceremony, during cocktails or later into the night. The station could include almost anything from fruit infused water to your favorite specialty/signature drink.  Add some nice linen, classy drinking glasses and watch your guests enjoying themselves as they relieve their thirst :)

The options are limitless when personalizing your event to showcase your style...and taste in beverages!

A lovely display of punch and spritzers

Lemonade has never looked so elegant

Waters infused with fruit alongside some brightly-colored cocktails

Not your standard martini station

Until next time...WEDologize!

(Photo credits: www.cateringbysimplepleasures.com; www.theclaytononthepark.com; www.knottinghillinteriors.com; www.marthastewart.com)

All Things Mini...and Cute! (Day#20)

I know when I attend industry parties, the caterers are always trying to WOW us with the most unique canapes they can create.  Combinations I would never imagine joining hand-in-hand are being passed around on trays for us to try and hopefully enjoy.  But the same concepts might not work for your wedding guests with a variety of taste palettes.  So consider the overall experience of your guests, rather there are appetizers for the cocktail hour or late night snacks for the party-goers, make them unique, fun and appealing. Add your personality to the mini delights that are served!

A min version of the Chicago favorite

Imagine this cutie with a cup of Java

Mini grill cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

A fun spin on veggies and dip...only from Martha :)

Now who could pass up tacos and tequila???

So now you can see that apperitzers are more than just bruschetta, chicken skewers and shrimp cocktail.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.marthastewartweddings.com; www.japgar.wordpress.com; www.iowagirleats.com; www.callahancatering.com; www.wandering-albatross.tumbler.com)

Cocktail Details

When it comes to the details of your wedding day, don't forget about the cocktail hour as apart of your design. I'm not saying spend an enormous amount of money on this one hour, but don't forget about the small touches that lend to the fabulous-ness of your reception that will begin the following hour.

Some simple inexpensive ideas for consideration:

Finish the hiboys with linen and a sash to compliment your overall color scheme.

Use fruit, herbs or whimsical finishes to garnish your signature drink.

Add a drink stirrer to your beverages.

Complete the drink with a personalized cocktail napkin.

Add a fresh flower to the serving trays of your appetizers.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.amyatlas.com; www.abbyjiu.com; www.bellissmaphotography.com; www.desmoinesrental.com; www.weddingpaperdivas.com)

It Was Truly A Cocktail Hour!

Most couples will have a cocktail hour prior to dinner service for their wedding. This is the time when your guests get to mingle and socialize after your wedding ceremony. Appetizers are plentiful and the bar is open. Guests may be enjoying the entertainment provided, a slide show you may have prepared or grabbing their escort card...but don't forget a true cocktail that gives a hint of your personality.

I've sat through tons of tastings and the bar always seems to be the detail that's left unfinished. Either you select the standard, top-shelf or premium and the conversation moves on. But how about setting up a station or creating a signature drink that will "WOW" your guests.

The signature drink.

A fresh fruit juice or lemonade stand. Alcohol or non-alcohol.

A twist on the Jello shot.

Your favorite soda served with a straw. I love some Coke!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.theknot.com; www.marthastewartweddings.com; www.weddingbee.com; www.elizabethannedesigns.com)

Cater To Your Guests (Pt.2)

One Monday's blog I spoke about different ways to spice of your reception menu. Today I plan to discuss the different catering service styles and the cost factors involved. Let's begin...

• Sit-Down: Formal restaurant style service and the most traditional of reception services. Can become extremely costly based on your meal selection, especially if you have dual-entrees.
  
• Buffet: Tables of displayed food where guests can serve themselves. This service is thought to be the least expensive, but don't be fooled. The chef has to prepare enough servings of each item since the guests make their food selection at the buffet table.
  
• Food Stations: Multiple mini-buffets set up for the more contemporary bride who wants a modern and fresh look for their meal. You will need a lot of space for this style reception and is typically used for the less-conventional bride. GREAT idea for a cocktail reception.
  
• Family-style: Seated dinner where the platters are placed on the table and guests serve themselves. The least expensive service of those listed, but make sure you use larger tables at your reception to accommodate the platters of food.
  
• French Service: Staff will serve guests table-side from large serving dishes. Very costly because of the amount of staff needed.
  
• Russian Service: Staff will hold the platters table-side while guests serve themselves. As mentioned in French service, very costly because of the amount of staff needed.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit - WeddingChannel.com)

Cater To Your Guests (Pt.1)

Catering, rather it's provided by your reception venue or if you have hired a private catering company, the cost is going to be approximately 50% of your wedding budget. Try to make use of your monies wisely and keep your guests in mind when making decisions. I've made a few suggestions, what I consider helpful suggestions when planning your reception menu:

• Make sure to have a tasting so that you can make notations about the look, seasoning and presentation of the menu.
• Be sensitive to your guests dietary restrictions. Consider adding "Please advise of any dietary restrictions" to your reply card.
• Personalize parts of the menu to reflect your background and ethnicity.
• Consider choosing 4-5 different hors d'oeuvre options during cocktails and for dinner serve three or four courses.
• Spice up the cocktail hour with passed hors d'oeuvres, stations and/or tasting tables. Also note that cocktail receptions can be more cost-effective than serving a full sit-down dinner or buffet.
• And wherever possible, make sure your entire menu hits on all the taste buds - sweet, sour, bitter and tangy (tart).

Until next time...WEDologize your budget!